Local TV personality Ernie Stadvec sat down with former B-17 gunner, John Collett. John, a top turret gunner in the famed "Flying Fortress" flew 35 missions over Germany during World War II.

The first annual Chase Your Shadow 5K Run/Walk Race is slated for Saturday, Feb. 6, sponsored by the Friends of Portage Lakes State Park. The 3.1 mile closed course race for runners and walkers of all ages will be held in the scenic Portage Lakes State Park, 5031 Manchester Road, Akron.

The following are the local high school men and women soccer award winners from the fall season.  The Greater Akron Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association (GASSCA) district awards and All-Star matches encompass Summit, Stark, Portage, Medina and Wayne county teams. The Stark County Soccer Coaches Association (SCSCA) awards and All-Star matches encompass Stark county teams. The Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association (OSSCA) awards include all teams in Ohio. This list represents information submitted through Jan. 1.

The Green gymnastics team took another win Jan. 20; this time against McKinley.

“The girls really shined at their meet. They made tremendous improvements from their last team score,” said Coach Teresa Rayl.

Boy Scouts of America will celebrate its 100 year anniversary in February. One local Green troop, #335, headed by Scoutmaster Michael J. Trinko, continues the scouting tradition with its troop of 17 boys, ranging from fifth grade to high school- aged boys. Since its inception, 30 boys have earned the rank of Eagle Scout. This is an active troop which meets weekly at Greensburg United Methodist Church and offers many opportunities to camp, hike, bike, canoe and experience all that Boy Scouts has to offer. 
 

Network Computer Technology (NCT), a program at Portage Lakes Career Center, links students with high-paying careers.
 

On April 20, 1999,  Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, carried out the worst high school shooting in American history at Columbine High School  in Colorado. The two seniors walked into the  school and killed 12 students, one teacher and wounded 24 others before committing suicide.
 

What started out as a high school date for Jeremy and Katie Turbyfill, now both members of the U.S. military, has transformed into a committed marriage, coupled with a strong sense of what it means to serve their country.
 

New faces abounded at the January PLCC board meeting. Four new board members, one from each of the four home schools, were sworn in. They were Neal Hess, Tina Gable, Lynn Wiggens and Mark Tallman. Hess is a first-year member of both the Springfield and PLCC boards. Gable is in her second year on the Coventry board and her first at PLCC. Wiggens of Green is a first year school board member for both schools. Mark Tallman, from Manchester, is back for his second term with PLCC after serving 12 years previously.
 

The city council meeting was opened with the pledge of allegiance, lead by seventh-grade student Macoy Pizzute from the Portage Lake Troop 336. Pizzute lead the pledge of allegiance for his communication badge.
 

A South Main Street woman, 22, was arrested Jan. 24 for domestic violence. She is accused of assaulting her mother by pulling her hair and hitting her during an argument at their home. Deputies also found the woman had an outstanding warrant in Lakemore for underage consumption.
 

Mayor Dick Norton presented his State of the City address Jan. 27 at Raintree Country Club. The theme of the presentation was “Thriving in ‘09.”
“In 2009, I am pleased to report that Green not only survived, but has thrived. Thriving means building our future – not only bricks and mortar and concrete and asphalt, but also expanding businesses and jobs” said Norton.

The former Springfield Township trustee is in need of a bone marrow donor.