Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInSHAKER HEIGHTS Ohio (WOIO) - Shaker Heights Police arrested two teenagers Sunday morning for breaking into cars officers responded to reports of two people breaking into a KIA near Chelton Road and Scottsdale Boulevard observed the damage to the car and located the two suspects Shaker Heights Police arrested a 16-year-old from Warrensville Heights and an 18-year-old from Euclid Both were charged with criminal trespass and theft SHAKER HEIGHTS — The Shaker Heights City School District voted this week not to sign a letter from the U.S Department of Education asked states to collect their certification form from K-12 school districts across the state pledging that schools are in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 The document said any violation of Title VI & Inclusion (‘DEI’) programs to advantage one's race over another—is impermissible." “the continued use of illegal DEI practices may subject the individual or entity using such practices to serious consequences,” including legal action and the elimination of federal funding An original deadline of April 18 was extended to April 24 members of the Shaker Heights City School District's Board of Education discussed the matter Members ended up approving a resolution affirming the district's commitment to nondiscrimination and said it has complied—and will continue to comply—with federal civil rights laws (Title VI) Board of Education Member Pamela Scott said "I’m not willing to sacrifice our beliefs and our goals for servicing every student.. and making them understand that we do appreciate diversity And that those terms and the practice is not illegal." a federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump Administration and the U.S Department of Education from withholding school funds related to diversity a reporter asked Speaker of the Ohio House Matt Huffman (R-Lima) if he supported the elimination of DEI programs in K-12 schools parents and families are the primary informers to their children of the way they think life should be." The Cleveland Metropolitan School District told News 5 its superintendent signed the U.S "In the Cleveland Metropolitan School District we are focused on creating inclusive and equitable learning environments for all students We believe that 'All Means All,’ regardless of their individual needs or background Warren Morgan did sign and submit the letter to ODEW affirming that our district does follow the law and has not had to change curriculum or programming to do so." Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application He was a proud graduate of Shaker Heights High School where his determination and competitive spirit shone brightly in both hockey and baseball Isaac's life was marked by a deep commitment to his family and friends Moments spent together at family dinners were cherished and his infectious laughter would often light up the room Many of those who truly knew him can attest to his caring nature both as a devoted family member and a welcoming friend particularly those he served alongside during his military service where he served as a military police officer fulfilling a longtime aspiration of serving in law enforcement which played an integral role in his mental health inspiring others to pursue their own physical fitness goals Dayami Noelle Chevallier; siblings Nautia Shanklin Martha Peter; and uncle Patrick Chevallier (Demi) A celebration of Isaac's life will be held on May 3 The event commences at 1:00 PM and will conclude at 4:00 PM offering an opportunity for friends and family to gather and honor his memory and dedication will undoubtedly continue to resonate within the hearts of those who knew him Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors Five Iron Golf has announced a first-of-its-kind family entertainment center is coming to Shaker Heights Five Iron Shaker Heights will be located at 20040 Van Aken Blvd in the heart of the bustling Van Aken District It will mark a major evolution for the brand combining Five Iron’s signature golf simulators with an 18-hole indoor/outdoor miniature golf course and the latest version of Detroit Duckpin a bowling experience that has quickly become a Five Iron favorite Detroit Duckpin first launched in Five Iron’s downtown Detroit location where it built a following as a social and family-friendly alternative to traditional bowling The Shaker Heights location will feature the third and most refined version of the concept arriving just as Duckpin bowling continues to grow in popularity across the country for its approachable Serving Shaker Heights and surrounding suburbs like Pepper Pike the new space is designed to bring families and communities together while complementing Five Iron’s existing downtown Cleveland location “We’re incredibly excited about Shaker Heights,” said Nora Dunnan “This location brings together some of our favorite concepts under one roof and will serve as a true hub for golf and entertainment in the suburbs We’ve loved becoming part of the Cleveland community and with two unique but complementary locations From Tour-level fittings to 10-year-old birthday parties, Five Iron continues to build community through the game. For more information, visit fiveirongolf.com You must be logged in to post a comment "Sound of Us" features stories Northeast Ohioans want to tell — in their own voices. Want to share your own story? Get in touch Growing up in the 1960s and 1970s as someone with learning disabilities wasn’t easy for Sumica Williams because her teachers didn’t know how to help long before the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed and they always thought I didn't fit in with my grade because they couldn't focus on me not being able to read or remember my math I started getting in fights in school because people said I was dumb — I wasn't dumb I was admitted to a mental institution because school staff couldn't figure out what was wrong with me when I stopped talking they gave us morning medication and afternoon medication to treat us of all public school students received some form of special education according to the National Center for Education Statistics I was released from the institution to high school A counselor there fudged my grades when he first saw them It was so racist that I didn't understand it I think you should go and try to get a job [as a] school bus driver," a friend once suggested I had a good trainer who would write down instructions and say "This is the way you do it." It was all the little steps you had to go through That's when I discovered that I had a learning problem Grade school may have failed me due to my disability but finally being able to identify it and find people who respect me for who I am led to a job that gave me the life skills and the A-grade that I'd been looking for all along Ohio (WOIO) - Three people were sent to the hospital after a traffic stop ended in a crash According to a press release from the City of Shaker Heights officers stopped a man speeding on the 3000 block of Lee Road The release said officers found the same vehicle near the intersection of Southington Road and South Woodland Road The vehicle then crashed into another vehicle The two occupants in the separate car and the suspect were all taken to the hospital The suspect was later arrested and charged with “several traffic offenses” including reckless operation and fleeing and eluding Two teens were arrested Sunday morning after allegedly breaking into a vehicle and fleeing from officers Shaker Heights officers were called to investigate the report of two teens who were breaking into a Kia in the area of Chelton Road and Scottsdale Boulevard they noticed damage to the Kia and located the teens the two teens fled on foot before they were arrested for criminal trespass and theft The 16-year-old complained of an injury and was transported to a nearby hospital but has since been released back to the officers The Shaker Heights Public Library is working to regain a sense of normalcy after a fatal shooting there last week Patrons will now notice a larger police presence "We want to make sure we strike the right balance that we are safe but that we are just as warm and welcoming for all of our customers of all ages including all of our teens,” Switzer told Ideastream Monday an 18-year-old Charles Lee Shanklin was shot at the main library located near the intersection of Van Aken Boulevard and Lee Road and later died at the hospital The library closed for the rest of the week but reopened Saturday “It has been a really rough week for our community and for our staff And to have our community show up for us like this We've had folks who have brought us coffee and donuts and hot chocolate and flowers and cards and notes And [some people] just stop by to tell us how important the library is to them and how much they care about the library staff.” Switzer said the increased police presence will continue on the best way to keep the library secure “It's going to take some time and some thought to figure out what is the right solution for this library and this community,” Switzer said The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office charged a 15-year-old Shaker Heights resident with murder and carrying a concealed weapon in connection with the shooting according to Shaker Heights Police Chief Wayne Hudson Ohio (WOIO) - A teenager was given counterfeit money while selling tennis shoes to an unknown buyer Wednesday evening The 16-year-old had gone to a safe place to make the exchange but after receiving the money he noticed the $300 he had been given was bogus The buyer had already left with the tennis shoes Shaker Heights Police said the teenager flagged down an officer and told him what happened Ohio — An 18-year-old man died after a shooting at Shaker Heights Public Library on Tuesday afternoon The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner has identified the victim as Charles Shanklin A 15-year-old boy was arrested and charged with murder and carrying a concealed weapon in connection to the shooting The boy tried to run from the scene but was later found at the intersection of Ashby and Milverton Roads in Shaker Heights Shaker Heights Police Chief Wayne Hudson could not confirm what led up to or caused the deadly shooting Hudson said it all started around 4:40 p.m. when police received a call that a man was shot at the Main Branch of the Shaker Heights Library Hudson said officers responded in a matter of minutes and found Shanklin shot He was later taken to University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center Hudson said there aren’t any other suspects “We are going to work as fast as we can as diligently as we can but the overall safety of our community is our top priority,” said Hudson Everyone has been reunited with their families but some say they're still shaken after taking cover during the frightening situation “I grabbed my daughter and ran to the bathroom where everyone was running and I braced her up under me (and) I got back up and we ran to the bathroom with the other eight people that was in there with us,” said Antwaun Teasley told News 5 he and his wife of 67 years stayed safe by locking themselves in a room and turning off the lights until police arrived “I’m thinking that they should do something about these young folks hanging around here all the time People don’t want to come here,” said King When we spoke to Hudson about King’s concerns he said his officers are making their presence known at Shaker Heights Public Library But he agrees with King and others and said it’s disheartening that a shooting happened at a place that he believes should be for studying “It’s just a shame that an incident like this had to happen in the community but especially inside the library,” said Hudson the library sent the following statement regarding the shooting: the library remains closed until further notice and Shaker Heights High School has canceled classes on Wednesday the school said it would reopen on Thursday The school sent the following letter to families Tuesday evening: Shaker Heights Councilwoman Tenille Kaus posted the following statement to social media regarding the shooting: Ohio — Less than a week after a deadly shooting at the Shaker Heights Public Library An 18-year-old man died after a shooting at Shaker Heights Public Library on Tuesday afternoon a physical altercation is what led to the deadly shooting RELATED: 18-year-old man dies after shooting at Shaker Heights Public Library "It's really tragic what happened here this week and I was really sad when I learned about it," frequent library goer Adams said while it's a devastating tragedy she still feels safe enough to continue doing something she loves: coming to the library to read "It's a place where community can get together," Adams added "I think it's important to continue coming and showing support for the librarians and the people who work here and gather here regularly to show that nothing's different told me the library doesn't feel any different than before The librarian in the tech center is assisting people People are quietly working on the computers doing whatever it is that they come to the library to do," Blanchard said The Shaker Heights Public Library has been closed since Tuesday From the moment the doors opened in the morning we had folks coming in just to come in and offer us support We just had folks coming in all day — wanting to offer the library and the library staff support and care We had therapy dogs in the library yesterday It has just really meant the world to our staff We feel like we want to show up for our Shaker community and our Shaker community is showing up for us," Shaker Heights Public Library Director Amy Switzer stated there will be an increased police presence at the library Two patrol units were outside of the library on Sunday "There's a couple of police officers sitting off to the side but it doesn't seem unusual at all," Adams said Blanchard said seeing the increased police presence provides her with a sense of relief She is hoping more will be offered to teens Maybe teachers could come and talk to the teens in the community and sometimes have grief sessions grief counseling for the community when an incident occurs That might be a good idea," Blanchard suggested America's failing their teenagers if they feel that they have to resort to violence The library is in its preliminary stages of figuring out what else will change when it comes to upgrading safety "We're in the process of assessing what our safety and security options are They're gonna strike the right balance and be the best to make sure that everybody knows that our library is safe for all of our customers and for our staff," Switzer shared While Switzer said she was unable to share specifics on the ideas being bounced around to improve safety "I can't say that it will never look different Shaker Heights Public Library hours will remain the same "We are a safe and welcoming place for our community We're safe for our staff and we welcome our whole community Our staff has worked so hard to build relationships and connections with all of our community of all ages RELATED: Shaker Heights hosts healing event following deadly library shooting Ohio (WOIO) - Shaker Heights Police arrested a 15-year-old Wednesday in connection with the fatal shooting of an 18-year-old man inside the Shaker Heights Public Library Tuesday afternoon The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor has charged him with several felony counts The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner identified the victim as Charles Shanklin of Shaker Heights Shaker Heights City Schools’ official confirms Shanklin was a student at Shaker Heights High School last year Shaker Heights Police were called out to the Main Branch of the Shaker Heights Public Library at 16500 Van Aken Blvd Shanklin and the 15-year-old were involved in a fight when the 15-year-old shot Shanklin and fled they found Shanklin and immediately started CPR until EMS arrived Shanklin was transported by ambulance to University Hospitals Police said they arrested the 15-year-old minutes later That person’s name has not been released; however a Shaker Heights City Schools official said he is a juvenile and a current Shaker Schools student No other injuries were reported in this incident 19 News did look into the 15-year-old’s background the 15-year-old suspect is facing more than a dozen charges including aggravated robbery and having a deadly weapon Police say he and five others were involved in an incident that resulted in a warrant being issued for his arrest at the end of January The teen is scheduled to be in court on April 14th social workers from the five-city FirstCALL program responded providing counseling services at the library and the police department Main Shaker Heights Public Library and the Bertram Woods Branch are closed until Saturday It is a space to find belonging and support We are devastated by yesterday’s gun violence at Main Library which ended in the loss of life for one patron and the other library users who experienced what no one should in their safe space We’re grateful for the quick action of our staff the Shaker Heights Police and Fire Departments and we’re grateful to the community for their outpouring of support We know many of you have questions about library safety and security moving forward and we want to assure you that we are working through options with our board and community partners The security of staff and customers is our greatest priority Those who left their belongings in the building will be able to reclaim them from the Stephanie Tubbs Jones building today Materials not collected this evening will be available at the library when it re-opens Saturday Both Shaker Library branches will remain closed through Friday we will debrief with staff and allow them time to process Plans for a community debriefing are in the works and we will release those details when they are confirmed." People who left belongings in the Shaker Heights Public Library are invited to pick them up Wednesday at the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Community Building on Lee Road Shaker Heights High School was closed on Wednesday but counselors were available at each of the Shaker Heights City School District buildings to support students Wednesday the district sent out a statement announcing school would be back in session Thursday “The Shaker Heights Police Department has arrested a 15-year-old Shaker Heights resident in connection with a fatal shooting at the Shaker Heights Public Library Police said the suspect shot Charles Lee Shanklin Shanklin was a former student in the Shaker Heights City School District He left the District in early 2024 during his senior year The shooting occurred after a confrontation at the library involving past and present Shaker Schools students there are no classes today at Shaker Heights High School and the Innovative Center for Personalized Learning Classes at the High School are expected to resume Thursday Counselors are available at each of our school buildings to support students High School students are encouraged to visit the High School to meet with a counselor between 10am and 3pm and High School students and families may call 216-295-4200 for support.” Students may call 216-295-4200 for support Ohio (WOIO) - Shaker Heights Public Library reopened Saturday morning just days after a deadly shooting that left a teenager dead community members came together for the reopening with kindness and even flowers or hot chocolate Shaker Heights High School reopened with grief counsellors on hand after closing for a day in the wake of the tragedy Students knew the deadly shooting would be on the minds of everyone “I honestly think there’s going to still be some tension after what happened especially since some of our students here had connections to the people involved,” said Jade Talley “So I don’t think this is going to be a happy day.” “Kinda reflecting on what’s been happening Everyone is going to be feeling maybe anxious but more worried about how their classmates are going to be feeling.” Shaker Heights Police arrested a 15-year-old Wednesday in connection with the fatal shooting of a current Shaker High School student He’s accused of killing 18-year-old Charles Shanklin inside the Shaker Heights Public Library Tuesday afternoon some just want to get back into their route ‘There’s classes that I missed yesterday,“ said Zi Shi The Shaker Heights school district assured students and parents that the building is safe “We have a metal detectors system in place per our protocol at the high school every day,” said spokesman Scott Stephens “There is counselling services available for students,” said Stephens teachers and our other staff are very shaken by what happened at the library They too can avail themselves to any counselling that they may need to make themselves get thruogh the day better.” RELATED: Shaker Heights community comes together in grief after deadly library shooting According to court records, the 15-year-old suspect is facing more than a dozen charges The teen is scheduled to be in court on April 14 Ohio (WOIO) - A person of interest is in custody after a shooting at the Shaker Heights Public Library Tuesday afternoon Police said they were called to the library around 4:45 p.m there was a confrontation in the library that led to the shooting He’s a little guy that’s why I don’t understand why that boy had to pull out a gun,” the witness said Police said the victim was given CPR by officers until EMS arrived He was taken to an area hospital in critical condition There were no other injuries in the incident The library is closed until further notice Shaker Heights Schools sent a letter to parents to inform them of the shooting and that counselors are available for students a shooting took place earlier today at the Shaker Heights Main Library involving past and present Shaker Heights students there will be no classes at Shaker Heights High School and the Innovative Center for Personalized Learning on Wednesday Students in CTE programs are not expected to report to their off campus sites All other school buildings will remain open.” Check back with 19 News for the latest information Ohio — A deadly shooting at Shaker Heights Public Library on Tuesday has sparked city leaders to bring in mental health organizations to help the community process their feelings RELATED: 18-year-old man dies after shooting at Shaker Heights Public Library “I think we just needed to get together as a community to grieve and feel our feelings,” said Mary Beth Rezek Days later and emotions are still raw for people like Rezek I’m really sad that it happened two blocks from my house,” said Rezek But she told News 5 she plans to return to the library once it’s open again and won’t let the gun violence slow her down As the community continues to heal from Tuesday’s deadly shooting where 18-year-old Charles Shanklin was shot and killed, Shaker Heights’ First CALL or Crisis Assistance and Local Linkage Program is helping the community find ways to respond Officials asked us not to record the event but we counted more than 50 people and even saw support from first responders local clergy and school and city officials like Councilwoman Carmella Williams so seeing the community rally together was really important for our community,” said Williams The mayor could not attend Thursday’s event due to a family matter but like Williams and Councilwoman Tenille Kaus they all said they were disappointed yet somehow encouraged by the community’s support “Shaker has been a community where we’ve worked together to solve difficult problems and so I think bringing multiple leaders to the table so we can really hear what they need,” said Kaus two local pastors told News 5 they’re focused on comforting the community through an organization called Rivers in the Desert which started after Rivers in the Desert Co-Founder Pastor Sharri Thomas said they experienced gun violence in front of their home they help people deal with trauma through a mobile healing room RELATED: Nonprofit launches The Healing Room, a mobile trauma unit to help people process grief “No mother should ever have to bury her child but I understand that waiting and that pain and so that's very important to be there for these parents and these family members,” said Thomas Chief Wayne Hudson also attended Thursday’s event and he said the investigation is still ongoing Hudson also said they couldn’t release the individual’s name yet because they don’t know if the suspect will be charged as a juvenile or an adult The article is published as part of an exclusive content-sharing agreement with neo-trans.blog.When one project is completed at a megaproject district a good sign of its health is to see another project in same area start soon thereafter That’s what is due to happen in a couple of weeks across from the Van Aken District in Shaker Heights announced that it is about to start construction of the $62 million Arcadia mixed-use development at 3393 Warrensville Center Road In its latest update posted on its project website company officials said while on-site activity will start in two weeks actual construction is about one month away More than 15,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space with offices above on the second floor will face west toward Warrensville Center Largely hidden from view will be a 181-space parking garage Shaker-based RDL Architects designed the new development and will be the primary office tenant Erosion controls will be established around the site staring on or about March 5 with set up of a construction trailer and other facilities to follow on the next day Metropolitan Holdings is also the project's general contractor.Site clearing and grubbing — the removal of trees stumps and rubbish from a site — is due to start March 13 A week later is when the actual construction will begin by establishing the building layout and construction of the concrete pad on which the new building will set Monthly construction updates are promised, to be posted at  the project’s website The development site was a Qua Buick-Pontiac car dealership that closed in 2005 The city acquired the 2.4-acre lot in 2013 after which it has produced no tax revenue to the city or schools It reached a tax-increment financing deal with the city in June 2023 that will exempt the building but not the land from property taxes for 30 years Metropolitan will make payments in lieu of taxes to the school district The city will receive income taxes from Arcadia’s residents and employees of its commercial tenants Metropolitan has a requirement in which it must set aside 25 units as affordable Thirteen units will be rented to households earning 80 percent of the area’s median income (AMI) and 12 units rented to households earning 100 percent AMI These income-restricted units will be held at the AMI levels indicated for 20 years Completed in December, the most recent major development project at the Van Aken District is the Raye Apartments — a pair of connected glassy towers 15 and 18 stories tall The 18-story tower is the tallest structure in Shaker at 170 feet The 228-unit apartment complex is about 65 percent leased according to  the Raye website and Apartments.com at rents ranging from about $2.75 per square foot to more than $4 It was developed by The Max Collaborative and RM Investment Corp The Van Aken District is the result of a vision established by the city plus property owner and developer RMS going back 20 years mixed-use downtown for Shaker Heights on the site of faded strip shopping centers poorly designed roadways and a former light-rail transit railcar layover yard The transit-oriented development is located at the east end of the light-rail Blue Line from Downtown Cleveland. Not only is  a new Warrensville light-rail station part of the project Van Aken Boulevard was removed southeast of Farnsleigh and three new streets were built in a pedestrian-friendly grid pattern for the new district included 100,000 square feet of retail featuring a food hall Above the retail is 64,000 square feet of offices and 103 apartments called Upstairs at Van Aken For more updates about Cleveland, sign up for our Cleveland Magazine Daily newsletter Cleveland Magazine is also available in print, publishing 12 times a year with immersive features helpful guides and beautiful photography and design Here's how the game unfolded through our live updates Saturday afternoon The Perry Panthers have reached the OHSAA Division II State Tournament Luke Wolf adds a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds Preston Dazey chips in 8 points and 9 rebounds Perry High School basketball reaction: Final four-bound Perry adds a chapter to Stark County's hopping hoop history at 'The JAR' Luke Wolf just had an uncontested layup off a blocked shot at the other to give Perry a 51-41 lead over Shaker Heights with just 1:15 to go The Panthers are closing in on a trip to the state tournament Preston Dazey just made a 3 from the corner and followed up with a blocked shot on the other end Perry leads Shaker Heights 47-38 with just 1:58 to play Jacobsen just made a layup to help the Panthers maintain the lead Perry holds a 44-38 lead over Shaker Heights with 2:57 to play Perry leads Shaker Heights 40-34 with 5:25 to play Luke Jacbosen has a team-high 13 points for the Panthers Perry maintains lead early in fourth quarterThe Panthers lead Shaker Heights 40-33 with 5:43 left to play Perry went on an 11-0 run near the end of the third quarter to help the Panthers take a 38-31 lead going into the fourth quarter The run coincided with Jacire Eaddy picking up an early third four for Shaker Heights and being moved to the bench Darnell McLeod and Luke Wolf have scored 10 points apiece for the Panthers Perry surges ahead to grab leadPerry has taken a 32-29 lead over Shaker Heights with three minutes left in the third quarter Jacobsen and a layup by Luke Wolf helped Perry take the lead Shaker Heights leads Perry 29-25 with 4:47 to here in the third quarter Both teams are getting set to take the floor for the start of the second half The Raiders will begin the third quarter with possession Mek Black helps give Shaker Heights a halftime leadMek Black scored 11 points in the first half to help Shaker Heights to a 25-22 lead over Perry at the break Drake Jacobsen has a team-high 10 points for Perry Preston Dazey and Darnell McLeod have contributed 4 points each for the Panthers Perry and Shaker Heights tied in second quarterPerry and Shaker Heights are tied 20-20 with 2:54 to go in the first half Drake Jacobsen has a team-high 7 points for Perry The Panthers have gone on a 4-1 run to start the second quarter and just tied the game on a drive to the basket by Drake Jacobsen Jacobsen will have the chance to give Perry the lead with a free throw attempt to follow after the timeout Shaker Heights 15 with 6:30 to go in the half Shaker Heights holds a 14-11 lead after Perry in the first quarter at Akron Mek Black has hit three 3-pointers and has nine points for Shaker Heights Darnell McLeod has been active attacking the rim for Perry and leads the Panthers with 4 points Mek Black has hit two 3-pointers early to help Shaker Heights take a 10-5 lead with 3:31 left in the first quarter Perry has taken a full timeout to try to regroup Black leads the Raiders with 6 points early Shaker Heights jumps out to early leadShaker Heights leads Perry 4-2 with 5:18 to go in the first quarter Both teams struggling to get baskets to fall early Good afternoon from the University or Akron Perry (12-13) and Shaker Heights (10-15) are both on the floor and awaiting player introductions I'll have updates right here once the actions gets underway OHSAA basketball preview: Ohio high school boys basketball: Breaking down Stark County's OHSAA regional finals For Shaker Heights native Max Chernin authenticity is most important as he brings the character Leo Frank to life on stage in the musical "Parade." He's the star of the current national tour of the musical's revival which will run for 24 performances at Playhouse Square's Connor Palace Tuesday through Feb It's a devastating true tale about newlywed Jewish couple Leo and Lucille Frank who manages a pencil factory and hails from Brooklyn media sensationalism and public hysteria ensue there's a story of love as the Franks face a test of faith is a Jewish actor who's performing opposite co-star Talia Suskauer The two knew each other previously through Broadway concerts and have become close while rehearsing and touring in the emotional musical "Parade," which features soaring music by Jason Robert Brown When Chernin and Suskauer learned about 18 months ago that the "Parade" revival was going on tour Chernin messaged Suskauer and said they should play the roles of Leo and Lucille Both actors said they manifested making that happen today "We're so lucky to have authentic Jewish American actors play the roles," Chernin said "I met her and her energy and her drive just kind of really reminded me of her (Lucille) "It's fun to have someone that I really trust and I really feel like we kind of are cut from the same threads and it's important to have that every night," Chernin said of his co-star Chernin previously performed in the 2022 New York City Center Encores revival of "Parade," which transferred to Broadway in 2023 also understudied the lead role of Leo for Ben Platt for those productions He went on twice for Leo in the Broadway run Chernin also understudied the role of Leo's prosecutor allowing him to understudy both the hero and the villain of the story Chernin is happy to return to the "Parade" family The Broadway revival won two 2023 Tony Awards The musical's creators have said that "Parade" is even more resonant in today's political climate and media-saturated world than it was when "Parade" first hit Broadway in 1998 "History has a way of repeating itself and I think this case was really the first time we saw propaganda in the American media the way that they were kind of pitting the idea of 'othering' the Jew and 'othering' what it meant for a Northerner to come down to the South and take away their jobs," Chernin said "Parade," recommended for audience members age 12 and up tells the story of the rape and murder of 13-year-old Mary Phagan as well as a lynching both the press and local officials took advantage of the shocking crime for their own personal gain "Who better to look for than someone who's different from all of them And it was really easy to pin it all on Leo," Chernin said The story illustrates rifts between communities that aren't as educated as others and also portrays the people of the South who are hurting as they tried to rebuild from the Civil War "It's just a mirror to what's happening right now and it's really sad and haunting," Chernin said referring to people hurting today from fallout from the pandemic income inequality and immigrant and housing issues and people have two or three or four different takes on what's happening and what they believe in so it's like instant propaganda kind of occurs now," the actor said "It's feeling more urgent to tell the story and to shine the lens on … where some of it started and where we have our roots as a country." Chernin said he gets swept up each night playing Leo helps the cast navigate the work's difficult emotions Part of that includes the process of de-roling or stepping out of character after each performance I've given it like a tactile thing for me to do so when I take off my clothes and I take off my glasses and my wedding ring that's me kind of departing from Leo for the day I'm stepping back into myself," Chernin said When he originally auditioned for "Parade" at New York City Center he told his agent he'd play any part in the show He said it's been a dream working with director Michael Arden who Chernin said is gifted at making actors feel that they're heard "Max and Talia are extraordinary artists who bring an incredible sense of identity and how of identity and empathy to their work rooted in their Jewish heritage," Arden said in a statement "I can't wait for audiences across the country to witness the remarkable depth passion and grace they will bring to their portrayals of Leo and Lucille Frank." Arden also encouraged Chernin to make the role of Leo his own after it had been associated with the celebrity dynamics of Platt playing the character on Broadway The actor graduated from Shaker Heights High School and the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati performed at Dobama Theater in Cleveland Heights as well as at Shaker Heights High School That means Chernin went to both temple for High Holy Days with his paternal grandparents and Catholic Mass for Easter and Christmas with his maternal grandma He described the Jewish side of his family I'm thinking about honoring all the wonderful quirks and mannerisms of my grandparents of my uncle that I observed as a kid," Chernin said "There's this kind of inherent energy from wherever you are as a Jewish person that I get to bring into my performance Local support for the tour's Cleveland leg is strong: His father has a group of 43 friends and family members coming to one of the Cleveland performances Chernin is looking forward to showing cast members around Tremont and Lakewood He's also planning to get a milkshake at Tommy's in Cleveland Heights and will be happy to see his sister The actor did plenty of research for his role including studying the nonfiction "And the Dead Shall Rise," a 700-page work by Steve Oney that's considered the definitive book on Leo Frank's case The Georgia State Board of Pardons and Parole pardoned Leo Frank posthumously in 1986 after former factory boy Alonzo Mann revealed nearly 70 years after the murder that he saw janitor Jim Conley carrying Mary Phagan's body "There are still angry people in the South that are committed to the memory of Mary Phagan that don't believe him," Chernin said Arts and restaurant writer Kerry Clawson may be reached at 330-996-3527 or kclawson@thebeaconjournal.com Onstage: Starring Max Chernin and Talia Suskauer Information: playhousesquare.org or 216-241-6000 Building on the success of nine years of beautifying traffic utility box projects, the Shaker Arts Council (SHAC), volunteer nonprofit with a mission to enrich the cultural fabric of Shaker Heights with art, is once again launching its public art project, Painting the Town Since 2016, SHAC has worked with local artists to enliven the utility boxes that line the Shaker Heights city streets with Painting the Town—a juried art competition for the design of Shaker Heights utility boxes along SHAC’s Green Line and Blue Line Public Art in Shaker Tour. The public art project has been a popular attraction in the city, with both Shaker High School seniors and professional artists who live or work in Shaker Heights contributing utility box designs each year there are nearly five dozen decorated utility boxes and public art projects along or near the Rapid lines in Shaker Heights Entrants for the 2025 Painting the Town project must be artists 21 years or older who live or work in Shaker Heights, are residents of the Shaker Heights School District  Designs and applications must be submitted by Friday, March 22 at 5 p.m. Visit the SHAC page for more information and to download the application and template SHAC’s Painting the Town is supported in part through a grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC), which has awarded $70,814 to SHAC since 2009. Painting the Town is also supported in part by the Flagstar Foundation To see sponsored ads, please enable JavaScript. Ashley Boorstein’s vision for the Shaker Field Hockey Program was clear from the outset: to expand by introducing young players to the fundamentals of the game while instilling core values that extend beyond the field. By targeting the 5th and 6th-grade levels, the program aims to build a strong foundation for players who may one day continue their field hockey journey at the middle school and high school levels and beyond. “We wanted to create an environment where kids could learn, grow, and fall in love with field hockey,” said Boorstein. “It’s about more than just teaching skills; it’s about fostering confidence, teamwork, and a passion for the game.” Parents and community members have also rallied around the team, recognizing its value in providing a healthy, constructive outlet for Shaker Heights youth. The program’s emphasis on inclusivity and sportsmanship has resonated deeply, making it a beloved part of the local sports scene. As the Shaker 5/6 Field Hockey Team prepares for future seasons, the focus remains on growth and sustainability. Plans are in motion to expand outreach efforts, recruit more players, and further integrate the program into the broader Shaker Heights community. The team is also looking to expand to include 3rd and 4th graders, bringing even younger players into the fold and fostering a lifelong connection to the sport. Field hockey is more than a sport for the Shaker 5/6 Field Hockey Team—it’s a vehicle for connection, development, and fun. As the program flourishes, it stands as a testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together to support its youth. Whether on the field or in the stands, the Shaker Field Hockey Group invites everyone to be part of their journey. Together, they are not just growing the game; they are building a legacy. [data-focus]){outline-width:var(--focus-ring-width 2px);outline-offset:var(--focus-ring-offset solid);outline-color:var(--focus-ring-color);outline:none;}.css-puhhl:is(:focus-visible [data-focus-visible]){box-shadow:none;outline-width:3px;outline-style:solid;outline-color:var(--semantics-focus-light);outline-offset:3px;}.css-puhhl:visited{color:var(--components-rte-light-link-color);}.css-puhhl:visited.css-puhhl:visited:is(:active [data-state=open]){color:var(--components-rte-light-link-color-active);}@media (hover: hover){.css-puhhl:visited:is(:hover [data-disabled]){color:var(--components-rte-light-link-color-hover);}}.css-puhhl.css-puhhl:is(:active [data-state=open]){color:var(--components-rte-light-link-color-active);}@media (hover: hover){.css-puhhl:is(:hover white);}}© 2025 Copyright USA Field Hockey - All Rights Reserved .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By David Gambino, cleveland.com David Spivey was found guilty of murder and felonious assault in the 2020 shootings of Dominique and Delvonte King on Walden Avenue.David Gambino Ohio - A Shaker Heights man was found guilty Wednesday for his role in the slayings of two brothers in 2020 David Spivey, known as “Lil’ Dave,” and an unidentified man took part in the shootings of Dominique King, 26, and Delvonte King A Cuyahoga County Common Pleas jury found Spivey guilty of murder and felonious assault with firearm specifications for the crime He was found not guilty of aggravated murder Spivey was indicted on the offenses in 2022 after he was arrested by a fugitive task force in Houston He was originally tried in November 2023 in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court but Judge John O’Donnell declared a mistrial after the jury was unable to reach a verdict Spivey’s second trial began last week and ended Monday after four days of testimony the jury’s foreperson notified the court bailiff that jurors were again unable to reach a unanimous decision on all counts O’Donnell then summoned the jurors and gave them additional deliberation instructions a Cleveland police detective described surveillance footage that captured the shooting The King brothers were standing in front of a home in the 16000 Walden Ave Spivey and the unidentified man arrived in frame and Spivey began arguing with Dominique King Prosecutors said the altercation was a continuation of a fight between the two earlier Dominique placed his pistol in the driver’s side floorboard area of his Jeep Prosecutors said this showed he wanted to settle the argument without guns the accomplice rattled off 21 shots,” Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Nora Bryant said during closing statements Monday Spivey and the other man then ran west from the home and Spivey fired off four rounds from his .40-caliber pistol A witness described hearing two distinct series of shots and police later recovered .40-caliber shell casings a few doors down from the home while his brother died later at a local hospital said in closing arguments that his client was “extraordinarily well-known” to the King family and was friends with Dominique He conceded that Spivey and Dominique were in a fist fight earlier that evening but neither he nor prosecutors offered any explanation for what caused the fight including Spivey’s DNA found under Dominique’s fingernails and his fingerprint on the Jeep He said the surveillance footage was unsuitable for identification purposes He also criticized Cleveland police for not conducting a more rigorous investigation your family deserves closure,” Richardson said “But not at the expense of convicting somebody for whom there is insufficient evidence The jury sided with the prosecution on Wednesday afternoon When O’Donnell read “not guilty” on the aggravated murder charges one of Spivey’s family members in the gallery said The family member later stormed out of the courtroom when guilty verdicts were read on the murder charges another one of Spivey’s family members told the victims’ family The woman was admonished by a deputy and quickly ushered out of the room O’Donnell said he would set Spivey’s sentencing at a later date Richardson and prosecutors declined to comment after the verdict Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, (updated 8/1/2024) and acknowledgement of our Privacy Policy, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/1/2025) © 2025 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us) The material on this site may not be reproduced except with the prior written permission of Advance Local Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site YouTube's privacy policy is available here and YouTube's terms of service is available here Ad Choices and inclusion (DEI) have been a topic of national discussion with many companies ending their DEI programs one city is pushing forward with its DEI initiatives While DEI programs are sometimes criticized for fostering division Shaker Heights Mayor David Weiss believes they have been key to uniting the community and driving growth reaffirming that these programs aren’t going anywhere “It's important to us; we think it brings a richness to our community that makes us attractive for people to come and for them to stay,” said Weiss The city has promoted DEI initiatives for years including hiring Chief DEI Officer Colleen Jackson in 2021 “All the efforts that we do here in Shaker Heights around diversity equity and inclusion are to create the kind of community that we want to be a part of,” said Jackson The city has also created a city council-sanctioned committee to address DEI issues Shaker Heights offers community engagement microgrants to fund projects promoting DEI “These were residents in our community who said we're going to change our community and embrace diversity,” said Weiss The fund will come from the Diversity Committee’s budget of $7,500 with up to $2,500 going to three different projects give input and provide feedback on what they would like to see in our community,” said Mayor Weiss Despite Shaker Heights’ commitment to diversity many DEI programs nationwide have been rolled back since President Donald Trump’s executive orders terminated mandates on DEI programs “While some people may have had their hearts in the right place when it started And it has actually encouraged discrimination of people who don't fit certain narratives and that is not allowed in our constitution,” said Cirino But that doesn't deter Weiss or the work the city is doing and this is a community and person-to-person issue that we think is important and adds value to our community,” said Wiess Shaker Heights plans to continue pushing forward with the initiatives they believe in I'm so proud of Shaker that Shaker's not giving up we may be a bit of a contrarian in the current environment The city has more initiatives planned, including community events and conversations. Regarding the microgrants, the city is accepting applications until March 28. For more information, CLICK HERE Ohio — A local chef known for helping ex-cons write their next chapter is taking his mission to another level The founder of Edwins and Edwins Too is moving out of Shaker Square he announced that he'd inked a deal to move into the old “Nighttown” building Nighttown staff broke the news that they were closing the restaurant down for good Customers said they were devastated by this announcement RELATED: Here's why Nighttown is closing...While this is a big opportunity for the chef Shaker Square says they’re excited to cook up their next chapter It's time to grow,” said Edwins CEO and founder After nearly 12 years of giving the formerly incarcerated a second chance at life Chrostowski is taking the mission to new heights “There's men and women in the darkness of prison who want to do something so badly and just are looking for a way to get there that has not changed Instead of operating in the heart of Shaker Square they’ll now work 8 minutes down the road at the former Nighttown building the decision to move was not an easy one but a necessary one the responsibility as a leader of a mission you have to drive further for those that you serve,” Chrostowski said In the roughly 11,000-square-foot building Edwins will run the same programs in a larger “We're increasing the square footage by nearly 15-20% We're able to see a student in the same roof Edwins location in Shaker Square will remain open until Feb Tania Maneese is the CEO of Cleveland Neighborhood Progress which they described as just one part of their overall improvements “It's never great timing for a beloved anchor to be leaving with the square in the position it's in with one vacancy right now and the launch of a vision plan on January 23," Maneese said Maneese told News 5 they have been working for months to develop a plan that will attract more people to the area and they plan to present to the community on Jan Chef Brandon leaving doesn't mean Shaker Square won't have any businesses and two more businesses are planning to open in the next two months But they still have to find new tenants to fill Edwins space Though the move may have mixed reviews from residents Brandon looks forward to welcoming customers to their new location in the next six to eight weeks He also adds that the Edwins on Buckeye Road CLEVELAND — After years of planning and critical repairs the public is finally getting a look at what's in the works for the re-envisioned Shaker Square which was purchased in 2022 by two nonprofit organizations — Cleveland Neighborhood Progress and Burten The nonprofits are unveiling their final vision plan on Thursday night at Atlas Cinemas Retailers and neighbors have been watching firsthand as renovations breathed new life into the historic but aging shopping center Recent improvements include new HVAC systems light fixtures and other updates to address 20 years of delayed routine maintenance "We're excited for the new lighting that they've done and the new management," Cleveland resident RELATED: Shaker Square wraps up $5 million in renovations Those renovations were the first step toward bringing the shopping center back to its roots and making it a destination again the owners of Shaker Square showed off a preliminary plan and asked for the public's feedback on ways to improve the district an important anchor on Cleveland's East Side RELATED: Shaker Square owners unveil their ideas for public spaces, retail; ask for feedback The new Shaker Square vision plan focuses on three principles the goal is to fill Shaker Square with more restaurants and shops aiming to "provide an unparalleled outdoor dining experience." Redesigned walkways will allow more room for outdoor activities or a place to stand outside the various storefronts the plan calls for shops that are appointment-based or non-customer-facing tenants or service providers like wellness and fitness Other areas will feature meeting spaces to "encourage social interaction of visitors and create a vibrant Another goal is to bring temporary entertainment or shops to the Square with pop-up events A plan to increase foot traffic to the Square involves more residential development in the neighborhood The nonprofits plan to partner with the community to help restore historic apartments and provide housing to middle-income families Getting to Shaker Square should be easier in the future as the owners plan to work with the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority to improve public transportation.Bike lanes and places to store bicycles while you shop are also in the works Shaker Square plans to have more bicycle ride-sharing stations and to improve the overall ability to move to Better sidewalks and lighting will make it safer for pedestrians to get around the square revamped parking areas will make it easier to drive in the goal is to make Shaker Square more than just a place to shop Dedicated performance spaces and the central green space will attract more foot traffic The owners plan to partner with schools and local organizations to spruce up the Square with works of art Tobias said she's most excited about the new housing developments."I think that would actually bridge the gap It would also help with the retail spaces and the shopping and things that we love to do," Tobias added but dropping the curtain on this vision is paving a path for what the future has in store "This work is expensive and it takes some time so we'll be out there pounding the pavement getting more support both in friends and financial to help take the plan and bring it to life," Burten The plan states that the owners want to "respect Shaker Square's history while stewarding it for the future." To do this the vision plan calls for preserving the nearly century-old shopping center's cultural heritage and maintaining its historic architecture Visitors can peek back at the past by viewing old photos and displays "Shaker Square has so much value and sentimental value and historic value to the community It's on the National Register of Historic Places but it's also historic in people's hearts in the city of Cleveland but to the region," Johnson said Thursday night Leaning into the shopping center's history is part of the owners' strategy for setting the Square apart from other outdoor shopping districts across Northeast Ohio including competing properties on the East Side The plan's recommendations include prioritizing high-impact tenants There's been a lot of turnover over the years as tenants from toy store FAO Schwarz to Edwins a high-end restaurant that recently announced plans to move to the old Nighttown building in Cleveland Heights RELATED: Edwins expands, moves out of Shaker Square to Cleveland Heights Johnson said the available retail space in Shaker Square is now open for lease.While the safety needs of Shaker Square have already cost $5 million Johnson stated they have another $5 million at their disposal that could bring the rest of their plan to fruition but $5 million really helped us to save and stabilize so that the building didn't fall into worse shape," she added "Let's capitalize on what we have and support it." Shaker Square is one of the oldest planned shopping centers in the country the property was in receivership and at risk of being auctioned off to the highest bidder when Cleveland Neighborhood Progress and Burten They bought the property with financial help from the City of Cleveland and hope to find a more sustainable ownership structure for the Square over time "We want to thank the merchants for sticking with us through this process They could have packed up and moved their businesses anywhere but they decided to stay and come along for the vision so we're very grateful for that," Johnson shared RELATED: Historic Shaker Square is in foreclosure, a victim of the pandemic, management company says Elaine Martone is no stranger to the red carpet The Shaker Heights resident attended her 13th Grammy Awards Sunday night in Los Angeles and received the award for producer of the year in the classical category This is her third win in that category and sixth Grammy overall you float out of your body when they call your name,” Martone said Martone attended the Grammys with her close friend Erica Brenner another classical music producer from Cleveland who was nominated in the same category Among the nine works included in Martone’s recognition this year are four recordings with the Cleveland Orchestra and Music Director Franz Welser-Möst and I love working with the Cleveland Orchestra,” she said Martone’s love for the Cleveland Orchestra is actually what brought her to the area in 1979 after she graduated with a music degree from Ithaca College in upstate New York “I wanted to play in the Cleveland Orchestra,” she said she joined the recording label Telarc International where she spent 29 years as executive vice president of production specializing in classical and jazz recordings who co-founded Telarc and later became her husband “I tell people when I'm mentoring them to listen for opportunities because you don't know which one is going to be the one that takes you on the journey of your lifetime,” Martone said Ohio (WOIO) - Shaker Heights police released new information Monday about a shooting that left two men dead Officers responded to the 17000 block of Shaker Boulevard around 3:30 a.m Sunday after someone reported multiple gunshots fired in the area officers found two men dead outside of a home The deceased have been identified as Nisiah Sanders Police said both had suffered gunshot wounds their investigation remains ongoing and no arrests have been made at this time “There is no evidence suggesting a third party was involved in the shootings,” Shaker Heights Commander John Cole said in a news release The Shaker Heights Police Department is asking anyone with information on the shooting to call them at (216) 491-1277 or (216) 491-1220 “Our hearts go out to the families of Nisiah Sanders and Myron Rainey and we mourn the loss of these young men together as a community We encourage anyone with information to come forward and assist us in our investigation.” Ohio (WOIO) - A family of four lost their home to a fire early Monday morning Shaker Heights firefighters were called out to the 2700 block of Inverness Rd WORKING HOUSE FIRE: 2700 Block of Inverness Road in Shaker Heights. The Fire Chief tells me the house was occupied by a family of four. They got out ok. The fire was mostly in the basement. The family is displaced. They are staying with relatives. The 2nd alarm was a precaution. pic.twitter.com/0kRRFPmgH5 The family members managed to escape safely before firefighters arrived and are now being helped by relatives The cause of the fire was likely caused by embers from a fireplace falling into the ash trap in the basement and igniting flammable material there said Shaker Heights Fire Chief Patrick Sweeney Chief Sweeney added the home sustained heavy fire damage to the basement and smoke damage throughout “It was very challenging for these crews with the cold weather and heavy snow amounts We are grateful to our neighboring fire departments,” said Chief Sweeney WORKING HOUSE FIRE: 2700 Block of Inverness Road in Shaker Heights. The Fire Chief tells me the house was occupied by a family of four. They got out ok. The fire was mostly in the basement. The family is displaced. They are staying with relatives. The 2nd alarm was a precaution. pic.twitter.com/0kRRFPmgH5 Ohio — While Shaker Heights residents say the city is mostly safe a 70-page-long survey reveals there’s still more work to be done A third-party company called Strategy Matters conducted a months-long study amongst Shaker Heights residents “What that tells me is there's some relationship building that can be done,” said Shaker Heights Chief Diversity High school students who participated in the survey noted they are concerned about violence in and around their school They expressed feelings of disrespect and mistrust by police and other adults due to being young and/or black One of many questions addressed in the survey results: How has safety perceived to have improved or stayed the same according to residents over the last 12 months Answers were separated between people of color and white respondents Fifty-one percent of people of color said crime overall has stayed the same Seventy-five percent of white respondents agree Twenty-one percent of people of color said crime has gotten worse in the last year whereas only 11% of white respondents answered similarly Crime at night received the highest percentage Fourteen percent of white respondents answered yes and 25% of people of color respondents agreed are more likely to respond that the city is less safe than it was a year ago,” the survey stated the City of Shaker Heights held a town hall-style meeting in conjunction with Strategy Matters “They want to have more community engagement and community outreach and they want to have more traffic enforcement You don't find that in a lot of communities they want more,” Shaker Heights Chief of Police Wayne Hudson said Chief Hudson explained how Strategy Matters has conducted 200+ resident surveys across the country and Shaker Heights is one of two areas to request more policing He told me one major takeaway of his from this survey is the high number of people who don’t feel safe walking around the city at night and those are answers his department is looking for We want to make sure we meet with each one of those neighborhoods and hopefully get them a neighborhood association started we can have different types of community service community outreach and community directed policing individualized for each neighborhood because community policing doesn't fit for every neighborhood,” Chief Hudson added Jackson said a community advisory group devised of residents and business owners has been created That group is tasked with unpacking the survey and helping city officials create a plan of action “We're really going to take our lead from there,” she noted The City of Shaker Heights also plans to run a community campaign to educate residents on traffic laws “That is something that impacts so many people: walkers I think that's something that can be impactful to the community at large,” Jackson said Another collaborative approach the city plans to take is partnering with the local school district to ensure students are feeling safe “One person feeling discomfort or that they are a target is a problem and it's worth investigating,” Jackson stated “I want the young people to have a positive interaction with officers they meet You have to change what you think about [young black men] It's not their fault how you perceive them if they've done nothing I'm acknowledging the fact that we have been taught to fear young black men There are people in communities who feel like stakeholders and there are people who feel and are treated like suspects If you are always a suspect and you're never treated as a stakeholder I want everyone to be treated like they have value.” Jackson said community leaders will meet again in two weeks Chief Hudson said his department is always looking to connect with the community and evaluate how they can improve He suggests residents keep track of the police department’s social media for upcoming community engagement events.