Good morning, Akron.

Ileana Crites Williams celebrated her 100th birthday in Tallmadge on Sept.

15 and has spent her life in the community. Born in 1926, she remains active at her local assisted living home (Danbury) and plans to live to 105 while cherishing family traditions.

Dutch Bros Coffee will open a drive-thru at the former Stow-Glen site on Kent Road in Stow, and Fitworks will relocate to a 15,000 sqft building in early December + Sheetz, Panda Express and Chick-fil-A are slated to launch by year-end.

Gov. Mike DeWine declared Sept.

25 as Dolly Parton Day to honor her literacy work with the Imagination Library + state parks and rest areas will feature Storybook Trails to encourage reading.

Akron Public Schools suspended three educators amid allegations of inappropriate communication, improper testing and excessive physical contact during JROTC sessions (they have 10 days to appeal the board's intent).

Akron Public Schools’ 2025-26 report card shows the district earned three stars with a 90.3 percent graduation rate and many students gaining industry credentials.

However, most elementary schools scored one star in early literacy — the district is partnering with Akron After School and the Akron Area YMCA to lower absenteeism.

Kent State’s annual Aeronautics and Engineering Expo is set for Saturday, Sept.

26 at the Kent State University Airport from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will display historic and modern aircraft, STEM exhibits, live drone demos — and a pancake breakfast by Scout Troop 177.

Akron's City Meadows program will soon convert turf into wildlife gardens at BARC Dog Park in Merriman Valley and parks in Kenmore, following a successful pilot at Hardesty Park in 2025.

Officials say the program will cut 100 acres to reduce mowing (saving fuel and costs) while enhancing natural habitats.

Suburban League administrators are circulating a petition to split public and private OHSAA state tournaments; high school principals must sign by December to reach 75 signatures for a May referendum that could lead to separate tournaments in 2028 to 2029.

High school athletes are vying for the Akron-Area Athlete of the Week title for Sept.

7-13 as local voters cast their ballots. The poll closes at 5 p.m. on Thursday (Sept. 17) with winners set to be announced Friday morning online.

High school football on Thursday night featured close games — with Revere defeating Twinsburg 28–26, Highland beating Nordonia 23–21, and STVM snapping a 21-game losing streak with a 35–6 win — while Kenston edged Copley 45–42 and Woodridge dominated Field 62–7.