Ray R. Lautenschlager, president of Ohio Family Rights and a prominent family law reform advocate, died at home Feb. 9, according to friends and colleagues. Supporters say he was a relentless voice for parental rights and helped families navigate difficult custody battles. Online memorials are scheduled for Feb. 19 and Feb. 26.

More than 120 ice sculptures will take over Medina Square and the South Town district as the 32nd Annual Medina Ice Festival returns Feb. 20-23, 2026. Speed-carving rounds begin Friday evening, followed by individual and team carving competitions Saturday and Sunday. Organizers say the free event offers a full weekend of winter art if temperatures hold.

Cleveland artists have one week left to submit qualifications for a major asphalt art installation in the Gateway District, turning 20,000 square feet of downtown pavement into a permanent outdoor gallery. Backed by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the project aims to boost walkability and create a new visual landmark near Progressive Field and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

Subway is retiring its “Fourth Footlong Free” reward and switching fully to a points-based system. Under updated Sub Club terms taking effect April 1, 2026, any accumulated stamps toward a free sandwich will be forfeited, resetting progress for customers who have not yet earned a free footlong coupon. Here is what the changes mean for rewards and redemption rules.

President Donald Trump and the EPA have rescinded the 2009 Endangerment Finding that underpinned federal limits on greenhouse gas emissions. The administration says the move will cut costs and save the economy $1.3 trillion, while health and environmental advocates warn it could worsen air quality and respiratory illness. Legal experts expect years of litigation.

A Beachwood startup has launched an autonomous property-maintenance system designed for Northeast Ohio’s extremes, from thick summer grass to lake-effect snow. Lawncare Robotics says it is focused on residents 50 and older, aiming to reduce the risks of falls and cardiac events tied to driveway clearing. Rollouts are expected to start in the greater Cleveland area.

A growing petition drive is pushing back on a proposal to turn Brook Park’s historic IX Center into a large-scale AI data center. Organizers cite worries about power and water use, potential noise and utility price increases, and the loss of a major regional venue. City leaders face mounting pressure as land-use talks continue.

Attorney General Pam Bondi told the House Judiciary Committee that active investigations into the Jeffrey Epstein case are still underway, challenging earlier signals that the probe had stalled. Lawmakers pressed for answers on why more associates have not been charged, as survivors in the room said they have offered evidence and interviews but were never contacted by the Justice Department.

A sold-out McNugget “caviar” kit, a Matchbox car that fetched more than $30,000, and a 90-year-old teacher setting a Guinness record were among the stories featured on “What in the World,” a podcast produced by NewClevelandRadio.net with Cleveland 13 News WCTU. The episode also touched on Rome art controversy, England’s cheese rolling and rising “wellness drinks” in Cleveland.

University Hospitals has been awarded the International Cardio-Oncology Society’s Gold Status Center of Excellence designation for 2025-2028, recognizing its work treating cancer patients whose therapies can cause heart complications. The announcement highlights Shaker Heights resident Mia Pruzin’s treatment for Stage 3 Hodgkin lymphoma while pregnant and the program’s multidisciplinary approach.

Letter carriers across Northeast Ohio plan a Feb. 22 rally outside Akron’s West Market Post Office, citing contract concerns over pay for new hires, a staffing crunch and mandatory overtime. Union leaders also point to safety risks, including crimes targeting carriers and thefts of arrow keys, and are calling for stronger security measures.

Ohio officials warn of fraudulent postcards targeting residents on Medicare and Medicaid. The mailers use a MyCare-like name and promise up to $2,880 a year for groceries, OTC items and utilities, then direct recipients to call and share sensitive personal and banking information. Agencies say never respond to unsolicited benefit offers; report suspected fraud to 1-800-HHS-TIPS.

Bialy’s Bagels in University Heights is shutting down temporarily after an awning from an adjacent business fell and damaged the bakery’s gas lines, forcing the gas to be shut off. The shop said it will be closed Wednesday and could remain closed into Thursday depending on repairs. Updates will be posted on social media and the shop’s website.

Ohio is rolling out a first-of-its-kind Drone First Responder pilot, using “drone-in-a-box” technology to launch autonomous aircraft after emergency calls. The program aims to cut response times, stream real-time video to command centers and even deliver medical supplies. Flights are set to begin in spring 2026 as the state tests whether the system should expand statewide.

Police in North Olmsted say a 61-year-old man found dead in a residential driveway likely died in a tragic accident in which alcohol was a factor. Investigators believe he fell while trying to help another man who slipped and lost consciousness. Early concerns about an altercation have shifted as police say injuries appear consistent with a fall.

Ohio’s GoBus will double its footprint starting March 2, 2026, adding four new routes and 26 new stops across the state and into Pennsylvania. The expansion aims to better connect rural and underserved communities with major job centers, transit systems and Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, with fares expected to range from $5 to $40.

Valentine’s Day is more than a holiday at The City Mission. Laura’s Home Women’s Crisis Center marks 23 years since opening, and on Feb. 14, 2026, Rothstein Village will reach its one-year milestone. The transitional housing community helps families move from emergency shelter toward lasting independence, offering a bridge past the “cliff effect” that can derail recovery.

Ghislaine Maxwell appeared before the House Oversight Committee and repeatedly invoked her Fifth Amendment right to remain silent. Soon after, her attorney floated a dramatic offer: Maxwell would provide a full account of her activities and the individuals involved, but only if President Donald Trump commutes her sentence. The White House has not formally responded.

Monster Jam is set to take over Rocket Arena in Cleveland Feb. 13-15 with shows Friday night, two performances Saturday and a Sunday matinee. Pit Party access is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday mornings with an event ticket and Pit Party pass. A lineup released for the weekend includes Grave Digger, El Toro Loco, Megalodon and more, though organizers say it can change.

According to Frontier’s own email notifications sent to passengers, the first delays were attributed to a late-arriving aircraft. By mid-afternoon, that explanation changed. Beginning at 4:06 p.m., Frontier notified passengers that the flight was delayed to allow for aircraft maintenance. That reason was repeated in multiple subsequent updates, including messages sent at 5:01 p.m., 6:14 p.m., 6:16 p.m., and again at 7:11 p.m., with the departure time pushed later each time.