Everybody’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day in Cleveland. But what about the rest of the year? More than 12% of Ohioans claim some Irish ancestry, and the percentage is even higher in Akron and Cleveland. We’ve got plenty of Murphys, Kellys and O’Briens, adding up to the 16th-most Irish metropolitan area in the country. So drink a green beer (responsibly), dance a jig and eat a corned beef sandwich. (Even the bishop says it’s OK today.) May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, the rains fall soft -- and end before the parade starts at 1:04 p.m. - Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
Northeast Ohio weekend weather forecast: Colder weather returns |
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Pride of Erin, one of the most popular Irish bars in Cleveland. (David Petkiewicz, cleveland,com) |
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Irish ancestry: The Greater Cleveland metropolitan area surpasses the state average with 13.4% of the population claiming Irish ancestry. But the Akron area has a population that’s 13.7% Irish, reports Zachary Smith. Railroad safety: Railroad industry representatives on Thursday pushed back against legislative proposals to tighten rail safety regulations, saying they were being rushed and would particularly hurt smaller railroads in the state. Jeremy Pelzer reports Art Arnold, executive director of the Ohio Railroad Association, criticized measures to require at least two crew members per train and mandate wayside detectors every 10 to 15 miles of track. Ohio has one of the most dense concentrations of rail in the country. Today in Ohio: State lawmakers are considering raising the speed limit on two-lane state highways from 55 to 60 mph. We’re talking about the many changes made by the committee to the $11.6 billion, two-year transportation budget bill passed by the Ohio House -- and whether there’s any research on raising the speed limit -- on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast. |
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Abortion rights petitions: The coalition trying to get an abortion rights constitutional amendment proposal before voters in November will rely mostly on volunteers to gather signatures, reports Laura Hancock. The coalition is counting on the kind of enthusiasm that helped propel similar amendments in other states last year, after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Householder portrait: Ex-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder’s official portrait has been removed from the halls of the Ohio Statehouse following his conviction on a federal corruption charge. Jeremy Pelzer reports the portrait of Householder, who served as House speaker from 2001 to 2004 and again in 2019-2020, formerly hung in a hallway outside the House speaker’s office alongside other portraits of former speakers. Railroad fund: U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio on Thursday joined with both of Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senators to introduce legislation that would create a new fund, paid for by companies that ship and carry materials via railroad, that would be used to reimburse local first responders for expenses they accrue when train derailments occur. “Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act” would give financial resources needed to replace equipment, pay workers overtime, and address other urgent costs as well as compel railroads to notify local officials when hazardous materials are moving through, reports Sabrina Eaton. RTA: The CEO of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority on Thursday told a U.S. Senate Committee that historic increases in federal transit funding have made “a huge impact in Greater Cleveland.” Sabrina Eaton reports that India Birdsong Terry told the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs that a 30% boost in formula funds for the next five years will help plan and complete multiple projects, including the rehabilitation of the Waterfront Line Bridge that serves downtown, FirstEnergy Stadium, the Great Lakes Science Museum, the Flats at East Bank residential and entertainment district, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. |
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Rock expansion: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame hopes to break ground by late this summer or early fall on a $100 million expansion and renovation that riffs on the triangular forms of the city’s iconic lakefront landmark. Steven Litt reports the Rock Hall will build a new wing to the west of its original building, housed under a low-slung, triangular roof that will intersect and partially enclose the base of the original building’s pyramidal glass lobby. West Side Market: As the West Side Market transitions from city management to a non-profit management board, city leaders continue to learn and build strategy. At the first of seven community speaker meetings, a panel representing three leading public markets spoke at the City Club, Paris Wolfe reports. Metroparks CEO: Cleveland Metroparks announced Thursday it will be renewing the contract of CEO Brian Zimmerman through August 2034. Zimmerman, who has been with the parks system since 2010, has presided over an expansion of the park system, added more than 60 miles of trails, and won two national awards for park management, Lucas Daprile reports. Highway construction: Improvements on Interstates 77 and 480 in Cuyahoga County and a bridge replacement on Ohio 8 in Summit County are among the $2.5 billion in statewide projects planned by the Ohio Department of Transportation this year. Cliff Pinckard reports there are 202 new projects planned for Northeast Ohio and 45 ongoing projects, totaling $1.5 billion. Affordable housing: The Coalition of Homelessness and Housing in Ohio released data on Thursday that showed affordable housing in Ohio was becoming less accessible to those in need. Megan Sims reports the study showed that for every 100 households with “extremely low income,” there are only 40 affordable units, 6% worse in just the last year. The organizations blamed the shortage on steep rent increases over the last few years. Clerk of courts: After three months holding dual titles, Nailah Byrd is reverting back of Cuyahoga County clerk of courts, and County Executive Chris Ronayne is eliminating the position of deputy chief of staff over safety and justice. Kaitlin Durbin reports the decision, effective Monday, was the result of changes to Ronayne’s cabinet structure that moved the sheriff out from under the safety chief and instead has them reporting directly to the executive’s office. Hinckley Dam: Cleveland Metroparks announced Thursday it will begin work his year on rehabbing the Hinckley Dam to improve recreational opportunities at the Hinckley Reservation and provide better flood protection. Megan Sims reports the Metroparks said work would begin in September on the 150-foot-wide concrete dam built in 1927 in Hinckley Township. St. Patrick's Day parade: Downtown Cleveland could be jammed with more than 100,000 spectators for today's St. Patrick's Day parade, which begins at 1:04 p.m. Cliff Pinckard has a rundown on what to expect and how to plan for today's parade. Some suggestions: go early and prepare for rainy, windy weather. St. Patty or St. Paddy? Green beer and shamrocks. Celtic music. Corned beef sandwiches. Those St. Patrick’s Day traditions are well-known for the Irish day celebrated annually on March 17, but confusion still remains around the holiday’s correct abbreviated spelling ... St. Patty's Day or St. Paddy's Day? Zach Mentz has the answer. |
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Bank failures: When the second and third largest bank failures in U.S. history happen in a weekend, it’s bound to raise some questions. If “Should I panic?” is your biggest question, the answer is no, reports Sean McDonnell. New phone? When your cellphone breaks, the easiest and sometimes most practical solution is to just buy a new one. But can you save hundreds of dollars by just getting it fixed? Sean McDonnell investigates in his weekly column. COVID-19 cases: The number of new COVID-19 cases in Ohio dipped again this week, falling to 7,586 from 8,332 last week, reports Julie Washington. |
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SWAT standoff: Cleveland police’s SWAT team responded Thursday to a home in the city’s North Broadway neighborhood after reports of a man with a gun in the area. Molly Walsh reports Broadway Academy at Willow, a charter school, was put on lockdown for the gunman about 3 p.m. Officer killed: A 21-year-old man admitted Thursday to his role in the fatal shooting of Cleveland police Det. James Skernivitz and a police informant during a botched robbery. Adam Ferrise reports David McDaniel agreed to serve life in prison with parole eligibility in 50 years as part of guilty plea to two counts of aggravated murder and two counts of aggravated robbery. Neo-Nazi: A Canton neo-Nazi, who is an avowed member of the Aryan Brotherhood, was sent back to federal prison days after he helped distribute fliers in Wadsworth ahead of a drag queen event that drew white supremacists and included some violent clashes. Adam Ferrise reports Matthew Slatzer, 39, was sentenced to four months in prison and two more years on federal probation following his release. Juvenile courts: The Ohio Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that judges in the majority of juvenile courts across the state lack the authority to promise witnesses that they won’t be charged with a crime if they testify to doing something illegal. Cory Shaffer reports the unanimous decision barred a Southwest Ohio juvenile court judge from granting immunity from prosecution to a child who was forced to testify against his mother in a domestic violence case. Officer shot: Cleveland Det. Mark Bahrijczuk is in stable condition after being shot Tuesday evening, reports Molly Walsh. Bahrijczuk, who has been with the department for about four years, was shot twice on the 2800 block of Cedar Avenue. Police are still searching for four suspects. Resentencing: A man serving a 17-year prison term for pretending to be a police officer and kidnapping a teenage girl in 2019 must be sentenced again because of a judge’s error at the original hearing, reports Cory Shaffer. |
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Women’s history: Clevelanders have more than a dozen destinations within easy reach where travelers can explore the lives of women who changed history, reports Susan Glaser. TourismOhio recently put together an Ohio Women in History Road Trip, including nine stops throughout the state that explore the unique contributions of Ohio women to American life, from Victoria Woodhull to Harriet Beecher Stowe. Western New York has numerous important sites related to women’s suffrage, as well as the women’s movement generally. Circus: The circus is coming to town, reports Marc Bona. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents The Greatest Show On Earth will roll into Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse for six shows over three days in October. Things to do: If you’re looking to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Northeast Ohio with Irish food, music, dance and more fun, this is the guide for you. Mike Rose has a list featuring more that 60 bars, restaurants, breweries and other locations across Greater Cleveland and Akron that are featuring special events today. |
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Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen attacked outside Florida hotel; Greater Cleveland teen charged Read more Ohio woman admits drowning 93-year-old grandmother in sink, gets life in prison Read more Renowned orchestral composer works with Orange High School students Read more Middleburg Heights has plans in place if hazardous material disasters occur Read more Berea district treasurer explains negative impacts if HB 1 passes Read more Lakewood seeks neighborhood safety specialists for park ambassador program Read more |
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