Cleveland, OH

Alabama hire weakens Ohio State’s Big Ten opponent but stabilizes national power

Published

2 years ago

January 13, 2024

Alabama hire weakens Ohio State’s Big Ten opponent but stabilizes national power

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Which would benefit Ohio State football more — one fewer Big Ten championship challenger, or the long-term weakening of the sport’s most elite program of the last two decades?

Neither outcome is guaranteed after Alabama’s hire of Washington’s Kalen DeBoer to succeed Nick Saban on Friday. Other big-time coaching candidates — Oregon’s Dan Lanning, Texas’ Steve Sarkisian, Florida State’s Mike Norvell — reaffirmed their commitment to their programs after their names came up in the wake of Saban’s retirement Wednesday.

DeBoer, though, pulled the trigger on Friday — four days after coaching the Huskies against Michigan in the national championship game. He built a pristine 104-12 record over nine seasons at Sioux Falls (with three NAIA championships), Fresno State and Washington.

Now he succeeds the best to ever do it.

Washington must now replace one of the profession’s rising stars as the program moves into Big Ten membership later this year. We don’t yet know the effects of extra travel and the repercussions for recruiting for the Huskies and their fellow West Coast additions. We can assume someone with DeBoer’s background helped the chances for a smooth transition.

Ohio State is already engaged in a battle for Big Ten supremacy with Michigan — one it is currently losing. Penn State looms as a potential power waiting to be taken for granted in the wrong season. Oregon, USC and Washington enter the league as nationally relevant programs with proven abilities to find and develop quarterbacks at or near the same level as the Buckeyes.

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If DeBoer moving to the SEC forces Washington to regroup or stalls the momentum of this playoff run, that on the surface looks good for Ohio State.

However, what if DeBoer passed on Alabama, which then had to look farther down its candidate list after all of the above pulled out of contention?

What if Alabama went the way of Texas and USC for the next decade — once mighty powers seemingly happy to nap as sleeping giants? Ohio State’s recruiting took full advantage of those deficiencies in recent years, pulling in numerous major prospects from those states.

If a weakened Alabama opened up more prospects from the deep south, that could arguably help OSU more than Washington taking a hit. With no Big Ten divisions to worry about, and an expanded College Football Playoff on deck, maybe tougher early levels are preferable en route to facing a softer final boss.

The less compelling the hire at Alabama, too, the more likely significant Crimson Tide players would enter the NCAA transfer portal. (A new 30-day window opens for any players whose team loses its coach.) With 2024 recruiting essentially wrapped up, DeBoer’s first order of business is making sure talents such as safety Caleb Downs and edge rusher Keon Keeley stay in Tuscaloosa.

Washington players can enter the portal now, too. Two defensive backs did so as outlets confirmed DeBoer’s departure. Perhaps that last point becomes a wash.

Regardless, Ohio State will feel the effects of this game of musical chairs. it plays Washington in Seattle in 2025 and at home in 2028. It is also scheduled to play Alabama in 2027-28.

Does this switch lower a hurdle to a Big Ten championship, or does it stabilize — or even bolster — an impediment to a national championship?

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Cleveland, OH

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

Published

2 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

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.

“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.

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.

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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Cleveland, OH

More than 30K FirstEnergy customers without power in Cuyahoga County

Published

14 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

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.

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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Cleveland, OH

David Henry Obituary – Vermilion, OH

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

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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