By Molly Walsh
cleveland.com

AKRON, Ohio — Brian Harding, Akron’s acting police chief since January, officially became the department’s leader Tuesday.

Harding has led the force since Steve Mylett retired. He was named a finalist for the position in April.

Akron Mayor Shammas Malik administered the oath at the Akron Civic Theatre’s Knight Stage.

“Never as a 21-year-old University of Akron student working at Swenson’s to help pay for college did I see myself as your chief of police, but I am truly humbled by the opportunity,” Harding said after being sworn in.

He was promoted to the position last week after a monthslong, controversial hiring process.

The city decided to hire internally after first announcing a nationwide search for the position. State and local laws do not give the city clear authority to hire from the outside, Malik said earlier this year.

The reversal drew criticism from residents, who pushed for a search that included racially diverse candidates.

Harding addressed the crowd Tuesday, thanking his family and city officials for support. He said his primary goal as chief of police is to foster meaningful relationships with residents.

“Regardless of what community you live in, your voice matters, and your concerns will be heard,” he said. “Building these relationships is just not about earning trust, it is about creating a shared vision for a safer, more prosperous future.”

Watch this video to learn from Gordon Graham about crafting a lasting legacy in policing, ensuring your career has a positive and enduring impact.

He also said he wants the department to focus on community engagement and reducing crime. He also plans to push recruiting and retaining officers.

“Community engagement is not a buzzword; it is the heartbeat of effective policing,” he said. “We must actively listen, learn and collaborate. I look forward to connecting. I will attend neighborhood events and engage with residents.

“I will seek out community leaders, faith-based organizations, schools, businesses and our youth to build partnerships. Together, we will identify priorities, address concerns and celebrate our collective success.”

Harding said he wants to create an environment where every resident feels valued and respected.

“Each member of the Akron Police Department family, every community member and all our stakeholders play a vital role,” he said. “Let us move forward together, united by a shared purpose to create a safer, more inclusive community.”

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP) — A crew working in the basement area of an Ohio building intentionally cut a gas line not knowing it was pressurized before a deadly explosion this week, the National Transportation Safety Board said Friday.

NTSB board member Tom Chapman said workers were in the basement to clear out piping and other outdated infrastructure. He said workers smelled no gas before they started cutting the pipe and knew there was a problem when they made the third cut.

At that point, workers pulled the fire alarm and alerted residents and bank employees to evacuate. Chapman said the explosion happened six minutes after that cut. Investigators will try to determine why the pipe was pressurized.

The explosion Tuesday afternoon blew out much of the ground floor of Realty Tower, killing a bank employee and injuring several other people.

It collapsed part of the ground floor into its basement and sent the façade across the street. Bricks, glass and other debris littered the sidewalk outside the 13-story building, which had a Chase Bank branch at street level and apartments in upper floors.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WXIX) – Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced an expansion of the state’s sales tax holiday on Friday.

In conjunction with the Ohio General Assembly, Gov. DeWine expanded the holiday 10 days from Tuesday, July 30 to Thursday, Aug. 8.

The holiday allows tax-free purchases on in-person or online sales of eligible items up to $500.

“Ohio’s sales tax holiday, historically, was meant to help families buy clothing and school supplies for the coming school year,” DeWine said in a release. “This expanded sales tax break will help Ohio’s families with back-to-school necessities as well as other substantial purchases during a time when so many household budgets are being strained.”

Previous Ohio sales tax holidays ran three days, included only school-related items, and had purchase limits of $75.

Exemptions from the holiday include purchases of watercraft, outboard motors, motor vehicles, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, vapor products and items that contain marijuana.

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