In the first weekend of the summer, 12 people were shot in Cleveland. On a hot Saturday night in June, chaos reigned at Edgewater Park, when 16 people sprayed nearly 40 shots that terrorized beachgoers. On July 4, a young Cleveland police officer was gunned down attempting to serve a warrant, and hours later, a 10-year-old girl was fatally shot. While statistics show that crime this year is down, violent crime has spiked this summer. From June 1 to July 16, 18 people have been killed in Cleveland, according to police records. That’s one killing every two-and-a-half days. So how are authorities addressing the surge of violence? Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine again has sent state troopers to work with Cleveland police officers on concentrated enforcement issues. The State Highway Patrol is conducting foot patrols, traffic enforcement and investigations in high-crime areas. And Cleveland police are focusing on hot spots. Let’s hope cooler weather and cooler heads prevail. — Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Sunny and dry this weekend |
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A series of shocking crimes have rocked Cleveland, despite a year of relatively low crime rates. (cleveland.com file photo) |
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Summer violence: In the first weekend of the summer, 12 people were shot in neighborhoods across Cleveland. Crime rates in the city and other communities have declined through the first part of 2024 compared to previous years, records show, but crime has jumped in recent weeks. Lucas Daprile reports that from June 1 to July 16, 18 people have been killed in Cleveland, according to police records. One of Cleveland’s tactics, a more traditional approach to crime, is known as “hotspot policing.” Since the department still has hundreds of vacancies, police are opting to target areas with high crime rates. Marijuana: As Ohio moves toward recreational marijuana sales, school principals are concerned about increased usage among students, according to recent research from Ohio State University. The research comes as the Ohio Department of Cannabis Control reviews applications for dispensaries, growers, processors and testing labs to begin to sell to adults aged 21 and older, reports Laura Hancock. |
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JD Vance: Donald Trump's vice presidential running mate reassured social conservatives that the GOP presidential candidate is on their side, telling a Faith and Freedom Coalition breakfast that they’ll always have a seat at his political table. The party platform that Republicans approved this year removed a national abortion ban from the party’s platform for the first time in 40 years, reports Sabrina Eaton. Speaking of Vance, if Donald Trump should be elected again, Andrew Tobias reports that Gov. Mike DeWine, who is also serving as a delegate at the convention, is already hearing from individuals with suggestions for Vance’s successor. Voting machines: In Stark County, a fight over Dominion voting machines and the 2020 election never left. Jake Zuckerman breaks down an ongoing case in Stark County which is being sent back to trial to deal with vestiges of the vaguely defined election conspiracy theories that marred the last one. |
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CMHA: Cleveland City Council is demanding answers after learning the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority failed for years to consistently abide by federal lead rules. Courtney Astolfi reports Council will hold a joint meeting of its health and development committees on July 31 to get to the bottom of findings from HUD’s inspector general, which released an alarming report on Tuesday outlining numerous problems with CMHA’s lead practices. Drought conditions: While drought conditions remain unchanged in Northeast Ohio despite recent rains, conditions in parts of southern Ohio have worsened, transitioning from a moderate drought to a severe drought, reports Zachary Smith. More than 8% of Ohio is now in a severe drought, while 24% is still in a moderate drought, including Cuyahoga County and much of Greater Cleveland. Board of Elections: Cuyahoga County’s Board of Elections has launched a campaign to combat voter-fraud misinformation ahead of this fall’s presidential election. Kaitlin Durbin reports the nine-part series kicked off Monday with a three-minute explainer on security measures in the voter registration process and is in response to concerns about election security and voting methods. |
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Mortgage rates: Mortgage rates on average are the lowest they've been since mid-March, reports Sean McDonnell. The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage was 6.77% Thursday, according to Freddie Mac, a government-sponsored home-loan agency, down from 6.89% last week. Rates on a 15-year fixed mortgage were 6.05%, down from 6.17%. COVID-19: The Ohio Department of Health on Thursday reported 3,896 new cases in the past week, marking the seventh consecutive week of increasing case numbers. This compares to just 890 cases reported on May 30 and more than double the 1,678 cases during the third week in July last year. Julie Washington reports new variants of Omicron are responsible for pushing numbers up. In addition, updated, one-shot COVID-19 vaccines will be available from Moderna, Novavax, and Pfizer later this year. Niche shop: BB FOLK, a modern mercantile shop on Cleveland’s West Side, is hoping to provide a niche to the community retail market by stocking brands you likely can’t find anywhere else. Apparel, personal-care items, gifts, pet essentials, pantry items and beyond are available inside the charming shop. Lauren Rankin opened the store in December after looking to find a more fulfilling career path, writes Alex Darus. |
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Officer shooting: A woman attacked the Medina County sheriff and a deputy with a replica gun and a knife Wednesday before one of the officers shot and killed her, police said. The shooting happened after Victoria Carter, 37, of Lafayette Township parked a car on the sidewalk in front of the sheriff’s department just after 6 p.m., Lucas Daprile reports. Murder suspect: Dshawn Anderson, who was recently indicted on murder charges, was the subject of eight domestic violence-related complaints in the months leading up to the slaying, authorities say. The Euclid man pleaded not guilty to the June 18 killing of Dontez Lilly. Prosecutors say Anderson shot the 38-year-old in the chest following an argument in Cleveland's Brooklyn Centre neighborhood, reports John Tucker. Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge Sherrie Miday set his bond at $1 million. Man sues city, county: Michael Buehner, who spent 20 years in prison for a murder he didn't commit, filed a federal lawsuit on Thursday against Cleveland police and the Cuyahoga County prosecutor's office, reports Adam Ferrise. The Lorain man said police “framed” him for a deadly 2001 shooting and also accused county prosecutors of misconduct, saying the office should have dropped charges against him instead of pursuing a second trial in 2023 that ended in his acquittal. Parma jail: Parma will pay $50,000 to the mother and young children of a man who died by suicide while he was being held in the city’s jail after his 2022 arrest. The estate of Kevin Lowman agreed not to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against the city as part of the settlement that City Council approved on Monday, reports Cory Shaffer. The total amount of the settlement is $90,000, with the city’s insurance company paying $40,000. Teen arrested: A 14-year-old boy was arrested Wednesday after the driver of a stolen vehicle led Bratenahl police officers on a chase that ended in a crash, authorities say. Four people bolted from the vehicle after the wreck, authorities said. Police said they arrested the 14-year-old boy at the scene. It is unclear whether he was the driver, reports Olivia Mitchell. |
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BorderLight Theater Festival: Modeled after the famous Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland, the event features four international touring productions, 43 self-produced fringe shows and eight workshops spread across more than a dozen venues in Playhouse Square in Cleveland. The fourth annual festival opens on Wednesday and runs through July 27, reports Joey Morona. Alanis Morissette: The “Triple Moons” tour stopped at Blossom Music Center on Wednesday and in front of a juiced up and ready-to-reminisce crowd, Malcolm X Abram reports. Morissette and her quintet dipped deep into her most influential album, performing bits or all of 10 songs from “Jagged Little Pill,” alongside other hits and a few newer songs. Ask Yadi: Yadi Rodriguez offers advice for someone whose boyfriend has an addiction to his video games. Christmas in July: Next week marks the halfway point to Christmas. Marc Bona breaks down special events that are taking place as well as several places that embrace Christmas in July throughout Greater Cleveland. Artist-in-Residence: Singer-songwriter Karina Eleni, one of the 2024 Rock Hall artists-in-residence, has returned to her ancestral home to share her music with the world and hang out with family. Malcolm X Abram reports Karina Eleni has deep Northeast Ohio connections, courtesy of actress mom Melina Kanakaredes. Cedar Point: Cedar Point kicks off a new signature summertime event this weekend, Boardwalk Nights, with entertainment, games, food, dancing and more fun. Susan Glaser reports the event runs 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. every evening beginning today and continuing through Aug. 18, excluding Tuesdays, in the park’s new Boardwalk area and along the mile-long Lake Erie beach. |
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Akron court offering Summit County fugitives rare safe surrender option next month Read more Medina seeks grant to fund cemetery lake leak Read more Beachwood Police Chief McLaughlin to retire in September Read more Brunswick responds to third water main break this month on Center Road Read more 2024 Pan Ohio Hope Ride to kick off statewide journey at John Carroll University Read more |
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