Connect with us

Cleveland, OH

‘Slap in the face’ to Cleveland: Congresswoman Brown confirms Celebrezze Federal Building to be sold

Published

on

‘Slap in the face’ to Cleveland: Congresswoman Brown confirms Celebrezze Federal Building to be sold


CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11) has confirmed the U.S. General Services Administration’s (GSA) plan to sell the Anthony J. Celebrezze Federal Building in Downtown Cleveland, calling the decision a “slap in the face” to Cleveland.

Rumors over the potential closure and sale of the AJC building have been swirling since its appearance on a GSA disposal list earlier this month. The building had been listed for sale, then removed days later with no explanation given by the GSA.

The building was on the “non-core property list”, which identifies buildings that the U.S. General Services Administration deems are not “core to government operations, or non-core properties”.

“The Trump Administration is delivering a slap in the face to the City of Cleveland by rushing to sell the Celebrezze building,” said Congresswoman Brown. “The Celebrezze building is a critical cornerstone for Cleveland’s federal operations and a vital anchor for the downtown economy. This reckless and short-sighted fire-sale will disrupt essential federal services and undermine the City’s critical investments in the downtown economy. What’s more, it will inflict further trauma on public servants, who have been relentlessly attacked by DOGE and this Administration with return-to-work orders and indiscriminate firings. Our city and our people deserve better than being treated as collateral damage in DOGE’s reckless cost-cutting schemes.”

Advertisement

Congresswoman Brown says the federal government will look to short term leases for the 4,000+ employees that use the building within multiple federal departments. She fears that it would leave to even greater uncertainty:

“There is no guarantee that suitable relocation options will even be secured. The likely outcome is therefore not merely disruption—it is a direct reduction in federal employment in Ohio, with serious consequences for the local economy.”

The AJC building would be sold within the next three years, with the Congresswoman’s office telling 19 News that the federal government would need to find leases for every agency in the building, ensuring there is enough space, and physically move all equipment.

Agencies in the building include: Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

19 News has reached out to the GSA for comment and have yet to hear back.

Advertisement

Last week, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne called on the federal government to keep the building under federal ownership to keep these agencies downtown.



Source link

Cleveland, OH

What happened to Gleyber Torres? Live injury updates for Tigers vs. Astros on 6/15/26

Published

on

What happened to Gleyber Torres? Live injury updates for Tigers vs. Astros on 6/15/26


Stan Son provides the latest injury update for Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres on Monday, June 15.

In the top of the second inning of Monday’s game against the Houston Astros, Gleyber Torres was replaced by Hao-Yu Lee. Torres suffered an injury after swinging at the first pitch he saw. While no official designation has been given yet for the injury, Torres did grab at his oblique.

Earlier in the season, Torres missed a month due to an oblique injury.

Advertisement

Before exiting, Torres went 0-for-1 with a strikeout.

Since Torres exited prior to the completion of his second at-bat, he is eligible for DraftKings Early Exit.

Stay tuned to DK Network for live updates on his injury status.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Cleveland, OH

Hemp-derived THC drinks return to Ohio businesses after judge blocks new law

Published

on

Hemp-derived THC drinks return to Ohio businesses after judge blocks new law


CLEVELAND — Hemp-derived THC products are back at companies in Ohio after a federal judge temporarily blocked enforcement of Ohio’s new hemp licensing law.

“It’s been a long, hard-fought battle,” said Saucy Brew Works, Saucy Seltzer and Saucy Vibes CEO and co-founder Brent Zimmerman.

Starting at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Zimmerman said hemp-derived THC drinks will be back at Saucy Brew Works in Cleveland’s Ohio City.

“We bring jobs back here, people’s choice back here. It was the fastest-growing product I’d ever seen in beverage since we’ve been open, so it’s pretty exciting,” said Zimmerman.

Advertisement

Back in March, News 5 told you Ohioans for Cannabis Choice didn’t collect enough signatures to repeal Republican-created marijuana restrictions and a total ban on intoxicating hemp products.

Effort to repeal marijuana restrictions, THC ban fails to make Ohio ballot

Effort to repeal marijuana restrictions, THC ban fails to make Ohio ballot

Advertisement

As a result, Senate Bill 56 went into effect across Ohio and hurt Zimmerman and dozens of business owners.

“Good-paying jobs all left, taxes all left, consumer choice all left,” said Zimmerman.

News 5 asked Zimmerman how his customers reacted to the adjustment.

“Some of them were very upset. Some of them didn’t think it was real,” said Zimmerman.

Even with these challenges, Zimmerman said his company and nine others refused to give up, so they filed a lawsuit against 96 county and municipal prosecutors’ offices.

Advertisement

Then on Monday, Zimmerman texted News 5’s Remi Murrey after a federal judge found Senate Bill 56 likely violates the Constitution because it requires products to be sourced, made and distributed only in Ohio, which blocks out-of-state sellers.

“There are 10 companies that were named as plaintiffs in this suit, so right now, those 10 are the only companies that can sell in the state,” said Zimmerman.

That means businesses like Verbena Free Spirited in Cleveland will have to wait unless she buys from one of 10 companies that sued the state.

According to Zimmerman, those 10 companies can make THC products and sell them to retailers.

“I’m a much smaller retail seller of THC beverages, but because I’m smaller, it impacted me really hard, and it’s something I would love to be able to start doing again,” said Cheraso.

Advertisement

Despite the judge’s ruling, Ohio lawmakers have argued that hemp products are unregulated and have no age requirement to buy.

“The products that are the edibles, primarily the stuff that’s unregulated, we don’t know where it came from. It’s also actually targeting children,” said Senate President Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) in February.

As the court reviews the case, the temporary restraining order will last for 14 days unless it is extended.

“We’ve been working with our representatives at the state and House of Representatives, and we’ve got a good rapport with them. We hope we get further along with them as well,” said Zimmerman.

We Follow Through

Advertisement

Want us to continue to follow through on a story? Let us know.





Source link

Continue Reading

Cleveland, OH

‘Suspicious package’ found during sweep of Brooklyn Heights ICE building

Published

on

‘Suspicious package’ found during sweep of Brooklyn Heights ICE building


BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, Ohio — A heavy law enforcement presence was in Brooklyn Heights on Monday for what authorities are calling a federal investigation.

The Department of Homeland Security said the Federal Protective Service was conducting a sweep of a lobby inside the Brooklyn Heights ICE office in the 900 block of Keynote Circle when a K-9 alerted to a “suspicious package” in a UPS drop box.

FPS contacted local law enforcement and initiated a full evacuation of the building, which Brooklyn Heights Mayor Mike Procuk told News 5 is home to several offices, including the Department of Homeland Security, the National Weather Service and the Visiting Nurse Association.

“I was on the phone walking down the street, and they got me and pulled me over this way, got me away from the blast zone,” said Mike Gallagher, who was on his way to interview candidates for apprenticeships just before noon.

Advertisement

An office building across the street was also evacuated.

“We got a knock on the door. Everyone has to evacuate,” said Cru Leavitt, who owns EcoShield Pest Solutions. “Not much was said, just get out of the building.”

DHS said the situation has been resolved, and an all-clear was given to reoccupy the building.

“It’s scary; it’s a little eerie feeling,” said Leavitt.

A DHS spokesperson has not responded to questions about whether an explosive device was found or whether any crime was committed.

Advertisement

“It’s a scary world we live in, and this is a little close to home,” said Gallagher.

We Follow Through

Want us to continue to follow through on a story? Let us know.





Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending