Cleveland, OH

Cleveland Family stunned after arsonist burns home to ground; Police still searching for suspect

Published

2 years ago

April 22, 2024

Cleveland Family stunned after arsonist burns home to ground; Police still searching for suspect

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A family is devastated after investigators say someone intentionally set their house on fire in the middle of the night.

“Who would do that to someone? Try to kill my whole family in our sleep with our 7-month-old baby? In a fire? It’s sickening,” said Felipe Freitas.

Freitas and Cecelia Li tell 19 News they’re still traumatized but grateful to be alive after their home went up in flames.

“I woke up by an act of God, saw flames outside our bedroom window and screamed, ‘Felipe, the house is on fire!’ He ran downstairs, tried to put it out. It went so fast, I picked up our baby, tried to go downstairs and the wall of smoke was so thick, it was like walking into a black cloud. I was choking, I couldn’t go downstairs,” said Li.

Li says she jumped from a second-floor window where Freitas caught her and their 7-month-old baby boy.

Sadly, they share that their pets, a dog and a cat named Salami and Evelyn, didn’t make it out of the home.

“They were the sweetest animals, they were the best friends, an absolute blessing and our son absolutely loved them,” said Li.

Cleveland Fire tells 19 News that when crews arrived to the home on w. 106th and Clifton Just after 2 a.m. Saturday, the fire had spread to two other houses in the neighborhood and two vehicles.

They estimate more than $700K in damages and for the house to be demolished.

“99 percent of everything in that house is irreplaceable, like one of a kind. The art, things we’ve kept for decades, that have been passed on for generations,” said Li. “Literally that night I was like, I got you [Felipe], I’ve got our son, that is all I have,” she said.

Investigators believe the cause of the fire is arson and the couple tells 19 News, they are stunned.

They’re hoping police get answers about the suspect and their case soon.

In the meantime, loved ones have wrapped their arms around the family with financial and emotional support.

“People can be really good and it’s like one person did something really evil to us but hundreds of people have done more and are doing so much good,” said Li.

Cleveland Police Department is investigating.

A $2,500 reward is being offered for any information that leads to an arrest.

Tips can be left by calling 216-664-6380.

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Cleveland, OH

Woman shot and killed in Cleveland’s Union-Miles neighborhood

Published

5 hours ago

March 7, 2026

Press Room

Woman shot and killed in Cleveland’s Union-Miles neighborhood

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A 25-year-old woman was shot and killed Friday on Cleveland’s East Side.

The shooting happened around 730 P.M. in the area of East 136th and Harvard Avenue.

Cleveland Police is investigating the incident.

One person has been detained, and a gun was recovered, according to police.

Police said there are no other details to share at this time.

Check back with 19 News for the latest information on this story.

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Cleveland, OH

Joseph M. Plavac Obituary – Westlake, OH (1930-2026)

Published

17 hours ago

March 7, 2026

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Joseph M. Plavac

OBITUARY

Joseph M. Plavac, age 95, of Westlake, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2026. He was born September 3, 1930 in Cleveland, Ohio.Beloved husband of Helen (deceased); dear father of Rev. Timothy Plavac and Andrea Boerger (Kenneth); grandfather of Zachary (Alicia); great grandfather of Kenny; brother of Donald (deceased)(Jean), Ralph(deceased)(Joann), Sister Ann Barbara and the deceased: George (Mary), Nicholas, Milan (Anna Mae) and Mary Dobos (Andy); son of the deceased: Nicholas and Mary.Joe’s family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to all of Joe’s caregivers over the past few years, including the staff of Emerald Village in North Olmsted, the nurses and staff of Concord Reserve in Westlake, who took such loving care of him and the staff of Hospice of the Western Reserve, especially Cindy and Erin. Their kindness and compassion always brought a smile to his face.Family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Joseph at The DeJohn-Flynn-Mylott Funeral Home of Willoughby Hills, 28890 Chardon Rd.(between Bishop Rd. and Rt. 91), Sunday, March 8, from 3-6pm. Funeral Mass, Monday, 11am at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church, 9114 Lakeshore Blvd., Mentor. Additional calling hours will take place at church from 10-11am before Mass. Interment All Souls Cemetery, Chardon, Ohio.In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hospice of the Western Reserve, P.O. Box 72700, Cleveland, OH 44192 or School Sisters of St. Francis of Christ the King 13900 Main St., Lemont, IL 60439. For a detailed history of Joe’s life, please visit golubfuneralhome.com.

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Cleveland, OH

Ohio gas prices spike as oil prices soar

Published

1 day ago

March 6, 2026

Press Room

Ohio gas prices spike as oil prices soar

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) -According to AAA, the national average for a gallon of gas has gone up by 34 cents since Monday.

The continued uncertainty over the new war with Iran is driving crude oil prices sharply higher.

At the time this article was published, oil is trading at $90 witch is up 11% just today.

In Cleveland, gas has gone from $2.87 over this past weekend to $3.28 today according to the price tracking website Gasbuddy.com.

AAA has put out reminders on how to maximize you gas mileage:

Slow down and drive the speed limit. On the highway, aerodynamic drag causes fuel economy to drop off significantly as speeds increase above 50 mph.
Reduce trips and lighten your load. Limit the amount of cargo in your vehicle when possible.
Avoid “jackrabbit” starts and hard acceleration. These actions greatly increase fuel consumption. Accelerate smoothly with light to moderate throttle.
Avoid extended idling to warm up the engine. Even in winter, idling, and warming up an engine are unnecessary and wastes fuel.
Look ahead. When approaching a red light or stop sign, let off the gas early and allow the vehicle to coast down to a slower speed until it is time to brake.
Use cruise control to help maintain a constant speed and save fuel. However, never use cruise control on wet roads because a loss of vehicle control could result.
Take advantage of fuel savings programs. AAA members have access to savings when filling up at Shell gas stations. More information is available at AAA.com/Shell.