House Bill 507 was originally called “the chicken bill,” aimed at regulating the number of poultry chicks that can be sold in lots. But this week, during a frenzy of lame-duck legislating, Republicans in the Ohio Senate amended the bill to change a scientific definition and approve oil and gas drilling in state parks for basically anyone who applies. All Democrats and Republican Sen. Matt Dolan rejected the Christmas tree bill, but it passed 22-7. We’ll keep digging, looking at where else this is happening and who’s giving campaign contributions. - Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
Northeast Ohio Thursday weather forecast: Cloudy and cooler |
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Republican legislators have redefined "green energy" for the state, drawing skepticism from energy experts who say natural gas is a fossil fuel that emits both methane and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. (Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection file photo via AP) |
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'Green' energy: Within 24 hours of unveiling the idea, Ohio Senate Republicans passed legislation Wednesday that would expand the ability to drill for oil and gas on state-owned lands, including state parks. Jake Zuckerman reports the legislation would also create a broad new legal definition of “green energy” to include any energy that “is more sustainable and reliable relative to some fossil fuels.” MetroHealth: Incoming Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne plans to deal with the controversy at MetroHealth by forming a team to observe operations, conducting an independent audit and possibly replacing some board members in the wake of the firing CEO Akram Boutros amid allegations of unauthorized bonuses, reports Julie Washington. Terry Monnolly, co-founder of DiGioia-Suburban Excavating, resigned from the board Wednesday. Today in Ohio: With little public notice, the Ohio Senate voted to expand natural gas drilling in state parks -- and change the legal definition of “green energy” to include natural gas. We’re talking about the Ohio legislature trying to change science on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour podcast. |
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Education bill: The Ohio Senate passed a bill Wednesday that would revamp the Ohio Department of Education and strip most of the responsibilities from the Ohio State Board of Education. Senate Bill 178 passed 22 to 7 and now heads to the Ohio House, where its fate remains unclear, Laura Hancock reports. Native American earthworks: The Ohio Supreme Court ruled that the state historical society can use its eminent-domain powers to buy out a lease from a Newark golf course located on a series of ancient Native American earthworks. Jeremy Pelzer reports the court’s 6-1 ruling opens the door for the Ohio History Connection to seek to designate the Octagon Earthworks, built by the Hopewell Culture sometime between 100 B.C. and 500 A.D., as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, though it’s still uncertain whether that will happen. |
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Witness protection: The Cleveland Division of Police is working to establish its first-ever formal witness-protection program in hopes of solving more homicides, reports Courtney Astolfi. Roughly $13,000 out of a $17,000 state grant from the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services will be used by Cleveland police to temporarily relocate homicide witnesses at risk of retaliation during the course of a one-year pilot program. Mass protests: Cleveland police officials are set to change several policies that will govern the handling of mass protests in the wake of a 2020 protest of the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd that turned violent when officers and protesters clashed outside the Justice Center, Adam Ferrise reports. Stimulus Watch: Akron is ahead of many nearby cities, in that it has already approved how it wants to spend its $145 million in American Rescue Plan Act dollars. Lucas Daprile reports the largest funding category was $48 million for parks and public places, followed by $26 million for housing. Cleveland’s Promise: When students emerge from third grade, they’re typically polite and eager to learn. But as they transition closer to fifth grade, problematic behavior – such as challenging authority, testing boundaries and adopting bad behavior from classmates – becomes more frequent. Hannah Drown reports on the changing issues of an Almira Elementary School class. |
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Top business jobs: If you’re looking for a change of pace in your job for the new year, you may consider a career in business. Zachary Smith has a list of the highest-paying business jobs in the Cleveland-Elyria metro area. Home sales: The cleveland.com database of home sales and other property transfer details has been updated with transactions for November 2022. Casino revenue: With just one month to go, Ohio’s casinos and racinos have already taken in $2.14 billion in gambling revenue — putting them on pace to break the record set in 2021. Sean McDonnell reports that in November the 11 facilities took in $183.6 million in gambling money after paying out winnings, up from $178.8 million reported in November 2021. |
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Inmates escape: Two men managed to break out a window Wednesday night and escape from the Lorain/Medina Community Based Correctional Facility in Elyria, Cliff Pinckard reports. Steven Carpenter and Johnny Brooks Jr. got out of the facility just before 6:30 p.m. They were last seen running southeast from the facility located on 9892 Murray Ridge Road. Ken Mills: State prosecutors Wednesday asked the Ohio Supreme Court to consider reinstating the October 2021 conviction of former Cuyahoga County Jail Director Ken Mills, Cory Shaffer reports. The 18-page filing asks the court’s justices to review an appellate decision last month throwing out Mills’ convictions on charges of dereliction of duty and falsification for denying inmates of basic care and lying to Cuyahoga County Council. School threat: A suspect accused of making an online threat toward Bedford schools has been “apprehended without resistance,” reports Molly Walsh. Stabbing: A Lakewood woman has been arrested and accused of stabbing her parents in their North Ridgeville home Tuesday afternoon. Molly Walsh reports officers discovered Emily Deese, 34, had stabbed her parents multiple times, causing serious injuries. Capitol riot: A QAnon follower from Wayne County and his brother-in-law admitted to being part of the mob that attacked the U.S. Capitol in the hopes of stopping the certification of Joe Biden’s presidential election, reports Adam Ferrise. |
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'Jeopardy!': Lakewood resident and Oberlin professor Ron Cheung used a bold bet on a Daily Double and a cautious wager in Final Jeopardy! to get a victory in his "Jeopardy!" appearance Wednesday night, Cliff Pinckard reports. Despite a slow start, Cheung finished with $19,599 to defeat two other contestants. Virtual reality: Sandbox VR, a full-body virtual-reality entertainment experience, has scheduled a grand opening of its first Northeast Ohio location next week. Marc Bona reports Sandbox VR is set to open Dec. 16 in Crocker Park in Westlake. |
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Elyria man gets 20 years to life in prison for stabbing death of foster brother Read more Bedford man shot to death at recreation center on Cleveland’s East Side Read more Akron releases updated development agreement on proposed White Pond Drive development Read more Parma Heights exploring new traffic camera enforcement system for school zones Read more Brooklyn increases penalties in effort to deter potential deer hunters Read more Normandy graduate hopes to inspire ‘small acts of kindness’ with debut children’s book Read more After levy win, North Olmsted Schools planning new building timeline Read more Cuyahoga County awards additional $300,000 to Lakewood Emergency Rent Assistance Program Read more |
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