INFORMATION SUBMITTED

Yesterday afternoon, the City of Cleveland filed a lawsuit in federal court against car manufacturers Kia and Hyundai for their failure to install industry standard anti-theft technology in millions of their vehicles, which has contributed to an exponential increase of Kia and Hyundai car theft in Cleveland and other regions.

Between October and December 2022, a reported 1,203 Hyundai and Kia vehicles were stolen in Cleveland. For December alone, vehicle theft of Hyundais and Kias accounted for 65 percent of total vehicle theft in the city. 

“It is our position the Kia and Hyundai prioritized profit over people by not installing engine immobilizers in these vehicles,” said Mayor Justin M. Bibb. “It is unacceptable for our city and our residents to bear the burden of this irresponsible and dangerous decision.” 

Studies by the Highway Loss data Institute regularly show that vehicle theft losses significantly decreased after the introduction of immobilizer devices. Despite this, only 26 percent of the 2015 vehicle series for Hyundai and Kia models were equipped with standard immobilizers, compared to 96 percent of all other makes combined.  

The absence of engine immobilizers in certain Hyundai and Kia vehicles has made those vehicles incredibly susceptible to theft. Recently, this susceptibility led to a viral social media trend, where offenders post videos in Kia and Hyundai cars they stole using only a USB cable. 

Although Kia and Hyundai were aware of the public safety concerns arising from the huge spike in theft of their vehicles, they have not taken meaningful steps to address this problem. As a result, the public is put at risk, and the Cleveland Police Department is saddled with the burdens of responding to the rampant theft of these vehicles and the consequent harms to people and property.  

“The increase in theft is nationwide, not just here in Cleveland. It is certainly causing a draw on our resources,” said Cleveland Police Deputy Chief Harold Pretel. 

Additionally, the City of Cleveland has expended substantial resources investigating, responding to, and prosecuting crimes related to these thefts. In January 2023, theft of Hyundai and Kia vehicles rose 622.22 percent compared to thefts of those same vehicles in January 2022. 

With the assistance of the Seattle law firm Keller Rohrback L.L.P., the City is taking action to force Hyundai and Kia to do what’s right—fix the cars and put an end to the crime wave that could have been prevented had they simply followed industry-wide standards and installed the anti-theft technology in the first place.  

“I believe in standing up for working people,” said Ward 13 Councilman Kris Harsh. “I appreciate the leadership of the mayor and law director on this lawsuit. My hope is that we can get relief for the owners of these vehicles and for our city.” 

The City of Cleveland stands with consumers and other municipalities to hold Kia and Hyundai accountable for the public safety hazard they created, decrease vehicle theft in Cleveland, and alleviate the rising costs and burdens on the city and its taxpayers.

PRESS RELEASE

The Saint Luke’s Foundation is pleased to announce the promotions of Sharon Edmond to Administrative Officer and Dionne Huffman to Program Coordinator.   “Sharon Edmond and Dionne Huffman infuse extraordinary qualities to the staff of Saint Luke’s Foundation. Jointly their work and spirit are vital to our operations. Both have consistently gone beyond the call of duty to carry out the values of the Foundation. Their compassion, work ethic, and overall job performance have positioned them both for well-earned job growth opportunities,” according to Timothy Tramble Sr., President and CEO of the Saint Luke’s Foundation.   Huffman started at the Saint Luke’s Foundation in 2021, as the Program Assistant. Specifically, she will handle the administrative and clerical functions in support of the day-to-day operations of the Foundation’s program staff and the Foundation’s grantmaking process. Dionne previously served in the public relations sector in partnership with Cleveland Public Schools, and most recently served in the lottery industry traveling statewide to help facilitate training seminars and special events.   Edmond previously worked with the American Heart Association, The Diabetes Partnerships, and CDF Freedom Schools before joining the Saint Luke’s Foundation in 2018. After joining the Saint Luke’s Foundation in 2018 as a volunteer front desk receptionist, Sharon Edmond has held several positions, most recently as the front desk receptionist. Edmond graduated from Hampton University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.   “For these reasons, it is in the best interest of the Foundation and the populations we serve that we make deeper investments in the tremendous assets we have in Sharon Edmond and Dionne Huffman,” said Tim Tramble Sr.

About the Saint Luke’s Foundation Now in its 26th year of grant making, The Saint Luke’s Foundation is dedicated to achieving health equity by addressing social determinants of health for people in neighborhoods surrounding Saint Luke’s and throughout Cuyahoga County. Saint Luke’s is committed to demonstrating grantmaking that is responsive to the community and believes that people thrive as a result of living free of racism and poverty and experiencing equitable economic opportunities and conditions that enable them to lead healthier lives. Since it was established with the charitable assets of the Saint Luke’s Medical Center in 1997, the Foundation has awarded over $165 million in grants. Information on the work of Saint Luke’s Foundation is available on the Foundation’s website: www.saintlukesfoundation.org.

MUSIC & COFFEE 

WHEN: FEB 12, 10 a.m.

WHERE: 5 Points Coffee and Tea, 3600 W. Park Rd. 

DETAILS: Enjoy live music by Taylor Lamborn at  the coffee shop. https://www.5pointscafe.com/news 

They also have a special Valentine’s Day pastry currently available! 

FOOD, GAMES & MUSIC 

WHEN: Feb. 14, 6 to 8 p.m. 

WHERE: Hatfield’s Good Grub, 16700 Lorain Ave. 

DETAILS: Live acoustic music and a Valentine Dinner Special. 

MARGARITAS AND LIVE MUSIC 

WHEN: Feb. 14, 5 to 9 p.m. 

WHERE: Si Senor, 16800 Lorain Ave. 

DETAILS: Live music by special guest, Jesus Aguero, food and margaritas. 

DINNER AND DANCING VALENTINE’S BASH 

WHEN: FEB 18, 7 to 11 p.m.

WHERE: The Aviator, 20920 Brookpark Rd. 

DETAILS: Open bar with plated dual entree dinner, dessert spread, and more. DJ Ryan Layman with Ohio DJ Pros, and an LED Dance Floor, iPad photobooth, indoor sparkler show. The cost is $185 for couples and $105 for individuals. Purchase tickets under the event tickets section here. https://aviatorcle.com 

SPONSORED CONTENT

The Buckeye State, home to nearly 12 million residents, is a fantastic destination for retirement. Among its inhabitants, roughly 2 million are 65 years or older. As an increasing number of Baby Boomers reach retirement age, discussions have arisen regarding the future of Medicare. You might have noticed that Medicare Advantage plans are becoming increasingly popular compared to Medicare Supplement options. It’s possible that many of the advertisements you see on your evening news are aimed at selling you an Advantage plan.

The Problem with Advantage

The rapid expansion of Medicare Advantage plans in recent years does not guarantee sustained growth. In fact, these plans have faced increased scrutiny lately due to alleged large-scale fraud, as they have an interest in receiving more funds for patients with more severe health issues. At Fair Square, we do not view Medicare Advantage plans as inherently flawed, but they are frequently misconstrued. They can be a suitable option, but for many of our clients, we recommend exploring Medicare Supplement plans instead. To make the process easier for those new to Medicare, we have created a simple way to compare and choose the best Medicare Supplement plans in Ohio. Our page offers a comprehensive overview of Medicare Supplement to help you make an informed decision.

Go for Plan G

For those eligible for Medicare after 2020, Medicare Supplement Plan G provides the most comprehensive coverage and the best network. Some Medicare Advantage plans might claim to always be cheaper than Medicare Supplement plans based on monthly premiums, but this is not necessarily the case. Although many Medicare Advantage plans have no additional monthly premiums, the cost savings with Plan G are realized in the long term. As you age and your healthcare expenses increase, you may end up paying significantly more for the same procedures under an Advantage plan compared to Plan G.

Another factor that draws people to Medicare Supplement plans is the superior network within Medicare. The network you have access to can vary depending on your choice of Medicare Advantage plan. While an HMO plan may have the lowest monthly premiums, it also has the most restrictive network, making it difficult to see a doctor outside of your network without paying full out-of-pocket costs. PPO plans offer slightly more flexibility, but you still need to pay more to receive care outside of your network. Medicare Supplement plans have a network that encompasses all doctors accepting Medicare, which is over 90% of all doctors in the country. This provides you with the freedom to receive treatment elsewhere if necessary, all while still being covered by Medicare. There’s no need to compare HMO vs. PPO when Medicare Supplement clearly has the advantage.

You might believe that Medicare Advantage plans are the only option to access benefits that you were used to on your previous private healthcare plan, like dental or vision. While it’s true that these extra benefits are not available on Medicare Supplement plans, the benefits offered by Advantage plans may not be worth the inconvenience. Flex Cards, which provide a grocery stipend, may seem appealing on the surface, but they may not be worth it if you end up spending more money to meet your out-of-pocket maximum, which is not a concern with Plan G. If you prefer a Medicare Supplement plan and still require dental and vision coverage, there are budget-friendly options available outside of Medicare that can meet your needs. At Fair Square, we can assist you in finding the right combination of plans that best fits your budget and coverage requirements.

Takeaway

As you enter your golden years, it’s important to have high-quality healthcare that complements your high quality of life. At Fair Square, we believe that Plan G is the ideal choice for the majority of our Medicare beneficiaries. Our team of experts can help you navigate the complex process of choosing a Medicare plan that meets both your healthcare needs and budget. Start and end your golden years with peace of mind, knowing you have a top-notch healthcare plan in place.

DISCLAIMER: This content was submitted by Daniel Petkevich Founder & CEO @ Fair Square, and may contain affiliate links.

SUBMITTED

In October 2022, Cleveland City Council passed legislation (Ord. No. 900-2022) allowing the city to use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) investments for a housing gap financing fund to provide grants and/or equity stake in projects that incentivize the renovation and construction of affordable, workforce housing projects, mixed-income, and market rate projects.  

These funds are now available on a competitive basis through a Department of Community Development Request for Proposals (RFP) to allocate up to $34.45 million, including:   

·         $10 million for Affordable Housing Gap Financing (ARPA restricted)  

·         $5 million for Market Rate Housing Gap Financing (ARPA/General fund)  

·         $13.7 million for 30% AMI Affordable Housing Gap Financing (HOME-ARP)  

·         $4 million for Non-Congregate Shelter Gap Financing (HOME-ARP)  

·         $1.75 million for Single-Family Affordable and Market Rate Housing (City Bond Funds)  

This RFP is only for housing development projects that will invest in either affordable housing units, market-rate housing units, or a mix. Submissions will be scored and used to create a slate of projects to be considered by Cleveland City Council. Only approved projects will be eligible to apply for these funds.   

“We are excited for this opportunity to accept proposals for such a wide variety of projects that will bring us closer to our vision for equitable housing across our city,” said Cleveland’s Director of Community Development Alyssa Hernandez.  

Upcoming information sessions will be held on three consecutive Wednesdays — Feb. 1, 8, and 15 — at 9 a.m. RVSPs (required) and questions may be submitted at Department of Community Development Info Sessions RSVP & RFP Question Form (smartsheet.com).   

The deadline to submit questions is Feb. 15, 2023, at noon. Submissions for the RFP are due by Feb. 28, 2023.   

Press Release 

College Club West is offering scholarships for 2023-24 academic year to women who are residents of the Greater Cleveland area.  Applicants must already be pursuing a four-year undergraduate or graduate degree in any area of study. Significant scholarships of a minimum amount of $2,000.00 will be awarded to women who are twenty-five years of age and older, based on their financial needs, career goals, and academic records. Deadline is March 18th. The scholarship application, eligibility requirements and application process can be found at www.collegeclubwest.org/scholarships or inquires to ccwscholarship@gmail.com

PRESS RELEASE

Today, state Senator Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) took the oath of office to serve in the Ohio Senate as Senate Minority Leader during the 135th General Assembly. She is the first LGBTQ+ Minority Leader in the history of the Ohio Senate.

“I’m excited to embark on this new chapter as Senate Minority Leader following Leader Yuko, who leaves behind an incredible legacy of service, kindness and bipartisanship,” said Senator Antonio. “As a caucus, we have the opportunity to fight for policies that reflect the diversity of our state and give young people a reason to stay in Ohio, like tackling maternal and infant mortality, ensuring quality childcare for families, supporting our public schools with the Fair School Funding Plan and creating good-paying jobs. Together, we will work for an Ohio that works for all – not just some.”

Antonio will serve as Senate Minority Leader in her second term in the Ohio Senate after previously serving as Assistant Minority Leader. Prior to her election to the Senate, Antonio served four terms in the Ohio House of Representatives for the 13th House District.

She has been a dedicated champion of workers’ rights, high-quality education, local governments, equal rights for women and the LGBTQ+ community, health care for all, fighting the opioid crisis and ending the death penalty in Ohio.

Antonio is recognized as a leader who reaches across the aisle to get things done. As a result, she has worked to pass legislation such as Ohio’s historic adoption open records law (SB 23/HB 61) and a step therapy reform law (SB 265/HB 72). During each of her four terms in office, Antonio introduced the Ohio Fairness Act to protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination, a bill to end Ohio’s use of the death penalty and an array of other bills focused on improving the lives of all Ohioans. Antonio continues to be an established expert in health policy.

The first in her family to graduate from college, Antonio holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the Maxine Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University (CSU) as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from CSU. Antonio is an alumna of the Harvard Kennedy School Senior and Executive Leadership Program for State and Local Governments.

Daughters Ariel and Stacey, both Lakewood High School graduates, have made Antonio and her wife, Jean Kosmac, very proud as the girls progress through their life journeys.

Leader Antonio will represent the 23rd Senate District, which encompasses parts of Cuyahoga County, including Cleveland (part), Lakewood, Parma, Parma Heights and Bratenahl.
 

Electrical cords, cooking, and holiday safety all covered!

PRESS RELEASE

Whether staying warm or celebrating the holidays, Cleveland Firefighters want residents to be safe this winter. Guidance for residents will be provided this Thursday, December 15, at 2 p.m. at the Western Reserve Fire Museum and Education Center located at 310 Carnegie Ave.

“Fire prevention is an important part of our mission,” said Cleveland Fire Chief Anthony Luke. “We hope this information will help to keep residents safe during the holidays this winter.”

Among the topics covered will be:

Electrical Safety—Extension cords should only be used temporarily. Never run an electric cord under a carpet or a doorway where it may get worn. When stringing holiday lights, check their cords for damage.

Space heaters need space. Make sure space heaters are 3’ away from anything flammable (paper, furniture, blankets, drapes) and ensure space heaters are turned off or unplugged when not in use.

Never plug a space heater or any heat-producing appliance (coffee maker, microwave, toaster, etc.) into an extension cord. They should be plugged directly into a grounded wall outlet.

Cooking Safety—Thanksgiving and Christmas are busy days for cooking fires. Stay home if you are baking and stay in the kitchen when using the burners on top of the stove. Make sure children know that the oven is hot and not to touch. Keep children and pets out of the kitchen while you are cooking.

Holidays—Keep your live Christmas tree watered to prevent it from drying out and becoming a fire hazard. If your holiday celebrations include candles, be careful and never leave a lit candle unattended.

The Fire Museum’s Education Center has great props to demonstrate how to put out a kitchen fire and drive home the safety messaging. Please contact Lt. Mike Norman for any questions.

About the Cleveland Division of Fire

The Cleveland Division of Fire has served the residents of Cleveland, Ohio for more than 150 Years! The Division’s core values center on the protection of lives, property and the environment through preparedness, prevention, public education and emergency response; we place an emphasis on quality services delivered efficiently, effectively and safely. For more information on the Cleveland Division of Fire, visit online at www.city.cleveland.oh.us or on Facebook/CLEFIREdept, Twitter @clevelandfire.

PRESS RELEASE

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that the Cleveland Department of Public Health will receive $500,000 in grant funding to enhance air quality monitoring. This grant is 1 of 132 air monitoring projects in 37 states that will receive $53.4 million from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act and American Rescue Plan to enhance air quality monitoring in communities across the United States. The projects are focused on communities that are underserved, historically marginalized, and overburdened by pollution, supporting President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative. The air monitoring projects will ensure these overburdened communities across the nation have the tools they need to better understand air quality challenges in their neighborhoods and will help protect people from air pollution. 

“This grant funding will support our development of a Community Leveraged Expanded Air Network in Cleveland (CLEANinCLE) that will allow our team of partners to expand our air monitoring network into historically redlined Cleveland neighborhoods that are still experiencing negative health outcomes,” says David Hearne, Commissioner of the Division of Air Quality. These communities present with poorer health outcomes, including diabetes, hypertension and pediatric asthma, and have been disproportionately impacted by COVID‐19.   

Community members will participate in the meaningful design of an expanded air‐monitoring network through public forums, the establishment of a resident advisory committee, and through a series of residential interviews. Project outcomes will include public engagement with marginalized communities, expanded air monitoring networks informed by the community, increased data/access, and public health interventions. 

The data obtained in this project will be used to inform local medical providers on the barriers residents are experiencing to asthma management, which will enable the development of neighborhood specific communications to asthma management. Dr. David Margolius, Director of the Cleveland Department of 

Public Health says, “We are thrilled to receive this support from the US EPA and to have the opportunity to engage with the community with the end goal of reducing health disparities.” Cleveland Department of Public Health will partner with Better Health Partnership, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, and Ohio EPA.  

The Kiwanis Club of Westpark Clam Bake will be Sunday, Nov. 13, and is by reservation only. Call Cliff to make yours. Telephone: (216) 319-1309.

Doors open at 12:45 p.m. and the game starts at 1 p.m. Funds raised for the clam bake will be used to purchase turkeys for families in need in West Park.

The last day to purchase tickets is November 8.

INFORMATION SUBMITTED 

Alexandros Georgussis, of Holy Name and Our Lady of Angels in West Park, was recently named a National Merit Commended Student. 

He has earned this honor after scoring exceptionally well on the 2021 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®). Of the 1.3 million students who took the PSAT/NMSQT, only 34,000 earned Commended Student status. 

Alexandros graduated from Our Lady of Angels and has been at Holy Name since August 2019. He is a member of the Class of 2023 (the senior class). For more information on Alexandros and his many accomplishments at Holy Name, please visit holynamehs.com/news/2022nationalmeritnews. 

Employees celebrate as the ribbon is cut at Ross Dress For Less in the West Park Shopping Center. (Photo by Jerry Masek)

INFORMATION SUBMITTED

There will be free event providing health screenings and education across four Cleveland Clinic locations, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 22.

It will be at the Crile building lobby, Cleveland Clinic main campus,  2049 E 100th St A Bldg, Cleveland. (Attendees can park at the P2 parking garage located at 2101 East 100^th St.) 

Similar events will simultaneously take place at Akron General Hospital, Lutheran Hospital, and South Pointe Hospital.

Attendees are encouraged to register online at https://clevelandclinic.org/chf.  

The Cleveland Clinic Community Health Fair will be open to all genders with a focus on serving our underserved and minority communities. The Community Health Fair will provide various health screenings to help address the unique needs of our Black/African American, Latinx and LGBTQ communities. The event includes education on many health concerns and screenings for prostate cancer, diabetes, high cholesterol, hepatitis C and other conditions.  

In order to comply with public health precautions, masks will be required and social distancing will be encouraged. As the number of attendees will be limited, attendees are asked to please register ahead of time. Offerings may vary by location and are subject to change.  

About Cleveland Clinic 

Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. U.S. News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation’s best hospitals in its annual “America’s Best Hospitals” survey. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 72,500 employees worldwide are more than 5,050 salaried physicians and researchers, and 17,800 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,500-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 21 hospitals, more than 220 outpatient facilities, including locations in northeast Ohio; southeast Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2021, there were 10.2 million total outpatient visits, 304,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 259,000 surgical cases throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 185 countries. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at twitter.com/ClevelandClinic. News and resources available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org. 

Below, Senior Vice President of Student Lending at Citizens, Frederick Good, provides some navigational information for when student loan repayment begins:

CONTENT SUBMITTED:

Q: How can borrowers prepare for repayment?
A: t’s important for borrowers to refamiliarize themselves with their current student loan situation before repayment starts- how many loans, under what terms, at what rates, and the total monthly payment that will resume.

It’s possible that refinancing could help borrowers simplify and save on monthly payments or interest rates (or both), but needs to be evaluated in the context of potential federal loan benefits, including whether or not they may be eligible for the recently announced forgiveness.

Q: What happens when you refinance a student loan?
A: When borrowers refinance a student loan, their underlying or original loans are paid off in full. The new refinance loan is originated as a single loan with terms and conditions presented to the borrower from their new lender.

Typically refinancing a loan can help the borrower to lower their interest rate or payment (or both) and simplify multiple loans into one, while potentially changing the loan term or possibly removing a co-signer. The underlying loans would be reported on the borrowers credit bureau as paid in full, and a new tradeline with the new refinance loan would be opened.

At Citizens, on average, we have seen our borrowers lower their payments by more than $3,000 annually with refinancing.