My rain barrel is empty, my lawn is patchy brown and my hydrangeas are drooping. We’ve wrapped 11 days this month of temperatures in the 80s with very little rain. But we’re nowhere near as dry as the emergency conditions covering much of Ohio. It’s the worst drought in Ohio since the “Dust Bowl” days of the 1930s. Some hard-hit farms are selling off livestock because they can’t afford to water or feed them, says the Ohio Farm Bureau, which predicts many pumpkin patches won’t open this year and apple crops will run short. We’re all for sunny, warm days in September, but let’s hope this state sees some rain soon. — Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
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Ohio's historic drought has worsened in southern counties, as exceptional levels of drought continue to spread. Meanwhile, moderate drought conditions touch Northeast Ohio for the second time this summer. (U.S. Drought Monitor) |
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Historic drought: The drought in Ohio continues to worsen, with moderate drought touching Portage County, closing back in on Northeast Ohio, while extreme levels of drought continue to spread westward, Zachary Smith reports. Soccer stadium: Cleveland Metroparks leaders announced they’ve agreed to a $4.2 million deal to buy nearly 14 acres of state-owned land near Progressive Field to help plans to build a new women’s soccer stadium there, Jeremy Pelzer reports. |
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Law enforcement: The U.S. Department of Justice has awarded $2 million to Cuyahoga County and $500,000 to Medina County in grants they’ll use to develop and acquire equipment, technologies, and interoperable communications that help respond to and prevent crime, Sabrina Eaton reports. Meter company: The state Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit challenging a regulatory ruling that leaves submetering companies – middlemen between utilities and renters who have been accused of price gouging – unregulated, Jake Zuckerman reports. Report card: New state data shows Ohio students have improved in recent years in English language arts and math on state school report cards, but scores remain below pre-pandemic levels, Laura Hancock reports. Cincinnati rivalry: Cincinnati officials this week unveiled a master plan for a $1.25 billion renovation of the Bengals’ Paycor Stadium and Hamilton County commissioners made one thing clear: If state taxpayers help Clevelanders pay for a stadium, Cincinnati wants its “fair share,” Sean McDonnell reports. |
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Tax reduction: Cuyahoga County has largely dismissed options to collect fewer taxes to save residents money, but individual communities still can. North Olmsted is considering it, Kaitlin Durbin reports. School security: Shaker Heights High School is implementing heightened security measures after two students were arrested on campus with weapons in the past week, Cory Shaffer reports. Students on Thursday were required to be scanned with hand-held metal detectors and have their backpacks searched before they could enter the school, a spokesman said. School attendance: In recognition of September as Attendance Awareness month, Cleveland Metropolitan School District is hosting a community event to address student absenteeism. The Step Up to Support Our Kids rally will take place on Sept. 21. |
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Healthcare challenges: Distrust in healthcare, Ohio’s handling of the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, misinformation on social media and the power of storytelling were among the topics discussed during a symposium at Case Western Reserve University that featured featured actor and advocate LeVar Burton and former Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton, Julie Washington reports. Eating disorder awareness: The National Eating Disorders Association walk for the Cleveland area, which seeks to advance research and raise awareness about eating disorders, will hold its event at the Akron Zoo for the first time, Megan Becka reports. |
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Browns player convicted: Browns defensive tackle Michael Hall pleaded no contest to charges related to a domestic incident from earlier this summer, Lucas Daprile reports. Life sentence: A Cleveland woman was sentenced to life in prison Thursday for killing a Cleveland State University professor in his home last year. The sentence came down a day after Terreionna Paschal pleaded guilty to aggravated murder in the death of Todd Morgan, 41. Four hurt in shooting: Four people were taken to hospitals, three with gunshot wounds, after shots were fired during a gathering Wednesday night in a parking lot in the East Akron neighborhood, Cliff Pinckard reports. Teen killed: A 17-year-old boy was killed and another was wounded in a double shooting Tuesday in the city’s South Collinwood neighborhood, Olivia Mitchell reports. Judge Allison Manning found him guilty, but suspended a 30-day jail sentence, fining Hall $250 and placing him on two years of inactive, non-reporting probation. Human trafficking: A Toledo man ran a human trafficking ring that spanned from Cleveland to Detroit, according to an indictment handed up late Wednesday, Adam Ferrise reports. School threat: A student was removed from Kent Roosevelt High School on Thursday after the school was locked down because of a threatening photo posted on social media, Olivia Mitchell reports. Murder arrest: A man wanted on a murder charge in New York was arrested Wednesday in Youngstown, Olivia Mitchell reports. |
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New roller coaster: Cedar Point is adding a 19th roller coaster to its ride lineup for 2025 – Siren’s Curse, which will be the tallest, fastest and longest “tilt” coaster in North America, Susan Glaser reports. Washington lodge: Lake Quinault Lodge in Quinalt, Washington, has everything you want in a national park lodge, including a historic setting and incredible scenery, Susan Glaser reports. New restaurant: The fast-casual eatery Honeygrow Noodles is planning to open in Strongsville next week. The first 50 customers receive swag bags (coupons, T-shirt, stickers and gift cards), and one guest will win free Honeygrow for one year, Marc Bona reports. Halloween concert: Fever’s Candlelight concert series includes a special Halloween-themed musical program in October. The 65-minute night of music will happen at Maltz Performing Arts Center in Cleveland, Paris Wolfe reports. Things to do: From Cirque du Soleil’s Cleveland stop to the annual Cleveland Pickle Fest, plenty of entertaining activities are set for Greater Cleveland this weekend. Alex Darus has a list of 26 things to do this weekend and beyond. |
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Woman arrested for menacing after gun-related road rage incident Read more Northeast Ohio road construction: Projects bring new delays and detours Read more Kent State posts strong fall enrollment behind large incoming class, high retention rate Read more Cleveland State University introduces 11 new integrated degree programs Read more University of Akron opens new nurse anesthesia surgical simulation room Read more Haunted Henn? Historic Euclid mansion hosts ghost hunt dinner Read more Painesville students select inclusive swing set for South State Street Park Read more Mentor establishes $250K police K9 fund after sudden death of K9 officer Achilles Read more |
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