“These parks are your parks, these parks are my parks,” a protestor sang Wednesday to the Oil and Gas Land Management Commission as it considered for the first time allowing fracking beneath Ohio’s state parks. About 100 protestors -- who chanted, brandished posters and even dressed up as Milburn Pennybags from Monopoly -- could not protect the land under a new state law passed that effectively forces the start of the state leasing program. (The same law expanded the legal definition of “green energy” to include natural gas.) That’s despite the fact that more than 100 Ohioans said their names were used without their knowing consent on letters to the commission supporting fracking. While the Ohio Oil and Gas Association plans to “continue to review” new provisions to its standard lease agreement aimed at limiting noise from drilling operations during hunting season, a lawsuit seeks to overturn Ohio’s land leasing law. Said one protestor, according to reporter Jake Zuckerman, “The fight isn’t over until drills are in the ground." - Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
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On Wednesday, the Oil and Gas Land Management Commission accepted multiple requests to frack thousands of acres beneath Salt Fork State Park. (Susan Glaser, cleveland.com file photo) |
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State park fracking: The Oil and Gas Land Management Commission opened parcels of land underneath Salt Fork State Park and two wildlife areas to oil and gas development, in the face of roaring chants from a room full of protesters. Jake Zuckerman reports the commissioners granted most but not all of the 10 requests for tracts spanning thousands of acres. The vote sends the parcels out for a bidding process, from which the commission is to select the “highest and best” offer. Today in Ohio: Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens indicated Tuesday that he’s in no rush to pass major changes to the state’s new recreational marijuana legalization law, parts of which take effect Dec. 7. We’re talking legislators listening to the will of the people on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast. |
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Abortion amendment: State Sen. Matt Huffman is backing off, at least for now, a fiery election night statement in which he described a “revolving door” of future ballot issues that would be introduced to undo the abortion rights amendment voters added to the Ohio Constitution last week. Andrew Tobias and Jeremy Pelzer report Huffman expressed interest in banning abortion after 15 weeks into pregnancy, something that some Republicans have gravitated toward as a potentially less-controversial alternative to a full abortion ban or a six-week ban like the one Ohio Republicans passed in 2019. Marijuana rules: Senate President Matt Huffman said Wednesday that senators aim to pass legislation early next month to make a number of changes to Issue 2, the state’s new marijuana legalization law before parts of the new voter-passed law take effect, report Laura Hancock and Jeremy Pelzer. That’s despite the fact that any rules would need approval from the Ohio House, where Speaker Jason Stephens said he’s in no rush. LaRose finances: Secretary of State Frank LaRose has gently mocked his wealthy opponents in March’s Republican Senate primary election by referring to himself as a humble “thousandaire.” They’ve responded by questioning where LaRose got the $250,000 he personally loaned to his financially strapped campaign last month. Andrew Tobias reports the public will have to wait for details, since a federal deadline for a mandatory financial disclosure passed Tuesday without a report from LaRose. Trans bill: A House bill now under consideration in the Ohio Senate would stop transgender minors from obtaining hormone treatment and other gender-affirming care, as well as prohibit transgender females from playing on girls and women’s athletic teams. Laura Hancock reports Rep. Gary Click, a Sandusky County Republican who is sponsoring the bill, testified that HB 68 is intended to protect kids against what he believes are pushy doctors and hospital clinics when they experience gender dysphoria. Trade pact: U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Cleveland Democrat, on Wednesday said the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) that’s being negotiated between 14 countries lacks adequate labor standards and enforcement provisions. Sabrina Eaton reports Brown has pushed President Joe Biden’s administration to drop trade from the agreement. |
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Superior bike path: Bike advocates were elated Tuesday night at the City of Cleveland’s kickoff public meeting over detailed design for the long-awaited Midway, a $24.5 million bikeway on Superior Avenue. Some local business owners worried about losing on-street parking spaces and easy access for big trucks, but after 10 years of planning and last-minute challenges, the Midway is on track for a 2025 construction start, reports Steven Litt. Clean river: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is crossing off an area of concern in the Cuyahoga River, reports Peter Krouse. Scientists determined that the incidents of fish with deformities, eroded fins, lesions and tumors had improved to where they were no more frequent in the river than in Lake Erie. |
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Future Goodyear: Goodyear on Wednesday announced CEO Rich Kramer would retire in 2024 and that the company has a plan called “Goodyear Forward” to transform it and optimize its performance, reports Sean McDonnell. Kramer has been CEO and president at Goodyear for 14 years. He led the company though its acquisition of Cooper Tire in 2021 and the COVID-19 pandemic. Dix & Eaton: Communications firm Dix & Eaton announced Wednesday that it has acquired Standing Partnership, a communications firm based in St. Louis, Missouri, reports Sean McDonnell. Combined, the two firms will have more than 70 associates. Alabama coach: Ohio regulators intend to ban both former Alabama head baseball coach Brad Bohannon and a man he allegedly gave information to from betting on sports in Ohio. Sean McDonnell reports the Ohio Casino Control Commission sent notices to both Bohannon and Bert Neff Jr. on Tuesday, notifying them of the intent to ban them. Under Ohio rules, both can ask for a public hearing to object to the decision. Healthy Aging: How medical cannabis affects the body, various ways to ingest it and how to discuss its use with doctors were among the questions addressed Tuesday during the webinar “Healthy Aging: Medical Cannabis for Older Adults," Julie Washington reports. |
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Antisemitic messages: A former college professor is accused of sending threatening messages to the Cleveland Jewish News and to her estranged family, reports Adam Ferrise. Patricia Bonchek, 57, of University Heights, faces seven counts of sending interstate threatening communications. Catholic priest: A judge on Wednesday lowered the bond of a former Catholic priest accused of sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl suffering from cancer, reports Molly Walsh. Authorities had recommended that bond for 76-year-old Luis Jesus Barajas be lowered from $250,000 to 10 percent of $50,000 as he awaits trial on six counts of gross sexual imposition, a third-degree felony. Police shooting: Garfield Heights police said two officers shot Benard Russell after he turned his gun on them during a wellness check Tuesday afternoon, reports Molly Walsh. Hate claims: Authorities say a North Olmsted man was arrested Tuesday and accused of lying about being the victim of a hate crime involving anti-Palestinian slurs, reports Molly Walsh. The Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations sent a news release Oct. 23 calling for an investigation into the man’s claims, which involved a person striking him. Gun in school: Students at Shaker Heights High School were dismissed early Wednesday because administrators found a student with a handgun, Olivia Mitchell reports. Classes will resume as normal today but there will be increased security, Cliff Pinckard reports. |
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Ask Lucas: How do you keep deer out of your yard? If you don’t have an insatiable bloodlust like Lucas Daprile, you could always get some spray at the hardware store that keeps deer away by smelling like rotten eggs. It's actually much cheaper than buying machetes. 'Frost': “Frost: An Ice-Capped Garden Experience” opens Saturday at the Cleveland Botanical Garden and runs through Dec. 31, reports Paris Wolfe. The family-friendly, blue-and-white displays are grander than the previous years’ “Glow” exhibit with a walk-through winter experience that fills the entire indoor facility and some of the outdoor gardens. Skating rink: When The Rink at Wade Oval opens Dec. 1, skaters will find new experiences. Programming highlights include Santa visits, horse-drawn carriage rides and live carolers, reports Paris Wolfe. Cambridge Christmas: Searching for a scene from an old-fashioned Christmas? Head two hours south to Cambridge, a small town in Ohio with big-time holiday spirit, reports Susan Glaser. For 18 years, the city, population about 10,000, has played host to Dickens Victorian Village, a major public art project featuring life-sized mannequins depicting scenes from 19th century life. 2024 food: The trends for next year in food and drink shouldn’t be too surprising for anyone with a TikTok account, reports Alex Darus. Viral trends like savory martinis and “girl dinner” have taken over the app for months, and now the general restaurant culture seems to be taking notice. |
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Teen assaults clerk, robs vape store after being denied sale, police say Read more Man leaves Amish workers stranded after being arrested for driving with no license Read more Solon looking at $5.6 million in upgrades for Community Park Read more University of Akron unveils $23M Crouse Hall expansion, renovation Read more Solon planning international festival for next year Read more Heart in the right place: Lakewood’s Trials for Hope gives back to community in need Read more New McDonald’s set to open on Snow Road in Parma Read more |
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