Sept. 17 Crash Update, 'Mr. Football' Wanted for Home Invasion & More: Week in Review

If you didn't catch all the big stories on North Canton Patch this week, don't sweat it. Take a minute to get caught up with our Week in Review update.

1. Police are looking for Erick Howard, 20, of North Canton, after they connected him to an Aug. 20 home invasion and rape in the 1100 block of Sunford Avenue. Howard is a two-time "Mr. Football" winner and all-star player from the Hoover High School football team. 2. You remember the arrest of Ethan Kibby, who police say spray-painted several buildings and objects in North Canton with his "artistic name," Chewy? Well, a clever North Cantonite sent in this Patch-inspired thank-you card to the North Canton Police Department. (We loved it.) 3. We reported that only one student remains hospitalized now after a crash that injured five Hoover High School students Sept. 17. Here's our original story, a follow-up with comments from Superintendent…

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Man Arrested in Connection With Home Invasion, Rape

North Canton police arrested Michael A. Taylor of North Canton after an Aug. 20 home invasion and rape of a female resident

North Canton police have arrested one man in connection with the home invasion and rape that occurred in the 1100 block of Sunford Avenue SE Aug. 20. Michael A. Taylor of North Canton (age not available) turned himself in Wednesday, according to a news release from the police department. He faces charges of complicity to commit theft, a fifth-degree felony; and complicity to commit aggravated burglary, a first-degree felony. Police had served three arrest warrants. One was for Taylor and the others for Erick M. Howard, 20, and Seth. R. Obermiller, 19, both of North Canton. Obermiller is expected to surrender himself, in the company of his attorney, at the police department this morning. He faces charges of aggravated burglary, a first-…

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North Canton Police Blotter: Two Beer-Thirsty Thieves Hit Maple Street Giant Eagle

Two people stole a hefty load of beer from the Giant Eagle at Washington Square within hours of each other Saturday

If two thieves who targeted the Washington Square Giant Eagle May 5 teamed up, they could throw one heck of a party. Within hours of each other Saturday, two people had strolled out of the grocery store with about $175 in alcohol. We're talking four 12-packs of Miller High Life and four 12-packs of Rolling Rock ($75) for one person and four 24-packs of Budweiser, one 12-pack of Milwaukee Ice and one bottle of wine ($95, including a bag of Dad's dog food and some dish soap). The first person left the store with his cart full of beer at about 12:30 p.m., while the other left at about 2:15 p.m. Neither was arrested. Rock through window Someone threw a rock through the window of a car in the 200 block of Lindy Lane Avenue NW about 2:30 a.m. …

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North Canton's Dogwood Skate Park: More Trouble Than It's Worth?

Residents came forward at Monday night's North Canton City Council meeting to talk about Dogwood Skate Park and its reputation, which only worsened after last month's botched drug deal

Rusty fences, a dirty drinking fountain and too little police enforcement, in Larry Tripp’s opinion, make the Dogwood Skate Park a “breeding ground for trouble.” The North Canton resident addressed City Council Monday night with concerns that the safety of the park, in which a botched drug deal occurred March 28, will only get worse before it gets better. “The more we let this area get run down, you and I know we’re just asking for trouble,” Tripp said. Council discussed what the city could do to prevent crimes and suspicious activity from taking place in the park. Council Vice President Doug Foltz backed the park and its contributions to the community, saying he fully supported bringing it to North Canton and he hopes to find additional …

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Week in Review

Catch our Week in Review every Sunday. We'll bring you a week's worth of top stories — all in one place

1. We reported about how the state budget would affect North Canton City Schools. District treasurer Todd Tolson said officials aren't sure just yet which services and programs might be affected by state cuts, but levy dollars — coming in from the 4.5-mill levy passed in November — will come in handy for filling gaps. 2. City officials also must think about how they’ll balance a budget when they’ll also see less in state money. Gov. John Kasich proposed a 25 percent cut in local government funds for 2012, but V. Margaret Loretto, the city's interim finance director, says North Canton already had planned for a 20 percent reduction. 3. North Canton City Council members discussed doubling the price of a buddy pass for Dogwood Swimming Pool. …

Police Arrest Two in Connection with Stark State Bomb Threat

Two men were charged in connection with a recent bomb threat at Stark State College

Jackson Township police arrested two people they believe are connected to a recent bomb threat at Stark State College, 6200 Frank Ave. Police say Tony Dean Gill of Louisville placed a call to Stark State March 2, saying there was a bomb on campus. The call originated from a public phone at 3235 Mahoning Road NE in Canton.  Gill told Jackson Township detectives and an Ohio Adult Parole Authority officer he had placed the call that there was a “bomb in the building that was going to blow up," police said today. He was charged with disrupting public services, a fourth-degree felony, and inducing panic, a second-degree felony.  He was booked into the Stark County Jail on those charges and for parole violations. Police say Scott A. Gainer of …

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Police Search for Driver of Stolen Truck After Traffic Stop, Foot Chase

Two men are in jail after riding in a stolen truck this morning, but North Canton police still are searching for the driver, who ran from them after a traffic stop

North Canton police are searching for one man who drove a stolen truck through the city and ran from them after a traffic stop early this morning. An officer pulled over the 2000 Dodge Dakota three men were riding in about 1:20 a.m. today near Woodrow and Pittsburg streets, and two of those men, including the driver, got out of the truck and ran. Police arrested the man who stayed in the car — Lawrence L. Mayle, 29, of Canton. They found one man who ran from them, Stewart Harbin, 37, of Canton, hiding behind a Dumpster in the 900 block of Pittsburg Ave. NW. Police tackled him and arrested him. Both men are charged with receiving stolen property, a fourth-degree felony, and obstructing official business, a second-degree misdemeanor. Police …

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North Canton Police Arrest Man After Car Pursuit, Foot Chase

Police arrested Derrick L. Johnson, 35, of Canton, Saturday after he allegedly ran from them during a traffic stop

North Canton police arrested a Canton man early Saturday morning after a short vehicle pursuit and foot chase. Police stopped a weaving 2007 GMC Yukon, driven by Derrick Lee Johnson, 35, on Easthill Street SE about 2:30 a.m. Saturday. Johnson reportedly sped off while the officer waited outside the Yukon for his driver’s license and registration, according to a news release from the North Canton Police Department. Police give this account of what happened after: Officers pursued Johnson east on Easthilll Street. Johnson couldn’t make a right turn onto Market Avenue from 55th Street and drove into the yard of 5446 Market Ave. N. He knocked down trees and shrubs as he continued to drive south through five yards along Market Avenue. Johnson …

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Weekly Roundup of North Canton's Biggest Stories

Here's a quick and easy way to catch up on some news you may have missed this week

Mayor David Held announced at the North Canton City Council meeting Monday night that Police Chief Michael Grimes would become the next director of administration. And Friday, Grimes hosted a goodbye celebration for Lt. Joseph Nist, a longtime member of the force who retired that day. Sports reporter Craig Haueter wrote about Gordon “Gordie” Knisely, a North Canton resident and former Chicago Cubs catcher. The huge Hoover sports fan is 83 years old and has a portfolio of experiences that goes on and on. Walter F. Wagor, dean of Kent State University at Stark, talked with North Canton Patch about his plans for the campus, which include adding several graduate and undergraduate programs. Wagor is in his second semester as dean. Walsh …