Coronavirus Information – Archive Page

May 13, 2021 – University Heights Coronavirus Update

The number of reported cases in Ohio the last 24 hours is 1,161. The 21-day reported case average is 1,344.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

State health orders to be lifted on June 2. Last night, Governor Mike DeWine announced the state’s COVID-19 health orders will be lifted on June 2. This includes the mask mandate. The only exception are rules in effect for nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

To learn more, click here.

Odds are, you’ll have fun. DeWine also announced an interesting plan to nudge more Ohioans toward getting the vaccine. Click here to read Cleveland Scene’s analysis of the Vax Lottery.

Ages 12 and up. Yesterday the Centers for Disease Control announced approval of vaccine for children aged 12 and above. This is another significant step in the battle against COVID-19. As the vaccine becomes available to more people, it will help us return to a new normal.

Change to unemployment aid starting June 26. DeWine announced today that Ohio will decline federal unemployment assistance that provides jobless workers an extra $300 a week during the pandemic. Click here to read more.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Good news! If you are someone you know in University Heights wants the COVID-19 vaccine, but has been unable to get out of their house to receive it, help is now available.

The University Heights Fire Department will administer the COVID-19 vaccine to you at your home. To get started, please call our partners at the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging at (216) 621-0303.

Friends of the Walt planting this weekend. Join the grant-winning and award-winning Friends of the Walt for spring planting at our park. If you’re interested in helping out on May 15 or May 16 from 9 to 10:30 a.m., please respond to this email.

April 27, 2021 – University Heights Coronavirus Update

The number of reported cases in Ohio the last 24 hours is 1,560. The 21-day reported case average is 1,832.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

News you can use. DeWine today announced that fully vaccinated Ohioans will no longer have to quarantine if they are exposed to someone with COVID-19. “The power of the vaccine allows us to do this,” he said.

Under the revised health order, students 16 and 17 years old who are vaccinated will be able to permit in sports and other activities, even when they have been exposed to someone with COVID.

This change will also apply to all adults, except those who are in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or other congregate care settings. These facilities should continue to quarantine following CDC guidance.

Walk on up. Ohio’s mass vaccination clinics, including the one at the Wolstein Center, are now accepting walk-ins. CSU will offer first doses of the Pfizer vaccine this week and next.

Since opening six weeks ago, the clinic at CSU has administered more than 237,000 first and second doses of the vaccine.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Citizens Committee to Meet on Use of Force Reform. The next meeting of the Citizens Advisory Committee on Policing Policies will be Wednesday April 28 at 6 p.m. Law Director Luke McConville will present, and we will discuss the committee recommendations on use of force policies and review changes made since last year as a result of public input as well as the department updating practices based upon case law and legislative initiatives.

Friends of the Walt planting soon. Join the grant-winning and award-winning Friends of the Walt for spring planting at our park. If you’re interested in helping out on May 15 or May 16 from 9 to 10:30 a.m., please respond to this email.

April 21-22, 2021 – University Heights Coronavirus Update

The number of reported cases in Ohio the last 24 hours is 1,789. The 21-day reported case average is 1,944.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/dashboards

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:
Three facts. DeWine reported that as we look at the virus in Ohio, there are three essential facts:

38%, or more than 4.4 million Ohioans, have received their first shot.
Cases, while too high, seem to have plateaued.
The virus is more contagious than ever.

Protect yourself, get vaccinated. Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff said unvaccinated Ohioans lack the same protection against the virus as those who are vaccinated. The virus is now in more contagious forms that put younger people at much greater risk, including the risk of ending up in the hospital.

Get your vaccine at Wolstein. Appointments are now open for next week at the Wolstein Center at Cleveland State University. To schedule, visit GetTheShot.coronavirus.ohio.gov, or call (833) 4-ASK-ODH.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Mayor Brennan on the Chauvin Verdict (posted on Facebook on 4/21)

Yesterday as I watched the Chauvin verdict from my office at City Hall, I felt overwhelmed with each subsequent finding of guilt. I had refused till then to hope that there’d be any accountability for the murder of George Floyd. We should keep in mind that a verdict is just one part of the overall trial process. There will be post-trial motion practice, some of which is bound to seem offensive. The Blakely (aggravating) factors will yet be considered by the Court. There will be the pre-sentencing investigation, then the sentencing. There will be appeals.

This is far from over. This case. And also, the injustice and brutality built into this country since its founding. The fight for civil rights and protections for communities of color continues. One verdict is not a vindication of the existing system. The verdict occurred after the presentation of overwhelming evidence by prosecutors, and a fair jury finding the facts and applying the law.

No one is born a racist or a bigot. We are born into racist systems that privilege certain lives over others. Racism is learned. It must be unlearned. Racism is also instilled through conditioning. And that is harder to overcome, even with active commitment to do so. It is explicitly and implicitly in how we are raised, steeped in the ongoing experience of a society formed from that history.

We cannot change history. We can change our hearts. We can do our honest best to change how we conduct ourselves in spite of the history. We can do this by enacting laws and making better policies, and taking actions whose end goal is not merely accountability, but justice.

I believe in redemption. We all have it within ourselves to do better and change. That requires commitment and constant effort. We owe it to ourselves and to each other to do better. Redemption means acknowledging the problems and doing the work to solve them. Redemption does not mean avoiding responsibility for our prior bad acts. It means learning from them, committing to do better, and doing better. With that, we may yet find long elusive justice.

It will remain that there are people who will stand against that positive change. Who, when confronted with the facts laid bare, will do nothing. Doing nothing is a choice. A choice to uphold biased systems. A choice to refuse to acknowledge that reform is needed. A choice to refuse to acknowledge that many police officers simply fear people of color and treat them differently.

When we evaluate public policy — from policing to housing to healthcare to wages, to issues of plenty vs. scarcity — these are all policy choices made by people with the power to make such choices. The power to change or reform those choices so that they are more just and equitable.

It starts with the people. As a government of, by, and for the people, this means elected officials. It is the responsibility of those of us in elected office, with the power to acknowledge problems and have the courage to make changes, to do so. To not do that is turn away and ignore. To not do that is to perpetuate injustice.

Meanwhile.

One hundred fifty miles away, while the verdict was read, 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant was killed by Columbus police.

Details of the case are still developing. In the coming days, we will hopefully have answers to these questions: Was there an effort to de-escalate? Why was deadly force exercised? Were there no other options?

I strongly suspect this was not the first time we failed this child. Just the last time.

Across this country it is all too common that the best-funded – perhaps the only well-funded – institution in a child’s life is the police department. We fail these kids in every other way. This must change.

From the beginning of slavery in 1619, to the nine minutes and twenty-nine seconds that Derek Chauvin’s knee smothered the life of George Floyd, and to the less than fifteen seconds that elapsed before Columbus police shot a child dead on the scene, will we, in our lifetimes, ensure that there finally be accountability for the violent deaths of our Black and Brown brothers and sisters?

Will we ensure there will be justice?

Citizens Committee to Meet on Use of Force Reform (from 4/19 report to council). The next meeting of the Citizens Advisory Committee on Policing Policies will be Wednesday April 28 at 6 p.m. We will have completed legal review of the committee recommendations on use of force policies and be able to go over changes made since last year as a result of public input as well as the department updating practices based upon case law and legislative initiatives. The public input portion of this process began with the murder of George Floyd as a result of an excessive use of force. Yesterday, the jury heard closing arguments in the Derek Chauvin trial, and jury deliberations are underway. Meanwhile, the events in Brooklyn Center, with the shooting death of Daunte Wright by police during a traffic stop, and in Chicago, the death of 13-year old Adam Toledo, who was unarmed when he was shot and killed in an alley at the end of a police chase on foot – tell us that we cannot let up. That we must all keep working at this.

Most mornings my wife’s parting words to me are “don’t be a jerk.” After the death of Adam Toledo, her parting words were “you’re the safety director. You are in charge of a police department. What will you do to make this better?”

I’ve thought about that a lot these last few days. Really, I’ve thought about it a lot from the moment I got here. From the selection of a chief whose calm demeanor sets the tone from the top, to the ongoing professionalization of the department, including the review of the use of force policies, to emphasizing the guardian role of our police department, and the opening of the office of community policing, through training opportunities, and even our city’s first celebration of the National Night Out – we will continue to work towards having our police department be a positive and helpful presence in the community. Our chief, our command, our detective and officers, have my confidence. None of us are perfect, we all keep working at it.

Around the country we hear the calls to “defund the police.” I am here to tell you that no public institution ever got better by under-resourcing it.

Simultaneously, I am mindful that across this country it is all too common that the best-funded — perhaps the only well-funded — institution in a child’s life is the police department. We fail these kids in every other way. We all must do better. We will continue to do our part locally.

May is Bike Month. May has been Bike Month in the City of University Heights. With the first meeting of May, we can expect to have a resolution incorporating Heights Bicycle Coalition events, including May 19 “Ride of Silence” (which locally starts from JCU campus) and “Bike to Work” day on May 21.

On 5/4, Heights Bicycle Coalition will be hosting a Town Hall on Zoom at 7 PM. This event is an excellent opportunity to ask questions, make comments, and express ideas regarding cycling in the Heights Area. You can sign up for the HBC Townhall on Facebook, and get the Zoom login information there. HBC Town Hall | Facebook

FutureHeights awards mini-grants for Friends of the Walt, University Heights Symphonic Band. Today FutureHeights announced the recipients Spring 2021 Neighborhood mini-grants for Cleveland Heights and University Heights. Including among them were the Friends of the Walt volunteer group, who has been weeding and cleaning Walter Stinson Community Park numerous weekends since August 2020. They are planning a spring planting in mid-May, and proceeds from the mini-grant will be used to help defray their costs. Thanks to Eran Shiloh and the rest of the folks in Friends of the Walt for their ongoing efforts, and thank you to FutureHeights for recognizing this community effort in our community park.

Also receiving a mini-grant here in University Heights is the University Heights Symphonic Band for their 50th anniversary celebration. Be sure to catch the UHSB at a free concert on July 1 at 7pm outside at John Carroll University’s Hamlin Quad, kicking off our “Return of Summer” concert series.

April 15, 2021 – University Heights Coronavirus Update

The number of reported cases in Ohio the last 24 hours is 2,216. The 21-day reported case average is 1,965. Over the last two weeks, the statewide average for cases per 100,000 is 200.0. Governor DeWine said all state health orders will be rescinded once this number hits 50.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Fact sheet. DeWine released information, explaining what to expect before, during, and after your vaccination appointment. Click here to read the information.

Keep masking. DeWine reported that mask compliance in Ohio’s retail establishments is above 95%. Anecdotally, it seems the number might be even higher here in University Heights. Masks + vaccine = the end of the pandemic.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

State of the Schools address set for tonight at 7 p.m. Cleveland Heights-University Heights Schools superintendent Elizabeth Kirby will deliver the State of the Schools address on April 15^th. For more information, including a link to watch the presentation, click here.

Vaccination clinic in Maple Heights. Our neighbors in Maple Heights are holding a vaccination clinic in Maple Heights this Friday, April 16^th, & Saturday, April 17^th from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

First dose Pfizer, second dose will be scheduled on-site.
All Ohioans 16 & older can schedule an appointment.
Appointments can be made by calling 2-1-1 or online at gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov, enter zip code 44137 in the search field.
Please bring appointment confirmation information to clinic.
ID is not required.
Children 16 & 17 not emancipated must have consent by parent or legal guardian and accompany minor to vaccine appointment.
Transportation assistance such as free bus passes available by calling 2-1-1.
Free on-site parking.
Address: 5398 Northfield Rd., Maple Heights, Ohio, 44137

April 13, 2021 – University Heights Coronavirus Update

The number of reported cases in Ohio the last 24 hours is 2,340. The 21-day reported case average is 1,948. There are currently 183.7 cases per 100,000 Ohioans. Governor DeWine said all state health orders will be rescinded once this number hits 50 for two consecutive weeks.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Johnson & Johnson vaccine put on pause. This morning, the Food and Drug Administration and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended the United States pause the use of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine due to six reported cases of a rare type of blood clot.

At his press conference this afternoon, DeWine said the White House reports the pause will be “days to weeks, not weeks to months.” Providers in Ohio will switch to Pfizer or Moderna for the time being.

Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff of the Ohio Department of Health says the six cases being investigated associated with the J&J vaccine are “truly rare events.” Vanderhoff said the fact the CDC and FDA have aced based on just six cases out of 6.8 million should give Ohioans more confidence in the vaccination program.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

University Heights residents stand together against COVID-19. A group of University Heights is standing together in an effort to end the COVID-19 pandemic once and for all. Their message? Get vaccinated. Your arm has the power to lift us all up.

A new public service announcement from University Heights City Hall begins with local nurse and University Heights resident Kat Sigel showing off her post-shot bandage. Also appearing in the PSA: University Heights Symphonic Band conductor Matthew Salvaggio, Joanna Homann, M-E Fenn of Odd Dog Coffee, Ketti Finneran, school board member Jodi Sourini, Fire Chief Robert Perko and members of the fire department, Ron Collier, Giovanna Ventre, Libby Stineman from Milk & Cookies, Clerk of Council Kelly Thomas, and Gina Ventre.

All the above had their moment of fame this morning, as the PSA was featured as part of a news story on WKYC.

Click here to watch the video.

Alternate cuts of this PSA will be released in the next several days. The video is modeled after a similar video from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

State of the Schools address set for Thursday. Cleveland Heights-University Heights Schools superintendent Elizabeth Kirby will deliver the State of the Schools address on April 15^th. For more information, including a link to watch the presentation, click here.

Summer is back, and so is our parade. For one year only, the annual University Heights parade will be held on the Fourth of July.

For decades, University Heights has held Northeast Ohio’s biggest and best Memorial Day parade every year. And be rest assured that the University Heights Memorial Day Parade will be back in 2022.

However, as of mid-April (the deadline for this magazine), it is uncertain if it would be safe to throw a full-fledged parade on Memorial Day. Chagrin Falls and other cities in Northeast Ohio have decided against holding a parade over Memorial Day weekend. We are going to err on the side of caution and hold a parade later in the summer.
By scheduling a parade on Sunday, July 4^th, we will buy ourselves five weeks – five more weeks for people to get vaccinated and for the health risk to subside further.

So, Independence Day it is! Details, including time, route, and rules in regard to public safety, will be announced soon.

If your group or organization is interested in participating in the parade, contact Rachel Mullen at City Hall at . You may also contact Mullen if you would like to volunteer with the parade committee.

Let us be inspired by the words of President Thomas J. Whitmore, who once proclaimed, “We will not go quietly into the night… We’re going to live on. We’re going to survive. Today, we celebrate our Independence Day!”

Of course, Whitmore is the President from the movie “Independence Day.” And he was talking about fighting back against attacker from outer space, not a virus. But as corny as it might be, we are defeating an enemy. The streets of our city will not be quiet this summer. Our parade tradition will live on. And on July 4^th, University Heights will celebrate.

April 2, 2021 – University Heights Coronavirus update

The number of reported cases in Ohio the last 24 hours is 2,475. The 21-day reported case average is 1,672. There are currently 167.1 cases per 100,000 Ohioans. Governor DeWine said all state health orders will be rescinded once this number hits 50 for two consecutive weeks.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Good news, bad news. The bad news, according to Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, is that Ohio is seeing an increase in the number of positive cases in Ohio.

The good news is that Ohioans are taking action and getting the vaccine. As of 4/1, 2,006,372 Ohioans have completed the vaccine process. This is 17.16% of Ohio’s population. An additional 3,476,566 Ohioans have had their first of two shots (29.74% of Ohio).

Shots on campus and at work. DeWine announced that next week, Ohio will attempt to vaccinate every college student who wants it with the one-time Johnson & Johnson shot.

DeWine believes that by offering vaccinations on college campuses, more students will opt to get the vaccine, and they’ll get it with their peers.

Although young people are less likely to get sick from COVID, the evidence shows that young people are significant carriers – so, this is also a strategic move to vaccinate students before they scatter throughout the state and country when classes end in May.

DeWine said he is looking to begin on-the-job vaccinations, such as factories, grocery store chains, etc. DeWine said he hoped the convenience will help encourage additional employees to get their shot.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

My shot. Be an influencer! Once you receive your shot, tell all your Facebook friends with the University Heights “My Shot” profile frame. Search for “University Heights My Shot” under profile frames for our Hamilton-inspired art.

March 25, 2021 – University Heights Coronavirus update

The number of reported cases in Ohio the last 24 hours is 1,848. The 21-day reported case average is 1,527.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Call me. If you need assistance in scheduling your COVID-19 vaccine shot, call (833) 427-5634. You can also schedule your shot at gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov.

State and local tax extension. The Ohio Department of Taxation has extended the deadline to file and pay Ohio individual income tax for tax year 2020, from April 15, 2021 to May 17, 2021. As a result, the municipal income tax filing deadline for individual taxpayers has been automatically extended to May 17, 2021 as well.

Late filing penalties, and late payment penalties and interest, will not be imposed for the period of April 15, 2021 through May 17, 2021 for these extended filings and payments.

The payment due date for the tax year 2021 first quarter estimated tax payment, and the filing and payment due dates for business net profit taxpayers, are not impacted by this extension. However, RITA will not impose late filing penalties, or late payment penalties and interest for the period of April 15, 2021 through May 17, 2021 for first quarter 2021 estimated tax payments or business net profit filings and payments.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Thank you for your service. The University Heights Police Department, as well as City Hall, would like to recognize the following police employees for achieving service year milestones in the recent past:

Lieutenant Todd Kinley – 30 years
Lieutenant Mark McArtor – 30 years
Detective Kyle Nietert – 25 years
Officer Chris Hovanetz – 20 years
Officer Chuck Darrah – 20 years
Detective Sergeant Joe Respondek – 15 years

We thank these officers, and they are commended for their relentless, selfless, and dedicated service to the University Heights community over the years.

March 22, 2021 – University Heights Coronavirus update

The number of reported cases in Ohio the last 24 hours is 1,444. The 21-day reported case average is 1,539.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Sweet 16. DeWine said that while there are many places where there is a great demand for the vaccine, there are some providers who are having a hard time filling appointments. If a local health department or hospital is not filling all their slots this week, they may book any Ohioan who is at least 16 years old.

Starting next week, vaccine eligibility will open to all Ohioans 16 and up.

Not over yet. In Ohio, the total variant count was only 32 cases two weeks ago, but there are now 173 variations of the COVID-19 virus. DeWine said this is not the time to throw caution to the wind. We’re in the final stretch of the marathon, but we have to keep masking and social distancing.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Passover food collection. Passover food collection will take place on Friday, March 26^th. Items must be bagged and on the tree lawn prior to noon.

Vaccine update. It seems to be getting easier to make an appointment to receive a vaccine. If you’ve had trouble booking an appointment two weeks ago, you may wish to try again today.

To register through the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, click here.

If you’re interested in getting your shot at the large clinic at Cleveland State’s Wolstein Center, call 1 (866) 982-1979, or click here.

Click here to watch a video that will show you what to expect when you get your shot at Cleveland State.

If you are a current patient with Cleveland Clinic, are currently eligible per state guidelines, and have not received your vaccination yet, please call (216) 445-1553 to book via a scheduler.

State of the City follow up. In case you missed it, you may watch the State of the City address by clicking here, or just read the text by clicking here. To watch the announcement of the 2021 Summer Concert Series, click here.

March 11, 2021 – University Heights Coronavirus Update

The number of reported cases in Ohio the last 24 hours is 1,448. The 21-day reported case average is 1,788.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

The race to 50. DeWine previously announced that all State health orders will be rescinded once Ohio reaches a level of 50 COVID cases per 100,000 residents for a two-week period. While we are not there yet, this graph shows that we are getting closer.

Nursing home update. This week, the federal government announced new national guidelines for nursing home visitation advising that facilities should allow responsible indoor visitation for all residents, regardless of vaccination status of the resident or visitor. To learn more, click here.

If you are having trouble scheduling a visit with a loved one in a nursing home, contact the Office of the State LTC Ombudsman for Ohio at , or 1 (800) 282-1206.

Spring sports update. Students are no longer required to quarantine because they have had an incidental exposure to COVID. Athletes may participate in spring sports activities, as long as they follow the appropriate sports guidance, and if they do not have symptoms.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Register for vaccine at Cleveland State’s Wolstein Center. As of this morning, vaccine appointments at the FEMA site at CSU were available by registering through gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov. You have to use zip code 44115, or enter 2000 Prospect Avenue E, to be directed to the mass vaccination event at the Wolstein Center.

Starting on March 17^th, there will be 6,000 appointments per day.

Need a ride? If you have a vaccination appointment, but don’t have a ride to get there, there are options for you. First, you may call the Senior Transportation Connection at (216) 265-4189 to schedule a ride. Also, you may call the county’s 211 number, and they can assist you with finding transportation options.

Help from Her Majesties. Your Communications and Civic Engagement department is working closely with the Vaccine Queens to help get the word out about how to schedule a vaccination appointment. If you or a loved one is having trouble scheduling an appointment, please respond to this email and we will do our best to walk you through the process to schedule a shot.

State of the City. Mayor Brennan will present his third State of the City address on Thursday, March 18 at 7 p.m. The speech will be presented on Facebook, Twitter, and the City’s website. And if you’re reading this email, you will be sent the text and video of the mayor’s annual update to the residents of University Heights.

Help Wanted. The Recreation Department is currently accepting applications to work at the Purvis Park pool as a lifeguard and maintenance staff. Click here for the application.

March 8, 2021 – University Heights Coronavirus Update

The number of reported cases in Ohio the last 24 hours is 1,254. The 21-day reported case average is 1,831.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

New registration website. DeWine announced a new website that will allow Ohioans to schedule vaccine appointments. The site launched this morning. To try it out, visit GetTheShot.coronavirus.ohio.gov.

Ohioans may use the tool to determine if they are eligible to receive the vaccine, schedule appointments, and receive updates. As of this morning, there were appointments available.

More Ohioans eligible for vaccine on Thursday. On Thursday, March 11, Ohioans 50 and older will be eligible to receive the vaccine. In addition, those with Type 2 diabetes or end-stage renal disease will be eligible.

Shot and a beer on St. Patrick’s Day? Last week, DeWine announced that the Wolstein Center on the campus of Cleveland State University will be a mass vaccination center. Starting March 17, up to 6,000 people will be able to receive their shot at the site.

Click here for more information. Specific details on how to register will be announced soon.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Another local opportunity to get vaccinated. Our new friends, The Vaccine Queens, inform us of a new opportunity to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Every Monday, the vaccine will be available to eligible University Heights residents at the Langston Hughes Community Health and Education Center. Click here to register. You may also call (216) 636-2703.

Now Hiring! The University Heights Civil Services Commission announces an open competitive entrance examination for Patrolman 3^rd Grade, and for Firefighter/Paramedic 4^th grade.

To learn more about the police position, click here.

For more information on the position with the fire department, click here.

Drop off your papers and household hazardous waste on Friday and Saturday. University Heights collects paper for shredding and household hazardous waste for disposal twice a year. You may drop off papers and waste on Friday and Saturday at our Service Department, located behind City Hall.

For a complete list of materials that may be dropped off, and a list of those that may not, click here.

Now Hiring, Part II! The City of University Heights has an opening for the full-time position of Director of Housing and Community Development. The Director of Housing and Community Development is responsible for the daily management and supervision of the Housing and Community Development Department, including enforcement of the City’s housing and property maintenance codes, setting the City’s housing policy, and ensuring development is consistent with the City’s master plan.

The director plans, organizes, directs, and oversees the activities and programs of the department; specifically, the Rental Registration Program, the Exterior Maintenance Program, and Point of Sale Inspection Program.

For more information, click here.

March 4, 2021 – University Heights Coronavirus update

The number of reported cases in Ohio the last 24 hours is 1,875. The 21-day reported case average is 2,050.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Anniversary update. Instead of his usual afternoon press conference, DeWine gave a 14-minute speech this evening to mark the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic reaching Ohio.

If/when. DeWine said if coronavirus cases in Ohio are reduced to 50 per 10,000 Ohioans, and it stays at that level for two weeks, all State health orders will end. This includes the mask mandate.

“The end of our fight is now in view,” DeWine said, “but we must continue pressing forward in these final days. We must not relent.”

Vaccine update. DeWine reported that over 1.8 million Ohioans have been vaccinated.

For more information… To read additional coverage of DeWine’s speech, click here.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

New contact information for Building and Housing Department. Effective immediately, all University Heights building inspections are to be scheduled through the SAFEbuilt inspection hotline at (440) 399-0850. This includes inspections for construction work and permits. Please be sure to have your permit number handy when making the call. The hours for this phone line are from 7:30 a.m. to noon, and 1:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. After hours, you may leave a voicemail.

Housing inspection appointments for Point of Sale program and Rental Registration program will continue to be handled at the Housing Department, and should be directed to City Hall’s main number (216) 932-7800.

General questions and inquiries regarding building department should still be directed to City Hall’s main number.

Citizens Committee on Policing Policies. Last night the Citizens Committee on Policing Polices met to hear a presentation from Chief Dustin Rogers on Procedural Justice and Police Legitimacy Policy, and to give input. To watch the meeting, click here.

March 1, 2021 – University Heights Coronavirus Update

The number of reported cases in Ohio the last 24 hours is 1.452. The 21-day reported case average is 2,225.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Additional vaccines are coming this week. This weekend, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was approved for use. Ohio will receive 96,100 doses of this vaccine this week. A total of 448,390 doses will be sent to Ohio this week.

DeWine reported the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be sent to 200 independent pharmacies in Ohio, as well as chain pharmacies and local health departments.

Phase 1C announced. Today DeWine announced the priority groups the State has identified as part of Phase 1C of Ohio’s vaccination program. This includes certain professions and those with specific conditions not covered in previous phases. Approximately 240,000 Ohioans are part of this group. Ohioans in Phase 1C will be eligible to receive the vaccine as of Thursday, March 4.

Phase 2. DeWine also announced that Ohioans aged 60 and above will be eligible for the vaccine on Thursday.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Join the University Heights Police Department. If you or someone you know is interested in serving our community as a police officer, applications are available now. See above letter for all the details.

Joint meetings of governments to resume. The first joint meeting since the pandemic of the city governments of University Heights and Cleveland Heights, CH-UH School Board, and Heights Libraries, is scheduled for April 12 at 7 p.m. Hosted by the school board, the agenda will be set later this month.

Citizens Committee to meet. The Citizens Advisory Committee on Policing Policies will meet this Wednesday at 6 p.m., to take up the subjects of a formalized Community Advisory Committee, and a Procedural Justice policy.

February 25, 2021 – University Heights Coronavirus Update

The number of reported cases in Ohio the last 24 hours is 2,409. The 21-day reported case average is 2,455.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

More vaccine is on the way. Next week, DeWine said we will have an additional 310,000 first doses in Ohio. As such, additional vaccine provider sites will be added, including independent pharmacies and WalMart. Your local RiteAid, CVS, Walgreens should also have more doses.

DeWine said that once the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is available, Ohio will have another 91,000 doses available during the first week.

Sports and entertainment. DeWine said sporting and entertainment events will be able to reopen with 25% maximum indoor capacity and 30% maximum outdoor capacity, provided they follow established precautions. DeWine added if the situation improves, attendance could be increased.

Some required precautions will include mandatory mask wearing for employees and customers, as well as seating in pods of no more than 6 people. General admission will be permitted as long as masks are worn, and 6-foot distancing can be maintained.

Proms, banquet centers, wedding receptions, fairs, festivals and parades. DeWine said state guidance on all these events will be ready “soon.”

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Building & Housing Department update. The Building and Housing Department reopened this week. All emails have been returned, and voice mails are being replied to in the order they were received. Permits are being handled in the order in which they were requested. Outstanding point of sale inspection reports will be handled in the order in which the inspections were conducted. Out of fairness to all, please do not ask that your report or request be taken out of order. Thank you to everyone for their patience.

Heights Libraries are open. All Heights Libraries buildings, including the University Heights branch, are open for browsing, computer use, copying, and faxing. Masks that cover nose and mouth and adherence to social distancing guidelines are still required for admittance. Curbside pick-up is still be available by request.

The new temporary hours for the Heights Libraries are as follows:

Sunday           1 to 5 p.m.
Monday          Closed
Tuesday         9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Wednesday   9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday        9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday             9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday        9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

February 22, 2021 – University Heights Coronavirus Update

The number of reported cases in Ohio the last 24 hours is 1,611. The 21-day reported case average is 2,681.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Nursing home updates. Today DeWine announced the positivity rate of COVID-19 is decreasing. As such, more nursing homes may be allowed more visitation soon. The Governor has sent a letter to each facility to remind them to 1.) check county positivity rates each week to determine visitation status, and 2.) allow for compassionate care visits.

Ohio facilities are required to report in weekly, and to update Ohio’s visitation dashboard to indicate if visitation is permitted at their facility. To view the visitation dashboard, click here.

Weather vs Vaccine Update. Some Pfizer shipments were delivered last week despite the bad weather, but all Moderna shipments were delayed.

Some providers used second doses they had received already so they didn’t have to cancel appointments they had scheduled. Those second does will be backfilled with the shipments they receive this week.

Play ball? DeWine hinted he would have an announcement later this week regarding in-person attendance at major and minor league sporting events.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

State of the City now set for Thursday, March 18^th at 7 p.m. Mayor Brennan will deliver his third State of the City on 3/18. The speech will be broadcast on the city’s YouTube channel, as well as on Facebook and Twitter. Subscribers to this newsletter will be emailed the text of the speech, as well as a link to the video.

February 18, 2021 – University Heights Coronavirus Update

The number of reported cases in Ohio the last 24 hours is 2,282. The 21-day reported case average is 3,032.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Don’t declare victory yet. At DeWine’s press conference today, Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff of the Ohio Department of Health said it is very important that we don’t declare victory too quickly. Vaccines are working very well, but our national vaccination effort needs more time. We have to keep up our work of preventing spread through masking and distancing.

Prom and graduation? DeWine said his team of advisers will meet this weekend to discuss school activities such as prom and graduation. Dr. Vanderhoff suggested that “masks and distancing work, and they’re going to be key to living our lives more normally as we go into the spring.”

Nursing home visitation? On nursing home visitation, DeWine said he hopes to provide guidance next week, as vaccinations continue.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

The City of Beautiful New Townhomes. On Tuesday, City Council approved a site plan that would bring 30 new townhomes to University Heights.

After the meeting, Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan credited teamwork for making the dream work. “This is the culmination of nearly three years of work by City Administration, the City Beautiful CIC, and City Council,” Brennan said. “Special thanks go to our Cleveland Heights-University Heights School Board, who too shared the vision of what can be with this development.

“We look forward to continuing our work with Knez Homes to build the first major multi-unit housing development since the late 1970’s here in University Heights.”

To see details of the plan, click here.

Fire Chief Perko is looking for a few good residents. If you are interested in helping the community during times of need, the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) may be for you.

Please click here to take our UHFD/CERT Interest Survey.

February 16, 2021 – University Heights Coronavirus Update

The number of reported cases in Ohio the last 24 hours is 2,026. The 21-day reported case average is 3,351

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Snow vs vaccine. Due to severe weather across Ohio and the United States, vaccine shipments coming to providers directly from Pfizer and Moderna could be delayed up to two days.

Some vaccine providers have canceled appointments due to snow emergencies, but many are continuing to vaccinate. If you haven’t heard from your provider and are concerned as to whether your appointment is still scheduled, please contact your provider or visit their website.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Building and Housing Department closed until next Wednesday. Due to COVID-19 contract tracing, the Building and Housing Department will remain closed until Wednesday, February 24th. You may leave a voicemail or an email with the department during this time, and your message will be answered as soon as it is possible.

State of the City delayed. Originally scheduled for this Thursday, Mayor Brennan’s State of the City address will be delayed until a further date. The new date will be announced soon.

Parking ban is lifted. As of 2:30 p.m. today, the street parking ban has been lifted.

Fire Chief Perko is looking for a few good residents. If you are interested in helping the community during times of need, the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) may be for you.

Please click here to take our UHFD/CERT Interest Survey.

February 11, 2021 – University Heights Coronavirus Update

The number of reported cases in Ohio the last 24 hours is 2,806. The 21-day reported case average is 3,892.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Vaccine facts. DeWine said today that COVID-19 vaccine and clinical trials were thorough, and thanks to a strategic scientific effort to streamline processes, they were able to be developed more efficiently. For more information, click here.

Curfew is over. Thanks to a sustained decrease in COVID-19 hospitalizations, Ohio’s curfew has been lifted. If hospitalizations being rising again, the Ohio Department of Health may reinstate it. DeWine said it is critical we all continue safety protocols to slow the spread and prevent hospitalizations from going up.

Riding the storm out. State agencies have a number of programs and policies in place to help you weather the economic storm caused by COVID-19. Find Ohio’s economic resources by clicking here.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

The City of New Beautiful Homes. Last week, the City Planning Commission approved the Site Plan for South Taylor Place. This project by Kenz Homes would bring thirty new townhomes to the northwest corner of University Heights.

Click here to see details of the site plan.

Presidents Day. Monday is Presidents Day, so there will be no trash pickup. Garbage will be picked up on a one-day delay all of next week.

Check out the University Heights Library. It’s Black History Month, the perfect time to pick up some books for your kids and read with them about the numerous and amazing accomplishments of Black Americans, past and present. Representation matters!

Click here to learn more.

February 9, 2021 – University Heights Coronavirus Update

The number of reported cases in Ohio the last 24 hours is 3,207. The 21-day reported case average is 4,252.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Vaccine update. Ohioans 65 years and up are now eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine. DeWine says this eligibility window will hold at 65 and up for several weeks in order to vaccinate 2.2 million senior citizens in our state.

assistance could be coming. Pending approval by the State Controlling Board, $100 million in federal funding will be available to low-income Ohioans to help pay their rent, water, sewer, wastewater, electric, and gas bills. To see if you are eligible for this benefit, or other economic support from the state and federal government, click here.

Assistance can go toward outstanding balances dating back to March 13, 2020.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Since last week, City Hall has heard from business owners on both city’s sides of our shared Cedar-Taylor district. There is much excitement for this development. They are calling this a “shot in the arm” for the district. No doubt, thirty additional households within a short walk of the businesses up and down Cedar-Taylor will bring new energy and vibrancy to the district, and benefit the local restaurants and shops.

February 4, 2021 – University Heights Coronavirus Update

The number of reported cases in Ohio the last 24 hours is 4,120. The 21-day reported

case average is 4,931.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Hospitalizations are down. There are 2,252 in Ohio hospitals right now because of COVID-19, but those numbers are dropping. A week from today, DeWine said if this trend continues, he may be able to remove the state curfew. DeWine said the goal is for the numbers to stay under 2,500 for seven consecutive days.

More vaccine is on the way. DeWine announced that both Pfizer and Moderna will be increasing the amount of vaccine they ship to Ohio each week through the federal government.

Pfizer currently sends 73,200 doses to Ohio each week. That will increase by 40% next week, and up to 140,000 doses by the end of March. Moderna sends approximately the same amount and is planning similar increases.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

State of the City. Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan will present his third State of the City address on Thursday, February 18^th at 7 p.m. The address will be virtual this year, and broadcast on the city’s Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube accounts. The video and the text of the speech will also be emailed to everyone who has subscribed to this email newsletter.

February 2, 2021 – University Heights Coronavirus Update

The number of reported cases in Ohio the last 24 hours is 3,657. The 21-day reported case average is 5,228.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

On the road back. In a new PSA, DeWine said Ohio is on the road back. But until we’re all protected, please continue following safety protocols to keep yourself, your family, and your neighbors safe.

Minority outreach. DeWine reported many of Ohio’s local health departments are prioritizing underserved populations by partnering with organizations that work to serve African-American, Hispanic, and other groups to provide education and offer opportunities for vaccination.

The Governor said the pandemic has highlighted inequities in our healthcare system. There are Ohioans who simply do not have equal access to healthcare. The state government has worked to address these gaps, especially in efforts to roll out the vaccine, but it is a work in progress. There is more to do.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Council Member Leonard Davis remembered. Former University Heights City Council Member Leonard Davis passed away last week at the age of 88 from COVID-19. Please keep his family and friends in your prayers.

Councilman Davis served our city from 1976 to 1991, when he retired from council in anticipation of moving. His obituary was in the Plain Dealer and is available online.

Upon his retirement, Mayor Rothschild and council signed a proclamation chronicling his accomplishments, including the smoke detector program, his years of service as council’s representative to Planning Commission, as chair of the Recreation Committee, and being the driving force behind pool improvements.

An article celebrating the life of Council Member Leonard Davis will be published in the next issue of Mosaic magazine. If you had the pleasure of knowing Mr. Davis and would like to be quoted in the article, please respond to this email.

Budget introduced. The Administration has provided City Council with its proposed budget for 2021. Looking back at where we were at the beginning of 2020, the cuts we made midyear out of an abundance of caution, and considering all revenue sources over the course of last year, the City is in a position where it may begin restoring items, programs, maintenance, improvements, and capital purchases that we postponed in 2020. A Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday to go over that in greater detail.

The Recreation Committee will meet on Monday, February 8 to explore the contours and contingencies of summer recreation, including discussing alternatives for how we may safely reopen the Pool at Purvis Park this summer.

BZA opening. Mayor Brennan is accepting applications for the Board of Zoning Appeals for a two-year seat to commence this month. Statements of interest and supporting materials (e.g. resume or CV), may be emailed to .

Though the BZA has quasi-judicial proceedings, one does not have to be a lawyer to serve on the BZA. A well-qualified applicant will have an interest in thoughtful land use, real estate development, knowledge of zoning and an interest to learn, an open mind and an eye towards the future – especially as the City prepares to undertake a comprehensive update to its Zoning Code.

January 28, 2021 – University Heights Coronavirus Update

The number of reported cases in Ohio the last 24 hours is 5,432. The 21-day reported case average is 6,221.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Home by 11 p.m. Ohio’s curfew is no longer 10 p.m., thanks to lower hospitalization numbers. The new curfew is 11 p.m. Click here for details.

Reach out to those who are having a rough time during this pandemic. If you know a teenager who is struggling during this pandemic with depression, reach out to them. DeWine suggested calling Ohio’s CareLine.

The Governor urged Ohioans to reach out to a young person if they are:

Talking about feeling hopeless
Worrying about being a burden
Feeling like there’s no reason to live
Using drugs or alcohol, or engaging in other risky behaviors
Struggling with school
Disconnecting from family or friends

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Help support local businesses. Our friends at FutureHeights are once again running their Best of the Heights Awards. This annual survey enables residents to recognize the unique attributes of locally owned Heights businesses, and their contributions to the local economy.

Our independent businesses are so important to the vitality of our community. Their individual personalities and unique products and services are one of the things that makes the Heights such an awesome place to live.

This year, more than ever, it is important to show our support so that they will still be here when we come through this pandemic. To that end, FutureHeights has purchased gift certificates from a wide variety of Heights businesses. Each person who submits a valid ballot qualifies for a chance to win one of four gift certificate packages (worth a minimum of $250).

Vote today to support your favorite University Heights businesses.

January 26, 2021 – University Heights Coronavirus Update

The number of reported cases in Ohio the last 24 hours is 4,262. The 21-day reported case average is 6,567.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Phase 1B vaccinations continue. Please visit vaccine.coronavirus.ohio.gov for information on which providers have received vaccines. Demand is currently much higher than supply, so please continue safety protocols until the vaccine is more widely available.

Curfew update. DeWine said that if Ohio has seven consecutive days where hospitalizations go below 3,500, the state will get an extra hour before curfew. This means bars and restaurants could be open until 11 p.m. from the current 10 p.m.

Additionally, DeWine said if hospitalizations drop below 3,000 for seven days, the curfew will move to midnight for two weeks. And if hospitalizations go below 2,500, DeWine said he thinks the curfew could be eliminated.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

International Holocaust Remembrance Day is Wednesday, January 27^th. Eight decades after the Holocaust began, people worldwide will pause tomorrow on the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz to honor the memory of the victims.

On January 27^th at 9:30 a.m., the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum will present Eisenhower’s Foresight: Protecting the Truth of the Holocaust. In this Facebook Live event, Susan Eisenhower will discuss her grandfather’s vigilance to preserve the truth of the Holocaust.

Locally, our friends at the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage will present three important programs.

On Wednesday at 11 a.m., the Maltz Museum will present The Holocaust Speaker Series, featuring survivors and descendants of survivors sharing stories of life before, during, and after the Holocaust. The program will be run virtually through Zoom, click here to register.

Featuring the work of Primo Levi, the Maltz Museum will present a Teach-In for International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Teachers, RSVP to receive your Teach-in kit, including lesson plans, resources, and a link to screen a special interactive performance of Levi’s prose in song. Click here to register.

Primo Levi was an Italian Jewish chemist, writer, and Holocaust survivor. He was the author of several books, novels, collections of short stories, essays, and poems. Levi is considered by many as one of the twentieth century’s greatest writers. The Maltz Museum is partnering with Classrooms without Borders on this presentation.

At 8 p.m. on Wednesday, the Maltz Museum will partner with the Museum of Jewish Heritage to present 18 Voices: A Liberation Day Reading of Young Writers’ Diaries from the Holocaust.

More than one million Jewish children were killed during the Holocaust and countless others survived. Some, like Anne Frank, kept diaries in which they confided their hopes, fears, and experiences. Join us for a special virtual reading of excerpts from these diaries, narrated by Liev Schreiber, and featuring readings from Mayim Bialik, Mandy Gonzalez, Daniel Kahn, Adam Kantor, Telly Leung, Caissie Levy, Stephanie Lynn Mason, Zalmen Mlotek, Amit Rahav, Eleanor Reissa, Yelena Schmulenson, Alexandra Silber, Abby Stein, Danny Strong, and Michael Zegen.

By giving voice to the written words of some of the Nazis’ youngest victims, we will commemorate their suffering and learn from their courageous and resilient spirits.

Click here to register.

There is an opening on the Board of Zoning Appeals, two-year term, to commence February 2021. The Mayor is accepting statements of interest and supporting materials (e.g. resume or CV), emailed to . The Mayor will accept and review applications as they come in, so apply now. Though the BZA has quasi-judicial proceedings, one does not have to be a lawyer to serve on the BZA. A well-qualified applicant will have an interest in thoughtful land use, real estate development, knowledge of zoning and an interest to learn, an open mind and an eye towards the future – especially as the City prepares to undertake a comprehensive update to its Zoning Code. The Mayor will nominate one applicant and submit their name to City Council for confirmation.

Pool update – if there’s a way, there’s a will. Mayor Brennan has received several inquiries about the status of the pool for the 2021 season. Here is his response (TL; DR – He plans to open it.)

We all love the pool. The pool at Purvis Park is one of the best amenities our City offers. The City will open the pool this year, provided it can be done safely. There likely will be changes in how the pool operates to promote public health and public safety.

While there may be strains that mutate and become more infectious, we know more about this novel coronavirus than we did early last year. This will allow us to better plan.

We have contacted our aquatics director and parks & rec director, and they are resuming work to plan for a 2021 rec season. Councilmember Phil Ertel, who chairs the Recreation Committee, had held one public meeting already, and will be holding another meeting to discuss safely conducting summer rec.

Ultimately, issues of public health take precedence, and guidance from the Cuyahoga County Department of Health will be controlling. The pool, and how we operate it, must be reasonably safe for our residents, our families, and our staff. The City administration is committed to finding ways to do that in order to open the pool in 2021. If there’s a way, there’s a will.

January 21, 2021 – University Heights Coronavirus Update

The number of reported cases in Ohio the last 24 hours is 7,271. The 21-day reported case average is 7,111.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Key measures. According to DeWine, out of any 200 Ohioans, at least 1 has tested positive for COVID-19 during the last two weeks. In Ohio hospitals, more than 1 out of every 4 patients in ICU are positive for the virus.

Curfew will stay, for now. In response to a question, DeWine said Ohio’s 10 p.m. curfew will be extended past January 23^rd. DeWine said he is looking how to manage the curfew, and suggested a future step would be to move it from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Safety tip from the University Heights Police Department. You get a call from someone claiming they are from the IRS. They tell you that you owe back taxes. They say if you do not pay them immediately that your social security number will be cancelled. They tell you if you hang up the phone you will be immediately arrested.
Then the caller tells you can make the problem go away by purchasing prepaid debit cards from a local store. If you read the numbers on the card to them over the phone, they will take care of your debt.

Here’s the catch: THIS IS ALL A BIG SCAM!

The IRS will NEVER tell you to pay with prepaid debit cards, iTunes gift cards, wire transfers, or the like. Even if the caller ID shows a legitimate number for the IRS, this can be faked.

If you get a call like this, hang up. If you have questions about whether or not you actually owe money to the IRS, call (800) 829-1040.

Scams like this can be reported to the Federal Trade Commission by calling (877) 382-4357 or going to ftc.gov/complaint.

Cuyahoga County commits $2 million of CARES ACT funding to mortgage assistance program. County homeowners who have been impacted by COVID-19 may be eligible for mortgage payment assistance. Cuyahoga County Council approved $2 million of the County CARES Act funding received through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to provide a one-time, zero interest deferred loan to urban Cuyahoga County homeowners who meet HUD eligibility guidelines and who have difficulty paying their mortgages because of the financial impact of COVID-19.

The program is being administered by local agencies CHN Housing Partners, Community Housing Solutions, and Empowering and Strengthening Ohio’s People (ESOP).

Currently 6 percent of homeowners in Cuyahoga County are 90 days or more delinquent in their mortgage payment. This funding will provide an additional measure of security and peace of mind to County homeowners knowing they will not risk losing their homes as they work to recover financially from the economic impacts of the pandemic.

To be eligible for the Mortgage Assistance the borrower must meet the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s income guidelines, have missed one or more mortgage payments due to COVID-19 and the house must be the borrower’s primary residence, among other criteria.

Assistance is available while funds last. To apply, call (216) 600-2814.

January 19, 2021 – University Heights Coronavirus Update

The number of reported cases in Ohio the last 24 hours is 4,989. The 21-day reported case average is 7,309.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Phase 1B is underway. Earlier today, Phase 1B of Ohio’s COVID-19 vaccination plan got underway, when 100-year-old Helen Formet received her vaccine. Click here to read an article from the Cleveland Jewish News.

Eligibility details. Next week, Ohio will open vaccinations for those Ohioans with severe congenital, developmental, or early-onset medical disorders who make them particularly vulnerable AND who have a developmental or intellectual disability.

COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Locations. At this time, Ohioans age 80 and older are the first group eligible. Weekly age groupings, outlined below, start with the most vulnerable to allow for a smooth opening to Phase 1B, gradually adding more eligible Ohioans each week.

Please visit the COVID-19 Vaccination Program webpage for more information on Ohio’s Phased Approach at vaccine distribution. Phase 1B of vaccine distribution will include the following audiences. When a new age group begins, vaccinations may not be complete for the previous age group.

It will take a number of weeks to distribute all of the vaccine given the limited doses available. Someone in the first age group, for example, will still be able to be vaccinated once the next group begins.

The week of Jan. 19: Ohioans 80 years of age and older.

The week of Jan. 25: Ohioans 75 years of age and older; those with severe congenital or developmental disorders.

The week of Feb. 1: Ohioans 70 years of age and older; employees of K-12 schools that wish to remain or return to in-person or hybrid models.

The week of Feb. 8: Ohioans 65 years of age and older.

Each provider manages its own schedules and appointments. This tool is intended help make site information easily accessible to Ohioans. It is important to call or visit the website of a provider in advance to ensure the provider is conducting vaccinations at this time and to make arrangements to be vaccinated. Websites, contact information, and addresses listed are submitted by vaccine providers.

Back to school. DeWine said the state is working directly with schools to determine what the vaccination of school personnel looks like locally. As of today, 96% of public school districts have committed to returning to school at least partially in-person by March 1^st.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Support local businesses. You can help others learn about the great local businesses in University Heights by voting in the Future Heights “Best of the Heights Awards 2021.” For more information, click here.

Reminder! Applications for Ohio’s Bar and Restaurant Fund have been extended to January 31st! For more information, click here.

City Council meeting tonight. Tonight’s meeting of the University Heights City Council starts at 7 p.m. To view the agenda and the Zoom meeting information, click here.

January 14, 2021- University Heights Coronavirus Update

The number of reported cases in Ohio the last 24 hours is 7,654. The 21-day reported case average is 7,316.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Phase 1B Vaccination Start Dates. This upcoming week, vaccinations will begin for Ohioans who are 80 and older. There will be 750 provider locations across Ohio.

According to the governor, tomorrow (Friday 1/15) the state will launch a tool on coronavirus.ohio.gov where Ohioans can select their county of their ZIP code and see a list of providers that have received the vaccine.

Public safety update. In the interest of public safety, DeWine said the Ohio Statehouse will be closed this Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. All state office buildings in downtown Columbus will be closed on these days as well.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. On Monday, University Heights will celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The City Council meeting, usually scheduled for the third Monday of the month, will take place on Tuesday, January 19^th. There will be no trash pickup on Monday, and all trash will be picked up on a one-day delay. In addition, city offices will be closed.

Fall sports in winter. No sports were held at John Carroll University this fall due to the pandemic. JCU’s athletic department is planning to hold abbreviated seasons this semester, and practices will start next week.

Please find below a letter from Mayor Brennan to the University regarding practices at Shula Stadium and the intramural fields.

#WeWantMore. And finally, Go Browns. As you plan to watch the big game on Sunday, please consider placing a carryout or delivery order with one of our many great restaurants in University Heights. Place your orders early, as the restaurants should be very busy working to feed Browns fans.

January 12, 2021 – University Heights Coronavirus Update

The number of reported cases in Ohio the last 24 hours is 7,981. The 21-day reported case average is 7,424.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Vaccination information coming. DeWine said local health departments, emergency management agencies, and providers in each county will notify the media on Wednesday and Thursday about the process (including dates and times) that residents may use to be vaccinated in their counties.

DeWine said the process may look different depending on the provider. Some may hold walk up clinics, others may take appointments.

Hospitals have been vaccinating their medical personnel as part of Phase 1A. Hospitals must finish vaccinating their frontline healthcare providers by midnight on Sunday. On Monday, they will move to vaccinate older Ohioans who are 90 or older as part of Phase IB.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Pre-register for COVID-19 vaccine. The Cuyahoga County Board of Health is accepting pre-registrations to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. To learn more and to register online, click here.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. On Monday, University Heights will celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The City Council meeting, usually scheduled for the third Monday of the month, will take place on Tuesday, January 17^th. There will be no trash pickup on Monday, and all trash will be picked up on a one-day delay. In addition, city offices will be closed.

Assistance is available while funds last. To apply, call (216) 600-2814.

January 7, 2021 – University Heights Coronavirus update

The number of reported cases in Ohio the last 24 hours is 10,251. The 21-day reported case average is 7,471.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Vaccine update. While Phase 1A vaccination has begun (see below), DeWine today announced details on Phase 1B.

Starting on Tuesday, January 19th, vaccinations will be available to the 420,000 Ohioans who are 80 years old and older. These Ohioans will receive vaccines from physicians, local health departments, hospitals, federally-qualified health centers, in-home health providers, as well as some retail pharmacies.

The Ohio Department of Health has approximately 1,700 providers already registered to distribute vaccinations. Some providers may require appointments, some may hold drive-up clinics, or take walk-ins.

Getting younger. On January 25th, DeWine said he anticipates vaccinations will open to those 75 years old and older. The following week it will open to people 70 and older. On February 8th, the vaccinations will be available to those 65 and older.

When a new age range opens, that doesn’t mean vaccinations should be complete for the previous age range. DeWine said he anticipates it will take a number of weeks to distribute all of the vaccine given the limited doses available.

Vaccine and schools. During the week of February 1st, DeWine said Ohio will begin to vaccinate our school personnel. DeWine said his goal is to vaccinate teachers and staff in order to allow for in-person learning by March 1st.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Phase 1A vaccination available through Cuyahoga County Board of Health. Tomorrow (Friday, January 8), the county Board of Health will vaccinate 800 people in as part of the Phase IA program (see above chart).

Making an appointment is essential, because of pent up demand, traffic, and capacity. People can pre-register for future clinics at www.ccbh.net/vax.

The CCHB is asking for everyone to be patient, as this is an unprecedented logistical challenge.

Books build stronger brains. Here’s some good news! The Literacy Cooperative is pleased to offer free books for all children under age 5 in University Heights through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Parents of children 4 ½ years old and younger can enroll online at www.literacycooperative.org or by texting FREEBOOKS to 313131 to receive free, brand new, high quality books mailed to their home each month until the child turns five.

January 5, 2021 – University Heights Coronavirus Update

The number of reported cases in Ohio the last 24 hours is 7,580. The 21-day reported case average is 7,412.
For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

1A and 1B update. DeWine said Ohio’s goals for the first phases of the vaccination program are to:

Save lives and protect the most vulnerable
Protect those who protect us in the healthcare field
Get all kids back in school by March 1st.

Nursing home update. Beginning this Friday, many residents and staff at Ohio nursing homes will receive their second of two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Virtual State of the City 2021 set for February 18th. Mayor Brennan will deliver his third State of the City Address on Thursday, February 18th at 7 p.m. Instead of an in-person address, Brennan’s speech will be broadcast on the city’s social media accounts. The text of the speech and a video link will also be emailed to all subscribers to the city’s email newsletter and COVID-19 updates.

Safety tip from the University Heights Police Department. Being the victim of identity theft is unfortunate, aggravating, and expensive. Here’s a tip to reduce your chances of becoming a victim.

If you have your social security card in your wallet, we urge you to take it out. Leave it at home in a safe place. We can’t think of a good reason to keep it with you on a regular basis. In the unfortunate event that your wallet is lost or stolen, it’s best to limit the personal information you are making accessible to other people.

December 17, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

The number of reported cases in Ohio the last 24 hours is 11,412. The 21-day reported case average is 10,164.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Vaccine coming to nursing homes. Tomorrow, as part of the federal program to vaccinate nursing home residents and staff, facilities in Ohio will be among the first in the nation to receive vaccines. Ohio was invited by the Centers for Disease Control to participate in the federal program.

Vaccinations continue in hospitals. Seven hospitals in Ohio received their first vaccine shipments this week. The first deliveries were shipped to Mercy Health Springfield Regional Medical Center and the OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus.

In addition to the two aforementioned hospitals, COVID-19 vaccine shipments of 975 doses apiece were also delivered to:

Mercy Health St. Vincent Hospital, Lucas County
Cleveland Clinic, Cuyahoga County
Metro Health Medical Center, Cuyahoga County
Aultman Hospital, Stark County
Genesis Hospital, Muskingum County

Although vaccine supplies are currently limited, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has advised that Ohio will continue to receive vaccinations throughout the month of December. Next week, Ohio is expected to receive 123,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine, as well as 201,900 doses of the Moderna vaccine. During the week of New Year’s, Ohio is expected to receive an additional 148,000 Pfizer vaccines and an additional 89,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Christmas Eve in University Heights. On December 24th, University Heights City Hall will close at noon, so employees may spend time with their families.

Also starting at noon on Christmas Eve, we will present the third annual video, “Mayor Brennan reads ‘The Night Before Christmas’ to the Interns.” This year’s reading, recorded via Zoom, will feature several special guests. The reading will be shared on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Light Up University Heights. To end 2020 on an upbeat note, we want to celebrate homes that are lighting up for the holidays. We will post pictures of the homes on our social media accounts, so if you’re decorating for the holidays, let us know by responding to this email and sending us a picture.

December 14, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

The number of reported cases in Ohio the last 24 hours is 7,875. The 21-day reported case average is 9,871.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Let us continue. While it is great news that people are starting to receive the vaccine, DeWine cautioned that it will take time for everyone to receive it. He encouraged Ohioans to follow the Stay Safe Ohio Protocol for the next three weeks so we can slow the spread.

Coming soon, the Vaccination Dashboard. Ohio will soon be launching a COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard at coronavirus.ohio.gov. This dashboard will show the number of people vaccinated in Ohio, sortable by demographics and county.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Who’s Zooming who? On Tuesday, December 15 at 6 p.m., the Economic Development committee will meet to review a draft RFP to update the City’s Comprehensive Zoning Code.

For more information, including the Zoom link, click here.

Light Up University Heights. To end 2020 on an upbeat note, we want to celebrate homes that are lighting up for the holidays. We will post pictures of the homes on our social media accounts, so if you’re decorating for the holidays, let us know by responding to this email. Send us a pic, or we’ll come out to take one for you.

Contract follow up. Cleveland dot com today ran an article that recaps the new teachers contract in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights school district. Click here to read it.

Leaf update. Leaf update. The Service Department will continue to collect leaves through the end of 2020, weather permitting. A third pass through the City has resumed where we left off due to snow, and it is hoped the weather will permit a fourth and final pass. Crews were out today on Claridge Oval, Dysart (by Claridge), and Meadowbrook (between WCR and Fenwick). The plan for Tuesday is to hit Ashurst and Eaton.

December 10, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

The number of reported cases in Ohio the last 24 hours is 11,783. The 21-day reported case average is 9,733.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Current ICU utilization in Ohio. The COVID-19 pandemic is starting to overwhelm the intensive care units in hospitals across Ohio.

Staying safe over the holidays. DeWine said the next several weeks will be the toughest yet. We’re heading into the holiday season, while enduring the biggest wave of COVID-19 so far. What each of us does in the next 21 days will set us on the path, good or bad, for the next year.

DeWine added that we simply cannot afford, on the very eve of a safe and effective vaccination, to overwhelm our hospitals and healthcare providers.

As outlined by Cleveland.com, DeWine asked Ohioans to follow these guidelines for the next 21 days:

Stay home. Only leave home work, school, household essentials or emergencies.

Celebrate Christmas at home because people who are infected but don’t know it could transmit COVID-19.

Wear a mask covering the nose and mouth when caring for loved ones with COVID-19, when outside the house and in the house and infected with the coronavirus.

Keep your distance from other people. Keep interactions short and remember the more people you’re around, the higher the risk for spread.

Wash your hands. The federal Centers for Disease Protection and Control says it’s one of the most effective when washing with soap and water, scrubbing for 20 seconds and washing them clean. If you can’t wash with soap and water, scrub with a 60% alcohol solution hand sanitizer.

Work from home if possible. Bosses need to reduce exposure by scheduling meetings in a virtual environment.

Don’t eat or drink with anyone outside your household, because it’s not safe to be around others without wearing a mask– impossible when eating. Restaurant meals should be picked up or eaten inside.

Avoid travel, which will just increase the chance of exposure to the virus.

Postpone large gatherings when possible. Events such as weddings and funerals have been linked to outbreaks in Ohio. Gatherings that must occur need to be small. Virtual gatherings are preferred.

Curfew order extended. DeWine extended the 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew until January 2, 2021. He added that the curfew will not apply to those attending Monday night’s Browns game.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Menorah Parade is Sunday. The Light After Dark Menorah Parade will once again travel through University Heights on Sunday, December 13, starting at 3 p.m. If you are planning to watch the parade, please maintain social distance.

For more information, visit clemenorahparade.com.

School board and teachers ratify contract. The CH-UH City School District Board of Education has approved a new contract for the teachers’ union.

Following an all-night negotiation session that began on the evening of December 1, a tentative agreement was reached between the Board of Education and the Cleveland Heights Teachers Union early in the morning of December 2, the date the union intended to begin their strike. The teachers’ union voted on December 3 to ratify the agreement, which received 94% approval.

As the final step, the Board of Education unanimously approved the agreement during its regular meeting on December 8.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Mayor Brennan thanked both sides. “I cannot stress enough how crucial it was for everyone to get together on this new two-year contract for the teachers,” he said. “Everyone at the bargaining table made their points and came away with wins, but the winners overall are the students and families of this district. In spite of everything stacked against this district, both sides were tenacious in asserting their valid and competing interests.”

To read the board’s press release, click here.

To read a presentation on the new contract, click here.

December 3, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

The Ohio Department of Health reports that today’s data is incomplete. Because of unprecedented volume, thousands of reports are pending review.

As of December 3, there are 446,849 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (43,640 in Cuyahoga County). 298,332 people are presumed to have recovered. Across Ohio, there have been 6,753 deaths, and 768 in Cuyahoga County.

The number of reported cases in Ohio the last 24 hours is 8,921. The 21-day reported case average is 8,209.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Vaccine update. DeWine said the State is still in discussions with the federal government about how much vaccine Ohio will receive and when. The situation is fluid, and DeWine said he will provide more information soon.

On the brink of purple. Cuyahoga County is now back on the watch list for level purple, the highest level for the COVID-19 public emergency. Click here to read more from the Cleveland Jewish News.

Thanksgiving surge is coming. Dr. Andy Thomas of the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center reports Ohio still hasn’t seen the impact of Thanksgiving in hospital numbers. Usually, people are admitted a week after they are diagnosed. This is not the beginning of the end. Unfortunately, it is not even the end of the beginning.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Mr. Brennan goes to Columbus. Mayor Brennan traveled to Columbus yesterday to give proponent testimony on House Bill 305 before the Ohio House Finance Committee. HB 305 would make significant changes to Ohio’s school funding system.

The bill passed committee, and was approved today by the full Ohio House. It now moves to the Ohio Senate.
Click here to read his testimony, as written.

Video of the mayor’s testimony is available here, via The Ohio Channel. Brennan’s presentation begins around the 17 minute mark.

One less thing to worry about. The Cleveland Heights-University Heights teachers strike ended before it began. The school board and the teachers union reached a tentative agreement yesterday morning.

The teachers and the district issued the following statement:

We are pleased to inform our families, staff, and community members that a tentative agreement has been reached between the CH-UH Board of Education and the Cleveland Heights Teachers Union. The parties negotiated all of last night and into the morning, ultimately agreeing on important compromises for the good of our students and community. Due to negotiations going until 6:30 a.m., some Union members arrived to picket unaware that a tentative agreement was already near completion. We are happy that a strike was averted and students’ education will not be interrupted.

Above all else, we are relieved that our teachers will be exactly where they’re needed – with their students.

A tentative agreement means that the bargaining teams have reached agreement on the contract’s terms, but the contract is not yet ratified. The Union will take the tentative agreement to its membership for a ratification vote, and the District bargaining team will present it to the Board for its approval as well.

In case you missed it. On Thanksgiving Day, City Hall announced he recipients of the 2020 University Heights Civic Awards. 2020 has been hard on just about everyone. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and social unrest there was plenty of good to be found in University Heights. It’s like Mr. Rogers used to say, when things are scary, “look for the helpers.”

We have decided to announce the recipients of the 2020 University Heights Civic Awards on Thanksgiving Day. We to give thanks for those people “who are helping” in University Heights.

Click here to read more about the recipients.

November 24, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

The State reports that today’s data is incomplete. Thousands of reports are pending review. Additionally, today’s data includes two days of positive test results that were delayed because of technical issues related to lab reporting. The Ohio Department of Health asks you to bear with them as they work through the surge in testing.

As of November 24, there are 371,908 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (36,047 in Cuyahoga County). 236,618 people are presumed to have recovered. Across Ohio, there have been 6,118 deaths, and 741 in Cuyahoga County.
The number of reported cases in Ohio the last 24 hours is 8,604. The 21-day reported case average is 6,941.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Hospital update. DeWine reports there are 4,449 COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized in Ohio. Of these, 1,046 are in intensive care.

Bar and Restaurant Assistance fund. Lt. Governor Jon Husted encouraged local bars and restaurants to apply for aid through the Bar and Restaurant Assistance Fund. Husted said the payments are not competitive, meaning if you are eligible you will receive a payment.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

2020 University Heights Civic Awards. 2020 has been hard on just about everyone. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and social unrest there was plenty of good to be found in University Heights. It’s like Mr. Rogers used to say, when things are scary, “look for the helpers.”

We have decided to announce the recipients of the 2020 University Heights Civic Awards on Thanksgiving Day. We to give thanks for those people “who are helping” in University Heights.

Due to the pandemic, we couldn’t gather in person over dinner for the Civic Awards. So, we are going to bring the awards to our residents via social media while they gather to celebrate Thanksgiving with their families.

The awards will be announced on Thanksgiving on our social media accounts.

Grants available for small businesses. Cuyahoga County is working with partners from across the region to continue deploying millions of dollars through a Small Business Stabilization Fund to support small neighborhood-based businesses that have been impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Small businesses will be able to apply for an additional $4 million in grants, with grant awards up to $10,000. Grant amounts will be determined by a grant committee based on review of eligibility requirements as well as company revenue and employee size. Small businesses with up to 25 employees are eligible for grants. Businesses that cannot receive a grant based on the requirements will be referred to lenders who are offering loans to help for business-related expenses.

The third round of applications for grants will close on December 3 at 5 p.m. Grants will be awarded and distributed shortly after. Businesses can apply for a grant, as well as be directed to lenders, by completing the Stabilization Fund Application on the Cuyahoga County’s Stabilization Fund. To apply, visit cuyahogacounty.us/stabilizationfund.

Shop Local. Speaking of local businesses, you can make a huge difference in our communities by shopping local. By creating local jobs and keeping money in the local economy, you’re making an investment in our future. Each week of the Heights-Hillcrest Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Shop Local campaign, each of their member cities will be showcasing a “Unique Boutique of the Week.”

Representing University Heights this week is Jamaican-Me Tan.

To learn more about the Shop Local campaign, click here.

Light Up University Heights. To end 2020 on an upbeat note, we want to celebrate homes that are lighting up for the holidays. We will post pictures of the homes on our social media accounts, so if you’re decorating for the holidays, let us know by responding to this email. Send us a pic, or we’ll come out to take one for you.

November 19, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of November 19, there are 326,615 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (31,895 in Cuyahoga County). 216,619 people are presumed to have recovered. Across Ohio, there have been 5,890 deaths, and 720 in Cuyahoga County.

The number of reported cases in Ohio the last 24 hours is 7,787. The 21-day reported case average is 5,604.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Map continues to get worse. DeWine reported that this week’s Advisory System Map shows continued spread. For the first time, one county is now at purple, which indicates a Level 4 Public Emergency with severe exposure and spread. DeWine said we are starting to see sustained impacts on healthcare services due to this disease.

State curfew begins tonight at 10 p.m. The state curfew will be from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily for the next 21 days.

The curfew will not apply to those going to or from work, those who have an emergency, or those who need medical care. The curfew is not intended to stop anyone from getting groceries or going to a pharmacy. Picking up carry-out or a drive-thru meal and ordering for delivery will be permitted, but serving food and drink in person must cease at 10 p.m.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Cuyahoga County residents advised to stay home. Yesterday afternoon, Cuyahoga County issued a stay-at-home advisory. Click here to read details of the plan, and click here to read media coverage of the advisory.

Still time to get your $20 Heinen’s gift card, courtesy of 1-888-OHIO-COMP. The last two years, our friends at 1-888-OHIO-COMP have donated frozen turkeys to City Hall, for distribution to residents who could use them for Thanksgiving. Due to the pandemic, there will not be a turkey giveaway in 2020.

Instead, 1-888-OHIO-COMP has provided Heinen’s $20 gift cards for distribution. Cards will be mailed to the first 75 University Heights residents who call City Hall at (440) 462-8957. Callers will be asked to leave their complete name and mailing address on the voice mail at this number. Your address must be here in University Heights.

This offer is good while supplies last. Only one card per household. Employees of the city are not eligible. The city is not responsible for cards that are damaged or lost in the mail.

Please do NOT call the main number at City Hall for the gift card giveaway. Instead, please call the special number we have set up for this giveaway. Voicemails left on any phone number other than (440) 462-8957 will not be honored.

November 17, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of November 17, there are 312,443 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (30,581 in Cuyahoga County). 208,945 people are presumed to have recovered. Across Ohio, there have been 5,722 deaths, and 720 in Cuyahoga County.

The number of reported cases in Ohio the last 24 hours is 7,079. The 21-day reported case average is 5,224.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

COVID-19 hospitalizations are way up. The Ohio Department of Health reports Ohio is approaching 4,000 hospitalizations. For comparison’s sake, on October 13, there were 1,000 in the hospital due to COVID-19. This increased to over 2,000 on November 5, and over 3,000 on November 12.

21-day curfew. DeWine today announced a curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m, starting on Thursday, November 19^th. He said retail will close at 10 p.m. In addition, Ohioans should be at home. The exceptions to the curfew include those traveling to or from work, those seeking medical or mental health care, going to a drive-thru to pick up food, or grocery shopping.

Do one thing. The Governor also asked Ohioans to every day do “at least one thing that reduces your contact with others.” He cited as examples making less frequent trips to the grocery store, and to not gather in large groups to watch football games on television.

DeWine added “If we can cut down contacts by 20 to 25%, this will make a difference. Paired with mask-wearing, this will go a long way from stopping our hospitals from being overrun.”

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Large gathering update. At last night’s City Council meeting, Mayor Brennan discussed the city’s plan to slow the spread of COVID-19 in University Heights and to keep city safety forces healthy. The intent is to reduce the number of “super-spreader” events in University Heights.

To read a Cleveland dot com recap of the plan, click here. An article by the Cleveland Jewish News can be viewed by clicking here.

Car theft update. At the same meeting, Police Chief Dustin Rogers urged residents to make it more difficult for thieves to steal your car. Don’t leave your keys in your vehicle, and keep your car locked.

For details, click here for a Cleveland dot com article.

Thank you to 1-888-OHIO-COMP for sponsoring our Thanksgiving giveaway. The last two years, our friends at 1-888-OHIO-COMP have donated frozen turkeys to City Hall, for distribution to residents who could use them for Thanksgiving. Due to the pandemic, there will not be a turkey giveaway in 2020.

Instead, 1-888-OHIO-COMP has provided Heinen’s $20 gift cards for distribution. Cards will be mailed to the first 75 University Heights residents who call us at (440) 462-8957 beginning 10 a.m. on Thursday, November 19. Callers will be asked to leave their complete name and mailing address on the voice mail at this number. Your address must be here in University Heights.

Voicemails left before 10am on Thursday will not count. This offer is good while supplies last. Only one card per household. Employees of the city are not eligible. The city is not responsible for cards that are damaged or lost in the mail.

November 12, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of November 12, there are 274,457 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (26,880 in Cuyahoga County). 194,846 people are presumed to have recovered. Across Ohio, there have been 5,658 deaths, and 714 in Cuyahoga County.

The number of reported cases in Ohio the last 24 hours is 7,101. The 21 day reported case average is 4,001.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

The following is a recap of last night’s address from Governor DeWine:

Where we are now. Ohio is experiencing a more intense surge in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, ICU admissions across the entire state.

In September, Ohio averaged under 1,000 cases a day. Today, Ohio reported our second highest number of cases at nearly 5,900. Some believe that the only reason we are seeing more cases is because more testing is being done. We do have more testing available throughout the state, but while testing has not yet doubled, cases have almost quadrupled.

Last week, Ohio had just under 2,000 COVID patients in hospitals throughout the state. But one week later, Ohio is approaching 3,000 patients. A month ago, 240 patients with COVID were in the ICU receiving critical care. As of today, more than 700 Ohioans are in the ICU.

We know how to beat this virus. We need to stick to the basics: wash your hands; wear your mask even when you’re with friends and family; stay socially distanced; work from home when you can; and stay at home when you are sick.
We cannot pick and choose when we follow this guidance. We have to follow it every single day if we want to beat this virus.

New Mask Order. Most businesses are doing a good job ensuring that COVID-19 safety guidelines are being followed. However, it is clear that there are some businesses where mask-wearing is lacking. We have a responsibility to employees and customers to ensure that Ohio’s businesses are as safe as possible.

Governor DeWine will ask the Department of Health to reissue the mask order that’s been in place since July 23^rd to include the following new provisions:

Each business will be required to post a Face Covering Requirement sign at each public entrance.
Each business will be responsible for ensuring that customers and employees are wearing masks.
A new Retail Compliance Unit, led by the Bureau of Workers Compensation, will be inspecting to ensure retail compliance. A first violation of this order will bring about a written warning and a second violation will bring about closure of the store for up to 24 hours.
A copy of the order will be available soon.

New Social Gathering Order. There has been an order in place since April to limit gatherings to no more than 10 people. Despite the order, there is rampant spread of the virus from banquets, wedding receptions, and social gatherings following funerals. It’s not the ceremonies, it is at the parties afterwards.

A new order will place significant new restrictions on these social activities. Open congregate areas can no longer be open. The new order requires everyone to be seated and masked unless they are actively consuming food or drinks and prohibits things such as dancing and games.

Restaurants, bars, and gyms. If the trend continues and cases keep increasing, DeWine said the State will be forced to close restaurants, bars, and gyms on 11/19. These are locations where it is difficult or impossible to maintain mask-wearing. Mask wearing is our chief way of slowing down the spread of the virus.

Schools. DeWine said the vast majority of our K-12 schools are doing a fantastic job. However, a surge in communities threatens a districts’ ability to keep teachers in the classroom.

Our colleges and universities have taken strong action to keep their cases low and their campuses safe. Many have agreed to not return to in-person learning after Thanksgiving for the remainder of the semester. Unless we dramatically slow the community spread of this virus, higher education institutions may have to remain virtual when classes begin in January.

More bad news. The first graph shows the 7-day moving average outpatient visits for patients with either a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 diagnosis code. The trend is similar to those we are seeing for case counts as well as hospitalizations.

The second graph shows we are currently at our highest point for both hospitalized and ICU patients since the beginning of the pandemic.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

A message from City Prosecutor Stephanie Scalise regarding public health orders. Prosecutor Scalise today issued the following statement regarding large gatherings in University Heights:

As the City Prosecutor for University Heights, I have always tried to make sure that every prosecution is resolved fairly, with an eye toward what is reasonable. The authority to charge someone with a crime and prosecute them in court is a power that should not be wielded with a heavy hand. As such, I have historically been generous with the plea bargaining process for first-time, non-violent offenses. Everyone makes mistakes, and everyone deserves to have a fair chance to make amends.

However, in the era of COVID-19, private gatherings among family and friends pose serious risks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said that small gatherings are a major factor in why we are seeing a surge in the number of infections. Governor DeWine told us yesterday that 700 of our fellow Ohioans are currently in an ICU, fighting for their lives. If the high level of COVID-19 infections continue, small-business owners may have to shut down and people may be out of work. When our police officers are called to private gatherings because they have become too raucous or loud, our officers, and the families they go home to, could get very sick, maybe even die.

I cannot tell you what to do in your private life. It is not my desire to do so. I want to be clear – I’m not charging anyone with a crime because they had their family in their home or because they decided to worship together. But, if you chose to host or attend a social gathering and the event results in our police officers being summoned for some other reason (ie. noise complaints, fights, disorderly conduct), I cannot be generous with a plea bargain in court.

All of us want to be physically present with our friends and our families. And, all of us have a personal responsibility to make sure our individual actions do not delay our collective ability to gather together safely as soon as possible. As the holidays approach, it is especially important that we reflect on what it really means to be thankful for one another, to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Car Theft Update. Across Cuyahoga County, cars are being broken into or stolen. Four cars were recently stolen right here in University Heights.

In all four cases in our city, the car keys were left in an unlocked vehicle.

To be absolutely clear, we are not trying to “blame the victim.” We are instead asking residents to help stop this crime spree. Do not make it easy for car thieves. PLEASE do not leave your car keys in your car. Lock your car. And do not keep valuables in sight of potential thieves.

Support University Heights businesses in Scene’s Best of Cleveland 2020 contest. After a delay caused by the pandemic, voting is now open in the finals of Scene’s Best of Cleveland contest.

Please take a few minutes to vote for local favorites, such as Geraci’s Restaurant (Best Pizza), Bialy’s Bagels (Best Bagels), Jack’s Deli & Restaurant (Best Deli), Swensons (Best Local Chain), WJCU 88.7 FM (Best College Radio Station), John Carroll University (Best College or University), Flowerville (Best Florist), and Heinen’s (Best Grocery Store).

Click here to vote. Friday, November 13^th is the last day to vote.

November 10, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of November 10, there are 261,482 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (25,511 in Cuyahoga County). 189,079 people are presumed to have recovered. Across Ohio, there have been 5,547 deaths, and 712 in Cuyahoga County.

The number of reported cases in Ohio the last 24 hours is 6,508. The 21 day reported case average is 3,612.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine:

Unprecedented spike in hospital admissions. Yesterday, Governor DeWine, incoming Ohio Department of Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, and leaders of the Ohio Hospital Association discussed the status of hospital capacity in Ohio as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to surge throughout the state.

As of yesterday’s press conference, there were over 2,500 current hospitalizations statewide, up from 2,000 hospitalizations on Thursday. A total of 154 hospitalizations were reported in the 24 hours previous to the press conference. In the 24 hours since, there have been an additional 386 hospitalizations.

“In Ohio, we are seeing an unprecedented spike in hospital utilization and it is impacting all areas of the state. While we are better prepared with personal protective equipment and physical capacity, what we are seeing now is an increasing demand on our staffing,” said Dr. Vanderhoff. “If we don’t control the spread of this virus, we won’t be able to care for those who are acutely ill without postponing important, but less urgent, care. We anticipate that this kind of shift could happen in a matter of weeks if trends don’t change.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic is becoming more dire for Ohio as hospitalizations have escalated 350 percent in the past 50 days to 2,533 COVID patients in Ohio hospitals today,” said Mike Abrams, president and CEO, Ohio Hospital Association. “Our hospitals are capable of managing capacity needs, but we must stem the spread now. This steep climb creates a severe strain on our caregivers who are braving the frontline of this pandemic. We can stop this spread, and we call on Ohioans to join hospitals and caregivers to take action now and do the right thing to slow the spread.”

Address to the State. DeWine did not have a press conference today. He will give a speech to Ohioans on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Stuffing the Cruiser. The University Heights Police Department is accepting donations of non-perishable food in the lobby of the police department. All of the food collected at the end of the food drive, November 25th, will be donated to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank.

What kind of food do they need the most? Beans, peanut butter, canned or boxed entrees, pasta sauce, 100% juice, cereal, canned protein (tuna, chicken, etc.) pasta, and canned fruits and veggies are the most requested items. But really, any canned or boxed food that is unopened and unexpired will gladly be accepted.

More people than usual are really struggling and we want to encourage everyone to give what you can to help those that have a greater need.

Our very own Administrative Assistant Botsko took it upon herself to create this collection box and she would get disappointed if we don’t keep it full of food to be donated.

Need even more incentive to donate? We have challenged the South Euclid Police Department to see who can collect the more food and we really don’t want to lose.

Veterans Day is Wednesday, November 11. Veterans Day is a U.S. legal holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars, and Veterans Day 2020 occurs on Wednesday, November 11. In 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in World War I, then known as “the Great War.”

Commemorated in many countries as Armistice Day the following year, November 11th became a federal holiday in the United States in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became known as Veterans Day.

Tomorrow, please take some time to remember the sacrifices of those Veterans who have served our country.

Trash update. City Hall and the Service Department will be closed on Wednesday for Veterans Day. If your trash is usually picked up on Wednesdays, it will be picked up on Thursday this week. And if you trash day is Thursday, we’ll get it on Friday.

2020 University Heights Civic Awards. Due to this pandemic, 2020 has been hard on everybody. But there are good things that happened this year. Good people in University Heights have done the hard work needed to make our city an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.

While we can’t gather as a community over dinner for the Civic Awards this year, we will honor your friends and neighbors. While you and your family prepare to give thanks together over a Thanksgiving feast, we will be announcing the recipients of our Civic Awards on Thanksgiving Day via Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Because, despite everything that COVID-19 has stolen from us in 2020, there is still plenty to be thankful for.

November 5, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of November 5, there are 235,170 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (23,023 in Cuyahoga County). 178,646 people are presumed to have recovered. Across Ohio, there have been 5,461 deaths, and 696 in Cuyahoga County.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

More bad news. DeWine said Ohio has a shockingly high number of cases in the past 24 hours. 4,961 is a new record number of cases. Hospitalizations are up, as are the number of patients in intensive care and on ventilators.

Map looking bad. Ohio’s Advisory System Map shows the virus continues to spread through all regions of Oho. Ohio now has 56 Red Alert Level 3 counties – the highest number of counties that are red since the system was created.

Take action. DeWine said the vest way to defeat COVID-19 is by doing three things:

Stick to the basics: Wear masks, maintain social distance, wash hands
Protect the most vulnerable
Go on the offense with the pending vaccine

Meet the new staff. Stephanie McCloud is the new Director of the Ohio Department of Health. She has previously served as director of the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation.

DeWine also named Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff as the new Chief Medical Officer at the Ohio Department of Health. Vanderhoff has a decade of experience as Senior Vice President and the Chief Medical Officer at OhioHealth (an organization of non-profit, faith-based hospitals and healthcare organizations).

Kathleen Madden, who has been serving as Assistant Director at the Ohio Office of Budget and Management will become the Chief of Staff for the Ohio Department of Health. She will play a key role in keeping programs and operations moving and on track.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

More people than usual are really struggling and we want to encourage everyone to give what you can to help those that have a greater need.

Our very own Administrative Assistant Botsko took it upon herself to create this collection box and she would get disappointed if we don’t keep it full of food to be donated.

Need even more incentive to donate? We have challenged the South Euclid Police Department to see who can collect the more food and we really don’t want to lose.

Meals on Wheels update. Meals on Wheels Shaker serves University Heights, as well as Beachwood and Shaker Heights. Meals on Wheels provides a low-cost meal delivery service for just $7 per day. There are no requirements for participation or eligibility.

Our Meals on Wheels chapter has met the challenge of the pandemic head-on, and they are now ready to serve more residents in University Heights. For more information, click here.

Let’s talk about race and equity in our community. On Sunday at 3 p.m., the Heights Community Congress will host a discussion about race. Via Zoom, neighbors will sit down, share stories, and talk honestly to learn what divides us and what brings us together in University Heights and Cleveland Heights.

Click here for more information.

This Heights Community Congress event is co-sponsored by Future Heights, Reaching Heights, Home Repair Resource Center, Heights Libraries, and the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District.

When the walls come tumblin’ down. You know those two blighted homes behind City Hall? Council voted last night to tear them down, and today they’re coming down.

October 29, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of October 29, there are 208,937 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (21,002 in Cuyahoga County). 165,302 people are presumed to have recovered. Across Ohio, there have been 5,275 deaths, and 686 in Cuyahoga County.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

The numbers are getting worse. Today, Ohio hit another record number of cases reported in a 24-hour period: 3,590. It’s the first time Ohio surpassed 3,000 cases, and its 25% more than Saturday’s previous high.

Ohio also has 194 new hospitalizations reported in the past 24 hours, the third highest we’ve reported so far. The top five highest new hospitalizations numbers have all occurred in the last week and a half.

Having said that… DeWine said that despite today’s grim data, he’s optimistic. DeWine said Ohioans have the tools, they know what works, and the decisions each Ohioan makes each day will determine what kind of winter we will have.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Safer Trick-or-Treating. Unless there is a last-second order from the Cuyahoga or Ohio Department of Health, Trick-or-Treat night in University Heights will be held on Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. If you choose to participate, please do so safely. Halloween tips for parents include:

Limit the number of houses you visit
Maintain social distancing from treat-givers
Hold the treat bag if your kids are young
Wipe off candy wrappers with sanitizing wipes
Do not eat homemade treats made by strangers

Click here for additional tips.

If you will not be distributing candy this year, that’s more than ok. Just remember to turn your lights off from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday.

Mayor Brennan joins Governor DeWine in the recommendation that we have no Halloween parties or gatherings indoors this year.

City of Boo-tiful Homes. City Hall is celebrating the spooky Halloween decorations all over town with our new “City of Boo-tiful Homes” signs. If you know of a house that is worthy of such recognition, please respond to this email with a house address, and we will deliver a sign (while supplies last).

Like clockwork. When it’s the weekend of the time change, we collect household hazardous waste and shred paper.

If I Can Turn Back Time. Remember, we turn back our clocks one hour this weekend. We suggest you reset your clocks by one hour before you go to bed on Saturday.

Voting locations. If you are planning on voting in person on November 3^rd, please be aware that polling locations in University Heights have changed. A polling location map is in the latest issue of Mosaic. Click here to view the map. You may also look up your polling location at this link provided by the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.

Libraries and Election Day. Our friends at the Heights Libraries asked us to pass on the following message: As many of you already know, the Lee Road and University Heights branches are polling places.

Due to the need for safety and social distancing during election day next week, Tuesday, November 3, the Lee Road and University Heights branches will only be open for voting. No library services will be available at the Lee Road and University Heights buildings on election day, Tuesday, November 3.

However, the Coventry and Noble branches WILL be open that day, and the HKIC computer lab will still be open for computer appointments. Thank you for understanding during these unprecedented times.

October 27, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus Update

As of October 27, there are 202,740 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (20,582 in Cuyahoga County). 161,704 people are presumed to have recovered. Across Ohio, there have been 5,239 deaths, and 686 in Cuyahoga County.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

More bad numbers. DeWine reported today that all areas of the state are seeing increases in the number of COVID patients being treated in hospitals, in Intensive Care Units, and on ventilators. Hospitalized COVID-positive patients are at an all-time high in Ohio.

Do more. DeWine asked Ohioans and local leaders to redouble their efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19. DeWine asked Ohioans to:

Wear a mask when you are out in public, when you go to a store, and when you are with friends.
Keep your distance.
Wash your hands often.
Keep your building well-ventilated.

He also asked Ohioans to not host or attend gatherings of any size. Don’t go to Halloween parties. Wear masks inside and outside. Stay home if you are not well.

Winter is coming. DeWine will be starting meetings with county leaders to discuss how we can work together to beat this virus. The goal will be to bring people together to learn what we can do to help the community, and for the community to chart a course to get them safely through the winter. DeWine is asking leaders to inventory where they are in the battle against community spread.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Limit the number of houses you visit
Maintain social distancing from treat-givers
Hold the treat bag if your kids are young
Wipe off candy wrappers with sanitizing wipes
Do not eat homemade treats made by strangers

Click here for additional tips.

If you will not be distributing candy this year, that’s more than ok. Just remember to turn your lights off from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday.

Like clockwork. When it’s the weekend of the time change, we collect household hazardous waste and shred paper.

Who’s zooming who? The Service Committee will hold a Zoom meeting on Wednesday, October 28 at 6:00 p.m. to receive public comment on the solid waste study. If you have an opinion on the study, the proposal to change to curbside from backyard rubbish and recycling pickup, and the costs involved, you are encouraged to attend and share your opinion. Click here for the agenda, here for the Zoom link, here for a link to the study, and finally, here for news coverage of the previous Service Committee meeting.

Support University Heights businesses in Scene’s Best of Cleveland 2020 contest. After a delay caused by the pandemic, voting is now open in the finals of Scene’s Best of Cleveland contest.

Click here to vote.

Speaking of voting… If you are planning on voting in person on November 3rd, please be aware that polling locations in University Heights have changed. A polling location map is in the latest issue of Mosaic. Click here to view the map. You may also look up your polling location at this link provided by the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.

October 22, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of October 22, there are 190,430 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (19,706 in Cuyahoga County). 155,181 people are presumed to have recovered. Across Ohio, there have been 5,161 deaths, and 682 in Cuyahoga County.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

It’s time to get serious. DeWine warned Ohioans that it’s time to pay attention and get serious. “The spread of COVID-19 is getting worse by the minute,” he said. “The government is not going to come knocking on your door to make sure you aren’t having a party — we all have a personal responsibility to take precautions and stay safe.”

Bad news in Cuyahoga County. DeWine reported that in addition to exceeding the CDC’s threshold for high incidence, the county has a sustained increase in new cases, outpatient visits and hospital admissions. Local health department officials report that they are seeing double the case volume compared to just two weeks ago. They also report that hospitals are seeing increased inpatient and outpatient volume and that social gatherings continue to be a problem.
Cuyahoga County is very close to reaching Level 4, which means the county is experiencing severe exposure and spread.

An alarming looking map. Today, we have an alarming number of counties that are red—38, which is close to half the state. This is an increase from 29 red counties last week. We also have three counties that are now on the watch list: Clark, Cuyahoga and Hamilton counties.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Clean Committed. Destination Cleveland is focused on promoting businesses that have made an investment in operating safely and responsibly for their customers and your neighborhood during this pandemic. That is why they are celebrating and promoting businesses which have taken the CLEAN COMMITTED pledge.

Congratulations to the first University Heights businesses to be recognized as Clean Committed – Bialy’s Bagels, Rascal House Pizza, Los Arcos Mexican Restaurant, and John Carroll University.
Clean Committed businesses have implemented the following policies to keep their customers and employees safe:

Help Prevent the Spread of Germs.
• Wear a face covering when in public and understand that businesses may require customers to wear a face covering for service.
• Avoid touching surfaces or merchandise unless necessary or until a decision to select or purchase an item is made.
• Sneeze or cough into your elbow or a tissue/handkerchief. Promptly discard any used tissues.
• Stay home if you are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19.

Keep Your Hands Clean.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to completely clean your hands.
• Use hand sanitizer between hand washings and especially after touching high-contact surfaces.

Maintain physical Distance.
• Maintain at least 6 feet of distance in all directions between you and other customers and/or workers.
• Use mobile ordering, curbside pick-up, mobile check-in, contactless payment to reduce person-to-person interaction while supporting local businesses.

Follow Business Policies.
• Respect business owners’ right to withhold service if you exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 (i.e., fever, cough, or shortness of breath).
• Follow all posted requirements and health and safety guidelines when inside a business or waiting to enter a business.

Support University Heights businesses in Scene’s Best of Cleveland 2020 contest. After a delay caused by the pandemic, voting is now open in the finals of Scene’s Best of Cleveland contest.

Click here to vote.

Speaking of voting… Our friends at the Board of Elections report that as of yesterday afternoon, the BOE has processed 330,000 Vote-by-Mail (VBM) applications. It has sent out ballots for all of those applications, except those received yesterday. If you are still waiting for a VBM ballot, it should arrive in the next one or two days. If you don’t get it by then, please make a plan to vote early in-person at the Board of Elections through November 2. You will vote a regular (not provisional) ballot. If you requested a VBM ballot and you wait to vote on November 3, you will receive a provisional ballot.

About half of all VBM ballots (160,000) have been turned in by voters. Of these, about half have been dropped off in person at the Board, and the rest were returned via U.S. mail. If you have not already returned your VBM ballot, please do so as soon as possible to ensure it’s counted.

Returning your Vote-by-Mail ballot now has some important benefits. First, it allows the Board of Elections plenty of time to confirm that your ballot is valid (for instance, that you completed the ID envelope properly) and ready to be counted. If there’s any problem, Board staff will be able to contact you and most issues can then be easily resolved. Second, once your ballot is validated, it can be scanned right away. Then, on Election Night, it will be in the very first group to be tabulated and reported.

The Board now has about a two-business day turnaround for submitted ballots to be validated and posted to the vote tracker.

Now hiring. University Heights is looking to hire an Administrative Assistant for the Building Department. The Administrative Assistant works under the supervision of the Department Director. This position is responsible for the processing and monitoring of permit applications through the City’s construction review process, including accepting application materials and inspecting for completeness; entering applications into the City’s construction management database system; dispersing applications to various departments and entities for further review and coordinating the issuance of permits approved by the Chief Building Official.

Click here for more information.

Who’s zooming who? The Service Committee will hold a Zoom meeting on Wednesday, October 28 at 6:00 p.m. to receive public comment on the solid waste study. Click here for the agenda, here for the Zoom link, here for a link to the study, and finally, here for news coverage of the previous Service Committee meeting.

To preregister for comments, click .here.

The Building and Housing Committee will meet on Thursday, October 29 at 7:00 p.m. The agenda is here, and the Zoom link is here.

October 20, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of October 20, there are 185,639 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (19,436 in Cuyahoga County). 152,460 people are presumed to have recovered. Across Ohio, there have been 5,083 deaths, and 675 in Cuyahoga County.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Help is on the way. Back in August, DeWine asked the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation Board of Directors to approve a second dividend for public and private employers as financial support during the ongoing pandemic. These checks, totaling approximately $1.3 billion, will be mailed to employers beginning this week.

The checks will arrive in the mail, and will NOT be directly deposited into any bank accounts.

DeWine said more news is coming soon on programs that will use CARES Act funding to create a wide-ranging program to address the needs of struggling Ohioans, including funding for rent, mortgages, and well as funding for small businesses and nonprofits.

Flu and COVID. DeWine urged Ohioans to get their flu shot. You can have both viruses at the same time, and the Ohio Department of Health wants to take steps to avoid that. Some symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, but the above chart outlines key differences you should know.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Mayor’s report from last night’s council meeting. Mayor Brennan made the following remarks at last night’s City Council meeting (Ohio has reported an additional 2,015 cases since these remarks):

Today, Ohio reported 1,837 new coronavirus cases. The highest amount ever reported on a Monday. We made numerous records last week in new cases. On Wednesday October 14 we had 2,039 which was a record. Then on Thursday October 15, we had 2,178, a new record. Friday, October 16, we had 2,148, not a record, but second only to the record set the day before. Then Saturday, October 17, we had 2,234 new cases, which was yet another record. Three records set in new cases over four days.

The 21-day rolling average of new cases 1,515. We have had 11,998 new cases since Wednesday. New cases are surging in Ohio. This is a national trend also, as it is happening in numerous states. The question is why?

In the absence of contact tracing data, we have speculation by Gov. DeWine, blaming family gatherings and not enough mask-wearing. The direction from the CDC is similar. Small family gatherings are leading to more infections.

Understandably, everyone is fatigued. We just had the high holidays, we are about to have more holidays, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and all the winter holidays. Coronavirus does not take a holiday. It doesn’t care if you haven’t seen your mother since this started. It doesn’t care who you want to have over for dinner. It doesn’t care if you think having a wedding reception under a tent in your backyard is an acceptable idea. It doesn’t care if you and your friends are playing flip cup outside in your front yard.

I get calls, emails, texts, every day, and especially on the weekend. Parties. Gatherings. More than 10 people in the front yard, in the backyard. Cars parked on the street the length of a full city block, with a gathering presumably indoors somewhere. People see these things, and they report it to me. Out of concern. There is no state order prohibiting gatherings of 10 or more on private property, nothing, without more, that the city may enforce on private property. That does not mean it is a good idea.

We all want normalcy. We won’t ever get there by treating every day like a cheat day. We won’t get there by treating every in-person interaction as an exception. We won’t get there without discipline and renewing our commitment to being serious about minimizing our contact, limiting the number of interactions we have to limit the opportunities of exposure and infection.

If you are tired and have let your guard down, now is the time to pick it up again. Wear your masks. Wash your hands. Stay six feet apart. Avoid unnecessary trips and encounters. Get your rest. Get a flu shot. We are entering cold and flu season. Your symptoms could be garden variety flu or the common cold, or it could be COVID-19. Stay home if you have symptoms. Following rules carefully for self-isolation wherever called for. Seek assistance when you need it. Don’t guess. Be sure. Contact a medical professional. Seek testing, especially if you have symptoms. Self-isolate if you’ve been in contact with someone who has COVID-19.

America leads the world – in the number of dead. Over 225,000 dead in the US. Over 5000 dead in Ohio. 674 dead in Cuyahoga County. My heart goes out to all those affected, all who have lost someone dear to them, all who have suffered. In the absence of federal or state leadership to do more, we must all have the discipline to protect ourselves. To avoid and limit interactions that could result in infection.

Please do not stop taking this seriously. The things that we value, our families, our friends, our schools, our places of worship, our businesses, our economy, our culture – all count on our having the discipline to do this.

City Council meeting recap. Last night, the city and its firefighter’s union came to an agreement on a contract for the next three years. To read the Cleveland dot com coverage of the meeting, click here.

Volunteer needed. Mayor Brennan is seeking interested applicants for a vacancy on the city’s Fair Housing Commission. This is a strictly volunteer position, and meets only on an as needed basis to hear fair housing complaints that are not resolved in the conciliation process. The position has a three-year term, including the balance of 2020, together with 2021 and 2022. Applicants must be a citizen of the City. A law degree is not required; however, familiarity of fair housing laws is preferred. Review Chapter 820 of our ordinances to learn more about the commission. Please submit your statement of interest and resume to . Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Chapter 820 of our City Codified Ordinances can be found here:
https://www.universityheights.com/ordinances/

Safer Trick-or-Treating. If you choose to participate in Trick-or-Treat this year in University Heights on 10/31 from 6 to 8 p.m., here are suggested guidelines from the Ohio Department of Health.

Leaf season is underway. The University Heights Service Department has begun leaf pickup. One crew is out this week, and a second crew will join them next week.

Of course, “leaves leave faster when you bag them.” You may put your leaves in bags and they will be collected on your usual trash day.

Preferable to both of the above options is of course to compost your leaves, or to just merely run them over with your lawn mower.

Sticks should not be placed in leaf piles, as it is unsafe. Instead, you may bag your sticks, or bundle them. Finally, leaves should be placed on tree lawns, and not in the street.

Farmers to Families food program returns October 22 and 29. The Farmers to Families program has returned to CH-UH in partnership with Produce Alliance and the Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland. Families in need can receive a 35-pound box of mixed produce, dairy, cooked meats, and milk at the Wiley Campus, 2181 Miramar Boulevard. Boxes will be distributed from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. (or until supplies run out) on October 22 and 29.

Participants should use the driveway on Cedar Road (between Miramar and Belvoir) to enter the parking lot, unlock their trunks, and remain in their vehicles. A volunteer will place a box of food in the trunk of the car. Event organizers ask that patrons wear face masks. Click here for more information.

Support University Heights businesses in Scene’s Best of Cleveland 2020 contest. After a delay caused by the pandemic, voting is now open in the finals of Scene’s Best of Cleveland contest.

Click here to vote.

Parks and Rec. The Recreation Committee will meet on Thursday, October 22 at 7 p.m. Click here for the agenda, and here for the Zoom link.

October 15, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of October 15, there are 175,843 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (18,834 in Cuyahoga County). 147,063 people are presumed to have recovered. Across Ohio, there have been 5,038 deaths, and 671 in Cuyahoga County.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Wear a mask. DeWine said local health commissioners report they are seeing less and less mask compliance when people are out, and that people aren’t wearing masks when they are with friends and family. These are not times to be complacent or comfortable. It is time to be vigilant to protect yourself, your family, your friends and neighbors.

A doctor at DeWine’s press conference cited Browns coach Kevin Stefanski as an example of someone who always wears a mask properly. #GoBrowns #BeatPittsburgh

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Testing. COVID-19 testing will be available on Wednesday at the Cleveland Heights community center., sponsored by the County Board of Health, and MetroHealth.

The end is near. The counting stops today. If you haven’t already done so, go to 2020Census.gov and be counted. It only takes a few minutes to help shape the future of University Heights.

Leaf season is near. Starting on Monday, the University Heights Service Department will begin leaf pickup. One crew will be out next week, and a second crew will join them the following week.

Of course, “leaves leave faster when you bag them.” You may put your leaves in paper craft bags and leave them on your tree lawn by the curb. They will be collected on your usual trash day.

Preferable to both of the above options is of course to compost your leaves, or to just merely run them over with your lawn mower.

Sticks should not be placed in leaf piles, as it is unsafe. Instead, you may bag your sticks, or bundle them.

Finally, leaves should be placed on tree lawns, and not in the street. Pushing your leaves into the street is against local ordinance, as it is a safety hazard and a hazard to the sewer system.

Safer Trick-or-Treating. If you choose to participate in Trick-or-Treat this year, here are suggested guidelines from the Ohio Department of Health.

Look good, do good. Shari at Jamaican-Me Tan is hosting her 4th annual food drive. Swing by, and get your glow on. Shari’s team will make you look good. Then, you can do some good by donating to the Cleveland Food Bank.

Signs of the times. Last week we reminded people to be civil towards their neighbors and to not steal or destroy political signs. Please keep in mind that sign theft is a crime, and arrests were made last week.

Also, by local ordinance, political signs should be placed in yards, and not on tree lawns (or Devil’s Strip as they say in Akron) If you have a sign on a tree lawn, please relocate it to the other side of your sidewalk. This also applies to signs advertising contractors, and all other signs other than those posted or issued by the government.

October 13, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of October 13, there are 171,626 confirmed or probable cases of Covid-19 in Ohio (18,620 in Cuyahoga County). 144,903 people are presumed to have recovered. Across Ohio, there have been 5,017 deaths, and 667 in Cuyahoga County.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s Covid-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Things will get better. DeWine began today’s presser by saying that things will get better, but in all likelihood, things will get worse first. “This virus is sneaky and cunning and won’t give up,” DeWine said. “It has a mind of its own.”

DeWine said it would appear we have a tough winter ahead of us. He speculated that cases would go up as people continue to take activities inside as the weather grows colder.

Another health concern. DeWine said another difficulty of the pandemic is that some parents haven’t been able to take their kids to the doctor for well-visit checkups as often as recommended. This has led to a drop in vaccinations administered to protect against diseases like measles, chicken pox, whooping cough, and polio. There is a danger these diseases could easily spread if children aren’t vaccinated.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Street lights. As the days get shorter, our street lights become more noticeable. Several residents have reported to us burnt out bulbs on their streets. If you notice this anywhere in University Heights, shoot us an email. Our police department will check it out, and work with FirstEnergy to fix the problem.

Halloween house decorating contest. If you or a neighbor is decorating your home for Halloween, let us know. We’re going to share the best decorations on our city’s social media accounts. We’re calling this promotion… the City of BOO-tiful homes!

Please send photos to us at . We’d also be happy to come out and shoot the photos for you.

Safer Trick-or-Treating. If you choose to participate in Trick-or-Treat this year, here are suggested guidelines from the Ohio Department of Health.

October 8, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of October 8, there are 164,262 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (18,183 in Cuyahoga County). 140,808 people are presumed to have recovered. Across Ohio, there have been 4,983 deaths, and 665 in Cuyahoga County.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Wrong direction. DeWine reported that Ohio’s COVID-19 positivity rate has jumped to 3.9%, and the 7-day rolling average is 3.3%. This reflects the ongoing increasing trend of virus spread that we are seeing across Ohio.

Nursing facility visitation. The Ohio Department of Health has issued a new order regarding nursing home indoor visitation. The order is available at coronavirus.ohio.gov.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

911 Outage. 911 is experiencing problems throughout Cuyahoga County. If you have an emergency here in University Heights, call the UHPD’s non-emergency line: (216) -932-1800.

If you did not receive a ReadyNotify message regarding the outage, sign up for alerts by clicking here.

Flu shot. This may be the most important flu vaccination season in our history, as we fight both the flu and COVID-19 at the same time. Getting your annual flu shot is another layer of protection to stay healthy.
In addition to drive-through clinics across Ohio, you can also get a flu shot at your doctor’s office, retail pharmacies, urgent care clinics, and at federally qualified health care centers.

Mayor Brennan and other University Heights city employees received their flu shots this morning.

Halloween house decorating contest. If you are decorating your home for Halloween, let City Hall know. We’re going to share the best decorations on our city’s social media accounts. We’re calling this promotion… the City of BOO-tiful homes!

Please send photos to us at . Also, we’d be happy to come out and shoot the photos for you.

Trick or treat is on, for now. The Ohio Department of Health made recommendations on how Ohioans can participate in trick-or-treating as safely as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you and your family choose to participate this year, please follow the department’s suggestions.

If COVID-19 conditions worsen in Cuyahoga County before Halloween, these plans may be revised. Updates will be posted on our social media accounts and website.

Guidance for parents.
• If taking your children trick-or-treating, limit the number of houses you visit and ask your children to stay as far from treat-givers as possible. For small children, consider holding the bag for them.
• Wipe off candy wrappers with sanitizing wipes when you arrive home. (NOTE: Never wipe unpackaged food with wipes.)
• Allow children to eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid homemade treats made by strangers.
• If your child is at greater risk of complications from COVID-19, contact your doctor before allowing participation in Halloween activities.

Guidance for residents.
• For trick-or-treating, reach out to neighbors to discuss ways to ensure 6-foot social distancing, how candy can most safely be distributed, and the need for face coverings.
• Refrain from having children select their own treats from a bowl/common container or set up a hand-sanitizing station. Consider distanced ways of providing treats, such as placing treats on porch steps or a table in the driveway with a sign asking children to take only one. Or use other creative ways to distribute treats, such as using a candy “slide” made of PVC pipe, or hanging treats from a wall or fence.
Pending any new orders from the state or county boards of health, Trick-or-Treat night in University Heights will take place on Halloween, October 31^st, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Respect your neighbors. Residents have contacted City Hall regarding the theft of political signs. While this happens every election season, sign theft seems to be more common and frequent this year.

Please respect the political views of your neighbors, no matter which issue or candidate they support. Please be civil, and do not steal or deface signs.

If a sign is stolen from your property, you may feel free to call the non-emergency line and file a report. Please keep in mind that if there is no security camera footage, or suspicion of a particular person, or unless someone is caught red-handed, there may be little the police department can do to help.

Having said that, late yesterday evening, UHPD apprehended two individuals stealing signs from yards. They were charged with Theft and Complicity, and have a court date.

October 6, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of October 6, there are 161,299 confirmed or probable cases of Covid-19 in Ohio (17,995 in Cuyahoga County). 137,633 people are presumed to have recovered. Across Ohio, there have been 4,931 deaths, and 665 in Cuyahoga County.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s Covid-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Hospital admissions by age. In recent weeks, Ohioans 60 and older now account for about 70% of COVID-19 hospital admissions, according to DeWine. This is considerably higher than the 50% we saw in July.

DeWine reminded Ohioans that as he said in August, COVID-19 spread among the young and healthy will eventually impact those who are older and vulnerable.

COVID CareLine. The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services has a COVID Careline that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can call to talk with someone about anything you’re feeling – it does not need to be COVID-related.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

The furlough is over. At last night’s City Council meeting, Mayor Brennan reported the following:

On October 1, Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 614 into law. This distributes an additional $650 million to local governments across the state, including an estimated additional $461,000 to University Heights. This, in addition to the money already received, takes our City’s total in CARES Act funds received to over $1.1m.

You will recall that in June the City announced the furloughs and salary reductions of our administrative staff, including directors, chiefs, essentially, all full-time non-union employees. The reduction was to equal one 80-hour paycheck over the course of 20 weeks – ten pays with the equivalent of 8 hours less pay per pay period, ending on October 31.

These furloughs and salary reductions were taken out of an abundance of caution. We were projecting as much as a $2m shortfall. While tax revenues remain down from this point last year, for everything we have been through, we are down just 1% from this time last year. Rather than two million, we are down overall approximately $250,000 from original projections. The $1.06m in budget cuts we made in June more than cover that, though many of those things are expenses that were deferred, like the roads program. The actions we took in June did not contemplate the receipt of CARES Act money. We hoped for such funds, we could not assume we would receive them.

With the most recent guidance issued by the Treasury Department, our ability to use the CARES Act funds to restore municipal operations is now possible. After consulting with the vice mayor, our finance director and law director, effective with the pay period ending Oct 3, the furlough and salary reductions are ended, and the full salaries and wages of the affected employees are restored. Council members received an email this afternoon from the finance director: those of us elected officials who took a voluntary reduction need simply confirm to the finance director that you are waiving no further income from our positions.

What does this mean for the public? For one thing, municipal operations will be restored on Friday afternoons, beginning this Friday. While the buildings remain closed to the public due to COVID-19, we will be here working for you. But I assure you. Though the windows might have been dark and the calls going to voicemail, I witnessed how hard everyone worked to get everything done in the time that was allowed.

I have said on numerous occasions that the City’s greatest asset are the people who work for it. The people who serve this community. It is people who get things done. The residents of this City deserve our best, and the dedicated men and women who work for University Heights deliver it. I am proud of the people who work for this City. I am proud of how gracefully our employees have worked through these trying circumstances, how they have risen to the occasion. I have asked our law director to review how we may go about restoring the income lost by the affected employees during the furlough. Our employees stuck with us, in good faith. And in good faith, we should be able restore what they gave up.

Please send photos to us at . We’d also be happy to come out and shoot the photos for you.

Speaking of Halloween… The new deadline to complete the 2020 Census is now October 31^st. Please spread the word to anyone you know who may not have completed the survey yet. It only takes a few minutes, and it can shape the next ten years. To be counted, go to 2020Census.gov.

Mosaic is coming. The fall 2020 issue of Mosaic, the University Heights City Magazine, will be hitting mailboxes this week. Copies will also be available at restaurants and stores across University Heights by this weekend.

October 1, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of October 1, there are 155,314 confirmed or probable cases of Covid-19 in Ohio (17,704 in Cuyahoga County). 134,216 people are presumed to have recovered. Across Ohio, there have been 4,817 deaths, and 658 in Cuyahoga County.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Travel advisory. DeWine said today that if someone must travel to one of the states in yellow, whether for business or personal reasons, the Ohio Department of Heath recommends they self-quarantine for 14 days after they return to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19 in Ohio.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Voter Registration deadline is October 5. We can, however, state with absolute certainty that the voter registration deadline in Ohio is Monday, October 5^th. To register to vote in the General Election, or to update your registration or just confirm you are registered, click here.

University Heights residents make beautiful music. A joyful message of hope and beauty, more than 100 musicians of The Cleveland Orchestra and Cleveland Orchestra Chorus performed Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” from his Ninth Symphony in iconic public spaces across Greater Cleveland. This video features University Heights residents Emma Shook, Richard Waugh, and First Lady Gina Ventre. The performance was included in DeWine’s press conference today.

“Bonus Time” for the 2020 Census. Remember all our non-stop talk about how September 30th was the last day to complete the 2020 Census?

Well, uh, it seems we’re in “Bonus Time.” You know, when you’re watching a soccer game, and the second half ends, but there’s a few more minutes to play? Except nobody really knows how much time is left, except the refs? Well, it’s like that. Except maybe the refs don’t know. We certainly have no idea.

So, let’s look at this as good news instead of confusing news. If you haven’t completed the Census yet, you still can right now at 2020Census.gov. You have until, oh who knows?

September 29, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of September 29, there are 152,907 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (17,603 in Cuyahoga County). 131,708 people are presumed to have recovered. Across Ohio, there have been 4,783 deaths, and 657 in Cuyahoga County.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Testing update. DeWine reports that his administration is working on making BinaxNOW test available to Ohioans. An announcement on a plan to incorporate these tests into Ohio’s COVID-19 testing strategy will be made in the coming days.

DeWine said making a rapid, low-cost test available will help identify who has the virus. By knowing who is COVID-positive, especially among those in vulnerable communities, we can take immediate steps to limit the spread.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Census deadline. Tomorrow is the deadline to complete the 2020 Census. Please do not wait one second longer. You can complete the Census now at 2020Census.gov. It only takes a few minutes to help shape the future of University Heights for the next ten years.

Talking Trash. On Wednesday, September 30 at 6:00 p.m., the Service Committee will meet via Zoom to receive comment on the Solid Waste Study. Click here for the Public Comment Preregistration Link.
Click here on Wednesday evening to join the meeting.

To review the 2020 Solid Waste Collection Analysis Report, click here.

Closed roads. Due to tonight’s Presidential Debate, the City of Cleveland has closed some roads. Please click here to read their press release.

A message from the University Heights Police Department. Have you noticed that there has been a recent rash of vehicle thefts in the area? We certainly have.

Here’s what we know:

Between September 11 and September 25, there have been s ix vehicles stolen within the city. Of those, four have since been recovered.

In addition to thefts of vehicles, many others have been entered and had items stolen from them. The thefts have been occurring in the late night and early morning hours throughout the week.

The suspects usually walk up various driveways and look for vehicles that are left unlocked. When they find one, they will look through it and take small items of value. All of the vehicles that were entered and/or stolen were left unlocked. The stolen vehicles had their keys left inside of the vehicle overnight.

These thefts are not limited to University Heights. Similar incidents have occurred in numerous nearby jurisdictions.

What we are doing:

-Our officers, especially our night shift, are increasing their patrols in the residential areas of the city.
-We will have additional manpower patrolling these areas. This may include both uniformed and plain-clothed officers.
-As stolen vehicles in the area are recovered, officers are interviewing suspects.
-We are working with officers from nearby agencies to share information and work cooperatively to hold offenders accountable for their actions.
-Evidence recovered from stolen vehicles is being sent to the crime lab when applicable to help us identify additional suspects.

What you can do:

-Lock your cars when you are not in them.
-Remove valuables, firearms, and car keys when you are not in the car.
-Report any suspicious people, especially in the late night/early morning hours immediately to our dispatch center at (216) 932-1800.
-If you find that someone has gone through your car, please contact us as soon as possible. When possible, do not touch your car or anything in it until an officer has responded and advised you it is ok to do so.
-Let us know if you have cameras on your house that record any suspicious people near your house or in your driveway.

Economic Development Meeting. Tonight, the Economic Development committee will meet via Zoom tonight at 7 p.m. The agenda includes the Small Business Assistance Program, Public Hearings Notice, Home Based Business legislation, Knez Construction update, and the Comprehensive Zoning update. Click here to watch the meeting via Zoom.

If you’ll be watching Shane Bieber shut down the Yankees instead, don’t worry, as the meeting will be available on the city’s YouTube Channel tomorrow.

September 24, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of September 24, there are 147,744 confirmed or probable cases of Covid-19 in Ohio (17,327 in Cuyahoga County). 127,239 people are presumed to have recovered. Across Ohio, there have been 4,715 deaths, and 656 in Cuyahoga County.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s Covid-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Testing college students. DeWine announced he is recommending all residential colleges and universities regularly test a sample population of their asymptomatic students. Screening asymptomatic students really gives college presidents and their staff an idea of the spread on their campuses. Our expectation is that each campus plan to screen at least 3% of their at-risk population.

Debate. After receiving a formal request from Cleveland officials last night, DeWine issued a proclamation that activates approximately 300 Ohio National Guard members to help the Cleveland Police Department ensure a safe and secure environment for those attending Tuesday’s presidential debate in Cleveland.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Your last chance to be counted. Time is running out to respond to the 2020 Census! We ask that you remind friends, family members, co-workers, and neighbors to participate.

Every person living in the United States must be counted. Communities across the nation will miss out on funding for critical public services over the next 10 years unless everyone is counted.
Spread the word that you can still respond online at 2020census.gov, by phone at (844) 330-2020, or by completing and mailing back the paper questionnaire. The time to act is now!

Progress. Another new home is being built in University Heights, this time on Tullamore Road. This Knez Construction project is made possible due to the work of the University Height City Beautiful CIC.

City Council meeting recap. The University Heights City Council met on Monday. You can watch the video of the meeting by clicking here. You may also read the report of the Citizens Committee on Policing Polices here, and Cleveland.com coverage of the continuation of the recycling program here, plus a story on federal CARES Act money here.

September 22, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of September 22, there are 145,165 confirmed or probable cases of Covid-19 in Ohio (17,196 in Cuyahoga County). 124,774 people are presumed to have recovered. Across Ohio, there have been 4,623 deaths, and 644 in Cuyahoga County.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s Covid-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Contact tracing. Governor DeWine today encouraged Ohioans to answer the call if contacted by a contact tracer.

Contact tracing slows the spread of Covid-19 by notifying people who may have been exposed to Covid-19 and advising them to monitor their health for signs and symptoms; helping those who may have been exposed get tested; asking people to self-isolate or self-quarantine if appropriate; helping people identify the resources they need to safely stay at home.

Contact tracers will not disclose a person’s identity to their contacts, however, those who test positive will be encouraged to notify those they’ve been in contact with so that these individuals also respond to contract tracers and begin to isolate.

Mask update. During today’s Covid-19 update, Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced that the Ford Motor Company is donating 2 million medical-grade face masks to Ohio. This donation is part of Ford’s ongoing commitment to providing 100 million masks through 2021.

Small Business Week. It is National Small Business Week. For over 50 years, this is the week where we celebrate entrepreneurs and small business owners who are the backbone of our economy.
Feel free to celebrate this week by shopping or ordering food from your favorite University Heights small businesses.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Thank you for 50 years of service. Earlier today, Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan and Police Chief Dustin Rogers presented Rich Fried with a Joint Proclamation and Resolution celebrating his 50 years of service in the University Heights Police Auxiliary. The resolution was signed by the Mayor and all members of City Council. Thank you for your service to our city, Sgt. Fried!

Order special trash pickups online. Finally!

After years of waiting, University Heights residents may now order a special trash pickup, and pay for it, online at universityheights.com/special-pickups. “Special pickups” are defined as large, bulky items that cannot be picked up during regular trash pickup.

Previously, residents had to order and pay for a special pickup in person at the city’s Building Department, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Alternatively, and especially since the Covid-19 emergency, residents could mail or leaves checks in the mail slot at Building Department or the mailbox at City Hall.

Special pickups are designed for the collection of bulk items that will not fit into the hopper of a rubbish scooter, and larger quantity of items. There is a $10.00 fee for each special pick-up load (pick-up truck is 0.75 tons or 5×8) and a two (2) load maximum per six (6) months. All rubbish cans included in a special pick-up will be discarded, no exceptions.

Special pickups are arranged on a first-come, first-serve basis. The City cannot offer a specific time or day for collection; your special pick-up will be collected within 4 business days of when you submit your payment.

Acceptable Items are appliances; furniture; carpeting; wood/tree limbs & branches; railroad ties, etc. (all of which need to be boxed, bagged or tied, and less than 50 lbs and under 4 ft. in length/2 ft. in diameter).

Unacceptable Items (Considered Construction Materials) are lumber; flooring materials (tiles/wood slats); concrete; bricks; dirt; roofing materials; asphalt; drywall; kitchen cabinets; windows. Construction materials must be removed by a contractor.

If you have any questions, please contact the Service Department at (216) 932-7800, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

How are you celebrating? Today is National Voter Registration Day!

If you’re not registered to vote, you may register at this link. You may also confirm your registration, or update it if you have recently moved.

September 17, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of September 17, there are 141,585 confirmed or probable cases of Covid-19 in Ohio (16,907 in Cuyahoga County). 119,690 people are presumed to have recovered. Across Ohio, there have been 4,580 deaths, and 638 in Cuyahoga County.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s Covid-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Flu shot reminder. DeWine said it is critically important that you get a flu vaccine this year, and to get it early. The flu shot is another layer of protection, helps prevent strain on our healthcare system, and keeps our workforce healthy.

Halloween. The Ohio Department of Health is developing guidance to help communities and families plan for Halloween. Celebrations this year will not look like those in years past. Face coverings must be worn, social distancing should be practiced, and large groups should be avoided. DeWine said he plans to announced guidelines tomorrow.

Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services update. ODJFS has begun distributing $300 per week in Lost Wages Assistance to eligible unemployment insurance recipients. This assistance is available to Ohioans who received traditional unemployment benefits, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, Trade Readjustment Assistance, SharedWork Ohio, or extended benefits for weeks ending August 1^st through September 5^th.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Citizens Committee on Policing Polices. The Citizens Committee on Policing Polices will present a report to City Council on Monday. Click here to watch last night’s committee meeting.

Census update. Time is running out to complete the Census. Go to 2020Census.gov now and be counted

Rosh Hashanah. This will be our last update before Rosh Hashanah. On behalf of Mayor Brennan, City Council, and all City Hall employees, have a good and sweet year.

September 15, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of September 15, there are 139,485 confirmed or probable cases of Covid-19 in Ohio (16,789 in Cuyahoga County). 117,130 people are presumed to have recovered. Across Ohio, there have been 4,506 deaths, and 631 in Cuyahoga County.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s Covid-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Ohio to Work. DeWine announced the launch of the “Ohio to Work” program. The goal is to help Ohioans who are out of work identify a new career opportunity, train for it, and then be placed with an employer.

The first Ohio to Work initiative will be launched in Cuyahoga County, with the intent of expanding it across the state.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Flooding follow up. If you have experienced flooding from the Labor Day storm, please rest assured the city’s Service Department continues to make calls, set up and complete appointments. If you have not spoken yet with a representative of the Service Department, one will be contacting you shortly. Thank you for your patience.

Citizens Committee on Policing Polices. The next meeting of the Citizens Committee on Policing Polices will take place on Wednesday, September 15 at 6 p.m. The committee is set to finalize a report for presentation to City Council, and they will discuss future projects. To watch the meeting tomorrow evening, click here.

Census update. If you see Ketti at your door, be sure to answer. She’s with the Census, and it’s vital we get a full and accurate count in University Heights. Be sure to respond Ketti, Larry, or any of the other Census takers.
But there’s no need to wait for a knock at your door. You can complete the Census now at 2020Census.gov.

This time, it’s virtual. The University Heights Civic Awards will return on Thursday, November 19. This year, it will be virtual.

The event will celebrate those individuals and organizations who have worked hard in 2020 to make University Heights an even greater place to live, work, and raise a family. If you would like to nominate someone for an award – whether it’s Citizen of the Year, Good Neighbor, or Volunteer of the year – please reply to this email with your recommendation.

We are also accepting nominations for the Beautiful Home Awards. Please send your suggestions to City Hall via email.

September 10, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of September 10, there are 134,086 confirmed or probable cases of Covid-19 in Ohio (16,479 in Cuyahoga County). 112,140 people are presumed to have recovered. Across Ohio, there have been 4,354 deaths, and 613 in Cuyahoga County.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s Covid-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Get your flu shot. Governor DeWine urged Ohioans to get their flu shot. He said “I cannot stress how important it is this year.”

DeWine said while the flu can be deadly on its own, the Department of Health is concerned those who get both the flu and Covid-19 at the same time could become severely or fatally ill.

If you don’t have a primary care physician, and you don’t know where to get a vaccine, visit VaccineFinder.org.

Meet the new Director. Dr. Joan Duwve has agreed to serve as the Director of the Ohio Department of Health. A native Ohioan, Duwve is a medial doctor with extensive experience in public health.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Cuyahoga County Home Repair Loan Program. Eligible home buyers can receive a home repair loan up to $20,000.00 for repairs to help maintain the home to meet HUD property standards of safe, sanitary and decent housing. The property must be the homeowner’s primary residence and the homeowner must reside in the property. If there is a mortgage on the property it must be current along with the real estate taxes. There can be no Federal or State Liens on the property. Homeowner must have current homeowner’s insurance.

For more information, visit www.chnhousingcapital.org, or call Mary Nighswander at (216) 672-3543.

The Return of Browsing and Computer Use at the University Heights Library. Our friends at -the Heights Libraries are pleased to announce they will be expanding services in its four buildings in September to include browsing and limited computer use. Computer use will begin Tuesday, September 15, and browsing will begin the following week, Tuesday September 22.

Due to COVID-19, however, computer use and browsing will look different due to safeguards in place to keep customers and staff as safe as possible.

Computer use will require a reservation, and reservations may only be made by phone–walk-ups and online reservations are not available at this time. Computer use will also now require a library card—guest passes will not be available. Customers may make a reservation by calling (216) 932-3600, ext. 1251, starting September 10 at 1:30 p.m. Use is limited to one computer session per day, and sessions last for 45 minutes.

Browsing will be permitted in all sections–Adult, Teen, and Children’s—but customers will be asked to stay only as long as they need to get their materials. To achieve safe social distancing, the Library is limiting the number of customers in the buildings, and has removed chairs and tables to discourage lingering. If a staff member thinks an area is too crowded, they will ask customers to move along so that others may enter the building. Reference staff will be at reference desks again, but will assist customers from behind Plexiglas barriers.

Heights Libraries have provided the following answers to frequently asked questions:

Why do things at the library keep changing?
Right? It’s confusing! The COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented. Public health authorities are learning new things seemingly every day. This information has an impact on what activities and services are, and are not, considered safe. As this information changes, we must update and change our policies, too, to keep customers and staff safe.

Do I still have to wear a mask?
Yes! You must wear a mask in our buildings, with both your nose and mouth covered. It must remain on your face while you are in the building.

How long can I stay in the building?
Please stay only as long as you need to get your materials. To achieve safe social distancing, we are limiting the number of customers in the buildings. If a staff member thinks an area is too crowded, or we have customers waiting to come in, we may ask you to move along so that others may enter the building.

Can I use a computer?
Yes! But you must make a reservation in advance, and have a library card. We will not offer guest passes at this time.

Where are the chairs and tables?
To discourage customers from staying too long and congregating in groups, we have removed the tables and chairs.

Can my kids play in the play areas?
Not yet. It is very difficult for young children to understand, and engage in, social distancing. And at this time, we do not want customers to linger in the buildings.

Can I get help from a reference staff person?
Yes! Reference staff can answer your questions. They will stay behind a Plexiglass shield while they do so. If your questions require extensive research, staff may ask for your phone number or email address so they can contact you with the information at a later time.

Can I reserve a study room?
We are not allowing use of the study rooms at this time.

Can I reserve a meeting room?
We are not allowing use of the meeting rooms at this time.

Can I use the restroom?
Yes! Restrooms are now open to the public.

Can I still eat and drink in the library?
No. To discourage lingering, we have removed all chairs and tables, so we are not allowing food and drink in our buildings at this time.

September 8, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of September 8, there are 131,992 confirmed or probable cases of Covid-19 in Ohio (16,360 in Cuyahoga County). 110,279 people are presumed to have recovered. Across Ohio, there have been 4,298 deaths, and 605 in Cuyahoga County.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s Covid-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Weighing the risk. The Cleveland Clinic has developed a resource to help families weigh the risk of contracting Covid-19 by attending activities or events. To learn more, click here.

Visit Ohio landmarks, virtually. To honor our great Ohio history, the Ohio History Connection is once again hosting the Ohio Opens Doors event, this time virtually. The event begins on Friday.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Flooding update. Yesterday, we experienced 3.98 inches of rain, the third highest rainfall in one day since 1901 in Cleveland. The 3.98 inches were recorded at Hopkins Airport in Berea. University Heights residents report higher measurements here, with some recording as much as 5.5 inches in their rain gauges.

For comparison’s sake, we had 5.64 inches of rain for the entire month of August, 3.01 inches of that fell on August 28^th.

Yesterday being Labor Day, anyone who had problems with flooding nevertheless could contact the City for assistance. Many residents whose basements flooded yesterday did call the dispatch/police non-emergency line at (216) 932-1800.

In response, we brought in a service crew to visit every address reported, and to check the city side of the sanitary sewer line for any blockages. Folks who contacted the mayor directly were also put on that list. Thank you to Service Director Jeff Pokorny, and to the members of our service department who came in on Labor Day to serve our community.

Mayor Brennan was out in the field yesterday, looking at drains and catch basins, and talking with residents about their experiences with the rain and with the flooding. We didn’t begin to have the flooding seen on North Park in Shaker or MLK Drive in University Circle. But the flooding we did have was very real and disruptive to our residents, and it is something we take seriously.

Today our Service Department was out continuing to visit addresses of homes that experienced flooding. While the review of individual addresses is ongoing, in general the flooding was due to this being a capacity issue. Four or more inches of rain falling in such a short time simply overwhelmed the sewer system.

If on Labor Day you experienced basement flooding due to the sewer backing up, and if you have not already done so, please contact the City at (216) 932-7800 during regular business hours so that we may check the city side of your sewer line for any blockages. You may also email our Service Director, Jeff Pokorny, at .

September 3, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of September 3, there are 127,112 confirmed or probable cases of Covid-19 in Ohio (15,965 in Cuyahoga County). 106,095 people are presumed to have recovered. Across Ohio, there have been 4,226 deaths, and 591 in Cuyahoga County.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s Covid-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Covid-19 rate jumps among college-aged. This chart shows weekly case data for younger age groups from March to August. The 18-22 age group has jumped to 35 to 40% of all cases. To our friends in college, we ask you to be careful. You might not get seriously sick, but you can spread the virus to someone who could.

Ohio Coronavirus Wastewater Monitoring Network. The state government is now posting information at coronavirus.ohio.gov about the Ohio Coronavirus Wastewater Monitoring Network. This is a new effort to study wastewater at a number of sewage treatment plants to help contain the spread of Covid-19.

The system will give Ohio an earlier warning sign of possible Covid-19 case increases in a given community, and allow decision-makers to more quickly plan response efforts. Each wastewater treatment plant covers a specific service area, so these are community-level measures that can e used to determine if a local surge in Covid-19 cases may be imminent.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Just request a ballot once. A resident had an interesting question on Nextdoor, and it seemed to be one that many folks in University Heights had as well. So, we’ll try to answer it here.

Over 1,800 University Heights residents have already applied to vote early by mail to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections. They requested a ballot by sending an application in that they requested and received from the BOE, or that they printed off from the board’s website.

This week, the Ohio Secretary of State mailed an early vote application to every registered voter in Ohio. A few residents are asking, “If I already applied to vote by mail, do I need to complete this form from the Ohio Secretary of State?”

Short answer? No.

If you already applied to vote by mail, the Board of Elections will mail your ballot in early October. You do not need to complete the form from the Secretary of State. However, if you filled out both, it’s okay. You will only receive one ballot, as the BOE will disregard your second application.

However, if you haven’t applied to vote early by mail yet, you may use the Secretary of State’s application. Fill it out completely, mail it in today, and you will receive your ballot in early October.

If you have any questions about voting early by mail, please respond to this email and your question will be answered as soon as possible.

#MasksOnUniversityHeights. University Heights residents and business owners are invited to participate in our #MasksOnUniversityHeights campaign. Show everyone that you care about your neighbors and that you’re doing your part to end this pandemic.

#MasksOnUniversityHeights photos are being currently being shared on social media, and will be featured in a future issue of the Heights Observer and our Mosaic magazine.

To be featured in the campaign, send a photo of yourself wearing a mask to .

Thank you to our friends M-E and Mike at Odd Dog Coffee for supporting the #MasksOnUniversityHeights campaign. Get your mask photo in, and you’ll be eligible for a drawing to win prizes from Odd Dog Coffee. The drawing will take place at The Walt on Sunday.

September 1, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of September 1, there are 124,610 confirmed or probable cases of Covid-19 in Ohio (15,804 in Cuyahoga County). 104,024 people are presumed to have recovered. Across Ohio, there have been 4,165 deaths, and 581 in Cuyahoga County.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s Covid-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Be safe this Labor Day weekend. Labor Day is coming up, but Covid-19 still represents a big risk, and we can’t ignore that risk. Remember, in the weeks after July 4th, Ohio averaged close to 1,500 cases per day. DeWine and the Ohio Department of Health believe this increase was due to holiday gatherings. Please stay safe this weekend. Wear a mask, and maintain social distance.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Board of Elections update. The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections has processed more than 100,000 vote-by-mail ballot requests and another 25,000 are currently backlogged in their warehouse, compared to just a couple thousand requests at this point four years ago, according to Director Anthony Perlatti.

To learn more about early voting, click here to read a story from News 5 Cleveland.

To apply now to Vote-By-Mail, visit 443vote.com to download and print your application, or to request that an application be mailed to you.

This time, it’s virtual. The University Heights Civic Awards will return on Thursday, November 19. This year, it will be virtual.

We are also accepting nominations for the Beautiful Home Awards. Please send your suggestions to City Hall via email.

#MasksOnUniversityHeights photos are being currently being shared on social media, and will be featured in a future issue of the Heights Observer and our Mosaic magazine.

To be featured in the campaign, send a photo of yourself wearing a mask to . If you’d like us to take the photo for you, let us know via the same email address.

August 27, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of August 27, there are 118,828 confirmed or probable cases of Covid-19 in Ohio (15,316 in Cuyahoga County). 99,035 people are presumed to have recovered. Across Ohio, there have been 4,076 deaths, and 570 in Cuyahoga County.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s Covid-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

School reporting. Next week, the Ohio Department of Health will issue an order that requires schools to establish a system to report Covid-19 cases. When a school district learns of a student or staff member who tested positive, the district must report the case to the local health department as quickly as possible.

Schools should make information about a positive case publicly available, and should notify families in writing about the case and include as much information as possible (without disclosing protected health information).

DeWine said prompt reporting will help prevent further spread among students and staff. The Governor stressed that just because there is a case at a school, it does not mean the school has done anything wrong. The spread of Covid-19 in a community will be reflected in the school.

FEMA grant. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved Ohio’s application for federal Lost Wages Supplemental Payment Assistance grant. The state will receive $717 million to provide additional assistance to eligible individuals. This grant allows Ohio to provide an additional $300 per week to those receiving unemployment benefits because of Covid-19.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Virtual job fair. At a “virtual” job fair scheduled for Friday, the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections is seeking thousands of temporary workers in preparation for the Nov. 3 elections.

People can register at https://omjcc.easyvirtualfair.com/#. The job fair runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, and will include job listings from the board of elections and various other Cuyahoga County employers in different industries.

Citizens Committee on Policing Policies. Click here to be directed to a video of last night’s virtual meeting of the Citizens Committee on Policing Polices. The committee met in breakout sessions and discussed plans to make proposals.

It’s time to vote. If you haven’t had a chance yet, be sure to vote in the Cleveland Magazine “2020 Best of the East” contest. Support our local businesses. Geraci’s is up for Best Pizza, Jack’s Deli is a finalist for Best Deli, and Swensons is competing for Best Burger.

We already know how great these places are. But by voting, you’ll let all of Northeast Ohio know. Supporting all of our local businesses is one way we’re going to come out of this pandemic stronger.

Click here to vote.

The Cleveland Magazine contest ends on August 31^st.

This time, it’s virtual. The University Heights Civic Awards will return on Thursday, November 19. This year, it will be virtual.

We are also accepting nominations for the Beautiful Home Awards. Please send your suggestions to City Hall via email.

#MasksOnUniversityHeights photos are being currently being shared on social media, and will be featured in a future issue of the Heights Observer and our Mosaic magazine.

To be featured in the campaign, send a photo of yourself wearing a mask to . If you’d like us to take the photo for you, let us know via the same email address.

August 25, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of August 25, there are 116,495 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (15,088 in Cuyahoga County). 96,728 people are presumed to have recovered. Across Ohio, there have been 3,996 deaths, and 552 in Cuyahoga County.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Sports follow up. Last week, the Ohio Department of Health issued an order regarding sports in Ohio. Click here to read the entire order.

DeWine explained the order limits the maximum number of spectators to the lesser of 1,500 individuals or 15% of capacity at outdoor sports venues. For indoor sports, the limit is the lesser of 300 individuals or 15%.

Census update. DeWine encouraged Ohioans to complete the Census. It takes only 10 minutes to respond (if that), but it will impact our state for the next 10 years – determining how $675 billion is distributed among the states and Ohio’s representation in Congress. Click here to complete the Census.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Click here to vote.

This time, it’s virtual. The University Heights Civic Awards will return on Thursday, November 19. This year, it will be virtual.

We are also accepting nominations for the Beautiful Home Awards. Please send your suggestions to City Hall via email.

Tiger Nation Chromebook distribution. The CH-UH district has added an evening Chromebook distribution time on Thursday, August 27 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Heights High. Click here for details.

#MasksOnUniversityHeights photos are being currently being shared on social media, and will be featured in a future issue of the Heights Observer and our Mosaic magazine.

To be featured in the campaign, send a photo of yourself wearing a mask to . If you’d like us to take the photo for you, let us know via the same email address.

Volunteer Day. Thank you to everyone who showed up at The Walt on Saturday for Volunteer Day. The park looks even more beautiful, thanks to your hard work. Stay tuned for details about further efforts to beautify the park.

August 20, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of August 20, there are 110,881 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (14,673 in Cuyahoga County). 91,656 people are presumed to have recovered. Across Ohio, there have been 3,907 deaths, and 544 in Cuyahoga County.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Senior update. Adult day centers and senior centers may open at a reduced capacity beginning on September 21 – if they are able to meet specific safety standards. Details will be released soon.

Voting update. DeWine has asked the Ohio Department of Administrative Services to work with the Ohio Secretary of State to ensure that all county boards of elections have the PPE resources they need to execute early in-person voting and voting on Election Day.

Approximately 800,000 masks and other items will be distributed by early September.

Sports details. Yesterday the Ohio Department of Health released guidelines for youth, college, amateur, club and professional sports. Click here to read the mandatory rules and recommended best practices.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Welcome Home, Kim Airey. After 19 days in intensive care battling Covid-19, University Heights resident Kim Airey is home. Read her story by clicking here.

“I think people really need to understand that it’s not a joke. It’s not something that people are making up. It’s a very serious virus. This is not just the flu. It affects everybody. I was a perfectly healthy person. I did everything I was supposed to do, and I still got sick,” Kim told Cleveland dot com.

“I think people who aren’t taking it seriously need to because those are the individuals that are possibly spreading it.”

Listen to Kim. Take this seriously. Wear a mask. Maintain social distance.

#MasksOnUniversityHeights photos are being currently being shared on social media, and will be featured in a future issue of the Heights Observer and our Mosaic magazine.

To be featured in the campaign, send a photo of yourself wearing a mask to . If you’d like us to take the photo for you, let us know via the same email address.

Thank you to Libby Stineman and Milk & Cookies for supporting the #MasksOnUniversityHeights campaign. Last week, we had a drawing of all of our mask wearers, and Sean Weiss was the winner of quarter pound cookies from Libby’s bakery.

Next up to support the campaign is Odd Dog Coffee. Get your mask photo in, and you’ll be eligible for a drawing to win prizes from Mike and M-E at Odd Dog Coffee. The drawing will take place at The Walt on Sunday, September 6. That’s right, Odd Dog Coffee will be at The Walt on both Saturdays and Sundays starting Labor Day Weekend.

Volunteer Day. By request of several residents, on Saturday we will host Volunteer Day at The Walt from 8 to 10 a.m.

Bring your gloves, shovels and water, and we’ll pull some weeds and tidy up the park. Garbage bags will be provided. Everyone who helps out will receive a University Heights coffee mug. Volunteers, please sign-in when you arrive.

Let us know if you can make it by responding to this email.

Recycling update. At Monday’s meeting, the Service and Utilities Committee voted 2-1 to advance to the full council next month the recommendation of the Service Director to enter into the new recycling contract as bid.
There was a robust discussion about the options, one of which was ending pickup of recycling, but making an allowance for residents to bring their loose recyclables directly to the City’s service yard. The rationale being based upon the cost of processing: $69/ton for loose recyclables versus $96/ton for blue bagged. The drop off option was considered a “middle ground option” better than ending recycling altogether.

The tipping fee for regular solid waste will move down from $41.90/ton to $40.00/ton with the new contract. The savings there will be consumed three times over by the new cost of processing recyclables.

To learn more about potential options for the future of trash pickup in University Heights, click here to read the Solid Waste Collection Analysis report.

August 18, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of August 18, there are 109,923 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (14,487 in Cuyahoga County). 89,067 people are presumed to have recovered. Across Ohio, there have been 3,871 deaths, and 541 in Cuyahoga County.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

The long-awaited high school sports update. Governor DeWine is officially allowing school and youth sports to go ahead this fall: “Our order will provide that all sports may go forward this fall with contact and non-contact sports.”
Spectators will be limited to family and very close friends to the athletes. Fans who do not meet that criteria will not be allowed to attend games. It is assumed that the fan list will be created by each school.

Lt. Governor Jon Husted says he hopes the sports decision will create an incentive for over 100,000 Ohioans to comply to rules and social distancing.

Schools that wish to delay fall sports until the spring may do so.

The detailed order will be available tomorrow.

What about the performing arts? DeWine stressed that he has not forgotten the performing arts. He hopes to have an announcement “in the next couple days.”

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Police update in anti-Semitic graffiti case. Today the University Heights Police Department announced an arrest in the vandalism cases from late July.

Why wait? Our friends at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections are encouraging county residents to complete and submit applications to vote early by mail as soon as possible. By applying now, BOE Director Anthony Perlatti says you will receive your ballot in early October. Click here to read the entire article at Cleveland dot com.

Volunteer Day. By request of several residents, on Saturday we will host Volunteer Day at The Walt on Saturday, August 22nd, from 8 to 10 a.m.

Let us know if you can make it by responding to this email.

Committee meeting doubleheader. Last night, the Building and Housing Committee met, followed by a meeting of Services and Utilities Committee. Building and Housing reviewed Rental Registration, while Service and Utilities discussed solid waste and recycling contracts.

You can watch both meetings on the city’s YouTube channel by clicking here. The Services and Utilities Committee starts at approximately the one-hour mark.

#MasksOnUniversityHeights photos are being currently being shared on social media, and will be featured in a future issue of the Heights Observer and our Mosaic magazine.

To be featured in the campaign, send a photo of yourself wearing a mask to . If you’d like us to take the photo for you, let us know via the same email address.

Citizens Advisory Committee on Policing Policies. The next meeting of the Citizens Advisory Committee on Policing Policies is scheduled for Wednesday, August 19 at 6:00 p.m. To watch the Zoom meeting, click here. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86191835027

August 13, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of August 13, there are 105,426 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (13,999 in Cuyahoga County). 83,642 people are presumed to have recovered. Across Ohio, there have been 3,755 deaths, and 519 in Cuyahoga County.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Reminder. If your drivers license expired during the pandemic, it is still valid until December 1^st, or the end of the state of emergency – whichever comes first. If you do need to visit an Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles location Get in Line Online to avoid a long wait. For more information, visit bmv.ohio.gov.

Reports. Governor DeWine announced that today the state government will release the Covid-19 Ohio Minority Health Strike Force Blueprint. It has 24 recommendations on dismantling racism, removing public health obstacles, improving the social/economic physical environments, and strengthening date collection to better track disparities.

Also scheduled for release is “Ohio’s Executive Response: A Plan of Action to Advance Equity.” This is the DeWine administration’s plan to reinforce commitment to advancing health equality and establishing Ohio as a model for justice, equity, opportunity, and resilience.

As of this writing, the reports have not yet been posted on the internet.

High school sports? DeWine did not give an expected announcement on fall sports for high school teams. An announcement is now set for Tuesday.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

John Carroll University Update. John Carroll University announced it will delay the start of in-person learning and on-campus living at JCU until September 21 and begin classes as scheduled on August 31 in an online format. A decision will be made regarding in-person learning and on-campus living for the full fall semester no later than September 8. Residential move-in will not take place on the dates previously scheduled. Residential students will receive information about the revised move-in dates and process the week of August 24.

To read the message from JCU President Dr. Michael Johnson, click here.

Laptop distribution for Tiger Nation. The CH-UH City School District will be starting the school year fully online. Each student can receive a Chromebook laptop to use for the 2020-21 school year. The evening laptop distribution is happening today, August 13 from 5 pm to 8 pm at Heights High. Click here for complete distribution schedule and details.

New student registration for CH-UH. School starts on September 2. Enroll your incoming kindergartner or new CH-UH student right from your computer. Details and instructions available by clicking here.

Demographic Data. The Cuyahoga County Planning Commission, on which Mayor Brennan serves as the Heights representative, just released the Data Book. This report provides demographic information for all 59 Cuyahoga County cities, villages, and townships.

This is the first of what is set to be an annual publication by County Planning.

There is a lot of interesting demographic information all in one place: race, age, population density (University Heights is second after Lakewood), jobs by industry (44.2% of the jobs in UH are in Education & Health Service), vacant land (we’re the lowest).
Read the report by clicking here.

#MasksOnUniversityHeights. University Heights residents and business owners are invited to participate in our #MasksOnUniversityHeights campaign. Show everyone that you care about your neighbors and that you’re doing your part to end this pandemic.

#MasksOnUniversityHeights photos are being currently being shared on social media, and will be featured in a future issue of the Heights Observer and our Mosaic magazine.

To be featured in the campaign, send a photo of yourself wearing a mask to . If you’d like us to take the photo for you, let us know via the same email address.

August 11, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of August 11, there are 101,731 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (13,734 in Cuyahoga County). 80,885 people are presumed to have recovered. Across Ohio, there have been 3,673 deaths, and 505 in Cuyahoga County.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Back to school tips. For schools to be safe in Ohio, Dr. Patty Manning recommends the following:

Wear masks
Practice social distancing
Practice good hand hygiene
Keep surfaces clean

Dr. Manning said that ventilation is also very important. Teachers should try to open windows or teach outside if possible.

Sports? DeWine said a decision on high school sports will be coming “shortly.”

Reporting? The Governor was asked if the State will be regularly reporting Covid-19 statistics from schools, in the way it has with long-term health care facilities. DeWine said he would look into that, as he believes parents and guardians deserve to know the scope of spread.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Citizens Committee on Policing Policies. The fourth meeting of the Citizens Advisory Committee on Policing Polices will take place on Zoom tomorrow, August 12, at 6:00 p.m. Click here for additional information.

#MasksOnUniversityHeights photos are being currently being shared on social media, and will be featured in a future issue of the Heights Observer and our Mosaic magazine.

To be featured in the campaign, send a photo of yourself wearing a mask to . If you’d like us to take the photo for you, let us know via the same email address.

Wear a mask, win cookies. Our friend Libby at Milk & Cookies is promoting the #MasksOnUniversityHeights campaign. If you submit your photo by the end of the day on Wednesday, August 12^th, you will be eligible to win cookie from Libby’s bakery. Libby and Cooper will draw the winner on Thursday. Must be a University Heights resident to win.

August 4, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of August 4, there are 95,106 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (12,881 in Cuyahoga County). 71,338 people are presumed to have recovered. Across Ohio, there have been 3,570 deaths, and 482 in Cuyahoga County.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Going back to school? Wear a mask. Governor DeWine announced today he will sign an order requiring that students (K-12) wear masks when they return to school. DeWine said he based his decision on the recommendations of The Ohio Children’s Hospital Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Please see below the text of their letter, which includes exemptions.

Sports? Lt. Governor Jon Husted is working on a plan to that would allow high school and middle school teams to play sports and other extra-curricular activities. However, he did not announce any plans today, nor did he say when such a plan would be announced.

Plans to allow fans at college and professional sporting events are currently being discussed, but no other details were offered.

Letter to Ohio’s faith-based communities. Today DeWine sent a letter to Ohio’s faith-based community to share important health information and recommendations as to how to better protect their worshipers. The letter includes asking (but not mandating) worshipers to wear a mask.

Testing. DeWine announced Ohio is entering into a multi-state purchasing agreement with Maryland, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Virginia to expand the use of rapid point-of-care tests.

The Governor said this agreement will help Ohio detect outbreaks sooner with faster turnaround time, expand testing in congregate settings, and make testing more accessible for the most high-risk and hard-hit communities.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

#MasksOnUniversityHeights photos are being currently being shared on social media, and will be featured in a future issue of the Heights Observer and our Mosaic magazine.

To be featured in the campaign, send a photo of yourself wearing a mask to . If you’d like us to take the photo for you, let us know via the same email address.

Citizens Committee on Policing Policies. The third meeting of the Citizens Advisory Committee on Policing Polices will take place on Zoom tomorrow, August 5, at 6:00 p.m. Click here for additional information.

To watch last week’s meeting, click here.

July 30, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of July 30, there are 89,626 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (12,212 in Cuyahoga County). 64,311 people are presumed to have recovered. Across Ohio, there have been 3,442 deaths, with 465 of those in Cuyahoga County.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Record number of new cases. Today’s 1,733 new cases reported is the highest daily count reported in Ohio to date. DeWine said “this is not good news.”

Fewer people coming to emergency rooms. Today we have 1,049 individuals who are currently hospitalized compared to 1,017 on July 17th, so you can see the overall trend here continues to steadily increase. But we are seeing fewer people coming to emergency rooms for COVID-19, so that is a good sign.

Cuyahoga remains red, more rural counties turning orange. Urban counties that have been under a mask order predating the statewide mask order are seeing a slowdown of spread. Rural counties that more recently began their mask order are turning orange with significantly more spread taking place.

10:00 p.m. last call? DeWine has requested the Ohio Liquor Control Commission to call a meeting to consider enacting an emergency rule related to liquor sales. This rule would prevent the sale of alcohol at all liquor-permitted establishments beginning at 10:00 p.m. each night. Consumption of alcohol must end by 11:00 p.m. The businesses can stay open – but DeWine believes that stopping alcohol sales at 10 o’clock for onsite consumption will help thin out the crowd and help slow the spread.

DeWine is also requesting that the Ohio Liquor Control Commission raise the number of liquor and mixed drinks that can be purchased with a meal to-go from 2 to 3.

The Liquor Control Commission will hold their emergency meeting tomorrow (Friday) at 9 a.m. If the emergency statewide administrative rule is approved, DeWine intends to sign an Executive Order that would make it effective Friday night.

County by county indicator data now available. Beginning this week, all indicator data is available for all 88 counties on our website. These data sets will be updated each Thursday to provide Ohioans with as much data as possible. http://bit.ly/OhioAdvisory

Viewing the set for Cuyahoga County, today we are at 139.43 cases per 100,000 resident Our seven day case average is 102.29. To view the full size chart interactively with all seven indicators, visit this link.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Video of graffiti suspect. Yesterday University Heights Police Department issued a still photo of a suspect from the Heinen’s tagging on July 21st at 3:16 a.m. Today, police released a video of the suspect, with another subject. WARNING: video may be offensive to sensitive viewers.

If you have information about this crime, please contact the University Heights Police Department.

Citizens Committee on Policing Policies, third meeting. The Citizens Advisory Committee on Policing Polices will hold their third virtual meeting on Wednesday, August 5 at 6:00 p.m. Agenda and zoom link will be posted next week on the citizen committee page of the city website.

#MasksOnUniversityHeights. University Heights residents are encouraged to show that they care about their neighbors and they want to end this pandemic by wearing a masks. Pictures of residents wearing masks are being featured in our #MasksOnUniversityHeights campaign. Photos are being shared on social media, and in a future issue of the Heights Observer and our Mosaic magazine.

To be featured in the campaign, send a photo of yourself wearing a mask to . If you’d like us to take the photo for you, let us know via the same email address.

July 28, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of July 28, there are 86,497 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (11,938 in Cuyahoga County). 61,056 people are presumed to have recovered. Across Ohio, there have been 3,382 deaths, with 460 of those in Cuyahoga County.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Bad news, good news. According to DeWine, the bad news is the number of confirmed COVID-19 patients in Ohio shows a consistent increase. As of today, we have 1,144 individuals who are currently hospitalized, as compared to 1,024 on July 15th.

The good news is that we are starting to see a decrease in emergency department visits in recent days.

Child care. Effective August 9th, child care providers in Ohio may return to normal, statutory ratios and class sizes. Child care providers have a choice to get a subsidy and maintain their current lower ratios, or they may go back to the normal statutory ratio.

The state will continue to closely monitor reports of COVID-19 in child care, as well as compliance with rules and best practices, and respond as needed to keep our children, families, and teachers safe.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

“We will persevere, together.” In response to the cowardly act of vandalism earlier this week at properties in the Cedar-Green district, Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan made the following statement:

“Our citizens discovered a pitiful act done under cover of darkness. The graffiti on several buildings in our community was not only childish, nasty, and small, it was anti-Semitic. What we saw on those walls is not reflective of our community. University Heights is a welcoming community. We embrace our Jewish neighbors, and today we all share in the pain.

“This matter is under investigation. Regardless of the outcome, we will persevere, together. We do not let a lost soul change what we stand for. This is our home, and we do not live in fear.”

If you have information about this crime, please contact the University Heights Police Department.

Citizens Committee on Policing Policies, second meeting. The Citizens Advisory Committee on Policing Polices will hold their second virtual meeting on Wednesday, July 29 at 6:00 p.m. Click here to be directed to the agenda and the Zoom link.

To be featured in the campaign, send a photo of yourself wearing a mask to . If you’d like us to take the photo for you, let us know via the same email address.

July 23, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of July 23, there are 80,186 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (11,206 in Cuyahoga County). 55,702 people are presumed to have recovered. Across Ohio, there have been 3,256 deaths, with 212 of those in Cuyahoga County.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Be safe, make good choices. DeWine said the vast majority of bars in Ohio are doing a good job. However, the state government has traced outbreaks in Cleveland and other areas back to bars.
Other outbreaks have been traced to graduation parties, weddings, sleepover parties, bus trips, funerals, and out-of-state travel. Additional cases can be linked to social events in Put-in-Bay and Athens County.

DeWine reminded Ohioans to be cautious and vigilant.

Statewide mask order. Beginning tonight, July 23 at 6:00 p.m., residents of all 88 Ohio counties will be under a mandatory mask order. Masks must be worn at all times when:

At an indoor location that is not a residence
Outdoors, when unable to keep 6ft social distance from those not in your household
When waiting for, riding, driving, or operating public transportation

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Citizens Committee on Policing Policies. The Citizens Advisory Committee on Policing Polices held their organizational meeting yesterday. You may watch the meeting on YouTube by clicking here.

July 22, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus Update

As of July 22, there are 78,742 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (11,015 in Cuyahoga County). 54,426 people are presumed to have recovered. Across Ohio, there have been 3,235 deaths, and 432 in Cuyahoga County.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Statewide mask order. Beginning Thursday, July 23 at 6:00 p.m., residents of all 88 Ohio counties will be under a mandatory mask order. Masks must be worn at all times when:

At an indoor location that is not a residence
Outdoors, when unable to keep 6ft social distance from those not in your household
When waiting for, riding, driving, or operating public transportation

There are exclusions to the order:

Those with a medial condition or a disability, or those communicating with someone with a disability
Those who are actively exercising or playing sports
Those who are officiants at religious services
Those who are actively involved in public safety
Those who are actively eating or drinking

Travel advisory. DeWine announced a travel advisory for all individuals coming into Ohio from states reporting positive testing rates of 15% or higher for COVID-19, and recommend that those individuals self-quarantine for 14 days.

If you’re traveling from one of the yellow states, you should self-quarantine at home or in a hotel. This applies to those who live in Ohio and those traveling here from other states, whether they are traveling for businesses or vacationing.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

#MasksOnUniversityHeights. University Heights residents are encouraged to show that they care about their neighbors and they want to end this pandemic by wearing a masks. Pictures of residents wearing masks are being featured in our #MasksOnUniversityHeights campaign. Photos are being shared on social media, and in a future issue of the Heights Observer and our Mosaic magazine.

To be featured in the campaign, send a photo of yourself wearing a mask to . If you’d like us to take the photo for you, let us know via the same email address.

City Magazine. Speaking of Mosaic, the Summer 2020 issue of Mosaic is now available online by clicking here.

If you would like additional copies of the magazine, please email , and you will receive extras (while supplies last).

Citizens Committee on Policing Policies. The organizational meeting of the Citizens Advisory Committee on Policing Polices will take place on Zoom tonight at 6:00 p.m. Click here for additional information.

Census update. Did you forget? Are you concerned you missed the deadline?

Good news, it’s not too late. Complete the Census today. It takes less than 10 minutes, and it will help us shape the next ten years.

July 16, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of July 16, there are 70,601 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (9,985 in Cuyahoga County). 48,330 people are presumed to have recovered. Across Ohio, there have been 3,103 deaths, and 406 in Cuyahoga County.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Level 3 Red Alert. As of tomorrow night at 6:00 p.m., all Level 3 Red Alert counties will be under a mask order, meaning nearly 60% of Ohio will be required to wear masks in public. “We’re not putting an order (statewide) on, yet,” DeWine said at today’s press conference.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Mask up, University Heights. Cuyahoga County remains at a Red Alert Level 3 for COVID-19. This means masks are mandatory in Cuyahoga County when you are at an indoor location that is not a residence. Masks are also mandatory outdoors when you are unable to consistently maintain a distance of six feet away from individuals who are not members of your household.

Cuyahoga County has established a website and telephone hotline to report mask issues.

At this time University Heights has not passed a local mask ordinance. However, if University Heights police are called regarding masks, they are going to seek compliance with the order by the State Department of Health, under Ohio Revised Code section 3701.352. This law states “No person shall violate any rule the director of health or department of health adopts or any order the director or department of health issues under this chapter to prevent a threat to the public caused by a pandemic, epidemic, or bioterrorism event.”

To be clear, the mandatory mask order states that it is issued pursuant to ORC 3701.13, so it is an order issued under “this chapter.” The state has long already declared an emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The conditions are met. Violating this order and not wearing facial coverings may be a violation of ORC 3701.352.

We know there could be some purposeful disobeying of the order. Such incidents will be forwarded and reviewed by our prosecutor for charges. Whoever violates section 3701.352 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree. It means non-compliance with the mask order may result in a misdemeanor charge carrying a penalty of up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $750.

The goal here is not to fill Shaker Heights Municipal Court’s docket with these cases. Our goal is simply that people wear masks, follow the director’s order, and take other reasonable steps so that we can all get through this pandemic as safely as we can.

Residents selected for advisory committee. University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan and Council Member Saundra Berry have appointed the following residents to the Citizen Advisory Committee on Policing Policies:

O’Dasha Blue, Patti Carlyle, Ronald Collier, Indira Gatlin, C.P. “Neil” Gould III, Adrian Hardin, Kate Holzheimer, Joanna Homann, Sheila Hubman, Joshua Hunt, Constance Jefferson, Tyler “Aliah” Lawson, Thekla Long, Paul Miller, Roger Osgood, Crystal Pickus, Sheri Sax, Mike Sears, Vincent Stokes, Priscilla Tate, and Sean Weiss.

Brennan, Berry, Police Chief Dustin Rogers, Lt. Mark McArtor, City Prosecutor Stephanie Scalise, and all city council members will serve as ex officio members.

The committee will collect public input and review the University Heights Police Department’s use of force policies. The committee will meet over the summer, make a report of its findings, and suggest reforms.

“Council Member Berry and I thank the committee members for stepping forward to volunteer to serve,” Brennan said. “We value resident involvement in our city, and it speaks to the strength of our community that we have a diverse cross section of people representing our community willing to serve.”
Last month, Brennan signed the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance mayor’s pledge, committing to review use of force, engage the community, report findings, and make needed reforms.

Berry chairs the city council’s Safety Committee. In June, she signed a letter with 24 other African-American council members from across Northeast Ohio calling for reforms.

“I have discussed this with our police chief, Chief Dustin Rogers, who is understanding of the appropriateness of this review,” Brennan said. “We need not wait for a tragic incident to occur to review our policies and make improvements.”

The committee’s organizational meeting will be via Zoom on Wednesday, July 22 at 6:00 p.m. At the meeting, the committee will discuss:

How the committee should go about reviewing the police’s Use of Force policy;
How the committee should go about collecting additional public input;
How the committee wants future meetings to be run (chaired by mayor/councilwoman, chaired by a citizen, etc.);
What kind of schedule should be created that results in written recommendations by early September;
What other matters might this committee (or another citizens committee like it) consider after it reviews the Use of Force policy.

“Our goal is to spend the summer working on this, and report back at the end of summer, presumably at one of the two regular council meetings of September,” Brennan said.”

Census update. Did you forget? Are you concerned you missed the deadline?

Good news, it’s not too late. Complete the Census today. It takes less than 10 minutes, and it will help us shape the next ten years.

July 9, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of July 7, there are 61,331 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (8,277 in Cuyahoga County). Across Ohio, there have been 3,006 deaths, and 383 in Cuyahoga County.

In addition, there have been 8,570 hospital admissions statewide (1,635 in Cuyahoga County), with 2,146 of those being intensive care admissions.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Cuyahoga County now on Watch List for Level 4 Purple. While Cuyahoga remains at RED ALERT LEVEL 3, our county is now on the watch list (with Hamilton and Butler) for PURPLE ALERT LEVEL 4.
Here’s why:

Between June 24 and June 30, we’ve had 999 cases reported, the largest number of COVID-19 weekly cases reported since the beginning of the pandemic.
From June 16 until June 28, the average new cases per day more than doubled from 66 to 151.
From June 16 to July 1, visits for COVID-19 to the ER more than doubled from an average of 19 per day to 50.
Over the same time period, the average number of outpatient visits with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 diagnoses increased from 41 to 233.
The average hospital admissions per day more than doubled from 7 on June 16, to 20 on July 2.

Most of the cases in Cuyahoga County were in non-congregate settings during the last three weeks.

Updated County Risk Levels. The following counties today were upgraded to Level 3, and are now subject to the mandatory mask order: Clermont, Fairfield, Lorain, Pickaway, Summit, Wood.

Counties continuing at Level 3 include: Butler, Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton, Montgomery, Trumbull. Please note that Butler, Cuyahoga, and Hamilton are all now on the Watch List as approaching Purple Alert Level 4. Franklin County is no longer on the Watch List, due to a decrease is hospital admissions.

Huron county was downgraded today from Red Alert Level 3 to Orange Alert Level 2.

Mask mandates for the new counties upgraded to Red Alert Level 3 are mandated to begin wearing masks in public beginning at 6 p.m. on July 10, 2020. Residents in Huron County are no longer required to wear a mask in public, however, they are strongly encouraged to do so.

Higher Education Guidance. The Ohio Department of Higher Education, in consultation with Ohio colleges, universities, the Ohio Department of Health, and health experts across the state have developed guidance to help campuses safely reopen.

The Responsible RestartOhio guidance for Institutions of Higher Education includes minimum operating standards for all campuses, as well as best practices to further enhance those standards.

“By implementing these minimum requirements and implementing best practices, our higher education communities can continue to educate students and prevent the spread of COVID-19,” said Governor DeWine.

View the newly released guidelines HERE.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Enforcement of State Mask Order. As of 6:00PM yesterday, the state’s announced mask order that applies to our county went into effect. The order itself was not transmitted to local government till later in the evening. View The Order HERE.

Without the order in hand at 6:00PM, University Heights Police Department issued a statement urging that calls reporting incidents of possible violation of the order be directed to the Cuyahoga County Department of Health.

With the order now in hand, a revised statement regarding enforcement is anticipated.

Interview of the Mayor. After last night’s cancelled Special Meeting of City Council, reporter Jeff Piorkowski utilized that time to interview Mayor Brennan about the possibility of a local mask ordinance, CARES Act funds, and income tax collection in light of COVID-19. Read the story HERE.

Special Meeting of City Council. City Council will hold a Special Meeting on July 15, 2020 at 7:00PM. The notice and agenda, together with instructions on how to join the Zoom meeting, will be posted on the city’s website.

Planning Commission meeting cancelled. Tonight’s meeting of the city’s Planning Commission is cancelled. The sole applicant on the agenda has requested that its application be continued to the August meeting.

Still closed on Friday afternoons. Just a reminder that due to the city employee furlough, operating hours at city offices on Fridays are from 8:00AM to noon.

July 7, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of July 7, there are 58,904 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (8,048 in Cuyahoga County). Across Ohio, there have been 2,970 deaths, and 379 in Cuyahoga County.

In addition, there have been 8,338 hospital admissions statewide (1,612 in Cuyahoga County), with 2,101 of those being intensive care admissions.

The age of people with COVID-19 is trending younger now than it was in prior months. In June and July, the largest number of cases are now in the 20-29 age group.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Mask order in Cuyahoga County effective 6:00pm Wednesday. The Ohio Department of Heath will issue an order effective Wednesday at 6pm that mandates people in RED ALERT LEVEL 3 or PURPLE ALERT LEVEL 4 Counties wear masks when in indoor locations that are not a residence. Cuyahoga County is currently at a red alert level 3.

Masks are also required when people are outdoors and cannot maintain proper social distance of six feet from others outside of their household.

Currently, this affects Butler, Franklin, Hamilton, Huron, Montgomery, and Trumbull Counties as well. Franklin County is on the verge of becoming a purple alert level 4 county.

Masks are required in the red and purple alert level counties when riding or driving public transportation or ride-sharing vehicles. These orders will stay in effect as long as these counties are in a red (level 3) or purple (level 4) level.

The order does not apply to children under the age of 10, or any minor who cannot safely wear a mask. People whose doctors advise them not to wear masks are also exempted. If someone is working alone in their office or workspace, the order does not apply. People communicating with the hearing impaired are also exempted.

Mask on. Game on. The Ohio Department of Health issued an order allowing non-contact and contact competitions to resume for all sports for teams that agree to all guidelines, including:
➡ Testing of all players, coaches, athletic trainers, support staff, and officials before travel and competition.
➡ Daily symptom assessments.
➡ Athletic trainers must wear a face covering while attending to a player.
➡ Coaches and officials are strongly recommended to wear a face covering, when possible.
➡ Strict social distancing by players who are not actively engaged in practice or competition.
➡ Immediate isolation and medical care for a participant who develops symptoms.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

City order or ordinance on masks. Before Governor DeWine’s announcement, Mayor Brennan expressed his support of a mandatory mask requirement. Once the state order is available, University Heights officials will review the order to determine whether further local order or ordinance is appropriate, such as to aid in enforcement.

Regular garbage pickup is on regular schedule. While Independence Day was on Saturday, the city observed the holiday last week. This week the city is on a regular schedule for garbage pickup.

As a reminder, due to the pandemic, all trash must be secured in tied and untorn garbage bags. Even if you use garbage cans, which are encouraged, do not place loose trash in the can. Instead place your secured garbage bags in the can. Please do not put more than fifty pounds of trash in a garbage can. Please do not use garbage cans larger than 32 gallons. Recycling is also to be bagged in 10 gallon blue bags.

Please remember to place yard waste (craft bags with clippings, bundled and tied brush and sticks) on the curb, and not with your other trash and recycling. Yard waste is picked up curbside only and done on your trash day.

Special Pickups are taking a bit longer. Finally, we are inundated with Special Pickup requests. We have endeavored to continue to make available Special Pickups throughout the pandemic. Due to overwhelming demand, Special Pickups are taking longer to process and complete than is typical. If we have not completed your Special Pickup within four days, we have not forgotten about you. We are completing them in the order in which they were received. We thank you for your patience and understanding in completing Special Pickups during the pandemic.

July 2, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of July 2, there are 54,523 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (7,013 in Cuyahoga County). Across Ohio, there have been 2,903 deaths, and 366 in Cuyahoga County.

In addition, there have been 8,038 hospital admissions statewide (1,487 in Cuyahoga County), with 2,035 of those being intensive care admissions.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

The new Ohio Public Health Advisory System. Today Governor DeWine announced the new Ohio Public Health Advisory Alert System to help make clear the dangers happening in counties in Ohio. The color-coded system is built on data to assess COVID19 spread and inform and empower individuals, businesses, & local government in their response.

Four color coded levels based on seven indicators. The system has four levels to provide Ohioans with guidance on the severity of the problem in the counties in which they live. The levels are determined by seven data indicators that identify the risk level for each county and a corresponding color code to represent that risk level.
The seven indicators are:

NEW CASES PER CAPITA: When the data show that a county has had an average of 50 cases per 100,000 people over a 2-week period, that triggers a flag for an increasing case rate. Using this data takes into account population of a county when monitoring case increases.
SUSTAINED INCREASE IN NEW CASES: If the number of new cases in a county continually increases, that’s another indicator of virus spread. A county will be flagged for meeting this indicator if the data show at least a five-day period of sustained new case growth.
PROPORTION OF CASES NOT CONGREGATE CASES: Data showing more than 50% of new cases originating from non-congregate settings during at least one of the past three weeks will trigger a flag on this indicator. (Examples of congregate cases are nursing homes and prisons, settings that are generally closed off from the public but have a high number of cases.)
SUSTAINED INCREASE IN ER VISITS: ER data may show a trend in the number of people who visit an emergency department with COVID19 symptoms or a COVID diagnosis as a result of the visit. A county is flagged when there is an increase in such ER visits over a five-day period.
SUSTAINED INCREASE IN OUTPATIENT VISITS: This data set looks at the number of people visiting outpatient settings, including telehealth appointments, with suspected or confirmed COVID19 symptoms. A county is flagged when there is an increase over a five-day period.
SUSTAINED INCREASE IN NEW COVID19 HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS: When the numbers show at least a five-day period of sustained growth in the number of county residents with COVID-19 who are admitted to a hospital, the county will be flagged for meeting this indicator. (Note the patient’s county of residence is tracked, not the county where the admitting hospital is located.)
ICU BED OCCUPANCY: This indicator looks at regional data for both COVID19 and non-COVID use of ICU beds. A county is flagged for this indicator when the regional ICU occupancy goes above 80% for at least three of the last seven days.

The four color coded alert levels are:

ALERT LEVEL 1 (YELLOW): A county has triggered zero or one of the seven indicators, and there is active exposure and spread. Today, we have 53 Ohio counties at Alert Level 1. The majority of these counties are seeing a moderate number of cases, according to the CDC’s definition.
ALERT LEVEL 2 (ORANGE): A county has triggered two or three of the seven indicators, and there is increased risk of exposure and spread. We have 28 Ohio counties in this category. These counties are seeing cases that are growing in the community in the last two weeks.
ALERT LEVEL 3 (RED): A county has triggered four or five of the seven indicators, and there is very high exposure and spread. There are currently 7 Ohio counites at Level 3, including Cuyahoga County. Risk is very high. Ohioans should limit activities as much as possible. Wear a mask when you go out.
ALERT LEVEL 4 (PURPLE): A county has triggered six to seven of the indicators, and there is severe exposure and spread. Stay home as much as possible. No counties are in purple right now.

Cuyahoga County is at Alert Level 3 (Red). While many cases during the last three weeks have been within congregate settings, Cuyahoga County still has a growing number of cases outside of these settings, indicating that the risk of continued community transmission is high. We are meeting 4 of 7 indicators, namely #1, #2, #4, #5.

Better red than …purple. The six other Level 3 Red Alert counties are: Trumbull, Huron, Franklin, Hamilton, Butler, and Montgomery. Franklin County, with five of seven indicators, is under watch to turn purple.

Support for local mandatory masks orders. While DeWine did not announce a statewide order, he gave his full support to local governments that have issued or are considering issuing mandatory mask orders. He expressed his full support of Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley’s sponsored ordinance passed by Dayton’s council, as well as support for Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther’s Executive Order requiring masks in public. He called the orders “the right thing to do,” and expressed that the state would continue to provide local governments the information they need to make their own determinations.

Guidance to K-12 Schools. Find Ohio’s new K-12 school guidance, issued today, covers five guidelines:

Vigilantly assess for symptoms
Wash and sanitize hands to prevent spread
Thoroughly clean and sanitize school environment to limit spread on shared surfaces
Practice social distancing
Implement face coverings policy

You may view the full report here: https://bit.ly/2D5otkL

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

CARES Act money has arrived. This week the city received $465,000 for COVID-19 expenses from the county, this being a portion of the federal money released by the state with H.B. 481. University Heights was originally projected to receive $370,000. Mayor Brennan went to Columbus last month and testified to the House Finance Committee on behalf of the city and its needs due to being a COVID-19 hotspot. The city still projects a $2,000,000 shortfall in tax collection due to the pandemic and economic downturn, and Mayor Brennan will continue to seek additional relief for the city.

Wear your masks. Now we are a Red Alert Level 3 county, and as before, we must remain vigilant about our mask wearing in public. While mask wearing remains voluntary at this time in Ohio, Mayor Brennan expressed support to Governor DeWine this week for a statewide order requiring masks in public, similar to orders issued in several other states, the latest being Pennsylvania and Texas.

Rats! With so many of us staying home and enjoying our own backyards this summer, Mayor Brennan together with the Cuyahoga County Board of Health (CCBH) would like to remind residents of the steps you can take to help reduce rodent problems. Eliminating any food sources and removing places for rodents to set up a new home will lessen the chance for rodents living in your neighborhood. Taking the following steps now will allow you to enjoy your backyard this year:

•           Keep garbage in cans with no holes and with tight fitting lids
•           Don’t feed pets outside and don’t feed wildlife
•           Eliminate standing water if possible
•           Don’t let trash, unused items or brush pile up on your property
•           Remove dog feces promptly
•           Do not store bird, grass, and garden seeds in the garage
•           Clean up gardens after harvesting and maintain the ground under fruit trees
•           Cover or seal all openings into your house and garage. A rat can fit through a space as small as ½ inch. Cover basement floor drains with properly fitted drain covers
•           Use compost bins that have holes no bigger than ¼ inch and never use food scraps
•           Burrows for rats are typically under sheds, patios, and piles of debris. The burrows/holes are typically 4 inches in diameter and the dirt from digging the burrow is often piled in front of the hole.

These easy steps will help you identify possible infestations, help prevent rodents from becoming a problem in your neighborhood and will help reduce the chance for property damage. CCBH staff respond to rodent complaints from residents and provide tips to assist the resident in rodent-proofing their property.

Happy Independence Day. While the celebration of our independence from Britain may be muted this year, we ask that you be considerate of your neighbors, and especially of pets and wildlife, and please not detonate or discharge fireworks in the city. Those who do are subject to citation under local ordinances. If you are considering it, the mayor asks that you read this article about how fireworks affect animals.

https://www.animal-ethics.org/how-fireworks-harm-nonhuman-animals

Thanks to resident Scott Wachter for sharing this article with the mayor.

Northeast Ohio rent help available. If you’re having trouble making rent payments due to COVID-19, help is available at neorenthelp.org.

The COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program is funded by the City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County. The program is designed to help residents of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County who are having difficulty making rental payments due to the economic impact of the pandemic and who meet income eligibility requirements.

The funds are a mix of Community Development Block Grant dollars and dollars from the Coronavirus Relief Fund provided by the CARES Act.

Eligible households are those earning 120% of Area Median Income or less, which is up to $90,000 in annual income for a family of four.

If eligible, applicants will receive up to three months of rental assistance, paid directly to the landlord. Priority is given based on criteria such as eviction status, accurate information and complete documentation.

Residents should go online to www.neorenthelp.org in order to apply. Applicants will be asked to provide specific documentation in order to qualify.

Required documents include:

Verification of COVID-19 related hardship (loss of income, illness or increased expenses)
Photo identification for all adults in the home
Social Security cards for all household members
Proof of income (tax returns, paystubs or fixed income benefit award letter)
Lease agreement
Proof of citizenship
Most recent utility bills (for those also applying for utility assistance)

Farmers to Families program extended. Great news! Thanks to additional grant funding, the Farmers to Families weekly free produce giveaway in CH-UH has been extended through July 30. Heights High School will continue to serve as the pickup spot from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (or until supplies run out) on July 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30. Click here for details.

June 29, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of June 29, there are 50,309 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (6,694 in Cuyahoga County). Across Ohio, there have been 2,807 deaths, and 352 in Cuyahoga County.

In addition, there have been 7,681 hospital admissions statewide, with 1,946 of those being intensive care admissions.

Notably, with 737 new cases today, the 21-day reported case average is now 581.
For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Stay tuned for the next phase. Today DeWine said the State continues to work on plans to help local schools safely reopen, as well as plans to keep Ohioans healthy and safe at work and in their daily lives while the coronavirus remains with us. He said announcement will be made later this week regarding plans for a new phase. “These plans will take us into the next phase, a distinct and different phase of continuing to keep Ohio open as we head into the second half of 2020,” he said.

Outdoor nursing home visitation. Outdoor visitation at nursing homes will begin on July 20, as long as all safety standards are met.
When assessing their readiness to permit outdoor visitation, nursing homes should consider:

Case status in community
Case status in nursing home
Staffing levels
Access to adequate testing for residents/staff
Personal protective equipment supplies
Hospital capacity

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Wear masks, saves lives. Mayor Brennan asks again that you please wear masks or face coverings in public for everyone’s safety and protection. A study released last week suggests that approximately 35,000 lives could be saved between now and October if 95% of people would wear masks in public. Read more here.

Next update will be Thursday. Barring any major developments, Governor DeWine’s next press conference (and our next update) will be Thursday, July 2.

June 25, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of June 25, there are 47,651 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (6,111 in Cuyahoga County). Across Ohio, there have been 2,722 deaths, and 202 in Cuyahoga County.

In addition, there have been 7,502 hospital admissions statewide, with 1,897 of those being intensive care admissions.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Young are not immune. DeWine and Dr. Richard Lofgren reported today that 60% of new COVID-19 cases are people between the age of 20 and 49 years old. The positivity rate among younger Ohioans points to how important it is to practice mitigation efforts like social distancing and wearing masks.

DeWine said he is concerned of the possibility of younger people going out, getting infected, then possibly infecting an older loved one.

DeWine was asked if he is in discussions with counties on requiring masks. He said, “we’re not there, yet.”

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Your voices were heard. Thank you to the organizers of Tuesday night’s march. It was a moving, thoughtful, and educational event. Your voices were heard. And thank you to our police, fire, and service department for their efforts to ensure that we as a city handled the event smoothly in every way.

As discussed at the event, Council Member Saundra Berry and Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan are seeking applicants for an advisory committee to improve racial justice in University Heights.

If interested, please apply by noon on Friday, June 26. To apply, send an email to , and please include a statement explaining why you would like to serve on the committee. Click here to learn more.

Remembering Chris Wenzler. Chris Wenzler was a special person. You could have asked around for a day, a week, probably a month or longer, and not find a single person who had a single bad thing to say about him. That’s a pretty exclusive club. And it’s an indication of a life well-lived.

Chris passed away on Tuesday afternoon. We here at City Hall will miss him. Our condolences go out to his family, friends, and the JCU community.

Please click here to read a tribute to Chris from the News Herald.

In an unintentionally poignant moment, Governor DeWine wore a JCU tie at his press conference on Chris Wenzler’s last day with us.

Chris Wenzler received a Good Neighbor Award at the 2018 University Heights Civic Awards dinner.

June 18, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of June 18, there are 43,122 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (5,404 in Cuyahoga County). Across Ohio, there have been 2,633 deaths, and 327 in Cuyahoga County.

In addition, there have been 7,104 hospital admissions statewide, with 1,807 of those being intensive care admissions.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

Ready for a potential spike. DeWine announced today a new Hospital PPE Readiness Stockpile. This stockpile will be compiled and stored by Ohio hospitals throughout the state, and will be distributed to residents and staff at long-term care facilities should they see a spike in COVID-19 cases.

Sports. On June 22, contact practice for all sports. Soccer, lacrosse, football, and other contact sports may resume scrimmages and full training regiments as long as safety protocols are observed.

While practices may resume on 6/22, it will be up to local sports organizers and high school leaders on when it is the best time to proceed. Training guidance will be updated soon and will be available at coronavirus.ohio.gov.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Furloughs begin tomorrow; city government offices to close Friday at noon. Due to tax revenue shortfalls caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, all city directors, chiefs, and non-bargaining full-time employees of the City of University Heights will take a furlough or temporary salary reduction equal to 80 hours over the next 20 weeks.

While municipal buildings remain closed to the public for health reasons, the operating hours of city government offices is changing to help facilitate the furlough. Starting June 19th and continuing through October 30th, city government office operating hours on Friday will be 8:00 a.m. to noon. Operating hours Monday through Thursday will remain 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Seeking advice. To learn more about the advisory committee to review the city’s police policies, click here to read an article from Cleveland dot com.

June 16, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of June 16, there are 42,010 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (5,217 in Cuyahoga County). Across Ohio, there have been 2,597 deaths, and 318 in Cuyahoga County.

In addition, there have been 7,007 hospital admissions statewide, with 1,784 of those being intensive care admissions.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

State borrowing money to pay unemployment benefits. DeWine announced today that Ohio is now borrowing money to meet its unemployment obligation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ohio requested $3.1 billion in borrowing authority from the U.S. Department of Labor. DeWine said the total exceeds what he things the state will need to pay out in benefits.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Furlough for city salaried employees begins on Friday. Municipal building hours of operation to be adjusted. Due to tax revenue shortfalls caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, all city directors, chiefs, and non-bargaining full-time employees of the City of University Heights will take a temporary salary reduction equal to 80 hours over the next 20 weeks. While municipal buildings remain closed to the public for health reasons, to help facilitate the furlough, all government buildings in University Heights will close on Fridays at noon.

In a memo to city employees, Mayor Brennan said “These are tough times, probably the worst we’ve ever seen. What has happened here is not your fault. None of this is a reflection on you. I know how hard you work. I know how dedicated you are to service and to this community. I could not be prouder of the people who work for this city.”

After passing a balanced budget earlier this year, the city’s projection is a $2m shortfall in 2020 due solely to reduced income tax revenue caused by closures related directly to the pandemic.

The salary reduction applies to all full-time salaried employees, including the mayor.

Brennan recently testified at the Ohio Statehouse, urging the General Assembly to release $370,000 in CARES Act money that is set aside for the city. In his memo, Brennan said “I am optimistic we will see that, and other aid from the federal government. I remain hopeful that the economy picks up and our tax collection improves. But until the money is here, we cannot count on it.”

Seeking advice. Mayor Brennan and Council Member Saundra Berry are working together to identify and approach stakeholders to join an ad hoc advisory council. This advisory council will collect public input and review our city police department’s Use of Force policies. The committee will meet over the next ninety days, make a report of its findings, and may suggest reforms. If you, or someone you know who resides in University Heights, would like to be nominated for the advisory council, please contact the city at .

Please include a statement of why you would like to be on the committee, and any attach any supporting materials you would like the Mayor and Council Member Berry to consider.

June 11, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of June 11, there are 40,004 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (5,057 in Cuyahoga County). Across Ohio, there have been 2,490 deaths, and 303 in Cuyahoga County.

In addition, there have been 6,753 hospital admissions statewide, with 1,732 of those being intensive care admissions.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

TESTING AVAILABLE. DeWine announced today that anyone who wants a COVID-19 test can now receive one – even if they are low-risk or not showing symptoms. Click here for a map of testing locations.

WEAR A MASK. Please continue to wear face coverings. Your efforts are protecting the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, click here.

DR. ACTON RESIGNS AS OHIO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH DIRECTOR. Acton will remain as the governor’s chief advisor on health issues. Lance Himes was named the interim director.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

MAYOR BRENNAN COMMITS TO ACTION. On behalf of the City of University Heights, today Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan signed the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance pledge to:

REVIEW police use of force policies.
ENGAGE our community by including a diverse range of input, experiences, and stories in your review.
REPORT the findings of our review to the residents of University Heights and seek feedback.
REFORM our city’s police use of force policies.

Brennan will announce more on his administration’s efforts to fulfill this commitment in his Mayor’s Report during Monday’s City Council meeting.

STRIPES! Tonight, the City will begin installing thermo plastic pavement markings on Warrensville Center Road to replace the worn away painted lane lines. The materials are paid for through a grant with Cuyahoga County, and not only will clearly mark the current lanes, but should last for several years.

TENNIS, ANYONE? The pandemic forced the closure of the tennis courts at Purvis Park to be closed until further notice. Please accept this email as notice that the tennis courts will open on Friday, June 12. The following social distancing guidelines will be posted:

June 9, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of June 9, there are 39,162 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (4,939 in Cuyahoga County). Across Ohio, there have been 2,421 deaths, and 287 in Cuyahoga County.

In addition, there have been 6,620 hospital admissions statewide, with 1,708 of those being intensive care admissions.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

MORE OPENINGS ON JUNE 10. Please refer to the above chart for a list of reopenings set for Wednesday, June 10.

GOOD NEWS FOR POTENTIAL NEW DRIVERS. The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles will resume in-person driving tests at six locations, including the Bedford location, starting June 12. All other locations will be open for tests starting on June 16.

RESPONSE TO MASS PROTESTS. In his coronavirus update, DeWine announced he is directing a state task force to develop new minimum standards for how police should respond to mass protests. To learn more, click here.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

PLAYGROUND AND EXERCISE EQUIPMENT TO OPEN WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10. Mayor and Safety Director Michael Dylan Brennan announced today that playground and exercise equipment at Walter Stinson Community Park and Purvis Park will be available for public use starting on June 10.

After consulting with the State and local board of health, the following rules will be in place until further notice.

CENSUS UPDATE. Michele Pomerantz and Simeon Best urge all Cuyahoga County residents to complete the 2020 Census.

“We’d like to take a moment to acknowledge the state of our country right now. Acknowledging the vast emotions that many people are feeling at this time goes a long way towards gaining understanding and building unity. The communities that have been affected the most by entrenched racial inequities are also historically the communities that are the most under-counted and under-represented. The current events unfolding around the nation underscore the fact that everyone counts, everyone must be heard, and everyone matters…

“A successful count in the 2020 Census seems magnified even more so during these times of unrest. Thank you for your continued efforts towards a nation where everyone is acknowledged, supported and counted.”

To complete the Census, visit 2020census.gov.

ODD DOG COFFEE TO RETURN TO THE WALT. Odd Dog Coffee will return to The Walt this weekend. M-E and Mike will be serving their coffee, cold brew, nitro, and pastries out of their new newly converted 1982 Burro Trailer on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer.

June 2, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of June 2, there are 36,350 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (4,581 in Cuyahoga County). Across Ohio, there have been 2,258 deaths, and 245 in Cuyahoga County.
In addition, there have been 6,176 hospital admissions statewide, with 1,583 of those being intensive care admissions.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

SURGERY UPDATE. DeWine announced today that health care providers may resume all surgeries and procedures that had previously been delayed.
BACK TO SCHOOL. The Governor stated his goal is to start school in the fall. The date for starting school is solely in the power of the local school boards.

REOPENING OF MUSEUMS, ZOOS. On Thursday, DeWine will make an announcement regarding the reopening of museums and zoos. He promised that “it will be good news.”

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS BUSINESSES ARE READY TO SERVE. The pandemic has been tough on all businesses, and our beloved Flowerville is no exception. Ideastream recently did a feature on the flower shop, and you can learn more here.

While the shop is still closed to the public, they are taking prepaid orders for pickup or delivery. Call Michael Day and his crew at Flowerville at (216) 932-7550, or visit flowerville.net.

“YOUR RIGHTS ARE ALSO YOUR SAFETY.” On Friday, Mayor Brennan and Police Chief Dustin Rogers released a letter to the community regarding public safety in University Heights. The Mayor issued the following statement on Facebook with the letter.

“The killing of George Floyd was brutal. Many members of our community are outraged, angered, saddened, scared, and have told me so. I share all those feelings. Many have also contacted our police department with questions about what we do as a city, what training we have, what safeguards are in place, what can we do to avoid seeing something like that from ever happening here. Chief Dustin Rogers’ letter is attached.

“Among the reasons I chose Dustin Rogers to be our police chief in 2018, was because he had the temperament and sensitivity I wanted at the top of our police department. As chief he has built on the reforms of his predecessor, and he is committed to faithful enforcement of the law while respecting constitutional rights.

“I wouldn’t want it any other way. People who have known me a long time know my long-standing distaste for authority, some of them might even think that putting me in charge is my comeuppance for years of irreverent behavior. Instead, I would suggest that my years of civil libertarianism, of saying ‘I know you’re just trying to do your job, officer, but no, I don’t consent to searches,’ and all those donations to the ACLU, uniquely qualify me for ensuring that as Safety Director, I’m looking out for your rights as well as your safety — because your rights are also your safety.

“To my friends in the African American community, I don’t claim that I’ll ever really know or appreciate what it means to be black in America. I promise to keep trying. I took time today to listen again to James Baldwin explain the riots of 1968. More than fifty years later, Baldwin’s words are still on point. I wish this country were doing better than that. As your mayor, I will keep trying.”

May 28, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of May 28, there are 33,915 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (4,211 in Cuyahoga County). Across Ohio, there have been 2,098 deaths, and 226 in Cuyahoga County.

In addition, there have been 5,811 hospital admissions statewide, with 1,516 of those being intensive care admissions.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

ASSISTED LIVING VISITATION. Governor DeWine announced today that assisted living facilities and intermediate care facilities for individuals with developmental disabilities that are properly prepared can begin to allow outdoor visitation beginning on June 8^th.

The decision to move forward to outdoor visitation is the culmination of several things, including:

The impact of the quality of life or a prolonged loss of connection can have on an individual
Requests from families and residents
Consultation with advocates and providers

Guidelines for visitation were jointly developed by the Academy for Senior Health Sciences, Leading Age Ohio, Assisted Living Ohio, the Ohio Health Care Association, and the Ohio Medical Director’s Association.

OHIO BWC UPDATE. The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is deferring Ohio employers’ premium installments for the months of June, July, and August to help businesses keep their focus on the safety and well-being of their employees and customers.

WHAT ABOUT AMUSEMENT PARKS? Governor DeWine said he will provide an update regarding amusement parks sometime next week.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

PANDEMIC IS NOT STOPPING PLANS TO REDEVELOP UNIVERSITY SQUARE. Last night, City Council unanimously approved a development agreement to redevelop University Square. We are one huge step closer to a ground breaking. To read more about the development agreement, click here.

CLEVELAND MAGAZINE TELLS US WHAT WE ALREADY KNOW. You know it, we know it, and now, Cleveland Magazine readers know it – University Heights is a great place to live, work, and raise a family. Click here to read the feature article on our city.

LAWN MOWING AND LANDSCAPING UPDATE. Several residents have taken the time to contact City Hall this week to inquire about the interpretation of city ordinances regarding lawn mowing and landscaping. The permitted hours for performing lawn mowing and landscaping of residential properties is from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. (or sunset, when earlier than 8 p.m.). The permitted hours are the same whether the owner or occupant is performing the work, or if it is performed by a third party.

HELPFUL INFORMATION FROM MR. WALTER STINSON. Senior Services Manager Walter Stinson reports there are many services available to University Heights senior citizens. Below is a list that may be of use to you.

Cuyahoga County Division of Senior and Adult Services
(216) 420-6700 24hr.hotline

Benjamin Rose Institute
(216) 791-8000
www.benrose.org/covid-19

Greater Cleveland Food Bank Help Center
(216) 738-2067 (Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.)

Home Repair Resources
(216) 381-6100
Denise Wallace, Housing Counselor

Cuyahoga County Job and Family Services
(216) 987-7000

May 26, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of May 26, there are 33,006 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (4,060 in Cuyahoga County). Across Ohio, there have been 2,002 deaths, and 221 in Cuyahoga County.

In addition, there have been 5,579 hospital admissions statewide, with 1,450 of those being intensive care admissions.

For additional statistics, visit the State’s COVID-19 dashboard. This site is updated daily at 2 p.m.

Total COVID-19 deaths in the United States today officially exceeded 100,000. As of this writing there are 100,230.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

TESTING IN NURSING HOMES. DeWine announced today the State will begin testing of all staff at nursing homes, and will test residents on a case-by-case basis.

OHIO’S COVID-19 MINORITY HEALTH STRIKE FORCE. Though African Americans make up 14% of Ohio’s population, they represent 26% of positive COVID-19 cases. The State of Ohio just unveiled a plan to help members of minority communities, who are statistically more likely to contract COVID-19. The Minority Health Strike Force, comprised of elected officials, healthcare professionals, and other leaders from across the state, was created to understand how the pandemic is affecting minority communities and create a plan of action.

Click here to learn more.

TALKING ABOUT PRACTICE, PLUS MINI GOLF, BATTING CAGES, AND BOWLING. Training for all sports may resume today – including contact sports – as long as safety protocols can be followed. Information on protocols can be found at coronavirus.ohio.gov. Tournaments, games, and competitions for contact sports are still prohibited for the time being.

Also today, miniature golf, batting cages, and bowling alleys will be able to reopen, if they can meet appropriate safety protocols.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan

PRODUCE AVAILABLE. The Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District has been chosen to receive 200,000 pounds of produce to give to its families and community members, thanks to the Farmers to Families program.

Heights High School will serve as the pickup spot from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (or until supplies run out) on May 28, June 4, June 11, June 18 and June 25. Recipients should enter off of Washington, drive through, pop their trunk or open their rear door, and a 20-pound box of assorted produce will be placed inside by a staff member or volunteer. The boxes typically contain items such as apples, potatoes, carrots, onions, and strawberries, but can vary. There will be no paperwork or anything to show; just drive up and receive a box of fresh food.

This initiative is thanks to Mr. Ted Copeland, father of Roxboro Middle School teacher Dani Copeland. Mr. Copeland owns Perfect Pact, which received a grant from the USDA to make the District a site for Farmers to Families.

The original plan was to give away 1,200 boxes per event, but the quantity has since been increased to 2,000 boxes. Any leftover boxes will be distributed to local food banks.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT. The COVID-19 pandemic did not stop University Heights from remembering those who have died in war this Memorial Day. If you missed either our virtual parade, or our memorial ceremony, you may watch either by clicking here for the parade, and here for the ceremony.

May 21, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus Update

As of May 21, there are 30,167 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (3,667 in Cuyahoga County). Across Ohio, there have been 1,836 deaths, and 202 in Cuyahoga County.

In addition, there have been 5,295 hospital admissions statewide, with 1,397 of those being intensive care admissions.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

TALKING ABOUT PRACTICE. Training for all sports may resume on May 26 – including contact sports – as long as safety protocols can be followed. Information on protocols can be found at coronavirus.ohio.gov. Tournaments, games, and competitions for contact sports are still prohibited for the time being.

MINI GOLF, BATTING CAGES AND BOWLING. Also on May 26, miniature golf, batting cages, and bowling alleys will be able to reopen, if they can meet appropriate safety protocols.

MORE OPENINGS COMING IN JUNE. Today DeWine announced that on June 1, catering and banquet centers can reopen under similar guidelines as restaurants. Guidelines include 6 feet between tables and no congregating. For the immediate future, crowd size will be limited to 300.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS TO HOST VIRTUAL MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY. The COVID-19 pandemic will not stop University Heights from remembering those who have died in war this Memorial Day.

The city will hold its traditional ceremony this year, but online. The virtual ceremony will be broadcast on the University Heights YouTube channel on Monday at 1:00 p.m. In addition, the ceremony will be shown on the city hall Facebook page as well.

Ohio Secretary of State, U.S. Army Green Beret and Bronze Star recipient Frank LaRose will be the featured speaker. The National Anthem will be performed by Gina Ventre of the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus. Vice Mayor Michele Weiss will lead the Pledge of Allegiance, and city council members will participate in the flag ceremony.

Prior to the virtual ceremony, University Heights City Hall will broadcast a virtual Memorial Day Parade, including photos from our parades going back all the way to the 1960s. The parade will start at 11:00 a.m. on Facebook and on YouTube.

RESTAURANTS ARE REOPENING. Restaurants in University Heights, and across Ohio, are opening for business. As we enter this new phase of the reopening of Ohio, please consider the following:

This is a stressful time for restaurant staff. Please be patient, and please be kind.
If possible, wear a mask when entering and exiting a restaurant. This is to protect staff and your fellow customers.
And if you have the means to do so… tip like your money is on fire.

POLICE DEPARTMENT UPDATE. A little over two months ago, the University Heights Police Department modified how they handle some types of calls for service. This included discontinuing response to non-safety related matters. As things begin to open back up, the UHPD will be taking a step toward resuming the services they provided prior to the pandemic. They will again be responding to all calls for service, including vehicle lock-outs. However, they are not yet ready to open our doors for fingerprinting, tours, etc.

The department appreciates the support our community has shown throughout this unique period in time.

INPUT SOUGHT. The CH-UH City School District is currently involved in a comprehensive process to review and “refresh” their strategic plan. A strong and diverse planning committee of faculty, staff, administrators, parents, students, and community members has been formed to provide leadership in the very participatory process. They are in the midst of seeking input from staff, students, elected officials and more.

To take the survey, click here.

Respondent groups include, but are not limited to, current and former families, alumni, residents, business owners, and local leaders. The survey is available through May 27.

May 19, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of May 19, there are 28,952 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (3,463 in Cuyahoga County). Across Ohio, there have been 1,720 deaths, and 183 in Cuyahoga County.

In addition, there have been 5,117 hospital admissions statewide, with 1,357 of those being intensive care admissions.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

SOME STATE ORDERS BECOMING VOLUNTARY RECOMMENDATIONS. A statewide ban on large gatherings remains in place, as do restrictions at bars and restaurants. However, today Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced that several orders are now voluntary. These include a ban on gatherings of more than 10 people, and a 14-day self-quarantine for travelers.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE STATE’S NEW RECOMMENDATIONS. Via social media, DeWine outlined new recommendations:

The new advisory calls for six feet of social distancing; a limit of 10 people for mass gatherings; frequent hand-washing; and other sanitizing efforts.
All business orders pertaining to social distancing and sanitation, including employees wearing masks and other efforts to protect the public, remain intact.
The order strongly recommends that high-risk Ohioans stay at home as much as possible, and they should avoid places where they are likely to encounter a lot of people.
It is recommended that all other Ohioans stay at their places of residence when possible, with the intent of lowering the rate of spread of COVID-19.
Previous travel restrictions are lifted. However, unnecessary travel is discouraged.

DeWine added “The coronavirus is not gone. It is real, and it is deadly. This new phase that we are now in is about learning to live with the virus… and we must all do what we can to contain it and keep it from killing our fellow citizens.”

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan

BEWARE OF SCAMMERS. Scammers are contacting people claiming to be tracing COVID-19 contacts. While legitimate health agencies, including the Cuyahoga County Board of Health and the Cleveland Department of Public Health are calling people to complete contact tracing, they will never ask for your Social Security or Bank Account information. Do not click on links or respond to texts saying you have been exposed to COVID-19.

Please report suspicious calls or texts to ConsumerAffairs.CuyahogaCounty.us or call 216-443-SCAM.

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS APPLAUDS THE CLASS OF 2020. All high school seniors living in University Heights are invited to participate in our Senior Spotlight program. We wish to produce a nice write-up on our local seniors to share on our social media accounts. You can see a sample of the senior spotlights by clicking here.

In addition, we will include as many seniors as possible in the July issue of Mosaic, our city magazine. We will feature a senior on the cover of the magazine as well.

To be included, seniors should answer all of the following:

Name
High School
Extra-curricular activities
Activities outside of school
Favorite class and teacher
What will you remember most about being a senior during this pandemic?
What will you miss most about high school?
What message of thanks would you like to share with your parents, siblings or other relatives?
Plans after graduation (college a/o career)

Seniors should send their responses, and a high-resolution photograph, to Mike Cook, Communications & Civic Engagement Coordinator, at .

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS TO HOST VIRTUAL MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY. The COVID-19 pandemic will not stop University Heights from remembering those who have died in war this Memorial Day.
The city will hold its traditional ceremony this year, but online. The virtual ceremony will be broadcast on the University Heights YouTube channel on Monday at 1:00 p.m. In addition, the ceremony will be shown on the city hall Facebook page as well.

May 18, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus Update

As of May 18, there are 28,454 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (3,410 in Cuyahoga County). Across Ohio, there have been 1,657 deaths, and 175 in Cuyahoga County.

In addition, there have been 4,998 hospital admissions statewide, with 1,328 of those being intensive care admissions.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

MORE DISTANCE. DeWine today addressed reports across Ohio where social distancing was not maintained at restaurant and bar patios. DeWine said Ohio’s economic recovery is tied directly to how successful we are in preventing the spread of COVID-19. “It’s up to all of us to open our economy, but to do this in a safe way. This can only be done by distance,” he said.

DeWine warned the State will work with local police and health departments to enforce the rules. Administrative citations may result in the revocation of liquor licenses. Furthermore, DeWine said the state will work with municipal prosecutors to take potential criminal actions.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS TO HOST VIRTUAL MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY. The COVID-19 pandemic will not stop University Heights from remembering those who have died in war this Memorial Day.

May 14, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus Update

As of May 14, there are 26,537 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (3,066 in Cuyahoga County). Across Ohio, there have been 1,534 deaths, and 157 in Cuyahoga County.

In addition, there have been 4,718 hospital admissions statewide, with 1,268 of those being intensive care admissions.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

CHILDCARE CENTERS MAY REOPEN ON MAY 31. Governor DeWine today announced that beginning May 31^st, childcare providers in Ohio will be able to reopen, with reduced numbers of children in each classroom, with intensified cleaning and handwashing practices.

DeWine said his goal is to have the safest child care system in the nation. Moving forward, he said childcare is going to look different for children, parents, and teachers as long as COVID-19 is around. He said we must get this right, or we run the risk of exposing additional individuals.

OTHER REOPENINGS. DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced today other reopening dates.

May 21 – Ohio campgrounds may open, with restrictions.

May 22 – Horse racing may resume on May 22, if safety protocols can be met. However, spectators will be prohibited.

May 26 – Bureau of Motor Vehicles offices will reopen. Ohioans are still urged to do as much business as possible with the BMV online at oplates.com. Pools may reopen, but it is up to local and county governments to make that decision as to whether or not it is safe to do so. Gyms and fitness centers may reopen, with restrictions. Low-contact or non-contact sports can resume on May 26, if they can meet safety protocols. High-contact sports are still being considered.

May 31 – Both movie theaters and day camps may reopen, with restrictions.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

COVID-19 PANDEMIC FORCES CANCELATION OF SUMMER EVENTS IN UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS. Citing the health risks of holding large events during a pandemic, University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan announced today the cancelation of all city sponsored events through Labor Day. In addition, the Beryl E. Rothschild Pool at Purvis Park will not open in 2020.

In addition to the pool being closed this summer, the cancelations in University Heights include:

The Summer Concert Series, including shows at Walter Stinson Community Park and at John Carroll University
Tennis lessons
Yoga Tuesdays at The Walt
Family Movie Nights at The Walt
Arts & Crafts at the Park
Touch-a-Truck
National Night Out
Senior Happenings with Mr. Walter Stinson
B’nai B’rith Health Run

The city previously announced the cancelation of the Memorial Day Parade.

Permits for block parties, parades, and garage and yard sales were previously suspended and remain suspended until further notice. City tennis courts and playground equipment remain closed until further notice.

The Cuyahoga County Board of Health reports the 44118 zip code, which includes University Heights, remains an area with a rate of high infection for COVID-19. Given the risk, it would be irresponsible to open the pool this season.

A decision whether or not to hold scheduled fall events, including the City Beautiful Run, Fall Fest, and the University Heights Civic Awards, will be made at a later date.

If Fall Fest is held as scheduled on Sunday, October 11, Carlos Jones and the PLUS Band will be the concert headliner. The band was previously set to open this year’s Summer Concert Series.

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR AND SAFETY DIRECTOR MICHAEL DYLAN BRENNAN REGARDING CLOSING OF POOL AND CANCELATION OF SUMMER ACTIVITIES. “Last year, we declared 2019 the Best Summer Ever on the cover of our Mosaic magazine, and we delivered. In 2020, we planned to top it. For reasons that are neither your fault nor ours, that cannot happen this year.

“University Heights residents and communities like ours across the state have worked and sacrificed to flatten the curve. We all feel there should be a reward for that, beyond simply remaining well. But the effort is ongoing, because the pandemic continues.

“COVID-19 has no effective treatment; COVID-19 has no vaccine; COVID-19 is highly contagious and potentially fatal. The opening of Ohio’s economy will promote increased opportunities for infection.

“With summer approaching we turn now to Beryl E. Rothschild Pool at Purvis Park. Our pool is popular and attracts large crowds. We cannot reasonably expect to achieve social distancing in the pool. While the pool water contains chlorine, we cannot be certain of the adequate disinfection of surfaces around the pool area or in the restrooms. Cloth face coverings would be difficult to breathe through when wet. City lifeguards could not perform rescues without exposing themselves to potential infection.

“While we each assume a certain amount of risk in our daily lives, there are risks associated with opening the pool and conducting summer activities beyond what is normally associated with these activities, and beyond what is acceptable during this pandemic. We cannot say these activities are safe now, or will be made safe in the near future.

“It pains us to announce the closing of the pool for this year, as well as the cancelation of city-sponsored events through Labor Day.

“The summer in University Heights is a cherished time. The pool and community-building events help make University Heights a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

“We will get through this. We are all in this together. We will miss what would have been a great summer full of activities, but your health and safety matter more. We join you in looking forward to one day being able to reopen the pool and hold these events again.”

May 12, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus Updte

As of May 12, there are 25,250 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (2,908 in Cuyahoga County). Across Ohio, there have been 1,436 deaths, and 151 in Cuyahoga County.

In addition, there have been 4,539 hospital admissions statewide, with 1,232 of those being intensive care admissions.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE TO FAMILIES TO BUY FOOD. About 850,000 Ohio children who receive free or reduced-price meals at school will soon receive money to buy food through the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) announced today. This funding was made possible by the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act. ODJFS worked with the Ohio Department of Education to submit Ohio’s plan, which just received federal approval.

Click here to read the press release from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

ADDITIONAL BUSINESSES PERMITTED TO REOPEN ON FRIDAY. Governor DeWine announced that massage locations and tattoo and piercing businesses will be permitted to open with proper safety protocols on May 15^th.

CALL AHEAD. Lt. Governor Husted reminded Ohioans that just because a business is permitted to open, it doesn’t mean that every business will be ready to open on the first day. He suggests calling first to get opening status and specific business hours. In addition, Husted urged us to be respectful to employees.

MASKS AT THE WORKPLACE Q&A. The State website has answers to frequently asked questions about the wearing of masks at places of employment. Click here to be redirected to that page.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS APPLAUDS THE CLASS OF 2020. To put it mildly, this senior year for the high school Class of 2020 has not gone according to plan. Students should be enjoying their final weeks of classes with their friends and teachers. They should be enjoying softball games, concerts, and award ceremonies. There should be promposals, there should be big commencement ceremonies, followed by graduation parties.

This pandemic derailed so much.

We here at City Hall can’t fix any of that, but we’d like to do something nice for the Class of 2020.

All high school seniors living in University Heights are invited to participate in our Senior Spotlight program. We wish to produce a nice write-up on our local seniors to share on our social media accounts.

In addition, we will include as many seniors as possible in the July issue of Mosaic, our city magazine. We will feature a senior on the cover of the magazine as well.

To be included, seniors should answer all of the following:

Name
High School
Extra-curricular activities
Activities outside of school
Favorite class and teacher
What will you remember most about being a senior during this pandemic?
What will you miss most about high school?
What message of thanks would you like to share with your parents, siblings or other relatives?
Plans after graduation (college a/o career)

Seniors should send their responses, and a high-resolution photograph, to Mike Cook, Communications & Civic Engagement Coordinator, at .

SMALL BUSINESS STABILIZATION FUND, ROUND TWO. Cuyahoga County is now accepting applications for the second round of Small Business Stabilization funding. Low interest loans are available to the 2,900 businesses who did not qualify for the grant in the first round. This second round is being funded with $1.5 M in County funds and $500 K from the Cleveland Foundation.

Cleveland Neighborhood Progress will administer this round of $2 M which will make grants of $2,500-$5,000 available to an estimated 600 businesses with 25 employees or less.

The online application is open through May 15 until 5 PM. To apply, click here.

TIME OUT TOGETHER. Every night at 6:30 p.m., step outside, wave at your neighbors, and reconnect. Keep social distance, yet keep social. Remember to maintain social distance of at least six feet, and more when it is windy. Maintaining a safe social distance is vitally important to this event, and everything else you do during this pandemic.

May 11, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus Update

As of May 11, there are 24,777 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (2,861 in Cuyahoga County). Across Ohio, there have been 1,357 deaths, and 147 in Cuyahoga County.

In addition, there have been 4,413 hospital admissions statewide, with 1,217 of those being intensive care admissions.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

NO UPDATE ON DAYCARE. While an update on a reopening of daycares was expected today, DeWine said the State is still working on a plan. “It’s very important that we get this right,” DeWine said. “We don’t want to announce a date (for opening) until we have the protocols in place. We’re focusing on the kids, their families and the employees.”

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

SUPPORT, AND PROTECT, BUSINESSES IN UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS AND ACROSS NORTHEAST OHIO. Tomorrow, May 12, many businesses in University Heights and across Ohio will reopen. You may support local businesses by shopping, but please take steps to protect employees and your fellow customers.

Businesses should have signs posted, outlining rules from the State plus their own rules. Please follow all of these rules. For instance, stores will have a limit on the number of customers allowed in at a time, so please be patient. Stores may also have signs to inform you on which direction to travel as you walk down an aisle, and they may have signs to keep proper spacing as you line up in the checkout lane.

While the State of Ohio is not mandating that customers wear masks, please keep in mind that individual stores have the right to insist that their customers wear a mask. You’ve heard of No Shoes, No Shirt, No Service. Businesses are allowed to add No Mask, No Service to this list. Please be respectful of our store owners and their plans to keep their stores safe.

I encourage you to wear masks or face coverings even in stores and businesses where they are not required.

This second round is being funded with $1.5 M in County funds and $500K from the Cleveland Foundation. Cleveland Neighborhood Progress will administer this round of $2M which will make grants of $2,500-$5,000 available to an estimated 600 businesses with 25 employees or less.

The online application is open through May 15 until 5 PM. To apply, click here.

May 7, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of May 7, there are 22,131 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (2,591 in Cuyahoga County). Across Ohio, there have been 1,271 deaths, and 136 in Cuyahoga County.

In addition, there have been 4,140 hospital admissions statewide, with 1,167 of those being intensive care admissions.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

PERSONAL SERVICES TO REOPEN ON MAY 15. DeWine today announced that personal services will reopen on May 15, including hair salons, nail salons, tanning salons, day spas, and barber shops. Social distancing restrictions will be in place.

As part of the new hair service guidelines, people will be expected to wait outside for their appointment. They will not be able to bring anyone with them, unless they must bring children or caregivers. Cosmetologists will wear masks.

RESTAURANT AND BARS REOPENING DATES: On May 15, restaurants may reopen for outdoor dining. On May 21, dine-in service may begin.

Restaurants and bars will be asked to design floor plans that will allow for social distancing. Many employees will be required to wear masks, with some exceptions like cooks working over hot grills.

WHAT ABOUT DAYCARES? DeWine said an announcement on the reopening of daycare centers will be made on Monday.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

BIALY’S BAGELS GIVES BACK. Congratulations to our buddies Sarah and Rachel Gross at Bialy’s Bagels. They are matching contributions from customers to donate bagels to local hospital staff. Their customers purchased 187 dozen bagels to be donated. With the matching donation, that’s 374 dozen bagels! Yesterday morning, Sarah and Rachel delivered the first round of 69 dozen bagels to Hillcrest Hospital. 305 dozen to go!

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, CH-UH MASKS AVAILABLE ON-LINE. Rube Adler Sporting Goods is making masks for local logos, including University Heights and the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District. You can protect your neighbors and show your civic pride by ordering masks. Mix and match four masks for $8 each. Click here for the details.

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS ZOOM BACKGROUNDS. Have you been spending a lot of time lately in Zoom meetings? Perhaps you’ve run out of clever Zoom backgrounds. Feel free to use our new University Heights Zoom Backgrounds for your next meeting, including the University Heights Library (above). Show your pride in your favorite place to live, work, and raise a family. Click here to be redirected to our Facebook page, where many photos are available for you to use.

On Fridays, we add a musical theme to Time Out Together. This Friday (May 8), by encouraging all residents to play the same record.

We will continue to celebrate our city’s concert history on Friday, when we celebrate the 1976 concert by Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes at the JCU gym. Southside returned to University Heights in 1987 for another show on campus.

On Friday at 6:30 p.m., residents are encouraged to play the album “Havin’ a Party with Southside Johnny”

If participating in the musical part of Time Out Together, please play the album at a level that is respectful to your neighbors. And please maintain a social distance of at least six feet.

May 5, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of May 5, there are 20,969 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (2,428 in Cuyahoga County). Across Ohio, there have been 1,135 deaths, and 128 in Cuyahoga County.

In addition, there have been 3,956 hospital admissions statewide, with 1,123 of those being intensive care admissions.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

FOCUS ON STATE BUDGET. DeWine’s 2 p.m. press conference today focused mostly on state budget issues. He announced plans for $775 million in budget cuts, with most coming to Medicaid, K-12 education, and higher education. The State is not spending a dime (yet) from its $2.7 billion “Rainy Day Fund.”

NO PRESS CONFERENCE ON WEDNESDAY, BUT MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENTS ON THURSDAY. The Ohio Legislature will be in session on Wednesday, so there will not be an afternoon press conference. However, on Thursday, DeWine said he will make announcements about additional reopenings, including sit-down restaurants.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, CH-UH MASKS AVAILABLE ON-LINE. Rube Adler Sporting Goods are making masks for local logos, including University Heights and the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District. You can protect your neighbors and show your civic pride by ordering masks. Mix and match four masks for $8 each. Click here for the details.

This pandemic derailed so much.

We here at City Hall can’t fix any of that, but we’d like to do something nice for the Class of 2020.

In addition, we will include as many seniors as possible in the July issue of Mosaic, our city magazine. We will feature a senior on the cover of the magazine as well.

To be included, seniors should answer all of the following:

Name
High School
Extra-curricular activities
Activities outside of school
Favorite class and teacher
What will you remember most about being a senior during this pandemic?
What will you miss most about high school?
What message of thanks would you like to share with your parents, siblings or other relatives?
Plans after graduation (college a/o career)

Seniors should send their responses, and a high-resolution photograph, to Mike Cook, Communications & Civic Engagement Coordinator, at .

On Fridays, we add a musical theme to Time Out Together. This Friday (May 8), by encouraging all residents to play the same record.

On Friday at 6:30 p.m., residents are encouraged to play the album “Havin’ a Party with Southside Johnny.”

If participating in the musical part of Time Out Together, please play the album at a level that is respectful to your neighbors. And please maintain a social distance of at least six feet.

OUR NEXT UPDATE. Barring breaking news, we will return on Thursday with our next update. Stay safe, be well.

May 4, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of May 4, there are 20,474 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (2,398 in Cuyahoga County). Across Ohio, there have been 1,056 deaths, and 121 in Cuyahoga County.

In addition, there have been 3,809 hospital admissions statewide, with 1,090 of those being intensive care admissions.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

RETAIL STORE UPDATE. The Governor said while the opening for retail businesses is on May 12, stores can now open for curbside or appointment service.

INFO ON RESTAURANTS COMING SOON. DeWine today said the State’s committee on restaurants has been working very hard, and they are nearly finished with their plan. Within the next several days, DeWine will announce a protocol for reopening sit-down restaurants, as well as a reopening date.

BMV OFFICES TO REOPEN THIS MONTH. Lt. Governor Husted announced that Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles offices are set to reopen this month. The State is working on a plan for social distancing and for implementing other safety measures.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT. Click here to read the entire Stay Safe Ohio order.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

REST IN PEACE, DON SHULA. Let us pause for a moment today to remember John Carroll University alum and football legend Don Shula.

WEAR A MASK TO PROTECT OTHERS. By wearing a mask, you’re protecting others. And by protecting others, you’re saving lives and helping end this pandemic quicker.

May 1, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of May 1, there are 18,743 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (2,217 in Cuyahoga County). Across Ohio, there have been 1,002 deaths, and 115 in Cuyahoga County.

In addition, there have been 3,634 hospital admissions statewide, with 1,056 of those being intensive care admissions.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

STAY AT HOME ORDER IS NOW STAY SAFE OHIO ORDER. Click here to read the entire order.

WHAT’S NEXT? DeWine said his administration is bringing people together to understand to proactively reopen other sectors safely – things like restaurants, salons, bars, movie theaters, barbershops, and sporting events. The Governor said there is a need to keep customers and employees safe.

An announcement will be made next week regarding future reopening plans.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

This pandemic derailed so much.

We here at City Hall can’t fix any of that, but we’d like to do something nice for the Class of 2020.

In addition, we will include as many seniors as possible in the July issue of Mosaic, our city magazine. We will feature a senior on the cover of the magazine as well.

To be included, seniors should answer all of the following:

Name
High School
Extra-curricular activities
Activities outside of school
Favorite class and teacher
What will you remember most about being a senior during this pandemic?
What will you miss most about high school?
What message of thanks would you like to share with your parents, siblings or other relatives?
Plans after graduation (college a/o career)

Seniors should send their responses, and a high-resolution photograph, to Mike Cook, Communications & Civic Engagement Coordinator, at .

On Fridays, we add a musical theme to Time Out Together by encouraging all residents to play the same record.

We continue to celebrate our city’s concert history today, when we celebrate that magical day in 1962 when Duke Ellington performed at the John Carroll University gym.

This evening at 6:30 p.m., residents are encouraged to play Duke Ellington’s concert recording, “At the Hurricane.” The album features the song “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore,” which is as good of a theme as any for this pandemic.

If participating in the musical part of Time Out Together, please play the album at a level that is respectful to your neighbors. And please maintain a social distance of at least six feet.

April 30, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of April 30, there are 18,027 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (2,126 in Cuyahoga County). Across Ohio, there have been 975 deaths, and 112 in Cuyahoga County.

In addition, there have been 3,533 hospital admissions statewide, with 1,035 of those being intensive care admissions.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

QUICK SUMMARY. At today’s press conference, DeWine mostly focused on COVID-19 issues within Ohio prisons. Click here to read a summary.

The Governor urged Ohioans to maintain social distancing. When people don’t practice social distancing, they are not only endangering themselves, they are endangering other people.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

This pandemic derailed so much.

We here at City Hall can’t fix any of that, but we’d like to do something nice for the Class of 2020.

In addition, we will include as many seniors as possible in the July issue of Mosaic, our city magazine. We will feature a senior on the cover of the magazine as well.

To be included, seniors should answer all of the following:

Name
High School
Extra-curricular activities
Activities outside of school
Favorite class and teacher
What will you remember most about being a senior during this pandemic?
What will you miss most about high school?
What message of thanks would you like to share with your parents, siblings or other relatives?
Plans after graduation (college a/o career)

Seniors should send their responses, and a high-resolution photograph, to Mike Cook, Communications & Civic Engagement Coordinator, at .

RECYCLING QUESTION. In a matter unrelated to COVID-19, several residents contacted City Hall after seeing local media reports that recyclable materials in Cleveland are now being sent to landfills.

The Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District announced today that recyclables in all 57 suburbs in the county, including University Heights, are being recycled.

In a post on Facebook, Mayor Brennan said, “I’m happy to report that we are still recycling in University Heights. I don’t envy the position the city of Cleveland is in, and we ourselves will be going out to bid soon.

“University Heights currently has a contract with Kimble for recycling. That contract is part of a bid by the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District for 12 east side communities that the SWD refers to as the Eastside Consortium.

“The contract will expire at the end of September 2020. I anticipate the consortium communities will be going out to bid this summer.

“In 2019, we received approximately $140 for 275 tons of recyclables. If that had all simply been thrown away, we would have paid $41.90/ton to landfill that material, or $11,522.

“Given the recycling market, the trend in new contracts is to pay the recycler rather than receive payment. Hopefully, even if we pay to recycle, it will remain cheaper than landfilling these materials. I hope the city of Cleveland works this out for its residents.”

On Fridays, we add a musical theme to Time Out Together. This Friday (May 1), by encouraging all residents to play the same record.

We will continue to celebrate our city’s concert history on Friday, when we celebrate that magical day in 1962 when Duke Ellington performed at the John Carroll University gym.

On Friday at 6:30 p.m., residents are encouraged to play Duke Ellington’s concert recording, “At the Hurricane.” The album features the song “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore,” which is as good of a theme as any for this pandemic.

If participating in the musical part of Time Out Together, please play the album at a level that is respectful to your neighbors. And please maintain a social distance of at least six feet.

April 29, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of April 29, there are 17,303 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (2,030 in Cuyahoga County). Across Ohio, there have been 937 deaths, and 110 in Cuyahoga County.

In addition, there have been 3,421 hospital admissions statewide, with 1,014 of those being intensive care admissions.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

ANOTHER CLARIFICATION ON WEARING MASKS AT BUSINESSES. While customers at businesses are encouraged to wear masks, the state is not requiring it. This policy has not changed since yesterday.

Today DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced a change to the rule when it comes to employees at businesses. Employees must wear face coverings, but with these exceptions:

When health providers advise against it.
When laws and regulations prohibit it.
When it’s a violation of a company’s safety policies
When an employee is in an enclosed work space
When there is a “practical reason” that it cannot be worn, such as extreme heat conditions.

Dr. Amy Acton added that there are people with disabilities and other issues who cannot wear masks.

THE IMPORTANCE OF WEARING MASKS. DeWine today said that the more we wear face coverings, the faster we get out of this pandemic. And the faster we get out of this, the more people who will be at our next Thanksgiving dinner.

SOCIAL SECURITY UPDATE. The Governor shared a message from the Social Security Administration. If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you will get your $1,200 economic impact payment from the IRS automatically. However, if you get SSI, have not filed a tax return, and you have an eligible child, you must act soon in order to get $500 per child, in addition to your $1,200 payment. By May 5, go to the IRS non-filer web form at IRS.gov.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

HOME SALES REMAIN STRONG IN UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, DESPITE PANDEMIC. Houses are selling in University Heights, and they are selling at their highest prices ever — after years of stagnation since the 2008 real estate crash. Policies encouraging investment in University Heights that we implemented beginning in 2018 have helped spur the upward trend — such as our citywide CRA, allowing homeowners to apply for tax abatements on the increases in home value resulting from value-adding reinvestments in their homes.

In the first quarter of 2020, the mean sales price citywide was $157,732. East of South Belvoir, the average is $260,776. In the northwest, prices are lowest yet nevertheless up — affordable housing that will appreciate can be found throughout our city.

Sales remain strong even through the pandemic. As of this morning, there are 55 houses under contract waiting to close, with just 20 active MLS listings remaining.

UNDERSTANDING TEENS AND ISOLATION. This pandemic is hard on everyone, and teenagers are no exception. Spectrum News 1 has a story on the topic, and it’s worth sharing here.

On Fridays, we add a musical theme to Time Out Together. This Friday (May 1), by encouraging all residents to play the same record.

We will continue to celebrate our city’s concert history on Friday, when we celebrate that magical day in 1962 when Duke Ellington performed at the John Carroll University gym.

If participating in the musical part of Time Out Together, please play the album at a level that is respectful to your neighbors. And please maintain a social distance of at least six feet.

April 28, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of April 28, there are 16,769 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (1,984 in Cuyahoga County). Across Ohio, there have been 799 deaths, and 109 in Cuyahoga County.

In addition, there have been 3,340 hospital admissions statewide, with 1,004 of those being intensive care admissions.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

REVISED RULES ON WEARING MASKS. DeWine today modified his order regarding wearing masks in office, retail, and commercial settings. Today he said that wearing masks are recommended for employees and customers, they are not mandatory. DeWine cited several factors for the revised policy, including concerns of a mother of a child with autism.

WHAT ABOUT LIBRARIES? The Governor was asked about a plan to reopen libraries today. He said his administration has been in contact with library staff across the state, and he hoped to make an announcement soon.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

7:30 P.M. DEADLINE TO VOTE. If you have a ballot, but neglected to mail it back to the Board of Elections, you may hand-deliver it to their office (2925 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland) until 7:30 p.m. tonight.

According to the BOE, you may vote in person at their office, if you meet one of two categories, or if you requested a ballot but did not receive it. Click here for details.

To follow election results tonight, click here.

TAKE OUT TUESDAY. You can support local restaurants by ordering carryout or delivery. Click here for the latest update on options at University Heights restaurants.

TOGETHER WE CAN SHAPE OUR FUTURE. Click here to watch City Hall’s PSA on the importance of completing the 2020 Census during this pandemic.

To complete the Census, visit 2020Census.gov.

On Fridays, we add a musical theme to Time Out Together. This Friday (May 1), by encouraging all residents to play the same record.

We will continue to celebrate our city’s concert history on Friday, when we celebrate that magical day in 1962 when Duke Ellington performed at the John Carroll University gym.

If participating in the musical part of Time Out Together, please play the album at a level that is respectful to your neighbors. And please maintain a social distance of at least six feet.

April 27, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of April 27, there are 16,325 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (1,938 in Cuyahoga County). Across Ohio, there have been 753 deaths, and 96 in Cuyahoga County.

In addition, there have been 3,232 hospital admissions statewide, with 978 of those being intensive care admissions.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

HEALTHCARE OPENING ON MAY 1. All healthcare procedures that do not require an overnight stay in a hospital can move forward. Dentists and veterinarians can also reopen on May 1.

ON MAY 4, MANUFACTURING, DISTRIBUTION & CONSTRUCTION WILL REOPEN WITH RESTRICTIONS, AS WELL AS GENERAL OFFICES. The below charts describe mandatory rules, as well as recommended best practices.

THEN ON MAY 12, CONSUMER, RETAIL, AND SERVICES TO REOPEN. The chart below explains rules for the consumer, retail, and services, once they are permitted to reopen on May 12.

WHAT ISN’T SCHEDULED TO OPEN YET. Bars, daycares, restaurants (sit-down service), salons do not yet have a reopening date. DeWine says the State will monitor the situation for a few weeks.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

VOTING INFORMATION. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked today in order to be counted. If you have your ballot, but you haven’t mailed it in, your vote may still be counted, but only if you drop off your ballot at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections (2925 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland) on Tuesday, April 28 by 7:30 p.m.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HERITAGE HOME PROGRAM VIA ZOOM. The Heritage Home Program is ready to help you with free technical assistance for your home repair, maintenance, and rehab needs and access to loan rates that are more affordable than ever before.

While no in-person information meetings are being held during this pandemic, you can learn more about the program during a Zoom meeting.

On Fridays, we add a musical theme to Time Out Together. This Friday (May 1), by encouraging all residents to play the same record.

We will continue to celebrate our city’s concert history on Friday, when we celebrate that magical day in 1962 when Duke Ellington performed at the John Carroll University gym.

If participating in the musical part of Time Out Together, please play the album at a level that is respectful to your neighbors. And please maintain a social distance of at least six feet.

April 24, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of April 24, there are 15,169 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (1,817 in Cuyahoga County). Across Ohio, there have been 690 deaths, and 91 in Cuyahoga County.

In addition, there have been 3,053 hospital admissions statewide, with 920 of those being intensive care admissions.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

TESTING UPDATE. DeWine announced two new agreements with medical-supply companies to make coronavirus test kit supplies. This will allow for many more Ohioans to be tested for COVID-19.

As a result, health officials will be able to soon conduct greater testing in Ohio nursing homes, as well as homeless shelters, treatment centers, and developmental disability centers, DeWine said.

After that, testing will be increased among grocery store and other food workers, as well as workers in essential manufacturing facilities

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

LOX, STOCK, AND BRISKET FEEDS FIRST RESPONDERS. Anthony Zappola and his team at Lox, Stock, and Brisket are participating in the Local Eats 4 Heroes project. On Monday, LS&B delivered 28 meals to the Cleveland Clinic main campus to feed nurses and technicians who bravely working every day to keep us safe during this pandemic.

Thank you to all health care workers, and thank you to businesses that are supporting them.

Click here to place your own carry out order at Lox, Stock, and Brisket.

CHECK-IN CALLS FOR SENIORS. City Hall is now making “check-in calls” to senior citizens in University Heights. Staff and volunteers will call to ensure that seniors are safe during this pandemic, answer any questions they might have, and direct them to resources if needed.

To subscribe to this service, click here.

On Fridays, we add a musical theme to Time Out Together. Today, we will continue to celebrate our city’s concert history, when we look back to 1973 when a then little-known band from called Aerosmith was the opening act for Mott the Hopple at John Carroll University.

Today at 6:30 p.m., residents are encouraged to play Aerosmith’s self-titled debut album as the soundtrack for Time Out Together.

If participating in the musical part of Time Out Together, please play the album at a level that is respectful to your neighbors. And while you might “Dream On” about being close to your neighbors, please maintain a social distance of at least six feet.

April 23, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of April 23, there are 14,694 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (1,768 in Cuyahoga County). Across Ohio, there have been 656 deaths, and 83 in Cuyahoga County.

In addition, there have been 2,960 hospital admissions statewide, with 900 of those being intensive care admissions.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

MORE INFORMATION ON ELECTIVE SURGERIES. DeWine said doctors should reach out to patients with postponed procedures and do an assessment on their health.

DeWine said the type of elective surgeries that could be performed now include ones that reduce risk of severe symptoms to the patient, preserve life, preserve limbs or organs, and preserve progression of disease or metastasis with cancer — then the surgery may be performed.

DETAILS COMING ON PLAN TO “REOPEN” OHIO. DeWine said he will make announcements on a phased-in reopening on Monday.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

While no in-person information meetings are being held during this pandemic, you can learn more about the program during a Zoom meeting.

CITY FINANCIAL OUTLOOK. Today Cleveland dot com published an article recapping Monday’s City Council meeting, with an emphasis on budget issues and the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to read it.

ANOTHER WAY TO SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES. Ordering carry out or delivery is one way to support your friends and neighbors during this crisis. Buying gift cards is another. And there’s a third way you can help, and that’s by voting in the first round of Cleveland Scene’s Best of Cleveland 2020 contest.

Click here to vote. Let Greater Cleveland know that some of the best people, places, and things are right here in University Heights.

On Friday at 6:30 p.m., residents are encouraged to play A erosmith’s self-titled debut album as the soundtrack for Time Out Together.

April 22, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of April 22, there are 14,117 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (1,713 in Cuyahoga County). Across Ohio, there have been 610 deaths, and 79 in Cuyahoga County.

In addition, there have been 2,882 hospital admissions statewide, with 880 of those being intensive care admissions.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

ELECTIVE SURGERY UPDATE. Last month, Dr. Amy Acton issued an order postponing elective surgery in order to conserve critical PPE and clear out necessary hospital bed space. Because of Ohioan’s willingness to keep social distance, we have prevented COVID-19 cases from overwhelming hospitals. As a result, DeWine is asking doctors to review postponed surgeries with their patients, and make decisions about whether to proceed.

STATE LAUNCHES NEW PHONE LINE TO ASSIST WITH MENTAL HEALTH DURING PANDEMIC. DeWine urged Ohioans to take care of their mental health, as well as their physical health, during this time. The new phone line is 1-800-720-9616.

TESTING TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19. State Health Director Dr. Amy Acton today outlined a plan to prioritize individuals for coronavirus testing.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

CARES ACT UPDATE. Today Mayor Brennan reported to University Heights residents on lobbying efforts regarding the Care Act.

“City administration has expressed to Senator Brown and Senator Portman, to Gov. DeWine’s office, as well as to our state officials, that CARES Act funding must be made available to cities like University Heights not only for direct expenses due to COVID-19, but to pay for the basic services (police, fire, EMS, solid waste pickup, infrastructure) our residents need and normally pay for with their local tax dollars, which have dropped due to the economic downturn from the pandemic and stay-at-home order.

“I know Senator Matt Dolan has been fighting for it, too, as well as others in the Ohio House and Senate. I’ve been on the phone, on Zoom, and writing letters, as has Rachel Mullen and Mike Cook of our city hall staff.

“Per Senator Brown … President Trump has now made a commitment to use CARES Act funding to do that.

“Our work is not finished, but this is a positive step forward, with people on both sides of the aisle on all levels of government working together to do what is right and what is crucial for our community and communities like ours.”

Click here to read an op-ed on how COVID-19 hurts cities financially.

On Fridays, we add a musical theme to Time Out Together. This Friday (April 24), we will continue to celebrate our city’s concert history, when we look back to 1973 when a then-little known band from called Aerosmith was the opening act for Mott the Hopple at John Carroll University.
On Friday at 6:30 p.m., residents are encouraged to play Aerosmith’s self-titled debut album as the soundtrack for Time Out Together.

April 21, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of April 21, there are 13,250 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (1,653 in Cuyahoga County), while the Centers for Disease Control’s expanded definition adds 475 more statewide. Across Ohio, there have been 557 deaths, and 64 in Cuyahoga County.

In addition, there have been 2,779 hospital admissions statewide, with 838 of those being intensive care admissions.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

TESTING UPDATE. Governor DeWine reported today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of reagent, or chemicals, used in coronavirus testing kits made by Thermal Fisher Scientific. He said reopening Ohio’s economy will be safer with the assistance of more testing.

In addition, DeWine today announced the appointment of former Governors Bob Taft and Dick Celeste to a “testing strike team.” The team will work with leaders from business, academia, and the public to source critical coronavirus testing items for Ohio. The former Governors will use their skills, networks, and life experiences to help Ohioans get the testing supplies needed to expand testing in our state.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

THANK YOU, GERACI’S. Our friends at Geraci’s have really stepped it up during this pandemic. With the support of generous customers, Geraci’s has donated 2,342 pizzas to staff at local hospitals. Thank you for all you do to keep those on the frontlines safe and well fed.

TAKE OUT TUESDAY. You can support Geraci’s and other local restaurants by ordering carryout or delivery. Click here for the latest update on options at University Heights restaurants.

ANOTHER WAY TO SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES. Ordering carry out and delivery is one way to support your friends and neighbors during this crisis. Buying gift cards is another. And there’s a third way you can help, and that’s by voting in the first round of Cleveland Scene’s Best of Cleveland 2020 contest.

Click here to vote. Let Greater Cleveland know that some of the best people, places, and things are right here in University Heights.

SPEAKING OF VOTING. You still have time to vote in the extended March 17 election. Click here to request your Vote By Mail application from the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.

On Friday at 6:30 p.m., residents are encouraged to play Aerosmith’s self-titled debut album as the soundtrack for Time Out Together.

April 20, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of April 20, there are 12,516 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (1,577 in Cuyahoga County), while the Centers for Disease Control’s expanded definition adds 403 more statewide. Across Ohio, there have been 509 deaths, and 55 in Cuyahoga County.

In addition, there have been 2,653 hospital admissions statewide, with 798 of those being intensive care admissions.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

REMOTE LEARNING TO CONTINUE THROUGH THE END OF THE 2019-20 SCHOOL YEAR. Governor DeWine announced this afternoon that for the remainder of this school year, students will continue to learn remotely. School buildings will not open this academic year
.
DeWine said no decision has been made on reopening schools in this fall.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

SMALL BUSINESS STABILIZATION FUND. Cuyahoga County announced the creation of a $4 million stabilization fund for small businesses. Grant awards range from $2,500 to $5,000. The deadline to apply is Thursday, April 23 at 5:00 p.m. For more information, click here.

On Friday at 6:30 p.m., residents are encouraged to play Aerosmith’s self-titled debut album as the soundtrack for Time Out Together.

If participating in the musical part of Time Out Together, please play the album at a level that is respectable to your neighbors. And while you might “Dream On” about being close to your neighbors, please maintain a social distance of at least six feet.

April 17, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of April 17, there are 9,107 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (927 in Cuyahoga County), while the Centers for Disease Control’s expanded definition adds 249 more statewide. Across Ohio, there have been 418 deaths, and 41 in Cuyahoga County.

In addition, there have been 2,424 hospital admissions statewide, with 740 of those being intensive care admissions.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

ASSUME EVERYONE IS POSITIVE. DeWine urged Ohioans to assume that everyone they see carries they virus, since there are so many asymptomatic people.

PHASED-IN REOPENING WILL BEGIN MAY 1^st. The Governor said speculation that nothing will change on May 1^st, as well as speculation that the state will completely reopen on that date, are incorrect. DeWine stressed it will be a phased approach. Details will be forthcoming next week. The plan will focus on public health measures and compliance, businesses operating safely, and an emphasis on protecting the most vulnerable.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

SMALL BUSINESS STABILIZATION FUND. Today Cuyahoga County announced the recreation of a $4 million stabilization fund for small businesses. Grant awards range from $2,500 to $5,000. For more information, click here.

BIALY’S BAGELS IS BACK. Life isn’t back to normal yet. Far from it. But things took a positive step today when Bialy’s Bagels reopened after being closed for nearly a month due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Owners Rachel and Sarah Gross are now accepting online orders with curbside pickup. Bialy’s Bagels will be open Wednesday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 7:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

Online ordering is available at bialysbagels.com. Scroll down on the home page to “click here for online ordering.”

The owners are requesting customers place their order 48 hours in advance.

When you select a menu item, use the + or – button to adjust quantities desired. In addition to bagels, drinks and cream cheese, customers may order t-shirts as well.

Bialy’s is also giving back to the frontline workers who are keeping Northeast Ohio safe during this pandemic. For $10, you can purchase one dozen bagels to be donated to frontline workers. For every donation purchased, Bialy’s will match the donation.

CHECK-IN CALLS FOR SENIORS. Starting next week, City Hall will offer “check-in calls” to senior citizens in University Heights. Staff and volunteers will call to ensure that seniors are safe during this pandemic, answer any questions they might have, and direct them to resources if needed.

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April 16, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of April 16, there are 8,239 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio, while the Centers for Disease Control’s expanded definition adds 175 more statewide. Across Ohio, there have been 389 deaths.

In addition, there have been 2,331 hospital admissions, with 707 of those being intensive care admissions.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

THE END OF THE BEGINNING. The Governor today channeled Winston Churchill, by reminding Ohioans of the Prime Minister’s famous words: “Now is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”

DeWine said today that we are approaching a new stage in the COVID-19 pandemic, and that Ohio will “begin to reopen” in phases on May 1^st. He said “The virus is still with us, and it will be with us for a long time.”

REOPENING BUSINESSES. In re-opening any business, it will be essential to provide a safe environment for employees. Many safety precautions will be put in place to protect employees.

FACE MASKS WILL BE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE FUTURE. DeWine asked Ohioans to not underestimate the power of donning a face mask. Click here to read an article about the need to wear masks.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

HOLLIE STRANO’S PSA FOR UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS. John Carroll University graduate Hollie Strano was kind enough to shoot a COVID-19 public service announcement for University Heights residents. Please click here to watch the video.

MAYOR BRENNAN REPORTS ON CONFERENCE CALL WITH SENATOR PORTMAN. Today Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan participated in a conference call with Senator Rob Portman, and he reports the following:

“This morning, with some of my fellow mayors in the region, we had a conference call with Senator Rob Portman about the pandemic. Similar to my ask of Senator Sherrod Brown a week ago, I asked:

“Some funding has been provided for COVID-19 related expenses. But the funding of Ohio cities – from the three Cs to cities like mine, University Heights (population 13000) – is primarily reliant on local income taxes (more so in Ohio than in most states) in order to deliver basic services (fire/EMS, police, solid waste pickup), and with the record unemployment that is already affecting tax collection and funding to cities (my city is down a projected 13% for the first quarter with Ohio’s state of emergency declared on March 9), our cities need additional funding just to provide the essential services that our residents rely on – the federal government has the most resources [e.g. ability to borrow] to provide direct funding to smaller cities, not just governments with populations above half a million — what will you do to obtain additional funding for smaller cities to allow us to continue to deliver essential services (fire/EMS, police, solid waste pickup) to our residents?

“And from there we had a discussion. And he is interested in the numbers, the losses we are experiencing that would cover the basic services, all while delivering all of our necessary services with the added costs of additional overtime, PPE expenses, and so on. He agreed that there is a bigger problem that needs attention than just the expenses that are directly COVID-19 related, and that cities will need income replacement in order to pay for the services our local tax dollars usually cover.

“I am working with our Finance Department to generate the numbers to provide his staff to give him what he needs to take our concerns to Washington so that we may be heard, and in hopes that our needs will be addressed.

“Senator Portman is just one of 100, and there are a lot of worthy competing interests that need the attention and assistance. But he appreciated the problem I presented about our cities. Mayor Patrick Ward of Lyndhurst and others told him the same. And I appreciate Senator Portman’s willingness to listen further and be open to what we are facing. He knows that local governments are on the front lines. Cities of all sizes need direct assistance to continue to provide the services our residents expect and need.

“In normal times we ourselves pay for what we want and need when it comes to the basic services. But these are not normal times. Extraordinary measures have already been taken, and more are still called for. I will continue to work with Senator Portman and Senator Brown and other elected officials to make the case for University Heights and cities like ours.”

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On Fridays, we add a musical theme to Time Out Together. This Friday (April 17), we will continue to celebrate our city’s concert history, when we look back to 1972 when The Beach Boys performed at John Carroll University as part of Spring Weekend.

On Friday at 6:30 p.m., residents are encouraged to play the album “Pet Sounds” by The Beach Boys as the soundtrack for Time Out Together.

If participating in the musical part of Time Out Together, please play the album at a level that is respectable to your neighbors. And while you might think, “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” to be close, please maintain a social distance of at least six feet.

April 15, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of April 15, there are 7,628 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (1,281 in Cuyahoga County), while the Centers for Disease Control’s expanded definition adds 163 more statewide. Across Ohio, there have been 346 deaths (39 in Cuyahoga County).

In addition, there have been 2,237 hospital admissions, with 677 of those being intensive care admissions.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

BUSINESSES ASKED TO MAKE PLANS. DeWine is asking each industry in Ohio to start putting together plans in regard to how they would protect employees and customers when they are permitted to reopen.

ELECTIVE SURGERY UPDATE. The Governor today also asked Ohio hospitals to make plans to allow for elective surgeries to resume. DeWine instructed hospitals to be mindful of the PPE challenge as they put their plans together.

MASK USAGE. Dr. Amy Acton said that Ohio has not ordered universal mask usage, but that homemade-type masks are very important. She encouraged Ohioans to wear them in public, to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

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NEW CENSUS VIDEO. Today City Hall released a new video, encouraging University Heights residents to complete the 2020 Census. While we’re all maintaining a little distance now, we can come together now and be counted. Click here to watch the new video.

On Friday at 6:30 p.m., residents are encouraged to play the album “Pet Sounds” by The Beach Boys as the soundtrack for Time Out Together.

April 14, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of April 14, there are 7,153 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio, while the Centers for Disease Control’s expanded definition adds 127 more. Statewide, there have been 324 deaths (25 in Cuyahoga County).

In addition, there have been 2,156 hospital admissions, with 654 of those being intensive care admissions.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

PEAKING AT A SLOWER LEVEL. State officials report COVID-19 cases are peaking at a lower level thanks to the efforts of all Ohioans. Unfortunately, there are still a lot of losses and a lot of sickness going on. This is still a really tough time for many out there.

NOT WHEN, BUT HOW? Lt. Governor Jon Husted said Ohioans should focus on “how” businesses should open, instead of a specific date. While the economic impact of the shutdown is important, it’s critical to plan how to keep employees and customers safe.

Governor DeWine said he shares everyone’s frustration. “I get it,” he said. “But it’s not going to do businesses and employees any good if we get it wrong. We’ll have a medical mess, and a mess in the economy. The best thing we can do is get this right.”

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

On Friday at 6:30 p.m., residents are encouraged to play the album “Pet Sounds” by The Beach Boys as the soundtrack for Time Out Together.

April 13, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of April 13, there are 6,975 cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (1,197 in Cuyahoga County), and 274 deaths. Because Ohio now counts cases confirmed by testing (6,881) and cases where a patient was exposed to a confirmed cases and does not test positive for another disease (94).

The CDC is allowing this second method of counting due to testing shortages. As it stands, Ohio can currently only test the sickest individuals and those working on the frontlines, so even with the expanded method of counting the total number of actual cases is most certainly higher.

In addition, there have been 2,033 hospital admissions, with 613 of those being intensive care admissions.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

NURSING HOMES. An order will be issued to require long-term facilities to notify residents and families within 24 hours of a resident or staff member becoming infected with COVID-19.

MASK UPDATE. Today Dr. Amy Acton, director of the Ohio Department of Health said Ohioans are urged to wear cloth masks in public, and the need to do so could continue for as long as one year.

RAPID ANTI-BODY TESTS. Governor DeWine reported that some companies in Ohio have begun purchasing rapid anti-body tests in order to test staff, and in some cases, customers. The Governor cautioned companies looking at this option to buy only tests approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

VOTING INFO FROM THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS. The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections has produced a video to explain how voting by mail works. Click here to watch an explanation from BOE Directory Anonthy Perlatti.

SUPPORT UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS RESTAURANTS. Many restaurants in University Heights are open for carryout or delivery. To learn more, click here. Be sure to support your friends and neighbors during this challenging time.

BIALY’S BAGELS REOPENS ON FRIDAY. Life isn’t back to normal yet. Far from it. But things will improve on Friday, April 17, when Bialy’s Bagels will reopen after being closed for nearly a month due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Online ordering is available at bialysbagels.com. Scroll down on the home page to “click here for online ordering.” The owners are requesting customers place their order 48 hours in advance.

April 10, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of April 10, there are 5,834 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (1,021 in Cuyahoga County), and 231 deaths. Governor DeWine and Dr. Acton have repeatedly stated that the daily numbers reflect tested and reported cases. They are a small fraction of the actual number of cases. They are the “tip of the iceberg.”

In addition, there have been 1,755 hospital admissions, with 548 of those being intensive care admissions.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

SOCIAL DISTANCING WORKS. Click here to watch a 30-second video from the Ohio Department of Health that explains how social distancing works. Together, we are flattening the curve – keep up the great work!

MEDICAID UPDATE. DeWine reported today that Medicaid, managed care plans, and MyCare Ohio have come together to remove barriers to health are during this pandemic. Member co-pays will be waived for all prescriptions. 90-day supplies for maintenance medications will be authorized. More details are available at coronavirus.ohio.gov.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

DON’T FORGET TO VOTE BY MAIL. Voting-by-mail for the March 17^th election has been extended through April 28^th. In order to vote, you first need to request a Vote By Mail application. You can do so by clicking here.

There will be no in-person voting at polling locations for this election. Only those registered to vote by the primary deadline of February 18, 2020 are eligible to vote. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is noon on April 25. Ballots must be postmarked by April 27.

The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections has begun mailing ballots to those who applied for them.

To check the status of your ballot, you may click here.

On Fridays, we add a musical theme to Time Out Together. Tonight, we will Dance to the Music and celebrate the day in 1972 when Tim Russert brought Sly and the Family Stone to John Carroll University. Residents are encouraged to play the “Greatest Hits” album during tonight’s Time Out Together.

If participating in the musical part of Time Out Together, please play the album at a level that is respectable to your neighbors. And when you “Dance to the Music,” please maintain social distance of at least six feet.

UNTIL MONDAY… We do not anticipate sending another update until Monday. Enjoy your weekend!

April 9, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of April 9, there are 5,512 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio, and 213 deaths (23 in Cuyahoga County). Governor DeWine and Dr. Acton have repeatedly stated that the daily numbers reflect tested and reported cases. They are a small fraction of the actual number of cases. They are the “tip of the iceberg.”

In addition, there have been 1,612 hospital admissions, with 497 of those being intensive care admissions.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

SOCIAL DISTANCING IS WORKING. Today Governor DeWine gave credit to Ohioans for sacrificing to slow the spread of COVID-19. “Things are not as bad as they might have been,” DeWine said. “Ohioans have made a difference.”

But the Governor cautioned to not let up. Letting up now would only reverse the progress that has been made.

NO ONE IS INVINCIBLE. Today Dr. Amy Acton addressed reports of college students throwing large parties. She reminded Ohioans that college-aged people are hospitalized right now. She urged students to pay attention and take this pandemic seriously.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

LIGHT UP CLEVELAND (AND UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS). Tonight at 8 p.m., Northeast Ohio communities are planning to “Light Up Cleveland” to honor and recognize healthcare workers. You’re encouraged to turn on your porch lights tonight to show your support.

On Fridays, we add a musical theme to Time Out Together. This Friday (April 10), we will Dance to the Music and celebrate the day in 1972 when Tim Russert brought Sly and the Family Stone to John Carroll University. Residents are encouraged to play the “Greatest Hits” album during Friday’s Time Out Together.

APRIL 8, 2020 – UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS CORONAVIRUS UPDATE.

As of April 8, there are 5,148 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (960 in Cuyahoga County), and 193 deaths (23 in Cuyahoga County). Governor DeWine and Dr. Acton have repeatedly stated that the daily numbers reflect tested and reported cases. They are a small fraction of the actual number of cases. They are the “tip of the iceberg.”

In addition, there have been 1,495 hospital admissions, with 472 of those being intensive care admissions.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

THE CURVE IS FLATTENING, BUT DON’T LET UP NOW. Thanks to the cooperation and sacrifice of Ohioans, the curve is flattening. But now is not the time to let up, as the battle is ongoing. Continue your social distancing practices.

JOB SEARCH UPDATE. At coronavirus.ohio.gov/jobsearch, there are 33,000 jobs available. This job site only includes businesses that are critical to the supply chain, such as healthcare, manufacturing, and food supply.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

POOL UPDATE. The Purvis Park Pool will not open on Memorial Day Weekend, as it has in past years. Contingency plans are being developed in the event it is possible and practical to open this summer at a later date.

VOTE BY MAIL. Voting-by-mail for the March 17th election has been extended through April 28th. In order to vote, you first need to request a Vote By Mail application. You can do so by clicking here.

With the volume of requests anticipated, apply now for your ballot.

The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections has begun mailing ballots to those who applied for them. To check the status of your ballot, you may click here.

April 7, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of April 7, there are 4,782 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (911 in Cuyahoga County), and 167 deaths. Governor DeWine and Dr. Acton have repeatedly stated that the daily numbers reflect tested and reported cases. They are a small fraction of the actual number of cases. They are the “tip of the iceberg.”

In addition, there have been 1,354 hospital admissions, with 417 of those being intensive care admissions.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

HELP FOR SNAP RECIPIENTS. Ohioans enrolled in the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) will soon receive additional state support to help them during the pandemic. The Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services announced today that those who did not already receive the maximum monthly allotment for their household size in March will be issued an additional payment beginning this week.

OFFICE OF SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF. Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced today the creation of the Office of Small Business Relief to identify ways to provide support to Ohio’s small businesses. For more information, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov/businesshelp.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

TEAMWORK. Throughout this pandemic, the Mayor’s office has been working closely with the state government to coordinate a response. Governor DeWine’s office has been especially helpful. Executive Assistant & Special Projects Coordinator Rachel Mullen has been in contact with the Governor’s office daily.

This morning, Mayor Brennan and Ohio mayors discussed the pandemic with US Senator Sherrod Brown. The Mayor specifically raised the need for direct economic relief to cities, including cities the size of University Heights.

Ohio cities rely heavily on income tax to fund basic services. With so many businesses shut down or partially-closed due to COVID-19, cities will very quickly struggle to finance vital city services.

Senator Brown and his staff correctly identified that Ohio cities will have a problem finding funds to backfill the revenue lost due to people being out of work, or being delinquent in tax payments due to economic stresses related to the pandemic.

Federal assistance to businesses and individuals is important during this critical time. But in addition, almost all Ohio cities are looking at funding shortfalls, and the federal government is uniquely situated to provide cities direct relief to avoid further disruption to our shared constituencies.

PASSOVER TRASH PICKUP. The annual Passover trash pickup will continue this year as scheduled on Wednesday morning. Please have your discarded food items out (securely bagged and on the curb) before noon.
Effective Monday, April 13, and until further notice, the city will no longer pick up trash that is not secured in plastic garbage bags.

Please do your part to keep our Service Department employees safe. Please secure your trash in plastic garbage bags. Do NOT put loose trash in cans, and do not reuse small plastic shopping bags for trash.

Bagged yard waste and special pickups for bulk items continue at this time, but that may change at any time, depending upon staffing.

APRIL 6, 2020 – UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS CORONAVIRUS UPDATE.

As of April 6, there are 4,450 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (871 in Cuyahoga County), and 142 deaths (15 in Cuyahoga County). Governor DeWine and Dr. Acton have repeatedly stated that the daily numbers reflect tested and reported cases. They are a small fraction of the actual number of cases. They are the “tip of the iceberg.”

In addition, there have been 1,214 hospital admissions, with 371 of those being intensive care admissions.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

EXPANDED STAY AT HOME ORDER BEGINS AT MIDNIGHT. There are new requirements for retailers in this order, including determining a maximum number of customers allowed in the store to account for proper physical distancing.

STATEWIDE SELF-QUARANTINE FOR 14 DAYS. DeWine reminded Ohioans that anyone coming into Ohio (be it a returning resident, or someone from another state) must self-quarantine for 14 days. Truckers, traveling medical professionals are among the few exceptions to this rule.

WEAR MASKS, BUT REMEMBER THEIR LIMITS. Ohioans are encouraged to wear masks when they go out in public. But remember, masks do not make you invincible, and they are not a substitute for social distancing.

Update from Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

2020 MEMORIAL DAY PARADE CANCELED. The University Heights Memorial Day Parade is one of the oldest and largest parades in Greater Cleveland. City Hall informed the parade committee on Friday that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no parade in 2020.

With the stay-at-home order and the need for social distancing, to even plan the parade at this juncture is not feasible, much less holding it.

In lieu of a parade and ceremony, City Hall will produce a video tribute to our fallen. This tribute will be streamed via universityheights.com, and the city’s Facebook page and YouTube Channel on Monday, May 25 at 1:00 p.m.

Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan said he plans on the Memorial Day Parade being back in 2021, and that it will be “extra special.”

TRASH PICKUP CHANGE. Effective Monday, April 13, and until further notice, the city will no longer pick up trash that is not secured in plastic garbage bags.

Bagged yard waste and special pickups for bulk items continue at this time, but that may change at any time, depending upon staffing.

The annual Passover trash pickup will continue this year as scheduled on Wednesday morning. Please have your discarded food items out (securely bagged and on the curb) before noon.

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS COVID-19 PSA. University Heights elected officials have teamed up with business owners and community leaders to produce a COVID-19 Public Service Announcement.

Click here to watch the PSA, and please feel free to share it on your own social media sites.

APRIL 4, 2020 – UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS CORONAVIRUS UPDATE.

As of April 4, there are 3,739 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio, including 781 in Cuyahoga County, and 102 deaths. Governor DeWine and Dr. Acton have repeatedly stated that the daily numbers reflect tested and reported cases. They are a small fraction of the actual number of cases. They are the “tip of the iceberg.”

In addition, there have been 1,006 hospital admissions, with 326 of those being intensive care admissions.

Dr. Acton observed today that deaths are happening among people without preexisting conditions. While older people, or having heart conditions, asthma, diabetes, and the immunocompromised are at higher risk, there is nevertheless risk at any age even in otherwise good health.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

TELEHEALTH EXPANSION. DeWine today signed an executive order allowing Ohioans to more easily access telehealth services from individual counselors, social workers, and marriage and family counselors. Previously, to utilize telehealth services, a face-to-face initial meeting was required, and providers were required to take special training before providing telehealth services. The order allows for the removal of these requirements. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and at this time of social distancing and stay at home orders, this helps people obtain these needed services without leaving their homes.

WEARING HOMEMADE MASKS. Noting last night’s recommendation from the CDC to wear cloth masks in public, DeWine said he would start wearing a mask in public made by his wife, Fran. Homemade masks have limitations, but may be helpful. People should feel comfortable wearing them out. Wearing a mask is not required in Ohio, but recommended. Employers are encouraged to allow employees to wear masks as well.

REMINDERS. Request your absentee ballot at voteohio.gov, take the census at 2020census.gov, look for work at coronavirus.ohio.gov/jobsearch – as of today, there are 23,000 open positions.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

GET OUT AND MOVE AROUND. Even with the Stay-at-Home Order, go outside and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Take a walk, and remember to honor social distancing of at least six feet. Step aside for children on bikes and skates on the sidewalks, and allow them space to safely get by. Cross to the other side of the street if you see walkers or riders coming at you. Remember that when walking in the street, one should walk on the left side against the flow of vehicular traffic. Don’t forget to clean up after your dog.

CHECK IN ON SENIORS. Do what you can to check on your neighbors who are senior citizens. Call, text, or email. Ask how they’re doing if you see them outside. Your outreach can make a difference for someone, or it can even just put a smile on someone’s face.

PLAYGROUNDS STILL CLOSED. While everyone is welcome to use The Walt responsibly to walk and run around while maintaining social distancing, please stay off the playground and exercise equipment. We know it can be difficult to have children understand that they cannot play on the slides and swings, but that’s why the yellow tape is there. Now is a fine time to teach children not to cross the tape.

On Fridays, we add a musical theme to Time Out Together. Last night, residents played the “Born to Run” album by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Rock and roll historians will recall that Tim Russert brought Springsteen to University Heights one magical night back in 1975. Mayor Brennan walked down Westwood last night, and heard Clarence Clemons wailing away from the driveway of Ketti Finneran and Rick Brown. Well done!

Look for an announcement soon of next Friday’s album. Be safe, be well.

April 3, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of April 3, there are 3,312 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio, and 91 deaths. Governor DeWine and Dr. Acton have repeatedly stated that the daily numbers are believed to be low, and perhaps just the “tip of the iceberg.”
In addition, there have been 895 hospital admissions, with 288 of those being intensive care admissions.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

TESTING. DeWine reported today that Ohio does not have enough coronavirus testing capacity. He said the state has issued an order directing hospitals without coronavirus testing kits to send specimens to Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth, University Hospitals, and Ohio State University

JOBS AVAILABLE. Ohioans may post or search for jobs at a new site, coronavirus.ohio.gov/jobsearch. As of today, there are 21,000 open positions.

PROTECT YOUR COMPUTERS AS WELL. Computer networks in Ohio are running on a higher capacity as a result of people working from home. It is important to protect computer networks. The Ohio Adjutant General recommends changing passwords and updating anti-virus software.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

WATCH OUR NEW PSA, “IN THIS TOGETHER, UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS.” An All-Star team of University Heights leaders have come together for a new COVID-19 Public Service Announcement. Click here to watch the PSA, and please feel free to share it widely. When this pandemic ends, and it will end, we will be stronger together.

REVISED CITY SERVICES DURING COVID-19. Please visit this link for up to date information regarding the following programs during the COVID-19 crisis: Point of Sale inspections, rental inspections, building permit inspections, and trash special pick up requests.

PLEASE DONATE BLOOD. There is always a need for blood. The American Red Cross is hosting blood drives at the Wiley campus on April 7, April 21 and April 30 by appointment.

The drive on Tuesday, April 7 is already full. The drives on the 21st and 30th are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. These drives still have spots open. Click here for more information.

SOCIAL DISTANCING DONE RIGHT. Per the request of several residents, we remind you of the following… Please take care of yourself, and take the time to go out for a walk, a run, or a bike ride. But when you do such activities, please mind those around you. Always maintain a social distance of at least six feet. Also, be respectful of your neighbors and our public spaces, and please clean up after your dogs.

On Fridays, we add a musical theme to Time Out Together. Tonight, residents are encouraged to play the “Born to Run” album by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Rock and roll historians will recall that Tim Russert brought Springsteen to University Heights one magical night back in 1975.

If participating in the musical part of Time Out Together, please play the album at a level that is respectable to your neighbors.

April 2, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of April 2, there are 2,902 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (663 in Cuyahoga County), and 81 deaths. Governor DeWine and Dr. Acton have repeatedly stated that the daily numbers are believed to be low, and perhaps just the “tip of the iceberg.”

In addition, there have been 802 hospital admissions, with 260 of those being intensive care admissions.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

STAY AT HOME ORDER REVISED, AND EXTENDED THROUGH MAY 1^st. Today Dr. Amy Acton extended the Ohio Department of Health’s Stay at Home order through the end of the day on May 1, 2020.

The Stay at Home order has also been revised to reflect the following:

TRAVELING TO OHIO. Visitors to Ohio from out-of-state are to self-quarantine for 14 days.

OVERCROWDED STORES. The new order requires retail business to establish the number of people who should be in the store at one time. Businesses must determine the number, post it, and enforce it. And when lining up at the store, people must be six feet apart.

RETAIL EMPLOYEES MAY WEAR MASKS. DeWine said he encourages employers to allow employees to wear a mask. However, N95 masks are needed for frontline healthcare and public safety workers. The other masks, the homemade versions, may be worn by retail employees.

BUSINESS DISPUTE RESOLUTION. The state government will appoint a board to evaluate and render guidance in situations where two local health departments have come to a different conclusion on what is or is not an essential business.

UNEMPLOYMENT UPDATE. To file an unemployment claim, Lt. Governor Jon Husted instructed Ohioans to call (877) 677-6762, or visit unemployment.ohio.gov.

Almost half a million people in Ohio have filed jobless claims in the last two weeks.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

WHEN TO CALL 911. At his daily press briefings, Governor Mike DeWine has talked about when NOT to call 911. He correctly recommended calling the Cuyahoga County Coronavirus helpline at (855) 711-3035 when you have concerns related to COVID-19, like non-essential businesses being open, or unsafe social distancing practices.

However, Ohioans may still call 911 in the case of an actual emergency, such as a crime, fire, or health emergency. In fact, the University Heights Fire Department strongly encourages you to continue to call 911 during an actual emergency.
First responders are hoping to stay safe while they continue to respond to emergency calls during the coronavirus pandemic.

Please remember the following when calling 911:

As always, only call 911 if you are experiencing an emergency. If you think you may have COVID-19, call your primary caregiver or clinic, or make use of one of the hotlines set up right now. Most medical facilities want you to call first if you’re experiencing COVID-19 symptoms so they can best help you and minimize exposures.

If you do believe you have COVID-19 and need to call 911 for an emergency, immediately tell the dispatcher you’re speaking to that you (or someone in your home) may have the virus.

Be honest and forthcoming when the dispatcher asks you a series of questions related to recent travel, or flu-like symptoms. It’s important to answer accurately so the responding crews know how best to help you and how best to keep themselves save.

Meet the responding crews outside your home if at all possible. Obviously, depending on the nature of the emergency, this may not always be possible. But if it is, please do so. This helps minimize the potential of exposure to crews. If they do not need to enter the residence, it’s better they remain outside.

First responders are not immune to contracting COVID-19, so please continue to exercise social distancing around crew members and they’ll do the best they can to do the same for you.

Our friends at the Mentor Fire Department have produced a helpful video on when to call 911 during this pandemic. Click here to watch it. This video is now being used statewide to inform all Ohioans.

On Fridays, we add a musical theme to Time Out Together. This Friday, residents are encouraged to play the “Born to Run” album by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Rock and roll historians will recall that Tim Russert brought Springsteen to University Heights one magical night back in 1975.

If participating in the musical part of Time Out Together, please play the album at a level that is respectable to your neighbors.

April 1, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of April 1, there are 2,547 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (589 in Cuyahoga County), and 65 deaths. Governor DeWine and Dr. Acton have repeatedly stated that the daily numbers are believed to be low, and perhaps just the “tip of the iceberg.”

In addition, there have been 679 hospital admissions, with 222 of those being intensive care admissions.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

ASSISTANCE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES. DeWine has signed an executive order to help Ohio small businesses in the area of their mortgage and rent payments. Through this order, the State is asking lenders and landlords across Ohio to work with small businesses and suspend payments for at least 90 days.

AVOIDING COVID-19 WHILE GROCERY SHOPPING. To help SNAP recipients have access to food while helping to keep potential exposure to COVID-19 to a minimum, the State is working with the federal government and grocery stores on a “click and collect” option to get groceries.

Now, those receiving SNAP benefits are able to shop online and go to their grocery stores to pick up their items in their cars. SNAP recipients will be able to swipe their EBT cards from their cars, without having to enter the store.

NATIONAL GUARD TO CLEVELAND, COLUMBUS, CINCINNATI. Governor DeWine has sent the Ohio National Guard to Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati to start planning and assessing the structures needed for the anticipated surge. To expand the capacities of hospitals, the national guard is looking at college dormitories, convention centers, closed hospitals, and other unoccupied buildings.

TESTING TURNAROUND TIME IMPROVEMENTS. Dr. Acton will require non-testing hospitals to send their specimens to labs at OSU, Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, and MetroHealth, as these hospitals have capacity to turnaround the tests faster than other third party labs. Ohio plans to use rapid testing as soon as we can bring it to our state. The governor thinks it will happen in the next week.

MAJOR PRESIDENTIAL DISASTER DECLARATION. President Trump yesterday declared Ohio a Major Presidential Disaster Area. This provides grants from FEMA to state and local governments for costs associated with emergency protective measures. Here in University Heights especially, this should help the city in its acquisition of PPE and covering some of the extra costs of cleaning and disinfecting public facilities.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

NO FOOLING, APRIL 1 IS CENSUS DAY. The US Census Bureau has designated today, April 1, 2020, as Census Day. If you haven’t already done so, please click here to complete the Census. Don’t let COVID-19 stop you from being counted.

Click here to watch the University Heights Census promotional video.

If you have any questions or concerns about the Census, please feel free to respond to this email, and City Hall will respond in a timely fashion.

ENCOURAGING SELF-QUARANTINE OF TRAVELERS. Last week, Mayor Brennan requested that people traveling to University Heights from out-of-state self-quarantine for 14 days. At the request of some local businesses, the city has distributed a sign that they may print and post at their entrances. This sign informs or reminds people that if they have been out of state in the last fourteen days, they should self-quarantine before entering the business. This is a strictly voluntary program, but one that if followed should help limit the spread of COVID-19.

TIME OUT TOGETHER. Every night at 6:30 p.m., step outside, wave at your neighbors, and reconnect. Keep social distance, yet keep social. Please remember to maintain social distance of at least six feet, and more when it is windy.
On Fridays, we add a musical theme to Time Out Together. This Friday, residents are encouraged to play the “Born to Run” album by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Rock and roll historians will recall that Tim Russert brought Springsteen to University Heights one magical night back in 1975.

If participating in the musical part of Time Out Together, please play the album at a level that is respectable to your neighbors.

March 31, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of March 31, there are 2,199 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (527 in Cuyahoga County), and 55 deaths. Governor DeWine and Dr. Acton have repeatedly stated that the daily numbers are believed to be low, and perhaps just the “tip of the iceberg.”

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

PHYSICAL DISTANCING. DeWine said that in regard to physical distancing, we have to keep this up. Most people are doing great, and it’s buying our medical community additional time to get ready for a surge. It makes a difference.
At essential stores, it is an obligation of the store, as well as customers, to maintain social distancing. Governor DeWine said it is the responsibility of the store manager to make sure the store has and keeps separate and distinct hours of operation for our most vulnerable populations.

WATER SERVICE. The Ohio EPA director today signed a statewide order to maintain public water service during the COVID-19 state of emergency. You water should not be shut off. If your water has been shut off since January, you may have your service restored.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

SELF-QUARANTINE UPDATE. Earlier today, Mayor Brennan received a phone call from the manager of a store in the Cedar Green district. The manager is seeing people from New York and New Jersey coming into his store. He knows they are from there because he has spoken with them on their past visits, they order things and leave a New York or New Jersey phone number, or when he helps carry things out to their car and they have New York and New Jersey tags. He asked the mayor what the city could do about it.

Last week, Mayor Brennan issued a memo strongly encouraging people to not host company from out of town at this time especially from these states, and asking for voluntary compliance.
It is disappointing that people are not looking out for everyone’s interest. This is a public health emergency, and we must all take it seriously.

Anybody who is now here from New York or New Jersey should immediately self-quarantine for 14 days, together with whomever is hosting them. And part of self-quarantining is not going into our stores.

This is a difficult time emotionally because at this time of year we normally spend with our family, and the holidays have great significance. That is all the more reason why we must be vigilant about staying safe. So that we can celebrate the next holiday and the holiday after that and all the ones after those.

Business owners should look for an email tonight from Economic Development Director Susan Drucker.

If participating in the musical part of Time Out Together, please play the album at a level that is respectable to your neighbors.

March 30, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of March 30, there are 1,933 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (493 in Cuyahoga County), and 39 deaths. Governor DeWine and Dr. Acton have repeatedly stated that the daily numbers are believed to be low, and perhaps just the “tip of the iceberg.”

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

SCHOOLS TO REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL AT LEAST MAY 1. DeWine announced that all public and private schools in Ohio will remain closed until at least May 1^st. He cautioned that schools could remain closed through the end of the 2019-20 school year.

FDA update. Last night, the State received word that Battelle received approval from the FDA to sterilize surgical masks, without a daily limit.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

ELECTION UPDATE. Voting in the March 17^th election has been continued through April 28^th. All voting will be done via mail. Click here to request your Vote by Mail Application. You may also request a ballot application by calling (216) 443-VOTE (8683).

You must request your application by noon on April 25. Your best bet is to avoid the rush and do it now.

This morning, City Hall staff talked to the Board of Elections. For those of you who have already returned applications, your ballots will be mailed soon. We will let you know the specific date once we are informed about it.

CITY HALL CLOSED ON TUESDAY. City Hall is currently closed to visitors. However, on Tuesday, March 31, the building will be completely closed for a deep-cleaning. All City Hall staff (Mayor, Special Projects, Finance, Clerk of Council, Communications) will be available via email. Visit universityheights.com for contact information.

NO ADJUSTMENT TO TRASH PICKUP, YET. At this time, the COVID-19 pandemic has not forced us to make any adjustments to our weekly trash pickup schedule. But if things change, they may change quickly. Please watch for an announcement and know that changes may be immediate and effective upon announcement.

At this time, if you have not already been doing so, please place all trash securely into plastic garbage bags (even if you use a can). Please avoid leaving loose trash in cans for pickup. We may eventually have to require this, kindly begin doing that now.

TIME OUT TOGETHER. Congratulations to our neighbors in South Euclid and Aurora, as they are now joining us by doing “Time Out Together.” Every night at 6:30 p.m., step outside, wave at your neighbors, and reconnect. Keep social distance, yet keep social. Please remember to maintain social distance of at least six feet, and more when it is windy.

If participating in the musical part of Time Out Together, please play the album at a level that is respectable to your neighbors.

March 29, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of Sunday, March 29, there are 1,653 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (440 in Cuyahoga County), and 29 deaths.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

PUBLIC APPEAL TO THE FDA. Today, Governor DeWine held a special Sunday press conference to appeal publicly to the FDA to approve a mask sterilizing process developed by Battelle for sterilizing and reusing N95 masks. There are presently two machines in Ohio, one being assembled in New York, as well as machines on their way to Seattle and Washington, DC. With the national shortage of PPE, this technology may protect our first responders and medical personnel, saving lives not only in Ohio but throughout the country. The FDA previously granted only limited approval of the technology.

Coverage of the FDA situation will be updated at Cleveland dot com, and other media outlets.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

PASSOVER AND EASTER PLANS. Mayor Brennan requests that no one travel or host guests for the upcoming holidays of Passover and Easter. “We understand that traditionally this is a time for family and friends to come together, celebrate together, have Seder or other meals together,” said Mayor Brennan. “But this year, our plans must be disrupted for everyone’s safety.”

REMINDER TO SELF-QUARANTINE. If you or someone in your household has traveled out of state in the last fourteen days, even if no one has symptoms, please self-quarantine at this time. The cities of Beachwood and University Heights issued self-quarantine announcements on Friday, March 27 for individuals who have traveled or hosted guests from out of town, especially from the states of New York, New Jersey, and Florida, but also from other states having significant confirmed cases of COVID-19, such as California, Washington, Michigan, Louisiana, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania.

Please begin your fourteen day period at date of last contact or date of arrival to the city of University Heights.

HOW TO SELF-QUARANTINE. Per the CDC, during this 14-day period, take these steps to monitor your health and practice social distancing:

Take your temperature with a thermometer two times a day and monitor for fever. Also watch for cough or trouble breathing.
Stay home and avoid contact with others. Do not go to work or school.
Do not take public transportation, taxis, or ride-shares.
Keep your distance from others (about 6 feet or 2 meters).

If you get sick with fever or cough in the 14 days after you return from travel:

Stay home. Avoid contact with others.
You might have COVID-19; most people are able to recover at home without medical care.
If you have trouble breathing or are worried about your symptoms, call or text a health care provider. Tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.
Call ahead before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room.

If you need to seek essential medical care for other reasons, such as dialysis, call ahead to your doctor and tell them about your recent travel.

BUILDING DEPARTMENT CLOSED MONDAY. On Monday beginning at 10 a.m., the Building Department will be closed so the building can undergo a deep cleaning (City Hall will do the same on Tuesday). Building Department will reopen on Tuesday.

SPECIAL PICKUPS CONTINUE (FOR NOW). Special pickups continue at this time. This may change as circumstances require. In the meantime, you may order a special pickup by placing in an envelope: (1) your address; (2) description of the items to be picked up; (3) check for $10 made payable to CITY OF UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS. As always, the fee covers one pickup truckload of bulk items. If you have more than one truckload, and additional $10 is required per load. Please leave the bulk items where you usually leave your rubbish. Please note that we cannot guarantee our usual four day turnaround and that we may have to suspend this service if staffing does not allow.

PASSOVER PICKUP. At this time, the City plans to proceed with the special Passover pickup. Please place your securely bagged food items only on your curb on Wednesday morning, April 8. Have your items out as early as possible, by 8:00 a.m. preferably, and no later than noon. Do not put out bulk items (i.e. furniture, appliances, other non-food rubbish). Please remember that this pickup is curbside and not in the backyard.

TIME OUT TOGETHER. Every night at 6:30 p.m., step outside, wave at your neighbors. Keep social distance, yet keep social. Please remember to maintain social distance of at least six feet, and more when it is windy.

March 28, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of March 28, there are 1,406 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (370 in Cuyahoga County), and 25 deaths.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

HOSPITALS. DeWine today reported that Ohio is going to be hit hard with coronavirus cases in the next two weeks, with perhaps up to 10,000 cases per day.

In response, the state government has divided Ohio into eight hospital regions, and facilities in each region will coordinate efforts to balance the coming surge in coronavirus patients. The state will announce details of the plan once it is finalized.

THINK ABOUT THE ELDERLY. Dr. Amy Acton urged Ohioans to think about the elderly in their neighborhoods. “We can still grocery shop,” she said, “but I’d rather the elderly not go out at all.”

Acton urged Ohioans to shop for their elderly friends and relatives. She also urged people to limit shopping to one big trip per week, instead of several visits.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

SELF-QUARANTINE. In case you missed it yesterday, Mayor Brennan urged University Heights residents to self-quarantine if they have been in contact with people from certain states.

UPDATE FROM REGIONAL INCOME TAX AGENCY. Late Friday afternoon the Ohio Tax Commissioner extended the due date for filing and payment of state income tax, which in turn has extended municipal income tax filings and payments.

Municipal income returns and payments for tax year 2019 with a due date of April 15, 2020 have been extended to July 15, 2020. Estimated payments for the first and second quarters of tax year 2020 have also been extended to July 15, 2020.

If you have any questions please contact the RITA Member Services Department at

WATCH OUR FIRST UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS COVID-19 PSA. Thank you to State Representative Janine Boyd for recording our first local public service announcement about COVID-19. Y ou may watch the message by clicking here.
In upcoming days, City Hall will release similar messages from JCU alumni, business owners, and your friends and neighbors.

THANK YOU, GERACI’S. Thank you to our friends at Geraci’s, for all they are doing to support health care workers during this crisis. For $15, customers can donate a large cheese pizza to an area hospital. Geraci’s will then match every order with another cheese pizza and deliver them to local medical personnel working tirelessly in the fight against the pandemic. Click here to read more about their efforts.

March 27, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of March 27, there are 1,137 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (330 in Cuyahoga County), and 19 deaths.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

GOVERNOR DEWINE SIGNS HOUSE BILL 197. DeWine signed House Bill 197 at the press conference. This bill waives regulations on schools, teachers, and students around requirements that formerly had to happen in person; ensures that state and local governments operate, but safely and in full transparency for the public; extends income tax deadline; and much more.

UPDATE ON CLEVELAND CLINIC MODELING. In a call this morning with Cleveland Clinic, DeWine said the two variables we are trying to impact of (1) Social distancing to slow the spread and help buy time for our health infrastructure, and (2) Building up our medical system to make sure we’re ready when the surge comes.

The Clinic reports that within two weeks the surge will begin, even as the state models the peak at mid-May. The Clinic projects that hospitals need to triple their capacity for the surge, and they are working towards that, but have a long way to go. DeWine has divided the state into eight regions and asked each region to draft plans by 9:00 a.m. tomorrow. DeWine has asked the Ohio National Guard to oversee the buildup.

FLATTENING THE CURVE. Ohio State’s updated chart shows the unmitigated curve in yellow, and the mitigated curve in blue. At the peak of the blue curve, Ohio is projecting 10,000 cases a day. Our hospital capacity is only at one third of that blue curve. We need to ramp up the build-up of hospitals now.

NO TRAVEL ORDER, YET. DeWine said that while we haven’t issued an order about travel, we ask that people who come into Ohio self-quarantine for 14 days.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

REQUEST THAT CERTAIN RESIDENTS SELF-QUARANTINE. Mayor Brennan made the following announcement this afternoon:

Thank you to all in our community who have been practicing social distancing and staying at home per the State of Ohio’s Stay-at-Home Order.

We are concerned by the increase of vehicles we have seen in University Heights with New York and New Jersey plates. We know many of our residents (myself included) have ties to communities in these states. As we are under a Stay-at-Home Order, now is not a good time to travel or to host guests from out of town.

In addition, we know that our snowbirds will be soon returning from Florida.

New York, New Jersey, and Florida are among states with the highest number of cases of COVID-19.

Knowing the degree of travel between our community and these states, and to protect our city:

If you or members of your immediate family/household have (or recently have had) visitors from New York, New Jersey, or Florida, OR

If you or members of your immediate family/household are returning (or recently returned) from New York, New Jersey, or Florida, THEN

We request that you participate in a voluntary 14-day self-quarantine upon arrival in University Heights.

Please do the same if traveling or hosting guests from CA, WA, MI, LA, IL, MA, PA, etc.

Please note that the City of Beachwood has also issued today an announcement and request for self-quarantine of 14 days for travelers or contact with NY, NJ, FL.

Thank you for your cooperation. Be well and be safe.

CUYAHOGA COUNTY COVID-19 CASES, BY ZIP CODE. Today, the Cuyahoga County Board of Health released data on confirmed COVID-19 cases, by zip code. University Heights and neighboring cities have the highest level of infections in the county.

To read more, click here to be redirected to a Cleveland dot com story.

TIME OUT TOGETHER. Every night at 6:30 p.m., step outside, wave at your neighbors. Keep social distance, yet keep social. Please remember to keep at least six feet apart from your neighbors, more if it is windy.

Starting tonight, we will add a musical element to Time Out Together each Friday. University Heights residents will be encouraged to play the same music in their driveways during the event, at a reasonable volume, of course.

Today, the musical selection is the “Time Out” album by the Dave Brubeck Quartet. “Time Out” of course fits with the theme of the event. And you might recall that Brubeck performed in University Heights in 1962.

March 26, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of March 26, there are 867 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (259 in Cuyahoga County), and 15 deaths.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

SOCIAL DISTANCING HELPS FLATTEN THE CURVE. DeWine said we need to keep practicing Social Distancing. It slows the spread from person to person – it buys us time. We want to make sure that no matter where you if you get sick that there will be a process for getting you the healthcare you need.

WEDDINGS AND FUNERALS. While weddings and funerals are not prohibited, Governor DeWine is asking that Ohioans not hold large gatherings. Get married, but postpone the big ceremony until this pandemic is over. It will give you something to look forward to.

COURT UPDATE. The Ohio General Assembly passed legislation relieving courts of the requirement to hear criminal, civil, and administrative cases in a certain period of time. DeWine said he will sign the legislation on Friday.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

VOTING IN THE MARCH 17 ELECTION CONTINUES. If you haven’t voted yet in the March 17 election, you may do so, by mail only, through April 26. To request your Vote By Mail application, click here to be redirected to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections site.

Starting on March 27, we will add a musical element to Time Out Together each Friday. University Heights residents will be encouraged to play the same music in their driveways during the event, at a reasonable volume, of course.

This Friday, the musical selection is the “Time Out” album by the Dave Brubeck Quartet. “Time Out” of course fits with the theme of the event. And you might recall that Brubeck performed in University Heights in 1962.

March 25, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of March 25, there are 704 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (206 in Cuyahoga County), and 10 deaths.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

PATIENCE URGED WITH UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS WEBSITE. Lt. Governor Jon Husted reports a massive influx of people visiting unemployment.ohio.gov. There were over 400,000 contacts through the website yesterday from people seeking information. Husted said the State is working overtime to keep the site working, and he asked for patience as they try to resolve problems.

HOW EFFECTIVE IS WEARING A MASK? Dr. Amy Acton said wearing a mask does work, to an extent. A standard mask will not stop a virus from coming in. But it can help prevent droplets from getting out if you sneeze or cough.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

MAYOR’S REPORT. Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan delivered a wide-ranging report at today’s meeting Council Committee of the Whole meeting.You may read his entire report by clicking here.

STUCK AT HOME? COMPLETE THE CENSUS. If you’re stuck at home, or even if you aren’t please take the time to complete the 2020 Census. To complete the Census, click here.

EMPLOYEE RIGHTS UNDER THE CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT. Please see below a poster from the US Department of Labor regarding employee rights under the Coronavirus Response Act. The poster may also be viewed here.

CHILDREN AND SOCIAL DISTANCING. Please talk to your children about maintaining social distancing of at least six feet while playing outside. Maintaining social distance is difficult for adults, let alone kids. However, we must do our best to Flatten the Curve and slowing the spread of COVID-19.

If bicycle riding, keep distance, and don’t ride up on people on the sidewalk. Likewise, people walking on the sidewalk should step aside whenever possible for kids on bikes, and do so in a way that maintains social distance. Parents should supervise children outside to ensure that they follow these temporary but important rules.

TIME OUT TOGETHER. Every night at 6:30 p.m., step outside, wave at your neighbors. Keep social distance, yet keep social.

This Friday, the musical selection is the “Time Out” album by the Dave Brubeck Quartet. “Time Out” of course fits with the theme of the event. A nd you might recall that Brubeck performed in University Heights in 1962.

March 24, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of March 24, there are 564 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (167 in Cuyahoga County), and 8 deaths.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

FLATTEN THE CURVE. Governor DeWine today said that as we have watched different countries and other states, it is important to remind everyone of our goal to Flatten the Curve. We have to continue to do what we are doing so our healthcare system is not overwhelmed – not just for COVID-19 patients, but also for other emergencies.

Flattening the curve means fewer people go untreated, so fewer will die. We might have as many people get sick, just not all at the same time. And the health care systems handles them better.

ON THE ECONOMY. The Governor told Ohioans, “The truth is that protecting people and protecting the economy are not mutually exclusive. In fact, one depends on the other. We save our economy by first saving lives. And we have to do it in that order.

“We are going to get our economy back, but we have to get through it, protect as many lives as we can, and then move forward. I’m looking forward to that day, but it’s not here yet.”

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH. Our friends at the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District asked us to remind you that free breakfast and lunch is available for all children each weekday, through April 3. In University Heights, you may pick up meals at the Board of Education Building at 2155 Miramar Blvd from 10 a.m. through 1 p.m.

Meals are also available at Boulevard, Fairfax, Noble, and Oxford Elementary Schools, as well as Monticello Middle and Heights High.

Zagara’s Marketplace is now a pickup location, starting each weekday at 1:30 p.m.

LOCAL DONATION CENTER FOR PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. The State is encouraging medical practices such as veterinary clinics, dentists, elective surgery and other providers to donate surplus Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to support first responders. Cuyahoga County recently announced the opening of a donation collection center at 2501 Harvard Avenue in Newburgh Heights. Donations are being collected each weekday between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Donations of the following unopened items are currently being collected:

N95 masks
Surgical masks
Isolation gowns
Eye protection
Face shields
Nitrile gloves
Disinfecting wipes
Hand sanitizer

For further information, contact the Cuyahoga County Office of Emergency Management at (216) 443-5700, or .

CUYAHOGA COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS UPDATE. The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections Administration Building at 2925 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115 is closed until further notice due to the Coronavirus.

The closure follows the State Health Department’s order for people to stay at home until at least April 6, 2020.

The Board is encouraging anyone who has not already voted in the Presidential Primary Election to complete and submit a ballot application. Vote-by-Mail eliminates the need for human contact.

For additional information: https://cutt.ly/ZtvVVSh

Every night at 6:30 p.m., step outside, wave at your neighbors. Keep social distance, yet keep social.

“Time Out” of course fits with the theme of the event. And you might recall that Brubeck performed in University Heights in 1962.

Click here to see a tv news story about Time Out Together.

March 23, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

As of March 23, there are 442 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (149 in Cuyahoga County), and six deaths.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

DETAILS ON THE STAY AT HOME ORDER. Tonight at 11:59 p.m., the state of Ohio will be under a “Stay at Home” order. You may read the entire order by clicking here.

There are “common sense” exceptions to the order. You may leave your house to take care of a neighbor, parent or child in need. Ohioans of course may leave the house to pick up medical supplies and medications, as well as attend a doctor’s appointment.

Ohioans may go to work at businesses deemed essential.

Restaurants are permitted to remain open for carryout, and grocery stores remain open. Ohioans may leave home to get food, and other necessary goods and services.

Governor DeWine is strongly encouraging Ohioans to still get outside and exercise, as long as social distancing measures are heeded. “Time Out Together” will continue.

For a quick summary on the exceptions, click here to be directed to a Cleveland.com article.

IF YOU’RE OPEN, STAY SAFE. DeWine said companies that remain open must follow safety measures. Employees must feel safe. There has to be distance. Employees should stay home if they are sick. Violations of these rules are violation of the law.

WHEN NOT TO CALL 911. People are discouraged from calling 911 to report unsafe business practices, large gatherings, etc. County residents should instead call the Cuyahoga County Board of Health at (216) 201-2000.

DAYCARE CLOSURES ON THURSDAY. Starting March 26, Ohio daycares must operate under a temporary pandemic childcare license. A maximum of six children will be allowed to be cared for per room in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 between children and heir families. The State order advises that children of parents with the same employer should be cared for in the same room. Parent interaction at drop-off will be limited. Shared space will be limited as well.

FLY THE FLAG. When our country is under attack, many Americans find comfort in flying the flag. Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine says that while we’re not under attack by a foreign invader, we are under attack by COVID-19. She encourages all Ohioans to fly the US and Ohio flag, and we here at City Hall believe this is a fine idea.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

SHAKER HEIGHTS MUNICIPAL COURT DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY.

The Shaker Heights Municipal Court declared an emergency due to COVID-19. The following conditions are in effect:

Shaker Heights Municipal Court has cancelled court appearances from Tuesday, March 24, 2020 through Monday, April 13, 2020 for traffic and criminal arraignments, hearings, trials, probation appointments, jury trials, and civil matters (including mediations, evictions, motion hearings, and move-outs).

The court is also closed for weddings, MADD Meetings, and In the Neighborhood.
Criminal pretrials will be conducted by telephone.

The court will conduct the following, via video conference when possible: felony first appearances, bond hearings, protection order hearings, preliminary hearings, and such matters as the Judge deems time sensitive and for which the need for prompt addressing outweighs the damage/danger of postponing such matters.

Finally, the Shaker Heights Municipal Court will remain open to accept the filings of new traffic, criminal, and civil cases and motions. The court will also accept and receipt bonds, and take Payplan Payments. The court will accept phone calls at (216) 491-1300.

Rescheduled court cases may be found on the court’s website at www.shakerheightscourt.org.

To read the entire order from Judge K.J. Montgomery, click here.

REGISTER FOR READYNOTIFY. If you have not done so yet, please take a few minutes to register for ReadyNotify. You may do so by clicking here.

PLAYGROUNDS ARE CLOSED. While playgrounds across Ohio will close today at 11:59 p.m., please note that playgrounds in University Heights have already closed. The following areas are closed until further notice:

The playgrounds at Walter Stinson Community Park, and Purvis Park
The picnic seating areas at Stinson Park
The Adele Zucker Pavilion (and all seating) at Purvis Park
The workout stations at Stinson Park
All park benches
Silsby Road Pocket Park, in its entirety

CENSUS UPDATE. Earlier this month, all households in University Heights should have received an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census. If you haven’t completed it yet, please take the time to do so. Visit 2020census.gov for details.

Every night at 6:30 p.m., step outside, wave at your neighbors. Keep social distance, yet keep social. Click here to watch a news story about Time Out Together.

March 22, 2020 – Coronavirus Update for University Heights

As of March 22, there are 351 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (125 in Cuyahoga County), and three deaths.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

STAY AT HOME ORDER. Governor Mike DeWine announced a Stay at Home order will take effect on Monday, March 23 at 11:59 p.m. You may read the entire order by clicking here.

The order does allow people to leave their homes to pick up essential supplies like food, medicine, and gasoline. Ohioans are permitted to go outside to remain active. Social Distance of at least 6 feet should continue to be maintained. Restaurants are permitted to continue to provide carryout and delivery service. Please refer to the order for more details.

RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS HAVE NOT BEEN ORDERED TO CLOSE, BUT ATTENDANCE IS DISCOURAGED. DeWine said while religious services have not been closed, his message to everyone is that this pandemic is serious. When people congregate in a close place, this is dangerous.

HELP FOR BUSINESSES. Lt. Governor John Husted announced that businesses and workers can access resources at coronavirus.ohio.gov/BusinessHelp. This website includes information on unemployment benefits, the Small Business Association’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, the Liquor Buyback Program, modified rules for trucking to help ship critical supplies into the state, the delay of BWC Premiums, etc.

FLATTEN THE CURVE. “This is not a joke. This is not a drill,” said Dr. Amy Acton. She encourages us all to “make our circle very small” to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

Mayor & Safety Director Brennan today ordered the immediate closure of all playground equipment, exercise equipment, and seating at all city parks. The Silsby Road pocket park is closed in its entirety. These restrictions are now in effect.

Every night at 6:30 p.m., step outside, wave at your neighbors. Keep social distance, yet keep social.

Update for March 21, 2020.

As of March 21, there are 247 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio (92 in Cuyahoga County), and three deaths.

Update from Governor Mike DeWine’s press conference today:

ADULT DAY CARE SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. DeWine today ordered the closure of adult day care service providers, for places that serve more than 10 people. The Governor said he will work to ensure that everyone will get the services they need.

WORKER’S COMPENSATION. Lt. Governor Jon Husted reports the Ohio Bureau of Worker’s Compensation will defer payments for businesses from March to May.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS. DeWine said if you are having mental health challenges or addiction issues, please stay in touch with your providers. Take your prescribed medications, and get your refills.

Every night at 6:30 p.m., step outside, wave at your neighbors. Keep social distance, yet keep social.

MARCH 20, 2020 – UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

As of March 20, 2020, there are 169 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio, with 69 of those cases in Cuyahoga County. There is now 1 confirmed death in Lucas County.

At today’s press briefing, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced the following:

SENIORS FACILITIES TO CLOSE. Effective at close of business on Monday, March 23, 2020, all facilities providing older adult day care services and senior centers will close.

Governor DeWine expressed that he will continue to err on the side of protecting people, that this is what he looks at every single day. While child day care centers are not yet closed, he indicated that is coming.

Lt. Governor Husted expressed that tough times show character, either selfish or selfless, and asked, how do you want to be thought of when this is over?

Updates from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan

MAYOR ADDRESSES CITY COUNCIL ON CITY’S RESPONSE TO COVID-19
Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan delivered remarks to City Council via public video conference on Thursday evening, March 19, 2019. The remarks as prepared are available HERE.

SPECIAL SHOPPING HOURS
Whole Foods. Our store will temporarily service customers who are 60 and older one hour before opening to the public each day (7:00AM to 8:00AM). Please respect this time to help ensure all of our customers can get the items they need.

Heinen’s. We would like to respectfully ask you to help us provide a special window between 8 and 9 a.m. every day for seniors or those who may be immunocompromised to shop first. We ask everyone else to please consider shopping with us after 9 a.m.

There are lighter things we can do to help each other get through this crisis (starts tonight).

There are lighter things we can do to help each other get through this crisis.

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS RESIDENTS URGED TO TAKE “TIME OUT TOGETHER.” “Time Out Together” is a University Heights initiative where every evening at 6:30 p.m., residents are encouraged to come out of their homes, wave to neighbors, visually check in with each other, ride bikes, walk their dogs, chat across yards, share supplies, and generally provide comfort while safely interacting with each other.

The event will begin on Friday, March 20, and continue each evening until the COVID-19 epidemic is over.

“Step outside, wave to your neighbors, and keep social distance while remaining social,” Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan said.

The inspiration for Time Out Together comes from a similar program in Madison Heights, Michigan. University Heights residents took to the idea on a local Facebook discussion board. After seeing the enthusiasm for the idea, Brennan brought the concept to University Heights.

MARCH 19, 2020 – UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

As of March 19, 2020, there are 119 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio, with 53 of those cases in Cuyahoga County.

At today’s press briefing, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced the following:

PUBLIC UTILITIES UPDATE. DeWine reminded Ohioans that regulated utilities like gas and electric will not be disconnecting service due to nonpayment. Presently, the PUCO’s moratorium is through May 1.

RETURNING FROM SPRING BREAK. If you have been traveling, please stay in your home when you return. Make sure you are not in contact with those outside your household. And if you’re thinking about traveling, please reconsider.

COURT UPDATE. Ohio Supreme Court Justice Maureen O’Connor said courts must remain open to address emergency and time-sensitive matters. However, courts can be closed to the public for non-essential purposes.

OHIO NATIONAL GUARD TO ASSIST FOOD PANTRIES. The Ohio National Guard has been activated to support food banks that are short-staffed due to COVID-19.

OHIO ATTORNEY GENERAL WARNS OF OUTBREAK OF SCAMS RELATED TO CORONAVIRUS. Thieves and crooks prey on fear and uncertainty. Ohioans need to inoculate themselves against an outbreak of scams with knowledge and good practices.

The Ohio Attorney General encourages Ohioans to follow these tips to avoid coronavirus-related scams:

Watch out for emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or other expert sources with special advice or information about the coronavirus. Legitimate information is available for free on the CDC’s website.

Ignore online advertisements promoting cures for the coronavirus. According to the Federal Trade Commission, “There currently are no vaccines, pills, lotions, lozenges or other prescription or over-the-counter products available to treat or cure Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) online or in stores.”

Research nonprofit organizations and crowdfunding campaigns before donating. A database of registered charities is available on the Ohio Attorney General’s website.

Be cautious of anyone going door to door offering coronavirus testing or temperature readings and requesting personal information. Call law enforcement immediately if you see a suspicious person. Never let strangers into your home.

Consumers who suspect an unfair or deceptive sales practice should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at www.OhioProtects.org or (800) 282-0515.

Updates from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

SPECIAL MEETING OF UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL TO BE HELD ONLINE ON MARCH 19 AT 6:30 P.M. University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan has called for a special meeting of the City Council tonight at 6:30 p.m. At the meeting, Brennan will give a report on the City’s response to COVID-19, and answer questions. Three proposed ordinances will be considered, in order to respond to the pandemic.

The agenda includes:

Ordinance 2020-17 – Providing for paid emergency leave and allow the mayor of his designee to temporarily expand the use of existing paid sick leave of absence (on emergency)
Ordinance 2020-18 – Granting the Mayor emergency spending authority (on emergency)
Ordinance 2020-19 – Adopting temporary voting requirements during the period of emergency (on emergency).

To join the meeting on Zoom:
Click here: Zoom.us/j/753578440
Meeting ID: 753 578 440
Call-in number: (312) 626-6799

There are lighter things we can do to help each other get through this crisis.

The event will begin on Friday, March 20, and continue each evening until the COVID-19 epidemic is over.

“Step outside, wave to your neighbors, and keep social distance while remaining social,” Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan said.

VOTING OPEN IN CLEVELAND SCENE’S BEST OF CLEVELAND 2020 CONTEST. There are several ways to support businesses in University Heights during the COVID-19 pandemic. Shop at the ones that are open. Buy gift cards online for the ones that are temporarily closed. Encourage others to do the same.

And while it might seem frivolous, there’s another way to support local businesses. Vote now in the Cleveland Scene “Best of Cleveland 2020” contest by clicking here.

When this crisis ends, and it will end, people will be looking to get out and spend money. It will help University Heights businesses to be able to brag that they were named “Best in Cleveland.”

From now until March 26, nominations are open for all categories in Best of Cleveland. Write in your favorites, share the poll, remind your friends and family to do the same.

In 2019, University Heights cleaned up in the nomination round. Bialy’s Bagels, Jack’s Deli & Restaurant, Geraci’s, Flowerville, Heinen’s, Dave’s Cosmic Subs, BZ Listening, Heights High School, K’s for Men, John Carroll University, WJCU, Purvis Park Pool were all nominated in their respective categories.

Finalists will be announced on Monday, March 30, when voting for the winners will begin. Roses will be given out to the absolute best of the best on April 22.

March 18, 2020 – Covid-19 update

As of the afternoon of March 18, 2020, there are 88 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Ohio (including 38 in Cuyahoga County) and 26 hospitalizations.

Today Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan emailed a letter to the State government. Below is a copy of Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan’s letter to Governor Mike DeWine, Dr. Amy Action, et al.

Mayor Brennan also sent a letter to the Shaker Heights Municipal Court. Below is a copy of his letter.

Mayor Brennan today issued a memo to all city employees. Until further notice, all city employees are to take their temperature each day before reporting to work. City employees who are running a temperature are to inform their supervisor, and they are to remain home until their temperature returns to normal.

At his press briefing this afternoon, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced the following:

Additional business closings. Governor DeWine today ordered the closure of barbershops, beauty salons, tattoo parlors, hair salons, and nail salons.

Bureau of Motor Vehicles locations to close across Ohio. 181 Ohio BMV registrar locations will close today. Five will remain open to issue and renew commercial drivers’ licenses.

Local law enforcement and the Ohio State Highway Patrol have been instructed to not issue tickets for someone who has an expired license due to the fact they can no longer get a renewal.

State is not ordering the closing of libraries. While DeWine did not order the closure of libraries, he asked library staff to deliver services in a way that does not put people together. The Heights Library branch in University Heights remains closed.

Social distancing. DeWine asked people to continue to conduct social distancing, even if they are doing important work.

Temperature check. The Governor today asked employees to immediately begin to take their temperature every day before they go to work. DeWine asked employers to be aggressive in regard to cleaning surfaces and having soap and hand sanitizer available. Employees who are sick should be sent home.

University Heights Coronavirus Update, March 16, 2020

As of the afternoon of March 16, 2020, there are 50 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Ohio (including 24 in Cuyahoga County, and 14 hospitalizations. The ages of the confirmed cases range from age 14 to 86, with a median age of 51.

At his press briefing this afternoon, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced the following:

The mass gathering band has been adjusted down, from 100 to 50. Based on CDC recommendations, no more than 50 people are permitted in a single room until further notice.

Additional public spaces to be closed. Governor DeWine has issued an order to close gyms, fitness centers, recreation centers, bowling alleys, indoor water parks, movie theaters, and trampoline parks across the state until further notice. This order will take effect at the close of business today.

Grocery stores may remain open. The idea is to remove the nonessential to allow the essential.

State files suit to postpone Ohio election to June 2. Governor DeWine says a lawsuit has been filed to postpone the March 17 election to June 2. It will be up to a Franklin County common pleas judge to decide if the election will be postponed.

If the election is successfully postponed, Ohioans will be allowed to continue to vote early by mail. The State is requesting that the Court order and allow In-person voting to place on June 2. Ballots already cast by mail will be counted.

Please stay up-to-date on news regarding the election on news sites, and at Ohio Secretary of State’s site. The City of University Heights will also post updates on the city website and social media.

Update on unemployment insurance benefits. To file for unemployment insurance, and to see the latest changes to rules by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, click here.

Mayor Brennan today announced the following for University Heights:

City Hall and all city government buildings are closed to the public until further notice. Please do not visit. However, you may call 216-932-7800 or email us. The directory is on our website.

The University Heights Police Department will of course continue to respond to violent crimes, crimes in progress, motor vehicle crashes, and more. Enforcement decisions will continue to consider public safety as the number one concern. UHPD, however, will limit close contact with the public when possible as recommended by the CDC.

Until further notice, the UHPD may not be doing background check fingerprinting, assisting with non-safety related matters, or assisting with people who have locked their keys in their cars. Some reports for crimes that are not in progress may be taken over the phone instead of having an officer respond to speak with you in person. This is an effort to limit the potential impact that COVID-19 has on your available public safety resources, while preserving the ability to respond to critical matters in the community. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the UHPD at (216) 932-1826.

March 15, 2020 – Coronavirus update for University Heights

At a press conference this afternoon, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine ordered bars and restaurants to close on Sunday, March 15 at 9:00 p.m. Restaurants may continue to serve the public through carryout and delivery orders.

——————-

A message from Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

The COVID-19 pandemic is unlike anything we have seen in our lifetimes. Earlier this week, State of Ohio Director of Health Dr. Amy Acton stated that 1% of Ohio’s population has it but does not know it. The total number of infected is expected to double every six days. We can expect 40% of the population to become infected. The peak of the pandemic is anticipated for late-April to mid-May.

In response to this pandemic, Governor DeWine has closed all K-12 schools. The Governor has banned all assemblies of 100 or more, except those that are done for religious (including weddings and funerals) or for first amendment purposes. The governor has ordered no visitation at nursing homes except for people at end of life, who may then be visited by family and clergy. The governor has ordered no visitation in prisons and in state psychiatric hospitals.

While the governor has not yet ordered daycares closed, he has urged parents to make other arrangements for watching children. The governor and the state director of health urge that unnecessary meetings not be held. That we avoid social interaction, and keep social distance: stay at least 3 to 6 feet away from other people, preferably at least 6 feet.

I too have been conveying these same recommendations for a week now, cancelling all city public meetings, and sending out updates on the “At Your Service” email newsletter list.

Even though the governor’s ban on assembly does not apply to places of worship, the Diocese of Cleveland has granted dispensation to Catholics for this month, meaning that they are all excused from attending mass. The Jewish Federation of Cleveland is monitoring the situation closely to make recommendations as well, and many synagogues and community institutions also closed or have limited their hours. I encourage our faithful and observant residents to stay home. I encourage our religious institutions to close, suspend activities, and keep very limited hours for the purpose of helping the community through this crisis while keeping social distancing at all times.

Many of us are going to get COVID-19. Many of us already have it but don’t know it yet, and are potentially transmitting it to others. Many of us will never be tested. Many of us will simply ride it out at home, in our own bedrooms. But some of us will get very sick and need medical attention. This will be especially so among the elderly, diabetic, immunocompromised, obese, and those with heart disease and respiratory problems.

The critical thing to do now is limit interaction with others to slow the spread.

I am aware of a confirmed case of COVID-19, and that they live in University Heights.

An estimated 117,000 people in Ohio already had it by the middle of this past week, and that the overwhelming number of those infections simply won’t be confirmed. It is reasonable to assume that people all over our city have COVID-19.

As a matter of public health, we have been calling on everyone to take the appropriate precautions and modifications of day to day behavior. We have been telling everyone everywhere in the city to do this, as the governor has statewide.

Everyone should be taking precautions now as if their neighbor has COVID-19. Because, whether or not confirmed, they might have it. It is reasonable to assume they do. If there is some reasonable precaution someone would be doing now if only they knew their neighbor was a confirmed case, then I strongly recommend they don’t wait — take that reasonable precaution now.

This is not a time to panic. This is a time to take reasonable and prudent precautions. To limit face to face interactions and avoid small or large gatherings. This may mean your elderly parents are not over visiting, but staying home. This may mean you and your family are generally staying home as well, except to acquire necessaries as needed – trips to the store, to the pharmacy, to the doctor if necessary, and so on. People should avoid entering each other’s homes.

This is how it is going to be for at least a few weeks. It will take patience and endurance, and it will be frustrating at times. We all must try to keep calm and minimize stress. One can still go outside, take a walk, garden, and so on, but one should do so in relative solitude, and keep at least a six-foot distance from people we encounter. While we should avoid visits to each other’s homes, we should still be mindful of our neighbors that may need help, but help each other in ways that avoid close contact. Call or text your elderly neighbors. I bet they’ll be happy to hear from you even if they require nothing.

If you have not already done so, please sign up for the city “At Your Service” newsletter on the city’s website (universityheights.com, front page), follow University Heights City Hall on Facebook, and sign up for CodeRed alerts with the County at universityheights.com/readynotify. Our state is a national leader on handling this pandemic, look for updates at coronavirus.ohio.gov

Be well, be safe. We will get through this together.

MDB

P.S. Beginning Tuesday, March 17, 10:00am to 1:00pm, breakfast and lunch grab-and-go bags will be available to all children 18 and under (regardless of enrollment) at the Board of Education office at 2155 Miramar. The change to include this location in University Heights was made at my request and the request of School Board President Jodi Sourini. Thank you to the Cleveland Heights–University Heights School District and AVI for this program for our children.

University Heights Coronavirus Update, March 13, 2020 at 4:30 p.m.

As of the afternoon of March 13, 2020, there are 13 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Ohio – 6 of these cases are in Cuyahoga County. 159 cases are currently under investigation.
At his press briefing this afternoon, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced the following:
All K-12 schools will close for three weeks to curb the spread of COVID-19. There will be no exceptions. School breakfast and lunch programs will continue. Schools will package the “to-go” meals.

Daycares will not be closed, at this point. It could happen in the future. Parents using daycares should start thinking about alternative plans. DeWine recommends that parents should remove their children from daycare, if they can.

Unlike Louisiana, Ohio’s March 17 election will not be delayed. Ohio has early voting, so the election has already begun. Early voting continues today, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. No changes have been made to polling locations in University Heights. To find your polling location, click here.

Below you will find an updated version of our March newsletter. It has been revised to reflect cancellation of Senior Happenings meetings.

University Heights Coronavirus Update, March 12, 2020 at 4:30 p.m.

As of the afternoon of March 12, there are five confirmed cases of coronavirus in Ohio. 52 cases are currently under investigation. 333 Ohioans are under health supervision. This meets the definition of “community spread.”

Dr. Amy Acton, director of the Ohio Department of Health, estimates that 1% of Ohioans are now carrying the disease. This means over 100,000 people in Ohio are currently carrying coronavirus. That equals 117,000 people.

This afternoon, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine ordered the following:

All Ohio schools will have an extended Spring Break. Public and private schools will close at the end of the school day on Monday, March 16. Schools will remain closed through April 3. The state government will attempt to ensure that students who rely on schools for breakfast and lunch will continue to be served.

Mass gatherings of over 100 people are now prohibited. The exceptions are religious services, including weddings and funerals. Libraries, airports, bus stations, offices, grocery stores, restaurants, and other places of business will remain open. DeWine encourages people to visit places like grocery stores at non-peak hours.

Visitation at nursing homes is now prohibited. There will also be no visitation at state psychiatric hospitals.

Ohio’s March 17 election will go on as planned. Traditionally, a high number of retirees work at polling locations. Since senior citizens are at higher health risk during this crisis, the Ohio Secretary of State is encouraging young, healthy Ohioans to sign up to be poll workers on Election Day. Click here to apply to work at a poll on Election Day.

University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan encourages residents, especially John Carroll University students, as well as local teachers, to apply. Poll works earn between $170 and $200 for Election Day.

The State will crack down on price-gouging during this crisis.

Mayor Brennan will send a memo to all city employees, urging them to stay home if they are ill. In the event that illness impacts the city government’s ability to provide services, contingency plans will be announced.

University Heights Coronavirus Update, March 11, 2020 at 4:00 p.m.

A fourth Ohioan has tested positive for COVID-19. At a press conference this afternoon, Governor Mike DeWine announced a new order limiting nursing home visitation to one person per day. DeWine stated that schools are not being ordered to closed at this time. An order will be coming soon to limit large gatherings in Ohio.

The Architecture Review Board meeting scheduled for March 12 has been canceled. All agenda items will be moved to the next meeting, which is now scheduled for April 9.

Effective immediately, all Senior Happenings lectures at the library (Thursdays at 2 p.m.) are canceled until further notice.

The City Council meeting scheduled for Monday, March 16 has been canceled. A special City Council meeting is now set for Thursday, March 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the City Hall Annex, 2245 Warrensville Center Road, suite 105. The agenda will be limited to one item, a second reading (and on emergency) of Ordinance 2020-16 Authorizing Permanent Appropriations for Current and Other Expenditures of the City of University Heights, Ohio for the Period Commencing January 1, 2020 and Ending December 31, 2020.

COVID-19 and Block Parties (pdf)

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

The City of University Heights is working with Cuyahoga County health and public safety officials to monitor the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and to develop a response plan in the event of a local outbreak.

The City will relay significant updates to residents. Please sign up for the University Heights “At Your Service” email list and follow University Heights City Hall on Facebook. You are encouraged to monitor the links below from county, state, federal, and international sites for the latest day-to-day information. Please sign up for the University Heights “At Your Service” email list and follow University Heights City Hall on Facebook. You are encouraged to monitor the links below from county, state, federal, and international sites for the latest day-to-day information.

At this time, you are encouraged to take typical infectious disease precautions, which are the same as those used to prevent common colds or the seasonal flu. Specifically:

Wash your hands often with soap and water thoroughly between the fingers and under the nails for at least 20 seconds.
Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes with unwashed hands.
Cover coughs/sneezes with your arm/elbow or a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home from work and public places if you are ill, except to get medical care.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Precautions regarding travel and public assembly may be found in the links below.

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) INFORMATION FROM COUNTY, STATE, FEDERAL, AND INTERNATIONAL SITES

The below sites are updated regularly

MetroHealth
https://www.metrohealth.org/infectious-disease/coronavirus-covid-19

Cuyahoga County Board of Health
https://www.ccbh.net/coronavirus/

Ohio Department of Health
https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/Novel-Coronavirus/welcome/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

World Health Organization
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

HELPFUL INFORMATION

Links

Situation Summary (Ohio Department of Health)
https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/Novel-Coronavirus/CDC-Updates/

How You Can Prevent and Prepare (Ohio Department of Health)
https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/home/resources/how-you-can-prevent-and-prepare

Steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick (Ohio Department of Health)
https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/Novel-Coronavirus/CDC-Updates/

Guidance for people at high risk for illness (Cuyahoga County Board of Health)
https://www.ccbh.net/guidance-for-people-at-high-risk-for-illness/

Videos

Tips for avoiding viruses (Ohio Department of Health)
https://youtu.be/WFCfStibRmM

Basic protective measures against the new coronavirus
https://youtu.be/bPITHEiFWLc

Coronavirus Information – Archive Page

City Administration

Coronavirus Main Page

May 13, 2021 – University Heights Coronavirus Update

April 27, 2021 – University Heights Coronavirus Update

April 21-22, 2021 – University Heights Coronavirus Update

April 15, 2021 – University Heights Coronavirus Update

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January 14, 2021- University Heights Coronavirus Update

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October 27, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus Update

He also asked Ohioans to not host or attend gatherings of any size. Don’t go to Halloween parties. Wear masks inside and outside. Stay home if you are not well.

Update from University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan:

October 22, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

October 20, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

October 15, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

October 13, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

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There are exclusions to the order:

July 16, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

July 9, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

July 7, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

July 2, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

The four color coded alert levels are:

June 29, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update

June 25, 2020 – University Heights Coronavirus update