akron
Conservation award
AKRON: The city has received a 2011 conservation award from the Summit County Soil and Water Conservation Service for efforts to restore the Little Cuyahoga River by the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.’s new world headquarters.
The goal of the project was to improve the water quality of the river, provide an adjacent flood plain and maximize the developable area. It included planting trees, creating wetlands and increasing bank stability.
Mayor Don Plusquellic said in a news release that the project has already provided positive results, including increased wildlife and improved vegetation.
The first phase of the project, completed last year, began east of Seiberling Road, extended downstream past Innovation Way (formerly Martha Avenue) and ended at the Kelly Avenue dam. The second phase, which will start next year, will involve more than 4,500 linear feet of stream channel and include lowering a dam.

BARBERTON
Grant awarded
BARBERTON: The Barberton Community Foundation has awarded $25,000 to the Beacon Journal Charity Fund Inc. The grant will be used for orthodontic treatment for children from low-income families in Barberton.
The award will be spent within the next year and is restricted to residents of Barberton.
The mission of the Beacon Journal Charity Fund is to serve a growing geographic area within the readership of the Akron Beacon Journal by providing financial assistance to furnish orthodontic and other dental care for needy and underprivileged children.
Since 1996, the fund has authorized more than $284,000 for orthodontic treatment for 129 Barberton children.
For information, call Judy Burkett, executive director, Beacon Journal Charity Fund Inc., 330-253-7700.

Bath township
Santa’s visits
BATH TWP.: The Bath Fire Dept. Inc.’s Gifts From Santa program will be held again this year.
To participate, parents should bring wrapped gifts for their children to the Bath Fire Department between now and Dec. 14. The gifts must include the child’s name, street address and phone number. Then from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 17, Bath Fire Department personnel will deliver the wrapped gifts to those children with the help of Santa, Santa’s elves and as many as three fire trucks.
According to Bath Fire personnel, the Gifts from Santa program is one way of showing the department’s appreciation for the support received from the Bath community.
If you have questions, call 330-666-3738.