The Huletts were a Cleveland marvel. Invented by Clevelander George Hulett, the mighty and massive cranes towered over nearly every Lake Erie port at the turn of the 20th century, unloading iron ore from ships into train cars. While it once took 100 men working 12 hours to unload 5,000 tons of ore, according to the Cleveland Encyclopedia of History, four Hulett unloaders could do the same work in less than 2 ½ hours with 25 men. The Huletts lasted until the 1980s, when self-unloading boats became standard on the Great Lakes. Everywhere, the 100-foot-tall machines were scrapped. Ashtabula kept parts of one machine as a landmark, with an operator station, bucket and third of an arm. But Cleveland has the last remaining pair of Huletts. Now, after years of rusting at Whiskey Island, they’ll be demolished. And Clevelanders are feeling lots of feelings about that. — Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
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Patented in 1898 by Conneaut native George Hulett, the distinctive cranes, resembling giant grasshoppers to some, were clunky and hulking in appearance, but nimble in action. (Plain Dealer file photo) |
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Huletts: Some readers and commenters on social media are laying blame on the Port of Cleveland’s decision last week to scrap the disassembled Hulett ore unloaders. Others are posing far-fetched solutions that sound like bargaining. But Steven Litt reports that some accept that it’s time to move on after the giant pile of rusting Hulett parts has lain at the Port’s Cleveland Bulk Terminal long enough to have trees growing around and through them. Whatever the response, the reaction demonstrates the powerful fascination the giant cranes still arouse. East Palestine: Residents of East Palestine who live near the site of a train derailment say they continue to experience strange illnesses that they believe are connected to the epic release of toxic chemicals along the state’s eastern border. Jake Zuckerman reports that a year after Norfolk Southern and the state jointly agreed to execute a “controlled burn” of five tank cars carrying 116,000 gallons of vinyl chloride, residents say much the same thing in interviews, at a primary clinic opened in town as a response measure, and to researchers: They believe they’ve been exposed to hazardous substances that continue to cause disconcerting symptoms like rashes, nosebleeds and upper-respiratory problems. Brecksville Bees: The Brecksville-Broadview Heights Bees gymnastic team won the state title a few times in the 1990s and the early 2000s. They won it again in 2004 ... and every year since, reports Hannah Drown. It's an amazing accomplishment, but it’s hard to overstate the pressure that builds beneath a record as long and illustrious as the Bees’ -- the longest gymnastics state title streak in the nation. Today in Ohio: A judge has ruled that Richmond Heights High School basketball star T.J. Crumble is ineligible for the rest of the season after changing schools. We’re talking about his move from Lutheran East High School to Richmond Heights at the start of this school year on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily news podcast. |
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Husted candidacy: Lt. Gov. Jon Husted took an unusual step when he publicly broke with Gov. Mike DeWine by endorsing a ban on transgender healthcare for kids, Andrew Tobias reports. The move may foreshadow how he plans to navigate the 2026 election, when he hopes to win over GOP primary voters and make Ohio history by becoming the first sitting lieutenant governor to be elected directly to the governor’s office. School vouchers: The number of applications for Ohio-funded scholarships for private schools has more than tripled this school year over the last after the state legislature increased both the cash amount of the vouchers and family income eligibility, according to new figures. Laura Hancock reports the state has paid out $166.9 million for private school tuition this year. But that amount will continue to rise. Women lawmakers: Ohio ranked in the bottom half of U.S. states last year based on the share of women who are state lawmakers, according to a new study from Rutgers University. Laura Hancock reports Ohio was tied with Indiana in the percentage of women in the state legislature last year – 27.3% – with the states ranking 38th nationally. College bets: Both Gov. Mike DeWine and the NCAA announced Friday their support for eliminating “prop bets” in collegiate sports, reports Jake Zuckerman. Bettors would remain able to make bets on outright winners, bets against the spread, and over-under bets in NCAA games. However, they would not be able to bet on outcomes of specific plays, like a player to score on a particular drive in football or a player to hit a certain number of 3-pointers in a game of basketball. Voting lawsuit: Backers of a proposed constitutional amendment that would expand state voting laws have sued Attorney General Dave Yost for refusing to sign off on proposed petition language for the amendment due to its proposed title. Andrew Tobias reports the lawsuit asks the Ohio Supreme Court to force Yost to approve the petition language, saying the AG’s office only has legal authority to determine whether it accurately summarizes the proposal, not to comment on the title, much less reject the proposal over it. Legislative fundraising: As Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens and Senate President Matt Huffman ramp up political fundraising ahead of an expected battle for the speaker’s gavel next year, it’s Stephens who’s surging ahead. Jeremy Pelzer reports Stephens accepted more than $680,000 in contributions between Aug. 1 of last year and Jan. 24. Ohio farmland: Concerned that foreign interests are buying up farms in Ohio and across the country, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown has signed onto a bill that would bolster an existing law that requires non-citizens to disclose their acquisition, sale or ownership of agricultural land to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Sabrina Eaton reports. |
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Nonprofits: The Cleveland Clinic reported $13.5 billion in revenue for 2022 to the IRS, according to the latest federal tax documents, the highest in Ohio. Zachary Smith reports the Clinic ranks No. 7 nationally in terms of reported revenue for nonprofits in the United States. But there is a lot of money between No. 7 and No. 1. Deer culling: In the three years South Euclid has been using sterilization and sharpshooting to reduce the deer population, traffic accidents involving deer in the city have decreased 60%, down to 23 accidents in 2023, reports Lucas Daprile. To date, the pilot program has resulted in roughly 300 deer killed, 122 sterilized and four with trackers placed. Lake ice: Slightly more than 10% of Lake Erie was frozen on Thursday, well below the historical average for this time of year. Peter Krouse reports that more than 90% of Lake Erie has been frozen in 33 winters since the start of such record keeping in 1973. BW cuts: Baldwin Wallace University announced 23 job cuts, an extended hiring freeze and plans to eliminate nine academic programs as it looks to cut $17 million from its operational budget by next school year. Sean McDonnell reports the university on Thursday released a financial plan with details about its cost-saving measures. Black History Month: Kwame Botchway wasted no time getting involved in Cleveland’s Black community when he moved to the area from Ghana, West Africa, in 2017. Zachary Smith features leaders for Black History Month. |
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Dental X-rays: The use of lead abdominal aprons, or thyroid collars, on patients during dental X-rays is no longer recommended, according to the American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs. Julie Washington reports that after reviewing published studies on radiography, the dental association’s expert panel determined lead aprons and thyroid collars are not necessary to shield patients from radiation exposure. Free tax filing: Sean McDonnell reports there are actually free ways to file your federal tax return. But it is harder to do than last year. Here’s some good news. There are guided tax software programs that are free (for real). |
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Balcony fall: Authorities are continuing to investigate the death of a woman who fell 15 floors from the balcony of an apartment complex in North Olmsted, reports Olivia Mitchell. Capitol charge: FBI agents on Friday arrested a Rittman man accused of helping someone try to scale a wall at the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack. Investigators identified Mason Porter, 38, in part from a photo taken by a former West Virginia city councilman, reports Adam Ferrise. Police conviction: An appeals court has upheld the assault conviction of a former Cleveland police supervisor who choked a woman and threw her to the ground by her hair during a 2017 arrest. Cory Shaffer reports Christopher Graham was sentenced to a week in jail in November 2022 after a jury found him guilty of the misdemeanor at a second trial in Cleveland Municipal Court. Mother murdered: Two men who prosecutors say shot a Cleveland mother 17 times in front of her children were indicted Friday. Cory Shaffer reports a Cuyahoga County grand jury charged Jamar Skanes, 49, and Alontez Beasley, 34, with aggravated murder, felonious assault and other charges in the Jan. 10 killing of Alyson Appling-France. |
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Punxsutawney revelry: Fireworks shot into the western Pennsylvania sky as Groundhog Day spectators huddled around the small stage at Gobbler’s Knob. Molly Walsh describes how people traveled from around the world to watch furry forecaster extraordinaire, Punxsutawney Phil, predict the weather. Tracy Chapman: Cleveland native Tracy Chapman electrified and surprised the Grammy audience Sunday night by teaming up with Luke Combs for a twangy, soulful duet of her song “Fast Car.” The single from Chapman’s self-titled 1988 debut album reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. Combs had a massive hit with his cover version and the song won two awards at the CMA Awards. Theater season: The renowned Great Lakes Theater’s upcoming season unveiled its six-show lineup for the 2024-25 season, an eclectic mix of beloved classics, thrilling adventures and even a captivating musical, reports Joey Morona. Bridal expo: Hundreds of brides showed their support for local minority-owned businesses in the wedding industry at the SHADES Bridal Experience on Sunday. Megan Sims reports the event highlighted dozens of vendors that might have otherwise not had the access, or visibility, that many non-minority-owned businesses do. Blossom pass: Live Nation announced its 2024 season concert pass at Blossom Music Center. For $239 each, the recently re-dubbed “Lawnie Pass” gives local live music lovers access to 19 currently scheduled concerts at the Cuyahoga Falls venue, with more shows to be announced and added to the list, reports Joey Morona. Romantic restaurants: OpenTable’s list of top 100 romantic restaurants in America for 2024 includes four in Ohio, including perennial favorites Pier W in Lakewood and The Bistro at Gervasi Vineyard in Canton, Marc Bona reports. House of the Week: Located on 10 private acres 10 miles southeast of downtown Chagrin Falls, this one-of-a-kind farmhouse at 10049 Bartholomew Road was built in 2021 and offers four bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms. Joey Morona reports the price is $1,199,900. |
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Man seeking massage goes to Medina County house, gets robbed at gunpoint, authorities say Read more Man dies after being hit by dump truck at Lake County waste facility Read more Renewal levy on ballot for North Ridgeville Branch Library Read more Berea remembers WWII veterans’ sacrifice on Four Chaplains Day Read more Seniors can now sign up for enhanced Community Partnership on Aging fall prevention program Read more |
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