Democratic primary: Two Cuyahoga County lawmakers are pitted against each other in a potentially bitter battle in August’s primary election, thanks in part due to new legislative districts, Andrew Tobias reports. State Reps. Monique Smith and Bride Rose Sweeney both have filed to run in Ohio’s 16th House District, a Democratic-leaning district that contains the west shore suburbs of Bay Village, North Olmsted, Olmsted Falls, Olmsted Township and Westlake, as well as Berea.
METRO
Green improvements: Permeable pavement, bioretention areas and vegetative roofs are just some types of green infrastructure that can reduce the amount of stormwater flowing into the region’s problematic combined-sewer system, reports Peter Krouse. The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District might help pay for some improvements in cities with combined sewers.
Disabilities superintendent: The Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities said Wednesday it will be searching for a new superintendent and CEO after its current leader, Kelly Petty, announced plans to retire next year, reports Kaitlin Durbin.
Microgrids: Cuyahoga County has moved to create a longer-term plan to build electric “microgrids” meant to bring businesses to Northeast Ohio. Lucas Daprile reports the county is requesting “technical, commercial, and legal frameworks that would support the development of a municipal electric utility and multiple microgrids throughout Cuyahoga County.” The county has already created a publicly owned utility department.
Health chief: Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb has tapped MetroHealth’s Dr. David Margolius to head up the city’s Department of Public Health. Courtney Astolfi reports Margolius is MetroHealth’s current division director of internal medicine, an associate professor at Case Western Reserve’s School of Medicine, and co-lead for the Medical Director Leadership Institute at Harvard Medical School’s Center for Primary Care.
Stimulus watch: Cuyahoga County Council gave final approval to spending roughly $34 million in COVID-19 stimulus money on broadband, workforce development, lead remediation, COVID-19 response and stabilizing Irishtown Bend. Lucas Daprile reports the largest of the $31 million is $19.4 million to provide affordable broadband internet for 25,000 homes through Minnesota-based nonprofit PCs for People.
Walking the beat: Mayor Justin Bibb is requiring uniformed police officers to park their patrol cars and walk through neighborhoods to talk with residents for an hour each shift. Bibb said the goal is to address the spike in gun violence in the city, Olivia Mitchell reports.
COVID-19 & HEALTHCARE
Vaccines: University Hospitals and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine are discovering how COVID-19 vaccines and breakthrough infections affect long COVID, Alzheimer’s and cancer. Julie Washington reports COVID cases are significantly more likely in cancer and Alzheimer’s patients, suggesting it’s important even for vaccinated people to wear masks, social distance and wash hands frequently.
BUSINESS
Big Lots: Big Lots, a national discount retailer headquartered in Ohio, will open a new location in Barberton after relocating. Sean McDonnell reports the 33,000-square-foot store is located in the same plaza where another Big Lots closed.
Hospitality: For an educational overnight, head to the Southeast Ohio town of Nelsonville, where the Lodge at Hocking College offers a lesson in hospitality -- no homework required. Susan Glaser reports the lodge is operated by Hocking College, a community college that offers numerous work-study opportunities in a variety of hospitality-related fields, from culinary arts to fermentation science.
CRIME
Akron beating: Authorities said Wednesday that the deadly beating of 17-year-old Ethan Liming last week stemmed from an altercation over a gel gun in the parking lot of the I Promise School in Akron. Liming was found unconscious in the parking lot near the school’s basketball courts, reports Kaylee Remington.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Pins & Needles: Green hornets, Mai Tais, golden Cadillacs, white Russians and grasshoppers will be flowing at Pins & Needles, a time capsule of a cocktail bar that recently opened in the basement of Mahall’s, Annie Nickoloff reports. The ‘70s-themed space takes over what was formerly the bowling alley’s Locker Room venue.
Barbecue: Cleveland native Michael Symon will host an upcoming Food Network series “BBQ USA,” where he will showcase notable barbecue competitions and the pitmasters who compete, reports Annie Nickoloff.
