LOOK: New Technicote Complex Unveiled at Ribbon Cutting

The ceremony was held Tuesday in Cuyahoga Falls at Technicote, Inc.

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Company Ravaged by Fire Making a Comeback in Cuyahoga Falls

Cuyahoga Falls and Summit County officials were able to keep Technicote Inc. in the city, save 40 jobs and bring in $10 million worth of investment after a fire tore through the local company.

When a fire ripped through the Technicote complex in December of 2011, many felt the local company would pack up and move on. Now, a year after the blaze, Technicote’s operations are already back up and running thanks to a $10 million, 45,800-square-foot addition that was constructed to repair and expand on the damaged facility.  "After evaluating numerous options in various states and sites, we concluded rebuilding at our current location in Cuyahoga Falls was the best option,” said Technicote President Doug O’Connell in a prepared statement. “We were anxious to retain our experienced workforce, since they are one of the keys to producing the unique products we offer. Another factor was that the City of Cuyahoga Falls has been great to …

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Police: 2 Arrested Following Meth Lab Explosion

Todd M. James, 54, of Cuyahoga Falls, and Leo C. Stalter II, 27, of Tallmadge, were charged with numerous meth-related felony counts on Thursday.

Two men were arrested on Thursday morning after their suspected meth lab exploded in the 900 block of Magnolia Avenue.  Cuyahoga Falls fire fighters arrived on scene at 8:06 a.m. and immediately grew suspicious when they saw Todd M. James and Leo C. Stalter II trying to extinguish the subsequent fire that had broken out in an attached garage.  The Cuyahoga Falls Police Narcotics Unit along with the Summit County Drug Unit responded and determined the home was being used to produce methamphetamine, according to Falls Police Sgt. James Singleton.  James, 54, who lived at the residence, and Stalter, 27, of Tallmadge, were charged with aggravated arson, a first-degree felony; illegal manufacturing of drugs, a second-degree felony; illegal …

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Cuyahoga Falls Authorities Hunting Arsonist; $5,000 Reward Offered

Up to $5,000 is being offered to anyone with information that leads to the arrest and conviction of an arsonist who set a house on fire this past Sunday in Cuyahoga Falls.

A fire broke out at 640 Madison Ave. on Oct. 7, and Cuyahoga Falls Fire Department officials have determined someone intentionally lit the fuse. Up to $5,000 is being offered for any information regarding the arson incident that occurred this past Sunday at 3:30 a.m., according to a fire department press release. A Cuyahoga Falls Police report stated no one was home at the time of the fire. The Falls News Press reports a couple has been renting the house, but just recently, the pair moved in with relatives while they shopped for a new home. Fire marshals estimated the blaze caused $70,000 in structural damage and $20,000 in damage to the couple’s property. The Blue Ribbon Arson Committee is offering the reward to anyone who can provide …

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Cuyahoga Falls VFW Rebuild Underway

John Ostlund, of Ostlund Construction, demolished a section of VFW Post 1062 on Tuesday as part of a rebuilding effort to bring the fire-damaged structure back to life.

Good news awaits the 670-plus members of VFW Post 1062.  Quatermaster Ronald Moore estimates the front portion of the VFW will open its doors on or around Oct. 8; however, new plans call for an in-depth rebuild that will stretch over the next several months.  John Ostlund, of Ostlund Construction, is directing the renovation. Check tomorrow's Cuyahoga Falls Patch Newsletter for the complete story with video coverage of the demolition.  Not signed up for our free newsletter that comes to your email inbox everyday? Click here. 

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UPDATE: Falls Fire Blotter: Set of Weekend Fires Causes $80,000 in Damage

The Cuyahoga Falls Fire Department responded to two fires on Sunday, June 24. Each were extinguished quickly with one case of smoke inhalation.

Cuyahoga Falls firefighters extinguished two fires early Sunday, June 24 that occurred just hours apart from each other. Both fires were caused by unattended candles, reports the Falls News Press. The first call came in at 12:30 a.m., when a passerby noticed smoke billowing from the second story of a Karam Properties office building, located at 205 W. Portage Tr. According to Falls fire marshal Mike Dunton, a man had been working in one of the offices, but had stepped out shortly before the fire started. As crews arrived on scene, the employee returned and said he had left a candle burning on his desk. The fire caused about $10,000 in damages and no injuries were reported. The fire department was then called to 1515 Eighth St. at about 3:…

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Investigation Continues in Death of Gregory Hetrick

Hetrick, 29, of Cuyahoga Falls, died in a Prange Drive apartment fire that investigators say he intentionally set.

Prange Fire Update: Man's Death May Be Ruled a Suicide

The investigation is ongoing in the death of Gregory Hetrick, 29, who was one of five pulled from Friday morning's Honey Locust Garden apartment fire.

On Monday, the Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office performed an autopsy on Gregory Hetrick, 29, who died on Friday night after being pulled from the Prange Drive apartment fire.  It ruled Hetrick’s death was caused by burn injuries, while the manner of death is “tentative as suicide (consistent with self-inflicted injury), pending further investigation,” according to a spokesperson for the examiner’s office. Hetrick was pronounced dead at 10:15 p.m. Friday in the Akron Children’s Hospital Burn Unit, reports the Falls News Press. Firefighters responded at 4:49 a.m. Friday morning and found that a fire had spread through four apartments at Honey Locust Gardens, located at 3339 Prange Drive. Three young girls were rescued along with …

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Woman Charged With Child Endangerment Following Prange Drive Apartment Fire

Police say the woman had left her two young children and niece home alone when the fire started around 4:30 a.m. on Friday morning. A warrant has been issued for her arrest.

Following Friday morning’s Prange Drive apartment building fire, a 27-year-old Cuyahoga Falls woman was charged with three counts of child endangerment after police determined two of her children and a niece were left alone in one of the units. A warrant has been issued for the woman’s arrest, reports the Falls News Press. According to Falls Police Chief Tom Pozza, officers plan on taking her into custody next week. The woman is currently at the hospital with her 6-year-old daughter, 5-year-old daughter; and 5-year-old niece, said Pozza. The mother was reportedly working at the time of the fire, which started in the apartment next door to where the three young girls were sleeping, The girls and an adult were taken to local hospitals …

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RECALL: Toy Truck Poses Fire Hazard

There is a voluntary recall on a toy exclusively sold at Kohl's.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall on toy truck gifts given with the purchase of boys T-shirts exclusively at Kohl's because one caught fire and three others were smoldering. The toy is battery operated and there have been reports that the battery compartment can smolder or catch the trucks on fire, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers, according to a Fire Service Alert forwarded to Patch by Stow Fire Safety Educator Sandy Ray. No injuries have been reported. This recall involves Big Movers Super Car toy trucks that were gifts with the purchase of Big Movers T-shirts that were sold between February and March. The 4-inch long blue trucks have over-sized tires and a flashing light on top and were …

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