Cleveland, OH
Superman director thanks Cleveland as filming downtown wraps up: ‘You exemplify his spirit’
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – “It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s…” a heartfelt love letter addressed as a thank you note to Cleveland penned by Superman director James Gunn as filming wraps up downtown.
“From the moment we first came here on a scout a tad less than a year ago and Terminal Tower was lit up with the colors of Superman, I knew you were a special place,” Gunn stated. “I would walk down your streets and someone would stop me and tell me how grateful they were we were shooting in their city – not once, not twice, but dozens of times.”
Downtown Cleveland was dressed up as Metropolis for six weeks as Superman took over The Land to shoot the next film, which is fittingly the birthplace of the super hero.
Cleveland’s Glenville neighborhood residents Jerry Seigel and Joe Shuster created the Man of Steel during the Great Depression.
The first Superman comic book hit shelves in 1938.
“The pride you feel in being where Jerry and Joe first created Superman was invigorating,” Gunn shared. “You exemplify his spirit.”
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Here’s the comic book hero’s connection to Cleveland
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Superman statue may finally be coming to Cleveland
Fast forward 86 years later to Superman coming to life on the streets of Cleveland.
When the cameras weren’t rolling, locals spotted Clark Kent – portrayed by David Corenswet – among other cast and crew members visiting restaurants like Slyman’s and Marble Room Steakhouse and Raw Bar.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: ‘Superman’ cast visits Northeast Ohio restaurant
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Clevelanders react to Superman movie being filmed downtown
“But just as much it’s the pride you have in your community, your hometown, your radio stations and restaurants and gathering places that touched me,” said Gunn. “Every city would be so lucky to have people that loved their city as much as you.”
Not only did Clevelanders catch a glimpse of the filming, some were even casted as extras in the production!
“The wonderful background actors on the film were always so fun and funny and they clapped after takes, something that reminded us Hollywood cynics why we make movies in the first place,” Gunn reminisced.
The Greater Cleveland Film Commission released this statement in April on the job and acting opportunities this brought to the city:
“This year, GCFC has attracted more motion picture production business than ever before to choose NE Ohio as its filming destination. In combination with motion picture production applicants from recent previous rounds, GCFC has secured a total combined production budgets of $152,385,587.65 to spend and create jobs in NE Ohio in 2024. But GCFC is a not for profit that does not receive any commission or revenue from the production spending and job creation it drives to NE Ohio.
The Ohio motion picture tax credit program expands by 50% in the next round, which accepts applicants from April 15th to June 1st, with applications approved in July. This expansion arms GCFC with an essential tool to transform NE Ohio into a leader in motion picture production investment and job creation.”
“You simply couldn’t have been more wonderful, kind, or accommodating to me and our performers and crew. Thank you a thousand times over for being our friends and partners on this film. Much love to you all,” Gunn expressed on July 17 as production left the city.
Gunn announced last November that “Superman” will fly into theaters on July 11, 2025.
Thanks to the efforts of our talented crew, who never lost faith during the longest strikes in Hollywood history, and who never let their foot off the pedal, continuing to barrel forward, creating the most amazing character and set designs I’ve seen in my entire career,… pic.twitter.com/ntnEbA2fC0
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) November 11, 2023
Copyright 2024 WOIO. All rights reserved.
Cleveland, OH
Medical examiner identifies woman found dead in backyard of Cleveland home
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Officials on Monday released the name of the woman found dead in the backyard of a home in the West Boulevard neighborhood.
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner has identified the victim as Amber Graham, 37.
Officers responded to the 3400 block of Bosworth Road around 9 a.m. Friday for a welfare check.
When officers arrived at the home, they found the Graham deceased.
A child connected to the woman has been located and confirmed safe, said Cleveland police.
Police added the circumstances regarding the death remain under investigation.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
Cleveland, OH
Rittman police officer among 4 dead in Wayne County
RITTMAN, Ohio — Four people are dead, including a Rittman police officer, following a violent night in Wayne County.
Speaking to reporters in the early morning hours, Sheriff Tom Ballinger said that the dispatch center received 911 calls around 9:30 p.m. on Sunday “for some type of disturbance and shots fired.” Responding officers immediately started taking fire, according to the sheriff.
What Ballinger told reporters:
Rittman officer killed
One police officer was killed, and two others were injured. A K9 from the sheriff’s department was also injured. Ballinger said the suspect and two victims are dead.
The department has identified the fallen officer as Sgt. Scott Ries.
“Sgt. Ries served the Rittman Police Department with honor and courage. Throughout his service, Sgt. Ries demonstrated an enduring commitment to protecting others and upholding the values of our department. Our hearts are broken with this unimaginable loss. The incident remains under active investigation with BCI. We are grateful for the outpouring (of) support from our community and law enforcement partners,” Rittman Police said in a news release Monday morning.
Wayne County Coroner Dr. Amy Jolliff told News 5’s Bob Jones the suspect was a 38-year-old man, and the victims were a woman and her teen daughter who were killed before the officer was killed, and the suspect killed himself.
The officer died at the hospital in Akron.
The Bureau of Criminal Investigation is handling the investigation. Multiple law enforcement agencies responded.
News 5 Cleveland
A News 5 crew was on scene around Cheyenne Drive as they saw drones and a helicopter in the air. They also watched as law enforcement ran through front lawns and backyards, and asked residents how many people were in their house. Their focus appeared to be on a two-story home.
Vehicles from the sheriff’s department and Rittman, Wooster and Smithville police departments, some of which had bullet holes, were towed from the scene.
Watch Nadeen Abusada’s report:
Vehicles with bullet holes where officer was shot
Last night, the Wooster Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol asked people to avoid the area near Rittman High School.
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Cleveland, OH
White Sox vs. Guardians game delayed due to rain Sunday 7/05/26
UPDATE: The game is now expected to start at 3:30p.m. ET.
Sunday’s Chicago White Sox-Cleveland Guardians game at Progressive Field has entered an inclement-weather delay.
The AL Central matchup was scheduled for Sunday afternoon in Cleveland, but weather moved into the area before the game could settle into its normal rhythm. Rain and thunderstorm risk had been in the forecast throughout the day, with conditions creating another delay in a series already shaped by weather.
This is the second weather interruption of the weekend between the White Sox and Guardians. Friday’s game was delayed for 1 hour, 55 minutes after Miguel Vargas hit a go-ahead three-run homer in the fifth inning. Cleveland later came back to win 4-3 in 10 innings, using the delay to reset a game Chicago had briefly seized.
The Guardians entered the weekend fighting to protect position near the top of the AL Central, while the White Sox have been trying to steady themselves after a rough stretch and a taxed bullpen.
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