🌱 Lakewood Municipal Court's Memorandum Of Understanding​ + Film Fest

Hello, everybody! It's Wednesday in Lakewood and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening locally.

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 29 Low: 24.

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Here are the top three stories in Lakewood today:

1. On Monday, Jan. 30, Cuyahoga County's Board of Control approved a new Memorandum of Understanding that will allow Lakewood Municipal Court to staff an attorney, funded through a state grant, at the court full-time to help represent low-income or no-income defendants. The $225,000 agreement starts today, Feb. 1, and runs through April 2024, but might become permanent, according to the county’s Public Defender Cullen Sweeney. For misdemeanor cases, a Cuyahoga County assistant public defender will represent individuals who are deemed indigent until the case is disposed of by dismissal, plea, verdict or other outcome. For felony cases, the attorney can represent individuals deemed indigent in any proceedings that take place in Lakewood. (Cleveland.com)
2. Lakewood Public Library is hosting a special preview of Cleveland's "Short. Sweet. Film Fest" on Saturday, Feb. 4 at 6:00 p.m. in the Main Library Auditorium. The preview will feature 90 minutes of selections from local sensations to international masterpieces. Click here for more information. (Lakewood Public Library via Facebook)
3. It is important to know your local police officers and for the officers to get to know the community. The Lakewood Police Department is hosting its next “Coffee With A Cop” event on Friday, Feb. 17 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Despina's Bakery, 11823 Detroit Avenue. Residents can stop by the bakery, no registration or sign-up needed. (Lakewood Police Department via Twitter)

Today in Lakewood:

• Happy Hour At Western Reserve Distillers (4:00 PM)
• Boozy Bingo At The Winchester (7:00 PM)
• Mastering the Bourbon Old Fashioned - Beehind the Bar At Western Reserve Distillers (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Vomit Forth, a northeastern death metal band, is coming to Lakewood on Mar. 30! The Last Ten Seconds of Life will be touring with Vomit Forth on the third leg of the tour, starting in Lakewood, to Vomit Forth's full-length debut Seething Malevolence. (MetalSucks.net)
• Lakewood Recreation has added another session of swim lessons after school on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. "Learn-To-Swim: Winter Session III" for ages 4 through 12 begins Mar. 20. Click here to learn more and to register. (Lakewood Recreation via Twitter)
• Curious about your local housing market? Check out the latest homes for sale in the Lakewood area, including a three-bedroom on Brockley Avenue for $274,900! (Lakewood Patch)

Alrighty, you're all good for today. I'll see you soon!

— 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.