In the decade and a half I worked at The Plain Dealer building on Superior Avenue, I never saw homeless families sleeping on the street. Now, though, as snow begins to fly, the sidewalks of Superior have sprouted with tent cities. As of mid-November, Lucas Daprile reports, Cuyahoga County’s family shelter system has a waiting list of 47 families and the rapid re-housing program – which seeks to get people or families who are experiencing homelessness into houses or apartments – is not accepting referrals. Federal COVID-19 relief money has run out. County Executive Chris Ronayne has proposed increasing homeless program funding by $3 million next year. There is at least one success story: Permanent Supportive Housing places people suffering from homelessness in nonprofit-owned apartment buildings and offers social services onsite. Let’s hope more families can get help soon. - Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
|
|
Several tents for the homeless are seen on Superior Avenue in Cleveland. (John Kuntz, cleveland.com) |
|
|
Homelessness: When Cuyahoga County officials said in 2017 they were expecting to essentially eliminate long-term homelessness by 2020, they aimed to have all the services and resources needed to prevent it. The county is still years away from that goal, reports Lucas Daprile, but one program has shown real success. Winter storm: The first real snow of the 2023-24 winter might be upon us. Zachary Smith reports the National Weather Service issued a lake-effect snow warning at 10 a.m. Monday, forecasting heavy snow from 9 p.m. Monday and throughout today. Today in Ohio: Ohio lawmakers who have the power to amend and even repeal sections of the adult-use cannabis statute voters approved likely will consider whether to alter the potency of marijuana flower and extracts. We’re talking about the people’s will vs. the Statehouse on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast. |
|
|
Betting taxes: An Ohio state senator has introduced legislation to halve the state tax rate levied on sports betting operators, which could cut tens of millions per year, at least, from state coffers. Jake Zuckerman reports Sen. Niraj Antani – a Miamisburg Republican who recently announced plans to run for U.S. Congress – introduced Senate Bill 190, which would cut sports books’ gross receipts tax from 20% to 10%. Redistricting: The Ohio Supreme Court on Monday upheld the state’s new legislative redistricting plan, dismissing lawsuits filed by Democratic and good-government groups claiming the new maps are illegally gerrymandered. Jeremy Pelzer reports the ruling means that new maps will remain in place through 2030 unless Ohio voters approve a proposed overhaul to the redistricting process itself next year. How to grow weed: Ohioans who want to home-grow marijuana when it becomes legal next month can expect some trial and error, experts in horticulture and hemp and marijuana say. But Laura Hancock reports it’s earned the moniker “weed” for a reason: cannabis is resilient. People can purchase seeds online or travel to a state where they are for sale. Some hydroponic gardening stores also will sell them. Forhan accused: State Rep. Elliot Forhan is accused of driving by the home of a fellow representative last week after she had sought a temporary protection against him, reports Olivia Mitchell. Rep. Juanita Brent went to a Cleveland police station on Nov. 21 and filed a report in which she said that someone who resembled Forhan drove by her Cleveland home in a black Ford F-150, slowed to a crawl and then drove away after spotting armed security guards. |
|
|
Downtown financing: City Council was poised to advance Bedrock’s plan to redevelop the Cuyahoga riverfront and Mayor Justin Bibb’s broader goal of revitalizing downtown. The two projects are expected to require major taxpayer spending down the line, but that’s not what City Council is considering on Monday, Courtney Astolfi reports. |
|
|
West Side Market: Community development expert Rosemary Mudry has been named the new executive director of the 111-year-old West Side Market, reports Paris Wolfe. The Cleveland Public Market Corp. is finalizing a 10-year lease agreement with the city for the city-owned market for day-to-day market management. |
|
|
Crash sentence: A 20-year-old man was sentenced Monday to spend at least 15 years in prison for wrecking a stolen car in University Heights and killing his passenger and another driver in a fiery crash earlier this year. Cory Shaffer reports Khaleel Johnson, of South Euclid, pleaded guilty earlier this month to two counts of involuntary manslaughter in the deaths of Marlon Emory, 20, and John Nelson, 57. Traffic deaths: State troopers say eight people died in seven fatal crashes across Ohio during the long Thanksgiving weekend this year, including one in Cuyahoga County. Olivia Mitchell reports the eight deaths mark the lowest Thanksgiving tally in the last four years. East CLE officer: A former East Cleveland police officer who stomped on a man’s head during a 2020 arrest pleaded guilty Monday to a misdemeanor assault charge and agreed to give up his police certificate. Cory Shaffer reports Nicholas Foti, 39, was scheduled to go to trial Monday. |
|
|
RV Rocking: You never know when a chance encounter will lead to an interesting story. In this week’s episode of “Rocking the RV Life,” the Kinzbachs share the story of Desirae and Zach, a couple in their 30s who are part of a trend of younger RV buyers taking to the road these days. House 330: LeBron James’ life is partitioned out in the LeBron James Museum, a room-by-room thematic curation, from his accolades on the court to the minute details of his life. Marc Bona reports that the museum, which opened Saturday at House Three Thirty in Akron, offers a well-culled look at LeBron Raymone James who, at 38, is in his 21st NBA season. |
|
|
Drive-by shooting wounds 3 teens in Akron Read more Solon man accused of killing his father in home Read more Cleveland Hopkins Airport security finds handgun in passenger’s bag over Thanksgiving weekend Read more Orange school board approves contract for new high school elevator Read more Medina law director asks council for second secretary as workload grows Read more New app to transform digital experience at Westlake Porter Public Library Read more Financial firm chooses Independence for new head office Read more Robert Pearl to lead Westshore Arts Council; new programs offered Read more Clague Playhouse in Westlake to host Farrell Foundation benefit Read more Fatal car crash in Pepper Pike involving dog rescue activist remains under investigation Read more |
|
|
NEW! DINE DRINK CLE NEWSLETTER |
Get the latest news about Cleveland’s restaurant and bar scene. The latest on openings, closings, tastings and other events, plus features, guides, and recommendations from our team of writers and critics. Click here to sign up. |
|
|
Want the top headlines but don't have time to read? Listen to cleveland.com’s Today in Ohio podcast on Spotify, Google or Apple Podcasts. |
|
|
WANT TO SHARE THIS NEWSLETTER WITH A FRIEND? |
Did someone share this newsletter with you? Click here to never miss a day! |
|
|
To contact the newsrooms for any of our publications regarding technical support, news tips, classified ads and other inquiries, please click here. |
|
|
Unlimited Digital Access. |
|
|
$20 for 6 months (cancel anytime) |
| |
|
$20 for 6 months (cancel anytime) |
| |
|
INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING
OR SPONSORING OUR NEWSLETTERS? |
|
|
|
