Cleveland, OH
East Cleveland City Schools celebrate ‘We are EC Day’ marking end of state oversight
EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio — Classes across East Cleveland City Schools were briefly interrupted on Wednesday for a celebration.
After nearly seven years of oversight from the state’s Academic Distress Commission, the district has officially been released and is once again fully in control of its operations.
“This isn’t a Cinderella story. This is a story of a community that decided that excellence is now the standard,” said East Cleveland City Schools Superintendent and CEO Dr. Henry Pettiegrew.
He said turnarounds don’t come easily.
“We scratch. We claw. We grind (and) we hustle to get what we need,” Pettiegrew said. “And this community deserves this recognition today. Our teachers have gotten stronger. Students are performing better. It’s really amazing where we are today.”
The state placed him in the district in 2019 with a clear mission— to improve a failing district and boost academics so all students can succeed.
In September, around the time state report cards were released, he told me the district was using data to drive decisions, providing better support to teachers and communicating more with families.
“We’re knocking on doors. We’re having those real conversations, and if parents or students need particular things, supports or items, we’re right there to help,” Pettiegrew explained then.
He said teachers, students, and families rose to the occasion, applying focus and dedication.
Students earned a four-star rating in the progress category and an overall three-star rating on the most recent state report card. For the first time in more than a decade, the district is meeting state standards.
The district also met 16 of the 20 academic benchmarks set by the state, leading to its release from oversight. On Wednesday, a video played across the district in every classroom for what it called “We Are EC Day: Three Stars and Rising.”
In the video, Pettiegrew thanked everyone for the progress made. Congratulations also poured in from community members, business leaders, and celebrities, including Cleveland Browns player Shelby Harris.
Each student received a special school hoodie representing the mantra “Three Stars and Rising.” Staff members got a similar jersey.
“Throughout history, we commemorate when wonderful things happen and East Cleveland is no different,” Pettiegrew said.
He added that the district can’t and won’t let up on its path to continued success.
Pettiegrew said the district will be focusing hard on improving literacy outcomes and graduation rates, among other priorities. He said the goal is to match, if not exceed, the results from the last state report card on the next one.
Here’s a link to the full video the district released.
Damon Maloney is a Cuyahoga County and We Follow Through anchor at News 5 Cleveland. Follow him on X @DMaloneyTV, on Facebook DamonMaloneyTV or email him at Damon.Maloney@wews.com.
Cleveland, OH
Temperatures could dip to sub-zero in Cleveland this week. When’s the last time that happened?
Oh the weather outside is … freezing. Actually, it’s much colder than that.
Temperatures in northeast Ohio are expected to peak at a high of 16 degrees on Tuesday, with a low of 9 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. Wind chills dipped between -15 and -20 degrees this morning and are expected to remain near-zero or slightly below into the evening. The sub-zero temperatures forced a number of Cleveland-area school districts to close on Tuesday.
Later this week, air temperatures in Cleveland could reach as low as -4 degrees on Friday night, according to NWS’ extended forecast.
When’s the last time that happened? Perhaps to no surprise, the last time temperatures dropped below zero in Cleveland was just last year, in late January.
Air temperatures in Cleveland reached a low of -5 degrees on January 22, 2025, with a high of only 16 degrees. The day before, temperatures peaked at 10 degrees with a low of -3 degrees. Those were the only two days last year that air temperatures reached sub-zero in Cleveland.
Going even further back, the coldest day in Cleveland on record was -20 degrees on Jan. 19, 1994. The high that day was a balmy -3 degrees.
Official air temperature records in Cleveland have been recorded at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport — located about 14 miles southwest of downtown Cleveland — since 1938. Prior to that, records were kept near Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland.
Below-zero temperatures can also create problems inside your home: Freezing and bursting pipes. The American Red Cross suggests opening cabinet doors underneath the sink in your kitchen and bathroom to help warmer air circulate around the plumbing, cleveland.com’s Julie Washington and Megan Sims previously reported.
Veterinarians also recommend pet owners take precautions to keep their four-legged friends warm amid the unusually cold temperatures.
“Frostbite and hypothermia are the two biggest threats facing pets in cold weather, which is made worse with temperatures less than zero degrees,” Beth Malinich, doctor of veterinary medicine at the Animal Hospital of Fairview Park, told cleveland.com.
Cleveland, OH
Shooting in Cleveland leaves man in critical condition: EMS
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A 25-year-old man is in critical condition after being shot Monday afternoon.
According to Cleveland EMS, they reported to the area of E 123rd Street and Buckeye Road for a man who was shot.
EMS took the man with a gunshot wound in critical condition to UHA.
19 News is working to learn more from Cleveland Police about what led up to the shooting and if there are any suspects at this time.
This is a developing story. Return to 19 News for updates.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
Cleveland, OH
Cleveland Police need help identifying driver in deadly hit-and-run crash on west side
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Cleveland Police are asking for help in identifying the driver involved in a hit-and-run crash that left a man in his 30s dead early Saturday morning.
According to the Cleveland Police, the deadly hit-and-run crash is currently under investigation by the Cleveland Division of Police Accident Investigation Unit.
At around 2:38 a.m., officers responded to the 13900 block of Lorain Avenue for a report of a pedestrian struck by a car.
When officers arrived, they found a man in his 30s lying unconscious in the street.
Cleveland EMS took the man to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
According to police, preliminary information shows that the victim was walking on Lorain Avenue when a dark-colored four-door sedan with heavily tinted windows, believed to be speeding, passed a vehicle on the right, entered into the bicycle lane, lost control and struck the victim.
Below are photos of the car provided by police:
The suspect vehicle then fled the scene before officers arrived.
Police said the car is believed to have sustained damage to the front passenger fender/hood/windshield and the rear passenger bumper.
Crimestoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. You can contact Crimestoppers at 216-252-7463 or visit the website at WWW.25CRIME.COM.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Cleveland Police Accident Investigation Unit at 216-623-3310.
This is a developing story. Return to 19 News for updates.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
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