WKYC's Jim Donovan, ESPN 850's Grossi talk Browns coach

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WKYC Web Staff

Jim Donovan, the radio voice of the Cleveland Browns and ESPN 850 sports analyst Tony Grossi discuss how the hiring of new head coach Rob Chudzinski will affect the team in 2013.

Chudzinski interviewed with three teams a year ago, but only the Browns were interested this year. Even after a second interview with Ken Whisenhunt, the Browns Jimmy Haslam and Joe Banner decided that Chudzinski was the right fit for this team moving forward.

Chudzinski, a native of Toledo, grew up a Browns fan and in his early years played in the back yard during the Browns game, pretending that they were in the Dawg Pound. Chudzinski has a passion for the Browns but it may have been his connection to Norv Turner who is rumored to become the next offensive coordinator that may have sealed the deal for Chudzinski.

One thing is for sure quarterback Brandon Weeden may feel a little easier after today. Chudzinski's offensive emphasizes the down field passing game which fits to Weeden's strengths as a quarterback.

The real question is on the other side of the ball. Chudzinski has worked around 3-4 defense more so than the 4-3 in his NFL career. However, Banner went on record stating that a new brand of hybrid defense has been starting to cause problems for offenses as of late. Banner says he feels that the team has the potential to achieve this new hybrid concept without effecting the talent on the defensive side of the ball.

Chudzinski is now the 14th head coach in Cleveland Browns history and he has already struck a chord with Browns fans hearts by talking about his pleasure for dog biscuits growing up. Can the homegrown Chudzinski bring the Browns back to relevance? Jim Donovan and Tony Grossi break down the hiring of Rob Chudzinski.

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On guard: Prevent the flu with simple steps

The trick to not getting the flu is staying one step ahead. Prevention is key, but what are the best ways?

• Instead of shaking hands with your friends, be a pal and give an "elbow-bump."
• You might not always have the ability to wash your hands with soap, but using hand sanitizer will kill most germs. The trick is making sure you have a hand sanitizer that has the doctor recommended 60 percent alcohol, not the lower grade 10 percent.

And what about products like "Halo" that claims to be like hand sanitizer for your mouth?

"I don't know if it will completely prevent flu, what it's going to do perhaps is decrease those viral particles that are able to invade and stick onto the surface," says Dr. Leanne Chrisman.

Chrisman says the same ingredient found in Halo is also found in most mouthwashes. Keep in mind, these are all best for cold germs. The flu virus is a little tougher.

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Cleveland Weather: Running for the records

It is like spring break right in the middle of January.

Temperatures surged into the 50s today and will push into the 60s for much of the area Saturday.

This puts us in range to see some records fall.

Here is where the records stand for January 12th:

Cleveland ->  65 set in 1916

Akron/Canton -> 64 set in 1916

Mansfield -> 61 set in 2005

Cloud cover will play the biggest role as far as how limited our potential will be.  With a very mild air mass in place and a brisk south/southwesterly breeze, temperatures will push well past normal, but the increasing clouds in the afternoon will keep some of the heating in check.

Heavy rain comes surging back into the forecast Saturday night.  Flooding is a concern for Sunday, so be ready to keep an eye on the sump pumps and flood prone areas.

Tonight:  Very mild.  Partly to mostly cloudy.  Patchy fog.  Near 50

Saturday:  Partly sunny early, then mostly cloudy.  60-65

Saturday night:  Heavy rain moves in.

Sunday:  Rain.  Brisk wind.  Temps in the 50s in the very early morning, falling through the day into the low 40s

Monday:  Colder.  Mostly cloudy with a chance for flurries, especially east.  Mid 30s

Tuesday:  Mostly cloudy (some peeks of sun).  Mid 30s

Wednesday:  Partly sunny early, then mostly cloudy with scattered snow showers developing.  Mid 30s

Thursday:  Snow likely.  Low 30s, then falling  (This is the polar plunge we have been referencing for the last few days.  The timing of the coldest of the air is still in question.)

Friday:  Mostly cloudy.  Scattered snow showers.  20s

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School reaches out in Steubenville football rape case

STEUBENVILLE -- School officials in the city where a rape case involving high school football players has garnered national attention are reaching out to students and parents.

Superintendent Michael McVey told WKYC he is encouraging students to "come forward, be truthful, if they can do anything to be helpful in this situation."

"We have all avenues if they have anything to say to our teachers, counselors, coaches, whomever, any adult. If they know anything go to them."

McVey's formal statement released to the media calls on students who may have information to break their silence. "By remaining silent, witnesses thwart the work of investigators which may ultimately prevent justice from being served," the statement says.

Two Steubenville High School football players have been charged with raping a 16-year-old girl in August during a series of parties. The students have denied the charges.

McVey tells WKYC the school system has been fully cooperating with authorities from the very beginning but felt the need to go public with its plea following a threat made on social media Tuesday that there could be a shooting at a Steubenville school.

The threat, which turned out to be false, resulted in 90 minute lockdown of all Steubenville public schools.

"Since the threats we felt the need is here now, and with the expanded attention to the problems, the expanded media attention," McVey explained.

The case and accusations of a cover-up by local authorities have exploded in national media since a hacker group posted videos, photos, and accusatory information on a website recently.

The school district is planning a series of public forums for students, teachers, and members of the community.

"Especiallly after the lockdown they have questions," McVey said, "they have fears. Even parents have questions.  How do we deal with parents? We are going to have professionals there to answer their questions.

Security measures have been increased in the schools, and education programs are being expanded to raise further awareness of sexual harassment, bullying, date rape, and other issues.

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Cleveland Weather: Rain moving in

Rain will be coming along with milder air for Friday.

The rain could be heavy at times, which means driving could be tricky. 

Local waterways will be on the rise too, so keep an eye out for high water.

The rain backs off for Saturday only to come back at us Saturday night and Sunday.

We are still watching the potential for very cold air to come back later next week.  Tracking down the timing is still difficult this far out, but for now it looks like late Wednesday into Thursday.

Tonight:  Cloudy with rain moving in.  Temps steady, then rising into the low 40s

Friday:  Rain likely, but will taper off in the evening.  Heavy rain at times.  Windy.  Mid 50s

Saturday:  Partly sunny.  Near 60s/low 60s

Sunday:  Rain likely.  Rain could be heavy at times.  Upper 40s

Monday:  Snow chances, especially early, otherwise mostly cloudy.  Colder.  Mid 30s

Tuesday:  Partly sunny.  Mid 30s

Wednesday:  Mostly cloudy with snow chances.  Mid 30s

Thursday:  Mostly cloudy with scattered snow.  Mid 20s

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Breaking News: Browns hire Rob Chudzinski

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WKYC Web Staff

CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Browns have hired Rob Chudzinski as their next head coach.

Team spokesperson Neal Gulkis confirmed the hiring to WKYC-TV Sports.

Chudzinski was most recently the offensive coordinator of the Carolina Panthers from 2011-2012.

The 44-year old was born in Toledo, Ohio and is a lifelong Browns fan.

Chudzinski was an assistant with the Browns. Back in 2004, he coached the tight ends. And from 2007-2008, he was the offensive coordinator.

The Browns interviewed plenty of candidates for the position including:

• former Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt
• Cardinals defensive coordinator Ray Horton
• Oregon head coach Chip Kelly
• Penn State head coach Bill O'Brien.

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Seven Hills: Gun shops seeing a run on firearms

SEVEN HILLS -- In days following the Sandy Hook shooting in Connecticut, the cries for more gun regulations are getting louder.

Now, people afraid of change are buying weapons they wouldn't have thought of before. Northeast Ohio gun shops are seeing a run on firearms.

"There's a big run on the assault weapons and there's a large run on pretty much any kind of handgun. If you look at my showcases, they're down to nothing hardly," says Mike Dawson, owner of Five Star Firearms in Seven Hills.

His inventory is the lowest it's ever been. And once a gun is sold, there's no waiting list for another.

The reason why?

"Panic buying. People are panicking that they won't be able to get a certain thing," says Dawson.

Most people in Dawson's store lately are first-time gun buyers.

Dawson is obviously not anti-guns, but he is in favor of controlling who gets their hands on them. He would like to see laws to keep guns out of the hands of mentally ill, loopholes at gun shows closed, and more punishment for people who buy guns for felons.

"What they need to do is enforce all the laws that we already have on the books. If they did that, it would take care of at least half of the problems we have," says Dawson.

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Cleveland Weather: Warming trend

A very mild pattern continues to set up for northern Ohio for the wrap-up to the workweek and into the weekend.

Next week, colder air will be flowing in once again.

Thursday: Partly cloudy early, then increasing clouds with rain chances by late Thursday night.  Mid/upper 40s

Friday: Rain likely.  Low/mid 50s

Saturday: Clouds and sun.  Very mild!  Near 60

Sunday: Rain likely.  Upper 40s/low 50s (Heavy rain possible)

Monday: Rain showers likely early, then mostly cloudy.  Low 40s

Tuesday:  Partly sunny.  Upper 30s

Wednesday:  Partly sunny.  Mid 30s

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Steubenville: FBI investigates death threats in rape case

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Associated Press

STEUBENVILLE -- The FBI is investigating cyber threats that include death threats against the local sheriff's family and an email that apparently shut down the police chief's computer.

The threats are part of a series of online messages that have targeted individuals and authorities in Steubenville amid increased attention over two high school football players who are facing rape charges.

Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla said Wednesday he'd provided the FBI a copy of an anonymous Facebook post in which someone threatened to kill his family.

Steubenville police Chief William McCafferty said he gave the FBI an email that he had opened Wednesday morning, which then disabled his computer.

FBI spokesman Todd Lindgren said he could not immediately comment.

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Steubenville: Schools were on 'lockdown' after possible threat

STEUBENVILLE -- City schools were under a precautionary lockdown for about 90 minutes Tuesday morning.

It began about 8:15 a.m. when a Mingo Junction student being kept home from school due to illness saw a "threat  on his Facebook page that was originally a Tweet.." the police report reads.

The report also stated that the Tweet came from "KnightSec" and that the students who have not been charged in the rape case were to come to a certain location today.

There has been unrest and turmoil in the town since two Steubenville High School students, both football players, were accused of the rape of a West Virginia girl, 16, in August.

Steubenville is a self-described "football-frenzied" town and the case has divided residents.

Police informed the school superintendent, who put all the schools on lockdown as a precaution at 8:30 a.m. Students were kept inside with the lights off and they were to stay away from the windows.

It was lifted 90 minutes later after police searched all the buildings. Police also added that, because of all the attention the district is receiving, there will be a guard stationed at each building until further notice.

Meanwhile, the situation remains tense in Steubenville after a weekend rally was held to protest alleged "special treatment" of two accused of rape.

Steubenville: Attorney for video teen says he's 'young and stupid'

Steubenville: Attorneys mull new venue in football rape case

Protestors dubbed it "Occupy Steubenville" and some wore Guy Fawkes masks.

Ma'lik Richmond and Trenton Mays, both 16 and members of the Steubenville High School football team, are charged with raping a 16-year-old fellow student at a party last August, according to statements from their own attorneys.

Mays is from Bloomingdale and Richmond is from Steubenville. Mays has also been charged with the illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material.

Their attorneys have denied the charges in court.

On Monday, attorneys for the two high school football players facing rape accusations here say they may try to have the case moved to protect possible witnesses.

Attorneys for the two 16-year-olds say potential witnesses have already been threatened and some are reluctant to come forward in court for fear of retaliation, including having their names and addresses published on the Internet.

Attorneys Brian Duncan and Walter Madison said Monday they're considering whether to make the request this week to move next month's trial, scheduled for now to start Feb. 13.

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