Last year, violent crime surged as the federal government doled out billions of stimulus dollars. Cleveland officials questioned, amid the Black Lives Matter movement, how much of the city’s $511 million allocation should flow to traditional police methods or mental health-based programs. The city created a Crisis Intervention Team, which is on the scene for 10% to 15% of police calls. It has achieved lower rates of people being taken to the emergency room, fewer people placed in handcuffs and lower arrest rates. Now the city is considering doubling the size of the program. - Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
Cavs vs. Orlando Magic: Evan Mobley’s breakout game leads Cleveland to 103-92 win over Orlando Northeast Ohio Thursday weather forecast: Cloudy and cooler |
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Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb is seeking to double the size of a pilot program that integrates mental health professionals into 911 responses. (File photo) |
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Mental health response: Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb is seeking to use $5 million in stimulus funds to double the size of a pilot program that integrates mental health professionals into 911 responses. Lucas Daprile reports the Crisis Intervention Team sends specially trained officers and mental health professionals to calls where someone is having a mental health crisis to reduce arrests, uses of force and hospital referrals. Metroparks tax: A Cleveland Metroparks levy has never failed at the ballot box and advocates for the system, which anticipates a budget of nearly $137 million in 2023, are hoping that record stays intact. Otherwise, reports Peter Krouse, not only would new initiatives be sacrificed, but the ability of the park to operate and maintain its many green spaces, trails and nature centers, not to mention the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, would be seriously compromised. The Metroparks relies on its levy for more than 60% of its revenue. Lakefront plan: It’s finally time to sound off on the future of the city’s downtown lakefront. Steven Litt reports that on Nov. 3, in the City Hall Rotunda, the city will host the first of six public listening sessions on the proposed North Coast Connector as part of a broader effort to reimagine the downtown lakefront. Today in Ohio: Attorney General Dave Yost and Democratic opponent Jeff Crossman sparred about Ohio abortion law, redistricting powers, and battling corruption during an often-contentious endorsement interview. We’re talking about the interview on Today in Ohio. |
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Lt. Gov: With less than two weeks to go before Election Day, there are two candidates for statewide office who voters won’t see in many ads or in headlines: Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and his Democratic opponent, Cheryl Stephens. Jeremy Pelzer reports that Husted and Stephens have been crisscrossing the state to speak at events, win media coverage, and generate enthusiasm among both voters and campaign volunteers, though Husted has a visibility advantage as the incumbent. |
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Police monitor: The monitor overseeing Cleveland’s court-ordered police reform is stepping down, according to three sources with knowledge of the decision. Adam Ferrise reports Hassan Aden’s decision to resign from the position he’s held since 2019 is expected to be shared during a closed-door hearing today with U.S. District Judge Solomon Oliver. Reproductive discrimination: Cuyahoga County Council passed new protections Tuesday to prevent employers from discriminating against or firing employees based on their reproductive choices, including the decision to have an abortion. Kaitlin Durbin reports the ordinance defines reproductive health decisions as “personal and private,” and affirms that a woman’s choice to use contraception, sterilization, fertility treatment, get pregnant or have an abortion “should not affect other aspects of her life or livelihood.” Contract vote: Cleveland City Council members this week cast a rare “no” vote against a tech contract requested by municipal Clerk of Courts Earle Turner – a move that city lawyers now say could allow Turner to sue council, Courtney Astolfi reports. On Wednesday, a council spokeswoman said Council President Blaine Griffin now intends to resurrect the proposal because of Ohio law provisions that grant some autonomy to courts in how they spend their budgets. Cleveland’s Promise: To monitor inappropriate social media conduct on school-issued devices, the Cleveland Metropolitan School District uses a system called Gaggle, which deploys artificial intelligence to identify keywords and raise red flags. It’s a program Almira Elementary School Principal Jim Greene says he believes, without a doubt, has saved the lives of students, reports Hannah Drown. Jayland Walker: Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett on Tuesday issued a response to community members regarding the letter he received requesting that the eight officers who are under investigation for the fatal shooting of Akron resident Jayland Walker be removed from administrative duty and placed on leave once again. Megan Becka reports Mylett said that the department has struggled with staffing shortages during the past few months, which has put a strain on patrol shifts. Garden prep: After a busy spring and summer, autumn can be an anxious time for gardeners. What should they do to prepare? Susan Brownstein writes that similar to animals preparing to hibernate, plants are going dormant to protect as much plant tissue as possible from the freezing temperatures ahead. |
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Parker CEO: Parker Hannifin announced Wednesday that CEO Thomas Williams will retire and that current Chief Operation Officer Jennifer Parmentier will be the next CEO. Sean McDonnell reports Williams became CEO in 2015 and the executive chairman in 2016. He just recently led Parker through the $6.5 billion acquisition of a British aerospace company, Meggitt PLC. Home prices: In spite of rising interest rates, Cuyahoga County home sale prices have remained stable over the last several months, Megan Sims reports. The median price for single-family homes in Cuyahoga County was $175,000 during the third quarter of the year - July through September - marking little change from a median of $173,000 during the second quarter. |
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Fishing scandal: Two amateur fishermen pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges accusing them of cheating at a walleye tournament on Lake Erie. Cory Shaffer reports Jacob Runyan and Chase Cominsky did not speak during their brief court appearances in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. Couple sentenced: A judge on Wednesday handed down decades-long prison sentences to a Euclid couple who tortured, beat and withheld food from an 8-year-old boy for more than four years. Donald Gunderman, 39, was sentenced to a range of 34 to 39 1/2 years, and Danielle Pascale, 35, received a sentence of 62 to 67 1/2 years, Cory Shaffer reports. Murder trial: A man accused of luring former Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson’s grandson to the area where a gunman killed him last September was seen on surveillance video talking to someone inside the shooter’s car moments before the slaying, a jury heard Wednesday. Assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Kristin Karkutt told jurors in opening statements that the video is proof that Robert Shepard conspired with the killer to lure Frank Q. Jackson into the alleyway, where a gunman waited to execute him, Cory Shaffer reports. Shaker shooting: Shaker Heights police on Wednesday released recordings of 911 calls about a police shooting Friday afternoon near the high school, reports Olivia Mitchell. Police officials said Wednesday that the officer who shot the person is on leave, but have so far refused to release the name of the officer, along with other public records related to the shooting. Jail standoff: At least three of the 12 youth arrested at a juvenile correctional facility in Massillon over the weekend are from Cuyahoga County, court records show. State officials on Tuesday released the names of those arrested during a barricade incident at the Indian River Juvenile Correctional Facility but have not provided further details about what happened, Molly Walsh reports. |
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Five weddings: Jane Morice has five weddings to attend in a span of five months. As a bride on a budget, Jane is taking mental notes on what she likes from the weddings she’s attending. 'Cats': Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Tony-winning musical adaptation of T.S. Eliot’s “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” is a big, beloved and highly successful enigma. Joey Morona reports “Cats,” coming to Playhouse Square, has been updated for the next generation of fans with new sound design, direction and choreography. Disneyland Halloween: Rich Exner really wanted to see Disney all decked out for Halloween. But his schedule was tight. So he picked Disneyland over Disney World for a long weekend – and it worked. |
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Ohio assisted living facility resident stabs, wounds married couple, sheriff’s office says Read more Motorcycle crashes into back of car, killing Huron County man Read more Shooting at East Side convenience store kills 1, wounds 2 others Read more Man dies in shooting outside convenience store on Cleveland’s East Side, police say Read more Goodwill to open computer store with donation center in Bainbridge Friday Read more Cuyahoga youth invited to dress up, meet area law enforcement at Thursday trunk-or-treat event Read more Richmond Heights passes updated outdoor lighting standards for businesses Read more Brooklyn’s new City Center expected to open in January Read more Seven Hills Mayor’s Court Magistrate Eric J. Moore appointed interim law director Read more Post-pandemic, Fairview Park City Schools partners with Baldwin Wallace to offer tutoring Read more Olmsted Township hires Jeremy Rowan as community’s first economic development director Read more |
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