Subscribe to the Wake Up, cleveland.com’s free morning newsletter, delivered to your inbox weekdays at 5:30 a.m. County Executive Chris Ronayne is protesting plans from some County Council members who want to suspend the sheriff’s controversial safety patrol unit in downtown Cleveland. Ronayne says eliminating it would jeopardize public safety. Councilwoman Sunny Simon says public safety might be jeopardized if the unit isn’t paused. She pointed to the unit’s fatal April chase that ended in two deaths. In rural Ohio counties, sheriff’s deputies routinely exercise policing powers – but mostly in townships, which don’t have police of their own. In urban Cuyahoga County, there’s less of a need for that, because most of the county is covered by municipal police. Because of that dynamic, the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department has historically focused more of its attention on other vital duties, like running the jail. But Ronayne selected a longtime Cleveland police officer, Harold Pretel, as sheriff – so perhaps it’s not too surprising the department has focused more on its policing powers in recent years under his leadership. Overnight Scores and Weather Cavs vs. Miami Heat: Donovan Mitchell saves Cavs from collapse, leads team to 121-112 Game 2 playoff win over Heat Guardians vs. New York Yankees: Luis Ortiz spins out of control as Guardians fall to Yankees, 5-1 Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Rain set to return Top Stories Downtown patrols: Cuyahoga County Council has introduced legislation to suspend the sheriff’s Downtown Safety Patrol to review policies and funding following a fatal crash, but Executive Chris Ronayne argues that may put the public at greater risk. Kaitlin Durbin reports Ronayne clashed with members of council Tuesday and said he’ll consider invoking his veto power for the first time if the legislation moves forward. State of the City: Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb used his State of the City address to highlight how President Trump’s policies threaten the city’s progress. Bibb revealed potential Department of Justice cuts to crime prevention programs and criticized tariffs hurting local businesses, while also addressing the Browns’ possible move to Brook Park, Sean McDonnell reports. Police reform: A federal judge ordered monthly meetings to resolve disputes between Cleveland officials, the U.S. Department of Justice and the consent decree’s monitoring team over police reform, reports Adam Ferrise. U.S. District Judge Solomon Oliver said during a recent hearing that fights in recent months over issues have bogged down the progress of the 10-year-old consent decree and said all involved need to “double down” on the work and “not get distracted.” Fighting climate change: Cleveland unveiled an updated Climate Action Plan Tuesday, along with a roadmap for how the city will lead the communitywide effort to reduce carbon emissions. Peter Krouse reports a goal of the Climate Action Plan is to bring people, businesses and organizations together to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Statehouse and Politics Parental rights: The Ohio Supreme Court is considering whether a non-biological parent in a same-sex relationship has parental rights when the couple wasn’t married before such unions became legal. The case involves two women who had three children together but split before the 2015 Obergefell decision legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. Anna Staver reports that the court must decide if couples should prove they would have married had it been legal, potentially affecting many non-biological parents across Ohio. Military graves: Rep. Max Miller has joined a bipartisan effort to correctly mark the graves of Jewish American soldiers buried under Latin Cross markers instead of Stars of David in overseas cemeteries. Sabrina Eaton reports clerical errors and wartime safety concerns led many Jewish soldiers to hide their faith, particularly when fighting Nazi Germany. Northeast Ohio News NASA HQ: Rep. Max Miller says he’s doing what he can to lure NASA’s headquarters from Washington, D.C., to the agency’s Glenn Center in Brook Park, including bending the ear of President Donald Trump. Rich Exner reports Miller said he made the pitch of Ohio’s ties to the space industry and the lower costs of living in Greater Cleveland during a recent meeting with the president. Mayor’s driver: Mayor Justin Bibb’s driver, Cleveland police officer Demetrius Woods, has yet to face a ticket or a reprimand in an accident from June, authorities say. Cleveland sent the case to a special prosecutor to review the matter, but no charges have been filed. A separate administrative review appears to have stalled along the way, as different offices have started and stopped their reviews of the case. Train derailment: The company that owned one of the train cars that derailed in East Palestine and sparked a major disaster will not have to pay a portion of Norfolk Southern’s $600 million settlement with residents and businesses of the eastern Ohio village, Adam Ferrise reports. Business and Health Health care costs: Nearly 11% of the U.S. adult population can’t afford or find quality health care, according to a new study from Gallup. The poll also found disparities in access to health care based on race, ethnicity and income are also at their highest point since surveying began, reports Julie Washington. Gambling revenue: Ohio’s 11 casinos and racinos brought in approximately $190.6 million in gambling revenue in February, an increase from $181.2 million in the previous month, reports Molly Walsh. In comparison to last year, casinos and racinos saw $197.2 million in revenue in February 2024, according to data from the Ohio Casino Control and Lottery commissions. Haslam development: Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, busy of late pushing plans for an enclosed football stadium in Brook Park, was in Columbus Wednesday to ceremonially launch a residential development adjacent to the home of the Columbus Crew soccer club, also owned by the Haslams, Rich Exner reports. Mall sale: The owner of Great Lakes Mall in Mentor expects to soon sell the property to a new owner. The city of Mentor released a statement acknowledging the company’s intent to sell the mall, saying it stands prepared to help with the transition, reports Megan Sims. Crime and Courts Truck destroyed: An arson fire destroyed a white box truck and the contents of an adjacent storage pod owned by the North Union Farmers Market, Paris Wolfe reports. The truck has not been operational for several years but the adjacent pods were used to store tents, tables and signs used at the group’s eight farmers markets. Court appearance: An 88-year-old Parma man made his first appearance in front of a judge Wednesday involving a hit-and-run incident that hurt a mother and her 2-year-old son. The incident happened just after 7 p.m. March 21 outside a Marc’s grocery store on West Ridgewood Drive in Parma. George Balasko pleaded not guilty to six charges in front of Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge David Matia. Charges dropped: Cuyahoga County prosecutors dropped felony charges of illegal voting against an East Cleveland man after authorities confirmed he has been a U.S. citizen for decades. Glenford Edwards was indicted by a Cuyahoga County grand jury last October and charged with seven counts of illegal voting and one count of false voter registration, reports David Gambino. DNA evidence: After 45 years of waiting, the family of a missing Cleveland man is finally starting to get some answers. Authorities announced DNA evidence matched the body found in the spring of 1980 on Cleveland’s East Side to a man who had gone missing nearby a month earlier. Officials identified the victim as Danny Mitchell, who was 20 years old when his family reported him missing, reports Lucas Daprile. Guilty verdict: A jury on Wednesday found a Richmond Heights man guilty of robbing an ATM technician at gunpoint and stealing $126,000 from the machine outside a South Euclid bank. Adam Ferrise reports Joel Travis was part of a group that stuck a gun to the back of the technician’s head in a robbery that took 33 seconds. The jury in federal court in Cleveland deliberated about two hours before finding Travis guilty of armed bank robbery and aiding and abetting the use of a gun during a violent crime. Suspected homicide: A Cleveland man was slain in the city’s Kinsman neighborhood over the weekend, reports Olivia Mitchell. Authorities say Eddy James Bonner died Saturday on the 2000 block of Minnie Avenue. It is unknown if any arrests have been made in connection with the case. Arts and Entertainment Big Browns night: The Browns are back in the first round of the NFL Draft for the first time in four years. Mary Kay Cabot breaks down everything fans need to know as they wait for their team to be on the clock tonight with the No. 2 pick on Day 1. Amusement park updates: Cedar Point isn’t the only regional amusement park with new attractions to entice visitors this spring, writes Susan Glaser. Kennywood, near Pittsburgh, is expected to reopen a coaster and debut a new themed kids area. Kings Island, Waldameer and Idlewild all have new attractions and upgrades of their own. Happy Hour Project: Having opened in 2022 in the location of the former 100th Bomb Group restaurant, The Aviator’s new aviation theme is subtle and sophisticated, compared to the playful casual theme of its former iteration. While it serves as a premiere event space for special occasions and a convenient place for travelers to stop for a solid meal and beverage, it’s also a good place for a happy hour detour, write Alex Darus and Paris Wolfe. Best in Lakewood: Voting continues in our latest Best Of contest. Yadi Rodriguez and Pete Chakerian are looking for the spots our readers think are best to eat and drink in Lakewood. Vote today! New chef settling in: Jagjit Singh’s diverse culinary background spans India, Dubai and Switzerland. Now, his cooking skills are being showcased at the InterContinental Cleveland Hotel’s restaurant, writes Marc Bona. 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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