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East Cleveland mayor and former councilman blame politics for indictments

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East Cleveland mayor and former councilman blame politics for indictments


CLEVELAND, OH — Attorneys for East Cleveland’s mayor and a former city councilman each blamed political opponents for the criminal indictments against the two men Friday.

“It’s disappointing to see that the prosecutor of the county is now involved with the political fight with people within East Cleveland,” said defense attorney Charles Tyler who represents East Cleveland Mayor Brandon King.

“It’s a very sad day that the criminal justice system would be used in this manner,” said East Cleveland Law Director Willa Hemmons, who appeared with former councilman Ernest Smith during Smith’s arraignment. “Nobody wants to see the criminal justice system weaponized against a political adversary.”

But the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor said the cases against the pair followed investigations by the Ohio Ethics Commission and the Ohio Auditor of State.

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“These charges came about as a direct result of those investigations,” said Prosecutor Michael O’Malley in a statement. “The people who continue to suffer from these actions are the residents of East Cleveland.”

Mayor Brandon King pleaded not guilty to two counts of theft in office, four counts of having an unlawful interest in a public contract, four counts of representation by public official or employee, one count of filing a false disclosure statement and one count of soliciting improper compensation.

King is accused of authorizing and paying more than $76,000 in public contracts between the City of East Cleveland and businesses owned by the mayor and his family.

But Hemmons said Friday those contracts pre-dated King’s time in city government and said King gave up any financial stake in the companies following guidance from the state’s ethics commission.

“If we’re going to preclude every legitimate citizen, every businessman from ever entering politics, we’re going to lose a lot of good people,” Hemmons said.

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The mayor is also accused of improperly providing Smith with a city vehicle and gas cards to purchase fuel.

Investigators said Smith bought $6,791 worth of gas at the expense of the city.

Smith insisted the car was only used in connection with his job but said Friday that included instances where he took his kids to school.

“My son and my daughter are residents of East Cleveland,” said Smith. “I live in East Cleveland. They went to East Cleveland schools. It’s dangerous outside. You can’t even walk to school without the prostitutes and drug dealers messing with everyone.”

Smith also pointed to a 2017 document from the then-clerk of council, which noted Smith received keys to the 2003 Ford for use “for city business” as proof that everything was above board.

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“I didn’t go the mayor to get the car,” said Smith. “I don’t work for the mayor. [The] council doesn’t work for the mayor. I got the word that there was a city council car around there somewhere and my clerk found it for me.”

Smith, who was recalled by voters in 2022 and lost his seat on the council, said he’s “very confident” he will be vindicated and said he plans to run for city council again in 2025.

He told a judge Friday that he did not have money for an attorney and was appointed counsel.

Tyler said the mayor has no plans to step down even as a three-judge panel weighs whether King should be suspended until his criminal case is resolved.

Tyler said King, not the city, is paying for the mayor’s legal defense.

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Cleveland, OH

Bodies of 2 young girls found in suitcases in Cleveland’s South Collinwood neighborhood

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Bodies of 2 young girls found in suitcases in Cleveland’s South Collinwood neighborhood


CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd on Tuesday confirmed the bodies of two young girls were found in suitcases on the city’s East Side Monday evening.

Cleveland police were called just after 6 p.m. to a field in the area of East 163rd and Midland Avenue for a suspected dead body.

According to police sources, a man was walking his dog in the area, for the first time in awhile due to the snow, and the dog hit on the scent.

The man immediately called 911.

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“The officers responded out and located a deceased individual that was in a shallow grave inside of a suitcase,” said Chief Todd.

When officers and homicide detectives got to the scene, Todd said they found the second body nearby.

According to the chief, both suitcases were partially buried in shallow graves. She said the victims had been there quite some time.

“It is traumatic for everyone. It is traumatic for those who live in the area to know that this was right there at their door step,” said Todd.

Authorities said one victim is believed to be 8-and-a-half to 13 years old and the other is believed to be 10-and-a-half to 14 years old.

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There is no indication at this time on their identities, according to police.

“locally we have no reports of missing children to match these identifications. We are checking statewide as well. We have assistance from our state federal and local partners,” said Todd.

Detectives are checking with state and federal partners as well.

The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner has taken custody of the bodies and will conduct further examination to determine the cause of death.

This crime scene is located near Ginn Academy in the city’s South Collinwood neighborhood.

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Police said the investigation remains in its very early stages and there is no indication of an ongoing threat to public safety.

If anyone has any information, they are asked to call the Cleveland Police Homicide Unit at 216-623-5464.

Tips can remain anonymous.



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More than 30K FirstEnergy customers without power in Cuyahoga County

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More than 30K FirstEnergy customers without power in Cuyahoga County


CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Thousands of FirstEnergy customers are without power in Cuyahoga County this Tuesday.

The total number reached 31,785 reported outages in Cuyahoga County at noon.

That number decreased to 16,486 as of 1:10 p.m.

There were just 2,751 still without power less than an hour later at 2 p.m.

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FirstEnergy estimates power to be restored to most impacted customers between 2-4 p.m. Tuesday.

FirstEnergy spokesperson Brooke Conlan said this is due to small fires on poles.

According to Conlan, the misty rain combined with salt on the road can cause contamination on utility poles, which causes electricity to travel across the the pole and cause the fire.

Conlan added their crews are working as quickly as possible to restore power.

Due to the outages, the Parma Justice Center is closed, and all court proceedings are suspended for the remainder of Tuesday.

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David Henry Obituary – Vermilion, OH

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David Henry Obituary – Vermilion, OH



David Henry


OBITUARY

David G. Henry, 70, of Vermilion, passed away Sunday, March 1, 2026, at his home following a lengthy illness.He was born December 14, 1955, in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and had made Vermilion his home for the past 42 years, moving from Irwin, Pennsylvania.Dave began his career with Westinghouse in Pennsylvania before relocating to Ohio in 1983. He was employed at Elyria Foundry for 20 years and later worked as a machinist for 14 years at Betcher Industries, where he retired. He was known throughout his career for his strong work ethic and skilled craftsmanship.In his free time, Dave enjoyed woodworking, taking pride in the projects he created with his hands. Above all, he cherished the time he spent with his family, especially his children and grandchildren.He is survived by his daughter, Alicia Parsons of Vermilion; his sons, David (Fiona) Henry of Bloomington, Indiana and Jonathan (Joanna) Henry of Vermilion and Anthony (Ashley) Cico of Amherst; and 13 beloved grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his wife, Darlene (nee Eckenrode) Henry in 2017; his parents, Charles and Gloria (nee Krider) Henry; his brother, Howard Henry; and his son-in-law, Cliff Parsons.The family will receive friends on Friday, March 20, 2026 from 3:00 p.m. until the time of the memorial service at 5:00 p.m. at the Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street, Vermilion, Ohio.Memorial contributions may be made to Friendship Animal Protective League of Lorain County, Inc. 8303 Murray Ridge Road, Elyria, OH 44035 or Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 95000 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195Online condolences may be made at www.riddlefuneralhome.com



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