Cleveland, OH

Man with machete causes security scare at Hopkins

Published

2 years ago

July 9, 2024

Man with machete causes security scare at Hopkins

CLEVELAND, OH — A man who witnesses said was armed with a machete and at least one other knife was taken into custody early Monday morning after a security scare at Cleveland Hopkins Airport.

Angelo Piazza was entering the north terminal to catch a flight back home to Florida when he said he noticed the man carrying what looked like a machete holder.

“He asked where I was flying,” said Piazza, who was wrapping up a two-week trip to see family near Solon. “I told him I was flying to Florida and he told me to have a safe flight.”

But as Piazza stood in line waiting to check his bag at the ticket counter, he said he noticed the man acting unusually.

“He got on the floor,” said Piazza. “He started like crawling around, maybe attempting a handstand. I mean it was all kinds of crazy stuff.”

Piazza said eventually, a Cleveland police officer arrived and took what looked like a nearly two-foot machete from the man.

“It’s definitely alarming that there’s a guy with a machete,” said Piazza.

Then he said the man continued to make a scene.

“I wouldn’t say shouting, but definitely some louder talking,” said Piazza. “And he’s got a knife to his own neck.”

That’s when Piazza picked up his cell phone and started recording.

By then, the man had jumped behind the Spirit Airlines ticket counter.

On the video, the man tells police and travelers inside the busy terminal that he’s peaceful and trying to get to Jerusalem, repeatedly telling the crowd he’s a prophet.

Video taken by a southeast Ohio mother and daughter preparing to fly to Florida shows police firing a Taser at the man.

The man then jumps a wall and runs away from police.

In the recording, you can see a knife in his hand as he runs toward the security line.

“I was absolutely worried for them,” said Piazza. “You just saw people like moving in sync like away, getting, you know, away from and they were pushing into each other and they didn’t care.”

He described the mood as tense, until the man jumped over a wall and onto stairs below.

According to a brief statement from an airport spokesperson, “The individual was quickly apprehended and taken into custody. Airport operations were not affected by this incident.”

But Monday evening, travelers we talked with said they were shocked something like this could happen inside the busy airport.

“Not in an airport,” said Caleb Samol of Cleveland. “You’re supposed to feel absolutely safe as possible here.”

“It just kind of speaks to the fact that, I don’t know if you can ever have a fully secure airport or fully secure public area in general,” said Amanda Jaronowski of Independence. “It’s the state of the world so it’s a little sad.”

Cleveland police have not released the name of the man taken into custody or said what charges he may face.

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Cleveland, OH

Iran strikes spark debate among Northeast Ohio residents

Published

5 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Iran strikes spark debate among Northeast Ohio residents

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The Cleveland Liberation Center and nearly 100 other organizations rallied in Cleveland Sunday to protest the U.S. strikes on Iran, demonstrating significant grassroots opposition to the military action.

The recent U.S. military strikes on Iran and the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, have ignited passionate discussions across the nation, and Northeast Ohio is no exception.

While state political leaders express support for President Donald Trump’s actions, local activists are raising urgent questions about the impact on American communities.

Dallas Eckman, a public school teacher and volunteer coordinator with the Cleveland Liberation Center, is taking a clear stance against the recent attacks.

“We need to step up as Americans and say violence is not going to be the way we solve out world’s problems,” Eckman said.

The frustration runs deeper for Eckman, who sees a disconnect between military spending and domestic priorities.

“It’s absurd that for me as a public-school teacher I am struggling to get funding for chrome books and books. I can wake up one morning and see we have spent millions and millions of dollars to bomb another country,” he explained.

Eckman questions whether these military actions actually benefit working people in Cleveland.

“Which does nothing for the working people here in Cleveland. It does nothing to make my schools safer. It does nothing to improve the road right outside the liberation center,” Eckman said.

Eckman’s concerns are shared by many in the region.

Despite local opposition, several Ohio’s political leaders are backing the Trump administration’s decision.

Senator Bernie Moreno released a statement expressing his support, stating, “President Trump sought for months to avoid conflict and negotiate with Iran to prevent them from rebuilding their nuclear program. I fully support his decision.”

Secretary of State John Husted also voiced his approval.

“For 47 years, the Iranian regime had ample opportunity to be a productive member of the global community — instead, it chose to export death, terrorism, extremism, and instability against America and our allies,” Husted said.

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Cleveland, OH

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets prediction, pick for Sunday 3/1/26

Published

17 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets prediction, pick for Sunday 3/1/26

Cooper Albers takes you through his preview, prediction and pick for Sunday’s NBA matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Brooklyn Nets.

Eastern Conference rivals close their regular-season series on Sunday, as the Brooklyn Nets host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Barclays Center.

The Cavaliers (37–24, 4th East) have dropped back-to-back games without Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, albeit against far superior competition. They’ll aim for the three-game sweep of Brooklyn without Mitchell, while Harden remains questionable.

The Nets (15–44, 14th East) are mired in a brutal seven-game losing streak, including a 112–84 thumping in Cleveland on February 19.

Here’s a look at the Injury Report:

Cleveland Cavaliers

Out: Donovan Mitchell (Groin), Max Strus (Foot), Dean Wade (Ankle)
Questionable: James Harden (Thumb), Keon Ellis (Finger)

Brooklyn Nets

Out: Egor Demin (Heel), Drake Powell (G-League Assignment)
Questionable: Nic Claxton (Thumb)

Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET. Cleveland enters as a hefty 11.5-point road favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Brooklyn sits as a +410 underdog. The game’s total is set at 222.5 points.

Cavaliers vs. Nets Preview

Cleveland Cavaliers Preview

The Cavaliers went all in at the NBA trade deadline, sending Darius Garland to Los Angeles for superstar guard James Harden. The gamble seemingly paid off, as the former MVP has fit seamlessly into the lineup alongside Donovan Mitchell. Cleveland went 6–1 after Harden’s debut, its lone loss coming against the defending champs in Oklahoma City.

But the momentum quickly stalled when both Harden and Mitchell hit the sidelines to nurse injuries. Cleveland has dropped back-to-back games in the star duo’s absence against Milwaukee and Detroit. And while Harden is listed as questionable for Sunday’s contest with a thumb fracture in his non-shooting hand, Mitchell remains out with a groin strain.

The Cavs are just 2–4 without Mitchell this season. If Harden stays out, they’ll likely keep relying on their accomplished frontcourt of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Cleveland also features a solid veteran backup point guard in Dennis Schroder, along with a reliable sharpshooter in Sam Merrill.

Brooklyn Nets Preview

Brooklyn has won five games in 2026. Five.

Were any of these wins particularly impressive? Hardly. They beat a Nikola Jokic-less Denver Nuggets, the spiraling Chicago Bulls twice, the lowly Washington Wizards, and the tanking Utah Jazz.

The Nets rank dead last on both ends of the floor since January 1, disappointing even by their standards. They’ve lost seven games in a row, punctuated by a 37-point walloping in Boston on Friday night.

Michael Porter Jr. will continue trying to carry an increasingly strained offense without rookie standout Egor Demin. Brooklyn will also lean on its burgeoning frontcourt, comprising Noah Clowney and Nic Claxton (questionable).

Cavaliers vs. Nets Pick, Best Bet

Keep an eye on the injury report for this one. If Harden remains sidelined, Cleveland may lack the offensive firepower to pull away. But if the former MVP suits up, expect him and the Cavs to carve up Brooklyn’s porous defense and comfortably cover the 11.5-point spread.