How local malls are trying to compete with online shopping: The Wake Up for Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Holidays give meaning to our lives by marking time, building family bonds and connecting us to our community. They unite us when politics divide. And they shine a bright light when life may feel monotonous.

This year, I’m thankful for an almost completed home renovation, plus of course my family, friends and a walkable, welcoming community.

We wish you all a well-deserved break from the ordinary. We’ll be back on Monday.

– Laura

Overnight Scores and Weather

Cavs vs. Trailblazers: Cleveland extends winning streak to four with 114-96 win over Portland

Northeast Ohio Thanksgiving weather forecast: Sunny and mild with rain after midnight

Top Stories

Traditional malls: As the popularity of online shopping continues to be a factor for holiday shoppers, Megan Sims examines what local malls, including Beachwood Place, Great Northern and South Park, are doing to adjust and continue to bring in customers to their stores.

Firefighter remembered: Family, friends and fellow firefighters gathered at Cleveland Station 22 to share stories and celebrate the life Johnny Tetrick, John Tucker reports. The 27-year veteran firefighter was killed in the line of duty Saturday night.

Cultural philanthropy: Collectors Joe and Nancy Keithley have continued generations of generosity typical of Cleveland by donating $100 million worth of art to the Cleveland Museum of Art.  Steven Litt takes a closer look at the generous gift and the show featuring the new gifts currently running at the museum.

Today in Ohio: The Cleveland Clinic’s decision to start charging for some messages that patients has generated a whole lot of strong opinions. Cash grab or fair compensation?  We’re talking about the news on Today in Ohio.

Statehouse and Politics

Marcy Kaptur: Toledo Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur will make history when the 118th Congress convenes in January. Sabrina Eaton reports that Kaptur will become the longest-serving woman in congressional history, breaking a record previously held by former U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski.

Derek Merrin: Ohio’s legislature could become even more conservative under the new House speaker-elect, reports Jeremy Pelzer.  According to Pelzer, Merrin has been a comparative outsider even among House Republicans until recently.

Cuyahoga County: Six-year Cuyahoga County Councilman Scott Tuma announced this week that he is running to be Parma’s law director in 2023, reports Kaitlyn Durbin.  He is mid-way through his second term after winning re-election in 2020.

Northeast Ohio News

Cleveland’s Promise: Cameron Fields shares another story in our special series on Cleveland schools as Almira Elementary students express themselves in art class and use the time as an outlet.

Tri-C: Cuyahoga Community College’s newest president, Michael Baston, shares what he discovered over the first 100 days of his tenure and discusses how he’s like to redesign the community college experience, address student skepticism about return on their investment, writes Alexis Oatman.

Safety tips: With the holidays and winter months arriving, local officials are urging residents to take precautions to stay safe and prevent fires in their homes.  Molly Walsh shares tips on how to prevent fires and burns as well as what to do if you do have a fire.

Highways in the sky: NASA’s Glenn Research Center pilots will perform research flights over Cleveland to test communications technologies for the emerging Advance Air Mobility system, reports John Pana.   The move is part of a shift towards a new era in transportation that is emerging, one where automated aircraft drop off packages, taxi people across town and even respond to emergencies.

Stimulus watch: Dozens of small businesses in Akron will receive one-time, $10,000 grants to help offset costs and negative impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Megan Becka reports.  The funding for the grants is provided by American Rescue Plan Act dollars the city has received.

House fire: An elderly man died Tuesday night in a house fire on Cleveland’s East Side, reports Olivia Mitchell.  The 76-year-old man lived alone.  Officials have determined that the fire was electrical and accidental.

Business and Healthcare

Gas prices: Drivers heading to visit family and friends this Thanksgiving will be paying the highest gas prices on record this year.  The average price of regular gasoline across the U.S. was $3.65 on Monday, higher than it’s been during any Thanksgiving since at least 1990, reports Sean McDonnell.

Gas sale: Sean McDonnell reports that Sheetz is offering drivers a discount on one of its gases through the end of the weekend.  Locations that offer Unleaded 88 will be offering it for $1.99 per gallon through Monday.  By comparison, the average cost of a gallon of gas in Cuyahoga County on Wednesday was $3.44 per gallon.

COVID numbers: Ohio reported fewer than 10,000 new cases last week, however, this is only over the last six days.  Zach Smith reports the average was slightly higher than last week, implying cases may be rising.

Crime and Courts

Malicious prosecution: A woman who accused former Ohio State University football player Gareon Conley of raping her was found liable for malicious prosecution after Conley countersued her.  Cory Shaffer reports the jury ordered the woman to pay Conley $300, including $100 in punitive damages, as well as attorney’s fees.

Suspect arrested: A Cleveland man wanted for a deadly shooting at a convenience store last month is now in custody.  Cliff Pinckard reports that Charlie Wright was inside a vehicle near the intersection of Parkwood Drive and Pasadena Avenue when he was taken into custody by members of the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force Monday night.

Cleveland man sentenced: A man who pleaded guilty to assaulting a U.S. postal carrier in 2021 was sentenced Monday to seven years and one day in prison, reports Cliff Pinckard.

Arts & Entertainment

Holiday Fun Guide: It’s difficult to be bored in Northeast Ohio during the holiday season. The region hosts a broad variety of activities from now through New Year’s Day. Joey Morona and Paris Wolfe break down dozens of upcoming events in our annual guide.

Winter Blitz: A new event launches next month in Canton at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium and the Hall of Fame Village.  Susan Glaser reports guest will have the opportunity to snow tube through goal posts as well as enjoy a craft village, visits with Santa, fireworks and more.

You’re all caught up.

Thanks for joining us this week in our redesigned Wake Up format. We appreciate the feedback you provided about our new look. Don’t forget, you can always find the latest Cleveland news by visiting cleveland.com. If you value the hard work of Cleveland journalists, consider becoming a cleveland.com subscriber.

OTHER HEADLINES

Lakewood eyes 2023 construction for $100 million mixed-use project at former hospital site Read more

Parma City School District surveys community after bond issue failure Read more

Man shot outside Target on Cleveland’s west side; police investigating Read more

Wanted man arrested for multiple crimes, including hit and run of Ohio Trooper Read more

Police chief speaks about sextortion dangers after teen’s suicide Read more

Lyndhurst police looking for hit-and-run suspect Read more

Norwalk raising funds for memorial to native, football legend Paul Brown Read more