Property Tax Bills in Ohio
Property tax bills have begun to arrive in Ohio, and while the Legislature has passed multiple bills aimed at providing a significant amount of relief to homeowners, the benefits have not yet been felt.
The proposed changes are intended to lessen some tax bills and modify how taxes are calculated. This is especially important given the steep increases that many homeowners have faced recently.
Some of these changes might impact future tax computations. Unfortunately, the timing of the legislation means that a pressing issue affecting around 20 million beds in mainly rural school districts won’t see immediate resolutions.
However, there’s no need to panic. When you receive your second-half bill this summer, it should include adjustments to reflect the changes, meaning you won’t have to pay the corrected amount until then.
Still, waiting for a refund doesn’t alleviate the frustration of dealing with current bills. It can be quite disheartening, really.
— Laura
Overnight Scores and Weather
Cavs vs. Philadelphia 76ers: The Cavaliers faced the 76ers, resulting in a 133-107 score, although Darius Garland left with an injury.
Northeast Ohio Weather Forecast: Expect snow and cold temperatures.
School Closures and Delays: Classes are canceled in the district today.
Top Story
Tax Bill: Ohio’s new property tax relief law hasn’t yet influenced tax bills due to timing delays, but residents can anticipate adjustments and credits reflected retroactively later this year. Rich Exner has more on the implications.
Tax Appeal: Thousands of homeowners in Cuyahoga County are still awaiting decisions on property tax appeals, creating uncertainty as the deadline for half-year bills looms. Caitlin Durbin reports on the strain this is causing.
Bark Closure: Mayor Justin Bibb of Cleveland plans to close Burke Lakefront Airport by 2029, aiming to redevelop the site into parks and other projects pending local and federal approvals, according to Sean McDonnell.
Today in Ohio: Two Republican state legislators are advocating for a commission to look into data centers. On the daily news podcast, “Today in Ohio,” concerns are discussed regarding the effect of these energy-intensive developments on the local economy.
State Capitol and Politics
Cannabis Petition: The Ohio Cannabis Coalition is making updates to its referendum petition after the initial language challenging Senate Bill 56 was rejected. Developments are ongoing as they aim to counter recently enacted cannabis regulations. Mary Frances McGowan reports.
HB6 Witness: Former executives from FirstEnergy, now indicted, have broadened their list of potential witnesses for their defense to 58 individuals, which interestingly includes Governor Mike DeWine and Senator Jon Husted.
Auditor’s Race: Annette Blackwell, the Mayor of Maple Heights, is running for state auditor and has secured the Ohio Democratic Party’s support for the 2026 election. She plans to tackle government corruption, as highlighted by Jeremy Pelzer.
Abortion Pill: In a recent Senate hearing, Senator Jon Husted raised concerns regarding a case where a man allegedly administered an abortion pill without consent. He referred to similar instances in Ohio and Texas to argue for reinstating in-person dispensing requirements for these medications.
Childcare: Recent viral videos from Minnesota and Columbus have shone a light on Somali-operated childcare centers, prompting an Ohio lawmaker to propose new legislation aimed at addressing childcare fraud, as reported by Anna Staver.
Big East: Senator Jon Husted is advocating for the University of Dayton to join the Big East Conference. He has joined forces with Missouri’s Senator Eric Schmidt to send a letter to the conference commissioner promoting St. Louis University.
Northeast Ohio News
ICE Crackdown: In a rare announcement, Cleveland police clarified that they are not responsible for immigration enforcement. This statement follows the tragic murder of Renee Good, which involved ICE agents in Minneapolis, as noted by Olivia Mitchell.
WCSB Lawsuit: Even though IdeaStream is not named in a new lawsuit against Cleveland State University related to the WCSB radio station transfer, the organization may still have to engage in the case due to its implications. Laura Hancock has the details.
Pedestrian Death: An accident claimed the life of a 62-year-old pedestrian in Akron when he was struck by a vehicle, according to local authorities. The victim, Teodoro Garcia-Orrara, was hit in the 1600 block of Brittain Road, as reported by Olivia Mitchell.
Winter Storm: A winter storm is expected to bring heavy snowfall and significantly lower temperatures to Cleveland and northern Ohio through Thursday night. Winter weather advisories and lake-effect snow warnings are currently in effect, Chris Pugh reports.
Total Snowfall: Suburbs in Cuyahoga County and regions of Lake County are experiencing the worst of this winter storm according to the latest snow reports from the National Weather Service, as Cliff Pinkard notes.
Unemployment: Mentor’s unemployment rate remains commendably low at 2.9% as it continues to show robust employment numbers despite a minor decline in the labor force, according to Molly Walsh.
MLK Day: The Lake County NAACP is organizing a Martin Luther King Jr. celebration in Painesville, featuring performances, reenactments, and recognition of Dr. King, as shared by Molly Walsh.
Smart Card: Laketran is rolling out EZfare smart cards and vending machines aiming to enhance fare options, cater to cash users, and lower maintenance costs, as reported by Molly Walsh.
EV Charger: NOACA is gathering public feedback regarding plans to install EV chargers at Campana Park in Lolland, which will include four charging stations and consider their potential impacts, according to Hannah Drown.
Dog House: In a community-focused initiative, Lorain County Community Development has donated supplies to Lorain County Kennels to support animal care and welfare, reports Hannah Drown.
Healthcare and Business
Grocery Store Dies: Burton Saltzman, a dedicated grocer who played an important role in Dave’s Supermarkets, has passed away at 88 years old, reported by Paris Wolf.
Dementia Risk: Research from Ohio University suggests that evaluating essential abilities in individuals can serve as a predictor for future cognitive decline, as reported by Julie Washington.
Crime and Court
East CLE: Former East Cleveland Mayor Brandon King is contesting his previous conviction, claiming it arose from political disagreements and insufficient evidence, and he is seeking a new trial, as reported by David Gambino.
Jewelry Heist: Brian Foster, from Illyria, has been charged with stealing over $62,000 worth of jewelry. He allegedly threatened an employee during the robbery, according to Adam Ferris.
Murder Warrant: U.S. Marshals apprehended Neftali Esquilin-Lebron in Cleveland based on a murder warrant issued in Puerto Rico, as detailed by Olivia Mitchell.
Murder Crime: A Cleveland man has been arrested on suspicion of murder in a November incident. Cortez Taylor, 28, was arrested with the assistance of the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force.
Lorraine’s Ambush: The Lorain County Prosecutor’s Office has cleared the officers involved in a July shooting incident, ruling their actions lawful, as stated by Hannah Drown.
Arts and Entertainment
Mellencamp Tour: John Mellencamp is set to return to Blossom Music Center this July with a greatest hits tour that will feature iconic songs like “Jack and Diane,” reports Malcolm X Abram.
Five Finger Death Punch: The band will perform at Blossom Music Center in August, celebrating their 20th anniversary with re-recorded hits and selections from their upcoming album, according to Malcolm X Abram.
Underwear Run: Cleveland’s Cupid Andy’s Run is happening on February 7th to raise funds for neurofibromatosis research. The previous year saw around 350 participants running in downtown Cleveland in their underwear. This event has raised over $25 million since its inception in 2010, reported by Paris Wolf.
Interesting Dinner: Heart of Gold is hosting a unique dinner featuring comedy and themed courses on February 13th, encouraging guests to dress in 1920s attire for a festive experience, according to Alex Dulce.
Frost Fest: Akron will host its first Frostfest, featuring ice carving and family-friendly activities, with no admission fee, as reported by Megan Becca.
Museum Accreditation: The Kent State University Museum has received reaccreditation from the American Alliance of Museums for its extensive collection and commitment to public engagement, as highlighted by Joey Morona.
Brewery Tour: The 18th annual Angels on the Avenue Brewery Tour is set for February 28 and will feature visits to five breweries along with raffles and support for Holy Family Home and Hospice, according to Marc Bona.
Popular Restaurants: Yadi Rodriguez is promoting a poll to identify the top 25 restaurants in Parma and Parma Heights, urging the community to vote for their favorites, with voting open until January 20th.
Everyone Is Being Chased Too
For the latest news from Cleveland, feel free to check back often. It’s always good to stay informed about your community.
