Community Corner
😴 Snow Snooze Means Job Lost + Thayer's Meats + Mr. Cars Killer
Cleveland Daily: Get caught up on the most significant news and things to do this weekend. Like Donut Fest and Cleveland Restaurant Week.
Catching Z's on the job when the snow is flying will get you fired. We've got some sad news out of Parma today — a local business open more than half a century is closing up shop. We've got the news you need and 3 things to do this weekend, too.
❤️ Like your Cleveland Daily? Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe.
Find out what's happening in Clevelandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Clevelandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
1) Cleveland Plow Driver Snoozed During Season's Biggest Storm: Fox 8 I-Team
A Cleveland city snow plow driver was snoozing for hours during the biggest snowstorm of the season, city records show. From midnight to 5 a.m., the plow driver should have been plowing the muni lot. Instead, Douglas McKenzie's truck was parked in the garage, with the driver tucked in for a long, long nap. That same February morning, according to the Fox 8 I-Team, the driver was caught on camera plowing a private driveway.
Investigative records revealed by the I-Team get right to the point:
- "You were asleep during your shift."
- "... your whereabouts cannot be accounted for."
- "You are being terminated."
City Councilman Kevin Bishop says the council will demand answers and improvement.
From Our Sponsor
Today’s newsletter is brought to you in part by Ring, a Patch Brand Partner. Whether you're working from home or streaming your favorite movies, the new Ring Alarm Pro gives you an internet connection you can count on — while simultaneously keeping your home safe and secure.
To learn more about the innovative security system, or to build your own custom system, you can visit Ring here.
2) Butcher Closes After 5 Decades: Thayer’s Select Meats in Parma announced this week it will soon close. The family butcher shop opened 56 years ago and has served customers from the same location in the Pleasant Valley Shopping Center at 7520 Broadview Road ever since.
- "Widely known for its fresh cuts and the indelible personalities of the family that owns it, loyal and longtime customers have swarmed to the neighborhood butcher shop to say one last goodbye," writes Jordan Vandenberge for News 5 Cleveland.
- “It’s just sad I have to make this decision,” said Maureen Thayer-Funfgeld, who took over the shop from her father, Robert. He started the business. “I’m sorry for the Parma residents. I don’t want to say there are other meat markets, because I’m really (mad) they’re going to be getting my business."
- The going-out-of-business sale at Thayer's will last for a few weeks until everything is gone.
Read more on News 5 Cleveland and cleveland.com
3) "Mr. Cars" Killer Can't Escape Death Row: The death sentence imposed on Joseph McAlpin in 2019 stays, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled on Thursday. McAlpin shot and killed Mike and Trina Tomola Kuznik in April 2017 in their Cleveland car dealership on East 185th Street. He also killed their dog. The case became known as the "Mr. Cars" murders, so called because of the dealership's name. McAlpin defended himself at trial, then tried to claim the lawyers appointed to assist him disrupted his legal strategy.
4) Covidball: Seven Cleveland Guardians coaches, including manager Terry Francona, are on the MLB health and safety protocol for COVID-19 after testing positive this week. Wednesday's postponed game against the Chicago White Sox will be made up on July 23 as a split doubleheader. Pitching coach Carl Willis will manage Friday's game at Minnesota.
- Ohio reports 15,970 more COVID-19 cases as country marks 1 million coronavirus deaths (cleveland.com)
- DeWine orders flags at half-staff in memory of 1 million US COVID deaths (News 5 Cleveland WEWS)
5) Night Sky Watching: The Eta Aquariids meteor shower peaked early Friday morning, but there's still plenty of time to scan the heavens this month and catch some stellar sights over Ohio, including a total lunar eclipse and, possibly, the Tau Herculids meteor shower. Through May 28 or so, don't rule out seeing a few more Eta Aquariids meteors — or meteors that have no apparent source, because meteors fly on any given night, according to NASA.
📸 Want to see your photo of Greater Cleveland in your Daily email? Submit your pic for consideration to dennis+CLE@patch.com. We especially love photos of community members! Please confirm in your email that you own the rights to the photo and you grant Patch permission to publish the image.
5 Headlines You Need To See
- Property management fined in Lakewood parking garage collapse (Fox 8 News)
- Lyndhurst store owner dies after being shot on Mother's Day (News 5 Cleveland WEWS)
- Northeast Ohio projects get Brownfields money from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (cleveland.com)
- Murray Hill Market brings together Little Italy community — and beyond (cleveland.com)
- "Frankenstein opioids" on the rise in Northeast Ohio (News 5 Cleveland WEWS)
3 Things To Do
- Nocturnal mammals: Take the family on a guided night hike at the North Chagrin Reservation in search of wildlife. You're guaranteed to see a bat and a flying squirrel. Friday, May 13, starting at 8 p.m. Get the scoop from the Metroparks
- Downtown Cleveland Restaurant Week: This gastronomic affair begins Friday, May 13. Click here to see the full list and map of participating restaurants
- Sunday is a day of rest and donuts!!! Did you know there's a Donut Fest in Cleveland? Sunday, May 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Red Space, 2400 Superior Ave. Donut Land, Funomono Donuts, Duck Donuts, Peace, Love & Little Donuts and Bigmouth Donut Company will all be there, as will Fiona's Coffee Bar, Cleveland Cold Brew Coffee, Erie Island Coffee, Edda Coffee Roasters and more. But you've got to get a ticket and they are going fast
Sports Notes
- The Cleveland Browns 2022 schedule is out. The Browns open the season against the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 11. If by some twist of fate Baker Mayfield ends up with the Panthers, that will be a must-watch game. Primetime games at home come in Week 3, Thursday, Sept. 22, against the Pittsburgh Stoolers, and Week 8, Monday, Oct. 31, against the Cincinnati Bungles. The Browns also play on Christmas Eve. Here's the full schedule
- Cleveland Cavaliers' Koby Altman finishes runner-up for NBA Executive of the Year (cleveland.com)
- Josh Naylor’s offensive surge is no big surprise to Guardians (cleveland.com)
Last Day To Vote
- Is the Romanburger a hamburger or sandwich? Burger snobs believe hamburgers are not sandwiches. If that's true, what is Cleveland's Romanburger? Have your say in our just-for-fun Cleveland Patch poll.
Today In Cleveland
- Youth Theater Production of Bugsy Malone (7:30 AM)
- Hindman Auctions Watch Consignment Event (10:00 AM)
- Tough Cubber 2022 @ BSR - Beaumont - Boy Scouts of America - Lake Erie Council (6:00 PM)
- Terrace Concert Series: Maura Rogers and the Bellows (7:00 PM)
- The Wizard of Oz - The Ballet (7:00 PM)
Social Scene
- Nextdoor Neighbor, East 185th St: "So I was so excited to finally have a fenced in yard, now I see I have a groundhog living under my deck (removal in process) A raccoon that visits periodically and a black cat that seems pretty comfortable! - Oh birds lots of birds." (Nextdoor)
- Nextdoor Neighbor, Parma North: "Hello. - I'm looking to do a trade. A seasons worth of lawn maintenance for a generator. Looking for 3 to 5 thousand watts running power.. can do weekly for a mow, weeding, edging and if needed hedges" (Nextdoor)
- Nextdoor Neighbor, Puritas/ W. 150th: "A blind puppy - My partner adopted this puppy. When I first heard about it I didn't know what to think. Now that I have met her, I get it it. She is so cute!" (Nextdoor)
👉 👉 👉 Are you a local business owner or marketer? We can help you effortlessly run effective ads that reach customers in Cleveland. Click here to learn more.
Have a great weekend, Cleveland. We'll see you next week. In case you missed any news this week, you can catch up here.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.