Ohio
Cincinnati’s Daniel Carter Beard Bridge fire recalls other fires, disasters on Ohio bridges
A massive fire engulfing the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge and Interstate 471 over the Ohio River might have Cincinnati residents recalling another major blaze that cut a major route between Ohio and Kentucky.
In 2020, the Brent Spence Bridge that carries interstates 71 and 75 across the Ohio River was closed for weeks following a crash that sparked a huge fire.
Here’s a look back at that disaster and other bridge fires and collapses around Ohio.
Fiery crash closes Brent Spence Bridge, I-71/75, over Ohio River for six weeks in 2020
Brent Spence Bridge on I-75 closed after fire, crash
A boat sprays water on a semi on fire on the Brent Spence Bridge early Wednesday. The fire followed a crash involving 2 semis. One truck was carrying potassium hydroxide. The bridge will be closed until it can be inspected.
Emily Rowekamp, Provided
On Nov. 11, 2020, a truck carrying potassium hydroxide crashed into a jackknifed truck on the Brent Spence Bridge, causing a major fire that ended up closing the Ohio River span for six weeks.
According to 911 calls, the Old Dominion semi driver who crashed into a jackknifed truck didn’t have time to grab Hazmat paperwork before fleeing the truck, the Enquirer reported previously.
“It started on fire, and I just jumped out,” he said, telling a dispatcher that he couldn’t grab the paperwork in time.
Neither he nor the driver of the jackknifed rig were injured.
Repairs to the bridge included new steel support beams and new sections of concrete on the upper and lower decks. The U.S. Department of Transportation made $12 million in federal funds available for emergency repairs.
The bridge, which carries more than 160,000 vehicles a day and is one of the busiest trucking routes in the United States, reopened on Dec. 22, 2020.
Tanker catches fire on state Route 8 in Macedonia Saturday
The crash closed the highway both ways.
Tanker crash kills driver, sparks fire on Route 8 ramp to I-271 in January 2024
On Jan. 27, the driver of a diesel tanker was killed after driving off a bridge at the Interstate 271 entrance ramp from state Route 8 north of Akron.
The truck, carrying 7,500 gallons of diesel fuel, exploded, causing a huge fire that closed the bridge for a few days, the Akron Beacon Journal reported. It reopened after inspections showed the damage didn’t affect the bridge’s structural integrity.
Miamitown Bridge collapses during flooding in Cincinnati on May 26, 1989
A temporary bridge over the Great Miami River collapsed during widespread flooding on May 16, 1989, according to media reports, sending four cars into the water. At least two people drowned, WCPO reported.
In November 1990, the National Transportation Safety Board issued a report blaming the Hamilton County Engineer’s Office for three factors that contributed to the bridge collapse, according to WCPO. Those included:
- Selection of a design by National Engineering, the company that built the bridge, that did not consider lateral loads
- Failure to submit the bridge design plans to the Ohio Department of Transportation for review as required by state law
- Failure to promptly close the bridge when it became subject to significant debris loading
Silver Bridge span from Gallipolis collapses into Ohio River on Dec. 15, 1967
The Silver Bridge spanned the Ohio River from Gallipolis to Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Opening to traffic in 1928, it was the first bridge in the nation to use an innovative eyebar-link suspension system rather than a traditional wire-cable suspension, according to West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
However, one of those eyebars had a small, unseen defect. The faulty eyebar eventually cracked and began to corrode, out of sight of the public or bridge inspectors. At about 5 p.m. on December 15—during rush hour—the eyebar failed, setting off a series of other failures that caused the bridge to collapse. Thirty-one vehicles plunged into the Ohio River, killing 46 people.
This story was updated to add a video.
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohioans who own or lease certain Kia or Hyundai vehicles may be eligible for compensation or free anti-theft protection as part of a legal settlement with the carmakers, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced this week.
For years, thieves posted videos on TikTok and other sites showing how relatively easy it was to break into Kia and Hyundai models, especially those made from 2011 to 2022, bypass ignition locks and drive off in the cars.
Breaking into cars became known online as the “Kia Challenge.” A group known as the “Kia Boyz” in particular gained notoriety for breaking into the vehicles with just a screwdriver and USB cable.
In Cleveland, the thefts soared.
Under the multistate settlement, eligible consumers may receive:
- Free installation of a zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protector for affected vehicles.
- Restitution for certain expenses related to a theft or an attempted theft if a vehicle was stolen or targeted on or after April 29, 2025.
Ohioans who qualify will receive notice from Hyundai or Kia and have one year to schedule the free installation at an authorized dealership.
People seeking compensation or more information about eligibility or how to file a claim can visit:
- Hyundai: www.HKMultistateimmobilizersettlement.com
- Kia: https://customercare.kiausa.com/SWLD ; or call (800)-333-4542
The lawsuit was filed by numerous state attorneys general. At the time, Yost said Ohio lacked the grounds to sue the South Korean carmakers and he didn’t join the suit.
It’s unclear whether Ohio ever joined the lawsuit. Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer contacted a spokeswoman for Yost to ask about that.
Even if Ohio didn’t help with the litigation, its residents are eligible for the settlement.
The repairs could cost the companies over $500 million. Restitution to people could cost up to $9 million, Reuters reported.
This settlement is different than a separate track of litigation filed by dozens of American cities, including Cleveland, Columbus and Parma seeking reimbursement for police time and resources that went into investigating the Kia and Hyundai thefts.
That litigation is ongoing.
An Ohio man was killed in a vehicle crash Thursday afternoon in Erie Township.
Joshua M. Wilson, 36, of Toledo reportedly hit a tree and was ejected from his car, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
Around 1:38 p.m., Wilson was driving on South Telegraph Road, southwest of East Temperance Road, in a Toyota Camry. For “unknown reasons,” the car left the road, entered a ditch and hit a tree, according to a news release.
Wilson was not wearing a seat belt. Air bags deployed, police said.
The Erie Township Fire Department and Monroe Community Ambulance assisted at the scene.
The crash is under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call (734) 240-7548.
mbryan@detroitnews.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio – When you’re done cleaning up from Christmas, there’s plenty to do around Northeast Ohio. You can still catch holiday pop-up bars or get the family out for a lighting display through the New Year. The Cavaliers, Browns and Monsters are all playing home games. When you’re not shopping for a New Year’s Eve outfit, check out the places to celebrate the festive night around Northeast Ohio.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Trans-Siberian Orchestra is always busy this time of year spreading holiday cheer with a metal and orchestral mash-up of classic Christmas classics. The band brings its “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve” tour, complete with laser light show and pyrotechnic, to Rocket Arena the day after Christmas. Tickets start at $55
3 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., Friday, December 26
Rocket Arena, 1 Center Court, Cleveland
trans-siberian.com
Public Square Cheer Garden
Public Square is busy for the winter holidays with ice skating, an outdoor bar, firepits with tasty s’mores, and holiday tunes. The IlluminateCLE Holiday Light Show takes place every hour. Free, except for ice skating fee.
5 to 10 p.m., Friday, Dec. 26
Noon to 10 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 27
Noon to 8 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 28
50 Public Square, Cleveland
winterlandcle.com
Holiday Lantern Tours
Take an interactive, lantern-lit walking tour of this outdoor living history museum as 19th-century villagers welcome you into their decorated homes and share seasonal traditions. Tickets $18-$28.
Through Dec. 28
Hale Farm & Village, 2686 Oak Hill Road, Bath
wrhs.org
Frost: An Ice-Capped Garden Experience
Cleveland Botanical Garden turns into the an ethereal wonderland for the holidays, with towering ice arches, dazzling light installations, 500 poinsettias, kids activities and more. Tickets $7-$28.
Through Jan. 4
Cleveland Botanical Garden, 11030 East Blvd. Cleveland
holdenfg.org
Magic of Lights
Now at Victory Park in North Ridegeville, this former drive-through holiday light display has been reimagined as a walk-through experience this year, letting visitors explore bright, festive scenes up close and at their own pace. Tickets $8-$17.
Through Jan. 3
Victory Park, 7777 Victory Lane, North Ridgeville
magicoflights.com
Wild Winter Lights
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s annual holiday display features over 1.5 million lights illuminating themed areas such as the Enchanted Forest, Swan Lake, Candy Lane, Polar Pathway and Santa’s North Pole Lodge. Tickets $24-$30.
Through Dec. 30
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland
clevelandmetroparks.com
Deck the Hall
It’s the most wonderful time of the year at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens in Akron. The historic estate has been decked out for the holidays, with multiple Christmas trees inside and more than a million lights outside. Tickets start at $28.
Through Dec. 30
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron
stanhywet.org
Kwanzaa
Greater Cleveland Kwanzaa Alliance Kwanzaa! Celebrating 60 years of Nguzo Saba. The celebration starts on Friday, Dec. 26 and continues through the week. Free
6 p.m., Friday, Dec. 26
East Cleveland Public Library, 14101 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland
facebook.com
Kwanzaa Celebration of Ujima at the Cleveland Public Library
The Cleveland Public Library offers immersion in the African and African-American cultural traditions of Kwanzaa. Clevelanders are invited to learn about the third principle of Kwanzaa: Ujima, a commitment to active and informed togetherness, where community problems are solved together. The event will include soulful music, storytelling and audience engagement. Free
Noon, Saturday, Dec. 27
Martin Luther King Jr. Branch of the Cleveland Public Library, 10601 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
cpl.libcal.com
A Night of Holiday Soul
Will Downing, Leela James and Avery*Sunshine perform together at KeyBank State Theater. Tickets start at $70.
7 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 28
KeyBank State Theater, 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
playhousesquare.org
Home for the Holidays at Hilarities
Eight to 10 of Cleveland’s favorite comics, both old and new, will perform at Hilarities this weekend. Tickets $24
6:30 p.m. & 9:15 p.m., Friday, Dec. 26
Hilarities, 2035 E. 4th Street, Cleveland
hilarities.com
“The Hobbit”
Dobama Theatre transforms its intimate Cleveland Heights stage into Middle-earth for an imaginative staging of J.R.R. Tokien’s classic novel. Follow Bilbo Baggins as he leaves the shire and joins a band of dwarves on a quest filled with trolls, goblins and a fire-breathing dragon. Tickets $30-$48.
Through Jan. 4
Dobama Theatre, 2340 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights
dobama.org
Candy Land: It’s Wild in Ohio
Lake Metroparks turns the Candy Land board game into a nature-themed adventure, with crafts, scavenger hunts, exhibits, hot chocolate and weekend programs. Free.
Through Jan. 4
Penitentiary Glen Reservation, 8668 Kirtland-Chardon Road, Kirtland
lakemetroparks.com
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Phoenix Suns
Celebrate New Year’s Eve Day with the Cleveland Cavaliers taking on the Phoenix Suns. Fans get a Cavalanche beanie. Tickets start at $62.
3:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 31
Rocket Arena, Cleveland
nba.com/cavaliers
Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Browns takes on their favorite rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers in Cleveland this weekend. Tickets start at $75.
1 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 28
Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland
clevelandbrowns.com
Cleveland Monsters vs. Rochester Americans
Cleveland Monsters face the Rochester Americans on the ice at Rocket Arena. Tickets start at $21
6:30 p.m., Dec. 29
Rocket Arena
clevelandmonsters.com
Cleveland Monsters vs. Toronto Marlies
Cleveland Monsters take on the Toronto Marlies. It’s Superman promotion night. The first 2,500 kids ages 14 years old and under receive Superman Monsters Capes. Tickets start at $21
6:30 p.m., Dec. 30
Rocket Arena
clevelandmonsters.com
The Harlem Globetrotters
The Harlem Globetrotters are bringing their ball-handling wizardry to Rocket Arena. The crowd will marvel at their skill and laugh at their comedy. Tickets start at $52
3 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 28
Rocket Arena, Cleveland
rocketarena.com/events
Cleveland Metroparks Toboggan Chutes
Find your thrill in the chill at the Chalet in Strongsville, whooshing down twin 700-foot refrigerated ice chutes on an old-timey toboggan. Reservations required. Tickets, $13-$15.
16200 Valley Parkway, Strongsville
Through Feb. 22
clevelandmetroparks.com
Renaissance to Runway: The Enduring Italian Houses
The Cleveland Museum of Art’s largest fashion exhibition to date explores how Italy’s artistic past influences modern design. Pieces from Versace, Valentino, Armani, Ferragamo and Gucci are displayed alongside Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces. Tickets $8-$17.
Through Feb. 1
Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland
clevelandart.org
LeRoy Neiman: A Keen Observer of Style
LeRoy Neiman (1921-2012) was for his brilliantly colored, expressionist paintings and screenprints of athletes, musicians, and sporting events. A special exhibition at the Kent State University Museum looks at his early work as a fashion illustrator and how it influenced his his interest in capturing the clothing, gesture and style of his subjects.
Through June 27
The Kent State University Museum, 515 Hilltop Drive, Kent
kent.edu
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