🌱 Patch AM: How an Akron upbringing helped shape a top Pentagon decision-maker

Hi there, Akron! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How an Akron upbringing helped shape a top Pentagon decision-maker
• How did the University of Akron score on Ohio’s reading audit?
• How are soaring tariffs hitting this Akron guitar pedal maker?

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings and 1 more event.

Today's riddle: What did the balloon say to the doctor? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Sunday: Mostly sunny; breezy, colder, with a high of 30 and low of 18 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Monday: Partly sunny and not as cold, temps: high: 37, low: 35.
• Tuesday: A.M. mist; otherwise, cloudy, with a high of 46 and low of 30 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Former Green Beret lands influential Pentagon personnel job (stripes.com) — An Akron native, Timothy Dill, has just been confirmed to a powerful Pentagon personnel post overseeing policies that affect millions of service members and civilian workers. Dill says his military path was shaped partly by a decorated World War II neighbor in Akron, and he now pledges to keep the armed forces merit-based and nonpartisan while advising Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
   

2. Most universities aligned with Science of Reading (dailyadvocate.com) — State officials say the University of Akron’s teacher training program now fully aligns with Ohio’s new Science of Reading requirements, along with 32 other institutions. The statewide audit checked for evidence-based reading instruction and banned methods, and schools found out of alignment must prove full compliance in 2026. This could shape how future Akron-area teachers are trained to teach reading.
   

3. Rising Costs Pinch Main Street Owners - VYRE Business News Global (vbngtv.com) — An Akron-based manufacturer, EarthQuaker Devices, is getting squeezed by rising tariffs, with costs jumping $60,000 this year and potentially tripling next year for its 35-person guitar pedal shop. The story places this Akron example in a broader national trend where small businesses face higher import duties, health insurance premiums, and energy bills. These pressures could affect local jobs, prices, and hiring here at home.
   

4. An Akron Couple Couldn't Find the Perfect LGBTQ-Affirming Fraternity and Sorority. So They Created Them. (goodmenproject.com) — An Akron firefighter and her wife have launched LGBTQ-affirming fraternity Kappa Beta Kappa and sorority Beta Xi Epsilon, both rooted in service to Akron and beyond. From feeding families with local partners to hosting events at Akron schools, they’re building inclusive Greek-life “families” that welcome all while spotlighting the city’s LGBTQ+ community.
   

📸 Around Akron

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Akron

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Monday December 22

• Job and Family Services: Case Managers at the Library
  Maple Valley Branch Library - Conference Room
  10:00 am
• Break-in Bag: Save the Snowman
  Odom Boulevard Branch Library - Community Room
  3:00 pm

Friday December 26

• Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
  Holy Trinity Lutheran Church , 50 N Prospect St , Akron
  6:30 pm
• Candlelight: Tribute to Taylor Swift
  Holy Trinity Lutheran Church , 50 N Prospect St , Akron
  8:45 pm

📣 Akron Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Sunday December 21

• Drag Me to Brunch Christmas Show!
  Mercedes Neighborhood Tavern , 1947 W Market St #103 , Akron
  11:30 am
• Dance recital
  Barberton High School , 555 Barber Rd , Barberton
  12:00 pm
• The Culkar/Golob Band
  Slovene Party Center , 70 14th St NW , Barberton
  1:00 pm
• Hobby Sunday!
  141 E Summit St , Kent
  1:00 pm
• Sunday Soundtracks at the Jenks
  Jenks Building , 1884 Front St , Cuyahoga Falls
  2:00 pm
• Cocoa & Cookies with Santa
  Sunrise Social , 3875 Massillon Rd Suite 20 , Uniontown
  3:30 pm
• GSOC - FUTSAL
  CC - Auxiliary Gym
  5:30 pm
• Christmas Means a Little Bit More - Set
  Painting with a Twist , 2955 W Market St Suite J , Fairlawn
  7:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Update: Pet Reunited
  Zumi, a cat who went missing in Cuyahoga Falls, OH, has been safely reunited with their family after 12 hours, 17 minutes. Message from Owner: "My… (Nextdoor Fouse)
• Please share & repost to help reunite this stray dog!
  FOUND on December 19, 2025 in Akron, OH 44310 near North main street Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact the finder,… (Nextdoor Kenmore Rimer)

• Walmart, Inc. posted a job opening for Cart Attendant in Akron. Apply here.
• Crestline Hotels & Resorts, Inc. posted a job opening for Housekeeper 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 feel lightheaded!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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