The Cleveland Police Department has released an official "Thank You" video following the Republican National Convention last week: 

Buildings razed to the ground by angry mobs... 

                                  Cars engulfed in flames lining the city streets... 

                                                                      Trump effigies dangling from city bridges...  

These are some images some people had in their heads, whether self-manifested or otherwise placed there, heading in to the Republican National Convention in Downtown Cleveland; mostly because of the fiery opinions on either side of the political aisle. Alas, and likely to the disappointment of some national media, there was none of that. In fact, I saw more hi-fives, hugs, and dancing in the street from people with ear-to-ear grins adorned on their faces than any hatred, vitriol, or violence. Even when protests got heated, and some of them did, things calmed down quickly.

The main reason things didn't get out of hand was due to the incomparable effort and flawless execution by law enforcement. They've already been exhalted by local leaders, visitors bureaus, RNC planners, and more; but I'm going to offer them a little bit more praise from my end. Having grown up just south of Cleveland and having spent most of my adult life in and around the city, I can honestly say that I've never felt safer in my city. In addition, I've never felt more of a personal connection with members of law enforcement in my life. I personally witnessed officers, both local and not, talking with, laughing with, dancing with, and having fun with all of the RNC revelers, visiting delegates, protesters, and casual observers, all week. In a time in this country that has been defined by tension between citizens and the men and women who take an oath to protect them, to say that faith in humanity was restored would be an understatement. 

For me, RNC week kicked off with a peaceful march and moment of silence for the Circle the City with Love event. I joined a couple of thousand locals in the trek across the Hope Memorial Bridge (quite fittingly, so), alongside a police escort. After about 30 minutes of silence, and hand-holding, one of the group's organizers hit the airhorn signaling the end of the peaceful demonstration; but that's when the real demonstration began. In near 90-degree heat, attendees began lining up again, this time to shake the hands of, hug, and offer well wishes to the group of about 30 officers who provided supervision and guaranteed safety for the event. One-by-one, demonstrators young and old went down the line of officers. It was truly one of the greatest moments of my radio news career and I feel honored to have been a part of it. 

Throughout the week I had the chance to speak with a number of the men and woman of law enforcement and EMS (cannot forget these folks who also added tremendously to the safety factor), both local and from out of town. The local folks I spoke with were grateful to the crowds, both visitors and Cleveland-area residents, for being so cordial and respectful, as were the out-of-town law enforcement. The difference from the out-of-town angle is that every single one of them that I asked said they would be coming back to Northeast Ohio to visit... Which, from what I gather, was the entire goal of those who planned on bringing this convention here in the first place. 

So thank you to all of the law enforcement officials who worked grueling shifts in the heat, and mostly on their feet, all while being cordial and respectful of everyone and thier views. You guys and gals were the true winners of this convention..., and if I could, I'd vote for each and every one of YOU for president! 

If you'd like to see more photos from my perspective of the 2016 Republican National Convention, click here to link to my Facebook gallery. 

The Circle The City With Love rally and march to the Hope Memorial Bridge that heads into downtown Cleveland was a success, according to revelers and organizers alike. Roughly 3,000 attendees showed up to spread the message of love and peace during a time of well-documented tension across the nation. 

The large group organized near the corner of W. 30th St. and Lorain Rd. and began their trek up and over the Hope Memorial Bridge around 2:30 Sunday afternoon. Once on the bridge, two single-file lines were formed on either side of the bridge as the marchers held hands and took part in a 30-minute-long moment of silence; a moment to represent the peace all Northeast Ohio residents and visitors to the area would like to see maintained throughout the 4 days of the Republican National Convention. 

After the silence, the group cheered and clapped, celebrating a successful event. It was then that the most powerful moment of the event occurred. The people who showed up for the peaceful march lined up once again, this time to shake the hands of, thank, and even hug all of the bicycle police officers who came to the event to help maintain a safe environment. See the video below: 

Just two days out from the start of the Republican National Convention in Downtown Cleveland, the Committee on Arrangements has revelaed the official delegate seating chart. Below is the press release issued Saturday morning: 

Cleveland, OH – In the final 48 hours before the gavel falls to signify the start of the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, the Committee on Arrangements has announced the locations of each delegation on the Convention floor.
 
All 56 delegations, representing every state and territory, will convene Monday on the floor of the transformed Quicken Loans Arena. For the next four days they will be tasked with completing a wide array of party business like adopting rules and a platform, as well as listening to speeches from prominent Republicans on the values of the party. Finally, the delegates will cast their vote to nominate Donald Trump and Governor Mike Pence as the Republican candidates for President and Vice President.

"Conventions are a time that bring our party together in one space to reaffirm what we believe in and look to what the future will bring,” said Convention CEO Jeff Larson. “Regardless of our home state and background, we come together as one body to select our nominee for President of the United States.”
 
Please click here for a map of each delegation’s seating arrangement. If you would like to know more about the speakers for this year’s Convention, please visit conventionmedia.gop.

The Cleveland Cavaliers continue their winning ways with a 7 of 7 sweep at the annual ESPY Awards, courtesy of ESPN. 

Before any awards were handed out, however, LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Paul, and Carmelo Anthony took to the stage with a statement on violence in America and the racial divide; imploring athletes across the country to do their part in fighting injustice and violence in the country: 

(Video Courtesy of ESPN and ABC via YouTube) 

As for the awards the Cavaliers took home: 

- Best Team 

- Best Game, Game 7 of the NBA Finals

- Best Moment in Sports, Winning the NBA Championship 

- Best Coach, Tyronn Lue

- Best Finals Performance, LeBron James 

- Best NBA Player, LeBron James

- Best Male Athlete, LeBron James 

During a time when relationships between police and the communities they serve are tense, it is nice to see our local men and women in blue making efforts to connect with residents. 

Over the weekend, a video of two Akron Police Officers playing basketball with some kids in the area went viral. First posted by Smiggz McCormick on Facebook, the video has more than 110,000 plays and has been picked up by local and national media alike. 

WARNING: SOME GRAPHIC LANGUAGE

The Akron Zoo announced Wednesday that they will bring back their old holiday tradition of lights and displays throughout much of the holiday season.

The following is a press release from the Akron Zoo detailing the events:  

Akron Zoo brings back holiday lighting event

AKRON, Ohio - The Akron Zoo will once again be lighting up the zoo with holiday

lights and displays after a 16-year hiatus. Wild Lights, the zoo’s new fun-filled family

event, will take place November 25-27, December 2-4, 9-11, 16-18, 22-23 and 26-30,

2016. The event will run from 6-9 p.m.

Nearly the entire zoo will be decorated with a mix of lighted wildlife and

traditional holiday displays. The event will include a unique nightly light show focused on

animals near the zoo’s carousel, Santa Land, where people can visit with Santa and have

their pictures taken if they wish, a S’mores station, up-close animal encounters, dinner

at the zoo’s 4-star green certified restaurant and much more. Many of the zoo animals

will also be on exhibit.

“We are excited to bring this event back to our community and foster memorable

experiences for families, as well as educate and inspire people to take an active role in

conservation,” commented Doug Piekarz, president & CEO. “We are fulfilling the request

from our community to bring this event back, some of whom came as kids and now wish

to bring their kids to Wild Lights.”

The zoo had hosted Holidays Lights from 1987-2000 and decorated the zoo with

a half a million lights. Over 300,000 people visited the zoo for Holiday Lights during the

14 years the zoo held the event.

The zoo plans to have lights starting at its entrance and continuing throughout

the park, a traditional holiday theme in the historical portion of the zoo’s Mike & Mary

Stark Grizzly Ridge and a Candy Land theme in the zoo’s Frontier Town, which will

include an area where visitors can roast their own marshmallows for S’mores.

General (Non-member) admission for Wild Lights will be $15 for adults and $10

for children. Akron Zoo members will be $12 for adults and children are $9. Discounted

admission and early entrance at 5:00pm is available for those who purchase their tickets

in advance: Pre-sale general (non-member) admission will be $12 for adults and $9 for

children. Akron Zoo member advance purchased tickets will be $9 for adults and $8 for

children.

On the nights that the zoo is open for Wild Lights it will be closed during the day.

Our regular winter hours running from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. apply to all non-event

November and December days.

Akron Zoo - 2

The zoo is also offering companies the opportunity to host their holiday party

during Wild Lights. Companies can rent out the entire zoo on an evening when Wild

Lights is not open to the public, or people can choose to have a smaller party at the zoo

during the event. For more information about hosting a party at the zoo call 330-375-

2550 ext. 7251.

The Akron Zoo is open 361 days a year. Zoo hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and

admission is $12 for adults, $10 for senior citizens, $9 for children (ages 2-14). Children

under two are free and parking is $3. For more information visit www.akronzoo.org or

call (330) 375-2550.

Founded in 1953, the Akron Zoo is a non-profit, world-conservation zoo with

over 700 animals from around the world. Located just west of Downtown Akron, the zoo

strives to provide a dynamic, financially responsible, guest-centered animal experience

that is energized by innovation and fun. The Akron Zoo is accredited by the Association

of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a

leader in global wildlife conservation and your link to helping animals in their native

habitats.

Akron Police were busy with 15 heroin overdose-related calls Tuesday. 

The first call came in around 1 p.m., and the calls continued throughout the evening Tuesday. Reports of heroin overdoses were coming from all over Akron, including one call about 4 overdoses in one apartment on Copley Road. The Summit County Coroner's Office reports that one 44-year-old man died from overdose symptoms; an autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday. 

Akron PD reports that there have been 55 heroin overdose deaths over the first 6 months of 2016. 

U.S. Marshals have joined the search for an Akron man accused of raping a woman while her child was in the home and then grabbed the child when the woman tried to protect herself with a knife.

Lorenzo Finsley, seen above, faces a variety of charges for the attack on June 7 in Akron. He now stands as the latest entry to the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force "Most Wanted" list. He is believed to be hiding in Akron. 

- - - 

(US Marshals Service) The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information which would lead to the capture of fugitive Lorenzo Finsley.

Finsley is wanted by the U.S. Marshals and the Akron Police. Finsley is wanted for two counts of rape, aggravated burglary, sexual battery, assault, and aggravated menacing. It is alleged that on 06/07/16, Finsley broke into the home of the victim and raped her while her child was in the home. During the assault the victim managed to break free and grab a knife for protection. Finsley then grabbed the child to shield himself from the knife. Finsley fled from the scene in a vehicle.

Finsley is a 29-year-old black male standing approximately 5’07” and weighing 160 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes. Finsley is believed to be hiding somewhere in Akron. He has a previous address near the 400 block of Flora Ave. in Akron.

If you have any information in referenceto Lorenzo Finsley, please contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED or Text keyword WANTED and tip to 847411 (tip411) Tipsters can remain anonymous and reward money is available.

UPDATED Akron Fire is reporting one person dead after a house fire located at 1020 Victory St. Firefighters found the body of James Johnson, 69, who owned the house. His family told the Akron Beacon Journal he lived there for more than four decades, even purchasing nearby lots while neighbors abandoned their homes in the South Akron neighborhood. He turned those lots into a buffer zone of park-like settings.

A call notifying the Akron Fire Department of the fire came in at 4:06 a.m. The home was fully engulfed in flames by the time Akron firefighters arrived on the scene. Johnson was pronounced dead at about 5:15 a.m.