Phillip McHugh has faced backlash since March, when the college roommate of Mayor Justin Bibb took a $124,000-per-year job as Cleveland’s senior adviser for public safety. So McHugh and city officials came to cleveland.com to speak to the editorial board about his credentials and his role in a 2015 Washington, D.C., civil rights case in which he was accused of violating the constitutional rights of two senior citizens. He had no choice in pursuing an aggressive investigation of the Maryland couple in their 70s, he said. McHugh told editors and board members to read the documents of the court file. We did. His statements under oath did not match what he told the board. Now at least two City Council members are calling for McHugh to be fired. “Many of our residents have been talking to us and speaking about this,” said Council President Blaine Griffin. “There are concerns.” The blowback is far from over. — Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
Cavs at Boston Celtics: Cavs outclassed by top-seeded Boston Celtics in Game 1 of Eastern Conference semifinals, 120-95 Guardians vs. Detroit Tigers: Guardians punch themselves out early in 11-7 loss to Tigers after short start by Logan Allen Northeast Ohio weather forecast: More showers late tonight |
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Phillip McHugh talks about his 2015 Washington, D.C., police case in an April 29 "Lunch & Learn" session for city workers. (TV20) |
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Phillip McHugh: At least two members of Cleveland City Council are calling for a top safety adviser for the city to get fired after he lied about his involvement in a Washington, D.C., police case. Lucas Daprile reports that during a Monday meeting, Cleveland City Council members Richard Starr and Kevin Conwell called for Phillip McHugh, the former college roommate of Mayor Justin Bibb, to lose his job. Protest felony: Ohio college students who wear masks while protesting living conditions in Gaza could violate a little-known state law that would escalate a misdemeanor charge into a fourth-degree felony, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost wrote in a letter to Ohio university presidents. Laura Hancock reports the felony charge could carry penalties that include as much as 18 months in prison, $5,000 in fines or up to five years in community control. Browns stadium: To build a new dome in Brook Park, the Browns would like state government to cover $600 million of the $2.4 billion cost. But “We don’t have $600 million to give,” Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens tells Jeremy Pelzer. “I mean, it’s really easy to not support it when you don’t have it.” Today in Ohio: Remember Dr. Sherri Tenpenny, who testified to state lawmakers in 2021 that COVID-19 vaccines make their recipients magnetic, “interface” with cell towers and interfere with women’s menstrual cycles? The physician, who became a national punchline, got her medical license back. We’re talking about why on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast. |
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Let’s go Brandon: An attorney for Jeffrey Wosner of Licking County argues that “F46 LGB” has no objective meaning and it was wrong for the Ohio BMV to reject the string of characters, deeming them to be obscene or profane, according to a federal lawsuit Wosner filed against the state last week. Andrew Tobias reports the 18-page lawsuit doesn’t say exactly what Wosner had in mind when he requested the phrase, but some could perceive it to mean F*** the 46th president of the United States, Joe Biden, while LGB could stand for “Let’s Go Brandon,” a joking term that has come to have a similar meaning among some American conservatives. Biden ballot: Ohio lawmakers are moving ahead on a proposal that would ensure President Joe Biden is on the state’s November ballot. Jeremy Pelzer reports the Ohio House is set to vote today on hastily passed revisions to Senate Bill 92, a long-dormant elections bill, that would resolve a scheduling conflict that Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s office previously warned would keep Biden off the state’s general election ballot this year. Mattress competition: Ohio’s U.S. Senators want the Biden administration to clamp down on sales of imported mattresses they say are being dumped in the United States, reports Sabrina Eaton. Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown of Cleveland joined with Republican U.S. Sen. JD Vance of Cincinnati and Missouri Republican U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt in a letter last week urging action by the Commerce Department and U.S. International Trade Commission. |
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Delinquent: Edward had never been in trouble with the law – never seen the inside of a courthouse before – but now faced serious charges. A few months earlier, the 16-year-old requested a Lyft ride. When the driver arrived, Edward drew a gun and demanded his keys and wallet. The driver fled on foot and the teen sped off in his car but crashed during a police pursuit. In their series, Delinquent: Our Kids, Our System, Kaitlin Durbin and John Tucker write that the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office charged him with aggravated robbery with a gun, triggering mandatory bindover to adult court. Teachers contract: The Cleveland Metropolitan School District has reached a tentative agreement with the Cleveland Teachers Union. Megan Sims reports that Shari Obrenski, president of CTU, said that the deal aimed to show respect to union members while helping to retain and recruit educators for Cleveland’s children. Turkey season: Ohio hunters are only part way through the spring turkey season and already they are ahead of the game, reports Peter Krouse. They had bagged 12,934 birds compared to 12,755 over the same number of days last year, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Tree planting: Old Brooklyn’s Tree Steward Program trains residents to help plant and care for trees across public spaces and private yards. John Tucker reports that on Saturday in Old Brooklyn’s Loew Park, a half-dozen tree stewards gathered with residents to plant five young pin oaks as part of the Old Brooklyn Tree Planting Program, designed to beautify the neighborhood, improve Cleveland’s shrinking tree canopy and foster community spirit. Food inspections: Zachary Smith lists the Cleveland restaurants and retailers cited with the most food inspection violations during the 2022-23 inspection year ending Feb. 28, according to state records. More than 2,300 places were cited during the most recent inspection year, but only a third received more than 10 citations. |
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MediCLE: Chances are good that you or someone you love uses a CPAP machine. People with obstructive sleep apnea can have a hard time getting a good night’s rest and CPAP machines, which fit tightly over the face, can really help. Julie Washington and Gretchen Cuda Kroen report the latest research. Grocery Outlet: A national chain called Grocery Outlet Bargain Markets is officially looking to move into the Cleveland area and has signed a lease for a new store in Brooklyn. Sean McDonnell reports Grocery Outlet is leasing about 26,000 square feet of what used to be a Bed, Bath & Beyond at Ridge Park Square. Women’s Summit: Women who have a lot of connections and a close circle of female friends can get a boost in landing executive jobs. How to make those connections? Cleveland.com’s Women’s Summit hopes to foster networking, for a fifth year, at Cleveland State University on May 14. |
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Baseball cards: Authorities are investigating the theft of 54 vintage baseball cards, valued between $2 million and $3 million, that went missing last month. Police are looking into the theft that took place before the Strongsville Sports Collectors Convention on April 19-21, Olivia Mitchell reports. Amazon shooting: Authorities say a 17-year-old Cleveland youth was killed Saturday in the attempted carjacking of an Amazon driver. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office identified Alquin Wells. He was pronounced dead Saturday at West 48th and Franklin Boulevard. OSU death: Authorities are investigating the Sunday death of a woman who fell from Ohio Stadium during Ohio State University’s graduation ceremony as an apparent suicide, reports Andrew Tobias. A preliminary investigative file included a statement from an eyewitness who saw Larissa Bradley, 53, of Georgia, whose daughter was graduating. Food dispute: A Cleveland man accused of fatally shooting another man during a dispute over food has been charged with murder, reports Olivia Mitchell. Authorities allege William Miller, 37, killed Lashawn Roby, 37, of Cleveland, near BB’s Humble Kitchen on Harvard Avenue and East 173rd Street. |
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Ask Yadi: When you have houseguests, are you expected to pay for everything? No, writes Yadi Rodriguez. While you want to show them a good time, they shouldn’t expect you to pay for everything. After all, you are saving them the expense of a hotel. Boba Starbucks: Starbucks unveiled its new summer menu on Tuesday. For the first time, the coffee giant is offering drinks with popping pearls similar to the fruity, chewy tapioca-filled boba found in bubble tea, reports Joey Morona. Cain Park: Ohio Contemporary Ballet is performing a “Director’s Choice” program for free at 8 p.m. on June 29 at Cain Park in Cleveland Heights. Paris Wolfe reports that a highlight will be “Light Rain,” which was choreographed in 1981 by Gerald Arpino, co-founder of the esteemed Joffrey Ballet. Can’t be Satisfied: Classic-rock band Little Feat is bringing its “Can’t Be Satisfied Tour” to MGM Northfield Park on Oct. 20, with Duane Betts and Palmetto Motel opening. Tickets for the show go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday and will be available at ticketmaster.com, Malcolm X Abram reports. Rodrigo y Gabriela: Rock duo Rodrigo y Gabriela began their musical career as a part of a Mexican thrash metal band, but busking on the streets of Dublin, Ireland, changed their trajectory in a major way. Peter Chakerian has three reasons to see the duo in Cleveland. Blossom shows: Across its storied history, Blossom Music Center has hosted thousands of concerts. Malcolm X Abram and Kaylee Remington report the 2024 schedule has more than 40 shows, the most in any summer since Blossom's mid-1980s peak. Summer concerts: The 2024 summer concert festival season is a wildly diverse rollercoaster of vibes, with plenty of stylistic curves, peaks and valleys. Peter Chakerian and Kaylee Remington want you to dig out the sunscreen and text those hearty friends and family members and hit the road! |
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Social workers will accompany first responders to calls involving mental health issues Read more Shaker City Schools picks Donté Hayes as new district treasurer Read more Completing the street: Shaker council OKs sale of vacant lots for 5 infill homes on Sutton Road Read more Medina looks to increase fees at Spring Grove Cemetery Read more LGBTQ+ residents, allies push back against Pride Fest opponents in Broadview Heights Read more Summit Metro Parks offers native plants for sale, education at Native Plant Festival Read more Cumberland Pool, as we know it, gets at least a two-year reprieve Read more Cleveland Heights council turns attention to new and improved Nobility Court project Read more |
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