Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1865, Ohio-born U.S. Army General Ulysses S. Grant accepted the surrender of Confederate Army General Robert E. Lee near Appomattox Court House in Virginia.

If you’re in northeast Ohio this week and want to adopt a dog, the Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter is offering reduced fees through Sunday. Find out more in Et Cetera.

We’re sponsored today by BOXABL, offering an opportunity to invest in groundbreaking building technology.

Libraries Face Funding Limits

Ohio’s public libraries raised concerns about a proposed funding change included in a budget plan released by the state House.

Under the proposal, the Public Library Fund would be replaced with direct appropriations allocated based on population size.

This plan contrasts with Gov. Mike DeWine’s proposal to increase the Public Library Fund from 1.7% to 1.75% of state general revenue fund taxes.

According to the Ohio Library Council, the House plan would result in funding reductions for 39 counties.

Hospital Sued Over Closure

A lawsuit was filed against East Ohio Regional Hospital in Martins Ferry and Dr. John Johnson over mass layoffs that took place ahead of the hospital’s abrupt closure in March.

The lawsuit alleges the hospital violated the Fair Labor Standards Act and the WARN Act by failing to pay final wages and not providing a required 60-day layoff notice.

Some former hospital employees say they have been unable to pay bills or obtain health insurance. Former employees are eligible to join the lawsuit.

Neither the hospital nor Johnson issued an immediate response to the lawsuit.

Bill Would Defund Losing Teams

State Sen. Bill DeMora, D-Columbus, plans to introduce a bill that would block professional sports teams with losing records from receiving public funding.

His proposal comes as the Cleveland Browns seek $600 million in public bonds for a new stadium. With three losing records in the last five seasons, the Browns would not qualify under the proposed legislation.

DeMora’s bill would require teams to win at least half their games in at least three of the previous five seasons to qualify for state or local funding. The bill would also require teams to pay back public dollars if they relocate.

“If a team wants to get taxpayer money, then the least they can do is have a winning season. And if they decide that they want to move, then the people of Ohio deserve their money back,” DeMora said.

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➤ State: Tourism officials expect fewer visitors from Canada amid the tariff battle between the U.S. and Canada, with Toledo and Cleveland already seeing declines. (More)

➤ Clinton County: The National Weather Service confirmed an 11th tornado during last week’s storms—an EF0 tornado that traveled nearly 3 miles near St. Martin. (More)

➤ Braceville: More than $600,000 in state grants will fund improvements at Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary and the expansion of the Braceville Nature Preserve. (More)

➤ Akron: The city seeks community input to help redesign its logo in connection with Akron’s bicentennial. (Details)

➤ Columbus: More than 200 volunteers collected over 16,000 pounds of trash during the Cleaner Columbus Citywide Cleanup event. (More)

➤ Springboro: The Springboro Arts Council seeks an experienced muralist for a large-scale mural celebrating the city’s history. Applications are due by May 1. (Details)

➤ Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Hunter Greene threw 8 2/3 shutout innings, snapping San Francisco’s seven-game win streak. (More)

➤ Ohio State linebacker Cody Simon and two-sport athlete Makenna Webster received the Big Ten Medal of Honor for excellence in athletics and academics. (More)

➤ The Dayton Dragons, a minor-league affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, are celebrating the 25th anniversary of moving to their downtown ballpark. (Details)

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➤ Breeze Airways will relaunch nonstop flights from Akron-Canton Airport to West Palm Beach beginning Sept. 5. (More)

➤ Floodwaters from the Ohio River forced the closure of businesses in New Richmond’s Front Street central business district. (See Photos)

➤ Fish and chips chain Arthur Treacher’s reopened its Cleveland Heights location that operated from the 1970s to the 1990s. (More)

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**This is a paid advertisement for Boxabl’s Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at https://www.boxabl.com/invest/ * Reservations represent a non-binding indication of interest to purchase as Casita. A reservation does not require purchase of a Casita and there is no assurance of how many will result in actual purchases.

➤ Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter offers $25 dog adoptions through Sunday as part of its Blow the Woof Off promotion. Adoption fees are normally $95. (Details)

➤ Youngstown State University’s student newspaper, The Jambar, won first place overall in the Ohio News Media Association’s Collegiate Newspaper and Website Competition. (More)

➤ Spotted lanternflies are expected to return to Ohio this spring, and officials urge residents to kill them and report sightings to help slow their spread. (See Photo)

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