AKRON
Man shot in hip
AKRON: An Akron man was shot while sitting in his car Thursday afternoon, police said.
The victim, 26, was struck in the hip. He was being treated at a local hospital for nonlife-threatening injuries. He was unable to provide a clear description of the shooter.
He told police he was seated inside a 2008 Mercedes Benz sedan that was stopped at East Avenue and Diagonal Road about 2 p.m. Afterward, he drove to a hospital for treatment.
Candidate to speak
AKRON: State Sen. Nina Turner, the Democratic candidate for Ohio Secretary of State, will kick off the 2013-14 Akron Press Club speaker series Thursday.
Turner, who is challenging Secretary of State Jon Husted in the 2014 election, was first elected to Cleveland City Council and then appointed to the Ohio Senate to fill an unexpired term. She won her first full Senate term in 2010. An invitation has been extended to Husted to also speak before the group.
The event is co-sponsored by the University of Akron’s Bliss Institute of Applied Politics.
The buffet lunch will begin at 11:45 a.m., followed by the program at the Martin University Center, 105 Fir Hill on the UA campus.
Cost is $15 for Press Club members and $20 for nonmembers. The reservation deadline is noon Monday.
For a reservation or additional information, call 330-564-4211 or email RSVP@cmoresearch.com.
Meeting canceled
AKRON: Akron City Council President Garry Moneypenny, who represents Ward 10, won’t have his monthly ward meeting because of the Tuesday primary election.
Both of the places Moneypenny typically holds meetings will be polling locations for the primary.
Moneypenny will, however, hold a “coffee with the councilman” event at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Julian’s restaurant, 314 Pioneer St.
STREETSBORO
Two meth arrests
STREETSBORO: A 3-year-old child has been placed in the care of Portage County following the arrest of two people at a home where police said methamphetamines were being made.
Jeremy Brown, 36, and Danielle Ury, 32, residents at a home in the 600 block of Crownwood Court in Streetsboro, are charged with illegal manufacturing of drugs, which was raised to a first-degree felony level because a child was present.
According to Streetsboro police, officers from the department and agents from the Portage County Drug Task Force went to the address Wednesday to arrest Brown and Ury on warrants issued in August.
When officers entered the home, they saw a thick, smoky haze in the air and smelled a strong odor of chemicals. The home was evacuated.
Additional children of two adults who were not at the home at the time also were placed with the county Department of Job and Family Services.
SUMMIT COUNTY
Rapist sentenced
AKRON: A Northfield man was sentenced Friday to 15 years in prison for the kidnapping and rape of a baby sitter, authorities said.
John M. Muzic, 28, of Cranbrook Drive, also was placed in the most serious sex offender category, Tier III, which means he must register his address and employment with the county sheriff for life.
In late January, prosecutors said, Muzic stopped at an acquaintance’s home while a baby sitter was there and brought her back to his house after she asked to see his dogs. He then grabbed the girl, dragged her to his bedroom and raped her after threatening to kill her.
Prosecutors said Muzic’s DNA was found on the victim and her underwear.
Summit County Common Pleas Judge Alison McCarty handled the case.
DeVitis’ hours
AKRON: State Rep. Anthony DeVitis, R-Green, will hold district office hours from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Monday in the large meeting room of the Portage Lakes Branch Library, 4261 Manchester Road.
No appointment is needed.
TALLMADGE
Fatal crash
TALLMADGE: A Kent man was killed Friday morning after his sports utility vehicle was struck by a semi-tractor trailer on Interstate 76 at the Summit- Portage county line, police said.
The Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office says the crash claimed the life of William Zeller, 42.
As a Republican candidate, Zeller had previously run for Portage County commissioner, state representative and Kent City Council.
A preliminary report shows Zeller was driving westbound on I-76 and was slowing for traffic in response to another crash when his SUV was struck from behind by a tractor-trailer at about 8 a.m. Zeller’s vehicle then collided with a third vehicle. That driver was unharmed.
The truck driver was treated for unspecified injuries at an area hospital. Zeller died at the scene.
The collision caused the highway and the ramp from state Route 532 to I-76 to be closed for about three hours.
Tallmadge police are investigating the crash and Lt. Ron Williams said in a news release that it does not appear that alcohol nor reckless driving contributed to the crash. Charges, however, are expected to be filed.
WADSWORTH
Appointment made
WADSWORTH: Law Director Norman Brague informed City Council this week that he has appointed Laura Cahoon as an assistant in the department.
Her primary focus will be on property maintenance and land-use issues.
Cahoon will fill the vacancy created when former assistant Jennifer Hensal was elected to a seat on the 9th District Court of Appeals.
The council’s Economic Development and Planning Committee chairman Dennis Shultz has called for a proactive enforcement of the city’s property maintenance code.
Brague said Cahoon will work with that committee and the city’s code enforcement officer on such issues.