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Ohio school funding is inadequate and lawmakers may make it worse | Letters

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Ohio school funding is inadequate and lawmakers may make it worse | Letters


School funding plan hurts public students

As a Columbus resident, I care about my community. 

The Columbus City Schools district serves 45,000 students; 50% are economically disadvantaged. Without amendments, House Bill 96 would cut state basic aid for Columbus public school students by $45 million and more for special education services. Funding is inadequate; the proposed budget makes this worse.

Unfunded state mandates like transportation policies and charter schools make it harder to improve Ohio’s public schools.

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In violation of the Ohio Constitution, HB 96 shifts greater burden to local taxpayers.

Legislators should amend HB 96 to achieve the Fair School Funding Plan. The current budget bill cuts foundation-formula-based funding for public schools by $103.4 million and increases state funding for private school vouchers by $265.4 million over the next biennium. As many as 359 districts will lose funding. Prioritizing private schools over public schools harms 1.5 million public-school students and favors unaccountable private schools that currently enroll 181,000 students.

Phase in the Fair School Funding Plan using up-to-date cost estimates. Amend HB 96 to make school funding fair for all students.

Cheryl Roller, President, League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Columbus

Columbus City Council choices underwhelming

The current choices for candidates to the Columbus City Council are beyond disappointing. If this is the look that the Democratic Party is seeking, I’m no longer a willing participant of the party. They seem to be seeking the role to expand their resume, not to be a public servant. Very unfortunate for a state that has evolved to become “red.”

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Emily Prieto, Columbus

Broadband, but for who?

The Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program is getting an overhaul, and it’s looking like a raw deal — especially for rural residents. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick wants to prioritize “lowest cost” internet access. That sounds great on paper, but in reality, it’s a mess. What’s worse, these changes open the door for Elon Musk’s Starlink to swoop in as a government vendor. 

States have already spent time and money crafting plans based on the original BEAD guidelines, which focused on fiber-optic infrastructure — the gold standard for fast, reliable internet. Thanks to President Donald Trump’s executive order, states might have to scrap their plans and start over. That could mean delays of a year or more before anyone even sees a benefit. In the meantime, rural residents will be stuck waiting — again.

And what do they get for their patience? Maybe satellite internet, which is no match for fiber when it comes to speed, reliability and longevity. Critics are calling this move “penny wise, pound foolish,” and they’re not wrong. Satellites have short lifespans, limited capacity and require constant replacements. Fiber, on the other hand, is built to last and creates real jobs in rural communities — good, union jobs that don’t disappear after the system’s installed. 

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Sure, satellites might look cheaper upfront, but in the long run, rural residents could end up with worse service and higher costs. Meanwhile, Elon Musk gets a shiny new revenue stream. If this is what “streamlining” looks like, we don’t want it.

Barbara Kaplan, Peninsula



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Ohio man killed in Monroe County crash

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Ohio man killed in Monroe County crash


An Ohio man was killed in a vehicle crash Thursday afternoon in Erie Township.

Joshua M. Wilson, 36, of Toledo reportedly hit a tree and was ejected from his car, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

Around 1:38 p.m., Wilson was driving on South Telegraph Road, southwest of East Temperance Road, in a Toyota Camry. For “unknown reasons,” the car left the road, entered a ditch and hit a tree, according to a news release.

Wilson was not wearing a seat belt. Air bags deployed, police said.

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The Erie Township Fire Department and Monroe Community Ambulance assisted at the scene.

The crash is under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call (734) 240-7548.

mbryan@detroitnews.com



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21 Things to do in Northeast Ohio this weekend

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21 Things to do in Northeast Ohio this weekend


CLEVELAND, Ohio – When you’re done cleaning up from Christmas, there’s plenty to do around Northeast Ohio. You can still catch holiday pop-up bars or get the family out for a lighting display through the New Year. The Cavaliers, Browns and Monsters are all playing home games. When you’re not shopping for a New Year’s Eve outfit, check out the places to celebrate the festive night around Northeast Ohio.

The multi-platinum rock group will play two shows at Rocket Arena on Friday, Dec. 26. The early performance will start at 3 p.m. followed by a 7:30 p.m. evening show.Peter Chakerian, Cleveland.com

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Trans-Siberian Orchestra is always busy this time of year spreading holiday cheer with a metal and orchestral mash-up of classic Christmas classics. The band brings its “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve” tour, complete with laser light show and pyrotechnic, to Rocket Arena the day after Christmas. Tickets start at $55

3 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., Friday, December 26

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Rocket Arena, 1 Center Court, Cleveland

trans-siberian.com

Public Square Cheer Garden

Public Square is busy for the winter holidays with ice skating, an outdoor bar, firepits with tasty s’mores, and holiday tunes. The IlluminateCLE Holiday Light Show takes place every hour. Free, except for ice skating fee.

5 to 10 p.m., Friday, Dec. 26

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Noon to 10 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 27

Noon to 8 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 28

50 Public Square, Cleveland

winterlandcle.com

Holiday Lantern Tours

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Take an interactive, lantern-lit walking tour of this outdoor living history museum as 19th-century villagers welcome you into their decorated homes and share seasonal traditions. Tickets $18-$28.

Through Dec. 28

Hale Farm & Village, 2686 Oak Hill Road, Bath

wrhs.org

Frost Cleveland Botanical Gardens
“Frost: An Ice-Capped Garden Experience” returns to the Cleveland Botanical Garden for the 2025 holiday season.Alex Darus

Frost: An Ice-Capped Garden Experience

Cleveland Botanical Garden turns into the an ethereal wonderland for the holidays, with towering ice arches, dazzling light installations, 500 poinsettias, kids activities and more. Tickets $7-$28.

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Through Jan. 4

Cleveland Botanical Garden, 11030 East Blvd. Cleveland

holdenfg.org

Magic of Lights

Now at Victory Park in North Ridegeville, this former drive-through holiday light display has been reimagined as a walk-through experience this year, letting visitors explore bright, festive scenes up close and at their own pace. Tickets $8-$17.

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Through Jan. 3

Victory Park, 7777 Victory Lane, North Ridgeville

magicoflights.com

Wild Winter Lights

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s annual holiday display features over 1.5 million lights illuminating themed areas such as the Enchanted Forest, Swan Lake, Candy Lane, Polar Pathway and Santa’s North Pole Lodge. Tickets $24-$30.

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Through Dec. 30

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland

clevelandmetroparks.com

The historic Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens is transformed with a winter-woods-animal themed decor inside and dazzling light displays across the grounds.
The historic Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens is transformed with a winter-woods-animal themed decor inside and dazzling light displays across the grounds.Brigid Gallagher, special to cleveland.com

Deck the Hall

It’s the most wonderful time of the year at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens in Akron. The historic estate has been decked out for the holidays, with multiple Christmas trees inside and more than a million lights outside. Tickets start at $28.

Through Dec. 30

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Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron

stanhywet.org

Kwanzaa

Greater Cleveland Kwanzaa Alliance Kwanzaa! Celebrating 60 years of Nguzo Saba. The celebration starts on Friday, Dec. 26 and continues through the week. Free

6 p.m., Friday, Dec. 26

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East Cleveland Public Library, 14101 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland

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Kwanzaa Celebration of Ujima at the Cleveland Public Library

The Cleveland Public Library offers immersion in the African and African-American cultural traditions of Kwanzaa. Clevelanders are invited to learn about the third principle of Kwanzaa: Ujima, a commitment to active and informed togetherness, where community problems are solved together. The event will include soulful music, storytelling and audience engagement. Free

Noon, Saturday, Dec. 27

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Martin Luther King Jr. Branch of the Cleveland Public Library, 10601 Euclid Ave., Cleveland

cpl.libcal.com

A Night of Holiday Soul

Will Downing, Leela James and Avery*Sunshine perform together at KeyBank State Theater. Tickets start at $70.

7 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 28

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KeyBank State Theater, 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland

playhousesquare.org

Home for the Holidays at Hilarities

Eight to 10 of Cleveland’s favorite comics, both old and new, will perform at Hilarities this weekend. Tickets $24

6:30 p.m. & 9:15 p.m., Friday, Dec. 26

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Hilarities, 2035 E. 4th Street, Cleveland

hilarities.com

The Hobbit Dobama
The Dobama Theatre’s production of “The Hobbit” runs Dec. 4-Jan. 4. (Photo: Steve Wagner Photography)Steve Wagner Photography

“The Hobbit”

Dobama Theatre transforms its intimate Cleveland Heights stage into Middle-earth for an imaginative staging of J.R.R. Tokien’s classic novel. Follow Bilbo Baggins as he leaves the shire and joins a band of dwarves on a quest filled with trolls, goblins and a fire-breathing dragon. Tickets $30-$48.

Through Jan. 4

Dobama Theatre, 2340 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights

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dobama.org

Candy Land: It’s Wild in Ohio

Lake Metroparks turns the Candy Land board game into a nature-themed adventure, with crafts, scavenger hunts, exhibits, hot chocolate and weekend programs. Free.

Through Jan. 4

Penitentiary Glen Reservation, 8668 Kirtland-Chardon Road, Kirtland

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lakemetroparks.com

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Phoenix Suns

Celebrate New Year’s Eve Day with the Cleveland Cavaliers taking on the Phoenix Suns. Fans get a Cavalanche beanie. Tickets start at $62.

3:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 31

Rocket Arena, Cleveland

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Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Browns takes on their favorite rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers in Cleveland this weekend. Tickets start at $75.

1 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 28

Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland

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clevelandbrowns.com

Cleveland Monsters vs. Rochester Americans

Cleveland Monsters face the Rochester Americans on the ice at Rocket Arena. Tickets start at $21

6:30 p.m., Dec. 29

Rocket Arena

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clevelandmonsters.com

Cleveland Monsters vs. Toronto Marlies

Cleveland Monsters take on the Toronto Marlies. It’s Superman promotion night. The first 2,500 kids ages 14 years old and under receive Superman Monsters Capes. Tickets start at $21

6:30 p.m., Dec. 30

Rocket Arena

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clevelandmonsters.com

The Harlem Globetrotters

The Harlem Globetrotters are bringing their ball-handling wizardry to Rocket Arena. The crowd will marvel at their skill and laugh at their comedy. Tickets start at $52

3 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 28

Rocket Arena, Cleveland

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rocketarena.com/events

Cleveland Metroparks Toboggan Chutes

Find your thrill in the chill at the Chalet in Strongsville, whooshing down twin 700-foot refrigerated ice chutes on an old-timey toboggan. Reservations required. Tickets, $13-$15.

16200 Valley Parkway, Strongsville

Through Feb. 22

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clevelandmetroparks.com

Renaissance to Runway: The Enduring Italian Houses

The Cleveland Museum of Art’s largest fashion exhibition to date explores how Italy’s artistic past influences modern design. Pieces from Versace, Valentino, Armani, Ferragamo and Gucci are displayed alongside Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces. Tickets $8-$17.

Through Feb. 1

Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland

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clevelandart.org

LeRoy Neiman: A Keen Observer of Style

LeRoy Neiman (1921-2012) was for his brilliantly colored, expressionist paintings and screenprints of athletes, musicians, and sporting events. A special exhibition at the Kent State University Museum looks at his early work as a fashion illustrator and how it influenced his his interest in capturing the clothing, gesture and style of his subjects.

Through June 27

The Kent State University Museum, 515 Hilltop Drive, Kent

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kent.edu



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Elderly couple dressed as Santa Claus, Mrs.Claus pulled over for speeding in Ohio: ‘North Pole isn’t what it used to be!’

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Elderly couple dressed as Santa Claus, Mrs.Claus pulled over for speeding in Ohio: ‘North Pole isn’t what it used to be!’


Good thing sleighs don’t have a speed limit.

An elderly couple who dressed up as Santa and Mrs.Claus to surprise their daughter at work were pulled over for speeding in Ohio on Saturday — as the starstruck deputy who sidelined them fretted over landing on the Naughty List.

The Fulton County Sheriff deputy sauntered up to the vehicle like any other car stop, but couldn’t contain himself once he spotted the festive couple in the front seats, according to body camera footage posted by the sheriff’s department on Facebook.

An elderly man and his wife were pulled over while they were en route to surprise their daughter at work. Fulton County Ohio Sheriff

“Santa!” The deputy exclaimed as he shone the flashlight in the driver’s side window.

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The panicked St. Nick hastily informed the officer that he had a CCW — or a Concealed Carry Weapon.

“Santa has a CCW? Times are rough!” The deputy guffawed.

“You gotta protect yourself,” Santa noted.

“And the North Pole isn’t what it used to be!” Mrs.Claus later added.

The pair were dressed up as Santa Claus and Mrs.Claus. Fulton County Ohio Sheriff
Santa was speeding in his haste to see his daughter. Fulton County Ohio Sheriff

The jolly driver admitted he hadn’t been paying attention to his speedometer as the deputy explained that he had pulled him over for speeding.

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“Santa, do you have your driver’s license?” The deputy asked, barely stifling a laugh as he continued to play along despite knowing the man’s legal name.

The man opted to step out of the vehicle while he tried to find his license and huffed that “Santa’s 100 years old” as he struggled to stand.

The deputy joked that he would be losing his presents for pulling over Father Christmas himself.

The deputy let the pair off with a friendly warning. Fulton County Ohio Sheriff

“Santa, slow your speed down,” the deputy implored.

“It’s Nick, you know!” Mrs.Claus piped up from the passenger’s seat.

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“I’ll get Rudolph on you!” Santa quipped.

At Mrs.Claus’ request, the deputy and Santa posed for a photo.

The trio wished each other a “Merry Christmas” before going their separate ways.

“Ho ho *hold on!* Santa and Mrs. Claus were spotted flying a little too fast through Fulton County. No coal was issued—just a friendly reminder that even sleighs need to slow down. Christmas is still on schedule! Stay safe and happy holidays!” the sheriff’s department wrote on Facebook.

The real Santa Claus can be located while he’s delivering presents on Christmas Eve using NORAD’s Santa tracker.

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