METRO
Dirt bikes: Cleveland officials dramatically changed course this weekend on a hotly debated topic that has raged for more than half a decade: how to handle the packs of dirt-bike and ATV riders who rip through city streets, reports Adam Ferrise. Cleveland police, in a coordinated effort with the State Highway Patrol, conducted its first major crackdown in years, arresting 15 riders on felony charges, citing 30 others and seizing some 15 vehicles.
All-Star boost: The NBA All-Star Game and its accompanying events and activities brought in close to $250 million in total economic impact for Northeast Ohio, exceeding financial expectations, according to the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission. The impact also extended into the Cuyahoga County community with the league and players association contributing more than $3 million and providing programming focused on youth, health and economic opportunities, Marc Bona reports.
Public works: While the warm-weather season is just kicking off, Mayor Justin Bibb said Tuesday city crews are further ahead today than they were at this time last year when it comes to cutting grass on vacant lots, patching potholes and cleaning up illegal dump sites. Courtney Astolfi reports Bibb said the city is achieving those results by using employees and equipment more efficiently.
Lacrosse swastika: Lake Catholic head lacrosse coach Chris Hastings has resigned in the wake of an incident where a player with a swastika drawn on his leg played last week in an OHSAA playoff game against Orange, reports Jonathan Simmons.
Tuition reimbursement: Cuyahoga County employees can start enrolling in college courses this fall and have part of their tuition reimbursed as part of a new program meant to help develop and retain staff, Kaitlin Durbin reports.
Boys & Girls Clubs: Eight new Boys & Girls Clubs are expected to open across the region this summer, including sites in Cuyahoga, Summit, Lorain and Huron counties. Jeff Scott, the CEO of the organization, tells Alexis Oatman the expansion is the first step in the strategic plan of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio to provide more youths with greater experiences and the opportunities they desire.
COVID-19 & HEALTHCARE
Ohio deaths: Alcohol- and drug-induced deaths shot up close to 30% nationally during the first year of the pandemic, with sizable increases also found in Ohio, reports Julie Washington. A report by the Trust for America’s Health and Well Being Trust found that alcohol-induced deaths climbed 27% nationally and 29% in Ohio in 2020 over 2019, while drug-induced deaths were up 30% in the U.S. and 22% in Ohio. Reasons for the high rates of deaths? A rise in synthetic opioid overdoses, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic and its related anxiety, stress, grief, disruption to substance recovery programs, and financial hardship.
Monkeypox: President Joe Biden said Sunday that the United States is looking into vaccines to protect Americans against monkeypox, reports Julie Washington. Biden said “everybody” should be concerned as cases continue to spread around the world and some countries beef up their treatment stockpiles.
BUSINESS
Cedar Point: Two lawsuits are winding their way through Ohio and federal court systems involving Sandusky-based Cedar Fair, the owner of Cedar Point, and season passholders across the United States. At issue is whether the company should have offered refunds to season passholders in 2020, when the amusement park season was cut short because of the pandemic, reports Susan Glaser. The cases could affect an estimated 2 million season passholders for Cedar Point, Kings Island and 11 other Cedar Fair parks.
Tax incentives: A specialty chemicals company and fixture manufacturer are working on new projects in Beachwood and Ravenna that could lead to 88 new jobs. The Ohio Tax Credit Authority approved incentives for both companies at a meeting on Monday, reports Sean McDonnell.
Amazon unionization: Former Amazon worker Joey Desatnik said he wasn’t subtle about trying to start an Amazon union, openly talking about it on breaks and even standing outside the building on his off time, getting a list of about 230 other workers, reports Sean McDonnell. After being fired, he filed a complaint now being investigated by the National Labor Relations Board. If Amazon is found in the wrong, the company could have reinstate Desantik with back pay, share information about the case to other workers, and post notices reminding workers of their organizing rights.
Starbucks union: Workers at the Starbucks on West Sixth Street are officially unionized after a 10-0 vote. It was the first store to file for an election in Ohio and is now the second to formally unionize, reports Sean McDonnell.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Hocking Hills: The state is now taking reservations for the new overnight lodge at Hocking Hills State Park, opening this fall. Susan Glaser reports that reservations can be made for stays in the 81 rooms starting Nov. 1, though the lodge might be ready for guests as early as September, starting at about $200 per night.
Polish rifle: The Cleveland Museum of Art has returned to Poland a richly decorated hunting rifle said to have been given by Napoleon Bonaparte to a 19th century Polish count named Wincenty Krasiński. Steven Litt reports the Ministry of Culture and Natural Heritage in Poland stated the rifle was found to have been a “war loss’' from World War II before it joined the Cleveland collection in 1966. The Cleveland museum has had a recent history of returning works of art to overseas collections after research has shown that the museum purchased the works or received them as gifts in good faith without having had complete information about their provenance.
