Men in tuxedos greeted guests at the October 1996 grand opening of SouthPark Mall, offering glasses of champagne with floating strawberries.
SouthPark was one of the biggest malls in Ohio (built on land at one time considered for a Browns stadium), and it forever changed Royalton Road in Strongsville.
Ever since, Strongsville has looked to create another I-71 interchange, to alleviate the headache of traffic on Royalton Road, also known as Ohio 82, and the adjoining Howe Road.
Enter Sen. Tom Patton, who without a state study inserted a Boston Road interchange into the state transportation budget, putting the Ohio Department of Transportation on the hook for covering the entire cost.
Brunswick is fighting back, arguing that the interchange will lower property values, destroy homes and turn a residential country road into an unwanted commercial corridor.
-Laura |
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An aerial photo shows the possible site of a proposed interchange along Interstate 71 at Boston Road in Brunswick, Ohio. If built, the project could dramatically the residential character of the area. (John Pana, cleveland.com) |
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I-71: When elected officials intervene, city planning can turn into a raw exercise of power, argues Steven Litt, who comments that’s the case with a measure approved by Ohio lawmakers on Wednesday requiring the construction of a new Interstate 71 interchange between heavily developed commercial areas in Strongsville in southwest Cuyahoga County, and long-settled residential communities just to the south in the northern Medina County City of Brunswick. Trump indicted: Donald Trump has been indicted by a Manhattan grand jury, reports the Associated Press. This now raises the question on whether or not he can still run for president in 2024 and who the cast of characters were who got us to this point.
Today in Ohio: More than $500,000 worth of items were unaccounted for at the Cuyahoga County jail commissary, where inmates bought items like snacks, hygiene products and calling cards. We’re talking about that -- and how Attorney General Dave Yost asked the Ohio Supreme Court to reject a challenge to the abortion-rights referendum effort -- on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast.
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Jim Jordan: A hearing to discuss a federal lawsuit that claims the Biden administration has directed social media companies to “censor and suppress Americans’ free speech” degenerated into testy partisan sniping on Thursday with Democrats and Republicans accusing each other of censorship. Sabrina Eaton reports that Jim Jordan, who chairs the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, said their lawsuit demonstrates the need for his subcommittee to investigate the “censorship industrial complex,” declaring that people should have the right to free speech, even if they are spreading bad information.
Constitutional amendment: Republican lawmakers, abortion opponents and a constitutional rights organization that want to make it harder to amend the Ohio constitution have added a new group to their coalition that had not yet publicly voiced its support: gun rights advocates. Gun advocates said that without a change “wealthy interests” could pursue new limits on guns in Ohio, reports Laura Hancock.
Officially English: U.S. Sen. JD Vance, an Ohio Republican, is introducing legislation that would establish English as the official language of the United States, taking up a cause that Republicans have repeatedly pursued without success in past Congresses. Sabrina Eaton reports the “English Language Unity Act” would adjust requirements for naturalization by introducing a universal English language testing standard, but because Democrats control the U.S. Senate, Vance’s effort has little chance of passage.
Rail legislation: A bipartisan group of Congress members from Ohio on Thursday urged passage of rail safety legislation they’ve introduced as a way to prevent future derailments like the one that spread toxic chemicals last month in East Palestine. Sabrina Eaton reports the Reducing Accidents in Locomotives (RAIL) Act would audit federal rail inspection programs, increase maximum penalties for rail safety regulation violations, increase funding for first responders’ hazardous materials training and increase inspections on all trains, including those carrying hazardous materials. |
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Population loss: Cuyahoga County continues to be the top county in Ohio for population loss year over year, albeit at a slower rate than last year, according to new census estimates released Thursday. Zachary Smith reports that from mid-2021 to mid-2022, Cuyahoga County lost 11,767 people, more than the total number of people lost in Ohio overall. The year before, Cuyahoga County lost 14,715. Cuyahoga’s population now stands at 1,236,041.
Glazestalks: ‘Glazestalks’ or ‘glass-stalks' are a rare and fascinating garden plant: impossibly beautiful once fully mature, rivaled only by orchids in their ethereal splendor. Susan Brownstein writes an April Fool’s column about beauty to add to your garden.
Holy Week: Easter is just around the corner. Lucas Daprile has the Diocese of Cleveland’s schedule for how and when to stream Holy Week and Easter liturgies held at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, at 1007 Superior Ave.
Drag story hour: Geauga County authorities are urging organizers to cancel a drag queen story hour and brunch scheduled for Saturday “in order to protect all involved, the children attending, and the residents of Chester Township.” Molly Walsh reports the Community Church of Chesterland and restaurant Element 41 are not canceling their drag queen story hour and brunch. |
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Real estate trailblazer: Akron native and real estate agent Candice Eberhardt became the first Black woman president of Akron Cleveland Association of Realtors. Eberhardt comes from a family of trailblazers in the field, reports Megan Sims. Her grandfather was one of the first few Black real estate brokers in Akron, and other family members opened their own real estate companies in Pennsylvania and Michigan.
Saving You Money: Most frugal vacations start with finding a cheap plane ticket. If you can’t find one in Cleveland, is driving to an airport in Akron, Detroit or even Cincinnati worth saving a couple hundred dollars? Sean McDonnell reports that oddly enough, yes, because driving to a faraway airport can be money and time saver.
COVID numbers: The number of new COVID-19 cases in Ohio continued its recent downward trend, from 7,016 last week to 6,354 this week — lower than at any point since April 2022, reports Julie Washington. The weekly case number has fallen for four weeks in a row, from a recent high of 9,325 on March 2. |
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ShotSpotter: In the first week that the city used the controversial gunshot detection technology ShotSpotter, East Cleveland Police Chief Brian Gerhard the technology alerted officers to 15 shootings that they would not have otherwise known about. But critics are skeptical of its effectiveness, reports Molly Walsh.
Body cams: Cleveland police released body camera video Thursday showing the moment an on-duty detective was shot this month. Det. Mark Bahrijczuk, who has been with the department for about four years, was shot twice at about 6:30 p.m. March 14 while investigating stolen Kia and Hyundai vehicles near E. 30th and Cedar Avenue, reports Molly Walsh.
Teacher charged: A Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools substitute teacher was arrested and placed on administrative leave following allegations of sexual conduct with a student. Michael Czubaj, 23, is charged in Willoughby Municipal Court with three counts of sexual battery, a third-degree felony, reports Molly Walsh.
Lawyer charged: A grand jury has charged a local attorney with felony drug possession and child pornography charges after he was caught with methamphetamine inside the Cuyahoga County Jail in December. Cory Shaffer reports that Eric Norton is charged with drug possession, a third-degree felony, that accuse him of having more than 5 grams of methamphetamine. Norton is also charged with unlawful use of a minor in nudity-oriented material, a second-degree felony, based on a search of his cellphone.
Lockdown: Euclid’s middle and high schools were placed in a “precautionary lockdown” Thursday morning due to threats made on social media involving middle school students, Molly Walsh reports. Euclid Middle School students told staff about threats after students began texting one another about them. |
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King Tut: A century ago, British archaeologist Howard Carter broke through a wall in the Egyptian desert and changed history when he found gilded shrines, magnificent statues, masks, thrones, jewelry and, of course, the mummified remains of Egypt’s boy king, Tutankhamun. Susan Glaser reports the drama of the discovery is brought to life 100 years later in a compelling new exhibit, “Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures,” which opened this month at COSI in Columbus, the show’s first (and currently only) U.S. appearance.
New restaurant: Saroj & Carlos, a new casual restaurant, will replace Farmer’s Feast in Cleveland Heights. Chef Rasul Welch will close the space inside the BottleHouse Brewery & Meadery, 2050 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, for only one day while he makes final changes, reports Paris Wolfe. Progressive Field: Progressive Field is going global in concession offerings, which include Asian, Southern and other influences seen throughout the new menu items, reports Marc Bona. Other additions this year include gambling options and a revamped beer garden.
East Fourth: Gabriel’s Southern Table is replacing Indie on E. 4th Street, reports Paris Wolfe. Mostly a bar right now, the space will become a casual dining spot, with a larger menu and a broad range of whiskeys.
Chaka Khan: The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum wrapped up its Women’s History Month programming with a special evening celebrating 10-time Grammy winner and seven-time Rock Hall nominee Chaka Khan. Malcolm X Abram reports the celebration, tied to Khan’s 50th year in music and her 70th birthday, featured the opening of a new exhibit of her artifacts in the Legends of Rock section as well as a 78-minute concert film running in a loop.
Things to do: Cleveland has a plethora of entertainment options happening over the course of the next few days. So, whether you’re a fan of comedy, film, music, art, stage or sport, Joey Morona has 16 ideas to get you out of the house.
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Couple wakes to sound of gunshots through bedroom window: Cleveland Heights police blotter Read more Police officer drives past stopped school bus; man arrested for stealing steel: Berea police blotter Read more Stay alert and plan ahead, FEMA warns, as severe and dangerous weather is in the forecast Read more |
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