Councilman James Hardy Fights For Reform

Akron Podcast

Police Union Willing to Talk

At an Akron City Council meeting, Brian Lucey, representing Akron's Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7, stated the union's willingness to engage in discussions on police reform, offering to meet with anyone at any time for this purpose. Lucey's remarks were prompted by Councilman James Hardy's suggestion to pause discussions on a new police headquarters until reform is achieved. Councilwoman Jan Davis echoed the need for dialogue on policing in Akron.

Hardy expressed support for Davis' call for reform-oriented conversations, indicating his intention to vote against funding for a new police department until meaningful reform discussions take place. He emphasized the importance of involving all stakeholders in these talks and advocated for a new standard for police-community relations.

Lucey accused Hardy of supporting police defunding, which Hardy refuted, citing his past support for police funding increases. Hardy emphasized the necessity of rethinking the current approach to policing and promoting constructive dialogue rather than divisive rhetoric.

Both Hardy and Davis emphasized the importance of involving Akron's underserved communities in reform discussions and expressed readiness to collaborate with the union and other stakeholders to initiate proactive conversations aimed at positive change.

Parasson's Closing All But One Location

Parasson's is closing all of their locations except for the on on Waterloo road. The Stow location on Darrow Road closed last Saturday, and the Barberton location at 234 Wooster Road. So if you want some of their yummy garlic bread, you need to visit the Waterloo road location.

Will Akron Have to Deal with Cicadas?

Fortunately, according to the University of Connecticut, Ohio is not in the path of the two broods set to emerge across much of the Southeast and Midwest.

Construction Updates

according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Beginning 5 a.m. Wednesday, South Street eastbound from state Route 93/Manchester Road will be closed through early September. The detour will be Thornton Street to Rhodes Street to Lakeshore Boulevard to South Street.

Beginning 7 p.m. Friday, SR 93/Manchester Road at South Street will be closed until 7 a.m. Saturday morning for a bridge deck pour. The northbound detour will be Kenmore Boulevard to Lakeshore Boulevard to Thornton Street. The southbound detour will be Thornton Street to Rhodes Street to Lakeshore Boulevard to South Street.

Other New traffic patterns

According to the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Beginning 5 a.m. Wednesday, South Street eastbound from state Route 93/Manchester Road will be closed through early September. The detour will be Thornton Street to Rhodes Street to Lakeshore Boulevard to South Street.

Beginning 7 p.m. Friday, SR 93/Manchester Road at South Street will be closed until 7 a.m. Saturday morning for a bridge deck pour. The northbound detour will be Kenmore Boulevard to Lakeshore Boulevard to Thornton Street. The southbound detour will be Thornton Street to Rhodes Street to Lakeshore Boulevard to South Street.

Other new traffic patterns

At 8 p.m. Friday, state Route 21 northbound under Interstate 77 in Copley Township will be closed through 5 a.m. May 6 for bridge work. The detour will be I-77 southbound to Ridgewood Road to I-77 northbound.

State Route 303 east of I-77 is also closed for pavement repairs. The detour is Interstate 271 to I-77 to state Route 176 to SR 303.

Andre Bernier is Retiring in May

Fox 8 meteorologist Andre Bernier will give his final forecast on May 22, retiring after more than 36 years with the television station.

Andre Bernier announced his retirement on the same day as his birthday.

Rubber City Heritage Trail Phase 2

The second phase of the Rubber City Heritage Trail will include 10-foot wide asphalt trail pavement, wayfinding signage, miniature neighborhood trail plazas, viewing benches, improved street crossings, and conduits for future fiber optic network expansion as well as additional sidewalks connecting the Middlebury Marketplace and Arlington Street. Construction is planned for the summer of 2025.

According to a news release from the city, the project won't impact environmentally sensitive resources, and all construction will occur on city lands.

Phase 2 of the trail starts at Exchange Street, next to Fire Station 2, and ends at Huntington Avenue, across from Dollar General.

The Rubber City Heritage Trail is a proposed multi-use trail linking the Akron neighborhoods of East Akron, Middlebury, University of Akron, South Akron, Firestone Park, and Kenmore via an abandoned rail line.

Until May 30, questions and concerns can be sent to project manager David Clapp at [e-mail] or mailed to Clapp at the Akron Engineering Bureau at 166 South High Street, Design Division Room 701, Akron, Ohio 44308.

MGM Center Stage May Calendar

Check who is coming

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