AREA CRIME Akron man sentenced 20-24 years for rape, kidnapping while impersonating rideshare driver
From December 2022 through March 2023, Mohamed Reeda drove around the Akron area posing as a rideshare driver and offered rides to women, the news release states. He was found guilty in February by a Summit County jury of rape, kidnapping and attempted rape. AKRON A city man has been sentenced to 20 to 24…
Read MoreSpirit, legacy of influential teacher, artist live on
BGNN ARCHIVE PHOTO BY BOB MOREHEAD Virgil Villers, well-known artist and retired Norton High School art teacher, celebrated his 80th birthday earlier this year at Wolf Creek Tavern. PHOTO FROM HERITAGE CREMATION AND BURIAL SOCIETY WEBSITE By BOB MOREHEAD BGNN senior staff writer His spirit saturates the region. It spins with his frolicking critters in…
Read MoreMagics QB remembered 60 years after death during homecoming week
Barberton High School’s seniors on the 1964 Magics football team. Barberton senior Ken Sennett was a standout quarterback and young man who passed away suddenly during football season in 1964 from a health issue. The news of his death sent shock waves across the city, state and even the country. By RANDY FORST BGNN sports…
Read MoreLouis “Lou” Kozer, 91
Louis “Lou” Kozer, 91, a resident of the Lodge at Brier Creek passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 19, 2024. Lou was born on March 28th, 1933 in Brooklyn, NY. As a young man Lou attended State University of New York and moved to Barberton upon graduation to pursue a career with Babcock & Wilcox.…
Read MoreMark D. Haywood, 61
Mark D. Haywood, 61, passed away Thursday, October 17, 2024 after a battle with bone marrow cancer. He was a lifelong resident of Barberton and was a graduate of Barberton High School, Class of 1981. He served his country as a U.S. Navy Veteran. Mark was a member of IBEW Local #306 and was a…
Read MoreBarberton man busted in Cleveland street takeover
John Alan Dietrich By BOB MOREHEAD BGNN senior staff writer A 20-year-old Barberton man is among those arrested for a Cleveland street takeover. John Alan Dietrich was indicted Oct. 11 for aggravated rioting, disrupting public service, inducing panic, arson and criminal damaging related to a Sept. 15 takeover of the intersection of W 25th Street…
Read MoreBARBERTON FOOTBALL 1964: A season of triumph, despair comes to end
ARCHIE STRIMMEL (This is part of a weekly series that will continue through football season.) By RANDY FORST BGNN sports editor NOV. 6 BARBERTON 21, CANTON LINCOLN 14 Beacon Journal Prediction: Magics win final game of season for Ken Sennett Beacon record: 8-1 It wasn’t a masterpiece, but they still came up with the win.…
Read MoreBHS Football 1964: As season nears end, Magics run over Griffins
(This is part of a weekly series that will continue through football season. Read the complete series at www.thebarbertongazette.com.) By RANDY FORST BGNN sports editor OCT. 30 BARBERTON 40, BUCHTEL 6 Akron Beacon Journal prediction: Maybe hard but Magics will regroup. Pick Magics Beacon record 7-1 Everyone was curious about how the Magics would react…
Read MoreBARBERTON’S WALK OF FAME Community, tragedy tie 2024 inductees
PHOTO BY BOB MOREHEAD | BGNN Robert Martin stands next to the replica paver, leaning on his own. By BOB MOREHEAD BGNN senior staff writer Improving their home and/or bringing something good out of something bad were the factors that tied together the 2024 class of Barberton’s Walk of Fame, inducted Sept. 27. Inspired by…
Read More‘We Are All Magics’: Arts grant brings kids’ Magic City heritage to life
PHOTOS BY BARBERTON INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Barberton Intermediate School students fill in the outline on the school mural. By BOB MOREHEAD BGNN senior staff writer BARBERTON Earlier this year, Barberton Intermediate School landed a $26,500 grant for an ambitious art project and it’s taking shape, the school board learned at its Sept. 11 meeting. The project…
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