Good morning, Akron.

Four Portage parish churches will merge on New Year’s Day as Our Lady of Perpetual Help joins St. Joan of Arc and Saint Joseph merges with Saint Ambrose + the diocese said churches remain open and staff roles shift effective Nov.

1 and Jan. 1.

Young artists can enter Beacon Journal's comic contest for the Akron Children's Holiday Tree Festival by drawing on a 5x7 paper and sending their entry with name and age to Theresa Bennett at 388 S.

Main St., Suite 720, Akron, OH; selected entries will be featured on a tree to be displayed and auctioned Nov. 14 — Nov. 22.

Local community members share vivid childhood memories of imagined attic monsters (from eerie cloud shapes to spooky TV figures), recalling moments when everyday sights felt frightening.

Their tales highlight how early fears still shape personal stories across generations.

Cuyahoga Falls City School District showed progress on its state report card with a 3.5-star rating and a decline in chronic absenteeism from 30.5% to 23.1% (presented by Superintendent Andrea Celico on Sept.

23). Two students were also honored for a diploma and a math award.

Akron Children's joined a global program to pool data and boost suicide screening for kids — the hospital expanded its behavioral health unit to 40 beds, partnered with Sonar Mental Health for round-the-clock text support, and will roll out life promotion activities later this year.

Akron Children's Dr. Eva Szigethy attended the 2026 United Nations General Assembly panel on suicide prevention in children, sharing insights on protecting vulnerable youth.

In a rain-affected game against the Jets on Sunday, Oct.

11, Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson completed 15-of-33 passes for 155 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. His performance saw eight sacks and limited fourth-quarter play (raising concerns about his role in the win streak).

The Cavaliers played the Orlando Magic in a preseason game Sunday, Oct.

11 at Rocket Arena — starters included James Harden and Donovan Mitchell amid minor injury updates as the team bounced back from a loss to the Celtics ahead of regular-season matchups later this month.

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt named left-hander Foster Griffin as the Game 1 starter (after Parker Messick and Gavin Williams were unavailable), with first pitch set for 8 p.m. today against the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALCS.

Sports experts are debating whether Browns player Jared Verse ranks among the team's top three defenders, and analysts will follow his performance as the season goes on.