NORTHEAST OHIO
Safe medicine disposal day
Dozens of area businesses and police agencies are taking part in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday — a twice-yearly initiative to have people throw out unused medications safely.
Though police departments have permanent spots for safe, environmentally friendly drug disposal, the Take Back Day events are designed to raise awareness on the practice.
For a list of participating locations, visit the Drug Enforcement Administration’s website at https://www.dea.gov and click on “Got Drugs?”
Officials encourage safe drug disposal in an effort to keep prescription painkillers and other drugs of abuse out of the hands of addicts.
Others say the practice protects the environment and the public because flushing drugs down the toilet — the common disposal method — can lead to contamination.
The events take place 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Many police departments and grocery stores will have a place set up for disposal in that time.
KENT STATE UNIVERSITY
Research grant awarded
KENT: An associate professor at Kent State University has received a $280,000 federal research grant to help study alleged racial bias within the Syracuse Police Department.
Shawn Rohlin, associate professor of economics, and William Horrace, an economics professor at Syracuse University, received the grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs and National Institute of Justice, Kent State announced Thursday.
They also have been named W.E.B. DuBois Scholars.
The study will build upon their previous research assessing racial bias among Syracuse police officers during traffic stops.
The new research will seek to understand the causes of racial bias, while analyzing the impact of officer experience and exposure on their inclinations for bias, the school said.
“This research could lead to important policy implications that could save lives,” Rohlin said in a prepared statement.
In addition to serving as associate professor of economics at Kent State, Rohlin is the director of the school’s College of Business Administration’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation.
SUMMIT COUNTY
Halloween in the parks
Two nature-inspired programs this month serve up Halloween fun in the Metro Parks.
First, join a naturalist to create a seasonal work of art during a pumpkin-carving program at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Goodyear Heights Metro Park Lodge, 2077 Newton St., Akron.
Participants should bring a pumpkin, safe carving utensils and a container for saving the seeds, if desired. Some tools and a recipe for roasted pumpkin seeds will be provided.
Second, take a closer look at critters that “dress up” as other animals and objects to survive during “Creatures in Costume” at 1 p.m., Oct. 30 at Wood Hollow Metro Park, 2121 Barlow Road, Hudson.
Participants are encouraged to dress up. The program includes a hike on the 1.2-mile Downy Loop Trail, which is good for Fall Hiking Spree credit.
Pet Adopt-A-Thon
AKRON: The seventh annual Summit County Adopt-A-Thon will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Division of Animal Control, 250 Opportunity Parkway.
Dogs and cats will be available for $10 per animal (regularly $94 per dog, $60 per cat).
The animals will be fully vetted (blood work, flea treatments, intestinal de-worming, spay/neuter and vaccinations) and ready to be taken home that day.
Citizens who adopt a dog will be required to purchase a Summit County Dog License for $18.
Last year, 93 abandoned animals — 28 dogs and 65 cats — were placed in new homes.