Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a $67M overhaul will reshape Akron’s police headquarters

Spotted on the Akron calendar: Stow Heritage Ringers - Winterscape: Scenes of Christmas

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Coffee in hand, Akron? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a $67M overhaul will reshape Akron’s police headquarters
  • Why neighbors are fighting Akron’s first Merriman Valley dispensary plan
  • How jurors reached a not-guilty verdict in a Kenmore killing

Also on today's calendar: Stow Heritage Ringers - Winterscape: Scenes of Christmas and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Akronfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the boat dock say when it was arrested? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Akronfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Saturday: A little snow, up to 1"; cold, with a high of 31 and low of 10 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Sunday: Very cold with a little snow, temps: high: 22, low: 13.
  • Monday: Mostly cloudy and very cold, with a high of 23 and low of 17 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Akron planning $67M police headquarters renovation (cleveland.com) — Akron is committing about $67 million to fully renovate the Harold K. Stubbs Justice Center, keeping police headquarters downtown while upgrading elevators, HVAC and the building’s layout over several years. City officials chose renovation over relocation to spread out costs and avoid leaving a large structure vacant, with major elevator and heating and cooling work slated to begin in 2026.
   

2. Merriman Valley neighbors speak against plan for cannabis dispensary (beaconjournal.com) — Akron’s Planning Commission has narrowly recommended City Council approve two new marijuana dispensaries, including a controversial Firelands Scientific site in Merriman Valley near Waters Edge Condominiums. Neighbors raised strong concerns about traffic and pedestrian safety, while city officials discussed possible fixes on a corridor already flagged as high-injury. A second proposal from Akron-based Klutch Cannabis in Wallhaven advanced with unanimous support.
   

3. Jury finds Jashawn Ray not guilty in shooting death of Kenmore woman (beaconjournal.com) — A jury has acquitted a Youngstown man of all charges in the 2023 shooting death of a Kenmore woman, ending a case that twice previously ended in mistrials. Akron investigators tied him to the case with DNA and cellphone records placing his phone in Akron, but jurors were not convinced beyond a reasonable doubt. The verdict closes a closely watched Summit County trial.
   

4. What happened to the Nela Park holiday lights? And where did those pieces of history go? (news5cleveland.com) — Holiday decorations from East Cleveland’s historic Nela Park are finding new homes across Northeast Ohio, including a festive installation at Lock 3 Park in downtown Akron. Akron families can now enjoy a piece of this century-old lighting tradition close to home, as more donated displays roll out to other cities and nonprofits in coming years.
   

5. Howard Payne University Moot Court team excels at regional competition (ktxs.com) — A regional moot court tournament at the University of Akron Law School recently saw Texas-based Howard Payne University students advance to the semifinals and earn top-speaker honors. While the competitors aren’t local, the event underscores Akron’s role as a regional legal-education hub and a host for major collegiate competitions.
   

📸 Around Akron

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • LOST DOG ALERT!
    Have you seen this pet? Raya was lost on December 09, 2025 and was last seen near Akron, OH If you have information on their location, please reach… (Nextdoor Firestone Park)
  • Hey everyone!
    It’s that time of year! When you are either driving down “the hill of death” aka Canyon pkwy… and it’s snowing or icy… slow down and drive… (Nextdoor Timber Top)
  • Molly Maid posted a job opening for Experienced House Cleaner in Akron. Apply here.
  • The Reserves Network, Inc. posted a job opening for Shipping/Warehouse in Akron. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Akron here.

Ok Akron! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I demand a jury of my piers.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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