Knee high by the fourth of July? Try harvested and ready to buy.
Summit County Farm Bureau President Pete Schanz says he and the farmers he represents are counting their blessings for the mix of warmer temperatures and adequate rain they've received.
"Things are way ahead of normal for the season and we've been blessed with some really good weather this year," Schanz said.
Schanz says corn crops have already grown anywhere from four to eight inches tall in the county as of this week.
Customers who flock to Szalay's Sweet Corn Farm off of Riverview Road in Peninsula, can expect to select the ears of their choice off the back of a truck sooner than in seasons past.
"This year has just been almost like perfect, we expect to have corn probably for the first week of July, hopefully for the fourth of July weekend," Paula Szalay said, family owner.
Szalay's opens Friday, kicking off its season through Halloween. Tucked in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, it saw its share of puddles last year.
"We like a little drier season, because we have river-bottom soil," she said. "So we don't want our rain and everybody's runoff."
To date, that's not been the case, as Szalay admits they took advantage of Mother Nature's warmer personality this year and planted extra corn just in case.
"We'll have plenty for everybody," Szalay said.
Prices for the traditional sweet corn staple will stay in line with the 2011 season.
The family-owned and operated farm is no stranger to busy crowds boasting a variety of outdoor stands with treats like traditional roasted sweet corn covered in mouth-watering butter by choice, sandwiches and fresh-squeezed lemonade.
This year, Szalay says they'll offer more on the menu including pork loin sandwiches and southern-style sweet tea.
But if you'd fancy a treat, Szalay describes that their fresh-fruit ice cream sundaes are "wonderful".
On the web: Summit County Farmer's Bureau
Kent State University's Board of Trustee's officially voted to re-elect President Lester Lefton to his seventh term.
The board paid a Cleveland assessment firm $10,000 to interview 30 people regarding Dr. Lefton's performance on the job.
Lefton will receive a performance bonus of $102,000 along with his longevity bonus of $90,000. Both payouts are guaranteed in his contract upon meeting his goals.
The Board also approved non-union university employees an additional 0.5-percent raise, on top of the already 1.5 percent raise they already receive.
Lefton's Salary Breakdown:
2010-2011 salary: $401,576.
*His salary includes a 2-percent retroactive pay increase.
Performance bonus: $102,402.
Longevity pay: $90,000.
Two Cuyahoga Falls electric department employees were hospitalized after they were injured on the job.
The Falls City Service Director's office reports the two were working on a customer's equipment off of State Road Tuesday, when they were injured in an arc flash.
City Service Director Valerie Wax Carr tells AkronNewsNow.com that the workers were injured around 1:15 p.m along the northern part of State Road.
"Both employees were consious, talking, and aware of what's going on," Carr said. "All of their families have been contacted at this point."
The employee's names are not being released at this time. The city is investigating how this happened.
Press Release:
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio- Today, June 5, 2012, at approximately 1:15 p.m., two employees of the Cuyahoga Falls Electric Department were injured in an arc flash incident while working on customer premises equipment at a location on StateRoad, pursuant to the customer’s request.
Both employees were transported for appropriate medical care. A full investigation into this incident has been initiated. Out of concern for the privacy of our employees and their families, the City will not release the names or conditions of the employees, or the location where they are receiving care, without their permission.
We ask for the understanding and patience of the public and members of the media in this matter.
Updated 11:44 a.m. Monday.
A deadly car accident in Columbia Township over the weekend ended the lives of four Brunswick High School students.
Kevin Fox, 18, was pronounced dead Monday morning at MetroHealth Medical Center.
Jeffery Chaya was behind the wheel while traveling west on Boston Road in Columbia Township, when officials say he drove across railroad tracks, and lost control.
"When it landed, the driver lost control. After losing control, it went off the roadway, rolling over and rolled onto its top," Sgt. R. Cross said, with the Elyria Post of the State Highway Patrol.
Chaya, Blake Bartchak, and Lexi Poerner died following the crash Sunday morning.
Julia Romito is the lone survivor and her condition is not known at this time.
Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers continue to investigate the crash. Authorities believe a high rate of speed could have been a factor in the crash.
Grief counselors will be at the school all day Monday and Tuesday for any students, staff or community members who may need assistance in dealing with this tragedy.
A message from the district was posted to its website:
"During this very difficult time, we also ask that you please keep families in your thoughts and prayers."
The hot holiday weekend weather contributed to the deaths of people in Stark County.
The Stark County coroner's office tells Fox 8 News that 10 people died from heart and lung conditions during the Memorial Day weekend.
Those who suffered from pre-existing lung diseases were among those who died.
Follow AkronNewsNow.com for further developments.
On the web: Fox8.com
The Akron Fire Department responded to two vacant Akron house fires Sunday night.
Officials say the cause of the blazes at both homes in the 1100 block of Laird Street could be arson. One house, valued at $15,000, suffered damages estimated at $7,000. Investigators found multiple sites where flames originated from.
One firefighter was injured while working to calm the flames and was take to Akron City Hospital for medical treatment.
Before you whip up your favorite side dish or grab a your grilling tongs, make sure you follow safe picnic practices this Memorial Day weekend.
You should always start off by washing your hands, kitchen and outdoor cooking area.
The Summit County Health District's Dr. Margo Erme reminds those preparing meals, to wash their hands in between cooking and handling food.
Dr. Erme's Safety Tips:
Meat
Side Dishes
"If I have a bowl of potato salad, then I have it sitting in a top of another bowl that had ice in it, and then I stir it up regularly so that it distributes that coolness around," Erme said.
Do you have any safety tips? Share your suggestions with us below in the comments or on AkronNewsNow.com's Facebook page.
UPDATE 11:15 a.m.
An Akron man faces felony charges for allegedy shooting his father with a stolen gun.
At around 7:30 p.m. Friday night, police arrested Dimont Desmond Oneil Anderson Jr., 19, of Akron, after he allegedly fired a shot at his father following a fight.
The father was not injured.
Police say Anderson left his West Burns Avenue and was later found in the 800 block of Wall St.
"After Anderson was taken into custody, he took officer's to a relatives' house, where he had hidden the gun in a box," Lt. Rick Edwards said.
Edwards says the gun found, was the same weapon reported missing during a burglary on Wall Street in August of 2011.
Anderson was booked into the Summit County Jail. He's scheduled to appear in Akron Municipal Court for an arraignment Monday.
Previous Coverage:
An Akron man is arrested for allegedly firing a round of bullets at his father during the weekend.
Dimont Desmond Oneil Anderson was arrested Saturday on charges including felonious assault. According to Akron Police, the 19-year old left his West Burns Avenue home angry with his dad not too far behind following him.
Police say he fired shots at his father and was later found by officers in the 800 block of Wall Street.
Police say the gun he used was stolen.
Anderson is being held on $25,000 bond. His arraginment is scheduled to take place Monday in Akron Municipal Court.
See where Anderson was arrested in the map below:
Origninal Police Report:
Dimont Desmond Oneil Anderson, 19, 64 W Burns Ave., Akron, Ohio was charged with Felonious Assault, Domestic Violence, Carrying a Concealed Weapon Gun and Receiving Stolen Property Gun. Dimont left his home angry with his dad following him. Dimont turned and fired a round at his dad. He walked to 810 Wall St and was apprehended without incident. The gun was recovered and found to be stolen.
View Larger Map
Cleveland Indians Closer Chris Perez is blasting fans for what he calls their lack of support and an "embarrassing" attendance record to date.
While the Tribe is ranked first in the American League Central, the team is dead last when it comes to attendance in the majors.
"It's not a good atmosphere, it's not fun to be here," Perez said.
When asked if his teammates share his feelings, he admitted he's not the only one.
"They feel the same way, they just won't say it," Perez said.
From expressing his concerns about other teams and their outlook on playing in Cleveland, to the media and blaming them for negative spins, Perez sounded off.
Listen to his interview below:
Perez admits that the weather and economy are factors, but he says his anger built up over time and that Thursday was the last straw for him.
"We're in first place, enjoy it. We could be in last place-- could be the Royals, could be the Pirates," Perez said.
Ohioans will notice slightly higher gas prices from a week ago.
AAA Auto Club reports the average price for a gallon of regular is about $3.66-- up 3 cents from a week ago.
"With Memorial Day a week away, it's time to put to bed an old myth that gasoline prices rise ahead of a major holiday," said GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan, in a press release.
As of Monday morning, GasBuddy.dot.com shows prices in Akron near $3.55 and $3.58 in Canton.
Click here to find the lowest gas prices near you.
Press Release:
Akron, May 21- Average retail gasoline prices in Akron have fallen 2.0 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.64/g yesterday. This compares with the national average that has fallen 2.8 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.70/g, according to gasoline price website AkronGasPrices.com.
Including the change in gas prices in Akron during the past week, prices yesterday were 10.2 cents per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 4.1 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. The national average has decreased 15.1 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 13.7 cents per gallon lower than this day one year ago.
"With Memorial Day a week away, it's time to put to bed an old myth that gasoline prices rise ahead of a major holiday," said GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan. "Average gasoline prices will likely continue to decline in the days ahead of Memorial Day, but folks will still say come next year that prices went up over the weekend this year. It's a sign of how sensitive motorists become to gasoline prices around the holidays, nothing more, and most of the time, the myth isn't true. This year will be one of those years- unless you're on the West Coast, prices have been slowly coming down," DeHaan said.
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