Cleveland, OH
East Cleveland's New Interim Mayor Sparks Controversy: Violation of City Charter? – NewsBreak
Interim Mayor, Sandra Morgan East Cleveland OhioPhoto byCity of East Cleveland”s Public Image
East Cleveland, Ohio. It is not new news that East Cleveland, Ohio, is experiencing turbulence. The city frequently faces difficulties, from Mayor Brandon King’s indictment to the recent indictment of the Chief of Staff. Many police officers have been removed from their positions due to illegal activities, which has caused some of them to be fired and incarcerated for criminal behavior.
According to various news sources, King was charged with two counts of theft in office, four counts of unlawful interest in a public contract, and other charges. In early November 2024, King was suspended from office.
In late January 2025, King was suspended as Mayor, City of East Cleveland.
Immediately following, the Probate Court’s Judge Anthony Russo began accepting applications for an interim Mayor of East Cleveland, OH.
Since then, as many as thirty-four people have applied to become the little city’s interim Mayor. They ranged from sitting council members, law directors, former council members, community activists, the council president, and everyday laypeople.
Immediately following, Judge Anthony Russo of the Probate Court began accepting applications for an interim Mayor of East Cleveland, Ohio. In late February, Russo appointed community business leader Sandra Morgan, the great-granddaughter of Garrett Morgan, to serve as Mayor.
Is Morgan’s appointment legal? Several activists and community watchdogs questioned it. Is it a BlatantDirect Violation and Disregard of East Cleveland’s City Charter?
Community activist Mariah Crenshaw noted that Ohio Revised Code 733.07 states that when the Mayor is absent from the city or cannot perform his duties for any reason, the president of the legislative authority shall be the acting Mayor. While such a president is acting as Mayor, he shall not serve as president of the legislative authority. News reporters, judges, and voters, please learn the laws. Sandra Morgan’s appointment is illegal! The City Charter dictates the succession which is consistent with the state laws. Judge Russo had undermined and suspended Ohio laws by appointing Ms. Morgan. Judge Russo violated Lateez Shabazz’s rights as Council president! She’s a bad choice just on the face of the appointment because SHE DOESN’T READ and doesn’t know the law and the Charter. Yep, they just went from the trying pan to the fire! When you violate laws to end conduct in violation of laws, you create chaos! When you don’t follow rules, laws, policies, codes CHAOS ENSUES! This ruling is egregious to the sense of justice! The judge is required to enforce and uphold the law, he didn’t do that. He should be sanctioned,” said Mariah Crenshaw, the CEO of Chasing Justice.
As we further probed this matter, we cross-referenced the East Cleveland City Charter under the Power and Duties of the Mayor and Vacancy, which states: When the Mayor is absent from the city, or is otherwise not accessible, or is temporarily unable for any cause to perform their duties, the order of succession as Acting Mayor shall be as follows: Director of Finance, Director of Law, and the Director of Public Service. In the case of death, resignation, removal or long-term absence of the Mayor, the order of succession as Mayor shall be as follows: President of Council, Vice President of Council and ranking Council member based upon aggregate years of service or, in the event of equal years of service, aggregate votes received during all successful elections, except if a vacancy occurs in the office of Mayor and there exists a Mayor-elect who has not yet assumed such office, then, in that event, the person so elected to the office of Mayor shall become Mayor for the unexpired term and for the full term for which such person was elected. The successor shall serve as Mayor until the successor for the remainder of the unexpired term is elected at the first regular municipal election, if such election is held more than 120 days after the vacancy shall have occurred. Otherwise, they shall serve for the unexpired term.
Suppose the City Charter is the bible for which a city conducts its business. How can a Cuyahoga County Probate Judge trump it, and rule on an issue where he appears to have no legal authority?
According to the National Civic League, a City Charter is a foundational document – a rule book that outlines a city’s governance, defining government structure, official powers, and decision-making processes. It serves as a “constitution” for the municipality, enabling citizens to shape their city’s operations based on their needs and preferences.
Did Judge Russo’s ruling make an error with the appointment of Sandra Morgan, and the acceptance of the application when the East Cleveland City Charter clearly states otherwise?
This story is developing, and we will continue to follow and update as new information is brought forward.
Cleveland, OH
Cleveland’s Inaugural Afterburn Music Festival Announces Star-Studded Lineup for August 2026
Cleveland, OH, May 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Victory Entertainment announced the full lineup for the inaugural Afterburn Music Festival, a two-day outdoor rock event taking place August 14–15, 2026, at Victory Park in North Ridgeville, Ohio. Featuring a mix of pop punk, alternative, hard rock, and metal, the festival brings together multi-generational acts for what is expected to be one of the region’s most anticipated summer music events.
Third Eye Blind and Skillet will headline the Afterburn Music Festival in Cleveland, Ohio.
Headlining Friday, August 14, are Third Eye Blind, known for hits including Semi-Charmed Life, Jumper, and Narcolepsy, alongside New Found Glory, the Florida pop-punk icons behind My Friends Over You and Hit or Miss.
Saturday, August 15, features Skillet, the multi-platinum rock powerhouse known for Monster, Feel Invincible, and Comatose, and Hoobastank, whose breakout single The Reason became one of the defining songs of the early 2000s.
The full line-up of artists performing across the two-day festival includes:
Friday, August 14
- Third Eye Blind
- New Found Glory
- The Maine
- Switchfoot
- lovelytheband
- Bayside
- Heart Attack Man
- Giveth
Saturday, August 15
- Skillet
- Hoobastank
- Set It Off
- Puddle of Mudd
- Drowning Pool
- Black Stone Cherry
- Small Town Titans
- Rusty
“The goal with Afterburn wasn’t to create just another festival—it was to build something that feels big without feeling out of reach,” said Joe Borkey, President of Victory Entertainment. “This is the kind of lineup you’d normally have to travel for. Now it’s happening right here in Northeast Ohio.”
Designed to appeal to fans across multiple eras of rock music, the Afterburn Music Festival blends legacy acts with modern favorites, offering a shared live experience for longtime fans and newer audiences alike. As demand for regional, drive-in festivals continues to grow, Afterburn provides an accessible alternative to destination events such as Lollapalooza and Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival.
Borkey added, “We curated a lineup of bands to resonate with fans across multiple generations. Whether you came of age on 90s alternative, grew up on pop-punk, or found your faith through rock music, the Afterburn will have a selection of artists performing just for you.”
The festival will feature two full-production stages, an immersive VIP area, and a wide selection of Northeast Ohio food trucks and vendors. Gates open at noon each day, with performances beginning at 12:30 p.m. The event is expected to draw thousands of attendees from across Ohio and the surrounding Midwest region.
Tickets are on sale now at theafterburnmusicfestival.com, with the first tier of general admission tickets priced at $89.65 for a single day, and $159.30 for both days of the festival. VIP options are also available. Early ticket tiers and VIP tickets are limited and expected to sell quickly.
Located just outside Cleveland, Victory Park, a 60+ acre sports and entertainment facility, offers a natural outdoor setting with ample on-site parking, providing convenient access for fans throughout Northeast Ohio.
Additional scheduling details and festival information will be announced in the coming weeks.
For tickets, artist information, and updates, visit theafterburnmusicfestival.com or follow The Afterburn Music Festival on social media. Media inquiries and press credential requests should be directed to BMA Media at jjrborkey@bmamedia.com. High-resolution media assets are available upon request.
ABOUT VICTORY ENTERTAINMENT
Victory Entertainment is a Northeast Ohio-based live entertainment company dedicated to producing high-quality music festivals and concert experiences that connect nationally recognized artists with regional audiences.
The Afterburn Ohio Music Festival logo
About The Afterburn Music Festival
The Afterburn Music Festival is a two-day outdoor rock event held August 14–15, 2026, at Victory Park in North Ridgeville, Ohio. Featuring headliners Third Eye Blind, New Found Glory, Skillet, and Hoobastank, the festival delivers a multi-genre lineup spanning pop punk, alternative, and hard rock. Tickets and information are available at theafterburnmusicfestival.com.
Press Inquiries
Jerrod Borkey Jr.
jjrborkey [at] bmamedia.com
4409754262
https://theafterburnmusicfestival.com/
4091 Erie Street, Willoughby, OH 44094
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Election Day 2026 has arrived. Voters are making their way to polling places across Ohio.
19 News has created an Election Day guide with information on where to vote, registration and more.
Stay tuned until this evening when 19 News will have the results of what issues and candidates are in the lead.
Ohio Election Results for local issues and races
Statewide
Governor and Lieutenant Governor
- Amy Acton and David Pepper (D)
- Heather Hill and Stuart Moats (R)
- Casey Putsch and Kimberly C. Georgeton (R)
- Vivek Ramaswamy and Robert A. McColley (R)
- Don Kissick and James L. Mills (L)
- Travis Jon Vought and Christy Jo Orr (L/Write-in)
Attorney General
- Elliott Forhan (D)
- John J. Kulewicz (D)
- Keith Faber (R)
Secretary of State
- Bryan Hambley (D)
- Allison Russo (D)
- Robert Sprague (R)
- Marcell Strbich (R)
- Tom Pruss (L)
Treasurer of State
- Seth Walsh (D)
- Jay Edwards (R)
- Kristina D. Roegner (R)
Justice of the Supreme Court
- Marilyn Zayas (D)
- Daniel R. Hawkins (R)
Justice of the Supreme Court
- Jennifer Brunner (D)
- Andrew King (R)
- Jill Lanzinger (R)
- Ronald Lewis (R)
- Colleen O’Donnell (R)
Federal
United States Senator
- Sherrod Brown (D)
- Ron Kincaid (D)
- Jon Husted (R)
- William B. Redpath (L)
Local Levies and Issues
Copyright 2023 WOIO. All rights reserved.
Sean Barnard breaks down the upcoming second-round NBA Playoffs series between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons.
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons will face off in the second round of the Eastern Conference, with the remaining playoff teams trimmed down to eight. Both sides are coming off a grueling seven-game series and will have little time for rest. The Cavaliers squeaked by the Raptors while the Pistons were pushed to the brink by the eighth-seeded Magic.
The Pistons are -125 favorites to win the series on DraftKings Sportsbook, while the Cavaliers are +105 underdogs. These are the shortest odds of any of the second-round matchups.
However, there are plenty of different ways to get involved in the action that hold more appeal than just betting the series straight up. This article will take a look at a preview for each team and a pair of series bets that have caught my eye.
Cavaliers vs. Pistons preview, prediction
Cleveland Cavaliers
It was a turbulent series for the Cleveland Cavaliers. After failing to get over the postseason hump with the same core, Cleveland pulled the plug by trading Darius Garland in exchange for James Harden, hoping this would change. It took seven games for them to officially bury the youthful Toronto Raptors, but Cleveland proved to have enough to get the job done. The Cavaliers finished the regular season with a 52-30 record and earned the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland has gone 36-53 against the spread, and the game total is 45-44 to the over/under.
Even following Harden’s addition, Donovan Mitchell still headlines the production for Cleveland. The seven-time All-Star averaged 27.9 points, 5.7 assists, and 4.5 rebounds across the regular season. Neither star quite lived up to expectations in the opening round, but they still advanced to the second round. Harden added 20.5 points and 7.7 assists across his 26 games in Cleveland, while Evan Mobley posted averages of 18.2 points and nine rebounds per game. Jarrett Allen, Max Strus, Jaylon Tyson, and Dean Wade also play notable roles.
As a team, the Cavaliers averaged 119.5 points per game during the regular season, ranking fourth in the NBA. Cleveland also ranks sixth in offensive rating, eighth in field goal percentage, and 13th in three-point percentage. Defensively, opponents have scored 115.4 points per game against the Cavaliers, which ranks 15th. They also rank 15th in defensive rating, eighth in opponent field goal percentage, and 26th in opponent three-point percentage.
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons led the Eastern Conference from start to finish this season, ultimately finishing the season with a 60-22 overall record. The organization had a massive turnaround last season, improving its record from 14-68 in 2023-24 to 44-38. They got their first taste of postseason basketball, losing to the Knicks in a hard-fought series, and further took a step forward this season. While it was not the cleanest path to advancing to the second round, Detroit’s postseason aspirations are still within reach. On the season, the Pistons are 47-42 against the spread and 41-48 to the over/under.
Cade Cunningham sets the tone for this entire roster and leads the team in production. The former number one overall pick posted averages of 23.9 points, 9.9 assists, and 5.5 rebounds across the regular season. Jalen Duren made an All-Star leap alongside him, posting averages of 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game on the season, but he has greatly struggled in this postseason. Daniss Jenkins has been a breakout impact player this season, while Tobias Harris provides veteran leadership to the young roster. Ausar Thompson, Kevin Huerter, Duncan Robinson, and Ron Holland also play notable roles.
Detroit is scoring 117.8 points per game this season, which ranks eighth in the NBA. The Pistons also rank 10th in offensive rating, third in field-goal percentage and 17th in three-point percentage. Defensively, opponents are scoring 109.6 points per game against the Pistons, which ranks third in the league. J.B. Bickerstaff’s squad also ranks second in defensive rating, third in opponent field-goal percentage, and first in opponent three-point percentage.
Cavaliers vs. Pistons Best Bets
Detroit Pistons to Win the Series (-125)
It was a concerning opening series for the Detroit Pistons, but this is a much cleaner matchup for them. Detroit has built an identity by playing hard-nosed defense and being the tougher and more athletic team on just about every floor they walk on. The Magic had the size to match this, and the Pistons’ offensive struggles showed face for stretches.
Don’t expect this to be the case against the Cavaliers. This is the same Cavaliers’ core that head coach Kenny Atkinson publicly questioned for its toughness following a playoff exit. While James Harden is a change on the roster, he doesn’t exactly have the track record to support this change in mental toughness. Evan Mobley is a high-level defender, but the Cavaliers have underwhelmed defensively all season. They faced a Raptors team with some similar offensive issues as the Pistons, and Toronto still managed to push them to seven games. This includes the Raptors winning a game in which they shot just 32% from the field and 13% from three-point range.
In addition, it felt as if the Pistons took a few games to wake up to the playoff atmosphere. The organization largely had the top seed locked up for a few weeks and was able to take its foot off the gas down the stretch. In contrast, the Magic had been fighting for their playoff lives for a couple of weeks and played with a desperation that showed in the results. The Pistons got better as the series went on and looked like the team they showed all season by the series conclusion. Expect this to carry over into the second round and for Detroit to find a way to win with the -125 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook being extremely manageable.
Detroit Pistons to Go Undefeated at Home (+270)
The Pistons finished the regular season with a 31-9 record at home this season. They also won three straight games at home during the round one series after dropping the series opener. While the Cavaliers posted a 25-16 road record during the regular season, they dropped all three games in Toronto in the opening round, including a 22-point blowout. Detroit has a committed fan base that is sure to bring the energy and believes in this current team. This will be a hostile atmosphere for Cleveland, and the Pistons have a strong outlook for protecting home court.
It is fair not to have full belief in this Pistons team after a concerning opening round. But they flipped the switch midway through and looked like the team they have all season. Cleveland has not shown the ability to win on the road in the postseason, and this path only looks slimmer in this matchup. Expect the Pistons to defend their home court whenever they have the chance, and the +270 odds are a friendly payout for matchups they will likely be comfortable favorites in.
Cavaliers vs. Pistons FAQ
When is Game 1 of Cavaliers vs. Pistons?
Game 1 of the Cavaliers vs. Pistons series will take place on Tuesday, May 5th at 7 p.m. ET.
Where is Game 1 of Cavaliers vs. Pistons?
Game 1 will be held at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, as the Pistons hold the home-court advantage in the series.
How many games is the Cavaliers vs. Pistons series?
This is a best-of-seven series between the Cavaliers and Pistons. The first team to win four games will move on to the Eastern Conference Finals.
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