A college student from Medina is among the nine interns who will be working in U.S. Senator Rob Portman's office this summer.

University of Dayton senior Matthew Leonardi is the only intern from the Akron area who will be joining Senator Portman as well as other students from across the Buckeye State. Leonardi is studying Criminal Justice at UD.

The internships are designed for students who have completed at least one full year of an undergraduate degree, with preference given to Ohio students.

In a news release, Portman reflected on his own personal experiences, emphasizing  how important an internship can be for students, regardless of interest.

“I began my career in public service as a Congressional intern and know firsthand the benefits of offering college-aged students an exciting introduction to Congress," Portman said. “These young men and women will earn valuable experience as they assist me and my staff."

Interns will work with staff on Portman's legislative, press, and administrative operations this summer.

Students who are interested in applying for an internship can visit Portman's website and fill out an application. Deadline for fall internships is July 5.
 

An Akron man was denied his post -conviction appeal for raping and strangling a woman in a cemetery in 2008.

According to Ohio Supreme Court officials, Phillip L. Jones was asking the high court to review a previous decision denying him discovery as well as funding for a neuropsychology expert during the sentencing phase of his trial.

The Beacon Journal reports Jones was convicted in 2007 for the killing of 33-year-old Susan Marie-Christian Yates at Mount Peace Cemetery in Akron.

In December of 2012, the Ohio Supreme Court upheld Jones' death sentence when they rejected an appeal saying his rights to a fair trial had been violated.

The 43-year-old Jones is currently being housed at the Chillicothe Correctional Institution during the appellate process.
 

On the Web: www.ohio.com

April numbers marked the 24th month in a row the Akron-Canton Airport topped it's previous record. More than 147-thousand passengers flew through CAK with nearly all airlines reporting increases.

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(Akron Canton Airport) The power of one; a one percent that is. That single percentage increase propelled CAK to yet another monthly passenger record in April! Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) is pleased to have welcomed a total of 147,650 total passengers during the month, making it the busiest April in CAK history. It also marks the 24th record-breaking month for CAK out of 25 months.

“Nothing feels better than delivering low fares and an enjoyable airport experience to more and more Customers,” said Rick McQueen, president and CEO. “Plus, we have provided nearly a billion dollars in airfare savings since 1997. Saving that kind of money makes the journey that much more enjoyable.”
Passenger traffic, compared to last year, was up on nearly all airlines serving the airport. Southwest Airlines and AirTran Airways (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Southwest) were up 13 percent. US Airways carrying 25,330 had a whopping 20 percent increase. Delta with 31,434 passengers was up 11 percent.

Cuyahoga Falls City Council will have a new member for the second time this year.

Arden Barnhart will be replacing her husband Ken, who served as Ward 3's councilman for nearly 16 years. She was chosen by the Summit County Republican Central Committee during their meeting Tuesday night.

Ken Barnhart resigned from the seat May 15.

The Beacon Journal reports Arden beat out fellow candidates Tom Baldwin and Victor Pallotta Jr for the position.

This marks the second time this year the spouse of an outgoing Council member has filled a vacant post. In February, Paul Colavecchio replaced his wife Diana as the Ward 5 representative after she was appointed to serve as the clerk of courts for Stow.

Barnhart tells the newspaper she's excited about the challenge and that she looks forward to serving the residents of Ward 3.

On The Web www.ohio.com

A tip from a local citizen led to the arrest of an Akron fugitive who was on the run for more than two years.

41-year-old Ronald Copeland was arrested  around  7 a.m. Tuesday morning for multiple counts of drug violations. He was also wanted by Copley Police and the Summit County Sheriff's Office for the same charges, among others.

In September of 2010, warrants were issued for Copeland's arrest after officials say he failed to appear in court.

After watching hours of surveillance footage and searching through Copley Township,  officers from the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force got a tip from a resident on Copeland's whereabouts.  He was arrested without incident shortly thereafter while leaving a home on Wales Avenue NW in Massillon.

Copeland was taken to the Summit County Jail where he is awaiting court proceedings.
 

Akron will soon be getting a new hotel on the site of the former Goodyear headquarters site.

Appearing on the 1590 WAKR Ray Horner Morning Show, City Planning Director Marco Sommerville said the highly anticipated project will help the city tremendously.

"We're really excited about the hotel," said Sommerville.

"This will be placed off East Market Street,  and that will be able to help Goodyear when they have guests from around the world come in to see that first-class facility."

Sommerville says the new hotel will be a Hilton Garden Inn. Groundbreaking is scheduled for this summer.

Sommerville says the new hotel will be the catalyst for redevelopment in the East Akron area.

"We hope the hotel will be the beginning stages of redevelopment and improving the neighborhood," Sommerville explained.

In addition to the hotel, developers will look to add offices, residential, and retail space to encompass the former Goodyear campus.

Sommerville says the city hasn't lost sight of trying to attract hotel chains to put lodging in downtown Akron, something that has been on the table for some time.

The five-story Hilton Garden Inn is expected to open in the summer of 2014.

Previous Story: New Hotel Slated For Ex-Goodyear Site

Wadsworth Police have found the man they say was responsible for a May 12 carjacking and they credit both the public and social media for the arrest, now they are looking for the same help to return the car to its rightful owner.

Police say the department's Facebook page and numerous tips led to the arrest of Antoine Petty, who is now facing robbery charges, which are a second-degree felony in connection with the incident.

Officers from the Akron Police Department located Petty Wednesday, May 15 and arrested him. He was transferred to the Wadsworth Police Department before being taken to the Medina County Jail, where he is currently being housed at.

Despite Petty being found and arrested, the stolen car has not yet been recovered. The car is a blue 1998 Toyota Corolla with Ohio license plate DPV6212.

Surveillance video shows a man jumping into a woman's Toyota Corolla on May 12 while she was getting gas at a Wadsworth gas station. Police say they believe the woman had left her keys in the car.

Anyone with information on the missing Corolla is asked to call Wadsworth Police.

Previous Coverage: Wadsworth Police Search For Suspected Carjacker

Update 2:15am

Akron Police and the Summit County Medical Examiner's Office are investigating a fatal shooting that took place on the city's west side late Thursday night. The shots were fired during a party on Wildwood Avenue around 11:30 Thursday night.

Lieutenant Rick Edwards says a 23-year old man was shot during the incident. He was taken to Akron General Medical Center where he died from his injuries. He was pronounced dead at 12:12 a.m. Friday morning. 

 The shooting victim has not been identified yet pending positive identification and his relatives have been notified.      

The suspect, Kyle James Spy, 23, of Brandon Avenue, was arrested without incident around 9:00am this morning on Cromwell Drive. Kyle Spy was charged with murder and booked into the Summit County Jail. Spy also had multiple traffic warrants also on file in the Akron Municipal Court.

Update 8:11 a.m.

Akron Police and the  Summit County Medical Examiner's Office are currently investigating a shooting that took place on the city's west side.

The shooting took place on Wildwood Avenue just south of Fernwood Drive around 11:30 p.m.

A 23-year old man was shot during the incident. He was taken to Akron General Medical Center where he died from his injuries. He was pronounced dead at 12:12 a.m. Friday morning.

The shooting victim has not been identified yet pending positive identification and after his relatives have been notified.

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Previous Story:

Akron Police are investigating a shooting that took place on the city's west side late Thursday night.

Police say the shooting took place on Wildwood Avenue just south of Fernwood Drive around 11:30 p.m.

One man was shot during the incident. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he died from his injuries.

There are no suspects at this time.

Keep checking back with AkronNewsNow.com for more information as it becomes available.
 

The Summit County Republican Party's Central Committee will be looking to select a replacement for Cuyahoga Falls Ward 3 representative Ken Barnhart, who resigned from his position Wednesday.

The Beacon Journal reports Barnhart may not be the only councilman leaving Cuyahoga Falls. The newspaper reports Ward 4 councilman Mark Ihasz, a Democrat, sold his home on 11th Street and has plans to move out of the ward.

The Summit County GOP will meet May 21 at the Sheraton Suites to select a new representative for Ward 3.

Those interested in the seat living in Ward 3 are asked to submit  a resume to  Central Committee Chairman Alex Arshinkoff by 4 p.m. Monday at 1755 Merriman Road, Suite 250, Akron, OH 44313.  Applicants will be invited to make brief presentations to the committee during the Tuesday meeting.

On the Web : www.ohio.com

The body of a Tallmadge man who died of natural causes Monday has remained unclaimed.

The Summit County Medical Examiner's Office are looking for family members of 66-year old Terrance Daly , who was found dead inside his apartment from an apparent heart attack.

The Beacon Journal reports numerous attempts at contacting Daly's family have been unsuccessful up to this point.

Spokesman Gary Guenther tells the newspaper Daly was employed as an inspector for Babcock and Wilcox and may be a father as well.

Anyone with information about Daly's family members is asked to call the Summit County Medical Examiner's Office.

On the Web:  www.ohio.com