The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning and an Air Quality Warning ahead of the heatwave that is going to cover the Akron area, and most of Northeast Ohio this weekend. Heat index values are expected to reach 107 degrees by Friday and 110 degrees by Saturday.
Below is the release from Mayor Dan Horrigan's office and also the Salvation Army regarding the extended hours for all of our area cooling centers throughout the sweltering heat:
Due to forecasted high temperatures, Mayor Dan Horrigan has announced that the City of Akron will extend hours at four community “cooling centers” this week. The community centers will be open for extended hours on Thursday, Friday and Saturday (July 18-20), from 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM.
“During this heat wave, families in need are invited to stop by and cool down in any of our community centers,” Mayor Horrigan said. “We are extending hours at four locations to ensure residents of all ages can escape the heat, even in the evening. We also encourage all our residents to check in on their neighbors and family members who may be vulnerable to these high temperatures, and take steps to keep children and pets well hydrated, rested, and out of the sun.”
Cooling Centers open from 8:30 AM – 9:00 PM (July 18, 19 and 20):
Lawton Street Community Center
1225 Lawton Street
Akron, OH 44320
330-375-2825
Mason Park Community Center
700 E. Exchange Street
Akron, OH 44306
330-375-2821
Patterson Park Community Center
800 Patterson Avenue
Akron, OH 44310
330-375-2819
Summit Lake Community Center
380 W. Crosier Street
Akron, OH 44311
330-375-2826
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The Salvation Army of Summit County and the Barberton Corps will be opening their doors to serve as cooling centers and a place to provide shelter from the 90+ degree temperatures throughout the area.With excessive temperatures expected over the next week, The Salvation Army offers a safe place for community members looking to get out of the heat.
Days and Times for Cooling Centers
Akron Citadel, 190 South Maple Street, 330-762-8481
Thursday, July 18th, 2019 12pm-3pm
Friday, July 19th, 2019 10am-3pm
Barberton Corps, 560 Wooster Road West, Barberton, 330-745-2836
Thursday, July 18th, 2019 12:30pm-3:30pm
Friday, July 19th, 2019 12:30pm-3:30pm
For more information on relief from high temperatures, or to make a donation to help The Salvation Army serve affected families, call Major Steven Stoops at the Akron Citadel at 330-762-8481 or visit www.SalvationArmyAkron.org.
For Barberton inquiries, call 330-745-2836 or visit https://oh.salvationarmy.org/
Haven of Rest
With the extremely high temperatures expected for the next few days, Haven of Rest Ministries wants to remind our neighbors who may be experiencing homelessness, and/or without adequate water, that our Men’s and Women’s dayrooms are open and give a break from the heat. Haven of Rest is located at 175 E. Market Street, downtown Akron.
Scammers are getting more creative in finding ways to bamboozle you into giving up your info, whether it's through your your phone, your email, or even social media.
With that in mind, Cedar Point is warning the public to watch for a new social media scam, that's encouraging people to click a link for a free four pack to celebrate the park's 50th anniversary.
One major red flag: The park isn't celebrating 50 years this year.
Cedar Point officials Tweeted, the promotion isn't through Cedar Point's OFFICIAL website.
Heads up: This post is a SCAM!
— Cedar Point (@cedarpoint) July 8, 2019
For any promotions from Cedar Point, they will be posted through our official social channels or a reputable partner. pic.twitter.com/1b1flc8p0M
Their advice?
Don't click the link!
Rittman Police, along with Fire and EMS, are reporting a rash of drug overdoses over the Fourth of July holiday.
Police Chief Ray Arcuri tells the Medina Gazette that it's the most overdoses he's seen in such a short period of time, just two days July 3rd and 4th, since taking over the position three years ago.
The paper's reporting at least seven overdoses, including two by the same man.
Chief Arcuri believes that the heroin was cut with something stronger, likely fentanyl or carfentanil, and suspects that it came from Akron.
This Week in Tech with Jeanne Destro-7-12-19 Featured
Written by Jeanne DestroThis week, new efforts to expand broadband internet access statewide, more privacy concerns about electronic surveillance, and online shopping so easy, even a toddler can do it.
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From the Wayne County Sheriff's Office Facebook Page:
Allison Arnold, has run away once again. As you may recall, Allison who is 14 years old, left home without permisson two weeks ago and was gone for several days.
She is 5'2'' and 110 lbs. We not not have a clothing discription at this time.
Allision lives in the Burbank/Creston area.
The Portage County Water Rescue Team has been busy over the past month rescuing kayakers and others from the Cuyahoga River in Kent, and their worn down equipment shows.
More than 22 people have needed helping getting out of the unusually high and fast river over that time. The water level has risen dramatically and the current is higher than normal due to the heavy rain that's come down, specifically over the month of June.
The video below is from a rescue on June 22nd, courtesy of YouTube user Scott Budzar:
To help raise money for replacement gear, the Portage County Water Rescue Team is selling T-shirts with their logo on them.
Click here to find the T-shirt on their Facebook page.
Big news from Summit County's biggest employer; Summa Health.They've been bought out by Detroit-based Beaumont Health.
Summa CEO, Dr. Cliff Deveny talked us about why they did it, and what comes next.