Because of population loss in the 2020 U.S. Census, Cleveland is shrinking its City Council from 17 to 15 wards. And like in the last bout of ward redistricting, council must determine its own new map. The timeline has been scrunched this year because of a planned statewide vote in May to extend Ohio’s capital improvement program. The new maps — which set up two scenarios where incumbents may run against each other in 2025 — have faced criticism from both council members and community activists, especially for changes on the West Side. Council members Jenny Spencer and Rebecca Maurer have called for a charter amendment that would take the power to draw new maps away from council members. — Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Cold, chance of more snow |
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Cleveland City Council voted on a new map Monday night that creates 15 wards, cutting two council seats in the city. (Courtesy of Cleveland City Council) |
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Council map: Cleveland City Council members voted, 14-2, Monday night on a sweeping plan to redraw ward boundaries and eliminate two council seats — introducing and passing it in a single meeting, reports Sean McDonnell. Council President Blaine Griffin first released the proposed maps in a news conference on Dec. 10. While city council took comments from residents about the maps online and over the phone, the legislation never had the public debate among council members that most legislation receives. Today in Ohio: In the massive last-minute lame-duck bill that passed just before the holidays, Gov. Mike DeWine vetoed a change that would weaken a 40-year-old ethics law to make it easier for local officials to do business with the government. We’re talking about the bill — and the lack of public scrutiny — on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast. |
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General Assembly: A new two-year session of the Ohio General Assembly kicked off Monday, with new, closely allied Republican leaders taking over in both the Ohio House and Senate, reports Jeremy Pelzer. Statehouse Republicans, who have maintained supermajorities in both legislative chambers, say they hope to take action this session on a wide array of conservative priorities, from regulating marijuana to curbing perceived liberal influence on college campuses. Stadium funding: Ohio lawmakers will consider whether to provide financial help for a Browns stadium this year – perhaps through the state’s new two-year budget plan – but one of the state’s most powerful Republicans said he’s opposed to a “handout,” Jeremy Pelzer reports. Federal prosecutor: A new interim federal prosecutor in northern Ohio has taken office. Carol Skutnik will lead the U.S. Attorney’s Office based in Cleveland after Becky Lutzko resigned at 11:59 p.m. Friday, reports Adam Ferrise. Nearly all of the nation’s 94 U.S. attorneys resign when a new president is elected. Vance surgery: Soon after accompanying newly elected U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio to his official swearing-in ceremony on Friday, vice president-elect JD Vance had minor surgery for a sinus condition, reports Sabrina Eaton. |
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Lapsed legislation: Cuyahoga County Council considered legislation in 2024 to clarify oversight of the sheriff, give raises or bonuses to employees and strengthen protections for renters facing eviction, but none of the measures advanced to a final vote. Kaitlin Durbin reports those proposals are among 16 pieces of legislation – some dating back to 2020 – that council has officially eliminated from consideration. Thrift stores: Thrift stores across Northeast Ohio have long offered shoppers a way to save money while supporting local causes. But as the economy tightens, these nonprofit shops are facing their own set of challenges — balancing higher demand, shrinking donations and a changing market, reports Hannah Drown. Carjackings: Cuyahoga Sheriff Harold Pretel said he has a plan to address carjackings, reports Kaitlin Durbin. The sheriff's office was awarded a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to staff a special team dedicated to investigating carjackings across Greater Cleveland and arresting the offenders – where possible, prosecuting them to the full extent of the law. Ursuline merger: The Ursuline College Board of Trustees late last month approved an agreement to merge with Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania, at a time when many smaller schools across the state and country are joining forces to weather declining enrollment, cost increases and a changing higher-education environment. Laura Hancock reports that Ursuline is expected to be renamed the Ursuline College Campus of Gannon University. Ethics issue: Former Euclid City Council President Charlene Mancuso admitted she violated state ethics laws by voting for legislation tied to a lakefront erosion project that benefited her personal property, according to findings by the Ohio Ethics Commission. Cory Shaffer reports Mancuso signed a settlement agreement with the commission in November, bringing an end to an investigation that began in 2019. Top dog names: Cuyahoga County’s dog license registry contains nearly 52,000 names for 2024. Zachary Smith combed through the registry to find the most common names. Lake effect: The winter storm that hit southern Ohio and much of the Midwest on Sunday into Monday left Northeast Ohio untouched, but the region still saw another round of lake-effect snow, Zachary Smith reports. Library CEO: After nearly 30 years dedicated to Ohio’s public libraries, Cuyahoga County Public Library’s CEO Tracy Strobel has announced she will step down from her role on June 1, reports Hannah Drown. Strobel’s tenure at Cuyahoga County Public Library spans two decades, including serving as CEO since 2019 and previously as deputy director for 14 years. |
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Cleveland-Cliffs: The CEO of Cleveland-Cliffs weighed in Monday on Nippon Steel’s failed acquisition of U.S. Steel and a lawsuit that accuses the Cleveland company of working to block the merger, reports Megan Sims. CEO Lourenco Goncalves called the lawsuit against Cleveland-Cliffs a “a shameless effort to scapegoat others for U.S. Steel’s and Nippon Steel’s self-inflicted disaster.” Weight loss: As many Americans try to stick with their weight-loss resolutions for the new year, a new Gallup survey found that while 55% of U.S. adults say they want to lose weight, only 27% are actively working toward that goal, reports Julie Washington. Melt sale: Melt Bar and Grilled will host a garage sale/memorial celebration at its Lakewood location this month after announcing its permanent closure, reports Marc Bona. On New Year’s Day, owner and founder Matt Fish announced that the flagship Lakewood restaurant, 14718 Detroit Ave., would close permanently. |
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Officer cleared: The Lorain County prosecutor said an officer was justified when he shot a man who pointed a gun at him in October, reports Lucas Daprile. 74-year-old killed: Authorities have identified a 74-year-old woman killed in her Cleveland Heights home Saturday, reports Olivia Mitchell. Edith Moore was shot about 3 a.m. in the 3500 block of Randolph Road. |
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Ask Lucas: How do you get your husband to stop eating junk when you’re starting a new diet? Lucas Daprile writes that one option is to get him banned from all the delivery apps by covering your front porch in banana peels after your husband orders. Doritos ad: Adam Wilde, a local video producer and creator, is in the running for an advertising contest sponsored by Doritos. Among the thousands of entries came one from Wilde, whose 30-second spot touting Cool Ranch Doritos – specifically “Cool Ranch breath.” It is one of 25 semifinalists in a contest with big stakes ... the winner gets $1 million and the ad aired during the Super Bowl on Feb. 9, Marc Bona reports. Tequila lessons: Learn more about tequila, especially premium tequila, on Jan. 18 in an immersive tasting experience in Highball Cleveland, the elegant lounge venue at The Ritz-Carlton Cleveland, reports Paris Wolfe. Charlie Berens: Charlie Berens is a comedian, New York Times best-selling author, Emmy-winning journalist, musician and creator of the “Manitowoc Minute” comedy show. Peter Chakerian caught up with Berens in advance of his performance Friday at the Goodyear Theater in Akron. Riff’s: Kaiser Gallery in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood is becoming Riff’s Libations & Creations, reports Alex Darus. The new iteration of the art gallery/bar opened in November, then closed in late December for renovations. Culinary classes: Abundance Culinary offers hands-on cooking class experiences to give customers a behind-the-scenes look at a modern Chinese kitchen, reports Alex Darus. Chef Liu Fang, owner of Abundance, regularly hosts classes centering around a specific dish— teaching customers how to make scallion pancakes, hand-pulled noodles, Shao Bing (Chinese flatbread), dumplings, and more. |
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Cleveland man shot to death in city’s Glenville neighborhood Read more Medina County Office for Older Adults undergoes name change Read more University Heights council overrides mayor’s salary ordinance veto, agrees with his CIC veto Read more Medina treasurer explains benefits, limits of investment income Read more Final change order for Whitney Road bridge rebuild in Strongsville adds another 5% in costs Read more North Olmsted development adds secondary Stearns Road entrance to alleviate residential traffic Read more Brooklyn announces plans for new dog park Read more |
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