DNA evidence helped authorities link two men to a robbery in Green that happened in late March.

The Summit County Sheriff's Office reports Kenneth Simmons, 19, and David Murren III, 19, both of Green, were charged with aggravated robbery in connection with the robbery at Thomas' Drive Thru on South Arlington Road.

Authorities say two masked men robbed two employees at the store and fled with their cell phones and cash.

DNA evidence was taken from the crime scene and sent to the BCI Laboratory in Richfield. The results of the test matched the DNA of an individual in the database.

When deputies searched Murren's residence, they found additional evidence and arrested 18-year-old Brian Rubino of Springfield who was found in possession of hash oil, drug paraphernalia, and currency.

Simmons, Murren, and Rubino were taken to the Summit County Jail.

A new outdoor classroom is making its way to the city of Green.

The city recently announced the construction of an educational wetland, which will be paid in part by a 100,000 grant from the Ohio EPA. The grant was directed toward cities that aim to create a highly visible wetland in a developed area. 

"Our mayor encouraged us to think outside the box in terms on infrastructure and storm water infrastructure," said Sarah Haring, community development administrator.

The educational wetland will be located on Steese Road between Green's Intermediate School and Middle School.

The focus of the project is on water quality where the wetland will intercept and filter surface-water runoff and could also control potential flooding downstream.

Haring says science teachers in the district are looking to attain another grant from the EPA to bring an educational component into the curriculum that incorporates the wetland.

"It's kind of a win-win situation. The grant money is really directed toward water quality, and that's what we focused on," Haring said.

Crews will also construct a walking path around the perimeter of the wetland. It's expected to be completed by the end of this summer.

The Summit County Sheriffs Department arrested 30-year old Michael Byrd of Green on charges of Pandering Sexually Oriented Material.

The Internet Crime Against Children Task Force tipped off the department of an IP address that was found downloading child pornography that lead to the execution of a search warrant .

AkronNewsNow spoke with Summit County Inspector Bill Holland.

"After forensic examinations were conducted on the computers that were found during the search warrant it was determined that Byrd was in possesion of numerous images and videos involving child pornography." Says Holland. 

Byrd was booked and placed into the Summit County Jail and may be facing additional charges pending the investigation.

The second new emergency room added to the city of Green this year will open to the community this morning.

Summa Health System's 24-hour emergency department at Heritage Crossings on Massillon Road will officially open Monday morning at 7 a.m.

The $17 million facility is expected to serve around 14,000 patients in the first year from Green and surrounding communities.

The emergency department is part of a $96 million expansion of Summa's emergency services network throughout the region which was announced in 2010.

Akron General's 24-hour emergency department in on Massillon Road opened earlier this year.

The Lifestyles Health and Wellness Center, Akron General's medical-based fitness program, will also open in Green this morning. 

How does the FBI educate law enforcement on IED’s? Well - they blow things up.

The FBI hosted an improvised explosive device demonstration (IED) at the training facility in Green Thursday afternoon.

The demonstration provides law enforcement with the tools necessary to search and identify explosives made with a combination of chemicals.

“There are chemicals that are in everybody’s household that can be used for bad purposes,” said FBI Special Agent Vicki Anderson. “There are legitimate reasons for the chemicals and then there are chemicals that can be used in an explosive.”

The chemicals used to make the explosive devices range from cleaning to automotive products. Homemade bombs, along with several military bombs, were detonated to show the strength and power packed inside an average IED.

Russ Csaszar, a bomb technician with the FBI, said the internet has made it easier for people to develop and create their own explosives inside their home.

“It’s also a lot more dangerous. People will start to make things that they think are safe, but if they don’t mix it right, they are very hazardous and they can end up hurting themselves,” said Csaszar.

Anderson said it’s important to be proactive and stay up to date with the new chemicals and products used the make dangerous IED’s.

“Everything is a concern after 9/11. We take it to a different level now,” said Anderson. “We all need to be aware.”

Diebold has announced plans to move about 200 information technology jobs to India.

The Beacon Journal reports a portion of the moves will impact employees at Diebold's Green headquarters.

Diebold officials say the decision to move the jobs was based on making better use of software expertise in India and expanding the company.

The exact number of local jobs that will be cut are still unknown.

Around 80 employees currently work in Hyderabad, India.

On the Web: www.ohio.com 

The residents of Green are voicing their concerns about the possible move of Thistledown racetrack from Cleveland to the Akron-Canton area.

Des Wertheimer spoke to city council earlier this week and is now organizing a group of residents to stop the move of a racino into the city.

"It's not going to have a hotel - probably limited restaurants, so you're basically looking at nothing more than a money trap," said Wertheimer .

Mayor Dick Norton confirmed last week that officials with Rock Ohio Caesars sat down with him last fall to discuss the possible relocation of Thistledown near the Akron-Canton airport.

Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert owns Rock Ohio along with the HorseShoe Casino in Cleveland which is expected to open this May.

Wertheimer said the move would affect surrounding areas including Jackson, North Canton and Hartville.

"We just don't feel that type of development would benefit us at all."

Norton said if further plans develop, he would poll residents and businesses for their feedback on the racino.

Wertheimer says there has already been tremendous growth in the city including the addition of two emergency departments off Massillon Road.

"We have a great community," said Wertheimer. "It just absolutely doesn't seem like a fit at all," said Wertheimer.

According to the mayor, Rock Ohio is currently looking at multiple locations if the relocation is approved.

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• AUDIO 'Racino' Hot Topic In Green  

An 18-year-old man was arrested after authorities said he was involved in a string of paintball shootings in Green.

The Summit County Sheriff's Office reports Kenneth Simmons, 18, of Green, was identified as the suspect who shot at several businesses on Arlington Road with a paintball gun in February.

Authorities said he also shot at Green High School and several homes and vehicles with a paintball gun on Tuesday.

One of the vehicles was shot with a .22 caliber rifle.

Simmons is now facing a list of charges including criminal damaging, criminal mischief, criminal trespass and improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle.

He was booked into the Summit County Jail. 

Recent reports highlighting the possible move of Thistledown racetrack from Cleveland to the Akron-Canton area is gaining some attention in the city of Green.

Mayor Dick Norton says he is still unsure if the city would welcome a horse racetrack with video slot machines.

"The reality is we've got to make sure that it can blend with our vision of what Green is and what we want to be," said Norton.

Norton confirmed that officials with Rock Ohio Caesars sat down with him last fall to discuss the possible relocation near the Akron-Canton airport. 

Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert owns Rock Ohio along with the HorseShoe Casino in Cleveland which is expected to open this May.

"Dan Gilbert and his organization are proposing to do something pretty classy and pretty spectacular."

Norton says the move would be financially beneficial to the city, but he doesn't want one company to overshadow the city.

"We clearly wouldn't want a racino or any one company to define who we are as a city."

Rock Ohio is looking at multiple locations if the relocation is approved, according to Norton. 

A driver crashed into a gas station in Green Wednesday afternoon causing major damage to the building.

The Green Fire Department and the Summit County Sheriff’s Department arrived on scene around 2 p.m. at the GetGo gas station on Massillon Road.

Authorities say the driver crashed into another car as he was pulling out of the parking lot. When the driver attempted to reverse, he crashed into the building after hitting the accelerator.

Summit County Sheriff's Inspector Bill Holland says the 77-year old driver sustained a minor injury and was treated on scene and released.

The other driver was not injured. Holland says the driver has been cited for reasonable control, and there is no indication of alcohol, drugs, or speed being a factor in the crash.

Damage is currently being  assessed and the gas station is expected to re-open as early as later this evening.