Here are your morning headlines for Thursday, December 10:
- Ohio adds 10,000 new COVID-19 cases
- Mother of Black man killed by Ohio deputy: 'I want answers'
- COVID-19 cases increasing at Cuyahoga and Summit Co. jails
- At least two say they’ll run in special election to replace Rep. Marcia Fudge
- Cleveland wants to cap charges for food delivery services
- Two unaccounted for in Ohio power plant collapse
- Canton’s Mercy Medical Center to become part of Cleveland Clinic system
- OSU to play for Big Ten championship despite shortened schedule
- University of Akron offers free COVID-19 testing
Ohio adds 10,000 new COVID-19 cases
New coronavirus cases are surging unchecked across Ohio. Wednesday saw more than 10,000 new cases under the state’s new measuring system. It includes both confirmed and probable positive tests. Hospitalizations are were up by 464. Nearly 5,200 people are currently hospitalized in Ohio with COVID-19. Ohio is 17th in the nation in per capita cases.
Mother of Black man killed by Ohio deputy: 'I want answers'
The mother of a Black man fatally shot by an Ohio sheriff's deputy is demanding answers about her son's death. Tamala Payne is the mother of 23-year-old Casey Goodson Jr., who was killed Dec. 4 as he entered his grandmother's house in Columbus. Payne told The Associated Press Wednesday her son didn't do anything wrong and was returning from the dentist and had sandwiches for himself, his 5-year-old brother and his grandmother when he was killed. The Franklin County coroner says an autopsy found Goodson died of multiple gunshot wounds to the torso.
COVID-19 cases increasing at Cuyahoga and Summit Co. jails
Cuyahoga County Jail officials said the number of inmates with COVID-19 is at an all-time high. Cleveland.com reports 78 inmates were infected as of Wednesday and nearly 400 more inmates are quarantining in specialized areas of the jail. In April, the jail reduced the inmate population to 950 to help slow the spread of the virus, but officials say the current population is more than 1,300 as of this week. Meanwhile, the Summit County Jail is seeing a continued rise in cases. The Beacon Journal reports that more than a dozen inmates have tested positive along with several staffers. Inmates are quarantined for 14 days before joining the general population. But this week an inmate tested positive after the quarantine period. Jail officials said additional testing and contract tracing is underway.
At least two say they’ll run in special election to replace Rep. Marcia Fudge
Two candidates have announced they're planning to run in the special election to replace Congresswoman Marcia Fudge. Fudge is President-elect Joe Biden's pick for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Cleveland.com reports Cuyahoga County Councilwoman Shontel Brown and former Cleveland City Councilman Jeff Johnson both say they'll run for Fudge's seat in Ohio's 11th congressional district. Former state Sen. Nina Turner has reportedly filed paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission, indicating she may run in the special election, as well. Though Cleveland.com reports she declined to comment. It’s expected more candidates will announce they’re running.
Cleveland wants to cap charges for food delivery services
Cleveland City Council wants to cap fees on third party food delivery services in the city from companies like DoorDash, GrubHub and Uber Eats. Cleveland.com reports the council voted Wednesday to approve a 15% cap on surcharges for deliveries. The ordinance would require Mayor Frank Jackson's signature. The delivery charge cap would continue for 90 days after the state lifts its own pandemic restrictions on restaurants. The Ohio Restaurant Association is in favor of the cap, saying third party companies charge high fees to many smaller and local restaurants. Similar legislation has been passed in Cincinnati and Columbus.
Two unaccounted for in Ohio power plant collapse
Two workers remain trapped inside the collapsed remains of a southern Ohio power plant. The latest update from the Adams County sheriff is that teams have rescued one of the trapped workers inside the Killen Generating Station west of Portsmouth on the Ohio River. There was no word on the condition of the injured and authorities have not released any names. The abandoned coal-fired plant was being demolished when a collapse trapped three workers and injured one other person. It’s not know what caused the collapse.
Canton’s Mercy Medical Center to become part of Cleveland Clinic system
One of Stark County’s major hospitals will become part of the expanding Cleveland Clinic health system. Crain’s Cleveland reports that the deal with Mercy Medical Center in Canton is expected to be completed next month. The Sisters of Charity Health System says the agreement now has the blessing of the Vatican and the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown. Mercy Medical Center will be the second Catholic hospital to join the Clinic health system. The Cleveland Clinic currently operates 11 hospitals in Cuyahoga, Lorain, Medina, Summit and Tuscarawas counties.
OSU to play for Big Ten championship despite shortened schedule
After being on the outside looking in because of a pandemic shortened season, Ohio State football is heading to the Big Ten championship game later this month against Northwestern. Big Ten athletic directors and administrators voted to drop the six-game minimum requirement for teams to be eligible for the game. Ohio State finished the regular season with only five games after Michigan had to pull out of Saturday’s showdown because of COVID-19 issues. The Buckeyes are hoping for a league title to help burnish a potential playoff berth.
University of Akron offers free COVID-19 testing
The University of Akron will hold free, rapid COVID-19 testing next week, Tuesday, Dec. 15 through Thursday Dec. 17 for symptom-free employees and students. Officials said the tests are by appointment only and there are only about 300 tests available. The testing is at the Jean Hower Taber Student Union. Officials said testing is available for those who are sick or showing symptoms through the university’s health services.
