AKRON
Fatal crashes
AKRON: Two motorcyclists were killed over the weekend in separate crashes in Akron.
John E. Jackson Jr., 40, of Akron, died after a collision with a minivan Friday night on Romig Road.
Police say a 19-year-old man driving a 1997 Dodge Caravan was making a left turn when Jackson’s motorcycle struck the rear of the minivan. Jackson, who was wearing a helmet, was tossed from the motorcycle. He died at Akron General Medical Center.
About 2:30 a.m. Sunday, Jonathan Kerr, 26, of New Philadelphia, lost control of his motorcycle on Interstate 76 near the South Arlington Street exit. The motorcycle struck a concrete barrier before Kerr was thrown off.
Kerr, who was wearing a helmet, fell to the ground more than 20 feet below the barrier, police said.
He died at Summa Akron City Hospital.

Woman robbed
AKRON: A stranger punched an Akron woman and robbed her of $1,800 late Friday, police said.
The woman, 39, was walking at East Exchange and Sherman streets about 11 p.m. when a man approached her from behind, police said.
The man pulled the woman’s hair, turning her around. He then punched her in the face and grabbed her purse. The man took an envelope holding the cash and a wallet and tossed the purse to the ground before running off, according to the report.
A passing motorist saw the robbery and stopped to help the victim, who appeared to have an injury under her right eye, police said.
Police say the robber is black and in his mid to late 20s. He stands about 5-foot-7 and weighs about 160 pounds. He wore a blue shirt and black pants and has tattoos on his forearms.

Ramp closed
AKRON: The ramp from South Broadway Street to Interstate 76 westbound will close at 9 a.m. today for routine maintenance. The ramp will reopen by 3 p.m.
Motorists are encouraged to use the Russell Avenue entrance ramp from Main Street to get to I-76 west during the closing.

Ward 7 meeting
AKRON: Akron Councilwoman Tina Merlitti, the Ward 7 representative, will have a ward meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Firestone Park Community Center, 1480 Girard St.
Representatives from the health and housing departments will discuss and answer questions about rental properties and the rental registration program.

CAMPAIGN TRAIL
Scalise fundraiser
AKRON: Summit County Fiscal Officer Kristen Scalise will hold a corn roast fundraiser from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday at the F.O.P. Lodge 7, 2610 Ley Drive.
There will be food, drinks and live entertainment by Grumble Fish.
The cost is $35 per person.

Fire levies
NORTON: A steak fry is scheduled for Thursday to support Norton’s fire levies.
The event will run from 5 to 7 p.m. at Columbia Woods Park. The country-western group Kerosene will perform. Tickets are $20 a person.
The city is asking voters to replace two EMS and two fire levies with one of each on the Nov. 8 ballot.
For details, call 330-825-7107.

Omobien event
AKRON: Local Democrats are hosting a political fundraiser for Linda Omobien, a candidate for clerk of Akron Municipal Court.
The event will be held 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Paolo’s, 1 W. Exchange St. in Akron. Suggested contributions range from $10 for young Democrats and senior citizens to $500.
For more information, contact Amanda Trump at 330-685-0876, or amanda.trump@gmail.com.

Debate planned
BARBERTON: Mayor Bob Genet will square off with his challenger, Councilman-at-Large William Judge, in a mayoral debate at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the O.C. Barber Piggery, 248 Robinson Ave.
It is the only debate scheduled before the Sept. 13 primary.

Plusquellic event
AKRON: Mayor Don Plusquellic will host a Community Appreciation Party from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Akron Urban League, 440 Vernon Odom Blvd.
City Council President Marco Sommerville, Akron Councilman Ken Jones, Summit County Councilwoman Tamela Lee and former Akron Councilwoman Renee Greene will co-host.
For information, visit http://www.mayordonforakron.com or call 330-906-2011.

Williams event
AKRON: Akron Councilman Mike Williams, a Democratic candidate for mayor, will have a fundraiser from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Liberty Harley-Davidson, 32 E. Cuyahoga Falls Ave., at North Howard Street.
Food will be provided, along with the chance to sit on a Harley. The suggested donation is $75 per person.
For information, visit http://www.williamsforakron.com or call 330-431-4816.

GREEN
Restoration award
GREEN: The Ohio Historical Preservation Office has awarded a grant to restore the original architecture of a circa-1883 farmhouse located in Southgate Park.
The $13,323 Certified Local Government Grant is the third grant awarded to the city for preservation efforts on the Levi Hartong Homestead.
The city acquired the property in 2005 and has received more than $42,000 in grant money to conduct a feasibility study, develop architectural drawings and restoration to the Eastlake-style home and property, said Valerie Wolford, communications coordinator for the city.
The grant will be used to remove several additions to the property made in the 1970s that are outside the period (1839-1950).
The removal will restore the architectural integrity, distinctive shape and functionality of the farmhouse that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The homestead includes a standard Pennsylvania-style barn, several outbuildings and the cemetery of the Grable family, the first to farm the land before the Hartong family purchased it in 1859.

NORTHEAST OHIO
Redrawing districts
NORTHEAST OHIO: The Ohio Apportionment Board, which will redraw the state’s House and Senate districts, will have field hearings in Akron and North Canton this week.
Akron’s hearing will be from 1 to 3 p.m. today in the ballroom of the University of Akron’s Martin Center, 105 Fir Hill. The North Canton hearing will be from 9 to 11 a.m Wednesday at Walsh University’s Barrette Business and Community Center, 2020 E. Maple St.
State Rep. Kathleen Chandler, D-Kent, will serve as the House Democrat’s designee for the field hearing in Akron. She was chosen by House Minority Leader Armond Budish. State Sen. Michael Skindell, D-Lakewood, will be the designee for the North Canton hearing.
The field hearings are one way the public can give input.
Citizens also can visit http://www.reshapeohio.org to learn more about the apportionment process and try their hand at using U.S. Census Bureau data to redraw district lines.
The apportionment board redraws the legislative district boundaries every 10 years. The members are Gov. John Kasich, Secretary of State Jon Husted, Auditor David Yost, Senate President Tom Niehaus, R-New Richmond, and Budish, D-Beachwood.

PORTAGE COUNTY
Drilling meeting
SHALERSVILLE TWP.: An informational meeting about the risks of leasing land for potential use in oil and gas drilling will be held at 7 p.m. Aug. 30 at the Shalersville Town Hall, 9090 State Route 44.
The meeting will be presented by concerned citizens.
Leasing agents will not be representing their interests at this forum.
For information, call 330-626-5223.

SUMMIT COUNTY
Judicial nominees
AKRON: Applications to succeed Summit County Probate Judge Bill Spicer are due on Thursday.
A 20-member Summit County Republican Party screening committee is accepting applicants. Deadline is 4 p.m. Thursday. Party nominations will then be forwarded by Sept. 3 to Gov. John Kasich, who will make the appointment.
Spicer retired in July after about 31 years on the bench.
For information, call the local GOP headquarters at 330-434-9151.