Here are your morning headlines for Monday July 12th:
- UH begins investigating the COVID-19 booster vaccination
- East Cleveland officers accused of stealing citizens
- DeWine vetoed bill that would allow Ohioans to set off fireworks
- H2Ohio grants expansion to other counties
- 15% of the special votes filled out incorrectly
- SUV looked for gunfire in enclosed Walmart; no injuries
- Ohio State is giving away $ 50,000 in vaccination drawings
UH begins investigating the COVID-19 booster vaccination
(WCPN) – University hospitals will begin clinical trials this week to test a booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Dr. Robert Salata says People who are fully vaccinated appear to be protected against the Delta variant, but the researchers want to test whether an additional vaccination significantly boosts the immune response. Salata says that after these initial attempts, experts may recommend boosters for certain vulnerable populations, but not all. And boosters can be recommended nine months to a year after receiving the first dose, depending on how long the antibodies last.
East Cleveland officers accused of stealing citizens
(Cleveland.com) – Two East Cleveland police officers are accused of stealing money from a citizen during a traffic stop. Cleveland.com reports that Alfonzo Cole and Willie Warner-Simms were arrested and detained on Friday. They are each confronted with a theft offense. East Cleveland Police Chief Scott Gardner is due to make a “further statement” today.
DeWine vetoed bill that would allow Ohioans to set off fireworks
(WKSU / Mahoning Matters) – Governor Mike DeWine vetoed laws that allow Ohio residents to set off fireworks on certain holidays. The bill would have charged a 4% fee on retail fireworks sales to consumers who funded fire department training programs and the regulation and enforcement of the fireworks industry through the Ohio State Fire Marshal. The bill will now go back to the legislature, where lawmakers can override DeWine’s veto with a three-fifths vote. In an interview with Mahoning Matters, Bruce Zoldan, CEO of Phantom Fireworks in the Youngstown area, called DeWine a coward and said the governor will now see an influx of black market companies into the state.
H2Ohio grants expansion to other counties
(Statehouse News Bureau) – Farmers in additional counties are eligible for the program, which pays them for practices that reduce runoff that can cause toxic algal blooms in Lake Erie. The expansion of the H2Ohio program would enable farmers in 10 additional counties to receive money for the use of scientifically based methods of fertilization, building ditches and planting trees and bushes. More than 2,000 farmers have enrolled in the first 14 counties of the program over the past two years because it is the first to offer them financial incentives, not just regulations. The new state budget puts $ 170 million into the H2Ohio program, which also includes wastewater treatment projects, replacing lead pipes in schools and daycare centers, and repairing failed sewage treatment plants in residential buildings.
15% of the special votes filled out incorrectly
(WCPN) – The Cuyahoga County Electoral Committee says approximately 15% of the 7,000-plus requests for postal votes in the 11th district special elections were not properly completed. Ballot papers must be completed in full and the party ballot must be provided in order to be eligible to vote in the August 3rd area code. WCPN reports the electoral committee will send back unsatisfactory nominations with a voting slip and a new application by post and can contact those interested in voting by telephone or e-mail. Early personal voting in the electoral committee is now possible. Thirteen Democrats and two Republicans are running to replace former MP Marcia Fudge.
SUV looked for gunfire in enclosed Walmart; no injuries
(AP) – Authorities in Stow are searching for a sport utility vehicle after shots were fired into the front doors of a closed Walmart store. The officers were dispatched to the store shortly after 1 a.m. on Saturday after a report of gunfire was reported in the store. Police said an SUV drove past the store and someone inside fired about six shots into the front doors and foyer. Some employees worked in the store, but nobody was injured. The employees are offered support services including advice.
Ohio State is giving away $ 50,000 in vaccination drawings
(Columbus Dispatch) – Ohio State University is participating in the COVID-19 vaccine incentive game. The Dispatch reports that the university will be giving out $ 50,000 of drawings to about 100 fully vaccinated students, faculty, and staff over the next month. The prices include gift vouchers, a pair of football season tickets or a parking permit. Vaccinated students can track their status through My BuckMD and staff can fill out a university form. The school says more than 65% of returning students, faculty, and staff are fully vaccinated. It also says that no tuition, donations, or tax dollars are used to pay awards.
