The most important moments and news of Northeast Ohio for 2022

As 2022 draws to a close, News 5 takes a look back at the most important moments of the year in Northeast Ohio.

Shane Bartek

Morgan Throw

It was a dismal start to 2022 in Cleveland.

Police officer Shane Bartek was shot and killed during an attempted car theft on New Year’s Eve.

Cleveland police report police officer killed in car theft

The Cleveland police arrested and charged Tamara McLoyd with the murder of Officer Bartek. McLoyd was sentenced to life in prison in September.

Tamara McLoyd sentenced to life in prison for killing Officer Shane Bartek

Read and watch ongoing coverage of Bartek’s death throughout the year here.

Johnny Tetric

News 5

Months later, the city of Cleveland lost another lifeguard.

On November 19, veteran Cleveland firefighter Johnny Tetrick was responding to a crash on I-90 when he was hit by a car. Tetric was taken to the university hospital, where he died.

Cleveland firefighter hit

The driver accused of hitting Tethrik, Leander Bissell, was charged with aggravated murder and leaving the scene of the accident.

RELATED: Farewell to Veteran Firefighter Johnny Tetrick

Farewell to Veteran Firefighter

Jayland Walker

WEWS

In Akron, the fatal police shooting of Jayland Walker in June sparked protests and violence in the city.

Protests over police shooting of Jayland Walker continue into fifth day in Akron

Walker was shot multiple times by eight Akron police officers after traffic was stopped.

Police release video of Jayland Walker being shot

The incident reinforced calls for police accountability. In November, Akron voters passed the 10th issue to establish a council to oversee civilian police.

Akron voters passed issue 10, creating a permanent police oversight council.

The Ohio BCI is still investigating the fatal shooting.

Read and watch the continuation of the coverage of Jayland Walker’s death here.

Russia invades Ukraine

Tragedy thousands of miles from northeast Ohio brought locals closer together.

When Russia invaded Ukraine in February, communities stepped up to help those fighting and fleeing the war.

News 5 anchor Rob Powers visited Parma on the day of the invasion. Parma is home to thousands of Ukrainians. Powers spoke to families who were worried about their loved ones caught in the middle of the war.

Pro-Ukraine City of Parma Shows Signs of Support Amid Russian Invasion

News 5 host Courtney Gusman and reporter Tracey Carloss spent time at the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church on Intercession in Parma, where volunteers and students collected donations for the people of Ukraine.

Residents of Parma loaded a truck with things to help the Ukrainian community

Watch our stories throughout the year about the Russo-Ukrainian War and its impact on Northeast Ohio.

new mayor of Cleveland

WEWS

The City of Cleveland started 2022 with a new leader.

Mayor Justin Bibb was sworn in as mayor of Cleveland on January 2. A day later, Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams resigned.

In July, Wayne Drummond became Cleveland’s chief police officer.

“He’s not a politician, he’s a civil servant” – Justin Bibb appoints Wayne Drummond as Cleveland’s new police chief.

In October, federal oversight of the Cleveland Police Department was extended for another two years.

Cleveland PD under Fed surveillance for 2 more years

In December, the Cleveland City Council approved legislation to create a local police commission. The group will determine police policy and discipline for officers.

City Council Approves New Cleveland Police Commission

Cleveland Metropolitan School District CEO resigns

Changes to the Cleveland Metropolitan School District were announced in 2022.

CEO Eric Gordon said in September that he would retire at the end of the 2023 school year. He has held this position since 2011.

CMSD CEO reflects on tenure and explains why he is stepping down

Changes in hospitals in the region

Another era in Cleveland came to an end in 2022.

The city’s first hospital, St. Vincent’s Charitable Medical Center, closed its emergency room in November. The hospital opened in 1885.

St. Vincent’s Charity Hospital ends inpatient care and focuses on holistic health and wellness

Other hospital systems in northeast Ohio also made changes this year due to staffing shortages caused by the pandemic.

University hospitals have closed their maternity hospital in Portage County, and Summa Health has closed its maternity unit in Barberton.

Summa Health closes delivery at Barberton campus

Ohio further away from the swing state

In 2022, Ohio is no longer a swing state. Although the predicted “red wave” in November fell short in many other states, the Republicans dominated the midterms in Ohio.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has been re-elected to a second term.

DeWine’s victory speech as governor 2022

JD Vance won the US Senate seat from Ohio, which was vacated by longtime Republican Senator Rob Portman.

JD Vance delivers victory speech after winning US Senate

All three races in the state Supreme Court went to the Republicans. Judges have influence over future decisions on LGBT+ protection, redistricting and abortion.

Republicans win Ohio Supreme Court

In October, Ohio’s restrictive abortion ban was blocked indefinitely as the state and abortion rights advocates fight to keep it legal after Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court.

In 2022, two controversial gun bills went into effect in Ohio.

In June, Ohio became the 23rd state to allow citizens to carry a concealed handgun without a permit. In September, Ohio teachers were given the right to carry weapons on school property after background checks and minimal training.

The proposed law would allow Ohio teachers to carry guns in schools after two hours of hands-on gun training.

Visit our Elections 2022 page to learn about the November elections and their aftermath.

New industry comes to Ohio

2022 brought big economic wins to Buckeye State.

In January, Intel announced that it would build a new $20 million semiconductor manufacturing facility in Licking County, Ohio. The project is expected to create thousands of jobs. Construction began in September with the goal of opening a woodchip plant in 2025.

Intel Begins Construction of $20 Billion Semiconductor Facility, Calling Central Ohio ‘Silicon Heart’

In October, Honda and LG announced plans to invest $4 billion in Ohio, with some of the money going to build a new electric vehicle plant in Fayette County. Construction is expected to start in early 2023.

Honda and LG to Build $3.5 Billion Battery Plant and Hire 2,200 People in Ohio

Big Events, Big Wins, Big Changes in Sports in Northeast Ohio

Cleveland sports have captured national attention in 2022, starting with the NBA All-Star Game.

The best basketball players and celebrities took part in the celebrations. This event contributed nearly $250 million to the economy of Northeast Ohio.

Economic Impact of the NBA All-Star Game

In September, the Cleveland Cavaliers acquired three-time All-Star defenseman Donovan Mitchell in a blockbuster deal with Utah. The Cavs currently have one of the best home records in the NBA.

Cavs unveil new quarterback Donovan Mitchell at press conference

A new era for the Cleveland baseball team began in 2022. Guardians debuted in April.

Indians change name to “Guardians”

The team won the American League Central Division championship under Terry Francona. was named American League Manager of the Year.

The Cleveland Browns shocked fans and the NFL in March when the team signed controversial quarterback Deshawn Watson to a record five-year, $230 million contract.

The Browns admitted signing Watson was difficult for a lot of people

In June, Watson agreed to settle the majority of civil lawsuits filed by more than 20 women who accused him of sexual harassment and harassment.

According to the lawyer, Deshawn Watson settled 20 of the 24 civil suits.

In August, the NFL announced that Watson had been suspended 11 games for the 2022 season and fined $5 million for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

Deshawn Watson suspended 11 games

Watson was reinstated in Week 13 and led the Browns to victory over his former team, the Houston Texans.

The December 2022 OHSAA Football Championship entered the record book.

The St. Ed’s Eagles defeated Springfield to become consecutive Division 1 State Champions.

The Glenville High School football team won its first ever state football championship by defeating Wyoming for the Division IV title.

The City of Cleveland celebrated “Glanville Tarbloder Day” with a motorcade and rally for players and coaches.

In a city with a rich football history, this has never happened before.

Head coach Ted Ginn Sr. said the win was also a win for the Cleveland community as a whole.