Vandalism of 9/11 memorial at California college creates furor

Here is the latest Local News from the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Vandalism of 9/11 memorial at California college creates furor
A group on the campus who questioned the memorial denies its members were involved with the vandalism.

Most Cleveland residents would tell their friends to move here, survey shows (interactive graphics)
Morale isn’t too shabby in Cleveland, based on the results of a recent poll conducted as part of a partnership between Allstate Corp. and The Atlantic.

Johnny Cash Music Masters events feature evening with Rosanne Cash, special ‘Johnny Cash Day’ as well as concert
John Carter Cash will be the executive band leader at the Annual Music Masters concert when the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honors his late father, country legend Johnny Cash. Two other Cash children – Rosanne and Tara Cash Schwoebel – also will be part of the weeklong festivities.

Comment here on cleveland.com court and crime stories for Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016
cleveland.com readers can offer their thoughts in the comments section.

Clinton’s health, stealth and deplorable comment: Darcy cartoon
Hillary Clinton’s comment that half of Trump’s supporters were deplorable, was a deplorable as Mitt Romney’s infamous 47 percent remark.

Ohio colleges hold steady in 2017 U.S. News & World Report college rankings
U.S. News & World Report maintains its Best Colleges rankings are objective and fair. The Ohio 2017 college rankings are similar to last year.

Tim Kaine steps up surrogate duty, Ted Strickland steps in it: Ohio Politics Roundup
Tim Kaine goes solo in the Buckeye State. Ted Strickland goes off key. Meanwhile, some Donald Trump fans show little interest in racial harmony. Read more in Ohio Politics Roundup.

Today’s celebrity birthdays: Ben Savage, Fiona Apple (September 13, 2016)
‘Girl Meets World’ actor turns 36 today.

Toddler rescued from septic tank; Ashland teacher denies having sex with student; abortion proposal rejected: Overnight News Links
Also, former Laurel School teacher accused of raping student on campus; special election for phased-in $15 minimum wage proposal set for May 2 in Cleveland; Ohio to fight ruling that state abortion regulation is unconstitutional

Expect 8 degrees warmer than average today: Northeast Ohio weather forecast
Today high temperatures will be 8 degrees warmer than the average high temperature for September 13, and possibly even hotter in some areas.

Indianapolis fertility doctor accused of using own sperm to impregnate patients
Dr. Donald Cline might have used his sperm up to 50 times to impregnate at least eight women, court documents show.

‘Dancing With the Stars’ premiere recap: Laurie Hernandez, James Hinchcliffe soar; broadcast disrupted by Lochte protesters
Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez and pro racer James Hinchcliffe wowed the judges during Week One of ‘Dancing With the Stars’ 23rd season, but an audience outburst in protest of Ryan Lochte may have been the most memorable moment of the night.

Classic Lotto jackpot bumps up to $2.4 million; lottery results
Tuesday’s Mega Millions jackpot is $122 million.

Ohio Amber Alert issued for teen girl taken in Brunswick
Robin Roberts, 15, was taken by her biological father outside a store in Brunswick, police say.

Special election for phased-in $15 minimum wage proposal set for May 2 in Cleveland
Cleveland City Council on Monday night passed legislation setting May 2 as the date for a special election on a proposal for a phased-in $15 minimum wage.

NCAA pulls 7 postseason events out of NC due to LGBT law
The NCAA has pulled seven championship events from North Carolina, including opening-weekend men’s basketball tournament games, for the coming year due to a state law that some say can lead to discrimination against LGBT people.

Akron City Council approves 1-year freeze on medical marijuana
Akron joins a growing list of communities putting moratoriums on medical marijuana, which became legal in Ohio last week.

Former Laurel School teacher accused of raping student on campus
A Cuyahoga County grand jury has indicted a former teacher who is accused of sexually assaulting students at an all-girls school in Shaker Heights.

Gazebo where Tamir Rice was shot to be deconstructed Wednesday
The Gazebo where 12-year-old Tamir Rice was fatally shot by Cleveland police will come down on Wednesday and will be prepared for shipment to a Chicago museum where it will stand in memory of others who died during altercations with police.

Ohio attorney general rejects proposal to brand abortion as aggravated murder
Ohio attorney General Mike DeWine on Monday rejected a proposed constitutional amendment that would have branded abortion in Ohio as aggravated murder. The proponents of the amendment failed to submit the required 1,000 valid signatures from registered voters needed to get their proposal considered.

Vermilion man convicted of raping child gets life in prison
A Vermilion man convicted of raping a child was sentenced to life in prison Monday with the possibility of parole after 25 years.

Akron’s new Chill Artisan Ice Cream Shop opens on Maiden Lane
The new Chill Artisan Ice Cream Shop in downtown Akron works to promote local businesses through its unique gourmet ice cream flavors. There’s a LeBron James flavor, of course.

Garfield Heights man shot at three times while running from robber, report says
Detectives are searching for an unidentified man who fired three shots at a man who ran off during a robbery in Garfield Heights.

Battleground Cuyahoga: Take our politics poll, share your thoughts on the 2016 presidential race
Cleveland.com wants to know what Clevelanders are thinking this election season. Take our poll and tell us what issues matter to you. Let us know which candidate you support and why. Tell us why you’re still making up your mind. The survey will be short, anonymous and quick. It’ll take you 10 minutes, tops.

Cuyahoga County voters requesting early ballots in record numbers
The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections reported twice as many absentee ballot applications so far compared to in 2012.

Ellet High School remains closed after weekend fire
Akron’s Ellet High School will remain closed Tuesday after a fire late Saturday night in the school’s College and Career Education’s construction program.

Cleveland’s Public Square still in limbo; city undecided about allowing buses
Public Square remains in the middle of a debate about whether buses should be allowed to cross the square, as originally intended in renovation plans, or be rerouted around it.

Judge will not force Army Corps of Engineers to dredge Cuyahoga River shipping channel
A federal judge on Monday said he will not yet force the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to dredge the Cleveland Harbor and Cuyahoga River shipping channel this year.

Fourth person pleads guilty to charges from teen’s heroin overdose death at Green motel
An Akron man pleaded guilty to possessing heroin that was later used by a 16-year-old boy who overdosed and died in a motel room.

Hopkins Airport gets $8 million federal grant for snow removal
The funds will be used to construct a 124,200-square-foot building to house snow removal equipment bought with previously announced grant money.

ECOT court case: Clawbacks, a death spiral, failure to track time online dominate testimony
The Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow online school doesn’t track student time spent on classes and doesn’t think that even House Bill 2 requires it to

More rain for the garden lover: Working for your weekend forecast
There are good chances of rain this weekend in Northeast Ohio, and cooler temperatures expected Sunday.

Woman shot on front porch during Cleveland drive-by shooting dies
Belinda Hunter, 61, has been pronounced dead at MetroHealth after she was shot in the head in a drive-by Sunday night.

Lydia Loveless: Ohio’s gifted singer-songwriter heads to the Grog Shop
Whether you call her rock, country or alt-country, the torchy voice that delivers Lydia Loveless’ equally torchy lyrics are “Real,” just like her latest album. The Ohio native headlines at the Grog Shop on Saturday, Sept. 17.

Davis-Besse reactor shut itself down over the weekend, no injuries or radioactivity reported
The Davis-Besse nuclear reactor remains idle today after automatically shutting itself down over the weekend when the plant’s main generator turned off.

Warm temperatures returning for Tuesday: Northeast Ohio weather forecast
Tonight and Tuesday in Northeast Ohio are going to be sunny, warm, with very low humidity.

11 documentaries to watch before Monday Night Football
A look at some of the best documentaries made about football.

Who’s responsible for college debt education? Studying up on student loans
When it comes to financial literacy, colleges, high schools and parents tag team on providing students with the information they need.

Wonder Woman to be honored in Cleveland Public Library symposium (photos)
Staring Thursday, Sept. 22, the Cleveland Public Library will celebrate Wonder Woman’s 75th anniversary with a three-day symposium featuring comic writers and artists, authors of books, and celebrities to talk about the comic industry’s most famous female.

Parma boys arrested with B.B. guns have charges dismissed after writing essays about Tamir Rice
Two Parma teens arrested with pellet guns at a local park apologized for their behavior in court-ordered essays on the death of Tamir Rice.

Hillary Clinton diagnosed with pneumonia: What is the illness, and how serious can it be?
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s health became a campaign issue over the weekend, after the candidate revealed that she is battling pneumonia: an infection of the lungs.The malady sounds serious, and can be. But a run-of-the-mill case typically sidelines sufferers for just a couple of weeks.

Brecksville will repair or replace clock tower in community center
Brecksville will either repair or replace the clock tower atop Brecksville Community Center. The clock tower is showing signs of deterioration.

Ohio to fight ruling that state abortion regulation is unconstitutional
The Ohio Department of Health, represented by lawyers in Attorney General Mike DeWine’s office, notified the Ohio Supreme Court that it would appeal rulings in a lawsuit filed by Capital Care Network that its attempt to regulate abortion clinics are unconstitutional.

Cleveland man charged in three-hour SWAT standoff in Parma
A Cleveland man is facing charges related to his involvement in a three-hour SWAT standoff Friday in Parma.

3 very different Chilean wines – wine buy
This week’s taste: Three different varietals from three Chilean regions at three different price points.

If you go: Roots Conference 2016 in Milan, with chefs, Food Network stars, food lovers
The 2016 Roots Conference at the Culinary Vegetable Institute in Milan is for chefs and foodies alike.

Cleveland police supervisor’s gun, badge stolen for second time in two years
A Cleveland police sergeant’s gun, badge and kevlar vest were stolen Thursday from his SUV parked in the driveway of his North Ridgeville home.

Just a few hours left to decide the August Person of the Month. Vote now for the candidate you believe best deserves the honor (poll)
With just a few hours left to decide, the investors from the “Cleveland Hustles” reality TV show are in the lead for the title of August Person of the Month. You still have time to vote.

RPM International says SEC allegations of fraud about its fiscal 2013 financial reports ‘have no merit’
RPM Chairman and CEO Frank C. Sullivan said the company’s restatements had no impact on the audited results for the fiscal year and that RPM’s audit committee concluded that there was no intentional misconduct on the part of any of its officers.

LeBron James’ announcements show how he’s matured, Case Western Reserve University study concludes
The methods LeBron James used to announce he was leaving Cleveland in 2010 and coming back in 2014 showed how he had matured as a businessman, according to a case study at Case Western Reserve University.

Chelsea Clinton to visit Ohio on Thursday
Chelsea Clinton, the daughter of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, is expected to visit Columbus and Dayton on Thursday.

Looking for a concert? Here are some of Cleveland’s top spots
Cleveland’s live music scene is thriving, in large part due to a plethora of different-sized venues. Here are some of those where big shows are on tap this fall.

Garden chores to do now, household waste and pollinator walk: Home and Garden News
Garden chores to do now, household waste and pollinator walk: Home and Garden News.

Wheel of Fortune Wheelmobile coming to Cleveland in search of contestants
Wheel of Fortune’s Wheelmobile is heading to the area in search of Clevelanders who want to appear on the game show.

‘Faces of Cleveland’: Photographer Laura Wimbels brings the city into focus with new book (photos)
After two years of capturing portraits, Cleveland photographer Laura Wimbels has compiled the photographs into the collection “Faces of Cleveland.” The book will be released on October 22.

NBA 2K17 shows off Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose with new teams
One of your first opportunities to see Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose on the Golden State Warriors and Chicago Bulls, respectively.

Cleveland Orchestra associate conductor Brett Mitchell scores top post at Colorado Symphony
No longer is it unclear what associate conductor Brett Mitchell will do after his contract with the Cleveland Orchestra expires. He’ll be the next music director of the Colorado Symphony.

Ohio legislators want Underground Railroad site designated national monument
Congress members from Ohio want the John P. Parker house, a stop on the Underground Railroad, designated as a national monument.

Cleveland Sparx City Hop is a citywide art party Saturday
The 14th annual Sparx City Hop runs 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday throughout Greater Cleveland.

This week looking unseasonably warm, mostly dry: Northeast Ohio weather forecast
The week ahead in Northeast Ohio is looking very warm, and mostly dry with the exception of Wednesday.

ECOT online school funding fight reaches court: ECOT says state rules are “unenforceable,” state says ECOT is “absurd”
The ECOT online school and state have their first arguments in court today about whether tthe school has to show students participating in classes to receive state money, or just that students are enrolled

HalloWeekends 2016: Cedar Point’s popular fall event adds five new, extra-charge frights
First launched in 1997 over just three weekends, HalloWeekends now spans seven weeks, from mid-September through the end of October. It debuts Friday at 6 p.m.

Gasoline below $2 at some Greater Cleveland stations today, average is $2.04
Gasoline prices resumed their September decline today after a brief price increase last week driven by profit-taking oil traders reacting to a temporary decline in oil stockpiles.

Today’s celebrity birthdays: Jennifer Hudson, Louis C.K. (September 12, 2016)
Jennifer Hudson celebrates her 35th birthday today.

Ya Gotta See This: Top Cleveland-area concerts for fall 2016 (photos)
Plain Dealer Pop Music Critic Chuck Yarborough picks the must-see shows for autumn 2016, and they range from Brad Paisley to a tribute to Prince, from the original vocalist for Yes to Kanye West.

Ohio waterfalls: 25 gorgeous falls to visit before the end of summer
Add these natural beauties to your last-minute summer bucket list.

Old Brooklyn Cheese Company set to open in October with unique selections, aging caves
Old Brooklyn Cheese Company will offer dozens of cheese selections. Below ground will host a kitchen for making cheese and aging caves.

Maddie & Tae: Just out of their teens, country duo is opening ears and eyes
Maddie & Tae – Madison Marlow and Taylor Dye – have only one album under their belts, but the two who open for country star Brad Paisley Friday, Sept. 16, at Blossom already are nominated for vocal duo of the year by the Country Music Association.

NBA 2K17 spotlights Jordan, Bird, Magic and the 1992 Dream Team
NBA 2K17 will feature both the 1992 Dream Team and the gold-medal winning 2016 Men’s Olympic Basketball Team.

CM Punk, Stipe Miocic generate big numbers for UFC 203
UFC 203 will likely go down as one of the UFC’s biggest pay-per-views not to feature megastars Conor McGregor or Ronda Rousey.

Ariana Grande books 2017 tour stop in Cleveland
Ariana Grande will stop in Cleveland early next year in support of her “Dangerous Woman” album.

Beer calendar: Crave dinners, Hofbrauhaus Oktoberfest events, more
Beer fests, Heinen’s tastings and several beer dinners make our weekly calendar.

Donald Trump fans have been sending me racist, hateful messages for months. Here’s a sampling.
Call it bigotry. Call it racism. Call it xenophobia. As a writer — especially one who covers national politics — you chalk it up as coming with the territory, as hurtful and as menacing as it can be. This year, though, it is coming far more frequently. There is no mystery why.

Garrettsville bowling alley raffle likely to reach $2 million as Queen of Hearts remains elusive
The jackpot for the Queen of Hearts raffle at SkyLane Bowling is expected to reach $2 million after the card remained hidden in Sunday’s drawing.

Bye-bye Brutalism: Tri-C Metro revises a gloomy, mid-century modern campus (photos, video)
The Tri-C Metro campus is set to undergo a transformation including fresh, new landscaping and a radical re-do of its fortress-like Campus Center building.

Comment here on cleveland.com court and crime stories for Monday, Sept. 12, 2016
cleveland.com readers can offer their thoughts in the comments section.

Birders from around the world flock to Columbus for the American Birding Expo; Aerial View (photos)
More than 3,000 birders are expected to attend the American Birding Expo this weekend in Columbus, where representatives from 42 states and 20 tour companies will come to promote their countries’ amazing array of birds.

Ted Strickland down by double digits in new poll: Ohio Politics Roundup
A new poll shows Rob Portman leading Ted Strickland by 11 percentage points. Cleveland’s $15 minimum wage initiative appears to not be on the November ballot. Donald Trump will campaign Wednesday in Canton. Read more in today’s Ohio Politics Roundup, brought to you by Robin Goist.

Brunswick player’s family, NAACP to meet with police over threats
Rodney Axson Jr. says he has been harassed through social media after kneeling during the national anthem in protest of teammates using racial slurs.

Lakewood man dies in crash on Cedar Point Causeway
A woman from Solon and a woman from Mentor were injured in the crash.

Another taste of fall today with cooler temperatures: Northeast Ohio weather forecast
Today high temperatures will stay cool in the low 70s, with calm winds and no chances of rain.

Texas fire captain found shot dead; wife arrested
Another male also was arrested in connection with the shooting.

Florida man shoots, kills cousin testing bulletproof vest
When Joaquin Mendez wondered if his bulletproof vest still worked, his cousin said, “Let’s see,” police say.

Hillary Clinton cancels West Coast visit after health incident at 9/11 memorial
Clinton abruptly left the anniversary ceremony on Sunday morning and needed to be held up by three people before she appeared to stumble off a curb and was helped into a van.

Powerball, Mega Millions keep climbing; Ohio Lottery results
Powerball has reached $222 million, while Mega Millions is at $122 million.

Crash kills man, boy; fire at Ellet High School; deadly 12 hours in Cleveland: Overnight News Links
Also, will RNC limelight bring jobs, investment to Cleveland? Only time will tell; Cedar Point’s Millennium Force loses best steel coaster title in Amusement Today contest; debate over gifted education pits the need to challenge students against budget pressures

Green Party candidate Jill Stein calls for new 9/11 investigation: Politics Extra
Stein described the 9/11 Commission report as containing many “omissions and distortions.” Clinton was diagnosed with pneumonia Friday. Mike Pence releases his tax returns. Read more in today’s Politics Extra.

Bring Ohio campaign finance reporting into the 21st century: Frank LaRose (Opinion)
In 2016, Ohioans should have the opportunity to view local campaign finance reports online as they already have the ability to review reports from state candidates. Full transparency demands nothing less, writes state Sen. Frank LaRose of Hudson.

Three dead, four wounded by gunfire in 12 hours in Cleveland
Three people were killed and four more were wounded across Cleveland’s East Side in a 12-hour span Saturday and Sunday, police said.

‘The grief never goes away’: Nation remembers 9/11 attacks
The U.S. marked the 15th anniversary of 9/11 on Sunday, with victims’ relatives reading their names and reflecting on a loss that still felt as immediate to them as it was indelible for the nation.

Society benefits from people willing to change their minds: Dean Boland (Opinion)
Guest columnist Dean Boland argues that society benefits from the so-called “flip-floppers,” who are willing to change their minds.

What would country’s founders have thought of Donald Trump? Ronald Fraser (Opinion)
Guest columnist Ronald Fraser speculates on the how nation’s founders would have reacted to Donald Trump.

Man, woman killed in Cleveland shooting identified
Jahad McLaughlin Jr., 23, and Martinique King, 22, were pronounced dead at University Hospitals after they had been shot on East 86th Street in Cleveland.

Debate over gifted education pits the need to challenge students against budget pressures
Ohio’s state school board considers new rules for gifted programs, while advocates seek rigor and superintendents seek flexibility

Cedar Point’s Millennium Force loses best steel coaster title in Amusement Today contest
Cedar Point’s Millennium Force, the first roller coaster to exceed 300 feet in height, is no longer the world’s best — at least according to voters in the annual Golden Ticket Awards.

Cleveland must do more than just manage decline: Richey Piiparinen (Opinion)
There’s nothing lovable about losing. For a half century, the agony of defeat got baked into Cleveland. Now maybe the Cavs’ victory signals the start of a new paradigm of expectations about the city’s future, writes Richey Piiparinen of Cleveland State.

Graffiti fills Mount Pleasant house/gallery (photos)
CLEVELAND, Ohio — On a day only slightly less sultry than recent ones, Althea Jones invited artist friends and anyone else willing to participate to her Black House Gallery, a former home on East 119th Street, to help fill it up…

Akron firefighters extinguish fire inside Ellet High School
Akron firefighters extinguished a small fire that broke out inside Ellet High School late Saturday night.

Maple Heights man shot, killed in Cleveland
Nakale Crosby, 18, was shot dead as he sat in a car on East 116th Street in Cleveland’s Union-Miles Park neighborhood, police said.

Man, woman slain in Cleveland double shooting
A man and woman were shot dead in the street early Sunday morning, about two blocks from the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Justice Center complex in Cleveland.