Cleveland news

• Sentencing deliberations to continue Friday for man convicted of killing Alianna DeFreeze

  22-02-2018 23:49
  CLEVELAND-- A Cuyahoga County jury will continue deliberating whether to recommend the death penalty for convicted killer Christopher Whitaker.
  Deliberations began around 3:15 p.m. on Thursday, following a second day of testimony in the sentencing phase of Whitaker's trial. Whitaker took the stand for the first time Thursday morning and apologized for his actions.
  The jury left Thursday evening without reaching a decision. They will return Friday morning to consider a recommendation for Whitake
  
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• Jury deliberates sentence for man convicted of killing 14-year-old Alianna DeFreeze

  22-02-2018 23:49
  CLEVELAND-- A Cuyahoga County jury is deliberating whether to recommend the death penalty for convicted killer Christopher Whitaker.
  Deliberations began around 3:15 p.m. on Thursday, following a second day of testimony in the sentencing phase of Whitaker's trial. Whitaker took the stand for the first time Thursday morning and apologized for his actions.
  Reading from a prepared statement for less than two minutes, Whitaker appeared unemotional.
  "I apologize to the family and community for my act
  
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• Shaker Heights man whose body was found ablaze in Cleveland driveway identified

  22-02-2018 23:44
  
  A man whose body was found burning outside in Cleveland has been identified as a Shaker Heights man, according to the medical examiner's office.
  
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• Akron man raped woman at gunpoint, police say

  22-02-2018 23:16
  
  Dylante Richardson, 21, is charged with rape and aggravated robbery. He was being held at the Summit County Jail on a $1 million bond.
  
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• North Randall police officer who died in crash was getting married in October, family says

  22-02-2018 22:57
  North Randall police officer Herschell Whitfield, 33, died in a one-car crash in Cleveland on Wednesday.
  
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• Dash cam video shows car roll into Cleveland garage at end of Middleburg Heights police chase

  22-02-2018 22:57
  
  Officers took a man into custody at the end of the chase that ended early Thursday on West 146th Street, police said.
  
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• University of Akron students begin digitizing, archiving 200K vintage postcards for searchable repository (photos)

  22-02-2018 22:55
  A University of Akron Digital Humanities English class is working to digitize and archive the first 1,000 in a 200,000 postcard collection donated by world-traveling psychologist David P. Campbell to the Drs. Nicholas and Dorothy Cummings Center for the History of Psychology.
  
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• Man charged in standoff with Westlake police

  22-02-2018 22:55
  
  James Lask, 32, was charged with obstructing official business following Tuesday's standoff with Westlake police.
  
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• Cuyahoga County releases documents connected with corruption subpoena

  22-02-2018 22:50
  
  Cuyahoga County government released a batch of public documents Thursday in response to requests cleveland.com filed after subpoenas in a corruption investigation became public last week. These documents relate to Hyland Software, one of several companies mentioned in a subpoena.
  
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• Maroon 5 to headline Pro Football Hall of Fame concert in August

  22-02-2018 22:29
  
  The "Concert for Legends" will close out the Enshrinement Festival which includes the Hall of Fame game between the Baltimore Ravens and Chicago Bears on Thursday, Aug. 2 as well as the parade and induction ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 4.
  
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• Calling all readers: Has Anthem denied paying for your ER visit?

  22-02-2018 22:26
  
  Anthem's new policy allows the insurer to deny claims for emergency visits it considers non-emergency.
  
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• Franklin County prosecutor to take over case of man fatally shot by Cleveland cop at Corner Alley

  22-02-2018 22:17
  
  The Franklin County prosecutor will take over the case of a Cleveland police officer who fatally shot a 21-year-old man at the Corner Alley bar in University Circle.
  
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• 5 DMK Burger Bar restaurants planned for Cleveland

  22-02-2018 22:08
  
  DMK Burger Bar is expanding to Cleveland. The company is planning five locations.
  
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• Another peek of spring-like weather ahead for Akron Friday: Weather forecast

  22-02-2018 22:00
  
  Check out Friday's weather forecast for Akron.
  
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• Jurors deliberate fate of Alianna DeFreeze's killer

  22-02-2018 21:45
  
  The fate of the man who kidnapped, raped and murdered 14-year-old Alianna DeFreeze last year now rests in the hands of 12 jurors who will decide whether he should be put to death.
  
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• Special prosecutor named for deadly police-involved shooting outside Cleveland bar

  22-02-2018 21:38
  CLEVELAND – A special prosecutor was appointed to investigate and prosecute matters into the police-involved shooting outside the Corner Alley bar in University Circle on Jan. 13.
  Cuyahoga County Administrative Judge John Russo approved the appointment Wednesday of Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney Ron O’Brien or any of his assistants.
  The Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the fatal shooting. Cleveland police said off-duty Police Sgt. Dean Graziolli shot and
  
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• Does the Florida student-led fight for gun control after school shooting stand a chance? Editorial Board Roundtable

  22-02-2018 21:35
  
  Days after students at a Parkland high school huddled in classroom closets to avoid a gunman, they are fighting to end mass shootings. The editorial board roundtable considers their daunting crusade in our gun-obsessed society.
  
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• Community Engagement Day: Reverse Ride-Along with Cleveland Police Cadets (photos)

  22-02-2018 21:15
  Cleveland police academy cadets meet the communities they will serve
  
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• Norton, Barberton officers justified in shootout at storage facility, prosecutor says

  22-02-2018 20:39
  
  A Norton officer and a Barberton officer acted appropriately when they shot and wounded David M. Havrilek on Oct. 3 at Barber Road Storage in Norton, Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh says
  
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• City of Brunswick sues drug companies over opioid epidemic

  22-02-2018 20:38
  
  The city of Brunswick joined hundreds of governments nationwide in filing suit against drug manufacturers and distributors related to the opioid crisis that has wreaked havoc on Northeast Ohio and the rest of the country.
  
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• How much money did your Ohio Congress member get from the NRA?

  22-02-2018 20:36
  
  Most money from the gun-rights group has gone to the state's Republican members of Congress, but a few Democrats have also collected its campaign donations.
  
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• Bill would bar Ohio medical marijuana grows during audit of state scoring process

  22-02-2018 20:28
  
  The Ohio Department of Commerce could not issue final certificates of operation to the 24 companies chosen to grow medical marijuana while the Ohio auditor's office completes its examination of the license application scoring process.
  
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• Reps. Tim Ryan, Ro Khanna bring venture capitalists to Akron to spur investment

  22-02-2018 20:15
  
  Reps. Tim Ryan D-Ohio and Ro Khanna, D-Ca.,brought a group of venture capitalists on a tour of Akron on Wednesday to spur investment and shed light on the area's entrepreneurial and business savvy.
  
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• Cuyahoga Community College offers free Saturday program on education

  22-02-2018 20:02
  
  Cuyahoga Community College promotes learning as a family activity at its Saturday Family Academy, which begins March 3.
  
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• Contractors topped requirements in Cleveland's Fannie Lewis Law, Mayor Frank Jackson would like to expand efforts

  22-02-2018 19:35
  
  A report by the city's Office of Equal Opportunity found that more than $232 million was paid to Clevelanders by companies covered by the law from 2013 through 2017. Clevelanders worked 24 percent of the hours, 4 percent more than the law requires.
  
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• Buildings at Cleveland VA sell for $160M to $170M, cutting ties tainted by corruption scandal

  22-02-2018 19:30
  
  The sellers were companies tied to Patricia Lawley, the ex-wife of former contractor and developer Michael Forlani, according to public records. Forlani is in federal prison and set for release in May 2019.
  
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• Open Table members speak out about the relationships that changed their lives (video)

  22-02-2018 19:03
  
  About 250 community members listened to young adults and volunteers who participated in Open Table, a model designed to lift individuals out of poverty.
  
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• Cleveland documentary filmmaker plans follow up to Netflix's 'Making a Murderer' that includes law enforcement's side

  22-02-2018 18:58
  
  Shawn Rech of Cleveland's Transition Studios has lined up financing and participation from key players in the state's case against Steven Avery and Brandon Dassey for what he's calling a broader perspective follow up to the Netflix hit "Making a Murderer."
  
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• Cleveland producer Jesty finds success in pop project Holy Mattress Money

  22-02-2018 18:35
  
  Cleveland pop project Holy Mattress Money released the "10K EP" on Feb. 12 after the success of its single "Blue Hundreds."
  
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• Businessman Tony George is winning bidder for historic Euclid Avenue church, at $489,500

  22-02-2018 18:35
  A partnership led by businessman Tony George hopes to transform the sanctuary of the historic First Methodist Church into a banquet facility, with offices tucked into a former school building behind it.
  
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• Talk It Out: How should social media threats of school violence be handled?

  22-02-2018 18:30
  
  Sometimes the threats are a teenage joke. Sometimes they're real and are quickly quashed. And sometimes the threats aren't found, or investigated, and tragedy strikes.
  
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• Social media complicates police job of telling if comments are ill-advised or legitimate threats

  22-02-2018 18:30
  How do police determine if a message a child posts on social media is an ill-advised comment or a legitimate threat?
  
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• Days of rain, warm-up ahead for Northeast Ohio this weekend: Weather forecast

  22-02-2018 18:10
  
  Check out the weekend weather forecast for Northeast Ohio.
  
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• Noodlecat brings creative, fresh dining options to Crocker Park (review, photos)

  22-02-2018 18:01
  Noodlecat's mission is" delivering fresh, good for you fast food."
  
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• Suspected Heartless Felons member sentenced to prison for multi-state cellphone store burglary ring

  22-02-2018 17:58
  
  A Cleveland man who federal prosecutors identified as a member of a Heartless Felons subset who organized a muliti-state burglary ring targeting cellphone stores in seven states was sentenced Thursday to 53 months in federal prison.
  
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• CBS News names Margaret Brennan as new moderator on 'Face the Nation'

  22-02-2018 17:58
  
  Brennan replaces John Dickerson, who left in January to join "CBS This Morning" after three years as moderator.
  
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• Kirk Herbstreit to replace Jon Gruden on ESPN's NFL Draft night coverage

  22-02-2018 17:24
  
  "Kirk is the preeminent college football analyst and he will be a great addition to our NFL Draft main set on opening night," said ESPN senior producer Seth Markman in a release. "ESPN's combined expertise in college football and the NFL is unmatched and we were particularly drawn to Kirk's insight into this year's highly-touted quarterback class as an opportunity to elevate our coverage."
  
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• Five Alliance High School students say plans for shooting were a joke, police say

  22-02-2018 17:17
  
  The 15-year-old students are charged with making false alarms in the Wednesday incident at the high school, police said in a news release.
  
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• Ohio casino commission rehired, promoted employee after 'dereliction of duty' guilty plea

  22-02-2018 17:14
  
  Ohio Casino Control Commission employee Rick Anthony was rehired and promoted despite pleading guilty to dereliction of duty in a past state job.
  
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• Aurelia restaurant to open in Chagrin Falls

  22-02-2018 17:12
  
  An American-style bistro, Aurelia, is planning to open in Chagrin Falls.
  
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• Convicted Cleveland rapist choked woman until she passed out, raped her, police say

  22-02-2018 16:45
  
  A Cleveland man is accused of raping a woman who he did not know until she passed out and then raping her, police say.
  
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• Novelist Claire McMillan from Pasadena chronicles local bluebloods: My Cleveland (photos)

  22-02-2018 16:30
  Claire McMillian is a Simon & Schuster novelist and the Cuyahoga County Public Library's current writer in residence. She married into the Stone-Mather clan and depicts Cleveland society.
  
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• Former Cleveland Clinic doctor who penned column questioning vaccines launches wellness practice

  22-02-2018 16:28
  
  Dr. Daniel Neides, former vice chairman of the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Institute, who came under criticism last year for writing a column that suggested a link between vaccines and autism, has opened a wellness practice in Beachwood.
  
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• Mayfield Heights family welcomes granddog to the fold: Send us your pet rescue stories

  22-02-2018 16:27
  
  MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio -- I would like to tell you the story of my son Matthew and his dog, Luey.  Lucky Luey has found his way from a Texas kill shelter to the New York City home of Matthew Wexler....
  
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• Alianna DeFreeze's killer apologizes to girl's family, community

  22-02-2018 16:12
  
  "If I could go back to that day in January I'd change everything, but I can't, so I have to live each day with the shame, hurt and guilt."
  
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• 'American Dreams' at Cleveland Public Theatre uses game-show format to put the immigration debate in our hands (review)

  22-02-2018 16:00
  
  "American Dreams" couldn't be more timely, as Congress debates the fate of some 700,000 Dreamers and how the country will treat legal immigrants and refugees.
  
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• Frank, the notorious Cuyahoga Falls wild turkey, has died

  22-02-2018 15:43
  
  Frank, the notorious turkey that captured locals' hearts, even while terrorizing pedestrians and motorists and, has died. The bird, whose home was near the intersection of State Road and Steels Corners in the Falls, had a robust following on Facebook's Cuyahoga Falls Talk of the Town, whose members named him "Frank."
  
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• Amy Poehler, 'Parks and Rec' team in Twitter tussle with NRA and its 'pro-slaughter agenda'

  22-02-2018 15:36
  
  The NBC sitcom "Parks and Recreation" was a show about the power of community and civic engagement that was created and run by outspoken gun lobby critic Michael Schur. It's arguably not the best show for the National Rifle Association to reference on its social media accounts. Yet that's exactly what the organization did late Wednesday evening.
  
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• Potbelly adding gyros to the menu: How you can get a free one

  22-02-2018 15:35
  
  Potbelly's version of the traditional greek sandwich is made with authentic Kronos gyro meat topped with feta cheese, a cucumber-based tzatziki sauce, onion and tomato on toasted flat bread.
  
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• Accelerate 2018 winner snags $5,000 in civic pitch competition

  22-02-2018 15:30
  
  Tory Coats won $5,000 at Accelerate 2018, getting one step closer to transforming his idea of giving young entrepreneurs opportunities to sell products out of underutilized storefronts and vacant lots in the inner city. Accelerate 2018: Citizens Make Change, is presented by Citizens Bank and the Cleveland Leadership Center.
  
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