AROUND THE REGION
City of Akron holding meetings to talk about operating budget
Akron residents have three chances to talk with the city officials about the new operating budget.
Mayor Shammas Malik and Finance Director Steve Fricker will host a Facebook livestream at noon March 20 to discuss the budget and field questions.
The city also is hosting a community town hall in person 6 to 8 p.m. March 20 at Firestone Community Learning Center at 470 Castle Blvd. to offer residents a chance to learn more and share feedback.
In addition to the in-person town hall, the mayor will livestream the presentation portion of the event on the city’s YouTube channel.
The proposed budget outlines $815 million in spending, with 69% of general fund expenditures going toward staffing. Read more about the budget at bit.ly/2024AkronBudget.
Akron DEI Director Esther Thomas to receive award for her work
Akron’s Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Esther Thomas will be recognized with a Harold K. Stubbs Humanitarian Award Friday night during a ceremony at the Hilton Akron Fairlawn honoring her for her work.
The Harold K. Stubbs Humanitarian Award, sponsored by the St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church of Akron, recognizes those who have made contributions in areas such as social action, government, business, medicine and law.
The awards program honors Stubbs, who was known as the city’s first Black law director. He was also a municipal court judge known for his many civic activities. Stubbs, who passed away in 1989, was actively involved with the church. The church has annually recognized individuals for their community service with this award.
Sentencing delayed for Ravenna man
Sentencing for a Ravenna man charged along with two Ravenna women in the sexual assault of a third woman has been delayed.
Portage County Common Pleas Judge Laurie J. Pittman reset Abdul Khabeer Abdus-Shakoor’s hearing for March 22 after he stated he wanted to represent himself in the case, then changed his mind.
Abdus-Shakoor, 54, was due to be sentenced Thursday.
According to Ravenna Police, the 53year-old alleged victim reported that she was with Abdus-Shakoor, Deolia A. Day, 59, and Karen S. Gibbons, 62, at Day and Abdus-Shakoor’s Cedar Avenue apartment the morning of Oct. 23.
Day claimed the alleged victim stole $200 from her purse, the woman reported, and when Day and Abdus-Shakoor couldn’t find the money, they forced the victim to remove her clothing so they could search her.
A grand jury indicted all three defendants on charges of rape, kidnapping, robbery and sexual battery.
In subsequent amended indictments, the rape, kidnapping, robbery and sexual battery charges against Gibbons and Abdus-Shakoor were changed to complicity, alleging they aided Day in those offenses.
Day pleaded guilty Feb. 5 to rape and kidnapping, as well as three counts of trafficking in cocaine in a separate case, according to court records. Remaining charges were dismissed in a plea deal.
Pittman sentenced Day to 16 to 21 years in prison on March 8.
Gibbons’ case is still pending.