Good morning, Akron.

A Stow father who once needed SNAP now is helping families as benefits are set to stop Nov.

1 due to a government shutdown—he posted on Facebook to collect names and is sending 20 Meijer gift cards worth $50 each to people in need, including an elderly couple and a family facing job loss. He urged neighbors to assist by donating food or hosting potlucks to support Summit County residents amid rising costs.

Mickey Ciriello, longtime owner of Luigi’s Restaurant, died at 78 early Oct.

29 after a brief illness with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, his wife Becky confirmed. The iconic downtown restaurant, established by his parents in 1949 and known for its Italian food and celebrity photos, remains a treasured landmark in Akron.

Akron Children's Hospital said three children were hospitalized over the weekend after being hit by cars while trick-or-treating (one was struck while crossing the street) and local officials advise parents to supervise kids closely (using glow-in-the-dark accessories and ensuring well-lit paths) to keep Halloween safe.

Akron band Devo will livestream their concert from Colorado’s The Mission Ballroom on Nov.

13 at 10 p.m. ET via VEEPS for $19.99, with on-demand viewing available for three days after the event. The livestream is part of their tour, Devo: 50 Years of De-Evolution...Continued+ and comes as the band wraps up a series of live shows.

Akron's Lock 3 Park will host the Smells Like Snow Coffee Festival on Saturday, Nov.

1 from noon to 7:30 p.m., celebrating the TV show Gilmore Girls. Fans will enjoy live music, trivia, food trucks, coffee vendors, and meet-and-greet sessions with actors John Cabrera and Todd Lowe (tickets required for some events).

Akron's career technical programs earned 4.5 stars on the latest report card as students showed improved graduation rates, test scores, and industry credentials — district officials expect a 5-star rating by 2027 as more students gain job-ready skills.

The Akron Public Schools Board of Education hired Wayne Bowers as treasurer on Oct 20 after approving his contract through July 31 with an annual salary of $180,352—board members applauded the move and approved union agreements that adjust pay and benefits.

Construction permits for a new school building have been approved and community meetings are scheduled, while student showcases on Nov 2 and Nov 20 will give families a chance to tour campuses and view projects.

At its Oct 21 meeting, the Copley-Fairlawn Board of Education honored National Merit semifinalists and commended Copley High School students — they are among the top PSAT performers who now compete for scholarships to be awarded in April.

The board also accepted donations of LifeVac devices and woodworking tools, approved student trip plans, and updated policies after a parent raised concerns over the cell phone ban — its next meeting is set for Nov 18 at Copley High School Auditorium.

Students at Ellet CLC in Akron learned construction, animal care and automotive skills on Oct 27+ the College and Career Academies provided hands-on training that prepares them for future jobs+.

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce released report cards for Summit County career technical planning districts, with Akron City scoring 4.5 stars while Four Cities Compact, Six District Educational Compact, Portage Lakes, Cuyahoga Valley and Maplewood Career Centers each achieved 5 stars—showing they met or exceeded state expectations.

St. Vincent-St. Mary ended Doran Grant’s job as head football coach after a 1-18 record in two seasons—Gary Shadie, a long-time assistant, will serve as interim coach while the school begins a national search for a new leader.

The decision comes after low player numbers and game cancellations hurt the team’s performance.

Akron Zips women's basketball coach Ryan Gensler announced that Copley High School graduate Izzy Callaway has transferred from Walsh University to join the team for the upcoming season—she is expected to bring strong scoring and defense as part of a renowned local sports family.

Callaway will debut when the Zips open their season at South Alabama on November 3 at 8 p.m.

Smells Like Snow Coffee Festival

12-7:30 p.m. — Lock 3 Park — Free entry — Celebrate the coffee culture with live music and exciting surprises at this year's festival.

Cleveland South Record Riot Vinyl Sale

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM — Woodside Event Center at St Michael's — Entry fee varies — Dig through a massive collection of over 15,000 vinyl records, LPs, and more in a vibrant community atmosphere.

Radian, Moontemple, Arctor and Temple Witch

7-10 p.m. — Musica — Concert tickets available — Enjoy an eclectic night of music featuring Temple Witch and more.

UMass Minutemen vs. Akron Zips Football Game

7:00-8:30 p.m. — InfoCision Stadium — Enjoy a thrilling college football matchup as UMass takes on Akron.

Pie & Cheese Pairing

6-8 p.m. — Constance by West Side Charcuterie — Ticketed event — Experience four mini pies expertly paired with gourmet cheeses in a cozy new café setting.

Preschool-Grade 8 Open House

Old Trail School is a Preschool-Grade 8 independent school located in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Discover if Old Trail School is the right fit for your child by experiencing our campus firsthand and seeing how our closer relationships and deeper learning experiences can help your child thrive.

TOWERS and Friends Live at The Rialto Theatre

7-10 p.m. — The Rialto Theatre — Ticket info not provided — Experience a captivating night of indie sounds from NE Ohio's Towers, St. Thomas Collective, and The Cabin Sound.

Euchre Night at Foundry Social

7-9 p.m. — Foundry Social — Free entry — Come and enjoy a fun night of euchre with friends and fellow enthusiasts.

Penn State Shenango vs Akron Zips Men's Basketball

7-9 p.m. — James A Rhodes Arena — Check for pricing — Enjoy an exciting college basketball matchup with the Nittany Lions taking on the Zips.

Members Class: The Art of Food Styling

5:30-7:30 p.m. — Akron Art Museum — Enjoy a charming evening of charcuterie styling with expert tips for your holiday gatherings.