Cleveland, OH

101-year-old Akron woman makes history after stroke surgery at Cleveland Clinic

Published

2 years ago

May 23, 2023

101-year-old Akron woman makes history after stroke surgery at Cleveland Clinic

AKRON, Ohio — In 1921, the first radio baseball game was broadcast, Warren Harding was President, Albert Einstein won the Nobel Prize for physics and an Akron woman named Helen Brown was born.

Brown, who turned 102 last month, made her own history at Cleveland Clinic Akron General earlier this year.

Hospital officials believe she is the oldest Cleveland Clinic patient to ever have a thrombectomy performed following a stroke.

During a recent interview with News 5, Brown wore a t-shirt with the word “blessed” on it.

“Oh, I’ve been blessed, health-wise, family-wise,” she said.

Brown was 101 years old when she suffered the stroke inside her Akron home last January.

Brown was in her upstairs bed when she suddenly realized she couldn’t raise her arms. Her mouth started to twist and her words were slurred. She knew what was happening.

“I knew it was a stroke because I couldn’t move anything,” Brown recalled.

Brown’s daughter, Deidre Foreman, had just walked down the stairs and heard her mom calling out, but couldn’t understand what she was saying. She hurried back up the steps.

“I flipped on the light and said, ‘Mom, what’s wrong?’ And she said, to the best of her ability, ‘I had a stroke,’” Foreman said.

Family members called for help, and she was transported to Akron General, where doctors performed a thrombectomy, which removed a clot from Helen’s brain.

Foreman said as the family was praying in a waiting room, Dr. Firas Al-Ali appeared and announced the surgery was a success.

“We heard this man say, ‘We got it! We got it!’” Foreman told News 5.

Dr. Dhimant Dani, director of the neuroscience critical care unit at Akron General, said Brown’s age was not a limiting factor because she was otherwise healthy and has a good family support system.

“Age is just a number. I think what is the more important thing: is there any way we can give patients a life with lesser or no disability?” Dani said. “Every patient deserves to live, and every patient deserves the best care.”

There was concern that Brown may not be able to walk again, but her family said she continues to defy the odds as she continues her recovery and walks around the house with assistance from a walker.

“She has taught us to persevere. She has taught us that Brown girls don’t quit,” Foreman said.

Brown was born in Alabama but moved to Akron near the end of World War II. She worked on assembly lines at Goodyear Aircraft ad Goodrich Rubber before taking a teaching job at Smith Elementary.

She lost a six-month-old child to spina bifida and went on to have four other children with her husband Earlie.

When asked what her secret is to living to 102, Brown replied, “I tried to eat the right foods. I didn’t drink. I didn’t smoke.”

May is Stroke Awareness Month, and the family is urging people to remember the acronym FAST (Facial Drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties and Time) to recognize stroke symptoms and the importance of getting help quickly.

“We’re thanking God, and we’re gonna keep her here as many more years as we can,” Foreman said.

Brown also continues to count her blessings, realizing her stroke survival could help others reach 100 and beyond.

“That’s history for someone else, and perhaps they learned something through my surgery that could help someone else.”

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Cleveland, OH

Male shot and killed in Brook Park

Published

8 hours ago

November 27, 2024

Press Room

BROOK PARK, Ohio (WOIO) – A male was shot and killed near the area of West 130th and Holland Road Tuesday.

Police said they got called around 315 p.m. for the shooting.

The shooting is under investigation with no other information available at this time.

Brook Park Police Department will not be releasing any information until on or after Dec. 3, according to Southwest dispatch.

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Cleveland, OH

9 people indicted for illegal bar scheme throughout Cuyahoga County

Published

16 hours ago

November 26, 2024

Press Room

9 people indicted for illegal bar scheme throughout Cuyahoga County

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The Ohio Investigative Unit and Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office announced a 45-count Criminal Enterprise indictment in connection with a network of illegally operated bars across Cuyahoga County Tuesday.

The investigation uncovered a scheme in which “straw” owners purchased bars illegally as early as 2019, using illegal proceeds to continue to purchase more bars over a period of several years.

According to a press release from OIU, between 2019 and 2024, illegal were established at the following locations: Boozerz and The Bench Lounge in Euclid; Aura-Iconic and Aries Restaurant & Lounge in Garfield Heights; Night Capz and The Score in Cleveland Heights; and Bar Mayfield in South Euclid.

Investigators said that ownership of several of these businesses were later transferred to individuals with significant criminal histories, who would have been prohibited from being documented owners.

The enterprise generated nearly $4 million in illegal profits.

Investigators said that these proceeds were distributed to members of the enterprise and were used to purchase property and fund considerable personal expenses, entertainment, and leisure activities.

While being operated, these premises became significant public nuisances with frequent shootings, gun crimes, assaults, and disturbances, according to the press release. This placed a strain on local law enforcement resources and prompted numerous complaints from residents near these establishments. During the execution of search warrants in October, OIU agents seized cash, business records, and multiple firearms.

Nine people from northeast Ohio were indicted in the enterprise, including:

Randy Pittman (Age 53, of Macedonia)

– Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity

– Conspiracy

– Tampering with Records (6 counts)

– Grand Theft (4 counts)

– Money Laundering (5 counts)

Sharita Roberts (Age 42, of Newburgh Heights)

– Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity

– Conspiracy

– Tampering with Records (12 counts)

– Grand Theft (4 counts)

– Money Laundering (5 counts)

Rayshawn Duncan (Age 35, of Cleveland)

– Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity

– Conspiracy

– Tampering with Records (5 counts)

– Grand Theft (3 counts)

– Money Laundering (2 counts)

Donald King Jr. (Age 43, of Cleveland)

– Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity

– Conspiracy

– Tampering with Records (2 counts)

– Grand Theft (1 count)

– Money Laundering (1 count)

– Having Weapons Under Disability

Daryel Jones (Age 43, of Cleveland)

– Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity

– Conspiracy

– Tampering with Records (2 counts)

– Grand Theft (1 count)

– Money Laundering (1 count)

Dewayne Stewart (Age 37, of Cleveland)

– Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity

– Conspiracy

– Tampering with Records (1 count)

– Grand Theft (1 count)

– Money Laundering (1 count)

Daisha’vu O’Neal (Age 38, of Cleveland)

– Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity

– Conspiracy

– Tampering with Records (1 count)

– Grand Theft (1 count)

– Money Laundering (1 count)

Tremaine Golston (Age 35, of Cleveland)

– Tampering with Records (1 count)

Jazmyn Barrow-Stover (Age 40, of Solon)

– Tampering with Records (1 count)

In addition to the criminal indictment, 76 Administrative Violations were issued against the liquor permits in use at the involved premises. Those citations will ultimately be heard by the Ohio Liquor Control Commission, with possible sanctions including revocation of the liquor permits.

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Cleveland, OH

Lorain woman missing since Oct. 9 found by US Marshals in Cleveland

Published

23 hours ago

November 26, 2024

Press Room

Lorain woman missing since Oct. 9 found by US Marshals in Cleveland

LORAIN, Ohio (WOIO) – Lorain police say missing mother Desiree Long, 33, has been found safe by the U.S. Marshals in Cleveland.

Long was last seen Oct. 9 and was reported missing Oct. 23.

Lorain police said a U.S. Marshals Task Force found Long Tuesday at an apartment building in Cleveland.

“While there is currently no indication that Ms. Long was the victim of an abduction attempt, the circumstances remain under active investigation,” Lorain Police Cpt. Jacob A. Morris said in a news release.

Desiree Simone Long(Source: Lorain Police Dept.)

The 33-year-old woman is now in the Lorain County Jail on unrelated, outstanding warrants, according to police.

The detective leading Long’s case previously told 19 News she was last seen leaving a home and getting into a car near West 29th Street and Oberlin Avenue in Lorain.

It’s unconfirmed if the person behind the wheel was a rideshare driver or someone she knew.

Long’s family offered a $10,000 reward in connection to the case.

The circumstances around Long’s disappearance remain under investigation, according to police.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Lorain police at 440-204-2105.

“The Lorain Police Department extends its heartfelt gratitude to our law enforcement partners, the media, and, most importantly, the community. The invaluable tips, information, and widespread media coverage played a crucial role in locating Ms. Long safely. Your collective efforts highlight the power of collaboration and community engagement in ensuring public safety.”

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