Ohio Newspapers

Firm chosen as Cleveland monitor submitted one of lowest bids, records show [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Eric Heisig, Northeast Ohio Media Group — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 22:52:00 +0000

The Los Angeles-based consulting firm that will oversee the city of Cleveland's progress under a settlement with the U.S. Justice Department submitted one of the lowest bids for the job, records released Thursday show.

Monitor team for Cleveland's federal consent decree (photo gallery) [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Ryllie Danylko, Northeast Ohio Media Group — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 22:44:51 +0000

Officials announced a 15-member team tasked with monitoring the Cleveland police department's compliance with the U.S. Department of Justice consent decree.

Region briefs — Oct. 2 [Akron Beacon Journal]

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 22:38:20 +0000

aKRON

Rapist sentenced to life

AKRON: An Akron man was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of multiple counts of rape and other sexual crimes involving a victim under the age of 13, authorities said Thursday.

Jeremy Scott, 35, of Palmetto Avenue, will not be eligible for parole for 120 years.

In August, a Summit County jury returned guilty verdicts on 24 counts — 10 counts of rape of a child under the age of 13, 10 counts of sexual battery and four counts of gross sexual imposition.

Prosecutors said Scott raped and sexually assaulted a family member. The crimes took place over a period of five years, starting when the victim was 7 and ending when she was 12.

Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh said Scott “stole the victim’s childhood” and that she is thankful he will “spend the rest of his life in prison and will not be able to hurt anyone else.”

Common Pleas Judge Tammy O’Brien handled the case.

Vehicle hits pedestrian

AKRON: A pedestrian was struck by a speeding vehicle early Thursday in Southwest Akron, according to newsnet5.com.

The accident occurred about 12:30 a.m. on Vernon Odom Boulevard near the Hi-De-Ho Lounge.

The motorist was westbound, struck the pedestrian who was crossing the street and then hit another westbound vehicle.

Akron police said the pedestrian suffered moderate injuries and was taken to a local hospital.

The vehicle suffered the loss of a mirror, a broken window and a damaged right fender.

The motorist was cited by police.

Polish Oktoberfest

AKRON: The Polish American Citizens Club is holding its annual Polish Oktoberfest 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday.

The event will take place at the club, located at 472 Glenwood Ave., at the corner of Dan Street.

Admission is $5. Children 12 and younger are admitted free.

The event will feature dancing to the polka music of local musician Walter Wolanski. Polish food, including homemade perogies and polish sausage, will be available for purchase.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call the club at 330-253-0496 or Tommy at 330-699-4572. Tickets will also be available at the door.

CAMPAIGN TRAIL

Issue 1 discussion

AKRON: Former state Rep. Vernon Sykes will discuss Issue 1, a statewide ballot issue that would change how redistricting is done in Ohio, at a meeting of the Federated Women of Summit County Saturday morning.

Issue 1 would create a new method for drawing state legislative districts, with a bipartisan commission required to find consensus to adopt new districts. The issue has received support from a diverse array of groups, both liberal and conservative.

Other ballot issues also will be discussed.

The event will begin with a social hour at 9:30, followed by the breakfast meeting at 10 a.m. at St. George’s Fellowship Center, 3204 Ridgewood Road.

Cost is $14. RSVP by calling 330-864-8280.

The meeting is open to the public.

SUMMIT COUNTY

Nature Realm roof repairs

AKRON: Work is underway to install a new permanent roof on the visitor center at the Seiberling Nature Realm.

Work by contractor West Roofing System of LaGrange began on Monday and will continue for about three weeks.

The company will be paid $151,800 for the work that includes installation of 4 inches of insulation and the new roof.

Previously, the roof was covered with dirt, but leaks occurred. That led Summit Metro Parks to remove the dirt and make needed repairs to the concrete roof.

The work is being done from 8:30 a.m. to dark on days when weather permits. The park and visitor center off Smith Road will remain open during the construction.

Oregon school shooting: Shooter asks students their religion, report says [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Lynne Terry | The Oregonian/OregonLive — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 22:29:00 +0000

An 18-year-old student said the shooter told people to get down, then told them to stand up and state their religion and then started firing in a writing class.

Baby shot on Cleveland's East Side, reports say [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Jane Morice, Northeast Ohio Media Group — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 22:19:00 +0000

A baby has been shot on Cleveland's East Side, according to multiple news reports.

Federal fund to buy parkland lapses, dismaying backers including former Rep. Steve LaTourette [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Sabrina Eaton, Northeast Ohio Media Group Washington Correspondent — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 22:04:00 +0000

Authorization for the $900 million per year Land and Water Conservation Fund expired on Sept. 30, jeopardizing the future of the 50-year-old program that uses federal royalties from offshore oil and gas drilling to buy land for conservation and recreational use.

Cleveland Clinic, CWRU break ground on $515M Health Education Campus including dental clinic in Hough [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Steven Litt, The Plain Dealer — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 21:30:00 +0000

The Cleveland Clinic and Case Western Reserve University broke ground Thursday on their $515 million Health Education Campus designed by Lord Norman Foster. It will include a free-standing dental clinic in the city's Hough neighborhood.

Firm hired to monitor Cleveland consent decree helped reform other police departments [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Brandon Blackwell, Northeast Ohio Media Group — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 21:21:00 +0000

In its bid for the job, nonprofit Police Assessment Resource Center cited its work in five other cities.

Solon Mayor Susan Drucker says Bedford Heights mayor did endorse South Euclid Mayor Georgine Welo [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Sara Dorn, Northeast Ohio Media Group — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 21:13:00 +0000

Solon Mayor Susan Drucker says Bedford Heights Mayor Fletcher Berger endorsed South Euclid Mayor Georgine Welo, despite his claims that he did not endorse anyone in the race. Berger is the boss of Welo's opponent, City Councilwoman Ruth Gray.

UT Rockets point-shaving scandal ends [Toledo Blade]

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 20:57:56 +0000

DETROIT – The point-shaving case involving the University of Toledo is completed, at long last.

Oregon college shooting: Shock, fear and confusion after attack at Umpqua Community College [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Anna Griffin | The Oregonian/OregonLive — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 20:38:35 +0000

As many as 13 people are dead and 20 injured after mass shooting at Roseburg's Umpqua Community College in southern Oregon. The shooter died of a gunshot wound.

Oregon college shooting: Social media reports, responses [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Joseph Rose | The Oregonian/OregonLive — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 20:38:00 +0000

Former Florida governor and U.S. presidential candidate Jeb Bush was among the people sending thoughts and prayers over social media Thursday to the victims and families of the Umpqua Community College shooting.

Convicted child rapist sentenced to life in prison [Akron Beacon Journal]

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 20:28:00 +0000

An Akron man was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of multiple counts of rape and other sexual crimes involving a victim under the age of 13, authorities said Thursday.

Jeremy Scott, 35, of Palmetto Avenue, will not be eligible for parole for 120 years.

In August, a Summit County jury returned guilty verdicts on 24 counts – 10 counts of rape of a child under the age of 13, 10 counts of sexual battery and four counts of gross sexual imposition.

Prosecutors said Scott raped and sexually assaulted a family member. The crimes took place over a period of five years, started when the victim was 7 and ending when she was 12.

Common Pleas Judge Tammy O’Brien handled the case.

Ohio Auditor warns Judge Diane Grendell about campaign mailings, despite Grendell's lawsuit [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Sara Dorn, Northeast Ohio Media Group — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 20:25:16 +0000

Eleventh District Court of Appeals Judge Diane Grendell's libel lawsuit against the Ohio Auditor failed to prevent the auditor from scolding her about potentially improper campaign mailings.

Toxin levels in raw Lake Erie water drop today [Toledo Blade]

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 20:22:40 +0000

Beachwood Place owner removes trees without city permission; planning commission approves revised landscape plan [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Bob Sandrick, Northeast Ohio Media Group — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 20:22:25 +0000

Beachwood Place owner General Growth Properties was scolded by the Beachwood Planning and Zoning Commission for removing trees without city permission. Nevertheless, the commission approved the mall's revised landscape plan.

Lorain police find drugs, guns in homes of three parolees [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Patrick Cooley, Northeast Ohio Media Group — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 20:20:00 +0000

Lamar Reed, Malik Islam and Montel Phillips, all parolees who live in Lorain, were found to be in possession of drugs and guns.

Eight counties in Northeast Ohio unable to comply with tighter federal ozone limit [Akron Beacon Journal]

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 20:18:49 +0000

With the federal ozone limit dropping to 70 parts per billion, three counties in Northeast Ohio would violate tighter federal clean-air limits based on current data.

Cuyahoga (75), Lake (78) and Ashtabula (72) would fail to comply based on official data from 2012 through 2014.

Summit (62), Portage (64), Medina (67), Lorain (69) and Geauga (70) would comply with the new ozone limits to protect public health announced on Thursday by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Across the state 27 counties are affected.

The old limit of 75 was set in 2008. Ozone or unhealthy smog is formed when pollution from factories, power plants and vehicles mixes in sunlight.

The new rule requires compliance based on 2016-2018 data.

The new limits “will be a definite positive” by boosting public health in the Akron area and reducing medical costs by making it easier to breathe for children, the elderly and asthmatics, said Sam Rubens of the Akron Regional Air Quality Management District.

The change will likely affect business expansions and openings and improvements to transportation system. The E-Check vehicle inspection must continue under EPA rules.

For 2013-2015, Lake County is projected to have a final ozone number of 72 parts per billion, based on unofficial numbers. It would be the only county in Northeast Ohio to be above 70 parts per billion.

However, the eight counties are considered a clean-air region and if one county fails to comply, all eight are in violation under federal and state rules. Local readings are based on the fourth highest ozone reading annually averaged over three years.

There were no readings of 75 or higher and no readings of 70 or higher this year in Summit, Portage and Medina counties, Rubens said.

Medina and Portage counties each had three days of ozone levels between 65 and 69 and Summit County had four such days, he said.

Summit and Portage counties have the lowest ozone readings of the eight counties, in part because prevailing winds take our pollution to the north and east, Rubens said.

In 2015, Ohio had 16 exceedances of old limit of 75 parts per billion, according to data compiled by Tim Kovach, an air quality planner with the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency in Cleveland.

Ohio had 89 exceedances this year of 70 parts per billion and 281 exceedances of 65 parts per billion, he said.

Last summer was a very good year with low ozone readings, Kovach reported.

There were only two bad-air days in Northeast Ohio: May 8 with a high level of 83 in Ashtabula County and July 29 with 79 in Geauga County. Four monitors in Cuyahoga, Lake and Ashtabula counties exceeded 75 on May 8 and only one monitor on July 29.

There are 11 monitors in the eight counties.

This year’s readings are still unofficial and must be certified by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. The ozone season runs through Oct. 31.

Northeast Ohio is listed as a “marginal nonattainment” area for ozone. It has until July 21 next year to meet current ozone limits after Ohio got a one-year extension.

Bob Downing can be reached at 330-996-3745 or bdowning@thebeaconjournal.com.

John Kasich touts his record helping those with mental illness: 5 things to know [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Robert Higgs, Northeast Ohio Media Group Columbus bureau chief — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 20:10:25 +0000

Advocates for the mentally ill praise the Ohio governor and Republican presidential hopeful for improving the system, particularly with the expansion of Medicaid in Ohio. But they add more needs to be done.

Expansion-minded Allegiant adds fourth route from Akron-Canton Airport, fifth coming next month [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Susan Glaser, The Plain Dealer — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 19:57:05 +0000

Allegiant will fly from Akron to Fort Lauderdale twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays, on 177-passenger Airbus A320s. One-way tickets start at $60.

Street Style: Clevelanders fashionable looks on Playhouse Square's theater district (photos) [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Kristel Hartshorn, Northeast Ohio Media Group — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 19:55:39 +0000

Check out a photo slideshow of Cleveland's street style while hanging out at the Playhouse Square district on a fall day.

Deadly shooting in Oregon: Associated Press top pictures for Oct. 1, 2015 [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Jon Fobes, The Plain Dealer — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 19:54:42 +0000

Deadly shooting in Oregon: Associated Press top pictures for Oct. 1, 2015

Ferner: Michigan altering water pollution data [Toledo Blade]

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 19:50:29 +0000

Toledo mayoral candidate Mike Ferner accused Michigan officials today of "cooking the books" by playing up decreases in total phosphorus loading into the Detroit River, the River Raisin, and western Lake Erie during a media event earlier this week while downplaying increases in dissolved reactive phosphorus, the type which grows the most algae.

Latest attempt to overturn NE Ohio storm water management plan is all wet: editorial [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Editorial Board — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 19:29:22 +0000

The Ohio Supreme Court should dismiss a motion to have a lower court review the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District's storm water management plan and let the much-needed program begin, writes the editorial board.

EPA issues new air pollution rule, meets immediate industry outcry [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Stephen Koff, Northeast Ohio Media Group Washington Bureau Chief — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 19:19:00 +0000

Industry groups, Ohio government officials and even the Ohio Grocers Association wanted the current standard left intact.

Akron child rapist sentenced to life in prison, with parole eligibility in 120 years [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Adam Ferrise, Northeast Ohio Media Group — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 19:19:00 +0000

Jeremy Scott, 35, was sentenced to life in prison with parole eligibility in 120 years for sexually abusing a young girl.

Two arrested in connection with stabbing, robbery of Elyria man [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Patrick Cooley, Northeast Ohio Media Group — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 19:15:42 +0000

Robert Donaldson, 22, and Fredrick Allgood, 24, are charged with stabbing a 48-year-old Elyria man.

Juror in murder trial removed for improperly contacting a woman who attended proceedings [Akron Beacon Journal]

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 19:06:37 +0000

One of the jurors in Kenan Ivery’s capital murder trial has been removed for improperly contacting a woman who attended court proceedings earlier this week.

The juror, a black male who was one of two African-Americans on the panel, contacted the woman in a downtown parking deck Wednesday afternoon to flirtatiously inquire about a friend of hers, Summit County Common Pleas Judge Alison McCarty said.

After spending much of Thursday morning meeting in her chambers with prosecutors, the defense and the juror, McCarty removed him and replaced him with one of the alternate jurors, a white male.

Kerry M. O’Brien, Ivery’s lead attorney, strongly objected to the judge’s decision, arguing that the flirtatious conduct “was innocent,” had no connection with any trial testimony or evidence so far and now means that the 12-member panel has only one African-American juror – a black woman seated in the front row of the jury box.

McCarty listened to O’Brien’s argument, without any jurors present, and said that she was making the move because the juror had violated her order to not have contact with anyone involved in Ivery’s trial.

The juror, McCarty said, also lied about his actions.

Prosecutors were monitoring Ivery’s phone calls from the Summit County jail this week when they heard the woman talking to the defendant about the juror’s contact with her in the parking deck.

“She described him as one of the 12 [jurors] — the token dude,” McCarty said as she explained her decision from the bench.

In the jail call, the woman told Ivery that the juror was “on her ass — he’s a little dude,” McCarty said.

During the judge’s discussions with him in her chambers, the juror initially said he could not recall any such conduct, McCarty said. But when she called him back to inform him that she knew more about the incident than he had thought, the juror admitted he had talked with the woman.

In remarks from the bench, McCarty said her orders have been clear and that she repeats them in every break or recess in the proceedings.

After jurors are sworn in, marking the official start of any trial, members of the panel routinely are instructed by the judge to refrain from:

• Discussing the trial with anyone, including family members and fellow jurors, until deliberations begin.

• Investigating the case on any Internet or social-media site, or through any records on the court docket.

• Watching, listening or reading trial publicity of any type.

• Contacting any person involved in trial proceedings in any way.

Court officials said no information is kept about how many jurors are dismissed during trials, but it is not an uncommon occurrence.

Jurors occasionally are removed from trials for inattentive behavior such as falling asleep during court proceedings, or taking steps on their own to investigate evidence, according to court officials.

Ivery, 36, is in the fourth day of his aggravated murder trial in connection with the November shooting death of off-duty Akron police Officer Justin Winebrenner. The shooting occurred during an altercation at an East Akron pub, Papa Don’s, in the 1800 block of East Market Street.

According to trial testimony, that altercation took place after Ivery was asked to leave the pub for aggressively flirting with a female patron who was there that night with her boyfriend.

If Ivery is convicted of any of the aggravated murder charges, he could face the death penalty.

Ed Meyer can be reached at 330-996-3784 or emeyer@thebeaconjournal.com.

Turnpike celebrates 60 years [Toledo Blade]

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 17:25:39 +0000

When the Ohio Turnpike opened 60 years ago today, “Hang on Sloopy” was still nine years away from being recorded for the first time.

Fire hits N. Toledo home [Toledo Blade]

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 16:56:58 +0000

Firefighters responded to a fire today in North Toledo.

Akron to get $147,000 — the 4th-highest amount in Ohio rock salt suit settlement [Akron Beacon Journal]

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 16:27:12 +0000

Beacon Journal staff report

The Ohio Attorney General’s office is divvying up the $11.5 million settlement of an antitrust lawsuit that Cargill Inc. and Morton Salt Inc. worked together to keep road salt prices high in Ohio. A total of 850 local governments, public offices, agencies and school districts in 87 counties in Ohio will get settlement checks with the city of Akron receiving one of the highest amounts — $147,000.

Akron ranks fourth on the list with the Summit County Engineer’s Office on tap to receive $52,650 (3 percent of its total expenditure), placing it at No. 15. Topping the list is the city of Cleveland at $250,000.

Other area communities that will receive settlement checks include the cities of Barberton ($10,100), Cuyahoga Falls ($48,500), Fairlawn ($15,400), Green ($30,800), Hudson ($42,000), Macedonia ($15,400), Munroe Falls ($7,800), New Franklin ($9,000), Norton ($19,800), Stow ($49,500), Tallmadge ($12,500) and Twinsburg ($26,800) and Bath ($2,100), Copley ($12700) and Coventry ($5,200) townships. The list also includes Akron city schools ($2,000), Revere Local Schools ($982) and the University of Akron ($4,300).

Out of the total settlement, about $6.8 million was available to local governments. Each recipient was guaranteed a minimum distribution of $500, except for the Medina County Sheriff’s Office whose total purchase and settlement check was $319.

Additional payments were allotted to the state’s largest single rock salt purchaser — the Ohio Department of Transportation ($1.7 million) and the Ohio Turnpike Commission ($174,435).

UAW says national pact rejected [Toledo Blade]

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 16:08:04 +0000

DETROIT -- United Auto Workers President Dennis Williams said today that the national labor contract with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles was rejected by the members, with two thirds voting against it.

Scares abound as many Akron-area haunted houses throw open their crypts this weekend [Akron Beacon Journal]

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 16:04:03 +0000

Although some ghouls and zombies rose from the dead last weekend, this Friday marks the official start of the haunted house season in Northeast Ohio.

From the classic thrills offered at the Hudson Haunted House to the familiar haunts of Akron’s Haunted Schoolhouse and Laboratory — there are plenty tempting and varying terrors to satisfy just about every taste.

If you plan on hitting them all this season, you better get started this weekend as several more haunted attractions will open their coffins in the coming weeks.

They include:

• Bloodview Haunted House — 8 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays, 8 to 10 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays through Oct. 31 at 1010 Towpath Trail, Broadview Heights. The attraction is known for its elaborate make up. Admission: Unlimited all night pass Fridays and Saturdays $20, after 10 p.m. $15; Sundays $10. 440-526-9148 or www.bloodview.info.

• Carnival of Horrors — 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Fridays, 7:30 p.m. to midnight Saturdays, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 31 at Blossom Music Center, 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls. There are four different haunted haunts each with a different theme. Full admission to all four is $21. 330-644-4473 or www.carnivalofhorrors.com.

• Cedar Point HalloWeekends — 6 p.m. to midnight Fridays, 11 a.m. to midnight Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 1 at Cedar Point, One Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky. The Great Pumpkin Fest every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., features attractions, crafts, activities and shows geared just for little spooksters and their families hosted by the Peanuts gang. Friday and Saturday nights, monsters and the undead take to the midways to bring guests a truly terrifiying trip into darkness. For more information, go to www.halloweekends.com.

• Factory of Terror — 7 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 31; 6 to 9 p.m. Sundays Oct. 4 to Nov. 1, through Oct. 26; 8 to 11 p.m. Oct. 22, Nov. 6 and 13 at 4125 Mahoning Road, Canton. The attraction includes a 55,000-square-foot haunted house snagging a world record in 2014 and its guests walk nearly a mile — another record — to take in all the terrors. $27. 330-455-3327 or www.factoryofterror.net.

• Fear Forest Haunted House and Hayride — 7 to midnight Friday and Saturdays through Oct. 31; 7 to 10 p.m. Sundays at 6780 Tod Ave. SW, Lordstown. Four separate haunted attractions including the Psycho Path. $25 to experience all attractions. Call 330-824-3141 or visit www.fearforest.com.

• Fright World — 7 p.m. to midnight through Oct. 31 at Clay’s Park Resort, 13190 Patterson St. NW, North Lawrence. Three haunted houses take more than hour to explore.

• Haunted Schoolhouse and Laboratory — 7:30 to midnight Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 31 at 1300 Triplett Blvd., Akron. This attraction is regarded as one of the best haunted attractions in the country and among the oldest. General tickets are $17 for one haunted spot, $26 for two on Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets available at www.hshlab.com. 330-849-0211.

• Hudson Haunted House — 7:30 to midnight Friday and Saturday nights. Open Sundays from 7:30 to 10 p.m. starting Oct. 11. Put on by the Hudson Jaycees, visitors go from room to room and venture into the “Black Hole” and confront the undead. $12 per person and $5 for guests under 48 inches tall. Visit www.hudsonjaycees.com or call 330-650-0967.

• Land of Illusion — 8762 Thomas Road, Middletown. 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 31 at 2250 Barlow Road in Hudson. Featuring four haunted houses: Killer Klowns, Temple of Terror, Voodoo Bayou Shandy and Dr. Psycho’s Haunted Estate; the one mile Middletown Haunted Trail; and live entertainment on select weekends of the Stage of Rage. $34.99. For more information, go to www.landofillusion.com.

• Nightmare in the Wilderness — 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. at the Apple Cabin, 7665 Lafayette Road (state Route 42) in Lodi. After a hayride, guests are dropped off to start a 45-minute journey to confront everything from clowns to mazes to monsters. Back at the Apple Cabin, guests can purchase carmel apples and cider. Tickets are $18 for adults and $13 for children ages 6 to 10). 330-948-1476 or visit www.nightmareinthewilderness.net.

• Zombie Paintball — 6 to 11 p.m. through Oct. 31 at Mapleside Farms, 294 Pearl Road, Brunswick. Visitors climb aboard wagons and shoot paintballs at zombies and try to save the world. $18 per rider and $10 for additional paintballs. Visit www.lightupthelivingdead.com to reserve your spot or call 330-225-5577.

Police officer describes search with K-9 partner for suspect in fatal shooting of off-duty Akron officer [Akron Beacon Journal]

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 15:21:10 +0000

It took a little more than 30 minutes for an Akron police officer and his K-9 partner to catch the man accused of the November shootings at an East Akron pub.

Kenan Ivery, who is on trial in Summit County on aggravated murder charges for the fatal shooting of off-duty Officer Justin Winebrenner, was found face-down in a grassy field, about a quarter mile east of Papa Don’s Pub, at 2:26 a.m. on Nov. 16. The shooting occurred at 1:53 a.m.

In dramatic testimony Wednesday, only days after Officer Jeff Edsall lost his K-9 partner, Bronson, to a cancerous tumor on the liver, Edsall described the moment that the 7-year-old Belgian Malinois bit down on the back of Ivery’s right calf while another patrol officer quickly closed in.

“I never [heard] anything, not a moan, not a word, not anything,” Edsall said. His clear voice was all that could be heard in the crowded courtroom.

Officer Christopher Crockett was the first patrolman on the scene. Crockett sent out radio information about the suspect’s description and the direction in which he fled Papa Don’s, running through the parking lot off the main doors.

Winebrenner, who left behind a 4-year-old daughter, Charlee, was hit twice in the torso and died about 30 minutes after being taken to a hospital. Five other victims were wounded or grazed by the gunshots.

There were four shots in all from a .40-caliber, semi-automatic handgun that was tucked into Ivery’s waistband when he first entered the pub about 12:30 a.m., his lawyer said.

Officer Crockett testified that a Papa Don’s employee found the gun and wisely dropped it into a small trash bin off the pub’s kitchen, where it would not be found easily by anyone except police.

Akron police commanders were concerned this week about how Edsall would hold up in court after being devastated by Bronson’s death Friday. But Edsall never faltered.

He told the jury that he and the dog were partners since June 2010. In the five-plus years they worked together, Edsall said, Bronson had caught some 40 suspects.

When Edsall parked his cruiser outside Papa Don’s, he let out Bronson to begin tracking. The dog, he said, had trouble at first picking up any human odor in the parking lot.

But once Edsall began talking to patrons about which direction the suspect ran, he said Bronson picked up an odor on the East Market Street sidewalk about five yards from their cruiser.

“He goes from kind of nose up in the air, to nose almost glued to the concrete,” Edsall told the jury. Bronson, he said, was leashed “and very strongly pulling me.”

As they tracked eastbound on Market, close to the I-76 West off-ramp, they went down a steep, rocky hill near a retaining wall. “I fell about 15 times,” Edsall said.

After Edsall took Bronson over a nearby guardrail, they turned north into a thick, grassy field. “Bronson’s head is up, and his tail’s up,” as they worked along the brush line, Edsall said.

They got help from another cruiser that had trained its lights on the field from the street above. Edsall said he heard the officer warning: “Edsall, stop right where you’re at. There’s someone to your right.”

With his gun drawn and the weapon’s illuminator on, Edsall said he saw a man’s figure face-down with both hands folded underneath, and shouted three commands to “show your hands.”

He said he got no response, then gave Bronson “the command to apprehend.”

Ivery refused to give up even after the dog had hold of his leg, and still posed a danger, Edsall said. Jurors were shown a crime scene photo of Ivery’s gashed, bloody leg.

By then, though, another officer, drug unit detective Todd Sinsley, worked his way into the field. Ivery was kicking the dog, trying to get up, so Sinsley said he swooped in, kicked Ivery in the face and punched him in the head, because “he still wouldn’t give us his hands.”

It was over moments later, and Ivery was taken away in a police van to a hospital.

As he was being searched, rookie patrolman Derrick Jackson, who had been on the job for only nine months, told the jury that Ivery was carrying $1,228 in cash in a folded up wad.

Ed Meyer can be reached at 330-996-3784 or emeyer@thebeaconjournal.com.

Cleveland Catholic Diocese launches bimonthly magazine; publication replaces former Catholic Universal Bulletin [Akron Beacon Journal]

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 15:11:42 +0000

Nearly 250,000 Roman Catholic households registered in parishes in the eight-county Cleveland Catholic Diocese will begin receiving a 32-page, glossy magazine next week.

The new bimonthly publication, called Northeast Ohio Catholic magazine, aims to serve as a tool for inspiration, evangelization and teaching. It replaces the diocese’s former Catholic Universe Bulletin as the central publication for parishioners and will be sent free to each household.

“Northeast Ohio Catholic magazine provides a means to evangelize and instruct those who are not attending Mass on a regular basis as well as an invitation for all the faithful in our diocese to deepen their relationship with God,” said Bishop Richard G. Lennon, who leads the diocese. “The new magazine represents a cooperative effort on the part of the diocese and every parish to reach both the active and inactive church members to proclaim God’s message of salvation.”

The magazine is designed to include stories of faith, practical advice for applying faith in daily life and news about diocesan events and activities.

The diocese is made up of more than 692,000 Catholics in 185 parishes in Ashland, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Summit and Wayne counties. Its Catholic Charities organization is one of the largest diocesan systems of social services in the world and it includes 114 schools.

For more information about Northeast Ohio Catholic magazine, contact the Diocese of Cleveland Office of Communications at 216-696-6525, ext. 3290.

University of Akron president faces scrutiny over anti-gay comments made 30 years ago [Akron Beacon Journal]

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 14:49:58 +0000

University of Akron President Scott Scarborough is facing scrutiny over anti-gay comments he made more than 30 years ago while in college.

But Scarborough said Wednesday that he doesn’t remember making the specific statements reported by the Daily Texan newspaper and they don’t reflect his feelings about gays and lesbians back then or today.

“Looking at it 30 years later, you say to yourself, ‘I couldn’t have said that, could I? I could not have been so stupid or insensitive to say something like that,’” he said during an interview with the Beacon Journal in his second-floor office on campus.

Asked directly if he has any bias against gays and lesbians, he responded, “Absolutely not.”

Scarborough, who took over as UA president last year, has been the target of attacks over issues ranging from rebranding the school as “Ohio’s polytechnic university” to this year’s budget, which involved $40 million worth of unpopular cuts.

Critics have been digging into his past, with newspaper clippings from the Daily Texan now surfacing on social media and online. Graduates Over Greed, an anonymous group that has been behind online video parodies and criticism of Scarborough, issued a news release this week about the comments and urged people to protest before the Oct. 14 board of trustees meeting.

While serving as president of the Student Association at the University of Texas at Austin, Scarborough opposed a resolution in October 1985 in the student senate urging the UT Board of Regents to bar discrimination based on sexual orientation.

At the time, he told the newspaper that he didn’t want to endorse homosexuality and further a political agenda. The paper also reported that Scarborough believed there was an “inherent difference between religious protections and homosexual protections because homosexuality has been connected with diseases.”

In a separate story, the newspaper said he didn’t want to infringe on the rights of others who may have to hire a gay or lesbian employee and create a what he called a “potential health hazard.” He also is quoted as saying gay and lesbian groups were attempting to have people view homosexuality as “more desirable than the traditional family.”

Scarborough, along with seven other members, walked out of the senate meeting to try to defeat the measure.

“He said he was opposed to any equitability between a male-female family and a homosexual couple,” the newspaper reported.

Resolution gets OK

The resolution was approved despite the walkout.

After the meeting, some students criticized him for a lack of leadership and one senator said Scarborough’s response “was not at all surprising considering Scott’s personal convictions.”

The newspaper also reported that he attempted to abolish a gay and lesbian subcommittee.

Scarborough, who was 21 years old then, said he recalled it being a scary time with a lot of fear and ignorance regarding the gay community because of the emergence of HIV and AIDS.

There were anti-gay materials handed out among the students. He said he didn’t distribute the items.

“I want to believe that I was quoting some of those materials that were being handed out,” he said about his comments in the newspaper.

As for the walkout, Scarborough said he was asked by conservative colleagues to join them, believing that the state would dictate the school’s discrimination policy and the resolution was unnecessary. He said he regretted the decision as soon as he left the room because “a leader never leaves the podium.”

“Making mistakes is the critical part of becoming a better person,” he said. “You learn what you need to learn. And accept it as a normal part of life. Embrace it. And embrace the person you are now and not the person you once were. ...

“This is one of those moments in my life I remember thinking that I can either take this mistake in my life and be forever tortured by it or I can take this mistake in my life and learn from it, embrace it and use it as a motivation for something good.”

UA’s stance

UA Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Union issued a statement before hearing the comments made Wednesday by Scarborough.

“Hearing past statements reportedly made by Mr. Scarborough in regards to gay individuals resulted in a myriad of emotions and responses from our membership,” President Julie Boylen wrote in an email. “However, we are aware that people can and often do change their opinions over time. It is our sincere hope at LGBTUA that Mr. Scarborough’s position has evolved to one of acceptance and support over the years and are eagerly waiting for him to clarify his current position on the subject of the LGBT community.”

Makayla Enriques, 19, of Akron, a junior studying anthropology, said she was disturbed to hear about the comments, especially because Scarborough is running a university.

She also questioned why he doesn’t remember his stance.

“That whole entire thing is too big to forget,” said Enriques, who is part of the LGBT community on campus. “You should at least remember that part. That’s kind of wishy washy with me.”

But she also said the comments were made during a different time, and Scarborough may have grown and changed his attitude since then.

“He might be a really nice guy for all I know,” she said.

Scarborough said he has nothing against the LGBT community.

“Every single person deserves a right to feel safe for who they are and respected for who they are,” he said. “That is a fundamental belief that I have. I cringe at anyone who approaches the place where they begin to become judgmental of someone else. My goal in life is to try to make people feel good about who they are and the course they’re on in their life. That’s what I’m passionate about.”

Jonathan Pavloff, chairman of the UA board of trustees, said the board was aware of the issue and discussed it when Scarborough was hired.

“Frankly all of us, me included, if we knew then what we know today, we wouldn’t have said or done a lot of things,” he said.

He added that he doesn’t believe the issue interferes with Scarborough’s ability to lead the university.

Adding to controversy

The flap over the old comments is the latest in a string of both high-profile positive and negative news for the university.

UA has enjoyed unprecedented national publicity with NBA star and Akron native LeBron James agreeing to film commercials for the school. He also unveiled his new Nike shoe last weekend at E.J. Thomas Hall on campus.

But the school also has dealt with the fallout from financial cuts announced over the summer. Those included eliminating more than 200 positions and the baseball team.

The Akron chapter of the American Association of University Professors also released a survey earlier this week showing that the majority of bargaining unit members have no confidence in the president or the board of trustees.

Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter at @armonrickABJ.

Two morning crashes reported on I-75 [Toledo Blade]

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 13:03:48 +0000

Two crashes tied up the morning rush hour traffic on I-75 in Toledo early today, authorities said.

Pedestrian hit by speeding vehicle in Akron [Akron Beacon Journal]

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 12:45:00 +0000

A pedestrian was struck by a speeding vehicle early Thursday in Southwest Akron, according to newsnet5.com.

The accident occurred about 12:30 a.m. on Vernon Odom Boulevard near the Hi-De-Ho Lounge.

The motorist was westbound, struck the pedestrian who was crossing the street and then hit another westbound vehicle.

Akron police said the pedestrian suffered moderate injuries and was taken to a local hospital.

The vehicle suffered the loss of a mirror, a broken window and a damaged right fender.

The motorist was cited by police.

Read the full newsnet5.com report here.

University of Akron students text, talk in pilot program aimed at boosting interest among young people in Akron mayoral race [Akron Beacon Journal]

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 12:16:45 +0000

When asked how Akron’s next mayor can better engage young people, three University of Akron students said the mayor can start by visiting the university.

“The previous mayor I never saw on campus,” said Darnell Davis Jr., 23, a political science and criminal justice major. “He can come on campus and see what talent he can retain and use to the best of his abilities.”

This was among the responses the students gave Wednesday afternoon as they participated in the first pilot of Text, Talk, Vote Akron, a program aimed at increasing the participation of young voters in this year’s race for the first newly elected mayor in Akron in nearly three decades. The National Center for Civil Discourse, an Arizona-based group, had five small groups of young people try out the process Wednesday to prepare for a larger-scale effort in late October.

The UA students, who were recruited by a political science professor, met at lunchtime in a conference room in the College of Arts and Sciences building. They used a Smart phone to text “AKRON” TO 89800, which started the process.

The texting prompts began with basic information. Davis and Michael Moon, 24, also a political science/criminal justice major, said they plan to vote in the Nov. 3 mayoral election.

“I hope I have time,” said Kevin James Karas, 23, a graduate student in business.

All three students are registered to vote.

When asked if they think elected officials in Akron represent their values, Davis said, “I don’t know them.”

“We feel there needs to be more connection between students and local government officials,” Davis, who is originally from Pittsburgh, texted as a response.

All three indicated that they are active in the community, with Davis and Moon saying they also are politically involved.

“Politically, nothing is engaging me,” said Karas, who is from Akron. “This is probably the first thing.”

The script then switched to more open-ended questions, which the students discussed and took turns synthesizing and texting their responses. The topics included what makes them optimistic and concerned about Akron’s future.

Asked what they think the top priority should be for the next mayor, Moon responded right away.

“I think these potholes,” said Moon, who is from Akron, echoing a concern identified as a major issue by many Akron voters.

“We are poor college students and can’t keep spending money on tires,” Davis agreed.

Karas thinks the new mayor needs to do more to support entrepreneurs.

When asked what one issue could influence their choice for mayor, Moon said the “engagement level,” while Karas pointed to “improving the employee experience in local businesses.”

Asked for their ideas in engaging young adults in local politics, Moon said, “We should vote on our cellphones, but that’s a different topic.”

Prompted to ponder what characteristics the next mayor should have, Davis said he thinks the mayor should be innovative and engaging. Moon said it’s “all about economics.” Karas thinks the mayor should “step back and get into the shoes of people at all levels.”

Asked what they’d like to say to the candidates, Davis responded, “What do they want to say to me? They’re the ones running!”

In response to a question about what would increase the likelihood that they will vote, Karas said, “I like free food.”

As an hour of answering text questions neared, the students appeared less interested, checking their phones for the time.

Karas announced that he had only three more minutes and they stopped the process, two questions shy of completing the script.

The students said they enjoyed participating, but thought some of the questions were repetitive and it took too long.

“It was a LOT,” Davis said.

Bill Lyons, the director of UA’s Center for Conflict Management and a political science professor who recruited the students and observed the pilot session, said he thinks students in future sessions should be given more instructions before beginning about how many questions there are and how much time they should spend on their answers.

Lyons is excited about a national group coming to Akron to try to get young people interested in voting.

“This is clearly a real-world problem — how to get millennials engaged,” he said.

Georgia Hollister Isman, the Text, Talk, Vote Akron program manager, said she will be taking the input she received from this and the other pilot sessions to try to improve and shorten the process for the next event. She is jazzed about the diverse groups that already have signed up to take part in the follow-up event, including UA, the International Institute, South Street Ministries and Torchbearers.

Isman said, ultimately, the hope is that the young people who participate will be inspired to vote because of the process and the discussion with their peers.

“The real magic of the conversation is the conversation itself,” she said.

Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at 330-996-3705, swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com or on Twitter: @swarsmithabj.

Child pornography charges filed against son-in-law of Richfield mayor after FBI search [Akron Beacon Journal]

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 11:53:26 +0000

The FBI confirmed Wednesday that the son-in-law of Richfield’s mayor was arrested Tuesday after a search warrant was served at her home on West Streetsboro Road.

Khalid Farmer Black, 27, who lives with Richfield Mayor Bobbie Beshara and her daughter, appeared Wednesday in federal court in Akron to answer to charges of visiting a child pornography website.

According to officials in the FBI’s Cleveland office, the website served as a bulletin board “dedicated to the advertisement and distribution of child pornography and the discussion of matters pertinent to the sexual abuse of children, including the safety and security of individuals who seek to sexually exploit children online.”

FBI officials also stated in a news release that, subsequent to the execution of the search warrant, Black admitted to accessing and viewing child pornography.

Special Agent Vicki Anderson reiterated that the search had nothing to do with the mayor or her office.

“I am absolutely appalled at the information that came out in court today regarding my son-in-law,” Beshara said in a news release. “Such actions are inexcusable. This matter is now in the hands of the criminal justice system. I continue to fully cooperate with the authorities. This is an incredibly difficult time for our family. Now, as a mother, my focus is to give my daughter all the support she needs.”

Several items were taken into evidence during Tuesday’s search, but neither FBI officials nor prosecutors would disclose what was retrieved from the house.

In his initial court appearance, Black, a citizen of the United Kingdom, decided after conferring with his attorney that there was no reason to notify the consulate about his arrest.

He was charged with two counts; U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan said the first count of receiving child pornography carries a minimum sentence of five years and a maximum sentence of 20 years and a fine up to $250,000. The second count of possession carries up to 20 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine. Both counts would require a minimum of five years for supervised release.

Federal Magistrate Kathleen Burke scheduled a preliminary hearing and a detention hearing to determine bail for Tuesday morning.

Burke told Black he is also entitled to a hearing to determine whether probable cause exists for the charges.

Black will remain in federal marshals’ custody until the next hearing.

Marilyn Miller can be reached at 330-996-3098 or mmiller@thebeaconjournal.com.

Lorain man killed in vehicle accident [Toledo Blade]

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 11:38:13 +0000

BRADNER, Ohio -- A Lorain, Ohio, man was killed when a sport utility vehicle he was driving and a tractor-trailer rig collided on U.S. 6 near this Wood County community late Wednesday, authorities said today.

Police cars may get dash cameras [Toledo Blade]