While there is still some cause for concern about the level of contamination in the Cuyahoga River; both the US, and Ohio EPA agree that fish are healthier now, and showing less evidence of deformities brought on by toxic pollution.
 
Cuyahoga Soil and Water District officials say decades of intentional removal of contaminants from the water, have resulted in what they are calling a major milestone forward in revitalizing the ecological health of the river.

To find out more about the positive impacts of clean water efforts, including Akron's billion dollar sewer improvement project; we talked to Jennifer Grieser, who is the Cleveland Metroparks Director of Natural Resources:

Do you believe in ghosts, or are you at least curious enough to find out if they might be real?

If so, the Akron's Goodyear Theater is the place to be tomorrow night, September 21.

Ghost Hunter Amy Bruni, who began her career on the popular TV series, "Ghost Hunters",  and who is now the co-star and executive producer of the Travel Channel Show, "Kindred Spirits", will be on stage with her "Life with The Afterlife: True Tales of the Paranormal", show, starting at 7:30PM.

We talked to her recently about her spooky experiences, why she has an open mind about what may be causing them, and (perhaps) why you should too.

Listen now:

Mark your calendars now for this coming Saturday, Sept. 23, for the West Hill Neighborhood Organization's "WonderFest 2023" celebration. 

The event will take place at the corner of Maple and Crosby Streets in Akron starting at Noon, and will include a bike race, food trucks, a beer garden, live music, and even a free movie night featuring the 1985 classic, "Back To The Future"  at historic Glendale Cemetery.

Listen for more details from West Hill Neighborhood Organization Member, Krysta Curl, and Free Akron Outdoor Movies Co-Founder, John Bryson. 

While the folks over at the American Cancer Society's "Discovery Shop" in Akron are thrilled that their upcoming "Beauty & The Best" fundraiser coming up on September 28, is sold out; they also want community members to know there are still lots of great fashion finds and bargains to be found during their regular business hours, Monday through Saturday each week.

The Discovery Shop, located at 1690 West Market Street in Akron's Wallhaven neighborhood, features gently used clothing, jewelry, handbags, fine china, books, household goods, kitchen gadgets, artwork, and even some small pieces of furniture.

But, as you'll hear in our interview with volunteer Suzy Welker; it also offers hope and healing for the people who work and shop there.

Listen now, as she describes why she loves volunteering at the shop, and how the American Cancer Society uses the money they raise to help cancer patients, and their families.

Suzy Welker, Volunteer, with some of the heirloom china you can find at the Discovery Shop

Volunteer Brenda Harrison will be modeling at the Discovery Shop's upcoming "Beauty & The Best" Fashion Show

The fashion Show will honor volunteers Ann Duke, and Pat Koch, who donated countless hours to the Discovery Shop.

The University of Akron NASA Robotics team made a good showing recently at a robotics competition at the University of Alabama; coming in eighth place overall, and first place, in the Project Management category.

We talked to U-A Robotics team leader, Callie Lewis, about how their traditional focus on mining robots, will move in a new direction, as NASA starts looking at ways to build a base on the moon that can eventually serve as a way-station for their mission to Mars.

Although it took them a couple of months to connect the dots; Akron Police have identified the suspect they believe walked up to 34 year old Ernestine Stallings as she loaded up her car in the parking lot of the Dollar Tree Store at 2246 West Market Street on July 3, and gunned her down in broad daylight, at 1:30PM.

In fact, it turns out they didn't have to look very far to find him. 

24 year old Jontae Watkins, was literally under their noses; already behind bars on unrelated charges, in the Summit County Jail.

While he's been a "person of interest"  for awhile;  police say they believe evidence, including drugs and $33,0000 in cash, that they found at a residence on Stoner Street, connects him directly to the shooting.

Akron Mayor, Dan Horrigan, has announced that the City's Police Chief, Steve Mylett, is retiring, and leaving the department as of January 1, 2024.

In a press release, Horrigan says Mylett, who was chosen to lead the Akron Police Department in 2021, plans to leave policing for a job in the private sector.

“I want to thank Chief Mylett for his outstanding, dedicated service to our community through a very trying time,” said Mayor Horrigan. “I know Steve to be a man of honor with the utmost care for the communities he has served. Akron was lucky to have him at the helm, and I am grateful to have had him by my side through the last two years. I wish him and his family the best in their future endeavors.”

“It is with great difficulty that I make this decision to step away, but I do think the time is right based on many different factors,” said Chief Mylett. “I am proud to end my 35 years in policing here in Akron. I want to thank Mayor Horrigan for the privileged opportunity to lead the men and women of the Akron Police Department. I also want to thank the APD employees for welcoming me into the Department and for the exceptional work they do every day – I am proud to be called a member of this agency. Additionally, I want to thank the Akron community for embracing my family and I as we settled in this beautiful city.

“This past year has been very difficult for many, many people, and the road ahead to regain what was lost will be no easy feat. However, I hold tremendous optimism for the future of this city, and I know everyone in this city wants a safe and secure Akron in order to raise our families and to live in peace. Together, we can achieve our vision.”

Mylett's departure comes after a particularly tumultous period of time for the Akron Police Department, as the city erupted in repeated protests and some violence after police shot and killed Jayland Walker, on June 27, 2022.

Police said at the time, and a State Bureau of Criminal investigations inquiry confirmed, that Walker fled a traffic stop, pulled into a parking lot, ran from police while wearing a ski mask, then turned and made what police interpreted as a "threatening" gesture.

Eight police officers then opened fire, Walker died in a hail of bullets, and it was only after he was shot, that police discovered his gun was still inside his car, and he was unarmed when they shot him.

The City is now facing a multi-million dollar wrongful death lawsuit filed by Walker's family, who contend that police violated Jayland's civil rights, despite the fact that the special grand jury convened to look into the matter, decided not to return any criminal indictments against the officers involved in the shooting.

Mylett faced extensive criticism from some members of the community for his actions after the shooting, including never publicly revealing the names of the officers involved, because they and their families have been the targets of numerous death threats. In the weeks just after the shooting, Mylett also told officers to remove their name tags, and to only display their badges and identification numbers to citizens, also, he said, as a means to protect officers from harm.

How police responded to public protests, was also a source of controversy, when police used tear gas to disperse a big crowd on Copley Road in West Akron, on April 23, 2023 .

Mylett's response at the time, was that his officers were justified in their response because some protesters were throwing rocks and bottles at them. But, the city did then later agree to limit the use of such crowd dispersal agents, and to change their tactics when dealing with non-violent protesters, in response to a temporary restraining order filed by the Akron Bail Fund.

Mayor Horrigan says he plans to work with presumptive Mayor Shammus Malik's transition team regarding a search for the next police chief. The next Mayor will have the opportunity to lead a search and select the next head of the Akron Police Department. 

Meanwhile, Malik, who is running unopposed in November; had this response:

"I want to thank Chief Mylett for his service to our community over these last two years, and I wish him well in his next steps.  In the coming weeks, our transition team will work in partnership with Mayor Horrigan’s administration to begin a search process for the next chief of the Akron Police Department, which will be open to internal and external candidates. "

"Safety will be my administration’s top priority. A  central goal of my administration will be making sure the Akron Police Department is an effective, forward-focused organization, able to respond to calls for service while also prioritizing proactive, community-based policing. That means building trust through transparency and accountability, and also focusing on retention and attraction of officers to ensure our safety forces have the training, support, and work environment they need to be successful. I look forward to working in partnership with every member of the Akron Police Department, as well as our entire community, to create a safer Akron."

Summit County Council took action Monday, Sept. 11, to honor Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, which celebrated its 125th anniversary last month.

In a press release, council officials note that as one of the world’s largest tire companies, employing nearly 72,000 people and manufacturing products at 57 factories in 23 nations around the globe; Goodyear continues to be a major employer in Akron with more than 2,500 workers. The tire giant also produces and sells a wide variety of other products made from rubber, chemicals, and plastics for the transportation industry including automotive and industrial belts and hoses, molded products, and foam cushioning accessories. In addition, Goodyear provides auto repairs and services through a network of several hundred retail outlets.

“The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company has become synonymous with Akron and Summit County and we are very proud of the tremendous impact this international conglomerate has had on not only our local economy but the automotive and transportation industry worldwide. We congratulate them on 125 years and wish them continued success in the years to come,” concluded Councilman John Schmidt (District 2) who presented the Commendation to Goodyear Director of Community Affairs and Engagement, Joni Fitch.

Founded on August 29, 1898, by Akron brothers F.A. and C.W. Seiberling, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company began as a manufacturer of bicycle and carriage tires. F.A. borrowed $3,500 — about $126,000 today — from brother-in-law Lucius Miles to make the down payment on an old strawboard factory along the Little Cuyahoga River in East Akron for Goodyear’s first plant. Goodyear was established at the dawn of the automobile age and Akron became the “Rubber Capital of the World.” In the early 20th century, automakers built cars on Akron tires and generations of families were employed in the rubber factories. Goodyear quickly became the leader in the development, manufacturing, distribution, and sale of tires throughout the world. Today, the company continues to be an innovator in tire production and technology, now introducing a self-regenerating concept tire with artificial intelligence features that allow the tire treads to change according to the environment and climate. The technology also uses sensors to learn from driver behavior.

 In 2015, Goodyear completed a $160 million corporate headquarters along Innovation Way not far from the original factory in East Akron. The Goodyear blimp, based at Wingfoot Lake, remains a symbol of local pride and most recently, atop the old Goodyear Hall on East Market Street, the iconic Goodyear sign, featuring nearly 1200 bulbs, was restored to once again light up the night skyline of Akron.

For more information, contact the Summit County Council office at 330-643-2725.

The City of Akron Water Supply Bureau has lifted the precautionary boil water advisory for customers in Boston Township and Cuyahoga Falls located on Oak Hill Road, Major Road, Everett Road, and Bolanz Road including 4683 Riverview Road, 4563 Riverview Road and 4451 Akron Peninsula Road.

On Sunday morning, the City of Akron issued a precautionary boil advisory because of depressurization related to a water main break on Weathervane Lane followed by an additional water main break on Akron Peninsula Road. Both water mains have been repaired and pressures have been completely restored to the affected areas.

Water testing has been completed over the past 24 hours confirming the drinking water is safe. EPA regulations require the City to perform testing to ensure that the drinking water is safe before a precautionary boil water advisory can be lifted. At this time, Akron Water customers are no longer required to boil their drinking water or take any special precautions. Water is safe to consume and can be used normally.

Please be aware you may experience periodic discoloration or cloudiness of water for the next day or two. Discoloration is faint yellow or brown in color, while cloudiness can have the appearance of weak milk. Discoloration results from drinking water scouring the inside of water mains due to the main break. If this should happen, open every cold water faucet and bath/shower fixture in your home at the same time and flush for five minutes until clear. Cloudiness is the result of dissolved air and will eventually clear itself out. Neither discoloration or cloudiness are reasons to be concerned about the safety of the water over the next couple of days.

Questions should be directed to Akron Water Distribution Dispatch at (330) 375-2420.

____________________

9-11-23:

For the second time in the past few days; a water main break has prompted City of Akron officials to issue a "boil water" advisory.

The first break ocurred Saturday, on Weathervane Lane, prompting the City to issue an alert for customers on Oak Hill Road, and Major Road in Boston Township.

Today, after a break on Akron-Peninsula Road near Ira Road; they expanded the advisory area area to include Oak Hill Road, Major Road, Everett Road, Bolanz Road including 4683 Riverview Road, 4563 Riverview Road, and 4451 Akron Peninsula Road.

As a precaution, customers on these roads and at those addresses are under a precautionary boil water advisory. Customers are advised to boil their water until further notice. Water used for drinking or cooking should be brought to a full boil for a minimum of 2 minutes and returned to the proper temperature before use.  This advisory will be in effect until further notice, but for a minimum of 18 to 24 hours after the repair is made and normal pressures are restored.   

  Repairs to the water main break are expected to be completed today at which time water pressures will be restored to normal. 

  Further, the loss of pressure may also cause additional disruptions in water quality including discolored water and/or potentially a temporary increase in lead levels in the drinking water. 

  As a standard practice the US EPA recommends the following actions to reduce possible lead exposure in drinking water: 

• If water has not been used for several hours, run the tap until there is a noticeable temperature drop. Then, run water for 30 seconds to 3 minutes before using it for drinking and cooking. This helps flush water that may have contained lead that may have leached from plumbing. 
• Use cold water for cooking, drinking, and preparing baby formula. Boiling the water will not reduce lead. 
• Clean your faucet aerator regularly. 

  For additional information visit drinktap.org or www.epa.gov/safewater/lead 

  A press release will be issued when the boil water advisory is lifted.  Customers can also contact the Akron 24/7 Water Distribution Dispatch at 330-375-2420 for further updates. 

It's been a busy week for Federal law enforcement, which both brought down a huge Russian cybercrime botnet, and also indicted multiple Russian cyber criminals for spreading malware and ransomware that resulted in the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars from victims worldwide.

The indictments out of three different jurisdictions, Northern Ohio, Middle Tennesee, and the Southern District of California, allege the defendants used Trickbot malware and Conti ransomware to attack hospitals, schools, businesses, local governments, financial institutions, and even police departments.

In a press release issued Thursday, September 7,  U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio, “Today’s announcement demonstrates that these dangerous cybercriminals are not anonymous, as they once believed. The indictments unsealed today show the resolve of the international community to work together to bring cybercriminals to justice. We will continue to use all resources at our disposal to stop cybercrime.”

To find out more about the indictments, including those out of the Northern District of Ohio , click here for the full text of the Justice Department release.

In addition, the FBI recently brought down a major Russian cybercrime operation called QUAKBOT , by essentially "hacking the hackers", and causing the vast army of infected computers to stop spreading malware, and instead; to spread code that uninstalled the malware infecting more than 700 thousand computers worldwide. 

The two operations were related, as the disabled QUAKBOT was one of the instruments used to spread the malicious Trikbot and Conti ransomware.

Listen now for details on the QUAKBOT takedown, from FBI Director, Christopher Wray, and our special guest, Stark State College Associate Professor in Cybersecurity & Digital Forensics, Glenn Goe.

In addition, anyone interested in learning more about the latest trends and developments in Cybersecurity, can attend either in person or online, an upcoming seminar at Stark State College, on Friday, October 6, from 9AM-1PM.