Cleveland, OH
Ohio police chief under fire for apparent ‘racist, antisemitic’ messages
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CLEVELAND — An Ohio police chief is under fire for allegedly sending messages that are so offensive they can’t be shown on TV.
East Cleveland Police Chief Brian Gerhard is facing mounting pressure to resign after the revelation of text messages and memes containing apparent racist, antisemitic, and homophobic content, according to our news partners at WOIO.
The messages were sent and received by Gerhard dating back to 2019.
The offensive material includes memes featuring Adolf Hitler and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with inappropriate captions.
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Attorney Kimberly Coral, who represents several East Cleveland police officers in unrelated cases, provided 19 News with screenshots of the messages.
She expressed concern about Gerhard’s ability to serve in a community with a predominantly minority population.
“I mean it calls into question every single investigation he’s been a part of,” Coral said.
The Mayor’s office confirmed they are investigating the police chief.
Gerhard admitted to sending the messages but downplayed their significance, claiming they were “tongue and cheek” and readily available online.
©2023 Cox Media Group

Cleveland, OH
AC/DC fans take over the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Wednesday ahead of the band's Cleveland concert

CLEVELAND — On any given day, four out of five visitors to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame are from out of town; on Wednesday, that number was much higher as the north coast of Cleveland became home to fans of a band from the east coast of Australia, AC/DC.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame hosted a special day for fans ahead of the 2003 inductees’ final North American stop of their “Power Up Tour” at Huntington Bank Field. A concert bringing many of them here for the first time to see the rock legends for the first time.
Count Scott McColery and his friends from Omaha, Nebraska, among them.
“We all decided to get together and see one of the greatest rock bands that’s ever been around and come and enjoy this beautiful city that you all have here and just live it up for a little while,” McColery said.
He got the tickets when the tour was first announced. So did Brian Hendrix of Atlanta and his 12-year-old son Atticus.
“It was actually part of his Christmas present,” Hendrix said. “Big AC/DC fans and since they weren’t coming to Atlanta or at least at the time they hadn’t done any dates for Atlanta, we decided we’re going to make a trip of it, come to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and check out the city.”
So, how does a 12-year-old come to list “Back in Black” as his favorite album? Thank Dad.
“When I was little, he would listen to it I would be like, ‘Oh, what band is this?’ He’s like, ‘AC/DC’ and I’d be like, ‘Okay, can we listen to more?’” Atticus said.
At least for them, it was a straight flight to Cleveland.
Doug came from Moose Factory, Ontario, in the far north of Canada. He had to take a five-hour train from Moose Factory, Ontario, in far northern Canada, down to Cochin, Ontario. From there, they drove to meet up with friends in Toronto, and then they flew to Cleveland.
“Altogether probably 13, 14 hours I guess,” Jeffries said. It’s his first AC/DC concert, though he did come close once.
“We passed up a show quite a few years ago. It was between a hockey tournament for our son or a concert, so the hockey tournament won out back then.”
This is AC/DC’s first Cleveland concert since a stop at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in 2016, and it’s their first outdoor concert in Cleveland since the summer of 1979, when they were part of the famed World Series of Rock concert at the old Municipal Stadium.
Being back there on Wednesday night, on that particular piece of real estate, carries special meaning for Browns fans. Back in the 80s, it was the music of AC/DC that served as the motivational soundtrack for the Browns in their run to three AFC Championship games.
“Oh, there was never a game that was played that ‘Back in Black’ and AC/DC that was not played,” recalled former Browns Quarterback Bernie Kosar. “‘Hells Bells’ by AC/DC, back in the 80s, that was our song and my song that got me motivated.”
He remembered specifically playing the Steelers in Pittsburgh in 1986, when the Browns were riding a 16-year losing streak in Three Rivers Stadium, when Hells Bells came over the stadium speakers.
“They made the fatal mistake of playing that song during one of their timeouts to intimidate us,” he recalled, adding it only fired them up. “Our motivation got us those couple of first downs and the ‘W,’” he said.
Stewart Dean of West Virginia remembers those days at Municipal Stadium. He was sporting a Hells Bells t-shirt Wednesday.
“When I went back to the Browns games in the late 80s, you know Bernie Kosar, Byner and Slaughter and all of them. You know they did play it at the stadium,” he said of the AC/DC song, which also got the fans going. “Oh yeah, the place rocked.”
As it will again this night. For many, it’s a bucket list moment and an opportunity that Doug Jeffries of Moose Factory, Ontario, knows he may not get a shot at again.
“Yeah, that’s what I was thinking, they’re on the old side now,” Jeffries said.
But as Scott McColery will tell you, if you’ve followed the band since the early 70s, we all are.
“You never know where a day may take you so enjoy them,” McColery said.
Cleveland, OH
Edwin Medina, Jr. Obituary May 24, 2025 – Slone and Co. Funeral Directors
Edwin Medina, Jr., a beloved son, brother, uncle, and loving friend to many, passed away on May 24, 2025, at the age of 39.
Born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, to his parents, Evelyn and Edwin Medina, Sr., Edwin enjoyed every moment of his life. He loved traveling and exploring different places, taking in the sights, meeting the people, and experiencing the fulfillment that came with it all. He was always there when you needed a helping hand.
My son, your vibrant spirit has taken a journey, leaving behind your brother, Alberto Medina, sister, Nilsa Medina, two nieces, Sylvia and Sonia Medina, and nephew, Sebastein Medina. Farewell, my son, your absence will be deeply felt.
Family and friends are welcome on Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 5 to 8 p.m., at Slone & Co. Life Celebration Center, 3556 West 130th Street, Cleveland, OH 44111, where additional visitation will be held Sunday, June 1, 2025, from 3 to 7 p.m. and where Funeral Services will be held on Monday, June 2, 2025 at 11 a.m. Interment Riverside Cemetery.
Cleveland, OH
A ‘bud’ for you: City Dogs Cleveland shelter ‘very full’ of pups reduces adoption fee to $21

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – City Dogs Cleveland said the kennel is “very full” again after the holiday weekend.
So, now’s the time to “See What’s Blooming at City Dogs,” which turns out to be “lots and lots of sweet pups!”
“From young pups blossoming before our eyes while they wait at the kennel to more laid-back and mature dogs, we have a ‘bud’ for you,” City Dogs said.
To help getting as many precious pups paired up as possible, City Dogs has reduced adoption fees to just $21 from Wednesday, May 28 through Sunday, June 1.
Not only will you have the best time this springtime with your new four-legged best friend, the adopt fee also includes:
- microchip
- county license
- basic vaccinations
- spay/neuter surgery
- and of course, a lifetime of love!
CLAIM YOUR DOG
City Dogs Cleveland wants to get lost dogs back to their owners.
Click here to see all of the lost/found dogs in the kennel.
The Cleveland kennel is located at 9203 Detroit Ave., and can be reached at 216-664-3069.
“If you don’t reach someone live right away, PLEASE leave a voicemail as these are checked regularly,” City Dogs insisted. “If you know anyone who is missing a pet, please have them check the kennel ASAP!”
ADOPT
If you would like to adopt one (or more!) click here to see the precious pups just waiting to be part of your family.
For those who can’t make the adoption event or want to avoid a potential wait, click here to set up a meet and greet with the dog who is pulling on your heartstrings from the photos.
FOSTER
Even if you aren’t able to adopt at this time, but still have some room in your home and heart, you can click here to learn about fostering a dog.
“It will save a life, but isn’t a lifelong commitment,” City Dogs Cleveland stated.
VOLUNTEER
If you only have room in your heart and your schedule, become a volunteer!
The City of Cleveland said volunteers can help with:
- dog walking
- events
- fostering
- transport
- social media and networking
- photography
- training
- and more!
Email citydogs@city.cleveland.oh.us or call 216.664.3069 for more information about future volunteer opportunities.
DONATE
For those who are unable to adopt or foster at this time but still want to help, the kennel is always in need of monetary and item donations, like the dogs’ favorite chew dogs.
“Providing the dogs with in-kennel enrichment is so important when our facility is so full,” City Dogs Cleveland stated.
You don’t even have to go to the store or stop by the kennel to drop off your donations!
Just purchase these items from the City Dogs wish lists on Amazon or Chewy, and they will be automatically delivered to the kennel.
Click here to view the City Dogs Cleveland Amazon wish list.
Click here to view the City Dogs Cleveland Chewy wish list.
Copyright 2024 WOIO. All rights reserved.
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