Cleveland Local News & Neighborhood Reporting – TCO

Listen to this articleStaff Writers Mary Hansard, a Cleveland native, U.S. Army sergeant and former foster youth, has been named the Fall 2025 valedictorian at Cleveland State University (CSU). The achievement marks a significant milestone not only for Hansard, but also for the many Cleveland students navigating nontraditional paths to higher education. According to a… Read more: MARY HANSARD NAMED 2025 CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY VALEDICTORIAN 

Listen to this articleBy Ron Calhoun A new report from Frances Mills, commissioner of health, City of Cleveland Health Department, shows that sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, remains a serious health problem in Cleveland. Nearly 8,000 people were diagnosed with chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis. Health experts say some numbers have gone down, but one infection,… Read more: Cleveland STI Cases On the Rise: Reveal Deep Health Inequities

Listen to this articleBy Angela Hay In December 2022, more than 300 people gathered at Olivet Institutional Baptist Church to discuss their concerns about juvenile justice in Cuyahoga County. More than two years later, community leaders are still waiting for the Cuyahoga County Council to make substantial changes. The Juvenile Court Advisory Subcommittee released a… Read more: Juvenile Justice Recommendations Released, Community Awaits Action

Listen to this articleBy Evelyn Rossman Since his second inauguration, President Donald Trump has prioritized higher tariffs as a tool for promoting U.S. businesses and reducing the country’s dependency on foreign goods, prompting a litany of responses and criticisms from people across the political spectrum. So far, Trump’s ever-changing tariffs have had a marginal impact… Read more: Cleveland’s Haven Home Breaks the Cycle of Poverty

Listen to this articleBy Angela Hay At Squash the Beef in GlenVillage on East 105th Street, chef Kurtis Williams makes plate after eye-catching plate of delicious food while a relaxed DJ set plays in the dining area. On the menu are giant burgers, hand-cut fries, nuggets, and overstuffed sandwiches. He prepares the kind of hearty,… Read more: Squash The Beef Serves Southern Comfort Food With A Plant Based Twist

Listen to this articleTrue West Homes is a small nonprofit based in Cleveland, that helps individuals exiting homelessness get back on their feet. Founded by Sheri West in 2018, the organization remains under her leadership today, with West serving as executive director.   The Birth of a New Era West says she always wanted to help… Read more: True West Homes Small Nonprofit Making A Big Impact

Listen to this articleJuly 24 marks the 47th anniversary of one of the most courageous acts by an American mayor. In 1968, Mayor Carl B. Stokes, Cleveland’s first African American mayor, acted decisively to prevent further bloodshed after the Glenville Shootout. But his legacy extends far beyond that night, it’s a testament to his lasting… Read more: The Historic Leadership of Carl Stokes

Listen to this articleCities and villages can still use them under strict conditions. By Konner Hines Starting July 1, speed cameras are officially banned in counties and townships across Ohio. A major update to state law now prohibits these local governments from using traffic law photo-monitoring devices to detect or enforce traffic violations, marking a… Read more: Speed Camera Ban in Ohio Counties and Townships Starts June 30

Listen to this articleBusiness Feature of the Month By Devon Jones A business is about its business, and it is always something special, no matter the size. However, when it comes to small companies, their achievements can feel even more remarkable. In today’s uncertain economy, providing consistent, high-quality service is not just a milestone—it’s a… Read more: University Heights Nutrition: Juicing Success and Community Health

Listen to this articleBy Denise Holcomb Removing the Stigma seeks youth-focused organizations, individuals, businesses, and volunteers to support our Youth Life CLE Readiness program. In the summer of 2024, we launched the Youth Life CLE Awareness and Prevention program to promote the removal of stigma around suicide and create a safe environment for youth to… Read more: Removing the Stigma: Collaboration Program for Youth

Listen to this articleBy Darcella L. Lambert On April 12, NeighborUp funding enabled Removing The Stigma to host the Survivors of Suicide Loss Luncheon: A Day to Remember, at the Stella Walsh Recreation Center, located on Broadway Avenue in Cleveland. The event provided a supportive space for those grieving the loss of a loved one… Read more: Healing Together: Survivors of Suicide Loss Share Strength and Support

Listen to this articleBy Ray’Chel Wilson, CFEI Let’s be real: economic uncertainty isn’t just a buzzword you hear on the news—it’s something you feel in your bones, especially if you’re part of Cleveland’s Black community. The legacy of redlining, the sting of predatory lending, and the constant hustle to make ends meet are all too… Read more: Building Black Wealth in Cleveland: 3 Community-Driven Strategies

Listen to this articleQuelina Jordan-Shaw receives $4,964 from Fund for Teachers to design her own learning experience. Quelina Jordan-Shaw, a high school teacher at Cleveland Metropolitan Remote School, has been selected as a 2025 Fund for Teachers Fellow. She will receive a $4,964 grant to travel to Ghana this summer, where she will study how… Read more: Cleveland Teacher Wins National Grant to Study Education in Ghana

Listen to this articleBy Ron Kisner As evidence of a changing Parma, the city known for its racially torn history including a 27-year-old Cleveland NAACP housing and employment discrimination suit finally settled in 2002, has appointed its first black council member, Monica Wilson.    Clearly aware of her city’s sordid racial history, Wilson, who represents  … Read more: Parma’s First Black Council Member Sees Changing City

Listen to this articleThe Cleveland Observer is dedicated to informing residents about legislative activities under review. By reporting on ordinances and resolutions during their initial stages, the Observer enables community members to engage with their Council members, providing feedback or expressing support before final decisions are made.  How Your Tax Dollars Are Being Spent Cleveland… Read more: Cleveland City Council -February/March First Reading Emergency Ordinances