Ohio law prohibits locating a recreational marijuana business within 500 feet of a place of worship, public library, public playground or a public park. The requirement won’t hamper existing medical marijuana businesses that also want to serve recreational customers. For example, the 10 growers and processors that so far have been granted certificates of operation from the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control. But it could prove difficult to find a safe geographic spot for new businesses. Ohio State University researchers mapped 9,934 churches, 6,551 schools and 719 libraries, plus 800-some parks they could find with Google, a vast underestimate. The total: more than 18,000. Finding a spot may prove tough. — Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
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The shaded areas represent schools, churches, parks and other "prohibited facilities" from which marijuana businesses must be at least 500 feet. (Ohio State University Drug Enforcement and Policy Center) |
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Marijuana locations: In metropolitan areas and even smaller towns, prohibited locations crowd out potential sites for recreational marijuana growers, processors, testing labs and dispensaries, reports Laura Hancock. Absentee ballots: A federal judge late Monday struck down an Ohio law that made it a felony for someone other than a postal worker or close relative to handle a disabled person’s absentee ballot, reports Adam Ferrise. U.S. District Judge Bridget Brennan ruled that federal election law supersedes the state law enacted in April 2023. She also ruled prosecutors could not criminally charge someone for dropping off a disabled person’s absentee ballot. Delinquent: A juvenile who was bound over to adult court on accusations of murder was recently sentenced to two years of probation on lesser charges as part of a plea deal. But Kaitlin Durbin reports the teen could not be sent back to juvenile court – a process known as reverse bindover. Today in Ohio: Ten Ohio marijuana growers and processers are the first to receive certificates of operation, which permit them to begin working in the recreational market. We’re talking about the two in Akron and one each in Lorain and Portage counties on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast. |
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DNC: It would have been must-see TV had Democrats gathered next month to actually pick a presidential candidate during their national convention in Chicago. But with the election just more than three months away, Ohio Democrats like those elsewhere are moving toward a less interesting but much more orderly convention by quickly coalescing around Vice President Kamala Harris. In interviews with Andrew Tobias on Tuesday, several Democrats said they’re eager to move on from questions surrounding Biden’s candidacy so they can focus on beating former President Donald Trump in November. Redistricting amendment: Voters will decide in November whether to overhaul Ohio’s system of drawing political district maps after state officials said Tuesday the campaign had collected enough signatures to qualify for the ballot, Andrew Tobias reports. If approved, the measure could usher in sweeping political changes in Ohio by reducing the power majority Republicans have had for decades to draw their own political district lines. Train derailment: Rail workers, regulators, chemical manufacturers and Congress members called Tuesday for passage of rail safety legislation to address dangers exposed by last year’s derailment of a Norfolk Southern train in East Palestine, reports Sabrina Eaton. Stephens case: Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens scored an unexpected legal win on Monday as a state appeals court temporarily held up a lower-court injunction stripping him of control over House Republicans’ campaign arm. Jeremy Pelzer reports the ruling likely won’t have many practical effects in the short term. Obhof: Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has hired former Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof as his chief legal counsel and deputy assistant secretary of state. Obhof served in the Ohio Senate from 2011 to 2020, rising to the chamber’s top post in 2017. He left the chamber at the end of 2020 because of term limits. |
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Gargano’s: WWE wrestler and Northeast Ohio native Johnny Gargano has shared on social media that his father Frank’s restaurant, Gargano’s Restaurant & Catering, was badly damaged in a fire on Sunday night, reports Peter Chakerian. The Cleveland restaurant was on the itinerary of many fans coming from outside the Cleveland area for SummerSlam professional wrestling festivities during the first weekend in August. Port Authority: Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne wants to keep controversial labor leader Dave Wondolowski on the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority Board and this time, County Council doesn’t appear in opposition, Kaitlin Durbin reports. Med schools: The 2024 U.S. News and World Report Best Graduate Programs Rankings are out and three Ohio universities were ranked as top-tier medical schools for research in the United States, reports Zachary Smith. Ohio State University and Case Western Reserve University came out on top for Ohio schools. Third was the University of Cincinnati. Tax repeal: A group of Euclid residents fell short of the number of signatures required to place an initiative to lower the city’s income tax on the November 2024 ballot. Jeffrey Beck announced Tuesday on Facebook that his group, Euclid Citizens in Action, came up “several hundred” signatures short of its goal of 1,500, Cory Shaffer reports. Trees grant: The United States Department of Agriculture has awarded Cleveland $3.4 million to plant and care for trees across the city, Courtney Astolfi reports. Some of the money will flow to City Hall to help its newly minted Division of Urban Forestry manage Cleveland’s existing stock of trees and strategize care methods to keep the city's urban canopy healthy and expanding. Power plant: Avon Lake’s nearly century-old power plant, closed since 2022, will soon look very different as officials prepare to implode two boilers, reports Megan Sims. The Avon Lake Environmental Redevelopment Group, or ALERG, a subsidiary of Charah Solutions, within the next few weeks will implode large sections of the former power plant, including two boilers and precipitator buildings. Climate-change fish: From the Atlantic to the Pacific, from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, rising water temperatures and more frequent heat waves are changing what’s found under the surface, as mass migrations of whole species transform generational fishing business, offshore recreation and even what’s on the menu at local restaurants. Cucumber help: Struggling to grow cucumbers, squash and zucchini? Cucumbers might be the most difficult vegetable to grow in Cleveland. Susan Brownstein reports you might be planting cucurbits far too early, giving all the insects, fungus and bacteria a head start before the plant is ready to produce fruit. |
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APME awards: The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com earned top honors in the 2023 Ohio Associated Press Managing Editor contest, including 18 staff wins and the general excellence award. Ohio APME announced the 2023 finalists in early July and revealed the winners during an awards ceremony in Columbus on Sunday. MetroHealth CEO: MetroHealth System CEO Airica Steed has taken a temporary leave of absence, the health system announced Tuesday afternoon. Julie Washington reports no reason for the leave was given. The news hit a health system that had just begun to recover from the firing of former CEO Dr. Akram Boutros in 2022 for improperly taking more than $1.9 million in unapproved bonuses. Cliffs call: Cleveland-Cliffs recently announced a $2.5 billion acquisition and a new foray into manufacturing transformers. But CEO Lourenco Goncalves is continuing to get questions about one thing — whether Cliffs may still buy U.S. Steel, reports Sean McDonnell. Stocks: A total of 21 major Ohio companies saw stock growth last week, with 10 seeing growth of at least 2.5%, four of which were in Greater Cleveland, Zachary Smith reports. Pelotonia: Pelotonia in Columbus is the second-largest bike ride in North America based on the amount of money raised for a hospital. Since the first ride in 2009, Pelotonia has raised $283.7 million, second to the Pan-Mass Challenge in Boston, which benefits the seven different hospitals of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Laura Hancock reports about 7,000 riders participate in the rides, which range from 20 miles to 190 miles. MediCLE: When it comes to keeping your heart healthy, the key may be hanging onto a good set of chompers, Gretchen Cuda Kroen and Julie Washington write in their weekly MediCLE newsletter. |
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Murder charge: A Cleveland youth accused of causing a fatal crash while fleeing from police in a stolen car has been indicted in adult court, reports John Tucker. Tyron Griffin, who is now 18, is charged with the murder of Michelle Wall, a 44-year-old Cleveland mother, on St. Patrick’s Day. Car fire: The driver of a vehicle that was pulled over Monday night by a Cleveland Metroparks police officer died after the car burst into flames during the traffic stop, Olivia Mitchell reports. The Metroparks officer was taken to MetroHealth Medical Center for treatment. |
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Ohio Olympian: Firestone High School graduate Jonny Marshall qualified for the British Olympic team in the 100-meter backstroke. It is an event he dominated for three years at the high school level while being coached by Cindy Dial, reports Matt Goul. 'Sancho': British novelist and actor Paterson Joseph, most recently seen in the Timothée Chalamet-led feature “Wonka,” is in Cleveland as part of the BorderLight Festival lineup at Playhouse Square with “Sancho,” reports Joey Morona. Inkubator: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry and multi-genre programs at Literary Cleveland’s annual Inkubator conference will help writers improve their craft and create new material, reports Paris Wolfe. Sessions include finding an agent, applying to residencies and fellowships, and publishing with independent and Big Five presses. In the Weeds: Flowers and food are two aspects of life that are bound to make most people happy. In a deceiving strip mall on Ridge Road, In The Weeds is an unsuspecting garden oasis combining delicious cuisine with hand-selected florals, reports Alex Darus. Sports stars: For five days this week, the I-X Center will become a giant Hall of Fame. Marc Bona reports it will showcase many of the greatest athletes in multiple sports, along with favorite entertainers, coming in to sign autographs at the National Sports Collectors Convention, which runs July 24 to July 28. Buc-ee's road trip: Buc-ee’s is a cult-favorite gas station chain soon to open its first Ohio location. This summer, the brand is offering one lucky Buc-ee’s fan the chance to get paid to road trip to a few of its locations. Alex Darus reports Buc-ee’s Summer Road Trip Challenge will allow one participant to road trip across the U.S. to visit its various gas station stores. The winner receives a $1,000 travel stipend for gas and lodging and a $1,000 Buc-ee’s gift card. 'Shawshank': Fans of “The Shawshank Redemption” will gather in Mansfield next month to celebrate all of it, in the place it all happened. Susan Glaser reports the movie, sometimes described as the best film of all time, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this summer -- and Mansfield, where it was filmed, is in the spotlight. Chili Peppers concert: The Red Hot Chili Peppers exist in increasingly rarified rock ‘n’ roll air, still regularly releasing viable, charting albums and regularly touring and selling out arenas and sheds without resorting to “mega-hit record” anniversary tours. Malcolm X Abram reports that Monday night at Blossom Music Center, the Southern Californicating quartet, plus longtime touring keyboardist Chris Warren, kicked out 18 of their jams for a lively, age-eclectic and sold-out crowd. Journey concert: A cornerstone in the pantheon of classic rock, Journey was inescapable during arena rock’s domination in the 1970s and ‘80s. With a literal hit parade of soaring anthems and unforgettable ballads, Journey went on to sell over 80 million albums worldwide, earn 25 gold and platinum albums and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2017. This month, Peter Chakerian reports, they’re headed back to Cleveland. |
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Euclid police credit increased presence at church festival in dispersing ‘unruly juveniles’ Read more Richmond Heights councilman calls for repeal of recreational marijuana business moratorium; council approves vape shop moratorium Read more Strongsville, Cleveland Water to investigate cause of 11 water main breaks on northeast side of city Read more Shaker Heights council huddles on Recreation Strategic Plan ahead of community ‘pop-ups’ Read more Willoughby police hosting National Night Out event to strengthen police-community relationship, neighborhood camaraderie Read more Brecksville-Broadview Heights Schools to tear down former Hilton Elementary on Mill Road Read more Cleveland Heights launches traffic-calming initiatives with Caledonia roundabout Read more |
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