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| What you need to know Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022 WEATHER
Mostly cloudy skies and highs around 40 degrees will create chances of rain and snow showers later this morning and during the early afternoon. Winds will be around 14 mph. There are chances of rain and snow showers overnight, with lows around 30 degrees. Read more. OVERNIGHT
Congressional districts: Following their latest redistricting-related legal setback, Ohio Republican state lawmakers are scrapping plans to introduce a new congressional map this week, deciding they are unable to get the minimal Democratic support it would require to take effect in time for the May election. Andrew Tobias reports that means responsibility for coming up with a new plan will return to the Ohio Redistricting Commission. The panel, which has had two legislative maps rejected by the Ohio Supreme Court, aims to get something done before a March 2 candidate filing deadline.
Energy Harbor: Energy Harbor underpaid health benefits for many of its unionized employees at the Perry Nuclear Power Plant in violation of a 2019 deal that allowed the company to emerge from bankruptcy, according to a recently issued arbitration ruling. Jeremy Pelzer reports the arbitrator’s opinion marks a win for Utility Workers Union of America Local 270, which challenged Energy Harbor’s attempt to make about 30 plant workers contribute more toward their health insurance in 2021, a move that would have saved the company about $1 million.
Peloton: Peloton is abandoning its plans to build a manufacturing plant outside Toledo and will instead rely on third-party manufacturers to make its exercise equipment, reports Sean McDonnell. The company has plans to finish the external construction of the Peloton Output Park south of Toledo, and then sell both the building and the land by the end of 2023. Peloton has already spent $90 million to $100 million on the project
TODAY IN OHIO The Ohio Supreme Court has rejected the second attempt of the Ohio Redistricting Commission to draw new lines for the state House and Senate. We’re talking about whether Republicans will finally obey the court and put people before party on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s half-hour news podcast. STATEHOUSE & POLITICS PUCO: Gov. Mike DeWine has been handed a list of four finalists for a seat on the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, including two candidates with ties to the utility industry. Jeremy Pelzer reports that DeWine now has 30 days to choose one of the four names put forward Monday by the PUCO Nominating Council, including incumbent PUCO Commissioner Dan Conway, a Republican former utilities lawyer, and Stephen Serraino, a seven-time applicant who’s an executive with the Upper Peninsula Power Co. in Michigan.
Supreme Court donors: Ohio Supreme Court Justice Sharon Kennedy, a Republican running for chief justice who has twice sided with Republicans over new legislative maps, received donations from 842 individuals and political action committees. Laura Hancock reports that people and PACs are unlikely to switch support now that Kennedy’s redistricting views are known.
Coal mines: Ohio will get $46.4 million from the federal government to reclaim abandoned coal mines in the state that cause problems such as water pollution and landslides, reports Sabrina Eaton. The state contains 6,000 underground coal mines and nearly 450,000 acres of land that were surface mined for coal before the state changed its environmental laws in the 1970s.
Marijuana pushback: As the Ohio legislature mulls a proposal to legalize recreational marijuana, a conservative Christian public policy organization is campaigning against the initiated statute, the first group to publicly push back. Laura Hancock reports that the Center for Christian Virtue, which also opposes Ohio’s medical marijuana program, said it is concerned there will be an increased number of people driving high, which will make roads more dangerous.
METRO Lead: Cleveland’s Housing Court judge is frustrating landlords with a requirement that they certify that their properties are in compliance with the city’s lead-safe law before pursuing eviction cases. Now another Ohio court is being asked to decide whether she has that right, reports Eric Heisig. The local court rule implemented by Judge W. Moná Scott nearly a year ago might be the first time locally a city housing court judge has imposed such a requirement for an eviction case to proceed.
Plow driver fired: A snowplow driver has been fired after his plow threw snow and slush onto the opposite side of the Ohio Turnpike near Sandusky, damaging 55 vehicles, Olivia Mitchell reports. Ferzan Ahmed, the executive director of the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission, said in the termination letter that the driver was being fired for “grossly negligent” behavior.
Wastewater drilling: A company that ran a wastewater injection drilling well in Northeast Ohio wants a state board to change parameters it was ordered to follow to resume operations, including allowing for more powerful earthquakes before it must shut down. AWMS Water Solutions of Warren is asking the Oil and Gas Commission to amend an order from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for a well on a five-acre site in Weathersfield Township in Trumbull County, Eric Heisig reports.
Homeless help: An effort to help provide housing for families experiencing homelessness so inspired members of the Fairmount Presbyterian Church that everybody joined in – down to youngsters who emptied their piggy banks. Members gave $126,000 toward the Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry’s “Breaking New Ground” campaign, enough to cover the purchase, renovation, and maintenance of a house in which a homeless family can resettle. Robert Higgs reports the work is part of $3.5 million Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry hopes to raise to acquire and rehabilitate 20 residential units – single-family houses and duplexes – in the St. Clair-Superior neighborhood in Cleveland.
Deer hunting: Ohio hunters harvested 196,988 deer during the 2021-22 hunting season, which concluded on Sunday, reports Alexis Oatman. The total is slightly down from the 197,735 deer harvested during the 2020-21 season but above the average of 184,746.
Snow: Snowfall has been consistent throughout Northeast Ohio over the past few weeks, which has resulted in snow remaining on the ground for a longer stretch than at any time since 2015. Alexis Oatman reports there has been at least a half-inch of snow on the ground at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport for 23 mornings in a row.
COVID-19 Daily cases: The state of Ohio on Tuesday reported 4,385 new cases of COVID-19, bouncing above 3,000 after three consecutive days of case counts under that mark, reports Julie Washington.
Pandemic prevention: A new study says investment in training wildlife disease biologists and creating a global database of viruses could help prevent future pandemics, reports Julie Washington. The study says that by investing an amount equal to 5% of the estimated annual economic losses associated with human deaths from COVID-19 into environmental protection and early-stage disease surveillance, the risks of future pandemics could be reduced by as much as half.
Nursing homes: Cuyahoga, Franklin and Summit counties have the highest number of nursing home COVID-19 deaths, according to state data. Cuyahoga County has had 915 nursing home deaths, while Franklin County has recorded 656, and Summit County has recorded 555, Julie Washington reports.
BUSINESS Sherwin-Williams: Sherwin-Williams on Tuesday announced plans for a $300 million investment in Statesville, North Carolina, with a plant expansion and a new distribution facility. Sean McDonnell reports the company will expand its architectural paint and coatings manufacturing capacity at an existing facility and establish a larger distribution capacity.
CRIME Bailiff shooting: The Ohio Attorney General’s Office will act as the special prosecutor overseeing the case of a Cleveland Housing Court deputy bailiff who fatally shot a man during an eviction. Adam Ferrise reports that Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley requested the attorney general’s office take over Jan. 28, the day after a deputy bailiff fatally shot Zachery Edwards Jr.
Body found: Authorities on Tuesday found a body about a half-mile off the shores of Lake Erie at Edgewater Park, Adam Ferrise reports. Cleveland police spokeswoman Sgt. Jennifer Ciaccia said police found a woman’s body on the ice and that the department’s homicide unit is investigating the woman’s death. OTHER HEADLINES Suspect in 2020 shooting death of Na’kia Crawford arrested in Georgia Read more
Barberton man convicted of sexually assaulting 3 children gets life sentence Read more
Local nonprofits’ bid to acquire Shaker Square back on table -- with meter running Read more
Brecksville provides grant agreement, tax increment financing for Valor Acres developer Read more
Van Aken District celebrates Black History Month with events in Market Hall, around The Corner Read more
Cleveland Heights council rejects petition initiative for Cedar-Lee park, setting up path to May ballot Read more
SouthPark Mall owner donates $10,000 toward proposed $3 million makeover of Strongsville town center Read more
Residents urge Solon council to approve proposed hiking, biking trail Read more
Cleveland Heights City Council appoints Gail Larson to vacant seat, with focus on collaboration, housing and public safety Read more
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