Special Report: Our Epidemic by Sheehan Hannan and James Bigley II
After 1,095 opioid-related deaths in Northeast Ohio in 2016, officials called the opioid epidemic the public health crisis of our time. From the front lines of the epidemic, we examined the impact of the opioid problem, how it’s infecting the region and the solutions needed to recover. While a number of the package's harrowing stories were memorable —like one that spent a day in the life of an addict and another where a paramedic detailed what he's learned from responding to overdose victims — the report's anchor was a standout piece of journalism, examining the epidemic's rapid growth, a family's loss of a son and the successful needle exchange program.
Leonor's Choice by Sheehan Hannan
In August, Leonor Garcia, who entered this country illegally at the age of 15, was given two weeks to return to her native Mexico. Instead, the Akron mother of four began living at Forest Hill Presbyterian Church in Cleveland Heights. For this November feature, we spent three days with Garcia to see what life is like living in sanctuary.
Who Are We Now? by Sheehan Hannan
In one whirlwind year, Cleveland claimed an NBA championship, hosted a national political convention and continued development downtown and in the city's neighborhoods. But as Cleveland sheds its "Mistake on the Lake" identity, this July cover package confronted our city's shifting identity, asked what it takes to continue the momentum and attempted to set an agenda for the future.
The Transformation of Lady J by Mark Oprea
Jeremiah Davenport came to Cleveland to study musicology, but has danced into the spotlight as a drag performer who combines artistry with a deep sense of history. In this August profile, we followed Davenport's evolution from Tennessee teenage band geek to one of Cleveland's premier drag queens.
Ushabu's Matthew Spinner Is A Professor of Japanese Cuisine by Kim Schneider
The Tremont restaurant dives into Japan's culinary history — one region at a time — with a menu steeped in tradition. In this October feature, Chef Matthew Spinner takes us inside his process as he crafts his quarterly anthropological study of food.
Beyond The Call by James Bigley II and Abby Burton
As our country honored its approximately 20 million veterans in November, we spoke to seven members of the military from World War II to Afghanistan who revealed what they’ve learned about duty, freedom, honor and what it means to protect those who cannot protect themselves.
The Cleveland Browns Connect Generations Of Fans With Shared Misery by David Giffels
In this hilarious mid-season column, writer David Giffels examined millennials' attachment to a team they've never seen win and shared how the love of a sports train wreck brought him and his son together.
As potential development and rural culture collide, Eaton Township is in the crosshairs of a controversy that threatens its identity. In October, we spoke with Eaton residents — including some owners of homes struck by stray bullets — about the township's lax gun laws and the small town's transition.
Before Cleveland became a hotbed for T-shirt culture, Nightsweats and T-Cells raised awareness and created hope for those with HIV and AIDS. Now after 27 years, its brand of screen-printed activism continues the fight and inspires a new generation.
In 2013, Aliza Sherman was murdered downtown in broad daylight before a meeting with her divorce lawyer. Four years later, the case remains unsolved. In this May feature, we spoke with her family and friends who continue to search for answers and seek justice for their loss.
