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New glass bridge opens at Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park

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New glass bridge opens at Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park


NELSON, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Natural Resources celebrated the opening of a new glass walkway at Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony today, adding a unique feature to one of northeast Ohio’s most distinctive natural areas.

The Falls Edge Glass Walkway stretches 137 feet in an elegant S-shaped design, allowing visitors to walk directly above Sylvan Creek’s gorge with views 50 feet down to the water below. The walkway extends to a point just short of Minnehaha Falls, creating the sensation of floating above the waterfall.

Minnehaha Falls as seen from the Falls Edge Glass WalkwayJohn Pana, cleveland.com

“This project is the perfect blend of innovation and conservation,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “The Falls Edge Glass Walkway provides visitors with an unforgettable view of this beautiful park while helping us protect the delicate ecosystems and remarkable geology that make Nelson-Kennedy Ledges so special.”

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The $1.68 million project, which began in December 2022 and was completed this month, features structural-grade glass decking supported by galvanized and painted steel, with stainless steel cable railings and fiberglass grating. The design allows visitors to safely experience the park’s dramatic features without damaging sensitive natural areas.

Falls Edge Glass Walkway

Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State ParkJohn Pana, cleveland.com

Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park is known for distinctive rock formations including Devil’s Icebox, The Narrows, and Goldhunter’s Cave. There are also two beautiful waterfalls at the park: The 40-foot Cascade Falls and the two-tiered Minnehaha Falls. By offering a controlled viewing experience, the structure aims to reduce environmental impact while enhancing visitor safety.

Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park

Cascade FallsJohn Pana, cleveland.com

ODNR also installed new wayfinding stations throughout the park with interpretive signs that provide information about the geology, plant life, and natural features unique to Nelson-Kennedy Ledges.

Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park

New wayfinding stations at Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State ParkJohn Pana, cleveland.com

The thin profile of the walkway was designed to blend with the forested landscape while offering previously unavailable views of the gorge. Officials note it represents one of the most unique structural additions ever built in an Ohio state park.

Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park

The S-shaped curve of the Falls Edge Glass Walkway seen from above (ODNR)ODNR

Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park is open daily from dawn to dusk. Parking and restrooms are located at 12440 OH-282 Garrettsville. Visitors are reminded to stay on marked trails to protect the park’s fragile features.

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I recommend taking the easy White Trail to reach the glass walkway, especially if you are bringing children. See my video above and the map below.

Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park

Follow the Yellow Trail to see Cascade FallsOhio Department of Natural Resources

Generative AI was used to organize information for this story, based on data provided by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. It was reviewed and edited by cleveland.com.



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Cleveland, OH

2 shot at Cleveland barbershop, suspect on the run

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2 shot at Cleveland barbershop, suspect on the run


CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Two people were shot at a barbershop on the city’s East side Thursday afternoon.

Shooting at Cleveland barbershop(Julia Thyret | (Source: WOIO))

This happened around 1:30 p.m. in the 3000 block of Superior Ave. in the city’s Goodrich-Kirtland Park neighborhood.

The barber shop where the shooting happened is located in a building at Danford Court and East 31st Place.

Police say the individuals who were shot were a 14-year-old and an 18-year-old.

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Cleveland police and EMS have responded to the scene.

At this time, officers are searching for the suspect.

This is a developing story. Return to 19 News for updates.

Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.



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Cleveland, OH

Off-duty Cleveland Police officer involved in deadly shooting in Glenville neighborhood

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Off-duty Cleveland Police officer involved in deadly shooting in Glenville neighborhood


CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A 26-year-old man was shot on Cleveland’s East Side Wednesday night by an off-duty Cleveland Police Officer.

The incident happened just before 8 p.m. in the 1400 block of East BLVD.

Preliminary information indicates that an off-duty Cleveland Police officer was at this location when a verbal altercation ensued and shots were fired. A firearm believed to belong to the man was recovered at the scene.

Police said the man was pronounced dead at the hospital.

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The investigation is being handled by the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office.

The off-duty officer was not injured.

More information related to this shooting will be released when it is available.

Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.



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Former Cleveland bank executive faces 45 sex crime charges dating back to 2004

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Former Cleveland bank executive faces 45 sex crime charges dating back to 2004


CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) -A former senior vice president at First National Bank in Cleveland is facing 45 counts of sex crimes dating back two decades, including charges involving a five-year-old child.

Joseph Fragapane, 63, of Strongsville, was indicted in December and again this month on charges prosecutors said span from 2004 through 2025. He has pleaded not guilty to the December charges and is out on bond.

Investigation began with cyber tip

The case began when a cyber tip came into the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The center sent the case to the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

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“Our investigators began looking into that violation as well as what the conduct was and were able to determine that it was Joseph Fragapane committing these crimes,” said Megan Helton, an assistant prosecuting attorney with the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, which runs Ohio ICAC.

Investigators said Fragapane uploaded nude images of children online, which linked back to his IP address.

Search warrant reveals additional victims

After serving a search warrant at his Strongsville home, investigators said they found more than just those images.

“As we continued to look through his devices, we were then able to determine that there were additional victims that were known to the defendant at different times in his life, and we were able to then talk with those individuals,” Helton said.

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According to the indictment, the first victim was five years old and known to Fragapane. Prosecutors said between 2004 and 2005, he kidnapped her, sexually assaulted her and produced child sexual abuse material involving her.

The second victim, also someone he knew, was an adult. Prosecutors said in 2019, Fragapane secretly recorded her without her knowledge or consent, according to the indictment.

“One of the victims is an adult and one of the victims was a child at the time. And so when we see someone who is committing a variety of acts against really anyone he encounters, there is a concern that he was committing any offense that he had an opportunity to commit,” Helton said.

Additional charges involve photoshopped images

Fragapane also faces additional sex crime charges spanning from 2021 through 2025. Prosecutors said investigators found child sexual abuse material on his devices involving other children and women he knew personally.

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“He would either obtain photos that he took himself, innocuous photos. So think holiday photos, think neighborhood photos, think cookout photos, where he would then take images of children’s heads and photoshop them onto nude bodies,” Helton said.

Here are the charges Fragapane faces, according to the indictment:

-Kidnapping- F1 (Count One)

-Gross Sexual Imposition- F3 (Counts 2 & 3)

-Illegal Use of Minor in Nudity-Oriented Material or Performance- F2 (Counts 4-12)

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-Voyeurism- M1 (Counts 13-15)

-Pandering Sexually-Oriented Matter Involving a Minor or Impaired Person- F2

(Counts 16-25)

-Illegal Use of Minor in Nudity-Oriented Material or Performance- F2

(Counts 26-44)

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-Possessing Criminal Tools- F5 (Count 45)

19 Investigates reached out to Fragapane for comment. He has not responded.

A spokesperson for First National Bank said Fragapane no longer works at the bank. She said they “don’t comment on legal matters about current or former employees.”

Fragapane’s attorney told us he is retired and no longer employed. She said he plans to plead not guilty to the new charges.

Prosecutors warn of potential additional victims

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As the case heads to court, prosecutors warn there may be more victims still unaccounted for.

“Someone who is in the community is well-trusted, is known by a lot of individuals. There is a concern that person takes advantage of those circumstances, and that’s certainly what we see in this case, that he had a position of power, he had a position of being well-liked in the community, and he is essentially exploiting that,” Helton said.

Fragapane will be arraigned on the new charges next Thursday.

Investigators ask anyone who believes they or their child may have been a victim of sexual assault or exploitation in this case to call the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force in Cleveland.

You can call the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office at 216-443-7800.

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Need an investigation? Contact 19 Investigates with your request.

Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.



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