In 2009, I covered the election when Cuyahoga County residents overwhelmingly approved a reform charter written by attorney Eugene Kramer. Now county executive candidate Lee Weingart is suggesting a new idea from Kramer: one countywide income tax, no matter where you live or work. The idea - only possible in a charter county - could crack the door for more regionalism, even though that’s not part of Weingart’s plan. We can’t wait to see where this discussion leads. - Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
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A new proposal calls for a uniform municipal income tax for all of Cuyahoga County. |
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Income taxes: Lee Weingart, the Republican candidate for Cuyahoga County executive, is proposing overhauling income taxes to wipe out the byzantine structure of municipal income taxes and credits in favor of a flat income tax split with cities throughout the county. Zachary Smith reports that by creating a countywide municipality, Weingart might set up the possibility to attract greater investment and federal dollars, in a subtle first step to the county thinking of itself as one. DCFS: At least 617 times in the last four years, children were housed more than one day at the Jane Edna Hunter Social Services Center office building because they had nowhere else to go – but Cuyahoga County officials believe they’ve found a solution. Kaitlin Durbin reports the county is proposing several “breakthrough” changes this month to immediately divert youth from the office building into proper residential care and beef up staffing to rebuild and strengthen the area’s social services safety net. Today in Ohio: An Ohio Inspector General report found that nine Ohio Lottery Commission employees falsified time cards, earning nearly $30,000 in pay and benefits for time not worked at the JACK Thistledown Racino. We’re talking about how many hours they falsified and what else they were doing (including working other jobs) on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast. |
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Governor’s race: With about two months to go before Election Day, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Nan Whaley has an uphill climb to unseat Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, according to observers from across the political spectrum. With Labor Day marking the traditional start of campaign season, DeWine has a significant lead in independent polls, has a huge fundraising advantage, and is running as a well-known incumbent in a state that has shifted to the political right in recent years, reports Jeremy Pelzer. Abortion lawsuit: Ohio abortion providers, who have been waiting for two months for the Ohio Supreme Court to rule on the state law that bans abortion when fetal cardiac activity has been detected, asked the high court Friday to dismiss its case as they pursue new legal avenues they hope will produce a faster ruling. Laura Hancock reports that abortion clinics announced in a Friday morning filing to the Ohio Supreme Court that they instead plan to file a case in a lower state court of common pleas. |
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Council walks: Many Cleveland City Council members this summer walked through the city’s neighborhoods, attempting to connect with residents in more personal ways. Some sought to reach out to those in high-crime areas, while others pushed to bring people and police officers to a common ground. Olivia Mitchell reports the walks give an insight into Cleveland’s biggest issues through a policymaker’s eyes, whether the issues are of mounting violence, abandoned houses or simple nuisances. Boomerang: Sara Greicius moved back to Northeast Ohio and is working to convince others to follow her lead, as the first director of the new Cleveland Talent Alliance, a coalition of Northeast Ohio organizations working to boost the region’s population. Susan Glaser reports the group’s goal is to make Cleveland one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the Midwest by 2030. Bike ride: Five Boys & Girls Club kids ages 10-15 received brand-new bikes and a bunch of goodies thanks to generous sponsors backing one of the most grueling bike expeditions John Pana could ever concoct. The goal was for Pana to complete a 100-mile bike ride from New Philadelphia to downtown Cleveland amid two downpours, a wicked lightning storm and bats flying overhead well past sundown. Wolf escape: A wolf briefly escaped its habitat Monday at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo but was recaptured, and no guests or employees were hurt, authorities said. Officials at the zoo said the Mexican gray wolf “briefly breached its habitat” at the zoo but was secured by staff. Summer weather: The unofficial end to summer, Labor Day weekend, was rather dreary in Northeast Ohio. Wet conditions Sunday and Monday dampened cookouts and beach plans, plus held the famed Blue Angels from flying over downtown during the Cleveland Air Show. But Jane Morice reports the weekend’s weather conditions are not necessarily representative of the rest of the summer in Northeast Ohio. Summer fun: The Summer of ‘22 was the first chance many Northeast Ohio residents had to return fully to “normal life” since the pre-pandemic summer of 2019. Brenda Cain compiles readers’ thoughts about summer activities. |
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NOPEC: NOPEC’s plan to cut utility bills for 550,000 electric customers by moving them to their utility’s standard service offer is being challenged by an energy supplier who would have to pick up the increased load. Wholesale electricity supplier Dynegy is asking the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to stop NOPEC because of “significant and potentially devastating impact” on Ohio’s electricity market, Sean McDonnell reports. Restaurants struggle: More than half of Ohio’s restaurant operators showed a drop in sales this year, according to a recent survey from the Ohio Restaurant Association. Results of the survey done in mid-August paint a bleak picture of the industry, thanks to the fricassee composed of customer demands, continued staffing challenges and food-price hikes, Marc Bona reports. West Nile: The number of West Nile-positive mosquito pools have increased in some Northeast Ohio counties since mid-August, reports Julie Washington. Assistance program: Low-income residents still have time to apply for help with their summer energy bills through the Cleveland Housing Network’s Housing Partners, reports Megan Sims. The Home Energy Assistance Program Summer Crisis Program ends Sept. 30. EV charging: Lincoln Electric is taking 127 years of experience making welders and motors and channeling it toward a new industry — electric vehicle charging. Sean McDonnell reports the company is planning to design and manufacture Level 3 chargers, the kind that can charge vehicles in about 30 minutes. CWRU: Case Western Reserve University has begun to raise money with hopes of building a 250,000-square-foot research facility featuring labs and other space. Initial estimates are that the new interdisciplinary science and engineering building will cost $300 million. |
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Police shooting: A teenage boy was shot Saturday night by an Akron police officer who was responding to the area after hearing gunshots, police said. An officer who has worked for the Akron Police Department for about nine years fired a shot, striking a 16-year-old boy in the hand, Jane Morice reports. Fatal shooting: Ten people were shot, including one person who was killed, outside an East Cleveland lounge early Monday. The deceased person’s identity has not been publicly released by police or the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office, Jane Morice reports. East Cleveland police: A Cuyahoga County grand jury on Friday slapped two East Cleveland police officers with felony charges of theft in office and tampering with records. Cory Shaffer reports the charges against Tyler Mundson and Brian Stoll come one week after the city’s chief of police, Scott Gardner, was indicted on charges that also include theft in office. Verdict: A Cuyahoga County jury on Friday convicted a Cleveland man of murdering his ex-girlfriend, her 2-year-old daughter, the couple’s 6-year-old son and a neighbor who came home just after the massacre in July 2019. Cory Shaffer reports Armond Johnson Sr., 29, now faces a possible death sentence. |
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Guardians fans: After lackluster fan turnout in the early season, the average home attendance at Progressive Field made a moderate jump, writes John Tucker. Manager Terry Francona has led a plucky team on an unlikely rise, far surpassing fan expectations. On the eve of the NFL season, in a region known for treating football like religion, is the most exciting team in Cleveland … the Guardians? Guardians on TV: Attendance at Progressive Field still ranks 25th (out of 30 teams) in Major League Baseball, despite recent gains. One of the reasons many fans don’t feel connected to the team is they’re not able to watch games on television, reports Joey Morona. Meanwhile, Paris Wolfe has gear to show your allegiance. Bublé love: Michael Bublé gave a shoutout to Hayden Grove last week at a concert in Pittsburgh, Marc Bona reports. Grove, who started working at cleveland.com in 2016, has been a fan of Bublé for years. Hawkins tribute: Dave Grohl was everywhere during Saturday’s marathon Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert at London’s Wembley Stadium, which saw the Foo Fighters return to action after their drummer’s shocking death in March. You’re not likely to see Geddy Lee arm in arm with Paul McCartney and Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones for any other concert’s final bow. It wasn’t quite Live Aid, but big moments abounded. House of the Week: Sitting on the edge of a ravine and surrounded by trees, a Westlake home boasts multiple decks and an expansive pool deck offering plenty of opportunities for both fun and relaxation. Joey Morona reports the inside is equally impressive, with five bedrooms and five bathrooms in over 6,200 square feet. |
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Cashier fires gun during dispute in Akron store, accidentally shoots customer Read more Pickup trying to pass several vehicles hits car head-on, killing Vermilion man, authorities say Read more Cleveland Heights moves ahead with Lead-Safe initiative, Sept. 12 public hearing Read more Shaker schools holding off on potential bond issue ballot appearance until November 2023 Read more Brook Park mayor vetoes medical marijuana ordinances Read more Train your brain with Baldwin Wallace University’s ‘CrossFit for Your Mind’ Sept. 21 Read more Avon police school community on how to take action in emergencies Read more Padua Franciscan High School cafeteria worker saves choking student’s life Read more North Olmsted Schools short on substitute teachers, bus drivers Read more |
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