Is there a more beloved institution in Northeast Ohio than the Cleveland Metroparks?
Its footprint in residents’ lives is staggering, from people who walk and bike on trails, wander the zoo, kayak, play golf or even enjoy a bite to eat at places like Merwin’s Wharf along the Cuyahoga River.
Steven Litt, columnist for cleveland.com, has taken a dive into the Metroparks’ current to-do list, which features 19 capital projects worth $74.3 million between now and 2026. The scale is massive, ranging from a new playground to a 20-year project to use recycled sediment from the Cuyahoga River to create more than 60 acres of new park land.
Litt has broken down each of the 19 projects that are underway, planned or recently completed by the 106-year-old Metroparks, complete with maps. It’s an enjoyable read and it’ll have you clamoring for spring to hurry up and get here.
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Cleveland Metroparks: Today, 106 years after it was founded in 1917, Cleveland Metroparks continues to build on its legacy across Cuyahoga County and part of northern Medina County, Steven Litt reports. Metroparks now promotes high quality public space as a way to improve health, environmental sustainability and livability in a sprawling, built-out region that wants to change its narrative of decline.
Mike DeWine: Speaking at his annual holiday breakfast with Statehouse reporters, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine lamented the Ohio House’s override of his veto of a measure to prohibit local bans on flavored tobacco products. Jeremy Pelzer reports DeWine also spoke about a number of other high-profile bills and issues, including transgender restrictions and Amtrak expansion.
Child killers: Police and prosecutors in Cuyahoga County this year had filed murder or other homicide-related charges against 41 teenagers as of Friday. The cases involve 30 victims. Cory Shaffer reports the numbers highlight the scourge of youth violence in the county, violence that has grown dramatically since the pandemic.
Today in Ohio: The Ohio House this week steamrolled Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto on a state law preventing cities from setting their own restrictions on the sale of tobacco -- particularly flavored products that are enticing to children. State lawmakers are calling it a win for commerce in Ohio. On the Today in Ohio podcast, we’re calling it a deadly move that will result in more people addicted to cigarettes.
Marijuana: If the full legislature would have passed a recreational marijuana bill this month, medical cannabis dispensaries would have been ready to sell product for adult use by early January, Gov. Mike DeWine said Friday. Laura Hancock reports the bill preferred by DeWine and passed by the Ohio Senate would have allowed the state’s existing 114 licensed medical dispensaries to sell to Ohioans aged 21 and older while the state establishes regulations and licenses for about 230 additional dispensaries permitted under the initiated statute.
Sherrod Brown: U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown says he supports changing federal law to legalize recreational marijuana. The comments came Friday at a campaign rally after Brown filed to run for reelection in 2024, reports Jeremy Pelzer.
DeWine visit: Gov. Mike DeWine is coming to Cleveland today to tour Cleveland’s Urban Community School. The governor is slated to tour the elementary school in the city’s Ohio City neighborhood in the morning. While there, he will also tour the school’s Gallagher Family Early Education Center, Megan Sims reports.
Representative responds: An embattled state representative from South Euclid says he’s lost legal work and is accusing House leadership of double standards in how it’s dealt with him. Elliot Forhan takes issue with how a House Democratic investigative report characterized him as potentially violent and seeks to have his legislative privileges restored, Andrew Tobias reports.
Toxic lead: Cuyahoga County received an $8 million grant from Ohio to protect families from toxic lead, writes Julie Washington. The money will be distributed to the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, the city of Cleveland Heights and nonprofits that work for housing equity.
Swatting incidents: Swatting – the act of someone making a prank call to an emergency service – is disrupting communities nationwide, including the Northeast Ohio region, Molly Walsh reports.
Poinsettia show: Cleveland’s Rockefeller Park Greenhouse delivers cheer for the holidays with its annual poinsettia display, now open through January. Courtney Astolfi reports December’s poinsettia display marks the greenhouse’s most-visited time of the year.
K-9 custody: Shaker Heights announced it had reached an agreement with police officer Chad Hagan to transfer over custody of his former canine companion with whom he’s worked since 2018. Zach Mentz reports the amendment allows K-9 officer Igor to be reunited with his former partner as long as funds are provided for a replacement dog along with training for the dog and another officer.
Local inventor: If you borrow an e-book from a public library, it’s likely through an app created by a Cleveland Heights native, writes Sean McDonnell.
On the move: Oswald Companies announced Friday that they will leave Superior Avenue next year and open their new headquarters in the former Ernst & Young Tower on the East Bank of the Flats. Sean McDonnell reports the move will be completed in 2024 and includes changing the name of the building to Oswald Tower.
Holiday shooting: Authorities are seeking the public’s help in identifying the shooter who wounded two teens last month at the tree-lighting ceremony on Public Square. Olivia Mitchell reports the teen victims are recovering after they were shot Nov. 25 at the city’s WinterLand Festival.
Suspect arrested: A suspect accused of killing a man and shooting two women in Cleveland was arrested Friday in Miami, Olivia Mitchell reports. Marlon Benn had been wanted by Cleveland police on charges of aggravated murder and felonious assault.
House of the Week: Have you ever wanted to have your own TV studio? You can if you purchase this week’s featured home. Joey Morona takes you on a tour of 805 Cascades Drive in Aurora, currently on the market for just under $6 million.
Holiday cocktails: Looking to get into the holiday spirit with some holiday spirits? Alex Darus shares recipes for 12 festive cocktails you can try this year.
Classic Eats: In this week’s column, Pete Chakerian waxes poetic about three CLE burgers of yesteryear. Read more to find out where you can find modern counterparts to these lost treasures.
Don’t forget, you can always find the latest Cleveland news by visiting cleveland.com. If you value the hard work of Cleveland journalists, consider becoming a cleveland.com subscriber.
— Curated by Laura Johnston with contributions by Cliff Pinckard
