LAKEMORE — The Springfield Local Schools Board of Education, during the regular meeting April 16, confirmed its contract with Superintendent Shelley Monachino. Monachino was reappointed during the Feb. 20 meeting. This action confirms the five-year contract starting Aug. 1, 2025. Terms of the contract include a $115,000 annual salary, an annuity for retirement for $2,600 per year and the extension of her vacation to 30 days per year. The board also approved a letter of intent with the Ohio Association of Public School Employees (OAPSE 530) for a collective bargaining agreement. The agreement w ..read more

BARBERTON: Police were called to a Third Street Northwest home April 9 for a disturbance. A woman told police another woman stole items off her porch and made threats to her. The other woman denied taking anything or making any threats. Officers spoke to several witnesses who heard the woman and a man make threats toward the other woman. The man and woman were both charged with disorderly conduct. Two juveniles were charged with theft and banned from a Wooster Road North business April 9 after they were observed drinking a coffee in the store and throwing away the container in the bathroom wit ..read more

            The post Cartoons first appeared on Akron.com ..read more

Lakemore Village Council renews insurance policy LAKEMORE — Lakemore Village Council April 16 approved the $69,538 annual renewal of the village’s liability and property insurance with Love Insurance and the Ohio Plan. Village Administrator Tracy Sayers said the one-year renewal, effective April 23, 2024 through April 23, 2025, represents an approximately 15% increase over last year’s contract. Sayers also announced details for the village’s annual Memorial Day parade May 27. The parade will line up at 10 a.m. at Springfield High School and Junior High, 1880 Canton Road, and will step off at 1 ..read more

SPRINGFIELD — Following the defeat of a 1.5-mill replacement road levy with a 0.5-mill increase in November 2023 and a 1.5-mill replacement road levy in March, Springfield Township Trustees April 11 took the first steps in placing a road levy on the November 2024 ballot. Trustees approved legislation requesting the Summit County Fiscal Officer to determine revenue generated by a 1.5-mill renewal, a 1.5-mill replacement, a 1.5-mill replacement with a 0.25-mill decrease for a new 1.25-mill levy, and a 1.5-mill replacement with a 0.5-mill decrease for a new 1-mill levy. Trustee Joe DiLauro explai ..read more

COVENTRY — Coventry Township Board of Trustees approved a rezoning request during its April 11 meeting, which will bring a new business to the township. The trustees held a public hearing regarding the rezoning of 1.34 acres of land at 2400 S. Main St. to change the zoning from B-2 Local Business District to C-1 Commercial Industrial District. ARC Gas & Supply LLC, based in Cuyahoga Heights, plans to purchase the property and make improvements. Company officials said they have a lot of customers in the area and will offer a retail outlet. Trustee George Beckham said one of the concerns is ..read more

BARBERTON — Community collaboration, a continued focus on infrastructure improvements, economic development and addressing larger social issues like homelessness formed the backdrop of Barberton Mayor William Judge’s 2024 State of the City address, held April 10 at Barberton High School. The address, and its theme of “Redefining the Magic City,” was introduced by Barberton Community Foundation Executive Director Josh Gordon, who highlighted the city’s current “momentum” created through collaborations between community organizations, the city and the Barberton City Schools. “A good example is t ..read more

Staff and student council members represented Nolley Elementary School during the April 16 school board meeting. Photo: Eric Poston NEW FRANKLIN — Nolley Elementary School has been selected as a 2024 Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators (OAESA) Hall of Fame School. Staff and students from Nolley represented their school during the April 16 Manchester Local Schools Board of Education meeting. Mark Jones, OAESA associate executive director, said the designation recognizes schools that engage faculty, students and the community to provide a quality school experience. He said nom ..read more

Photo courtesy of Barberton City Schools BARBERTON — Members of the Barberton Magics 2023-24 boys varsity basketball team took center stage at the April 15 Barberton City Council meeting as they were honored by the city for the team’s 19-2 regular season and Suburban League Championship win. “This is a special year,” said head coach Chad Hazard, adding that the team set out to make the “biggest turnaround in history” and met that goal and more. The Magics 2022-23 season was noteworthy for all the wrong reasons, as the team went completely winless. “I’m speechless with what they accomplished ..read more

RubberDucks outfielder Chase DeLauter is ranked the organization’s top prospect. In spring training, he batted .520 with four home runs and 10 runs batted in. Photo: Craig Marks DOWNTOWN AKRON — The ominous forecast for the 2024 Akron RubberDucks home opener did not send chills down the spine of center fielder Chase DeLauter. “I’m from West Virginia,” said DeLauter April 3, two days before the Ducks’ season opener against the Altoona Curve. “January was cold and February was freezing. A couple of days of cold will not be a problem.” At the start of the home opener, the temperature was 39 deg ..read more