ODOT to Invest $2.5 Billion in New Construction in 2023
Written by Katie Lee
ODOT has announced plans to invest a record 2.5 billion dollars in over 1,000 projects during the 2023 construction season. Much of the funds supporting these projects comes from money allocated to Ohio as a part of the federal Infrastructure and Jobs Act.
News 5 reports that this year’s construction will include 31 new projects that are considered “major” with a value above $10 million.
Some projects planned for Summit County include the reconstruction of Akron’s Beltway, a $161 million dollar project set to begin in June. And replacing the Route 8 Bridge over the Cuyahoga River Valley. That project is set to begin in July.
And while many new projects are slated, maintaining roadways is also a priority with about 95 cents of every dollar going toward preserving existing roads and bridges.
Bally Sports Parent Company Files for Bankruptcy
Written by Katie Lee
Diamond Sports Groups, the parent company of Bally Sports, and the largest owner of regional sports networks is filing for bankruptcy.
Bally Sports owns the broadcast rights to 42 professional sports teams, including the Cleveland Guardians. Fox 8 News reports that as a part of its bankruptcy proceedings Bally Sports is set to reject the contracts of 4 teams including the Guardians, the Cincinnati Reds, the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Diego Padres.
The MLB has announced that if that happens they will air games locally on the MLB Network and make them available to stream on MLB.TV
Air, Water, & Dead Animal Testing Continues In East Palestine Near Derailment Site
Written by Jeanne Destro
Drooling. Lethargy. Upper respiratory issues. Anorexia.
Those are some of the symptoms suffered by a dog, and some stray cats that died near the toxic train derailment site recently in East Palestine.
But, was it because of the chemicals? That's what investigators from the Ohio Department of Agriculture are trying to find out now.
So far, testing for chemical toxicity on other dead animals there has come up negative.
Water testing in private wells in that area continues as well, with the Ohio Department of Health reporting no harmful levels of contaminants on the 179 private systems they've sampled so far.
In addition, independent contractors are continuing high-pressure washing in underground culverts off of Sulphur Run, an effort to remove contaminated sediment that is causing the air to smell bad in some area homes and businesses.
With regard to hazardous waste removal, the Ohio EPA reports approximately 6.3 million gallons of liquid wastewater have been hauled out of East Palestine in total, and that there is currently a pile of approximately 27,700 tons of excavated soil waiting for removal, versus 3,200 tons that have been removed.
For a more information, click here to read the latest update from the Ohio Emergency Management Agency.
State of Ohio Sues Norfolk Southern Over East Palestine Derailment
Written by Jeanne Destro
The State of Ohio is suing Norfolk Southern Railway in federal court, alleging the company was negligent, and that it broke both state and federal environmental laws when its train derailed and spilled toxic chemicals into the air and water last month in East Palestine.
The 58-count civil lawsuit cites the company's accident rate, which has risen 80 percent in the past ten years, and seeks to hold them financially responsible for "recklessly endangering" both the health of area residents, and Ohio's natural resources.
The suit, which was filed by Ohio Attorney General, Dave Yost, claims the derailment was entirely avoidable and the direct result of Norfolk Southern’s practice of "putting its own profits above the health, safety and welfare of the communities in which Norfolk Southern operates."
In addition, the suit claims that toxic chemicals released from at least 39 rail cars have made their way into Sulfur Run, Leslie Run, Bull Creek, North Fork Little Beaver Creek, Little Beaver Creek, the Ohio River and/or some still-unknown Ohio waterways.
It also says the derailment “has caused substantial damage to the regional economy of the state of Ohio, its citizens and its businesses", and notes that citizens of the region have been displaced, their lives interrupted, and their businesses shuttered.
As a result, the suit claims that the State of Ohio is entitled to recover the lost taxes and other economic losses it has suffered, and seeks injunctive relief, civil penalties, costs, damages, and court costs.
Dewey Bunnell, member of the band, America, joined Ray. America will be at the Canton Palace Theater on March 16th. Dewey talked to Ray about the show, his career, and more.
Archbishop Hoban Boys Basketball Team are in the State Finals this weekend. Coach TK Griffith joined Ray to talk about the team, upcoming game, and more.
Chickens, Chickens, Chickens!: Cuyahoga Falls Considers New Zoning Regulations
Written by Jeanne Destro
They're talking chickens in Cuyahoga Falls, specifically; whether or not people who live in single-family residential districts ought to be allowed to have them.
Next, the City's Planning Commission will discuss whether or not their General Development Code should be ammended to allow chickens, which are now only permitted in National Park and Rural Residential Districts, to "fly the coop", and land in single family residential districts as well.
If you'd like to put in your two-cents worth on the topic, they're inviting public comment at the Planning Commission meeting, which is set for 6PM, March 21st, at the Cuyahoga Falls Natatorium.
More Details in Summit County Triple Homicide, a 4th Victim Survives
Written by Katie Lee
New details are emerging this morning about Friday's grisly and mysterious triple murder in Summit County.
The suspect, 58-year-old Elias Gudino of Copley was arrested last week in connection with the murders of two men in Akron, and one man in Copley. One of the charges brought against him was "Attempted Aggravated murder.”
Now, News 5 reports that there was actually a fourth victim, who, like the others, had been bound, gagged, and shot in the head, but he survived.
Meanwhile, the three other victims have been identified and it's been reported that all three men were from Youngstown.
The two men found in Akron were identified as 25-year-old Inmer Reyes, and 31-year-old Victor Varela-Rodriguez. The man found in Copley was identified as 35-year-old Domingo Castillo-Reyes.
Both the Akron and Copley police departments are currently investigating the murders.
This Week in Tech with Jeanne Destro-3-14-23: Bank Failures: What's Next? Featured
Written by Jeanne Destro
The massive failure of Silicon Valley Bank is not only sending shock waves through the tech industry, but also through the entire US Banking industry, and it has the potential to disrupt the entire US economy.
In fact, two other banks failed last week as well. Could it be a trend?
That's why federal regulators took swift action to limit the damage yesterday, and why President Biden assured the nation that banks are safe, and our economy remains strong.
But, how and why did this happen, and what can we do to protect our banks, our money, and our economy from meltdowns like this in future?
Listen now, for our discussion with Kent State University Finance Professor, David Pelleg.
Dr. Karl Kaltenthaler is a Professor of Political Science at the University of Akron with expertise in security policy, political violence, political psychology, terrorism, xenophobia, and more. He joined Ray to talk about Domestic Terror throughout the country and right here in Ohio.
More...
Student Athletes of the Week: Carly Jones & William Scott Jr
Written by Steffany Murdock
The Student Athlete of the Week segment is powered by NECA-IBEW and Akron Children’s Hospital.
This week's athletes are from Archbishop Hoban High School.
Carly Jones is a three-year member of the Hoban girls bowling team. She qualified for the state tournament in Columbus last weekend and finished 13th out of 105 competitors in Division I, earning her Honorable Mention All-Ohio honors. Carly also was part of the girls soccer team at Hoban. She carries a 4.3 GPA and is a member of National Honor Society. Carly plans to attend Notre Dame College next fall and continue her bowling career. She has an outstanding work ethic and is a great teammate, no matter the sport or activity. Carly is a valued member of the Hoban Family and the Class of 2023.
2 Arrested as Drag Queen Story Hour Draws Protesters and Supporters to Wadsworth
Written by Katie Lee
Two people arrested in Wadsworth Saturday, as a drag queen storytelling event brought out protestors, supporters, and armed white supremacists.
Hundreds of people filled Wadsworth Memorial Park, as a humanist group put on their “Rock-n-Roll Humanist Drag Queen Story Hour.” The event aimed at children and parents had drawn plenty of controversy, while supporters maintained that it was an event designed to be appropriate for children.
The Akron Beacon Journal reports that while the event did proceed as planned the situation in the park remained volatile from start to finish. Neo-nazis and white supremacists groups shouted "Heil Hilter" amongst other racial and homophobic slurs, while other protesters followed attendees, including children, as they entered and exited the event.
Toward the end of the 4 hour event police report that two people were arrested, one a supporter of the event, and one a protester who was wielding a metallic object as a weapon.
According to a witness and video footage, one protester pulled a gun and tried to fire it, but the gun did not go off. Wadsworth police say they are aware of the incident and that it is under investigation.
Gas Prices Down In Akron Last Week, Up Nationwide
Written by Jeanne Destro
GasBuddy.com reports oil prices were lower on weaker outlooks for economic growth, but continued refinery maintenance and the higher cost of seasonal fuel blends, offset effect of lower oil prices.
The national average price of gasoline has risen 8.0 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.44/g today. The national average is up 7.1 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 87.7 cents per gallon lower than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country.
"Outrageous!": Mike DeWine on East Palestine Toxic Soil Removal Delays
Written by Jeanne Destro
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine says delays in removing contaminated soil from the East Palestine train deralment site are "outrageous", and that he wants to see NorfolkSouthern Railways and the US EPA immediately identify and authorize more hazardous waste disposal sites.
While there is a pile of approximately 24, 400 tons of excavated soil waiting for removal; only 2,980 tons have been removed so far. That, according to DeWine, is unacceptable.
In an update on derailment cleanup efforts over the weekend, DeWine said, " The needs of this community are essentially getting lost in all this red tape, and piles of hazardous soil must not continue to sit stagnant in East Palestine." He aded", All licensed hazardous waste facilities in the country are well equipped to dispose of this soil - and, quite frankly, much more dangerous waste - in a safe manner. It’s time to get this process moving.”
DeWine also expressed his disapproval of the way in which removal approvals are being handled, noting that the U.S. EPA is requiring pre-approval of all disposal and transport of contaminated soil and liquids from the East Palestine derailment site. This he observed, "is an additional step above and beyond all other applicable safety management regulations required under RCRA and the U.S. Department of Transportation."
In other East Palestine derailment news, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources is continuing to test dead animals like turtles, racoons, and muskrats, to see if they died from coming into contact with toxic chemicals, spilled during the derailment, and so far; none of the necropsies they've conducted have shown that is the cause.
For more on the continuing cleanup and efforts to help area residents deal with health concerns, click here for the latest information from the Ohio Emergency Management Agency.