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We know Cuyahoga County needs a new jail. We’ve documented the issues in the current facility, which the U.S. Marshals in 2018 called inhumane. Nine inmates died that year and the next. We’ve also written extensively about the long process to build a new jail, from extending a sales tax to the problems with the preferred, toxic site.
But what exactly is it like to live in the jail, or work there?
The stories from over a decade are strikingly similar – and horrifying.
- Laura
Browns vs. New England Patriots: Jacoby Brissett throws 2 interceptions and loses fumble, defense horrible as Browns lose, 38-15, to Patriots
Guardians vs. New York Yankees: Guardians returning to New York for winner-take-all ALDS Game 5 after 4-2 loss to Yankees
Northeast Ohio Monday weather forecast: Colder with rain and snow showers
Inside the Cuyahoga County Jail: Corrections officers and former offenders recently shared stories of their experiences inside the Cuyahoga County jail over the past decade. Kaitlin Durbin reports they all had similar complaints about bad food, dirty living spaces, insect and rodent infestations, days spent locked in cells, and increasing unrest, leading to higher assaults – issues which could be corrected today.
Glick Center: Starting at 7 a.m. on Nov. 5, caretakers will begin wheeling patients out of the old, cramped hospital on MetroHealth System’s West 25th Street campus and into the new, spacious Glick Center acute care hospital. Julie Washington reports that inside the 380-bed, $759 million Glick, patients will find a modern, sleek design, combined with floor-to-ceiling windows.
Today in Ohio: She was in her final loop of a trail race in Geauga County’s Observatory Park when Rebecca Heasley felt the impact of what turned out to be a deer kick to the head. We’re talking about Heasley’s freak collision with wildlife that nearly cost her an ear, on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s half-hour news podcast.
Redistricting: Republican state legislative leaders said they appealed an Ohio Supreme Court order that ordered them to redraw the congressional map being used for this year’s election because the court ruled they were illegally slanted in favor of Republicans. Andrew Tobias reports House Speaker Bob Cupp and Senate President Matt Huffman, both Lima Republicans, functionally have ignored the court’s order, arguing they had until Monday to appeal it with the U.S. Supreme Court.
Minimum wage: Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost on Friday rejected an Ohio Constitutional amendment proposal that would increase the state’s minimum wage to $15 by Jan. 1, 2028. Laura Hanco*ck reports the petitioners are allowed to work on the issues Yost found with the proposal and resubmit it.
Vance vs. Ryan: Numerous public opinion polls show the economy, including concerns about inflation, is the most important issue for voters this year. Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Tim Ryan says he wants to push for a broad, middle-class tax cut to offset increased costs, while taking longer-term steps to decrease U.S. reliance on China, while Republican J.D. Vance puts the blame for inflation solely on the shoulders of Democrats, including President Joe Biden. Andrew Tobias reports on the main issue in the contest to replace Rob Portman.
Postal police: U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown wants U.S. Postal Service leaders to restore postal service police patrols in Ohio and take other steps to address increased robberies of mail carriers and mail thefts that result in check fraud. Sabrina Eaton reports a letter Brown sent Friday to United States Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and Inspector General Whitcomb Hull traces a surge in postal robberies throughout Ohio to a decision to stop having Postal police officers patrol mail-carrier routes and around USPS collection boxes.
Injection wells: A collection of environmental organizations has filed a petition asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to take over regulation of the state’s oil and gas waste injection wells. Peter Krouse reports the group claims the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, which has regulated the wells since 1983, has failed to adequately protect poor communities from the harmful effects of the injection wells and is in violation of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.
13th District: State Rep. Emilia Sykes of Akron is grappling to win a newly reconfigured U.S. House district seat against first-time Republican candidate Madison Gesiotto Gilbert of North Canton. Sabrina Eaton reports where each candidate stands on the issues.
Executive forum: In a Forum on Mobility, organized by the nonprofits Bike Cleveland and Clevelanders for Public Transit, Cuyahoga County Executive Democratic candidate Chris Ronayne advocated a strong, active role for the county in advancing bike- and pedestrian-friendly planning and better access to Lake Erie. But Steven Litt reports that Republican candidate Lee Weingart thought the county should focus on what he called more basic issues of tending to health and human services, and setting conditions to create more housing, jobs, and economic opportunity, especially in low-income urban communities.
Policing tattoos: The Ohio State Highway Patrol is changing its policies on tattoos in an effort to gain more recruits. Molly Walsh reports troopers will now be able to wear a long-sleeve uniform year-round to cover their ink.
Mammograms: Women across Ohio can rest assured that their mammograms and breast cancer screening tests will now be covered by insurance. Gretchen Cuda Kroen reports that “The Breast Cancer Bill,” signed into law on Sept. 23, requires insurers to provide coverage for a yearly mammogram to all women regardless of age or risk factor.
Turkey shortage: The USDA is predicting a turkey shortage for this year’s Thanksgiving holiday, likely resulting in higher costs at the grocery store. Paris Wolfe explains the shortage and where residents can find birds locally.
COVID-19: Cuyahoga County last week again was downgraded to medium COVID-19 transmission levels on the latest U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention map. Zachary Smith reports that it was the second week since April that new COVID-19 cases in Ohio dropped below 10,000.
Baldwin Wallace: For the second time in three years, Baldwin Wallace University has been named one of the top music business schools in the world. Troy Smith reports the school earned high marks for its partnership with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the caliber of its instructors, and the school’s conservatory, which was invited to become an educational affiliate of the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles.
Murder-suicide: Four people were found dead in their Elyria home Saturday night shortly after a man called 911 saying he had killed his family and was about to kill himself, Megan Sims reports. Officers arrived at the home in the 200 block of Kenny Brook Lane at 11:45 p.m. Saturday and had to force their way into the residence. They found four people dead in the home, all related to one another.
Lawsuit: The insurance company for Tower City and JACK Cleveland Casino is suing the company that installed the steel water pipes for the sprinkler system after the building’s fire-protection system recently broke, causing significant flooding. Adam Ferrise reports the lawsuit is seeking reimbursem*nt for $33 million it paid to fix Tower City and $3 million to fix the casino.
Life sentence: Cuyahoga County Judge Timothy McCormick sentenced Armond Johnson, 29, to four consecutive sentences of life without parole after a jury convicted him of murdering Takeyra Collins, Armond Jr., Aubree and David Cousin. Cory Shaffer reports Johnson shot Collins 10 times in the bedroom of her Slavic Village home, then drove her car to his relatives’ house and fetched a gas can to set fire to Collins’ house, where her children were in their beds.
Yankees hatred: Few fans have that burning, lifelong fire of hate against the New York Yankees more than U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, reports Marc Bona. Said Brown, “What makes me hate them worse now is that the Yankees don’t see us as their rival.”
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad: The National Park Service has closed some portions of the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad because of significant erosion from the Cuyahoga River. The railroad has indefinitely canceled or modified excursions as a result.
Holiday shopping: Cleveland’s Music & Friends Holiday Garage Sale returns Nov. 26. Troy Smith reports attendees will be able to purchase pieces of Cleveland music history, concert photographs, band T-shirts, vinyl records and cassettes, posters, instruments and more.
Community Concerts: Cleveland Institute of Music has released its fall schedule of community concerts. Marc Bona reports there will be a mix of public and private engagements at houses of worship, apartment complexes, medical centers and libraries across Northeast Ohio.
House of the week: If stunning views and modern amenities top your house-hunting wish list, look no further than the townhouse at 11 Clifton Pointe in Rocky River. Joey Morona reports the home offers four bedrooms and five bathrooms with both riverfront and lake views.
Thanks for joining us this week in our redesigned Wake Up format. We appreciate the feedback you provided about our new look. 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 an cleveland.com subscriber.
— Curated by Laura Johnston with contributions by Cliff Pinckard
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