Joe Donatelli

Cleveland

Digital Director at WEWS-TV (Cleveland, OH)

Digital Dir @WEWS. Too humble to list all the awards I've won, which are impressively numerous. Ponder the eternal questions here: https://t.co/zqMmCfayMR

Articles

Suspect in Aliza Sherman killing returned to Northeast Ohio

1 week ago | news5cleveland.com | Joe Donatelli |Tracy Carloss

The suspect in the death of Cleveland Clinic nurse Aliza Sherman is back in Northeast Ohio. Sherman’s former divorce attorney, Gregory Moore, was identified as a suspect in her death and arrested at a relative’s home near Austin, Texas, on May 2. Moore was indicted by a Cuyahoga County grand jury and was being held in Williamson County Jail in Texas. He waived a formal extradition hearing on May 14.
Akron middle school evacuated after bomb threat discovered, classrooms vandalized

2 weeks ago | news5cleveland.com | Joe Donatelli |Bob Jones

AKRON, Ohio — An Akron middle school was vandalized over the weekend and evacuated this morning when a bomb threat was discovered. Akron Public Schools Superintendent Mary Outley confirmed that the school district has declared a calamity day for Innes Community Learning Center, and police are investigating. Parents have been asked to pick up students at Garfield High School.
In letter to Ronayne, Browns reiterate they’re prepared to move forward without Cuyahoga County

3 weeks ago | news5cleveland.com | Joe Donatelli

CLEVELAND — Last week, with state legislators considering make-or-break funding for a new suburban Cleveland Browns stadium, Mayor Justin Bibb and Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne pleaded with Columbus to help them keep the Browns Downtown. Today, the Browns sent a letter to Ronayne criticizing recent comments while standing firm on the team’s desire to build an enclosed stadium in Brook Park.
Police looking for missing 5-year-old in Akron

1 month ago | news5cleveland.com | Joe Donatelli

Akron police are looking for Armyrcle Bennett, age 5, who they say has been reported missing. Police say she was last seen near Cascade Village Apartments on East North Street wearing a pink coat, light blue jeans and white shoes. If you have information about her whereabouts, call the Akron Police Juvenile Detective Bureau at 330-375-2530.
Bengals, Hamilton County seek $350 million from state for stadium upgrades

1 month ago | news5cleveland.com | Drew Scofield |Joe Donatelli

COLUMBUS, Ohio — After the Ohio House passed its version of the state budget bill promising $600 million from bonds to the Browns for a new enclosed stadium, Hamilton County and the Cincinnati Bengals submitted a mid-game request for their own stadium money. Documents submitted to the state show that the Bengals and county commissioners are asking Ohio for $350 million.
Icy conditions and accidents on freeways this morning

2 months ago | news5cleveland.com | Joe Donatelli

Posted and last updated Icy roads are causing accidents all over Northeast Ohio freeways this morning. We’re tracking over a dozen at the moment. Take a look at our traffic map before you head out the door. Watch Good Morning Cleveland for the latest:Road closureThe City of Hudson says State Route 8 Northbound is closed at Seasons Road because of accidents caused by ice on the bridge. Plan an alternate route.
The number of imaginary creatures visiting American homes has doubled. What are we going to do about it?

2 months ago | joedonatelli.substack.com | Joe Donatelli

St. Patrick’s Day is coming, and for many Americans that means day-drinking, consuming oversized corned beef sandwiches and engaging in bouts of fisticuffs with strangers and well-wishers outside P.J. McShenanigan’s Malarkey Ale House. Sadly, though, and tragically, even, this beloved holiday is not all drunken rowdiness and solemnly vowing to eat cabbage more once a year. For many parents, St. Patrick’s Day takes on another dimension.
1 dead in 4-vehicle accident on Opportunity Corridor

Mar 2, 2025 | news5cleveland.com | Joe Donatelli

One person is dead, one is in critical condition and two others suffered minor injuries in a four-car motor vehicle accident at Opportunity Corridor and East 55th Street on Sunday morning, according to the Cleveland Fire Department. The accident happened around 9:24 a.m., and an hour later, crews were still on scene. Opportunity Corridor is closed between East 55th and Kinsman. News 5 is working to learn more.
The Ohio Connection Is Too Big to Ignore

Feb 8, 2025 | joedonatelli.substack.com | Joe Donatelli

There’s a meme. Maybe you’ve seen it. An astronaut looking at Earth discovers the truth. “Wait, it’s all Ohio?” the astronaut asks. A second astronaut – who has an Ohio flag patch – is the guardian of a great secret. A gun is raised. “Always has been.”It’s absurd and, if you’re from Ohio, perfect. Ohio is this square-ish state in the middle of the country. It’s not New York. Or California. Or Texas. But it can feel like EVERY news story, and every cultural moment, every person, has an Ohio connection.
We’re raising the kids Gen X

Feb 1, 2025 | joedonatelli.substack.com | Joe Donatelli

My friend Bridget Phetasy recently replied to this highly accurate meme on X, and it made me laugh. Possibly drunk, I felt compelled to respond. Challenge accepted. I had my assignment. I’d write about all the ways my wife and I could raise our two kids Gen X and how in the end it would be really good for them for reasons of confidence, self-reliance and proper taste in music. Then a funny thing happened. As I started thinking about how we could raise our kids Gen X, I realized … WE ALREADY WERE.