The state of Summit County
Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro gave her 2023 State of the County update Thursday at the John S. Knight Center downtown. You can watch the speech on the county executive’s Facebook page.
As we staff up, Signal Akron will catch up and report on some of the programs she mentioned that affect Akronites, but a couple of things that caught my attention included:
First Home First Loan
A loan down payment assistance program called First Home First Loan. The program starts accepting applications Nov. 1 and is designed to help eligible, low- to moderate-income, first-time homebuyers who live in Summit County.
The loan provides a 3:1 match, up to $12,000, as a 0% interest deferred loan that is due when the home is sold or transfers ownership or is no longer used as the primary residence of the applicant.
The funds are provided through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and are available on a first-come first-served basis.
Age-Friendly Seal of Approval
As one of several items Shapiro mentioned related to providing services to and being mindful of aging adults, the Akron Zoo is the first zoo in Ohio to receive an “Age-Friendly Seal of Approval” from the Better Business Bureau. The designation, made in May, follows the zoo’s designation in 2017 as the first certified sensory inclusive zoo.
Businesses that apply for the certification undergo a review conducted by older adult volunteers. They examine criteria such as the physical environment, marketing materials, and customer experience provided by the companies.
If you’re interested, you can learn more about the program here on the Better Business Bureau of Akron’s website.
Akron Board of Education candidate forum
The League of Women Voters of the Akron Area hosted a forum Tuesday for the eight candidates running for three open seats on the Akron Board of Education.
Moderator Nanette Pitt, pastor at First Congregational Church of Akron, asked the candidates questions for two hours, including several submitted by the audience of about 100 people, at the main library downtown. Topics ranged from teacher retention to addressing safety issues to promoting the successes of the district and better communication inside and outside the district.
The candidates will debate again Oct. 17 at noon at Quaker Square, 135 S. Broadway. Doors for the luncheon event will open at 11 a.m. The cost is $35. Free seating is available for those who do not wish to pay for lunch. Reservations are required.
Watch the annual solar eclipse Oct. 14 – maybe
It’s not looking great weather-wise to watch the annular solar eclipse Saturday. According to NASA, such an event happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth while it is at its farthest point from Earth. Because the Moon is farther away from Earth, it appears smaller than the Sun and doesn’t completely cover it. This creates a “ring of fire” effect in the sky.
If that’s the case, NASA’s website has some great information, including a live broadcast. Even if the sky is clear, the eclipse will only be partially visible in Ohio, with no “ring of fire” and a 30% to 40% obstruction of the sun. Be sure to wear appropriate eye protection – not sunglasses – to view it. Here’s some helpful information about safe viewing practices. https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/safe-viewing.
Chances will hopefully be better April 8, 2024, when Ohio residents may be able to see a total solar eclipse for the first time since 1806. What’s called the path of totality will cross the state from southwest to northeast and pass through Akron. Cleveland City Council just declared that April 8, 2024, will be known as Total Solar Eclipse Day.
The next total solar eclipse in Ohio will be in 2099.
Stories I read to the end
State Issue 1 explainers from Signal Cleveland
Signal Cleveland’s Frank Lewis wrote an FAQ about State Issue 1, the ballot initiative that will decide whether reproductive rights, including access to abortion, should be embedded in the state constitution.
He also helped explain the controversy around the ballot summary, or the information that will appear on the ballot used by voters. Proponents of the reproductive rights amendment say voters are being misled, but the Ohio Supreme Court mostly disagreed.
Israel-Hamas
Anything related to the Israel-Hamas conflict, but beware of disinformation on social media. Make sure you question and know the source of any information you consume – here’s some reporting from NPR about the rumors, misleading images and videos flooding online media channels.
