NORTH OLMSTED, Ohio — The net separates teams during a volleyball game, but in a match-up Friday morning at the North Olmsted Senior Center in Ohio, it was the conduit connecting Morgan Berry with older members of her community.

“Two generations playing together. The energy is high, the vibes are good," said Morgan Berry, North Olmsted High School senior.

Sitting across from Berry was Jami Twingstrom.

"There is no age limit on what you can do," said Twingstrom.

The pair got the chance to show off their competitive side during a chair volleyball game.

Mike Brookbank | News 5 Cleveland.

"We've won two games out of two games and it's fun creaming them," said Twingstrom.

The smack-talking seniors took on seniors from North Olmsted High School.

"They have a lot of respect for us, and I'm so happy they came," said Laverne Simerale, senior center member.

Mike Brookbank | News 5 Cleveland.

The teens are volunteers with the school’s SITES program, which is an acronym for Social Involvement Through Education and Service.

"We just learned about the elderly and how much they mean to our community, they're not just some old people, they do a lot for our community, more than we think they do," said Owen Reyes, North Olmsted H.S. senior.

The laughs, smiles and cheers on the court are a way for this next generation to give back to those who came before them.

“Don't be playing on the computer, come and help us and have a lot of fun. That's what it is all about," said Simerale.

This story was first published by Mike Brookbank at WEWS in Cleveland.

CLEVELAND —

At least nine people suffered gunshot wounds in a mass shooting in Cleveland early Sunday morning, according to local police, who believe a single suspect fired on a group of people before fleeing the scene.

No one has died as a result of the shooting, which Cleveland Division of Police Chief Wayne Drummond said happened in the city’s Warehouse District at 2:25 a.m., when an unidentified individual shot at a group of people.

The suspect then fled the scene that Jennifer Ciaccia, an agency spokesperson, described in a statement as “chaotic.”

Cleveland officers were already nearby as part of a routine detail in the area, the chief said. They responded immediately and gave medical aid to the victims, who include seven men and two women ranging in age from 23 to 38, Drummond said.

No officers were hurt, Ciaccia said.

Related video above: Can mass shootings be prevented?

Victims were shot in places ranging from their knees and legs to their feet and arms, according to a news release.

None of the victims’ injuries appeared to be life-threatening, according to Ciaccia.

MetroHealth Medical Center confirmed it received nine victims, with spokesperson Dorsena Koonce telling CNN that, as of early Sunday afternoon, two victims had been treated and released, five were in the emergency department, one was in the operating room and another had already had surgery.

Police are following leads and will “continue to work extremely hard to try to find” the person responsible, said Drummond. At that time, investigators had “no indication” that anything of note had taken place before the suspect opened fire.

Investigators said they were also reviewing evidence and video and have interviewed victims, a statement from Ciaccia says.

Police have described the suspect as a Black man wearing dark clothing.

The shooting is just the latest example of America’s struggle with gun violence, as mass shootings continue largely unmitigated.

There have been at least 365 mass shootings so far in 2023, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which, like CNN, defines a mass shooting as one in which four or more people are shot, excluding the shooter.

US Rep. Shontel Brown – who represents Cleveland, part of Ohio’s 11th District – thanked first responders in a statement and urged Congress to do more to stem the crisis, specifically calling for universal background checks, banning assault weapons and addressing gun trafficking, among other measures.

“Gun violence is devastating Northeast Ohio and Clevelanders deserve to be safe,” Brown’s statement said. “This epidemic is tearing at the fabric of our communities, and it will not end without significant legislative action.”

Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb expressed gratitude that no one was killed in the shooting but said it marked a “tragic and sad day” that highlights the United States’ “massive gun problem.”

CLEVELAND — After monitoring Buffalo’s forecast for days, the NFL has decided to move the Cleveland Browns game against the Bills to Detroit because Buffalo expects to be hit with a massive snowstorm.

"Due to public safety concerns and out of an abundance of caution in light of the ongoing weather emergency in western New York, Sunday's game against the Browns will be moved to Ford Field in Detroit," the Buffalo Bills tweeted.

The Bills added that the kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m., WKBW reported.

The team said details regarding tickets and other game day information will be "announced shortly."

Snow showers and squalls were expected for the tailgate and the game, with heavy snowfall forecast this weekend into the tailgate.

Temperatures are forecasted to be in the 20s in Buffalo, with wind chills in the teens. Snow totals are expected to reach several feet this weekend.

The last time the Bills had a game moved due to snow was in 2014. The team was scheduled to face the New York Jets at home, but the game was moved to Detroit.

With Sunday's game being moved to Detroit, WKBW reported that the Bills would be playing in Detroit twice in the same week as the team is scheduled to play the Lions on Thanksgiving.

This story was first reported by web staff at WEWS.

CLEVELAND — Many Ohioans are getting new license plates and some of them are including creative names and catchphrases. However, not all the ideas for personal plates get accepted.

The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles sorts through hundreds of applications for vanity plates every year. The agency just released its list of the requests that didn’t make the cut.

“We have over a half million vanity plates in the state of Ohio. So, we're really talking about, you know, a fraction of a percent that get rejected,” said Charlie Norman, deputy registrar for the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. “The criteria for approval or denial are, really, they're set forth in a consent decree.

In 2021, the BMV rejected more than 800 submissions for vanity plates. That number is up 79% compared to 2020, which had roughly 400 rejections.

“We're generally looking for things that are profane, sexually explicit or advocate lawlessness,” Norman said.

Drivers can get a vanity plate by applying online or in person. The cost is $50.

RELATED | Not quite Wright: Plane faces wrong direction on new Ohio license plate

The BMV has four employees who are dedicated to sorting through all of the applications looking for certain violations. Last year, nearly 50 denied requests included swear words involving President Joe Biden.

“I often look at this report that I get, and I wonder, ‘would I want my grandma to see me driving with that on my license plate?’ But that's not my role, you know, and that's not one of the criteria we use,” Norman said.

The BMV also started keeping an eye out for the phrase “Let’s Go Brandon,” which is another insult phrase that has become popular in recent months.

Biden isn’t the only target. Other denied plate submissions have taken aim at Vice President Kamala Harris, Dr. Anthony Fauci and even Carole Baskin from the Netflix series “Tiger King.”

“I’m just I'm continually impressed with how clever people are levels when using, you know, fours, fives, and spelling things backwards. And it's a lot of a lot of thought goes into some of these requests,” Norman said.

Most of the requests that get denied fall into the vulgar or poor taste category. If you feel you’ve been unfairly denied you can fight it.

Warning: Some of the rejected license plates contain vulgar language. Click here to see the full list.

RELATED | Ohio BMV announces self-service kiosks for vehicle registration renewals

CLEVELAND — Cleveland Police Union President Jeff Follmer confirmed to News 5 that an off-duty Cleveland police officer was killed during a carjacking Friday evening.

The incident happened near the intersection of Fairway and Rocky River drives in the city's Kamms Corner neighborhood.

According to authorities, the officer, identified as 25-year-old Shane Bartek, was shot twice during the carjacking, and the shooter fled in his vehicle. Bartek was then transported to Fairview Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police said the preliminary investigation indicates an individual approached Bartek in the parking lot of an apartment building with a gun and Bartek was shot after a struggle ensued.

Bartek was assigned to the 5th District and worked patrol, sources tell News 5. He was hired with the Cleveland Division of Police in August of 2019.

File Image

Following the shooting, the U.S. Marshals Service joined in the search for the shooter and Bartek's vehicle. Around 10:25 p.m., Richmond Heights police joined the pursuit of the stolen vehicle, continuing the pursuit to the Riviera Apartments on Lakeshore Boulevard in Euclid.

The individual driving Bartek's vehicle crashed into a fence and wedged the vehicle between the fence post and a tree behind the apartment buildings. Richmond Heights police took the driver into custody without incident and charged him with fleeing, receiving stolen property and numerous other traffic-related charges.

Police did not say the driver was charged with any crimes directly related to Bartek's death at this time, but his bond was set at $5 million at 10%.

On Saturday morning, authorities confirmed a female was taken into custody in connection with the incident, marking at least two people police have taken into custody.

Video below shows Bartek's vehicle being towed from the scene where the suspect was arrested.

Cleveland officer's car towed after suspect's arrest

City in mourning
Bartek was relatively new on the police force but a Northeast Ohio native, graduating from Berea-Midpark High School in 2015.

"The Titans community is deeply saddened by this senseless tragedy and our hearts go out to Shane Bartek's family, friends and fellow officers," Berea City School District said.

City leaders also addressed Bartek's death, sending condolences to his family and friends.

"This is a very sad day. My heart is aching for the family, for our officers," said incoming Interim Cleveland Police Chief Dornat "Wayne" A. Drummond during a news conference outside of the hospital. "It just doesn't make any sense."

Mayor-Elect Justin Bibb also spoke, asking for the public's support during a difficult time.

"I just ask the residents of Cleveland to keep the family in your prayers," Bibb said.

Meanwhile, current Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson issued his condolences to Bartek's family and fellow officers.

Cleveland Ward 17 Councilman Charles J. Slife issued a statement with his condolences:

"On behalf of the Ward 17 community, I extend our deepest condolences and sorrow to the victim's family and to the men and women of the division of police. Please keep the victim and them in your prayers," Slife said.

Cleveland City Council issued the following statement regarding Bartek's death:

Richmond Heights Mayor and Safety Director Kim Thomas issued a statement regarding the incident:

Police have executed search warrants in connection with the incident.

The Cleveland Police Department is accepting donations to its Heroes Fund, which supports families of officers killed or seriously injured while in the line of duty. The funds previously helped the families of Detective James Skernivitz and Patrolman Nicholas Sabo. To learn more or donate, click here.

A screen-printing shop in Berea is also selling t-shirts in honor of Bartek with all proceeds going directly to the fallen officer's family to help cover funeral costs.

CrimeStoppers has offered a $10,000 reward for information involving the successful prosecution of the case. Anyone with a tip is urged to call 216-252-7463. You can also CLICK HERE to submit a tip.

Download the News 5 Cleveland app now for more stories from us, plus alerts on major news, the latest weather forecast, traffic information and much more. Download now on your Apple device here, and your Android device here.

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CLEVELAND — Barbara Fulker and James Gavin of Cleveland feel lucky to be alive. After a suspect van plowed into their home during a Cleveland police chase in July 2019, the couple is now left with $30,000 in repairs.

The senior couple told News 5 they live on a fixed income and couldn't afford homeowners insurance.

So far, the City of Cleveland has told them it's not responsible for helping with repair costs due to "sovereign immunity," which absolves the city of liability in situations involving emergency services like police, fire, or EMS.

To make matters worse, the couple said four months after the accident, the city issued them a citation, fine, and court hearing for the unfinished repairs.

Anthony Garcia

The couple said too often they're forced to use a narrow wooden ramp to get into their home.

“It was a van speeding, and they lost control of the van and ran into the house and the steps," Fulker said. “I was very scared and very shocked. I really couldn’t believe it.”

“I called several times, and I left so many messages, never got a callback, they won't help us."

“I told them we couldn’t afford to have this fixed, especially not in 30 days. We don’t have that kind of money. We still don’t have it.”

Fulker has now challenged the candidates for the vacant Ward 4 Cleveland city council seat to help them find a solution.

Candidate Deborah Gray told WEWS if she's elected, she'll propose legislation that could grant repair assistance to homeowners dealing with police chase-related property damage by amending what can be covered by the Cleveland Moral Claims Commission.

While candidate Erick Walker told WEWS if he is elected in November, he'll explore a city-based homeowners insurance assistance program for qualifying low-income families and seniors on a fixed income, which could help with these types of damage claims.

News 5 also reached out to the Cleveland Mayor's office about this case, and it responded immediately. The city said it'd contacted several city departments to see if anything could be done to help the couple repair their home.

Joe Pagonakis at WEWS first reported this story.

CLEVELAND — Three suspects were arrested after an officer was shot and killed in Cleveland's Stockyard neighborhood Thursday evening.

The unidentified suspects was arrested Friday morning.

The shooting occurred around 10 p.m. in the 3200 block of West 65th Street near Storer Avenue, police said.

The officer, later identified as Det. James Skernivitz, was rushed to MetroHealth Medical Center where he died from his injuries, according to the Cleveland Police Patrolmen's Association.

Police said another person was confirmed dead on the scene but was not a suspect.

Skernivitz's identity was held pending the notification of his family, as he is married with children, police said.

Cleveland Police Patrolmen's Association said Skernivitz has been on the force for "a while," was "well-liked" and was a "good man."

"This one hurts," Cleveland Police Patrolmen's Association president Jeff Follmer said.

Skernivitz was a 25-year veteran of the Cleveland Division of Police, authorities said.

"We definitely need the prayers of the people in the city. This officer was out doing what all police officers do — trying to protect the people the city — and he gave his life, so we ask that you kind of give his family a little room," Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams said.

Special agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in Columbus responded to the scene to assist police.

This story was originally published by Camryn Justice on WEWS in Cleveland.

CINCINNATI (AP) — Five weeks ago, the Baltimore Ravens figured they’d have to win out and get some help to reach the playoffs.

After tending to their own part of the equation with four straight victories and receiving the necessary assistance last weekend in the form of losses by Cleveland and Indianapolis, all that remains for the Ravens (10-5) is one more item of business: defeat Cincinnati in the regular-season finale this Sunday.

MORE: About 10,000 fans allowed at PBS for Bengals' season finale

Getting into the postseason for the third year in a row is what’s important. Who they play if they get there is irrelevant.

“All we can focus on is the next game. Not focus on the playoffs,” Ravens tight end Mark Andrews said. “We’re just trying to get better and win this game, and the cards will fall how they fall.”

Baltimore was 5-1 before a skid that coincided with an outbreak of COVID-19 at its training facility sent the season off the rails. Four losses in five games — including three in a row before the current hot streak — can be forgotten with a victory at Cincinnati (4-10-1).

Ravens star Lamar Jackson needs 92 yards rushing to become the first quarterback in NFL history with two 1,000-yard seasons. At this juncture in the season, personal accomplishments are meaningless to the league’s reigning MVP.

“Being honest, I just want to win Sunday and come out of the game healthy,” Jackson said. “It doesn’t really matter about any records being broken, or anything like that. I just want to win to get in the playoffs.”

The Ravens have won their past three games against Cincinnati, their longtime AFC North foe. Baltimore beat the Bengals 27-3 in October before Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow’s season ended with a knee injury that brought about the emergence of Brandon Allen, who shredded Houston last week by going 29 for 37 for 371 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Cincinnati has nothing to gain except being the spoiler and ending a difficult season with a three-game winning streak.

After the Bengals went on the road to defeat the Texans 37-31, coach Zac Taylor said, “We’re out of the playoff hunt. It’s easy for guys to check out right now, and we haven’t had a single player do it. Just proud to coach these guys.”

MAINTAINING FOCUS

Following a 19-14 loss in Pittsburgh in which Jackson was sidelined with the coronavirus, Baltimore stood at 6-5 and in third place in the division. Ravens coach John Harbaugh kept spirits up with a calming directive that set the course for the rest of the season.

“I feel that coach did a great job during that time,” safety Chuck Clark said. “We were all at home on Zoom waiting for the next thing. What would be next? What’s the message? Where are we going from here? Coach did a good job of keeping us all grounded, knowing that we would all eventually overcome the situations that we had, and be able to get back out there and go win football games to be able to put ourselves in position.”

ROOKIE SENSATION

Bengals receiver Tee Higgins is on the cusp of setting a team rookie record.

Higgins has 67 catches, tied with Cris Collinsworth for most by a Bengals rookie. He was selected out of Clemson with the first pick in the second round of this year’s draft.

ROOKIE SENSATION II

Ravens rookie J.K. Dobbins has displaced Mark Ingram as the starting running back and is part of a three-tiered threat for a team that counts heavily on the run.

Jackson leads the way with 908 yards rushing, Gus Edwards has 663 and Dobbins checks in with 645 after being used sparingly early in the season.

Dobbins, a former star at Ohio State, has seven touchdowns, one in each of the past five games.

“As soon as they drafted me, my thought process was, ‘Let’s go in here, let’s get better, and I’m going to find a way to get on this field and help this team win as many games as possible — get us to a Super Bowl, if that’s possible,’” he said. “And that’s just what I’ve been doing.”

HUMBLE BUT CONFIDENT

Allen is 1-3 as a starter this year, so he wasn’t about to proclaim himself a star after tearing apart Houston’s defense last weekend.

“I’ve had a couple bad games too,” Allen said. “So I’ll take this with a grain of salt and just keep trying to get better. But I always wake up on game day with the confidence that we’re going to make all the plays we need to to win the game. And I always kind of feel like I’m going to make all the throws that I need to.”

He will tested by a Baltimore defense that has had 11 sacks in the past two games.

CLEVELAND — February is American Heart Month. The focus is usually on adults, but even the tiniest of hearts need TLC, and there is groundbreaking surgery happening on babies in utero.

The Ghaib family's littlest girl turns two in March and she has a big story.

“We couldn't imagine after the first diagnosis that we would reach this point now,” said Dr. Doaa Saleh. “It is beyond amazing."

Amazing because when Doaa was 20 weeks pregnant with Nadine, she and Ali received devastating news: the ultrasound showed their baby girl had a life-threatening heart defect.

“We may lose her in the pregnancy or soon after the pregnancy,” she remembers doctors telling them. “It was devastating news for every mother.”

Even more devastating, their doctors in Dubai said there was nothing they could do. But Doaa would not be defeated.

A doctor herself, and superfan of "Grey's Anatomy", she remembered an episode where they performed surgery on a baby in utero.

“I could've never imagined that 'Grey's Anatomy' could literally change my baby's life,” she said. “That it could save it!

The couple did research and found only a few places in the world perform such a surgery, but there was a plot twist to this real-life script. The medical team they chose was 7,000 miles away in Cleveland, Ohio, and they had to get there as soon as possible.

They packed up their first child, a toddler, and flew the 22 hours from Dubai to Cleveland; a city they'd barely heard of, to entrust their unborn child's life in the hands of the Congenital Heart Collaborative at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital.

“The fact that they put that much trust in us, is humbling,” said Dr. James Strainic, a University Hospitals pediatric cardiologist and surgeon.

Photo courtesy of University Hospitals.

The procedure is called fetal pulmonary valvuloplasty. The medical team uses ultrasound to guide a needle through mom's abdomen and into the baby's tiny heart to open a valve that's stuck closed.

“And the way we do that is with a really small balloon,” said Strainic. “It's only about 3-4 mm in size. We blow up the balloon and it kind of rips open the door and we prevent something called hypoplastic right ventricle, or half-of-a-heart syndrome.”

University Hospitals.

Mom is awake during the procedure which can take hours, even days in Doaa’s case, for the baby to get into the exact right position.

There is a risk with the procedure.

Strainic says about 10% of the fetuses they do these procedures on die in utero.

“There are circumstances where we could do the procedure after the baby is born, and in fact we don't offer the procedure to people if we think that we would have a successful procedure after the baby is born,” said Strainic. “We reserve this only for the fetuses that we are pretty sure are going to develop that half-a-heart syndrome."

Doaa said it was an easy decision for them because of the great benefit they felt confident it would give their daughter.

“If there was any percentage that I can save my baby from everything they told us about, I will take it,” she said.

Nadine and Strainic got to meet for the first time several months after she was born.

Photo courtesy of University Hospitals.

“It is something, you get all the feels as they say,” recalled Strainic.

Today, Nadine is a happy, healthy and normal toddler.

“Whatever she wants to do, she will do it,” smiled dad, Ali.

“Yeah, I am the boss,” echoed Nadine.

This boss baby, whose name means hope, is now giving that to families around the world as the embodiment of the life-saving medical treatments happening in Cleveland.

“When we went back to Dubai and the doctors there saw the results of Nadine’s heart surgery and her amazing recovery, they saw her like a miracle baby,” said Doaa. “That's why they now tell the parents about the options they have."

Every year, one in 100 babies born in the United States has a congenital heart defect.

Strainic says it's important to share stories like Nadine’s, to raise awareness and funding for research. He is currently part of a team at Nationwide Children’s Hospital to develop a heart valve that can be put into a fetus and will grow with the child over time, preventing years of heart surgeries and transplants.

Before moving to Dubai, Doaa and Ali lived in Iraq, but left after the war. The family now lives in Montreal. Doaa is active on social media.

She uses the platform to raise awareness about Nadine’s journey as well as advocate for the rights of women and children around the world.

This story originally reported by Katie Ussin on News5Cleveland.com.

CLEVELAND (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will be leaving his man cave to announce this year’s rookie draft class within shouting distance of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

The league announced some its plans for this year’s three-day event in Cleveland, which will include some of the prospects being in person after last year’s draft in Las Vegas was held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some of Cleveland’s iconic downtown locations, including the Rock Hall, FirstEnergy Stadium and the Great Lakes Science Center, will be incorporated into the three-day festivities from April 29-May 1. Most of the events are are outdoors.

Goodell will be on hand to welcome the league’s newest players — but from a short distance. Building on the success of last year’s virtual event, when the commissioner read players’ names from the basement of his home, other draft picks will participate remotely from around the country.

The league said the three-day event will be open to the public, and protocols from the experiences of hosting the Super Bowl in Tampa will be in place.

The league will again partner with state and local public health officials to ensure the safety for fans and participants. Fans will be required to wear face coverings and adhere to physical distancing.

A main stage will be built along Lake Erie to serve as the central hub for draft activities, including unnamed musical acts

“We are thrilled to be heading to Cleveland for the NFL draft, which has become one of the most highly anticipated events in sports” NFL executive Peter O’Reilly said.

The NFL will also use this year’s draft to promote the COVID-19 vaccine.

This year’s draft coincides with the the Cleveland Browns’ 75th anniversary.

CINCINNATI (AP) — Joey Votto hit a two-run homer to cap a seven-run third inning and the Cincinnati Reds cruised to a 10-3 rout of the Cleveland Indians on Friday night.

Jeff Hoffman (2-1) gave the Reds another solid start, surrendering just a run and seven hits through six innings and helping himself with a looping RBI single in the third. Nick Castellanos homered in the sixth inning for the Reds, who struck first in the weekend battle of Ohio.

Seven of the Reds starters scored in the third. Eugenio Suárez doubled down the third base line to drive in two, and Votto followed with his shot off the top of the left field wall.

Tyler Stephenson had a two-run single in the fifth inning.

Amed Rosario and Jordan Luplow homered for Cleveland, and Josh Naylor had three hits.

Indians starter Logan Allen (1-2) didn’t make it out of the third inning. He gave up five runs on three hits, but reliever Phil Maton surrendered the big hits to Suárez and Votto before getting out of the inning.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Reds outfielder Aristides Aquino had surgery to repair a fracture in his left hand and was put on the 10-day injured list. Infielder Max Schrock was recalled from the alternate training site. ... RHP/OF Michael Lorenzen had the first of two PRP injections to stimulate healing in his injured throwing shoulder Wednesday and isn’t expected to return until June. ... OF Shogo Akiyama (hamstring) could be back in the first part of May.

UP NEXT

Right-hander Sonny Gray makes his first appearance for the Reds after starting the season on the injured list with a muscle strain in his back. Going for the Indians will be right-hander Triston McKenzie (0-0), who gave up three runs in four innings in a 4-3 loss to the White Sox on Monday.

Most of the items you buy get to you, in part, by trucks. Right now, many trucking companies are facing a driver shortage, which could make it harder for you to get what you need.

“The demand for [commercial driver’s license] drivers has dramatically increased. Right now, it’s as a height I've never seen it, as in demand, as right now,” Don Mutters, an admissions rep at Great Lakes Truck Driving School, said.

Like driver’s ed, students here at Great Lakes Truck Driving School are guided by instructors through maneuvers and cones. After 200 hours and a test, they’ll have their commercial driver’s license.

“The volume, you would be surprised at how many calls and inquiries and people trying to get into school,” Mutters said.

Classrooms are full, and trucking companies desperate for new hires know it -- visiting the students before they’ve finished the course.

“No exaggeration, the demand is, to use a cliche, through the roof. Trucking companies are calling us every single day,” Mutters said.

He explained things have been hectic due to the shortage of truck drivers.

“The need, I don't see it ever diminishing,” Mutters said.

These students have their work cut out for them once they complete the necessary schooling.

“I like it when they’re all running, naturally, but you got to have drivers to put in them, so we got plenty of work,” Gene Carson, VP of Operations at Cleveland Express Trucking, said while standing out in the lot of trucks.

Outside the Cleveland Express Trucking facility sits a giant hiring sign.

“There are not as many resumes to choose from as there were maybe six to eight months ago," Carson said. "The smaller companies, they always had more of a challenge hiring, but it's nothing like it is now. I kind of get excited when I get a resume show up that’s been sent to me.”

He said it’s the worst he’s seen during his years in the industry. He’s having trouble hiring and says it’s due to several factors: more regulations on drivers, long-travel away from home, and concerns about job security as more autonomous vehicles hit the road.

“There’s a lot of things going on,” Carson said.

The American Trucking Association recently announced the industry needs to hire nearly 61,000 drivers as soon as possible to meet demand.

Roughly 1.1 million new drivers are needed in the next decade to support the current economic demands.

“Everything has to work in the right place, right time, the right amount to make everything possible,” Dr. Jen-Yi Chen, an associate professor of operations and supply chain management at the Cleveland State University, said. “People buy more in-house over the internet and online, consume more, and that requires more logistics and transportation. This imbalance creates a big problem for the supply chain.”

Dr. Chen said this could mean higher prices or shipping delays for Americans, some of which we’ve already seen. And without more drivers, the problem isn't going away.

“We are expecting the summer demand to pick up, like back to school. And then we're going to get into the holiday season, so it won't be until next year if ever to come back,” Dr. Chen said.

That’s why schools like Great Lakes continue helping potential drivers graduate. “Once you're enrolled here, we work with the students until they pass,” Mutters said.

They hope to get more drivers on the road and to keep them there.

“Literally every product, every consumable we all use on a daily basis...eventually it gets onto a truck and transported to a store, and we all rely on that,” Mutters said.

CLEVELAND — The 2021 NFL Draft in downtown Cleveland is one of the first major public events since the pandemic started, following the NFL’s Super Bowl and NCAA’s March Madness Tournament.

The way to keep everyone safe relied mostly on using more space, being outdoors, and rules about distancing, mask-wearing, and special access for vaccinated fans and officials. Even though the draft now travels around to a new city every year (except during 2020 when it was completely virtual), COVID was the audible no one saw coming.

Kevin Barry

“When we started planning over two years ago, we couldn’t have anticipated that we’d be in the current situation that we’re in now,” said NFL Director of Events Heather Nanberg.

That’s why she’s in charge of the largest draft stage the NFL has ever built so that it has enough room to fit representatives from all 32 NFL teams and specially selected fans, all of whom will have to be vaccinated.

The 4,000-5,000 fans who will get to watch the draft in front of the stage also needed to have their second vaccine shot more than two weeks ago and will wear stickers showing that they’ve been vaccinated.

Kevin Barry

“Everyone, regardless of vaccination, will also have to wear masks throughout the experience,” said NFL Senior Director of Event Planning Eric Finkelstein.

Fans don’t need vaccines for the NFL Draft Experience, which will allow 50,000 fans to play on the field at First Energy Stadium and do other actives outside the stadium.

Commissioner Rodger Goodell will be in Cleveland announcing picks from the stage with some prospects in attendance, but the teams will not have someone to hand the draft card in person. That’s all being done virtually, just like 2020, which Nanberg says is a feature the NFL enjoyed and is trying to recreate.

Kevin Barry

“There were some really cool moments where we got a lot closer to a lot of prospects…and we got to see into their homes,” said Nanberg.

Many fans can't get close to the stage, so three Rock the Clock end zones are set up in Playhouse Square, Flats East Bank, and Mall C, allowing fans to watch the draft from a distance.

Kevin Barry at WEWS first reported this story.