The Cuyahoga Falls License Bureau on Graham Road will move to a new location this year after finalizing a deal last week to relocate in space at the Emidio & Sons Banquet Center on East Bath Road A Sheetz location will be built at the current License Bureau location Anthony Karam, vice president of The Idea Realty in Cuyahoga Falls, said the deal was the most challenging one he's completed. Emidio's, Sheetz, Ohio BMV lawyers and personnel and the Graham Road property owner were all involved "… This was on life support more times than I can count." More space for driving testsThe move became necessary after Sheetz Inc although Summit County property records as of April 14 didn't show a sale since 2009 said on April 11 the new location will give the license bureau the space to conduct multiple driving tests at a time something the Graham Road location can't support "We (will) have a larger testing facility here," he said But Sheetz's plans conform with the city's zoning A question-and-answer page is located on the city's website Cuyahoga Falls Mayor Don Walters said April 11 in an email that stipulations were added to Sheetz's plans for the property including buffering for the sides that border residential areas "They will also be forced to donate property and pay for all costs to add a right-turn entrance lane eastbound on Graham a right-turn lane northbound on Oakwood at Graham and a left-turn entrance lane southbound on Oakwood near Moulton," Walters said in the email Teodosio said he scouted the Emidio's location near Thanksgiving in 2023 after learning of Sheetz's plans Space made in Emidio & Sons expo areaPellegrino Piermarini said on April 14 that Teodosio approached him about the idea around that time "Bob came in and floated the idea of moving the BMV down here," he said Piermarini said space in the expo center that was used for storage was cleared out to accommodate the license bureau Part of the new license bureau space was formerly used by an international video production company that folded during the pandemic The combined expo and banquet center was once a Fazio's location The former supermarket chain was using the space for storage when Emidio and Sons purchased it in 1991 Teodesio said the bureau will retain its current staff of about 17 employees Karam said a construction meeting was scheduled the week of April 14 to begin the process of creating the 7,800-square-foot bureau at the expo center Sheetz public affairs manager Nick Ruffner said the company hopes to begin construction in late 2025 or early next year "Sheetz tentatively plans to open this location by late summer 2026," he said Teodosio said he expects work on the new license bureau location will be completed this year with September a preliminary completion time Quicker stickers: 6 things to know about the new BMV kiosk in Discount Drug Mart in Cuyahoga Falls The bureau has been at its Graham Road location for about 15 years "It's the second time we've been forced to move." The license bureau is the busiest in the state Leave a message for Alan Ashworth at 330-996-3859 or email him at aashworth@gannett.com Follow him on Twitter at @newsalanbeaconj or Facebook at www.facebook.com/alan.newsman Ohio — A new traffic pattern in Cuyahoga Falls goes into effect Tuesday as construction continues along South Front Street The city said north and south bound traffic will be maintained by shifting both directions of travel to the west side of Front Street between Broad Boulevard and Grant Avenue On-street parking will also be prohibited in the affected area This is all due to the ongoing construction for the South Front Street Streetscape Transformation Some of the major upgrades include building an illuminated arch to welcome visitors to the upgraded corridor south of Broad Boulevard Pedal Park will offer cyclists features such as e-bike charging a water filling station and a bicycle repair station The city is also spending millions to rebuild its boardwalk and the walking trail are excited about the transformation taking place in the city "The whole framework is there," Brent Van Fossen "This just makes it more inviting is what I'm hoping Anything that brings people down here is great for us." The project also includes parking upgrades like rebuilding city-owned off-street parking Work is expected to be completed in spring 2026 Cuyahoga Falls home with resort-like backyard sells for $1.4 million. See insideAkron Beacon JournalThese are the top selling homes in Summit County in the most recent report available from the Summit County Fiscal Office. The property linked here in Cuyahoga Falls as the top seller for week of Jan The complete real estate transactions for Summit Portage and Medina counties can be found be found below According to Realtor.com the Cuyahoga Falls home on Crown Ridge Drive was built in 2016 on a 1.51-acre lot three full and three half bathrooms and a three-car garage the home has great curb appeal with a circular driveway and stone facade formal dining room is to the right with a tray ceiling The foyer then flows into the two-story great room with its wall of windows and floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace The same wall features wainscoting and a display shelf which includes a wet bar and a large island with room for five seats and a Wolf range with textured hood There's an eating area beyond that and then a den with another fireplace and outdoor access The spacious bedroom offers prime views of the resort-like backyard as well as patio access The en suite bathroom includes a soaking tub There's also an ample walk-in closet with lots of built-in shelving The lower level includes a large recreation space Outside there are two stars of the backyard The second is the massive covered patio off the backside of the home with a complete an outdoor kitchen and bar and plenty of room for outdoor seating See photos of the home here A group of residents in Cuyahoga Falls is suing the city because of a new mandatory installation of new smart electric and water meters The lawsuit was filed in Summit County Common Pleas Court and alleged the smart meters present health risks and potential privacy violations It stated that some people have asked city officials if they could opt out but officials said no options were available Some residents are upset and believe they have been coerced into allowing the smart meters to be installed so their utilities would not be shut off News 5 will continue to follow this story and give updates when the city responds to the lawsuit A group of Cuyahoga Falls residents is suing the city over the mandatory installation of a new generation of electric and water smart meters The lawsuit, filed in Summit County Common Pleas Court, alleges health risks and privacy concerns involving the meters and the radio frequency electromagnetic field radiation (RF-EMF) they emit Towell for a declaratory judgment confirming the mandate violates the Ohio Constitution and barring the city from cutting off water or electric service for refusing to install the new meters said in a recent interview that he's not sure why the city didn't allow an opt-out provision "Many states have an opt-out process," he said said the new meter would be a threat to her battle with a rare cancer She said doctors have advised her to limit her exposure to the type of radiation produced by the new water and electric meters "I want the option to not have that flow through my house Hedges and Silvis said plaintiffs' concerns extend beyond health and include privacy issues with the meters Hedges said she's been unable to acquire detailed information about the new meters but found in her research that some smart meters can transmit as much as 190,000 times a day The city, however, on its website, says the meters have a very limited transmission time. The city has about 25,000 electric customers and provides water to about 55,000 people "Total transmission time is typically less than 5 seconds per day," the city states on a question and answer page about the meters and privacy enhanced by replacing vehicles and manual meter reading visits to homes and businesses with environmentally clean radio and cellular communication." is skeptical about the frequency of RF-EMF pulses — which she said she can feel — and the amount and type of data the meters can acquire "It is unknown what the new meter could pick up acoustically but any person with access to the collected data could probably decipher if a person were home over the period of just a few transmissions," the lawsuit states a consumer's water or electricity could be shut off remotely without due process." Hedges said she was unable to get detailed information from the city on the extent of information the meters can acquire where that information is stored and what parties can access it "I don't even know where our data goes," she said Silvis said he's also concerned about other safety aspects of some smart meters He said he's seen news stories that the meters could cause power surges to other homes Ciotola said in a email that the city has had smart meters for city-owned electric and water since 2008 and these meters are coming to the end of their useful life," Ciotola said in the email "The current software will no longer be supported These meters must be replaced in order to maintain effective and efficient service for our resident-customers and to help keep costs low." Hedges said the new smart water meters have AMI (advanced meter infrastructure) technology which means they have two-way communication capabilities Older AMR (automated meter reading) meters used one-way communication for data collection Silvis said the city's response to the lawsuit is due in early May the city has agreed not to install smart meters at the plaintiffs' homes or cut off service Hedges said she contacted Silvis after she felt she had no other option. He is currently involved in a similar case in Streetsboro that's scheduled to go to trial next month Silvis because we didn't know what else we could do," she said Ohio — Soon you will start to see some big changes along the river in Cuyahoga Falls The city is spending millions on its Riverloop Project rebuilding its boardwalk and the walking trail above it The boardwalk along the Cuyahoga River is a favorite for many families in the spring and summer the structure is in disrepair in some spots and completely shut down in others as you can imagine a lot of rot and things like that it's time to replace it totally," said Cuyahoga Falls Mayor Don Walters Ground is now starting to break to add new electric lines underground that will light up the trail above the boardwalk The plan is to widen the walkway by 10 feet and make it ADA-compliant New additions include family swings overlooking the river a small wedding venue and "love lock" fence an area to access the river and pan for gold The Portage Trail bridge will be illuminated and the city's name will be displayed for drivers traveling on Route 8 as well as an underpass to prevent pedestrians from crossing the busy street I've been down here running around since I was a little kid I've always loved it but now lots of people do I'm proud of Cuyahoga Falls," said Walters The Riverloop project will also include beautification and landscaping efforts from Oakwood to Broad Boulevard "7.1 million dollars we're actually paying cash We have a lot of money in the bank right now so we don't have to take a loan or bonds on this We're paying cash because we had it in the coffers," said Walters Sitting above all this new hustle and bustle is Front Street Metropolis Popcorn is one of the longer-standing favorites serving up 50 flavors of corn for 17 years Owner Brent Van Fossen has watched the area around his shop change And there weren't a whole lot of great answers to that," he said When the city opened Front Street to traffic years ago But Metropolis said it could use a new boost "If you have to choose between eggs and a bag of caramel corn the last couple of years have been a bit of a roller coaster for us," said Van Fossen Van Fossen hopes that more momentum at the river will keep his team bagging popcorn for years to come this just makes it more inviting is what I'm hoping Anything that brings people down here is great for us," said Van Fossen Walters said the city is getting a head start on all this because of another project underway down the river The Edison Dam at the Gorge is planned to be brought down the Cuyahoga River is expected to gain even more miles of white water for kayaking and canoeing The hope is that more folks will come out and enjoy the river when it all opens up Walters said construction will not shut down anything during the summer months The entire Riverloop Project should be completed by Labor Day 2026 plans to open three new locations in the Akron area by the end of 2025 The pizzeria will be opening takeout-only shops in Cuyahoga Falls "My whole goal is to essentially have everyone know what DeCheco's is," second-generation owner Nathan DeCheco said DeCheco's Hudson location is slated to open in late June at 198 W The Munroe Falls shop will open around August or September in the new plaza at 9 S Cuyahoga Falls will see its DeCheco's open at 2926 State Road within the last three months of 2025 All three locations will have an indoor waiting area where customers can watch the kitchen whip up pies and sides What to order at DeCheco'sThere are many outside-of-the-pizza-box menu items at DeCheco’s including pizzas topped with pickles and potatoes the white pizza is most popular item at the shop black olive and fresh basil makes up 53% of DeCheco’s pizza sales their shops also offer non-pizza items that you won’t see on most other pizzeria boards the DeCheco's team takes a large order of jo-jos and tops it with bacon Their shops also offer funnel cake knots and pints of Pav's ice cream DeCheco's wins best pizza in AkronOut of nearly 4,000 votes, DeCheco's emerged as the winner of the Beacon Journal's 2025 bracket competition. DeCheco's showed up as an early favorite among voters easily beating out its competition in each round: First amassing 86% of votes against Talamo's Pizza; then earning 61% of votes over Gino's Pizza; beating out Rasicci's Pizza with 64% in the third round; and ultimately surpassing its final competitor DeCheco's placed third in the Beacon Journal's Great Pizza Contest "missing second place by an eyelash," according to an article at the time Nathan purchased the restaurant from his parents about a decade ago He finds inspiration for unusual menu additions from his mom and the International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas he attends annually As of April, there are three DeCheco locations in Firestone Park, Lakemore and West Akron Contact Beacon Journal reporter Tawney Beans at tbeans@gannett.com and on Twitter @TawneyBeans And follow her food adventures on TikTok @akronbeaconjournal A final question about presidential nominees in which the winning answer was “Who was McKinley?” tripped up a Cuyahoga Falls woman and another Ohioan on “Jeopardy” on April 18 host Ken Jennings asked Gray if it's true she hasn't stayed in Cuyahoga Falls her entire life noting that she was a marine technician for many years on scientific research vessels and crossed the equator and the Arctic and Antarctic circles on the ships The Final Jeopardy clue concerned Ohio Republican William McKinley Hoying had the correct answer but did not wager enough money Gray incorrectly guessed “Taft,” a different president from Ohio Hoying was the defending champion with previous one-day winnings of $29,403 "Jeopardy" is broadcast on Cleveland TV station WOIO If you're in the mood for some chips and salsa tacos and quesadillas or chimichangas and enchiladas here are some Mexican restaurants in the area that are worth trying Note this is not an exhaustive list of eateries specializing in Mexican cuisine in Akron 9 Black-owned restaurants, eateries to check out in Greater Akron 18 women-owned restaurants, eateries to check out in Greater Akron Mucho Bueno’s Mexican Grill & Cantina opened in Brunswick in 2006 Reporter Mark Price wrote that he and his wife Susie have been regulars for about 15 years but it’s always nice to return to the comfort of what you know,” Susie said Read on: Mucho Bueno’s Mexican Grill & Cantina in Brunswick is a feast and a fiesta | Local Flavor Casa del MarCasa Del Mar, which translates to “House of the Sea,” is an authentic Mexican restaurant on South Cleveland-Massillon Road just south of Interstate 76 in Greenridge Plaza. It’s been in business in Norton since 2013 and is a sister restaurant to Casa Del Rio in Wadsworth and Casa Del Rio Express in Fairlawn this is some of the best Mexican food I’ve tasted in Summit County Read on: Casa Del Mar in Norton is a fiesta of deliciousness | Local Flavor Friends Gustavo Munoz and Alejandro Enriquez opened Amigos Taqueria in Stow in 2022 Enriquez was formerly a cook at Munoz's Tallmadge restaurant El Tren Grill before they became close friends and decided to go into business together Amigos Taqueria focuses on the authentic dishes of their hometowns That includes recipes perfected by Munoz's parents Read on: Amigos Taqueria goes for Mexican authenticity in Stow Tito's in Fairlawn has been around since 2011 so she and husband Steve finally checked it out in August 2023 She noted their extensive menu with variations of quesadillas fajitas and burritos plus 10 chef's specials Read on: Dinner at Tito's Mexican Grill a feast you'll want to repeat | Local Flavor which opened inside Barmacy in Akron's Highland Square in 2022 It's run by couple Tyler Robinson and Nadine Gheith who were encouraged by their friends to sell their taco creations tilapia or vegetarian elote street tacos; chicken or beef birria tacos with meat cooked for three to five hours and served with consomme broth; elote corn bowls; quesadillas and more Read on: Town Tacos cures your street taco cravings at new location inside Akron's Barmacy which opened last April at Valley Centre plaza in Akron's Merriman Valley specializes in the foods of owner Carlos Hernandez's family's homeland Amid the restaurant's huge menu of 42 entrees including five types of enchiladas Mexican salads and appetizers and much more Read on: Oodles of noodles, tacos, pizza: These 6 restaurants opened in Summit County in April 🍜🌮🍕 This authentic Mexican spot is located in Ellet La Loma’s most frequently ordered dishes are from the seafood section of its menu the most popular of which is the molcajete — shrimp mussels and fish served sizzling in a mortar Read on: La Loma brings authentic Mexican tacos and more on the menu in Akron's Ellet neighborhood | Local Flavor La FresaLa Fresa is Beans' go-to place when she's in the mood for fresh They have numerous options for cold treats including house-made popsicles with flavors including coconut blackberry and mango as well as more out-of-the-box popsicles are tequila La Fresa also makes their own ice creams and sherbets I scream, you scream: Where to get the scoop on ice cream in the Akron area El Papa’s originally opened in Dover in 2009 it moved to Cuyahoga Falls on Howe Avenue and operated there for five years resides in what was once Domenic’s Pub on State Road in Cuyahoga Falls The most popular dishes at El Papa's are the California burrito, birria tacos, white enchiladas and margaritas, Beans reported a newer Mexican restaurant that recently took over the former El Rancho's in Wallhaven was a good lunch option for reporter Craig Webb and his wife Jennifer the smell of the delicious plate of steak and grilled onions and peppers at Los Cabos took me to a tropical paradise Read on: Take a culinary trip to Mexico at Akron's new Los Cabos Mexican Restaurant | Local Flavor Funky Truckeria in Norton gave Webb a taste of summer during a December 2022 visit Webb tried the steak and chorizo campechano taco and a BBQ carnitas taco while Jennifer went for the fried grouper taco and the Birria street style taco They also ordered the chorizo funky balls as well as chip with pico de gallo and street corn salsa Read on: Norton's Funky Truckeria offers food truck experience year round | Local Flavor Webb again went with his trusty go-to: steak fajitas and there were plenty of onions and peppers and just the right amount of salty taste to make me hungry for more," he wrote Read on: Casa Del Rio in Wadsworth serves up Mexican fare with family hospitality | Local Flavor A Cuyahoga Falls High School teacher was placed on paid leave in early January as the district investigated allegations he engaged in verbal and physical misconduct against students 9 letter from the district's director of human resources allegations regarding profane and inappropriate language towards students as well as physical interactions and hands-on engagement with students are being alleged," the letter states A disciplinary interview was scheduled for Jan and the teacher remains on leave while the district's investigation continues A substitute teacher was hired in late January to fill in while the teacher is on leave the district said the investigation is ongoing "Our administration was made aware of allegations regarding unprofessional conduct involving a high school staff member," the district said "As soon as district officials were informed the staff member was placed on administrative leave "Because the safety of students is our top priority we are taking all allegations seriously and are committed to conducting a thorough and fair investigation We remain dedicated to fostering a safe and supportive learning environment for all students." The Beacon Journal is not naming the teacher because he has not been disciplined or criminally charged Akron attorney Donald Malarcik said in an email Friday that the allegations have not led to criminal charges "The investigation regarding (the teacher) by Cuyahoga Falls Schools is ongoing (The teacher) has cooperated fully and awaits a ruling," he said "I have spoken to the Detective in Cuyahoga Falls assigned to the criminal investigation I also met with the prosecutor who reviewed the witness statements There was no crime committed and I believe the criminal investigation is closed at this time." president of the Cuyahoga Falls Education Association the union that represents teachers in the district said in an email that the CFEA is cooperating with the investigation while it works to ensure the process is fair “The Cuyahoga Falls Education Association is aware of the current investigation and is fully cooperating," Carlisle said "CFEA is committed to ensuring our member’s due process rights are fully preserved in this process — rights which are afforded to all public employees Our students’ safety and wellbeing remain our top priority.” A parent of one the affected students said the teacher's alleged actions include shouting profanities at students and placing his hands on another student's neck in a manner that forced the student down The parent said she did not want to be identified because she feared retaliation against her child She said Cuyahoga Falls police and Summit County Childrens Services have been made aware of the allegations a Cuyahoga Falls police report briefly covered some of the allegations the officer said that a Childrens Services worker had reported three students alleging they had been physically assaulted in early December The parent who did not want to be identified said she has been told no criminal charges have been filed although the district continues its investigative and disciplinary process A student who did not want to be identified for fear of retaliation said the teacher would curse at students when angry "(He) called us b****es," the student said the teacher directed profane language at students in front of another teacher The parent said she had been told that the teacher's use of profane language was frequent "A lot of cursing happened all the time," she said The teacher was reprimanded in September 2020 for using his school-issued laptop "to access personal websites at the same time that you were scheduled for instruction with students," according to his personnel file which the Beacon Journal obtained through a public records request The websites included fantasy football sites and at least one pornography site but the district concluded he was "not looking at the pornographic websites that were 'flagged.' " The parent said the teacher was frequently late to class and seemed to direct his displeasure at the girls "… How on earth can you teach after that?" Videos of some of the incidents are circulating online The student said classmates continue to talk about the situation "all the time." During the Ohio Rubber Duck Dash 10,800 rubber ducks will race down the Cuyahoga River The event is part of festivities from 11:30 a.m April 27 at Waterworks Park in Cuyahoga Falls In the Six District EntrepreNEW Pathways fundraiser, participants buy a duck for $5 to compete for prizes. The first duck to cross the finish line wins $1,000; second place gets four Cleveland Cavaliers tickets; third place Akron RubberDucks VIP package and first pitch; and fourth place a family four-pack of Cedar Point Gold season passes The student-run event is hosted by the Six District EntrepreNEW Pathways a program that teaches high school students from Cuyahoga Falls and Stow-Munroe Falls business and entrepreneurial skills The title sponsor is the Akron RubberDucks “This is hands-on entrepreneurship at its best,” says Emily Kilgore program director for Six District EntrepreNEW Pathways “Students do not just learn about business — they live it manage logistics and develop marketing strategies that promote not just the event What's included in the Ohio Rubber Duck Dash?Fun takes place on land Registration is $20 and includes a T-shirt and medal More information and registration are at ohiorubberduckdash.com What's up with the 12-foot ducks?Leading up to race day families can participate in the Giant Quacker art installation and Duck Hunt social media campaign until April 24 Twelve-foot ducks will be placed at schools snap photos and share them on social media local businesses and the event at @ohiorubberduckdash you may conjure up an image of dinner theaters The most well-known of these is Medieval Times, though the closest location is in Toronto. Closer to home are murder mystery dinners hosted by Spaghetti Warehouse or Stan Hywet. Nostalgia may even bring up images of the Carousel Dinner Theatre But are there flying shrimp and fiery onion volcanoes at these establishments low-lit eatery serves and entertains its guests through a Japanese cooking method called teppanyaki where food is prepared on a griddle with a flat Chefs at the restaurant regularly dazzle diners by juggling their utensils When my friend Allison and I visited Hibachi Japan we witnessed our chef set the grill aflame and create a fire-spewing volcano from rings of raw onion where diners must use their mouths to catch bits of shrimp that their chef throws I’m proud to say I’ve never missed a shrimp in all my years of visiting the restaurant Allison and I sat at one of the restaurant’s 10 teppanyaki stations we were served clear soup and a small salad with ginger dressing Allison found the soup delicately flavored with a gentle spice I asked for a tuna roll ($6) as an appetizer and the shrimp and ribeye steak combo entrée ($31) The tuna roll was six pieces of simple and light sushi with tender beef cooked to medium rare and scrumptious shrimp I ate every bite with the ginger sauce that came with the meal which is strips of ribeye steak soaked in a house-made marinade served with red bell pepper She noted that the marinade’s distinct flavor added Yakiniku is a menu favorite of Lindsey Doscher who said the marinade that Allison described as “sweet and flavorful” is made using ginger Alongside the protein in our entrées was fried rice with zucchini vegetables that were all prepared on the grill we were given hot green tea and pineapple sherbet “What a lovely ending,” Alisson said when the sherbet was given to us Hibachi Japan serves about 1,000 hungry customers on a weekly basis with its most popular menu items being its seafood entrees and the yakiniku whose family started the restaurant in 1975 in Akron’s Merriman Valley Sometime later they moved the eatery to the far side of Front Street Later the eatery moved down the same road to where it resides now All the recipes have remained largely the same since its opening 50 years ago Website: hibachijapancf.com And follow her adventures on TikTok @akronbeaconjournal A public meeting held Tuesday about proposals to streetscape the State Road and Bailey Road corridors in Cuyahoga Falls came down to that simple question said the hearing was another step in a years-long process to determine how to renovate the corridors The city has gained recognition for its efforts on Front Street which revitalized the area and brought new businesses downtown the city restarted a process to pursue possible changes along the State Road and Bailey corridors The process had been delayed during the COVID pandemic signs on State Road call attention to the South State District a 1.6-mile stretch of the road with about 150 businesses employing more than 1,600 people a pop-up party was held in the former Ponderosa restaurant parking lot drawing about 500 people with lots of questions has developed proposals to reshape the road OHM representatives presented three possible reduced-lane options we think what we are going to show you are some very viable options,” Colavecchio said Lane reductions proposed for South State RoadThe OHM representatives presented proposals for both corridors but it was State Road that received the most attention from the 200 or so attendees The three options for South State all included lane reductions from the current four to two The OHM representatives said that of the 299 respondents to a survey on the South State corridor 67% preferred a 3-lane option with landscaping But speakers at the meeting were overwhelmingly skeptical or opposed to the three-lane option Most were concerned that such a plan would exacerbate traffic conditions A formal traffic study will be conducted this year Speakers at the meeting weren't shy to criticize the options presented for State Road repeated views he had expressed at an open house in October More: Cuyahoga Falls residents, business owners weigh in on proposals for State and Bailey roads “One of our concerns as business owners … is the effect on traffic flow,” he told the Planning Commission Klein said businesses in the corridor rely on deliveries from large trucks that would worsen congestion and lead drivers to find other “We don’t want people to avoid State Road because of traffic congestion,” he said who owns commercial property in the corridor “What if you get behind a bus and you’re in gridlock?” he said said beautifying the corridor was a welcome idea but the corridor should retain four lanes of traffic “Aren’t there better ways to spend our money?” is the only north-south thoroughfare that spans the length of the city Reducing the road to three lanes would slow ambulances and fire trucks in addition to regular traffic and business deliveries “I feel like we’re being force-fed an idea,” he said “State Road is a business district for a reason.” Cuyahoga Falls resident Judy Faris said she had doubts about the feasibility of the proposals “If you look at the impact on small businesses of these road diets “I just don’t think it’s in their best interests.” said a three-lane option would lead to drivers finding other routes “It’s going to make them go around,” he said “I don’t want to get stuck in that traffic jam.” Leipold said he hasn’t seen much support for a three-lane option “Almost everybody we talked to on the street (said) traffic flow is going to destroy the businesses,” he said Mayor Don Walters said the meeting worked as intended with engaged residents stating their opinions on significant projects “I was really thrilled with the public participation,” he said Colavecchio said attendance at the meeting was comparable to one held for the Merriman Valley master plan She said perceptions that a plan for South State Road was already decided are wrong “It is absolutely not a done deal,” she said “We don’t have enough data to land on a final design.” Ohio — South State and Bailey roads are next on the City of Cuyahoga Falls' list to undergo changes "They are very important areas," Mayor Don Walters said "They do a lot of commerce in through there Walters said crafting a new vision for these two areas began in the fall of 2023 when OHM Advisors began a survey The group talked with business owners and other locals to gather comments and ideas for the project The results from that survey will be shared at an upcoming planning commission meeting One business owner keeping tabs on the project is Blue Door's Michael Bruno His restaurant has been located along South State Road for about 15 years While Bruno said the busy street is a positive for the business "One challenge that we have is this is a busy I'm amazed that even after 15 years people still don't know we're here." The city is exploring narrowing the two roadways A traffic study will be completed later this year and will reveal which of these plans is feasible but people like Bruno feel they'll help grow the city "My wife and I are hopeful that restaurants and local businesses will open up on State Road," he said Walters said these changes will improve the corridors and the city "Cuyahoga Falls has really become a hot spot," he said we want to improve all those areas in the city The study's results will be presented on February 4 at 6 p.m during the planning commission meeting at the natatorium The Ohio State Highway Patrol Ravenna Post is investigating after a Cuyahoga Falls man was killed after a dump truck struck him while he was crossing state Route 43 in Suffield Township on April 18 was crossing the road around noon from the east side when he was hit by the northbound 2015 Freightliner dump truck roughly a half mile south of where the Mogadore Reservoir passes under the road Lab was pronounced dead at the scene and he was transported to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office State Route 43 was closed for the crash investigation for about three hours drugs and alcohol do not appear to be a contributing factor The truck had the right of way and the driver is not believed to be at fault and Portage County Prosecutor’s Office assisted at the scene Reporter Jeff Saunders can be reached at jsaunders@recordpub.com Louisville Leopards Athletics News & Video: Leopard Nation <<< Vs.Akron North | Boys Basketball Schedule | Vs. Northwest >>> The #4 seed Louisville Leopards Boys Basketball Team defeated the visiting #37 seed Cuyahoga Falls Black Tigers 83-51 in the DIII Northeast 6 District Semifinals Wednesday night at Louisville High School Louisville improves to 19-5 on the season and advances to play the #10 seed Northwest Indians in the District Championship game on Saturday View Recap | View Box Score Live Stream Courtesy of YSN Live Both Brayden Gross and Beau Siegfried recorded double-doubles in their final home game as Leopards’ basketball players Gross scored 10 of his game-high 20 points in the fourth quarter Siegfried hit a pair of three-pointers and scored 12 of his 14 points in the opening half as Louisville took command of the game early Siegfried also dished out a game-best 11 assists the Leopards strung together a 13-0 run and never looked back Louisville led 23-10 at the end of the first quarter and doubled up Cuyahoga Falls at the half 42-21.  Tate Aljancic made a pair of three-pointers and scored all 14 of his points in the first three quarters Aljancic also grabbed 3 boards and had a block on defense Avery Andrejcik hit a team-high 3 three-pointers and finished with 13 points Twelve different players contributed field goals as the Leopards finished with 35 made shots from the field Ashton Marshall led the remaining scorers with 5 points to go along with 4 rebounds Devin Bailey scored 3 points and had 2 assists Kolton Loy scored a basket in the opening quarter Louisville showcased its depth with five bench players contributing in their only action in the fourth quarter Caleb Mayle and Gabe Stoffer hit from beyond the arc and Cody Zahler each sunk field goals within the arc The Leopards outscored the Black Tigers 14-12 in the third quarter and 27-18 in the fourth to roll to a 32-point win Shannon Payne scored in every quarter en route to finishing with a team-high 14 points Hayden Johnson also scored in every quarter Eight different Black Tigers scored field goals in the game Martin Smith scored all 7 of his points in the first half Jordan Kramer buried 2 three-pointers in the fourth quarter Jaydon Shelton scored all 5 of his points in the fourth quarter Other scorers for Cuyahoga Falls: Cody Leon 4 The Black Tigers end the campaign falling in 4 of their last 5 their 73-49 win over Willoughby South in the sectional finals was their only win during that stretch Cuyahoga Falls finishes the season with a 10-14 record The Leopards and Black Tigers met in their only other meeting on the court 11 years ago to the day Louisville fell 49-46 at Cuyahoga Falls in their first road tournament game on February 26 2014 in the DI Canton Sectional Semifinals who would have been first graders or younger 11 years ago avenged that loss to the Black Tigers Wednesday to even the series.  <<< Previous 2014 | Cuyahoga Falls All-Time Series Louisville now holds a 67-91 record in tournament play The Leopards have now won eight straight home playoff games and boast an 11-2 all-time postseason record at Louisville High School Louisville has now reached the district championship for the fourth time in six seasons. This is the Leopards’ seventh all-time district championship appearance as they seek their third district championship in team history <<< Vs. Akron North | Boys Basketball Tournament History UP NEXT: The #4 Leopards will take on the #10 Northwest Indians in the DIII Northeast 6 District Championship game on Saturday Game time is set for 7:00 PM from Herman L Joy Gymnasium at North Royalton High School You can also Submit an Article Louisville Leopards Athletics News & Video: Leopard Nation © 2025 Powered by  - Designed with the Hueman theme and you're getting psyched to celebrate with family at the local haunt and request that your spouse not mention to the staff that it's your birthday and you realize you didn't get your plate renewed the only options were pulling back into the garage or a nail-biting drive with nervous looks in the rearview mirror another option became available in the Cuyahoga Falls area with the opening of an Ohio BMV Express Kiosk at Discount Drug Mart on Portage Trail The kiosk gives car owners a chance to renew their vehicle registration and acquire stickers long after traditional Bureau of Motor Vehicles offices have closed for the day "You come in and walk away with your stickers," said Charlie Norman who oversees the state's BMV field operations said it takes about two or three minutes to navigate the kiosk and get stickers "You have everything you need (here)," he said At the Discount Drug Mart location the kiosk (and store) is open until 10 p.m if the establishment featuring a kiosk is open The Discount Drug Mark kiosk was the state's 50th to open and they've got another 25 planned for this year The state lists other nearby locations in Stow, Twinsburg, Brunswick, Medina and Canton. A locator map is available at https://shorturl.at/5XBps Does the kiosk take cash?No — but it's one of a few updates that the state is exploring with Intellectual Technology Inc. Also being considered for the future: a change of address option and access to your driving records Frost said the BMV is working with different establishments to get the kiosks where people might need them The Cuyahoga Falls location is the fifth for Discount Drug Mart with Meijer and Kroger stores also popular locations "What we've tried to do through innovation at BMV is meet customers where they are," Frost said government and public affairs director for Discount Drug Mart said the kiosks bring in customers who shop after getting their tags "(Our) typical kiosk will average 400 transactions a month," he said The Cleveland Clinic Stow-Falls Express and Outpatient Care recently underwent a $14 million expansion to offer more adult and pediatric services located at 857 Graham Road in Cuyahoga Falls is leasing an additional 22,000 square feet of clinical care space — around the size of four basketball courts the senior director of corporate communications The space includes 55 new exam rooms and two behavioral health offices "This expansion project aims to introduce 17 primary care and specialty providers significantly enhancing health care access for our community," Milicia said The new services introduced at the site include optometry we are continuing to expand our existing services in adult primary care "One of the highlights of this expansion is the introduction of innovative technology to our community new fusion biopsy utilizes MRI-guided ultrasound to pinpoint even the smallest of suspected lesions which is designed to increase patient comfort while providing the highest depth resolution and mass detectability possible." Visit https://my.clevelandclinic.org/locations/directions/475-stow-falls-express-and-outpatient-care or call 330-923-9585/ Reporter April Helms can be reached at ahelms@thebeaconjournal.com If you've ever wanted to put your name on a stadium a school theater seat or anything else between Thursday at Bolich Middle School on 13th Street in Cuyahoga Falls will provide the details For the highest-profile items like the 4,000-seat stadium high school gymnasium and performing arts center auditorium bring a checkbook with room for a few zeroes The reception will introduce local businesses and community partners to all the sponsorship opportunities — and there are many — at the district's new campus Guests at the event will preview spaces in the Performing Arts Center the district hosted a community tour of the campus construction site “From naming rights in the Performing Arts Center to opportunities in academic and athletic spaces this project provides unique avenues to align local businesses with educational excellence and community pride," Superintendent Andrea Celico said in a news release Naming rights, long a fixture of professional and college sports, have become almost as standard in school districts. A 20-year-old study estimated that U.S schools received more than $2.4 billion from corporate relationships as early as 2003 and that number has been rising ever since the district will present a menu of sponsorship possibilities that include a greenhouse and various outdoor spaces Most of the big-ticket items are for 10-year deals The 6-12 campus includes the 365,000-square-foot building with a performing arts center two-level student dining area and three gymnasiums The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission is funding about $33.6 million of the total $133 million cost Ohio State won't play Notre Dame in the CFP National Championship until Monday night But the Buckeyes have already won in Cuyahoga Falls Mayor Don Walters hoisted a street sign atop a ladder at Bailey Road and Notre Dame Avenue By the time he descended from the ladder, Notre Dame Avenue had been renamed OSU Buckeye Avenue, and it will remain that way until the Buckeyes square off against the Fighting Irish Walters said he was he was first approached by Buckeyes fan and Cuyahoga Falls resident Kurt Fitzgerald about the idea "How do we just start renaming streets?" the mayor asked Fitzgerald 'We can't have that in this city'That was enough to set the mayor in motion He cut 16 corrugated cardboard signs in his basement over three evenings proudly stenciling "OSU Buckeye Avenue" on each with a gray background city workers and Ward 7 Councilman Jerry James joined the mayor for the event "We live on Notre Dame (Avenue) and they're playing Notre Dame and we can't have that in this city," Fitzgerald said James said the mayor spoke with him after Monday night's City Council meeting about the idea another Notre Dame resident and a big Buckeyes fan said her family gets together to watch the games in her uncle's basement "It's like a man cave on steroids," she said When Fitzgerald texted her about the name-change idea "I didn't know the mayor was going to take it to this level," she said Angela Brown, who lives in the neighborhood and operates the Angie Betv Facebook page "I saw it on social media (and) one of the Cleveland channels," she said a Notre Dame resident who can see one of the signs from her house considered herself fortunate to have the view Walters said that the few Fighting Irish fans on Notre Dame Avenue can rest easy "They still get 362 days (this year) and we get three days," he said said she isn't at the same level of Buckeye fandom as her husband But she crafts necklaces made with buckeyes for sale and as gifts She said she usually does other things around the house when the Buckeyes are on TV but will be paying close attention Monday night "We'll be watching it and he'll be doing a lot of shouting," she said because they both anticipate a Buckeyes win Moe’s in Cuyahoga Falls brings back great memories was our introduction to fine dining back when we were newlyweds One of my earliest memories of the place is going gaga over owner Maureen "Moe" Schneider's house-made chocolate lava cake the same delicious cake was one of five choices on a chalkboard dessert menu This classy but casual establishment has stood the test of time with Schneider having owned it for more than 26 years housed in the 1916 brick Schnabel Building We were interested in a pastry-wrapped brie with cherry balsamic conserve but the restaurant was out of this appetizer we shared delightful pan-seared crab cakes ($16) with house-made spicy gazpacho on the side and slices of avocado on top raw veggies for the gazpacho are hand-chopped rather than pureed in the style of the cold soup Steve drank a delicious Smith & Hook cabernet ($12) and I enjoyed a light refreshing German beer that was new to me: a Reissdorf Kolsch from Cologne ($6) That's because spring weather's not totally here yet "I wanted to sort of start getting excited about spring but yet it's still cold out," Schneider said split between a tavern space on one side and a dining room on the other offers a monthly dinner entree menu as well as both lunch and dinner tavern menus You can order from any of the menus in either room The tavern menu offers sandwiches including the moe betta' burger and moe betta' grilled chicken Other sandwich choices are the roasted portobello and vegetable stack and a crabby patty with house-made spicy cole slaw and tartar sauce on a kaiser roll Lunch options from the tavern menu also include grilled beef tenderloin tips and grilled salmon I savored Chianti-braised beef short ribs with a red wine demi-glace broccolini and creamy fontina polenta ($38) The tender short ribs fell apart at the touch of a fork and the demi-glace was rich and delicious The creamy polenta tied this rich dish together Schneider has offered the short ribs entree off and on over the years who also cited the baked eggplant pot pie entree as one of her favorites A new entree on the spring menu is the French-cut pork chop with sausage which also has fresh thyme and caramelized onions "I was just thinking about breakfast and dinner kind of morphed," she said of the pork entree He said the luscious bourbon maple butter atop the pork chop reminded him of fall Moe's has also done a brisk catering business since the start Schneider catered a breakfast for 600 I Promise School students on their testing day Moe's desserts include the house-made peanut butter pie that Schneider has offered since she opened the restaurant and the chocolate lava cake so I ordered a delicious house-made whiskey raisin bread pudding ($10) for dessert which comes with a strawberry garnish and vanilla ice cream I loved the warmth of the bread pudding paired with the coldness of the ice cream The dessert's golden and regular raisins are cooked in whiskey "I'll always change it up with the menu and I'll always work on good wines and keeping things current," Schneider said I feel like one of the reasons we're still here after all these years is because you know what to expect when you come in it's all about being consistent and staying consistent after all these years Arts and restaurant writer Kerry Clawson may be reached at 330-996-3527 or kclawson@thebeaconjournal.com Kitchen closes 30 minutes before ending hour each night Information: 330-928-6600, moesrestaurant.com Trigger warning: This article contains mention of suicide Rescue teams from the Akron and Cuyahoga Falls fire departments recovered a body Monday evening from the Cuyahoga River beneath the High Level Bridge Akron police and EMS were notified by Summit Metro Park Rangers that hikers discovered an unresponsive male under the North Main Street/State Road bridge near the Akron/Cuyahoga Falls border along the north side of the Cuyahoga River according to the medical examiner's office Upon the Akron Fire Technical Rescue Operations Team (TROT) and Cuyahoga Falls fire team's arrival to the scene Christ was found with "no signs of life," the medical examiner's office and Akron Fire Department said He was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:19 p.m The Summit County Medical Examiner's Office also provided assistance on the scene If you are struggling with depression or thoughts of suicide call or text the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for help Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@gannett.com Fans of all things horror and gore related will gather in Greater Akron with fellow enthusiasts of the scary genre The Akronomicon will be Saturday at Emidio's Expo Center in Cuyahoga Falls talks and celebrities to rub shoulders with including actors who appeared in movies like "My Bloody Valentine" and "King Kong Escapes," along with the daughter of horror movie giant the late Vincent Price There will be a number of familiar and not-so familiar faces sans the blood and guts at this weekend's Akronomicon How much are tickets to Akronomicon?This year's Akronomicon will be from 10 a.m Children under the age of 2 are admitted for free Potential sponsors for the Cuyahoga Falls City School District's sprawling high school and middle school building toured the massive structure last week the structure has more space than the 27-story Huntington Tower — at 326,000 square feet — in downtown Akron It also has a lot of features the district is hoping businesses and residents will pay to attach their name to 23 were told as much by Superintendent Andrea Celico during a pre-tour presentation that highlighted big-ticket sponsorship opportunities throughout the structure in the $100,000 to $250,000 range for 10-year naming rights • The performing arts center auditorium and black box theater There were other opportunities — many others — starting at $200 and working up three gyms and moreAfter a presentation from Celico at Bolich Middle School prospective sponsors were given a tour of the progress on the project a stadium with two plazas built into the school structure Celico called attention to the black box theater in the performing arts center "I am told this is going to be better than or comparable to Kent State's," she said the features of the complex — including a two-story cafeteria — are designed to improve the school experience for students "We're trying to make it a campus feel," Celico said A marching band alumnus scouting the building for a possible sponsorship of the band room called the $133 million facility "first class." is the largest one-building undertaking by Hammond Construction which employed 175 people at the site during its peak last summer Celico said there are advantages to having the middle and high schools together on the same campus middle school students can take high school courses without having to be transported to another school The superintendent said she hopes a strong response to the sponsorship opportunities can help offset some of the project's $20 million overrun post-pandemic inflation has taken a toll on costs Celico said the district also has the sites of the current high school and Roberts Middle School it can sell to help defray some of the overage costs "There's a lot of interest in those properties," she said The move to the new campus will be made in less than a year if the project remains on schedule The superintendent said the district plans to move in during winter break in the 2025-2026 school year About 2,100 students are expected to make the move Celico said the hope is that teams that make use of the stadium will be able to start the season in the old stadium and transition to the new one That's a big concern with students and parents "The big question is: 'Are you on time?' " she said with room for hundreds more in the two plazas attached to the school building One of those will feature picnic tables and benches construction on the stadium bleacher seats was taking place in a light snow Project Manager Cody Wyatt said work continued during recent subzero weather and would go on throughout the winter To investigate sponsorship opportunities Broad Boulevard in Cuyahoga Falls will be closed between State Road and 19th Street on Sunday Stephanie Vermillion is a travel journalist and photographer covering culture and adventure for Travel + Leisure Outside Work to rebuild the Cuyahoga Falls riverfront boardwalk will begin late this spring after City Council voted Monday to approve a contract with Kenmore Construction for the city's RiverLoop project The $7.1 million contract includes rebuilding the boardwalk along the Cuyahoga River and an upper RiverLoop walkway that loops around a section of downtown and is ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) compliant The project is expected to be completed next year "It's a really significant project," said council President Russell Balthis "I think a real asset that's underutilized is the river." In a phone interview Wednesday, Mayor Don Walters said the project caps a three-part plan to revitalize the downtown area. The first, he said, was extending Front Street through downtown, and the second the South Front Street project now underway "It's going to add all kinds of amenities downtown," the mayor said citing the upper-level RiverLoop around downtown and other aspects of the project the boardwalk along the river has been in disrepair for years including the route under the Broad Boulevard bridge "This has been a long time coming," Mayor Don Walters said at a council committee meeting Feb "The boardwalk is 40-some years old … it needs replaced What happened at Monday's council meeting?Council gave unanimous consent on the Kenmore Construction contract The vote came after a public meeting on the project Oct The return of the riverfront boardwalk is just one aspect of the RiverLoop project While it includes the Broad Boulevard underpass it will also add the upper level walking loop with better lighting and marked points of interest and improvements to the eagle's overlook observation platform A staircase will connect the upper and riverfront walkways especially on the Broad Boulevard bridge underpass which will keep pedestrians from having to traverse the busy road The project will restore the original boardwalk along the river which was built in the early 1980s and used by generations of city residents It could also increase foot traffic in an already bustling Front Street corridor potentially boosting sales at the commercial establishments downtown The loop will bring pedestrians to the back of structures where entrances to some businesses are located but foot traffic is low There are also aesthetic rewards with improved views and accessibility to the river "It's going to be beautiful and tie north and south (Front Street) together," Ward 2 Councilwoman Susan Spinner said Monday More: Residents skeptical about proposals to reduce lanes on State Road in Cuyahoga Falls Cuyahoga Falls will host its Fifth Annual Neighbor Week starting Feb 9Akron Beacon JournalThe Fifth Annual Cuyahoga Falls Neighbor Week will take place from Feb “Strong neighborhoods are the heart of a thriving community,” said Cuyahoga Falls Mayor Don Walters “Neighbor Week is our opportunity to honor and strengthen the connections that make Cuyahoga Falls a place where everyone feels at home.” Residents are encouraged to celebrate Neighbor Week by connecting with neighbors Neighbor Week coincides with Random Acts of Kindness Week creating an excellent opportunity to spread positivity throughout the neighborhood Residents can also share their favorite recipes as a way to connect and build community through the joy of cooking. Visit cityofcf.com/neighbor-week to submit random acts of kindness and explore other interactive activities designed to bring neighbors together Hard copies of the greeting and recipe cards are available at the Neighborhood Excellence and Community Outreach Department at Cuyahoga Falls City Hall A portion of the Jogging Trail is closed for construction through spring 2025. Learn More. Thousands of years of history can be seen in the rock ledges and banks of Gorge Metro Park.  The Cuyahoga River Gorge was cut when glacial debris blocked the former route of the waterway (near present-day downtown Akron) and caused the river to find a new course the gorge began attracting visitors from all over to enjoy amusements parks the Gorge Dam was constructed to support hydroelectric power generation and to provide cooling water for a nearby coal-fired power plant and in 1930 the Northern Ohio Traction & Light Company donated 144 acres of this land to Summit Metro Parks.   visitors still enjoy the rocky outcrops and dramatic scenery of the Gorge The rushing water of the Cuyahoga River flows over a shale riverbed between ledges made of Sharon conglomerate sandstone The most prominent rock shelter in Gorge Metro Park is Old Maid’s Kitchen a name commonly given to such rock shelters by early European settlers to the area tulip and yellow birch trees are common in woods that cover the valley walls.  Both power plants have been shuttered for decades and Summit Metro Parks is partnering to remove the dam allowing the Cuyahoga River to flow freely over the Big Falls for which the city of Cuyahoga Falls is named.  Gorge Metro Park offers many trails and activities for you to explore We have also provided a key to help you find the perfect trail.  Trail Classes: A = Multipurpose | B = Accessible* | C = Basic | D = Primitive** | E = Bridle TrailRatings: 1 = Easy | 2 = Moderate | 3 = Difficult easy trail or section with asphalt or crushed limestone surface ** Rugged and challenging with uneven surfaces and steep Located across Front Street from the main lot Glens Trail offers views from the edge of the Cuyahoga River Springs flow from the ledges along this trail and frozen icicles create a “crystal palace” on the gorge walls in winter Gorge Trail provides access to Old Maid’s Kitchen an easy half-mile walk from the parking lot The trail quickly becomes more rugged past Old Maid’s Kitchen and along stunning rock-ledge formations It is considered primitive in this section Highbridge Trail offers a moderately challenging hike on the other side of the Cuyahoga River from the Glens and Gorge trails It spans between Cascade Valley Metro Park and Gorge Metro Park and is 3.2 miles round-trip View photos of Gorge Metro Park’s past and present Explore the calendar to find and register for upcoming events and programs Let us be your guide to Summit County’s best kept secrets Sign up to receive our monthly newsletter with general updates .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Cliff Pinckard, cleveland.comAKRON Ohio — An Akron man was sentenced Thursday to two years in prison after he pleaded guilty to charges connected to the sexual assault of a woman outside an apartment complex in Cuyahoga Falls Summit County Common Pleas Court records show Forrest Horvath pleaded guilty in December to one count of abduction and one count of gross sexual imposition “I commend the bravery of the survivor for coming forward and the courageousness of the citizens who stepped in to protect her,” Summit County Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich said in a statement “Horvath is a danger to the public and I want to thank my assistant prosecutors for bringing him to justice.” According to prosecutors and court records the victim met Horvath at a bus stop in Akron on July 1 Horvath and the woman took a bus to Cuyahoga Falls and got off together Court records show Horvath convinced the victim to go behind a building at Riverfront Parkway apartments saying he could purchase some marijuana for them Prosecutors say that once Horvath and the victim were behind the building Horvath attacked the woman and began sexually assaulting her The woman began screaming and bystanders responded The bystanders prevented Horvath from leaving until police arrived on the scene Prosecutors say witness testimony and video from surveillance cameras aided in Horvath’s conviction Horvath also has been designated as a Tier 1 sex offender meaning he will have to register with the local sheriff every 12 months for 15 years Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, (updated 8/1/2024) and acknowledgement of our Privacy Policy, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/1/2025) © 2025 Advance Local Media LLC. 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