Suburbs declare themselves “Welcoming Cities”

In a direct response to President Donald Trump’s recent travel ban, both the city council of Cleveland Heights and the Beachwood City Council voted to extend “Welcoming City” status according to Cleveland.com. Out of fear of losing federal funding, the Cleveland Heights Council decided not to designate the city a “Sanctuary City.”

The city’s legislation states, “The Executive Order has directly impacted Cleveland Heights, as at least one known resident of our city, Dr. Suha Abushamma of the Cleveland Clinic, has been denied re-entry into the U.S.”

Amazon store expected to open in Cleveland

Amazon is looking to open a store in downtown Cleveland according to Cleveland.com. The company recently filed a permit for a 2,500-square-foot store at 2020 Euclid Ave., which is located near the campus of Cleveland State University.

The store, which will cater to college students but will be open to everyone, aims to provide a location for Amazon customers to securely drop off and pick up orders. The online shopping juggernaut opened a similar store in Akron, Ohio.

Downtown entertainment center welcomes out-of-town partners

Shake Shake, Starbucks Reserve and HopCat have all formed deals with Stark Enterprises to form a major part of the proposed Cleveland Live! Entertainment venue according to Cleveland.com. The venue would serve as the anchor for nuCLEus, a proposed $540 million multi-purpose area near Quicken Loans Arena.

Don’t start queueing for Shake Shack just yet. Even if the project starts without a hitch this year, construction would not be finished until 2019 at the earliest.  

Cuyahoga Valley National Park welcomes bald eagles’ return

For the 12th straight year a pair of bald eagles have returned to nest in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park according to Cleveland.com. Since 2007, the pair of endangered birds has raised 12 eaglets on the park site. In response to the eagles’ return, park officials closed access to the area near the tree until July 31.

The raptors come in the middle of winter to lay one to three eggs. Because the eggs are very sensitive to cold temperatures, the birds must incubate them for 35 days. Park officials say that any human interaction would interfere with the process.

Regional trauma network adds University Hospitals

After nearly two years of bickering and bad feelings, University Hospitals has agreed to join the Northern Ohio Trauma Network according to Cleveland.com. The network that coordinates trauma care previously included MetroHealth, Cleveland Clinic and Southwest General.

“This is a new day,” said Dr. Bernard Boulanger, MetroHealth executive vice president and chief clinical officer. “Regional trauma organizations are well known to improve outcomes throughout the country.”