AKRONSenator to speakAKRON: U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown will address the Akron Press Club next month, but Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, his Republican challenger, has declined a similar invitation.Brown will address a luncheon crowd at 11:45 a.m. Jan. 6 at the University of Akron’s Martin Center, 105 Fir Hill.Mandel is too busy to speak at the event, his political director said. The Akron Press Club first invited Mandel to speak in May, then worked through the summer to try to find an acceptable date, learning this month no date would work, the Press Club said in a news release.The Press Club regularly hosts political candidates from both political parties at its speakers forums.“We are disappointed that Josh Mandel is unable to participate,” said Bruce Winges, editor of the Akron Beacon Journal and the Press Club’s president.Brown’s luncheon talk is co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters for the Akron Area and UA’s Bliss Institute of Applied Politics.The cost will be $15 for Press Club members and $20 for nonmembers.Reservations are requested by calling 330-564-4211 or RSVP@cmoresearch.com.Suspect arrestedAKRON: Akron police have arrested a second suspect in connection with the July shooting death of a man near Copley Road.Alan C. Lollis, 19, of Akron, was arrested this week on complicity to commit aggravated murder. Gevonte D. Hunter, 18, was previously arrested on aggravated murder charges.Salim Suleiman, 26, of Strongsville, was shot to death July 19 in a parking lot of a drive-through at 745 Copley Road. An employee inside the drive-through heard multiple gunshots, went outside and found Suleiman lying on the ground, police said.A motive has not been released.Son shoots at dadAKRON: Akron police have issued arrest warrants for a Barberton man accused of firing shots at his father.Michael S. Spears Jr., 19, is charged with felonious assault, domestic violence and discharging a firearm within the city limits.According to police, Spears became involved in a dispute with his father about 9 a.m. Monday in the 200 block of Nicholas Court. At some point, Spears pulled out a gun and fired several shots, police said. Spears’ father then chased him, and the son fired more shots, police said.The father was not injured.Rally plannedAKRON: A rally to focus on growing economic disparity, unemployment and equality issues will take place at 6 p.m. Friday at First Grace United Church of Christ, 350 S. Portage Path.The rally, sponsored by the National Action Network, is one of 25 events being held in cities across the nation. It is a follow-up to the march organized by the Rev. Al Sharpton and NAN to bring attention to the nation’s unemployment woes on Oct. 15 in Washington, D.C.The local event is being promoted as a rally for jobs and justice. It will feature Bobbi L. Simpson, president of NAN of Akron; Robert Thompson, regional director for Council 8, AFSCME; and the Rev. Robert J. Dreese, pastor of First Grace Church.For more information about the 25 rallies being held throughout the nation, visit www.nationalactionnetwork.net or www.facebook.com/nationalactionnetwork. The National Action Network was founded in 1991 by Sharpton to promote a modern civil rights agenda.BATH TOWNSHIPAppointment madeBATH TWP.: Due to the recent death of Bath Township Zoning Commission member Carol Franklin, township trustees have approved moving Scott Meyer from the post of first alternate on the Zoning Commission to serve as a regular member, filling the unexpired term ending June 30, 2014.Additionally, Nancy Fay, who has been the second alternate, will become the first alternate on the Zoning Commission, serving the unexpired term ending June 30, 2012. To fill the post of second alternate, Trustee Elaina Goodrich is requesting letters of interest from community members for the open second alternate seat.AKRONClient reimbursedCOLUMBUS: A former client of suspended Cuyahoga Falls attorney Harry J. Wittbrod was awarded more than $4,000 as reimbursement for services the attorney never completed.The award was announced Tuesday by the Ohio Supreme Court’s Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline and will be paid by the board’s Clients’ Security Fund.Wittbrod’s law license was suspended indefinitely Sept. 21.Court records show Duncan R. Soles received a settlement for an auto accident and that Wittbrod kept the money, a sum of $4,044, in an escrow account to pay the client’s medical bills but never delivered on the payment.The board’s security fund awarded $169,074 statewide to 37 victims of attorney theft, court officials said.KENT STATEProvost is finalistKENT: Kent State Provost Robert Frank has been named a finalist for the presidency at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.He is among five competing to succeed President David Schmidly, who is stepping down in June. All of the finalists will visit the campus over the next couple of weeks.Frank notified Kent State last year he was seeking a president’s post and would be leaving at the end of the 2011-12 academic year. He also was a finalist for Florida State University and East Tennessee State University.Frank might have an edge on the New Mexico position; he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from that institution. He came to Kent State from the University of Florida in 2007.northeast ohioWreath ceremonyRITTMAN: Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery will host Wreaths Across America, a ceremony to honor the nation’s veterans.The event will be at noon Saturday at the cemetery, 10175 Rawiga Road.The Civil Air Patrol and veterans service organizations are coordinating the event.PORTAGE COUNTYWard 1 race finalKENT: A recount of Kent City Council Ward 1 votes didn’t change the results of the Nov. 8 election.Garret Ferarra beat Melissa Long 764-756 to retain his seat for the next term, beginning in January.SUMMIT COUNTYCouncil decisionsAKRON: The Summit County Council on Monday approved a $1.8 million, three-year policing contract to provide protection for Coventry Township.Under the deal, the township will receive five sheriff’s deputies and a part-time direct indictment officer.In other business, the council:• Approved a $1.3 million, one-year contract with Goodwill Industries of Akron to handle Workforce Investment Act employment services for the county.• Agreed to partner with Summit County Children Services to renovate the former medical clinic on the Children Services campus in Akron into a visitation center. The project is expected to cost $302,000 and will be financed by donated funds.