Bomb Threat & Government Shutdown: Top News Around Northeast Ohio Patches

Here are some headlines from Patch sites around the region:

Bomb Threat Closes Strongsville Schools

Students at Strongsville High School were evacuated Monday morning by a bomb threat.

Officials and students say the threat came in the form of graffiti painted on the building, rather than a phone call. School officials set off a fire alarm to get the building evacuated.

Police Chief Jim Kobak said police were called at 7:13 a.m., when the "menacing graffiti" spray painted on the front of the high school was noticed.

Government Shutdown Closes Cuyahoga Valley National Park

The Cuyahoga Valley National Park is one of 400 park sites across the country closing the gates during the government shutdown.

That means that the folks who are camping in the park need to figure out new travel arrangements by 6 p.m. Oct. 3.

Showdown at City Hall Over Grace Avenue Concerns

Truck traffic from the nearby Discount Drug Mart seems to be a lingering issue for a several residents on Grace Avenue.

More than two-dozen of them showed up to the Lakewood City Council meeting on Monday to share their concerns.

Former Saucy Bistro, Parallax General Manager is New Owner…

The former general manager of Saucy Bistro and Tremont's Parallax is the new owner of Grilled Café in Avon Lake.

The restaurant in The Landings has gone through a number of owners since its inception, but its new owner, Steven Bader, is taking a different approach.

Bader opened the doors to the slightly renamed “Grilled Café” in mid-August with a simpler, healthier menu and a redecorated interior.

$1,300 Annual Water Surcharge for Westlake Residents Is New…

If Westlake opts to follow through with changing its water supplier from Cleveland to Avon Lake, Westlake’s residents could be slapped with a hefty surcharge.

The city of Cleveland, however, said on Monday that if Westlake goes through, it will take measures to recuperate $39.8 billion it is saying it spent in costs to improve service to Westlake.

New Senior Housing Taking Lease Applications this Month

A new, more than $11 million senior housing project under construction in Kent starts accepting lease applications for the more than 60 apartment units this month.

Metro Parks Open, Not Part of Shutdown

The shutdown of the federal government has not affected access to the 14 parks and 125 miles of trails managed by Metro Parks, Serving Summit County.

The park district is funded by a 1.46-mill Summit County real-estate tax.

Bernie Kosar Refused Breathalyzer, Blamed Football Injuries for Failed Test

Former Cleveland Browns Bernie Kosar quarterback refused a breathalyzer test when he was pulled over for speeding on Sunday, Sept. 29, according to Solon Police.

When asked by the officer who pulled him over to take the portable breath test he replied that he was told "never to take those," according to the report.

Kosar was pulled over for going 74 MPH in a 50 MPH zone. When the officer asked for his license, he handed him two credit cards with his name on them. When asked again, he pointed at the cards as though he already supplied them.

Kosar tried to recite the alphabet from "E" to "W." He responded: E, F, G, P, L, M, N, O, Q and "from there it trailed on with more letters that were not correct and ended at X," according to the police report.

The officer asked Kosar if he had any problems that would prevent him from taking a field sobriety test. Kosar said he had many surgeries on his knees and ankles because he had a "line that couldn't block."

Kosar was charged with drunken driving after he was stopped for speeding on Sunday, Sept. 29 around 2:45 a.m. on US 422 in Solon.

Two Bucks' Mayfield Location Becoming Known for Food As Much As Drinks

Following openings in Avon, Parma, Middleburg Heights and North Olmsted, the staff had to go out of its way to remind the public that the place had an affordable food menu to accompany those spirits. That hasn't been the case in Mayfield Heights, human resources manager and spokeswoman Kas Firdman said.

"I don't even know why, honestly," she said. "We never advertised as a restaurant, only as a bar because it's easier to attract customers with inexpensive drinks than food."

Still, the lunch crowd has been a hit at the place known for a menu with several food and drink options for $2 to $9. Patrons have been enjoying sliders for $2, wings for $5 and wraps for $5 or $6.

Government Shutdown Closes James A. Garfield Site

The James A. Garfield National Historic Site in Mentor will remain closed as long as it takes legislators to get the government out of the first shutdown since the winter of 1995-96.