Cuyahoga County residents are spoiled with access to the Cleveland Metroparks, which in recent years have won a National Gold Medal “Best in Nation” Award. But inside Cleveland, half of surveyed Clevelanders said they avoid visiting city parks and recreation centers because they are not well-maintained. The three most important outdoor amenities residents want to see are paved multi-use trails (41%), unprogrammed green spaces (36%) and swimming pools (35%). A little over half of respondents visit a city park at least once a week, compared to 23% who frequent recreation centers at least once a week. The survey is part of Mayor Justin Bibb’s ongoing master-planning process for Cleveland’s 172 parks, 23 Neighborhood Resource and Recreation Centers, 40 pools and other recreation-related facilities. He’s seeking to create a 15-year plan to guide the city’s investments and approach to recreation. — Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
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The conditions at Cleveland's city parks vary widely. Seen here: Kerruish Park, in the Lee-Miles neighborhood. City Hall in 2022 rated the park's condition at 4, with 1=worst and 5=best. (David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com) |
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Cleveland parks: City Hall ordered up a community needs assessment as part of its master-planning process for parks and recreation, reports Courtney Astolfi. Poor maintenance was the top response of 528 residents and stakeholders, identifying the top barriers from visiting parks and rec centers more often. Randazzo assets: The Ohio Supreme Court on Monday ruled against Sam Randazzo, the former state regulator accused of taking a $4.3 million bribe, allowing the state to continue to freeze millions of his financial assets. Jake Zuckerman reports the ruling squashes an effort from Randazzo to reclaim control of money in his bank and brokerage accounts. Kias and Hyundais: Gov. Mike DeWine said Tuesday he would like to see Ohioans who have had their Kias and Hyundais stolen the past couple of years to receive some sort of compensation from the two automakers. Jeremy Pelzer reports that Attorney General Dave Yost’s office says the state has no grounds to take legal action against the two South Korean car companies, as cities such as Cleveland already have, for not installing sufficient anti-theft devices in their vehicles for a decade. Today in Ohio: Since 2002, state Rep. Tom Patton’s campaign has paid him about $800,000 in self-identified reimbursements for expenses. We’re talking about Browns tickets, airfare, car repairs and a whole lot of restaurants on Today in Ohio. |
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Transgender names: Gov. Mike DeWine said Tuesday that changes are needed to ensure that transgender legislative candidates aren’t kept off the ballot for not listing their “deadnames” on their campaign paperwork. Jeremy Pelzer reports that DeWine said during a meeting with The Plain Dealer/cleveland.com editorial board that he wasn’t exactly sure how to better ensure that would-be candidates comply with the little-known law, which requires political applicants to state on their declaration of candidacy any prior names they’ve used in the past five years. Transgender candidate: The Montgomery County Board of Elections on Tuesday decided that a transgender legislative candidate can remain on the March primary ballot even though she didn’t list her prior legal name on campaign paperwork, Jeremy Pelzer reports. The board’s decision not to take action against the candidacy of Bobbie Arnold, an Ohio House candidate from Preble County, comes two weeks after the Stark County Board of Elections voted unanimously to disqualify another transgender would-be candidate, Vanessa Joy, over the same issue. Ramaswamy: Vivek Ramaswamy, an Ohioan whose longshot presidential bid gained unexpected traction last year, ended his campaign Monday night after finishing fourth in the Iowa Republican caucus. Andrew Tobias reports Ramaswamy immediately endorsed Donald Trump, who easily won the caucus with 51% of the vote. Porn bill: A new bipartisan bill in the Ohio Senate would require pornographic video-sharing websites to verify the age of users in the state as a way to stop children from accessing the content. Laura Hancock reports Senate Bill 212 would require the platforms to verify the ages of all users through an independent company. Hemp products: A bill passed by the Ohio Senate and supported by Gov. Mike DeWine would require most gummies, candy, chocolate and other low-level THC products to be exclusively sold at marijuana dispensaries. Laura Hancock reports that delta-8 and delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol products, which have grown across the country under language contained in the 2018 federal farm bill, are now available over-the-counter at gas stations, health-food stores, grocery stores, smoke shops and CBD shops. Tax deal: A tax deal reached between House and Senate negotiators would ensure that residents of East Palestine, Ohio, don’t have to pay taxes on disaster relief payments and increase the child tax credit for low-income families, reports Sabrina Eaton. Brown called the deal announced Tuesday between Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden and House Ways and Means Committee Chair Jason Smith “a win-win that will cut taxes for Ohio families and Ohio manufacturers.” |
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Home sales: A total of 25 Cuyahoga County homes each sold for at least $2 million in 2023, with three homes selling for over $3 million, reports Zachary Smith. Big-ticket sales were localized in a handful of places, with Hunting Valley and Rocky River topping the list with four homes each over $2 million. Neighborhood security: A proposal to spend taxpayer money on security cameras and license plate readers for a homeowners association is before Cuyahoga County Council, but if approved it might not get past the county executive, Lucas Daprile reports. Old homes: The Cleveland-Elyria metro area has some of the oldest homes in the country based on median age, reports Megan Sims. Construction Coverage, a company that provides research tools for construction and real estate businesses, found that the median home age in the metro area is 59 years old. New Year: The Jewish holiday of Tu B’Shevat is commonly referred to as the “New Year of the Trees,” writes Susan Brownstein. The holiday helps connect gardening work to wildlife, time with family, or an artistic vision and gives it purpose that can feel like it is channeling the divine. Eclipse glasses: “Eclipse glasses” will be in high demand during April 8′s total solar eclipse over Northeast Ohio. Paris Wolfe reports Ohio-based Discount Drug Mart just got its first shipment of solar eclipse glasses. These cardboard-framed glasses were made in the United States and cost $2.99. |
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Gambling calls: Calls to Ohio’s problem gambling helpline increased 55% in the first year of legalized sports betting in Ohio. According to data from Ohio for Responsible Gambling, there were 10,637 calls to Ohio’s Problem Gambling Helpline in 2023, reports Gretchen Cuda Kroen. That number was 6,835 in 2022. Price tracker: If you’re waiting for a sale and tired of checking online, get yourself a price tracker, writes Sean McDonnell. Price trackers, like The Camelizer and PayPal Honey, show you the price history for most of the products on Amazon and, in some cases, other e-commerce websites too. Stocks: Stock prices for 10 major Ohio companies increased by at least 2.7% last week, led by the manufacturing company Transdigm Group Inc. Zachary Smith lists the Ohio companies with the 10 biggest gains. |
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Elyria raid: The woman renting the home where a toddler was rushed to a hospital during a botched police raid says she is preparing to leave Elyria because she no longer feels safe, reports Molly Walsh. Police on Tuesday also released body-camera video footage from several officers involved in the raid. Police shooting: A standoff at a Lorain County Metro Park ended with the suspect being shot and killed after he reportedly fired at SWAT officers. Brian Dawson, 59, of Elyria, died in the shooting Friday at Indian Hollow Reservation on Parsons Road in Grafton, Cliff Pinckard reports. Charges dropped: The former St. Edward High School standout baseball player whose professional baseball career was derailed after he was arrested on rape charges that would later be tossed is now on the field again. Mackenzie Wainwright, 21, of Aurora, is listed as a freshman outfielder on the roster at Salem University, a private college in West Virginia, Cory Shaffer reports. |
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Ask Yadi: If your delivery is not at your door but at a neighbor's home, is it OK to walk over and retrieve the package without telling the neighbor? Yadi Rodriguez advises to call or text first. Brite Winter: Brite Winter -- the winter art and music festival happening Feb. 24 under the Main Avenue Bridge on the West Bank of the Flats -- has announced the lineup of musical acts, reports Malcolm X Abram. Janet Jackson: Pop icon and 2019 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Janet Jackson will bring her wildly successful “Together Again” tour to Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on June 25, reports Malcolm X Abram. |
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Suspect in Cleveland Heights homicide surrenders to police Read more Man slain in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood, police say Read more Brecksville-Broadview Heights District to create master plan for Hilton campus Read more City launches ‘Shaker Startup Support Network’ entrepreneurs program Read more Cleveland Heights-University Heights school board welcomes new members Crenshaw and Trimble Read more Akron launches new app to help residents access city services, information Read more Strongsville City Council appoints Brian Spring to vacant seat Read more Shaker Square owners, tenants respond to security concerns after holiday crime spree Read more Chagrin Falls Village Council approves Maple Street storm sewer project Read more |
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