Cuyahoga County voters in 1990 agreed to pay for a new baseball stadium and basketball arena by levying a tax on cigarettes and alcohol, known as a “sin tax.” To build the facilities, the city of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County created Gateway, to enforce the team leases on behalf of the county. But the sin tax has struggled to keep pace with the cost upgrades to the publicly owned stadiums. Two decades ago, when it became clear that agreements with the Cavs and Guardians were unsustainable, Gateway reworked the contracts. Gateway would be responsible for only major capital improvements, exceeding $500,000. The sky is the limit on how much capital repair projects can cost taxpayers, though. Cleveland and Cuyahoga County are now figuring out how to pay $20 million each for repairs. Next year, they’re looking at a $30 million total tab. — Laura |
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The Land sign sits on Gateway Plaza, between Progressive Field and the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. Marc Bona, cleveland.com |
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Gateway obligations: Cuyahoga County is on the hook for $20 million dollars to pay for repairs at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse and Progressive Field, but Executive Chris Ronayne is proposing legislation to pay just $2.85 million out of the county’s general fund, leaving questions about how the county plans to cover the balance. Kaitlin Durbin reports the county wasn’t ready to discuss where that money is expected to come from – saying only it will be covered by “several sources.” Browns impact: A new study argues that with an average yearly attendance of 642,000 fans at the downtown stadium, Cleveland’s economy gains at least $30 million each year through direct and indirect visitor spending. Courtney Astolfi reports that economists have found evidence that moving a stadium from one location in a region to another can transfer small economic benefits between areas. Today in Ohio: Donald Trump handpicked U.S. Senate candidate, Bernie Moreno, and their wins show that the president-elect’s formidable power to determine who holds high political office in Ohio is stronger than ever. We’re talking about whether Trump will endorse in more Ohio races on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast. |
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Lifewise: The Ohio House Primary and Secondary Education Committee on Tuesday took opponent testimony for House Bill 445, which would require every school district to adopt policies authorizing kids to leave school for religious studies. Laura Hancock reports that released time religious instruction has occurred across the U.S. for decades but has become more popular – and derided – in Ohio as LifeWise Academy, headquartered in the Columbus suburb of Hilliard, has increasingly opened programs across the state. Bond money: Ohio lawmakers say they intend to ask voters in May to again commit more taxpayer dollars for a state program that offers billions of dollars in bond money to help local governments repair and build roads, bridges and other infrastructure, reports Jeremy Pelzer. Under the proposed ballot measure, which has bipartisan support, the State Capital Improvement Program would be allowed to issue $2.5 billion in state bonds over the next 10 years, repaid with state tax revenue. That would be up from $1.85 billion worth of bonds sold since 2014, the last time voters reapproved the program. Delta-8: A Republican state senator pitched legislation Tuesday that would ban the sale of intoxicating hemp – smoked, edible or other products that are often marketed as marijuana-adjacent and sold at gas stations and convenience stores. Jake Zuckerman reports that Sen. Steve Huffman, a Tipp City Republican and physician, repeatedly referred to such “delta-8” cannabis products and the like as “dangerous, untested and unregulated” at a hearing before the Senate General Government Committee. |
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MetroHealth: After a nearly two-year investigation, the state auditor said it was inconclusive whether former MetroHealth CEO Dr. Akram Boutros received unauthorized bonuses totaling $1.9 million. Julie Washington reports the report released Tuesday from Keith Faber’s office also said the MetroHealth board did not effectively oversee the payments and said that Boutros’ acceptance of bonus payments was not criminal. Shaker listening: Shaker Heights officials will hold a town-hall style meeting on Wednesday to review the final report from a months-long community survey about policing in the city, reports Cory Shaffer. Cultural garden: One of the oldest members of the Cleveland Cultural Garden is still installing new pieces more than 80 years later, reports Zachary Smith. The Carpatho-Rusyn garden, initially dedicated in 1939, installed four informational pedestals on October 2023 to help provide context on Rusyn culture, a map of the region and a list of notable Rusyns. Avocado growing: Nurturing an avocado tree from pit to plant can be a fun, satisfying project. |
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Aldi opening: A new Aldi is coming to Parma at 8:30 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 21. To celebrate the opening, the store is giving the first 100 customers a gift bag of Aldi Fan Favorites and a gift card. Paris Wolfe reports the new store will be at 6805 Ridge Road, Parma. St. Vincent Hospital: The planned demolition of the former St. Vincent Charity hospital early next year is part of a larger plan by the owners aimed at developing the campus on the southeast side of downtown into a collection of facilities aimed at providing health and human services to Central neighborhood residents. Megan Sims reports the Sisters of Charity Health System said environmental work has begun, with demolition expected during the first three months of 2025. |
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Kidnapping: An Amber Alert ended Monday night with the death of a father who kidnapped his daughter from an eastern Ohio home and fled to Medina County. Authorities said Charles Alexander, 43, was the noncustodial parent of a 7-year-old girl from Empire. Alexander died from gunfire after a standoff with police at the Arby’s near Interstate 71 and Ohio 18 in Medina Township. Gun sales: A Cleveland man was sentenced Tuesday to two years in prison for selling guns and devices that make handguns fire like automatic weapons. Adam Ferrise reports that one of the guns that D’Aundre Frazier, 22, sold to an informant working with federal agents was used in two shootings. Shooting: A suspect accused of fatally shooting a man in South Euclid earlier this month was arrested and has been indicted on several charges, reports Sean McDonnell. Domonique Roberts, 30, of Cleveland is charged in the death ofJermain Taylor, 31, of Euclid, according to an indictment filed in the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. Gun fight: Two men charged in connection with a gun fight with Cleveland police pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges stemming from the October incident, reports Sean McDonnell. Ray Agosto, 39, entered the plea in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court to nine counts of attempted murder after police say he was involved in the shooting. Police chase: An Elyria man has been accused of leading officers on a 100 mph chase during an attempt by police to stop speeding drivers in North Ridgeville, reports Olivia Mitchell. During a detail to limit reckless driving Saturday, law enforcement officials focused on Ohio 10 in North Ridgeville. |
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Ask Yadi: How do you get people to not touch your belongings? Yadi Rodriguez writes that if it is something of value, perhaps keeping it in your room may be the best option to ensure that it is left alone. Christmas market: A Bavarian Christkindlmarkt returns to Parma this winter to bring the experience of European Christmas markets to folks right in Northeast Ohio, reports Alex Darus. The two-day market is set for December 7-8 and will feature traditional German food and drinks alongside seasonal gifts in open-air booths. Mustang exhibit: “Wild Horses: 60 Years of Ford’s Mustang” is a celebration of the classic automobile at the Crawford Auto Museum, reports Peter Chakerian. The exhibit features 20 examples of every generation of the Mustang – from “the little coupe launched by Lee Iacocca” to the 2024 Dark Horse and its 500-horsepower Coyote V-8 engine. Rock Sports: Rock Entertainment Sports Network is now available on Spectrum cable in Northeast Ohio, reports Joey Morona. The network, which broadcasts Cleveland Monsters hockey and Cleveland Charge basketball games along with original Cleveland Cavaliers programming, can be found on Spectrum channel 979. MGK: Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly are expecting a baby, reports Joey Morona. |
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Case Western Reserve University: 'Multiple individuals' arrested in connection with vandalism of campus buildings Read more Street minister posts sign about gun violence near where two teens were shot Read more North Ridgeville schools employee arrested, on leave Read more Parma barber helps veterans impacted by Hurricane Helene Read more Elyria Catholic boosts science curriculum with 3D anatomy addition Read more Lake County officials present first State of the County report Read more |
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