More outages today as crews clean up last week’s mess

Just as crews finished work from last weekend’s storms, storms this morning knocked out power to thousands of people in Lorain and Cuyahoga Counties. First Energy reports more than 10,500 homes without power from today’s storms.

Utility crews in Ohio are making progress restoring power to homeowners still in the dark nearly six days after storms downed power lines across the state. American Electric Power reports 140,000 customers still without power in central and southern Ohio. Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives has about 20,000 customers without service. First Energy has about 750 customers without power, and Dayton Power & Light is restoring power for about 500 customers. The storms originally knocked out power to nearly a million homes and businesses in Ohio.

President Obama campaigns at Parma stamping plant

President Obama begins a two-day bus tour through Northern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania with a morning stop in Maumee Ohio. He’s speaking this this afternoon in Sandusky. The President is expected to talk about manufacturing and the auto industry during a stop this evening at a stamping plant in Parma. GOP challenger Mitt Romney doesn’t have any Northeast Ohio appearances scheduled for today, but Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal and former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty will speak on his behalf at the Kentown Shopping Center in Parma this afternoon. Both men are frequently mentioned as possibilities for the Republican Vice Presidential nomination. 

Toxic blue-green algae invades western Lake Erie

People looking to beat the heat this summer in Lake and Cuyahoga Counties are advised to stay out of Lake Erie. The Plain Dealer reports Lake water in those counties has high levels of algae and other bacteria. Samples in Fairport Harbor tested positive for species of blue-green algae that can produce toxins the Ohio EPA calls some of the most potent known to humankind. They can affect brain and liver function and irritate skin. More tests will be run on the lake water later this week.

Fracking water treatment plant back on-line

A water treatment plant in Warren that was built to handle waste water from the oil and gas drilling industry will be allowed to reopen. The Youngstown Business Journal reports a state appeals board ruled this week that the Ohio EPA overstepped its authority when it denied the city of Warren a permit to accept fracking water processed by Patriot Water Treatment. Attorneys for Patriot and the city say the EPA issued permits and then changed policies after they were issued, effectively causing Patriot to idle production earlier this year. Patriot president Andrew Blocksom says he’s eager to get back up and running.

Columbus bus drivers end strike 

Transit workers in Columbus yesterday ratified a contract agreement , ending a three-day strike. The deal gives workers a 7 percent raise over three years but requires more contributions toward pensions.  The Union rejected the same package Monday but met again over the Fourth to approve it. The deal ended a strike that halted public transportation Tuesday for a popular fireworks event in downtown Columbus.

Lakewood fireworks fizzle

It wasn’t because no one had a light.  Officials in Lakewood report Fourth of July fireworks were canceled last night because of a computer glitch. A computer malfunction caused the firework display to stall. But officials didn’t say if the show will be rescheduled. 

Tribe downs Angels by season's widest margin

The Indians beat the LA Angels 12-3 yesterday, in 92 degree heat.  It was the largest margin of victory this season.  The Indians rallied for 6 runs in the 2nd inning, and Derek Lowe won for the first time in more than a month. The Tribe begins a four game series against Tamba Bay tonight.