In a proactive step against gun violence, Akron City Council has approved new funding for a violence prevention program, set to launch in January 2025. Following a recent surge in local shootings, the council will use nearly $185,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act to hire three 'credible messengers'—individuals with criminal pasts who’ve since turned their lives around. These messengers will work with street teams to identify potential violence hotspots using Akron Police Department shooting reports. Public Safety Strategist Tony Ingram explains that these teams will build relationships with high-risk individuals, families, and communities, aiming to prevent violence before it escalates and curb retaliations after incidents.

It was just past 1 a.m. on October 20th when what started as an average night in Highland Square took a sudden turn. Residents were jolted by the sound of an Akron police cruiser crashing into a parked car on West Market Street, setting off a chain reaction that left four cars damaged.

Among those affected was Steven Rockich, a bartender at Square Nightclub, who discovered his car—a 2010 Mazda 3—smashed beyond repair. 'It looked like an accordion,' Rockich shared, now left without reliable transportation and waiting for some form of accountability.

Help him get a new car, cause so far the cops aren't helping. If you are interested in donating, click here.

Issues 41 and 42

ISSUE 41

Certain family members of classified employees who earn at least $80,000 a year are prohibited from working for the county under the existing charter.

Issue 41 proposes three changes to Article V of the charter, where that rule is codified. The first change would clarify that the rule only applies to relatives of employees in county charter offices — those include the county executive, the county fiscal officer, the county prosecutor, the clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, the county engineer, the county sheriff and the members of the County Council, said Greta Johnson, a public information officer for the Summit County Executive’s office.

ISSUE 42

Issue 42 seeks to amend the county charter to require all county offices, agencies, authorities, boards and commissions to submit estimated revenues and proposed expenditures annually rather than quarterly.

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