AKRONCrash kills driverAKRON: A 70-year-old Lake Township man was killed Tuesday in a traffic crash that started at East Wilbeth Road and Coventry Street and ended on the southbound lanes of Interstate 77.Jim F. Youngson of Shoshone Avenue Northwest was driving a 1990 Chevrolet Silverado pickup east on Wilbeth Road about 6:40 p.m. when he turned south onto Coventry Street near the entrance ramp to the interstate.Youngson made a sharp left turn, going between the fence and guardrail of the entrance ramp, driving down the embankment and onto the interstate, where he struck a 2011 Toyota RAV4.A 42-year-old Rootstown woman was driving the vehicle and a 10-year-old boy was a passenger, said Lt. Rick Edwards, spokesman for the Akron Police Department.Both vehicles then struck the cement median barrier.The woman and boy were taken to Summa Akron City Hospital with minor injuries, Edwards said.Youngson was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:25 p.m.The police department’s Traffic Bureau and the Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office are investigating the crash. Suspect in slayingAKRON: Police have arrested a suspect in last week’s shooting death of a Cuyahoga Falls man.Chad Stephens, 22, of Akron, was arrested Tuesday in the Aug. 31 slaying of Kim Slayko, who was found shot in the backyard at 900 Baughman St.Slayko, 33, of Bailey Road, was struck in the abdomen and died the same day at Akron General Medical Center.Neighbors told police they heard gunfire and saw a man running from the shooting scene.Reward in robberyAKRON: The FBI is offering $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of three armed men who fired shots before robbing an Akron bank Tuesday.No one was injured in the robbery at the Ohio Savings branch at 1835 Brittain Road. Three men wearing what appeared to be paintball masks went inside the branch and fired two shots before taking an undisclosed amount of cash.It was the second time in five weeks that shots were fired during an Akron bank robbery.On Aug. 2, a PNC Bank branch on Buchholzer Boulevard was robbed, authorities said.In that heist, a man fired a single shot while another man jumped over the teller’s counter. Police are exploring the possibility that the robberies were committed by the same men.FBI spokesman Scott Wilson issued a news release Wednesday asking for the public’s help. Those providing information may remain anonymous.Anyone with information is asked to call Akron police at 330-375-2490.CAMPAIGN TRAILSheriff plans eventAKRON: Summit County Sheriff Drew Alexander’s annual Steak Out fundraiser will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday at Tadmor Temple, 3000 Krebs Drive, Coventry Township.Donation is $50 per person. Tickets may be purchased at the door.For information, call 330-245-0377.CUYAHOGA VALLEYBenefit for campBOSTON TWP.: The Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park will host its 11th annual clambake fundraiser at 4 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center, 2796 Oak Hill Road.The deadline to register is Friday.The event supports a scholarship program for a four-day residential camp experience for children.“For many of us, the prospect of going through our entire childhood without ever hiking through the woods or finding that special spot to fish is hard to imagine. However, this is a reality for many Northeast Ohio children,” said Ralph J. Davila, spokesman for the conservancy.The event includes music, cocktails, auction, raffles, hors d’oeuvres and a clam and lobster bake.The 2010 clambake raised roughly $50,000, allowing 160 children to experience the national park, Davila said.Tickets are $175; $250 for patrons.For information, go to www.conservancycvnp.org or call 330-657-2909, ext. 222.HARTVILLELegal agreementHARTVILLE: The Village Council has agreed to pay the legal fees of any former elected village official called to testify in court.The only pending lawsuit is one brought by Hartville against the Lake Local Board of Education, Solicitor Ronald Starkey said.The village alleges the schools failed to meet terms of a contract under which Hartville extended sewer service to the high school.The village contends the contract requires the school complex be annexed from Lake Township.In other action Tuesday, the council raised the cost of obtaining photocopied documents from 5 cents to 10 cents.PORTAGE COUNTYPresident namedBradford R. Ehrhart has been named president of the Portage Development Board, a new organization aimed at economic development in Portage County.He starts Sept. 26.“Portage County, with its great mix of businesses and higher education, has great potential for economic growth” Ehrhart said in a written statement. “I look forward to developing the relationships with businesses, resource partners and contributors that will help the county realize its potential.”Ehrhart was executive director of Pennsylvania’s Clarion County Economic Development Corp. starting in 2005. From 1991 to 2005, he was assistant director of the Penn-Northwest Development Corp. in Mercer, Pa.For more information about the board, go to www.
portagedevbd.org.WADSWORTHReverse 911 backedWADSWORTH: The City Council on Tuesday threw its support behind a proposal by the Medina County Emergency Management Agency to fund and operate a countywide emergency notification system.Fire Chief Ralph Copley said the system is an enhanced Reverse 911 system that would allow subscribers to receive messages by cell phones, pagers and home phones.Safety Director Matt Hiscock said the city would have local control of what messages are sent even though it is a countywide system.The city has a series of sirens used to alert citizens to serious weather conditions, but, according to Councilman Timothy Eberling, complaints have come in because some cannot hear the warnings.Hiscock said the sirens will remain and work in conjunction with the Reverse 911 system.