Cleveland Weather: Taking the plunge

A powerful storm system continues to pummel the eastern half of the country with severe weather in the Southeast and severe winter weather in the Midwest.

Tonight, a strong cold front will sweep across the area.  More rain showers will be moving through with the front, along with gusty wind, before temperatures begin to drop.  

We will likely drop from the upper 50s this evening to the mid 20s to start the day Thursday.

As the cold air comes sweeping in on westerly wind, Lake Erie will once again be the focus of the forecast.  With the west wind, we will likely have one "mega band" of lake effect set up, along with a few other smaller bands.  Where the "mega band" sits, we will have the highest snow accumulations...8"+ easily attained while 12+" will be possible.  We'll just have to see where the bands set up...the most likely place would be the snowbelts, which are under a lake snow warning.

 (Lake Effect Snow Warning for Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, and Ashtabula counties)

While there are many factors that play in to a lake effect forecast, wind direction and fetch (air duration over water) are two of the most important.  That west wind gives us the best fetch (the wind has to travel over a great distance of water) and therefore we can get some serious snow bands going.

Winds will change around on Friday to help the lake effect taper off, but the winds of change are coming ahead of a clipper system that will bring a widespread, light snowfall (1" to 3" to the area).

We'll have a little lake effect on Sunday, but then another clipper moves through on Monday. 

Oy!  If it isn't one thing, it is another.

Hang on friends, it is going to be a crazy ride.

Thursday:  Mostly cloudy with lake effect snow.  Mostly cloudy with flurry chances otherwise.  Colder and windy.  Temps start near 50 just after midnight, then fall into the 40s...30s and into the 20s to start the day.  (Lake Effect Snow Warning for Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, and Ashtabula counties)

Friday:  Mostly cloudy with a chance for lake effect, especially early.  COLD and breezy.  Near 20  (Lake Effect Snow Warning for Cuyahoga, Lake Geauga and Ashtabula counties)

Saturday:  Mostly cloudy with periods of snow likely (weak Clipper system #1).  1" to 3" of snow accumulation possible.  Mid 20s

Sunday:  Mostly cloudy with a slight chance for lake effect snow showers.  Upper 20s

Monday:  Mostly cloudy with scattered snow showers (Clipper #2 which will bring additional light accumulations).  Low 30s

Tuesday:  Mostly cloudy with scattered lake effect flurries.  Upper 20s/near 30

Wednesday:  Partly sunny.  Low 30s 

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Doug Prade's first full day of freedom

COLUMBUS -- After spending nearly 15 years in prison, former Akron police captain Doug Prade went down to Columbus for his first full day of freedom.

He went to repay a debt of gratitude and a chance to meet other prisoners already freed by DNA evidence.

WKYC's Tom Beres was with Prade in Columbus.

Prade went to the Columbus Dispatch newspaper to meet reporter Mike Wagner. Wagner did the bulk of the work on stories about issues with Ohio's DNA laws and testing.

Prade is the fifth prisoner released because of the newspaper's work in conjunction with the Innocence Project.

"In no uncertain terms, I don't think I would be here were it not for the efforts of the Dispatch," Prade said.

His lawyers will not let him talk about the murder case involving his ex-wife because he may be re-tried.

But Prade told WKYC's Tom Beres that "anyone who wants justice should want the real killer caught."

Wearing the only dress clothes in his closet, Prade left the newspaper, saying he was going to buy some new clothes and try to get a driver's license.

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Cedar Point: How they're building GateKeeper

BATAVIA, OHIO -- A steel fabricating plant in southern Ohio is nearly finished building the 102 pieces of Cedar Point's new ride.

Watch the story from WKYC's Dick Russ tonight at 11. 

The 65 employees of Clermont Steel Fabricators at this one acre facility just east of Cincinnati have been laboring for months with incredible precision to create the tracks and supports that will become GateKeeper, a ride which will profoundly change the look of the amusement park.

"Wow!" exclaimed Matt Ouimet, President and CEO of Cedar Fair, parent company of Cedar Point, when he recently made his first ever visit to the factory, and invited WKYC along for the tour.

Ouimet, who has led the company for just over a year, was reacting initially to the sight of one of the two massive towers that will be centerpieces of Cedar Point's new entrance.

Riders on GateKeeper will actually fly through keyhole openings in the towers, a first for any ride of its kind in the world.  

"The keyhole structure, that was tough," said Cedar Fair's VP of Planning and Design, Rob Decker, who dreamed up the idea of taking riders through an opening.  

"That was a difficult one because we wanted to celebrate the moment of flying over the front gate at Cedar Point."

Decker and Ouimet quickly walked inside the keyhole cutout in one of the 62 ton towers, which was lying flat on the floor of the fabricating plant.

"Holy Cow!" Ouimet exclaimed, with the same wonderment he hopes park guests will share when they see GateKeeper for the first time.

"All right, we're going to into the keyhole.  Not only did you see it, but you're in the middle of it," he said to his fellow visitors. "I'm standing in it. You're standing in the middle of the keyhole.  Wow."

"I love this," Ouimet told WKYC. "I love the drama of it.  And I love that fact that it's made in Ohio."

Plant managers pointed out how raw steel comes in the back of the factory, and in a matter of weeks, precisely shaped, welded, and finsihed pieces of GateKeeper emerge from the front.  A number had just been painted shades of blue and were being hoisted onto flatbeds. 

"What's fun to see is that we think of steel as this old line industry, but the amount of technology you and I saw in this plant tells you it's a new world," Ouimet said. "And the new world creates this."

Decker was equally thrilled to see his imagination come to life.

"This is almost like a magic factory where it goes in as one idea and it comes out as a finished product," he beamed.  "I hope it's an 'aha' moment because that is what we're building for."

"When you go to the big game and they do the flyover after the National Anthem and the hair stands up on the back of your neck, that's the effect I really wanted. 

"You need a near-miss element. You need that illusion of danger when you think you're going to hit something, but we know you're not.  But you don't know that because you've never been on the ride before," Decker proposed.

Back at the park, construction using pieces which have already arrived was at more than 40 percent.  Cedar Point General Manager John Hildebrandt predicted no problem in meeting an opening day of May 11.

"We're in the business of building roller coasters," he stated. "We love roller coasters. That's our heritage, our blood line. It's in our DNA and we think Gatekeeper is going to take its place along with Millennium Force and Top Thrill Dragster and Maverick and the whole pantheon of roller coasters at Cedar Point."

Ouimet talked about the challenge of keeping the amusement park the best in the world, and believes GateKeeper is evidence of that commitment.

"I like to say the gate opens on May 11th, and the number one thing it means is the next generation of memories at Cedar Point," Ouimet said, standing among the mostly completed pieces of GateKeeper at the fabricating plant. 

"We all have those stories we grew up with. I call it genetic vacation behavior, so here we go again with something that you and I will hopefully be talking about 30 or 40 years from now."

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Cleveland Weather: One-Two punch

Not one, but two cold fronts will sweep across northern Ohio Wednesday.

The first will bring a chance for thunderstorms as it plows through the warm, very humid air we have in place now.  

The second will come Wednesday evening and will usher in MUCH colder air for Thursday.

So far, no flood watches put out by the National Weather Service.  We will likely have some river flooding, but nothing that is looking catastrophic so far.  Ice jams on local rivers could be a complicating factor and will need to be watched closely.

The next notable event will be a clipper system coming in on Saturday, which will bring us light snow accumulations (a very typical 1" to 3" range).  Another clipper will likely move through on Monday.

It is a busy week!  Stay tuned to the forecasts and stay Weather Ready by clearing out storm drains, keeping an eye on the sump pump and getting prepared for the next round of cold and snow.

Tonight:  Scattered rain early, then cloudy skies.  More rain moving in during the early morning and continuing to dawn.  Mid/upper 50s (steady temps).  Breezy!!

Wednesday:  Periods of rain and some rumbles (best thunder chance before early afternoon).  Rain could be heavy at times.  Turning colder late day.  WINDY!  Temperatures will start in the 50s and make it to the low 60s in the early afternoon before dropping back into the 50s...then 40s...

(The big drop happens Wednesday night with scattered wintry mix to snow showers.)

Thursday:  Mostly cloudy with widely scattered lake effect snow showers.  Colder and windy.  Temps start pre-dawn in the 30s and fall through the 20s during the day.

Friday:  Mostly cloudy with a chance for lake effect.  COLD.  Near 20/low 20s

Saturday:  Mostly cloudy with periods of snow likely (weak Clipper system).  1" to 3" of snow accumulation possible.  Mid/Upper 20s

Sunday:  Mostly cloudy with a slight chance for lake effect snow showers.  Upper 20s/low 30s

Monday:  Mostly cloudy with scattered snow showers (another Clipper bringing light accumulations).  Low 30s

Tuesday:  Mostly cloudy with scattered lake effect flurries.  Upper 20s 

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Cleveland: Dog killed by arrow in neighbor's yard

CLEVELAND -- Police responded to a call of a dog killed by an arrow on Burger Avenue on Saturday.

Police records confirm the following:

Police say the dog named Henry, a lab-terrier mix, was dead when they arrived and the City of Cleveland Kennel unit was on the scene.

Henry's owner, Ricardo Reinoso, 24, said he let Henry out at about 5 p.m. Saturday and Henry jumped over a fence at rear of his yard.

He said he went inside to grab Henry's leash and went looking for Henry.

About 7:15 p.m., Henry came home with an arrow wound to to its body. Henry died moments after getting back home.

Police followed a blood trail westbound on Burger Avenue through several yards and it stopped in rear yard of 3808 Wetzel Avenue.

In the northwest corner of 3808 Wetzel's rear yard was a larger puddle of blood. Police suspect this is where the dog was shot with the arrow.

Police say there was no response at 3808 Wetzel Avenue when officers knocked on the door.

Ricardo's mother, Toni Rozsahegyi, tells Channel 3 that Henry died in her son's arms. She said police told her they would open an animal cruelty case "but we have heard nothing."

She said her son required stitches after trying to remove the arrow from Henry's body.

She says she wants "justice for Henry."

Police say the investigation continues.

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Cleveland police looking for missing teenage couple

CLEVELAND -- Police are asking for the public's help in locating two missing teenagers from Cleveland's west-side.

Anna Candella and Alfredo Figueroa were both reported missing by their mothers and were last seen on Sunday at Broadview Road Grace Church.

The two are boyfriend and girlfriend and are believed to be together.

 Numerous checks with friends, family members and neighbors, as well as area hospitals and a search of the area, have failed to turn up any signs of the missing teens.

Police are asking that anyone with information on their whereabouts contact the Second District at 216.623.5200

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Lake County: Facebook closes 'creepy' Perry page

PERRY -- A Facebook page that "creeped out" hundreds of girls from Perry High School has been shut down.

The page began to cause concern across the community two weeks ago when it posted little more than picture after picture taken from the Facebook pages of girls who attended or had graduated from Perry High School.

Facebook has now permanently shut down the page which used the phony name "Kole William," after police identified and interviewed the man behind it.

The Painesville Township man, who is single and in his mid-40's, was not charged and his name is not being released.

He was not a graduate of Perry High School and had no other connections to the school district.

"He told us he was a scholar in college," said Perry Police Chief Michael Shank, "and that he just wanted to pat those kids on the back and encourage them to do a good job."

"When we asked him why he only uploaded pictures of girls connected to Perry High School, he did not have an answer."

Related story: Lake County: Facebook page 'creeping out' Perry High School students

Shank said the Facebook page was shut down because it violated Facebook's rules. The man's IP address was also blocked, so he will not be able to access Facebook unless he uses a different computer.

"Now he knows he was scaring people," Shank said, of the man who, at one time, had uploaded more than 600 girls' pictures.

"We determined he had no criminal intent, and that he planned no overt acts."

Extra security however, will remain in place at extracurricular and after-hours events across the Perry School District.

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Cleveland Weather: January Rumbles

A wild pattern swing in the early part of the week will mean some pretty big temperature swings as well.

This is why we have been warming through the day, with high temps reaching well into the 40s this afternoon.  We'll hold steady tonight and then surge toward 60 on Tuesday.

All the while, moisture from the Gulf of Mexico is surging our way as well, and this will bring about heavy rain with flooding potential.  The heavy rain will be the result of better dynamics in the atmosphere ... those same dynamics may actually bring some rumbles of thunder our way.  

No severe weather is expected (those nasty dynamics will stay south of us).

It will be a very brief warm-up because a cold front will come plowing through on Wednesday.  A major temperature drop will happen from Wednesday morning to Wednesday evening and by Thursday we won't make it out of the 20s.  Lake effect snow will be revived as well.

Keep an eye on the sump pumps and on the drainage around your property.

Tonight:  Cloudy and damp with scattered rain.  Areas of light fog.  Temps holding steady in the 40s

Tuesday:  Much warmer and breezy!  Periods of rain with some rumbles of thunder possible Tuesday night.  Near 60!

Wednesday:  Periods of rain, which could be heavy through Wednesday morning.  Then turning colder as a cold front comes through.  WINDY!  Temps start in the 50s and fall through the 40s into the 30s by evening.  Scattered wintry mix to snow showers Wednesday night.

Thursday:  Mostly cloudy with lake effect snow showers.  Colder and breezy.  Upper 20s

Friday:  Mostly cloudy with a chance for lake effect.  COLD.  Low 20s

Saturday:  Mostly cloudy with periods of snow likely (weak Clipper system).  1" to 3" of snow accumulation possible.  Upper 20s

Sunday:  Mostly cloudy with a slight chance for snow showers.  Mid/upper 20s

Monday:  Mostly cloudy with a slight chance for snow showers.  Near 30

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Cleveland: Attacking human trafficking in NE Ohio

CLEVELAND -- The trafficking of people in Northeast Ohio for sex or forced labor is a crime under attack.

"We are doing more than ever and better than ever in fighting human trafficking," announced Steve Dettelbach, U.S. Attorney for Northern Ohio, and one of several local law enforcement officials who renewed their pledge to combat the crime.

Dettelbach spoke at the annual Human Trafficking Program at the Justice Center, an event organized to update the community on the crime and how local citizens can become involved.

Karen Walsh, a local attorney and director of the Collaborative Initiative to End Human Trafficking opened the program by saying, "human trafficking, today's practice of slavery, is occurring in Northeast Ohio. The answer to that question is a clear yes."

But Walsh and others fighting the crime, which is considered the second most pervasive in the world next to organized drug trafficking, are claiming inroads after years of efforts.

Ohio recently added trafficking to a list of crimes which are felonies, and the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force will have a special emphasis on human traffickers.  Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Timothy McGinty's office is also focusing on the crime.

"We want to cause the market to collapse," McGinty said, "by going after the johns and the pimps and everyone else involved."

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Winter Weather Advisory issued for freezing rain and sleet

CLEVELAND - Northern Ohio could see some freezing rain and sleet which has prompted a WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY.

WKYC HD Radar @ http://bit.ly/WKYCHDRadar

This advisory is for the following counties through 3 a.m.: Ashland, Coshocton, Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Holmes, Huron, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Ottawa, Richland, Sandusky, Seneca, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas, Wayne.

This advisory is for the following counties from 1 am through 10 a.m.: Ashtabula, Carroll, Columbiana, Mahoning, Portage, Trumbull.

A wintry mix of precipitation is expected to spread east across northern ohio by early tonight. Temperatures are expected to be below freezing at the onset of the precipitation and then slowly warm through the night.

Here is the latest from the National Weather Service...

  THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CLEVELAND HAS ISSUED A WINTER  WEATHER ADVISORY FOR FREEZING RAIN AND SLEET.    * ACCUMULATIONS....LESS THAN A TENTH OF AN INCH OF ICE. LESS THAN    AN INCH OF SLEET.    * TIMING...PRECIPITATION IS EXPECTED TO MOVE INTO THE AREA EARLY    TONIGHT AND CONTINUING MOVING EAST THROUGH THE FIRST HALF OF THE    NIGHT. TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO BE IN THE UPPER 20S TO    AROUND 30 DEGREES EARLY TONIGHT. WARMER AIR MOVING INTO THE AREA    SHOULD ALLOW WINTRY PRECIPITATION TO CHANGE OVER TO ALL RAIN    BETWEEN 9PM AND MIDNIGHT ACROSS WESTERN COUNTIES...AND BY 2AM TO    3AM CLOSER TO THE I-71 CORRIDOR.    * ACCUMULATIONS....LESS THAN A TENTH OF AN INCH OF ICE. LESS    THAN AN INCH OF SLEET.    * TIMING...LIGHT FREEZING RAIN AND SLEET WILL REACH NORTHWEST OHIO    THIS EVENING...AND IS EXPECTED REACH NORTHEAST OHIO AROUND    MIDNIGHT. THE FREEZING RAIN AND SLEET IS EXPECTED TO CHANGE OVER    TO ALL RAIN BY MIDNIGHT ACROSS NORTHWEST OHIO...AND CLOSER TO 3    AM TOWARD THE I-71 CORRIDOR.    * WINDS...SOUTHEAST 5 TO 10 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 20 MPH.    * IMPACTS...SOME ICE ACCUMULATION IS LIKELY ON UNTREATED    SURFACES...TREES AND POWER LINES.    * TEMPERATURES...AROUND 30.    * VISIBILITIES...BETWEEN 3 AND 6 MILES.    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...    MOTORISTS SHOULD USE CAUTION AS UNTREATED ROADWAYS MAY BE SLICK  AND ICY. IN ADDITION UNTREATED STEPS AND WALKWAYS MAY ALSO BE  SLICK AND ICY.  STAY TUNED TO YOUR FAVORITE NEWS SOURCE OR NOAA  WEATHER RADIO FOR FURTHER DETAILS OR UPDATES.  

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Euclid: Firefighter injured in apartment fire

EUCLID -- A firefighter was injured while battling a fire at a Euclid Avenue apartment complex Sunday evening.

The fire started just after 5:00 p.m. on the second floor in the rear of the building.

Fire departments from adjacent cities were called to assist with the blaze at Aljer Manor Apartments. Police were also called to assist with traffic control. They say the area of Euclid Avenue and Heritage Drive was closed.

An eyewitness said smoke could be seen coming from the building before fire crews arrived.

According to Fire Chief Tom Cosgriff, the fire started on the second floor and quickly spread to adjacent apartments.

One firefighter received a minor injury while working at the scene. That firefighter received treatment and was transported to the hospital. 

The building owner says there are 11 units in the building that house roughly 20-30 people total. 

During the fire, Illuminating company workers had to cut power to the building. Other buildings in the complex still have power.

The American Red Cross is on scene to assist residents who were displaced.

No residents were injured.

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Cleveland Weather: "Yo-Yo" Weather Ahead !

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY in effect from the Cleveland/Akron/Canton areas, WEST, until 3 am Monday morning.

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY for Lake, Geauga, Ashtabula, Trumbull & Mahoning counties from 1 am until 10 am Monday morning.

Sunday evening, a "Winter Goulash" mix of Snow, Sleet & Freezing Rain pushing in from the west this evening, overriding a Warm Front.  The Icy Mix will change to all rain after Midnight.  A Low near Midnight of 32, with temperatures RISING through the 30's overnight.  Wind: SE 10-15 mph.

 Monday will be Windy & Warmer with occasional Rain Showers.  High: 48.  Wind: SW 15-20 mph.

Scattered rain showers, breezy & mild with occasional rain showers Monday night.  Low: 45.  Wind: SW 10-15 mph.

Tuesday will be Cloudy, Windy & very Warm with occasional rain showers.  High: 60.  Wind: South 15-20 mph.

Rain showers, Windy & Warm Tuesday night.  Low: 52.  Wind: South 15-20 mph.

Wednesday, the Arctic Cold Front pushes across Northern Ohio.  There will be wind & Rain ahead of it in the morning.  An early High of 55, with temperatures dropping in the afternoon behind the Front.

The Arctic Blast will be felt Thursday.  It will be Cloudy, Windy with Snow Showers & much Colder.  High: 27.

Cloudy & Very Cold with snow showers Friday.  High: 21.

Saturday, an "Alberta Clipper"  slices across the region with snow showers.  High: 27.

Sunday will be Mostly Cloudy with a few Snow Showers, mainly over the Snowbelt.  High: 26.

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11 straight wins for Zips after win over Buffalo

AKRON -- Demetrius Treadwell and Alex Abreu each finished with 13 points to lead the Akron Zips to a 68-64 victory over the Buffalo Bulls in a Mid-American Conference bout at James A. Rhodes Arena.

For the Zips (15-4, 6-0 MAC), Treadwell also pulled down seven rebounds and Abreu dished out four assists.

Jarryn Skeete led all scorers with 19 points for the Bulls (7-13, 2-4), while Tony Watson finished with 15 points and Javon McCrea added 10 points and seven rebounds.

Buffalo connected on 15-of-28 of its field goal tries in the first half, including 7-of-12 from beyond the 3-point arc, as it took a 37-31 lead into the break. Akron shot 46.2 percent from the field, but missed all but one of its six 3-point tries before halftime.

After intermission, the Bulls went cold from the floor, making just 32.1 percent of their field goal attempts. The Zips found their stroke from long- range, knocking down 6-of-11 tries from 3-point range. Trailing by 13 points, 55-42, with under 11 minutes to play, the Zips used a 19-0 run over the next six minutes to put themselves ahead for good. The Bulls would get to within one with less than two minutes to go in regulation, but Akron was able to hold on for the victory and remain perfect in conference play.

The Zips had a slight edge in points in the paint, 28-24. Akron outscored Buffalo 15-7 at the free-throw line.

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Irving, Cavs win with last second 3-pointer

TORONTO -- - Kyrie Irving's 3-pointer with 0.7 seconds left lifted the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 99-98 win over the Toronto Raptors on Saturday.

Following a Jose Calderon layup with 12.6 seconds left, Irving took the inbounds pass and casually strolled up court. As the seconds ticked away Irving took one step to the basket then pulled up from well-behind the arc for the game-winner.

Calderon then tried to throw a lob from the left sideline, but the pass was stolen by Alonzo Gee and the Cavs held on for their second come-from-behind victory in as many days. They've won a season-best three in a row.

Irving, who was named to his first All-Star Game earlier this week, finished with a game-high 32 points and has combined for 107 points over his last three contests.

Newly-acquired Marreese Speights scored 17 points off the bench and Tristan Thompson added 14 points and eight rebounds for Cleveland.

Amir Johnson led the Raptors with 18 points and 12 rebounds, and Alan Anderson finished with 17 points. Ed Davis scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds, and DeMar DeRozan scored 15 for Toronto, which has dropped six of its last eight games.

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Cleveland Weather: "Yo-Yo" Weather Ahead !

Strap yourself it.....it's going to be a "Wild Ride" !!!

Saturday evening will feature partial clearing but Cold overnight.  Low: 17.  Wind: West 5 mph.

Sunday will start out with some morning Sunshine, followed by increasing cloudiness in the afternoon.  It will be a bit milder. High: 33.  Wind: South 5-10 mph.

Sunday evening, a Warm Front moves our way. It will be Cloudy in the evening, then as moisture aloft overruns the cold air at the surface, we'll see an Icy Mix of snow, sleet & freezing rain for a few hours beginning around Midnight, changing to all rain by morning.  We'll have an early Low of 30, with temperatures RISING through the 30's after Midnight.  Wind: South 10-15 mph.

Monday, we'll be in the WARM SECTOR, meaning it will be Cloudy, Breezy & much Milder with occasional RAIN SHOWERS.  High: 48.  Wind: South 15-20 mph.

Occasional Rain & very Mild Monday night.  Low: 45.  Wind: SW 10-15 mph.

Tuesday will be Cloudy, Windy & much Warmer with rain showers.  High: 57. 

Wednesday will be Cloudy & Mild with rain showers.  High: 53.

An Arctic Front plunges through the area Wednesday night, changing the rain to snow showers.

Thursday will be Cloudy, Windy & much Colder with Snow Showers.  High: 27.

Friday will be Cloudy, Breezy & very Cold with Snow Showers.  High: 22.

Saturday will be Mostly Cloudy & Cold with a few scattered snow showers.  High: 24.

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Cleveland Weather: Showing improvement

Today's clipper system brought enough snow to make a mess in northern Ohio, but wasn't bad enough to cause major problems.

The good news is the clipper is moving out this evening, but some lake effect snow showers will be around tonight.

Snowbelt areas could have another couple inches of snow tonight and early tomorrow.

As for the rest of the area, mostly cloudy skies will prevail through early Saturday, then we will get to see some sun peeks.

Sunday looks lovely.

Sunday night a southern storm system will move our way, but will also bring warming temperatures to us.  In the time that the rain moves in and the well-above freezing temperatures get here, we will have the potential for an icy mix Sunday night and early Monday that will go from snow to sleet  to freezing rain and ultimately rain.  

The timing of the icy mix changing to rain all depends on how quickly the warm air advances.  This will be monitored through the weekend.

Heavy rain is still in the forecast for later on Monday through Tuesday and into Wednesday.  This could mean flooding in the area.

The cold air returns later next week and so will the chances for lake effect.

Tonight:  Mostly cloudy with scattered lake effect snow.  Accumulations in snow belt areas should remain light, only a couple of inches.  Temps in the middle teens

Saturday:  Early lake effect lingers into the afternoon east, otherwise mostly cloudy to partly sunny skies.  Mid 20s

Sunday:  Partly sunny.  Near 30

Monday:  Icy mix to start, then rain.  Rain could be heavy at times later in the day.  Upper 30s

Tuesday:  Rain.  Rain could be heavy at times.  Breezy.  Low/mid 50s (WOW!!!)

Wednesday:  Rain likely, which could change to snow late day as temperatures drop.  (A strong cold front will come through Wednesday or Wednesday night).  Windy.  40s (falling into the 30s late)

Thursday:  Mostly cloudy with scattered lake effect snow.  Much colder.  Breezy.  Upper 20s

Friday:  Mostly cloudy with scattered lake effect snow.  Low 20s

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Cleveland: Radio stations knocked off the air

CLEVELAND -- At least six Cleveland radio stations were knocked off the air for up to 90 minutes on Friday.

They went to dead air when a major equipment failure at AT&T cut the link between the radio studios and their transmitters.  

"We went down around 11 a.m. this morning," said Keith Williams, general manager of ESPN 850 WKNR and 1540 KNR2.

"We just started calling and realized we could not dial out from our phones. The fax machine went down. Everything went down."

ESPN 850 reestablished a link to its transmitter by early afternoon, but operated with a weak signal. KNR2 was off the air for several hours.

"It certainly affected our business," Williams told WKYC.

Another leading Cleveland broadcasting company, Radio One, became "Radio None" for more than 90 minutes. That's how long the group's four stations were off the air.

WZAK, Newstalk 1490,  Z 107.9, and Praise 1300 were all affected by the equipment failure, and did not immediately realize what had knocked them off the air.

"We thought it was weather-related," said Program Director Colby "Colb" Tyler, who was doing his afternoon on-air shift on Z 107.9 when the stations returned to the air.

"We were part of the story today," Colb told his listeners, "and it's really scary that one situation like that could cause such a mess up."

He was referring to the AT&T malfunction also knocking out internet, various communication channels, and 911 service across parts of Northeast Ohio.  

"It's been a really weird day here," he admitted. "We were off the air for a little bit earler and usually when those things happen, we try to figure out internally what's going on."

"But actually, something bigger happened today in Northeast Ohio and it might have affected you," he told his audience.

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Bedford: Crews work to recover man's body in Metroparks

BEDFORD -- Crews are working to recover a man's body at the Cleveland Metroparks Bedford Reservation, according to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office.

Police confirm to Channel 3 that a rescue was underway after a man fell down a steep embankment.

Early Friday evening, a Cleveland Metroparks ranger received a call about a man who had fallen off a cliff.

A passerby noticed a "disturbance" in the snow and branches and alerted authorities.

It appears the man had been walking along a bridle trail at the time he fell down a cliff into a ravine.

It is unknown how long the man may have been down there before he was discovered. There doesn't appear to be any foul play.

Cleveland Metroparks rangers were handling the rescue and are waiting for the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office to arrive.

A Channel 3 News crew is on the scene. Stay with wkyc.com for further updates and Channel 3 News at 11.

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Cavs' Kyrie Irving named All-Star

Brace Hemmelgarn/US PRESSWIRE

CLEVELAND - The Cavaliers Kyrie Irving has been named to his first All-Star team.

Irving has been voted as a reserve for the Eastern Conference. The NBA All-Star Game will be played next month in Houston.

Irving is the first Cavalier to make the All-Star team since LeBron James in 2010.

Irving learned about the award at the Cleveland Sports Awards banquet. He was the NBA's Rookie of the Year in 2012.

The voting for reserves was done by the Eastern Conference head coaches.

"I'm truly blessed and thankful for the opportunity that the NBA has afforded me," Irving said.

"This is more of a blessing for our team and the city of Cleveland and that's what it's mainly about. I'm just really happy and excited for this opportunity."

Irving, 20, is currently averaging 23.7 points per game (3rd overall in the East and first in the league among point guards) on .467 shooting, to go along with 5.7 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals in 35.7 minutes per game. He is also shooting .841 from the free throw line and .399 from three-point range.

The 6-foot-3, 191-pound point guard is one of only two players (LeBron James) in the East averaging at least 20 points and five assists.

He has scored 40 or more points twice this season, joining Carmelo Anthony as the only Eastern Conference players to score at least 40 points multiple times this year. Irving has the third-highest points per game average in the fourth quarter in the East at 6.1, which is also the highest among all point guards in the NBA.

Among Eastern Conference point guards with at least 30 starts, Irving's 22.3 PER is the highest.

"I'm extremely happy for Kyrie making the All Star team this year," Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant said.

"It certainly was well deserved. He's a guy that works very hard and is the epitome of who we want to be. He has grown as a player and a person here in Cleveland and we're looking forward to him continuing to do that."

The 62nd NBA All-Star Game will take place on Sunday, Feb. 17 at 8 p.m. EST in Houston, Texas at the Toyota Center.

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Greater Cleveland Sports Awards handed out

CLEVELAND -- Cleveland Cavs point guard Kyrie Irving won the Professional Athlete of the Year. The 20-year old is averaging 23.7 points per game this season. Irving was also named to the Eastern Conference All-Star team as a reserve.

Tianna (Madison) Bartoletta won the Amateur Athlete of the Year.  The Elyria native won a gold medal at London summer games in the women's 4x100 relay.

The Kent State University men's baseball team won the Collegiate Athlete of the Year. The Golden Flashes had a Cinderella season which included wins over Kentucky and Number-one seeded Florida in the College World Series.

Kent State eventually lost to South Carolina.

Mentor quarterback Mitch Trubisky won the High School Athlete of the Year. Trubisky was voted Ohio's Mr. Football back in late November. He will play college football at the University of North Carolina.

Doug Dieken received the Lifetime Achievement Award. The former offensive lineman played his entire career in Cleveland from 1971-1984.

Molly Miller received the Courage Award presented by Cleveland Clinic Sports Health.

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Photos: Greater Cleveland Sports Awards

2012 Greater Cleveland Sports Awards brought out the stars including Chris Grant, Byron Scott, Harrison Dillard, Frank Shorter, Jimmy Haslam, Eric Metcalf and Urban Meyer just to name a few. They awarded the High School Athlte of the Year Award, Amateur Athlete of the Year Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, Courage Award, Collegiate Athlete of the Year Award and 2012 Best Moment in Cleveland Sports.

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Cleveland Weather: The light is coming

The lake effect just won't end...

A LAKE-EFFECT SNOW ADVISORY continues for Geauga and Lake Counties.

A LAKE-EFFECT SNOW WARNING continues for Ashtabula County.

After another nasty morning commute and midday drive, the lake effect seems to have tapered off ... for now.

Tonight a weak frontal system will pass through the area, which will bring light snowfall to ALL of northern Ohio.  This will leave a light coating (maybe up to 2") throughout northern Ohio.

The frontal system will also change the wind to a more favorable direction for the lake effect to get cranking again tonight.  Another 2" to 4" of snow is possible (if) where we get snow bands.

It will still be breezy and plenty cold, but the overall temperature profile is looking warmer.

And therein lies another problem...

The weekend looks great, but by Sunday night we'll have light snow moving in.  That snow will change over to rain by Monday morning, and with cold air and cold ground locked in place, we could be dealing with freezing rain.  

The good news is the temperatures will warm on Monday, so the freezing rain threat will lessen as the day goes on.

The bad news is that Monday's rain is just the beginning...plenty more rain to come on Tuesday and Wednesday.  This could cause some flooding because the ground is frozen.

Plenty to keep our eyes on...

Tonight: More lake effect snow.  Areas east of Cleveland where lake snow bands set up could see 3" to 6" of snow, otherwise, just a dusting to 2 inches.  Outside of lake effect territory skies will be mostly cloudy.  Lows will range from 7 to 15 (wind chills still in single digits to below zero)

Thursday: Morning snow showers tapering off, then some afternoon sun. Near 20/low 20s

Friday: Snow showers likely.  1" to 4" accumulation across the entire area.  Low 20s

Saturday: Morning snow showers, then partly sunny. Mid 20s

Sunday: Partly sunny.  Near 30

Monday: Snow to freezing rain pre-dawn continuing through the morning.  Temperatures warming to the upper 30s, which will lessen the threat for freezing rain in the afternoon.

Tuesday:  Rain likely.  Rain could be heavy.  Mid 40s

Wednesday:  Early rain with a rain/snow mix possible before tapering off.  Near 40, falling into the 30s

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Sheriff: What to do if weather traps you in your car

GEAUGA COUNTY -- Geauga County Sheriff Dan McClelland advises drivers what to do if the snowy conditions trap you in your car.

Today's major traffic accident on Interstate 90 in Lake County is an example of the predicament of being stuck in your vehicle for hours unexpectedly.

This bitterly cold weather can also affect your car's performance. It's always a good idea to make sure you have plenty of gas in your car for the trip and then some.

We checked with McClelland for do's and don'ts for drivers to follow in that predicament. He stresses that all travel in this kind of weather requires pre-planning.

• Drivers sould have blankets and extra-warm clothing stashed in their cars.
• Most importantly, they should have a working cell phone as, even with no service, an older cell phone can still place a 911 call that lets dispatchers know your exact location
• It's crucial that you remain in your car. Hypothermia, frostbite and disorientation can happen very quickly outside
• Drivers should also conserve gasoline and their car battery by only using the heater sparingly.
• Put on your car's flashers and make sure your tailpipe is snow-free, to avoid the dangers of carbon monoxide.

McClelland recalled one case of finding a lost driver wandering aimlessly with a winter ski mask frozen to his face.

McClelland repeated that drivers should stay in thir cars, be patient and help will arrive. 

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Lake effect snow warnings, advisories continue

CLEVELAND - A LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING continues for Ashtabula through 10 a.m. Thursday.

A LAKE EFECT SNOW ADVISORY has been issued for the following counties: Lake and Geauga Counties

Here is the latest from the National Weather Service in Cleveland...

  OHZ014-089-PAZ001>003-240445-  /O.CON.KCLE.LE.W.0001.000000T0000Z-130124T1500Z/  ASHTABULA INLAND-ASHTABULA LAKESHORE-NORTHERN ERIE-SOUTHERN ERIE-  CRAWFORD PA-  INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...JEFFERSON...ASHTABULA...ERIE...  EDINBORO...MEADVILLE  344 PM EST WED JAN 23 2013    ...LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM EST  THURSDAY...    * ACCUMULATIONS...3 TO 5 INCHES OF SNOW WITH LOCALLY HIGHER    AMOUNTS THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING.    * TIMING...LAKE EFFECT SNOW BANDS HAVE DECREASED IN COVERAGE AND    INTENSITY. ALL LOCATIONS WILL SEE A GENERAL SNOWFALL THIS EVENING    THEN WE WILL TRANSITION BACK TO LAKE EFFECT AS WINDS SHIFT    AROUND TO THE NORTHWEST AFTER MIDNIGHT.    * WINDS...WEST TO NORTHWEST 10 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 20 MPH.    * TEMPERATURES...DROPPING TO 8 TO 14 ABOVE.    * VISIBILITIES...WILL BE REDUCED TO AROUND A HALF MILE WHEN THE    HEAVIER SNOW SQUALLS REDEVELOP AFTER MIDNIGHT.    * IMPACTS...DRIVING WILL BE SLOW WITH HIGHLY VARIABLE ROAD    CONDITIONS.    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...    IN LAKE EFFECT SNOW THE WEATHER CAN VARY FROM LOCALLY HEAVY SNOW  IN NARROW BANDS TO CLEAR SKIES JUST A FEW MILES AWAY. IF YOU WILL  BE TRAVELING ACROSS THE REGION BE PREPARED FOR RAPID CHANGES IN  ROAD AND VISIBILITY CONDITIONS. STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO  FOR FURTHER DETAILS OR UPDATES.    &&    $$    OHZ012-013-240445-  /O.CON.KCLE.LE.Y.0002.000000T0000Z-130124T1500Z/  LAKE-GEAUGA-  INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...MENTOR...CHARDON  344 PM EST WED JAN 23 2013    ...LAKE EFFECT SNOW ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM EST  THURSDAY...    * ACCUMULATIONS...2 TO 4 INCHES WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS    THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING.    * TIMING...A GENERAL LIGHT SNOW WILL DEVELOP THIS EVENING WITH SOME    MINOR ACCUMULATIONS POSSIBLE. AS WINDS SHIFT AROUND TO THE    NORTHWEST AFTER MIDNIGHT WE EXPECT THE LAKE EFFECT SNOW SHOWERS    TO REDEVELOP.    * VISIBILITIES...WILL BE REDUCED TO AROUND A HALF MILE WHEN THE    HEAVIER SNOW SQUALLS REDEVELOP AFTER MIDNIGHT.    * WINDS...WEST TO NORTHWEST 5 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 20 MPH.    * TEMPERATURES...11 TO 16.    * IMPACTS...DRIVING CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE TO VARY ACROSS THE    AREA LATE THIS EVENING INTO THE OVERNIGHT.    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...    IN LAKE EFFECT SNOW THE WEATHER CAN VARY FROM LOCALLY HEAVY SNOW  IN NARROW BANDS TO CLEAR SKIES JUST A FEW MILES AWAY. IF YOU WILL  BE TRAVELING ACROSS THE REGION BE PREPARED FOR RAPID CHANGES IN  ROAD AND VISIBILITY CONDITIONS. STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO  FOR FURTHER DETAILS OR UPDATES.  

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Cleveland: City defends snow removal effort

CLEVELAND -- Snow removal efforts often  bring many commuter and resident complaints to Cleveland City Hall.

Tuesday morning's rush hour still found many snow- and slush-covered streets downtown and many commuters said their rush hour got slower and longer once they left suburban routes and got into Cleveland.

Tom Lombardi said, "It was pretty poor around East 9th Street. It was still covered like they hadn't done much."

Cassidy Skonieczny commuted from Mentor.

She said, "It took me an hour and a half to get to work. It was fine where I was coming from. I hit MLK (Martin Luther King Boulevard ) and it was not so good...I had to drive around the block at my garage downtown because it was blocked."

Public Works Director Michael Cox said, "I think we've done an excellent job."

He said downtown streets were cleared two or three times before the morning rush hour hit and blamed blowing and drifting snow for quickly recovering plowed streets with snow.

The city had convoys of police cars escorting multiple plows to clear main intersections and streets.

It strives to clear main and secondary arteries first and get to all sidestreets within 24 to 36 hours after that.

The city's had 48 truck/plows on the street around the clock.

A few commuters had praise.

Sylvia Kuchenmeister said, "I was creeping along on I-90. When I got off on East 9th Street, it was the fastest I went."

The city hopes more commuters say that in Wednesday morning's rush hour.

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Cleveland Weather: Frigid with lake-effect snow

The lake-effect snow continues to fall across parts of our viewing area. Along with the snow, its very windy outside and this wind will be felt across Northeast Ohio through Wednesday.

Due to the wintery weather, we have the following alerts across our area:

A LAKE-EFFECT SNOW WARNING continues for Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga and Lake Counties through Wednesday morning at 7am.

A WIND-CHILL ADVISORY continues for Northeast Ohio through Wednesday morning.

Expect reduced visibilities and hazardous road conditions all today. Where it is not snowing, expect extreme cold, with below zero wind chills.

This afternoon: Snowy, windy & very cold.  Temps: 7-13.  Wind chills below zero through the day.  Wind: W 15-20, gusts to 30 mph.

TOTAL SNOWFALL by Wednesday Morning: 

3"-5"....West & South

4"-8".....Eastern Suburbs

8"-14".....Snowbelt.

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy & cold with lingering showers east.  Upper teens, low 20s.

Thursday: Mostly cloudy. Low 20s

Friday: Snow likely. Heavy snow is possible. Low/Mid 20s

Saturday: Scattered lake-effect flurries, then partly sunny. Low/mid 20s

Sunday: Partly sunny.  Near 30

Monday: Mostly cloudy with a chance for rain/snow mix.  Near 40

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Investigator: Ohio businesses awarded estimated $860 million

CLEVELAND -- A Cuyahoga County judge has awarded more than 270,000 Ohio employers an estimated $860 million after ruling the state Bureau of Workers' Compensation illegally overcharged them for years.

Judge Richard McMonagle also found that Workers' Comp knew that it was overcharging certain employers so that other employers, with good safety records, would pay less for their monthly insurance premiums.

"This is a banner day for Ohio businesses," said James DeRoche, of the law firm Seaman Garson. "When the government rips off business, they need to make it right."

DeRoche sued Workers' Comp in 2007 on behalf of businesses, including Corky and Lenny's Deli in Woodmere, that were charged excessive monthly insurance premiums that help cover workers who are injured on the job.

"As early as 1993, they knew what they were doing was wrong," said DeRoche.

Workers' Comp plans to appeal the decision.

"While we are disappointed in the decision, we continue to maintain that our actions were lawful and that the plaintiff's claims are without merit," the agency said, in a written statement.

"The real losers of this decision are Ohio's employers and injured workers since the only source to satisfy the judgment is the money collected from employers for the treatment of injured workers."

DeRoche countered that Workers' Comp has an $8 billion budgetary surplus.

"The money in surplus is the money that came straight out of the pocket of the employers in this class (action lawsuit)," he said. "It's their money that the bureau is holding."

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Cleveland Weather: Frigid!

A LAKE-EFFECT SNOW WARNING has been issued for Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga and Lake Counties from through Wednesday morning.

A WIND-CHILL ADVISORY has been issued for Northeast Ohio through WEDNESDAY morning.

Tonight: Snowy, windy and cold. Low: +1 to 10... with wind chills to -15

Tuesday: Snowy, windy & very cold.  12-17.  Wind chills below zero through the day.  Wind: West 15-20, gusts-30 mph.

TOTAL SNOWFALL by Wednesday Morning: 

3"-5"....West & South

4"-8".....Eastern Suburbs

8"-14".....Snowbelt.

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy & cold with lingering flurries east.  Upper teens, low 20s.

Thursday: Mostly cloudy.  Low 20s

Friday:  Snow likely.  Heavy snow is possible.  Mid 20s

Saturday: Scattered lake-effect flurries, then partly sunny. Low/mid 20s

Sunday:  Partly sunny.  Near 30

Monday:  Mostly cloudy with a chance for rain/snow mix.  Mid 30s

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Patrol: I-71 south, N of Rte 13, reopened after pile-up

RICHLAND COUNTY -- 20-vehicle pile-up had closed I-71 South just north of Rte. 13 in Richland County.

It reopened just before 8 p.m.

Deputies say the accident involved four semi-tractor trailers and 15 to 16 vehicles and occured just after 2 p.m.

Patrol deputies also noted that a second pile-up involving a semitractor trailer near downtown Columbus occured just after 3:30 p.m. and has I-71 North at I-670 closed at least through the early evening.

The weather is a factor in both accidents.

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Northeast Ohio snow totals for 1/21/13

CLEVELAND -- Several inches of lake effect snow have fallen across parts of northeast Ohio on Monady.

Here are the latest 12 hour reports from the National Weather Service in Cleveland...

  **********************12 HOUR SNOWFALL**********************    LOCATION              12 HOUR     TIME/DATE   COMMENTS                       SNOWFALL           OF                       /INCHES/   MEASUREMENT    ...ASHTABULA COUNTY...     ASHTABULA 1SW          3.5   800 PM  1/21  SNOW SPOTTER     SAYBROOK               3.5   950 PM  1/21  SNOW SPOTTER     ASHTABULA              3.0   827 PM  1/21  SNOW SPOTTER    ...CRAWFORD COUNTY...     NEW WASHINGTON 5S      0.5   600 PM  1/21  SNOW SPOTTER     BUCYRUS                  T   717 PM  1/21  SNOW SPOTTER    ...CUYAHOGA COUNTY...     EUCLID                 1.0   723 PM  1/21  SNOW SPOTTER     WESTLAKE               0.8   924 PM  1/21  TRAINED SPOTTER     CLEVELAND HOPKINS AI   0.2   651 PM  1/21  SNOW SPOTTER    ...GEAUGA COUNTY...     THOMPSON 5SW           3.1   809 PM  1/21  SNOW SPOTTER     CLARIDON TWP           2.5   855 PM  1/21  SNOW SPOTTER     HAMBDEN TWP            2.5   700 PM  1/21  SNOW SPOTTER     SOUTH MADSION          1.5   535 PM  1/21  SNOW SPOTTER    ...HURON COUNTY...     NEW LONDON 3NW           T   520 PM  1/21  SNOW SPOTTER    ...LAKE COUNTY...     MADISON VILLAGE        2.4   835 PM  1/21  SNOW SPOTTER     MENTOR                 1.2   715 PM  1/21  SNOW SPOTTER    ...LORAIN COUNTY...     AVON                   0.5   943 PM  1/21  SNOW SPOTTER     LORAIN 3S              0.1   705 PM  1/21  SNOW SPOTTER    ...LUCAS COUNTY...     TOLEDO AIRPORT           T   700 PM  1/21  SNOW SPOTTER    ...MEDINA COUNTY...     MEDINA                 0.7   446 PM  1/21  SNOW SPOTTER     BRUNSWICK              0.3   824 PM  1/21  SNOW SPOTTER     VALLEY CITY              T   811 PM  1/21  SNOW SPOTTER    ...RICHLAND COUNTY...     MANSFLD ARPT           0.9   700 PM  1/21  SNOW SPOTTER    ...SANDUSKY COUNTY...     FREMONT                0.2   647 PM  1/21  SNOW SPOTTER    ...STARK COUNTY...     MASSILLON/PERRY TWP    1.0   543 PM  1/21  SNOW SPOTTER     ALLIANCE               1.0   659 PM  1/21  SNOW SPOTTER    ...SUMMIT COUNTY...     TALLMADGE              0.6   847 PM  1/21  SNOW SPOTTER     CUYAHOGA FALLS         0.4   751 PM  1/21  SNOW SPOTTER     AKRON 1W               0.4   803 PM  1/21  SNOW SPOTTER     CAK AIRPORT            0.4   651 PM  1/21  SNOW SPOTTER     SAGAMORE HILLS         0.2   815 PM  1/21  SNOW SPOTTER    ...TRUMBULL COUNTY...     NEWTON FALLS           1.1   700 PM  1/21  SNOW SPOTTER     YNG AIRPORT            1.0   651 PM  1/21  SNOW SPOTTER     WARREN                 0.7   627 PM  1/21  SNOW SPOTTER    

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Cleveland Weather: Arctic Blast Arrives!!

The blast of Arctic Air has moved over Northern Ohio, but the coldest is yet to come!!  This Deep Freeze will be with us all week.

Sunday night will be Cloudy, Windy & much Colder with occasional snow showers.  Mostly areas will see 1" or less accumulation, the Snowbelt could see 1"-3".  Low: 16.  Wind: West 10-15, gusts-25 mph.

A LAKE-EFFECT SNOW WARNING has been issued for Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga and Lake Counties from 10 AM Monday morning, until 7 AM Wednesday morning.

Monday will be Cloudy, Windy & Very Cold with Snow Showers.  1'-3" for areas to the West & South, 4"-6" accumulation over the Snowbelt.  High: 20.  Wind Chills: Below 0.  Wind: SW-W 15-25, gusts-40 mph.

Snowy, Windy & Cold Monday night.  Low: 9.  Wind Chills: Zero to -10.  Wind: West 15-25, gusts-40 mph.

Tuesday, more of the same:  Snowy, Windy & Very Cold.  High: 13.  Wind Chills Below Zero.  Wind: West 15-20, gusts-30 mph.

TOTAL SNOWFALL by Wednesday Morning: 

3"-5"....West & South

4"-8".....Eastern Suburbs

8"-14".....Snowbelt.

Wednesday will be Mostly Cloudy & Cold with snow showers tapering off.  High.

Thursday will be Mostly Cloudy with scattered Snow Showers as a storm system moves up from the south.  High: 27.

Friday will be Mostly Cloudy with Snow Showers.  High: 27.

Saturday will start out with a few left over Lake Effect Snow Showers, then Partly Sunny.  High: 23.

Sunday will be Partly Cloudy.  High: 28.

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Danielle Fink, Channel Three employee, killed in car accident

NORTH OLMSTED -- Danielle Fink, Channel Three News assignment editor, was killed in a car accident in North Olmsted late Saturday or early Sunday morning.

Her car struck a tree and she was found just after 8:30 Sunday morning.

Danielle was a beloved friend and colleague at WKYC and respected by journalists, law enforcement and community leaders throughout Northeast Ohio.

She loved Cleveland and Northeast Ohio passionately. She was a loyal fan of the Indians, Cavaliers and Browns. Dani celebrated all that made her hometown special.

The family is making arrangements and will release more information as soon as possible.  We offer our sincere condolences to her family and share in their grief.

To see how much Dani will be missed and the impact she made on those around her, we have set up a Twitter feed of tweets being sent out about her:  

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Lake effect snow warning issued through Wednesday

CLEVELAND - A Lake effect snow warning has been issued for parts of Northeast Ohio.

This warning is in effect for the following counties: Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula counties.

Here is the latest from the National Weather Service in Cleveland...

  THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CLEVELAND HAS ISSUED A LAKE  EFFECT SNOW WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM MONDAY TO  7 AM EST WEDNESDAY. THE LAKE EFFECT SNOW WATCH IS NO LONGER IN  EFFECT.    * ACCUMULATIONS...10 TO 20 INCHES OF SNOW.    * TIMING...MONDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING.    * WINDS...WEST 10 TO 20 MPH. GUSTS UP TO 35 MPH NEAR LAKE ERIE.    * IMPACTS...DRIVING WILL BE SLOW AND HAZARDOUS WITH HIGHLY    VARIABLE ROAD CONDITIONS.    * TEMPERATURES...4 TO 20 ABOVE.    * VISIBILITIES...A QUARTER MILE OR LESS AT TIMES.      PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...    IN LAKE EFFECT SNOW THE WEATHER CAN VARY FROM LOCALLY HEAVY SNOW  IN NARROW BANDS TO CLEAR SKIES JUST A FEW MILES AWAY. IF YOU WILL  BE TRAVELING ACROSS THE REGION BE PREPARED FOR RAPID CHANGES IN  ROAD AND VISIBILITY CONDITIONS. STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO  FOR FURTHER DETAILS OR UPDATES.  

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3 accidental gun show shootings, including Medina

MEDINA -- There were three accidental shootings at gun shows across the nation Saturday, including a local show in Medina, one in Indiana, and another shooting in North Carolina.

In Medina, Police say a man was shot while at a local gun show around 3:30 p.m.

According to police, a man who came to the event sold his gun to one of the exhibitors. After the sale, the exhibitor opened the box containing the gun in order to look at it and "make it safe." 

That's went the gun went off. The bullet struck the exhibitor's partner who was sitting next to him. 

The victim was shot in the arm and thigh by the single round. 

He was taken by LifeFlight to MetroHealth Medical Center for treatment. The injuries are not life threatening.

Police say the shooting was accidental.

The victim's name and condition are not known.

This is the first shooting incident in the gun show's 35 year history.

In Indiana, Officials say three people were wounded when gunfire erupted at a gun show at the North Carolina state fairgrounds.
 
It happened at the Dixie Gun and Knife Show, a quarterly event that usually draws thousands of people.
 
State agriculture department spokesman Brian Long says a 12-gauge shotgun discharged while its owner unzipped its case for a law enforcement officer to check it at a security entrance.
 
Two bystanders were hit by shotgun pellets and taken to a hospital. A retired deputy sheriff suffered a slight hand injury.
 
Long says the shotgun's owner, 36-year-old Gary Lynn Wilson of Wilmington, brought the weapon to the show to find a private buyer.
 
Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison says it's too early to know whether Wilson might be charged.
 
The show shut down early Saturday but will reopen Sunday.

And in North Carolina, officials say two people were accidentally shot and wounded at a gun show at the North Carolina state fairgrounds.

It happened Saturday at the Dixie Gun and Knife Show, a quarterly event that usually draws thousands of people to the fairgrounds in Raleigh.

The fairground is operated by the state agriculture department. Agency spokesman Brian Long says a 12-gauge shotgun discharged while its owner unzipped its case for a law enforcement officer to check it at a security entrance.

Emergency crews responded to the scene, and two people were loaded into ambulances.

Long says the shotgun's owner brought the weapon to the show to find a private buyer.

The show shut down early Saturday.

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Cleveland Weather: Arctic Blast Arrives!!

We'll have increasing cloudiness Saturday night.  It will be Windy & Colder, with snow showers after Midnight, ahead of the Arctic Front.  Low: 26.  Wind: SW 20-30, gusts-50 mph.

WIND ADVISORY for all of Northern Ohio until 7 am Sunday.

The coldest air of the season will slice across Northern Ohio.  While it looks like the Snowbelt will get the majority of the snow, we'll ALL be effected by frigid air & sub-zero Wind Chills!!

Sunday, behind the Front, it will be Cloudy, Windy & much Colder with occasional Snow Showers.  A light coating for most areas, 1"-3" for the Snowbelt.  High: 28.  Wind: West 15-25, gusts-45 mph.

Snowy, Breezy & Much Colder Sunday night.  1"-3" accumulation for most areas...2"-4" for the Snowbelt.  Low: 16.  Wind: West 10-15 mph.

Monday.....Martin Luther King Day.....Snowy, Windy & very Cold.  High: 20.  Wind Chills Below 0.  Wind: West 15-20, gusts-35 mph.

Monday night will Snowy, Windy & Very Cold.  Low: 8.  Wind Chills: -10 to -15 degrees.  Wind: West 15-25, gusts-35 mph.

Wednesday:  Continued Cloudy, Windy & Very Cold with Snow Showers, mainly over the Snowbelt.  High: 20.

Thursday:  Partly Cloudy & a bit Milder.  High: 26.

Friday: A storm system coming up from the south will bring us a Cloudy day with snow showers.  High: 30.

Saturday:  Partly Sunny & Cold.  High: 24.

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Willoughby Hills: Fire crews battling active apartment fire

WILLOUGHBY HILLS -- Fire crews from multiple cities are responding to a Saturday evening apartment fire.

Police and fire crews are evacuating residents at Bishop Park Apartments near I-90 and Bishop Rd.

The fire has spread to multiple apartments.

Utility crews from Dominion East Ohio gas have also been called to the scene to shut off active gas lines.

Fire crews have arrived from Willoughby Hills, Willoughby, Mentor, Kirtland and other area departments.

There is no word on whether or not anyone has been injured.

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North Randall: Thistledown racino job fair underway

NORTH RANDALL -- Thistledown's race track makeover means 600 new jobs for the North Randall community.

Caesar's Entertainment is hosting a job fair Friday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

It is a call to employment at what will soon be Northeast Ohio's first racino.

"I never heard of a racino before so I am open to all kinds of avenues," applicant Eugene Forte said.

Eugene Forte and his girlfriend, Joy Davis, hope to be one of the lucky 600 that are selected to work at the new Thistledown Racino.

Both have been unemployed for sometime. Joy was a registered nurse.

"There was a position for EMT which I found was interesting," Davis said.

Diversity is David Swann's middle name.

This single father has worked temp jobs since the economy crashed in 2009. He has a daughter who is in her second year of college.

"I tell her, 'get your degree and you have a better chance of doing something.' It's rough. Luckily, she's smart," Swann said.

Thistledown's renovation includes new restaurants, shops, off-track betting booths and video lottery terminals.

The $88 million project is currently under construction and on time. These 600 new employees should report to work sometime this spring.

Caesar's Entertainment job fair offers resume and interview workshops. Applicants can apply online at terminals set up in two rooms.

"We want a team that is inclusive of different thought processes and different experiences and from different industries," VP of Human Resources Karen Kaminski said.

The racino promises an economic booster shot for the whole North Randall community. Applicants aren't just looking for a fast buck but, instead, a new start.

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WKYC's Russ Mitchell talks gun control with U.S. Sen. Rob Portman

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Cleveland Weather: Quiet before the blast

Friday night will be Fair to Partly Cloudy, Windy but not as cold, because the wind will be coming out of the SW 15-25, gusts-35 mph.  Low: 30.

Saturday will be the day for outdoor activities, fun or chores.  It will be Mostly Sunny, Windy & Warmer.  High: 47.  Wind: SW 20-25, gusts-35 mph.

Saturday night will feature increasing Cloudiness, windy & Chilly.  Low: 25.  Wind: SW 20-25, gusts-35 mph.

The Arctic Front moves through the area early Sunday morning.  Behind the Front, it will be Cloudy, Windy & Colder with occasional snow showers.  High: 28.  Wind: West 15-25, gusts-35 mph.

Snowy, Windy & Much Colder Sunday night.  Snow may be heavy at times.  Low: 14.  Wind: West 15-20 mph.

Monday....Martin Luther King Day.....will be Snowy & Cold.  Heavy snow at times, especially over the Snowbelt.  High: 20.

More of the same Monday night & Tuesday:  Snowy & Very Cold. Low: 7.....High Tuesday: 17, with heavy snow , at times.

Wednesday we start to slowly climb out of the Deep Freeze.  It will be Mostly Cloudy.  High: 20.

Thursday:  Mostly Cloudy.  High: 33.

Friday:  Mostly Cloudy with scattered snow showers.  High: 40.

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Elyria: Man may be ordered not to have children

ELYRIA -- A man who owes child support may be ordered not to father any more children.

When Asim Taylor faces a probate judge next week, part of his sentence may be not to have any more children until he pays his bill or demonstrates that he's supporting the children he already has.

Taylor, 35, is nearly $80,000 behind on support for four of his children. He pleaded guilty to the charges and will learn Wednesday whether Lorain County Probate Judge James Walther has included the ban on procreation in his sentence.

"I think from the outside looking in, from the average person's perspective, it is reasonable," admits Taylor's attorney Doug Merrill. "But the law feels differently."

Merrill tells WKYC if the judge follows through on the order that Taylor must take reasonable steps not to father any more children, the order will be appealed.

"We are a country of laws they obviously need to be followed," Merrill explained. "And one of those basic rights is the right of procreation. To take that away from someone, I believe the court may be overstepping at this point."

Merrill will hinge his planned appeal on the case of Sean Talty, a Medina County man who faced the same sentence in 2002. Talty was behind $30,000 in support for six children at the time.

The Ohio Supreme Court two years later ultimately overturned the no-procreation portion of Talty's sentence, saying it was too broad. Merrill says that will set a precedent for his client.

Asim Taylor is already on probation for previous crimes and has a 15-year criminal record which includes assault, domestic violence, cocaine possession, and carrying a concealed weapon.

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Kent: Te'o not the only one caught by 'catfish'

Matt Cashore/USA Today Sports

KENT -- In a world wherever everything else has gone online, why not first dates on Facebook?

"If you see someone that you are interested in, or want to talk to, you add them as a friend, you can message them, or write on their wall, and if they think that you're worth talking to, they'll talk to you back," said Kent State University sophomore Anthony Tavella.

Kent State students say they know what others are learning through the Manti Te'o scandal: dating someone you've never met, and maybe never will, is more and more common.

"I didn't really know of anyone that would meet, because sometimes girls would find hot guys that lived in California or something and just talk to them, on Facebook and text and stuff, it was just cool," said Natalie Krebs, also a student at Kent.

In high school, Krebs says, "it's for status, it's for fun. It's not something that's...because you're actually trying to be with somebody."

When something seems fishy, it could be. Catfish, the term for someone who uses digital trickery to disguise who they really are, has spawned its own MTV show.

"We can fall victim to these hoaxes very easily. It is so simple for someone to pretend they are someone they're not online," said Kent State Professor Stefanie Moore.

Moore teaches her students to be skeptical online and when using social media. She says it can be easy for you, too, to spot the red flags.

If you're using facebook, look to see how many friends a person has, or how complete their profile appears. Catfish typically won't be posted in pictures with friends and others.

On twitter, followers and interaction can be a good indication of a legitimate profile. Read someone's tweets to see if they respond to others or simply send out messages.

On many dating sites, you can use a reverse image search to see where that photo your new online interest emailed you really came from. Two resources Moore recommends are Google's Inside Search, found here, or Tineye.com.

"If you see multiple sources of the same picture, it might tip you off to maybe this person isn't real," she said.

If online searches fail, do your homework says Moore. Pick up the phone and call. Or following Deadspin's lead, look for birth or school records.

While being duped can be embarrassing, it's a lesson to us all to be cautious online and in love.

"You can't love someone if you don't see them and know who they are in person," said Tavella.

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Cleveland: Puppy stolen from Animal Protective League

CLEVELAND -- About 4:30 p.m. Saturday, a small, black Lab-mix puppy was stolen from the Cleveland Animal Protective League's adoption floor.

The puppy named Lucy is only 8 weeks old and weighs approximately 8 and a half pounds.

"We believe that the puppy was stolen while another family was in the process of adopting her," said Sharon Harvey, CEO and President of the Cleveland APL.

 "A second person saw her, picked her up, and inquired about her.  She was told by an APL team member that the puppy was in the process of being adopted. Shortly after that, it was discovered that the puppy was gone."

The woman last seen holding the puppy is described as white, in her late 30s or early 40s, about 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighs an estimated 200 pounds.

She has wavy blond hair down to her neck, fair skin, and was wearing black-rimmed glasses. She was also wearing a heavy, black coat.

"We are devastated and the family that had fallen in love with her is heartbroken that Lucy was stolen just as they were getting ready to welcome her into their family," said Harvey.

"We hope someone knows where this puppy is and will do the right thing and return her to the shelter and the family that's waiting for her."

If you have any information or know of this woman who may have come home with the puppy pictured, please call the Cleveland APL at 216-771-4616, ext. 0 or ext. 125. 

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Investigator: Ch. 3 investigative team buys assault rifle

CUYAHOGA COUNTY -- As President Obama announced plans to ban assault rifles, a Channel 3 News undercover team bought an assault rifle at a local gun show, finding it just as easy as buying a bottle of beer.

"My first question would be, 'Why would you even need a rifle like this?'" said Yvonne Pointer, an anti-violence activist who runs a local support group for women who lost children to violence.

"Even if you're going to shoot a deer, I feel sorry for the deer that gets shot with that," said Pointer.

The Cleveland woman was referring to the Century Arms semi-automatic rifle that undercover WKYC Videographers Mike Leonard and Randy White purchased at the gun show held in Berea this past weekend.

White said the seller never asked if he was a felon or if he was ever committed to a mental institution. But the seller isn't required to ask those questions or do a background check because he was an individual selling guns, not a retailer.

The seller required that White only show him a driver's license.

One gun advocate said it was a shame people are using the massacre in Connecticut last month to try to reinstate a national ban on assault rifles and high-capacity ammunition magazines.

"It's not guns that are the problem. It's people," said the unidentified gun owner.

Channel 3 purchased the assault rifle for $1,500. Some firearms experts said we paid nearly double the normal price. With the big push for tougher gun laws, sellers were asking top dollar and customers at the gun show were willing to pay it.

Just days before the President announced his plans on gun control, a man who called himself Joe was walking the streets of downtown Cleveland with a loaded assault rifle.

"Any attempt to take this rifle away will be met with violence and any force that is necessary," he said.

Channel 3 News tried to talk with the NRA about our gun purchase, but no one ever called back.

The next sheriff of Cuyahoga County said he's not exactly sure what a sportsman would do with the type of weapon Channel 3 purchased.

"I personally wouldn't use it,"  said Captain Frank Bova.

Channel 3 News will turn the assault rifle over to the Sheriff's office. Bova said a report will be made and then the gun will be destroyed. 

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Police arrest phony 'TV news crew' that tasered victims

CLEVELAND --  Cleveland police arrested two men, 19 and 25, for felonious assault, accused of posing as a local TV news crew and tasering people with a stun gun.

They also took a third person, a juvenile, into custody and driven to Jane Edna Recreation Center. Officers took the camera and stun gun as evidence.

While in police custody, Solomon Herbert, 19,  stated that he was video recording as Derek Rowell, 25, shocked people with the stun gun, according to police records.

When asked who shocked the victim, Herbert stated that Rowell shocked the victim as he recorded it, and that they were doing it just for fun.

Then Rowell told police he was shocking people because he was being told to do so. 

Police tell Channel 3 that they have reviewed the video and know there are other suspects involved in these incidents.

Anyone with information can contact the police department anonymously by calling (216) 252-7463.

Police say they were called out to the 8800 block of Detroit Avenue around 2 p.m. Saturday after a victim reported that six men with a digital camera approached him claiming to be with a local television station and wanted to interview him.

The man kept walking and that's when he said the "news crew" jumped him and zapped him on the neck with a stun gun and then ran off.

The victim told police he is a resident of a group home and a similar incident was reported earlier in the week in the same area.

Around 4:13 p.m. Saturday, the "fake news crew" struck again on the city's west side, police reported.

According to a Cleveland police report, police got a phone call from the owner of Dairy Mart on Detroit Avenue and W. 89th Street for a group of men using a stun gun on people and videotaping the incidents.

Police arrived and saw three men crossing Detroit Avenue at W. 80th Street. Two of the men matched the suspect descriptions. The trio were walking towards a bus stop where officers approached and detained them.

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Homes hit by bullets in AK-47 target practice

MONTVILLE -- Police responded to one neighborhood after receiving 911 calls about hearing rapid gunfire and bullets hitting their homes.

On Wednesday, the 911 callers said that they could hear a rapid succession of gunfire and then quickly realized that some of the bullets were striking their houses.

The first officer on the scene met with the callers, reported that the gunfire had stopped, and was able to determine that the bullets had come from a northeasterly direction.

As that officer and other officers began checking the adjacent fields on foot, a second round of rapid gunfire erupted.

"I could hear bullets flying over my head. Our indications are they did not know they were hitting homes," said Sgt. Matthew Neil, of the Montville Township police department.

Additional 911 calls from both of the original callers reported that their houses were being struck again.

All 911 callers were ordered to their basements until the gunfire ceased.

Mary Kurec was in one of those homes with her two adult daughters and son-in-law when they heard a crash.

"I'm grateful my grandkids weren't here," Kurec said.

There are two bullet holes in her living room wall and one lodged in her kitchen microwave. The family was just standing in the kitchen moments before the second round of bullets came in.

"I think people need to be very careful with what they do with their weapons. Take a second thought at the fact that bullets can penetrate. Look what it penetrated," Kurec said.

As additional units arrived, the gunfire ceased and then started back up. Within seconds of the third round of rapid gunfire  starting, two Montville officers confronted two men at gunpoint in the back yard of 5544 Windfall Road.

Both men were ordered to the ground and taken into custody. Both men are being held in the Montville Jail until charges are filed.

The two men taken into custody were Mark Bornino, 53, of Medina, and R. Daniel Volpone, 45, of Parma.

Sgt. Neil says target practice is allowed in Montville Township, and the men passed background checks.

However, Neil says, they will face charges related to drinking alcohol while handling the weapons and for failing to operate the guns safely. They did not use a proper backstop, Sgt. Neil says.

The weapons and ammunition that the men were shooting were seized and include:

• One AK-47 Assault Rifle with 628 rounds
• One 9mm Handgun with 50 rounds
• One 380 Handgun with 8 rounds
• One 22 revolver with 40 rounds

Police said that further investigation revealed that the men had been consuming alcohol and were shooting at paper targets with no back stop.

The distance from the area the men were shooting to the homes that were struck is estimated to be 500 yards.

The homes that were struck were both occupied, but no one was hurt.

Both homes sustained damage, with one of the homes having two AK-47 bullet holes through the walls. After going through the wall, one of the rounds became lodged into a kitchen appliance at head level.

Units from the Medina Township Police Department as well as the Medina County Sheriff's Department assisted with the arrests.

Bornino and Volpone will be arraigned in Medina County Court Thursday morning and are facing felony charges.

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Haslam: Browns reviewing uniforms, helmet will not change

CLEVELAND -- On the same day the Browns announced a deal to rename their home as FirstEnergy Stadium, new owner Jimmy Haslam fielded a number of other questions regarding changes that may or may not be on the horizon for the team and fans.

Haslam says he is excited about a Northeast Ohio company purchasing naming rights to the stadium. He says the money from the naming rights deal with FirstEnergy will be used to help make the team more competitive and improvements for fans.

The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed but WKYC's Jim Donovan confirms the deal is for 20 years.

As far as other changes to the stadium, Haslam said all aspects  are under review. He says the number one job of newly appointed President Alec Scheiner will be to improve the game day experience for fans.

On other subjects:

New field?

Haslam said, "I think it's to be determined. I want to be real careful there because there are strong feelings. Some people are real pro artificial surface, some people are real pro grass. We're gonna take a look at everything but please don't ready anything into that. Honestly, no decision has been made."

Uniform changes?

Haslam said, "It's a two-year process in the NFL. We've notified the NFL that we'd like to take a look at our uniforms and so if we do make any changes it will be for the 2014 season. ... Write this down, we're not touching the helmets."

Stadium roof possibility?

According to Haslam, "It hasn't really changed any. You know we've been busy lately with all the changes we made. It's the same. We're going to bring in 3 or 4 of the top architects in the country. ... When they narrow it down and get their ideas, we will sit down together and figure out what we want to do. The architects will be in in the next 30 days to begin that process. It's a process and it will take some time. These are big, expensive facilities."

Cheerleaders?

"No." (laughs)

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Port's Peto gets 57-month prison term in corruption probe

AKRON -- Former member of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority board Robert M. Peto was sentenced to 57 months in prison Tuesday afternoon in federal court.

He must also pay just over $39,000 in restitution and forfeit his $8,000 Ohio retirement pension.

In addition, Peto must also perform 500 hours of community service after he is released from prison.

He pleaded guilty back in October to six charges of soliciting and receiving bribes from Michael Forlani, an electrical contractor, and Nicholas DelBrocco, an investment broker from Providence, R.I.

Peto served for eight years on the board of directors of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority before resigning in August 2012.

He also served as executive secretary-treasurer of the Ohio and Vicinity Regional Council of Carpenters before being removed from the position in 2011.

Peto, 58, of Gates Mills, is also is banned from holding a union position for at least 13 years after his release from prison.

In addition to two counts of bribery, Peto, 58, of Gates Mills, also pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy, plus tampering with a witness and using his position as a public official to illegally obtain property in return for an official act.

Prosecutors filed a criminal information against Peto on Oct. 22.

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Cleveland: 'Sin tax' extension may be sought

CLEVELAND -- The Browns naming rights agreement with FirstEnergy has some critics revisiting the terms of the original deal that brought the new Browns back to Cleveland.

It contained the provision that granted all naming rights revenue to the team.

The city owns the stadium. The Browns lease it.

"The residents and the taxpayers get the bills and the team operator gets the money," Cleveland City Councilman Mike Polensek, a strident critic of the original deal, calling it too team-friendly.

Mayor Frank Jackson says he supports the Browns/FirstEnergy deal.

The city could have disapproved if the sponsor were an unsavory or controversial business.

The original stadium's "guess-timated" construction cost is $296 million. Some infrastructure and other improvement costs were included in separate funds, so the actual final cost has been somewhat hard to pin down.

The city still owes about $134 million and should pay off the debt in 2028.

The city gets $250,000-a-year in rent, plus revenue from ticket and parking taxes, players and personnel income taxes and hotel bed taxes from visiting fans.

It also gets use of the stadium eight days a year.

The countywide "sin tax" on alcoholic beverages and tobacco products has provided funding to build the stadium and pay for repair costs.

The city just provided the Browns about $6 million in repair costs, accelerating annual required payments.

The sin tax runs out in 2015, leaving stadium repair costs uncovered after that.

The Browns point out they've paid millions of dollars for other stadium improvements and enhancements.

All three sports teams are collaborating on an effort to try to get a sin tax extension to cover repair costs on their respective facilities.

That would require state lawmakers to "okay" putting an extension before voters.

Mayor Frank Jackson's Chief of Staff Ken Silliman told WKYC's Tom Beres that the mayor supports such an extension.

"If we don't get the sin tax extended, it will come of of the general fund of Cleveland. That's police, fire, EMS and street repairs," said Polensek.

So the choice boils down to this.

Either taxpayers who live and work in Cleveland will be saddled with future stadium repair bills.

Or smokers and drinkers will once more be asked to keep paying more for their vices.

One ironic note...the actual electricity for what will be known as FirstEnergy Stadium now comes from Cleveland Public Power.

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Lake County: Facebook page 'creeping out' Perry students

PERRY-- A Facebook page has uploaded more than 600 photos, most of them of Perry High School girls.

The page, under the name Kole William, features photos taken from Facebook pages belonging to the girls. The most recent post was made on Friday, when the page came to the attention of students, parents, and police.

"We want to identify and locate this individual,"says Perry Police Chief Michael Shank. "We want to question him. We want to know why he did what he did. Is he a risk to our kids' safety?"

Shank has taken more than 100 calls from anxious parents and residents of the village, and has assigned two detectives full-time to finding the real identity of Kole William, and what his intentions may be in displaying the pictures of the Perry High School girls.

"It is probably not illegal," the chief told WKYC, "but it's suspicious enough that we have to find out what his motives are. Today, you always have to been concerned."

Shank, who has increased security at the Perry schools and at extra-curricular activites, says the person behind the page may be the same one who actually confronted a recent Perry graduate at her new place of work a few years ago.

"He came there with a gift and told her he was the person that had been trying to contact her through Facebook," Shank said.

The chief also said a person who may be the same man was recently seen videotaping former Perry cheerleaders at the local college they now attend.

"Understandably, there's some uneasiness and some anxiety," Perry Local Schools Superintendent Dr. Jack Thompson said, of the mood of students at the high school.

"But they know we're here to support them," he added, "and our safety forces are doing a great job."

Thompson said the Perry curriculum emphasizes the responsible and safe use of social media.

 "We hope our students are making the right decisions," he said. The district recently added the services of a national firm to advise them in the area of social media.

One of the teachers involved in instructing Perry students in that area is Coleen Moskowitz, who also has daughters in the district.

"It is kind of creepy," she admitted, and was concerned when one of her daughters' photos appeared on the Facebook page.

"I try to teach the students in my class and my own daughters how important it is to keep your privacy settings turned on, because you never know who's out there accessing your information," Moskowitz explained.

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Brimfield: Deaf puppy abandoned roadside in a box

BRIMFIELD -- Police Chief David Oliver is wondering who left a deaf puppy on the side of the road in a cardboard box.  

Thanks to the Brimfield Police Department, Cara is getting a second chance.

According to a lengthy Facebook posting by the chief of police, the dog was found Saturday. 

Chief Oliver wasn't shy about calling out the person who abandoned the puppy. 

"I will say that I can tell a person's character pretty well by seeing how they treat animals," Chief Oliver said in his Facebook post. "Whoever did this lacks character, period. It was mopey behavior." 

Oliver originally left a vague post about the puppy, hoping someone with information about the dog would come forward. 

"We would like to find the person who decided it was a good idea to dump this little puppy," said Oliver. "I would like to have a 'Chiefly' talk with them." 

Cara does have a right leg injury and is being taken care of by One of a Kind Pets in Akron, Ohio.

She will be up for adoption around February. Cara has to go through a two-week vetting and quarantine process. 

Chief Oliver has made an offer to the person who may have abandoned the dog.  

"If you are the person who dropped this puppy off, I am willing to speak with you about your error in judgement -- if you call first," he said.  "If we have to find you, the time for talking will be with a judge." 

If police find the person who dropped of Cara, they will face animal cruelty charges.

Click here to see Chief Oliver's full Facebook post. 

Mobile users can use the following link: http://www.facebook.com/BrimfieldPolice/posts/559732567389124

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Flu Update: Schools, cities try to stop the spread

PORTAGE COUNTY -- Schools, businesses and area health departments are reaching out to encourage vaccination and keep those already ill from influenza at home.

The first week of a new semester brings students back to Kent State University from all over the country. And this January, it's the germs coming back, too, that leave a campus concerned.

"The first week is always hectic. A lot of kids around, and like the bookstore's filled, a lot of kids, touching everything," said senior student Frank Schaefer.

"If we're going to have an influenza case, we're going to have more rapid spread in the community," said Kent State's Chief University Physician Dr. Angela DeJulius.

After the death of a Wright State University student, colleges are watching for an influenza epidemic that could spread quickly through residence halls and communal spaces.

"We tend to think of our college students as lower risk, but because of the other factors that we talked about, they all live here so close together, you know we're going to do everything we can to protect them," said DeJulius.

At Kent State, that means a "get out of class free card," encouraging ill students to stay home.

"Do everything you can to prevent getting the flu and to prevent giving it to others. So washing your hands, covering your coughs, staying home if you're ill, getting a flu shot if you have not done so yet," she said.

Students say it's not that simple when you're fighting to stay ahead.

"Me, personally, if I was sick, I'd still probably end up going to class, just to get that first start," said Jason Watkins, a junior.

"Even though I got the flu shot, it's one of those things I want to be on the lookout for, because I don't want to get sick," Melanie Nesteruk, a freshman.

Vaccines are still available on campus or at Portage County Health Department every Wednesday in January from 8 a.m. to noon.

It's located in the Nursing Clinic along 449 South Meridian Street in Ravenna.

There's also a special clinic at the Kent City Health Department on Depeyster Street Wednesday, Jan. 16, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Call 330-296-9919 for more information.

Medina County Health Department is offering pediatric vaccines Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until noon, and 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.

Adult vaccines are not available. You can get more information by clicking here.

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Photos: There's chilly fashion chatter at Globes

Written by

Associated Press

Photo Courtesy: Getty Images

Watch the Golden Globes on WKYC Channel 3.

The Golden Globes boasted some red-hot arrivals to kick off the Hollywood awards season even as the fashion chatter among top movie and TV stars was largely about an unusually chilly night.

Claire Danes in Versace and Zooey Deschanel in Oscar de la Renta were among the early birds to arrive in red at Sunday's show at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Megan Fox in Dolce & Gabbana, Amy Adams in Marchesa and Hayden Paniettiere in Roberto Cavalli fueled an early mini-trend in delicate blush-colored gowns.

Debra Messing said it was the New York setting of her show, "Smash," that influenced her selection of a black Donna Karan strapless gown.

Katharine McPhee wore a modern black high-slit gown with a plunging V-neck by Olivier Theyskens for Theory.

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Middlefield: Village campaigning to attract business

MIDDLEFIELD -- The village is on an aggressive campaign to attract business, large and small.

It is called Middlefield Means Business, and was launched several months ago by Mayor Ben Garlich and other community leaders looking to solidify the village's future by marketing its assets.

"We thought we have all the ingredients to bake the cake, why aren't we baking the cake," Garlich told WKYC. "So we're now baking the cake."

The recipe includes a dynamic website meant to extol to prospective businesses the benefits of locating to Middlefield.  The village has already contacted 14,000 businesses nationwide and asked them to consider a move.

"If you want to come here with a business, we'll roll out the red carpet. We are looking at ways to accomodate," Garlich added. "When you come in we put you on the escalator and take you to the top."

Middlefield has bought up land from the adjacent township, has created a loan fund, and is willing to fast track potential businesses.

"We've taken care of everything," says the mayor.

Tom Caldwell, CEO and President of the Middlefield Banking Company, is a strong supporter of Middlefield Means Business.  "Middlefield is your typical small town in a rural setting," Caldwell proposed. "It's a great comfortable place to do business and to live."

"We have a great mix of industrial businesses, commerical business, and retail.  And we still have what we consider affordable housing. Even though it's a small town, you see a lot of the amenities you find in bigger cities." 

Nick Frank enthusiastically displays a big Middlefield Means Business sign in the front window of the insurance agency he has run for 30 years.  Frank agrees on key development assets like the availability of water and land, and a skilled and loyal work force, which includes many Amish.

He's very high on the other ingredients which he thinks puts Middlefield at a distinct advantage.

"It's the type of people, the ethics, the morals, the community involvement that you see in Middlefield that makes me come here, makes me stay here and makes me raise my kids here," Frank says without hesitation.

While the campaign has not closed a big deal yet, it is looking long term, and is confident people nearby and far from Ohio will be taking a look at Middlefield.

"Everyone's excited about the fact that we're making an effort here to grow," Mayor Garlich explained. "The important part is we have the process in place to make sure it stays vibrant, and current."

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Cleveland Weather: Return to "Reality"

A slow moving Cold Front will move east Sunday night.  Then it will get windy & colder.  Low: 27.  Wind: NW 15-20 mph.

Monday, it's back to the reality of January Weather!!  Partly Sunny, but it will be Windy & much Colder.  High: 30.  Wind: West 10-15 mph.

Partly Cloudy & Cold Monday night.  Low: 24.  Wind: NW 5-10 mph.

Tuesday will be Partly to Mostly Sunny & Cold.  High: 30.  Wind: NW 5 mph.

Partly Cloudy Tuesday night.  Low: 25.  Wind: SW 10-15 mph.

Wednesday will be Partly Cloudy, Breezy & a bit Milder ahead of the next Front.  High: 38.

Wednesday night & Thursday, the Front clips by, mainly to our north.  We will be Mostly Cloudy with scattered snow showers.  High Thursday: 32.

Friday will be Partly Sunny & seasonably Chilly.  High: 35.

Saturday, Mostly Cloudy, Breezy & Milder.  High: 42.

Sunday: Mostly Cloudy with scattered snow showers.  High: 35.

WKYC-TV

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Kelly set to return to Notre Dame next season

Photo Courtesy: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Written by

Associated Press

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly will be back for a fourth season after leading the Fighting Irish to the national title game this past season.

Kelly issued a statement Saturday that after interviewing with the Philadelphia Eagles, he will remain as coach of the Irish.

Kelly said he has had thoughts about coaching in the NFL, but after much reflection and conversations with those closest to him he has decided to stay with the Irish.

Kelly led the Irish to a 12-1 record this past season and has an overall record of 28-11 in three seasons with Notre Dame.

The Associated Press

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Berea: Gun show draws huge crowds

Written by

WKYC Web Staff

BEREA -- A gun show at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds this weekend brought out people in full force.

At times, dozens of people stood in line to get inside, and traffic was backed up to I-71.

Many were concerned that future gun control laws may prevent them from getting the firearms and ammunition they want.

"People are afraid of assault weapon bans," explained gun show attendee Dorian Foster. "There's been a run on ammunition the likes of which we've never seen before."

With demand so high, prices on some guns and ammuniction have more than doubled in recent months.

WKYC-TV

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Cleveland Weather: Good-Bye January Thaw!!

Saturday night,  rain showers moving in overnight.  It will be windy & very mild.  Low: 53.  Wind: South 15-20 mph.

Sunday will be Windy & Wet.  Rain in the morning, easing by midday, then more heavy rain by late afternoon, as the Cold Front inches across Northern Ohio & a ripple of Low Pressure slides north along the Front.  We'll have a morning High of 56, with temperatures falling into the 40's as the Front slips east in the afternoon.  Wind: SW-W 15-20 mph.

Rain, heavy at times Sunday evening, quickly ending after Midnight.  It may briefly mix with snow before ending.  Windy & much Colder.  Low: 28.  Wind: West 15-20 mph.

Monday, it's back to January Weather!!  Partly Cloudy, Breezy & mush Colder.  High: 30.  Wind: West 10-15 mph.

Partly Cloudy & Colder Monday night.  Low: 24.  Wind: NW 5-10 mph.

Tuesday will be Partly Cloudy & Cold.  High: 32.

Partly Cloudy & seasonably Cold Wednesday.  High: 38.

A more vigorous Cold Front on Thursday will b\ring scattered Snow Showers.  High: 35.

Scattered light snow showers Friday.  High: 36.

Partly Sunny Saturday.  High: 39.

WKYC-TV

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