Area News

Sarah Massey, Barberton Public Library technical services manager, reviews: “A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping” by Sangu Mandanna If you’ve ever wanted to escape into a cozy inn full of magical misfits, including a resurrected relative, and a very dramatic zombie chicken, “A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping” is your next read. Sangu Mandanna blends…

BGNN staff report AKRON  Summit County Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich announced Feb. 9 that Dylan Bond, 29, of Marshallville, was found guilty of various drug trafficking charges and his role in the overdose death of Jaclyn Ballard, 47, of Cuyahoga Falls. He was also found guilty of leading law enforcement on a car chase through multiple…

By BOB MOREHEAD BGNN senior staff writer BARBERTON  A city police officer bloodied with a hammer during an arrest Feb. 2 was back on duty, the Barberton Police Department reported Feb. 5. The officer, who was not identified, was struck in the head during a domestic violence call at a Charles Avenue address around 6:45…

By BOB MOREHEAD BGNN senior staff writer The Barberton City Schools are going for broke. The school board voted reluctantly Jan. 28 to ask for 11 more mills in the May primary. This will hike taxes on a $100,000 home an extra $385 per year and reinforce district coffers by $5.9 million. A week earlier,…

PHOTO PROVIDED Cast members of Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express” have a table read before boarding the classic Hercule Poirot mystery set to hit the stage at Magical Theatre Company. BGNN staff report BARBERTON  Magical Theatre Company invites audiences aboard one of the most famous trains in literary history with its upcoming production…

By BOB MOREHEAD BGNN senior staff writer The Barberton Board of Education had a special meeting Jan. 21 and voted for three resolutions of necessity. The resolutions ask the county fiscal office to certify what each of three levies would collect: 7 mills, 9 mills and 11 mills. The board will look at those numbers…

PHOTOS BY AMBER MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY Hooker’s All Ohio Recovery had its biggest bike and toy giveaway ever Dec. 21. By CHRISTINA McCUNE | BGNN managing editor BARBERTON  For years, Rick Hooker, owner of Hooker’s All Ohio Recovery, has fixed up bicycles and given them to neighborhood kids. The family-owned and operated business at 188 Snyder…

PHOTO BY CHRISTINA McCUNE | BGNN Laura Witchey enjoys a visit and shares laughs with her granddaughter, Sarah Witchey, in December in Norton as they take a trip down memory lane. The matriarch of the family will celebrate her 104th birthday this month. By CHRISTINA McCUNE BGNN managing editor NORTON  Laura Witchey isn’t on TikTok.…

  PHOTOS BY CHRISTINA McCUNE | BGNN Ray E. Leach Jr. puts on his apron and jokes at the Nov. 6 Barberton Community Foundation dinner that’s how people best recognize him from Leach’s Meats & Sweets. He was named a 2025 Game Changer Award recipient along with the Barberton Police Department. Barberton Police Chief Vince…

PHOTO BY CONRAD STORAD |For the BGNN This photo was taken in November of the repaired O.C. Barber Wishing Well made possible thanks to donations from neighbors, residents and local history buffs. By SHEILA SCHNERING BGNN contributor “Make a wish into the well, That’s all you have to do, And if you hear it echoing,…