Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Restaurant will give district proceeds from concert Monday, as well as all sales on June 11
Strongsville Schools stand to gain thousands of dollars from two donations from the Cracker Barrel restaurant in Brooklyn -- the place where all four members of the Allen family were shot April 12. On Monday, country star Josh Turner performed on the front porch of the restaurant, with all proceeds to be given to Strongsville schools. And on Monday, June 11, the restaurant will donate 100 percent of its sales, not counting tips and taxes, to the district in memory of Kerri and Kayla Allen, who were students at Chapman Elementary. School officials said they don't know yet how much money Turner's concert raised on Monday. But Treasurer Bill Parkinson said that when the donations are made, they money will go into a special fund "so people …
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Here's what went on in Strongsville over the last few days
The top headlines from Strongsville Patch this week: 1. New places to eat -- Strongsville is due to get at least four new restaurants this year, with others possible next year. 2. Safety forced honored -- The Strongsville police department honored its own for going above and beyond. In addition, the Knights of Columbus also gave awards to the police officer and firefighter of the year. 3. Firefighters deliver baby -- It was a first for several Strongsville firefighters when they were called on to deliver a baby in a home. 4. School building repairs -- Teachers and other staff members were asked to describe working conditions in the Strongsville schools. 5. Hundreds remember Kayla Allen -- A memorial service celebrated the life of the 10-…
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Elementary school girls invited to pool party June 9
A 'Summer Splash' pool party at the Ehrnfelt Recreation Center June 9 will benefit a foundation in memory of the Cracker Barrel shooting victims. Elementary school girls are invited to the event, which runs 6:30 to 9:15 p.m. and includes swimming, games, prizes and a dessert buffet. Cost is $10, with proceeds going to the Kayla Allen Benefit Fund. A memorial service was held May 21 for Kayla, a fifth-grader at Chapman Elementary School, who died May 15. Kayla, her sister, Kerri, and their mother, Kate, were all shot by her father, Kevin Allen, April 12 at the Cracker Barrel in Brooklyn. A limited number of tickets are available. For more information, email KaylaSummerSplash@gmail.com.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Family, friends celebrate life of 10-year-old shooting victim
Hundreds of friends, relatives and supporters today celebrated the life of Kayla Allen, the third victim of her father's deadly shooting spree in a Cracker Barrel restaurant April 12. "It shows there is still a lot of love in this world," said Kayla's aunt, Michelle Jindra. "Kayla went out with love instead of violence." Many of the well-wishers were dressed in green and black, Kayla's favorite colors. The memorial service was held at Grace Church in Middleburg Heights to accommodate the large crowd, but was officiated by the Rev. Dave Anderson, pastor of St. Matthew Lutheran Church of Medina. Michelle Jindra said she believes Kayla is now with her mother, Kate, and sister, Kerri, and said that is where Kayla wanted to be. "I think Kayla …
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Here are some of the headlines from the last few days
Here's what happened in Strongsville over the last week: 1. Cracker Barrel shooting victim dies -- Kayla Allen lost a month-long battle to recover from the April 12 shooting at the hands of her father, Kevin Allen. 2. Home building is up -- The number of single-family home permits issued is on track to outpace last year. 3. Data skimmers caught -- Strongsville police are on the lookout for this type of fraud after two men were caught in Bath Township. 4. A glimpse inside a $1.9 million house for sale in Strongsville. 5. Jobs in Strongsville -- A quarterly business report shows 4,000 new jobs have come to the city and also looks at other industrial and retail growth.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
The following information was provided by the Strongsville police department
A student has apologized for making what police called "inappropriate jokes" about Cracker Barrel shooting victim Kayla Allen on Twitter. A caller complained May 15 that the student was posting nasty comments on Facebook and Twitter, in addition to pictures. Police found no pictures or offensive items on the Facebook page. But an officer noted jokes about the death of Kayla Allen on the student's Twitter account, which had upset some readers and led to arguments, a report said. The officer spoke to the boy's father, who said he would address the matter. The youth subsequently apologized through Twitter for making the jokes.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Charity in name of Cracker Barrel shooting victims would aim at domestic abuse
The family of Cracker Barrel shooting victim Kayla Allen may start a foundation to help victims of domestic violence. The Kayla Allen Benefit Fund Facebook page hints today that the Allen family's tragedy could ultimately avert a similar situation for others. "I hope to announce a new foundation, in the next few days, that we are putting together, to raise awareness and money for victims of domestic violence," wrote Mark Karr, a family friend who runs the Facebook page. Kayla, 10, died Tuesday afternoon. Her mother Kate, 42, and sister Kerri, 10, were killed April 12 at the Brooklyn Cracker Barrel at the hands of Kevin Allen, who police say shot his wife and two daughters. The final fundraiser for the Kayla Allen Benefit Fund is set for …
Friday, May 11, 2012
Kayla Allen's health takes a turn for the worse
The only survivor of the April 12 shooting at Cracker Barrel is not expected to recover, a family friend said Friday afternoon on Facebook. Kayla Allen's health "has taken a turn for the worse," Mark Karr wrote on the Kayla Allen Benefit Fund page. Her family has decided to place the 10-year-old in a hospice care program. "I have been asked to deliver the most heart breaking news. Kayla’s health has taken a turn for the worse. After extensive discussions with the doctors and long prayerful consideration amongst themselves, Kayla’s family made the decision to place her in the Hospice Care Program at Hospice of the Western Reserve. Everyone is in agreement that this is what is best for Kayla," the page says. "Please pray for Kayla’s physical…
Monday, May 7, 2012
Berea Animal Rescue has stepped in to find homes for the Allen family's three dogs and two cats
Two cats left homeless after the shootings at Cracker Barrel April 12 are now up for adoption. Animal Warden Mike Roth took three dogs from the Allen family's Shurmer Road home the night of the shooting, and later acquired the cats. Usually, Strongsville holds animals for a few days and then turns them over to the county. But in this case, Roth contacted Berea Animal Rescue, which runs a no-kill shelter, and asked for help. The shelter agreed to take the pets and find them new homes. Two of the dogs are in foster care and may have already found new owners, shelter representatives said. Sophie, a bloodhound, is at the shelter, 390 Barrett Rd., but someone is also interested in adopting her. Roth said he agreed to hold the pets until …
Thursday, May 3, 2012
You can help Kayla Allen by going out to eat May 10
As Cracker Barrel shooting victim Kayla Allen continues to recover at MetroHealth Medical Center, friends and family are trying to provide for the 10-year-old's future. They have organized a second major fundraiser on Kayla's behalf. On Thursday, May 10, area Bob Evans restaurants will donate 15 percent of their sales between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. to the Kayla Allen Benefit Fund. Kayla's mother, Kate, and sister, Kerri, 10, were killed April 12 when her father, Kevin Allen, opened fire at a Cracker Barrel restaurant in Brooklyn. Kevin Allen was shot and killed by police. Kayla's health had improved to the point she was listed in fair condition, but she suffered a brain aneurysm last week and underwent surgery. The long-term effects of that …
Debbie Palmer
10:06 pm on Monday, May 21, 2012
You're right, Tina -- he didn't spell it out like that. But he did talk about evil at the service for Kate and Kerri, so I guess I just filled in the blank a bit this time. Just my interpretation of what he was saying, based on what he said in the past. more ›