News (264)
What’s going on around Greater Akron
Downtown Akron Partnership seeks project ideas for My Akron initiative
Written by Thom Callahan
Submissions accepted through May 17
Ohio’s neighbor to the northwest, Detroit, proved a catalyst for area professionals with the city’s Emerging Leaders to launch the My Akron initiative.
Kimberly Beckett, director of business relations for the Downtown Akron Partnership (DAP), says of My Akron, “It’s a way to engage the younger demographic to get involved in downtown.”
Still in its infancy and founded in March 2013, My Akron allows participants to weigh in with, “What would you like to see downtown?” by submitting small project proposals to enhance downtown, Beckett says.
Akron Police offers ticket to ride with bicycle auction
Written by Thom Callahan
With warmer weather having arrived — and hopefully with no further interruption of a cold flashback — folks young and old will be strapping on their helmets and biking down the area’s many bike paths.
And for those in the market for a ride, the Akron Police Department will provide an opportunity, as it has done for more than 30 years, to purchase one at its annual public bike auction.
The event is free, open to the public and will take place May 18 at 1085 Sweitzer Ave. (corner of East Miller and Sweitzer avenues).
Blood giving is a 'life-changing experience' for students
Written by Halie Peters
Here at Life Skills North Akron, we have started a student-led volunteer group called ‘’The Volunteer Crew.” In this group, students get together and do some community service projects to give back and engage with our neighbors. We have had about 17 students sign up to be a part of our group.
The first event we’ve done is a blood drive through the Red Cross. The school set up a speaker to talk to us about giving blood, the qualifications for donating, and how one person can make a difference. We had almost 20 people sign up within the first week.
On May 3rd, the day of the blood drive, we had 16 people give blood. According to the Red Cross we got enough blood to save about 48 lives.
Canines display policing skills for 'K-9 Challenge'
Written by Staff Report
Teams of sleek, lean, highly-trained K-9 law enforcement personnel will take-over Lock 3 in Downtown Akron May 18, demonstrating their methods for attacking the bad guys.
Akron's 3rd Annual "K-9 Challenge" is being sponsored by the Akron Police Department, and will include teams of dogs and handlers from Summit and surrounding counties.
The Olympic-style competitions are open to the public and will begin at 10 am and will continue until completed - about 2 p.m. – at Lock 3, 200 S. Main St. Admission is free and guests can park for free in the State Street Parking Deck adjacent to Lock 3.
Stow leaders raise awareness for disabilities
Written by H. Craig Erskine III
Commission on disabilities hosts 'Meet and Greet' May 8
Sara Drew had an objective: raise awareness of disability issues in the community. Her plan was simple. She initiated a disabilities commission as one of her first official duties as Stow's newly elected mayor at the beginning of 2012. The city-sanctioned commission, the only one of its kind in Summit County, began meeting more than 12 months ago.
The Stow commission meets monthly in City Hall's Boards and Commissions room. It is open to the public and has a purpose of advising the city on policies, practices and infrastructure changes that give people with disabilities and their families full access to the community.
Their mission states: "The Stow Commission on Disabilities' mission is to seek out potential issues for people who have disabilities in order to eliminate any boundaries within the city and create a place that is accessible for all people."
The City of Akron recently announced the opening of the Mogadore and LaDue Reservoir Marinas for a third season with the cooperation of Bayhill Enterprises.
The Mogadore Boathouse and Marina at 2578 SR 43, in Mogadore, will be open from approximately sunrise to sunset from May through Labor Day. Boat rentals will be available daily with the following rates: Rowboat only: $20.00 per 2 hours, $40.00 for all day, add an electric motor for $35.00 per 2 hours or $70.00 for all day. Prices are subject to change without notice.
The Mogadore Marina also offers live bait, tackle, snacks, convenience items, and concessions for sale as well as a picnic area and shoreline fishing and convenient access to the Ohio Buckeye Trail.
Akron residents will receive 10 percent off of select services with proof of residency. For more information, call the Mogadore Marina at (330) 628-3343.
Akron Based Whitewater Technologies recognized as a new energy pioneer
Written by Staff ReportWhitewater Technologies, an Israeli Company with U.S. headquarters in Akron, was selected as a 2013 New Energy Pioneers at the Sixth Annual Bloomberg New Energy Finance Summit in New York City. Akron was the first city in the United States to recognize the significance of the Israeli technology and to utilize it to secure its water system.
"Israeli technology is a world leader in water system security and I am proud that Akron was the first in the United States to recognize the importance and potential of this technology," noted Mayor Don Plusquellic. "Whitewater technology allows us to increase security measures and enhance system performance with limited resources. Our water system operators, from one control room, have immediate knowledge of what is happening within the watershed and distribution system, what to do in an emergency, who to call, what valves to adjust, and what treatment levels to manage...all within minutes."
Akron Community Foundation recently welcomed two new employees to the organization. Margaret Medzie of Ravenna became vice president of development and donor engagement, and Tracy Burt of Stow joined the team as director of marketing.
Student engineers land on top at design competition
Written by Staff Report
The bright yellow "Thrust Master," a lightweight, high-payload carrying remote-control plane designed by University of Akron aerospace engineering students, shined overhead in Van Nuys, Calif. where it placed second best overall out of 37 teams that competed in the Society of Automotive Engineers Aero Design competitions April 12 through 14.
UA's team faced an unanticipated challenge and a chance to demonstrate its industriousness during the competition when — after the plane's second flawless flight — it struck a gopher hole off of the runway, causing severe damage and destroying the entire nose section and half of the fuselage.
"The team spent all day and night repairing the damage. This was truly a Herculean effort," said team co-captain Ian Maatz, noting that the team repaired more than a month's worth of work in less than a day.
Tournament set to support domestic violence shelters
Written by Staff Report
The Akron Racers and the Akron Racers Foundation announced that a donation drive to benefit local domestic violence shelters will take place during their tournament this weekend. The drive will take place during the Akron Racers Foundation's Rock N' Fire Tournament, April 26 through 28. Recently, domestic violence shelters have been suffering from cuts in federal, state and local funding. This is a great opportunity to help these organizations facilitate their mission.
Donated items requested include, for women and children, warm socks and slippers, newly packaged underwear, pajamas and seasonal clothing. Suggested personal care items include shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrushes, body lotion and body wash, hairbrushes, combs, hair gel, hairspray, diapers and wipes, and other sanitary supplies. Additionally, gift cards for groceries, gas, phones and drugstores would be appreciated. Old cell phones and chargers may also be donated.
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