Cleveland, OH
Gas prices surge again across Northeast Ohio to nearly $5 per gallon on Friday
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Drivers across Northeast Ohio have watched gas prices climb sharply over the past few days, and now most stations are nearly $5 per gallon.
On Friday, Ohioans woke up to gas prices that jumped again overnight, 37 cents more than Thursday, according to AAA.
AAA said the Ohio average gas price is now $4.83.
That’s 92 cents more than last week, and $1.06 more than last month!
Ohio is usually middle of the road when it comes to prices, but because of surges over the past week we have unfortunately climbed up the list.
The Buckeye State currently ranks 8th highest in the country for gas prices.
Analysts say relief may not be coming soon.
On top of the conflict in Iran sending oil prices higher, there was also a refinery issue at a plant in Indiana.
The BP plant in Whiting, Indiana had a temporary power problem, but as it’s one of the largest refineries in the country it sent prices higher.
“That’s because the Midwest is relatively isolated from other fuel supply centers. When a major refinery stumbles, there aren’t many quick alternatives—and prices react fast,” according to Patrick De Haan with GasBuddy.com.
“This is exactly what we’re seeing now:
- Sudden supply tightness
- Rapid wholesale price spikes
- Retail stations adjusting prices sharply higher
And because many stations refill tanks at higher costs, those increases cascade quickly to consumers,” De Haan advises.
At one Cleveland gas station on Wednesday, the price on the sign read $4.99, a number drivers say is becoming harder to avoid.
That number was the same at another Cleveland gas station on Friday morning.
Many people filling up Wednesday evening told 19 News they’re frustrated by the rapid increases.
“It’s crazy. Sooner or later, we’re going to be at like $5 or like $6,” one driver said.
Another driver added, “We’re getting gas now, but not here.”
According to AAA, the average price for gas in Ohio is $4.22 for regular fuel as of Wednesday. In Cleveland the average was $4.23.
One major factor: crude oil prices. Those prices are trading above $100 a barrel, which can raise the cost of gasoline.
“Crude oil is the main ingredient of gasoline,” said Jim Garrity, the director of public affairs for AAA east central. “So, when it goes up and down, even by a couple dollars here and there, that has an impact on the pump.”
Experts say the last time Ohio experienced prices this high was 2022, when the Russia-Ukraine conflict pushed gas prices above $5 a gallon.
Garrity added even when the U.S. isn’t buying oil directly from certain countries, global events can still affect prices here.”
“Even though we’re not importing Iranian oil in America, it is a globally traded commodity,” Garrity said. “When you see an impact happen overseas well, that splash has ripples and those ripples make their way to us.”
When 19 News was at another Cleveland gas station, prices changed quickly: within about 30 minutes, the price jumped from $4.79 to $4.99. It cost us $30.55 for a little more than six gallons.
“The lady said they went up 70 cents,” another driver said. “She said it was $4.19 earlier, then it shot up to $4.79. Now it’s $4.99. I was going to get gas yesterday, but I forgot.”
One driver who uses premium gas said the surge hits even harder.
“It’s $4.99, I just texted my buddy yesterday, like oh it jumped 80 cents,” the driver said. “I’m glad I’ve got a company card, but this is my personal and I’ve got to spend almost $6 a gallon on gas because it’s premium.”
As for whether prices will drop soon, Garrity says it depends on what crude oil does next.
“What happens next remains to be seen with crude oil prices,” he said.
Garrity says a few options to say on gasoline is drive less or slow down.
“The faster you go, at AAA, we have found every roughly five miles over 50 an hour you’re going, you’re exponentially burning fuel less efficiently and that’s making you a less safe driver, but it’s also making your car work harder and burning fuel less efficiently,” Garrity said.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The Cleveland Division of Fire was dispatched to a structure fire Monday evening.
According to Cleveland Fire, crews responded to the 3300 block of E 134th Street.
Two adults were transported by Cleveland EMS to MetroHealth in stable condition for evaluation after inhaling smoke.
The fire is currently under investigation, Cleveland Fire said, and the Fire Investigation Unit personnel remain on scene.
The estimated total damage is $85,000 and it also damaged a neighboring home due to radiant heat exposure.
Cleveland Fire said the American Red Cross was requested to assist the five adults and one child displaced from the fire.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
Cleveland, OH
Northeast Ohio task force arrests 13 in sex-buying sting tied to trafficking crackdown
LORAIN COUNTY, Ohio (WOIO) – The Lorain County Sheriff’s Office shared Saturday morning that task force partners engaged in the statewide Operation Spring Cleaning during the week of May 11.
The Huron County Sheriff’s Office, the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, Ashland County Sheriff’s Office and the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office (HEAL) participating in the state-wide operation to actively combat sex trafficking by focusing on illicit massage parlors offering sexual activity for sale.
RELATED COVERAGE: More than 100 people arrested in statewide human trafficking sting, including Cleveland firefighter
During the statewide operation, 122 suspects were arrested with 13 of them being local. Four survivors of sex trafficking were also rescued.
During the week, the human trafficking task force executed a search warrant at King Me Massage Parlor at 35111 Royalton Road in Eaton Township.
The sheriff’s office said the search warrant executed was part of an ongoing multi-state investigation into the parlor for illegal activity.
Money was seized, several women were interviewed and victims were referred for services. The business was closed by HEAL and the investigation is ongoing.
The women were brought to the U.S. under a ruse they would be part of a work-study program to obtain higher education degrees, but instead, they were forced into an illicit sex trade operation involving multiple massage parlors across the country.
The HEAL task force provided the victims with temporary housing and means to be reunited with their families in their home countries.
Additionally, the sheriff’s office said the task force carried out another operation on Friday at various locations around Lorain County, which focused on the exploitation of human victims forced to engage in commercial sex acts.
Stark County Human Trafficking Task Force arrests 9 in local sting
During the operation, investigators arrested 13 individuals who were allegedly seeking to engage in commercial sexual activity with adults and minors.
The men arrested (starting from the top left to right) are:
- Forest Gullet, of Grafton: Procuring use of premises for prostitution
- Joshua Deblasis, of Parma: Trafficking of persons – commercial sex acts
- Luke Ilersich, of Cleveland: Procuring use of premises for prostitution
- Brent Mitchell, of Elyria: Procuring use of premises for prostitution
- Jeffery Buckhannon, of Elyria: Engaging in prostitution
- Bo Dunigan, of Parma: Engaging in prostitution
- Shamar Malik Lucky, of Elyria: Procuring use of premises for prostitution
- Terry Paugh, of North Olmsted: Procuring, soliciting prostitution
- Veli Lavikka, of Rocky River: Procuring use of premises for prostitution
- Matthew Hoke, of Tiffin: Engaging in prostitution
- Ronald Morgan, of Cleveland: Engaging in prostitution
- Vincent Digennaro, of Elyria: Engaging in prostitution
- Labar E Kittleberger, of Avon: Procuring use of premises for prostitution
All the suspects were transported to the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office where they were charged.
In addition to the arrests, investigators seized two firearms from individuals encountered during the operation. The presence of firearms underscores the dangers associated with these illicit transactions, the sheriff’s office said.
Of significant interest, investigators rescued a 43-year-old woman originally from Lorain County who had been trafficked into illicit sex-for-hire operation in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The victim was brought to Lorain County, not to return home, but to continue to be engaged in forced sexual activity for hire, the sheriff’s office said.
She was recovered by investigators at a local hotel, and is being provided humanitarian and legal services.
Lorain County Sheriff Jack Hall praised the efforts of HEAL on social media, and thanked all of the agencies who were involved.
The investigations remains ongoing, the sheriff’s office said.
Anyone with information regarding human trafficking or suspicious activity in Huron, Erie, Ashland or Lorain County is encouraged to contact the HEAL Human Trafficking Task Force at (440) 284-0615, Inspector Coll at (440) 329-3861, or Agent Aviles at (440) 329-3850.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The Cleveland Division of Police is asking for the public’s help in locating a missing man Saturday.
Calvin Bostick was reported missing Thursday and last seen in the 5600 block of Linwood Avenue.
Police say Bostick is autistic but able to work.
Bostick is 22 years old, 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 154 pounds.
He has black hair and brown eyes.
The individual who reported Bostick’s disappearance said she dropped him off at his job on the 11400 block of Bellflower at 9:25 a.m. and hasn’t seen him since.
The reporter believes there is a chance Bostick will come home because his belongings are there.
Anyone with information on Bostick’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Cleveland Police Third District at (216) 623-5300 or (216) 621-1234
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
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