🌱 Lakewood ADA Transition Plan + Sen. Antonio Elected Minority Leader

Hello again, Lakewood. Sean Peek here with your fresh copy of the Lakewood Daily, filled with all the things you need to know about what's happening locally.

But first, today's weather:

Not as cold, becoming breezy. High: 39 Low: 13.

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I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

Here are the top three stories in Lakewood today:

1. Last spring Lakewood started a self-evaluation project tied to the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Transition Plan Task Force. DLZ Senior Planner Stephen G. Metzer said they are ahead of schedule on the public right-of-way data collection, and he anticipates that the Transition Plan will be completed by the end of the summer. The city will add an extra $123,000 for the ADA evaluation of the public right-of-way, which includes sidewalks, curbs, on-street parking, and traffic signals. (Subscription: Cleveland.com)
2. State Senator Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) was elected to serve as the upcoming Senate Minority Leader and will continue to represent Senate District 23, which includes Lakewood. Antonio said her priorities for the forthcoming General 135th Assembly include the Fair School Funding Plan, abolishing the death penalty for capital cases in favor of life without parole, and the LGBTQ Fairness Bill. (Lakewood Observer)
3. The Lakewood City School District is offering an AP African American Studies class, which was recently making headlines after Gov. Ron DeSantis canceled the course in Florida. The new curriculum is part of a College Board pilot program, and 61 students, primarily upper-level students, are currently enrolled in the yearlong course. Austin Sparks, the Lakewood district teacher for the class, said it is "going very well" and the "most rewarding part of teaching this course is [providing] students with more in-depth historical context to topics they may or may not be familiar with." (Subscription: Cleveland.com)

Today in Lakewood:

• Happy Hour At Western Reserve Distillers (4:00 PM)
• Planning Commission Meeting At Lakewood City Hall (6:00 PM)
• Connecting For Kids Behavior Chat: Strategies to Ease Transitions At Lakewood Public Library (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Beck Center for the Arts and the Baldwin Wallace University Musical Theatre Program present “Ghost the Musical!” The musical will run from Feb. 10 through 26 at the Senney Theater in Lakewood. (Subscription: Cleveland.com)
• Are you looking for a way to warm up on a chilly February afternoon? Join chef Rachelle Murphy for "A La Cart" at Cove Community Center at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 7! Watch a live cooking demo by Murphy, whom Cleveland Magazine calls "one of Cleveland's hottest young chefs." (Lakewood Community Services Center via Facebook)
• Are you proud of your community? Does sharing the inside scoop with others bring you satisfaction? Become a Patch newsletter curator for Lakewood! (Lakewood Patch)

Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with your next update.

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.