Vance Super PAC: A Super PAC that functionally underwrote J.D. Vance’s winning campaign for Ohio’s Republican U.S. Senate nomination earlier this year has resumed raising money for the November election, according to a new campaign-finance disclosure. Protect Ohio Values has raised $675,800 since Vance won the Republican primary on May 3, Andrew Tobias reports.
METRO
County jail: Plans to seek a second opinion on the feasibility of renovating the Cuyahoga County jail could be back on the table, again. Kaitlin Durbin reports Cuyahoga County Council President Pernel Jones previously called a second study “a waste of taxpayer money.” But the 12-member Justice Center Executive Steering Committee, which is considering whether to renovate the jail or build a new one, says it wants an updated review because jail planners are currently relying on findings from a nearly decade-old study to justify the construction of a new jail.
Jayland Walker: The family of Jayland Walker and their attorneys denounced police on Monday for what they said were excessive tactics used against people protesting the Akron man’s fatal shooting by city officers, Olivia Mitchell reports. The city’s police chief, however, told reporters that there “have been bounties placed on officers’ heads.” He and the city’s mayor, Daniel Horrigan, said they believe in peaceful protests, but they oppose violence in the demonstrations.
Toxic chemicals: A quarter of Ohioans live near a facility that emitted toxic chemicals into the land, water, or air. Zachary Smith reports Medina County hosts 27 facilities that reported toxic releases in 2020 to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
COVID-19 & HEALTHCARE
Birth control: The tug and pull between people’s desire for family planning information, and efforts to suppress it, is part of the rich history of contraception and abortion. Julie Washington reports that while this legal debate is in the headlines now, since the start of civilization, people across the globe have looked for ways to control fertility.
BUSINESS
Promoting Cleveland: Still proud and unapologetic, but a bit more confident. That’s how David Gilbert, president and CEO of Destination Cleveland, describes both Clevelanders and the tourism agency’s new brand for the city, designed to spur both visits and population growth in Northeast Ohio, Susan Glaser reports. The new brand includes a new commercial that will be the centerpiece of a new advertising push, launching next month, that is designed to help lift the city out of the tourism slump caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
NIVA conference: The National Independent Venue Association forged a partnership among indie performing arts venues during the pandemic. This week, leaders from those venues will convene in Cleveland for NIVA’s first-ever national conference, in part thanks to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Annie Nickoloff reports sessions will explore venue collaborations with nonprofits, equity and programming, music festivals, selling more tickets, music incubators, marketing and more.
Expensive homes: The top 10 Cuyahoga County homes sold for at least $1.25 million in June, including three in Rocky River and two in Gates Mills, and topping out with a $2.55 million sale in Pepper Pike, Zachary Smith reports.
CRIME
Wrongful imprisonment: A Cleveland man who spent nearly three decades behind bars for a murder he always maintained he didn’t commit was declared wrongfully imprisoned on Monday. Cory Shaffer reports Charles Jackson struggled to keep from smiling when Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge Kathleen Sutula made the decision in a case that stems from a 1991 slaying at an apartment building on Othello Avenue.
Nuisance law: South Euclid officials agreed to pay a resident $65,000 and change its nuisance law that allowed officials to levy civil fines against residents for calling the police too often. Adam Ferrise reports that part of the settlement also included that the city wipe clear some $12,000 in civil fines it levied against resident Gloria Parker for calling the police when her son, who is diagnosed with schizophrenia, became violent toward himself or others.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Hot dogs: According to a survey conducted by the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (NHDSC), mustard is the top dog when it comes to topping a weenie. With July being celebrated as National Hot Dog Month, cleveland.com’s Best of Cleveland team is on the hunt for the tastiest – and most unique – hot dogs in The Land.
RV life: In the past few years of living out of their RV, Jeff and Patti Kinzbach have picked up some guidance to share for others interested in the lifestyle. Annie Nickoloff reports that in this week’s episode of their podcast “Rocking the RV Life,” the Kinzbachs share their top 10 rules for safe RVing. Everything from finances to travel timing to toilets are frequent discussion topics.
