Funding of $340 million for Innerbelt Bridge OKed

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BEREA -- The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission approved today the $930 million in funding for 10 projects located in northern Ohio, each within 20 miles of the Turnpike.

The projects will be funded using bond proceeds that were the result of Governor Kasich's Ohio Jobs and Transportation Plan.

Included in the 10 projects is the second phase of the Innerbelt Bridge in Cleveland in Cuyahoga County, which received $340 million.

Other projects include $39 million in funding for the OpportunityCorridor in Cuyahoga County, $60 million for I-271 in Summit County and $16 million for state Route 57 in Lorain County.

OTIC conducted a special meeting last week to hear Turnpike staff analysis of the 12 Transportation Review Advisory Committee (TRAC) projects that were presented to the Commission by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) at their regular meeting in August.

After considering each project individually at the Sept. 9 meeting, the Commission unanimously approved a resolution establishing a list of qualified infrastructure projects.

The list included 10 of the 12 projects which were originally proposed.

"This is a true partnership between our agencies. No trips start or end on the Turnpike, so our financial support of these projects is a benefit to the entire transportation system and Turnpike customers as well," stated Rick Hodges, OTIC Executive Director.

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Cleveland: Two bodies found at apartment building

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CLEVELAND -- Cleveland police are investigating after two bodies were found inside and outside an apartment building on the city's east side.

According to police, a postal carrier found one of the bodies outside the building this afternoon and called police. Officers sent to investigate found another body inside the building.

Police had responded to 6128 Lausche Avenue near Norwood at approximately 1:30 p.m.

Police say the preliminary investigation reveals that the postal carrier discovered a man dead outside the rear of the building and called police.

Upon searching the building for information relative to the incident, a second victim was discovered upstairs.

The second victim is a woman.

Police say both victims appear to have suffered gunshot wounds to the head.

EMS responded as well and pronounced the victims dead on scene.

The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office responded to the scene for investigation, along with the Cleveland Division of Police Homicide Unit.

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Canton: Hundreds evacuated overnight as sulfur dioxide fire burns

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CANTON -- Hundreds of people are under an overnight evacuation order as an industrial fire spewing sulfur dioxide continues to burn.

Canton Fire Department officials tell WKYC a former packaging business is on fire at 19th Street and Harrisburg Road.

The business is identified as the former Convoy Containers. Convoy Containers ceased operations in May 2011, according to the company's website. Although not in use at this time, officials were told the building was being rehabilitated.

Fire Department officials are concerned about chemicals in the air emitting from containers inside the company.

According to reports from the scene, the fire is releasing sulfur dioxide into the air, which was measured at 53 parts per million inside the building around 10 p.m. Monday. The Environmental Protection Agency was on its way with more atmospheric monitors late Monday night.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry says levels of sulfur dioxide higher than 30 ppm can be lethal in 10 minutes of exposure.

Residents living in the area of 25th Street North to Fourth Street South, and from Rowland Avenue to Grace Avenue, are under an evacuation order overnight.

An American Red Cross overnight shelter was established at the Canton Memorial Civic Center on Market Street North. It is open to the public. If you need assistance please contact the Canton Dispatch Center at (330) 649-5800.

No injuries are being reported. 

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Jimmy's Take: Browns lack an offensive playmaker

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Hello from Baltimore, everybody, at M&T Bank Stadium where the Browns lose to the Baltimore Ravens.

Here's the magic equation: if you come into Baltimore to play the defending Superbowl champions + you are only going to give up 14 points = you should win the ball game!

Related Story: Ravens rely on defense in 14-6 win over Browns - http://on.wkyc.com/18kYKI2

The Browns only gave up 14 points today and lead at the half, once again, but they are a team without a playmaker on offense.

Trent Richardson is trying to slug it out with the running game, but the Browns have no threat in the passing game.

And with Josh Gordon being suspended for the first two games, you could see the Browns offense crawls. There is no deep threat, no big play coming unless the defense absolutely blows the play. 

So the Browns cannot score. And if you can't score, you've got a lot of trouble.

The Browns are totally, without a playmaker on offense in the passing game!

Slideshow: Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens - http://on.wkyc.com/18kYid0

Browns wide receiver Davone Bess says, "We had a great camp, a great preseason. We're not making the necessary plays. Coach is putting us in a position. We're all accountable. We all have to make the necessary plays when the opportunity presents itself."

"Third down -- we've got to be able to own that down and be able to execute under the critical moments in the game."

Jordan Cameron, Cleveland Browns tight end added, "We're a young team, and we're going through some growing pains, clearly. And I think we got better from last week." 

"We just need to continue to make the corrections each week. We'll find out tomorrow what we really need to work on and we'll take it from there."

Browns running back Trent Richardson says, "You've got to respect that, that's a good defense, and that's a good team. As of right now, they're still the Superbowl champs."

"It is what it is. You've got to play football when you play against them."

Here's the good news, Gordon is coming back next week when the Browns go to Minnesota to take on the Vikings. 

Whether or not Brandon Weeden can play after he cracked his hand on a helmet late in the ball game, remains to be seen.

But with Gordon coming back, maybe the vertical game will come back to the Browns.

You know, all that talk about the Browns' offense being explosive now that Norv Turner is here? So far, it's just been a dud. 

Final Score: Ravens 14, Browns 6.

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Cleveland weather: Sunday Night Showers

A weak Cold Front is poised to make it to northern Ohio later Tonight. 

We'll get rain showers in here late evening and overnight.  The showers will linger in the Monday morning before tapering off.  Then the clouds clear again and we'll be back in the sunshine on Tuesday.

Tonight:  Rain Showers arrive.  Not as Chilly.  Low: 54.  Wind: W-NW 5-10 mph.

Monday:  Morning rain showers, mainly over the Snowbelt.  Gradual clearing in the afternoon.  High: 65.  Wind: North 10-15 mph.

Monday Night:  Clearing & Cool.  Low: 47.  Wind: NE-E 5-10 mph.

Tuesday:  Sunny & Cool.  High: 68.  Wind: East 5-10 mph.

Tuesday Night:  Clear & Cool.  Low: 52.  Wind: SE 5-10 mph.

Wednesday:  Partly Cloudy & Milder.  High: 76.

Thursday:  Partly Sunny & Warmer with scattered thunderstorms.  High: 80.

Friday:  Mostly cloudy with scattered showers & storms.  High: 79.

Saturday:  Early showers tapering off.  Becoming Partly Sunny.  High: 73.

Sunday:  Partly Cloudy.  High: 70.

Get more weather info and connect with us on Twitter and Facebook!

WKYC Weather Warriors on Facebook or @wkycweather on Twitter

Betsy Kling: @BetsyKling on Twitter or Betsy's Facebook Page

Hollie Strano: @holliesmiles on Twitter or Hollie's Facebook Page

Marcus Walter: @MarcusDWalter on Twitter or Marcus's Facebook Page

Bruce Kalinowski on Bruce's Facebook Page

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Tiffin | Family identifies mobile home fire victims

Family Photo showing fire victims Timothy Fresch, 25; Tiara Angel, 6; Stormie Huey, 5; Trinitie Huey, 4; Sunshine Huey, 3; and Domonic Fresch, 1; along with Anna Angel who was not home when the fire occurred.

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TIFFIN --- Police say a mobile home fire has killed five children and a father in northwest Ohio.

Tiffin police say in a news release that the fire was reported shortly before 8 a.m. Sunday in a mobile home park. Police say part of the home was engulfed in flames when crews arrived.

Firefighters pulled a man and five small children from the home in the city southeast of Toledo. They were pronounced dead at the hospital.

"If you've ever buried one person and had the feel and the tragedy of one person, she has to bury six," said her close friend and work manager, Pat Boles. "All at one time."

Fire crews were on scene within five minutes pulling the man and children out of the home. All six were taken to Tiffin Mercy Hospital, but none survived their injuries. 

"This department did an outstanding job in a terrible situation," said Tim Spradlin, the chief of investigations for the State Fire Marshal. "Trailers are notorious for hot, fast fires that spread quickly. They were to attempt to rescue and resuscitate all the victims, but unfortunately they didn't survive." 

Family members identify the victims as 25- year-old Timothy Fresch, his toddler son Domonic, and Angel's four daughters, 6-year-old Tiara Angel, 5-year-old Stormie Huey, 4-year-old Trinitie Huey and 3-year old Sunshine Huey.

Boes accompanied Anna Angel to the hospital to see the children. "She kissed each baby and said they she loved them and goodbye."

Boes has already started a collection of cash and other items for Angel at the Burger King on West Market Street before they can establish a bank fund tomorrow.

"I know it's going to be hard, but everyone is beside them," said Erica Boillon, who brought a jar of coins she'd been collecting for two years to donate. She counted at least $80 in quarters in the container, which she hoped to give to someone who needed it.

"[Anna] really has nothing. Had nothing and now she definitely doesn't have anything," said Boes. 

No information was released Sunday regarding the cause of the fire. Spradlin says it is still under investigation.

You can make a donation at the Burger King on West Market Street in Tiffin, Ohio now. Once a bank fund is established to help with funeral and burial expenses, WKYC will post updated information. 

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Cleveland's 'Laughter League' creates new Browns viral video

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CLEVELAND -- Tragedy in the theater is lending to a bit of comedy on the gridiron with a new viral video that puts orange and brown on a Les Mis favorite.

The brains behind the new YouTube sensation sat down with Channel 3's Sara Shookman.

Cleveland's own Laughter League has made spoofs on the Browns before but never with so much success.

"I guess all we need to do is march and sing about the Browns and everybody loves it," said Patrick Ciamacco, the group's artistic director.

"One Year More" a "Les Mis" inspired Browns ballad posted on YouTube this week has 21,000 views and climbing.

"We expected maybe two, three hundred people, to see it," said Chuck Klein. 

"It helped us a little bit I think that they lost, which I would rather if they won, but them losing I think maybe gave it a little extra views," said Ciamacco. 

The stage skit became a viral video in just days as it was sung, shot and edited over Labor Day weekend. 

The group set up sets in front of the stadium and their home base Blank Canvas Theater inside the 78th Street Studios.

The Laughter League says this work of art is all about a love for Browns Town.

"I love the idea of how 'Les Mis,' they're fighting against the odds. Just like how we're always fighting against the odds," said Joe Ciamacco. 

"Cleveland, we love to make fun of ourselves," said Noah Hrbek. "And we love to pick out all the downfalls and things like that and just have fun with it."

Like the rest of us, they believe there's always next year.

"It is just an homage to Cleveland and how every year, it's like getting this army together, like we're going to win. We're going to take it over. We're going to do this, and then, whatever happens, we'll get that army up the next year," said Patrick. 

They just hope 2013 is that year, and that the team is listening.

"I would love to hope that maybe they are singing it at practice, or maybe they want us to come down and sing it to get them inspired," he said.

You can see the whole video here and learn more about the Laughter League. Their next stage shows are set for Nov. 8 and 9. 

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Horse ride through downtown Cleveland to raise funds for Mounted Unit

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CLEVELAND -- Horses have entertained us -- and served us -- from Roman battles to the Pony Express.

And they serve us still, in the city of Cleveland, where their presence has been around longer than most people know.

Eight horses and five officers make up the Cleveland Police Mounted Unit.

At about 108 years, they're the only unit that's never been shut down for financial reasons.Tax dollars pay for the officers, but nothing else.

It costs about $5,000 a year per horse to maintain the mounted unit. Most of that money is raised by the Friends of the Cleveland Police Mounted Unit.

Being on horseback makes officers more approachable and is effective for crowd control, according to the department.

Friends of the Cleveland Police Mounted Unit hopes to raise money to care for the horses when they hold a three-mile horse ride through downtown Cleveland 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14.

They ask that participants check in between 9 and 9:45 a.m. in the muni lot. The ride will go up East Ninth Street through downtown, past the Horseshoe Casino and back to the muni lot for a tailgate party, which is open to the public.

Cost to participate in the ride is $20 through Aug. 25 and $30 after that.

Any questions, call Sgt. Medwid at (216) 623-5653 or Kathy King at (216) 990-9880 or email cuyahoga@ofbf.org.

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Cleveland weather: From Clear to Cloudy

Clouds increase on Sunday, but it will get milder.  A Cold Front slices across the area Sunday night & early Monday, scattering some showers.  Then High Pressure takes over for the middle of the week with Sunny, Dry, Mild weather.  Another Cold Front Thursday & Friday, brings Showers & Thunderstorms back into the forecast.

Saturday Night:  Clear & Chilly.  Low: 49.  Wind: South 5-10 mph.

Sunday:  Morning Sunshine, then afternoon Cloudiness but Milder.  High: 70.  Wind: SW 5-10 mph.

Sunday Night:  Scattered Showers.  Low: 54.  Wind: North 5-10 mph.

Monday: Cloudy, with a few morning showers, then afternoon clearing.  High: 65.  Wind: North 10-15 mph.

Monday Night: Clearing & Seasonable.  Low: 57.  Wind: East 10-15 mph.

Tuesday:  Sunny.  High: 69.

Wednesday:  Partly Cloudy & Milder.  High: 76.

Thursday:  Partly Sunny with scattered showers.  High: 78.

Friday:  Scattered Showers & Storms.  High: 78.

Saturday:  A few Morning Showers, then gradual Clearing.  High: 73.

Get more weather info and connect with us on Twitter and Facebook!

WKYC Weather Warriors on Facebook or @wkycweather on Twitter

Betsy Kling: @BetsyKling on Twitter or Betsy's Facebook Page

Hollie Strano: @holliesmiles on Twitter or Hollie's Facebook Page

Marcus Walter: @MarcusDWalter on Twitter or Marcus's Facebook Page

Bruce Kalinowski on Bruce's Facebook Page

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Tipping: How much do you leave? When do you leave it?

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For as long as there's been a BLT on wheat -- there's been a tip for the server who serves it.

But the IRS announced that starting next January it'll be changing the way tips are taxed, and the debate over tipping is a hot one.

Keep in mind: In Europe there is no tipping -- everything is included in the check.

For now, we all have to deal with how much to leave -- and when to leave it.

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