Election maps: Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced Thursday that he instructed the 88 county boards of elections to implement new boundaries for the Ohio State Board of Education that Gov. Mike DeWine created in January -- which civil rights groups and teachers unions have criticized as gerrymandered, Laura Hancock reports.
METRO
Jail standards: Every year, the Cuyahoga County jail falls short of state standards for inmate care, but the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction has been overlooking some of the deficiencies because the county is promising to build a new facility. Kaitlin Durbin reports the only proposed way to fix four persistent problems, largely relating to the size of inmate cells and a lack of natural lighting, is through “new or additional facility space,” the former sheriff wrote in “plan of action” reports.
Police raises: The union representing most Cleveland police officers said Thursday that the city has agreed to give officers a 2% raise each of the next two years as part of a tentative agreement to negotiations over a new collective bargaining agreement. Olivia Mitchell reports that union members and City Council would need to sign off on the tentative agreement.
Basheer Jones: Cleveland City Hall has received multiple subpoenas from the FBI seeking information about former Councilman Basheer Jones, according to two city officials. Mayor Justin Bibb’s administration did not hand over the subpoenas when cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer requested the public records on Thursday, Adam Ferrise reports.
Recycling appeal: An East Cleveland business owner whose accumulation of hazardous materials filled the air and soil with toxins and caused a week-long fire in 2017, leading to what Ohio’s attorney general called the state’s largest-ever civil penalty in an environmental case, has asked the Ohio Supreme Court to reconsider his punishment, John Tucker reports.
ARPA: A Cuyahoga County Council committee on Thursday agreed to move forward with a dozen COVID-19 stimulus projects worth $5.3 million. Lucas Daprile reports that the projects, which still require approval from the full council, include money for the zoo, building playgrounds and renovating community centers.
Airport inspection: Seven years ago, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport was hit with the largest fine in FAA history for a series of failures involving snow and ice removal. This year, Susan Glaser reports, the airport received its second clean report in a row, with no required or recommended changes.
COVID-19 & HEALTHCARE
UH cuts: Citing workforce challenges, University Hospitals is drastically reducing medical services available at UH Bedford and UH Richmond medical centers, reports Julie Washington. Inpatient, surgical and emergency services will be transferred to UH Ahuja, Geauga, Lake West, TriPoint, Beachwood, Geneva and Conneaut medical centers, UH said.
Hospitalizations: The number of COVID-19 patients in Ohio hospitals topped 1,000 on Thursday for the first time since March 1, reaching 1,008 in the Ohio Hospital Association’s daily survey. This is up 39% from 724 patients on July 1 and more than triple the spring low of 296 patients, reports Julie Washington.
BUSINESS
Steel manufacturing: Majestic Steel is growing its business by buying a steel-building manufacturer in the South and a transportation company on the West Coast. Sean McDonnell reports the Pepper Pike-based steel distributor and processor purchased Quicken Steel LLC, a manufacturer of steel buildings based in Claxton, Georgia, and Mercury Transport, a trucking company headquartered in Pittsburg, California.
Edwin’s daycare: Edwins Leadership and Restaurant Institute is acquiring a two-story commercial building in Shaker Heights for use as a non-profit day-care center. Marc Bona reports that plans call for the 2,882-square-foot site to become Edwins Family Center this fall, following renovations, permitting and licensing.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Whale watching: The San Juan Islands, an archipelago of more than 170 islands northwest of Seattle, is considered among the best places in the United States to whale watch. Susan Glaser’s experience last month confirmed it.
FRONT: The FRONT International: Cleveland Triennial for Contemporary Art announced the winners of a new, three-year career-building fellowship for Northeast Ohio artists of color, a program conceived specifically as a response to racial inequities, reports Steven Litt.
Blazing Paddles: Blazing Paddles Paddlefest will give everyone an opportunity to enjoy the Cuyahoga River on July 22 and 23. Annie Nickoloff reports that about 600 paddlers from 14 states will launch and recover from Merwin’s Wharf.
Things to do: Plenty of summer fun awaits in Northeast Ohio this weekend. Annie Nickoloff has 20 art shows, block parties, theatrical performances and other events to do.
