😡 Good Samaritans Help Cop Take Down Angry Driver + Federal Case Over Jewish Prayer

There's something reassuring about the community having your back if you end up in a tight spot. That's what happened in Willoughby recently when a traffic stop escalated into something much more serious.

What else will rock your Thursday?

• 🌟 Our Guardians are on a six-game winning streak.
• 🌟 Our Browns have the AFC special teams player of the week.
• 🌟 Our Cavs introduced their new star.

Saturday is a time for pickle beer and pickle pizza. And a University Heights man took the city to federal court, claiming the mayor won't let him practice his Jewish Orthodox faith in his own home.

☀️ Hazy sunshine. High: 71, Low: 61

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'You Don't Do That To A Woman. Do You Understand Me?'

1) Four Good Samaritans came to the aid of a Willoughby police officer assaulted by an angry man during a traffic stop. David Koubeck, 64, of Mentor, refused to listen to the officer, screamed profanities at her, then lunged at her and pushed her. The two wrestled alongside Koubeck's vehicle when a bystander left his car, crossed the road and tackled Koubeck. Within minutes, two more men and a woman joined them to hold the assailant on the ground as two officers handcuffed him. The incident took place Saturday on Lost Nation Road.

• As the officer cuffs Koubeck, she admonishes him. "You don't do that to a woman. Do you understand me? Cop or not, you don't do that to a woman."
• Praise from Police Chief Jim Schultz: "I am so proud of our community and the tremendous support we receive on a day to day basis. Saturday was another awesome example." The helpers have not been publicly identified.
• Due in court Thursday: Koubeck faces charges of assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest in addition to his traffic violations. Police said he was driving 57 in a 35 mph zone.

Watch the 3-minute police dashcam video | 3News WKYC

2) Daniel Grand wanted to pray in his University Heights home with others who shared his Orthodox Jewish faith, but he says in a federal lawsuit that the city of University Heights harassed him and tried to stop the prayer groups. Grand claims Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan succumbed to antisemitic bias in the community. Grand said the mayor sent police and private investigators to spy on him during a Jewish holiday. The city claims Grand was trying to run a synagogue from his home. “This is the most egregious of municipal power, for no reason other than to stop a person from hosting friends in his home to pray,” Grand's attorney Jonathan Gross said. “It’s hard to believe, but it’s true.”

Cleveland.com

3) St. Vincent Charity Medical Center will stop inpatient and emergency room treatment at the East 22nd Street hospital on Nov. 15 due to financial pressure. This will include psychiatric ER services. After Nov. 15, only outpatient care and mental health services, specialty clinics and urgent care will be available. "Seismic shifts in health care over the last decade have created a challenging environment for St. Vincent Charity Medical Center to continue as a traditional acute care hospital," the hospital said in a media release.

Ideastream Public Media

4) This is a really big dill: For just $5, you can enjoy pickle beer, pickle pizza, pickle candy, pickles on a stick and pickle ice cream. All pickle foods will be featured at Cleveland Pickle Fest at Mall B, 300 St. Clair Ave. NE, over the Cleveland Convention Center. The fest takes place Saturday, Sept. 17, from noon to 7 p.m. Proceeds from the event support Greater Cleveland Volunteers programs and services to volunteers and nonprofits in Cuyahoga County.

Cleveland Pickle Fest

5) Several HBCU marching bands and dance teams will appear at Music Through The Streets annual Battle of the Bands event Friday and Saturday at the East Professional Center in Cleveland. High school bands will also participate, including the Euclid Marching Mighty Panthers; Mighty Marching Mustangs of Maple Heights; Liden-McKinley Unstoppable Marching Mighty Panther Band from Columbus; ECorse Mighty Marching Raiders from Ecorse, MI; Chandler Park Academy Sonic Blue Marching Band from Harper Woods, MI; Oakpark Marching Legion Band of Oak Park, MI; and Craigmont Tsunami of Sound Marching Band from Memphis, TN.

Cleveland Scene

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5 More Stories You Need To See Today

• 91-year-old driver outsmarts carjacker: “They may have thought they had an easy target, but the victim proved them wrong, he was very clever,” said Euclid Police Chief Scott Meyer (Fox 8 News)
• Browns rookie Cade York wins AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his 58-yard FG in win over Panthers (Cleveland.com)
• If you thought Cuyahoga County building new jail on toxic site for $550 million was awesome, you'll love that they're doing it for $700+ million (Cleveland Scene)
• Cleveland Teachers Union raises concerns about Mayor Bibb boosting support for charter schools (Ideastream Public Media)
• Cleveland police arrested teens with guns after they drove stolen cars to Garrett Morgan School on the west side, then tried to get inside (Fox 8 News)

Cavs Introduce Their 'New Guy'

Donovan Mitchell arrived for his introductory Cleveland press conference sporting a Brownie the Elf cap. Winners rep winners, baby!

Quotable: "I’m truly excited just to be a part of this organization, to be here in the city, to have fun playing basketball with a group of guys who really want to win and really want to continue to build. We’re young, but we’re hungry. We’re ready. It’s weird saying I’m probably one of the older guys on the team.”

• Get the scoop from Cavs beat writer Chris Fedor: Donovan Mitchell introduced as member of Cleveland Cavaliers: ‘On paper, we look scary’

Winning Streak Smiles

⚾ Cleveland Guardians win six in a row! The Guardians beat the Angels 5-3 Wednesday. Next up: the Chicago White Sox, who are four games behind us.

• Scores, headlines, video, schedule, standings and more

7 Things To Do

• Cleveland Jewish Film Fest, Mandel Jewish Community Center, now through Sept. 18 | Details
• Cleveland Guardians vs. Chicago White Sox, Progressive Field, Sept. 15 | Details
• Boy George & Culture Club, Northfield Park, Northfield, Sept. 16 | Details
• Cleveland Pickle Fest, Mall B, Sept. 17 | Details
• Cleveland Browns vs. N.Y. Jets, FirstEnergy Stadium, Sept. 18 | Details
• 43rd Heights Heritage Home & Garden Tour, Cleveland Heights, Sept. 18 | Details
• Cleveland Wing Week, Sept. 26-Oct. 2 | Details

Find more on our calendar | Add your event

Cleveland Chatter

• Wise beyond his years: "We’d like to reintroduce you to Larry. Larry has been with us here for a few months, and we don’t know why! Yes, his face makes him look a little older, but this boy is actually only one year old. After spending some time with him, you will see how athletic this boy is! He’s a smart and energetic boy who would love a good game of fetch. If you are hoping to find a companion to keep you active Larry might be the guy for you!" (Cleveland Animal Protective League via Facebook)
• Respect: "We are deeply saddened by the recent passing of Jennifer Ilgauskas who was loved and respected by many. Our hearts are with Zydrunas and their two sons, Deividas and Povilas who are forever a part of our Cavaliers family." (Cleveland Cavaliers via Instagram)
• Butterfly beauty: "Late last night an impressive gathering of monarchs came to roost along the north woodlot at Wendy Park. Some clumps exceeded 500 individuals, for a grand total of 2,200." (Cleveland Metroparks via Facebook)

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Events:

• Woodstock Rave (September 16)
• September 17, 2022 - Annual Head of the Cuyahoga Rowing Regatta in the Flats (September 17)
• Warehouse Sale (September 17)
• Clean Water Fest (September 17)
• Doan Brook Watershed Partnership Family Fishing Workhops (September 17)
• Yard Sale (September 17)
• Wizardry Wand-Making and Spellbook Workshop (September 18)
• Add your event

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Correction: An earlier version of this digest misidentified Guardians catcher Austin Hedges in a photo caption. (Thanks, Mimi at CWRU, for the heads up!)