Lake County: Village surprises soldier home from 7th deployment

MADISON VILLAGE -- Madison Village is a small community of just over 3,100 people in Lake County.

Being a small community, strangers are like friends, and friends are like family.

"It's a caring community," said Mike Evangelista, with the American Legion Post 112. 

The caring of this village was evident Friday night, when more than 50 people braved the icy wind to line the street into town as a hero returned home from a deployment to Afghanistan.

First Sergeant Mark Woodworth grew up in Madison Village, and when he retires from the U.S. Army Cavalry next year, after 20 years of service, he plans to make his home back here.

"I cannot be happier. This is probably the longest nine months I've ever gone through," said Erica Alvord, Sgt. Woodworth's fiancee.

With flags, balloons and home-made posters, the patriotic welcome was a total surprise to Sgt. Woodworth.

"I'd just like to really thank all of Madison and the community for all of their support, and not just today," Sgt. Woodworth said.

Sgt. Woodworth has served in the army through seven tours of duty.

"There are people here I've known my entire life. Just for the community to come out and support both our family and our armed services is incredible. A true honor," said Sgt. Woodworth.

Sgt. Woodworth deployed to Haiti in 1995, Bosnia in 1997, Kuwait in 2000, Iraq in 2003, 2005 and 2009, and Afghanistan in 2012.

"Friends and veterans, we're all glad to see Mark back," said Evangelista.

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Akron: App helps you find a parking space

AKRON --  It's a problem plaguing any city -- where to park downtown.

Well, Akron is seeing the possible in relieving the pain of parking with a unique idea.

Downtown Akron can be exciting, and constantly on the move... but there is always the same question: Where do you park?

Well, there's now an app for that.

Get the Parking Friend App

Suzie Graham, the president the Downtown Akron Partnership, said "The parking friend app will give you instructions on how to get downtown and the best place to park, based on the location you are looking to go to."

The parking friend app will also tell you exactly what you'll pay to park, how far you are away for your destination and what else you can explore what else is in the area without starting the car.

Graham added that "we have received very positive feedback about it and it does help get people from the point of planning to downtown. It's kind of a quirky fun way to explore parking and we hope it will connect new audiences with downtown."

So whether it's a daily trip or special event, parking in Akron has gone mobile.

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Cleveland: Watch attempted abduction caught on tape

CLEVELAND -- Cleveland Police need your help finding this man.

He's suspected in the attempted kidnapping of one woman and may be responsible for another attack on a girl. 17. 

This attempted abduction happened in a busy minimart parking lot at 117th Street and Wayland Avenue.

Police say the suspect is bold and the victims are random. If you know him, call police. It could save a life.

A simple trip to the corner store turned terrorizing for a single mother of two Tammy Kennedy.

"I thought about my kids and you're not going to take me away from my kids," Kennedy said.

Cleveland police released a surveillance photo of the suspect. He's described as black, in his 30's, 6 feet tall, weighing 200 pounds. He was wearing a green quilted jacket and blue pants.

Security video obtained by Channel 3 shows the suspect pull up to store just before midnight in a grey van. He walks into the minimart and returns in less than a minute after buying a carton of cigarettes.

He sees Kennedy pull into the lot alone. The suspect watches Tammy walk inside, then backs up his vehicle. He parks next to hers and waits. Tammy returns with an armful of groceries.

As she puts them in the back seat, the suspect exits the van and grabs her arm.

"He said Shut up (expletive). I got a gun. Get in the car," Kennedy said.

Kennedy stalled. He repeats the demand.

A store regular sees the commotion and distracts the attacker long enough for Tammy to get away. The suspect then drives off in the van that has only one working taillight.

Tammy wasn't harmed but the close call has her looking around every corner. She's spending a lot of time with family now and when she does go out, it's never alone.

"I won't go out by myself. When my kids are in my car, I lock my doors," Kennedy said.

Police told Kennedy and the store owner a 17-year-old girl was raped while waiting for a bus at West Boulevard and Lorain Avenue not long after the attempted abduction

The description of the attacker matches that of this suspect and so does the vehicle he was driving, including the broken taillight.

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Senate rejects both sequester alternatives

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Senate failed to pass both Republican and Democratic alternatives to head off across-the-board spending cuts, further ensuring Washington will blow past a Friday deadline to avoid or replace $85 billion in cuts that threaten economic growth, military readiness and jobs.

The Democratic alternative would have replaced the cuts, known as the sequester, through 2013 with a combination of a minimum 30% tax on millionaires and cuts to defense and farm programs. It failed 51-49.

The Republican alternative would have transferred sweeping authority to President Obama to force him to determine how to implement $85 billion in cuts instead of the across-the-board spending cut affecting most reaches of the federal government. The sequester exempts military personnel accounts and the social safety net including Social Security and Medicare. The GOP measure also failed, 38-62.

Both proposals needed a 60-vote super majority to pass, but either vehicle was dead from the start. The GOP-controlled House opposes the Senate Democrats' proposal because it raises taxes. GOP lawmakers do not support using new taxes to turn off the sequester; rather they are seeking alternative spending cuts and entitlement reforms.

The White House said the president would veto the Senate GOP proposal. "The best way to go about this is to postpone the sequester or agree to a bigger deal that eliminates it entirely in a balanced way," said White House spokesman Jay Carney.

After a two-month sequester delay agreed to in a January tax deal, the cuts are scheduled to start kicking in March 1. There is about $85 billion in cuts scheduled through Sept. 30, the end of the federal fiscal year. In total, the sequester will trim $1.2 trillion in spending across the federal government over the next decade if left untouched.

The cutting mechanism is an unpopular budget tool that was included as a fail-safe in a 2011 budget law that required Congress to find $1.2 trillion in deficit reduction on their own. When they failed to do so in December 2011, they started a one-year countdown to the automatic cuts. In the past year, Congress and the White House have been unable to come up with an alternative to the sequester, or reach a long-term budget deal that would allow them to turn it off.

The president and congressional leaders will make a final attempt at a pre-deadline compromise at a White House meeting Friday morning, but top lawmakers conceded the prospects were dim for a deal in the short-term. "Hopefully, by the end of March, people will see the light and understand that we're not standing for this," said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

By: Susan Davis/USA Today

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Top 5 best buys in March

CLEVELAND -- What are the top buys in March? Definitely not TVs and laptop deals are scarce.

The top buys are generally cameras (still and video), fashion accessories (as retailers try to create incentives to stimulate their spring lines) and vacuums (before the spring cleaning rush begins).

Below, you'll find my top 5 picks and each deal is a game changer in its category.

Speaking of game-changing, one company I talked about on air earlier today is changing the way we all shop online.

Invodo is bringing new dimension to the e-tail world through its phenomenal video platform. If you've ever had trouble deciphering the size or appearance of a product you want to buy online, or just need more information than a little photo, Invodo product videos on store sites across the country make it easier to shop. It's my hope that more online stores will one day adopt the Invodo approach.

Want more deals? CLICK HERE to follow me on Twitter.

If you've accessed this article through our iPad app, please visit this page directly through Safari so the coupon links load correctly.

1) Up to 50% off Kate Spade + extra 25% off sale items + free shipping

Coupon code: SAVE25
**Outstanding and rare price drops across the board

2) 47% off Canon PowerShot 16MP digital camera + free shipping

Was: $139.99
Now: $72.99
**An absolutely superb camera

3) 50% off Panasonic Full HD camcorder w/case + free shipping

Was: $399.99
Now: $199.99

4) 53% off Dyson DC28 bagless upright vacuum + free shipping

Was: $599.99
Now: $279.99
**Back in stock, price will increase soon

5) Up to 70% off Asics, Puma & Fila shoes & apparel + free shipping

**Widespread sale, very impressive today

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Cleveland Weather: Frigid, Flaky Friday!

Today will be Cloudy, Breezy & Colder with a few snow showers.  High: 30.  Wind: NW 10-15, gusts-25 mph.

Cloudy, Windy & Colder tonight.  Low: 21.  Wind: North 10-25, gusts-25 mph.

Saturday, drier air moves into the region as the Low pulls to the east.  It will will be Mostly Cloudy & Cold.  High: 29.  Wind: North 10-15 mph.

Cold Saturday night.  Low: 18.  Wind: NW 10-15 mph.

Sunday will still be very cold, but we'll see some Sunshine !!  High: 28.

Monday will be Partly Cloudy & Chilly.  High: 32.

Low Pressure over Quebec will east to the West, bringing us a few light snow showers on Tuesday.  High: 33.

Wednesday will be Partly Cloudy but a bit Milder.  High: 35.

Thursday will be Sunny & Milder.  High: 40.

I'll keep you updated on twitter through out the day too!  Follow me at:  @holliesmiles

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Investigator: Ohio lawmakers want to ban traffic cameras

Ohio could become the 10th state to ban traffic cameras.

State Representative Ron Maag is sponsoring legislation that calls for the removal of all speed and red light cameras in Ohio.

Maag believes the cameras are nothing but a cash grab, stealing money from innocent motorists.

Cleveland has 42 cameras. Mayor Frank Jackson refused to be interviewed about the proposed ban, but his press secretary said he supports the program in Cleveland.

And why not? Traffic cameras in Cleveland rake in millions of dollars in ticket revenue every year.

Maag will demand hard evidence that traffic cameras improve public safety. In Cleveland, the Investigator Tom Meyer found the city is unable to back up claims that the cameras reduce accidents and fatalities.

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Senate rejects both sequester alternatives

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Senate failed to pass both Republican and Democratic alternatives to head off across-the-board spending cuts, further ensuring Washington will blow past a Friday deadline to avoid or replace $85 billion in cuts that threaten economic growth, military readiness and jobs.

The Democratic alternative would have replaced the cuts, known as the sequester, through 2013 with a combination of a minimum 30% tax on millionaires and cuts to defense and farm programs. It failed 51-49.

The Republican alternative would have transferred sweeping authority to President Obama to force him to determine how to implement $85 billion in cuts instead of the across-the-board spending cut affecting most reaches of the federal government. The sequester exempts military personnel accounts and the social safety net including Social Security and Medicare. The GOP measure also failed, 38-62.

Both proposals needed a 60-vote super majority to pass, but either vehicle was dead from the start. The GOP-controlled House opposes the Senate Democrats' proposal because it raises taxes. GOP lawmakers do not support using new taxes to turn off the sequester; rather they are seeking alternative spending cuts and entitlement reforms.

The White House said the president would veto the Senate GOP proposal. "The best way to go about this is to postpone the sequester or agree to a bigger deal that eliminates it entirely in a balanced way," said White House spokesman Jay Carney.

After a two-month sequester delay agreed to in a January tax deal, the cuts are scheduled to start kicking in March 1. There is about $85 billion in cuts scheduled through Sept. 30, the end of the federal fiscal year. In total, the sequester will trim $1.2 trillion in spending across the federal government over the next decade if left untouched.

The cutting mechanism is an unpopular budget tool that was included as a fail-safe in a 2011 budget law that required Congress to find $1.2 trillion in deficit reduction on their own. When they failed to do so in December 2011, they started a one-year countdown to the automatic cuts. In the past year, Congress and the White House have been unable to come up with an alternative to the sequester, or reach a long-term budget deal that would allow them to turn it off.

The president and congressional leaders will make a final attempt at a pre-deadline compromise at a White House meeting Friday morning, but top lawmakers conceded the prospects were dim for a deal in the short-term. "Hopefully, by the end of March, people will see the light and understand that we're not standing for this," said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

By: Susan Davis/USA Today

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Cleveland Weather: Frigid & Flaky !

Even though the center of Low Pressure is moving to the east & the lake is mostly frozen, the air flow will be out of the North-Northwest for the next several days, keeping our weather Cloudy, Very Cold with occasional snow flakes. 

Thursday night will be Cloudy & Colder with occasional snow showers.  Low: 27.  Wind: NW 10-15 mph.

Friday will be Cloudy, Breezy & Colder with a few snow showers.  High: 30.  Wind: NW 10-15, gusts-25 mph.

Cloudy, Windy & Colder Friday night.  Low: 21.  Wind: North 10-25, gusts-25 mph.

Saturday, drier air moves into the region as the Low pulls to the east.  It will will be Mostly Cloudy & Cold.  High: 28.  Wind: North 10-15 mph.

Mostly Cloudy & Colder Saturday night.  Low: 18.  Wind: NW 10-15 mph.

Sunday will still be very cold, but we'll see some Sunshine !!  High: 26.

Monday will be Partly Cloudy & Chilly.  High: 32.

Low Pressure over Quebec will east to the West, bringing us a few light snow showers on Tuesday.  High: 35.

Wednesday will be Mostly Cloudy but a bit Milder.  High: 38.

Thursday will be Sunny & Milder.  High: 45.

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Police interviews reveal emotion during deadly chase, shooting

CLEVELAND -- For the first time, we hear from the police officers who opened fire on 2 unarmed suspects after a high speed chase last November.

On Wednesday, the Ohio Attorney General's Office released more than 12 hours of interviews conducted by the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation, or BCI.

They reveal a side of the story, never seen before: Veteran police officers, reduced to tears, while recounting their role in the shooting.

Officer Michael Brelo, an Iraq war veteran, is seen pausing several times, as he fights back tears.

"Even through Iraq, I never fired my weapon. I've never been so afraid of my life," said Brelo.

Investigators say Brelo jumped on top of a police cruiser and fired directly into the suspects' windshield. 49 bullet casings at the scene matched his weapon.

In the interview of Officer Mike Farley, BCI agent John Saraya asks, "Why did you fire?"

"It was the scariest thing in the world, I fired because I thought they were shooting at us," said Farley.

"I don't know if I ever want to be a policeman again," he quietly said, as he held tissues and dried his tears.

The 13 Cleveland Police officers fired as many as 137 rounds at the suspects, Timothy Russell and Malissa Williams, and their car after a 22-minute chase that criss-crossed the city, and ended in a middle school parking lot in East Cleveland.

The following barrage of gunfire lasted about 17 seconds.

Officer Wilfredo "Ed" Diaz, who says the suspects' car was coming at him, was the first to open fire.

"I remember thinking I wasn't going to shoot fast enough. I remember thinking by daughter's gonna be 4 in March, and I won't see her," Diaz said, as he choked back tears.

Det. Jeff Follmer, the president of the Cleveland Police Patrolman's Association says he wants the public to see the officers' perspective of that night.

"These officers are doing their job, and because of the suspects' actions, they're forced to make split second decisions," said Follmer.

The videotaped statements, along with hundreds of other documents and evidence from the Attorney General's investigation have been turned over to the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office for review.

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