The Cleveland Cavaliers and the city of Canton unveiled the name, logo, colors, uniforms, and floor design for Canton's new NBA D-League team on October 13th, 2011. The Canton Charge begins playing at the Civic Center in late-November. The Cavaliers bought the franchise from New Mexico and moved the team to the area.
Officials from SARTA, Stark County, and Congress opened the new Belden Village Transit Center on September 1st, 2011. It replaces the old station at Higbee and Munson, and features a climate-controlled lobby, free Wi-Fi, and a wondow to buy passes and tickets.
Officials at the Akron-Canton Airport celebrated the new and improved Food Court with a Grand Opening on August 17th. The new area also makes way for upgrades at the airport's security checkpoint. Those are set to be done this fall. The Airport also helda "Fan vs. Food Challenge" won by "the Big Tuna".
The Pro Football Hall of Fame used the 2011 Enshrinement Festival to kick-off their "future 50" expansion project for the hall. on August 5th, 2011, Hall of Famers, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, and other dignitaries gathered at the hall front steps to begin the two-year expansion, which coincides with the hall's 50th Anniversary in 2013.
Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011 was the first day of the 2011 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival Ribs Burn-Off. Halfway dead was the afternoon band that entertained the crowd, and WHBC's Ron Ponder broadcast live, along with Sam Bourquin, with updates from Matt Fox and Pam Cook.
The Cleveland Cavaliers and the NBA Development League came to Canton on Thursday July 7th, 2011 to announce that an NBA D-League franchise will play its home games at the Canton Civic Center, beginning in the 2011-2012 season. The Cavaliers bought the New Mexico Thunderbirds, and the league plays 24 home games.
Hundreds of Hoover Retirees packed into the Mayfield Senior Center on Thursday June 23rd, 2011, to discuss the possibility of losing health insurance benefits from Whirlpool. Retirees are being asked to take a stipend as benefits get taken over by Medicare by 2013.
The Refuge of hope opened their new rescue mission for the homeless and impoverished in Stark County on Third Street with a dedication ceremony on May 17, 2011. The project was six years in the making, and comes as the shelter is seeing their requests for beds and meals increase over the last two years.
In response to protests regarding the removal of Ron Johnson as McKinley Football head coach, supporters of the CCS board members who removed him gathered to talk about it on January 19th, 2012. Vince Watts, Director of the Greater Stark County Urban League, organized the meeting, and took input from concerned citizens about the conduct of the recent protests.
Hundreds of supporters rallied in Canton on Wednesday, January 18th, 2012, to keep Ron Johnson as McKinley football head coach, following his removal vby the School Board on January 9th. Signs were made, t-shirts were worn, and supporters stood outside several Canton locations in the cold to rally support with cars honking and chants of "Keep Ron-Jon".
