At a Statehouse rally Monday, the redistricting reform amendment campaign, Citizens Not Politicians, had reason to celebrate, announcing it had submitted more than 731,000 signatures to qualify the amendment for the November ballot. The campaign needs 413,487 valid signatures from at least 44 counties to succeed. The amendment proposes replacing the current Ohio Redistricting Commission with a 15-member citizen panel equally representing Republicans, Democrats and independents. This new commission would be designed to publicly draw fair, politically representative districts and would be free from political influence. It’s a method in stark contrast to the current system, which has produced significant Republican majorities, despite winning 54% of the vote from 2012 to 2020. Republican opposition, led by Ohio Senate leader Matt Huffman, claims the amendment would lead to Democratic gerrymandering. But similar reforms in other states have generally received bipartisan support — and such appears to be the case among Ohio voters, as well, the campaign's leaders said. Next, Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s office will send the signatures to bipartisan elections officials in each county for validation. We’ll know that outcome by July 23, though the campaign would have a 10-day cure period if it happens to fall short of the goal.
— Leila Atassi, editor of public interest and advocacy
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Overnight Scores and Weather |
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Campaign workers with the Citizens Not Politicians redistricting amendment unload boxes of petitions Monday at a loading dock for the Ohio Secretary of State's Office in Columbus. (Andrew J. Tobias, cleveland.com) |
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Ballot reform: Ohio is one step closer to having a high-stakes redistricting reform amendment on the November ballot after backers submitted hundreds of thousands of voter signatures to the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office on Monday, Andrew Tobias reports. Fireworks laws: Ohio safety officials are urging caution with fireworks this holiday weekend, citing a history of injuries, building damages and even deaths, even though a variety of consumer fireworks are now legal to discharge across much of the state, Gretchen Cuda Kroen reports. College troubles: Cleveland State University is suspending admissions to 42 programs this fall that officials say weren’t popular among students as it copes with declining enrollment and loss of revenue, Laura Hancock reports. Today in Ohio: The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio issued a report last week recommending price cuts of East Ohio gas, equaling up to $250 million less per year for residential customers, even though the gas company wants to charge more for distribution costs. We’re talking about this surprisingly consumer-oriented recommendation from the PUCO on Today in Ohio. |
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Community policing: Two years after 25-year-old Jayland Walker was fatally shot by Akron police, U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes introduced bipartisan legislation that she hopes will improve community-police relations and avoid further tragedies by providing police with better training, Sabrina Eaton reports. Workers comp: Workplace safety is again paying off for Ohio employers as state officials on Monday announced workers compensation premiums have again hit a decades-long low, Jeremy Pelzer reports. |
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Sewer district: Officials from the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District will hold public briefings later this month to update residents on the state of the Doan Brook restoration project near the old Horseshoe Lake Park, Cory Shaffer reports. |
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Cedar Point: Don’t expect changes overnight with Monday's completion of the merger between Cedar Fair and Six Flags, two amusement park giants that are now one. Eventually, park guests at Cedar Point, Kings Island and other affected parks could see some cost savings and the sharing of rides, technology and intellectual property, Susan Glaser reports. But for now it's business as usual. Holiday travel: A record number of travelers are expected to hit the road — and sky — over the long July 4 holiday in 2024, Sean McDonnell reports. Flights suspended: Air Canada is suspending nonstop service between Cleveland and Toronto, a short flight that many Northeast Ohio travelers use to connect to destinations in Europe, Asia and throughout Canada, Susan Glaser reports. Ireland flights: Travelers flying Aer Lingus can now use TSA’s popular PreCheck program, which allows passengers to skip long security lines and keep their shoes on, Susan Glaser reports. Stock growth: Cleveland-based finance corporation Keycorp saw the highest stock growth of any major Ohio company last week, with a 4.5% increase, Zachary Smith reports. |
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Officer resigns: Former Cleveland police officer Timothy Loehmann, who shot and killed 12-year-old Tamir Rice, resigned from his patrol officer job in a small community in West Virginia just days after news spread that he had been hired, Adam Ferrise reports. Officer injured: A Cleveland police officer was hospitalized Monday night after being run over by a motorcycle which possibly was part of a large group of dirt bikes and ATVs speeding through the city, Cliff Pinckard reports. Edgewater arrests: In the days following the chaotic gun violence at Edgewater Beach that left one man wounded, Cleveland Metroparks police cracked down, making several arrests last week in unrelated incidents at two different locations, John Tucker reports. Akron sued: An Akron man has sued the city and the police officers who repeatedly punched him and slammed his face into the concrete during a traffic stop, Adam Ferrise reports. In a lawsuit filed Friday, Jordan Ely Sr. accused Akron police of using excessive force, assault and battery and negligence. Officers alleged that Ely had resisted arrest before they threw him to the ground and punched him during a July 1, 2023, incident. Homicide investigation: Police are investigating the slaying of an 18-year-old man Friday on the city’s East Side, Olivia Mitchell reports. Gary Lamar Dancy Jr. of Cleveland was fatally shot about 9:20 p.m. in the 16000 block of Talford Avenue. |
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Superman downtown: Local production on DC’s upcoming “Superman” film entered its third week with star David Corenswet and director James Gunn on set in Public Square, Joey Morona reports. Concert food: Blossom Music Center has been upgrading food options over the years. This year, the concert menu offers signature drinks, local favorites and celebrity chefs, Paris Wolfe reports. Red, white and booze: We’re nearing the Fourth of July and a big part of the summer holiday is spending time eating and drinking outside with loved ones. Alex Darus lists some perfect cocktails to pair with the holiday. Authors appearance: A popular author and a longtime sports columnist will appear at a Cuyahoga County Library event this month, Marc Bona reports. Prolific mystery-thriller author James Patterson and Mike Lupica are scheduled to speak at Cuyahoga County Library Parma-Snow branch on July 30. Brewery opening: A group of investors have a clear plan to guide Royal Docks Brewing Co. into the future. The Canton-based brewery, on the verge of opening a fourth location, has its eyes set on a specific growth model, Marc Bona reports. Cutest cat: Our “Cutest Adopted Cat” photo contest may be over and so is National Adopt a Cat Month. But your favorite kitty of the litter, Patrick, has captured the hearts and minds of you, our readers. |
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Ohio sets yearly record with 63 confirmed tornadoes ... and it’s only July Read more East Cleveland’s Loiter café on hold amid lawsuit against Cuyahoga County Land Bank Read more Severance advocates remain cautiously optimistic in early going on potential redevelopment Read more Berea Schools superintendent addresses offsite religious instruction policy Read more RV owners ask Middleburg Heights to allow outdoor residential storage Read more Flex those muscles: Rocky River car show rolls into town July 14 Read more Westlake Community Services Center begins monthly luncheons Read more Middleburg Heights repurchases historic Little Red Schoolhouse Read more University Heights signs on with Shaker for shared fire department mechanic Read more |
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