The iOpener: Driver Returns to Scene of River Crash; GM to Idle Lordstown Two Days Early

Good morning, iOpeners. Bundle up. It's going to be cold out there on this Tuesday, March 5, 2019. 

The driver of an SUV that plunged into the Cuyahoga River early Monday in the Flats returned to the scene later to tell authorities that no one else was in the car when it went into the water.  He told them he went home after crashing his car into the river just north of the Center Street Swing Bridge.  Fire department crews searched for most of the day for the car and possible victims.  A video shared on Instagram shows the partially submerged car in the river and a man who may or may not be the driver climbing up a ladder out of the water.  Cleveland police say the unidentified man will likely face traffic offenses and possible criminal charges. 

Production of the Chevrolet Cruze will end at General Motors’ plant in Lordstown tomorrow, instead of Friday, as previously expected.  The closure will affect about 1,400 employees.  The UAW has sued to keep Lordstown and two other plants open until the current labor contract expires this September. 

Mike DeWine makes his first state of the state address today as governor.  He says he’s going to talk about the issues he raised during his campaign, including early childhood development and ending the opioid crisis.  DeWine is also likley to discuss his proposal to raise the state's gasoline tax by 18 cents per gallon to finance bridge and road repair.  Hear the speech live at noon on 90.3 WCPN or watch it here on ideastream.org.

A new study by the Fair Housing Center for Rights and Research found 36 percent of Cuyahoga County landlords discriminated against domestic violence survivors, refusing to show them apartments, asking for higher utility payments or requiring more extensive background checks.  Their survey of 30 survivors found 13 percent reported being evicted after domestic violence calls; 17 percent became homeless. Eight cities in Cuyahoga County have ordinances that include domestic violence as a “nuisance activity,” which can lead to evictions.

Weather forecast: Cold today, snow showers likely after 1:00 p.m.  High 19.  A 10 to16 mph west wind will give us wind chill values as low as -5.  Tonight, mostly cloudy, low 12.