AKRON
Suspects caught
AKRON: Akron police arrested two suspects in connection with Wednesday’s armed robbery of a Goodyear Heights electronics store.
The two are accused of using a handgun and a knife and robbing a clerk at the Game Rack, 1747 Goodyear Blvd.
Police said the men wore hooded sweatshirts and had bandanas over their faces when they went to the store about 12:30 p.m., confronted the worker and stole cash, video games and cellphones.
Officers responding to the scene eventually caught the suspects, one in the 1400 block of Chippewa and the other near Brittain Road, police said.
The men were being held pending the filing of formal charges.
Fatal shooting
AKRON: Akron police are investigating the shooting death of a man who was attacked while in his car Wednesday morning.
Alfonso Golden, 28, was pronounced dead at the scene with a gunshot wound to the head.
Police said Golden was found shot to death about 8:30 a.m. inside a 2005 Dodge Magnum that was stopped in the 400 block of East Waterloo Road. He had been driving west on East Waterloo when another driver, inside a tan-colored SUV, pulled up next to him and fired shots, police said.
The SUV driver then continued westbound. He has not been identified.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Akron police at 330-375-2490 or the U.S. Marshals Service at 1-866-4WANTED.
Anonymous tips may be left at http://ci.akron.oh.us/ASP/tip.html or by calling Summit County Crimestoppers at 330-434-COPS(2677).
Safety meeting
AKRON: The Arlington Neighborhood Association will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Arlington Church of the Nazarene, 1057 Triplett Blvd.
The meeting will mark the group’s sixth anniversary and will focus primarily on gun control and safety issues.
Guest speakers will include Akron Municipal Judge Katarina Cook, a first-aid presentation from Bill Dwyer, and David Frost, who will discuss sustainable development and the Northeast Ohio Sustainable Communities Consortium.
There is no cost to attend, but donations of nonperishable food items for the church’s pantry is encouraged.
Tailgate party
AKRON: Buchtel and Firestone high school alumni and other West Akron residents are invited to a Buchtel/Firestone Tailgate Party from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Buchtel High School stadium, 1040 Copley Road.
Hamburgers, hot dogs and chips will be provided. Those who attend are asked to bring a dish to share.
The event is sponsored by the West Side Faith and Ward 4 community leaders.
For more information, call 330-212-3034.
Polish festival
AKRON: The Polish American Citizens Club will host a Polish Fall Festival from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday at 472 E. Glenwood Ave.
Proceeds will benefit the club’s fund for building improvements.
The festival will include live polka music and ethnic foods, such as pierogis and sausages, for purchase.
Admission is $5 for adults; children 13 and younger are free. Guests should enter off Dan Street.
For tickets or more information, call 330-253-0496 or 330-699-4572.
CAMPAIGN TRAIL
Davis fundraiser
AKRON: Akron Board of Education candidate Jan Davis will hold an “In Search of Excellence” fundraiser dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at On Point Seafood Carryout, 2200 Romig Road.
The event will feature jazz, wine and food.
Suggested donation is $25.
AKRON SCHOOLS
Buchtel book fair
AKRON: The fourth annual Buchtel Book Fair will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Barnes and Noble, 4015 Medina Road.
On Saturday, face painting and storytelling will be provided for children. A drawing will also be held for children to pick out a book of their choice.
On Sunday, cheerleaders will provide entertainment.
Buchtel High will receive a percentage of the proceeds from anyone who shops. Akron Public Schools will also receive credit for anyone who tells a store or cafe cashier that they support Buchtel CLC.
Participants also can shop online at www.BN.com. Use the code 11141116 at checkout.
The money sent back to Buchtel will help teachers buy books for students.
CANTON
Dinner plans
CANTON: A community dinner will be held from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 515 48th St. NW, Canton.
The event will benefit the Military Families and Veterans Program at Solid Rock Therapeutic Riding Center, 10911 Market Ave. NW, Lake Township.
Two-piece chicken dinners are $12 for adults and $6 for children.
For tickets, go to www.stmarks-canton.org or call 330-499-2662.
To make a donation, send a check to the church with “Solid Rock” in the memo line.
For more on Solid Rock Therapeutic Riding Center, visit www.solidrocktrc.com or call 330-990-1777.
Cost payback eyed
CANTON: The city administration is investigating the possibility of seeking reimbursement from responsible parties for the cost of responding to a fire at a closed factory this week.
Safety Director Andrea Perry confirmed Wednesday that an inquiry is being made into the form such a process could take.
Perry said costs are still being tabulated for the fire at the former Convoy Containers, at 1811 20th St. NE, that started Monday.
A reaction with sulfur at the former packaging plant led to the release of sulfur dioxide and resulted in the evacuation of a large part of the city’s northeast section and temporary closure of several businesses.
The response to the fire included firefighting, police patrols, air quality monitoring, the services of the Stark County hazardous materials team and creation of an overnight shelter for evacuees.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
COVENTRY SCHOOLS
Special meeting
COVENTRY TWP.: The Coventry Board of Education has called a special meeting for 7 p.m. today at Coventry High School, 3089 Manchester Road.
The board will discuss the design of the new high school.
HIGHLAND SCHOOLS
Facility needs
GRANGER TWP.: Jim Florian, representing Highland athletic boosters, addressed the Board of Education on Tuesday regarding the need for improved athletic facilities.
He said the boosters have $220,000 earmarked for new game or practice facilities. The football/soccer stadium is of particular concern, he said.
The Highland Athletic Foundation has been formed for the purpose of raising more funds.
Superintendent Catherine Aukerman said that before athletic needs can be addressed, the district must take a comprehensive look at capital projects. She said that with aging elementary schools, the district must review all of its needs.
The board recently requested a state audit of district buildings. Results are expected before the end of the year.
LAKE SCHOOLS
Budget approved
LAKE TWP.: The Lake Board of Education approved permanent appropriations for the 2013-2014 school year of almost $34 million at their meeting Monday night.
The board hired Julie McMahan as a part-time communications/public relations coordinator for the district, and approved policies for students using electronic devices in class and for home-schooled students who wish to participate in extracurricular activities.
NORTH ROYALTON
Copper thefts
NORTH ROYALTON: Authorities say vandalism and copper theft are becoming a “huge problem” for owners of vacant properties in North Royalton.
The city’s police department reported that it has responded to four copper-related theft calls in recent days.
In each instance, police said, “vacant houses either foreclosed or for sale have been the target of thieves.”
The department said it plans to step up patrols of vacant properties, but is asking residents to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity.