Cleveland, OH

Ohio will soon offer enhanced driver’s licenses. Here’s what they are and why they were (once) controversial

Published

1 year ago

May 16, 2023

Ohio will soon offer enhanced driver’s licenses. Here’s what they are and why they were (once) controversial

COLUMBUS, Ohio—A new Ohio law will let residents, at some point, get an “enhanced” driver’s license or ID card that they can use instead of a passport to enter Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean more easily.

The move is somewhat curious, as Ohio is the first state in years to join the handful of other states (all of which are along the Canadian border) that offer enhanced licenses. Ohio lawmakers initially rejected enhanced licenses nearly a decade ago amid civil-liberties concerns, but experts say those worries seem almost quaint now as technology has advanced.

Enhanced licenses, unlike traditional licenses or even “Real ID” cards that will soon be required to board airplanes, have a radio chip that broadcasts an identification number that border guards can use to access personal information beyond what’s printed on the license itself. That allows people to move more quickly through international border crossings without having to dig out and show a passport. It’s similar to Clear Check at the airport.

Ohio’s enhanced licenses and ID cards will cost $25 more than regular licenses or IDs, under the language of House Bill 23, the recently passed legislation authorizing them. Applicants will have to provide proof of their identity and citizenship, submit a fingerprint or other “biometric identifier,” and sign a form acknowledging the use of biometric match and radio identification feature, under the new law.

It’s still unclear when Ohio will begin offering enhanced licenses and IDs. The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles is awaiting guidance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, according to Bret Crow, a spokesman for the Ohio Department of Public Safety.

When Ohio does start offering enhanced licenses, they will especially help truckers that carry freight between Ohio and Canada via Detroit or Buffalo, said Thomas Balzer, president of the Ohio Trucking Association.

“(It’s) definitely something that we consider a win, just to kind of help ease the burden of crossing the border,” Balzer said.

Christopher Nichols, a history professor and Wayne Woodrow Hayes Chair in National Security Studies at Ohio State University, agreed that enhanced licenses will help truckers and other Ohioans who frequently travel to nearby countries.

It’s a little like (TSA) PreCheck for flights, that (when) you have gone through in advance (and) you’ve gone through the screening …you will then be able to have enhanced access,” Nichols said.

But he said that group will be only a limited number of people.

Enhanced licenses were created as a way to help make border crossings easier in the wake of new security rules passed after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Right now, at least five other states offer enhanced licenses – Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington.

Several Canadian provinces offered them, too. But in recent years, they have stopped offering them, in part because of low demand.

Ohio lawmakers considered approving enhanced licenses in 2014. But the legislation stalled amid criticism from groups like the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio, which worried that the radio chips could be exploited by identity thieves or used by government officials to follow people’s movements.

ACLU of Ohio representative Gary Daniels told lawmakers at the time that enhanced driver’s licenses would be “very useful to a government that seems intent on tracking our every move and transaction and communication with others.”

However, ACLU of Ohio spokeswoman Celina Coming stated that Daniels is now “unsure if our concerns remain.” Coming declined to offered additional comment.

Experts said that enhanced driver’s licenses are considered less of a potential problem now than they were nine years ago. That’s not because the potential for misusing the licenses has gone away, but because it’s much easier now to track or victimize people thanks to the proliferation of cell phones and greater availability of people’s personal information online, said Kevin McMunigal, a law professor at Case Western Reserve University.

“I think people are looking at this as kind of, ‘Hey, this is sort of small change,’” McMunigal said. “It seems quaint to be worried about these little (radio) chips, given the other ways that people can be tracked.”

Nichols wondered why Ohio is moving now to offer what he said is “basically a thick driver’s license” when other, even more convenient security techniques are becoming more widely available, such as eye scans, and Canadian provinces have already decided to stop offering them altogether.

“I think there’s just a really limited market for this,” he said.

Jeremy Pelzer covers state politics and policy for Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.

Source link

Cleveland, OH

City launches ‘Cleveland Moves’ initiative, seeks public input on 5-year transportation plan

Published

2 hours ago

August 2, 2024

Press Room

City launches ‘Cleveland Moves’ initiative, seeks public input on 5-year transportation plan

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The city of Cleveland is seeking public input and engagement on its ambitious five-year transportation initiative that aims to enhance the safety, comfort and convenience of walking, biking and using public transit across the city.

In a news release Friday, the city said it hopes to harness the feedback and build upon the multimodal transportation plan, dubbed “Cleveland Moves,” which includes five key components:

Source link

Cleveland, OH

Orioles vs. Guardians Prediction, Odds and Key Players for Friday, August 2

Published

10 hours ago

August 2, 2024

Press Room

Orioles vs. Guardians Prediction, Odds and Key Players for Friday, August 2

Two powerhouse contenders are squaring off this weekend in Cleveland, part of a massive four-game series that is going to help answer some questions about what we may see come October. The Baltimore Orioles and Cleveland Guardians are well in contention for a championship and it takes center stage all weekend long.

The Orioles continue a titanic battle in the American League East with the Yankees at 65-45, while the Guardians continue to shine with a current league-best 66-42 record. Both teams have surprisingly impressed this season, especially the young but mighty Guardians. Here’s how to play this Friday matchup.

Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook

Run Line:

Moneyline:

Total:

Colton Cowser: Part of the rich youth pool of talent, the Orioles may have found a true gem with Colton Cowser. The 24-year-old left fielder has extended his active hitting streak to 14 games, recording one in each game since the all-star break. His average has increased from .219 to .247 in that span, along with 4 home runs and 13 RBI. His hitting streak is tied for the 2nd most active one in all of the MLB, behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (14) and Ezequial Tovar (17). Cowser is making 2024 a memorable inaugural full season.

Jose Ramirez: There may not be anyone hitting the ball better right now across all of the MLB like Guardians slugger Jose Ramirez. He opened this series on Thursday with a 2-run blast, marking his 3rd consecutive game with a home run. Ramirez has a ridiculous ledger of 3 home runs and 8 RBI in his previous three games. His 28 home runs and 90 RBI this season place him in the top 10 across all players. He continues to provide the power on this feisty, young team. Ramirez is the offensive spark the Guardians must turn to in their run to the postseason.

This is an exciting change of pace to the normal juggernauts that we have seen through the years in baseball. While we don’t quite know if these two will be near the top of the standings in October, all that matters is that both are positioning themselves for it. A pair of unlikely division leaders are battling for a little summer glory in Cleveland.

Dean Kremer takes the hill for the Orioles on Friday. A lot of uncertainty surrounds this start as he’s amassed mixed results for much of 2024. Currently at 4-7 with a 4.20 ERA, 73 strikeouts and 14 home runs allowed, it hasn’t been pretty but at least is passable. Kremer anchors the No. 4 spot in this rotation and has yet to find much consistency. Last time out on Saturday against San Diego, he tossed 6 innings, allowing 4 runs (1 earned), 7 hits, a walk and 7 strikeouts. The Orioles have not provided him the best run support lately, with the team being 2-5 in his last seven outings.

Carlos Carrasco holds the fort down for the Guardians in this one. It’s been a lackluster season with a 3-9 record, a 5.68 ERA and 79 strikeouts. The month of July was very unkind to him, allowing 19 earned runs and 6 home runs across a total of five starts. Carrasco additionally has allowed 6 runs in each of his prior two outings. He is currently 20th in all of the MLB in home runs allowed (17), but a lower walk rate with just 27 free passes allowed. The 37-year-old is clearly beginning to hit a decline, and likely will finish his career here where he has so many great memories.

Both teams certainly check a lot of marks offensively and Thursday’s 10-3 Guardians win backed that up. We have another pitching matchup that is not pretty, so it’s absolutely fair to expect a lot of offensive fireworks. The Orioles are superior on paper, ranking 1st in home runs per game, 4th in hits and 3rd in runs.

That’s the way I lean with this prediction. I get the feeling both teams will feed off each other’s energy all weekend long, especially with a lot on the line in this series. I’ll happily back the total to go over 9 runs in Friday’s contest at -115 (FanDuel), especially with a pair of starters that have been less than ideal for most of the year.

Pick: Orioles-Guardians OVER 9 Runs (-115)

Note: Game odds are subject to change.

Source link

Cleveland, OH

Northeast Ohio road construction: What new delays can driver’s expect?

Published

16 hours ago

August 2, 2024

Press Room

Northeast Ohio road construction: What new delays can driver’s expect?

CLEVELAND, Ohio — There will be plenty of overnight lane closures over the next several weeks for various construction projects in Northeast Ohio.

The Ohio Department of Transportation has released an updated list of lane closures and delays for Cuyahoga County and other regions.

I-90 westbound just east of Columbia Road will be in a bi-directional traffic pattern beginning Tuesday and continuing through September for bridge deck replacement. All lanes of traffic are maintained. However, one lane of westbound traffic will be maintained on the I-90 eastbound side separated by a concrete barrier wall. Two lanes of traffic are maintained on the existing westbound side using a lane shift.

U.S. 422 westbound ramp to I-271 northbound will be closed from 9 p.m. Monday to 5 a.m. Tuesday. The detour is I-480 westbound to Miles Road to I-271 north.

Harvard Road entrance ramp to I-271 north will be closed from 8 p.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Chagrin Road entrance ramp to I-271 north will be closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday until 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Chagrin Road entrance ramp to I-271 south will be closed at 8 p.m. Wednesday until 6 a.m. Thursday.

Westway Drive over I-90 will be closed from Aug. 12 through mid-September for bridge repairs. The detour will utilize Wager Road

I-271 southbound ramp to U.S. 422 eastbound will be closed 8 p.m. Aug. 9 through 6 a.m. Aug. 12 for bridge repairs.

The following closures will be in place each night from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. from Tuesday until Thursday for pavement work.

I-71 northbound to I-480 westbound. The detour is I-480 east to Tiedeman Road to I-480 west.

I-480 westbound to Ohio 237. The detour is Ohio 17 east to Ohio 237.

The following ramps will be closed for resurfacing from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night from Aug. 7 to Aug. 11. All ramps will not be closed at the same time.

Ohio 176 north ramp to I-90 east. The detour is I-490 east to I-77 north.

I-90 east ramp to I-71 north. The detour is I-90 east to I-77 north.

I-90 east/I-490 west ramp to I-71 south. The detour is Ohio 176 south to Denison Avenue to Ohio 176 north to West 14th Street to I-71 south.

Ohio 700 just south of Tavern Road has been reduced to one lane maintained by a temporary traffic signal beginning through early September for culvert replacement.

Ohio 91 (SOM Center Road) between U.S. 20 and Ohio 2 has various lane restrictions through mid-September for bridge repairs.

U.S. 6 between Rockefeller Road and Bishop Road will be reduced to westbound traffic only beginning Aug. 10 through early September for resurfacing. The detour for eastbound traffic is Bishop Road to Eddy Road to Rockefeller Road.

Ohio 615 between Andrews Road and Center Street has various nightly lane restrictions between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. through October.

I-277/U.S. 224 westbound between I-76/Kenmore Leg and I-77 will have various lane restrictions beginning Aug. 12.

I-277/U.S. 224 westbound between I-77 and I-76/Kenmore Leg will be closed from Aug. 19 through Aug. 28 for resurfacing. The detour will be I-77 northbound to I-76 westbound to I-76/Kenmore Leg.

Brush Road over Ohio I-77 will be closed beginning Aug. 14 through late August for bridge repairs. The detour is Brecksville Road to Boston Mills Road to Black Road.

Ohio 303 under I-77 will be closed between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. each night beginning Aug. 19 through Aug. 26 for bridge-beam placement. The detour is Brecksville Road to Wheatley Road to I-271.

Ohio 303 eastbound under I-77 will be closed from Aug. 21 through late November for bridge construction. The detour is Brecksville Road to Wheatley Road to I-271.

The ramp from Glenwood Avenue to Ohio 8 southbound will be closed between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily beginning Aug. 19 through late August. The detour is Glenwood Avenue to Howard Street to Tallmadge Avenue.

Source link