The Akron-Canton Airport is reporting a 9% drop in passengers from 2016 to 2017.
According to the data, 1.27 million passengers flew in and/or out of CAK in 2017, compared to 1.4 million the year before. That is the lowest number of air travelers at the airport in more than a decade. In an interview with WAKR News, CAK President and CEO Rick McQueen primarily cited Southwest Airlines exit from the airport in 2017 as the reason for the sharp drop. The airline gradually reduced their services at CAK throughout 2017.
McQueen, who announced earlier this year that he would be retiring at the end of 2018, says they have had some victories during and then after the departure of Southwest, but it was a major hit, and it will take some time to recover completely.
The Stark County Prosecutor John D. Ferrero's office has announced guilty pleas in the bust of two local casinos after an investigation revealed they were distributing cash payouts on mmachines.
According to the press release, Paul and Debra Kasapis, who owned the Lucky Fox in Jackson Township and the El Dorado City of Gold in Canton Township, were paying cash to winners of video slots and other gambling machines. They were supposed to, under Ohio law, only be paying out vouchers for prizes worth less than $10.00.
Ohio state law prohibits cash payouts outside of the four commercial casinos in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, and Columbus, and also racinos within the state.
The investigation resulted in the closure of both the Lucky Fox and the El Dorado City of Gold, and the seizure of over $700,000 in assets and cash, 400 gambling machines, cars and other vehicles, and personal property.
Paul and Debra Pasapis have been charged and pleaded guilty to two fifth degree felony charges of Operation of Illegal Casino, two first degree misdemeanor counts of Gambling, and two first degree misdemeanor counts of Operation of a Gambling House.
UPDATE-10:08AM
The statewide missing adult alert for 70-year-old Stephen Demlow of Akron. has been cancelled.
Authorities say Demelow, who disappeared on Sunday night--returned home on his own.
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A Missing Adult Alert has been issued by the akron PD statewide.
Information as of: January 23, 2018 at 1:59 AM
Be on the lookout for a missing adult. On January 21, 2018 at 7:00 PM, Mr. Demlow left his residence and has not returned.
The incident took place in Summit County, OH On Morrison Street in the city of Akron 44312.
The adult's name is Stephen Demlow and the individual is missing. The adult is a White male, age 70, is 5'10" tall, weighs 178lbs, and has brown hair and blue eyes. Mr. Demlow has left his residence and not returned, he does have a history of Diabetes and a Traumatic Brain Injury.
The vehicle involved is a gray 2008 Kia Rio with OH plate number RIOCOOL. Vehicle pictured is not actual vehicle involved.
Call or dial 911 if you see the adult or the vehicle. You can also call 1-866-693-9171 or 911 to be transferred directly to the investigating law enforcement agency or to hear the alert information.
To view photographs, visit the Endangered Missing Adult Alert website at: http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Law-Enforcement/Local-Law-Enforcement/Missing-Adult-Alert
To unsubscribe reply to this email with "unsubscribe" as the subject or call (800) 325-5604.
Barberton Police and U.S. Marshals arrested an Akron man in connection to a weekend shooting in Barberton.
According to reports, police were called to the area of Wooster Road and Sylverster Road in Barberton Saturday night around 9 p.m. for a shooting. Police say it was two groups of people that gathered because of an argument over a woman, whose former boyfriend and current boyfriend were both involved.
During the altercation, someone opened fire, injuring three people; a 23-year-old man, a 48-year-old man, and a 28-year-old woman. All suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
After some tips, the Barberton Police and U.S. Marshals arrested Quawlin Mabry, 18, of Akron, in connection to the shooting.
Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan has released the full budget plan for the funds the city raised through the successful passage of Issue 4 on the November ballot.
Below is the full release and budget from the Mayor's office.
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Today, Mayor Dan Horrigan released the City’s plan for spending “Issue 4” funds in 2018. The budget outlines a plan for more than $13 Million in increased investment in police and fire protection and roadway improvements in Akron.
On November 7, 2017, Akron voters overwhelmingly supported Issue 4, a charter amendment that levied an additional .25% income tax to support police, fire, and roadway improvements in Akron. The tax took effect on January 1, 2018 and the City will receive additional revenue starting in February.
“This budget is a reflection of promises kept,” Mayor Dan Horrigan said. “While my administration continues to tackle difficult financial challenges resulting from cuts in state and federal funding, I am proud to budget for $13 million in new investment in our core city services that will keep our neighborhoods safe and strong. As pledged, these new funds will be split roughly equally between police, fire, and roadway improvements, depending on the most pressing needs of each department each year.”
“We are incredibly thankful that the community came together to raise this critically important and much-needed revenue,” Fire Chief Clarence Tucker said. “I’m proud to say that, thanks to these new funds, we expect to break ground on a new Station 2 this year—our first new fire station in several decades. Additionally, this year we will be able to purchase the recommended second set of fire gear for all our firefighters and extractor machines for every fire station, to ensure our front line personnel always have access to a clean, safe set of protective gear.”
“In the Akron Police Department, we will be purchasing 50 new vehicles to replace deteriorating cruisers, investing in our body-worn camera program, and making important updates to our 9-1-1 operating software to improve our service to the public,” Akron Police Chief Ken Ball said. “Without these funds, much of this simply would not be possible.”
You can see the full budget here.
Two women, 2 dogs, 10 cats, and 1 snake all managed to get out safely when the home they were living in on Kennebex Avenue in Akron caught fire Sunday afternoon. According to the report from Akron Fire, the fire was under control around 4 p.m. Sunday. No one was injured.
Akron Fire investigators haven't determined the cause yet.
The American Red Cross is assisting the residents.
There's been no owrd on the extent of the damage at the home.
Editor's note: A previous version omitted the names of Connie Pillich and Scott Schertzer.
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.
1590 WAKR Student Athlete of the Week: Tyler Dawson
Written by Tony Mazur1590 WAKR Student Athlete of the Week: Madison Haywood
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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.
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.
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.
Argument Between Two Men, Woman Leads to Shooting
Written by Ryan LangWe 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.
Bunch of new movies for you this week, let's check them out!