No level of lead is safe in kids’ blood. Repeated exposure to lead causes irreversible neurological damage, leading to learning disabilities and behavioral issues, including an increased likelihood of committing violent crime later in life. It’s a massive issue in Cleveland, where in 2023, 316 children were found to have elevated lead levels in their blood. The city sees lead poisoning rates nearly four times the national average, in part because the vast majority of housing was built prior to 1978, before lead paint was banned. Now that paint is flaking and chipping, especially on doors and windows. (If you have young children and live in an old home, you can talk to your pediatrician about getting your kids tested for lead poisoning. My kids were tested when they were little.) Cleveland is currently re-tooling its approach to its 2019 landmark lead-safety law because few landlords are complying. Meanwhile, lead continues to harm our most vulnerable kids living in Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority properties. — Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
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An audit of CMHA uncovered several ways the authority failed to abide by federal lead requirements. (John Pana, cleveland.com file photo) |
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Child lead-poisoning: The Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority didn’t tell the Department of Housing and Urban Development about lead-poisoned children at its properties and covered up deteriorating paint before determining whether it was the cause of child lead-poisoning cases, reports Courtney Astolfi. CMHA didn’t adequately inspect its units for lead hazards and it repeatedly failed to notify tenants about potential hazards in their units – including in five units that later had a child with reported lead poisoning. 'Torso murders': For the better part of a century, Cleveland has never had closure to one of its most gruesome crimes, the infamous “torso murders.” Now experts are hoping to use DNA evidence to answer some of those questions, reports Lucas Daprile. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office has teamed up with the DNA Doe Project, a nonprofit that aims to use modern forensic techniques to solve cold cases. Republican boost: As they exulted over Donald Trump’s vice presidential choice of Ohio’s JD Vance, Ohio Republicans predicted having an Ohioan at the top of the Republican ticket will boost their party’s chances to win competitive U.S. Senate and House of Representatives races in Ohio, reports Sabrina Eaton and Andrew Tobias. Pan-Am Games: There is not a single ice rink in Nigeria. But that isn’t stopping Team Nigeria from competing on the ice this week in Cleveland during the Pan-American Masters Games, reports Susan Glaser. The four members of Nigeria’s mixed doubles curling team aren’t actually from the West African nation. But all have family ties to the country and are working hard to bring the sport – played with brooms and rocks and special shoes on ice – to the country. |
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GOP reaction: Ohio Republican Party Chairman Alex Triantafilou was thrilled Tuesday that Ohioan JD Vance will be this year’s GOP vice presidential candidate, reports Andrew Tobias. Vance’s selection on Monday has energized state Republicans, who say they hope the development gives a jolt to voters and trickles down to other down-ticket candidates. But state party operators worry they're viewed as nationally irrelevant because the state is now considered reliably Republican and won't be competitive in the 2024 election. Jon Husted: Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, who’s running for governor in 2026 but hasn’t yet officially announced it, got a huge moment of national exposure JD Vance, reports Andrew Tobias. He gave a speech on the convention stage that plastered his face on the arena jumbotron in front of thousands of influential Republicans, as well as viewers at home. He also parlayed the speaking role into a multiple TV network appearances, the latest example of Husted landing national media exposure. Senate race fundraising: While U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown is in a closely fought reelection battle with Republican opponent Bernie Moreno, the Cleveland Democrat is continuing to have a sizable financial lead in the race, reports Jeremy Pelzer. Brown’s campaign took in more than $12.8 million between April 1 and June 30, while Moreno raised about $6.8 million in total during the same three-month period between his campaign and joint fundraising committee, Federal Election Commission records show. Columbus officer RNC shooting: Columbus police officers in Wisconsin for the Republican National Convention shot and killed a man who was wielding two knives near the convention, Milwaukee’s police chief said Tuesday. Five members of the Columbus police department fired on the man, who had a knife in each hand, refused police commands and charged at an unarmed man before police fired, the chief said. Gun sales and deaths: Guns have been in the news lately, from the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump last weekend to recent incidents in the Cleveland area - from the fatal shootings of Cleveland and Euclid police officers to a shooting spree near dusk at Edgewater Park. But to what extent has the number of firearms expanded in Ohio? It’s hard to tell for sure, as gun records are notoriously difficult to find in the United States, but Zachary Smith reports the most updated numbers for firearm-related deaths and sales in Ohio as of June. Mental health hotline: Gov. Mike DeWine said Tuesday that the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has responded to nearly 340,000 calls, texts and chats in the state since its launch two years ago, reports Laura Hancock. That’s over 14,000 contacts a month. |
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I-90 speeding: An eight-mile stretch of Interstate 90 between East 55th Street and East 260th Street in Cleveland has been designated the state’s first speed and seat belt safety corridor, reports Jeremy Pelzer. That means the State Highway Patrol and local police are bumping up patrols in that area, with “no tolerance for those who violate speeding and seat belt laws,” according to a news release. Universal Pre-K: Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne is introducing legislation Tuesday to beef up the county’s Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program, expanding preschool options and access to scholarships, reports Kaitlin Durbin. The goal is to increase the proportion of 3- and 4-year-olds in the county participating in a high-quality pre-school experience, meaning those rated three stars or higher (or silver and gold, per the new rules) in Ohio’s Step Up to Quality system, county documents say. Memorial game: Summer is for baseball, and for the last 28 years in Rocky River, one particular summer Sunday has been dedicated to the memory of Kevin Allison. Nearly three decades after his death, Kevin's family and the Rocky River baseball team will host the 28th annual alumni game on July 28, which raises money for the Kevin Allison Memorial Scholarship, Cory Shaffer reports. |
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MediCLE: This week in Cleveland Medical News, Julie Washington and Gretchen Cuda Kroen report on new research from Ohio State University on brain fog during chemotherapy, a University of Cincinnati professor develops a voice-based app that could be valuable to some in the transgender community, and a study identifies misconceptions about sexually transmitted diseases. Car dealership cyberattack: The cyberattack that affected 15,000 car dealerships across North America may have caused those dealerships more than $1 billion in losses, reports Sean McDonnell. CDK Global provides software that dealerships use for a whole host of tasks, whether they’re selling new vehicles or calculating the cost of repairs. But two cyberattacks on June 19 led to that software being shut down and unavailable. Home prices: Cuyahoga County home prices are continuing their streak of surpassing last year’s prices, Megan Sims reports. According to data collected by cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer, the June median single-family home price was an even $200,000. This is a $7,000 increase compared to this time last year. Bedford Heights youth program: The Bedford Heights Police Department invites youth to join its free Police and Community Together program, which was created to establish positive relationships and share valuable insights between police and kids. |
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North Olmsted stabbing: Bionca Ellis, accused of fatally stabbing a 3-year-old boy last month in a North Olmsted parking lot in broad daylight, is incompetent to stand trial, her attorney argued in court Tuesday, reports John Tucker. Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge John Russo ordered Ellis to undergo testing from the court’s psychiatric clinic to determine her level of competency. Akron arrest: Federal agents arrested a man Tuesday and accused him of weapons and various drug charges in Akron, reports Olivia Mitchell. A judge issued a warrant for Larry Treitinger II, 39, after authorities say they found four guns and different drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl, in a home on July 3. Investigators said they linked Treitinger to the house. Willoughby murder: A Painesville man is charged with murder in the death of a Madison teenager on Saturday in Willoughby. Fernando Alejo, 22, is being held without bond in the death of Rogelio Cabrera, 17, court records show. A Lake County grand jury is expected to hear the case in the coming days. Euclid shooting: Euclid police are investigating the slaying of a 21-year-old man who was shot Sunday, reports Olivia Mitchell. Elijah Stewart of Euclid was wounded about 1:45 p.m. near East 200th Street and Crystal Avenue. He was taken to Euclid Hospital - Cleveland Clinic, where he later died, authorities said. Fentanyl trafficking: Federal agents investigating drug trafficking through the mail say someone sent pounds of fentanyl from California to Northeast Ohio hidden inside printers, reports Adam Ferrise. U.S. Postal Inspectors who launched an investigation into Phillip Hurt wrote in court filings that they believe drug dealers in Los Angeles mailed at least seven printers that contained bricks of fentanyl. Hudson mail carrier: Hudson officials credited a veteran mail carrier’s quick thinking for saving the life of a 91-year-old resident on his delivery route. Chris Poa, a 29-year veteran of USPS, was recently honored with the Hudson EMS Life Saving Award for his actions, according to a Hudson news release. |
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'Superman' wraps: Director James Gunn wrapped production Tuesday in Cleveland on his new “Superman” movie, reports Joey Morona. The film crew shot the final scenes on a closed, tightly secured set inside The Arcade. Wayne Newton: Singer-actor-entertainer Wayne Newton will bring his “Up Close And Personal Tour” to the Center Stage at MGM Northfield Park on Oct. 12, reports Malcolm X Abram. Kelce film: Donna Kelce is football’s favorite mom, a product spokesperson, frequent “Today” show guest, Taylor Swift’s pal and now an actor, too, reports Joey Morona. The Cleveland native has been cast in “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story,” a Christmas-themed movie currently in production for Hallmark. Kelce will play the manager of a barbecue restaurant. Ask Yadi: This week, Yadi Rodriguez advises a reader on how to deal with a loud co-worker at the office. Cleveland top chef: Tickets are on sale now for the Cleveland Top Chefs fundraiser, set on Aug. 25 at the International Culinary Arts & Sciences Institute in Chester Township, reports Paris Wolfe. More than a dozen chefs from around Northeast Ohio will share their talents through small bites at this indoor/outdoor event. |
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Akron man accused of drug, gun charges barricades himself from U.S. marshals, authorities say Read more Medina chooses construction manager for court renovation project Read more Ramona Lowery-Ferrell appointed Shaker’s new public works director Read more Keeping the PEACE: Coventry nonprofit tenants remain focused on finding a solution Read more North Royalton hires engineering firm to design $1.4 million sanitary sewer project Read more LeBron James Family Foundation opens health, wellness center in West Akron Read more |
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