AKRON
Liquor burglary
AKRON: Akron police officers responding to an alarm at about 4 a.m. Friday at the Main Street Saloon, 1481 S. Main St., found broken glass and a suspect running away with bottles of alcohol in hand.
After a brief chase, officers arrested Gerald E. Obrikis II, 39, who is homeless. Obrikis was charged with breaking and entering, possession of drug paraphernalia and obstructing official business.
He was booked into the Summit County Jail.
Mosley benefit
AKRON: A benefit dinner for the Rev. Bennie A. Mosley III, senior pastor at the Christian Teaching Center Church, is at 6 p.m. today at the church, 43 E. Tallmadge Ave.
Since August, Mosley, 51, has been struggling with medical problems related to prolonged hyperglycemia that threaten every organ in his body. Mosley, who does not receive a salary from the church, is a gospel music producer, recording engineer, singer and musician.
The benefit, at a cost of $100 per plate, is intended to raise money to assist Mosley, his wife and their two children. For more information, call 330-535-2888, ext. 4.
Drug arrest
AKRON: An Akron man was charged with felony drug abuse, tampering with evidence and resisting arrest after he allegedly tried to eat a bag of crack cocaine when stopped by authorities late Thursday, the Summit County Sheriff’s Office said.
The incident occurred at 11 p.m. when deputies confronted two suspicious pedestrians walking along the railroad tracks at Broadway and South Street in Akron.
While identifying the suspects, Dysean Carter, 28, attempted to eat the crack, authorities said. He also had an active warrant for a drug paraphernalia charge.
The other suspect, Desiree Barnes, 19, of Akron, was arrested for an active warrant out of Springfield Township for failure to appear on theft charges. Both were booked into the Summit County Jail.
Girls club
AKRON: The House of the Lord is inviting all young girls from kindergarten to seventh grade to join the Pioneer Girls Club in West Akron.
Like the Girl Scouts, the Pioneer girls earn badges and other rewards.
The girls will learn skill-building activities such as personal care, cookie skills, hiking, sportsmanship and an appreciation of the cultural arts. They take part in monthly field trips.
The program runs from September to May.
For more information, contact the church office of the House of the Lord at 330-864-9073 or email akronpioneergirlsclub@gmail.com.
BOSTON TOWNSHIP
Class meeting
BOSTON TWP.: The Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the Ohio State University Extension are holding a public meeting on Jan. 24 on an upcoming naturalist training class.
The meeting will be at 7 p.m. at the Hines Hill Conference Center, 1403 W. Hines Hill Road.
The 40-hour class for the Ohio-certified volunteer naturalist program will begin in April.
For additional information about the naturalist class, contact Danae Wolfe at 330-928-4769, Ext. 17.
GREEN
Home damaged
GREEN: Fire caused extensive damage to a home in the 2800 block of East Turkeyfoot Lake Road, resulting in the closure of state Route 619 just east of Myersville Road for about two hours Friday, authorities said.
There were no injuries to occupants or pets in the residence or to firefighters, Green Fire Capt. Greg Morgan said.
The homeowner was burning firewood in the first-floor fireplace when it spread outward, caught the first floor on fire and spread to the second floor into the attic, Morgan said.
“He said he was just having a cup of coffee, he was sitting in there, and the next thing he noticed it was filling up with smoke,” Morgan said.
The dispatch center received the call at 11:42 a.m.
As fire equipment was being brought in from the Green and Uniontown departments, sheriff’s officials closed Route 619. But it was reopened at about 2:20 p.m. after the fire was under control, Morgan said.
No estimate of damage from the fire was available Friday.
STOW
Dealership plans
STOW: City Council on Thursday continued review of a request by auto dealer Ron Marhofer to expand operations onto neighboring residential properties.
By rule, the council on Thursday had to let the proposal have its second of three readings before a vote to allow the commercial expansion onto residential property happens.
Marhofer wants to raze three homes on Thorndale Avenue. The move has drawn protests from neighbors who fear lower property values
A public hearing on the zoning proposal has been scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Jan. 7 at City Hall, 3760 Darrow Road.