Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan has released the full budget plan for the funds the city raised through the successful passage of Issue 4 on the November ballot.
Below is the full release and budget from the Mayor's office.
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Today, Mayor Dan Horrigan released the City’s plan for spending “Issue 4” funds in 2018. The budget outlines a plan for more than $13 Million in increased investment in police and fire protection and roadway improvements in Akron.
On November 7, 2017, Akron voters overwhelmingly supported Issue 4, a charter amendment that levied an additional .25% income tax to support police, fire, and roadway improvements in Akron. The tax took effect on January 1, 2018 and the City will receive additional revenue starting in February.
“This budget is a reflection of promises kept,” Mayor Dan Horrigan said. “While my administration continues to tackle difficult financial challenges resulting from cuts in state and federal funding, I am proud to budget for $13 million in new investment in our core city services that will keep our neighborhoods safe and strong. As pledged, these new funds will be split roughly equally between police, fire, and roadway improvements, depending on the most pressing needs of each department each year.”
“We are incredibly thankful that the community came together to raise this critically important and much-needed revenue,” Fire Chief Clarence Tucker said. “I’m proud to say that, thanks to these new funds, we expect to break ground on a new Station 2 this year—our first new fire station in several decades. Additionally, this year we will be able to purchase the recommended second set of fire gear for all our firefighters and extractor machines for every fire station, to ensure our front line personnel always have access to a clean, safe set of protective gear.”
“In the Akron Police Department, we will be purchasing 50 new vehicles to replace deteriorating cruisers, investing in our body-worn camera program, and making important updates to our 9-1-1 operating software to improve our service to the public,” Akron Police Chief Ken Ball said. “Without these funds, much of this simply would not be possible.”
You can see the full budget here.
Two women, 2 dogs, 10 cats, and 1 snake all managed to get out safely when the home they were living in on Kennebex Avenue in Akron caught fire Sunday afternoon. According to the report from Akron Fire, the fire was under control around 4 p.m. Sunday. No one was injured.
Akron Fire investigators haven't determined the cause yet.
The American Red Cross is assisting the residents.
There's been no owrd on the extent of the damage at the home.
Editor's note: A previous version omitted the names of Connie Pillich and Scott Schertzer.
When Akron Police arrived at the home in the 1100 block of Bethany Avenue Thursday night on a call of a man shot, they found the victim sitting on the porch of the home with mutliple gunshot wounds, holding a gun.
The call first came in around 10 p.m. The victim was sitting on the porch and had suffered gunshot wounds to the face, chest, and arms. Upon approaching the home, officers noticed that the man was holding a handgun. They secured the gun and then the victim was transported to Akron City Hospital. According to the APD report Friday morning, the victim, whose name hasn't been released, was in serious condition.
According to that report, detectives were not given any suspect description or any more information. Now, they're asking for anyone who may know something to call them.
1590 WAKR Student Athlete of the Week: Tyler Dawson
Written by Tony Mazur1590 WAKR Student Athlete of the Week: Madison Haywood
Written by Tony MazurUPDATE: Kent State University has rejected the request from white nationalist Richard Spencer to speak on May 4th at the Multicultural Center on campus.
In a release, the college says they simple couldn't accomodate Spencer's request as April 30th through May 12th is an "exceptionally busy" time on campus.
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White Nationalist Richard Spencer, who is known for speaking tours at college campuses across the U.S., is reportedly part of a request to reserve the Kent State University Multicultural Center, on May 4th of this year, for a speech.
KentWired.com is reporting that a Tweet sent out by Kyle Bristow (posted below), a lawyer who represents Spencer's National Policy Institute, acknowledged that Spencer's tour manager Cameron Padgett is working on the reservation, and that Padgett would have Spencer speak at the event on May 4th.
May 4th, 2018, would be the 48th anniversary of the shooting of four unarmed college students by National Guardsmen on Kent State's campus during a Vietnam War protest.
Spencer, meanwhile, is suing both University of Cincinnati and Ohio State University for not allowing him to speak on campus.
Read more from KentWired.com.
Former Summit County Sheriff Richard "Dick" Warren passed away over the weekend at the age of 78.
Warren, who served as sheriff from 1994 through 2001, first joined the department at a reserve deputy in 1961, and wasn't even being paid. In 1974 was a promoted to deputy, then to sergeant by 1980, and inspector in 1992.
In 1994, was appointed Sheriff by the Democratic Central Committee, and then ran unopposed again in 1996. He served through 2001.
Warren was 78 years old.
Argument Between Two Men, Woman Leads to Shooting
Written by Ryan LangWe have an update on the shooting in Akron's West Hill neighborhood this morning.
According to the report, just before 5 this morning Akron Police responded to the 300 block of Gold Street near Nickel, on a call about a shooting.
There were two male victims that were shot; one in the head, the other in the arm. The first victim is at Akron General in Critical Condition, while the second was taken to Akron City Hospital and is in serious condition. A short time later, Akron Police arrested Hedy Moss, 49, who fled the scene after the shooting, and charged her with two counts felonious assault.
She's in Summit County Jail.
The victims' names have not been released, pending the notification of their families.
Bunch of new movies for you this week, let's check them out!
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Akron Police were called to a home in the 1300 block of Waterloo Road Friday night around 11:30 about a man with a gun, inside the home, acting irradically, possibly on drugs, and threatening to shoot someone.
The female caller, who hasn't been identified, said that Michael Higgins (pictured) was acting crazy and tearing up the home. She could be heard in a recording sent the the WAKR Newsroom by Akron Police yelling at Higgins, telling him to get out of the house.
When police arrived, Higgins opened fire, to which Akron Police officers returned shots. After the shootout, Higgins reportedly barricaded himself inside the home. Akron SWAT was called, but it is unclear if they were needed, as Higgins gave himself up peacefully shortly after he locked himself inside.
Higgins was arrested and taken to Cleveland Clinic Akron General Hospital with a minor injury; he reportedly was grazed with a bullet from an Akron Police officer's gun. He's charged with felonious assault on a police officer and more charges are expected. Higgins was booked in Summit County Jail.
The officers involved in the shootout have been placed on adinistrative leave, per APD protocol. The incident remains under investigaiton.
Former Akron Police Chief James Nice has formally been charged after a months-long investigation by the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office into his inappropriate behavior while on the job for the City of Akron.
The charge is Attempted Unauthorized Use of a Police Database, a first-degree misdemeanor. The WAKR Newsroom has attempted to contact Nice's attorney, Henry Hilow.
Nice, a former FBI Supervisor, was Akron's Police Chief from 2011 up until he abruptly resigned, at the request of Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan, in August of last year.
There were also allegations of conduct unbecoming of an officer, and accounts of Nice's inappropriate language and conduct in the office, and allegations that Nice attempted to interfere with an investigation into his nephew, Joseph Nice, involving the car dealership he owns in Akron. There is no confirmation on whether or not that investigation is what the charge is stemming from.
Summit County Public Health has released an update on the Flu Status in our area, warning residents the bug has gone widespread.
The Department is reporting 5 deaths in our area; 4 adults, and 1 child.
They're urging everyone to get their flu shot, that there is still time.
Below is the full press release from SCPH:
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Flu Status In Summit County Akron, Ohio – Summit County Public Health (SCPH) warns Summit County residents that the flu is widespread across Ohio as well as 46 other States. The typical flu season lasts from October through May. Summit County has had 5 deaths (4 adults and 1 pediatric) from the flu so far this season; compared to ten adult deaths during the entire flu season last year. The CDC estimates that each year around 36,000 people die from flu.
Symptoms of flu can include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses so it is important to know the difference. If you or a family member has a respiratory illness contact your medical provider for evaluation.
It is still not too late to get your flu vaccination. Flu vaccinations are still available at most healthcare providers’ offices and retail pharmacies. There are currently no vaccine shortages in Ohio.
Other ways to avoid getting or spreading the flu include washing hands frequently; covering coughs and sneezes with tissues; coughing or sneezing into elbows; avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth; and staying home when sick and until fever-free for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication. Persons with flu like symptoms should not visit patients in hospitals or nursing homes. For more information on flu please visit www.flu.ohio.gov or www.scphoh.org.