As all residents of Akron are probably aware, it’s a madhouse out there. That being said, here is a litany of burglaries that have occurred in the city as of late. Anyone with information is urged to call Akron police detectives at 330-375-2490. Anonymous tips can be made at http://ci.akron.oh.us/ASP/tip.html.

• 300 block of East Thornton Street, between Oct. 14 and 23, someone forced open rear door. Taken: nothing.

• 700 block of Garfield Street, Oct. 22, someone forced open front door. Taken: surround-sound stereo box, Xbox 360, TV, PlayStation 3, miscellaneous video games, miscellaneous documents.

• 1200 block of Grandview Avenue, between Oct. 14 and 28, someone forced open rear door. Taken: faucet, dehumidifier, miscellaneous copper pipe.

• 900 block of Danmead Avenue, Oct. 28, someone forced open side of garage. Taken: nothing.

• 900 block of Kelly Avenue, Oct. 27, someone entered by unknown means. Taken: nothing.

• 2800 block of Ellet Avenue, between Oct. 21 and 29, someone forced open side window. Taken: nothing.

• 700 block of Utica Avenue, between Aug. 6 and 18, arrested entered by unknown means. Taken: two checks, credit card, miscellaneous jewelry. Arrested: Taylor G. Poe.

• 1200 block of Grant Street, between Oct. 20 and 27, someone entered side window. Taken: stove, computer.

• 800 block of Beardsley Street, Oct. 26 or 27, someone forced open side door. Taken: miscellaneous copper pipe.

• 500 block of Noah Avenue, Oct. 26, someone forced open rear door. Taken: Xbox 360, Wii, computer, TV.

• First block of White Pond Drive, Oct. 28, someone entered rear door. Taken: $100, two computers, miscellaneous jewelry.

• 100 block of Russell Avenue, Oct. 25, suspect entered side door. Taken: two air conditioners, washer, transmission. Suspect: Albert L. Grace, Jr.

• 300 block of Cleveland Street, Oct. 28, someone forced open rear window. Taken: lock box, miscellaneous documents.

• 900 block of Jefferson Avenue, Oct. 28, someone forced open rear door. Taken: $20, TV.

• 600 block of Johnston Court, Oct. 27, someone entered by unknown means. Taken: nothing.

• Andrew McAllister Photography, 30 N. High St., Oct. 31, someone attempted to force open front door. Taken: nothing.

• 700 block of North Main Street, Oct. 27, someone entered front door. Taken: TV.

• Bank of America, 701 Fouse Ave., between Sept. 1 and Oct. 29, someone entered side door. Taken: miscellaneous copper pipe.

• SafeGuard Properties Inc., 886 Berwin St., between Oct. 1 and 28, someone entered by unknown means. Taken: miscellaneous copper pipe.

• 900 block of Chalker Street, between Oct. 29 and 30, someone forced open rear door. Taken: $500, two computers, driver’s license, credit card, TV, VCR, Wii with controllers, miscellaneous video games.

• Safeguard Properties, 1033 Belden Ave., between Oct. 27 and 29, someone forced open rear door. Taken: miscellaneous copper pipe.

• 800 block of Corbett Avenue, Oct. 29 or 30, someone forced open rear door. Taken: stove.

• First block of North Arlington Street, Oct. 29, someone forced open side door. Taken: nothing.

• 1200 block of Niagara Avenue, between Sept. 1 and Oct. 28, someone forced open front door to shed. Taken: miscellaneous tools.

• 900 block of East Market Street, Oct. 28 or 29, someone entered by unknown means. Taken: two TVs.

• 1700 block of Flint Avenue, Oct. 29, someone forced open rear window. Taken: Toshiba Satellite L300, Apex digital recorder, iPod nano, miscellaneous jewelry.

• Wells Fargo, 252 Shawnee Path, between Oct. 8 and 15, someone forced open window. Taken: miscellaneous copper pipe.

• 700 block of Donald Avenue, Oct. 28, someone entered front window. Taken: Wii.

• 800 block of Palmetto Avenue, Oct. 28 or 29, someone forced open front window. Taken: TV.

• 1100 block of Georgia Avenue, between Oct. 27 and 29, someone entered unlocked rear window. Taken: miscellaneous copper pipe.

• 1100 block of Herberich Avenue, Oct. 31, someone entered by unknown means. Taken: computer, mirror, iPod touch.

• 1000 block of Peerless Avenue, Oct. 29, someone forced open side door. Taken: TV, computer.

• 900 block of Seward Avenue, Oct. 28, someone forced open side door. Taken: miscellaneous copper pipe.

• 1100 block of Nome Avenue, Oct. 29, someone forced open front door. Taken: $250, two TVs.

• 1200 block of Barcelona Drive, Oct. 29, someone entered by unknown means. Taken: computer, PlayStation 2, miscellaneous video games, miscellaneous jewelry.

• First block of Harcourt Drive, Oct. 27 or 28, someone forced open rear door. Taken: $90, two credit cards, wallet, miscellaneous documents, miscellaneous keys.

• 1100 block of Fess Avenue, Oct. 29, someone entered rear window. Taken: computer, TV, Xbox, miscellaneous video games.

• 600 block of Carroll Street, Oct. 29, someone forced open front window. Taken: two computers, iPod nano, iPod touch.

• 300 block of Fountain Street, Oct. 30, someone forced open side window. Taken: $20, TV, computer, router, miscellaneous keys.

• 100 block of Byers Avenue, Oct. 30, someone entered front of garage. Taken: lawn mower.

• Temple Israel, 133 Merriman Road, between Oct. 27 and 29, someone forced open front door. Taken: miscellaneous tools.

• 700 block of Moon Street, Oct. 29, someone forced open front door. Taken: two TVs.

Popularity: 15% [?]

A McDonald’s franchise owner in Canton is now apologizing for a letter he sent to employees that was construed as forcing them to vote Republican or lose benefits and raises.

The embattled businessman, Paul Siegfried, was threatened with lawsuits as a result of the statements he made and is now backing down. He issued a statement saying that the release bundled with employee’s paychecks was “an error in judgment.”

Employees were being goaded into voting for Republicans in Ohio’s gubernatorial, Senate and House elections, a move that the lawyer defending the employees says violates elections laws that prohibit intimidating workers.

The incident was unknown by higher-ups in the company, including the general manager for McDonald’s in the Ohio region. Furthermore, Paul Siegfried said he was unaware of any law prohibiting employee intimidation.

Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner announced that this and any other case of intimidation will be investigated thoroughly and will not be tolerated.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Popularity: 5% [?]

FirstEnergy Corp. and Allegheny Energy, Inc., along with 18 parties to their merger in Pennsylvania, today filed with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PaPUC) a comprehensive settlement that addresses issues raised in the case.  The filing includes additional commitments related to employment levels in Greensburg and Westmoreland County, distribution rate credits for West Penn Power customers, a distribution rate freeze for FirstEnergy’s Pennsylvania utility customers, and support for renewable and sustainable energy and customer choice.

“We are pleased to have the support of the majority of parties to our merger case,” said Anthony J. Alexander, President and Chief Executive Officer of FirstEnergy.  ”This settlement builds on the significant commitments we’ve made to the Commonwealth and provides additional benefits to employees, customers and the competitive marketplace.”

“We appreciate the cooperation of all the parties to the settlement,” said Paul J. Evanson, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Allegheny Energy. “This agreement resolves a wide range of issues and should ensure we have a strong presence in our Pennsylvania communities for many years to come.”

In addition to the commitments made in the initial merger application, the settlement includes the following:

• A five-year commitment to maintain the following employment levels in Greensburg and Westmoreland County: at least 800 jobs for the first year after the merger closes, 675 jobs for the following 12 months, 650 jobs for the next year and 600 for the following two-year period.  These employment levels may be adjusted to reflect the number of employees who voluntarily leave the company during these time periods.  Also, in the final two years, employment levels in these areas could be affected by overall employment changes made at  FirstEnergy companies in response to business conditions.  Allegheny staffing levels in Greensburg are expected to be approximately 845 in early 2011.
• Nearly $11 million in customer credits for West Penn Power residential customers over a three-year period.
• A distribution rate freeze through October 1, 2012, for customers of FirstEnergy’s current Pennsylvania electric companies – Metropolitan Edison (Met-Ed), Pennsylvania Electric (Penelec) and Pennsylvania Power.
• Reliability improvements aimed at reducing the number and duration of outages for West Penn Power customers.
• Additional funding for the West Penn Power Customer Assistance Program.
• A credit for costs related to energy-efficiency and conservation programs for West Penn Power customers due to recently proposed changes in implementing its smart meter implementation plan.
• Long-term contracts for the purchase of Solar Photovoltaic Alternative Energy Credits between 2011 and 2021.
• A commitment of contributions to the West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund.
• Outreach to West Penn Power customers – including the establishment of a retail choice ombudsman – to promote and encourage customer choice and shopping.
• Additional customer usage information to competitive generation suppliers to help support a vibrant competitive marketplace in Pennsylvania.
• Establishment of a formal process to ensure power quality issues are addressed for industrial customers of FirstEnergy and Allegheny Energy in Pennsylvania.

“I am pleased that as a result of our discussions, FirstEnergy has made a five-year commitment to keep good, family-sustaining jobs here in the Greensburg area, especially in this troubled economy,” said Pennsylvania State Senator Kim Ward, (R-39th).

Parties signing the petition include the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Office of Trial Staff; the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA), AFL-CIO and UWUA System Local No. 102; The Pennsylvania State University; the Met-Ed Industrial Users Group; the Penelec Industrial Customer Alliance; the West Penn Power Industrial Intervenors; Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection; Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (PennFuture); Clean Air Council; the Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association; Constellation New Energy, Inc.; Constellation Energy Commodities Group; the Pennsylvania Mountains Healthcare Alliance; the West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund; the York County Solid Waste and Refuse Authority; and ARIPPA.  The petition, which resolves all issues raised by these parties in the FirstEnergy-Allegheny Energy merger case, is subject to approval of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.

The companies filed their application with the PaPUC on May 14, 2010.  In it they committed to operate a regional headquarters for West Penn Power at the current Allegheny Energy headquarters building in Greensburg, Pennsylvania; no net job losses at the utility operating companies for at least two years as a result of involuntary attrition related to the integration process; to establish a new Power Systems Institute program in Pennsylvania; and continued economic development and community support.

Popularity: 28% [?]

Popularity: 5% [?]

Well known and beloved Reverend Sam Ciccolini of Akron was sentenced to just one day in jail for income tax and bank-related fraud. Furthermore, he was fined $350,000 and ordered to repay a whopping $3.5 million to Interval Brotherhood Home Foundation, as Judge James Gwin thinks that’s about as much as he swindled and embezzled over the years. He was also given three years probation.

Ciccolini amassed around $5 million in a trust fund  over time, according to court documents. He pleaded guilty in June to structuring financial transactions to evade reporting requirements and making a false tax return.

Ciccolini clains his intentions were “good.”

To put in perspective how short of a jail sentence he’s really getting, the average sentence for crimes of this magnitude is 22.4 months, according to Ohio.com.

The Reverend conned the system by making deposits less than what is required for banks to report as possible laundering. Over $1 million was deposited in Akron banks from April to June 2003, over the course of 139 different transactions.

His tax returns also reflect his dishonesty – he claimed he made just over $100,000 when in actuality, he made $407,062. For lack of better phrasing, he got off easy, as he admitted to cheating on previous years’ taxes. He got more than $1 million in personal gifts over his career, and to add to the litany of incriminating things, lied to foundations by billing them for construction work and things that were donated to them. He falsified invoices and records, and admitted to hoarding cash in his room at Immaculate Conception church in Akron.

He avoided a charge of theft by repaying the stolen and wrongfully charged funds.

The self-proclaimed humble priest from Akron’s credibility is no doubt in question, even though he is well known for his benevolence. He was honored by Pope John Paul II in 2000 for his work and even  celebrated Mass with him at the Vatican. Although he was known as a compassionate, loving man in Akron, the community has questions and is left in shock at his actions.

Even in light of these charges, he is on administrative leave from his work, and still receives pay and benefits. The Catholic Diocese of Cleveland is reviewing his future in regards to priesthood.

Popularity: 4% [?]

A shameless man from Cleveland has a year in jail to think about stealing money from Katrina victims.

Forty year old JuJuan Norman apparently applied for and got $2,000 from the federal government after he called the Katrina victim hotline in September of 2005. He pleaded guilty to theft of government funds and was sentenced Wednesday. The money, of course, was supposed to be exclusive to those directly affected by the catastrophic hurricane in 2005.

In addition to the year in jail, he will have to pay $2,000 in restitution. Adding to the litany of justice, he will be supervised for three years when he gets out of jail.

Sadly, he is one of 11 Northern Ohio residents who have been busted for this thoughtless crime.

Popularity: 2% [?]

A Hamilton 15 year old will have 28 long years to reflect on how much of a disgusting creature he is.

Alexis Ramirez raped, beat and robbed a 64 year old woman with a pellet rifle in January – he was 14 years old then. Ramirez entered the woman’s home and made her drive to an ATM for money. Even after offering the creep a diamond ring and a credit card, he still raped her.

The kid cried mercilessly as the sentence was read, and said people have every right to think he’s a monster.

Since he isn’t a US citizen, the kid will probably be deported after his term.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Hundreds of businesses in Detroit Edison’s service area are saving money by switching their electric generation supplier to FirstEnergy Solutions (FES), the competitive subsidiary of Akron-Ohio based FirstEnergy Corp. Now FES is offering more businesses the opportunity to take advantage of savings should legislation pass that would increase the current cap on shopping in Michigan.

If the cap is increased from its current level of 10% of the utility’s total electricity demand to 25%, a limited number of businesses will be permitted to shop, and businesses on the waiting list will be the first eligible to participate.

“Last year we were able to sign up one of our facilities with FirstEnergy Solutions ? and as a result, we could save up to $400,000 over the term of the contract,” says Jim Royce, Controller for Michigan Seamless Tube LLC in South Lyon, Michigan, with over 80 years of experience manufacturing custom cold drawn seamless tubes. “FirstEnergy Solutions’ pricing is more predictable than buying electricity from the local utility, which makes budget preparation and forecasting easier and more accurate, and we’re no longer on an interruptible rate.”

Royce added, “We contacted FirstEnergy Solutions to ensure another one of our facilities is on the waiting list, so that we can take full advantage of any shopping opportunities that arise.”

“We’re pleased to be able to provide Detroit-area businesses with competitively priced electric generation,” says FirstEnergy Solutions Vice President of Sales & Marketing Arthur Yuan. “Even businesses that are currently with an alternative supplier should contact us for a risk-free savings analysis. Then they won’t be looking for pricing when their contract ends or lose their opportunity to shop by returning to the utility.”

To receive a free, no-obligation electric generation quote, commercial and industrial customers can contact FirstEnergy Solutions at 1-800-977-0500, or visit www.fes.com.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Talk about going postal…

A post office worker has been charged with assault and aggravated menacing today.

Seann Taulbee was doing his daily work when he suspected someone was trying to come in through the back of the post office. On instinct, the man called the cops and said he thought his life was in danger. Once again, on instinct, when the 61 year old man approached him, he put a knife to his throat.

The man and his father in law were merely trying to inform him that the outdoor mail box was crammed full. He didn’t know that, apparently – hence the knife in the throat of a 61 year old man. Then again, he does work in Akron…

Taulbee will be arraigned some time today.

Popularity: 6% [?]