Cleveland mayor warns of layoffs, cuts if income tax hike isn’t approved
Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson is threatening mass layoffs of city workers and cuts in services if voters don’t approve a proposed half-percent income tax hike. Cleveland’s 2 percent income tax has been in place since 1981. Jackson wants to raise it to 2.5 percent. Cleveland.com reports that Jackson blames the budget shortfall on deep cuts in state funding during the Kasich administration. He says an income tax hike would generate an extra $83 million for the city. Jackson wants to put the issue before voters either in November or next March.

Akron task force discusses way to manage city and cut costs, warns of looming tax hike
A task force appointed by Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan has focused on ways to manage the city better and cut costs, but is also warning that a hike in the income tax may be in Akron’s future. In its report released Monday, the committee told Horrigan he may “need to explore increasing the city’s income tax rate.” But it strongly recommended that the city look first at savings and other incremental ways to raise revenue. The report noted that Akron – and other cities – have struggled since the state cut the tangible property tax, inheritance tax and local government funds. It also says Akron has high retirement costs and debt.

Stark County train derailment forces the evacuation of Brewster residents
Fire officials say a train derailed and burst into flames in Stark County. It happened around 6 p.m. Monday in the village of Brewster. The fire chief says between 300 and 500 residents living within a half mile of the scene that were asked to leave have since been allowed to return. No injuries were reported. Firefighters say it took about three hours to contain the fire, which officials say involved a butane tank. Officials say the cause of the derailment is unknown. Brewster police say there is no serious threat to anyone and that hazmat and environmental protection agency crews are at the scene.

Cuyahoga prosecutor wants Ohio AG to present deadly use-of-force cases to grand juries
Cuyahoga County’s prosecutor wants the Ohio Legislature to amend state laws to allow the Ohio attorney general to present deadly police use-of-force cases to grand juries. Tim McGinty has sent a letter to members of the Legislature that also seeks a new law that would require independent law enforcement agencies to investigate deadly use of force cases, calling it a "best practice" used in other states. McGinty came under fire in recent months for his office's handling of an investigation and grand jury presentation in the fatal Cleveland police shooting of 12-year-old Tamir Rice. A grand jury in December declined to indict the officer.

Cleveland man injured in Greyhound bus accident awarded $27 million
A jury in Ohio has awarded $27 million to a Cleveland man who was badly injured in a Greyhound bus accident on a Pennsylvania interstate. Mark Soberay lost a leg and needed more than 30 surgeries after the crash on I-80 in 2013. Investigators say the driver fell asleep and rear-ended a semitrailer. Greyhound attorneys say an appeal is planned.

Split decision on Groundhog Day
Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania declared spring will be coming early! He did not see his shadow this morning, predicting an early spring....In Marion Ohio, meanwhile, Buckeye Chuck saw his shadow, so he says we're in store for six more weeks of winter!