Good morning, Akron.

Residents can nominate their favorite local spot to eat and drink in Summit County; submissions must feature neighborhood restaurants, bars, or cafes (no national chains) from communities like Akron, Cuyahoga Falls, and Stow.

Summit Metro Parks' 63rd Annual Fall Hiking Spree runs from Sept.

1 until Nov. 30 across 13 sites, including seven in Akron. Hikers can sign up online and track progress with a downloadable form to earn rewards (free for Summit County residents).

Northside Marketplace closed at the end of July after missed vendor payments left Plannerz Place Eatery as the sole vendor authorized to operate until September (Testa Cos. failed to secure funds to repay vendors).

Local business owners remain unsure about future payments and plan new community events.

Sérénité Restaurant in Medina reopened its Culinary Institute while The Lockview, a downtown Akron staple, will close later this year after 20 years serving locals—Royal Park Fine Wine will offer free whiskey-bottle engraving on Angel’s Envy with a bottle purchase.

Copley-Fairlawn City Schools announced facility upgrades—including a new middle school band room to begin construction in January and finish by fall—and spirit days scheduled on Oct.

16, Dec. 11, March 12 and May 21. The district also will launch a new parent communication app later.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library now brings Storybook Trails to Ohio’s state parks and rest areas.

The trails—featuring pages from her free book program—offer children an outdoor literacy adventure today across 52 locations.

Akron Public Schools approved a new AI policy on June 22 for the upcoming school year, letting teachers decide when students use AI in class and requiring proper citation, while unauthorized use is treated as academic dishonesty; the policy also guides privacy reviews and oversight through an AI workgroup.

Rev. Isaac Jennings created Akron’s public school system in the 1840s that led to taxpayer-funded education and the first free public high school in 1853.

The legacy continues today with the I Promise School (partnering with the LeBron James Family Foundation) that supports at-risk students.

Akron announced that eastbound traffic on East Tallmadge Avenue from Blaine Avenue to North Main Street will be detoured today for water main repairs — drivers must use West Tallmadge Avenue, North Howard Street and East Cuyahoga Falls Avenue — with work expected to finish by Sept. 2.

Mayor Shammas Malik announced Akron Dreams, a down payment assistance program aimed at helping first time buyers purchase homes (designed to boost local ownership) today in Akron.

Today, Browns rookie quarterback Taylen Green appears in the preseason finale against the Patriots after limited training camp play + he will see game action for his first NFL opportunity.

High school football kicked off Aug.

21 when Barberton won 41-6 over Firestone, with new coach Pyrce Taylor earning his first win and Jackson Hanlin throwing five touchdown passes (and running for another) while Indian Valley, Rocky River, Girard, and Waterloo also posted decisive wins with some teams shut out.