17 April 2025 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs is alarmed to hear that the Barberton Home Affairs office has been closed robbing clients in the area from the opportunity of accessing the Department of Home Affairs’ (DHA) services.“From the information we have received the local office was closed due to unions requesting security personnel at the office It is alleged that employees are now refusing to report to the office before the offices are provided with security It is unacceptable that the office can be closed for such a rudimentary issue as provision of security services which should be standard at any governmental offices it is unacceptable that people have to spend their limited resources and time to go to the office only to find it closed or be redirected to other offices which requires additional funds,” Mr Chabane said.The committee will soon schedule a meeting with the Minister of Home Affairs to account for the closure of the Barberton office.Meanwhile the Chairperson also highlighted concerns about the persistent system downtime at DHA offices During the committee’s nationwide public hearings on the Marriage Bill the committee conducted various unannounced visit to DHA offices and the common challenge highlighted by clients was the persistent unavailability of the system which impacts on services rendered.“The committee was informed in the 6th Parliament that processes were underway to ensure that a piece of legislation was being considered to enable departments within the security cluster to be exempt from State Information Technology Agency (SITA) platforms which have proved to be unreliable,” Mr Chabane said The inability to bring this legislation to fruition is unacceptable and will exacerbate an already dire situation which contributes to the erosion of trust between the department and the broader South African community who use the services of the DHA The committee has invited the Minister of Home Affairs to brief the committee on the system downtime issue on Tuesday 22 April 2025.ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HOME AFFAIRS For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:Name: Malatswa Molepo (Mr)Parliamentary Communication ServicesTel: 021 403 8438Cell: 081 512 7920E-mail: mmolepo@parliament.gov.za As the first African country to preside over the G20 South Africa’s Parliament is championing Africa’s active participation in shaping global economic policies ensuring the continent is not just a passive player but a proactive contributor mdikgale@parliament.gov.za Home | South Africa The South African Police Service (SAPS) has taken steps towards tackling criminal activities in the crime-ridden Barberton area in Mpumalanga. Deputy Minister of Police Cassel Mathale is leading a crime prevention campaign in the area that is battling with gangsterism and gun attacks amongst others It is reported that the gangs in Barberton have now shifted their focus to recruiting school learners Mathale has engaged with learners in the area at the Kamhola High School in Umjindini “Here in Barberton, we will ,of course as part of Operation Shanela that we have started last year specifically to deal with illegal firearms in the area We are also discussing options of looking at a possibility of doing amnesty to encourage community members to bring out arms that they have used both legal and illegal firearms as our drive to remove guns from the streets,” says Mathale some Barberton residents are hopeful that the interventions will bring peace to their community and we hope crime will decrease,” says one of the residents We can’t even relax or walk around freely A suspected kidnapper has been killed in a shootout with police in Mpumalanga Local police reported that while on routine patrol on Friday night they had spotted a suspicious white Ranger Rover What the police were not aware of is that this was an unfolding crime armed men had stormed a house in Barberton his wife and their nine-month-old baby of an undisclosed amount of cash They then forced the victims into the family white Ford Ranger and left the scene police were chasing the vehicle down when its occupants reportedly opened fire a suspect was fatally wounded and his 35-year-old alleged accomplice arrested three further suspects ran out and escaped on foot Police would then discover the family had been kidnapped They also recovered and confiscated a 9mm pistol The property stolen during the robbery was also recovered Further investigation revealed that the arrested suspect was the driver of the getaway vehicle He is expected in the Barberton Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges of house robbery and possession of an unlicensed firearm as well as ammunition The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is investigating the shooting incident Provincial police commissioner Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi warned against attacks on police officers He added that such actions are a direct attack on the state He also commended his officers on a job well done Visit SW YouTube Channel for our video content Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Tel: +27 11 268 6300 Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms & conditions and privacy policy BARBETON-A devastating crash on the R40 road between Mbombela and Barberton has claimed the lives of four people with all victims reportedly burnt beyond recognition due to the severity of the collision and subsequent fire The tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the community with many expressing their condolences to the families of the deceased The cause of the crash is still under investigation but emergency responders are working tirelessly to clear the scene and recover the bodies spokesperson for the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety confirmed the fatal accident and urged motorists to exercise caution “We advise all motorists traveling between Barberton and Mbombela to use the R38 via Kaapmuiden as recovery processes are still underway on the R40,” Mmusi said The exact identities of the victims remain unknown at this stage and forensic teams are working to establish their identities The community has been called to cooperate with authorities and adhere to the alternative routes to allow recovery operations to proceed efficiently Authorities have reiterated the need for increased road safety awareness especially in regions with high volumes of traffic and heavy-duty vehicles Motorists are urged to remain vigilant and patient while the investigation and recovery operations continue Further details regarding the incident will be released as investigations progress and website in this browser for the next time I comment We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings we will not be able to save your preferences This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again Environmental activists are raising urgent concerns over a potential water crisis in Barberton They are warning that the situation could mirror the devastating events seen in Hammanskraal The town has been grappling with a diarrhoea outbreak that has persisted for nearly two weeks Nondumiso Mabuza, the advocacy coordinator for environmental justice at NGO Carolina Eco Green Economy, highlighted the similarities between Barberton’s current situation and the early stages of the Hammanskraal crisis “It takes a while before you have a disaster in your hands This is exactly how things started in Hammanskraal,” she said Mabuza criticised the local authorities for their lack of public awareness efforts regarding the dangers of water-borne diseases She said sewer spillages and the non-operation of wastewater treatment plants are usually the main causes of water-borne diseases “When the infrastructure is unmaintained such a situation might lead to cholera,” she said Mabuza also questioned whether the City of Mbombela local municipality was conducting monthly water quality tests and if the municipality was sharing the results with the community the City of Mbombela local municipality insists that it has been proactive emphasised that early warnings were given to Barberton residents and that ongoing efforts are in place to ensure water safety Our investigation into the recent diarrhoea cases is ongoing and we are testing our water regularly,” Ngala said our pre-incident water samples have met all safety standards.” He added that the city is exploring upgrades and new technologies for the treatment plants to enhance water quality and prevent future incidents Ngala dismissed reports that linked the death of a nine-month-old baby to the diarrhoea outbreak “The city welcomes the report from the Department of Health confirming that the unfortunate loss of life of the nine-month-old child was not a result of the ongoing diarrhoea outbreak,” he said urging the community to remain calm and to rely on information provided by the government The City of Mbombela also countered rumours about possible water contamination and the use of expired water treatment chemicals “The rumours about expired treatment chemicals are false Our chemicals are within their usable lifespan and meet all safety standards.” The municipality has since issued a precautionary notice advising residents to boil their water or treat it with bleach before consumption while investigations continue Barberton’s status as a mining town adds another layer of complexity to the situation The risk of groundwater contamination from hydrocarbon leaks and spills from mining machinery and equipment is an ongoing concern health officials have been on the ground in Barberton to manage the situation The provincial health department spokesperson Visit SW YouTube Channel for our video content 650507 128758My wife style of bogus body art were being quite unsafe following which they your lover snuck totally free upon an tattoo ink ink I was certain the fact just about every ought to not be epidermal due to the tattoo ink could be attracted from the entire body The family of a student who was fatally shot in Mpumalanga over the weekend wants justice The incident happened during a Fresher’s Ball event at the Barberton TVET College Two other students sustained gunshot wounds A 24-year-old man is expected to appear in court in connection with the fatal shooting of 23-year-old student Bandile Bhisha at the weekend The electrical engineering student was shot and killed It is alleged that the suspect randomly shot at the students and patrons who were attending the college’s Fresher’s Ball Bhisha’s distraught grandmother Zodwa Sibande accused the college of not being transparent about the incident what hurts me the most is that I was told to come and clean the blood where he was killed inside the school they started rumours saying he was killed outside the campus If he was killed outside I would have been called to come clean here at school.” “If the law here in South Africa works If the law here in South Africa says when a person is guilty and they sentence him I would really appreciate that to see him rot in jail.” The suspect has been arrested in connection with Bhisha’s murder Donald Mdhluli says the suspect was asked to pay an entrance fee of R50 to gain access to the event because he is not a student Provincial police spokesperson Captain Donald Mdhluli says the suspect was asked to pay an entrance fee of R50 to gain access to the event because he is not a student Mdhluli says he returned and fired shots at the crowd One student was fatally shot and two others sustained gunshot wounds “A case of murder with other two counts of attempted murder was opened on the same Saturday and he’s going to appear in court on Tuesday in Barberton facing those charges,” Mdhluli explains The Barberton TVET College management has refused to comment The two injured students have since been discharged from hospital More than 90 suspected diarrhoea cases have been reported in the Barberton area in Mpumalanga The outbreak has already claimed the life of a nine-month-old baby who died at the Barberton hospital at least eighteen people have so far been admitted The Provincial Manager of the Communicable Diseases Control unit in the Department of Health in Mpumalanga Maria Mahlalela says the department has recorded 359 cases in the Mbombela Municipality “Those cases happened on the 2nd to the 12th of August The distribution of those cases is as follows Barberton hospital recorded 99; Cativol Clinic 48; in Africa 156 and Ronett Clinic 11 and 45 of those cases are recorded with a private hospital at uMjindi area and the total of 68 of those cases were seen in Gosfoth Hospital; 23 of those cases were admitted by the Barberton Hospital and 45 by other private hospital but currently 11 remain hospitalised in Barberton and the rest of the other patients were discharged in a satisfactory condition with treatment to take home,” says Maria Mahlalela Provincial Manager of Communicable Diseases Video: Diarrhoea outbreak – Investigations into diarrhoea outbreak in Mpumalanga: Maria Mahlalela The Mpumalanga Hawks yesterday concluded a search-and-seizure operation to address gold smuggling in the province According to an article published by Lowvelder were already in custody as they were arrested on March 7 and 8 The duo has been charged with dealing in precious metals and money laundering while the third is still at large,” says provincial Hawks spokesperson She says the takedown was led by the Nelspruit-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation team Documents including bail receipts with different names as well as foodstuff and cigarettes were also seized They were arrested for contravention of the Immigration Act [13 of 2002],” Tshabalala says All 13 of the accused are scheduled to appear in the Barberton Magistrate’s Court today The court outcome was not yet known at the time of publishing Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal Read original story on www.citizen.co.za globally recognised for its environmentally friendly gold extraction process using naturally occurring microorganisms known as Biox® technology as well as its 8.75 MW solar plant at its Fairview operation has received its first battery-electric DFSK EC35 panel vans Enviro Automotive began importing DFSK's battery-electric vehicles in 2022 starting with the EC35 EV panel vans and EC31 EV 1-tonne bakkies it expanded its DFSK range by introducing the EC35 EV four-seater derivative which quickly gained popularity among labour-intensive businesses needing larger team seating configurations Barberton Mines pioneered the BIOX® (Biological Oxidation) process at Fairview Mine The company prioritises environmental sustainability biodiversity conservation and renewable energy generation "Our EC35 EV four-seater panel vans are perfect for transporting people and work crews at Barberton Mines the mine can save over 50% in fuel/energy costs by recharging EVs from its own sustainable green resource," says Gawie Brink The EC35 EV's dimensions are 4,500 mm (L) x 1,680 mm (W) and 1,985 mm (H) Its wheelbase is 2,910 mm and offers a payload of 950 kg The EC35 EV four-seater cargo area's dimensions are 2,530 mm (L) x 1,440 mm (W) x 1,270 mm (H) just 1.7 m³ less than the two-seater's 4.8 m³ The practical load compartment of the EC35 EV is accessible via sliding doors on both sides and the tailgate The EC35 EV features a single synchronous electric motor that produces 60 kW and 200 Nm of torque It features a 38.7 kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery the battery could be charged from zero to 80 percent in less than an hour yielding a travel distance of up to 270 kilometres The EC35 EV features ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) and Electric Power Steering (EPS) It also boasts a selection of modern-day driver comforts Bluetooth and a touchscreen Infotainment system The first four EC35 EVs were delivered to Barberton Mines on 1 October during a handover ceremony at the Fairview operation These units will be available to transport patients to the clinic when required and will mainly support the mine's environmental "Our battery-electric workhorses are reliable and of exceptional quality With operating costs of just 25 cents per kilometre and low service and maintenance expenses they are the perfect addition to any modern transport fleet reducing environmental impact while ensuring efficiency," says Gideon Wolvaardt Enviro Automotive's battery-electric range of bakkies compact SUVs and trucks—featuring the DFSK and Duyan brands—is available through 18 DFSK dealerships nationwide and its dedicated Enviro Automotive dealership located at the company's head office in Pretoria Well-known South African racing driver and competitor at the annual Simola Hillclimb died this weekend when his Lotus left the road Mitsubishi Motors South Africa was presented with the Top Performer award in the After-sales – Customer Experience category at the brand’s recent annual global after-sales business excellence awards ceremony in Thailand The South African new-vehicle market showed its resilience yet again during April this year with an 11.9% increase compared to the same month last year This is notwithstanding the number of public holidays that manifested in long weekends with school holidays in between You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do The latest Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition clearly showed the worldwide shift towards new-energy drivetrains like battery electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) the result of a joint venture between Mazda and Changan Automobile It is the second electric vehicle (NEV) manufactured by Changan Mazda The Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition currently underway in China is pretty much an electric affair with numerous new electric and hybrid vehicles with improved technology on show This dealer-focussed innovation is made possible with the support and endorsement of Absa Vehicle and Asset Finance All content copyright of Panthera Media Pty Ltd 2020 We use cookies to personalise content and ads and to analyse our traffic and improve our service You consent to cookies if you continue to use our website Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInBARBERTON Ohio (WOIO) - A 25-year-old man died early Monday after being shot at an intersection in what police are calling a “domestic dispute situation.” laying on the sidewalk with multiple gunshot wounds EMS rushed Flight to Cleveland Clinic Akron General Medical Center according to the Summit County Medical Examiner was located a short distance away from the scene and taken into custody without incident Police added a firearm was found in the vehicle Oney was in Oney is now charged with murder and will be arraigned Tuesday in Barberton Municipal Court Home » News » South Africa » Crime By Nicholas Zaal Firefighters respond to the fire at Barberton Police Station Archived dockets were destroyed when a fire broke out at Barberton Police Station’s archive office Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli said the cause of the fire is being investigated though no one was hurt and the extent of the damage must still be confirmed The fire broke out at around 11am on Thursday “According to a report, members of the South Africa Police Service [Saps] noticed smoke emanating from the office and immediately alerted authorities,” the spokesperson said “Firefighters were called to the scene and successfully extinguished the fire no injuries were reported during the incident though the figures are yet to be determined.” The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the Saps in Mpumalanga said a “formidable team of experts” has been assigned to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident “We cannot at this time link this incident to the recent arrests of four members,” the general said “That case is being handled by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Unit (Hawks) We are confident that the enquiry will provide clarity on what transpired.” ALSO READ: Hawks nab Home Affairs official over R20k identity document corruption a stenographer at the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court and Warrant Officer Matladi Jeridah Chokoe who is attached to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) appeared in the Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes Court They are accused of soliciting a bribe from an accused to make her case “disappear” They were arrested in October and are facing charges of corruption and defeating the ends of justice “The allegations stem from a January 2020 case in which the complainant was a suspect in a conspiracy to commit murder,” said National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in Limpopo It is alleged that Thobejane and Chokoe met with the complainant and offered to make the case “disappear” in exchange for payment. The complainant initially paid R1 000 to the accused, who later demanded an additional R20 000.” ALSO READ: Suspect in court for shooting into crowd at Barberton college that left one dead Additional reporting by Faizel Patel A 40-year-old Barberton-based pastor and a 37-year-old man have been apprehended by the police after they were allegedly caught in possession of gold-bearing material (GBM) or other material that is of economic value primarily on account of its gold and silver contents Police said that they started following up after a tip-off about the pair driving a silver car along the R38 Road Mpumalanga police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane confirmed the matter He said when police stopped the man’s car and searched it which had an estimated street value of R60 Ndubane added that the items as well as the vehicle were confiscated for further investigation “The two suspects were charged for possession of gold-bearing materials,” Ndubane added Local police also patrolled the R40 Road in Barberton and the R38 Road in Sheba they found that two Zimbabweans were in South Africa without proper documentation “It was during this time when the astute members apprehended two Zimbabwean nationals for alleged contravention of the Immigration Act This after discovering that they did not have valid documentation to be in the country “Members also went to Verulam Village to conduct further disruptive operations It was in this area where they seized two gas cylinders that were found abandoned,” added Ndubane He revealed that the four suspects are expected to appear at the Barberton Magistrate’s Court soon They will appear on charges of possession of GBM as well as contravention of the Immigration Act and four other people were arrested for possession of a reported stolen vehicle in Nelspruit the group was spotted in a vehicle with six occupants coming from a dam a Toyota Corolla with only one registration plate in front was reported stolen at Maake SAPS in Lipompo Province back in 2011 The 42-year-old pastor claimed ownership of the vehicle and indicated that he bought it from a private seller in Acornhoek All six people were arrested for possession of a reported stolen vehicle Visit SW YouTube Channel for our video content while a male civilian’s face was grazed by a bullet in a cash-in-transit heist at a Shoprite in Barberton on Monday at 13:10 Five suspects ambushed the CIT vehicle guards while at Shoprite and a shoot-out ensued The woman was shot in the chest by a stray bullet and was rushed to a nearby hospital in a critical condition they made their getaway with an empty trunk and a service pistol belonging to a guard The suspects’ getaway vehicle is reportedly a grey BMW Read original story on lowvelder.co.za "He's just a big guy with a big heart," Ashley said He moved to Barberton from Kentucky several months ago and a friend— a woman he worked with at a different job— to live with at a house on 2nd Street SW But an unimaginable tragedy happened at that house around 11:15 Tuesday morning Ashley was told by firefighters that Noah was asleep in a second-floor bedroom when an 80-foot-tall tree suddenly came crashing down in windy conditions RELATED: 21-year-old man dies after tree falls onto Barberton house "Who knew that would be the end of it?" Ashley told News 5 during an interview via Zoom "Who knew that he'd be coming home in a casket?" There were three other people living in the downstairs unit of the house They were not home at the time the tree fell With the house now condemned by the city of Barberton his girlfriend and his brother were those residents Soltis said they are currently staying with a friend He's still stunned by what happened while he was at work my brain really couldn't process it too early yesterday the reality of the situation had settled in as Soltis began moving his belongings out of the house but someone lost their life because of this Two GoFundMe pages have been set up for Hall's family. CLICK HERE and HERE for more information The incident marked the third tragedy to hit Barberton in just two days Police said he was shot multiple times after trying to help a friend who had been in a domestic dispute with her husband RELATED: Family says man killed in Barberton shooting was helping friend Justice Oney was arrested and charged with murder RELATED: 'It's senseless': 25-year-old-man killed while helping friend in Barberton domestic dispute A GoFundMe has been set up to help the Flight family. CLICK HERE for more information firefighters responded to an apartment fire on 2nd Street NW Firefighters said 43-year-old Amanda Crow-Sonntag was found dead in a closet The cause of the fire has not been determined "Three events in two days is something that's pretty unheard of here in Barberton Tragic events— that does take a toll on you emotionally and mentally," said Barberton Mayor William Judge The mayor said there have been early conversations with churches and non-profit groups regarding possibly planning a prayer vigil to honor the victims and to help the community cope with the trio of tragedies "The message to the community is to stay strong These are tragic events that don't define our community," Judge said The mayor also posted a message on the city's Facebook page our community has experienced a series of tragic incidents that have touched us all deeply we extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives and we share in the sadness and grief that surround our community." she's focused on bringing Noah back home to Kentucky and relying on her faith following the tragedy "My faith is guiding me through this because it's not for me to answer God's the only one that has the answer for what happened and why it happened and how," she said Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More Ohio — A full and thriving main street can benefit any town bringing in revenue and improving property values One northeast Ohio city is working to bring their downtown back by finding new tenants to fill empty buildings and helping to revitalize existing businesses Kavé Coffee Bar received more than $2,000 to replace their windows The general manager says the grant made a huge difference “Replacing the windows for our business made everything safer," said Ryan Struckel The coffee shop has been around for a decade and while he knew it was time for some renovations Struckel decided to apply for a grant from the Barberton Community Foundation The grant matched $2,500 to replace six windows “Was something that was really instrumental in our project to replace these windows," said Struckel Thriving downtowns can attract visitors and improve local economy Josh Gordon is the executive director of the Barberton Community Foundation The organization put up $300,000 for seven grants available through two programs The Downtown Building Rehabilitation and Restaurant and Retail Challenge “Barberton downtown or community downtown has a responsibility not just to our own residents to have a great downtown but we also have a responsibility to surrounding communities like Norton and New Franklin and Green that don't have a downtown," said Gordon Gordon said the grant program will encourage new businesses to move downtown But there are some requirements that must be met before the funds are handed out Downtown Building Rehabilitation has two grants available; the established businesses must match the grant up to $100,000 business owners must restore or make big renovations to their downtown building The Restaurant and Retail Challenge has five grants available The established businesses must match the grant up to $20,000 interesting types of businesses for people to come and experience," said Gordon Both Gordon and Struckel agree the 25,000 current residents and countless visitors will have a better downtown experience thanks to these grants and we've been around since 1891,"sSaid Gordon.” But in some ways we're just getting started with how we're revitalizing our downtown and inviting people to it.” “To apply for this grant and receive this grant it can make a huge impact for your business and for the overall look of downtown for both the residents and the visitors here," said Struckel Applications for both grant programs are due by April 1. Click here for more details.  The other partners for these grants are Main Street Barberton City of Barberton and Barberton Community Development Corporation Fisheries and the Environment Narend Singh has welcomed the arrest of two alleged illegal miners at the Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains World Heritage Site “These arrests are a key step in our efforts to protect South Africa’s priceless natural and cultural heritage,” Singh said yesterday He praised the Green Scorpions for their role in apprehending the two individuals allegedly involved in illegal mining at the site The operation is part of a broader government strategy to combat illegal mining which harms the environment and contributes to social and economic issues The Barberton Makhonjwa World Heritage Site recognised by the United Nations Educational is known for its 3.5 billion-year-old volcanic and sedimentary rock formations and rich biodiversity Officially declared a protected area in March 2021 under the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act 57 of 2003 mining and other harmful activities are prohibited there “This World Heritage Site is one of the oldest and most scientifically significant landscapes on Earth Illegal mining here threatens its global value and will not be tolerated,” Singh emphasised The investigation also uncovered violations of the National Forests Act 84 of 1998 including damage to indigenous trees and natural forests “These offences endanger our natural heritage and undermine our sustainability goals. We must protect our forests and ecosystems before they are lost forever,” Singh added. – SAnews.gov.za Read original story on www.citizen.co.za One person has been reported dead after a tree fell on a house Tuesday Firefighters are attempting to remove the tree at a Second Street Southwest home chief investigator of the Summit County Medical Examiner's Office The National Weather Service in Cleveland issued a hazardous weather outlook early on April 15 stating that winds could gust up to 45 mph in the region Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@gannet.com Ohio (WOIO) - The Summit County Medical Examiner identified the man who was killed Tuesday when a tree fell onto a Barberton home first responders discovered Hall lying in bed in a bedroom with part of the tree on top of him Those who have spoken to Hall’s mother tell 19 News that he was here in Ohio to better his life The medical examiner added an autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday at a home in the 100 block of 2nd Street SW The Summit County Special Operations Rescue Team and Barberton Fire Department were on scene Tuesday we try to learn from it and try to make sure it doesn’t happen again that’s unfortunate,” said Barberton Fire Marshal David Polacek Polacek says a storm likely blew the tree over before noon on Tuesday He’s urging everyone to make sure they have homeowners or renters insurance in case something terrible happens Barberton Tree Service was also on scene to deal with the aftermath “Anytime there is a tree around a property that is close we consider it a target says Lisa Devenport of the Barberton Tree Service Devenport has been in the business for nearly 30 years She witnessed a similar situation last year in Akron when one person also died from a tree into a home She wants people to keep an eye out for trees that might not look healthy or any that are out of the ordinary on a property Talk to your neighbors get out and talk to your neighbors work together communicate work with companies that will work with you and your neighbors to keep everything and your property safe,” says Devenport Other warning signs of unhealthy trees include water pooling at the base If people see these signs they should call a certified arborist to make sure your home is as safe as possible Ohio (WOIO) - The Summit County Medical Examiner confirms one person has died after a tree fell into a home The tree fell onto the Barberton home before noon Tuesday Barberton officers are asking people to avoid the area of Second Street and Wooster Road as crews work to clear the scene The Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office remains on the scene A 25-year-old man was shot to death in Barberton early Monday morning while trying to help a friend who was involved in a domestic dispute with her husband "It's senseless for something like this to happen," said Barberton Officer Marty Eberhart "He's being a friend and then he ends up dead." near East Paige Avenue and 3rd Street Northeast Officers responded to the area after receiving multiple 911 calls reporting shots fired EMS transported the man to a nearby hospital "He actually pepper-sprayed the guy and then shot him multiple times," Eberhart said Oney was taken to Barberton City Jail and is being held on a murder charge He has an arraignment scheduled on Tuesday in Barberton Municipal Court Police said the woman left the home after getting into an arguments with Oney Eberhart said the woman called Flight who drove up from Canton and met her about a block away from where she lives Oney approached them and shot and killed Flight She ran away and banged on the front doors of several homes to get help The sound of gunfire and the police response was captured on multiple neighborhood doorbell cameras said was unable to fall back to sleep following the tragedy and her heart breaks for the victim's family eight maybe more gunshots and a woman screaming and we don't get that around here," Torres said She also believes the situation could have ended even worse "I'm glad she was able to get away," Torres said "I truly feel that if it wasn't for the help of our neighbors and the quick response of the police there could have been two tragedies last night." Haven of Rest Ministries in Akron confirmed Flight worked there in 2019 taking in donations Following a fire at one of the offices at the Barberton Police Station yesterday Security and Liaison Jackie Macie has called on SAPS to thoroughly investigate the incident Lowvelder previously reported that several police dockets were destroyed when a storeroom caught fire Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli stated that a police member noticed smoke coming from the storeroom and called for assistance In an update, Mpumalanga News reported that the MEC expressed concern that the incident could undermine existing cases and create anxiety among community members particularly those who have lodged serious complaints at the station “Without pre-empting the outcome of the probe into the matter we want those who are responsible to face the full consequences of their actions Although there are many hardworking members these developments may undermine the great work that the police were doing to stabilise crime in the province,” he said Macie urged the community to remain calm and allow the police to conduct a thorough investigation He encouraged community members not to fear exposing any corrupt individuals within their mid while urging officers to stay committed to their duties and loyal to their badge Read original story on www.citizen.co.za Ohio — A devastated family is opening up about its loss and a loved one's legacy Police say that 25-year-old Nathan Flight was shot and killed while simply trying to help a friend who'd been in a domestic disturbance with her husband RELATED: 25-year-old-man killed while helping friend in Barberton domestic dispute but believe his final actions proved what a big heart he had "He was so selfless and he wanted to protect someone he cared about," Kathlene Flight said about her son Flight told us how proud she was of her son Family members said that early Monday morning Nathan Flight got a call from a friend who told him she had been in an argument with her husband and he made the ultimate sacrifice for her," his sister Sarah Flight said His sister said he asked her to drive him to Barberton from Canton never imagining she wouldn't see her younger brother again "This is one of the most tragic moments that this family has ever experienced," Flight said Police said that about half an hour after being dropped off Oney found Flight and his wife on East Paige Street a few blocks away from where the domestic dispute started Oney allegedly pepper sprayed Flight before shooting him several times It has left Flight's sister with haunting questions said her son was "just the most wholesome person." Relatives also said that Flight was an amazing uncle Flight's family stressed it was not unusual for him to help people If a friend or a family member needed help He belonged to a Bible study group who supported each other through difficult times "He would go out of his way to help anybody he could," his sister said The family is now forced to focus on memories and markings "He was strong like a lion," his mother said take on a special meaning now—the family believes Nathan showed a lot of strength helping a friend in need before losing his life and that's what he was to a lot of us," his sister said He's being held in lieu of a $1 million bond The walls are tumbling down at the historic Barberton Masonic building at Fifth Street Northwest and West Park Avenue near Lake Anna Mayor William Judge said April 21 that developers who toured the building determined that renovating it wasn't a viable option The building sits next to the Barberton city building on West Park Avenue "The building has outlived its useful life," Judge said The space made available by the demolition will aid the city's $30 million justice center and city hall project the extra room will help the city make the justice center compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act the West Park Avenue building's public entrance is up a flight of outside stairs to the second floor Judge said a schematic design for the former FirstMerit building should be completed in the next couple of months "(We're) playing that chess game of who goes where in the buildings," he said He expects details on the bonds package to come later this year (we'll be) working on the bond financing," he said The mayor said all parties affected by the project are working together for the best outcome for a project that's been years in the planning "We don't want the Taj Mahal," he said "We're being good stewards of the money we have." Judge said he keeps track of the demolition from his office in the Barberton city building feel free to stop in my office and you'll hear it and feel it," he said when it was constructed in the early 1950s the Akron Beacon Journal reported that the city had acquired a one-inch frontage on West Park Avenue from the Barberton Masonic Temple Corp "Mayor (Theodore) Parker says the new city building's east wall will be laid up tight against the Masonic building water-proofed as it goes," the article said More: Barberton Masonic Temple fixtures and furniture go to auction, with demolition coming soon Council President Justin Greer said at the meeting the city hall wall next to the Masonic temple has never seen the light of day 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 (WOIO) - A woman was found dead inside an apartment after a Monday morning fire Firefighters were called out to the 200 block of 2nd Street NW around 9:50 a.m they learned the victim was trapped inside The person was brought out of the apartment but died from her injuries The victim has been identified as Amanda Crow-Sonntag The State Fire Marshal will assist in the investigation ActionSA expresses concern over a troubling incident that occurred over the weekend involving a young man who was in a car accident the response from the police officials at the Barberton Police Station was shockingly inadequate Upon arriving at the station to advocate on his behalf I requested the case number and details of the incident I was met with rude and disrespectful behaviour from the officers on duty It was only after I identified my position that I was provided with the necessary information This unacceptable treatment highlights a disturbing disconnect between law enforcement and the community they are sworn to serve Such behaviour from our police officers is not only unprofessional but also deeply harmful It erodes public trust and creates a divide between law enforcement and the local community When citizens cannot rely on the police for prompt and respectful assistance in times of need the very fabric of our society is undermined This incident is a clear indication that immediate and significant reforms are needed within our police force ActionSA calls for a thorough investigation into the conduct of the officers involved and for the implementation of measures to ensure that such incidents do not recur There is a clear need for training programs to improve police conduct and community engagement initiatives towards rebuilding trust and ensuring that all citizens receive the assistance they deserve ActionSA believes that communities deserves better from those meant to protect them and thus it is imperative that we work together to foster a culture of respect and support within our law enforcement agencies Only then can we hope to bridge the divide and restore confidence in our police force In the shadow of tragedy and economic despair precipitated by the catastrophic sink-hole on February 5 that claimed the lives of Solomon Nyerende left a void not only in people’s hearts but also in the community’s livelihood The three workers perished when their lamp room was trapped 80m below the surface amid the chaos that saw 87 of their colleagues rescued which transitioned from a rescue operation to a retrieval mission cast a long shadow over the lives of the surviving miners who were thrust into unemployment and poverty voiced the community’s frustration and resentment towards the foreign companies that once operated the mine their licences are mere permits to rob the rightful owners of this land of their wealth We could not stand idly by as they left us to starve,” said the man “We were trained and provided our labour honestly But after the 2016 incident and the mine’s closure It’s excruciating to transform from a breadwinner to a beggar overnight.” detailed the hazardous conditions they endure Their operation is as gruelling as it is dangerous It takes an entire day to reach the mine’s depths where they remain for days on end to extract gold as we often stay underground for extended periods some of us go to the surface to ask our clients to provide more food,” one miner explained we are not friends; we are soldiers fighting a common enemy: hunger This sometimes leads to gunpointing and fatal disputes,” one miner recounted The miners disclosed that they sell their finds to Zimbabweans with connections to gold traders shielded by people with political and business interests The miners also face constant threats from security guards and police zama zamas scour the Barberton Greenstone Belt and old mining towns such as Pilgrim’s Rest residents of Pilgrim’s Rest took to the streets to protest against the heavily armed zama zamas “We don’t have a problem with people looking for gold Our concern is that we have been making a living through tourism How can tourists continue to visit when they encounter armed zama zamas who often commit robberies?” “This situation impacts our small businesses because fewer people are coming to this town the government conducted operations to chase the zama zamas away Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency  chairperson Victor Mashego said when zama zamas infiltrate protected areas Provincial police spokesperson Donald Mdhluli said there have been successes in curbing illegal mining through actions such as Operation Vala Umgodi Hundreds of suspects have been arrested and equipment confiscated as part of Operation Prosper and  other stakeholders have been deployed to patrol and secure unsafe mining sites illegal mining remains a persistent problem Visit SW YouTube Channel for our video content A 25-year-old Canton man was killed in a shooting early Monday in Barberton in what police say was an apparent domestic dispute between the victim and another man and his wife Officers responded to reports of a shooting around 1:24 a.m at the intersection of East Paige Avenue and 3rd Street Northeast discovering the victim lying on the sidewalk suffering from multiple gunshots The victim was identified by Barberton police as Nathan M He was transported to Cleveland Clinic Akron General where he was pronounced dead at 2:19 a.m. chief investigator with the Summit County Medical Examiner's Office Barberton officers located the man suspected of killing Flight a short time after the shooting was apprehended without incident not far from the shooting scene with officers discovering a firearm in the vehicle in which he fled The incident was reportedly a domestic dispute between Flight Oney was transported to Barberton City Jail and charged with murder Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@gannett.com Representatives from the world's No. 3 producer of natural rubber traveled to Barberton Tuesday pitching their nation's product to rubber industry professionals from the Akron area For members of the delegation from the Ivory Coast in west Africa it was a chance to explore ways to expand their nation's presence in the U.S For their hosts at Akron Rubber Development Laboratory (ARDL) and the Polymer Industry Cluster partners that attended it was an opportunity to connect with the APROMAC delegation which represents rubber farmers and manufacturers in Ivory Coast More: Gov. DeWine: $31.25M from the state will fund new Greater Akron Polymer Innovation Hub one of the APROMAC representatives and owner of a 75-acre rubber plantation in the west African nation said about 1.7 million tons of rubber is produced annually in the Ivory Coast "The bulk of it goes to Asia and Asia sells it back to the U.S.," he said is interested in a more direct relationship with U.S The organization's goal is to revitalize and modernize the natural rubber industry in the nation said only about 7% of his nation's rubber sales are made in the U.S "What we are trying to do is open up the Ivorian market to the U.S.," he said through a translator president of International Dynamic Consultants said the west African nation has about 550,000 plantations and 180,000 growers with about 7 million acres dedicated to rubber trees About 330,000 jobs in the Ivory Coast come directly from rubber harvesting and production "Ninety percent of the growers are very small growers," he said 1 rubber producer in Africa and accounts for about 80% of the production on the continent "The North American market presents opportunity for natural rubber," Folly-Gah said He said the rubber industry in the Ivory Coast needs to modernize and Barberton Mayor William Judge said the event Tuesday demonstrates the international importance of the area's rubber industry "It really brings into play how this area and Barberton share a part in the world economy," he said Representatives from the Polymer Industry Cluster the Greater Akron Chamber and companies in the industry spoke about aspects of the polymer and rubber industries in the area said the 5,300-mile get-together had been in the works for a year but came together quickly the last couple of weeks She said she was surprised by the level of interest in the event with a stream of RSVPs coming until just hours before the get-together Folly-Gah said the farm and manufacturing sectors of APROMAC were united in their goals for their industry and their nation "We want to get the country moving," he said Members of the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force arrested a 28-year-old woman Tuesday who was wanted in connection with a shooting in Barberton early that morning Barberton police originally responded to reports of a shooting in the 400 block of South Van Buren Avenue around 2 a.m and saw a vehicle fleeing the area at a high rate of speed The vehicle then was stopped in the Summa Barberton Hospital lot where officers located a man suffering from three gunshots He was initially treated at that hospital before being transported to another local hospital for further treatment Police determined the victim and the suspect knew each other and got into an argument at Washington Square Apartments Germany returned to the apartment after the confrontation and shot the victim A felonious assault warrant was filed for Germany who was arrested by the task force in Garfield Heights before being turned over to Barberton police She was being held in the Summit County Jail and a hearing was set for Thursday morning in Barberton Municipal Court Information from court records was used to update this story.