Mother nature is serving up another wave of intense heat throughout much of Northeast Ohio today.

An Excessive Heat Warning goes into effect at noon until 9 p.m. for Summit, Stark, Medina and Wayne counties.

Temperatures are expected to reach more than 95 degrees and when you factor in the humidity, the heat index jumps to about 108 degrees. 

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Excessive Heat Warning

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE...UPDATED NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CLEVELAND OH 357 AM EDT FRI JUL 6 2012 OHZ003-006>010-017>021-027>032-036>038-047-061600- /O.CON.KCLE.EH.W.0002.120706T1600Z-120707T0100Z/ LUCAS-WOOD-OTTAWA-SANDUSKY-ERIE OH-LORAIN-HANCOCK-SENECA-HURON- MEDINA-SUMMIT-WYANDOT-CRAWFORD-RICHLAND-ASHLAND-WAYNE-STARK- MARION-MORROW-HOLMES-KNOX- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...TOLEDO...BOWLING GREEN...PORT CLINTON... FREMONT...SANDUSKY...LORAIN...FINDLAY...TIFFIN...NORWALK... MEDINA...AKRON...UPPER SANDUSKY...CAREY...BUCYRUS...MANSFIELD... ASHLAND...WOOSTER...CANTON...MARION...MOUNT GILEAD... MILLERSBURG...MOUNT VERNON 357 AM EDT FRI JUL 6 2012 ...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 9 PM EDT THIS EVENING... * HEAT INDEX VALUES...UP TO 108. * TIMING...THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. * IMPACTS...HEAT INDEX VALUES BETWEEN 105 AND 110 DEGREES THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING WILL IMPACT ADVERSELY OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES... ESPECIALLY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING MEANS THAT A PROLONGED PERIOD OF DANGEROUSLY HOT TEMPERATURES WILL OCCUR. THE COMBINATION OF HOT TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITY WILL COMBINE TO CREATE A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN WHICH HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES ARE LIKELY. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS...STAY IN AN AIR-CONDITIONED ROOM...STAY OUT OF THE SUN...AND CHECK UP ON RELATIVES AND NEIGHBORS. TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS IF YOU WORK OR SPEND TIME OUTSIDE. WHEN POSSIBLE... RESCHEDULE STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES TO EARLY MORNING OR EVENING. KNOW THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT STROKE. WEAR LIGHT WEIGHT AND LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING WHEN POSSIBLE AND DRINK PLENTY OF WATER. TO REDUCE RISK DURING OUTDOOR WORK THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDS SCHEDULING FREQUENT REST BREAKS IN SHADED OR AIR CONDITIONED ENVIRONMENTS. ANYONE OVERCOME BY HEAT SHOULD BE MOVED TO A COOL AND SHADED LOCATION. HEAT STROKE IS AN EMERGENCY-CALL 911. && $$ 

Hazardous Weather Outlook

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CLEVELAND OH 506 AM EDT FRI JUL 6 2012 OHZ003-006>010-017>021-027>032-036>038-047-070915- LUCAS-WOOD-OTTAWA-SANDUSKY-ERIE OH-LORAIN-HANCOCK-SENECA-HURON- MEDINA-SUMMIT-WYANDOT-CRAWFORD-RICHLAND-ASHLAND-WAYNE-STARK-MARION- MORROW-HOLMES-KNOX- 506 AM EDT FRI JUL 6 2012 ...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 9 PM EDT THIS EVENING... THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTH CENTRAL OHIO...NORTHEAST OHIO AND NORTHWEST OHIO. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT. PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS. EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. $$ 

The Doubletree Hilton Hotel in Fairlawn looked a little different Thursday night because a famous guest was in town getting a little R&R before hitting the road Friday morning.

President Barack Obama stayed at the hotel in conjunction with his two day bus trip through Ohio and Pennsylvania.

The orange fencing seen lining both sides of the street served as a buffer zone between the motorcade and the public, but that didn't stop people from standing close by to catch a glimpse of the Commander-In-Chief.

When asked what she would say to the President if she were to have breakfast with him, Karla Zook would want to see health care improved in the United States, especially for senior citizens.

"I think it's a real shame, people work hard all their lives, and do so much, and when it comes down to the last years of their lives they have to pay so much for their medications," Zook said. "Something needs to change there."

Butchie Lightfoot said he would ask Mr. Obama about his religious faith. "I would ask the President how much he loves the Lord," Lightfoot explained. "I think that should be a priority in everyone's life and I think it's a good question to ask him."

Butchie's wife Quindera says she would like to see the state's prison system reformed. "I would ask the President if he got re-elected if he would come to Ohio and help our inmates," she said. "There's a lot of people in jail and need to be free, because we have our own war going on out here."

Another woman who asked not to be named said she would ask President Obama about the high gas prices in the U.S. "It's a fortune," she says. "People can't go on vacations, because you can't spend $175-200 on gas."

The President will be heading to suburban Youngstown to speak at a school Friday afternoon and then is scheduled to appear at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. 

Akron police say a stray bullet hit a 20-year-old Wadsworth man in Akron late Wednesday night.

Lt. Rick Edwards says the bullet struck the man in the top right shoulder while he was standing in the 200 block of South Main Street around 11:30 p.m. The victim was taken to Akron General Medical Center where his injuries appear to be minor. Police believe the shot came from another location where someone fired a gun into the air.

The summer season is flooding local animal shelters with cats and kittens, causing more problems for staff and volunteers.

Georgette Thomas with One of A Kind Pet Rescue in Akron said "kitty season" has arrived which means more furry animals are roaming outside in the summer weather.

"Animals that are not spayed or neutered are getting caught and they are getting pregnant," said Thomas. "The numbers increase dramatically in the spring and it goes clear through the summer."

Thomas said they can hold around 225 cats in their facility, but the numbers this summer are much higher.

"Our census is up over 350 cats. We have some in another facility as well as we have some outside in foster care," said Thomas.

Expenses begin to add up as more animals join the shelter, causing a financial strain, according to Thomas. The shelter spends around $300-$500 to take care of medical costs for each animal.

Click here for more information about One of A Kind Pets. 

Strong storms made their way through East Akron last night, knocking down trees and power lines.

A large tree fell on a truck parked on Simcoe Avenue in Goodyear Heights and several tree limbs were found on the ground in the surrounding area.

Ohio Edison crews were on scene repairing several down power lines around 5 a.m.

Visit AkronNewsNow.com for the latest updates.

Police say three people were robbed at gunpoint while walking to their car from an Akron night club early Tuesday morning.

Akron police tell News Channel 5 two men approached the victims and demanded their belongings and car keys near the Interbelt Night Club on North Howard Street.

The suspects then stole the victim's car and crashed the vehicle after a short police chase near Blanding Avenue.

Two juvenile suspects were caught, but police are still looking for a third suspect who also jumped out of the stolen car. They believe he was run over by the car and may have injured his leg.

Another person was arrested after an SUV crashed into a parked truck near the same area the suspects crashed the stolen car. Police do not know if the driver of the SUV was involved in the same robbery or if it was an unrelated incident.

On the Web: www.newsnet5.com 

Downtown Akron will heat up this week as some of the top cooks light up their grills for this year's Rib, White and Blue Festival.

Rib vendors will be vying for cash prizes and bragging rights during the three-day festival.

Solomon Williams, owner of Carolina Rib King in South Carolina, said he's ready to claim his fifth straight title at the festival with his sweet and savory combo.

"I've got a combination of a little heat and a lot of sweet. So, it comes together," said Williams.

Williams has been perfecting his recipe for about 20 years and hopes he can give visitors a taste of his hometown.

"I'm happy and I really enjoy it. I turned a hobby into a profession."

Williams said his famous ribs earned the him an appearance on the TLC's television series "BBQ Pit Masters."

Pat Nelson, owner of Big Boned Barbecue in Tennessee, said his secret to success is his barbecue rub made with 36 different spices.

"It's just dry rub ribs," said Nelson. "And (Big Boned Barbeque) just lets the seasoning and the ribs speak for itself."

Bridget Gibson, owner of Bg's Main Event in Rittman, is new to the festival. She's  showcasing her old-fashioned recipe in hopes of bringing home some bragging rights.

"They're good. They're really good." said Gibson. "I came here last year and I tasted every rib in here. i still feel that ours are the best."

The festival opens each day at 11 a.m. On July 4th, visitors can check out the Akron Symphony Orchestra followed by fireworks at 9:45 p.m.

You can find the full list of events on www.akronribfestival.org. 

Looking for some bright colors in the sky to light up your Independence Day?

Here's a list of communities offering fireworks and entertainment:

Akron - July 4, Lock 3 at 9:45 p.m.

Canton - July 4, Memorial Park at dusk

Kent - CANCELED due to dry conditions

North Canton - July 4, Memorial Stadium parking lot on 7^th St at dusk.

Wadsworth - July 3, Memorial Park at dusk (Rain date July 5) 

The USFL is looking to put a new franchise in Akron, but the marketing group involved wants to use the vacant Rubber Bowl as a home field.

Appearing on the 1590 WAKR Ray Horner Morning Show, Sean Mason, who is the potential team owner says that by purchasing the stadium, the move will draw more revenue for the franchise known as the Akron Fire.

"Owning our own stadium would generate revenue that we would gain back by not renting," Mason says.

"That's what's going to help us sustain ourselves within the league."

Mason, the president of Team1 Marketing Group says the Rubber Bowl  would serve as a venue for other sporting events and concerts when the offseason comes.

The move comes as somewhat of a surprise, given the that InfoCision Stadium on the University of Akron campus is one of the best football facilities in the Mid-American Conference, as well as the state.

USFL CEO Jamie Cuadra toured the facility with Mason and USFL COO Fred Biletnikoff Jr to see what renovations could be made to the aging stadium.

"It has a lot of potential," Cuadra said. "By walking around we were able to see Sean's vision for what he wanted the stadium to look like once it's done."

No specifics have been mentioned in terms of updating the facility, but Mason said the potential repair costs to fix up the Rubber Bowl would cost more than seven figures.

The team would potentially be playing in the spring of 2013 in an eight-team league.

Cuadra says he supports Mason's vision and looks forward to seeing what he would have in place for the franchise.

"We're excited to see what he (Sean) has in store for Akron."

The Rubber Bowl served as the home stadium for the University of Akron Zips from 1940-2008 and can seat up to around 35,000 fans.

Akron's looking to increase trash rates by up to ten percent.

The city wants the rate hike to help pay for landfill closing costs and new equipment.

Public Service Director Rick Merolla tells AkronNewsNow the decision to propose the trash rates increases came after the state auditor ordered the city to eliminate fund deficits after the city's audit in 2010.

"We've committed to having that deficit removed by the end of next year." Merolla said.

Merolla said the city is also in need of replacing old trash collection equipment.

The Beacon Journal reports the plan would increase bills to $19 a month for those who recycle and $21.50 for those who don't.

Council still has to approve the legislation which may increase trash fees by up to 10 percent, depending on whether or not residents recycle. 

On the Web: www.ohio.com