Cleveland, OH
New safety measures for ‘dangerous’ stretch of I-90
[Watch in the player above: Ohio State Highway Patrol releases five-year report on road fatalities]
CLEVELAND (WJW) — State troopers and local police are now being more vigilant for drivers on a local interstate who are speeding and who aren’t wearing their seat belts.
Gov. Mike DeWine earlier this week announced the launch of the state’s first Speed & Seat Belt Safety Corridor on a “dangerous” 8-mile stretch of Interstate 90 between East 55th Street and East 260th Street.
About a third of all crashes there since 2021 involved a motorist who was unbuckled, and more than 400 crashes there since 2021 involved speeding, according to the release.
State troopers there have handed out more than 450 tickets for speeding and more than 700 citations for seat belt violations.
“Officers and troopers are constantly encountering drivers on this section of I-90 who are driving recklessly with no care for their own safety or the safety of others,” DeWine is quoted in the release. “We’re giving this stretch of I-90 extra attention because many of the fatal and severe-injury crashes here could have been prevented with lower speeds and seat belts.”
The effort involves the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Ohio Department of Transportation and police from Cleveland, Euclid and Bratenahl, according to the release.
Motorists can expect “no tolerance” speeding and seat belt enforcement as well as new signage reminding them to buckle up and watch their speed.
Though drivers and front-seat passengers are required to wear seat belts in Ohio, only about 84% of them actually do — 72% in Cuyahoga County — which is below the national average, according to a 2023 state survey.
Nearly two-thirds of all fatal crashes statewide since 2021 involved an unbuckled motorist, according to the release. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates wearing a seat belt can cut the risk of injury by about half.
Not wearing a seat belt is a secondary offense in Ohio, meaning drivers can’t be pulled over just for that.
“It’s not about issuing tickets, it’s about saving lives,” DeWine said. “By buckling up, you are much more likely to survive a car crash or walk away with minor injuries.”
Cleveland, OH
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets prediction, pick for Sunday 3/1/26
Cooper Albers takes you through his preview, prediction and pick for Sunday’s NBA matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Brooklyn Nets.
Eastern Conference rivals close their regular-season series on Sunday, as the Brooklyn Nets host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Barclays Center.
The Cavaliers (37–24, 4th East) have dropped back-to-back games without Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, albeit against far superior competition. They’ll aim for the three-game sweep of Brooklyn without Mitchell, while Harden remains questionable.
The Nets (15–44, 14th East) are mired in a brutal seven-game losing streak, including a 112–84 thumping in Cleveland on February 19.
Here’s a look at the Injury Report:
Cleveland Cavaliers
- Out: Donovan Mitchell (Groin), Max Strus (Foot), Dean Wade (Ankle)
- Questionable: James Harden (Thumb), Keon Ellis (Finger)
Brooklyn Nets
- Out: Egor Demin (Heel), Drake Powell (G-League Assignment)
- Questionable: Nic Claxton (Thumb)
Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET. Cleveland enters as a hefty 11.5-point road favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Brooklyn sits as a +410 underdog. The game’s total is set at 222.5 points.
Cavaliers vs. Nets Preview
Cleveland Cavaliers Preview
The Cavaliers went all in at the NBA trade deadline, sending Darius Garland to Los Angeles for superstar guard James Harden. The gamble seemingly paid off, as the former MVP has fit seamlessly into the lineup alongside Donovan Mitchell. Cleveland went 6–1 after Harden’s debut, its lone loss coming against the defending champs in Oklahoma City.
But the momentum quickly stalled when both Harden and Mitchell hit the sidelines to nurse injuries. Cleveland has dropped back-to-back games in the star duo’s absence against Milwaukee and Detroit. And while Harden is listed as questionable for Sunday’s contest with a thumb fracture in his non-shooting hand, Mitchell remains out with a groin strain.
The Cavs are just 2–4 without Mitchell this season. If Harden stays out, they’ll likely keep relying on their accomplished frontcourt of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Cleveland also features a solid veteran backup point guard in Dennis Schroder, along with a reliable sharpshooter in Sam Merrill.
Brooklyn Nets Preview
Brooklyn has won five games in 2026. Five.
Were any of these wins particularly impressive? Hardly. They beat a Nikola Jokic-less Denver Nuggets, the spiraling Chicago Bulls twice, the lowly Washington Wizards, and the tanking Utah Jazz.
The Nets rank dead last on both ends of the floor since January 1, disappointing even by their standards. They’ve lost seven games in a row, punctuated by a 37-point walloping in Boston on Friday night.
Michael Porter Jr. will continue trying to carry an increasingly strained offense without rookie standout Egor Demin. Brooklyn will also lean on its burgeoning frontcourt, comprising Noah Clowney and Nic Claxton (questionable).
Cavaliers vs. Nets Pick, Best Bet
Keep an eye on the injury report for this one. If Harden remains sidelined, Cleveland may lack the offensive firepower to pull away. But if the former MVP suits up, expect him and the Cavs to carve up Brooklyn’s porous defense and comfortably cover the 11.5-point spread.
Best Bet: Cleveland Cavaliers -11.5 (-110)
Cleveland, OH
14-year-old girl shot on Cleveland’s East Side
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A 14-year-old girl is in critical condition after being shot at a home Friday.
Police said around 7:15 p.m., officers from the Fifth District got a call for someone shot in the 1400 block of Lakeview Road.
When officers got on scene, a 14-year-old girl was found suffering from a gunshot wound.
Cleveland EMS took her to a nearby hospital, where she is listed in critical condition
A gun was recovered at the scene.
The incident remains under active investigation.
Police said additional information will be released as it becomes available.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
Cleveland, OH
Sokolowski’s University Inn co-owner dies
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Former co-owner of the legendary Cleveland restaurant Sokolowski’s University Inn has died.
65-year-old Michael Sokolowski passed away on Tuesday, according to his obituary.
Established in Tremont in 1923, Sokolowski’s University Inn was Cleveland’s oldest family-owned and operated restaurant. It was a recipient of the prestigious James Beard “American Classics” Award in 2014. It closed it doors for good in 2020.
Read Obit below
MICHAEL PAUL SOKOLOWSKI, age 65; passed away peacefully on February 24, 2026. Beloved husband of Patricia (nee McCue); loving father of George McDougall (Erika) and Sara; grandfather of Nicole and Emerson; Son of the late Bernard Sr. and Marion (nee Szwejkowski); dear brother of Bernard Jr. (Mary) and Mary Lou Balbier (Ronald); loving brother-in-law, uncle and dear friend of many. Mike was the co-owner of Sokolowski’s University Inn, a Cleveland landmark restaurant since 1923 and a James Beard Award winner. He played baseball and football for Cleveland Central Catholic and graduated from Otterbein University. Michael was a member of the Greater Cleveland Umpire Association, officiating many Cleveland Indians Fantasy Camps. He loved cooking and taught classes at the Polaris Career Center for their community culinary arts program. Mike loved music, attending many concerts, and playing drums in bands and for his parish church masses. Former President of the Cleveland Society of Poles and a member of the Knights of Columbus Trinity Council. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Cleveland Central Catholic High School, 6550 Baxter Ave., Cleveland, OH 44105.
Mass of Christian burial at St. John Cantius Catholic Church, 906 College Ave, Cleveland, Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 12 noon. Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. Family and friends received at the church, Saturday from 10 a.m.-12 noon.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
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