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When rain deluges Cleveland, sewage floods into Lake Erie.
That’s because stormwater and sanitary sewage flow through the same tunnels on their way to being treated. The most visible – and embarrassing – overflow is at Edgewater Beach, a crown jewel of the Cleveland Metroparks.
The sewage outfall dates to the 1880s and during the 1970s it experienced 40-50 overflows a year. This summer, there’s been three, each of which triggered an advisory against swimming until all 10 water testing locations show E. coli bacteria are below acceptable levels.
With climate change bringing more downpours, the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District wants to fix the problem, even though it’s not included in the bigger 25-year Project Clean Lake.
A $20 million, 1,400-foot tunnel would use new technology and could be in place by 2028. That’s good news for all.
— Laura
Overnight Scores and Weather
Guardians at Boston Red Sox: Guardians take Red Sox’s bullpen game by the horns for 8-1 win to prevent sweep
Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Cold front arrives
Top Stories
Edgewater tunnel: The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District is planning a $20 million project to prevent raw sewage from being discharged at Edgewater Beach during intense rainstorms, reports Peter Krouse.
Today in Ohio: Cuyahoga County taxpayers are still paying for the construction of the Huntington Convention Center, which opened in 2013. But could Ohio’s supermajority Republican legislature and anti-LGBTQ laws hurt the city’s convention business? We’re talking about it on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast.
Statehouse and Politics
Free speech: Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee, led by Ohio’s Jim Jordan, clashed sharply Wednesday over free speech with Democrats, reports Sabrina Eaton. Jordan warned about dangers from European censorship laws targeting American companies while Democrats accused the Trump administration of launching unprecedented attacks on the First Amendment at home.
Party primaries: Ohio Republicans are pushing to change the state’s primary voting system, requiring party registration 90 days in advance. Anna Staver reports the proposed legislation would end the current flexible ballot selection process.
Cleveland Browns stadium site, and airport
The site of the Browns' proposed Brook Park stadium is just east of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.Google Earth
Browns stadium: The Cleveland Browns are negotiating with the Ohio Department of Transportation over their proposed stadium’s height near Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Rich Exner reports the Browns’ game plan doesn’t involve digging deeper into the ground or adjusting the site plan, but rather trying to convince the state that the FAA got it right in determining the new stadium was not an aviation hazard.
No censure: A pair of Ohioans were among five Republicans who bucked their party on Wednesday to defeat a GOP effort that would have censured a New Jersey Democrat accused of assaulting immigration agents in Newark, Sabrina Eaton reports.
Safety grants: Ohio officials are urging educational and religious institutions to take advantage of safety grant programs, including one offering up to $40,000 per school. Laura Hancock reports on the state’s efforts to support safety improvements across various institutions.
Census count: President Trump’s call for a new census excluding undocumented immigrants has sparked legal and logistical challenges. Sabrina Eaton reports that experts believe the proposal faces insurmountable constitutional obstacles.
THC products: Ohio’s unregulated hemp market has become a “wild west” of intoxicating products, with businesses exploiting a 2018 Farm Bill loophole to sell THC-containing items in gas stations and smoke shops. Today in Ohio hosts discuss that while marijuana sales are tightly controlled, hemp derivatives can be chemically modified to produce intoxicating effects with minimal oversight.
Northeast Ohio News
Joe Jones: Cleveland City Council is divided on censuring Councilman Joe Jones after multiple investigations found serious misconduct, including threatening a staff member. Sean McDonnell reports that only six of 17 council members currently support the censure, with others remaining undecided or silent.
Graph showing recorded temperatures in Cleveland, Ohio, for August compared to normals and records
This graph from the National Weather Service shows how temperatures in Cleveland have dipped below seasonal averages to end the month of August.Courtesy National Weather Service
Cold August: Cleveland experienced unusually cold temperatures at the end of August, with overnight lows dipping into the 40s for three consecutive nights. Ryan Cohick reports the temperatures were about 15 degrees below normal, marking a significant deviation from the previous year’s heat.
Dry spell: Akron experienced its driest August on record, with just 0.19 inches of rain recorded at Akron-Canton Airport. Ryan Cohick reports the city saw significantly less precipitation than the historical average, raising drought concerns.
Cat colonies: A cat fight over two colonies of feral felines around the campus of Hiram College is escalating between the village mayor and residents who care for them. Laura Hancock reports Mayor Anne Haynam is backing a resolution that would make feeding the feral cats an unclassified misdemeanor, punishable by a series of increasing fines.
SOUPER Bowl: Avon Lake and Avon schools are competing in the annual SOUPer Bowl Food Drive to collect non-perishable items for local food pantries. Hannah Drown reports the community-driven initiative encourages students, staff and residents to donate food before their football games.
Sagamore fire: An unoccupied home in Sagamore Hills was destroyed by fire early Wednesday morning, with multiple fire departments responding to the incident. Olivia Mitchell reports that the home’s roof collapsed, but there were no injuries and the cause remains under investigation.
Mentor councilman: Mentor City Council appointed Charles Pinkerman to fill the vacant Ward 3 seat after Mark Freeman’s resignation in August. Molly Walsh reports that Pinkerman’s term will run through December 2026, with the seat appearing on the November 2026 ballot.
Animal shelter: The Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter narrowly avoided euthanizing dogs after a community response led to 18 adoptions and 21 foster placements over the holiday weekend. Kaitlin Durbin reports that Shelter Administrator Mindy Naticchioni had warned of potential euthanasia because of limited space, but community support prevented this outcome.
Laketran: Laketran’s Sports Express bus service is expanding this season to include weekend Cavaliers games, offering Lake County residents affordable transportation to Cleveland sports events. Molly Walsh reports round-trip tickets are $15, with buses leaving from Mentor Park-n-Ride and groups of three or more receiving a 20% discount.
Mentor resurfacing: Mentor City Council approved a $412,700 contract with Phillips Paving to resurface city-owned facilities, including the Wildwood Cultural Center, rec center, Harbor Drive, Lagoons Marina driveway and Mentor Cemetery. Molly Walsh reports the project is part of the city’s annual paving program and is expected to be completed by Nov. 7.
Business and Health
COVID vaccine: A KFF poll reveals that most Americans are skipping the COVID-19 vaccine this fall, with nearly 60% not expecting to get vaccinated. Julie Washington reports that many are confused about vaccine recommendations and concerned about insurance coverage.
Crime and Courts
Tremayne Davis, Carvell Ayers-Moore and Qumaurie Conner
Three teenagers were sentenced to prison Wednesday in the shooting death of Kentada Todd. From left: Tremayne Davis, Carvell Ayers-Moore and Qumaurie Conner.David Gambino
Teens sentenced: Three teenagers will each spend more than 15 years behind bars for killing a Cleveland grandmother on the city’s East Side. David Gambino reports Qumaurie Conner, Carvell Ayers-Moore and Tremayne Davis pleaded guilty last week to involuntary manslaughter, felonious assault and other offenses in the Oct. 9, 2023, killing of Kentada Todd.
Park slaying: Federal prosecutors are seeking a 25-year prison sentence for a U.S. Coast Guard veteran-turned porn actress who lured a man to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and killed him with a single bullet to the back of the head, Adam Ferrise reports.
Fatal shooting: A 54-year-old Cleveland man was fatally shot Friday evening on the city’s East Side, police said. Authorities say Denny Garrett suffered multiple gunshot wounds, Olivia Mitchell reports.
Murder sentence: An Akron man will spend at least 18 years in prison after he pleaded guilty Wednesday to fatally shooting a man inside the victim’s Firestone Park home, Cliff Pinckard reports. Byron Johnson, 29, received a life sentence, but will be eligible for parole after serving at least 18 years for the 2024 murder of Darnell McGrady.
Cincinnati imam: An Egyptian-born hospital chaplain, Ayman Soliman, will face an immigration trial in December that could result in his deportation to Egypt. Adam Ferrise reports Soliman’s asylum was revoked over alleged terrorist ties, which his attorneys deny.
Arts and Entertainment
Superman Nicholas Hoult David Corenswet
Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor and David Corenswet as Superman in “Superman” are set to return for a sequel.Jessica Miglio for Warner Bros. Pictures
Super sequel: James Gunn has announced the “Superman” sequel, titled “Man of Tomorrow,” set for release on July 9, 2027, with David Corenswet and Nicholas Hoult returning to their roles, reports Joey Morona.
TempleLive: The TempleLive company that has operated venues in Cleveland; Columbus; Fort Smith, Arkansas; Peoria, Illinois, and Wichita, Kansas, has apparently gone under — leading ticketholders for performances by pop duo Sparks and other acts to receive cancellation notices, Peter Chakerian reports.
Robert Patrick: Bay Village native Robert Patrick is back as white supremacist supervillain White Dragon (aka Auggie Smith) on the second season of “Peacemaker,” which is currently airing on HBO Max, John Benson reports.
Dolly Parton: The Cleveland Orchestra presents “Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony,” a multimedia concert celebrating the iconic singer’s music. Peter Chakerian reports the show Sunday at Blossom Music Center features orchestral arrangements of Parton’s hits.
Scoop shop: A new Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop has opened in Cleveland’s Playhouses Square, featuring 28 flavors and staying open until 11 p.m. to serve theater and Guardians fans, Paris Wolfe reports.
MOCA: MOCA Cleveland is rebuilding after a 2020 censorship controversy, with new board President Marcella Brown highlighting the museum’s commitment to progress and community engagement. Peter Chakerian reports on the institution’s efforts to move forward and reestablish trust.
Cookie crawl: A cookie crawl through Cleveland celebrates National Eat an Extra Dessert Day, featuring top bakeries like Kiedrowski’s, Fragapane, and Wojtila’s. Yadi Rodriguez and Peter Chakerian highlight the sweet traditions and local flavor of Northeast Ohio’s best cookie spots.
Flight deals: Northeast Ohio travelers can find fall airfare deals, including Aer Lingus flights to Dublin for $437 and Frontier’s unlimited flight pass for $299. Susan Glaser highlights new routes and promotions from airlines serving Cleveland and Akron.
Chagrin Film Fest: The 16th annual Chagrin Documentary Film Festival returns Oct. 7-12, featuring 74 films from 32 countries and over 50 attending filmmakers. Joey Morona reports on the festival’s lineup and ticket information.
Pappy Bourbon: A Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon raffle will support Ronald McDonald House Charities, offering 1,200 tickets to win a six-bottle collection. Marc Bona reports on the fundraising effort to support families of hospitalized children.
Jazz festival: The Rubber City Jazz and Blues Festival returns to Akron with three days of performances, featuring Grammy-winning saxophonist Kirk Whalum as the headliner. Megan Becka highlights the festival’s diverse musical lineup.
Restaurant awards: The Ohio Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance opens public voting for restaurant and brewery awards, with 35 Northeast Ohio restaurants and five local breweries nominated. Marc Bona reports on the annual recognition of the state’s dining scene.
Monster trucks: Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live offers free appearances and arena shows in the Cleveland area, featuring iconic trucks and performances. Marc Bona highlights the event’s schedule and locations.
You’re all caught up
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 content director Laura Johnston with contributions by by Cliff Pinckard.
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