Beware of bed bugs on secondhand items

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MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS -- They're creepy. They're crawly, and they're everywhere!

Bed bugs are such a big problem that Cuyahoga County created a task force to fight the tiny critters.

The task force is warning shoppers to take a close look at any secondhand items they've purchased at consignment shops.

If you've never seen one before, a full-grown bed bug gets no bigger than an apple seed.

Wanda Stewart is a bargain hunter. When she rummages through the racks, she's looking for a good deal without stains, rips or bed bugs.

"I also look up under the collar and look all through the furs, you know, because we don't want nothing lurking or hiding through the furs," said Stewart.

These disgusting creatures look a lot like a tick but act like a vampire. When they come out at night, they feed on human blood, leaving behind red bite marks.

"Bed bugs can happen to anyone. If you're living a breathing, that's a criteria that the bed bug needs to hone in on you," said Dr. Susan Jones, from Ohio State University.

The Cleveland Furniture Bank has yet to see a single bed bug on any of its donations, but the secondhand store isn't taking chances.

"We unload it here and inspect the mattresses again at the lower level to make sure there's nothing wrong with them," said Executive Director Tom Gaghan.

All mattresses and furniture are inspected, sprayed with a sanitizing solution, and marked with a red tag -- as required by Ohio law.

Clothing and Halloween costumes are inspected three times before they're put on the sales floor.

For customers like Wanda, that's a relief.  

"It brings me a lot of comfort, a lot of comfort, and I will be back," said Stewart.

Keep in mind that not all secondhand stores inspect clothing for bed bugs. They are not required by law to do so.

If you bought an item and are concerned about it, put it in the dryer on medium to high heat for a half hour.

Jones says bed bugs don't have a mechanism to withstand high temperatures.

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Police need help finding Great Lakes Brewery burglars

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CLEVELAND -- Police are looking for help finding the individuals involved in a burglary Monday at Great Lakes Brewery. 

Once inside, the group caused thousands of dollars in damage to the bar and brewery at 2516 Market Ave. and stole 500 feet of copper electrical cable.  

After the theft, the suspects fled the scene in an undetermined direction.    

The suspects are described as three individuals wearing hooded sweatshirts and dark-colored pants.  

After further investigation, the suspects were seen on security video Sunday conducting surveillance on the brewery.    

Anyone with information as to the identification or whereabouts of the suspects is asked to contact the Second District Detective Bureau at (216) 623-5218.  

Anonymous information can be given to Crime Stoppers by calling (216) 252.7463 or rext messaging: TIP657 plus your message to CRIMES (274637).

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Twinsburg native knocked out of NBC's 'The Voice'

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Twinsburg native Anthony Paul was knocked out of NBC's hit show "The Voice" Tuesday night.  

His version of the song "The Other Side" by Jason Derulo was not enough to stay alive. 

He had been eliminated two weeks ago before Aguilera "stole" him - keeping him the contest for a while longer. 

On Twitter Tuesday night Paul said:  "I cannot explain how grateful I am and I cannot do anything without the support of my amazing family, friends community and fans....."

On another tweet he says "first of all, in my opinion that was my worst performance ever, and the fact that I still have so much support is incredible."

His friends who sang with him at Twinsburg High School continue to sing his praises.

"We all know how talented he is, how hard of a worker he is, and we know he'll never give up on what he wants to do," says Twinsburg Junior Nicole Ostrowski.  "It will not be the end of Anthony Paul."

"I think he'll pursue his music career, and he should," says sophomore Alec Albright.  "Because it's his passion, he's so talented, and it'd be such a waste if he stopped it right there."

Indeed he remains on that track, Anthony Paul is back at college, studying music in suburban Chicago.

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Slideshow | Submit your Halloween pics

Our viewers have been sending pictures to us showing off their costumes, decorations and pumpkin carvings for Halloween 2013. Submit your own Halloween pics by uploading them below.

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Chagrin Falls | Pumpkin roll ends with arrests, injuries

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CHAGRIN FALLS -- The 46th annual pumpkin roll down Grove Hill is history.

It was one of the shortest rolls in recent history, as police shut it down after about 45 minutes due to the slipperiness of the hill, multiple arrests and a few injuries, they said.

There were seven arrests, all for underage drinking, according to police, and three citations issued for dumping debris on the roadway.

GUIDE | Local Halloween happenings

One adult fell on the slippery hill and was taken by the village fire department's rescue squad for treatment. A girl also sustained an abrasion to her head as well.

The roll started just before midnight Monday as Chagrin Falls High School juniors and seniors dumped the pumpkins they had collected from yards the past several weeks.

It ended just after 12:40 a.m. Tuesday.

The last person on the hill was a young man with a flashlight. He had lost his keys on one of his trips down the hill. He and a few police officers scoured the hill, looking for keys "with a Michigan lanyard," he told them.

Miraculously, after about 15 minutes, he found them.

Other than the smashed pumpkins, one homeowner whose house is halfway up the hill had some damage done to his newly poured concrete driveway. Although surrounded by a wooden snow fence, those sliding down the hill quickly veered off, striking the fence and toppling the fence onto the driveway's apron.

As roller after roller slide into that area, the homeowner pulled the fence down.

The point of the annual tradition is to gather pumpkins and then roll and smash them on the hill, that steep hill on Main Street at the north end of downtown Chagrin Falls.

It began as just rolling them and running away. It morphed over the years into smashing and rolling those pumpkins and then sliding down the hill in the pumpkin guts/slime left behind.

It all began in the fall of 1967 when members of the class of 1969 decided to gather 69 pumpkins and roll them down Grove Hill. Several members of the classes of 1970 and 1971 also helped gather pumpkins. One night around Halloween they drove to the top of Grove Hill, quickly dumped all the pumpkins, and drove off.

The number of pumpkins stacked atop the summit at the start of the roll has ranged from about 100 to an all-time high of 400 or so. The Class of 1979, however, says they collected 900 pumpkins.

Who cleans up?

Police cite the drivers who deliver the pumpkins to the top of the hill for "dumping debris on the roadway." Once the roll ends, the village's service department is called and bring out a front-end loader to scrape the debris from the roadway.

Rogue pumpkins that managed to roll all the way down the hill past Orange Street are gathered up by hand. Once all the pumpkin mess has been loaded into a dump truck, the hill will be hosed down and reopened.

Police will determine the cost of having the service department clean up the mess and then bill the drivers who delivered the pumpkins.

A collection is taken up among the students and given to the drivers to pay the bill.  

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Akron: Teacher on leave for alleged racist comments

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AKRON -- A Firestone High School teacher is on paid administrative leave while the Akron Public Schools investigate racist comments he allegedly put on his Facebook page.

Images of the alleged rant were shared among parents and WKYC viewers. One viewer emailed a screen capture image of the alleged comments to WKYC.

APS Spokesman Mark Williamson confirmed to Channel 3 News that David Spondike was put on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Parents and community members became outraged and reported a posting on Spondike's Facebook page that referred to African- American trick-or-treaters in his neighborhood by a racist slur, and the posting also said they come from the "ghetto."

Spondike's LinkedIn profile says he has been a teacher for the Akron Schools for 15 years.  He teaches music theory, music history and orchestra.

Just after 1 p.m., Akron schools released the following statement:

"Akron Public Schools has put a veteran music teacher on paid, administrative leave as it now conducts an investigation into postings he made on Facebook. Fifty-one-year-old David Spondike posted comments on his personal Facebook page last evening following a night of trick or treating by children visiting his neighborhood. He has been employed by APS since August of 1998.

"His comments were unprofessional and unbecoming a teacher," said Superintendent David W. James. "Regardless of whether he was on his own time and own account doing this, he is a teacher; and his actions influence children. This is serious."

Spondike's racially insensitive comments appeared to reflect his anger over the actions taken by young people trick or treating and, according to his Facebook writings, urinating on or near his property and in front of his children.

His comments have been removed and his account deleted. Spondike did offer this, after removing the comments and prior to deleting his account, saying he was sorry "to those who are sincerely offended." He added that his comments on Facebook were directed at the teen who exposed himself in front of young children.

Channel 3 also obtained his personnel file, which details several reprimands. In March of 2007, he was accused of choking a student at Goodyear Middle School. Police and children services cleared him, saying it was unsubstantiated.

In February of 2001, a fellow teacher complained Spondike reprimanded him for "not doing anything to a student with very baggy pants." Spondike apologized to the teacher. Also that month, Spondike spit on the floor because a student fell asleep in his class. He was reprimanded.

In December of 2000, Spondike threw a chair across the room and yelled an expletive at students who made him angry. He was reprimanded.

But repeatedly he receives glowing evaluations for his teaching and work with students.

The Akron Schools will hold a hearing on this case, and the Akron Education Association is also investigating.

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Fairport Harbor | Nothing found at school after bomb threat

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FAIRPORT HARBOR -- Classes will resume Tuesday after Harding Jr/Sr High School canceled classes today following a bomb threat.

Fairport Harbor Schools Superintendent Domenic Paolo confirmed that there was a bomb threat Monday morning.

A handwritten note was found on an outside door of the school with a bomb threat written on it.

Law enforcement officials searched the building and nothing was found.

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Family: Toddler injured by pit bull

CLEVELAND -- Cleveland Police are investigating after a toddler was injured when the family's pit bull bit her.

Police were called to the home on W. 81st and Madison Monday morning.

A family member tells WKYC that the dog bit the child in the face and latched on. The mother had to pry the dog's jaws off the toddler.

The child has been taken to the hospital.

The APL has taken custody of the dog pending the outcome of the investigation. The family member says a friend gave the dog to the family.

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Akron: Teacher on leave for alleged racist comments

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AKRON -- A Firestone High School teacher is on paid administrative leave while the Akron Public Schools investigate racist comments he allegedly put on his Facebook page.

Images of the alleged rant were shared among parents and WKYC viewers. One viewer emailed a screen capture image of the alleged comments to WKYC.

APS Spokesman Mark Williamson confirmed to Channel 3 News that Dr. David Spondike was put on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Parents and community members became outraged and reported a posting on David Spondike's Facebook page that referred to African- American trick-or-treaters in his neighborhood by a racist slur, and the posting also said they come from the "ghetto."

Spondike's Linked In profile says he has been a teacher for the Akron Schools for 15 years.  He teaches music theory, music history and orchestra.

Channel 3 will continue to follow this story.

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Cleveland weather: Increasing sun

After a breezy and cloudy Saturday, we will have less wind and more sun this Sunday. It still will be cool with temperatures in the upper 40s to 50 degrees.

Tonight will be a mostly clear night as high pressure settles in over the area. This area of high pressure will bring a mix of sun and clouds for the start of the work week.

Heading through the week, we will warm up, by Wednesday and Thursday back into the 60s, but rain chances move in as well.

Still, if you can, enjoy the weather and the rest of your weekend.

Sunday: Morning clouds, then afternoon sun. Cool. Upper 40s to 50 degrees. Wind: W 5-10 mph.

Sunday Night:  Partly Cloudy & Chilly.  Low: 36.  Wind: SW 5-10, gusts-20 mph.

Monday: Partly Cloudy & Milder.  High: 55.  Wind: West 5-10 mph.

Monday Night:  Mostly Cloudy & Cool.  Low: 36.  Wind: NE 5 mph.

Tuesday: Partly Sunny & Seasonable. High: 54.

Wednesday: Partly Sunny & Milder.  High: 60.

Thursday (HALLOWEEN):  Mostly Cloudy & Mild with a few scattered showers.  High: 66.

Friday: Rain Likely.  High: 60.

Saturday:  Partly Sunny & Cooler with a few left over Showers.  High: 52.

Get more weather info and connect with us on Twitter and Facebook!

WKYC Weather Warriors on Facebook or @wkycweather on Twitter

Betsy Kling: @BetsyKling on Twitter or Betsy's Facebook Page

Hollie Strano: @holliesmiles on Twitter or Hollie's Facebook Page

Marcus Walter: @MarcusDWalter on Twitter or Marcus's Facebook Page

Bruce Kalinowski on Bruce's Facebook Page

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Jim Donovan | 3 keys to Browns-Chiefs game

Jason Campbell. Photo by Mitch Stringer, USA Today Sports.

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The Cleveland Browns go up against the Kansas City Chiefs at 1 p.m. Sunday in Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri with Jason Campbell starting as quarterback.

Campbell will face a relentless defense Sunday which is rated as #1 in the NFL with 35 sacks.

The 7-0 Chiefs also own the third-ranked pass defense.

Jim Donovan lets you know what to look for from the 3-4 Browns in this matchup.

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Judge: Jury pool in Antun Lewis retrial Monday

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CLEVELAND -- Potential jurors in the retrial of accused arsonist Antun Lewis will begin arriving at 9 a.m. Monday in federal court.

That's according to the latest ruling last week from U.S. District Court Judge Solomon Oliver Jr.

Jury selection should be under way by Friday and final jury selection should be done by Monday, Nov. 4.

Oliver expects to hear opening statements starting Tuesday Nov. 5.

Back in June, Oliver ordered Lewis, now 30, back to Cleveland from a federal prison in Milan, Michigan. He has been held in the Cuyahoga County Jail since then so that his attorneys could prepare for the retrial.

Back in February 2012, Oliver postponed Lewis' sentencing after a jury convicted him. The postponement basis was pending a decision on Oliver's motion for a new trial.

Federal prosecutors appealed Oliver's motion.

In April, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati upheld Oliver's ruling and unanimously granted Lewis a new trial for the 2005 house fire that killed 9 people.

The May 21, 2005, fire killed Medeia Carter, 33, four of her children and four other children attending a 14th birthday sleepover. Gasoline had been poured inside the home and ignited.

Oliver had said that "the bulk of the evidence against him came from suspect witnesses, career criminals and jailhouse informants."

"In so ruling, it is important to note that the court does not find that Lewis did not commit the arson or that there was no evidence at all which would support a conviction,'" Oliver said, in a 95-page ruling.

Oliver had already ruled out the death penalty because of Lewis' low IQ. Lewis had been charged with one federal count of arson because the house was rented with a federal subsidy.

Once the re-trial was affirmed, Oliver ordered the City of Cleveland building department to inspect the East 87th Street house to be sure that it is in a condition safe enough to allow viewings by prosecutors, defense attorneys and, eventually, a jury.

Lewis has always maintained his innocence. He knew some of the victims and says he would never harm a child.

Oliver has also ordered that the trial will be in session until its conclusion each business day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The trial will be suspended from Thursday, Nov. 7 through Monday, Nov. 11 (Veterans Day), and will resume at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12. It will also be suspended over the Thanksgiving holiday.

Oliver expects the trial to go through December.

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Cleveland weather: Wind Advisory through 6 PM

A Wind Advisory is active across parts of the viewing area through 6:00 pm. Sustained winds of 15 to 25 mph are expected with wind gusts as high as 45 mph. Counties included in this advisory: Erie, Huron, Richland, Ashland, Lorain, Cuyahoga, Lake and Lakeshore Ashtabula.

Going from the afternoon toward the evening hours lighter winds are expected with isolated showers around. More clouds linger near the lake shore.

Stay warm and enjoy your weekend.

Saturday: More clouds this afternoon with scattered showers around. WINDY! Windy! Windy. Near 50. Winds: SW 15-25 G 40 mph.

Tonight: Still breezy but lighter winds overall. Isolated showers around. Near 40. Winds: W 10-20 mph.

Sunday: Partly sunny. Lighter winds. Upper 40s. NW 5-10 mph.

Monday: Partly cloudy. Mid 50s

Tuesday: Partly sunny with late day rain chances. Near 60

Wednesday: Rain likely. Breezy. Low 60s

Thursday: Rain likely. Mid/Upper 60s

Friday: Mostly cloudy with scattered rain. Low 60s.

Get more weather info and connect with us on Twitter and Facebook!

WKYC Weather Warriors on Facebook or @wkycweather on Twitter

Betsy Kling: @BetsyKling on Twitter or Betsy's Facebook Page

Hollie Strano: @holliesmiles on Twitter or Hollie's Facebook Page

Marcus Walter: @MarcusDWalter on Twitter or Marcus's Facebook Page

Bruce Kalinowski on Bruce's Facebook Page

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Slideshow: Make a Difference Day 2013

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National Make a Difference Day 2013

National Make a Difference Day is today, October 26.

Nationwide and here at home, thousands of volunteers are out giving their time to make their communities better.

Upload your pictures from Make a Difference Day

WKYC volunteers are working with the Cleveland Metroparks and BVU: Center for Nonprofit Excellence. It's a chance to give back and help keep the parks clean and beautiful for the many who enjoy them year round.

According to the BVU more than 1333 volunteers took part in nearly 100 projects across Northeast Ohio including those in the Cleveland Metroparks and CVNP.

Those volunteers included:

• 80 WKYC employees and their families
• 553 general public volunteers
• 700 volunteers from the University of Akron

If you weren't able to take part in Make a Difference Day, you can still make a difference in your community.  The BVU has more information on how you or your organization can give back all year long.

Desktop and laptop users can follow the local and national converation below from those taking part in Make a Difference Day. Or you can follow the conversation on Twitter at #mdday13 and #mdday13CLE. 

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5-year-old boy dies after hit-and-run crash

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CLEVELAND -- Police say a 5-year-old boy was struck and killed Friday morning in a hit-and-run crash.

It happened at 7:22 a.m. on Denison Avenue at W. 37th Street.

The driver did not stop and continued eastbound on Denison.

Police are looking for a white or light colored mini-van or SUV or Caravan that has damage to the front of the vehicle on the grill or below. The license plate is unknown.

Police say the boy was walking to the bus stop with an older cousin when he was struck crossing Denison north to south.

The boy was taken to Metro where he was pronounced dead.

Cleveland Public Schools spokesperson Roseann Canfora says the victim was a student at Village Prep School.

The school released the following statement:

"We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the death of one of our five-year old students at Village Prep Cliffs Campus, a Breakthrough School. The kindergartener was the victim of tragic accident in his neighborhood, early this morning.

The teachers and staff at Village Prep and across the Breakthrough Schools network extend our deepest sorrow and sympathy to the child's family, as well as to his fellow students and teachers. We are providing support to them and our larger school community as we cope with this tragic loss."

It's reported that other students, who were waiting at a bus stop, witnessed the crash.

Counselors and support staff will be available for students and staff.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the hit skip vehicle or the driver of the vehicle, or anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Second District at 216-623-5200 or the Hit Skip Unit at 216-623-5191. Anonymous information can be given to Crime Stoppers by calling 216-252-7463 or via text message: text TIP657 plus your message to Crimes (274637).

Friday also happens to mark "Molly Day," which is the day Senator George Voinovich's daughter, Molly, was struck and killed on her way to school years ago.

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Jim Donovan | 3 keys to Browns-Chiefs game

Jason Campbell. Photo by Mitch Stringer, USA Today Sports.

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The Cleveland Browns go up against the Kansas City Chiefs at 1 p.m. Sunday in Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri with Jason Campbell starting as quarterback.

Campbell will face a relentless defense Sunday which is rated as #1 in the NFL with 35 sacks.

The 7-0 Chiefs also own the third-ranked pass defense.

Jim Donovan lets you know what to look for from the 3-4 Browns in this matchup.

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POWER | More than 15,000 still without power

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LAKE COUNTY -- FirstEnergy crews are restoring power to those hit hard by the early October snowfall.

The company's website says approximately 15, 624 customers are without power as of 1:15 p.m. Friday.

Check the FirstEnergy outage map

The majority of outages are in Cuyahoga and Geauga counties respectively.

An additional 150 crews from FirstEnergy Corp utilities Ohio Edison, Toledo Edison, Penelec and West Penn Power have been called in to assist with the restoration process.

The weight of Thursday's lake effect snow -- combined with leaves still being on the trees -- has resulted in numerous tree limbs and branches falling into CEI equipment and wires, causing service interruptions.

The majority of customers currently without power are expected to be restored by Friday, if not sooner, based on current weather conditions.

FirstEnergy says you can report an outage through an app available for Apple iPhones and Android phones, using the search term "FirstEnergy."

The priority for restoration starts with emergency services, including hospitals, police, and fire.

Repairs are scheduled based on restoring the most people the fastest. In areas with severe damage, it may require repairs in multiple locations to restore power to one location.

PHOTOS | October snow strikes Northeast Ohio

 

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POWER | More than 49,000 out of power

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LAKE COUNTY -- FirstEnergy says more than 49,000 customers are without power from Mayfield and east to Ashtabula County.

Check the FirstEnergy outage map

The majority of outages are in Cuyahoga and Geauga counties.

An additional 150 crews from FirstEnergy Corp utilities Ohio Edison, Toledo Edison, Penelec and West Penn Power are expected to arrive in the hardest hit areas throughout the day to assist with the restoration process.

The weight of the "lake effect" snow - combined with leaves still being on the trees - has resulted in numerous tree limbs and branches falling into CEI equipment and wires, causing service interruptions.

The hardest hit areas are Cuyahoga and Geauga counties.

The majority of customers currently without power are expected to be restored by Friday, if not sooner, based on current weather conditions.

The priority for restoration starts with emergency services, including hospitals, police, and fire.

Repairs are scheduled based on restoring the most people the fastest. In areas with severe damage, it may require repairs in multiple locations to restore power to one location.

PHOTOS | October snow strikes Northeast Ohio

Heavy, wet snow brought some trees down onto power lines.

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Trio from Cleveland Hts among 4 indicted for ID theft

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CLEVELAND -- Four people from Northeast Ohio were indicted for operating an identity-theft scheme which they used to defraud six states out of more than $361,000 in unemployment benefits, said U.S. Attorney Steve Dettelbach.

Darnell Nash, 29, and Kennard Berts, 20, both of of Cleveland Heights; Dwayne Buchannan, Jr., 22, of Cleveland; and Justin Davis, 26, also of Cleveland Heights, are named in the 33-count indictment.

The charges include conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and money laundering.

"These defendants took advantage of people looking for help, then defrauded funds that were designed to assist those out of work and facing hard times," Dettelbach said.

The indictment alleges that the defendants executed a "fictitious employer" scheme from about March 2012 to January 2013.

Nash, Berts, Buchanan and Davis prepared and distributed flyers in low-income areas that appeared to be from the "Full Circle Fund" which purportedly provided assistance vouchers for rent, food, furniture, clothing and cash to individuals.

Individuals distributing the flyers were instructed by Nash to distribute the flyers in downtown areas and avoid neighborhoods, according to the indictment.

The flyers directed people to call a toll-free number. Callers to the Full Circle Fund were required to provide their names, dates of birth and Social Security numbers, according to the indictment.

Nash and others then submitted false paperwork to states' unemployment-insurance offices in which the defendants registered 10 companies that did not actually exist and reported non-existent earnings for fictitious employees, according to the indictment.

The defendants then submitted false claims for unemployment-insurance benefits of the purported employees in California, Ohio, North Carolina, Texas, Indiana and Kansas.

In doing so, the defendants  used actual individuals' personal identifying information that the defendants had obtained through misrepresentations, according to the indictment. Unemployment insurance benefits cards for the fictitious employees were then mailed to at least five different addresses in Ohio.

The debit cards were collected at maintained at Nash's residence in Cleveland Heights. The defendants then used the debit cards at various ATMs to withdraw the money, according to the indictment.

Approximately $361,341 in fraudulent unemployment benefits were paid as a result of this scheme, according to the indictment. Nash deposited more than $200,000 in cash into two personal bank accounts in 2012, representing proceeds from the scheme.

He also purchased a 2008 Land Rover for $35,000 using money from the scheme, according to the indictment.

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WATCH | 'Captain America: Winter Soldier' trailer

Poster for 'Captain America: Winter Soldier.' Photo: Marvel.

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CLEVELAND -- Our city had an up-close glimpse of his patriotic shield for months.

Now, the world has its first official look at "Captain America: Winter Soldier."

PHOTOS | 'Captain America' sequel films in Cleveland

Marvel released a 2:27 long trailer for the superhero sequel at noon Thursday on iTunes (watch it in full below).

Here's a time-stamped breakdown of when scenes filmed in Cleveland appear in the trailer:

- 57 seconds: Gunfire on Euclid facing E. 9^th Street.

- 58 seconds. Explosion on the Shoreway bridge near Lakeside and West 3rd.

1:09: Henchmen open fire on Shoreway bridge near Lakeside and West 3rd.

1:10: Car flips over on Shoreway bridge near Lakeside and West 3rd.

1:12: Car smoking on Lakeside Avenue near Justice Center.

1:42: Explosion on E. 6th at St. Clair.

1:44: Car explosion on Superior facing Public Square.

1:59: Fight outside Justice Center on West 3rd near Lakeside.

2:04: Motorcycle scene on Lorain Avenue Bridge.

PHOTOS | 'Captain America: Winter Soldier' films in Tremont

This trailer's release marks the first time any footage from the film is made available to the public.

A pair of new posters -- including a motion-morphing image installed at theaters nationwide (see it in action above) -- have been capturing the attention of 'Cap' fans in online forums.

PHOTOS | 'Captain America' sequel transforms Shoreway

Crews were in town between May and June to shoot scenes in multiple local spots including the Cleveland Museum of Art, Tremont, throughout downtown Cleveland and along a several-mile stretch of the Shoreway.

Cleveland is doubling as Washington D.C. in the movie, which stars Chris Evans as the title character, Scarlett Johansson as the Black Widow, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, Anthony Mackie as the Falcon and Robert Redford as Alexander Pierce.

EXPANDED COVERAGE | Movies made in Cleveland

The movie was directed by two Cleveland natives -- brothers Anthony and Joe Russo.

"Captain America: Winter Soldier" is slated for nationwide release on April 4, 2014. 

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Ohio man gets 6½ years after YouTube crash confession

Matthew Cordle. Photo: YouTube.

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COLUMBUS -- A judge has sentenced an Ohio man to 6½ years in prison for causing a fatal wrong-way crash after a night of heavy drinking, which the man confessed to in an online video.

Franklin County Judge David Fais sentenced 22-year-old Matthew Cordle on Wednesday to six years for aggravated vehicular homicide and six months for driving under the influence of alcohol. He also revoked his driving privileges for life as required by state law.

Cordle had faced up to 8½ years for killing Vincent Canzani in a June 22 crash. He had been on his way home after a night of drinking at bars near downtown Columbus.

Cordle confessed to the crime and promised to plead guilty in an online video Sept. 3 that has been viewed more than 2.3 million times.

He had been in jail since his guilty plea last month.

---

By ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS, AP Legal Affairs Writer

Associated Press

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POLL: Jason Campbell to start at QB for the Browns

Jason Campbell. Photo by Mitch Stringer, USA Today Sports.

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BEREA -- The Cleveland Browns have just sent a tweet saying Jason Campbell will be the starting quarterback this Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.

This decision comes after fans' heavy criticism of quarterback Brandon Weeden.

The Browns have yet to win a game with Weeden starting this season.

Most recently, the Browns lost to the Green Bay Packers 31-13.

The Browns are 3-4 so far this season.

Do you think this is the right move by the team?  Who would you like to see under center for the Browns this Sunday against the undefeated Chiefs?

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32 indicted in local heroin ring

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COLLINWOOD -- State and federal officials announced criminal charges against 32 people Wednesday for their alleged roles in a heroin trafficking ring on the Northeast side of Cleveland.

Authorities are holding a press conference, which you can watch LIVE HERE: http://on.wkyc.com/Hhxbtf.

Some of those indicted and still at large are reportedly connected with the Lakeshore Boyz street gang.

Three people face federal charges. They are 20-year-old Derek Warner of Cleveland, 29-year-old Willie James Label Dunning of Cleveland and 28-year-old Nassor M. Williams of East Cleveland.

The three are charged with multiple counts of distributing heroin.

Warner and Dunning are also charged as being felons illegally possessing firearms.

29 other defendants face state charges.

The alleged heroin sales took place between February and August of this year -- many of which authorities say took place within 1,000 feet of a school, an additional violation that makes the charge more serious.

Euclid Mayor Bill Cervenik says, "We heard the calls from our residents who asked us to get rid of the drug dealers," Euclid Mayor Bill Cervenik says. "Today I'm happy to say they won't be on our streets, instead they'll be spending time in our jails."

The announcement is the result of a year-long investigation by the Northern Ohio Law Enforcement Task Force.

County Prosecutor Tim McGinty and U.S. Attorney Steve Dettelbach announced details of the investigation.

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Ohio court again tosses woman's death sentence

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COLUMBUS -- The Ohio Supreme Court has once again overturned the death sentence of the state's only female death row prisoner.

The court's 5-2 decision in the case of Donna Roberts found that a judge failed to consider evidence arguing against a death sentence, including indications that brain trauma from several traffic accidents had affected Roberts' mental health.

Other evidence included Roberts' childhood in an abusive home and evidence of good deeds as an adult, such as raising money for wounded soldiers in Israel.

The court's Tuesday ruling ordered a judge to resentence the 69-year-old Roberts for the 2001 murder of her former husband, Robert Fingerhut, in Howland in northeast Ohio.

Roberts' first death sentence was overturned in 2006 following the discovery of a prosecutor's involvement in writing Roberts' sentencing order.

The Associated Press

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FBI: Search for man who used phony bomb in bank robbery

CLEVELAND -- The FBI is searching for a man who used a phony bomb device and a gun to rob a Cleveland bank.

According to the FBI, just after 9 a.m. the man entered the Key Bank on Lorain Avenue.

The FBI says the man placed a blue grocery bag on the counter and told the teller that it contained a bomb. He then demanded $50 and $100 bills as he pulled a handgun and waved it around at those in the bank.

The man ran away heading northbound on Rocky River Driver with an unknown amount of cash.

The Cleveland Police Bomb Squad determined that the device in the bag was not an explosive.

A reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the man.

The man is described as 5'8" to 5'10", weighing 200 pounds. He was wearing a dark colored hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, dark sneakers and a dark colored bandana over his nose and mouth.

If you have any information regarding this bank robbery, please contact the Cleveland Division of Police, First District, at 216-623-5100 or the Cleveland FBI office at 216-522-1400.

WKYC-TV

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Medworks free medical clinic | Make an appointment

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CLEVELAND -- MedWorks will partner with Northeast Ohio Neighborhood Health Services to host a one-day health clinic on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. 

The clinic will take place at NEON Health Center, 8300 Hough Ave., Cleveland. 

Appointments can be made by calling the WKYC MedWorks phone bank on Tuesday, Oct. 22. 

The numbers to call are: 216-858-6250 or toll free 1-877-790-7370.

If you are unable to get through to the phone bank you can call Medworks direct at 216.231-5350 or email at info@medworksusa.org

Walk -in patients will also be accepted on clinic day between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.

The clinic will feature more than 100 healthcare professionals and support volunteers who will provide a broad range of health services with a focus on screening for cancer. 

Services will include dental extractions, physical exams and women's health, including pap tests, clinical breast exams, lab work, pharmacy and HIV testing. 

Mammograms will be available, however patients will need to first be seen by a clinic doctor who will make the determination as to whether a mammogram is needed at that time. 

Other medical specialties will include dermatology; ear, nose and throat; urology, rheumatology; podiatry; and more

Each patient will also have the opportunity to meet with a social worker to help schedule followup appointments through NEON. All services will be provided free of charge.

MedWorks is a nonprofit that provides free healthcare clinics to Ohio's un- and under-insured.

Through its successful collaborations with hospitals, corporate sponsors and medical and nonmedical volunteers, MedWorks provides care for its patients and serves as an access point for those individuals to the medical community.

WKYC-TV

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Suspect in two cold-case murders held on $5M bond

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CLEVELAND -- Bond has been set at $5 million for Elias Acevedo Sr. -- the man suspected in two cold-case murders from the mid '90s.

The bond was set at $1 million for each of the five victims in the indictment against Acevedo.

Acevedo, a convicted sex offender, faces nearly 300 charges including kidnapping, rape and murder.

Acevedo pleaded not guilty during his brief arraignment hearing Monday morning.

Some of the charges in the indictment are connected to the cold-case murders involving Christina Adkins and Pamela Pemberton.

Adkins went missing in 1995 at the age of 18. Her remains were discovered Oct. 10 at a site near I-90 and I-490.

Pemberton went missing in 1994. Her remains were found in a vacant lot in Tremont shortly after her disappearance. She was 30 years old.

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Kasich gets likely deciding 'yes' vote on Medicaid expansion

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Gov. John Kasich appears to have gotten his fourth and deciding Medicaid expansion vote this morning, as Speaker Bill Batchelder, R-Medina, put a pro-expansion state representative on the seven-member board set to meet Monday afternoon.

Rep. Ross McGregor, R-Springfield, who says he is likely to vote in favor of the governor's plan, will substitute for Rep. Cliff Rosenberger, R-Clarksville, as the board considers whether to accept federal money to expand Medicaid in Ohio under the Affordable Care Act. Batchelder also appointed Rep. Jeff McClain, R-Upper Sandusky, in place of Rep. Ron Amstutz, R-Wooster. McClain told The Enquirer he plans to vote against the proposal.

Both Rosenberger and Amstutz, the two candidates to replace Batchelder as speaker, had been expected to vote against Kasich's request, raising questions about how the governor planned to get the issue through the small board. But the decision to appoint McGregor as a substitute gives Kasich the four votes he needs to make Ohio the 25th state to expand Medicaid under President Barack Obama's health care act.

"Barring any unknown information that would change my mind, I plan to remain consistent in my support of expanding Medicaid," McGregor told The Enquirer Monday morning. "I have publicly stated that I'm in favor of expansion and obviously would have preferred to have done this legislatively, but I am certainly open to the Controlling Board route to kind of get the ball rolling."

After Republicans in the Legislature declined to bring Kasich's Medicaid-expansion plan to the floor for a vote, Kasich this month announced he would seek permission to accept the money through a board made up of six legislators and one Kasich adviser. The governor's appointee and the panel's two Democrats are expected to support his proposal, leaving him in need of one vote from the GOP. As of this morning, he's got it.

As of Monday morning, he's got it - and maybe one more, as Sen. Chris Widener, R-Springfield, is considered a "maybe."

Kasich would become the eighth Republican governor to oversee Medicaid expansion, much to the dismay of many in his party.

"The morality of a human being who's been blessed, helping a human being who has challenges, is a moral imperative in our lives. It just is," Kasich said last week of Medicaid expansion. He spoke of offering drug-addiction and mental-health coverage through Medicaid. "The ability to get our dollars back from Washington, to rehab these people and restore their lives, has to be done. It's just the right thing to do."

Opponents say Kasich is leading a charge to saddle taxpayers with the responsibility of paying for health care for hundreds of thousands of additional Ohioans. Plus, the House Republican protest, signed by all 11 state representatives from the Southwest Ohio delegation, says Kasich's Controlling Board move is illegal.

The constitution lists the General Assembly as the state's only legislative body, the letter says. And Ohio law prohibits the Controlling Board from going against "the legislative intent" of the General Assembly, which the lawmakers say they made clear in anti-Medicaid-expansion clauses passed in the state budget this spring.

If Ohio were to approve the expansion, the state would need a few weeks to activate online enrollment via www.benefits.ohio.gov for the new population of potential Medicaid members. New members would start receiving coverage on Jan. 1.

About 330,000 low-income adults without any option for subsidized insurace would be newly eligible, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, a group that analyzes health policy. That's the number of uninsured Buckeyes who are disqualified for coverage under the current Medicaid system and whose income is too low to qualify for federal tax credits designed to subsidize insurance on the new Obamacare exchanges.

Meanwhile, Kasich's expansion move would almost certainly to draw lawsuits, especially from conservatives wanting to argue against the legality of using the Controlling Board for what is essentially a policy decision. Medicaid supporters argue the Controlling Board has the authority to approve an increase in federal money for state agencies. ¦

Local supporters of expansion have scheduled an event Monday night with a twofold purpose.

They hope to be celebrating the Controlling Board's "yes" vote.

But they will continue organizing and planning for a petition drive to put the issue in front of voters in case legal challenges delay or prevent expansion.

This story will be updated throughout the day. CLICK HERE

SOURCE: Cincinnati.com

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Fairview Park: Adult arrested for making school threats

FAIRVIEW PARK -- An adult man has been arrested in connection with two bomb threats made to an elementary school.

Police have taken the unidentified 32-year-old male into custody. No charges have been filed. The case is being sent to the prosecutor's office.

Police say the same man made threats towards Gilles-Sweet Elementary today and previously on October 8.

Investigators say they were led to the man based on a similarity in wording with the two threats.

Earlier today, students were evacuated from Gilles-Sweet Elementary after the discovery of the latest bomb threat. The students were taken to New Hope Church and then sent hoeme with parents.  The school was closed for the remainder of the day.

Three bomb sniffing dogs went through the building as a precaution.  Nothing was found.

WKYC-TV

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Church destroyed after overnight fire

CLEVELAND -- An overnight fire has destroyed the Wilson United Methodist Church.

Firefighters rushed to save the church at 1561 E.55th but were unsuccessful. The fire started in the basement and the heavy smoke and flames made it a difficult fire to battle. 

The Cleveland Fire Department was able to put the fire out Sunday morning.  Demolition crews are now on scene to take the building down.  

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. 

No one was hurt in the fire.

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Parma: Police investigate one man's death

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PARMA -- Police say they have found a 64-year-old one man dead in a Parma home. 

The man was found on the 7100 block of West Parkview Drive around 7:30 a.m. by a family member. 

It is not clear why or how the man died at this point and time. 

Police tell Channel 3 they are looking into a few things but would not explain what they were looking at. 

The Crime Scene Unit and Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's office is on scene investigating. 

Stay with WKYC-TV as this story develops.

WKYC-TV

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Cleveland Weather: Partly to mostly sunny

A mix of sun and clouds are likely this afternoon with temperatures reaching the mid and upper 50s. We will be even warmer Monday. Temperatures then will reach the low 60s, which is seasonal for this time of year in Northeast Ohio.

A big cool down is on the way as a cold front sweeps across Ohio late Monday night into Tuesday. Rain showers are likely, even a couple of snow flurries. Temperatures after Tuesday will only be in the mid and upper 40s during the day and upper 30s at night.

Get ready to enjoy some sweater weather.

Sunday: Clouds and sun. Breezy. Mid/upper 50. Winds: S 10-15 mph.

Sunday night: A mix of clear skies and clouds. Breezy. Mid 40s. Winds: S 10-15 mph.

Monday: Partly sunny with late day rain chances. Low 60s

Tuesday: Early showers taper off, with showers lingering for much of the day east of Cleveland in the snow belt areas.  Cooler and breezy.  Low 50s

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with rain showers likely.  Some rain/snow mix possible Wednesday night. Upper 40s

Thursday: Cooler!  Mostly cloudy with rain/snow mix in the snow belt areas.  Mid 40s

Friday: Mostly cloudy.  Rain/snow mix chances east in the snow belt. Mid 40s

Saturday:  Partly sunny.  Isolated early showers toward the PA state line.  Upper 40s/near 50

Get more weather info and connect with us on Twitter and Facebook!

WKYC Weather Warriors on Facebook or @wkycweather on Twitter

Betsy Kling: @BetsyKling on Twitter or Betsy's Facebook Page

Hollie Strano: @holliesmiles on Twitter or Hollie's Facebook Page

Marcus Walter: @MarcusDWalter on Twitter or Marcus's Facebook Page

Bruce Kalinowski on Bruce's Facebook Page

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Cleveland Weather: Rain showers

Rain showers are likely most of the day today after the passage of a cold front this morning. Expect temperatures from the upper 40s to the mid 50s. 

Tonight, most of Northeast Ohio dries out, skies clear and we cool down. Some areas could cool into the mid 30s, but most stay in the upper 30s and low 40s. Some areas of patchy frost is not out of the question.

Sunday will bring a mix of sun and clouds with isolated showers still likely. High temperatures a touch warmer, in the upper 50s.

We even reach the low 60s for Monday, but a big cool down and more showers move in Monday evening. We stay cool for the rest of the work week.

Saturday: Rain showers with breezy conditions at times. Low/mid 50s. Winds: WSW 10-15 mph.

Saturday night:  A few lingering showers-east, otherwise, Partly cloudy and cool. Upper 30s, low 40s. Winds: SW 5-10 mph.

Sunday: Partly sunny. A touch warmer. Mid/upper 50s. Winds: S 5-10 mph.

Monday: Mostly cloudy with late-day rain showers. Low 60s.

Tuesday: Morning showers. Otherwise, mostly cloudy. Low 50s.

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with rain showers likely. Upper 40s. 

Thursday: Mostly cloudy with isolated showers. Upper 40s.

Friday: Mostly cloudy and cool. Upper 40s.

Get more weather info and connect with us on Twitter and Facebook!

WKYC Weather Warriors on Facebook or @wkycweather on Twitter

Betsy Kling: @BetsyKling on Twitter or Betsy's Facebook Page

Hollie Strano: @holliesmiles on Twitter or Hollie's Facebook Page

Marcus Walter: @MarcusDWalter on Twitter or Marcus's Facebook Page

Bruce Kalinowski on Bruce's Facebook Page

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Cleveland | Hispanic community's biggest festival

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CLEVELAND -- It's the biggest festival for the Cleveland Hispanic community and it takes place this Saturday.

More than 2,000 people are expected to gather at St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland for the Convencion Hispana.

Joining us Friday was Jose Feliciano, chairman of the Hispanic Roundtable.

The Convención Hispana event is free and open to the public.

Convencion Hispana provides free breakfast and lunch, health screenings and exhibits, a job fair, networking, music, culture and raffles.

The Keynote Speaker is San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro.

St. Ignatius is located at 1911 West 30th Street in Cleveland.

Convención Hispana is a one-day event sponsored by the Hispanic Roundtable, but it is also a three-year process of community empowerment & agenda setting.

Spearheaded through the work of four volunteer-led committees focusing in the areas of education, empowerment, health, and workforce & economic development.

The event serves as a vehicle for the collaboration of the Greater Cleveland Hispanic community organizations, partners and leaders while promoting the mission of the Hispanic Roundtable.

The work of the Convención Hispana has brought forth the development of many outstanding organizations in the Hispanic community, including: Esperanza (a non-profit organization focused on Hispanic education issues), the Hispanic Business Association, the Hispanic Senior Center, the Hispanic Domestic Violence Program, and the Hispanic Contractors Association.

As part of the education initiatives to encourage youth to attend college, there will be an essay contest for high school students with scholarship awards of up to $1000.

In addition, community leadership awards will be presented with nominations coming from the community and the Convención Hispana process.

WKYC-TV

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Popular campground vandalized

MONTVILLE TWP -- A popular campground was vandalized Saturday morning and on camper was set on fire.

The Geauga County Sheriffs Department, Montville Township and Hambden fire departments all responded to Country Lakes Family Campground off State Route 6.

The fire happened after 7 a.m. 

Lt. John Hiscox with the Geauga County Sheriffs Department tells Channel 3 that 20-30 campers were ransacked and vandalized.  The suspects then set fire to one of the campers in the back of the campground. 

The Fire Investigator Unit has been called to confirm if the fire was arson. 

WKYC-TV

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Cleveland Diocese mourns Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Quinn

CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Diocese is mourning the loss of  Most Reverent A. James Quinn, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Cleveland.

According to a Diocese spokesman, Quinn passed away this morning at his Westlake residence. He was 81.

According to the Diocese, A. James Quinn was ordained a priest on May 24, 1958.  He  was appointed as an  Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland  in October 1983.

Quinn retired in 2008.  He resided at Saint Ladislas Parish in Westlake.

Funeral arrangements are pending and will be posted on the Diocese web site.

WKYC-TV

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Brecksville: Elderly man dies in house fire

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BRECKSVILLE -- An elderly man is dead after a fire at his Brecksville home.

According to the city, police and fire units were called just after 9 p.m. to Sprague Road to investigate a report of a loud boom or explosion. While en route, they received a call about a fire at a home on East Sprague Road.

When they arrived at the residence the house was engulfed in flames. An elderly woman who lived at the home had managed to make it outside. The location of her husband was not known.

Firefighters located the husband, Ben Pfister, 88, inside the burning home. He was treated at the scene and then taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The fire and its origin are under investigation. Investigators say the fire was contained to the Pfister home and did not damage adjacent properties.

Independence, Richfield, Seven Hills, Valley View and Broadview Heights provided manpower and equipment to help battle the fire.

WKYC-TV

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Police return to Acevedo's Vega Avenue house, remove items

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CLEVELAND -- Police and FBI agents are at murder suspect Elias Acevedo's former Vega Avenue house removing items Friday afternoon.

This is where Acevedo lived in 1994 when it is alleged that he killed Vega Avenue neighbor Pamela Pemberton.

On Thursday, Acevedo was indicted on 293 counts, including aggravated murder, rape and kidnapping.

His arraignment is set for Monday.

The indictment is for Pemberton's death and likely for the death of Christina Adkins, who went missing in 1995 in the same area.

This is the second time the house has been searched. The first time was right after his June arrest for a 1993 rape that occurred in the same field in which Pemberton's body was found.

WKYC-TV

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LIST | Local trick-or-treat schedules

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As the sun sinks and the moon rises, goblins and ghouls will soon be haunting your neighborhood seeking Halloween treats.

Below you will find an extensive guide of local community trick-or-treat times for 2013. Check back frequently as we add more communities to our growing list.

GUIDE | Local Halloween happenings

If you see that your community's trick-or-treat time is not listed, e-mail Ryan Haidet at rhaidet@wkyc.com with the information.

Also, please send pictures of your Halloween decorations and/or carved pumpkins to the e-mail address listed above (including your name and hometown) or by posting them on the WKYC Facebook page. We just might use your creepy creations in a photo gallery on WKYC.com!

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Trick-or-treating at malls / shopping centers:

Aurora Farms Premium Outlets: Kids 13 and younger can trick-or-treat at participating stores on Wednesday, Oct. 30 from 6-8 p.m.

Chapel Hill Mall in Akron: Kids up to 12 years of age are allowed to trick-or-treat throughout the mall on Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-7 p.m.

Crocker Park in Westlake: Kids can trick-or-treat at stores with pumpkin stickers on display from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26.

Summit Mall in Fairlawn: Kids can trick-or-treat inside the mall on Wednesday, Oct. 30 from 6-8 p.m.

Westfield Belden Village Mall in Canton: Kids can trick-or-treat inside the mall at participating stores from 3-5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24.

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Community trick-or-treat schedules:    

Akron: Saturday, Oct. 26 from 5-7 p.m.

Alliance: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 5-7 p.m.

Amherst: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-7:30 p.m. Annual Halloween parade and costume contest held on Sunday, Oct. 27. Registration for the costume contest begins at 3 p.m. at the San Spring Building at 480 Park Avenue.

Ashland: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-7 p.m.

Aurora: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Austintown: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Avon: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-7:30 p.m.

Avon Lake: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-7:30 p.m.

Bainbridge Township: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m. Rain date scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 3 from 6-8 p.m.

Barberton: Downtown trick-or-treat takes place Saturday, Oct. 26 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Bath Township: Sunday, Oct. 27 from 5-7 p.m.

Bay Village: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Beachwood: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Bedford: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Bentleyville: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Berea: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Boardman: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 5-7 p.m.

Bolivar: Wednesday, Oct. 30 from 6-7 p.m.

Boston Heights: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Bowling Green: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6:30-8 p.m.

Brecksville: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Brimfield: Sunday, Oct. 27 from 2-4 p.m.

Broadview Heights: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Brook Park: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Brooklyn: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Brunswick: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Brunswick Hills: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Burton Village: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Bucyrus: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 5-7 p.m.

Canal Fulton: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Canfield: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Canton: Sunday, Oct. 27 from 3-5 p.m.

Carrollton: Saturday, Nov. 2 from 1-2:30 p.m.

Chagrin Falls: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Chardon: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Chatham Township: Saturday, Oct. 26 from 6-7:30 p.m.

Chesterland: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Chippewa Lake: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-7:30 p.m.

Cleveland: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Cleveland Heights: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Conneaut: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 5-7 p.m.

Copley: Sunday, Oct. 27 from 5-7 p.m.

Coventry: Sunday, Oct. 27 from 5:30-8 p.m.

Crestline: Sunday, Oct. 27 from 2-4 p.m.

Cuyahoga Falls: Saturday, Oct. 26 from 6-8 p.m. Community Halloween Spooktacular from 2-4 p.m.

Cuyahoga Heights: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-7:30 p.m.

Dover: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 5:30-7 p.m.

Doylestown: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 5:30-6:45 p.m.

East Canton Village: Sunday, Oct. 27 from 3-5 p.m.

East Cleveland: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

East Liverpool: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-7:30 p.m.

Eastlake: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Elyria: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-7:30 p.m.

Euclid: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Fairlawn: Sunday, Oct. 27 from 5-7 p.m.

Fairview Park: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Findlay: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6:30-8 p.m. The city is holding a Halloween parade on Tuesday, Oct. 29 from 7-9 p.m.

Garfield Heights: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Garrettsville: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Geneva-on-the-Lake: Sunday, Oct. 27 from 4-6 p.m.

Gloria Glens Village (Medina County): Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-7:30 p.m.

Grafton: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-7:30 p.m.

Granger Township: Sunday, Oct. 27 from 2-4 p.m.

Green: Saturday, Oct. 26 from 6-8 p.m.

Hambden Township: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Hartville: Sunday, Oct. 27 from 3-5 p.m.

Highland Heights: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Hinckley: Determined by individual neighborhoods.

Hudson: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Huron: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 5-7 p.m.

Independence: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Jackson Township: Sunday, Oct. 27 from 3-5 p.m.

Kent: Sunday, Oct. 27 from 3-5 p.m.

Kirtland: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Lakemore: Saturday, Oct. 26 from 5-7 p.m.

Lakewood: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Lafayette Township: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Lima: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Litchfield: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Lodi: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Lorain: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Lordstown: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 5-7 p.m.

Louisville: Sunday, Oct. 27 from 3-5 p.m.

Lyndhurst: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Macedonia: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Madison Township: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Malvern: Thursday, Oct. 24 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Mansfield: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 5:30-7 p.m.

Mantua: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Maple Heights: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Mayfield Heights: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Mayfield Village: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8:30 p.m.

Marion: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Massillon: Sunday, Oct. 27 from 3-5 p.m.

Medina: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Mentor: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Mentor-on-the-Lake: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Middleburg Heights: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Middlefield Village: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 5:30-7 p.m.

Minerva: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 5-7 p.m.

Mogadore: Sunday, October 27 from 6-7:30p.m.

Montville Township: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Munroe Falls: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Navarre: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-7 p.m.

New Franklin: Saturday, Oct. 26 from 5-7 p.m. (Manchester School District)

New Philadelphia: Wednesday, Oct. 30 from 6-8 p.m.

Newburgh Heights: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Niles: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 5-7 p.m. Halloween parade will be held Sunday, Oct. 27 at 1 p.m.

North Canton: Sunday, Oct. 27 from 3-5 p.m.

North Olmsted: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

North Perry Village (Lake County): Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

North Ridgeville: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-7:30 p.m.

North Royalton: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Northfield: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Norton: Saturday, Oct. 26 from 5-7 p.m.

Oakwood: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Oberlin: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-7:30 p.m.

Olmsted Falls: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Olmsted Township: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Orange Village: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Orrville: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Painesville: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Painesville Township (Lake County): Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Parma: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Parma Heights: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Pepper Pike: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Perry (Lake County): Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Perry (Stark County): Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Plain Township: Sunday, Oct. 27 from 3-5 p.m.

Ravenna: Saturday, Oct. 26 from 3-5 p.m.

Reminderville: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Richfield: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m. Halloween parade will be held the same day at 5:45 p.m. at the Fllowship Hall on Broadview Road.

Richmond Heights: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Rittman: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Rochester Village: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-7:30 p.m.

Rocky River: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Rootstown: Sunday, Oct. 27 from 3-5 p.m.

Russell Township: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Sagamore Hills Township: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Salem: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Sandusky: Wednesday, Oct. 30 from 5-7:30 p.m.

Seven Hills: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Seville Village: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Shaker Heights: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-7:30 p.m.

Sharon Township (Medina County): Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Sheffield Lake: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-7:30 p.m.

Sheffield Village: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-7:30 p.m.

Shelby: Saturday, Oct. 26 from 6-7 p.m.

Silver Lake: Saturday, Oct. 26 from 6-8 p.m.

Solon: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

South Euclid: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Springfield Township (Summit County): Saturday, Oct. 26 from 5-7 p.m.

Stow: Saturday, Oct. 26 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Streetsboro: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Strongsville: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Tallmadge: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 5:30-7 p.m.

Tiffin: Sunday, Oct. 27 from 5-7 p.m.

Twinsburg: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

University Heights: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Valley City: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Parade on that same day steps off at 6:30 p.m.

Valley View: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Vermilion: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-7:30 p.m. Annual Halloween parade takes place Saturday, Oct. 26 from 1-3 p.m.

Wadsworth: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Warren: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 5-7 p.m.

Warrensville Heights: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Wellington Village: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-7:30 p.m.

Westfield Center (Medina County): Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6:30-8 p.m.

Westlake: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Wickliffe: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Willoughby: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Willoughby Hills: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Willowick: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.

Woodmere Village: Trunk or Treat, Sunday, Oct. 27 from 6-8 p.m.

Wooster: Determined by individual neighborhoods.

---

If your community is not on this list, feel free to e-mail Ryan Haidet at rhaidet@wkyc.com with information about your area's trick-or-treat schedule.

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NASA Glenn Research Center resumes operations

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With Congress reaching a deal to reopen the federal government, local federal workers are going back to work.

NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland has resumed operations at both Lewis Field and Plum Brook Station.

Civil servants and support service contractors returned at noon Thursday.

Approximately 1,660 federal employees and 1,630 support service contracts were affected by this furlough. NASA Glenn says it will take days to get the center fully operational.

The late night deal will permit the Treasury to borrow normally through Feb. 7 or perhaps a month longer, and fund the government through Jan. 15.

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Obama: Americans 'fed up' with Washington

SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images

President Obama said Thursday there have been "no winners" in the government shutdown dispute, and lawmakers will have to work hard to regain the trust of Americans.

"The American people are completely fed up with Washington," Obama said during remarks at the White House.

The president said Congress can recover through three things: A long-tern budget plan that cuts spending but preserves essential programs, a new farm bill, and a bill to fix a "broken" immigration system.

"We can get them done by the end of the year if our focus is on the American people," Obama said.

Obama spoke hours after signing a bill that ended that ended the 16-day government shutdown and extended the government's borrowing authority, averting a potential default.

The measures are temporary.

The new bill funds the government through Jan. 15. The debt ceiling borrowing authority expires Feb. 7, though the Treasury Department could use special accounting measures to extend it for a month or so.

The shutdown also hurt U.S. credibility overseas, Obama said, emboldening economic competitors and "depressing our friends" across the globe.

"The good news is we'll bounce back from this," Obama said. "We always do."

Saying that politics in Washington "has to change,' Obama urged lawmakers to ignore "bloggers" and "talk show hosts" who thrive on political conflict.

Obama did not specifically cite his Republican opponents in Congress, but did criticize "the one side" that practiced "brinksmanship" in recent weeks.

"Disagreement cannot mean dysfunction," Obama said.

In outlining his new legislative agenda, Obama called for a "balanced" budget plan. In the past, that has included new revenues from wealthier Americans; congressional Republicans say they will oppose higher taxes, saying the emphasis should be on spending cuts.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., noted that spending has been cut under the sequestration provisions of the previously signed Budget Control Act, McConnell said. "the bipartisan legislation we passed to reopen the government and prevent a default will continue the BCA spending reductions."

Obama noted that the Senate has approved an immigration bill this year on a bipartisan votes.

Members of the Republican-run House want to split that plan into separate pieces. Many also object to a provision providing a pathway to citizenship for immigrants who are already in the country illegally, describing that proposal as amnesty for lawbreakers.

By: David Jackson, USA TODAY

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Olmsted Falls High School evacuated

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OLMSTED FALLS -- Students at Olmsted Falls High School are being sent home early today due to a "safety situation."

Police say there was a note found inside the school referring to a threat written on a girls' bathroom wall that claimed a bomb was placed in the school. "Happy hunting," the note teased.

During an 11 a.m. press conference, Superintendent Dr. Jim Lloyd spoke directly to the person responsible for writing the threat.

"You inconvenienced the learning of over 1,200 students along with the students over at our middle school," Lloyd said staring straight into the cameras. "You inconvenienced our staff. We're going to investigate this. We're going to find out who you are. We're going to provide the consequences that need to be provided based on these actions."

The school's safety plan was immediately put into action and  the building was evacuated within seven minutes.

The students were reportedly told it was a fire drill and sent them all to the stadium.

The school's transportation department was notified and all students were taken from the stadium to the middle school.

The school sent out a call to all parents explaining the "safety situation" at the school.

Parents began picking their children up at the middle school since 9 a.m.

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Bond continued for WMMS host 'Rover'

Michael 'Chocolate Charlie' Toomey and Shane 'Rover' French.

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CLEVELAND -- A popular voice in morning radio was back in court Wednesday morning for an arraignment to face charges connected to his arrest in July.

Bond for WMMS radio host Shane "Rover" French and his co-host, Michael "Chocolate Charlie" Toomey, was continued at the court hearing.

The duo from "Rover's Morning Glory," which airs weekday mornings on WMMS, were both arrested after an alleged altercation with an off-duty Cleveland police officer on Whiskey Island.

A grand jury recently returned indictments against Rover on 13 counts, including inducing panic, attempted felonious assault, assault, vandalism, criminal damaging, resisting arrest and illegal fireworks.

Toomey faces similar charges.

Both have pleaded not guilty and will be back for a pre-trial hearing on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 9:30 a.m.

The allegations stem around an incident in which an officer claimed to have heard fireworks coming from Rover's boat and asked him to stop.

Rover, 37, and Toomey, 28, were reported to be highly intoxicated and refused. That's when they allegedly started shooting fireworks at the officer, almost hitting him.

The officer then walked to the men, putting out a fuse used to light the fireworks.

The men then allegedly got into a shoving match with the officer as he stated he was a Cleveland police officer, showing his badge.

After Rover's friends reportedly grabbed the two, the officer turned away. That's when Rover reportedly ran behind the officer and pushed him, saying, "I don't believe you're an officer."

The officer turned around and arrested him. French got free and ran to his boat with Toomey.

More officers showed up to the boat and both men were taken into custody.

Rover took to the airwaves the Monday after his July arrest and made a statement regarding the incident.

In part he said:  "The allegations are absolutely absurd, ridiculous and not based in fact whatsoever. In fact, if these charges weren't so serious, it would be comical. But it is very serious and I'm taking the matter very seriously."

Rover talked about the indictment on his radio show Oct. 3. He described the charges as being "trumped up" and says he believes they are in retaliation of his intent to file a complaint against the off-duty officer.  

Rover says he is confident the facts of the case will prove his innocence.

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Kent: Man shot and killed while hunting

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KENT -- A Florida man was shot and killed while hunting in Kent on Monday.

Officials say Donald Pigg, 56, of Beverly Hills, Florida, was hunting in Portage County when he was involved in a hunting accident.

Pigg was shot.

He was taken to Akron City Hospital where he underwent surgery.

He passed away early Wednesday morning.

Kent police and the Summit County Medical Examiner's Officer are investigating.

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Bond continued for priest accused of soliciting sex

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CLEVELAND -- A local priest was briefly in court Tuesday to face a judge on charges of soliciting sex.

Father James McGonegal, 68, was arrested last Friday at Edgewater Park after an off-duty park ranger says the priest offered him $50 for sex.

He was released Saturday morning on personal bond.

During the Tuesday hearing, the judge continued his bond.

McGonegal, a priest from St. Ignatius of Antioch, has reportedly admitted he's HIV positive.

He has been a priest since 1971.

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Tuesday: Opt out deadline for Pilot Flying J lawsuit

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(WBIR) Tuesday is the last day companies can opt out of the class action lawsuit filed against Pilot Flying J.

Pilot asked the federal court in Little Rock, Ark. to consolidate all class action lawsuits against the company into one suit.

Pilot's attorneys said this was an effort to speed up the court process in order to save companies time and money.

The proposed settlement will go before a fairness hearing for final approval in Little Rock on Nov. 25.

The class action lawsuit comes after a federal investigation revealed that Pilot allegedly cheated hundreds of trucking companies out of money they were owed in a fuel rebate program.

The customers eligible for the class action lawsuit bought diesel fuel for commercial purposes, using Pilot's rebate or discount program between January 2005 and April 2013.

WBIR.com

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CPD: 64 officers disciplined in 2012 police chase

CLEVELAND -- Cleveland Police Chief Michael McGrath says 64 patrol officers have been disciplined for breaking departmental rules in connection with a police chase in November 2012.

The officers were found to be in violation of such departmental rules as speeding, failure to obtain permission to join the chase and insubordination.

Collectively the department handed out 178 suspension days, 2 written warnings, and 9 non-disciplinary letters of reinstruction to  the officers.   The longest suspension handed out was 10 days.

One officer who broke departmental rules during the chase was disciplined but not suspended.

No officers were fired as a result of their involvement in the chase.

Earlier this year, the police department reviewed the supervisors involved in the chase.  After disciplinary hearings, 12 supervisors received reprimands.  Of that number, 9 were suspended, 2 were demoted and 1 supervisor was terminated.

The police department's review has to date only focused on the administrative review of the supervisors and patrol officers involved in the Nov. 29 chase.  The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor is reviewing the deadly force aspect of the chase to determine if criminal charges will be filed.

The city says officers and supervisors involved in the deadly force aspect of the incident will receive administrative reviews after the prosecutor's office completes its criminal investigation.

EXPANDED COVERAGE | Deadly police chase

Timothy Russell and his passenger, Malissa Williams, died after the 23-minute police chase ended in a barrage of 137 gunshots in an East Cleveland parking lot.  The Ohio Attorney General's Office determined that neither Russell nor Williams were armed that night.

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Cedar Point guests angry with park for crowded Saturday

Photo by Ryan Haidet, WKYC-TV.

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SANDUSKY -- Park guests are accusing Cedar Point of causing a big nightmare during the weekend -- and they're not talking about HalloWeekends.

PHOTOS | Inside Cedar Point's new Zombie High School haunted house

Saturday saw massive crowds at the Sandusky roller coaster oasis, which many claim created major traffic troubles once the park was closed at midnight -- some saying it took them more than four hours to exit the parking lot.

GUIDE | Local Halloween happenings

As a result, guests turned to Facebook to let Cedar Point have a piece of their frustrated minds.

Here is a small sampling of their remarks (a statement from Cedar Point is also posted at the bottom of this article):

- "I have been sitting in a van in the back parking lot with young children for almost 4 hours waiting to get out ....WHAT IS GOING ON? LET US OUT!!!"

- "Thanks for a miserable experience today CP!"

- "Note to Cedar Point: If you run out of parking spaces, that PROBABLY means you should not let any more people into the park!"

- "Probably will never go back after yesterdays terrible experience!!"

- "Cedar Point was an absolutely miserable place on Saturday. After 30 years of going there, I am done. My kids actually cried because of how miserable it was. Besides the long lines to get into the parking lot, there were long lines onto rides, to get food, to use restrooms and to get out of the parking lot. Thanks to this day at Cedar Point, they have given me nightmares and not because of Halloweekends."

- "1st time taking our 10 yr old yesterday and the trip was awful! Traffic completely ruined the trip for us it took us 2.5 hrs to travel 5 miles into the park and 3 hrs to leave the parking lot. People were rude, obnoxious and not one security officer to control the crowds. Cedar Point claims safety is a priority however they need to review not only their traffic plans but other aspects before a major disaster happens...the experience in the parking lot after the park closed could have been handled much better. Thank God no one was injured."

- "In the parking lot 4 hours before we could leave? Really? boo."

- "While we enjoyed our time in the park today, my family has a major complaint regarding trying to get out of the parking lot tonight. Whomever you have directing traffic did a terrible job. We were parked in the west lot, close to the yacht club area. We got to our van at 11:50pm, and waited in stand-still traffic for 51 minutes before we finally moved up to the area where there was someone directing traffic, and we got let out onto the main drag out of Cedar Point. We sat there watching while hundreds of cars drove out ahead of us coming from three other lines of traffic next to us, yet somehow, over and over again, our section was skipped. When a few cars finally did get let out, it was just that, a few cars, and really only from one direction, the cars parked closer to the front of the lots got ignored through round after round of turn taking. This was extraordinarily frustrating, and has made us decide we do not want another trip to your park any time soon."

- "Way to manage traffic Cedar Point. Been in traffic trying to leave the park for over an hour and have made it 0.3 miles. It'll be a loooong while before I come back (and something tells me the rest of the folks in the parking lot, I mean "road" may feel the same)!!! Is it really asking too much to expect some measure of traffic control??? GET IT TOGETHER!!!"

- "I had a good time at the park yesterday until I tried to leave at around 11:30 PM. Being trapped in the Soak City parking lot for 3 and a half hours with no explanation of what was going on was not fun at all. It did not appear as though a single car left the rear parking lot until after 3AM. Upon leaving all other parking lots were completely empty. How could a park that has been around as long as Cedar Point be so worthless when it comes to traffic management? The only reason I gave one star was because it would not allow me to post a review with zero stars."

- "Isn't there a such thing called over capacity? After the experience yesterday I don't ever want to go back.this was ridiculous.they don't care about there customers as long as they make money complete bull-s**t."

- "Very disappointed, waited in 'Cedar Point' traffic for over 2 hours only to pay the parking fee and find out that there were NO MORE PARKING SPOTS LEFT!!!!! You were parking people 3 deep in the grass, really?!! You should have turned us away long before we got to the gate. Do you have a maximum capacity for the park, I'm sure it was exceeded today. Very frustrated, we left."

- "We just got home from our 2 hour drive, that was after it took THREE HOURS to get out of the parking lot!!! THREE HOURS! Who was the Rhode Scholar who did not add another out lane when the one for pedestrians was blocked??? Once on the Causeway we cruised because no one was on it!!"

- "Made it up to the parking gate after 2 1/2 hrs of waiting in line bumper to bumper with my grandchildren who waited patiently way too long just to be told they had to wait till the staff found a parking spot. I decided at this point to say forget it ! I figured it was even more of a nightmare in the park. Why didn't they just put a full sign up and forget about wasting everyone's time and disappointing so many kids. My grandchildren and I have passes so except for the wasted time we were not too disappointed."

---

A discussion forum titled "OMG 10/12/2013" was posted on PointBuzz.com -- a Cedar Point fan site -- where others left comments about their experience that day.

Despite the abundance of negative comments, there were a few who left the park positive feedback on Facebook. Others even blamed those complaining about the extreme crowds for choosing such a notoriously busy weekend to attend.

Meanwhile, park officials have since released the following statement:

On Saturday, October 12, Cedar Point experienced a large crowd with the combination of perfect weather, the Columbus Day holiday and our annual HalloWeekends event.

While guests were attempting to park their vehicles, and subsequently, leave the park at the end of their day, they experienced a longer than normal delay in our parking lot and on our causeway. Like sporting events, concerts and other events where large crowds gather, guests leave around the same time creating a backup.

 Our current parking procedures and traffic patterns are in place to safely direct vehicles in and out of our parking lot, as safety is our primary concern. However, we are aware that the delay on Saturday, October 12 was not normal.

We are currently reviewing our parking and traffic procedures in an effort to deliver a better guest experience.

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Cleveland: Redskins controversy revives Wahoo debate

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CLEVELAND -- Is it time for the owners of the Cleveland Indians to retire Chief Wahoo as one of the team's symbols?

The debate is being revived in light of the nationwide controversy about the Washington Redskins nickname.  Even the President has weighed in as part of the debate over whether the NFL team should change it because some find it insensitive and racially offensive.

Bob Costas gave the Chief a  mention in his halftime commentary during the Sunday Night Football game when he called the Redskins' name "an insult, a slur."

"Names like Blackhawks, Seminoles and Chippewas, while potentially problematic, can still be okay provided the symbols are appropriately respectful. Which is where the Cleveland Indians, with the combination of their name and Chief Wahoo logo, have sometimes run into trouble," he said.

He did not specifically call on the team to get rid of the mascot.

Plain Dealer columnist Mark Naymik wrote a Sunday column urging the Indians to dump the Chief.

Native Americans and other groups have called on the team to change the logo.  But their protests have died down in recent years.

The Indians nickname is derived from Louis Francis Alexis, a Penobscot Indian who played for the Cleveland baseball team. He was the first native American to play Major League Baseball and be recognized for his heritage.

The team adopted the Indians name in 1915.

The Indians now have three different logos: a block C letter and the script Indians in addition to the Chief.

"We believe the logo is an individual perception. We believe when people look at our logo they think baseball," said team spokesman Bob DiBiasio.  But he added, "we understand there are sensitivities," involved.

With the Redskins protest intensifying the issue, expect more debate about the appropriateness of the comic book character, red-skinned,  smiling Chief in the days to come.

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Family rescued after car slams into house

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MAPLE HEIGHTS -- Members of a Maple Heights family had to be rescued early this morning after a car slammed into the home.

Firefighters say the car nearly collapsed the home.  Two people had to be rescued from an upper floor after a staircase was badly damages by the car's impact.

The crash caused a gas leak resulting in neighboring homes being evacuated as well.

The crash was reported before 3 a.m. on Rockside Road, near East 141st Street.

The driver struck a utility pole before running into the home.

The people inside the home were not hurt but were shaken up by the incident.

A man inside the car was treated and released at the hospital.  Police say he told officers he was a passenger in the car and is not in custody.

Police are still investigating the crash.

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Cleveland Weather: Few Sunday Showers

Sunday: Mostly Cloudy & Mild with scattered showers.  High: 70.  Wind: S-NW 5-10 mph.

Sunday Night:  A few evening Showers, otherwise, partial Clearing.  Low: 54.  Wind: North 10-15 mph.

Monday, (Columbus Day): Partly Sunny & Cooler.  High: 64.  Wind: NE 10-15 mph.

Monday Night:  Partly Cloudy & Cool.  Low: 54.  Wind:  East 10-15 mph.

Tuesday: Partly Sunny & Mild.  High: 74.

Wednesday: Cloudy with rain showers likely.  High: 68.

Thursday:  Mostly cloudy with lingering showers.  High: 62.

Friday:  Partly Sunny & Cool.  High: 59.

Saturday:  Partly Cloudy & Cool.  High: 58.

Get more weather info and connect with us on Twitter and Facebook!

WKYC Weather Warriors on Facebook or @wkycweather on Twitter

Betsy Kling: @BetsyKling on Twitter or Betsy's Facebook Page

Hollie Strano: @holliesmiles on Twitter or Hollie's Facebook Page

Marcus Walter: @MarcusDWalter on Twitter or Marcus's Facebook Page

Bruce Kalinowski on Bruce's Facebook Page

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Cleveland | Police searching for hit-skip suspect

Photo Courtesy: Google Maps (2009)

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CLEVELAND -- Police are searching for a driver who was involved in a hit-skip accident that sent an elderly man to the hospital Saturday morning.

The accident happened around 10:30 a.m. Police responded to the scene to find a bicyclist who was was seriously injured. 

The cyclist, 76-year-old Charles Crays was taken to MetroHealth Medical Center for treatment. His condition is not known at this time.

Police believe Crays was headed south in the right shoulder of the Denison Avenue entrance ramp to I-71. That's when a car, headed in the same direction, lost control and struck Crays. He was thrown from the bike into the roadway.

The driver of the car continued south on I-71.

The suspect's car was described as a late 80's or early 90's 4-door Chevy Cavalier, dark blue in color. The car's windows were tinted and may have damage to the left front, left side and the windshield.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Cleveland Police Accident Investigation Unit at 216-623-5295. 

Anonymous information can be given to Crime Stoppers by calling 216-252-7463 or Text messaging to TIP657 plus your message to Crimes (274637).

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Between the Lines: Metroparks ballot issue

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Cuyahoga County voters face a batch of government agencies with their hands out for property tax dollars on the November ballot.

There's the Health and Human Services Levy, the Port Levy renewal, a Cleveland Library issue and numerous school levies.

One of the biggest requests is coming from the Cleveland Metroparks. It's Issue 80 -- a 10-year levy proposal would bring in $75 million per year.

It would increase tax on a $200,000 home from $128 to $188 per year.

Metroparks have ambitious plans to improve Cleveland's lakefront parkts and other initiatives to upgrade the Emerald Necklace.

Russ Mitchell, in for Tom Beres, joins Channel 3 Political Analysts Mary Anne Sharkey and Dennis Eckart discussing the Metroparks levy with Metroparks CEO Brian Zimmerman on this edition of Between the Lines.

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