Subscribe to the Wake Up, cleveland.com’s free morning newsletter, delivered to your inbox weekdays at 5:30 a.m.
Ohio became a state in 1803, two decades after the Revolutionary War ended. But in 1778, the Continental Army built Fort Laurens, a small outpost along the Tuscarawas River, as part of a plan to attack the British in Detroit and defeat their Native American allies.
Built by hundreds of soldiers from Pennsylvania and Virginia over 10 days in November 1778, the fort remains Ohio’s only Revolutionary War-era fort. It lasted only 10 months before it was disbanded.
The state is now rebuilding what its site manager calls “our most tangible link to the Revolution,” part of the country’s semiquincentennial celebration. And anyone can help this coming weekend with the archaeological dig in Bolivar.
When the rebuilt fort is finished, visitors will be able to see what it looked like and walk among its walls.
— Laura
Overnight Scores and Weather
Browns at Baltimore Ravens: Joe Flacco turns the ball over twice in his return to Baltimore in Ravens’ 41-17 victory
Guardians vs. Chicago White Sox: Guardians complete sweep of White Sox with 3-2 win behind Bo Naylor’s 3 RBI
Northeast Ohio weather forecast: The sunshine goes on
Top Stories
Fort Laurens: Reconstruction of Fort Laurens in Bolivar, Ohio, won’t include the entire fort footprint, which was approximately one square acre, with bastions on the corners to provide extra protection, reports Susan Glaser.
Historic courthouse: Geauga County is wrapping up a $21 million expansion of its historic Chardon Square courthouse, doubling its size with modern security and accessibility upgrades while preserving the landmark’s 19th-century character, reports Molly Walsh.
CVNP murder: The case of Chelsea Perkins, who killed a man in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, put a spotlight on the trauma caused when someone reports a rape and no arrests are made. Adam Ferrise takes a closer look at this case.
Government transparency: As Ohio prepares for another round of redistricting, activists are demanding full transparency while legislative leaders from both parties insist that backroom negotiations are unavoidable, Jeremy Pelzer reports.
Tax breaks: A new report shows Ohio hands out more than $12 billion a year in tax breaks — from quirky deer farm exemptions to billion-dollar business perks — sparking rare bipartisan calls to review whether these giveaways serve the public or special interests, reports Anna Staver.
Today in Ohio: Gov. Mike DeWine once promised to fight gerrymandering; now he’s shrugging his shoulders while Ohio braces for another rigged map. On Today in Ohio, we’re talking about DeWine’s retreat on redistricting reform and what it means for Ohio’s next congressional map.
Statehouse and Politics
Oakar dies: Mary Rose Oakar, a pioneering lawmaker who spent 16 years fighting for women’s economic equality and breaking barriers in the male-dominated halls of Congress, died Saturday in Cleveland at the age of 85, Sabrina Eaton reports.
Medicare in Ohio: A new Medicare pilot program in Ohio would use AI to decide whether seniors get certain pain treatments and procedures, sparking fears that cost-cutting algorithms will delay or deny needed care, reports Julie Washington.
Voter registration: The League of Women Voters of Ohio will visit two Northeast Ohio universities today as part of a statewide effort to register student voters ahead of the fall election. Mary Frances McGowan reports the mobile voter registration drive will feature music, snacks, prizes and interactive voter engagement activities designed to make civic participation more accessible to college students.
New legislation: Ohio lawmakers are preparing to introduce legislation to reform the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency, which has enormous influence in shaping the region’s transportation network. Their proposed legislation, if passed, would transfer significant power over highway projects in Northeast Ohio from the city of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County to four surrounding suburban counties, reports Jeremy Pelzer.
Rail plan: U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes has urged Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine to reconsider excluding Akron-Canton from the state’s 2025 rail plan, highlighting the region’s economic potential, Sabrina Eaton reports.
Northeast Ohio News
False fall: Summer’s final stretch has felt more like fall in Northeast Ohio, with an unusually long run of chilly days and even colder nights. What’s behind it and how much longer will it last? Ryan Cohick explains.
Readers write: Editor Chris Quinn shares cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer’s readers’ thoughts on the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, with some expressing sorrow while others bristled at the framing of the question.
Behavioral Health Center: Cuyahoga County is deliberating a $7 million funding request for a new Behavioral Health Center, with county council expressing concerns about long-term financial sustainability. Kaitlin Durbin reports on the proposed facility’s potential to transform crisis care services.
Housing development: Cleveland Heights is considering two development proposals that would transform nearly a third of the city’s 175 vacant lots into single-family homes. Cory Shaffer reports on plans by FutureHeights and YRM to purchase and develop city-owned lots, potentially addressing urban vacancy challenges.
Residential development: Mentor is considering a plan for retail and residential development in the city’s Old Village corridor. Construction of a four-story mixed-use building would include shops and 45 apartments, Molly Walsh reports.
Safety beacons: Lorain County officials announced last week that safety lighting soon will be installed on towers being built to support the county’s shift to a new emergency communication network, Hannah Drown reports. The announcement came after a resident raised safety concerns about the missing lights.
Business and Health
Park attendance: Six Flags, which owns Cedar Point, experienced a 3% attendance increase in August after an early season drop. CEO Richard Zimmerman remains optimistic about the company’s strategic investments and future prospects, Susan Glaser reports.
Food safety: Middlefield Original Cheese Co-Op’s two recent recalls involved over 5,000 pounds of cheese because of potential listeria monocytogenes contamination, Molly Walsh reports. No illnesses have been reported, but consumers are advised to discard or return affected products.
Crime and Courts
Bar closure: Play Bar & Grill in Cleveland’s Flats is challenging its closure in court after a shooting injured six people following the Browns season opener. The bar’s owner claims the closure was arbitrary, while city officials cite multiple previous violent incidents.
Jury verdict: A Shaker Heights man, Michael Mann, was found guilty of raping and kidnapping six women after luring them with fake job offers. David Gambino reports that Mann used escort websites to contact victims and promised high-paying work before assaulting them in Cleveland hotels.
Attempted kidnapping: A man accused of attempting to kidnap a teen from a bus stop in Strongsville was indicted Thursday on abduction charges, Olivia Mitchell reports. Dominic Sacco faces charges of abduction and attempted abduction following the Sept. 5 incident involving a 15-year-old girl.
Suspect arrested: Federal authorities arrested a suspect wanted in connection with a deadly shooting in Cleveland, Olivia Mitchell reports. Verdine Glover, 43, was picked up Friday in the 1800 block of Lakeview Road by members of the Northern Violent Fugitive Task Force.
Treatment decision: A Cuyahoga County judge is weighing whether to keep accused cop killer De’Lawnte Hardy in a state mental hospital beyond a year, David Gambino reports.
Bar shooting: Two people were shot early Friday outside a bar on Cleveland’s East Side, according to safety officials. Paramedics responded to Peoples Bar and Grill at 3614 E. 65th St. shortly after 1 a.m., Olivia Mitchell reports.
Police chase: A 32-year-old Akron man was arrested after a domestic dispute escalated into a vehicle chase and crash in Barberton. Olivia Mitchell reports that Vincent Torres led police on a pursuit that ended when he crashed into a utility pole.
Arts and Entertainment
Restaurant acquisition: Hangry Brands has acquired Tremont’s late-night watering hole, Danny’s on Professor. The local restaurant group is known for its immersive, often interactive, décor elements at restaurants, Alex Darus reports. With Danny’s, the team plans to transform the space into “Danny’s Breakroom,” a concept inspired by a corporate atmosphere.
CLE Eats: Two beloved Cleveland breakfast spots, Juneberry Table and The Judith, are known for their unique atmospheres and delectable menus, Peter Chakerian reports. These neighborhood cafes offer exceptional food, from spelt pancakes to French toast, capturing the essence of local culinary charm.
Happy Hour: With its moody, romantic vibe Velvet Tango Room is a delightful date night destination. Think vintage sophistication, classic cocktails and lots of candlelight. In case you didn’t know, it’s a solid stop for a Happy Hour as well, Alex Darus and Paris Wolfe report.
‘Weird Al’: After more than 40 years of smart and silly parodies and “in the style of” songs, “Weird Al” Yankovic is a pop culture institution, and Saturday night at Blossom, the energetic 65-year-old singer-songwriter-accordionist gave his multigenerational audience two hours of comedy music hits, Malcolm X Abram reports.
Clapton review: Eric Clapton’s blues-heavy performance at Rocket Arena delivered a career-spanning set that reaffirmed his place in rock’s pantheon, John Benson reports.
Strongman competition: Northern Ohio will flex its tourism muscles this week as the first U.S. host of the Strongman Champions League, a global competition of strength and showmanship. The two-day event will take place Sept. 19 and 20 in Toledo and Sandusky, Susan Glaser reports.
Cooking school opens: Buttercream & Olive Oil, a cooking school offering 27 European-inspired classes with a focus on organic, sustainable practices, has opened a new location in North Royalton. The school will celebrate its grand opening with three days of special events, Paris Wolfe reports.
House of the Week: Joey Morona features a 1926 Tudor home in Cleveland Heights, priced at $2.175 million, which beautifully combines historic charm with modern luxury. The four-bedroom property showcases architectural elegance from Cleveland’s early 20th-century affluent neighborhoods.
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 Cliff Pinckard.
Other Top Stories
Fairview Park councilman addresses Kirk death comment Read more
Lorain motorcyclist killed in Amherst Township crash Read more
Man, 83, dies after being found in burning Northeast Ohio home Read more
Westlake High School students earn music honors: Short Takes on the Westshore Read more
Local students earn National Merit Scholarship semifinalist status: Short Takes on Avon, Avon Lake and North Ridgeville Read more
ODOT announces closing of an I-90 entrance ramp through end of year Read more
National Holocaust Memorial to host 64th annual ceremony: Valley Views Read more