It’s a heartening sign in a politically polarized country: Republican J.D. Vance and Democrat Sherrod Brown are introducing a bipartisan bill to increase train safety in the wake of the East Palestine derailment. As officials descend on the small town for daily news conferences and the EPA continues to oversee the cleanup of hazardous chemicals, the senators are working together to require two-person crews aboard every train, increase maximum fines for safety violations, and expand HAZMAT training grants for local first responders by increasing fees assessed to railroads. The ideas sound like common-sense reform that’s neither blue nor red. The legislation would also require rail carriers to provide advance notification and information to state emergency response officials about what they are transporting. Also on board are Pennsylvania’s two Democratic senators, and Republican Sens. Marco Rubio of Florida and Josh Hawley of Missouri. A bipartisan group of U.S. House of Representatives members from Ohio, led by Marietta Republican Bill Johnson, is introducing separate legislation that would eliminate the tax liability for any disaster relief payments to individuals and businesses affected by the derailment. We’re all for seeing politicians put parties aside for the good of people. - Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
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The Feb. 3 Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, spilled toxic chemicals such as vinyl chloride, butyl acrylate, ethylhexyl acrylate, and ethylene glycol monobutyl ether. (Gene J. Puskar, Associated Press file photo) |
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Train bill: U.S. Senators from Ohio and Pennsylvania say they’re introducing a bipartisan rail safety bill that’s intended to prevent future train catastrophes like the Feb. 3 Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, Sabrina Eaton reports. Householder trial: Larry Householder was on the cusp of being reelected to the Ohio House in 2016 when he said he met Chuck Jones, then-CEO of FirstEnergy. Householder took the stand in his corruption trial Wednesday and said they were at Game 7 of the World Series in Cleveland when Browns owner Jimmy Haslam invited him into his suite at Progressive Field, Andrew Tobias and Jake Zuckerman report. Householder also testified that he didn’t attend a trio of high-dollar dinners in Washington, D.C., with FirstEnergy executives in January 2017, contradicting the testimony of a former top political aide and disputing other versions of the story prosecutors have presented to jurors during his corruption trial. Education overhaul: The Ohio Senate passed an education overhaul bill Wednesday that removes most of the state school board's power, but the plan likely will not be ready for the beginning of next school year. Laura Hancock reports SB 1 would rename the Ohio Department of Education the Department of Education and Workforce, with a director who would be a member of the governor’s cabinet. Today in Ohio: Gamblers in Ohio bet a whopping $1.1 billion in the first month of legal sports gambling, though $320 million of those wagers were promotional credits given out by mobile-betting apps. We’re talking about whether this means more Ohioans will have gambling problems on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast. |
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Householder defense: A powerful Columbus lobbyist denied that he personally gave ex-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder a $400,000 check during an October 2018 meeting. Jake Zuckerman and Andrew Tobias report Bob Klaffky testified in Householder’s corruption trial. Train conductor: The ongoing feud among Ohio House Republicans flared up again on Wednesday as they abruptly decided against holding a vote on appointing a Norfolk Southern train conductor to a vacant seat. Jeremy Pelzer reports Justin Pizzulli, of Franklin Furnace in Scioto County, was recommended over seven other applicants by a House GOP screening committee to be appointed to Ohio House District 90. Track inspections: The Federal Railroad Administration is kicking off a new nationwide program of focused track inspections on rail routes that carry large amounts of hazardous and flammable materials after last month’s Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine. Sabrina Eaton reports FRA Administrator Amit Bose told reporters his agency will use a combination of human inspectors and technology, including a specialized track inspection vehicle, to ensure track safety. Transportation budget: The Ohio House on Wednesday passed a two-year transportation budget bill that includes $12.6 billion for highway projects over the next two years, including $1 billion specifically for rural highways, Jeremy Pelzer reports. House Bill 23 now heads to the state Senate. |
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Tax refunds: Cleveland’s Central Collection Agency has rolled out a new version of its refund worksheet in hopes of making the income tax refund process smoother and quicker in 2023, reports Courtney Astolfi. CCA, which handles income tax collections for the city of Cleveland and a few dozen other municipalities, lagged behind Ohio’s other big cities last year in how quickly it was refunding money to taxpayers. ARPA dollars: On March 11, two years will have passed since Congress set aside $512 million for the City of Cleveland through the American Rescue Plan Act. But as of late February, the city has finalized only 3% of the $173.4 million in ARPA spending that Mayor Justin Bibb has proposed for specific projects, reports Lucas Daprile. Lakeview Estates: Residents of the Lakeview Estates public housing complex on the city’s West Side have suffered for decades from dust and fumes generated by 500 to 1,000 trucks a day rumbling through their community on the way from Whiskey Island to regional highways. Steven Litt reports several new city planning efforts are seeking answers for the Whiskey Island puzzle and related challenges affecting Lakeview and Cleveland’s lakefront. West Side explosion: More than 50 Cleveland firefighters responded Wednesday morning to a large blaze with multiple explosions in a warehouse in the city’s Clark-Fulton neighborhood. Crews were dispatched to a fire at the AJ Rose Manufacturing Co. in the 3100 block of West 38th Street at 9:05 a.m., Molly Walsh said. Cleveland’s Promise: Less than two weeks into the new academic year at Almira Elementary School, Mrs. Sharon Lenahan calls last year’s class back into her room near the end of the school day. Their beloved class pet, a bearded dragon named Mason, had died. Hannah Drown reports students turned to each other for support and comfort. February weather: With February behind us, the last full winter month of 2022-23 is complete, with warmer temperatures and the least amount of snow seen in at least 50 years. Zachary Smith reports the last two months have run much warmer than usual - 7.4 degrees above normal in February and 7.3 above normal in January. Lent exception: Cleveland Bishop Edward Malesic on Wednesday addressed a conundrum among Catholics observing Lent – one that has many asking “Can I eat corned beef this St. Patrick’s Day?” Robert Higgs reports the bishop for the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland has formally granted dispensation from that obligation on Friday, March 17. |
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MetroHealth CFO: Craig Richmond is out as MetroHealth System’s chief financial officer, effective immediately, reports Julie Washington. Richmond’s departure is the second by senior staff since former CEO Dr. Akram Boutros was ousted in November for what the hospital board said was authorizing himself nearly $2 million in bonuses since 2018. Union investigation: The leader of Greater Cleveland’s largest labor organization has been put on administrative leave after a complaint from a local union. The North Shore AFL-CIO’s executive board voted last week to place Dan O’Malley, the group’s executive secretary, on administrative leave, Sean McDonnell reports. Put-in-Bay ferry: Miller Boat Line, which provides ferry transportation to Put-in-Bay, started daily service to the island Wednesday – one of the earliest seasonal starts in recent memory, reports Susan Glaser. The company will run four trips daily to the island through March 22. |
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Smuggling: A former federal corrections officer is accused of smuggling drugs and alcohol into prisons where he worked. Nasher Algahim is charged in federal court in Youngstown with accepting bribes and five counts of bringing drugs and other contraband into Elkton Federal Correctional Institution and the Northeast Ohio Correctional Center, reports Adam Ferrise. |
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Cavs fans: Cavs fans are excited this season and excitement can be defined in the most traditional, old-fashioned way possible when it comes to sports teams: fannies in the seats at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. Marc Bona reports the Cavaliers’ consecutive home-game sellout streak is 44, which includes 33 this season. Cedar Point: Forbidden Frontier at Adventure Island, the family-friendly interactive attraction that debuted at Cedar Point in 2019, won’t return to the park this year, reports Susan Glaser. Several other attractions and restaurants are being discontinued in 2023, including Cedar Point Nights – an evening beachfront event with entertainment and activities – and Chick-fil-A, Mac Shack and Wild Turnip. |
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Solon Schools treasurer says House Bill 1 won’t be good for district or taxpayers Read more Willoughby apartment fire sparks concerns about Belle Oaks construction in Richmond Heights Read more Where did developers get the names for Belle Oaks streets? Read more Fairview Park tripped up, misses out on Bohlken Park trail repaving grant Read more Lakewood Police Department’s 2022 report reveals increase in motor vehicle thefts Read more Post-pandemic economy has Lakewood considering tweak to vehicle/equipment purchase bidding and approval process Read more Padua Franciscan High School senior gives back to community while battling cancer Read more Seven Hills addresses Calvin Park drainage issues with second phase of projects Read more Parma superintendent touts district goals at State of the Schools address Read more Olmsted Falls eyeing NOPEC and FEMA grants Read more North Olmsted seeks demolition bids for former school buildings Read more |
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