Intel is building a $20 billion microchip project in New Albany, northeast of Columbus. Honda and LG Energy Solution EV are building a massive battery plant in Jeffersonville, and Anduril Industries is planning a giant autonomous weapons manufacturing facility in Pickaway County. As Rich Exner writes, “Central Ohio keeps winning. Northeast Ohio keeps watching” when it comes to Ohio economic development. Why? Northeast Ohio boasts little wide-open land. It has a shrinking population. And a lack of leadership focused on the region. Gov. Mike DeWine is trying to help. “I think we can always do better." — Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
Cavs vs. Memphis Grizzlies: Cavs overcome loss of Darius Garland, show toughness with fiery 129-123 victory over Memphis Grizzlies Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Warmer but breezy |
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Greater Cleveland lags behind Central Ohio for jobs and population growth. Why? (Rich Exner, cleveland.com file photo) |
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State development: Why aren't major factories being built in Northeast Ohio? Rich Exner reports Gov. Mike DeWine notes that Central Ohio communities are working together, strategically preparing sites and selling their region’s strengths. If Cleveland wants to compete, it needs to step up. Constitutional convention: States across the nation are pushing to hold a second constitutional convention, with the goal of passing amendments that rein in the power of the federal government. So far, Jeremy Pelzer reports,19 state legislatures have passed resolutions calling for such a convention and similar legislation has been introduced in 15 additional states, including Ohio. Steel tariffs: Companies that produce steel in the Cleveland area likely will benefit from tariffs that President Donald Trump is imposing on imported steel, while manufacturers who use it are steeling themselves for increased raw materials prices, reports Sabrina Eaton. The White House said a flood of cheap steel and aluminum from abroad, often subsidized by foreign governments, weakens the domestic economy and threatens to impair national security. Today in Ohio: JD Vance announced at the CPAC conference this week that President Donald Trump is a role model and that men should not have to subjugate their “masculine urges.” We’re talking about the problem with Vance’s statements on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast. |
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Anti-union bills: Statehouse Republicans are moving bills that gradually limit union power — a strategy critics fear is an “under-the-radar” revival of Ohio’s infamous 2011 overhaul of public unions. GOP leaders say legislation like Senate Bills 1 and 8 protect taxpayer dollars, improve student learning and drive economic growth, report Anna Staver and Laura Hancock. State land fracking: A Houston-based oil and gas company has drilled the first fracking well beneath Ohio’s preserved park and wildlife lands, reports Jake Zuckerman. Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director Mary Mertz told the House Natural Resources Committee this week that one well has been drilled, but it is not yet producing any oil or gas, referring to the Valley Run Wildlife Area in Carroll County. Aerial video: Local law enforcement can now watch live aerial feeds from cameras on State Highway Patrol helicopters and planes, which will help them to make decisions on the ground during active, evolving criminal investigations and public emergencies, Laura Hancock reports. |
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County bonds: Cuyahoga County will not be putting money into any new long-term bonds amid uncertainty in its future cash flow – that includes renewing expiring investments, like the controversial Israel bonds that have sparked protests over the past year. Kaitlin Durbin reports the county treasurer indicated the county cannot afford to risk loaning out any dollars it may not be able to recoup for several years. Snow totals: Cleveland received 3 more inches of snow last week, as officially measured by the National Weather Service at Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport. Zachary Smith reports that brings the season’s accumulation total to 31.6 inches, making it higher than the total snowfall for seven other winters in Cleveland in the past 50 years. Building demolition: The tudor-style former county juvenile court building that has sat vacant for more than a decade next to the downtown Innerbelt is a step closer to being demolished. Cuyahoga County Council will be asked next week to accept a $6.8 million grant from the Ohio Department of Development Brownfield Mitigation Program to abate and demolish the building, Rich Exner reports. Pickleball center: A once-dilapidated warehouse that was missing a roof, had trees growing inside and was condemned by the state of Ohio is now Cleveland’s pickleball palace – with the help of $100,000 of COVID-era stimulus dollars. Sean McDonnell reports the Cleveland Pickleball Center is the city’s first permanent indoor pickleball facility and features 10 courts in a renovated space, nestled in the city’s Bellaire-Puritas neighborhood. Drought: After nearly seven months, the drought that hit historic levels in Ohio is over, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Zachary Smith reports that as of Feb. 18, Ohio has shaken the last bits of moderate drought that stuck around for the first few weeks of 2025. Diversity director: A Richmond Heights councilwoman has been elected to be the regional director for a diversity group of a national cities organization. Cassandra Nelson was elected regional director of the National League of Cities' National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, reports Lucas Daprile. Superior bike path: Clevelanders living or doing business around the city’s Near East Side will have an opportunity next Sunday, March 2, to hear the latest on the city’s plans to build a bikeway down the middle of Superior Avenue. Rich Exner reports that construction is scheduled to begin late this year on the Superior Midway, stretching from Public Square to East 55th Street. Legal Aid: Melanie Shakarian, a key player in growing the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland’s budget and impact for more than two decades, will retire at the end of the month. David Gambino reports that Legal Aid provides legal services in civil matters at no cost to low-income clients. Cultural gardens: Dedicated in 1929, the German Cultural Garden was the third to be added to the newly established cultural gardens, making it one of the oldest in the collection. Zachary Smith reports the German garden spans two levels from East Boulevard to Martin Luther King Drive, though the main attractions are on the upper level. Our Best Life: Laura Johnston received more vitriol on the topic of swearing than any other column she’s written, including on screen time, school shootings and mothers being martyrs. If she were a man, would anyone have raised an eyebrow? |
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Inmate death: A 41-year-old female inmate was found unresponsive in her Cuyahoga County jail cell Sunday morning and later pronounced dead at MetroHealth Medical Center, the county reported. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office will investigate and the cause and manner of her death. Cyber incident: Cleveland Municipal Court currently is investigating an unspecified “cyber incident,” forcing it to shut down portions of its computer system and closing the court to the public today. Cliff Pinckard reports an official says the court has not confirmed the nature and scope of the incident. Police shooting: Akron police this weekend released bodycam video following a fatal officer-involved shooting on Feb. 17, Megan Sims reports. In the video, officers can be seen attempting to pull over a man, later identified as Marcus Smith. Shots can be heard being fired as the responding officer took cover when other officers arrived on the scene. Car fire: A suspect was charged Friday with setting fire to a car that has been linked to a missing man. Nathaniel Christian Crockett, 28, of Cleveland, was arrested and accused of arson after an investigation by the Cleveland Arson Unit connected him to an intentional vehicle fire, reports Olivia Mitchell. Second trial: A second trial began this week in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court for a man charged with fatally shooting two Cleveland brothers in 2020. His first trial in 2023 ended with a hung jury, reports David Gambino. Texas arrest: A man accused of killing a Cleveland woman last year was arrested Thursday by a U.S. marshals task force in Houston. Olivia Mitchell reports John Booth, 47, is accused of fatally shooting Tosha Williams, 45, in the neck on March 12. Online scam: An Indiana man is accused of running a sophisticated online scam using fake emails to steal troves of information and siphon money from businesses in northern Ohio and elsewhere, reports Adam Ferrise. |
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Cavs games: Cavaliers fans who subscribe to Prime Video now have a new way to watch their team without leaving the app, reports Joey Morona. FanDuel Sports Network Ohio, the television home of the Cavs, is now available as an add-on subscription through Amazon’s streaming service. Auto Show: Thousands of people crowded the I-X Center for the 10-day Cleveland Auto Show. Jeep, Hyundai, BMW, Volkswagen and more dazzled attendees in a sea of cars that people could sit in, test drive and even go on a special track in, Megan Sims reports. Big Time Rush: Former Nickelodeon boy band and TV stars Big Time Rush are hitting the road this summer. Malcolm X Abram reports the reunited former kid stars are offering their fans a healthy heaping of “Big Time Rush In Real Life Worldwide,” including a stop at Blossom Music Center on July 29. Hollywood print: Cleveland-born filmmakers Joe and Anthony Russo, who directed the second-highest-grossing movie of all time with “Avengers: Endgame,” have now left both a figurative and literal mark in Hollywood, reports Joey Morona. The Russo brothers were honored Friday with a handprint and footprint ceremony at the famous TCL Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard, joining an exclusive club of entertainment icons. Classic CLE: P.O.C. is one of the quintessential brands of CLE’s yesteryear, writes Peter Chakerian. Bohemian brewer Wenzel Medlin founded Pilsener Brewing Company in Cleveland in 1892. It is best remembered for P.O.C. Beer. Dante cookbook: Chef Dante Boccuzzi is celebrating the 15th anniversary of Dante in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood with the release of his long-planned cookbook “Cooking in Harmony.” Paris Wolfe reports the self-published, fully illustrated cookbook will be available in April. House of the Week: The home at 3488 Kersdale Road is “mid-century perfection in the heart of Pepper Pike,” reports Joey Morona. Tucked away on a quiet cul-de-sac just minutes from the shops and restaurants at Eton Collection, the four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom home is on the market for $835,000. |
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Lorain County teen seriously wounded in suspected accidental shooting Read more Truck crashes into tree in Lake County, killing 27-year-old driver Read more Military medical memories set for Avon Lake event Read more Berea City Schools joins 140-plus school districts suing state over vouchers Read more BW faculty, staff extend welcome to incoming President Lee Fisher Read more Middleburg Heights license plate-reader cameras keep catching criminals Read more Parma Superintendent Charles Smialek leaving to take top job with Pickerington Schools Read more |
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