When Ohioans go to the polls in November, they will see a summary of Issue 1 that states a proposed new redistricting commission is “not elected by or subject to removal by the voters of the state” and would be “required to gerrymander” congressional and legislative districts. That’s how the Republican-dominated ballot board wrote the summary, and that’s what the Republican-dominated Ohio Supreme Court upheld this week. The summary “may be the most biased, inaccurate, deceptive and unconstitutional ballot language ever adopted by the Ohio Ballot Board," argued Citizens Not Politicians. The group aims to eliminate the current gerrymandering, which produced historic supermajorities for Republicans in the Statehouse and a massive advantage in the congressional delegation, even though Republicans won about 56% of the vote between 2014 and 2022. The Supreme Court repeatedly ruled that the districts created by Ohio’s current commission were unconstitutional. Let’s hope Ohioans — who rejected Ohio’s Republican leaders last August and November on amendments both labeled Issue 1 — will research the amendment themselves. — Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
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Members of the Ohio Ballot Board meet Wednesday at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus. (Jeremy Pelzer, cleveland.com) |
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Ohio Ballot Board: The Ohio Ballot Board on Wednesday made court-ordered tweaks to a Republican-authored summary of a proposed redistricting reform plan that will appear on every Ohioan’s ballot this fall, reports Jeremy Pelzer. Suspicious package: Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s office was sent a suspicious package from an unknown source containing a powdery substance, reports Jake Zuckerman. The package is one of several election offices nationwide that received a similar package, according to LaRose, citing reporting from the Associated Press. Other states have found the powdery substance to be non-hazardous. Drought emergency: U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Cleveland Democrat on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, told reporters Ohio is in the worst drought since the “Dust Bowl” days of the 1930s and it is devastating farmers throughout the state, who are reporting low yields and poor pasture conditions because of scant rain, reports Sabrina Eaton. |
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Voter virginity: The Greater Cleveland Congregations, a coalition of several different denominations, has launched a “Voter Virginity” campaign aimed at helping first-time voters and lapsed voters to participate in the Nov. 5 general election, reports Jeremy Pelzer. |
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Twinsburg records: For months, a group of Twinsburg citizens have been demanding the release of public records they believe would validate allegations of corruption, sexual harassment and records tampering made by three former police officers, reports Hannah Drown. In response at a City Council meeting, Mayor Sam Scaffide delivered a pointed threat, saying records contained personal information about some of the residents who are demanding transparency. Charging stations: Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is preparing to roll out electric vehicle charging capabilities in the Red Lot, reports Courtney Astolfi. Two new EV charging stations were installed in the lot last year, but they aren’t yet up and running. County jail: Cuyahoga County is in the process of building a new county jail in Garfield Heights and the city might get a new municipal court, police headquarters and jail out of it, too, according to a draft of a Memorandum of Understanding that surfaced this week, reports Kaitlin Durbin. Parental responsibility laws: A Euclid City Council committee is discussing a proposal that would allow police to charge parents if their child commits certain crimes, reports Cory Shaffer. Fire engine fundraiser: East Cleveland hit a new financial low when a gofundme account surfaced to raise funds for a new fire truck, report Lucas Daprile and Olivia Mitchell. The account seeks $1.5 million for the vehicle, but only netted $60 total from four people as of Wednesday. The account has stopped collecting money. |
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Cleveland airport: Cleveland Hopkins International Airport ranks last in customer satisfaction when compared to similarly sized airports in North America, reports Susan Glaser. Toxic chemicals: While toxic chemical releases have decreased throughout Northeast Ohio overall, Geauga County doubled its chemicals released in 2022 over 2021, reports Zachary Smith. Hospice of the Western Reserve: In the Hospice of the Western Reserve’s new $25 million Hospice Care & Community Center inpatient facility, every patient seeking end-of-life care will have a view of Lake Erie and stay in rooms that feel more like home than a hospital, reports Julie Washington. Federal Reserve: All eyes are on the Federal Reserve, which on Wednesday finally decided to cut interest rates and has signaled that more rate cuts are likely to come. Sean McDonnell says it’s important but not earth-shattering in Saving You Money. |
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Tax abatement: Warrensville Heights Mayor Brad Sellers pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges related to a tax abatement, reports Lucas Daprile. In August, Sellers was charged with petty theft and tampering with records, which stem from six years ago, when Sellers granted himself a tax abatement and signed a notarized document saying he was debt-free, despite owing $13,000 on property taxes. Labor Day shootings: Police have identified several suspects from the Labor Day weekend shootings that left one dead and nine people wounded in three separate attacks, reports Olivia Mitchell. East Cleveland officers are working with Cuyahoga County prosecutors to determine appropriate charges. Rocker trust: The wife of former Raspberries frontman Eric Carmen fired back at Carmen’s two children over accusations in a lawsuit that she improperly cut them out of the late rocker’s trust, reports Adam Ferrise. Hudson killing: A Cleveland woman admitted Wednesday to killing a Cleveland State University professor in his home in Hudson last year. |
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Haunted houses: Peter Chakerian lists all of the haunted houses in Greater Cleveland that you can visit this spooky season. Seabrook, Washington: Susan Glaser writes about a recent trip to Seabrook, Washington, for a family reunion involving cartwheels, the beach and an unfortunate first-day injury. Rock Hall: With a month left before the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees arrive in town for the 2024 induction ceremony, the institution is prepping the region with concerts, a music career industry summit and exclusive Cleveland merchandise. Peter Chakerian lets you know every event that is happening. Doc Lanky’s: The bar and restaurant is the newest to join Lakewood in the former Two Bucks space from two brothers with a love for Cleveland’s West Side, reports Alex Darus. Pumpkin fest: Farm Dog Fresh is hosting its fourth annual Pumpkin Fest with 5 Points Coffee and Tea in Cleveland’s West Park neighborhood, reports Alex Darus. Tremont Trek: The walking tour of the popular neighborhood is set to return, reports Marc Bona. The tour is scheduled for Oct. 5 in Cleveland’s Tremont and Duck Island neighborhoods, offering a chance to visit six private homes and their art and furniture collections, as well as sample tastes from local chefs. |
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Cleveland State University exceeds enrollment projections, attracts diverse group of new scholars Read more YMCA of Greater Cleveland introduces new Mental Wellness Services at Lyndhurst, Warrensville Heights branches Read more Medina High School principal touts AP course offerings Read more Repairs planned for indoor pool at Solon Community Center Read more Preservationists earn small victory in battle to save trees at Solon Community Park Read more Akron’s Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens to host Ohio Mart invitational arts, crafts show Read more Code update forthcoming -- Lakewood begins zoning refresh project Read more Parma Heights plans Ackley Road construction in 2025 Read more Brooklyn turns sights on deer population, eyes potential culling Read more |
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