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Cleveland mayor announces ‘A Home for Every Neighbor’

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Cleveland mayor announces ‘A Home for Every Neighbor’


CLEVELAND, Ohio — More than 10,000 Ohioans have no permanent place to call home tonight, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, including about 1,500 in Cuyahoga County.


What You Need To Know

  • Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb announced a new initiative aimed to help the city’s homeless population
  • ‘A Home for Every Neighbor’ will use vendors to help homeless people transition into stable shelters
  • Vendors will get a nearly $2 million budget to execute the plan

On Friday, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb announced a new initiative that will focus on helping the city’s unsheltered find permanent housing.

It’s called A Home for Every Neighbor, and the city is currently seeking proposals from prospective vendors who can enter targeted areas to reach out to those living out in the elements to help them transition into a stable shelter.

Vendors will also be required to provide supportive services to help set those formerly unhoused up for success.

The request for proposals offers a nearly $2 million budget from the city’s general revenue funds to bring the program to life, with the outlined plan the result of a collaboration with community organizations like the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless, who help those who are unsheltered every day.

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“We have stereotypes and fears that have been ingrained in us,” said Chris Knestrick, executive director of the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless. “And, you know, I think all of that is ultimately, like, can be eliminated by an encounter. A really human encounter with someone. Whether they’re sleeping under a bridge in our community or whether they’re kind of meeting them in their worst day and seeing their humanity.”

Knestrick said the city of Cleveland guarantees shelter to anyone in need, but there are reasons people choose to sleep outside instead. He said he’s excited the city is taking a focused approach to addressing this issue that’s only gotten worse since the pandemic.

Proposals from service providers are due to the city March 25, with a May 1 anticipated start date for the program.

The funds earmarked for the program are in addition to the nearly $3 million in grants Cleveland’s Department of Community Development and Cuyahoga County’s Office of Homeless Services awarded earlier this year to seven organizations assisting those who are homeless.



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Cleveland, OH

Cleveland native remembers playing “mean elf” in a Christmas classic

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Cleveland native remembers playing “mean elf” in a Christmas classic


CLEVELAND — Not many movies stand the test of time, but “A Christmas Story” is a genuine classic. 


What You Need To Know

  • One northeast Ohio native had a small but memorable part in “A Christmas Story”
  • The 1983 film only lasted a month in the box office
  • Drew Hocevar may be remembered for playing the “mean elf” in the film, but he’s anything but

The 1983 film only lasted a month in the box office but has since become a cult classic, drawing fans to the Cleveland home where it was shot all year long. One northeast Ohio native had a small but memorable part in the film and made lifelong friendships.

Drew Hocevar may be remembered for playing the “mean elf” in the film, but he’s anything but.

Known as the “male elf” in the credits, it’s the only acting role Hocevar has ever auditioned for. He was working at Higbees department store when he got the part.

“They just called me, and I got the elf part!” he said.

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He said it was just something fun to do. Being a teacher is what really paid the bills. Hocevar is a former special education teacher and now volunteers as a mechanic working on the merry-go-round at the Western Reserve Historical Society.

Some of the artifacts he saved from the movie are on display at the museum.

“I snagged my hat and ran,” he said.

He said the rest of the costume was thrown away.

Hocevar’s cast-signed poster and bb-gun are on display at the museum

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The museum has a few other special “A Christmas Story” displays, including Lego sculptures depicting memorable scenes from the movie including Hocevar’s scene of him pushing kids down a slide on a fake snow-topped mountain.

Over 40 years later he remains friends with some of the cast including his elf counterpart and recently had lunch with her.

The movie plays numerous times throughout the holiday season, but Hocevar said he tends not to watch. His friends, however, have a special name for Christmas Day.

“24 hours of Drew!” he said.



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Cleveland, OH

Northeast Ohio Weather: Partly Sunny Conditions to Brighten Cleveland Later This Week

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Northeast Ohio Weather: Partly Sunny Conditions to Brighten Cleveland Later This Week


Ohio Weather


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Cleveland, OH – Warmer weather is set to move into Northeast Ohio just in time for Christmas, with rain chances remaining low this week. After a cloudy and drizzly start today, temperatures will gradually rise, offering a mild holiday season for residents.

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According to the National Weather Service, Cleveland will see highs in the upper 30s today with patchy drizzle tapering off by the afternoon. Tonight, skies will remain cloudy with lows near 33°F. By Wednesday, Christmas Day, conditions improve with mostly cloudy skies and highs reaching a pleasant 40°F.

Looking ahead, Thursday will bring partly sunny skies and warmer temperatures, peaking near 48°F. Winds from the southeast will keep conditions calm, making it an ideal day for holiday outings. However, by Friday, a 30% chance of rain returns as temperatures climb into the upper 40s.

The warm-up continues into Saturday, with highs expected to reach the mid-50s. Showers are likely Saturday night into Sunday, so residents should prepare for wet conditions over the weekend.

Motorists should remain cautious today as morning drizzle could create slick spots on roads, including I-90 and I-71. While precipitation chances remain low, lingering fog and mist may reduce visibility early in the day.

Stay tuned for updated forecasts as Christmas approaches, and plan your holiday travels with these warming conditions in mind.

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Cleveland, OH

Man shot dead in Downtown Cleveland on Christmas Eve

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Man shot dead in Downtown Cleveland on Christmas Eve


CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A man was shot dead in Downtown Cleveland early Christmas Eve morning, police confirmed.

The Cleveland Division of Police said officers were called to East 13th Street and Superior Avenue for a gunshot victim.

The call came in at approximately 3:30 a.m. on Dec. 24, according to police.

Officers arrived to find a 42-year-old man who was shot lying unconscious in the street, said police.

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Police said officers quickly rendered first aid until Cleveland EMS arrived.

Cleveland EMS said he was in critical condition as they took him to MetroHealth Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

He has yet to be identified.

Police said no further information is being released at this time in the ongoing investigation.

Call the Cleveland Division of Police at 216-623-5000 and reference report #2024-370349 if you have any information on this incident.

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Man shot dead in Downtown Cleveland on Christmas Eve

This is a developing story. Return to 19 News for updates.



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