AKRON
Several hurt in car/bus crash
AKRON: A car/Metro bus crash Friday afternoon left a handful of people injured.
The crash happened at about 3:13 p.m. at North Hawkins Ave. and Tanglewood Dr. Shortly after the incident, police could not say which vehicle caused the crash or the extent of the damage.
Initial reports said as many as three people were injured. Police radio traffic suggested more could have been hurt.
CANTON
Woman charged in fraud
CANTON: A Canton woman was indicted Friday on a federal charge of defrauding a Tennessee man out of more than $100,000 after falsely telling him he won a $3 million sweepstakes but had to pay taxes and fees up front.
Lashell Patton, 42, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, according to a news release from the U.S. attorney’s office.
Patton and others told the man he won the sweepstakes, but then told him he had to pay taxes and fees and instructed him to wire money to Patton, according to the indictment.
The man sent 126 money wires totaling more than $100,000 to Patton between July 2015 and April 2016, according to the indictment.
“This defendant preyed upon a vulnerable victim and took advantage of his trust,” U.S. Attorney Carole Rendon said in the news release. “She now will be held accountable.”
MACEDONIA
State: Ex-mayor unethical
MACEDONIA: Former Mayor Donald Kuchta violated state ethics laws by ordering city workers to plow his driveway and collect his garbage for free, according to a settlement agreement with the Ohio Ethics Commission.
The state agency launched an investigation after receiving allegations against him. The settlement agreement is dated Sept. 27, but was made public Thursday by Cleveland.com.
Kutcha, who opted not to run for re-election in 2015, has paid $525 in restitution for the garbage service, and admitted to violating the laws to avoid prosecution, the agreement says. The city law director said the former mayor, also serving as safety director, needed his driveway plowed to respond to emergencies.
The commission also investigated whether Kutcha performed weddings and kept the money and diverted an order to have his city salary garnished to avoid paying a debt. But the commission said it found “insufficient evidence” to support those allegations.
MEDINA COUNTY
Search for trustee thorough
MEDINA: The Medina County Sheriff’s Office says it has thoroughly searched Chippewa Lake and surrounding areas for clues related to missing Lafayette Township Trustee Bryon Macron, the Medina Gazette reports.
Macron’s black sport utility vehicle was found on Beachside Drive. He has been missing since Dec. 16 and blood was found in the township office and in his vehicle, authorities have said.
The newspaper also reported that Trustees Michael Costello and Lynda Bowers sent a letter to residents saying that rumors of missing township funds are false and there’s no evidence that would link Macron’s disappearance to the Nexus gas pipeline.
PORTAGE COUNTY
Warming centers open
With severe cold blowing through Northeast Ohio, Family & Community Services opened two warming centers this weekend in Portage County.
The Center of Hope, 1081 W. Main St., Ravenna, will be open until 8 a.m. Saturday and then from 8 p.m. Saturday to 8 a.m. Sunday and 6 p.m. Sunday to 8 a.m. Monday.
Kent Social Services, 1066 S. Water St., Kent, will be open until 6 a.m. Saturday and then from 6 p.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Sunday and 6 p.m. Sunday to 6 a.m. Monday.