Shay Tuned

09/08/2024

UPDATE: The deadline to self-report damage has been extended through August 21.
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Did your residence or business experience damage due to flash flooding the evening of August 8, 2024? Please self-report any damage to your privately-owned property to our Summit County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) by Wednesday, August 14.

Why? Verified damage reports will be sent to Ohio EMA to determine if any supplemental financial assistance will be provided to communities and/or residents. Your assistance is vital to this process.

Follow the steps below:

1) Download the Summit EMA app. Scan the QR code or click here: https://apps.myocv.com/share/a49644308

2) In the app, click on Damage Report.

3) Fill out the form completely to self-report damage.

No smartphone or tablet? No problem. Visit https://tinyurl.com/Summit-Aug082024 to fill out that same form to self-report damage.

09/08/2024

Akron Merriman Valley: The Canyon Brook Drive entrance to TimberTop has collapsed.

09/08/2024

I’ve been seeing so many videos of the devastating floods in Akron, Ohio, with homes and basements being destroyed. My heart goes out to everyone affected by this. I sincerely hope that a solution can be found to address the property damage and help those impacted.

If you’re looking for ways to support our community during this challenging time, consider donating to local relief organizations, volunteering your time, or even offering help to neighbors who may need a hand. Every little bit counts as we come together to rebuild and recover.

Stay strong, Akron, and let’s continue to support one another.

09/08/2024

⚠️ EMERGENCY ALERT:: Flash Flood Warning

08/08/2024

Things to Do in Central Ohio This Weekend:

• Union County Airport, Thursday - Saturday
Enjoy hot air balloons, food, live music, and vendors.

• Columbus Crew vs. Sporting Kansas City
Lower Field, Friday at 7:30 p.m. Catch the Crew in the Leagues Cup Round of 32.

• Various locations in Gahanna, Friday - Sunday
Celebrate Gahanna’s 175th anniversary with Creekside Live and jubilee events.

• AAMWA Black Men’s Wellness Day Livingston Park, Saturday at 7 a.m. Join the 5K walk and run, health screenings, and more.

• Festival Latino 2024, Genoa Park, Saturday - Sunday, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Enjoy live music, food, art, and fashion.

• Free Kayak Day, Scioto River, Saturday, 1 - 5 p.m. Experience free kayak rentals and enjoy the river views.

• Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, now - Sept. 29
Explore Asian lantern displays, cultural performances, and free rides.

• Central Ohio, through October
Visit local fairs for food, rides, games, and more.

Enjoy your weekend!

08/08/2024

As we observe Child Support Awareness Month, WalletHub’s 2024 report reveals the states with the most underprivileged children. Key findings for Ohio:

• Overall Rank: 16th
• Percentage of Children in Households with Below-Poverty Income: 15th
• Child Food-Insecurity Rate: 12th
• Infant Mortality Rate: 8th
• Percentage of Uninsured Children: 28th

While Ohio shows progress in reducing infant mortality, challenges remain in child homelessness and food insecurity. Let’s continue to focus on improving conditions for our youth and ensuring a brighter future for all children.

08/08/2024

Come together for an afternoon of food, music, and fun at the Anshe Sfard Revere Road Synagogue’s Jewish Family Festival on Aug. 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the parking lot (or indoors if the weather doesn’t cooperate).

Enjoy:

• Art and jewelry vendors
• Delicious food from Efrat’s Cafe
• Kids’ entertainment: juggler on stilts, inflatables, and more
• Performances by Chasidic rapper Ari Lesser and Israeli singer-songwriter Rami Feinstein

Unite, celebrate, and experience the joy that “breaks all boundaries” as we come together as a community.

08/08/2024

A 14-year-old boy has been arrested for allegedly shooting two people inside a parked car on Ardella Ave. last Friday around 8:30 p.m. The victims, a 16-year-old girl and a 25-year-old man, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and went to Summa Health Akron City Hospital.

Police say the shooting followed a verbal argument between adults at a nearby home. The 14-year-old has been charged with two counts of felonious assault and is being held at the Summit County Juvenile Detention Facility. A 35-year-old man was also arrested for violating a protection order.

08/08/2024

The City of Akron is nearing a settlement in the federal civil rights lawsuit filed by Jayland Walker’s family, seeking at least $45 million in damages. Attorney Bobby DiCello hinted at a resolution during Walker’s memorial on June 27, promising that “change is on the way.”

A recent status report indicates that significant progress has been made, with a possible settlement by early September. The lawsuit alleges constitutional violations by Akron police who fired 94 rounds at Walker in June 2022, resulting in widespread protests.

Earlier this year, Akron settled two related lawsuits involving policy changes and $747,000 in damages for protesters.

08/08/2024

Phillip Mendoza, 62, has been sentenced to 15 to 20.5 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit murder and three counts of felonious assault. The charges stem from an August 2020 incident where Mendoza fired into a home on 5th Avenue in East Akron, tragically killing toddler Tyree Halsell and injuring two others.

Four additional people inside the home were unharmed.

Summit County Common Pleas Court Judge Alison McCarty accepted Mendoza’s plea and handed down the sentence, which requires Mendoza to serve a minimum of 15 years.

My thoughts remain with the victims and their families during this difficult time.

08/08/2024

Fugitives with no history of violence have an opportunity to take their first step toward community re-entry at the Fugitive Safe Surrender event in Akron. The event is being held at the House of the Lord, 1650 Diagonal Rd., from August 7-10, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

Legal officials and law enforcement officers will be on-site to assist individuals with outstanding warrants. This program aims to keep police, fugitives, and residents safe while also helping to clear up court dockets and paperwork.

If you or someone you know has outstanding warrants, this is your chance to resolve them safely and take a step toward a better future.

08/08/2024

A 42-year-old man from Portage County has been arrested in connection with the theft of various sports cards from a Boardman business in July. The suspect was taken into custody without incident by Boardman police on August 5 and later released with a summons for a court appearance on August 8.

The incident occurred on July 14 when the suspect entered the Meijer store on Boardman Canfield Road around 2:40 p.m. According to the police report, he opened several boxes of sports cards on the sales floor, stole the packs inside, and left the store about an hour later.

Security footage captured the suspect leaving the scene in a black Ford Escape, and the evidence was turned over to detectives. The value of the stolen sports cards has not been disclosed.

08/08/2024

Important Reminder for SNAP Recipients: Get Replacement Benefits for Food Lost During Power Outages

Extended power outages can be more than just an inconvenience—they can lead to significant losses in spoiled food. If you use SNAP benefits and experienced a power outage of four hours or more, you may be eligible to have those benefits replaced.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services reminds all SNAP recipients that they can apply for replacement benefits if their food was lost due to a power outage. The replacement amount will be added directly to your Ohio Direction Card, but it won’t exceed your monthly allotment.

To receive replacement benefits:

1. Complete JFS Form 07222 within 10 days of the food loss.
2. Submit the form to your County Department of Job and Family Services.
3. Include proof of the power outage in your area to help with the verification process.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to recover your lost benefits—apply as soon as possible!

You can click here to find your local office.

Find your local county or agency contacts

08/08/2024

Donald Vos, a resident of Yellow Creek Township, has filed a federal lawsuit against the Ohio Secretary of State, claiming that Democrats should not be allowed to replace Joe Biden’s name on the upcoming ballot.

Vos argues that Ohio law prohibits anyone else from stepping in for Biden and believes he has an “open and shut case.” Despite the state legislature’s recent decision to extend the deadline for ballot certification, Vos contends that this, too, is unchallengeable. He seeks an injunction to prevent any Democrat other than Biden from appearing on the ballot.

“If Trump had bowed out and they put another Republican in at this stage of the game, I would challenge it,” Vos stated, emphasizing that his stance is about following the law, not party allegiance.

Self-taught in legal matters, the 70-year-old believes his case could make history and hopes that similar lawsuits will be filed in all 50 states. According to Vos, only Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. qualify to be on the presidential ballot.

The Ohio Attorney General has three weeks to respond to the lawsuit before a hearing is scheduled.

08/08/2024

A tragic incident unfolded in Ohio as Jeffrey Jay Atkinson, 55, was arrested for allegedly causing life-altering injuries to a 9-year-old girl after hitting her with his Hummer and dragging her for several blocks. The young girl, who was biking over a crosswalk, suffered “extensive trauma,” with the lower portion of her left leg missing below the knee. Despite her severe injuries, she survived the horrifying ordeal.

Atkinson, who was apprehended last month, faces multiple charges, including two counts of vehicular assault, child endangering, failure to stop after an accident, and operating a vehicle while impaired.

Authorities were alerted to the incident on July 22 when witnesses flooded 911 with calls, including the girl’s distraught mother, who reported that her daughter was struck and dragged by the SUV. Officers responded quickly, administering tourniquets to the girl’s legs at the scene.

Atkinson was later found at a bar on Springfield Street, about 3.5 miles from the scene. Bodycam footage shows him admitting to being “too drunk” and making excuses for his impairment. He is currently held at Montgomery County Jail on a $500,000 bond.

My thoughts are with the young victim and her family as they navigate this difficult time.

08/08/2024

Free Admission to the Akron Zoo for Summit County Residents!

As a special thank you for the incredible support from our community, the Akron Zoo is offering free admission to all Summit County residents throughout September!

When: Sept. 1 - Sept. 30
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
Bonus: Free parking included!

Secure your tickets online in advance to enjoy this amazing opportunity! Tickets are limited to four per household, and once a day’s allotment is gone, no more will be issued—so book early!

Location: 500 Edgewood Avenue, Akron, OH

Don’t miss out on this chance to explore the wonders of the zoo.

02/08/2024

02/08/2024

Body camera footage has been released from the tragic March 16 police shooting in Macomb, Illinois, which resulted in the deaths of an Illinois man and his 4-year-old hostage, Terrell Marshawn Miller. The video shows the harrowing moments leading up to the shooting during a domestic violence incident.

Officers Lt. Nick Goc and Officer Korri Cameron responded to the scene after receiving 911 calls reporting gunshots. Upon arrival, they found blood in the building’s stairwell and forced entry after hearing a woman screaming for help. Inside, they confronted the attacker, Anthony George, who was holding the child hostage with two knives. An officer fired a single shot, killing both George and the child.

A special prosecutor has determined that the officers will not face charges. However, the child’s mother, represented by attorney Marleen Suarez, questions the lack of de-escalation efforts and plans to sue, alleging reckless behavior by the police.

This remains a highly sensitive and ongoing investigation. I don’t own rights to video that’s posted.

(I DONT OWN RIGHTS TO THE VIDEO)

01/08/2024

HES BEEN CAUGHT YALL!!!

Denzel Pope, 19, has been arrested in connection with the tragic murder of Paige Nicole Calich. Police confirmed his arrest took place last night in Chicago, Illinois.

31/07/2024

Another fast food chain is closing its doors in Akron. The Arby’s at 292 E. Exchange Street will permanently shut down today due to low sales.

31/07/2024

Six individuals in Northeast Ohio face up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to federal pandemic unemployment fraud. Clarissa Cheney, Kevin Gilmore, Tiara Henderson, Ladessa Battle, Lynard Mitchell, and Marcelys Jones fraudulently obtained nearly $3 million in unemployment benefits by using other people stolen personal information and falsifying details on their applications.

The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, created to support workers impacted by COVID-19, was exploited by the defendants between March 2020 and August 2021. They submitted fake applications to the California Employment Development Department and other agencies, issuing nearly $3 million in benefits.

Sentencing is set for September and October 2024.

31/07/2024

An 18-year-old, Everilda Cux-Ajtzalam, has been arrested after giving birth at a food truck in Houston and leaving her newborn in a dumpster tied inside a trash bag. Cux-Ajtzalam, who expressed fear that her boyfriend would leave her, was arrested on Thursday after the July 21 incident. She gave birth behind the taco truck where she works.

Cux-Ajtzalam put the child, placenta, and umbilical cord into a trash bag and left it in a dumpster. The baby was discovered hours later when a passerby heard him crying. Video footage shows paramedics rescuing the newborn, who is now in good health and under the care of Child Protective Services.

Cux-Ajtzalam faces a felony child abandonment charge with bail set at $90,000, later raised to $200,000. She remains in Harris County Jail with an ICE hold placed on her release.

31/07/2024

A man from Akron entered a guilty plea to several charges, including conspiracy to commit aggravated murder in connection with the 2022 shooting death of a 16-year-old boy, along with other unconnected cases, just hours before his jury was scheduled to begin deliberations on Monday.

The 20-year-old Daryeus Jones also acknowledged to two firearm specifications, felonious assault, and aggravated robbery, with potential jail term. He entered a guilty plea to two separate charges of carrying a hidden weapon and mishandling a handgun in a moving vehicle. Judge Susan Baker Ross will be sentencing the defendant on August 30 at 10 a.m.

Last October, Domonic Herring who entered a guilty plea in 2023 was given a prison sentence of 14 to 16 and a half years. Herring also acknowledged to having committed felonious assault and two weapons offenses in unrelated cases, in addition to aggravated robbery, robbery, and gun specifications. Herring and Daryeus Jones were both taken into custody in relation to the 16-year-old Jamarian Coffey's shooting death. According to Akron police, Coffey sustained numerous gunshot wounds during an altercation on Dodge Avenue in the Highland Square section of Akron on October 22.

31/07/2024

Corvette Pope, 25, was charged with aggravated murder related to the shooting death of Paige Nicole Calich, 24, and made her court appearance this morning. Pope is being jailed on a $1 million bond after entering a not guilty plea.

31/07/2024

The 36th Annual Lebanese Festival, which runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. this Friday and Saturday at Our Lady of the Cedars Maronite Catholic Church, 507 S. Cleveland-Massillon Road, Fairlawn, will immerse you in Lebanese culture and traditional foods.

Enjoy a la carte delicacies like as tabbouleh, kibbee, and stuffed grape leaves, as well as chicken, beef, and falafel roll-ups. Don't miss out on handcrafted Lebanese sweets and beverages. The event includes indoor and outdoor dining, live music, and a jump house for kids all day for $7. For further information, please call 330-666-3598.

31/07/2024

Hundreds of merchants protested at Temu’s Guangzhou office this month, expressing frustration over fines and refund policies that they say are harming their profits. Many small business owners are unhappy with policies that impose hefty fines for refund requests and complaints, with some merchants claiming losses of up to $410,000.

The protests, which included around 300 people, led to temporary office shutdowns and police intervention. Merchants have criticized Temu’s handling of after-sales issues and alleged that the platform often issues refunds without requiring returns.

Temu, operated by PDD Holdings, stated that it does not profit from fines and is working on resolving the issues with merchants. The platform’s rapid growth and popularity in the West have been met with increasing scrutiny from its Chinese user base, with some feeling that Western consumers are exploiting the system.

31/07/2024

Get ready for an unforgettable evening at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse! Join for A Taste of Black CLE on Thursday, August 22, from 6 to 11 p.m. with over two dozen eateries showcasing their best dishes.

• Tasting Experience: $100 – Enjoy tastings, two drink tickets, and voting rights.
• VIP Experience: $200 – Includes all tasting amenities plus exclusive food from last year’s winner, No Fork Restaurant, and a ticket to a Cleveland Cavaliers game.

This annual event highlights underrated local chefs and benefits the participating chefs, Cleveland NAACP, and The Cavaliers Foundation. Enjoy live music from a band and DJ while sampling dishes from Cleveland’s best food trucks, restaurants, and caterers.

2024 Lineup Includes:

• Restaurants: The Astro Restaurant, Zanzibar Soul Fusion, House of Creole, and more
• Food Trucks/Caterers: Feeed Myyy Bellyyy, The Cleveland Fish and Seafood Co., Blasion Fusion, and more
• Vegan Options: Juicy Vegan, Squash the Beef, Vegan Vybez, and more
• Desserts: The Sweet Fix Bakery, Le’ Scoop Dessert Boutique, Gourmet Girl Custom Cakes, and more

For tickets and more details, visit cavs.com/tasteofblackcle.

Don’t miss out on this culinary celebration!

31/07/2024

Rest in eternal power, Ismail Al-Ghoul 🕊️💔

Ismail has been a familiar face on our screens, courageously reporting from Gaza for Al Jazeera over the last 10 months. Tragically, Israeli forces took his life today.

It’s a sobering reminder of the dangers journalists face in conflict zones, and it’s disheartening to see such silence from the global press community as their peers are targeted. Since October 7th, 165 journalists have been killed in Gaza.