Signal Akron

06/05/2026

ANNND NOOWWW 🥁 🥁 🥁 GIRAFFES 🦒 The Akron Zoo broke ground on its largest expansion to date Thursday with the unveiling of its giraffe exhibit.

Giraffe Journey marks the Akron Zoo’s largest development, at 9.25 acres. The habitat will be able to house up to 12 giraffes.

06/04/2026

‘This is big business.’ How an Akron police lieutenant profited from off-the-books work. Lt. Mark Farrar operated an alternative network of paid police protection on behalf of outside businesses, frequently charging clients more than the rates allowed by APD.

06/04/2026

The Akron After School program, which serves more than 2,500 elementary school students in the Akron Public Schools, will once again benefit from a longtime financial partnership with the City of Akron.

The Akron After School program will work in partnership with the Akron Area YMCA in four APS elementary schools.

06/04/2026

This two-part series documents how former Akron Police Lieutenant Mark Farrar profited as a broker between businesses seeking private security and the Akron Police officers seeking to earn extra money off the clock, often by charging rates above those allowed by the APD.

As the APD's go-to outside job broker, Mark Farrar wielded significant influence over the businesses seeking extra paid police protection.

06/03/2026

THE BOWL BABY ⚽ Seventh graders at Jennings Community Learning Center reimagine a vacant space beside their school as a soccer pitch and gathering space. Akron Public Schools and Trust for Public Land Land unveiled plans to construct a community schoolyard.

Seventh-grader Emanuel Romero helped design a community playground that will transform a field of grass next to Jennings CLC in North Hill.

06/03/2026

BLIMP DAY 💨 . Where will you be this on Saturday for the city’s inaugural Blimp Day? Wingfoots One and Two will be up from 9 a.m. to noon as they loop through each of the city’s 24 neighborhoods. https://signalnews.info/4vlRWf2

06/02/2026

From performing, to producing 👏🏻 👏🏻 On Friday, Nicole Knight will host a comedy night at the Jenks Building Cuyahoga Falls featuring sets from Samantha Archual, Brett Thomas, Precious Moore and Tim Wolfe.

The Akron comedian will host a show at the Cuyahoga Falls venue Friday, with sets from Samantha Archual, Precious Moore and others.

06/02/2026

🌟🎨The Akron Art Museum is well on its way to completing the renovations of its historic 1899 building. And in a few months, the public will get to see the reimagined space.

The Akron Art Museum’s is undergoing renovations to create more galleries, update office space and more. Here is what to know.

06/02/2026

A fire left the iconic grocery store Roush's Market, established in 1955, dark, empty and badly damaged. While no one was hurt, a pressing uncertainty still plagues Roush’s loyal customers, many of whom relied on its proximity and prices.

A fire damaged Roush’s Market, leaving Sherbondy Hill residents without a neighborhood grocery store many relied on for prices and proximity.

06/01/2026

The Black Chamber of Commerce – Summit County and The University of Akron are asking Black business owners to complete a confidential survey by June 30.

The Black Chamber of Commerce - Summit County and the University of Akron are surveying Black business owners to measure economic impact.