Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What happens now when you call Akron police’s non-emergency line?

Happening soon: Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings on the Akron Patch calendar

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Saturday December 20th Patch AM
Saturday December 20th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Cheers Akron! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What happens now when you call Akron police’s non-emergency line?
  • What charges do the two Akron suspects now face?
  • Why Akron’s Summit Lake is becoming a model for fighting loneliness

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings and 4 more events.

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

Today's riddle: Last night I had a dream. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Saturday: Cloudy; breezy, not as cold, with a high of 44 and low of 27 degrees.
  • Sunday: Partly sunny; breezy, colder, temps: high: 31, low: 20.
  • Monday: Sunny to partly cloudy, with a high of 37 and low of 32 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Ohio Police Department Lets AI Answer Non-Emergency Calls (officer.com) — Akron residents calling the police non-emergency line will now reach an AI system named Ava, which gathers information and routes calls so human dispatchers can focus on emergencies. Akron Police say dispatchers will still review Ava’s notes, and the Summit Emergency Communications Center has already found the technology successful after earlier testing.
   

2. 2 Akron men indicted by Summit County grand jury on murder charges in deadly Bath Township Airbnb shooting (wkyc.com) — Two Akron men have been indicted on murder and related charges in connection with a deadly November shooting at a crowded Airbnb party in nearby Bath Township that drew hundreds of people. Akron police helped make the arrests, and an 18-year-old Akron resident later died at Cleveland Clinic Akron General. Officials also stress that short-term rentals like this are banned in Bath Township.
   

3. Akron groups are among those chipping away at historic levels of social isolation nationwide (ideastream.org) — Akron neighborhoods are being highlighted nationally for creative ways they’re fighting loneliness, from The Well CDC’s community gatherings to new social spaces around Summit Lake. Local leaders recently met with former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy to showcase how affordable housing, small businesses, and nature-focused public spaces are helping residents rebuild everyday connections and feel less isolated.
   

4. Former Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan named interim Catholic Charities CEO (beaconjournal.com) — Former Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan is stepping into a major regional leadership role, becoming interim president and CEO of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Cleveland in January. Horrigan, who led Akron from 2016 to 2023, joined Catholic Charities in August and will replace Jim Mullen, the former United Way of Summit & Medina CEO, following Mullen’s Jan. 15 resignation.
   

5. Akron men's basketball opens MAC play with 93-72 win over Eastern Michigan (cleveland.com) — Akron Zips fans have reason to celebrate after the men’s basketball team opened MAC play at James A. Rhodes Arena with a dominant 93-72 win over Eastern Michigan. Tavari Johnson’s 25 points led a balanced effort as Akron moved to 9-3 overall and now looks ahead to another home game on December 29.
   

📸 Around Akron

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Akron

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Akron Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

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

  • I'd like to thank everyone for offers and comments.
    But I'm happy to say that I now have a cat thanks to Chelsea from the neighborhood. She's already making herself at home. I also just order her a new… (Nextdoor Hazel - Goodyear)
  • Please share & repost to help reunite this lost dog!
    Bruno was LOST on December 18, 2025 in Akron, OH 44301 near Brown street and Woodsdale Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to… (Nextdoor Kenmore Rimer)
  • Kimco Facility Services, LLC posted a job opening for Warehouse Janitorial Associate in Akron. Apply here.
  • The Babcock & Wilcox Company posted a job opening for Boiler Process Engineer 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 dreamed I was swimming in a pool of orange soda, but it was just a Fanta-sea.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Akron