Herald Nation

06/17/2026

06/17/2026

06/17/2026

Be advised Rhodes Avenue between Crosby Street and Colfax Place is CLOSED due to a water main break and pavement repair and is expected to remain closed until June 24th at 4:00 PM. During this closure, W. Exchange St., S. Portage Path, Crosby St., and the reverse can be used as alternate routes around this closure.

06/17/2026

WHO IS SHORTER GRIFFIN?
Following the resignation of Mayor William Judge, Barberton City Council President Shorter Griffin is expected to assume the duties of mayor under the city's charter.

Griffin brings several years of municipal government experience to the position. He previously served as Barberton's 3rd Ward councilman before being elected as an at-large member of City Council. In 2025, he was elected President of Barberton City Council after serving as the council's vice president.

According to candidate information published during the 2025 election cycle, Griffin stated that he had eight years of City Council experience and had been elected by Barberton voters on multiple occasions. His background includes training in public speaking and computer science, and he attended Stark State College.

Throughout his time in office, Griffin has been involved in city government, community activities, and legislative matters affecting Barberton residents. As he prepares to take on the role of mayor, he will bring both legislative leadership experience and a working knowledge of city operations to the position.

06/17/2026

06/17/2026

🌪️ POTENTIAL HIGH‑IMPACT SEVERE WEATHER DAY 🌪️

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION — SEVERE WEATHER UPDATE
ISSUED 7:00 AM EDT — HIGH‑IMPACT EVENT POSSIBLE

Current observations show 50s to low 60s for temperatures and dew points in the low 50s — and yes, that’s exactly what we expect at this stage of the setup. The atmosphere is in its “pre‑loaded” phase, and the ingredients don’t come together until the warm front lifts northward later today.

🧭 WARM FRONT POSITION = THE ENTIRE FORECAST HINGE
As of this morning, the warm front stretches from central Iowa → central Illinois → central Indiana.

This boundary is the key player today. Through the afternoon, it will begin sliding north. As it does:

*A corridor of richer moisture surges in
*Temperatures jump well into the 70s
*Low‑level shear dramatically increases
*A band of rain/storms rides along the front

How far north the warm front gets — and when it gets there — will determine the magnitude and placement of the tornado threat.

🌪️ AFTERNOON TORNADO WINDOW (3 PM – 7 PM)
As the warm front lifts, the environment becomes supportive of discrete or semi‑discrete rotating storms, especially west of Marion / Springfield / Sandusky.

A tornado cannot be ruled out during this window, before the main convective complex arrives later tonight.
This is the zone where:

*Surface winds back
*The LLJ begins strengthening
*Hodographs curve sharply
*Forcing overlaps the boundary

It’s a legitimate mesoscale concern.

⛈️ MAIN SEVERE COMPLEX ARRIVES TONIGHT
Timing:

NW Ohio: 8 PM – 11 PM
Rest of the region: 10 PM – 4 AM

There is some uncertainty regarding how long the afternoon warm‑front convection lingers, but current trends favor dissipation as the primary severe complex organizes across Illinois → southern Michigan → northern Indiana.

This is where upscale growth begins and the high‑impact portion of the event develops.

🌀 EXTREME WIND PROFILES = HIGH‑END SEVERE POTENTIAL
Tonight’s environment features a rare combination for our region:

*70+ kt 850 mb jet from the SSW
*60–70+ kt 500 mb jet from the west
*Southerly surface winds feeding the warm sector
*Strong deep‑layer shear
*Highly curved low‑level hodographs

This produces a high‑shear, multi‑hazard environment capable of:

*Damaging to destructive winds (60–80 mph)
*Several tornadoes
*Large hail (up to half‑dollar size)
*Embedded mesovortices within the line

The RED/PINK zones remain the highest tornado‑probability corridor, but a tornado cannot be ruled out in the yellow either.
Green = no meaningful tornado threat.

🌩️ OVERNIGHT INSTABILITY QUESTION — BUT SHEAR MAY CARRY THE EVENT
Even with limited instability after dark, the prolific wind shear may be enough to keep storms:

*Organized
*Forward‑propagating
*Capable of producing widespread damaging winds

This is the million‑dollar question for the yellow zone:
How much can shear compensate for marginal instability?
Historically, in setups like this, the answer is: quite a lot.

I expect a solid line east of Sandusky/Marion, with 60–70+ mph winds likely.

📡 FREQUENT UPDATES TODAY
Given the high‑impact nature of this event, I’ll be issuing frequent mesoscale analysis updates throughout the day.
If trends warrant, I will also update the severe risk map around 1:30 PM.

Stay weather aware — today is a day where the atmosphere evolves rapidly and the details matter.

06/17/2026

We apologize - we will be closed for the day TOMORROW.

The good news?!

A much-needed parking lot is finally on the way! Thank you for your patience and understanding while this exciting improvement takes place.

See you THURSDAY!

06/17/2026

🚒💦 Barberton Fire Truck Splash Bash 💦🚒

Get ready to cool off and have some summer fun at the Barberton Fire Truck Splash Bash! Join us for a FREE family-friendly afternoon of water play, community fun, and excitement with the City of Barberton.

📅 Saturday, June 27
⏰ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
📍 Avilee Webb Park
230 Elson Ave., Barberton, OH 44203

Bring your swimsuits, towels, and sunscreen as the Barberton Fire Department turns the firetruck into a giant sprinkler for an afternoon of splashing fun! Kids will also enjoy a Touch-a-Truck experience, music, food for purchase from the Tasty Wing Machine Food Truck and fun in the sun.

✅ Free admission
✅ Water sprinkler
✅ Touch-a-Truck
✅ Music & family fun
✅ Tasty Wing Machine Food Truck
Weather permitting.

A special thank you to John Croft and Son Excavating LLC for sponsoring this event and to the Barberton Fire Department, Barberton Police Department, Barberton Parks & Recreation, and City of Barberton workers for helping make this event possible.

We can't wait to see you there for a fun-filled day of community, laughter, and lots of water! 💦🚒☀️

06/16/2026

We are ready for Toy Story 5!!!

06/16/2026

Following the mayor’s resignation, Council President Shorter Griffin was sworn in today as Barberton’s new mayor. Stepping into the role with purpose and humility, he emphasized his commitment to keeping the city moving forward and serving residents with consistency and care.

Mayor Shorter Griffin said, “I’m committed to providing steady leadership and continuing the work our community depends on.”