  What you need to know Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022  WEATHER
Mild temperatures again are in the forecast, with highs in the upper 50s. Rain is expected throughout the day, however, and it will be windy as gusts top 30 mph. It will remain breezy overnight with chances of showers and lows around 30 degrees. Read more. OVERNIGHT
Redistricting: Voting-rights groups and minority Democrats are trying to thwart an effort to get the Republican-drawn state legislative maps adopted through a federal lawsuit, despite the Ohio Supreme Court tossing them as illegal gerrymanders, Andrew Tobias reports. Republicans filed the lawsuit last week after GOP officials on the Ohio Redistricting Commission declared an impasse, saying they were unable to meet an Ohio Supreme Court order to draw new maps with additional Democratic districts.
TODAY IN OHIO Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor slapped the Ohio Redistricting Commission last week, demanding to know why they should not be held in contempt of court for defying an order to produce state legislative maps on deadline. We’re talking about this jaw-dropping development in the redistricting saga on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast.
METRO New hire: Meet Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb's new chief strategy officer, Bradford Davy, a 34-year-old native who Courtney Astolfi reports will be addressing racial inequities and lead poisoning, among Bibb’s other initiatives. The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com will profile members of Bibb’s cabinet over several weeks so readers can get to know Cleveland’s new class of top decision-makers.
February thaw: After weeks of snow-covered roads and frigid temperatures, this week’s warm-up might have come as a shock, but it’s actually pretty normal for Cleveland. Over the past 20 years, there have been 27 days in February with highs reaching at least 60 degrees, Zachary Smith reports. Warm weather doesn’t always mean good weather, however, as higher temperatures are more likely to cause thunderstorms. Bird migration: Each year, thousands of birds heading to and from Canada and the tropics are drawn to the bright lights of downtown Cleveland, where they inevitably meet their doom in the maze of buildings and deceptive windows. Someone needs to clear away the dead and wounded, Peter Krouse reports. Lights Out Cleveland is seeking volunteers to help with the effort.
Polygraphs: In Hollywood, polygraph machines help dogged detectives sort through the lies and get to the truth. For Northeast Ohio law enforcement agencies, the reality is much different, Kaylee Remington reports. Many agencies have someone trained to use a polygraph. But polygraphs have extremely limited use in criminal trials, so they’re mostly used during the hiring process or other internal matters within police departments in the Greater Cleveland area.
Twosday: Today is 2/22/22. A two’s day Tuesday, if you will. Besides some excellent timing, 2/22/22 is a palindrome date, which means it can be read the same backward as it can forward, a once-rare occurrence that happened more often in 2021 and 2022, Zachary Smith reports.
Solon trail: Passions ran hot Thursday at a Solon City Council hearing among critics of a proposed 2.1-mile rail trail who said the project could become a magnet for voyeurs, pedophiles, and thieves. Steven Litt writes proponents convincingly stood up for the project, noting that trails increase property values, as numerous studies have shown, and do not increase crime. But the project is no sure thing.
COVID-19 Elective surgeries: Northeast Ohio’s major hospitals have resumed scheduling nonessential surgeries and procedures after pausing them during the worst of winter’s COVID-19 surge. But Julie Washington reports some patients are having to wait months to get back on the schedule, depending on the procedure and the hospital. Cleveland.com is looking to talk to some of the patients affected by the backlog.
Cases falling: Ohio reported under 900 COVID-19 cases Monday for the second straight day. The last time the state reported two consecutive days of case counts below 1,000 was in August, Julie Washington reports.
BUSINESS Loan forgiveness: More than 83% of Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program loans meant to keep small businesses operating throughout the pandemic have been forgiven in Greater Cleveland, Zachary Smith reports. The high forgiveness rate indicates that most of the 14,675 businesses that received loans in 2020 and 2021 met their promises to maintain their payrolls.
CRIME Unauthorized charge: A Cleveland police detective is under criminal investigation for adding an unauthorized domestic violence charge to a man’s misdemeanor case, and city prosecutors failed to tell the man’s defense attorneys for nearly 11 months, Adam Ferrise reports. Along with potential disciplinary issues, the detective could face criminal charges if it’s determined she was purposefully dishonest.
Fatal shooting: A man died after being shot late Sunday during a fight in Cleveland’s Collinwood-Nottingham neighborhood, Adam Ferrise reports. Dalon Banks, 24, of Kent died in the shooting. A suspect has been arrested.
Suspect arrested: A suspect has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting that happened Friday at an apartment in Cleveland’s Buckeye-Shaker neighborhood, Olivia Mitchell reports. A 25-year-old man died in the shooting, which happened about 8:50 p.m. on South Moreland Boulevard near South Woodland Road.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT All-Star highlights: Relive the top 10 most memorable moments from the NBA All-Star Weekend. From the Celebrity Game to LeBron James’ fadeaway jumper, Tim Bielik captures the highlights.
Stanley tributes: Tickets go on sale 10 a.m. Friday for two more Michael Stanley celebration concerts in Northeast Ohio, Marc Bona reports. The concerts, celebrating the musical legacy of the late Cleveland rocker, are scheduled for Goodyear Theater in Akron on Saturday, May 28, and The Robins Theatre in Warren on Sunday, May 29.
Kids Comic Con: Lake Erie Ink will host its annual Kids’ Comic Con event March 3-5. The convention will feature more than 20 workshops, artist conversations, panel discussions and teen afterparties, Anne Nickoloff reports. Events will be held virtually and in person. OTHER HEADLINES Metro RTA, Transport Workers Union reach 3-year contract agreement Read more
Shoplifting suspect scratches, spits on Akron Walgreens manager Read more
Mayfield photo-speed enforcement of I-271 totals fines of $54,000 for first 40 days; village’s share is earmarked for police capital needs Read more
Sending a message: Cleveland Heights City Council brings resolution supporting Medicare For All Read more
BAYarts’ reopening continues with new exhibits Read more
Brecksville to seek resident input on fireworks law Read more
Brook Park sees 2022 as ‘year of uncertainty’ due to income tax refunds Read more
Presidents' Day Sale Cleveland.com Unlimited Digital Access. $49 for the first year. You can cancel any time.
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