Cleveland, OH

The American Dream can be found in a downtown Cleveland naturalization ceremony

Published

2 years ago

April 12, 2024

The American Dream can be found in a downtown Cleveland naturalization ceremony

The city’s diversity and uniquely welcoming atmosphere make it a beacon of inspiration for the international community

New American citizens celebrate during a naturalization ceremony at the Cuyahoga County Administrative Headquarters. [Photo by Anna Maria Hamm]

On March 21, a cold spring day in downtown Cleveland, you could still feel the warmth in the hearts beating at the Cuyahoga County Administrative Headquarters. There, 30 individuals from other countries will become American citizens.

For most, this journey took them many years, many miles, or both. Take Eggar Raul for example. He applied just a year ago, but his journey from Mexico started thousands of miles away and his journey to American citizenship took 20 years. At the naturalization ceremony, he had his wife and three children, ranging in age from 3 to 12 years old. celebrating with him.

Just across the aisle sat Carlos Alessandra Cruz Garcia and his beautiful wife, Linda. Carlos has lived in this country 28 years and decided the time was finally right to become an American Citizen.

When asked what it meant to him to finally have this honor, he replied, “Freedom! It means no more worries, I can finally put my shoulders down. I can vote!”

Carlos met Linda almost 30 years ago online – she was from New York and he was from Guatemala. Linda came from Guatemala as a child and was naturalized immediately. Little did she know she would fall in love and win a scholarship that would take her to college at Case Western Reserve University. The scholarship and her efforts led her to become a social worker and she now works as a trauma therapist. She has been with Carlos for 23 years and sits next to him with immense pride on his day of naturalization. They are living the American dream, they said. But that dream did not come easy and they admit to hardship along the way.

Linda recalls picking Carlos up from multiple restaurants where he worked as a cook. In the past few years, however, he has put down his apron in favor of going into the information technologies field.

First to speak at the ceremony was a representative from Global Cleveland, a nonprofit organization formed in 2011 to advance unity, solidarity, and collective community-building among international newcomers. Their offices are based in downtown Cleveland. According to marketing director Gwendolyn Kochur, “Our job is to ensure that our international community is well cared for. So, we connect international people with opportunities, economic, social, cultural, and make Northeast Ohio a better place for them to call home.”

The naturalization ceremony on March 21 involved new citizens who originally hail from 20 countries – all of whom are now making Cleveland their home. [Photo by Anna Maria Hamm]

Global Cleveland witnessed the naturalization of about 2,600 people in 2023. Cleveland is one of the best places in the country for naturalization, in terms of quick processing time, Kochur said, which makes Cleveland a prime location for growth. Members from Global Cleveland attend every naturalization ceremony, which happens about every two weeks. They provide the new citizens with a packet of resources, letters from the Cleveland Mayor and the Cuyahoga County Executive, and oodles of different information for them so that they can be welcomed properly.

Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne welcomed the group and spoke about his own father, who was also an immigrant.

“We are a county of 120 different ethnic communities, with origins from places all throughout the world,” Ronayne said. “120 different communities strong, put together as one in Cuyahoga County. We are, in this country, a nation of immigrants. We are, in this county, a county of immigrants. Immigrants continue to help make our economy thrive – 20 percent of our newcomer entrepreneurs are immigrants.”

Ronayne also let the soon-to-be American citizens know that a new welcome center is now open for immigrants and refugees with limited English proficiency. The Welcome Center is in the Old Brooklyn neighborhood on Memphis and Fulton Road. A physical place where those new to Ohio, and new to this country, can take the first steps critical to building a future in the United States.

“If they have a leg up on education, on a job opportunity, on a house, we want to be here as a resource to those who might choose Cuyahoga County for their home in the future,” Ronayne said.

The county also partners with outside service agencies, such as Global Cleveland and ReSource Cleveland, to connect residents to resources including housing, job support, educational services, legal support and language services.

Before it was time for the naturalization ceremony, the audience were greeted by Cuyahoga County Council President Parnell Jones.

“We have a saying in the United States, that we are a melting pot. And when you’re a melting pot, I mean, we all come in and we all melt and it’s all the same, and we’re all one unified group,” Jones said. “That’s not really how it played out. That’s not what you see. And that’s not really what happens. I think it’s more like a pot of vegetables, stew, we all bring our own uniqueness to that stew, it doesn’t get lost, doesn’t have to be lost. You are bringing something to this country. Expect that you bring yourself and you will add value to this community. As you live your life worth playing, enjoying this country … all that it has to offer is here for you.”

Finally, the time had come. All 30 immigrants getting naturalized were asked to stand and raise their right hand as the oath was spoken. Those standing represented 20 countries: Afghanistan, Albania, Bhutan, Burma, Congo, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Germany, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Jordan, Lebanon, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, the Philippines and Ukraine.

Judge Jonathan de Greenberg, a US Magistrate Judge for the US District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, swore in participants. Huge applause thundered across the room and hugs were given all around. Each new American citizen was then escorted up to shake hands and take pictures with officials. With hard work and perseverance, they have just begun to live their American dream.

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Cleveland, OH

Frigid Monday in NE Ohio gives way to warmup, rain later this week

Published

3 minutes ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

Frigid Monday in NE Ohio gives way to warmup, rain later this week

CLEVELAND, Ohio — One more frigid day stands between Northeast Ohio and a brief warmup that will bring the region its first above-average temperatures since the day before Thanksgiving.

Cold, gray weather will remain in control across the region on Monday, with lingering lake-effect snow bringing minor accumulations to parts of the snowbelt before conditions gradually quiet down after a snow-filled weekend.

The periods of light snow continue early Monday in far northeastern Ohio, especially eastern Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula counties, where an additional inch or two of accumulation is possible through the evening, according to the National Weather Service in Cleveland.

Lake-effect snow showers could bring some minor accumulations to far Northeast Ohio on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025.Courtesy National Weather Service

While snowfall rates are expected to remain light, brief coatings of snow are possible on untreated roads, particularly in the snowbelt.

Elsewhere across Northeast Ohio, conditions will stay mostly dry, though skies remain mostly cloudy and temperatures will remain well below normal. Afternoon highs will struggle to climb out of the upper teens to lower 20s.

Lake-effect snow will gradually shift east and weaken later Monday as winds turn more southwesterly. Any lingering snow showers should wind down overnight, with little additional accumulation expected. Lows across the region will be in the low to mid teens.

Milder Tuesday brings break from deep freeze

Skies will turn sunnier early Tuesday before clouds increase later in the day as winds turn breezy from the southwest. Temperatures will climb into the mid 30s — a noticeable step up from recent days and enough to push most of Northeast Ohio above freezing during the afternoon.

Dry weather is expected to hold through the day and into Tuesday night as high pressure slides east, keeping travel impacts minimal ahead of a more active pattern later in the week.

Windy, wet storm brings first above-average temperatures in weeks

Map of Northern Ohio with yellow shading showing expected high temperatures in the upper 40s on Dec. 18 — Look at those temperatures! Highs on Thursday are expected to climb into the upper 40s across Northeast Ohio — the region’s first above-average day since the day before Thanksgiving.Courtesy National Weather Service

Northeast Ohio’s brief warmup will continue through Wednesday, with highs climbing to around 40 degrees, before peaking Thursday as the warmest day of the week.

A strong storm system is expected to move through the Great Lakes on Thursday, pushing temperatures into the upper 40s — the area’s first above-average day since Nov. 26, according to the National Weather Service.

But that warmth will come with consequences. As the system moves through, it’s expected to bring gusty winds and widespread rain.

That rain is expected to overspread the region Thursday into early Thursday night, with rainfall totals around a half-inch likely and localized amounts approaching an inch possible. Mild temperatures and rising humidity will lead to noticeable snowmelt, though widespread river flooding is not expected.

Wind gusts could reach 35 to 40 mph, particularly during the warm, southwest flow Thursday and again along the lakeshore following a strong cold front Thursday night.

A flash freeze is possible late Thursday night as temperatures drop sharply behind the cold front, falling from the upper 40s into the low 20s by early Friday. Rain may briefly change to snow before ending, with only minor accumulation expected.

Lake-effect snow possible Friday, milder weekend ahead

Graphic showing five-day weather forecast for Cleveland, Ohio, Dec. 15-19 — Northeast Ohio will finally see some warmer temperatures later this week, but that will also mean rain.cleveland.com

Colder air pouring over Lake Erie on Friday could trigger a round of lake-effect snow, mainly in the primary snowbelt east of Cleveland. At this point, forecasters say the setup looks more like an advisory-level event rather than a major storm, with snow tapering off by Friday night as high pressure builds in.

Temperatures will rebound again this weekend, with highs climbing back into the 40s Saturday before another system brings rain late Saturday into Saturday night. High pressure is expected to return Sunday, keeping the up-and-down temperature pattern in place heading into the days before Christmas.

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Cleveland, OH

Cleveland Homicide Unit investigates early morning shooting near bars

Published

12 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

Cleveland Homicide Unit investigates early morning shooting near bars

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The Cleveland Division of Police responded to a report of shots fired early Sunday morning.

The Fourth District officers responded to 3547 E 93rd St. at approximately 3 a.m., near the VSP Lounge Inc and Skeets Bar.

Police said when arriving to the scene, officers located a man lying near the entrance of the location.

The man was unresponsive and wasn’t breathing.

Cleveland EMS responded and pronounced the 24-year-old man deceased on scene.

Cleveland police said three adult men with gunshot wounds arrived separately at three area hospitals with non-life threatening injuries.

There are no suspects who have been identified at this time.

The Cleveland Police Homicide Unit is investigating.

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Cleveland, OH

Snow keeps stacking up: See early city-by-city totals as parts of NE Ohio near 8 inches

Published

1 day ago

December 14, 2025

Press Room

Snow keeps stacking up: See early city-by-city totals as parts of NE Ohio near 8 inches

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Snow piled up fast across parts of Northeast Ohio over the past 24 hours, with some snowbelt communities already seeing 6 to 8 inches even as lake-effect snow continues to fall.

Those totals, released by the National Weather Service on Sunday morning, reflect snowfall from Saturday into early Sunday.

Reports collected between 6 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Sunday showed 7 inches near Strongsville, 6 inches near Bath, and 7.5 inches near Newbury in Geauga County.

Those early totals, however, do not tell the full story. Lake-effect snow remains ongoing Sunday and is expected to continue into Monday, meaning additional accumulation is likely in many areas.

Forecasters say snow will be steady to heavy at times through Sunday evening, as cold, moisture-rich air remains locked over Lake Erie.

Many Northeast Ohio locations are expected to see 3 to 6 inches of additional snow through Monday morning, with higher totals possible where lake-effect bands persist the longest.

The greatest risk for heavier additional snowfall on Sunday — potentially 5 to 8 inches — includes northern Lorain, southwestern Cuyahoga, northern Medina and central Summit counties, along with portions of the primary snowbelt east of Cleveland.

Read more: Lake-effect snow machine continues Sunday: 5-8 more inches could hit some areas

Within the strongest bands, snowfall rates could reach around 1 inch per hour on Sunday, quickly reducing visibility and making travel hazardous.

Gusty winds, with gusts up to 35 mph near Lake Erie, may also lead to blowing and drifting snow.

It will remain bitterly cold, with highs Sunday only reaching the mid-teens to mid-20s, and subzero wind chills possible at times into Monday.

Reported snowfall totals

(Measured between 6 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Sunday)

Cuyahoga County

Lakewood: 2.7 inches
Parma: 3.2
Richmond Heights: 2.0
Shaker Heights: 2.5
Strongsville: 7.0
University Heights: 3.6
Westlake: 3.9
Woodmere: 3.8

Geauga County

Auburn Corners: 4.3
Middlefield: 4.0
Newbury: 7.5

Lake County

Madison: 1.3
Mentor-on-the-Lake: 1.6
Willoughby: 0.5

Lorain County

Amherst: 3.5
Avon: 3.7
Elyria: 2.5
Lorain: 2.0
North Ridgeville: 3.8
Oberlin: 1.0–2.4
Vermilion: 2.7

Medina County

Homerville: 1.7
Medina: 2.8–3.5
Spencer: 2.1
Wadsworth: 3.3

Portage County

Craig Beach: 2.0
Kent: 3.0–3.5
Mantua: 5.0
Ravenna: 2.8–3.0
Streetsboro: 3.4
Windham: 2.5

Summit County

Barberton: 2.5
Bath: 6.0
Copley: 4.2
Macedonia: 4.1
Munroe Falls: 3.5
Reminderville: 4.5
Stow: 2.5

A map shows snowfall totals reported across Northeast Ohio as of Sunday morning, after some communities picked up more than 7 inches of snow in the past 24 hours.Cleveland NWS

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