🚨 Akron Unrest Continues + Clay Matthews Hall of Fame + Poop-Mail Probe + Backstreet Boys

All eyes are on Akron as the city deals with protests and now video of an officer punching a protester. Here's more of what you need to know:

• The Pro Football Hall of Fame needs some Clay Matthews Jr. 🧡
• Cop who killed Tamir Rice withdraws from Pennsylvania police force
• A special delivery for GOP senators 💩

Plus, if you love art, we've got a deal for you!!! 🧑🏽‍🎨

Weather: ⛅ Variable cloudiness. High: 79, Low: 69

Week Ahead Forecast | Live Weather Radar

📢 I’m looking for business owners and marketers in Cleveland who want to build awareness, connect with customers and increase sales.

I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our Cleveland Daily readers to local businesses they need to know about. If that’s you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

National Attention Focuses On Akron As Jayland Walker Protests Continue

1) Akron police are investigating an officer who was recorded on video punching a protester. The city has imposed another curfew and protests continue in Akron over the police shooting death of Jayland Walker. Among those arrested in Wednesday night's protests were Breonna Taylor's aunt and Jacob Blake's father. (Breonna Taylor was killed by Louisville KY police and Jacob Blake was shot and paralyzed by Kenosha WI police.)

Here's the latest:

• Ohio State Highway Patrol chopper video shows late-night unrest in Downtown Akron
• Akron police to conduct use-of-force investigation after video appears to show officer punching protester
• Akron police arrest Breonna Taylor’s aunt, issue warrant for Jacob Blake’s father during protest over police shooting

On Thursday, Jayland Walker's cousin, Delone Carter, posted a YouTube video discussing his experience as an Akron police officer. "I know we are trained better than that," Carter said, noting that Jayland "was the furthest thing from a criminal, was quiet, loving." Carter, who was an NFL running back before his police career, said he became an officer to help change how African-American communities are policed.

Watch on YouTube

2) 🧡 Beloved Cleveland Browns legend Clay Matthews Jr., who wore No. 57, is one of 25 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was voted on by the Seniors Committee. The linebacker who anchored the defense in the 1980s has been overlooked several times in the past. Matthews played 16 seasons and was selected to four Pro Bowls. He led the league in tackles four times. (Oh yeah, Art Modell is also under consideration as a Contributor to the league.)

Cleveland 19 News

3) After one day, the officer who killed Tamir Rice is no longer a Tioga Borough police officer. Timothy Loehmann would have been the town's only officer. He withdrew from the $18-an-hour job after residents of the small Pennsylvania community, population 700, objected to his presence. The mayor told the Plain Dealer he was surprised someone from Cleveland applied for the job, but was told Loehmann wanted to get away from the city and spend time hunting and fishing.

Cleveland Scene

4) 💩 Poop from Cleveland was mailed to all 25 Republican state senators in Ohio but the post office intercepted the feces-filled envelopes. “The U.S. Postal Inspector is investigating this federal crime,” Ohio Senate Press Secretary John Fortney said, calling the senders "pathetic little cowards." Fortney also said: "They should’ve just sent a selfie, because it’s the same thing."

Columbus Dispatch

5) The Cleveland APL is waiving adoption fees this weekend because shelters are overflowing with dogs and cats. The APL says the economy is forcing some people to give up their pets, and it's cat-breeding season so kittens are being brought in every day. “We have a decent waiting list of cats and dogs waiting to come in, so we really need people to adopt so we can keep helping the animals that need to come to us,” said Cleveland APL Director Sharon Harvey.

Fox 8 News

🎨 From Our Sponsor

Are you a Cleveland resident looking for an investment alternative to the stock market?

Bloomberg recently asked experts where they’d invest $100,000 right now, and many of them had the same answer: fine art.

Thinking you can’t afford a Picasso? Well in 2012, Congress passed the JOBS Act, which allowed for the securitization of artwork. A company called Masterworks.io built the largest platform for buying and selling art securities. In the past, you could only buy shares of companies like Apple, but with this investing app, you can unlock this powerful investment.

Meaning, you can invest in shares of million-dollar artwork. And in uncertain times, it turns out, fine art may be a wise investment. Here’s why:

• Low correlation to stocks according to Citi
• Contemporary art historically returns 23.2% when inflation is >3%
• Contemporary art prices outpaced the S&P 500 by 164% (1995-2021)

To learn more, visit Masterworks.io, where Cleveland Daily readers can skip the waitlist.

See important Reg A Disclosures

Boy Band Love

After two years of pandemic-induced delays, the Backstreet Boys finally returned to Cleveland. They played a sold-out show at Blossom Music Center Wednesday night. (My cousins were there!) Here's a photo by Jennifer Yarina of Parma! And here's a review by Annie Nickoloff.

5 Headlines You Need To See

• Ohio bill would allow pregnant women to sue men for unintended pregnancies (wksu.org)
• Photos: Tall ships make their majestic return to Cleveland (cleveland.com)
• Applications now open for Cleveland Commission for Black Women and Girls (WKYC.com)
• Cuyahoga County authorizes $3.3 million in federal COVID relief money for the arts (cleveland.com)
• Solon police release dash cam video of deadly drunk driving accident (Cleveland 19 News)

3 Things To Do

• 🍷🍻🍖🧘‍♀️ Tipsy Yoga at Royal Docks Brewing Company on Sunday in Canton. This adult yoga class includes wine, beer, food and ... oh yeah, yoga. More info
• Asian Lantern Festival presented by Meijer at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo runs through Aug. 17. This year’s festival will feature live performances, including acrobatics, every hour on the Fifth Third Bank Stage. This year’s displays include a variety of animals. More info and ticket pricing
• The Beatles: Get Back to Let It Be is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s newest exhibit. Explore the legacy of the Fab Four with film clips, audio, custom projections, original instruments, clothing and handwritten lyrics. Tickets, $20 to $30. Cleveland residents get in free. More info

Cleveland Chatter

• Since 1984, Cleveland Clinic surgeons have performed more than 2,000 heart transplants. ❤️ They hold the world's record for the most hearts transplanted in a single year. (Cleveland Clinic via Instagram)
• "It’s #outdoorsculpture week at the Cleveland Museum of Art! Each summer the #CMAConservation team heads outside for annual maintenance of the outdoor works of art. Washing these sculptures and removing debris helps to preserve them for years to come." (Cleveland Museum of Art via Instagram)
• "Asian Lantern Festival presented by Meijer has begun! Get your tickets now at FutureForWildlife.org/lanterns" (Cleveland Metroparks Zoo via Facebook)
• "Looking for a unique date idea? We have you covered! Impress your partner with an evening among the flowers at the Cleveland Botanical Garden. Enjoy the café, glasshouses, and your favorite outdoor gardens until 8:30 p.m. on Thursday nights." (Cleveland Botanical Garden via Facebook)
• "Don’t miss the chance to take advantage of FREE general admission for all youth ages 2-12, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday, July 9 at the Science Center, featuring the NASA Glenn Visitor Center and special activities presented by NASA." (Great Lakes Science Center via Facebook)

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! Have a great weekend. If you missed anything this week, we've got you covered.