COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio’s Treasurer Robert Sprague announced in a press release the purchase of a two-year, fixed-rate Israel Bond for $30 million.

The bond matures in two years, on May 1, 2026, at a 5.37% interest rate. The release notes that this replaces previous bonds for the same amount that had matured.

“For thirty-plus years, the Treasurer’s office has turned to Israel Bonds as a way to bring strong returns and balance to its investment portfolio,” Sprague said in the release. “With its long track record of providing competitive rates and timely and reliable repayments, Israel Bonds continues to be a sound investment for Ohio. We’re proud to continue the state’s long-standing history of purchasing these bonds.”

This announcement comes as pro-Palestinian protests erupt on college campuses around the country, including in Ohio.

The release goes on to note that Israel Bonds began in 1951 and, since then, have kept a “perfect record of interest and principal payments.”

It also states that all Ohio treasurers since 1993 have invested in these bonds along with “more than 115 other state and municipal public employee pension and treasury funds.”

“After the purchase, the Ohio Treasury now holds a total of $262.5 million in Israel Bonds, continuing Ohio’s standing as one of the largest government holders of these bonds in the United States,” the release concludes. “This purchase brings Ohio’s total purchases to $357.5 million since Treasurer Sprague took office.”

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – 19 Investigates has learned the woman accused of shooting a Cleveland city employee last month has suffered a “serious stroke” while in custody.

According to the attorney representing Aisha Schwartz, the 39-year-old Lakewood woman had a stroke this week which has caused “significant deficits in her mobility and cognitive abilities.”

Schwartz faces multiple felony charges in connection with the April 18 shooting at a city maintenance facility on East 65th St.

She was scheduled to be arraigned Thursday morning but the case was continued.

Attorney Clarissa Smith said Schwartz is currently being treated at MetroHealth Medical Center and will need to undergo intensive rehabilitation at a long-term healthcare facility.

Smith filed a motion for an emergency bond modification asking the court to lower her client’s $75,000 bond “in light of the significant change in [Schwartz’s] health and ability to care for herself.”

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Andrew Santoli granted the request and set a $25,000 personal bond, which was posted by Schwartz on Thursday.

She must also wear a GPS monitor and was ordered not to have contact with victims.

Investigators said Schwartz followed 57-year-old Reginald Smith to work on April 18, climbed into his pickup truck while he was still inside, and then took his loaded firearm from his center console.

According to police records, she then said, “I’m going to kill you” and fire three shots at Smith.

One of the bullets hit his right shoulder and then traveled into his esophagus.

Schwartz is also accused of pointing a gun at another man while she tried to steal his car and flee.

She was arrested shortly after the shooting.

A grand jury indicted Schwartz on April 29 on two counts of felonious assault, aggravated robbery, robbery, and tampering with evidence.

Four of the charges carry gun specifications that could increase Schwartz’s prison term if she is convicted.

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CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The Cleveland Division of Police launched a murder investigation for a man found dead outside of a local restaurant Thursday, according to authorities.

The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office says the 37-year-old man was found dead in the vicinity of BB’S Humble Kitchen, located at 17405 Harvard Ave.

The ME’s office identified the victim as Lashawn Roby.

The exact cause of death, along with the circumstances behind the murder, have not been specified.

19 News has reached out to the Cleveland Division of Police for more details.

This is a developing story. Return to 19 News for updates.

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