Reporter Kaitlin Durbin

We launched a 6-week series examining Cuyahoga County's juvenile justice system, which puts more youth behind bars (including in adult prison) than anywhere else in the state. We talked to more than 50 kids about what led them to crime, what interventions might have been tried along the way and the barriers that blocked their way out of the system -- or sometimes pushed them deeper. Our hope is this sparks meaningful conversation about the system and where reforms would be most impactful. Please consider reading it with an open mind and sharing your takeaways.

It has been such a pleasure working with John on this series. We complemented each other's strengths and I could not have got through this without his support. He's an incredible narrative writer and I'm so appreciative of the storytelling techniques he's taught me, even if some of them didn't make it to this series. We made each other better, and the series is better for it. If you don't follow him already, you'll want to.

Today begins an illuminating journey into the juvenile justice system, where youth either find redemption or further lose their way -- Delinquent: Our System, Our Kids “Delinquent: Our System, Our Kids” is a special series examining Cuyahoga County's juvenile justice system through the eyes of the kids who go through it. We start the series with Montori, who cycled through the system 18 times before being bound over as an adult and sentenced to 10 years in pri...

The first public hearing on plans to buy property in Garfield Heights and extend the sales tax 40 years is Monday. Read up on what the site offers and how it compares to two other potential locations.

There are 3 proposed locations for a new Cuyahoga County jail. Here’s how they compare cleveland.com used county records and public information to piece together a comprehensive comparison of three potential locations for a new Cuyahoga County jail, either in Garfield Heights, on Kirby Avenue or on Transport Road.

“Of these two sites, we could get going faster, we could save money on the non-remediation needs (on the Garfield Heights site),” Ronayne said, also noting it would allow construction to begin sooner, saving additional money.
I broke down the costs between the three sites the county has seriously looked at.

Cuyahoga County to consider purchasing Garfield Heights jail property for $38.7-million Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne is proposing spending $38.7 million to buy property in Garfield Heights for the new jail. It's not the most expensive option the county has considered, but not the cheapest either.

Cuyahoga County jail’s new commissary provider raises prices as sister company’s meal services decline

Cuyahoga County jail’s new commissary provider raises prices as sister company’s meal services decline Cuyahoga County's jail commissary is owned by the same parent company that provides inmate meals, and it just raised prices. Inmates, staff and public officials have condemned the jail food's poor quality, leaving inmates to increasingly rely on commissary food to supplement their diets.

“That means that someone – city, county, state, whoever – is going to have to come up with a new funding source, not identified previously, to cover the cost of this."

Cavs want another $28 million in Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse upgrades, which would require new public funding The Cleveland Cavaliers are seeking $28 million in upgrades to RocketMortgage FieldHouse, but public funding can currently only cover about a third. The Gateway Economic Development Corporation overseeing the facility said it would need to identify new public funding for the rest.

Neither county nor state officials have been able to explain, since then, what laws or policies support that position – or how they reconcile it with the county’s responsibility to keep children safe while in their custody.
https://www.cleveland.com/news/2022/08/reports-show-epic-failure-at-cuyahoga-county-children-services-office-officials-say-hands-are-tied.html?utm_campaign=clevelanddotcom_sf&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR34ncn3aqbsaIhAIpUpedYGqldjC7qtTIKXkm2b4I15s3-AOa9E64ayzoA

Reports show ‘epic failure’ at Cuyahoga County children services office, but officials say hands are tied Following reports of the child abuse hotline going unanswered, staff being assaulted, and youth roaming freely in and out of the Jane Edna Hunter Social Services Center to pr******te themselves or traffic other vulnerable kids in custody, county officials have indicated they’re powerless to stop i...

This was horrifying testimony: “The problem is that these kids that come in, they go out of the building and come in as they want,” Sarsama told Cuyahoga County Council this week. “So they go here, they steal food at Dave’s (Market), come back. They go out, they pr******te, they come back. They come back and take this new one (child) that came in and take her out to pr******te or to get r**ed.”
https://www.cleveland.com/news/2022/07/dcfs-workers-allege-r**e-unsafe-conditions-for-youth-and-staff-at-the-county-office.html

Children and Family Services workers allege r**e, unsafe conditions for youth and staff at the county office Two Division of Children and Family Services employees testified to Cuyahoga County Council on Tuesday that conditions at the Jane Edna Hunter Social Services Center are dangerous for youth being housed there, as well as for staff.

Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish announces four proposals for shoring up reproductive rights in the county during a women's rights protest in front of government offices.
https://www.cleveland.com/news/2022/07/protesters-call-on-cuyahoga-county-to-support-reproductive-rights-executive-budish-says-solutions-are-in-the-works.html

Protesters call on Cuyahoga County to support reproductive rights; Executive Budish says solutions are in the works Abortion activists demonstrated in front of the Cuyahoga County Administration Building on Tuesday and several spoke before council, calling on the body to take action to support reproductive rights. County Executive Armond Budish pledged to introduce a four-part plan to aid a woman's right to choos...

Cuyahoga County has spent $90-144 million toward the failed Global Center (depending on if you count the first floor of the building), and the bill may yet grow
https://www.cleveland.com/news/2022/05/analysis-cuyahoga-county-has-paid-90-144-million-toward-the-global-center-and-the-bill-may-yet-grow.html?e=a39733536f8f3c02b569cd7d1a325f7e&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter_wake_up%202022-05-23&utm_term=Newsletter_wake_up

Analysis: Cuyahoga County has paid $90-144 million toward the failed Global Center, and the bill may yet grow Cuyahoga County Council is soon expected to be asked to help fund a $46 renovation to the Global Center for Health Innovation to make it an official expansion of the attached Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland. We examined how much public money the county has already paid into the facility in...

Conditions include: performing a deeper environmental study, continuing to investigate other sites, getting more community input, and receiving a third-party “fair and unbiased” cost analysis for renovating the existing jail.

https://www.cleveland.com/news/2022/04/cuyahoga-county-moving-forward-with-transport-road-site-as-preferred-location-for-new-county-jail.html

Cuyahoga County moving forward with Transport Road site as preferred location for new county jail The 12-member Justice Center Executive Steering Committee overseeing plans to build a new Cuyahoga County jail unanimously voted to pursue a shipping container yard at 2700 Transport Road as the preferred location, as long as a number of conditions are met first.

Is the justice center steering committee ‘at the end of its useful life’? Councilman proposes dumping jail oversight panel, while another committee member suggests it take a ‘step back.’
https://www.cleveland.com/news/2022/04/cuyahoga-councilman-proposing-dumping-jail-oversight-committee-amid-differing-opinions.html

Cuyahoga Councilman proposing dumping jail oversight committee amid differing opinions Differing opinions among the Justice Center Executive Steering Committee about when to build a new jail, where to put it and how much it should cost has led one member to propose dissolving the group and allowing the county to move forward with plans on its own.

After three years of planning, project consultant Jeff Appelbaum said he didn't think there'd been a more studied and researched project in the history of the county.

I went through hours of presentations to better understand what has gone into our decision making. You decide: Do we know enough today to start building a new jail? https://www.cleveland.com/news/2022/04/building-a-new-cuyahoga-county-jail-heres-what-we-know-after-3-years-of-planning.html

Building a new Cuyahoga County jail: here’s what we know after 3 years of planning As the county prepares to take another step toward building the new jail, cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer takes a look at how we got here – the years of work that went into planning, so far, and of course, how the pandemic complicated all of it.

The property at 2700 Transport Road is under consideration as “an acceptable site” to build the estimated $550 million new jail, “provided it can be obtained on commercially reasonable terms."
https://www.cleveland.com/news/2022/03/officials-identify-preferred-location-to-build-new-cuyahoga-county-jail-will-vote-on-property-next-week.html

Officials to vote on preferred location for new Cuyahoga County jail next week The Cuyahoga County Justice Center Steering Committee, tasked with overseeing plans to build a new jail and courthouse, have selected a preferred site to build a new $550 million jail and will be voting next week to move forward with plans to purchase it.

The board of directors who govern Cuyahoga County’s Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board can’t make up their minds about whether racism is a public health crisis.
https://www.cleveland.com/news/2022/02/adamhs-board-weighing-new-declaration-racism-discrimination-and-bigotry-are-a-behavioral-health-crisis.html

In fourth revision, ADAMHS Board expected to reinstate original resolution, again declaring racism a public health crisis Cuyahoga County’s Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board is considering a third edit to a resolution that first declared racism a public health crisis that would now read: "racism, discrimination and bigotry are a behavioral health crisis."

From the story: In the rush to field their own candidate, observers say that Mason and his faction may have unintentionally cleared the path for Ronayne’s victory and delivered the final axe blow to sever the so-called Mason machine’s control over local politics.

Mason, the once-revered kingmaker, has lost all access to the thrones, Austin said.

“Where’s his kings? He’s not making Ronayne a king, he’s trying to prevent that. He didn’t make Justin Bibb a king, he tried to prevent that,” Austin said. “They weren’t nurturing new people...they stuck with Kevin Kelley and they stuck with Armond Budish, and they tried to replace Budish with somebody that they thought they could control and get that person to win, and that’s fallen by the wayside.”

Mason denies he has any influence over local politics, or at least not more than any other past or present elected official.

https://www.cleveland.com/news/2022/02/bill-masons-political-machine-kingless-after-attempts-to-influence-county-executive-race.html

Bill Mason’s political machine kingless after attempt to influence Cuyahoga County executive race Bill Mason, the former county prosecutor and a leader of what many consider the “old guard” of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party, tried influence the races for Cleveland mayor and county executive in an attempt to get his preferred candidates elected. He lost both.

Warrensville Heights Mayor Bradley Sellers, who is running for Cuyahoga County Executive, attested on his 2018 application for tax abatement that he was debt-free – despite county records showing he was thousands of dollars delinquent.
https://www.cleveland.com/news/2022/01/warrensville-heights-mayor-brad-sellers-owed-thousands-in-county-taxes-when-he-claimed-he-was-debt-free-on-tax-abatement-application.html

Warrensville Heights Mayor Brad Sellers owed thousands in county taxes when he claimed he was debt-free on tax abatement application Warrensville Heights Mayor Bradley Sellers, who is running for Cuyahoga County Executive, attested on his 2018 application for tax abatement that he was debt-free – despite county records showing he was thousands of dollars delinquent.

Warrensville Heights mayor Brad Sellers, a candidate for Cuyahoga County Executive, says he did nothing wrong when he signed off on a 15-year, 100% tax abatement on his own home after years of tax delinquency.
https://www.cleveland.com/news/2022/01/cuyahoga-county-exec-hopeful-brad-sellers-certified-his-own-tax-break-after-years-of-delinquency.html

Cuyahoga County Exec hopeful Brad Sellers certified his own tax break after years of delinquency Warrensville Heights mayor Brad Sellers, a candidate for Cuyahoga County Executive, granted himself a 15-year, 100% tax abatement on his home after years of tax delinquency.

A heartbreaking statistic: There are more than 2,500 Cuyahoga County children in county custody and living some place other than their home. A third of them - over 800 - are considered to be in permanent custody, meaning they are available for adoption. That's more children up for adoption here than in Franklin and Hamilton Counties combined.

https://www.cleveland.com/news/2021/12/cuyahoga-has-highest-number-of-adoptable-youth-in-state-families-needed-to-care-for-them.html

Cuyahoga has highest number of adoptable youth in state, families needed to care for them There are more than 2,500 Cuyahoga County children in state custody and living some place other than their home. A third of them are available for adoption, which is more children than in Franklin and Hamilton Counties combined.

I'm thankful my work continues to bring attention to Tommy Kinslow's unsolved murder. Story starts at 26:23.

To learn more about his case, listen to season 2 of my former podcast , which was used to help create this episode for Discovery ID's "Still a Mystery" series.

Where The Clues Lead | Still a Mystery A woman and her son vanish, and a young man dies in a street confrontation.

https://www.cleveland.com/news/2021/11/11-years-2-executives-is-cuyahoga-countys-charter-meeting-expectations.html

11 years, 2 executives: Is Cuyahoga County’s charter meeting expectations? When Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish announced he would not seek re-election, it opened the door to new leadership and created a natural pause in which to reassess the charter: Is the new form of government is living up to expectation?

https://www.cleveland.com/news/2021/11/is-it-worth-it-cleveland-city-council-to-weigh-cost-benefit-of-2025-million-progressive-field-renovation.html

Is it worth it? Cleveland City Council to weigh cost-benefit of $202.5 million Progressive Field renovation Cuyahoga County Council has already approved funding its portion of a 15-year lease agreement to renovate Progressive Field, cover capital repairs, and guarantee the Guardians in Cleveland through 2036, but Cleveland City Council says it will need further convincing that the cost-benefit ratio tips....

The legislation — soon-to-be introduced to County Council — would prohibit landlords from refusing housing to renters based on their source of income and would financially reward landlords who accept low-income housing vouchers.
https://www.cleveland.com/news/2021/10/cuyahoga-county-executive-budish-announces-legislation-prohibiting-renter-discrimination-based-on-income.html

Cuyahoga County Executive Budish announces legislation banning landlords from discriminating against voucher recipients Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish on Wednesday announced new legislation that will protect renters from housing discrimination based on their source of income, and will incentivize landlords to accept Section 8 housing vouchers.

“There are just some departments, some areas, your department being one of them, where we can’t risk that because of what has occurred in the past or what could possibly occur in the future," Councilman Scott Tuma said.

https://www.cleveland.com/news/2021/10/executive-budish-criticizes-county-council-in-budgeting-controversy-over-unfilled-positions.html

Executive Budish criticizes County Council in budgeting ‘controversy’ over unfilled positions In an Oct. 19 letter to Cuyahoga County Council, Executive Armond Budish defended his decision not to include funding for long-unfilled positions, mistakenly claiming that council approved the process previously.

This first-of-its-kind event condensed the typical 6-week long hiring process down to about two hours.

https://www.cleveland.com/news/2021/10/consolidated-hiring-event-nets-x-applicants-x-job-offers-for-corrections-officers.html

Cuyahoga County’s hiring event nets 126 job offers for corrections officers Cuyahoga County hosted a consolidated hiring event on Wednesday meant to attract more corrections officers to fill vacancies at the jail. In four hours, X people had applied and XX walked away with contingent job offers.

“The fact is that, under the present legal environment, the leverage of cities and counties is minimal, unless you’re willing to lose your team," Ken Silliman, chair of Gateway told Cuyahoga County Council.
https://www.cleveland.com/news/2021/10/progressive-field-renovation-moves-closer-to-vote-public-reaction-mixed.html

Progressive Field renovation moves closer to vote, public reaction mixed Cuyahoga County Council on Tuesday advanced the $453 million lease agreement to keep the Guardians in Cleveland through at least 2036. It now faces a second reading next week before going for a final vote.

FYI, you're going to start seeing Cleveland news here as I take over the Cuyahoga County Government beat for Cleveland.com.

https://www.cleveland.com/news/2021/10/cuyahoga-county-council-skeptical-of-executive-budishs-two-year-budget-plan.html

Cuyahoga County Council skeptical of Executive Budish’s two-year budget plan Budish proposes reducing every county department’s budget to reflect the number of employees actually working at the county on a day-to-day basis, as opposed to the number the county could employ if all vacant jobs were filled.

This wasn't the news the family was hoping for, but they say they're willing to wait another year to build a stronger case against the person they believe is responsible for Alvin Darrow's disappearance and presumed death.
*BONUS* Watch for an update episode on the Code 18 podcast soon!

https://www.toledoblade.com/podcasts/code-18-unsolved/2021/09/29/code-18-update-prosecutor-s-office-declines-to-pursue-charges-in-alvin-darrow-s-case-without-more-information/stories/20210928131

Code 18 update: Prosecutor's office declines to pursue charges in Alvin Darrow's case without more information Unless witnesses come forward with new information or Alvin Darrow’s body is found, charges are not likely to come in his 2017 disappearance and presumed ...

“My case is probably 1 in a million, but it happened to me, so I’m not going to support the J&J vaccine, because I’m having these complications and life changes,” Ms. Johns said.
An area doctor, though, maintains that side effects from any of the three vaccines are rare.
“On balance, there’s just so many reasons to get the vaccine over taking the risk of getting covid,” Dr. Brian Kaminski of ProMedica said. “It's not even close.”
https://www.toledoblade.com/local/Coronavirus/2021/09/27/local-woman-voices-concerns-about-coronavirus-vaccines-while-recovering-from-rare-side-effects-doctor-maintains-their-safety/stories/20210924191

Woman voices concerns about coronavirus vaccines while recovering from rare side effects, doctor maintains their overall safety ADRIAN — As a healthy 34-year-old, Ashley Johns initially hesitated to get a coronavirus vaccination, only giving in in April to better safeguard her ...

Part 2: While incarcerated in 2013 for illegally carrying a gun, Lil Heads gang member “Maniac” said he wanted out of the streets to make a better life for his children and him.

“Just being out there is going to lead to nothing but jail or death,” he said in The Blade’s award-winning series mapping gang territories, published in 2013. “That’s what Toledo is about now. Kill or be killed. Or go to jail…”

His premonition came true.

https://www.toledoblade.com/local/police-fire/2021/09/20/under-fire-residents-say-years-of-disinvestment-spurred-gangs-violence/stories/20210920001

Under Fire: Residents say years of disinvestment to blame for escalating violence Second of three parts LEBANON, Ohio — While incarcerated in 2013 for illegally carrying a gun, Lil Heads gang member “Maniac” said he wanted out of the ...