METRO
Out like a lion: Heading into the final weekend of March, snow is in the forecast, starting Friday night, with the possibility of lasting into Sunday, reports Zachary Smith. March started on a calm note, with all of the snow melted and a high of close to 50 degrees on March 1, according to the National Weather Service in Cleveland.
I Promise: Akron Public Schools’ I Promise School is poised to receive a $1 million donation from Drake, reports Megan Becka. In an Instagram video, Drake explained that the donation is the result of his winnings playing roulette on Stake, saying it was his “biggest hit ever.”
COVID & HEALTH
Testing cost: The Biden administration said this week it has run out of money for coronavirus testing, treatment and vaccines, and Congress has failed to provide more funding. Of the $1.9 trillion from last year’s American Rescue Plan, just $300 billion remains. But $240 billion is already earmarked for cities and states, and $60 billion remains for specific emergencies, reports Laura Hancock. In Ohio, it’s not entirely clear how people without insurance will be affected.
Weekly numbers: Ohio on Thursday reported 3,668 new cases of COVID-19 in its weekly dashboard update. That averages to 524 new cases per day, over seven days. Julie Washington reports the average for the previous week ending March 17 was 515 new cases per day, over seven days.
BUSINESS
Meijer: Meijer said a pair of supercenters in Brunswick and Canton are slated to open Thursday, April 28. The Michigan-based retailer also said Meijer Express gas stations adjacent to both stores will open on Thursday, March 31, reports Marc Bona.
Ohio Tech: The first Ohio Tech Summit, designed as a place for both techies and computer novices, is coming to John Carroll University’s campus in April. The event is a collaboration between OhioX, a statewide tech nonprofit that started in 2019, and Scott Allen, a professor of management at JCU, reports Sean McDonnell.
CRIME
BB gun: A BB gun was found in a student’s car on Wednesday after Rocky River High School was tagged in a social media post that featured what appeared to be a handgun, reports Olivia Mitchell. Rocky River police officers confiscated the BB gun from the trunk of a student’s car and determined the gun, a replica of a Glock 19 handgun, was the same one featured in the post.
Life sentence: A judge on Thursday handed down life sentences to two men and ordered another to spend 15 years in prison for kidnapping a 14-year-old Bedford girl and her father, then shooting the girl and burning the father to death during a robbery attempt in 2018. Cory Shaffer reports the men broke into Paul Bradley’s home, bound him with extension cords and beat him while demanding money. They then kidnapped Bradley and his daughter, Paris Bradley, and drove them around for five hours before killing Paris and setting fire to Bradley’s car in a vacant East Cleveland lot.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Tucson: For two days Susan Glaser explored Tucson and the desert, 50 miles from the Mexico border, home to the University of Arizona, surrounded by mountains. She hiked, biked and ate some terrific Mexican food and visited Saguaro National Park, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and downtown.
Things to do: The first full weekend of spring is this weekend in Northeast Ohio, and there are plenty of reasons to get out and enjoy it. Anne Nickoloff has 21 things to do, including a concert, a plant show, a play or home improvement tips.
