CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Thousands of FirstEnergy customers in Lakewood and Cleveland’s West Side, including the Westpark neighborhood, are without power again.

These areas have been plagued by outages since late December 2025.

Check FirstEnergy’s website outage maps for the latest numbers and restoration times.

Cleveland Public Power is reporting some outages on the West side and downtown Cleveland. Click here for the CPP power outage map.

19 News has reached out to FirstEnergy for the cause of the outage.

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A series of social media posts from a cryptid-focused podcast has ignited speculation about widespread Bigfoot sightings in northeast Ohio, with enthusiasts pointing to what they describe as a concentrated burst of activity in the Mantua and Garrettsville areas southeast of Cleveland. The Bigfoot Society, a podcast and online community, says it has received six separate reports of alleged Bigfoot encounters between March 6 and March 10 in wooded areas in the region.

Why it matters

Bigfoot sightings are relatively common across the United States, but a cluster of multiple reported encounters in a small geographic area over a short period is considered unusual and potentially indicative of increased cryptid activity. The reports have generated excitement within the Bigfoot research community, which is eager to investigate further and potentially uncover new evidence of the elusive creature’s existence.

The details

According to the Bigfoot Society, the reported encounters include alleged sightings of a nine-foot-tall, brown-haired Sasquatch, as well as other details about the creature’s appearance and behavior. However, the group has not released any photographs, video, or independently verified physical evidence to corroborate the claims. Nonetheless, the podcast host described the cluster of sightings as a possible “flap” event, a term used in cryptozoology to refer to multiple sightings within a short time span.

• The reported sightings occurred between March 6 and March 10, 2026.
• The Bigfoot Society received the six separate reports during this four-day period.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Bigfoot Society has urged residents in Portage County to remain vigilant and report any additional sightings or evidence to the group. The podcast host indicated that the community is eager to investigate the reports further and potentially uncover new evidence of Bigfoot’s existence.

Ohio’s asphalt paving industry is undergoing a significant structural shift driven by $14 billion in federal infrastructure funding through the IIJA, aging pavement across Northeast Ohio’s commercial corridors, and rising demand for integrated pavement management over one-time new construction. For Cleveland-area commercial and industrial property owners, this convergence of public investment, climate-driven wear, and evolving contractor capabilities creates both urgency and opportunity.
CLEVELAND, OHIO – The asphalt paving industry in Northeast Ohio is entering a pivotal period of transformation, driven by federal infrastructure dollars, aging commercial pavement, and the region’s punishing freeze-thaw climate. For commercial property owners, facility managers, and HOAs throughout the Cleveland metro area, these trends directly inform decisions about when to pave, whether to repair or replace, and how to select the right contractor.

Historic Infrastructure Investment

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is channeling an estimated $14 billion into Ohio, including $9.7 billion for roads and bridges. In Northeast Ohio alone, ODOT announced over $1.7 billion across 248 projects. Ohio voters further reinforced this in May 2025, approving $2.5 billion in general obligation bonds for infrastructure. For commercial property owners, improved surrounding roads make neglected private parking lots more conspicuous – and more costly to ignore.

Ohio’s Infrastructure Report Card Signals Urgency

The ASCE issued Ohio an overall grade of C- in its 2025 Infrastructure Report Card. NOACA confirmed that 76% of its 2024-2027 roadway funding is dedicated to system preservation – a clear signal that the region’s pavement stock needs rehabilitation. Privately owned parking lots and access drives, many built during Ohio’s industrial peak, are likely in comparable or worse condition.

The Shift to Integrated Pavement Management

Pure “paving-only” revenue among the top 50 U.S. contractors declined approximately 24% from its 2023 peak, even as total revenues climbed 18%. Property owners increasingly seek contractors offering integrated services – milling, resurfacing, drainage repair, sealcoating, and long-term maintenance planning – not just new installation.

Freeze-Thaw Climate Creates a Compounding Crisis

Cleveland’s repeated freeze-thaw cycles fracture pavement from within, saturate subbases, and accelerate structural failure. Well-maintained asphalt can last 20-30 years; neglected pavement often requires full replacement in 10-15. Replacement costs can run up to seven times that of a proactive maintenance program.

In-House Crews Separate Winners from the Rest

Contractors with in-house crews and integrated capabilities outperform subcontracting-dependent firms on scheduling, quality control, and accountability – all critical on active commercial and industrial sites.

Empire Paving has delivered commercial asphalt paving, concrete construction, drainage solutions, and pavement maintenance across Northeast Ohio for over 20 years from its Cleveland headquarters. Learn more at https://www.empirepaving.biz/cuyahoga-county/cleveland-oh/ or call (216) 581-1000.

Media Contact
Company Name: Empire Paving
Contact Person: Scott Heiman
Email:Send Email [https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=ohios-asphalt-paving-industry-at-an-inflection-point-what-cleveland-commercial-property-owners-need-to-know-in-20252026]
Phone: 216-581-1000
Address:4620 Johnston Pkwy
City: Cleveland
State: Ohio, 44128
Country: United States
Website: https://www.empirepaving.biz

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