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The iOpener: Black River Search Called Off; Lorain Asks DeWine to End Schools Takeover; Cavs Lose

A selection from Lilly's Handmade Chocolates in Old Brooklyn. [Amy Eddings / ideastream]
A selection from Lilly's Handmade Chocolates in Old Brooklyn.

Good morning, and Happy Valentines Days on this Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019.  

Elyria firefighters and dive teams have called off their search of the Black River, following calls that a person or several people may have fallen into its ice choked waters. They found no signs of anyone in the water. Rescue crews were looking along the river near Water and Broad Streets.

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson's administration and AT&T are in a dispute over the company's efforts to invest in a 5G network in the city.  In a letter, AT&T accused the Jackson Administration of a "lack of urgency" as it seeks permits to set up small cell antennas.  AT&T sent the letter seven days after requesting the permits.  Jackon's interim chief of staff, Sharon Dumas, disputed the characterization and suggested AT&T was not providing information the city needed to finish processing the permits.

Arson investigators are on the scene of an early morning house fire in Cleveland’s Glenville neighborhood. They responded to a call around 3:00 this morning for the blaze on Olivet Avenue.  A male resident was in the home at the time and was able to escape.

An attorney advising Middleburg Height’s city council says former mayor Gary Starr tried to end polygraph testing of police applicants while his son was seeking a job there, then later lied under oath about it.  Joe Diemert, who was hired by the council last summer to investigate issues relating to lawsuits against Starr —including one by his former chief of police — also wrote that Starr directed the shredding of public documents. Starr denies the allegations.  His attorney says the report is a violation of an agreement between Starr and the council that ended a lengthy legal battle and prompted Starr’s resignation.

The school board president of Lorain’s schools is asking Gov. Mike DeWine to get rid of the Academic Distress Commission that was created as part of the state's takeover of the district. In a letter to the governor seeking other options to improve the district's failing schools, Mark Ballard called the distress commission an "unconstitutional burden” and said the schools have been “unable to function.”  David Hardy, the CEO hired by the commission to oversee reforms, has refused to meet with the school board.  He turned down a request by Mayor Chase Ritenauer to attend a joint meeting between him, the commission and the board

Quicken Loans Arena is getting $7.7 million for upgrades to its bathrooms, lighting and ice floor, while Progressive Field will receive about $2 million for suite improvements and elevators.  The Gateway Development Corporation approved the expenditures yesterday.  The money is coming from a tax on beer, wine, liquour and cigarettes that’s split between Cleveland’s three major sports teams. 

Google is to build a $600 million dollar data center in central Ohio.  It’s part of a $13 billion nationwide expansion in 14 states.  The facility, in New Albany is projected to generate $750-million in annual revenues starting in 2021.

The Brooklyn Nets outlasted the Cleveland Cavaliers for a 148-139 victory in triple overtime at the Q.  Jordan Clarkson racked up a career-high 42 points, the first Cavalier to collect 30 points or more all season. It was their last game before the All-Star break.  They play the Phoenix Suns at home on Feb. 21.

Weather forecast: Cloudy high 46.  Rain developing after midnight.  Windy, too, with south winds of 13 to 18 m.p.h. gusting as high as 28 m.p.h.  Low 34.  Temperatures dropping Friday to the mid-20s.

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