How Independence Uses Zoning to Codify Segregation

By Sam Allard on June 18, 2021 at 11:54AM

When the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless learned that Independence Mayor Gregory Kurtz was exerting his influence to force Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry out of a contract with the Ramada Inn on Rockside Road, it attempted to get in touch. Kurtz never responded, and so the organization penned an open letter earlier this month harshly condemning the suburb's actions in the context of the pandemic.

Titillating Tidbits: Pepper Spray at Pinecrest and Nina Turner's Hillary Bump

By Vince Grzegorek on June 18, 2021 at 11:45AM

Moral Judgments About an Activity’s COVID-19 Risk Can Lead People Astray

By Sujata Gupta, Science News on June 18, 2021 at 11:04AM

just through public health messaging.” Originally published by Science News, a nonprofit newsroom.

19-Year-Old Ohio Cat Becomes Internet Famous After Best Birthday Party

By Maija Zummo on June 18, 2021 at 10:55AM

The internet went wild for this sweet senior, and his story was featured on local and national media outlets, including HuffPost. "We found out Sammy's birthday was this week when his previous owner surrendered him to us," Cincinnati Animal CARE Media and Community Relations Manager Ray Anderson says.

New Report Shows LGBTQ+ Youth Overrepresented in Cuyahoga County Foster Care System, Experience Disparate Outcomes

By Vince Grzegorek on June 18, 2021 at 10:46AM

A new report, the first of its kind locally, on the experiences of LGBTQ+ youth in the Cuyahoga County foster care system shows what has been anecdotally known for years: they are overrepresented in the system and face disparate experiences. Conducted jointly by the Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services and the University of Maryland School of Social Work, "The Cuyahoga Youth Count: A Report on LGBTQ+ Youth's Experience in Foster Care" brings hard data to the discussion of ongoing problems.

Hundreds of Ohio Groups Argue Against Change to Affordable Housing Valuations

By Mary Kuhlman, Ohio News Connection on June 18, 2021 at 10:04AM

COLUMBUS, Ohio - More than 300 Ohio groups and businesses are voicing opposition to a state budget amendment that would change how affordable housing properties are valued. The measure, which was passed in the Senate version of the budget, calls for federally subsidized housing units to be appraised based on market value, without considering rent caps and occupancy restrictions.

Juneteenth Declared National Holiday

By Roz Brown, Ohio News Connection on June 18, 2021 at 10:02AM

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Juneteenth National Independence Day is now an official holiday, after President Joe Biden signed a bill Thursday, approved by both the US Senate and House of Representatives. Also known as Black Emancipation Day, Liberation Day and Jubilee Day, it's celebrated on June 19, which marks the anniversary of an historical celebration of emancipation which started in Galveston, Texas when news that enslaved people had been freed by President Abraham Lincoln reached the Black community, almost two years and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

Ohio Budget Funding for Broadband Expansion in Jeopardy

By Mary Kuhlman, Ohio News Connection on June 18, 2021 at 9:58AM

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Funding that would help bridge the digital divide in Ohio is in jeopardy. House Bill 2, signed into law in May, created the Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Grant Program with an initial $20 million investment.

As Fundraising Campaign Falls Short, Capitol Theatre Announces It Won't Re-Open in July

By Sam Allard on June 18, 2021 at 9:44AM

The Capitol Theatre in Cleveland's Detroit Shoreway neighborhood will not re-open on July 17, as previously planned. In a letter to residents Thursday, the Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization (DSCDO) announced that a lack of local fundraising and the delayed disbursement of federal funds for shuttered venues has made re-opening impossible.

City of Cleveland Asks Ohio BCI Cold Case Unit for Assistance in Unsolved Murder of Aliza Sherman

By Vince Grzegorek on June 18, 2021 at 9:35AM

Family and friends of Aliza Sherman gathered on March 24th of this year outside 75 Erieview Plaza in downtown Cleveland for a vigil to mark the eighth anniversary of her murder, which remains unsolved. “While it wasn’t perfect, going down there, as much as it is extremely difficult, it is important to stand there and go where it happened to remind everyone,” Sherman's daughter Jennifer told the Cleveland Jewish News.

Northeast Ohio Figures Prominently in Rock Hall Board Member's New Memoir

By Jeff Niesel on June 18, 2021 at 9:13AM

what a wonderful vehicle it is for making connections with other people. The music really does connect you with other people.

Cleveland Had the Third-Highest Rate of Foreclosure Activity in Country Last Month

By Vince Grzegorek on June 17, 2021 at 3:00PM

The Cleveland area saw the third-most foreclosure actions last month among 220 major metro areas with populations of more than 200,000, according to the most recent report from Attom Data Solutions, which analyzes publicly available property data. One in 3,715 housing units was the subject of foreclosure in Northeast Ohio, a rate surpassed only by Champaign and Peoria, Illinois.

WKSU To Launch New Music Podcast

By Jeff Niesel on June 17, 2021 at 11:54AM

At a time when the local media doesn’t devote enough resources to covering Northeast Ohio’s terrific local music scene, WKSU has announced it’ll launch Shuffle, a new weekly podcast, on Thursday, June 24. “The podcast will expand and deepen Shuffle’s commitment to music and artists in Northeast Ohio through long-form interviews, deep-dive reporting and conversations with expert contributors,” reads the press release.

Marcia Fudge, Sherrod Brown to Speak at Launch of Black Homeownership Initiative at CSU

By Sam Allard on June 17, 2021 at 11:17AM

U.S Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Marcia Fudge will headline an event at Cleveland State University Friday afternoon kicking off a national initiative to increase Black homeownership. The initiative, a project of the newly formed Black Homeownership Collaborative, aims to create three million new Black homeowners by 2030.

Former DiCillo Tavern Reopens as Tavern of Mayfield with New Owner, New Chef, New Menu

By Douglas Trattner on June 17, 2021 at 10:26AM

DiCillo Tavern wasn’t just the oldest restaurant in Mayfield Heights; it was the oldest business in Mayfield Heights. The longstanding fixture on Mayfield Road has been around in some fashion or another since the area was more forest than concrete jungle.

Here are your Eight Official Candidates for Mayor of Cleveland

By Sam Allard on June 17, 2021 at 10:06AM

With the filing deadline now in the rearview, eight candidates for Cleveland mayor remain. The seven men and one woman below managed to gather at least 3,000 signatures and will appear on the Sept. 14 primary ballot.

Shannon & the Clams To Play Grog Shop in October

By Jeff Niesel on June 17, 2021 at 9:30AM

In the wake of the release of "Year of the Spider," the title track from their new album, retro rockers Shannon & the Clams announced the dates of a fall tour that includes an Oct. 24 stop at the Grog Shop. The group recorded the album at Akron native Dan Auerbach’s Nashville Easy Eye Sound Studio.

20 Things To Do in Cleveland This Weekend (6/17-6/20)

By Jeff Niesel on June 17, 2021 at 9:02AM

The Choir of Man With most of the Broadway touring shows still on pause because of the pandemic, The Choir of Man represents the sole performance taking place at Playhouse Square this month. A press release promises the show is both a party and concert: "It’s a pint-filled good time set in a working pub that combines hair-raising harmonies, high-energy dance, and live Percussion with foot-stomping choreography."

Citizens for a Safer Cleveland Submit Signatures for Police Accountability Ballot Initiative

By Sam Allard on June 16, 2021 at 12:06PM

play an important role in holding the Cleveland Police Department accountable" after decades of police violence and misconduct in Cleveland. The ballot initiative is also a response to year of lax or improper discipline meted out by public safety leadership.

Savage Love: We're Poly, and We Got Herpes. What Do We Say or Don't Say to Future Partners

By Dan Savage on June 16, 2021 at 11:40AM

other. The sex is great, truly great.