⚾ Transgender Teen Sports Plea + Pickle Empire Grows + Scuba Death
The only transgender teen playing a varsity sport in Ohio has something to share with us. One, she’s not a great softball player. Two, the state shouldn’t pass a law to ban her and other kids who have no discernible physical advantage from playing sports.
What else do we need to know today?
- Cleveland pickles should rule the world ?
- Price of gas went up again ⛽
- A “glass house” in downtown Cleveland is selling for $2 million
- Shooters on the Water is having a luau Saturday
- We’ve got Dad’s Day gifts for you
?️ Weather: Partly sunny, warm and (yucky) humid. High: 78, Low: 74
How Many Transgender Teens Play Varsity Sports In Ohio? Just One
The only transgender teen playing a varsity sport in Ohio rarely gets on the field — because she’s not that good. Her school doesn’t have enough players to field a junior varsity softball squad, either. And now, state lawmakers frothing for a “get tough on the transgenders” law may end her playing days before they’ve begun. Her name is Ember and reporters have agreed not to share her last name, hometown or Northeast Ohio school. She’s 17.
- Says Ember: “I’m not some big, strong, six-foot guy pretending to be a girl here, and taking over softball teams and winning championships. Like, I barely even get to play because I’m not great.”
- Ember followed all the Ohio High School Sports Athletic Association rules for transgender students. She provided comparative information about her weight and height to prove she didn’t enjoy an unfair physical advantage. And she proved she had undergone one year of transition-related hormone treatment.
- How many other transgender athletes are there in the Buckeye State? There’s Ember and five middle schoolers. Says her mom, Minna: “Even if none of these bills pass, the very fact that these have been introduced — not just introduced but actually discussed and brought up repeatedly and thoroughly considered — sends the message that transgender and even LGBTQ people are not welcome here.”
2) Cleveland Kitchen, formerly known as Cleveland Kraut (how could you give up that name!!!), has bought a California pickle company for $19 million. Sonoma Brinery (let’s change that name to something more Clevelandish) has 50 employees and is based in Healdsburg, California. This gives Cleveland Kitchen reach on the West Coast. The company landed in spot 341 on Inc.’s list of the country’s fastest growing companies last year.
3) A Reynoldsburg, Ohio, man died after scuba diving in the deepest part of Lake Erie on Saturday, about 15 miles off the coastline of New York. Tyler Cullinan and friends were exploring a shipwreck. He lost consciousness under water and died at a hospital. He became distressed at a depth of 190 feet.
4) As of Monday, gasoline prices have gone up more than $2 from one year ago. Within the last week, a gallon of gas went up 18.7 cents in Cleveland and 20.9 cents in Akron, reports GasBuddy. Gas now averages $5.04 per gallon in Cleveland. If you can find a cheaper gallon right now, buy it.
5) Greater Cleveland’s April unemployment rate of 5.4 percent is the highest in the United States for metro regions with more than 1 million people. Greater Cleveland encompasses Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain and Medina counties. Over the last year, unemployment dropped by more than half a percent in the region — the smallest decrease among major metro areas.
Featured Real Estate
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Recent Greater Cleveland Home Listings
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5 Headlines You Need To See
- 2 more women to file lawsuits against Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson, reports say (Cleveland 19 News)
- Two more Greater Cleveland Starbucks get OK for a union election (cleveland.com)
- Bonds set at $1 million each for 3 men accused in the slaying of Ethan Liming (cleveland.com)
- Cleveland’s recycling program kicks off amidst confusion over enrollment (Cleveland 19 News)
- Pharmacies argue they should pay far less for opioid epidemic than Lake, Trumbull counties are asking (cleveland.com)
3 Things To Do
- MetroHealth’s Juneteenth Freedom Festival is this Saturday, June 18, at noon on Mall C. Festivities end at 10 p.m. Festivities will include a vendor village to spotlight Black businesses and entrepreneurs; community programming and education, spoken-word performances, interactive art demonstrations, food trucks, and beverage concessions. More info here
- Shooters 35th Anniversary: West Bank Waikiki Luau is happening Saturday, June 18, from 1 to 4 p.m. You get a Hawaiian fire show, frozen drinks and dancing with Pacific Paradise. More info here
- Spyro Gyra is an American jazz fusion band. They will play with Hiroshima and Roy Ayers at the Legends of Jazz, Cain Park in Cleveland Heights, on Saturday, June 18, at 5 p.m. Tickets start at $65. Ticket info here
Get Dad Something Nice For Father’s Day
Show Dad how much he means to you this Father’s Day with thoughtful gifts such as Apple watches, Nespresso coffee makers, Crocs, this classic ball cap, and more. Check out our gift guide
Social Notes
- #MobleyMonday: award edition ? Congratulations to @evanmobley4 on officially receiving his NBA All-Rookie First Team trophy! (Cleveland Cavaliers via Instagram)
- The Cavs promote Greg Buckner to Associate Head Coach. (Cleveland Cavaliers via Instagram)
- Here is this week’s adoption update! Congratulations to Hooley, Ashton, Cicely, Hawkins, Garfunkel, Freya, Mango, Webber, Milo and Gonzo for finding their homes this week! Thanks so much to the adopters for choosing a CITY DOG! (City Dogs Cleveland via Facebook)
- Cleveland pools are open! This weekend, Mayor Justin M. Bibb officially opened pools for the summer, check out the indoor/outdoor schedule online and swim safely!” (City of Cleveland – City Hall via Facebook)
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Read More: ⚾ Transgender Teen Sports Plea + Pickle Empire Grows + Scuba Death