Is the COVID-19 surge over in Northeast Ohio? The Wake Up for Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022

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Conditions will be colder today, with highs only reaching about 20 degrees. Light snow is possible. It will be cloudy and very cold overnight. Read more.

Local scores: Chicago Bulls 117, Cavs 104

COVID peak: The COVID-19 omicron surge appears to be over in Northeast Ohio, reports Julie Washington. In the 18 counties in the two hospital regions that include Cleveland and Akron, the number of COVID-19 patients is down 24% in the past week, while dropping just 1% in the rest of the state. The decrease has even been stronger within the five-county region that involves Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain and Ashtabula counties.

TransDigm: Cleveland-based aerospace parts company TransDigm Group Inc. spent hours answering questions from a U.S. House committee Wednesday, accused of overcharging the Pentagon for spare parts. Democrats say TransDigm should repay the government for nearly $21 million in overcharges, while Republicans say the company complied with the law, reports Sabrina Eaton.

Hospitality solutions: Happy Dog co-owner Sean Watterson is consulting with the Fund for Our Economic Future on COVID-related restaurant and hospitality industry recovery efforts for a year, aiming to identify short- and long-term solutions to attract, retain and promote workers. Marc Bona reports that staffing issues have become critical in the hospitality industry, with many restaurants being forced to shorten hours or close certain days of the week because of worker shortages.

Companies in the past year have made known their intentions to bring large manufacturing operations to areas near Toledo and Columbus. Why hasn’t Northeast Ohio gotten a new factory? We’re talking about what’s needed on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast.

Otto Warmbier: A federal judge awarded the parents of Otto Warmbier, a Cincinnati college student who was imprisoned in North Korea and later died, $240,330.41 plus interest. Laura Hancock reports the government seized the money from Korea Kwangson Banking Corp, an agency of the North Korean regime.

Ryan fundraiser: Rep. Tim Ryan, a Niles-area Democrat running for Senate, is hosting a high-dollar fundraiser with former presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton, who lost the state handily in 2016. The cost to attend the Jan. 31 fundraiser starts at $2,900 for individuals, with prices going all the way up to $20,800 at the “co-chair” level, Seth Richardson reports.

Great Lakes project: Two U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects that are critical to the Great Lakes’ environmental and economic vitality will get $742 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, reports Sabrina Eaton. About $516 million will improve the Soo Locks in Michigan, which allow ships to access Lake Superior, and $226 million will go to the Brandon Road Lock and Dam in Illinois to protect the lakes from invasive Asian Carp.

High-speed internet: Residents of Cleveland’s Central neighborhood can start accessing high-speed internet this month as part of an initiative to increase broadband services in Cuyahoga County. Phase one of the “Central Neighborhood Surge” began over the weekend, connecting 300 households, reports Kaitlin Durbin. Another 200 households will be brought online in April.

Food bank: The Greater Cleveland Food Bank has canceled a food distribution scheduled for today at the city of Cleveland’s Muni Lot due to expected extreme cold weather. Alexis Oatman reports temperatures are forecasted to be below 20 degrees with wind chills that could make it feel below 10 degrees.

Alzheimer’s study: A landmark Cleveland Clinic brain study – the largest clinical study ever for brain disease – will follow as many as 20,000 participants over 20 years to learn how to predict who is going to develop a neurological disease before its symptoms become obvious, and identify treatments to prevent or stop the disease. Julie Washington reports the study will expand to involve physicians and scientists from across the Clinic’s global health system.

Air Force: A team of 20 U.S. Air Force medical personnel arrived at the Cleveland Clinic on Wednesday morning to assist with the health system’s coronavirus response. Kaylee Remington reports the group includes nurses, doctors and respiratory therapists.

Daily cases: The state of Ohio on Wednesday reported 20,483 new cases of COVID-19. Except for a handful of days, the number of new cases has stayed above 19,000 since late December, reports Julie Washington.

Fraud scheme: Authorities say a Euclid resident took part in a scheme that targeted elderly residents by persuading them that they had won a lottery or sweepstakes. A federal indictment unsealed Monday charges Javon Spencer, 30, with two counts of conspiracy and three counts of mail fraud, reports John Caniglia.

Ice Fest: Ice Fest, North Coast Harbor’s family-friendly winter celebration, has been rescheduled to take place today. Anne Nickoloff reports the event was canceled on Monday because of the winter storm.

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Solon council accepts proposal to renovate interior of Bull home Read more

Independence Local Schools lifts mask mandate, recognizes board members Read more

University Heights voters likely to be asked in May to decide two charter change questions Read more

Parma Heights Mayor Gallo appoints new directors Read more

Parma seeks grant funds to cover Ridgewood Golf Course clubhouse demolition Read more

Seven Hills retains Sweeping Corp. of America national headquarters with $118,750 income tax rebate Read more

Seven Hills rescinds mask mandate at community recreation center Read more

Fairview Park to purchase new $527,000 sewer jet vehicle Read more