WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 11, 2024 |
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Generations of Northeast Ohio schoolkids have trouped through the RainForest at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. When the 40-foot-tall geodesic dome opened in November 1992, at a cost of $30 million, the tropical atmosphere featured more than 600 animals representing 118 species and more than 7,000 plants, trees and flowers of 360 varieties. Here’s what ran in The Plain Dealer: “Visitors, especially students, will be entranced by the many hands-on exhibits, from a mock-up of a jungle research station to a huge map showing the degree of destruction of the world’s rain forests, currently being cleared at the alarming rate of 100 acres a minute. The exhibit, I suspect, will be the area's premier school field trip destination for some time to come.” I don’t specifically remember my elementary school trips to the RainForest, though I remember bringing my kids there for the first time. The field station was looking a little dated by then, though we were all delighted by the capybara, the world’s largest rodent. A new generation of kids will get to experience a refreshed “Tropical Forest” after a $60 million renovation-expansion aiming to “bring science, research and animal care front and center." Don’t worry, the trademark dome will remain. — Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
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Design and architectural renderings of the new Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Primate Forest. (Image courtesy of DVA Architecture/Cleveland Metroparks) |
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Primate Forest: Cleveland Metroparks Zoo broke ground on its new, state-of-the-art Primate Forest campus-destination on Tuesday morning, marking the beginning of the zoo’s largest capital improvement project in its 142-year history. Peter Chakerian reports that Cleveland Metroparks CEO Brian Zimmerman said that once open, the Primate Forest will be “one of the most notable tourist destinations for our region.” Mail sentence: A former U.S. Postal Service mail carrier was sentenced Tuesday to 74 days in prison for his role in helping a Cleveland gang that stole some 300 checks worth $3.1 million from the mail, reports Adam Ferrise. Cameron Proctor, previously a mail carrier in Painesville, tipped off the Young Sac Chasers gang, sold them checks and offered up universal keys to the post office’s blue mail collection boxes. Tree grant: Cleveland City Hall expects to receive a $3.4 million federal grant to ensure the survival of trees along Opportunity Corridor and create a new system to better preserve and care for city-owned trees across Cleveland, reports Courtney Astolfi. City officials expected to receive word this week on whether they won the grant from the U. S Department of Agriculture Forest Service, but they said Monday they are feeling good about their chances and have received assurances that they are likely to win it. Today in Ohio: Springfield officials are refuting unsupported claims about migrants committing crimes after U.S. Sen. JD Vance and other conservative political influencers made accusations that went viral on social media. We’re talking about the baseless accusations about refugees killing ducks and eating pets on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast. |
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Springfield immigrants: Gov. Mike DeWine is sending extra state law-enforcement officers to Springfield to help the city deal with a surge in traffic problems he says are the result of an exploding migrant population as national Republicans are trying to capitalize on the situation for political gain, Andrew Tobias reports. The issue became a presidential debating point Tuesday night when former President Donald Trump repeated false claims about migrant crime in the city, Sabrina Eaton reports. Boxer’s death: The state on Monday transferred $275,000 to pay a legal settlement to the father of a boxer who was knocked unconscious and later died after his first professional match in Youngstown, reports Jake Zuckerman. The boxer’s father in 2017 filed a lawsuit against the Ohio Athletic Commission, which regulates combat sports and appointed the match officials that night in Youngstown. Biotech ties: The U.S. House of Representatives on Monday passed bipartisan legislation introduced by Cincinnati Republican Brad Wenstrup to block the federal government from contracting with companies that use biotech equipment from companies with ties to the Chinese Communist Party, Sabrina Eaton reports. NIL deals: More than three years after Ohio began allowing college athletes to profit off their name, image and likeness, two Republican lawmakers are looking to set new ground rules, including allowing schools to directly negotiate compensation deals with players, Jeremy Pelzer reports. Transgender ban: The fate of Ohio’s law banning youth from receiving gender transition healthcare and barring young transgender women from playing female interscholastic sports is expected to be considered by a state appellate court in Columbus this afternoon, Laura Hancock reports. A three-judge panel on the Ohio Tenth District Court of Appeals is scheduled to hear arguments from two 12-year-old transgender Ohio girls and their parents over whether the law that passed late last year is unconstitutional. |
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Child services: An advisory board for Cuyahoga County’s child services agency is pressuring area health systems to fill a key position in spotting and preventing child abuse, reports Kaitlin Durbin. The Division of Children and Family Services Advisory Board recently sent a letter to MetroHealth, Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals urging them to hire a board-certified child abuse pediatrician to do assessments in physical abuse cases. Public comments: Members of the public wishing to address Cuyahoga County Council will now have just two minutes each to speak following rule changes voted into effect Tuesday, but the condensed comment period is meant give more people a turn, Kaitlin Durbin reports. Childhood economy: Early childhood education and what it can mean for the economy will be focal points of Starting Point‘s third annual Billie Osborne-Fears Community Forum at the Music Supper Club on Thursday. Megan Sims reports that the early childhood resource organization, which provides child care, preschool and more resource services, will lead a conversation around how early childhood education can play a key role in shaping a strong workforce and a thriving economy. Shaker businesses: Shaker Heights is inviting aspiring business owners to apply for a series of free workshops aimed at helping them get their ideas off the ground, reports Cory Shaffer. The Shaker Startup Support Network will feature weekly classroom sessions led by entrepreneurs from around Northeast Ohio beginning Sept. 18. $5 million house: For the first time since June 2023, a home in Cuyahoga County sold for more than $5 million. Well, a house and a whole lot of land. Zachary Smith reports the multi-million-dollar North Royalton deal was the most expensive home sale in Cuyahoga County for August. |
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Healthcare careers: A $13 million grant will allow the Cleveland Clinic to continue and expand a program that introduces young people to careers in healthcare, with the goal of diversifying medical workers. Julie Washington reports the gift will fund the Howley Aspire Pathways program — which gives young people medical career experience and removes barriers that keep them out of medical careers — through 2036. |
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School threats: Two Cleveland-area schools closed Tuesday after threats were made against them, reports Lucas Daprile. Lorain High School and Cleveland Arts and Social Sciences Academy announced they canceled classes, with officials in both cases citing an “abundance of caution.” Police shooting: Family and friends of Christian Thomas, 18, gathered Tuesday in front of the Cleveland Heights Municipal Building to request transparency in the investigation related to the Aug. 29 fatal shooting in which officers shot Thomas outside of his home on Yellowstone Road, reports Olivia Mitchell. Michael Hall: A protection order was lifted Tuesday involving Browns defensive tackle Michael Hall in his domestic violence case, reports Lucas Daprile. Also Tuesday, Hall’s attorney met with a prosecutor for a pretrial conference. His next hearing will be at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 19. Deshaun Watson: The NFL is reviewing the latest allegations against Deshaun Watson under its personal conduct policy, reports Mary Kay Cabot. McCarthy also said that the Commissioner’s Exempt List is not under consideration because there’s been “no formal charges and the league’s review has just begun.” |
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Trafficking benefit: To fund the fight against trafficking in Cuyahoga County, the Collaborative to End Human Trafficking is holding its Annual Benefit from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sept. 19 at Windows on the River in Cleveland, reports Paris Wolfe. Melt: The remaining Melt restaurant in Lakewood is repainted, boasts bright colors and has new furniture and flooring, reports Marc Bona. Melt was Matt Fish’s culinary baby, a creative box he built almost two decades ago and one that quickly found its niche. 'Home Alone': “A Nostalgic Night With Macaulay Culkin” comes to the historic Akron Civic Theatre on Dec. 10, reports Joey Morona. The evening includes a screening of the movie followed by a moderator interview and audience Q&A with Culkin, who starred as Kevin in the 1990 film. Meatball crawl: The Taste in Little Italy Meatball Crawl and Wine Tasting is set for Sept. 29 in Cleveland, reports Alex Darus. Taste in Little Italy, local businesses and the Cleveland Montessori organize the annual event, which serves as a fundraiser for the school at Alta House. Luke Grimes: Actor-singer-songwriter Luke Grimes is hitting the road for his 10-date “Playin’ On The Tracks Tour,” including a show on Nov. 21 at The House of Blues Cleveland, reports Malcolm X Abram. |
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Medina Police look at purchase of security trailer/camera Read more Medina council approves purchase of portable traffic signals Read more Plan approved for 16 homes at former Highland Drive Elementary School in Brecksville Read more Green footprint: Shaker Heights looks toward solar power for city buildings Read more Akron’s North Hill community to host International Day of Peace event Read more New Prayers From Maria sunflower field in Avon soon to be in bloom Read more Orange school board reviews contract with Ohio State for coach training program Read more Strongsville hires architect for proposed fifth fire station at Ohio 82 & Pearl Road Read more Cleveland Heights council asked to support ‘Keeping the PEACE’ in Coventry Read more Brunswick City Council gets cannabis sales update Read more |
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