SUMMIT COUNTY
Election Day
Today is the primary for several communities in Summit County.
The ballot features contested races for Akron council, Barberton Municipal Court clerk, Cuyahoga Falls council, Green council, New Franklin mayor and council, Norton council, Stow council and Tallmadge council. Many of the winners also face competition on the Nov. 5 general election.
The polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Voters may drop off absentee ballots to the Summit County elections board, 470 Grant St., until the close of polls today. Polling places won’t accept absentee ballots.
The board redrew precincts and changed numerous polling locations. Voters who want to double check their polling places may visit the board’s website, www.summitcountyboe.com, and do a voter search.
Voters with questions may call the board at 330-643-5200. They also can visit www.ohio.com for updates.
CAMPAIGN TRAIL
Sams fundraiser
NORTON: Jason Sams, a candidate for Norton Board of Education, will host a fundraiser from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18 at Houston Hall, 3069 Houston Road.
Hors d’oeuvres and light refreshments will be served.
Cost is $45 per couple or $25 per individual.
Sams, 34, is director of security operations for Acme Fresh Market groceries and has been a part-time Norton police officer since 2000. He said he is running to “increase the safety and security in the Norton school system.”
For more information on his campaign, call 330-819-0932 or email jasonsams23@gmail.com.
CUYAHOGA FALLS
Woman attacked
CUYAHOGA FALLS: A Cuyahoga Falls woman was beaten unconscious and robbed during an early morning break-in of her home, police said.
The woman was taken to a local hospital. Her condition was not released.
Police arrested Alexander Cooper, 18, on charges of attempted murder, burglary, robbery and kidnapping shortly after the Sunday morning incident. He was being held in the Summit County Jail.
According to police, the woman was acquainted with Cooper prior to the break-in.
The woman said she was awakened inside her Third Street home shortly after 5 a.m., after the intruder entered a side door. The man made threats to her and assaulted her before taking several unidentified items and leaving.
Stow police later arrested Cooper at an undisclosed location.
GREEN
Probate discussed
GREEN: The Summit Senior Coalition will meet at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at GreenView Senior Assisted Living, 4000 Massillon Road.
Summit County prosecuting attorney Margaret Kreiner, who specializes in elder law, will present a program on wills, estates, probate and trusts.
Call 330-807-6281 to reserve a seat.
KENT
Esplanade event
KENT: Kent State University will host a Let’s Take a Ride/Walk event at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 19.
Students, faculty and staff are invited to walk or ride a bike on the newly completed Esplanade to Bar 145 restaurant for a free lunch and refreshments in downtown Kent.
Participants will receive a bag with promotional items and coupons to downtown Kent stores and restaurants and 500 FLASHperks reward points.
Information about the Hike and Bike Trails in the area will be presented by the executive director of the Portage Park District.
The check-in table will be located outside near the Student Center on the K in Risman Plaza.
Registration is required by Sept. 17 and is limited to 120 participants.
To register, visit http://bit.ly/14WbtjY.
For more information, call Alex at 330-673-6115 or Marty at 330-672-9618.
NEW PHILADELPHIA
Board appointment
NEW PHILADELPHIA: Portage County Health Commissioner DuWayne “Chip” Porter is wearing a new hat.
He was named to the board of trustees of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy Foundation.
Porter, who lives in Stark County’s Plain Township, has nearly 40 years of public health experience. He has been the Portage health commissioner since 2006.
He is one of 10 trustees of the foundation, a charitable organization that supports the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District that extends from Akron to the Ohio River.
PORTAGE COUNTY
Soup benefit
DEERFIELD: Palmy Chapter No. 114 Order of the Eastern Star will host its Souper Thursday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Deerfield Masonic Hall, 2380 state Route 225.
A donation of $6 will allow guests to receive several homemade soups, tossed salad, dessert and beverages.
Take our orders are available.
Proceeds will support the chapter’s philanthropic efforts.
For more information about the Order of the Eastern Star, go to www.ohiooes.org.
STARK COUNTY
Pantry closure
CANTON: Stark County Hunger Task Force will close the emergency pantry and offices at 408 Ninth St. SW, Canton, on Friday for repairs and renovation in conjunction with the United Way Day of Caring.
The facilities will return to regular hours Monday.
The pantry, in the Community Campus at Goodwill, is open 9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday; 9:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; and 9:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday.
For more information, call 330-455-6667 or go to www.starkhunger.org.
Donation made
SUGAR CREEK TWP.: The Wilderness Center has accepted its largest land donation.
An anonymous donor gave the nonprofit center near Wilmot 325 acres of forested land in Tuscarawas and Guernsey counties.
“The landowner decided to make the donation because he loved the land and could not bear the thought of it being developed or sold off in small parcels,” said center executive director Gordon Maupin. “He has practiced forestry on this land and felt very good about his land being used as a sustainable forest.”
SUMMIT COUNTY
Operation lifesaver
AKRON: The Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway Company will partner with the Akron Police Department today to educate motorists with Operation Lifesaver.
Akron police officers, along with other area police departments, will be stationed at various railroad crossings while the Operation Lifesaver train passes through the area.
Those who enter the tracks when the lights and gates are activated will be stopped and ticketed.
WADSWORTH SCHOOLS
Mentors needed
WADSWORTH: The OASIS program in Wadsworth schools, designed to help students with reading and language skills, needs volunteers.
Franklin Elementary Principal Roger Havens said the volunteers, termed mentors, must commit to one hour a week to share a book with a student at one of the district’s elementary buildings.
Mentors create a lesson based on the child’s interest level each week. The lesson includes the mentor and child reading the book together, discussing the book and doing a related activity.
In addition to the hour weekly, the mentors meet several times a year as a group to share ideas and receive guidance and instruction from teachers or other professionals.
All new mentors will attend a training program from 12:30 to 2:15 p.m. Sept. 17 at Franklin school, 200 Takacs Drive.
For more information or to register, call 330-335-1470.