Good morning, Cuyahoga County. The lights, the drama, the body slams! Wrestling fans have reason to celebrate as WWE SmackDown returns to Cleveland's Rocket Arena on July 25. This summer showdown is part of a 10-city tour bringing professional wrestling's theatrical spectacle across North America. Mark your calendars for April 23 when presale tickets become available, or April 25 for general sales if you're hoping to witness the high-flying action firsthand.
On the financial front, there's a mixed bag of news affecting local wallets. Cleveland Federal Reserve President Hammack is keeping a watchful eye on how new administration policies might influence interest rates, signaling the Fed's readiness to pivot as needed. Meanwhile, property owners across the country saw some relief with slower tax increases last year—though Ohio residents weren't so fortunate, landing among the ten states with the highest effective property tax rates. Sometimes you can't catch a break, even when the rest of the country does.
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0%☕️ What's Brewing Locally
🤼♂️ WWE SmackDown body slams its way back to Cleveland this July. The wrestling entertainment giant announced 10 new Raw and SmackDown shows across the U.S. and Canada for summer 2024, with Cleveland's Rocket Arena hosting Friday Night SmackDown on July 25. Tickets for all events go on sale April 25 at 10 a.m., with presales beginning April 23. The summer tour includes stops in major cities like Nashville, San Antonio, Detroit, Montreal, and Boston, bringing professional wrestling action to fans across North America.
📊 Fed's Hammack keeps interest rate options open amid Trump uncertainty. The Cleveland Federal Reserve President is maintaining flexibility about monetary policy direction due to questions surrounding the new administration's economic policies. Hammack's cautious stance reflects broader uncertainty about how Trump's approach will impact financial markets and inflation. The Federal Reserve faces the challenge of balancing economic growth with price stability during this transition period. Her comments signal that the central bank is prepared to adjust its strategy based on emerging policy developments.
🏠 Property tax increases slowed across America last year. U.S. homeowners experienced a more moderate rise in their property taxes compared to 2023, offering some financial relief. However, Ohio didn't fare as well, landing among the top 10 states with the highest effective tax rates. The report, published by Bloomberg, suggests varying regional impacts across the country. While the national trend shows deceleration in tax growth, Ohio property owners continue to shoulder a relatively heavier tax burden than most Americans.
⚾ Baseball Scoreboard
The Rangers unleashed a baseball beatdown Wednesday, as Lakewood steamrolled Valley Forge 16-0 in a game that was over before most fans found their seats. Meanwhile, the Hudson Explorers continued their hot start, improving to 8-1 with a nail-biting 5-4 victory over Solon in a preview of Thursday's rematch. Elsewhere, Brecksville-Broadview Heights handled Nordonia 5-1, setting up an immediate rematch where the Knights will try to avoid falling to 0-5 on the season.
| Team | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
St. Ignatius (4-1) | ||
@ St. Edward | W 7-6 | |
St. Edward (3-7) | ||
vs St. Ignatius | L 7-6 | |
Lakewood (7-2) | ||
vs Valley Forge | W 16-0 | |
Bay (2-3) | ||
@ Midview | W 10-1 | |
Rocky River (5-2-1) | ||
vs Olmsted Falls | W 13-2 | |
Valley Forge (1-2) | ||
@ Lakewood | L 16-0 | |
Strongsville (9-3) | ||
@ Medina | L 3-1 | |
Cuyahoga Heights (5-2) | ||
@ Lincoln West | W 11-0 | |
Brecksville-Broadview Heights (2-4) | ||
vs Nordonia | W 5-1 | |
Beachwood (3-3) | ||
@ West Geauga | L 3-1 | |
Gilmour Academy (7-0) | ||
vs Berea-Midpark | W 14-2 | |
Mayfield (3-4) | ||
vs South | L 3-2 | |
Solon (1-2) | ||
@ Hudson | L 5-4 |
🥎 Softball Scoreboard
Brush's bats were red-hot Wednesday as they overwhelmed Cleveland Heights 18-4 in a non-league slugfest. The Arcs improved to 2-6 on the season, finding their offensive groove at the perfect time before their Thursday clash with Garfield Heights.
| Team | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
Shaker Heights (6-2) | ||
@ Strongsville | W 4-2 | |
Cleveland Heights (1-3) | ||
@ Brush | L 18-4 | |
Maple Heights (0-2) | ||
@ Lorain | L 17-2 | |
Euclid (3-11) | ||
@ Brunswick | L 10-0 | |
@ Brunswick | L 21-1 | |
Bay (2-5) | ||
@ Magnificat | L 6-5 | |
Rocky River (5-3) | ||
vs Valley Forge | W 14-4 | |
Westlake (2-5) | ||
@ Buckeye | L 17-7 | |
Valley Forge (0-8) | ||
@ Rocky River | L 14-4 | |
Strongsville (3-3) | ||
vs Shaker Heights | L 4-2 | |
North Royalton (7-1) | ||
vs Nordonia | W 10-0 | |
Brecksville-Broadview Heights (6-1) | ||
@ Wadsworth | W 15-0 | |
Cuyahoga Heights (2-4) | ||
vs Columbia | L 19-8 | |
Beachwood (0-3) | ||
@ Beaumont School | L 23-12 | |
Gilmour Academy (6-0) | ||
vs St. Joseph Academy | W 13-3 | |
Mayfield (5-7) | ||
@ Kenston | L 3-2 | |
Solon (3-6) | ||
vs Stow-Munroe Falls | W 8-2 |
🏡 Real Estate Reveals
Vintage fixer-upper near essentials: For $99,900, this 1924 Garfield Heights single-family home offers 1,300 square feet with three bedrooms, full bathroom, basement storage, detached garage, and proximity to amenities—though buyers must assume all repairs.
Desirable Heights Home Near Everything: For $220,000, this Cleveland Heights 4-bedroom home boasts hardwood floors, a spacious kitchen and sunroom, with a prime location near Fairmont/Coventry shopping and minutes from University Hospitals.
Luxurious colonial estate with space: This stately $1,125,000 colonial in The Estates community offers 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, and nearly an acre of land, with luxury features including two fireplaces, a finished basement, and community amenities.🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla
💰 Financial Friday
Consider automating your savings by setting up a monthly transfer from your checking account to your savings or investment account; this simple step not only encourages consistency but also reduces the temptation to spend what you intend to save.
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