News roundup for Feb. 27, 2021

Wadsworth police achieves recertification in Ohio Collaborative Standards The Wadsworth Police Department recently completed the Ohio Collaborative recertification process. Recertification of the Ohio Collaborative standards takes place on a revolving, three to four-year cycle. There are 491 agencies that are certified, and 73 that are in the process of becoming certified by meeting standards for the use of force, including deadly force, and agency recruitment and hiring. Additionally, over 29,385 officers (representing over 91 percent of all law enforcement officers in Ohio, including most of Ohio's metropolitan areas) are employed by an agency that is involved in some form of the certification process. Preschool registration starts Monday Registration for Medina Schools' Helping Hands Preschool will begin Monday. Helping Hands is an integrated preschool housed at Northrop Elementary School, 950 East Reagan Parkway. The program provides mandated preschool services to children three to five years of age with disabilities and offers a developmentally appropriate preschool experience for a select number of typical peers. To register typically developing peers, call (330) 636-4601. To register students with suspected disabilities, call (330) 636-4606. Nonprofits can apply for new batch of grants The Community Response Fund for Nonprofits at Akron Community Foundation is once again accepting grant applications. Initially established in March 2020 to provide flexible resources to area nonprofits facing hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the fund has since expanded to help direct changes that encourage greater community inclusion and equity for all in the region. The fund will accept inclusion-focused grant applications through April 1. Grants will be awarded up to $5,000 to 501(c)(3) organizations in Summit and Medina counties. For more information, visit www.akroncf.org/communityresponsefundinfo. Medina Schools student art show announced The Medina Schools student art show, put on by the Medina County Arts Foundation, in partnership with the Medina Schools, Main Street Medina, Medina County Arts Council, and Huntington Bank, is set for March 5-28. The show will be on exhibition during regular business hours at various locations in and around the Medina Square and South Town. The show will open on Friday, March 5 as part of the Main Street Medina First Friday event. Works of art will be on view through March 28. The exhibition will feature pieces created by students attending Medina Schools, Evolve Academy, Wadsworth High School and the Medina County Juvenile Detention Center. A full program listing of host locations and guide to works on display will be available at www.mainstreetmedina.com and www.medinabees.org on March 5. Stewart's Caring Place announces hiking fundraiser In its 15 year, the annual Stewart's Caring Place Hope Walk is introducing Hope Walk Takes a Hike, a reimagined version of the event to maintain social distance while building camaraderie and fun selfie style competition. Stewart's Caring Place has partnered with Summit Metro Parks, Medina County Park District, Downtown Akron Partnership, and others for the event to be held May 2-8. Registrants will be encouraged to get out into nature and enjoy a walk on favorite or new trails throughout the entire week. To register, visit give.classy.org/HopeWalk2021. Registration is $20 and includes a Hope Walk t-shirt, which may be picked up curbside in advance of the event. — from staff reports