38th Annual National Night Out Against Crime, Akron Ohio

On Tuesday, August 3, 2021, Mayor Dan Horrigan and the City of Akron will host the 38th annual National Night Out, a unique event celebrating the importance of neighborhood engagement in Akron. Last year’s event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

National Night Out (NNO) is an annual community-building campaign, sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, that promotes police-community relations and neighborhood unity.  The goal of National Night Out is to strengthen participation in local programs that prevent and deter crime, in an effort to make neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live.

“National Night Out provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances,” said Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan. “Increasing trust between our residents and our officers has become as important as ever in a year where Akron, like many other cities across the nation, has seen an uptick in violence.  It’s no secret that we face significant challenges related to violent crime and strained community trust, and events like this can help increase transparency and allow for a dialogue between residents and officers.”

The NNO program has deep roots in Akron, where the first NNO event took place in 1984 in East Akron. This year’s program will be scaled down from previous years, featuring events at 5 sites throughout the City. Planning normally begins months in advance for the NNO program but was delayed this year to assure the health and safety of participants. All events will be hosted primarily outdoors.

The sites that will be hosting these events are:

Joy Park Community Center
Organized by: Mike Dowdell
Time: 4 to 8 p.m.
Contact: 330-375-2805 or MDowdell@akronohio.gov

Firestone Park Community Center
Organized by Councilman Donnie Kammer
Time: 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Contact: ward7@akronohio.gov

Ed Davis Community Center:
Organized by: Robert Dowdell
Time: 5 to 8 p.m.
Contact: 330-375-2832 or RDowdell@akronohio.gov

Goodyear Heights:
Organized by: R.I.G.H.T. Committee
Time: 6 to 8 p.m.
Contact: 330-784-4012 or SharonConnor

Summit Lake Community Center:
Organized by: Todd Clarke
Time: 4 to 7 p.m.
Contact number: 330-375-2826 or TClark@akronohio.gov 

The National Night Out campaign involves citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic/religious groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations, and local officials. In all, more than 38 million people are expected to participate in NNO in more than 16,000 communities across all 50 states and beyond.  

SUMMIT METRO PARKS CELEBRATES CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY

“YOUR BACK YARD FOR 100 YEARS”

Established in 1921, Summit Metro Parks today announced “Your Back Yard for 100 Years,” a year-long commemoration of its centennial anniversary. To mark this milestone occasion, the park district has launched a dedicated website and will offer a full year of events, activities and other opportunities for the community to join the celebration.

APS: Akron Public Schools Announces Partnership With Goodyear

Students at Ellet CLC and NIHF STEM High School to benefit from experiential learning in and out of the classroom

Wednesday, December 9, 2020 

Today, Akron Public Schools (APS), The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, and United Way of Summit & Medina are pleased to announce that Goodyear will become a named integrated partner in the College & Career Academies of Akron at both Ellet CLC and NIHF STEM High School. Goodyear will offer instructional support and real-world learning opportunities in areas of technology, engineering and more. The academies will be named Goodyear Academy of Applied Engineering and Goodyear Academy of Advanced Technology and Design, at Ellet CLC and NIHF STEM High School, respectively.

“Goodyear is a pillar in the City of Akron and a longtime supporter of Akron Public Schools,” said Superintendent David W. James, Ed.D. “The strength of this partnership will demonstrate to students the professional and academic skills needed to be successful in life and the collaborative spirit and sense of community to be successful in Akron.”

Summit County Stay At Home Advisory

SUMMIT COUNTY, OHIO—On Thursday, November 19, 2020, Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro and Summit County Health Commissioner Donna Skoda issued a Stay At Home Health Advisory in response to a rapid increase in the number of COVID-19 cases.

AKRON URBAN LEAGUE INTRODUCES THE JUSTICE & EQUALITY GIVING SOCIETY

In its 95^th year of service the Akron Urban League officially kicked off the Justice & Equality Giving Society, a campaign to provide opportunities to join together as a community to support economic empowerment, equality and social justice. “Our city, indeed our country, is at a turning point to eliminate racism and achieve equity, we’re asking you to demonstrate your commitment to the Akron Urban League and those it serves,” states Alan Rothenbuecher, Board Chair of the Akron Urban League.