Patterson Park Renovation Project Underway In Akron
Written by Jeanne Destro
A major renovation project that will greatly enlarge and improve the Patterson Park Community Center on on North Hill is now officially underway, after a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday morning.
The project, which will be paid for with federal funds, will cost $7.8 million dollars, and is expected to be complete by late 2024, or early 2025.
Our morning Show Host, Ray Horner, talked to Mayor Dan Horrigan about the project. Listen now:
In a press release, City officials explain that the existing 8,300 square foot building at 800 Patterson Avenue, will be replaced with a 12,400 sq ft footprint. The larger building will accommodate more recreational opportunities such as indoor volleyball, pickleball, and basketball. The community rooms will allow for more groups to meet at the center and utilize the space to fit their needs. The facility will be one level, with a new ADA accessible entry from a new parking area off of Patterson Ave.
Community engagement has been vital to these investments. In 2019, the City of Akron Recreation and Parks Bureau presented the results of a community needs survey as well as a Strategic Plan to Akron City Council. The survey had over 1,500 responses from community members. That plan prioritized upgrading community centers, playgrounds, and both outdoor pools. Community outreach was performed in 2020 with a survey which had over 500 total responses emphasizing Patterson Park as one of the three community centers in need of repair.
The construction is being funded by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars. The next center slated for renovations will be Reservoir Park Community Center (1735 Hillside Terrace) with bids expected to go out in early 2024.
Roll Up Your Sleeves: Red Cross Needs Blood Donors Now
Written by Jeanne Destro
A continuing National blood shortage is prompting an urgent plea from the American Red Cross for donors in our area.
Donors of all blood types are urged to book a time to give now, especially those with type O blood or those giving platelets.
Officials say your flu or COVID vaccination status is not an issue, and they're offering incentives to encourage donations including a $10 gift card to a restaurant or merchant, for anyone who donates Oct. 21-Nov. 9, plus the chance to win a $5,000 gift card.
More details now RedCrossBlood.org/Lunch.
To make an appointment, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Oct. 21-Nov. 9:
Summit County
Akron
Summit Blood Donation Center
501 W. Market St., Akron
Sundays, Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Tuesdays: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
10/25/2023: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 North Portage Path
10/31/2023: 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Ellet High School, 309 Woolf Ave
10/31/2023: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Harold K Stubbs Municipal Bldg Akron Police Dept., 217 High Street
11/2/2023: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., St Vincent St Mary High School, 15 North Maple Street
11/2/2023: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Akron Childrens Hospital, 215 West Bowery Street
11/7/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., University of Akron Rec & Wellness Center, 382 Carroll Street
11/9/2023: 1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Bath United Church of Christ, 3980 Bath Road
Barberton
11/1/2023: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Summa Barberton Hospital, 155 Fifth Street NE
Cuyahoga Falls
10/27/2023: 7 a.m. - 1 p.m., Western Reserve Hospital, 1900 23rd Street
Hudson
10/29/2023: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., St Mary Catholic Church, 340 N. Main Street
Macedonia
11/2/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, 9080 Shepard Road
Peninsula
11/7/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Woodridge Middle School, 4451 Quick Rd.
Stow
10/23/2023: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Acker Moore Memorial Post, 3733 Fishcreek Road
10/25/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., SYB Hall, 4157 Hudson Dr.
11/7/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Holy Family Parish, 3450 Sycamore Drive
Tallmadge
10/24/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Summit County Fairgrounds, 229 E. Howe Rd
Medina County
Brunswick
10/26/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Brunswick United Methodist Church, 1395 Pearl Road
10/30/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Cleveland Clinic Family Health Center Brunswick, 3574 Center Road
11/2/2023: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Saint Ambrose Church, 929 Pearl Road
Litchfield
11/5/2023: 7 a.m. - 12 p.m., Litchfield Township Fire Station, 9487 Norwalk Road
Lodi
10/23/2023: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., First Congregational Church, 114 Church Street
Medina
10/27/2023: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Holy Martyrs Church, 3100 S. Weymouth Rd.
10/28/2023: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., St Matthew Lutheran Church, 400 N. Broadway St.
11/9/2023: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Medina Community Recreation Center, 855 Weymouth Road
Wadsworth
11/6/2023: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Trinity United Church of Christ, 215 High Street
_______________
Portage County
Aurora
11/1/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., The Church in Aurora, 146 S. Chillicothe Road
Kent
11/1/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Kent State Univ Student Center, 1075 Risman Dr
Mogadore
10/27/2023: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Field High School, 2900 State Route 43
Ravenna
10/21/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Ravenna Elks Lodge, 776 North Freedom Street.
11/8/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Immaculate Conception Parish, 251 West Spruce Avenue
Rootstown
11/9/2023: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Northeast Ohio Medical University, 4209 State Route 44
Streetsboro
10/23/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Chapel at Tinkers Creek, 9709 Page Rd.
_______________
Stark County
Alliance
11/2/2023: 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Alliance Comm Hosp East St, 200 East State Street
11/7/2023: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Aldersgate Family Methodist Church, 11394 Edison St. NE
Canton
11/4/2023: 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Church of the Lakes, 5944 Fulton Drive NW
11/8/2023: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Stark Library - Main Library, 715 Market Ave N
Massillon
10/25/2023: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Paul & Carol David YMCA of Jackson Township, 7389 Caritas Circle NW
10/30/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., St Paul Lutheran Church, 127 Cherry Road NE
11/9/2023: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., RiverTree Jackson, 7373 Portage Street NW
Navarre
10/25/2023: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Towpath Trail YMCA, 1226 Market St. NE
11/3/2023: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Richville United Church of Christ, 6125 Richville Drive SW
North Canton
10/30/2023: 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Stark State College - Business & Entrepreneurial Center, 6200 Frank Ave NW
Uniontown
11/3/2023: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Harmony Springs Christian Church, 3891 S Arlington Rd
11/9/2023: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Lake Community YMCA, 428 King Church Ave SW
11/9/2023: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Grace United Church of Christ, 13275 Cleveland Avenue NW
Cuyahoga County:
Warzel Blood Donation Center
3747 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Parma Blood Donation Center
5585 Pearl Rd., Parma
Monday – Thursday: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Fridays and Saturdays: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Brian Dulik, Sports Columnist with the Medina Gazette, joined the Ray Horner Morning Show. They covered the Browns from the 49ers to DeShaun Watson, and the Guardians' search for their next manager.
Akron Jewish Community Impacted by Israel War
Written by Steffany MurdockOn October 15th, there will be a Unity with Israel walk and a Concert of Unity. Concert ticket sales will benefit the Israel Emergency Fund. Stephanie York, Executive Director of the Shaw JCC of Akron, joined the Ray Horner Morning Show. She discussed the attacks in Israel, the Akron Community coming together to support local families impacted by the war, and more. For more information, go to https://www.jewishakron.org/.
True Crime Author and Podcaster James Renner on His Latest Book, and Cold Case Murder DNA Project
Written by Steffany MurdockAkron Lifts Boil Water Advisory After Water Main Repair
Written by Jeanne Destro
The City of Akron says the water is safe to drink without boiling now for all customers along the Akron Peninsula Road corridor north of Bath Road.
This included some Akron water customers in Cuyahoga Falls and Boston Township.
The City Water Bureau reports a water main that broke Sunday morning and repaired Sunday afternon, actually ruptured again that night. But, those repairs were complete by Monday afternoon, and now the water in the affected area is safe to drink and use normally,
Salvation Army's Community Medal Award and Red Kettle Kickoff
Written by Steffany MurdockWAKR's Joyce Lagios, Ray Horner, and Mark Biviano will be honored by The Salvation Army at its nineteenth annual Community Medal Award and Red Kettle Kickoff. The luncheon is Thursday, November 2nd from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at St. George Fellowship Hall in Fairlawn. Marian Calvin is the Director of Development with The Salvation Army of Summit County. She joined the Ray Horner Morning Show to discuss the luncheon, the Red Kettle Drive, and more.
Student Athletes of the Week: Clarie Bennett & Jackson Davis
Written by Steffany Murdock
The Student Athlete of the Week segment is powered by NECA-IBEW and Akron Children’s Hospital.
This week's athletes are from Norton High School.
Hit-Skip Victim Dies: Police Still Seek Killer
Written by Jeanne Destro
Akron Police are still asking for your help to catch the hit-skip driver who was likely speeding early last Thursday morning, October 5, when they hit a 62 year old woman who was crossing the street in the 200 block of East Market Street.
The woman, who has now been identified as Deborah Weihrauch, was severely injured and died Friday afternoon at the hospital.
Witnesses told police they believe she was hit by a silver SUV, though they could not identify the make or model of the vehicle which continued Eastbound, without stopping.
If you have any information that can help police find out who did it, they're asking that you call the Detective Bureau, at 330-375-2490, or 330-375-TIP.
Akron fire officials are investigating after over 100 cars caught on fire at a recycling center Friday night on North Arlington Street.
Posting to Facebook, the Akron Fire Fighters Association Local 330 said that crews responded to Holub Recycling and discovered approximately 100 to 150 cars on fire spread throughout 200 square yards. Adding that, “crews did an excellent job with long complicated hose lays, master streams and elevated streams."
No injuries were reported during the incident and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
More...
Israel has declared war after Hamas launched a devastating attack from Gaza. Daniel Blain, CEO of JewishAkron, joined the Ray Horner Morning Show. They discussed what's happening in Israel and the impact of the war on Akron families.
This Week in Tech with Jeanne Destro-10-6-23: How AI Is Helping Doctors Detect Breast Cancer Featured
Written by Jeanne Destro
If you're a classic rock fan, you may remember an old Eric Clapton tune called "It's In The Way That You Use It", which seems to be an apt description for the pros and cons of technology that relies on rapidly developing, and ever more frequently-deployed Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools.
Over the past few months, I've talked to college professors who are concerned about their students cheating, cybersecurity experts who worry that it will fuel criminal activity and disinformation that could be very bad for democracy, and a well known Akron attorney and former law professor, discussing the complete folly of using it to write accurate, reality-based legal briefs.
But, I've also talked to a Purdue University researcher working on advanced, new, AI-powered thermal imaging for the defense and automotive industries, and today; to Cleveland Clinic Radiologist, Dr. Brian Xavier, about how AI is helping them more easily and accurately detect breast cancer in cases which even in the recent past using older technology, may never have been discovered.
So indeed, whether AI is a boon to society, or the potential bane of our existence, seems to depend–at least so far– entirely on the way that you use it.
Today, during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month; we're focusing on the positive.
Dr. Brian Xavier, Cleveland Clinic
Film Study Professor, Joe Fortunato, joins Ray every Friday for Film School. This week they went back to 1973 with the Comedy/Drama, The Sting.
Golf Pro, Dan Dauk, joins Ray every Friday with tips and info for golfers. Fall weather causes a few challenges on the golf course. Dan covers wet courses, leaves, and more.