Friday, December 31, 2010

Highland Theater celebrating "Nude Year's Eve" tonight; here's the recipe for the signature "Juicy Booty" drink feature. http://ping.fm/7VtVh

Thursday, December 30, 2010

We're streaming the Greynold's Classic right now on WAKRNewsNow. Online and thru WAKRNewsNow phone app. http://ping.fm/1BtW3
Greynolds Classic now underway at WAKRNewsNow live stream online and mobile. http://ping.fm/s6q84
The Freezing Rain Advisory has been extended again, now through 11 a.m. http://ping.fm/ZUOgw
A Freezing Rain Advisory for much of Northeastern Ohio has been extended through 9 a.m. http://ping.fm/SFI09

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Thursday, December 23, 2010

HUGE: OSU's Pryor, four others benched for start of 2011 season in scandal. http://ping.fm/Y9ASl

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

For my pal @lane1008 - good story, includes note of social media on Broadway. You win! http://ping.fm/ezTMs
BREAKING Former UA Trustee Jack Morrison ethics convictions overturned. http://ping.fm/mTp75
Thanks to Carl Bako of the Greynolds Classic for joining us on our video preview of this great event! http://ping.fm/ZnShn

Monday, December 20, 2010

Kent State makes it official: OSU assistant Darrell Hazell is the Golden Flashes' next football coach.
The Southbound Route 8 run is much faster now...looks like that accident at the Central has been cleared.
A 2 car accident reported at the Central Interchange. Traffic could be backed up on Southbound 8 as far north as Cuyahoga Falls Avenue.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Smart move! U of Akron extends national soccer title coach Caleb Porter's contract through 2020. zips

Thursday, December 16, 2010

There is an accident at I-77 Southbound near the Innerbelt, a car off the road at I-76 Eastbound near the Kenmore Leg.
An accident on North Portage Path at the top of the hill from the Merriman Valley has closed that street in both directions.
What if LeBron had taken his talents to the U.S. Navy instead of Miami this summer? http://ping.fm/MHFHT

LeBron Quits NBA, Joins Navy

Can you imagine?

At the height of his star power, the best of his generation to play the game, leaving it behind to serve in the military.

Think of Derek Jeter leaving the Yankees behind after the 2001 World Series just months after the World Trade Center towers fell. Or LeBron signing enlistment papers at St. Vincent St. Mary High School instead of the Nike contract in 2003 just months after the U.S. went to war in Iraq.

That's what Bob Feller did after Pearl Harbor.

I mean no disrespect to Jeter or James. But what Bob Feller did, literally hours after Pearl Harbor, stands as a bigger measure of the man than his fastball and Hall of Fame credentials.

60 years separate two distinct and major events in U.S. history, almost to the day. On December 7, 1941, the Japanese Empire sneak attack on the American military base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii left 2,403 dead. On September 11, 2001, the Al Qaeda terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Washington and a third passenger jet which crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania left 2,996 dead, including 14 who succumbed to their wounds that day or lung cancer from working the Ground Zero site.

Enlistment after both attacks showed the resolve of Americans to fight the fight. It is often pointed to as an expression of the patriotism shown by this country in defense of this country.

But 1941 was different. With the exception of Arizona Cardinal Pat Tillman, later killed in action in Afghanistan and his legacy all the more tragic after higher-ups tried to cover up details of his death by friendly fire, 2001 was not 1941 with high-profile athletes leaving behind their careers to put themselves in harm's way.

Bob Feller, Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams -- all among those giants of baseball who enlisted.

But Feller's service was different; DiMaggio enlisted in February 1943, served most of his time in-country and in Hawaii as a physical education instructor despite requests to the military that he be treated no differently than any other soldier. Most pro baseball players did the same, although a few did see combat.

Williams tried to delay his entry into the service as a sole provider for his mother, at least until he was able to establish a trust fund n her behalf. The draft board agreed on appeal, but the public outcry provided a different direction and he enlisted in May 1942. He flew as a Navy aviator with distinction in combat in both World War II and Korea, losing five years of his most production athletic years in service to the country.

Feller recalls hearing the news of the Pearl Harbor attacks and being "angry as hell" while driving from his home in Iowa to Chicago to discuss his next contract with the Cleveland Indians.

He signed a contract with the U.S. Navy instead on December 9, the day after President Roosevelt's "Day that will live in infamy" call for the U.S. to declare war on Japan. Feller served for three and a half years aboard the U.S.S. Alabama, and is the only Chief Petty Officer in Cooperstown.

Here's a man who was inducted into the Hall of Fame, honored as the "greatest pitcher ever" by The Sporting News, a player who stayed loyal to his team throughout even over the half-century after he retired from the game. Adored by millions, a household name. He played with and against some of the greatest at the height of baseball's popularity as "America's Pastime" but when he spoke of past glory, there's no doubt the highlight of his life was the time he spent playing for the Navy.

Bob Feller could be a crapshoot interview; think of your great-grandfather, the times their opinions were forged in, and the luxury of speaking their minds in their golden years. Radio broadcasters would frequently hold their breath when he came to the live microphone, especially when talking about the war years and the "angry as hell" feelings he still felt toward the Japanese Empire and it's subjects.

In many ways, time had passed Bob Feller by but time never passed his love of the Cleveland Indians and the responsibility he felt to his teammates, even those who's parents weren't even born when he hung up his spikes in 1956. He still wore the Wahoo with pride, making his team his passion through the worst times and the best times as the franchise rebuilt from it's glory years when Feller took the hill to throw a baseball.

It's no surprise the flowers and items are piling up in front of Bob Feller's status at Progressive Field. As with Jim Brown, Bob Feller was the Cleveland sports icon, burning brightly on the field and in the hearts of the fans. That still holds true even as the final out came at age 92.

God bless you, Bob. For not being afraid to be yourself, for following your heart and for playing the game.
Akron lifts snow parking ban, you are now free to try and see the curb in front of your house again.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Akron police advises to avoid Route 8 Southbound near the Central Interchange due to a multi-vehicle crash.
Winter Warning winding down, still a chance of lake effect snow and brutal cold. http://ping.fm/EVuGD
I-76 in Portage County near Tallmadge Road is now clear, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. It had been icy and slick.
If you've been through or near I-76 near Tallmadge Road/Portage County (Brimfield), tell us what you saw...
The highway patrol reports that I-76 in both directions near Tallmadge Road in Portage County has very icy conditions in both directions.
Barberton v Wadsworth 7:30p tipoff still ON tonight on 1590 WAKR and the voice of AkronNewsNow live streaming: http://ping.fm/hxhvS
Stow Road closed; Canal Fulton lifts parking ban http://ping.fm/dxYzY
No cancellation word yet on Barberton@Wadsworth game, airing 730p tipoff tonight on WAKR and http://ping.fm/1tVPf
Winter Storm Warning continues thru 7a tomorrow, mostly due to cold: http://ping.fm/bf3OS
Akron issues parking ban, heading to get side streets clear now. Major highways down to pavement. Still some closings: http://ping.fm/5CrnE
Need a reminder on why money isn't everything? New York v Kristin Lee: http://ping.fm/23OEj
Closings; yeah, we've got those...and more. http://ping.fm/z5DAO
Akron Forecast: Winter Warning still posted, now frigid cold not so much snow. http://ping.fm/4YiRi
Another day, another long list of school closings for Akron. http://ping.fm/gYTI3

Monday, December 13, 2010

Medina and Portage County still under Level 2 road snow emergency order. http://ping.fm/nBAbF
Another 4-8" overnight, maybe 5-7" additional for Akron Tuesday. http://ping.fm/6J4Nq
Turnpike at Route 8 finally reopened after daylong wreck. More closings for tonight. m Health and Fitness Center http://ping.fm/iuejC
Traffic: SB 8 at Tallmadge Ave., up to an hour. Here's new closings, too: http://ping.fm/yqZhn
University of Akron closing main, Medina campus after 3p. More closings: http://ping.fm/HU4h9
Akron still rocking with closings due to snow. http://ping.fm/M0mGc

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Good luck to Caleb Porter and his Zips soccer team; 4p kickoff v Louisville ESPN2 Sunday.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Online listening RIGHT NOW of Green@Copley basketball: http://ping.fm/uW5Lq
Tonight on WakrNewsNow: 730p tipoff with Green Bulldogs at Copley-Fairlawn Indians. LIVE with Nick! http://ping.fm/lpBDJ

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Fairlawn planning comm recommends temp "jersey wall" barriers to block off streets near proposed new Wal-Mart, council must still weigh in.

Monday, December 6, 2010

WinterTip 996: you'll need these lyrics. Dino's gone but the song is still red-hot! winterDUHS http://ping.fm/0wScZ
Several schools are closed today due to the snowfall. Is yours one of them? http://ping.fm/dAWcH

Saturday, December 4, 2010

The Buchtel Griffins aren't able to take the Division III title despite taking many turnovers...Columbus Bishop Watterson 13, Buchtel 12.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Akron police say that accident on Route 8 SOUTHBOUND near the Central Interchange has been cleared.
Akron police say AVOID Rt. 8 SOUTHBOUND entirely in the city due to an accident at the Central Interchange.
An accident on Route 8 SOUTHBOUND at the Central Interchange is slowing traffic coming from the north.
Nice LeBron column from Anthony Castrovince, the "baseball guy" Indians.com: http://ping.fm/KB2dS