Friday, 19 January 2018 12:32

Kucinich Picks Samples as Running Mate

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Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dennis Kucinich has picked Akron City Councilwoman Tara Samples as his running mate.
 
The two will face a crowded field in the May primary, including former federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director, Richard Cordray and his running mate, former Ohio Congresswoman Betty Sutton, Ohio Supreme Court Justice William O'Neil, whose running mate is Chantelle E. Lewis of East Cleveland, former State Rep. Connie Pillich and running mate Marion Mayor Scott Schertzer, and State Senator Joe Schiavoni, and his running mate, Stephanie Dodd.
 
Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley, who had previously announced she was running for Governor, dropped out of the race last week, pledging her support to Richard Cordray.
 
Kucinich is well-known statewide as a result of his high-profile years as Mayor of Cleveland, as well as his time in Congress from 1997-2003. He also ran for President in 2004 and 2008.
 
Samples has represented Ward 5 on Akron City Council since 2013. 
 
Kucinich and Samples joined The Jasen Sokol Show for their first radio interview after the announcement:

Editor's note: A previous version omitted the names of Connie Pillich and Scott Schertzer.

Friday, 19 January 2018 10:31

APD Investigating Thursday Night Shooting

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When Akron Police arrived at the home in the 1100 block of Bethany Avenue Thursday night on a call of a man shot, they found the victim sitting on the porch of the home with mutliple gunshot wounds, holding a gun. 

The call first came in around 10 p.m. The victim was sitting on the porch and had suffered gunshot wounds to the face, chest, and arms. Upon approaching the home, officers noticed that the man was holding a handgun. They secured the gun and then the victim was transported to Akron City Hospital. According to the APD report Friday morning, the victim, whose name hasn't been released, was in serious condition. 

According to that report, detectives were not given any suspect description or any more information. Now, they're asking for anyone who may know something to call them. 

Friday, 19 January 2018 06:12

1590 WAKR Student Athlete of the Week: Tyler Dawson

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Tyler Dawson of Springfield High School is this week’s 1590 WAKR Male Student Athlete of the Week.

Tyler is in his senior year at Springfield, and is a key member of the football and basketball teams. H recently knocked down two clutch free throws late to push the Spartans over the Kent Roosevelt Rough Riders, 41-40, and give Springfield their first win of the season.

"Make sure you act like we have been here before,” Tyler told his teammates after the win. “It's the first one, but it wont be the last."

If Tyler isn't on the football field or the court, he is a member of the National Honor Society and CCP.

Tyler plans to continue his education at the University of Akron. He is currently taking classes and looks to study accounting, with the hopes of getting his CBA.

Thursday, 18 January 2018 18:29

1590 WAKR Student Athlete of the Week: Madison Haywood

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Madison Haywood from Barberton High School is the female 1590 WAKR Student Athlete of the Week for January 19th-26th.

Madison is a swimmer for the Magics, and is currently in her senior season. Though the team is not large, the Magics are competing at their highest level, and Madison is part of the heart and soul.

Though she played other sports such as basketball growing up, Madison fell in love with swimming at a young age. When the local YMCA came to town, she jumped into the pool, and for the last decade, has not looked back.

"I’ve dropped a lot of time this year, and I’ve been placing first, which is really about dropping times and your accomplishments,” says Madison about her senior season.

Some of the events she participates in are the 50 freestyle, the 100 backstroke, and the 200 relay because she enjoys the teamwork.

Madison has won swimming awards in the Suburban League, but she takes great pride in her schoolwork. All four years of high school, she has had a grade point average at or above 3.5.

A Barberton lifer, Madison enjoys her time in the Magic City. "I love it here,” she says. "Obviously, I’ve been here for a long time, so it’s small and we all know each other. And we have a lot of lifelong friends here."

When she is not in the pool, Madison is all over the place in the community. She is a member of the ski club, student council, and National Honor Society, and on the day of this interview, she volunteered her time at the blood drive at Barberton High School. She is also active in her church and has been seen helping out at a local soup kitchen for Thanksgiving.

After high school, Madison plans to head a half hour to the east and attend Kent State University. She says she will hang up her swimsuit in favor of the books, and she is currently undecided on a major, though she is intrigued by Kent’s exploratory program.

Thursday, 18 January 2018 11:38

UPDATE: KSU Denies White Nationalist Speaker

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UPDATE: Kent State University has rejected the request from white nationalist Richard Spencer to speak on May 4th at the Multicultural Center on campus. 

In a release, the college says they simple couldn't accomodate Spencer's request as April 30th through May 12th is an "exceptionally busy" time on campus. 

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White Nationalist Richard Spencer, who is known for speaking tours at college campuses across the U.S., is reportedly part of a request to reserve the Kent State University Multicultural Center, on May 4th of this year, for a speech. 

KentWired.com is reporting that a Tweet sent out by Kyle Bristow (posted below), a lawyer who represents Spencer's National Policy Institute, acknowledged that Spencer's tour manager Cameron Padgett is working on the reservation, and that Padgett would have Spencer speak at the event on May 4th. 

Untitled

May 4th, 2018, would be the 48th anniversary of the shooting of four unarmed college students by National Guardsmen on Kent State's campus during a Vietnam War protest. 

Spencer, meanwhile, is suing both University of Cincinnati and Ohio State University for not allowing him to speak on campus. 

Read more from KentWired.com

 

 

Wednesday, 17 January 2018 11:38

Former Summit Sheriff Warren Dies

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Former Summit County Sheriff Richard "Dick" Warren passed away over the weekend at the age of 78.

Warren, who served as sheriff from 1994 through 2001, first joined the department at a reserve deputy in 1961, and wasn't even being paid. In 1974 was a promoted to deputy, then to sergeant by 1980, and inspector in 1992.

In 1994, was appointed Sheriff by the Democratic Central Committee, and then ran unopposed again in 1996. He served through 2001. 

 

Warren was 78 years old. 

Tuesday, 16 January 2018 11:29

Argument Between Two Men, Woman Leads to Shooting

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We have an update on the shooting in Akron's West Hill neighborhood this morning.

According to the report, just before 5 this morning Akron Police responded to the 300 block of Gold Street near Nickel, on a call about a shooting.

There were two male victims that were shot; one in the head, the other in the arm. The first victim is at Akron General in Critical Condition, while the second was taken to Akron City Hospital and is in serious condition. A short time later, Akron Police arrested Hedy Moss, 49, who fled the scene after the shooting, and charged her with two counts felonious assault.

She's in Summit County Jail.

The victims' names have not been released, pending the notification of their families. 

Monday, 15 January 2018 17:10

MOVIE REVIEWS - In Theaters Now

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Bunch of new movies for you this week, let's check them out!

Monday, 15 January 2018 11:27

Akron Police Involved in Shootout with Suspect

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Akron Police were called to a home in the 1300 block of Waterloo Road Friday night around 11:30 about a man with a gun, inside the home, acting irradically, possibly on drugs, and threatening to shoot someone. 

The female caller, who hasn't been identified, said that Michael Higgins (pictured) was acting crazy and tearing up the home. She could be heard in a recording sent the the WAKR Newsroom by Akron Police yelling at Higgins, telling him to get out of the house. 

When police arrived, Higgins opened fire, to which Akron Police officers returned shots. After the shootout, Higgins reportedly barricaded himself inside the home. Akron SWAT was called, but it is unclear if they were needed, as Higgins gave himself up peacefully shortly after he locked himself inside. 

Higgins was arrested and taken to Cleveland Clinic Akron General Hospital with a minor injury; he reportedly was grazed with a bullet from an Akron Police officer's gun. He's charged with felonious assault on a police officer and more charges are expected. Higgins was booked in Summit County Jail. 

The officers involved in the shootout have been placed on adinistrative leave, per APD protocol. The incident remains under investigaiton. 

Friday, 12 January 2018 11:52

Former Akron Police Chief Nice Charged

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Former Akron Police Chief James Nice has formally been charged after a months-long investigation by the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office into his inappropriate behavior while on the job for the City of Akron. 

The charge is Attempted Unauthorized Use of a Police Database, a first-degree misdemeanor. The WAKR Newsroom has attempted to contact Nice's attorney, Henry Hilow. 

Nice, a former FBI Supervisor, was Akron's Police Chief from 2011 up until he abruptly resigned, at the request of Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan, in August of last year. 

There were also allegations of conduct unbecoming of an officer, and accounts of Nice's inappropriate language and conduct in the office, and allegations that Nice attempted to interfere with an investigation into his nephew, Joseph Nice, involving the car dealership he owns in Akron. There is no confirmation on whether or not that investigation is what the charge is stemming from. 

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