AKRON
Parking lot approved
AKRON: City Council has approved plans for a gravel parking lot that will serve a mountain bike trail that Metro Parks, Serving Summit County plans to build.
The 29-space parking lot will be at 2655 Akron-Peninsula Road and will serve as the trailhead for 7.2 miles of mountain bike trails near the now-closed Hardy Road Landfill in North Akron. The trailhead will include a small picnic area.
Hardy Road now is part of Hampton Hills Metro Park. Cyclists would be pedaling on narrow, unpolished dirt trails on three sides of the old 210-acre landfill that closed in 2002.
No one spoke against the parking lot plans during a public hearing the council held Monday.
Computers missing
AKRON: Staff at Akron’s Buchtel High School say 30 to 50 laptop computers are missing, according to a police report.
The Hewlett-Packard 6570b laptops were taken from various rooms at the Copley Road school sometime in early September through Nov. 22, the report shows.
A report was filed by the school’s principal Monday.
The report does not indicate who might have taken the computers nor how they were discovered missing. The report also does not indicate a value for each computer.
Base models of the computer retail for about $800 each.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Akron police at 330-375-2490.
Information may also be provided anonymously by calling Summit County Crimestoppers at 330-434-COPS(2677) or by texting TIPSCO plus the tip to 274637. Tipsters may qualify for a cash reward.
Gas station robbed
AKRON: The Circle K gas station on East Waterloo Road in Akron was robbed early Tuesday morning.
Police say a man with a gun walked into the store about 2 a.m. and demanded money.
The suspect, who wore a tan ski mask, fled in a small black car.
Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at 330-375-2490.
CANTON
Land donation
CANTON: A Louisville company will donate 3.8 acres to the city if an environmental assessment reveals no serious problems.
A majority of City Council members agreed Monday to accept the Gateway Boulevard Southeast parcel from H-P Products.
Councilwoman Mary Cirelli voted against the measure on grounds that the administration valued the land at $80,000, whereas the Stark County auditor set it at $19,700.
A private appraiser set the value at $80,000, Service Director William Bartos said.
In a letter to council, Bartos said the property gives the city the opportunity of riparian conservation along Sherrick Run, provides access to a sanitary sewer interceptor and allows for the possibility of trails from Gateway Homes and Cherry Homes to Crenshaw Park. It could become a park.
Councilman Edmond Mack did not attend the meeting.
Arrests in shooting
CANTON: Two Canton men have been arrested in the shooting death of an 88-year-old man in what investigators suspect was a burglary that didn’t go as planned.
Canton police said Eugene Render was found in his Montrose Avenue Northwest kitchen Saturday evening. He had been shot in the chest and abdomen.
Police said the suspects, Japheth Thomas, 19, and Mikal Johnson, 18, both of Canton, were arrested Monday. They are charged with aggravated murder, aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary.
At 6:12 p.m. Saturday, Canton police responded to the home of Render and found the victim in the kitchen. Capt. Dave Davis said police believe it is a case of “a burglary gone wrong.”
Police records show an earlier burglary reported at the home Nov. 18.
LAKE TOWNSHIP
TIF opposition aired
LAKE TWP.: Township residents opposed to the TIF that trustees are considering for the former Byler property along Route 619 addressed the board Monday night with their concerns.
Township attorney Charlie Hall told the group that tax increment financing is an investment in the future as business expands and grows in the community.
Trustees will vote on the TIF at their next meeting, Dec. 9.
In other action, trustees approved several purchases, including an air compressor, chemical water pump, brine tanks and two commercial mowers.
MEDINA COUNTY
5th DUI conviction
MEDINA: A Lorain County man is guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol for the fifth time — this time for a crash in Sharon Township earlier this year.
A Medina County jury found Mark McCraw, 54, of Elyria, guilty after a trial that lasted just over two days.
Authorities say McCraw drove his car into a ditch on state Route 94 on April 1.
A Good Samaritan called police to report the crash.
McCraw told police that his car had been stolen and he had walked from Wadsworth looking for the car. He will be sentenced Jan. 2 and faces up to 18 months in prison because of his previous DUI convictions.
New fiscal officer
GRANGER TWP.: Fiscal Officer Donald Baker was sworn in Monday, officially taking over a term that runs through April 1, 2016.
Baker was appointed in August to complete the unexpired term of Barb Beach, then was elected to the position Nov. 5.
Also Monday, Granger trustees heard proposals regarding the possible use of Medina County’s fiber-optic system, together with Frontier Communications, for telephone and broadband services.
Michele Carson of Frontier suggested a system at a cost of $13,000.
Trustees learned earlier Monday that the township’s contract with Time Warner Cable does not expire for another two years, so they will be considering their options.
NORTHEAST OHIO
Grants awarded
Kent State University and the Barberton Parks and Recreation Commission are recipients of Ohio boating safety education grants.
Kent State is getting $17,594; Barberton, $7,168.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources awarded 22 grants totaling $308,891 for 2014 programs.
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP
Special meeting
SPRINGFIELD TWP.: Trustees will hold a special meeting at 8:30 a.m. Monday to appoint a person to fill the unexpired term of Trustee Bruce Killian.
The meeting will be held at township hall, 2459 Canfield Road.
Killian’s retirement takes effect Saturday.
A meeting to open bids for township work scheduled for this morning has been postponed. That business will be conducted at 9 a.m. Monday.
For more information, call 330-794-1739.
TALLMADGE
Capital trial date set
AKRON: A September trial date has been scheduled for an Akron man charged with aggravated murder and death-penalty specifications in the July slayings of his longtime girlfriend and their 5-year-old son.
Daniel T. Tighe, 39, of Breiding Road, waived his speedy trial rights. His trial date is Sept. 2, with the beginning of jury selection, before Summit County Common Pleas Judge Lynne S. Callahan.
Tighe was arrested in early October following a Tallmadge police investigation that began in August, when the bodies of Wendy Ralston, 31, along with their son, Peyton, were found buried and wrapped in bedding behind their home.
Court records show authorities believe the slayings occurred July 23.
Ralston’s mother, Marie Ralston, found the remains Aug. 10 while searching the property for her missing daughter.
Tighe is in custody at Summit County Jail under a $2 million bond.
COVENTRY TOWNSHIP
Health-care meeting
COVENTRY TWP.: Trustees will host a special meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday at 68 Portage Lakes Drive to discuss the township’s health-care plan.
For more information, call 330-644-0785.