This Week in Tech with Jeanne Destro-1-18-19 Featured
Written by Jeanne Destro1590 WAKR Student Athletes of the Week Billie Johnson and Alexis Buchanan
Written by Aaron ColemanThe 13th Annual Firefighters’ Chili Challenge, sponsored by the City of Akron, will take place inside the Lock 3 dining area on Friday, January 18th from 11AM until 1PM (or earlier, if the chili runs out)!
Each year, Akron firefighters issue the challenge to see who can create the best chili, served to Downtown employees and visitors. Some chili variations are traditional, while other teams set themselves apart with distinct flavors and ingredients. Tickets for six samples of chili and a beverage are $10. Individual chili samples are available for $1.50. Beverages are also available for $2. All proceeds benefit Akron Children’s Hospital Burn Institute.
“I look forward to the Chili Challenge every year and tasting the newest flavor combinations and tried and true traditional recipes cooked up by our various competitors,” Mayor Horrigan said. “I encourage everyone to come to Lock 3, enjoy some delicious home-cooked food, and join in the friendly competition in support of Akron Children’s Hospital. May the best chili win!”
The 2019 competitors include the Akron Fire Department, The Akron Police Department, the City of Akron Human Resources Department, ARCADIS, Cleveland Clinic Akron General Hospital and the City of Akron Office of Integrated Development. Teams will be competing for Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice, and the Joe Smith Spirit Award. The Joe Smith Spirit Award was created in honor of Detective Joe Smith, an active supporter and participant in previous chili challenges, who passed away in 2014.
Are you an obnoxious sports parent?
It's OK to admit it, all parents have been, perhaps a little overzealous when little Timmy's at the foul line or Suzie's up to bat...
But if you find yourself habitually taking out your frustrations on referees at high school sporting events, the OHSAA has a message for you: COOL IT!
A recent survey by the National Association of Sports Officials shows 75 percent of high school referees have been subject to abuse from parents, and that's resulting in less young people signing up for the job. As older referees retire it's causing a shortage.
So, the OHSAA, in a joint letter from Jerry Snodgrass, Executive Director of the OHSAA, and Karissa Neihoff, Executive Director of the National Federation of State High School Associations, the OHSAA addresses the drastic shortage of referees in the state.
Read the full letter here.
Akron Police homicide detectives are investigating a deadly shooting Tuesday night near the intersection of Clark and Black Streets.
The call came in around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday about a man shot. When officers and EMS arrived, they found the 37-year-old victim unresponsive with a gunshot wound to the thorax area.
He was transported to Akron City where he died shortly afterwords, around 10:20 p.m. No ID on the victim yet, but the Summit County Medical Examiner says once next-of-kin is notified they will be providing an update.
(City of Akron) On Monday, Mayor Horrigan has released the findings of the Community Needs Survey which collected community sentiment and preferences related to the Akron Recreation Bureau. The survey was conducted between July 28 and September 19, 2018 and reached 1,500 households representing more than 3,100 people. The survey will form the basis of strategic changes in the Recreation Bureau that will include an enhanced focus on aquatics, community events and effective communication.
The survey is part of a comprehensive strategic planning process for the Recreation Bureau, announced by Mayor Horrigan during his 2018 State of the City address. This is the first time the City of Akron has taken a comprehensive look at Recreation services since the 1969 report commissioned by then-Mayor John Ballard in response to civil unrest.
“The 1969 report validated a universal truth, which remains true today: providing adequate public space and recreation is and will continue to be an essential service in the City of Akron,” Mayor Dan Horrigan said. “The results of this new community needs assessment revealed that our community centers and pools continue to be important drivers of connection, safety, and quality of life in our neighborhoods. We will be focusing our capital investments and programming on those services the community values most, including aquatics and community events.”
A summary of the survey results is available here. Key findings include:
- The more aware residents were of programming and services, the more likely they were to view the Akron Recreation Bureau as highly valuable.
- The Bureau was generally perceived as affordable, fun, and safe.
- Aquatics (pools and splash pads) are important neighborhood anchors.
- Different demographic groups and neighborhoods experience the Recreation Bureau differently.
- More effective communication – including increased use of social media – could improve the use of facilities and programs and increase satisfaction among users.
“This assessment reveals that we are doing very well serving the residents who already utilize our centers and programs,” Recreation Bureau Manager Brittany Schmoekel said. “Our goal is to use this data to reach a wider segment of the community and better communicate with our existing users about programs, events, and ways to engage with our centers.”
The Bureau will launch a rebranding campaign, including a new mission and vision statements, later this year. New or improved programming and offerings will begin this year based on the community feedback related to each of the individual community centers.
“I thank Mayor Horrigan and the Recreation staff for reaching out to our residents to assess what they need and want from their City Recreation Bureau,” Council President Margo Sommerville added. “I am thrilled to see that we will be making investments in our pools, new splash pads, and more community events that will improve quality of life and foster community pride. As the ward representative for Perkins pool, I look forward to working with the City administration to create something truly special for the neighborhood.”
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US Marshals asking for your help solving a local missing persons case. 31 year old Samantha Cook, has been missing since January of last year, when she failed to show up in court drug charges.
They say she was known to frequent locations in the Wadsworth, Rittman, and Canton area, though she could be anywhere, at this point. Cook is described as a white female with red hair and
blue eyes, standing 5’05” and weighing 150 pounds.
Anyone with information regarding Samantha Cook is asked to contact the U.S. Marshals at 1-866-4Wanted, or Text keyword WANTED and tip to TIP411 (847411). Tipsters can remain anonymous. Reward money is available
ARRESTED: Akron Suspect Prone to Running from Police
Written by Ryan LangUPDATE: US Marshals have arrested Jamar Franklin, the Fugitive of the Week from Akron who was wanted by APD, Copley Police, and more, on several charges, including causing multiple crashes while fleeing police.
On Wednesday, Franklin was arrested after barricading himself in the attic of a home on Grace Avenue.
He was taken to the Akron Police Department for booking.
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The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is looking for this week's Fugitive of the Week, 23-year-old Jamar Franklin, who is wanted by a number of local departments on a number of different charges, including Felonious Assault. On at least two different occasions, Franklin led Akron Police and Copley Police on high speed chases.
See the full release from the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force below:
The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information which would lead to the capture of fugitive Jamar Franklin. Franklin is wanted by multiple jurisdictions. Franklin is wanted by the Akron Police Department for Felonious Assault, the Summit County Sheriff’s for Weapons under Disability and CCW, and the Copley Police Department for Weapons Possession and Fleeing.
On December 30th, Franklin led officers from the Copley Police Department on a chase after responding to a dispatched call. During the pursuit, Franklin crashed his fleeing vehicle and then proceeded to flee on foot. A firearm was recovered from the scene. Franklin has also caused the Akron Police Department to pursue him several times as well over the past month leading to several crashed police cruisers.
Franklin, 23, is a black male, standing approximately 5 feet 10 inches and weighing 176 pounds. His last known address is near the 700 Block of Lucille Ave., Akron. He is also known to frequent the Kenmore neighborhood, near the 800 Block of Wilbeth Rd., Akron. Franklin is believed to be operating a stolen gray Ford Fusion with damage and an unknown Ohio license plate. Franklin should be considered armed and dangerous.
If you have any information in reference to Jamar Franklin, please contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED or Text keyword WANTED and tip to 847411 (tip411). Tipsters can remain anonymous and reward money is available.
This Week in Tech with Jeanne Destro-1-11-19 Featured
Written by Jeanne Destro
This week, fighting crime with technology—both on the streets of the inner city, and in cyberspace. We’ll also take a look at why Apple sales are dropping worldwide, a robot with the magic touch, and a guy that gets paid thousands of dollars a month, to live his life—live—on social media.
***Please note: This show is now available as a podcast on Apple and Android devices. To find out how, follow these links: Apple, or Android