🌱 Over 200 Homicides In Cuyahoga County This Year + Lakefront Project

Hello all. It's me, Sean Peek, your host of the Daily. Here's all the local news you need to know right now.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy and chilly. High: 32 Low: 25.

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Here are the top three stories in Lakewood today:

1. For the third year in a row, Cuyahoga County is on pace to record over 200 homicides this year. Officials say this hasn't happened in 40 years and, according to Hugh Shannon, the director of operations at the office of the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner, specifically gun violence is on the rise. FBI and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention studies suggest there are lower rates of homicides, suicides, and accidental deaths rates in states with stricter gun laws. Some believe that Ohio's loose gun laws, which allow residents 21 and over to carry a concealed weapon without a permit or training, is contributing to the increased gun violence and homicides. (Subscription: Cleveland.com)
2. On Dec. 16, Cuyahoga County Council unanimously approved two projects to improve the Lake Erie waterfront that will cost about $2.1 million. The first project would identify and remove "junk" on the lakefront due to "unpermitted fill" being dumped into Lake Erie. The second project, part of the Gold Coast Lakefront project, will conduct professional engineering services on 0.7 miles of lakefront access. (Subcription: Cleveland.com)
3. MaxPreps named St. Edward High School in Lakewood the "top high school sports dynasties in the nation right now" for boys wrestling. Since 1978, the Wildcats have won a combination of 42 state tournament and dual tournament championships and 11 mythical national championships. (MaxPreps)

Today in Lakewood:

• Exhibit–Dear Ukraine At Lakewood Public Library (9:00 AM)
• After School Drop In At Lakewood Family Room At Cove Community Center (3:00 PM)
• City Council Meeting At Lakewood City Hall (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Late on Dec. 15, guards seized suspected drugs that were on a local defense attorney as he tried to enter the Cuyahoga County jail to visit an inmate. According to the report, the guards found what they believed to be methamphetamine on the attorney. The attorney was not arrested, but the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the incident. (Subscription: Cleveland.com)
• Don't forget to buy your dog's 2023 Cuyahoga County license by Jan. 31 or you'll have to pay a huge late fee! Ohio law requires all dogs to wear a county dog license attached to its collar, with a number that identifies the dog's owner. Click the link to learn how to buy a Cuyahoga County dog license. (Subscription: Cleveland.com)
• Looking for a new home in the Lakewood area or just curious about the local housing market? View the link to see the latest homes for sale, including a unique five-bedroom on Saint Charles Avenue in Lakewood for $450,000! (Lakewood Patch)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Monday. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with a new 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.