Once again, the property at 15 Broad Street in Akron's Middlebury neighborhood is being given the "cease and desist" order by the City of Akron, after it was found that homeless people were sleeping there, against the previous orders of the city.
Earlier this year, Sage Lewis with Akron's Homeless Charity and owner of the property at 15 Broad St., was ordered to close down the Tent City homeless encampment on his property, in spite of his efforts to rezone the property to operate within the law.
Now, Lewis has once again been given a deadline for those living on the property to move out; this time he has until Friday, July 26th.
Lewis tells the Jasen Sokol Show on 1590 WAKR and 93.5 FM that he made everyone aware of the rule that barred anyone from sleeping on his property and that he did not know that it was still happening.
"Every single person that was sleeping in my building knew that was my mantra," Lewis said. "We knew it absolutely black and white. There was not one person that didn't know that that was the cold hard truth, but they did it anyways."
Since the most recent notification from the City of Akron, Lewis says that basically all of the services the Homeless Charity was providing for Akron's homeless population have stalled at the Middlebury property, including the pantry and day community center. He's hopeful, though, that he and the Homeless Chairty will still be able to provide services going forward, including mobile services Lewis says he's looking into.
Police in Springfield Township are looking for an Akron man wanted for setting off an explosive device after he sent death threats.
According to the release from Springfield Township PD, on July 20th, Brian Matthew Capien (pictured), of Akron, sent text messages to several people telling them that he was going to kill them and that he "had something for them."
Later that same day, police say Capien was seen near one of the victim's homes setting off a homemade explosive then running away.
Police say the device went off but didn't cause any injuries or significant damage.
Capien's now charged with Possession & Use of an Explosive Device, Aggravated Menacing, Stalking, and Inducing Panic. Anyone with information on his whereabouts should contact the Springfield Police at (330) 784-1609.
Akron Police responded to Oakdale Avenue on a call of a man who was shot around 1 o'clock Monday afternoon.
There, they found the victim, a 23-year-old man, with a gunshot wound to the foot. He was taken to Cleveland Clinic akron General with non-life threatening injuries.
According to the APD report, the victim and suspect were arguing over a woman when the suspect, later identified as 30-year-old Jermarray C. Morrow (pitcured) of North Arlington St. in Akron, pulled out a gun and shot the victim in the foot.
An arrest warrant for felonious assault has been issued for Morrow, who police say should be considered armed and dangerous.
He's listed at 6 feet, 5 inches tall, 300 pounds.
Anyone with information on Morrow is encouraged to call the Akron Police Department Detective Bureau at 330-375-2490; or 330-375-2Tip, or the Summit County Crimestoppers Inc. at 330-434-COPS. You can also text TIPSCO with your tips to 274637 (Crimes). Callers can remain anonymous.
Akron Police are investigating after shots were fired into a home on Weeks Street near the corner of 7th Avenue; the same home outside of which Joel "Joey" Wells, the 31-year-old brother of former Ohio State and Garfield High School running back Chris "Beanie" Wells, was shot and killed.
The most recent incident happened early Sunday morning, around 4 a.m., according to The Akron Beacon Journal. In addition to that home, a car that was either parked in the driveway or garage, and a neighbor's house were hit with bullets.
Police are reporting that witnesses said the suspect, or suspects, fired shots from a white, four-door vehicle. No other information has been released.
Meanwhile, Akron Police are still investigating the shooting on the morning of Thursday, July 18th, just at about 8 a.m., when Joel Wells was shot in the head and killed. Reports are that Wells stopped by a friend's home on the way to drop his daughter off at preschool to change her diaper. He went inside the home and put his daughter down, then went back out to the car to get the diaper bag when he was shot.
A vehicle description was provided to police from that shooting, detailing a black Jeep Wrangler. No suspects have been identified.
Since the shooting, Beanie Wells has posted a $15,000 reward, matching that of local law law enforcement and Crimstoppers.
Akron Police tell local news outlets that there is more than likely a connection between the two shootings.
It's official: Amazon is coming to Akron, and bringing with it roughly 1,500 new jobs; most of which that start at $15 per hour.
In a statment issued early this morning, Amazon announced what's been speculated for a long time now, that the former Rolling Acres Mall property on the southwest edge of town, will be the new Amazon fulfillment center site.
The full statement from Mayor Dan Horrigan:
“In Akron we have a proud history of innovation, resiliency, and re-inventing ourselves to meet the changing demands of a dynamic economy,” Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan said. “We are thrilled to welcome Amazon to Akron, to transform this once blighted property into a thriving logistics and distribution hub. This is the single largest job-creating project we have undertaken in a generation. We look forward to continuing to partner with Amazon to empower the Akron community with employment, education and skills training opportunities.”
Reaction from around Summit County, as well, as County Executive Ilene Shapiro and County Fiscal Officer Kristen Scalise both say they're excited to welcome Amazon to the county, calling it the result of collaboration among local, regional, and state development partners.
Amazon reenforcing its commitment to Ohio with another announcement that they'll open a second distribution warehouse near Toledo. The two new facilities will be the 7th and 8th Amazon hubs in Ohio.
The Akron facility, meanwhile, should be up and running by Christmas 2020.
This Week in Tech with Jeanne Destro-7-19-19 Featured
Written by Jeanne DestroThis week, we're talking about food and the technology that takes it from the farm, to your table. We'll also talk about how technology that can tell us the best time to drink coffee, and high tech umpires in professional baseball.
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The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning and an Air Quality Warning ahead of the heatwave that is going to cover the Akron area, and most of Northeast Ohio this weekend. Heat index values are expected to reach 107 degrees by Friday and 110 degrees by Saturday.
Below is the release from Mayor Dan Horrigan's office and also the Salvation Army regarding the extended hours for all of our area cooling centers throughout the sweltering heat:
Due to forecasted high temperatures, Mayor Dan Horrigan has announced that the City of Akron will extend hours at four community “cooling centers” this week. The community centers will be open for extended hours on Thursday, Friday and Saturday (July 18-20), from 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM.
“During this heat wave, families in need are invited to stop by and cool down in any of our community centers,” Mayor Horrigan said. “We are extending hours at four locations to ensure residents of all ages can escape the heat, even in the evening. We also encourage all our residents to check in on their neighbors and family members who may be vulnerable to these high temperatures, and take steps to keep children and pets well hydrated, rested, and out of the sun.”
Cooling Centers open from 8:30 AM – 9:00 PM (July 18, 19 and 20):
Lawton Street Community Center
1225 Lawton Street
Akron, OH 44320
330-375-2825
Mason Park Community Center
700 E. Exchange Street
Akron, OH 44306
330-375-2821
Patterson Park Community Center
800 Patterson Avenue
Akron, OH 44310
330-375-2819
Summit Lake Community Center
380 W. Crosier Street
Akron, OH 44311
330-375-2826
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The Salvation Army of Summit County and the Barberton Corps will be opening their doors to serve as cooling centers and a place to provide shelter from the 90+ degree temperatures throughout the area.With excessive temperatures expected over the next week, The Salvation Army offers a safe place for community members looking to get out of the heat.
Days and Times for Cooling Centers
Akron Citadel, 190 South Maple Street, 330-762-8481
Thursday, July 18th, 2019 12pm-3pm
Friday, July 19th, 2019 10am-3pm
Barberton Corps, 560 Wooster Road West, Barberton, 330-745-2836
Thursday, July 18th, 2019 12:30pm-3:30pm
Friday, July 19th, 2019 12:30pm-3:30pm
For more information on relief from high temperatures, or to make a donation to help The Salvation Army serve affected families, call Major Steven Stoops at the Akron Citadel at 330-762-8481 or visit www.SalvationArmyAkron.org.
For Barberton inquiries, call 330-745-2836 or visit https://oh.salvationarmy.org/
Haven of Rest
With the extremely high temperatures expected for the next few days, Haven of Rest Ministries wants to remind our neighbors who may be experiencing homelessness, and/or without adequate water, that our Men’s and Women’s dayrooms are open and give a break from the heat. Haven of Rest is located at 175 E. Market Street, downtown Akron.
Scammers are getting more creative in finding ways to bamboozle you into giving up your info, whether it's through your your phone, your email, or even social media.
With that in mind, Cedar Point is warning the public to watch for a new social media scam, that's encouraging people to click a link for a free four pack to celebrate the park's 50th anniversary.
One major red flag: The park isn't celebrating 50 years this year.
Cedar Point officials Tweeted, the promotion isn't through Cedar Point's OFFICIAL website.
Heads up: This post is a SCAM!
— Cedar Point (@cedarpoint) July 8, 2019
For any promotions from Cedar Point, they will be posted through our official social channels or a reputable partner. pic.twitter.com/1b1flc8p0M
Their advice?
Don't click the link!