Abigail Bottar
@abigailbottar.bsky.social
Akron/Canton reporter at Ideastream Public Media | she/her/hers | [email protected]
Summit County voters approved Issue 2 last night. The charter amendment will cap the annual growth of unvoted property taxes at 3%.
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Summit County voters approve Issue 2, allowing property tax reform
Summit County voters have approved the proposal to limit property taxes. Issue 2 also shields the county from some state proposals to eliminate property taxes.
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November 5, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Summit County voters approved Issue 2 last night. The charter amendment will cap the annual growth of unvoted property taxes at 3%.
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Despite court filings from the Trump administration that say it will use contingency funds to partially fund SNAP, Rep. Emilia Sykes says the program is still "in limbo."
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SNAP 'in limbo' as shutdown drags on, Rep. Emilia Sykes says
The Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program ran out of funds on Saturday. Cities and nonprofits are suing the Trump administration over its refusal to release contingency funds to pay for the prog...
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November 5, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Despite court filings from the Trump administration that say it will use contingency funds to partially fund SNAP, Rep. Emilia Sykes says the program is still "in limbo."
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Bath Township police are asking for the public's help in solving the shooting at an Airbnb early Sunday that injured nine people. Two people that sustained gunshots have already been released from the hospital.
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Bath Township Police ask for public's help to solve Sunday's Airbnb shooting
Nine people, mostly juveniles, were injured in a shooting in Bath Township early Sunday morning. Two gunshot victims have already been released from the hospital, Police Chief Vito Sinopoli said.
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November 3, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Bath Township police are asking for the public's help in solving the shooting at an Airbnb early Sunday that injured nine people. Two people that sustained gunshots have already been released from the hospital.
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We got our first look at the map the Ohio Redistricting Commission is likely to vote on today. I took a look at what the map proposes for Northeast Ohio's congressional districts.
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Kent residents react to new map adding them to Ohio's 13th Congressional District
The League of Women Voters of Ohio and Kent held a community conversation Thursday night at the Kent United Methodist Church.
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October 31, 2025 at 3:01 PM
We got our first look at the map the Ohio Redistricting Commission is likely to vote on today. I took a look at what the map proposes for Northeast Ohio's congressional districts.
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The historic church at the center of Tallmadge Circle is celebrating its bicentennial this year. Pretty cool piece of Summit County history.
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Historic Tallmadge church celebrates bicentennial
Tallmadge Church at the center of Tallmadge Circle was founded in 1825. Plans for the church predate the city's settlement in 1807.
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October 30, 2025 at 1:53 PM
The historic church at the center of Tallmadge Circle is celebrating its bicentennial this year. Pretty cool piece of Summit County history.
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www.ideastream.org/community/20...
Summit County Council approved an additional $250,000 for the Akron-Canton Foodbank this week. That will fund 750,000 meals. 13% of Summit County residents are on SNAP.
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SNAP benefits are expected to run out Saturday. Summit County officials say people will go hungry
Funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is set to run out Nov. 1 if the government doesn't reopen. More than 77,000 Summit County residents are on SNAP, according to county officials
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October 29, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Summit County Council approved an additional $250,000 for the Akron-Canton Foodbank this week. That will fund 750,000 meals. 13% of Summit County residents are on SNAP.
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Summit County's property tax charter amendment, Issue 2 on the ballot, inspired changes to a statewide reform bill that passed the Ohio House last week.
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How Summit County's property tax charter amendment inspired a statewide reform bill
House Bill 335 takes after a proposed charter amendment regarding property taxes that Summit County voters will weigh in on Nov. 4.
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October 29, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Summit County's property tax charter amendment, Issue 2 on the ballot, inspired changes to a statewide reform bill that passed the Ohio House last week.
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Last week, researchers studying the public health impacts of the East Palestine train derailment presented some of their findings to residents. Results are very preliminary and more research is needed.
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East Palestine train derailment early research shows health impacts, more study needed
On Feb. 3, 2023, a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous materials derailed in East Palestine, a small town on the border of Ohio and Pennsylvania. Several studies are ongoing to find what the pub...
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October 27, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Last week, researchers studying the public health impacts of the East Palestine train derailment presented some of their findings to residents. Results are very preliminary and more research is needed.
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Reposted by Abigail Bottar
Two years after #EastPalestine derailment, @universityofky.bsky.social health study says 2/3 of residents have vinyl chloride in their urine. @abigailbottar.bsky.social Ideastream: bit.ly/48GlQCL
Previous CDC study reported only 5%.
@altcdc.altgov.info @kentksmith.bsky.social @wkbn.bsky.social
Previous CDC study reported only 5%.
@altcdc.altgov.info @kentksmith.bsky.social @wkbn.bsky.social
Research on East Palestine train derailment shows health impacts, but more study is needed
On Feb. 3, 2023, a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous materials derailed in East Palestine, a small town on the border of Ohio and Pennsylvania. Several studies are ongoing to find what the pub...
bit.ly
October 24, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Two years after #EastPalestine derailment, @universityofky.bsky.social health study says 2/3 of residents have vinyl chloride in their urine. @abigailbottar.bsky.social Ideastream: bit.ly/48GlQCL
Previous CDC study reported only 5%.
@altcdc.altgov.info @kentksmith.bsky.social @wkbn.bsky.social
Previous CDC study reported only 5%.
@altcdc.altgov.info @kentksmith.bsky.social @wkbn.bsky.social
Summit County housing advocates say more proposed federal funding cuts would destabilize supportive housing in the county.
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More HUD cuts would destabilize supportive housing, Summit County advocates say
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is proposing limiting permanent housing funding to 30% of continuum of care allocations, down from 87%, according to the Summit County agency.
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October 20, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Summit County housing advocates say more proposed federal funding cuts would destabilize supportive housing in the county.
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Akron celebrated the reopening of Reservoir Park last night. It went through heavy renovations and now has a brand new pool and expanded community center.
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Akron celebrates renovated Reservoir Park Community Center
Akron officials and community members celebrated the reopening of Reservoir Park Community Center Tuesday night. The renovation included completely redoing the pool and expanding the community center.
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October 8, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Akron celebrated the reopening of Reservoir Park last night. It went through heavy renovations and now has a brand new pool and expanded community center.
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"They found a gun zipped in his pocket. He wasn't shooting at that officer," Akron NAACP President Judi Hill said. "There was no clear and present danger. I don't understand."
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Grand jury issues no indictment against Akron police officer in fatal shooting of Jazmir Tucker
Fifteen-year-old Jazmir Tucker was fatally shot by an Akron police officer Nov. 28, 2024. Police found a hand gun in Tucker's zipped coat pocket after he was shot, body cam footage shows.
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October 2, 2025 at 6:20 PM
"They found a gun zipped in his pocket. He wasn't shooting at that officer," Akron NAACP President Judi Hill said. "There was no clear and present danger. I don't understand."
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BREAKING: A Summit County grand jury issued NO indictments against the Akron police officer who fatally shot 15 year old Jazmir Tucker last Thanksgiving.
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Grand jury issues no indictment against Akron police officer in fatal shooting of Jazmir Tucker
Fifteen-year-old Jazmir Tucker was fatally shot by an Akron police officer Nov. 28, 2024. Police found a hand gun in Tucker's zipped coat pocket after he was shot, body cam footage shows.
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October 2, 2025 at 4:31 PM
BREAKING: A Summit County grand jury issued NO indictments against the Akron police officer who fatally shot 15 year old Jazmir Tucker last Thanksgiving.
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Hey Northeast Ohio! Have you been impacted by the government shutdown? Know anyone that's been furloughed? Running into issues accessing government services? We want to hear about it! Shoot me a DM here or email me - [email protected].
October 1, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Hey Northeast Ohio! Have you been impacted by the government shutdown? Know anyone that's been furloughed? Running into issues accessing government services? We want to hear about it! Shoot me a DM here or email me - [email protected].
ODOT is hitting the road, traveling around the state to get resident feedback on the state's long range transportation plan.
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Access Ohio 2050: Department of Transportation asks residents for input on transportation plan
The Ohio Department of Transportation is working on a long range transportation plan called Access Ohio 2050 that will shape the future of the state's transportation system.
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September 30, 2025 at 7:10 PM
ODOT is hitting the road, traveling around the state to get resident feedback on the state's long range transportation plan.
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Akron Bicentennial is launching an autobiography project tomorrow. The eight week workshop will help participants tell their own stories
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Bicentennial autobiography project empowers Akronites to tell their own stories
The Akron Bicentennial Autobiography Project is an eight week workshop that will guide participants through the steps of documenting their own histories.
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September 29, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Akron Bicentennial is launching an autobiography project tomorrow. The eight week workshop will help participants tell their own stories
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Akron has finally hired an organization to conduct a review of the police department's use of force policy. The city will pay $328,873 for the review, nearly half of Mayor Shammas Malik's original proposal, that council rejected.
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Akron hires national police research organization to conduct use-of-force review
Akron hired Police Executive Research Forum to conduct a review of the Akron Police Department's use-of-force policy, according to a press release from Mayor Shammas Malik's office.
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September 26, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Akron has finally hired an organization to conduct a review of the police department's use of force policy. The city will pay $328,873 for the review, nearly half of Mayor Shammas Malik's original proposal, that council rejected.
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The Hall of Fame Resort secured enough shareholder votes to take the company private this morning. The company will become a subsidiary of the privately held HOFV Holdings.
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Hall of Fame Resort secures shareholder vote to take company private
The Hall of Fame Resort and Entertainment Company got shareholder approval Wednesday after a previous vote last week failed.
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September 24, 2025 at 7:03 PM
The Hall of Fame Resort secured enough shareholder votes to take the company private this morning. The company will become a subsidiary of the privately held HOFV Holdings.
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Tonight is the last market of the season at Akron Cooperative Farms! The community garden partners with ASIA to put on the HAPI Fresh Farmers' Market, which was started to support Nepali and Bhutanese immigrants. It's such a joyful space.
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Akron Cooperative Farms grows produce and purpose for North Hill's Asian communities
Akron Cooperative Farms has become a gathering place for Nepali and Bhutanese immigrants living in Akron's North Hill neighborhood.
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September 24, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Tonight is the last market of the season at Akron Cooperative Farms! The community garden partners with ASIA to put on the HAPI Fresh Farmers' Market, which was started to support Nepali and Bhutanese immigrants. It's such a joyful space.
www.ideastream.org/community/20...
www.ideastream.org/community/20...
The Hall of Fame Resort and Entertainment Co. has a special shareholder meeting next week to vote on the company going private. Any shareholders out there interested in speaking with me ahead of time? Drop me a line here or email me: [email protected]
September 9, 2025 at 9:47 PM
The Hall of Fame Resort and Entertainment Co. has a special shareholder meeting next week to vote on the company going private. Any shareholders out there interested in speaking with me ahead of time? Drop me a line here or email me: [email protected]
A fun story I worked on a couple weeks ago. Did you know local farmers manage about 100 acres of the airfield, harvesting hay for their cattle? The airport also has its own apiary that produces honey they sell inside. 🚜🐄🐝🍯
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Akron-Canton Airport's partnerships with local farmers yield honey, hay and sustainability
Akron-Canton Airport partners with a local apiary to take care of more than 90 bee hives on airport property while two local farmers tend to the airfield.
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September 2, 2025 at 8:54 PM
A fun story I worked on a couple weeks ago. Did you know local farmers manage about 100 acres of the airfield, harvesting hay for their cattle? The airport also has its own apiary that produces honey they sell inside. 🚜🐄🐝🍯
www.ideastream.org/environment-...
www.ideastream.org/environment-...
This amendment is incredibly crucial to our ongoing conversations about property taxes in Ohio. Summit County officials say this charter amendment would relieve homeowners from rising property taxes, while protecting funding for county services.
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'Responsible tax reform': Summit County property tax charter amendment will be on November ballot
The proposed charter amendment would give residents relief from rising property taxes without hurting the county's critical services, Summit County officials said.
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August 18, 2025 at 10:20 PM
This amendment is incredibly crucial to our ongoing conversations about property taxes in Ohio. Summit County officials say this charter amendment would relieve homeowners from rising property taxes, while protecting funding for county services.
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And in Stark County, officials broke ground on an addition to the jail. Officials say the addition will be able to house more people in better conditions.
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Stark County officials start construction on jail addition
The addition to the jail will be able to house more people in better conditions, Stark County officials said, shifting from linear housing pods to a pod style layout.
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August 18, 2025 at 6:16 PM
And in Stark County, officials broke ground on an addition to the jail. Officials say the addition will be able to house more people in better conditions.
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www.ideastream.org/law-justice/...
Also last week, @senatorweinstein.bsky.social announced Megan's Way Out, legislation requiring all newly constructed drive thrus include a bypass lane. The bill is in honor of Megan Keleman, who was fatally shot in a drive thru last summer.
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Making drive-thrus safer. Legislation would require bypass lanes after 2024 Stow Taco Bell murder
Megan Keleman was shot and killed in the drive-thru of a Stow Taco Bell on Aug. 14, 2024. Her parents are now championing legislation to add safety lanes to new and updated drive-thrus.
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August 18, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Also last week, @senatorweinstein.bsky.social announced Megan's Way Out, legislation requiring all newly constructed drive thrus include a bypass lane. The bill is in honor of Megan Keleman, who was fatally shot in a drive thru last summer.
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