Good morning, Cuyahoga County. Cleveland's battle against tobacco has produced some striking numbers—a 30% overall drop in smoking rates is certainly worth celebrating. But the doubling of cigar use in Black communities reveals the complex challenge ahead as health officials confront what they're calling a "trifecta of addiction." Meanwhile, four-legged heroes are taking on another invader, with canine conservation teams removing over 2,000 spotted lanternfly egg masses from our Metroparks since December.
While tech startups often dominate economic conversations, Cleveland might find its growth engine in a less flashy approach. Entrepreneurship through acquisition—buying and improving existing local businesses—could offer a practical path forward for our region. After all, sometimes the smartest investment isn't building something new, but making what we already have even better.
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0%☕️ What's Brewing Locally
🚬 Cleveland's smoking rate plummets while cigar use surges among Black residents. A Case Western Reserve University study reveals tobacco use in Cleveland has dropped 30% over the past decade, yet cigar consumption has doubled in the African American community. Neighborhoods like Clark-Fulton, Buckeye-Woodhill, and Union-Miles face the highest risk with tobacco use exceeding 30%. Health experts warn these cigars are particularly dangerous as they're often flavored and contain cannabis, creating a "trifecta of addiction." The Ohio Senate recently passed legislation to regulate synthetic cannabis, which is currently sold without age restrictions.
💼 Cleveland's economic future may lie in buying existing businesses. Entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA) offers an alternative path to revitalizing Cleveland's economy compared to the typical focus on tech startups. Rather than building new companies from scratch, ETA emphasizes purchasing and growing established local businesses. This approach could be particularly valuable for communities like Cleveland that aren't traditional hotbeds for venture-backed startups. By prioritizing the acquisition and improvement of existing enterprises, Cleveland has an opportunity to strengthen its economic foundation and create sustainable growth.
🐕 Four dogs sniff out spotted lanternflies in Cleveland Metroparks. Since December, a team of trained canines has removed over 2,000 egg masses of the invasive insects before they could hatch. The dogs - Bronco (Welsh Corgi), Argent (German Shepherd), Juno (Black Lab), and Rio (Australian Shepherd mix) - all previously competed in scent work competitions before joining conservation efforts. The invasive lanternflies produce honeydew that can cover park benches, attract bees and wasps, and create messy public spaces. The program will pause when eggs begin hatching this month but will resume next fall with new volunteers.
⚾ Baseball Scoreboard
The Westlake Demons showed no mercy in an 11-0 shellacking of Valley Forge, improving to 9-7 while sending the Patriots to their second straight defeat. The rematch Tuesday should be interesting, as Valley Forge looks to avoid becoming permanent residents of Demon-ville.Meanwhile, Chagrin Falls tamed the Beachwood Bison 8-1 in a league matchup that wasn't as close as the scoreboard suggests. The Tigers (9-10) and Bison (3-11) will run it back Tuesday, with Beachwood hoping to avoid another mauling in what's becoming a very one-sided rivalry.
| Team | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
Lakewood (11-4) | ||
@ Bay | W 4-0 | |
Bay (8-8) | ||
vs Lakewood | L 4-0 | |
Westlake (9-7) | ||
vs Valley Forge | W 11-0 | |
Valley Forge (3-8) | ||
@ Westlake | L 11-0 | |
Beachwood (3-11) | ||
@ Chagrin Falls | L 8-1 | |
St. Ignatius (7-4) | ||
@ Benedictine | L 6-4 |
🥎 Softball Scoreboard
| Team | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
Lakewood (9-3) | ||
vs Valley Forge | W 14-4 | |
Valley Forge (0-15) | ||
@ Lakewood | L 14-4 | |
North Royalton (14-3) | ||
vs Nordonia | W 10-2 |
🏡 Real Estate Reveals
Stylish Painters Loft urban oasis: Priced at $199,000, this two-floor Painters Loft condo in Gordon Square is a fully renovated urban oasis featuring epoxy resin flooring, high-end finishes, a private outdoor patio, and bonus loft space for extra living area.
Cozy ranch recent upgrades: Priced at $239,900, this ranch-style home offers 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths within 1,300 square feet on a fenced .19-acre lot, featuring recent roof and siding upgrades ideal for first-time buyers or downsizers.
Renovated ranch open floor plan: This renovated North Olmsted ranch at $339,000 offers a spacious open floor plan with new kitchen, bathrooms and flooring, plus a great room with wood-burning fireplace and finished basement.🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla
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