Driver Misidentified in Florida Crash, Solon Woman Released from Hospital

Brittney Gallagher, a 2009 graduate, was killed after the car she was riding in hit another vehicle near Ebro, FL.

Investigators are now saying a Lake Catholic graduate was not the driver of a vehicle that wrecked, killing two in the car and injuring two others, according to The Plain Dealer. Brittney Gallagher, who was on spring break from The Ohio State University, died Saturday morning in Ebro, FL after the car she was in hit another vehicle. Gallagher graduated from Lake Catholic in 2009. The Plain Dealer reports that it was actually Courtney Miller, 21, of Niles, OH that was driving the car, not Gallagher as investigators originally stated. Diana Mitchell, 22, of Solon, was also in the car and has been released from a Panama City hospital, according to the Plain Dealer. The fourth girl in the car is still in the hospital. Florida state troopers …

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Property Tax Rates In Solon To Increase Slightly

Find out what your new property tax rate is by searching in a database produced by the Plain Dealer.

Property tax rates in Solon will increase only slightly in 2013, according to a database produced in the Plain Dealer. While property values in Cuyahoga County plummeted in most communities after the recent revaluation, values in Solon held up reasonably well, posting only a slight loss. That means the rate, which is usually adjusted to make sure governments can bring in the same amount of money, only increased slightly. According to the Plain Dealer, Solon homeowners will pay $2,265 per $100,000 of home value in their 2013 tax bills, up from $2,224 per $100,000 last year. While this year's increase is only slight, the general trend has been higher and higher taxes each year for Solon property owners. Bills in 2010 were $2,003 per $100,000…

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Solon Runner Therese Haiss Gives Verbal Commitment to Oregon

Therese Haiss, a standout long distance runner for the Comets, told the Plain Dealer she plans to run for the Oregon Ducks next fall.

Solon Comet standout runner Therese Haiss has commited to run at the University of Oregon, reports the Plain Dealer. Haiss told the newspaper she picked the Ducks over Penn State, saying she did not want to pass up the opportunity to head to the West Coast. During her time at Solon High, Haiss was a star on the cross country and track teams. She won the state title in the 800 meters and runner-up in the mile. Haiss told the newspaper she will concentrate on track and field at college, but may try cross country as an upperclassman. She placed ninth in the state cross country this year. Read the full story at the Plain Dealer's Solon page.

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POLL: No Gay Scouts, No Money, says United Way of Greater Cleveland

The United Way of Greater Cleveland will no longer give money to Boy Scouts because they ban gay members, reported The Plain Dealer. Do you agree?

United Way of Greater Cleveland won't give money to the Boy Scouts locally effective July 2013, reported The Plain Dealer. The move comes after United Way, which serves Cuyahoga County communities, adopted its own policy for equal opportunity and diversity -- which applies to the agencies that get money from United Way.  In an obtusely worded press release, Boy Scouts of America reported that it reviewed its policy and stands by it.  The policy reads as follows: “While the BSA does not proactively inquire about the sexual orientation of employees, volunteers, or members, we do not grant membership to individuals who are open or avowed homosexuals or who engage in behavior that would become a distraction to the mission of the BSA.”  United …

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James Thomas

9:34 am on Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Ms. T. Jones, How did I "misspeak"? I presented my opinion which was contrary to yours only in the idea of whether the BSA was worthy of support. Yes I can believe that people believe as I do that Scouting is worthwhile. Millions of Scouts and their parents seem to provide all the proof I need to reach that opinion.   more ›

Poll: Obama Ahead of Romney in Several Polls, Including Plain Dealer's

If the election were today, who would you vote for -- Barack Obama or Mitt Romney?

If some Ohioans voted today in the presidential election, more would likely choose President Barack Obama over his Republican challenger, Mitt Romney, according to a Plain Dealer poll. The Plain Dealer's poll showed a lead of five points for Obama. Similar results were revealed in recent presidential polls done by Ohio newspapers and other media.  The poll was conducted from Sept. 13 to 18.  Both candidates are campaigning in Ohio trying to woo voters, including Obama's Wednesday trip to Kent State University and Mitt Romney in Port Clinton on Monday and Dayton on Tuesday.  And since early voting in Ohio starts on Oct. 2, we'd like to hear from you. If the election were today, how would you vote? Tell us why in the comments. 

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Find Out Your New Home Value: Plain Dealer Database

Solon residents can find out their new home value in a searchable database compiled by the Plain Dealer

You won't get an official notice from the auditor's office until next month, but thanks to the Plain Dailer, Solon homeowners can find out today the new value of their homes. The newspaper has created an online database that includes the new home values. Values are changing because of a state-required re-appraisal. Go to the Plain Dealer to search for your home's new value. While values in Cuyahoga County dropped by an average of 9 percent, Solon's homes faired much better. Solon values dropped by an average of 3 percent. Now for the disclaimer, straight from the Plain Dealer: These values are not yet set. Do not call the county to complain or ask questions at this point. Officials are not yet able to answer your questions. Once a final …

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Vote For Grantwood in Plain Dealer's 'Best of Northeast Ohio' Golf Awards

Head over to this poll to vote for Solon's own Grantwood Golf Course

Solon Part of Testimony At Jimmy Dimora Trial

Prosecutors say Jimmy Dimora tried to get a woman a job in Solon.

Former county commissioner Jimmy Dimora's attempts to get a woman a job in Solon has come up in testimony at his corruption trial, according to various media reports. Prosecutors, using recordings from wire-tapped phone calls, claim that Dimora had a sexual relationship with Gina Meuti-Coppers and then helped her get a job, including attempts in Solon. Dimora eventually got Coppers a job in Bedford. From the Plain Dealer's coverage: Two days after their rendezvous, Dimora called Coppers and told her to update her resume. He said he had already spoken to Tom Day, the clerk of the Bedford Municipal Court, about a potential job. Dimora also told Coppers he would try to arrange a part-time job for her at Solon City Hall in the event a court …

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Solon Mayor Undecided on County 'No-Poaching' Pact

Solon Mayor Susan Drucker said she plans to review the letter from Cuyahoga County with her economic development staff, but said she hasn't seen signs of business poaching in the area

Cuyahoga County Executive Ed Fitzgerald wants suburban mayors to sign a deal by the end of the month to stop cities from poaching businesses from each other, according to The Plain Dealer. Solon Mayor Susan Drucker said she has received the letter, but wants to review it with Economic Development Manager Peggy Weil-Dorfman before making a decision. The policy has been discussed by county and suburban officials for a few months. The newspaper reports that the guidelines say trigger notifications and discussions between cities when a company approaches a suburb about moving. Cities are still free to market themselves, but can't pursue specific companies. The Cuyahoga County suburbs that sign on could be eligible to receive cash from a $100 …

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Ohio Schools, Including Solon, Take a Funding Hit

As Northeast Ohio school districts kick off a new year, most are making do with a lot less from the state, writes the Plain Dealer