Today, the United States of America is 248 years old. Which means our country has a big birthday coming up. What’s the official word for this 250th milestone Semiquincentennial. (Feel free to use that to impress all your friends at the fireworks tonight.) To celebrate the event and all of Ohio’s contributions to our country’s history, a state commission has been working to organize special programs and activities from now until 2026. That includes themed months of activities and trails, like the Ohio Air and Space Trail, that wind through historic sites. Happy Independence Day, all! We'll be back Monday.
— Laura
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Inventor Thomas Edison was born in Milan, Ohio, in 1847 — one of many Ohio contributions to U.S. history. (Susan Glaser, cleveland.com) |
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Semiquincentennial: From Thomas Edison to Neil Armstrong, Toni Morrison to the Wright brothers, Ohio and Ohioans have played an outsized role in American history. Susan Glaser details the plans to mark our heritage in time for the 250th anniversary of the country’s founding. Detroit-Superior Bridge: The lower level of the Detroit-Superior Bridge could become part of a growing network of bike paths, parks and trails that are making the city more beautiful and livable after decades of automobile-oriented planning, writes Steven Litt. Reopening the lower level could create something akin to New York’s High Line Park, a wildly popular public space installed in 2014 atop a disused former freight railroad line on Manhattan’s lower West Side. Today in Ohio: A state appeals court ruled it’s up to Ohio drivers accused of violating the state’s new texting-while-driving law to prove at least one of the many exceptions to the law applies to their case. We’re talking about how that works, when normally you’re innocent until proven guilty, on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast. |
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Borges appeal: A well-connected former lobbyist, sentenced in 2023 to five years in prison after jurors found he bribed a political operative with $15,000 for private campaign information, argued to appellate judges last week that he did nothing illegal. Jake Zuckerman reports Matt Borges, once the chairman of the Ohio Republican Party who later worked as a political operative for FirstEnergy Solutions, told judges on the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals that prosecutors relied on Borges’ use of moblike language in text messages rather than their underlying substance when they accused him of racketeering. Minimum wage: A planned $15 statewide minimum wage ballot issue is in serious doubt, after a campaign backing the measure sent mixed signals about whether it will be able to submit hundreds of thousands of voter signatures it needs to turn in Wednesday to qualify for the November ballot, Andrew Tobias reports. A statement from One Fair Wage said the group would focus on the November 2025 election, but then a campaign official said shortly afterward that amendment backers are reassessing their options. Medals of Honor: For their role in what became known as “The Great Locomotive Chase” during the Civil War, six Ohioans were awarded the nation’s first Medals of Honor. Sabrina Eaton reports that on Wednesday, President Joe Biden awarded the nation’s highest military honor to the remaining Ohio soldiers who didn’t previously get the award: Private Philip Gephardt Shadrach and Private George D. Wilson. Both were hanged as spies in Atlanta on June 18,1862. |
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Health center: The Cleveland Department of Public Health is looking to relocate its West Side health center and replace it with affordable housing. Courtney Astolfi reports city officials announced their plans on Tuesday for the Thomas F. McCafferty Health Center in Ohio City. Library exhibit: Due to overwhelming popularity, Cleveland Public Library has announced the extension of its immersive floral exhibit, “The Archive,” until Aug. 3. The exhibit, located in the Main Library’s Brett Hall, has attracted more than 85,000 visitors since its debut. Property taxes: Cuyahoga County property taxes are coming due July 18, covering the second half of 2023 – before bills are likely to increase. Kaitlin Durbin reports residents can view their current bills online or owners can request a physical copy from the treasurer’s office by calling 216-443-7400 and selecting option 1. Bald eagles: There are an estimated 841 active bald eagle nests across Ohio, according to a recent state survey. That’s down from 910 last year. Peter Krouse reports the majestic raptor, which has been a symbol of America going back more than two centuries, continues to thrive. 'Superman' filming: On Public Square we had all the makings of a Justice League “genesis” as Cleveland’s own Isabela Merced (Hawkgirl), as well as Nathan Fillion (Green Lantern), Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi) and Superman himself, David Corenswet, were all in action. Joey Morona reports some extras seemed to greet the heroes; most appeared to gaze up at the Huntington Building at some imagined object or incident. RTA closures: The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority will close the Red Line West 117th Street – Madison Rapid Station at the corner of Madison Avenue and West 117th Street, bordering Lakewood, starting July 17 while it upgrades the station’s platform and track bridges, reports Kaitlin Durbin. Starting Sunday, Blue and Green Line rail service east of Tower City station will be temporarily suspended for four weeks while RTA completes maintenance work. Axe-throwing: Peter Chakerian didn’t know he had a Viking itch to scratch until he planned a birthday party that involved axe-throwing. He tried the activity for our Summer Camp for Grown-Ups series and found the experience both thrilling and satisfying. |
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COVID cases: Emergency room visits and deaths due to COVID-19 are on the rise, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although compared to the surges of the past, the number of COVID-19 related deaths and hospitalizations remains low, they are indeed on the rise this summer, Gretchen Cuda Kroen reports. Betting revenue: The state’s 11 casinos and racinos brought in a combined $204 million in May, up from $196 million in 2023 and $202 million in 2022, Sean McDonnell reports. The record for the month was set in 2021, at $209 million, according to data from the Ohio casino control and lottery commissions. |
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Accidental shooting: The father of a 3-year-old boy who died in an accidental shooting has been charged with child endangering. Matthew Lamatrice, 28, of Brunswick Hills, is scheduled to make his first appearance in Medina County Common Pleas Court on July 11 after a grand jury indicted him last month. Fatal dog attack: A 6-year-old boy died Wednesday afternoon after he was attacked by his family’s dog at their home in Lorain, Cliff Pinckard reports. Dirt biker: A man accused of dragging a Cleveland police officer with his dirt bike was charged with assault Tuesday in Cleveland Municipal Court. Olivia Mitchell reports that authorities allege Andrew Fusco, 29, of Ashtabula, struck the officer at West 25th Street and Superior Avenue. Police chase: Police say four teen boys in a stolen pickup truck led Euclid police on a chase after the suspects crashed into a cruiser Saturday at a gas station. Olivia Mitchell reports police arrested three 16-year-olds and a 15-year-old, all from Euclid. Gun charges: FBI agents arrested a man on gun charges amid an investigation into a gang that operates on Cleveland’s West Side. Adam Ferrise reports Jamar Colegrove, 32, is believed to be a member of the Bellaire Boys, who operate near West 130th Street in Cleveland’s Bellaire-Puritas neighborhood, according to court records. Shooting: A Cleveland man is facing accusations in a shooting on the city’s East Side that left two people wounded. John Tucker reports that one victim, struck four times, worked as a security guard at the apartment complex where the incident occurred. |
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Cinema on the Square: Before the Connor Palace hosted big touring Broadway shows, it was one of the city’s premier movie palaces. Joey Morona reports the theater will return to those roots for three weekends this summer with Cinema at the Square. Running July 25-Aug. 11, the film series features 15 classic movies on the theater’s big screen. Timberlake concert: Justin Timberlake has had a relatively rough couple of weeks in terms of his public persona, writes Malcolm X Abram. But fans can expect a near-full house at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Sunday night, for Timberlake’s concert, where he has been performing up to 11 of songs from “Everything I Thought It Was.” Detroit trip: The Guardians are playing the Tigers six times in Detroit in the next few weeks (July 8-11 plus July 29-30), which makes this month a great time to check out what’s new in the Motor City. Susan Glaser toured the city’s train station, wandered through Eastern Market, explored the Motown Museum and took a Segway tour through town -- all recommended. Concert change: Ann Wilson, singer and co-founder of the classic rock band Heart, will undergo cancer treatments, forcing the band to forgo it’s opening slot on the Journey and Def Leppard tour that will stop at Progressive Field on July 30. Cheap Trick will replace Heart at the show, Malcolm X Abram reports. Caesar salad: If you can’t make it to the original restaurant to celebrate the Caesar salad’s 100th birthday, plenty of restaurants in Northeast Ohio offer delicious renditions of a not-so-basic Caesar salad. Alex Darus lists 18 Caesar salads worth seeking out in honor of the anniversary. Film fest: The Cleveland International Film Festival is looking for volunteers to join its screening team to help program CIFF49, coming to Playhouse Square March 26-April 5, 2025, reports Joey Morona. Ice cream shops: We all scream for it. And Yadi Rodriguez and Peter Chakerian detail the 19 highest-ranked ice cream shops in the Greater Cleveland area, as reviewed by users on Tripadvisor. |
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Body of missing Northeast Ohio woman found; boyfriend in custody Read more Northeast Ohio road construction: What changes can drivers expect? Read more U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District to welcome new leader Read more Tips from the scam squad: How to avoid becoming a victim of fraud Read more Cuyahoga County Public Library’s Brecksville Branch unveils modern upgrades Read more |
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