Jeanne Destro

Jeanne Destro

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.

summit county council logo

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.

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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.

cyberseminar

 

Akron Police are asking for tips to help them find the robber who carjacked a Door Dash driver at 11:20PM Tuedsay, near the intersection of East Ido Avenue and South Main Street.

Police say the 19 year old food delivery driver told them a man with a gun stole his cell phone and his car, a 2014 Honda Accord (Ohio License plate: FPM-7063). 

But. while police did eventually find the cell phone; they're still looking for the robber and the car.

If you can help, contact the Akron Police Detective Bureau, Police Department Detective Bureau at 330-375-2490 or 330-375-2Tip.

You can also provide anonymous information to any of the following:

  • The Summit County Crimestoppers, call 330-434-COPS
  • Text TIPSCO with your tips to 274637
  • Download the Akron PD app and submit information by texting Tips411or by accessing the link on the Akron Police website: www.AkronCops.org

*This story was updated on 9-7-2023*

 

Akron police are on the lookout for an approximately 17-20 year old robber who held up a man at gunpoint, after he withdrew money from an ATM at the Circle K in the 200 block of Darrow Road, on Friday Sept. 1, at about 10:30 AM.

They're circulating the suspect's picture now, hoping someone can tell them who it is.

If you have any information about the robber who got away with what police describe as a "large" amount of cash from the 35 year old man, who was walking Westbound on Eastlawn Avenue when he got held up; please give them a call at 330-375-2490 or 330-375-2Tip.

You can also contact them through The Summit County Crimestoppers, by calling 330-434-COPS, or you can Text TIPSCO with your tips to 274637.

In addition, you can download the Akron PD app and submit information by texting Tips411 or accessing the link on their website, www.AkronCops.org.

One of three 18 year old males in a stolen car that led police on a high speed chase in East Akron Tuesday night has died, two others in the car with him when it crashed and burned are in the hospital, and police say it may be related to a shooting on Eller Avenue that put yet another man-a 28 year old- in the hospital as well.

Here's how it all went down.

Police say they spotted a speeding car last night at about 11:30 pm, near the intersection of Kelly Avenue and Tech Way Drive, and that when trying to get it to stop with lights and sirens didn't work; they gave chase. But, when it got too fast, at up to 100 miles an hour near the intersection of Kelley Avenue and 6th Avenue; they called it off.

Moments later, the stolen red Kia slammed into another vehicle; a blue Kia sitting in stopped traffic at Kelley Avenue and Third Avenue, which spun the speeding stolen car out of control, causing it to crash into a pole, and burst into flames. 

Officers removed three 18 year old males from the burning car, administering CPR to at least one of them, and all three were then taken to the hospital, where one of them was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

The driver of the car that got hit by the speeding stolen car though, was uninjured.

But that's not all.

At nearly the same time as police were chasing the stolen car; they got a report about a shooting on Eller Avenue, which is a little over a mile away. There, they found a 28 year old man who had been shot in the face, who told them he had been walking down the street when three men confronted him, then ran away.

Now, police are trying to figure out if the two incidents are connected, and they're asking for tips. 

 

One person died, another was hospitalized, and 30 more were displaced from their homes today as the result of a fire at a three-story apartment building at 1105 Second Avenue.

No information as to the identity of the person who died in the fire, which occurred at about 7:25 AM, has been released yet, with both Fire and Summit County Medical Examiner investigators still on the scene.

Fire officials are asking people to avoid the area for the next several hours,  as their work continues.

Tuesday, 29 August 2023 13:35

(Tax) Shelter From The Storm

If you own property in Summit County that  was damaged in last week's storm; you may be eligible to get a reduction in your property taxes. 

The Summit County Fiscal office is taking applicatons now through the end of this year, for damage-related property tax reductions. It doesn't apply to things like trees, landscaping, fencing, and personal items, though. 

Read below for details from a press release issued today by the County Fiscal Office:

The Fiscal Office is taking the necessary steps to provide property owners the ability to file an Application for Valuation Deduction for Destroyed or Damaged Property (Form DTE 26), pursuant to Ohio Revised Code §319.38.

Form DTE 26 can be downloaded from our website. Visit http://FiscalOffice.summitoh.net and click on the link titled “Damaged Property” listed in the “Real Estate and Appraisal” column. Mail the completed form to the Fiscal Office at 175 S. Main Street, Room 304, Akron, OH 44308. If you do not have access to a computer, you may call 330-643-2704 to request a form in the mail.

For property damaged by the storm, the filing deadline is December 31, 2023.

Fiscal Officer Scalise has stressed the importance of filing this application as soon as possible. Any deduction from value will affect the tax bills mailed in January 2024.

The amount of the deduction equals a percentage of the reduction in value caused by the damage. That percentage is determined by the calendar quarter in which the damage occurred; the reduction will be 50% in value of the destroyed portion.

Example: Your property is appraised for $100,000 by the Fiscal Office. Your insurance company indicates you sustained $10,000 in damage to your property due to the recent storm. Since the damage occurred in August, you are entitled to a 50% reduction of the damage amount.

Therefore, your property will be appraised at $95,000 for tax year 2023.

$100,000 Original appraisal value for tax year 2023

$ 5,000 50% reduction of the $10,000 damage

$ 95,000 New appraisal value for tax year 2023

Real estate taxes are billed one year in arrears, so the reduction will be for tax year 2023,collection year 2024.

Once the application is filed, the Appraisal Department will make the necessary inspections to determine the amount of damage.

Damage to trees, landscaping, and fencing, as well as personal items, is excluded on residential properties.

The Fiscal Office tracks the repairs based on the applications received and building permits that have been filed from all the townships and cities affected by the storms.

FirstEnergy reports that about 12 thousand of its customers, particularly in the hardest hit areas in eastern Cuyahoga County, western Lake County, central Geauga County and central Portage County, remain without power after Thursday night's storms, including 10 tornadoes that touched down in various parts of our region.

In a press release today, FirstEnergy relayed the following information:

At this stage in the restoration effort, utility crews are addressing many localized issues and restoring service to individual customers. This will require workers to travel to hundreds of individual locations to restore power to single homes or businesses. This is the most time-consuming, labor intensive and complex part of service restoration.

Estimated restoration times have been updated for each electric company as follows:

The Illuminating Company: Approximately 10,500 remain without power. Service is expected to be restored to the majority of customers as follows:
11 p.m. today – Cleveland, Brooklyn and Strongsville areas
11 p.m. tomorrow – Middlefield area
4 p.m. Wednesday, August 30 – Mayfield, Solon, Concord, Bainbridge areas
All other area outages are assigned individual estimated restoration times as the outage orders are assigned to crews.
Ohio Edison: Approximately 1,800 remain without power. Service is expected to be restored to the majority of customers as follows:
1 p.m. today – Columbiana area in Mahoning Valley
11 p.m. today – Kent, Portage County area

All other area outages are assigned individual estimated restoration times as the outage orders are assigned to crews.

For updated information on power outages, FirstEnergy's storm restoration process and tips for staying safe, visit the 24/7 Power Center at www.firstenergycorp.com/outages. Customers who are without power can call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) or text OUT to 544487 to report their outage or click the "Report Outage" link on www.firstenergycorp.com.

 

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