The new Ohio City Farm Store – officially the Glick Farm Store – opens today. The retail store is the latest, greatest addition to the five-acre urban farm, which was launched in 2010.

“The farm’s goal, in supporting the mission of Re:Source Cleveland, is to create as many fair wage employment opportunities for international newcomers (immigrants such as refugees, asylees, and those with temporary protected status) as possible,” says Rachel Ramos, Marketing & Communications Manager for Re:Source.

Often lauded as one of the largest and most productive urban farms in the nation, Ohio City Farm had modest beginnings. Shoppers could visit a weekly farm stand that was housed in a retrofitted shipping container. A CSA program was introduced eight years ago, which boosted sales, visibility and opportunities for the workers. That program has grown to include summer and fall memberships of various sizes and commitments.

Thanks to this new non-profit social enterprise model, the farm has been able to construct high tunnels on the property, which significantly extend the growing season. Still, the lack of any conditioned space remained a major hinderance.

Last year, the farm celebrated the opening of the Roundstone Pavilion (2304 Bridge Ave.), an addition that offers year-round indoor work space with a commercial kitchen and retail shop.

“We’ve been able to extend employment into the winter for those on our team who wanted it, and hired three new team members this year to support those added kitchen and retail operations year-round,” adds Ramos.

The Ohio City Farm Store piggybacks off the successful CSA system, offering a similar selection of fresh, seasonal produce that CSA members get. Also on offer are local pantry staples, bulk ingredients, prepared foods from the kitchen, cookbooks featuring global cuisine or local harvests, and kitchen and garden tools.

“We have been dreaming about having a brick and mortar for a long time,” says Ramos.

Going forward the farm store will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays.

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The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash that happened in a construction zone.

The crash happened around 11:30 p.m. on I-71 southbound near Bagley Road.

According to troopers, 31-year-old Christina Rivera was driving a black 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class SUV southbound when she struck a 2017 International MAO25 work vehicle.

Rivera was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

She was transported to Southwest General Hospital, where she later died.

The man driving the work truck was wearing a seat belt.

He was transported to Southwest General Hospital with minor injuries.

According to troopers, a preliminary investigation revealed the work truck was stopped and blocking the far-right lane on I-71 to protect a crew painting the road.

Troopers said the truck had flashing yellow warning lights that were on at the time of the crash.

No workers were injured.

The interstate was shut down for two hours during the crash investigation.

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A new federal-state partnership in Ohio will help track down and prosecute people who commit fraud.

At a news conference in Columbus Thursday, Justice Department officials also announced the creation of the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters list.

On the list are the alleged “worst of the worst” offenders accused of stealing millions in taxpayer money.

“Ohio is leading the charge in the fight against fraud, and some states should take notice,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Working closely with Ohio officials, the Department of Justice dismantled a sophisticated Medicaid fraud scheme that exploited taxpayers to fund exotic cars and lavish lifestyles. By holding these fraudsters accountable and partnering with the FBI on a robust Most Wanted fraudster list, we are pursuing fraud more aggressively than ever. No fraud scheme is beyond our reach.”

Officials also announced they seized seven bank accounts worth $600,000 and 14 vehicles worth millions, all of which officials said came as “direct proceeds from robbing value community healthcare resources from Americans who needed it.”

“The days of deception are over. As the stewards of your tax dollars, if we find evidence of willful and deliberate abuse of government programs, we will investigate and prosecute those individuals responsible to the full extent of the law,” said U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer, for the Northern District of Ohio.

In Northern Ohio, two 22-year-old men from Ghana and a 53-year-old woman were ordered detained this week in connection with an over $15 million romance scam that defrauded over 130 victims across the United States.

Two 31-year-old Ghana men also accused in the romance scam are awaiting extradition.