Cincinnati Edition

The global pandemic of coronavirus/COVID-19 is requiring response from all levels of government, which has come with both compliments and some public disagreements.

Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley told Cincinnati Edition on Wednesday that vital city services are remaining operational during the coronavirus pandemic.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine ordered fitness centers and gyms to close on Monday, but the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati was already taking steps over the weekend. YMCA President and CEO Jorge Perez announced a plan to close fitness centers in an effort to help working families and hospital workers.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear is asking daycare centers statewide to close by Friday. The governor said there will be exceptions for healthcare workers and first responders. Beshear says the state is preparing plan to offer child care for healthcare workers, but has not shared details of that plan.

Late Monday night, Ohio Gov. Mike Dewine announced that polls would be closed as a "health emergency" because of concerns about the coronavirus.

On Tuesday, UC Health opened a new drive-through screening and testing clinic on its Clifton campus. Testing for the coronavirus will be available by appointment by a doctor's order or by calling ahead.

Four cases of the COVID-19 are now confirmed in Cincinnati. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced on Thursday that schools will be closed for three weeks beginning Monday. The move comes as local health departments work to prevent its spread. Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley issued a state of emergency on Wednesday.

Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and the City of Cincinnati are under states of emergency because of the coronavirus. Many people have questions about what it all means, and what is being done to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Two Democratic candidates are looking to unseat Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters in the fall. Former federal prosecutor Gabe Davis announced his candidacy in June and former Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge Fanon Rucker joined the race in October.

Cincinnati Edition speaks with Sheriff Jim Neil and challenger Charmaine McGuffey about their backgrounds, qualifications and priorities for the position of Hamilton County sheriff. They will face off against each other in the Democratic primary for the office on March 17.

Three women are vying to represent the Democratic Party in November's Hamilton County Commission race, hoping to claim the seat previously held by fellow Democrat Todd Portune, who died in January.

Two Democratic candidates want to challenge Republican Steve Chabot in November. Nikki Foster and Kate Schroder will face off in the March 17 primary for the First Congressional District, which covers western Hamilton County and all of Warren County. The two candidates agree on many issues.

Prohibition took away legal alcohol in America, but brought with it opportunity for clever criminals, including George Remus, who built his bourbon empire with feet on both sides of the Ohio River. He lived in a grand mansion in Price Hill, and later died in the care of a nurse in Covington.

Tamaya Dennard is now a former member of Cincinnati City Council, stepping down this week three-fourths of the way through her first term, amid federal charges that allege the political rookie engaged in the sale of votes.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Health are holding a summit with local health officials to discuss coronavirus preparedness. This comes as the state is monitoring 212 recent travelers for possible symptoms of COVID-19 and one person is under investigation for the possible illness.