Good morning, iOpeners. It's Tuesday, March 26, 2019.
Two state lawmakers say they’ve got a plan to revamp the way Ohio distributes billions of dollars in school aid, one they say fixes flaws in the current system. But Reps. Bob Cupp, R-Lima, and John Patterson, D-Jefferson, have not said how much their plan would cost and how much each district would get. They say they’ll reveal those figures on Friday. Only 18 percent of districts are getting the amount of money that the current formula prescribes.
An inmate at the Cuyahoga County Jail tried to commit suicide over the weekend by jumping off of a balcony. A spokeswoman for the county said the inmate fell 15 feet, striking a table and rolling off it onto the floor. She said the unnamed inmate was treated and released Sunday. Suicide attempts at the jail have tripled in the last three years.
Cleveland’s City Council gave its final approval to Mayor Frank Jackson’s $1.8 billion budget. The spending plan includes $43 million that was carried over from 2018. The mayor wants to set that money aside in case of an economic downturn. The council added additional spending for home repair programs and for summer grass cutting on abandoned properties.
Mayor Jackson wants to turn Cleveland’s 22 recreation centers into neighborhood resource centers. His administration is already offering counseling services for youth, but the mayor told Cleveland.com he wants to add services for families, including health and wellness education, job placement assistance and career planning.
University Hospitals unveiled plans to add a five-story hospital building and a sports medicine complex to its Ahuja Medical Center in Beachwood. Construction on the $200 million expansion is expected to start in the fall and finish by 2022. The expansion will add new labor and deliver services, a new neonatal intensive care unit, a larger emergency room and a new ambulatory surgical center.
A woman faces felonious assault and other charges after she led police on a high-speed chase through Cleveland. Police say the pursuit of Imani Edwards began on I-77 northbound. One trooper attempted to stop her by ramming the back of her car. The chase ended on E. 105 th and St. Clair. Police say Edwards told them she had to get to work.
Third baseman Jose Ramirez fielded ground balls at the Indians’ spring training camp in Arizona, one day after he fouled a pitch off his left leg. Manager Terry Francona said the All Star could be in the opening day lineup this Thursday when the Indians play the Twins in Minnesota.
Weather forecast: Another sunny day, high 38. Tonight, mostly clear, low 24. Showers likely later in the week, starting Thursday.
