STATEHOUSE & POLITICS
Max Miller: Northeast Ohio congressional candidate Max Miller said Wednesday he’d like the full transcript of his four-hour testimony before the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the U.S. Capitol released to the American public. Sabrina Eaton reports Miller accused the committee of selectively editing a statement featured during its June 28 hearing.
Vernon Sykes: Ohio Sen. Vernon Sykes last month reimbursed Franklin County $52.72 for improperly taking the owner occupancy tax credit on Columbus property he and his wife own through a trust that their children will inherit. Sabrina Eaton reports the pair took the tax credit on their Akron home in addition to the Columbus property for several years.
Abortion rights: Over 1,100 doctors have joined together to form a new organization, Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights, dedicated to championing the reproductive freedom of their patients, Gretchen Cuda Kroen reports. The group was started by Dr. Lauren Beene, a Cleveland-area pediatrician who says although she was always aware of divisive politics surrounding abortions, she has never before considered herself an activist.
METRO
Bikeways: The Cleveland area has collectively improved the lives of its bicyclists over the last decade by installing new bikeways and other projects, but how bikeable is the city and surrounding suburbs, comparatively? About average, reports Zachary Smith. Out of a score of 100, the United States has an average score of 24. Cleveland’s bicycle network score is 26.
Toxic chemicals: Summit County hosts 58 facilities that reported toxic releases to the U.S. EPA in 2020, reports Zachary Smith. Combined, these facilities released 292,535 pounds of 60 separate toxic chemicals into the environment, the second-highest in Greater Cleveland, following Cuyahoga County. Toxic release facilities are corporate sites that regularly release toxins into the surrounding land, air, and water — often unbeknown to surrounding communities.
Flights: Several dozen flights to and from Cleveland were scrapped over the long holiday weekend because of labor shortages, scheduling problems, weather issues, or some combination. Susan Glaser reports airlines continue to struggle to meet surging travel demand following the massive downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
BUSINESS
Car sales: New vehicle sales this year continue to plummet in Greater Cleveland, hitting a low midway through 2022. Dealerships in Northern Ohio sold 100,188 new cars, trucks and SUVs from January to June, the fewest number of vehicles at the midyear point since at least 2019, reports Sean McDonnell.
Gold Coast: MetroHealth is partnering with developers to create a multipurpose space in Cleveland’s Glenville neighborhood that will provide resources to the long disadvantaged area, an emerging trend among health providers for the area. Megan Sims reports the project called the Gold Coast Lofts on Friday received unanimous conceptual approval from the city of Cleveland Planning Commission.
CRIME
Officer death: A Cleveland man was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison for his role in the slayings of Cleveland police Detective James Skernivitz and informant Scott Dingess. Kaylee Remington reports that Kevin Robinson, 19, pleaded guilty prior to the sentencing to aggravated murder and aggravated robbery in the Sept. 3, 2020, deaths. Robinson’s first chance of parole is in 28 years.
Fatal stabbing: A man is accused of fatally stabbing his mother and grandmother and critically injuring his brother Sunday afternoon, reports Kaylee Remington. Joseph Walter, 33, has been charged with aggravated murder in the fatal stabbings of his grandmother, Carol Jereb, 85, of Avon Lake, and his mother, Laurene Worthington, 62, of Seven Hills.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
'Wonderwall': In an event that was built out of a meme, musicians are invited to gather at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on Friday to sing “Wonderwall” by Oasis. Annie Nickoloff reports that musicians of any skill level and instrument to play the hit song at 8 p.m. Friday.
County fair: The 125th edition of the Cuyahoga County Fair is set to take place Aug. 9-14 at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds. Annie Nickoloff reports the event includes arts & crafts showcases, beekeeping exhibits, classic fair foods, farm animals, horse shows, fireworks and more.
One World: One World Day will bring Clevelanders together at the Cleveland Cultural Gardens for a free multicultural celebration from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Aug. 28. Annie Nickoloff reports the 76th annual One World Day will take on the theme of “Peace through Mutual Understanding.”
Skylight Park: Skylight Park – an urban park set within Tower City Center – is scheduled to be unveiled July 16. Marc Bona reports the interior urban park setting is billed as an experiential park that offers a break in the day for passersby and will be furnished with benches, picnic tables and chairs.
Stonewall Games: The eighth annual Stonewall Sports National Tournament & Summit is set to be held in Cleveland from Friday to Sunday, reports Marc Bona. The event is expected to attract 1,700 attendees for a diversity summit focused on sports and advocacy as well as seven competitions: Kickball, dodgeball, sand volleyball, tennis, bowling, billiards and bocce.
WonderStruck: This Saturday and Sunday, Northeast Ohio will host one of its biggest music events of the year, WonderStruck music festival at Lakeland Community College in Kirtland. Annie Nickoloff reports on what people should know before attending the event, which features top acts from pop, rock, indie, folk and hip-hop.
