Akron officials are taking some new approaches to improving public safety amid decreasing crime in the city.
City officials gave updates on some existing programs and discussed new projects during a press conference Thursday in Downtown Akron.
Most reported crimes, including robbery, car theft and felonious assault, are down so far this year, Police Chief Brian Harding said. Shootings and firearms-related offenses are both continuing to decrease, and overall calls for police are down 7% compared to last year at this time, Harding said.
One major uptick, Harding said, is incidents of rape – up 46% this year compared to last year at this time. Sexual assault among juveniles appears to be contributing to this increase, he said.
The police department has ramped up communications with Akron Children’s Hospital and Summit County Children Services to try to combat this, he said.
“I would like to see our detectives continue to work diligently on each of these cases, and I think that shows in some of the results that we’ve seen,” Harding said. “We hope to see these numbers go back down for the rest of this year.”
While police use-of-force incidents increased overall last year, these incidents are down 27% this year, he added.
Harding attributes the decrease to more de-escalation training for officers and fewer violent crimes, he said.
“Our officers by proxy [are] responding to less violent calls, which probably also assists with the decrease in those numbers,” Harding said. “I don’t have a good quantitative analysis on why we saw the slight uptick last year, but we’re definitely celebrating the decrease this year.”
Officials also provided an update on the city’s Street Team pilot program that targets gun violence.
The program connects previous offenders with people at risk of committing gun crimes to help them with conflict management, public safety director Tony Ingram said.
The city hired three people, called “credible messengers,” who have worked with 30 people at risk of committing gun violence. The messengers have also done 40 hospital visits and conducted hundreds of phone calls this year, he said.
“They come from the communities that are most at risk, are known in those communities, are able to interact and engage in ways that we in the traditional systems have, quite frankly, not been able to,” Ingram said.
Ingram shared an anecdote of one of the messengers working with a young person whose father was recently sentenced to a long prison sentence.
“Naturally, he began to exhibit some different symptoms of that trauma of losing his father,” Ingram said. “Our street team engaged with him.”
That person expressed interest in becoming a firefighter, Ingram said. The messengers connected the individual with Fire Chief Leon Henderson, who talked with him about his career in the department, he said.
Akron Mayor Shammas Malik applauded the street team’s efforts so far.
“I think that’s such a great example of the importance of this work and what it can do by touching just one individual and eventually that can have ripple effects in our community,” Malik said.
The city is working on a formal evaluation process to measure the pilot program’s impact, Malik added.
Meanwhile, a crisis intervention response team will be expanding its services this year.
Since the Summit County Outreach Team program, referred to as SCOUT, launched last year, it’s responded to 1,051 weekday calls for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, Henderson said.
Emergency responders go to calls alongside representatives from community mental health agencies to connect individuals in crisis with the resources they may need, he said.
“The goal is to stabilize the situation, reduce the need for emergency department visits or law enforcement involvement, and connect individuals with appropriate ongoing care by offering timely, compassionate, and specialized assistance,” Henderson said.
The next goal, Henderson said, is to expand SCOUT’s availability to Saturdays, he said.
“We plan on functioning that unit from 8:30 to 4:30 later this year,” Henderson said.
Last year’s data shows a need to expand the team, he said.
A new public safety project on the horizon involves youth sports, Malik added.
City officials are in the beginning stages of increasing funding for sports and wellness programs for youth, Malik added. They also plan to work with Project Play, a national initiative focused on enhancing youth involvement in sports to improve crime and health outcomes, Malik said.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
It’s a seven-on-seven game with less of the bruising action of regular football. As the sport takes off locally and around the country, a Santa Cruz County team takes on one from Monterey County.
Flag football, an old sport, is now seeing rapid growth across the country. This Sunday, Aptos High hosts a showcase, featuring 34 top high school senior girls competing: the best of Monterey County traveling here to compete against the best in Santa Cruz County.
Aptos High senior Ella Porter, playing on the Santa Cruz County or north team, told Lookout this week she’s been hooked on flag football since she started playing last year. The 18-year-old said the sport provides another opportunity for girls to develop their athletic ability and be part of a team.
“You need one another to either win or lose, and that’s what’s really special about it,” said Porter. “We have the same wins, but we also have these hard losses, and we get to go through it together.”
It’s football, but without the tackling, and the players have four downs to get to the end zone. To stop the offense, players pull a flag from an opponent’s belt. It’s a seven-on-seven game, rather than the 11 per team in regular football. Young people have played flag football for decades, in physical education classes or recreationally, but in recent years, it’s taken on a more competitive form.
About 2.4 million kids under 17 play in organized flag football leagues in the United States, and the number is rapidly growing across the globe, according to the International Federation of American Football. In response to its growing popularity, the sport will be featured in the Olympic Games for the first time in 2028.
Event organizers Reggie Stephens and Joel Domhoff took notice of local girls’ interest in the sport and put together the event to raise awareness of flag football and celebrate the athletes’ skills. Stephens is a youth sports advocate and former NFL player, and Domhoff is a longtime media arts teacher currently at Renaissance High School in La Selva Beach. They both run nonprofit organizations which help fundraise to run the event: the Reggie Stephens Foundation and the Gino Panelli Foundation – which gives the event its longish name, RSF/GPF Central Coast Flag Football All-Star Game. Domhoff directs the all-star game.
Domhoff began noticing girls showing up to football practices to train with high school boys several years ago. One year it was one girl, he said, and the next year two girls: “Then suddenly we had middle school girls. That’s when we realized, okay, this is bigger than we thought.”
He said he thinks the sport has become more appealing because there’s no tackling but the sport still emphasizes athletic ability.
“It doesn’t have the violent aspect that turns a lot of people off to tackle football. It has all the beauty, the athleticism and the grace,” he said. “These girls are competitive, they’re highly skilled, and they absolutely love it.”
Four years ago, he said, there was no such thing as girls’ high school flag football. Now more than 200 California high schools support teams and some colleges are developing women’s flag football programs. Domhoff said the all-star game is part of a growing effort to give girls the same opportunities that boys have had.
“There are only four women coaching flag football in the area — and all four of them will be coaching in this all-star game,” he said. “That’s symbolic, and it’s important for these girls to see women as role models and think, ‘That’s something I could become.’”
Carmel High School senior Ava Staehle, who is playing on the Monterey County or south team, said she started playing at around age 8 because she was inspired by her older brothers who played football.
“Now I get to play competitively too,” she said. “It’s just such a perfect sport, especially for young girls, to start playing.”
Staehle, who plays linebacker and receiver, said the sport has taught her “to keep pushing myself and to always try my best.” She hopes to keep playing, either through a club or recreationally, when she goes to college next year.
Aptos High’s Porter, who plays quarterback and running back, said she also hopes to play when she goes to college. She appreciates that the sport has given girls another opportunity to challenge themselves.
“Football has always been tackle football for men,” she said. “To have something added for women as fast as this was — I’m very thankful and very excited about that.”
The all-star game day starts at noon with skills competitions, including a 40-yard dash and a contest for the longest throw. The game will start at 1 p.m., featuring four 15-minute quarters. The festivities will also feature a live DJ, a raffle and tacos. For those who can’t attend in person, the game will be broadcast live on the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) website, air on tape delay on Community Television of Santa Cruz and also be posted on social media.
All-star game details:
When: Sunday, Jan. 4, at noon
Where: Aptos High School, 100 Mariner Way, Aptos, 95003
Cost: $5 general admission; free admission for middle school and high school students with student ID
South Roster
Coaches: Alyssa Dixon, Marina; Kalah Ishimaru, Salinas; Marisol Rasul, Alisal
#22 Bailey Casarez, Rancho San Juan, C
#26 Jaslyne Coronado, Salinas, WR/S
#23 Melony Erazo-Chavez, Rancho San Juan, QB
#5 Alissa Escutia, Salinas, WR
#21 Josie Hanson, Carmel, S/WR/QB
#88 Maya Ibarra, North County, QB/RB/WR/S
#10 Calleigh Panziera, Salinas, WR/LB/S
#11 Mia Rivera, Alisal, WR/S
#13 Dania Rodriguez, King City, WR/S
#33 Gracy Ruiz-Gamino, Marina, RB/DB/P
#9 Jimena Salazar-Camacho, Salinas, LB/DB/RB
#6 Elsie Sargenti, Palma, WR/DB
#3 Ava Staehle, Carmel, S/LB/WR
#0 Esmeralda Torres, Marina, WR/RB/LB
#2 Eva Vicencio, King City, RB/DE
#4 Irie Williams, North Salinas, RB/QB
North Roster
Coaches: Frank Galvan, St. Francis; Denise Russo, Aptos; Andy Morris, Santa Cruz
#24 Haily Bettermann, Soquel, DB/WR
#11 Shelby Chase, Scotts Valley, C
#53 Elenah Esquivel, Aptos, LB
#33 Yareli Garcia, Renaissance, DB
#6 Natalia Lapioli, Scotts Valley, CB
#2 Citlali Lopez, Santa Cruz, DB/WR/P (injured, will not play)
#2 Amaya Moore, SLV, QB/RB/WR/S
#8 Lila Mosley, Scotts Valley, LB/RB
#5 Presley Pastrell, Scotts Valley, LB/WR
#4 Ella Porter, Aptos, RB/WR/S/QB
#10 Sammy Rebert, Scotts Valley, WR/DB
#13 Daisy Rincon, PVHS, DB/RB/WR
#14 Leah Serna, Santa Cruz, WR/LB/P
#17 Ben Sommerville, Santa Cruz, WR/S
#18 Eliza Stevens, Soquel, QB
#0 Marina Tucker, Harbor, WR/DB
#42 Brooklyn Williams, Scotts Valley, WR/DB
#3 Ivory Woodson, Soquel, DE/C
If money is what it will take to resolve the damage done by the substance abuse epidemic in the Mountain State, we are sitting on an enormous opportunity through funds distributed by the West Virginia First Foundation. Just this month nearly $18 million in Momentum Initiative Grants was awarded to tackle the problem.
In this round, there are 76 projects — some statewide, some regional — that will focus on foster care and non-parental caregiver initiatives, youth prevention, recovery housing, behavioral health and workforce development, and reentry and diversion programs.
The statewide projects, totaling more than $3.85 million, all target foster care and non-parental caregivers through Foster RISE (Recruitment, Intervention, Support and Expansion); Pressley Ridge Treatment Kinship Care statewide services; West Virginia CASA Association’s Continuum of Care for children and families impacted by the opioid crisis; and West Virginia Wesleyan College’s capacity-building initiative with CASA.
Hancock and Brooke counties are part of Region 1, although, once again, most of the funds awarded locally appear to be focused for services in the Wheeling area.
The Greater Wheeling Coalition for the Homeless, for example, received $250,000 for day report centers and re-entry programs, while HoH Share Inc. received $125,000 for youth prevention programs. Northwood Health Systems, which has some operations in Weirton, will receive $216,065 for its behavioral health and workforce development programs, and Youth Services System, which also offers some of its programs in our two counties, will receive $125,000 for youth prevention services.
West Liberty University is getting $249,397 for its own day report centers and re-entry programs through the Hilltopper Pathways services.
YWCA Wheeling, meanwhile, is set to receive three grants: $124,744 for youth prevention; $380,000 for recovery housing; and $186,450 for day report centers and re-entry programs.
This is wonderful news for hardworking people in need of support to fulfill a critical mission.
“The Momentum Initiative Grant reflects a new way of responding to the substance use crisis; one grounded in evidence, shaped by local expertise and guided by accountability,” said Jonathan Board, the foundation’s executive director. “We traveled the state, listened to those holding the line in their communities, and answered the call to honor the lives lost by putting these resources into the hands of those ready to create real, lasting impact for West Virginia.”
While we wait, the organizations that have received this round of money are no doubt ready to hold up their end of the bargain.
As that work gets underway, lawmakers and economic development officials must remember it is their job to also be expanding and diversifying our state’s economy and working to improve quality of life for everyone.
Hope is as necessary in this process as is money.
A Newnan-based basketball training program is offering year-round instruction for elementary and middle school students, combining athletic development with family engagement and faith-based mentoring.
The training sessions, led by Derrius Teagle, are open to boys and girls in second through eighth grades and are held at the Royal Baptist Church gym on Mayo Royal Industrial Drive in Newnan.
Newtown Youth Wrestling Association showcased the strength of youth sports and community spirit as it hosted its 8th Annual Nighthawk Classic wrestling tournament, drawing close to 500 wrestlers from six different states, on December 21.
Held at Newtown High School, the event transformed the gymnasium into a sea of singlets, score tables, and cheering families. Wrestlers ranging from first-year competitors to seasoned youth standouts took to the mats in a fast-paced day of competition that highlighted both skill and sportsmanship.
“We’re incredibly proud of how smoothly the tournament ran and how many quality matches we were able to offer the kids,” President of Newtown Youth Wrestling Association Kyle Ibbitson said. “Bringing together wrestlers from across the region gives our athletes a chance to test themselves, make new friends, and grow in the sport.”
Tournament Director Matt Iacuone reported that more than 850 matches were completed in less than eight hours, a testament to the efficiency of the event staff and volunteers. Multiple mats ran continuously throughout the day as coaches, referees, and table workers kept the action moving with precision.
“It truly takes an army,” Iacuone said. “All the help we get from all of our coaches and families throughout our organization is unmatched.”
Recognized as the largest youth town wrestling program in New England by USA Wrestling, Newtown had 100 wrestlers at the event, of which 63% placed in the top three. Newtown is especially proud of their girls’ program, which has doubled from last year and has close to 20 competitors.
The Nighthawk Classic has grown steadily since its inception, and this year’s turnout underscores its reputation as a well-run, highly competitive youth wrestling event. Drawing competitors from five states, the tournament not only provided valuable experience for local wrestlers but also shined a spotlight on Newtown as a hub for youth athletics.
For Newtown Youth Wrestling Association, the tournament is more than just a day of competition; it is also a major community effort. Dozens of volunteers helped with setup, concessions, registration, and cleanup, ensuring that visiting teams and families felt welcome.
Head Coach Curtis Urbina and Coach Mike Long mentioned the praise they received from other programs after another successful tournament.
“This is all made possible by the hard work and dedication of so many. This event continues to set the bar high for our program, and we’re proud to consistently deliver a high-quality, intense tournament worthy of our region,” Urbina said. “At the end of the day, the real winners are the kids — and this incredible community that shows up, supports, and believes in them every step of the way. It’s great tournaments like this that allow our wrestlers to improve going forward and chase our goals.”
“This event really shows what Newtown can do when we come together,” Ibbitson added. “From the wrestlers on the mat to the volunteers behind the scenes, everyone played a part in making the Nighthawk Classic a success.”
As the final whistles sounded and the last medals were handed out, organizers were already looking ahead to next year, hoping to build on the momentum of this year’s record-setting turnout and continue to grow the Nighthawk Classic as one of the premier youth wrestling tournaments in the state of Connecticut.
Top Newtown results from the tourney are as follows:
First place: Kamden Kling, Reece Belden, Ashton Sciarra, Declan Cavanagh, Everett Worster, Liam Enright, Zachary Burwick, Carson Edwards, Evan Emard, Hugo Borgerding, Skyler Nieves, Alex Jaquez, Joey Bartolic, Marco Figueiredo, Matt Iacuone, Allen Gaudenzi, Camron Veneziano, Ethan Kearney, Jane Anderson, and Silas Houston.
Second place: Eleanor Emard, Grey Nelson, Natalie Leonard, William Laake, Axel Pulver, Beckham Ritacco, Clark Anderson, Eli Fox, Michael Laake, Lillian Gantert, Alex Carrozza, James Gantert, Andrew Braunagel, Ben Weintraub, Cameron Mathison, Emmie Ibbitson, Chase Ibbitson, Cole Salce, and Max Reynolds.
Third place: Liam Edwards, Sam Van Scotter, Colton Girgenti, Donnie Scaglione, Gavin Silva, Grant Van Scotter, Riley Plante, William Stetson, Callum Carl, Joey Guagliano, Liam Fitzgerald, Lucas Nunes, Nico Figueiredo, Catalina Maldonado, Evie Gantert, Luke Anderson, Mason Petrides, Emily Greene, Blake Deloge, Brooke Fattibene, Drake Oatis, Greg Troiano, Kaleb Quiles, and Nick Morelli.
Newtown Youth Wrestling Association’s many medal winners from the Nighthawk Classic. —photo courtesy Tonya Borgerding
The 55th annual Park Point 5-Miler starts near the Park Point Pavilion. Participants run down Minnesota Avenue before finishing back near the pavilion. They have the choice of a 5-mile run or a 2-mile walk.
This is the last of three races in the annual KP Challenge, in which participants commit to three races throughout the spring and summer. The others are the Saint Fennessy 4K and Fitger’s 5K. The aim of the challenge is to help participants keep on a regular training schedule and consistently complete longer distance races. Net proceeds benefit the Young Athletes Foundation, a Grandma’s Marathon program focused on the promotion and development of youth athletics.
In celebration of its 50th year, Grandma’s Marathon is offering free entries for those ages 18 and under to each of the five Young Athletes Foundation races in 2026.
Adult Entry Fee Scale
Jan. 1 to May 15 – $20
May 16 to June 30 – $30
July 1 to race day – $40
Register at raceroster.com.
GIRARD — New faces will be working for the community as new members of city council and the board of education were sworn into office this week.
Girard Municipal Court Judge Jeff Adler swore in new and reelected council members and new members to the board of education.
Starting terms on council this month are Tod Latell and Wes Steiner as councilmen-at-Large and James Clark as 3rd Ward councilman.
On the board of education, new members are Zak Steiner and Scott Strain and elected to a new term after being appointed previously to fill an opening on the board is Tammy King.
TOD LATELL
Latell, who was elected to two terms as Trumbull County recorder from January 2017 to December 2024, said he will work with city officials and council to promote growth.
“I have been attending council meetings since the beginning of last year, and I believe we have some great opportunities to improve our downtown area and other locations across the city,” he said.
He said council members need to have a clear understanding of the budget.
“Our auditor and city officials have done well as the city appears to be in good financial standing. Transparency on the budget is paramount, as taxpayer money and available funds in general should be handled with care,” Latell said.
He said as county recorder, he ran a tight budget and left the recorder’s office in great shape.
“I believe when we have a strong school system, provide great police / fire and safety services in general, and residents feel city leadership is engaged and working for the benefit of all, success will happen,” Latell said.
WES STEINER
Wes Steiner was a first-time candidate for public office. He said as a surveyor with knowledge in zoning, he plans to bring a valuable skill set to city council to help improve the community.
He said zoning is essential to make sure that growth is well planned and remains sustainable for the future.
Steiner said there is a need for better signage in the downtown, with residents and visitors becoming more aware of the available parking space behind Chase Bank, as well as behind and across the street from the U.S. Post Office.
“Better signage will help improve accessibility and convenience for everyone,” he said.
He said he will work with Lake to River Economic Development to help bring businesses to the area, which will help generate additional tax revenue for the city.
Steiner said as Girard continues to evolve into a more transient community, he believes it is important to focus on mentoring and youth engagement. He has served in many positions working with youth sports and activities.
Steiner said he is committed to advocating for programs and policies that empower young people in the community.
JAMES CLARK
Clark said he comes from a family of civil servants, with his mother serving as city treasurer in East Liverpool and his grandmother serving as a councilwoman in East Palestine.
Clark said accountability in leadership will be a top priority. He said recent events in Girard, especially the problems with the school district’s finances, have shown how costly a lack of oversight can be.
“My top priority is to make sure those in leadership positions are accountable for their decisions and for how public money is handled,” Clark said.
He said as a casino executive, he often had to stand his ground, protect the best interests of the business and still convince high-level clients to choose them over the competition.
“I will bring that same approach to city council to protect residents and ensure their voices and tax dollars are safeguarded,” Clark said.
He said he will bring improvements into Girard by securing outside funding.
Clark said he will look at completing community improvement projects, and will seek grant programs and connect the right people to get projects done. He said he will see that Girard competes for funding dollars and for resources that can make a real difference in the community.
BOARD OF EDUCATION
King said after she was named to fill the board vacancy when longtime board member Diane Alejars stepped down she decided to run in the November election for a new four-year term.
King was selected from seven applicants who sought to fill the seat. King is a retired professor from Youngstown State University and holds a doctoral degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
She said previously she will use her experience in education and higher education to focus on the future of the Girard Local School District and ensure that the staff has the resources they need to educate the students.
Zak Steiner and Strain are both new to public office.
Steiner said he wants to start a “Listen and Learn” tour across the district, meeting directly with administrators, teachers, staff and students, and listening to what they need to be more successful.
He said he would also like to expand recognition and engagement at board meetings, and in addition to recognizing students each month, also recognize staff, alumni and school groups.
Steiner said he will stay in contact with and work with the Ohio House on any upcoming or proposed changes to property tax and school funding to ensure the district’s needs are represented.
Strain said he will focus on the safety and success of the students, and develop positive relationships with the teachers, administration and staff to foster growth and trust while maintaining transparency.
He said as a former Girard school resource officer and juvenile investigator for six years allowed for developing trusting relationships with students and staff.
Also sworn in for new terms were Reynald Paolone as Girard council president, Henry Sforza as treasurer, Lily Martuccio for council-at-large, and Keith Schubert, John Moliterno and Thomas Grumley as council ward members.
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