METRO IT upgrade: Despite what some have called the “long and agonizing process” getting here, Cuyahoga County’s overdue, budget-busting IT overall is complete. Kaitlin Durbin reports that all employees started being paid out of the new payroll system as of April 1 and the phased rollout of the new timecard system is on schedule. The new systems are expected to be fully integrated by July. West Side Market: Cleveland is launching a 10-week pilot program today to provide low-income families with free fresh fruits and vegetables from the West Side Market. Courtney Astolfi reports the program is also intended to give a boost to the market’s produce vendors as part of efforts by Mayor Justin Bibb’s administration to improve market traffic and operations. Fire retirement: Cleveland fire Chief Angelo Calvillo will retire in mid-May after nearly seven years as the department’s leader and 33 years as a city firefighter. Courtney Astolfi reports the department will host a retirement event for Calvillo on May 5 at the Western Reserve Fire Museum. COVID-19 & HEALTHCARE Vaccine mandates: Fears that federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates for healthcare workers would cause large numbers of caregivers to quit or be fired — making staff shortages worse — have not come to pass, reports Julie Washington. So far, only a small number of Greater Cleveland hospital workers have lost their jobs because they refused to comply with the Biden Administration’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for most U.S. healthcare workers. And three major hospitals are close to 100% compliance with the mandate. COVID cases: The state of Ohio on Thursday reported 4,808 new cases of COVID-19 in its weekly dashboard update, but the number was artificially inflated because of a backlog of positive test results being processed from Lucas County, reports Julie Washington. Thursday’s case number of 4,808 averages out to 686 new cases per day. BUSINESS Society Brands: After announcing a $200 million round of venture capital fundraising, Jackson Township-based Society Brands is trying to become the Proctor & Gamble of e-commerce brands and is ready to buy. The Amazon aggregator brought in $204 million of venture capital in March in one of the largest deals a startup in Ohio has made, reports Sean McDonnell. LCCC: By the time Intel breaks ground on its massive factory in Central Ohio late this year, a Lorain County Community College program teaching how to make semi-conductor chips will be nearly a decade old. Sean McDonnell reports that the college began offering courses in microelectronics manufacturing in 2013 and offers certifications, associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in the field. Taking a peek at LCCC’s clean labs gives us a better understanding of what will happen behind Intel’s doors. CRIME Jail officer: A former Cuyahoga County Jail officer was sentenced to four years in prison Thursday for sexually assaulting three mentally ill inmates, reports Kaylee Remington. Human trafficking: A Cuyahoga County grand jury handed up indictments Thursday that accuse two men of attempting to kidnap a woman at a Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority station, Olivia Mitchell reports. Sean Simpkins, 39, and David McCord, 43, both of Cleveland, were indicted on several charges, including kidnapping, abduction, human trafficking, attempting to compel prostitution, weapons charges and receiving stolen property. Simpkins also was charged with assault ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT John Adams: When the Cleveland Guardians take the field today, a mainstay will be missing. Drummer John Adams remains in a rehabilitation facility after a series of ailments and surgeries going back more than a year, reports Marc Bona. CLE Rocks: Northeast Ohio music history is full of iconic moments, from the Alan Freed’s Moondog Coronation Ball in 1952 to Bruce Springsteen’s 1978 Agora show to Pearl Jam playing Peabody’s Downunder at the height of “Ten.” The latest episode of cleveland.com’s CLE Rocks podcast takes you on a journey through the legendary concert venues that have called Cleveland home over the past 70 years. News quiz: A total solar eclipse will occur in Cleveland on April 8, 2024. But how long will we have to wait to see the next one? If you read about it, you might remember the answer. That means you should show off your knowledge in this week’s cleveland.com news quiz, featuring 10 questions on current events. Things to do: It’s a big spring weekend in Cleveland. Joey Morona has 16 ideas of things to do. | 