📰 Council Strikes Back

Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop: The Cavs took Game 1 — now the real question: can they keep rolling? 🏀🔥👀

Don’t keep us a secret: Share the email with friends (copy URL here)​

John Petkovic & Jude Perez

The backlash came swiftly, unexpectedly – and over something small yet obvious.

Mayor Justin Bibb was the first politician to accept the Browns move to Brook Park. No big deal.

Then came his plan to jack up street parking by up to 162% – an issue that exposed his biggest weak spot: He’s perceived to be out of touch.

Cleveland City Council just targeted his weak spot with legislation that would:

How did City Hall not see this coming months ago?

And not just because downtown is event-driven market whose patrons and workers drive. Or that consumers overwhelmingly see cashless, app-pay street parking as a price-gouging scheme.

Despite Bibb’s recent retreat on rates, he’s alienated small businesses that are the lifeblood of downtown.

Bibb has also proposed installing cameras to bust illegal parking. (The current $25 penalty would jump to $60 and could be issued immediately upon detection.)

Additionally, he proposed a “small tax” on bars and restaurants and parking to raise $9 million to repair Progressive Field and Rocket Arena – in his ‘fight’ against billionaire sports owners.

“It would be constructive to get input from the businesses that are impacted by these proposals,” says Nick Kostis, owner of Pickwick and Frolic. “We don’t have a liaison with City Hall and the businesses that I know of are never asked what they think.”

At the same time, the city is helping fund Bedrock’s $3.5 billion mixed-use riverfront development that includes a concert venue operation by corporate giant Live Nation.

And yet small bars and clubs get no tax break.  They must pay a 4% admissions fee – a tax Cleveland Councilman Kris Harsh calls unfair and is trying to repeal.

Even if someone lets them out, it’s doubtful these dogs would leave.

Charlie’s Dog House Diner is one of most charming – and tiniest – joints in town.

But you can’t miss it.

After all, it boasts a doghouse façade and beagles painted on the front.

Opened in 1952, it oozes with vintage vibes and the rascally spark of Tami Johnson. Check out her award for ‘Worst Waitress Ever’ on the wall behind the L-shaped, midcentury counter that seats 12.

“She gave it to me,” she says, pointing at mom, Bobbi Malek, who has owned the place going on 20 years.

“Use of foul language, awful service, chatting instead of working, and threatening bodily harm to customers!” reads the award.

It’s the humor – not to mention the waffles, Vienna hot dogs and breakfasts – that makes the regulars wag their tails in joy.

Many have been coming for decades. They even pooled their money to help rebuild it in Dec. 2024, when a hit-and-run driver crashed into the place.

These dogs don’t roll over.

Parker Messick came oh-so close… One inning away from the first no-hitter since Len Barker made baseball history.

On May 15, 1981, the Cleveland Indians pitcher achieved one of the rarest feats in all of sports when he threw a perfect game against the Toronto Blue Jays.

It was the 10^th perfect game in MLB history at the time.

His curveball left Toronto batters in utterly confused: He struck out 11 of them – including seven of the last 11.

Last season, Gavin Williams pitched 8 1/3 innings without giving up a hit. Messick went eight.

Barker's perfect game is the most recent no-hitter thrown by a Cleveland pitcher.

There have been only 24 perfect games in league history, spanning over 150 years and more than 238,500 games.

MONDAY

Che: The Atlanta rapper juxtaposes opposites – rage raps and atmospheric, avant-garde sound designs -- on the just-released ‘Million Dollar Mansion.’ He hits House of Blues at 7 p.m. Info.

TUESDAY

Uli Jon Roth: The German guitar hero who played with Scorpions and helped spawn neoclassical metal brings his axe to Mercury Lounge. 7 p.m. Info.

Laura Jane Grace: The Against Me! Lead singer explores punk, folk, country and rock ‘n’ roll in a solo career that spans six albums. 7:30 p.m. at Grog Shop. Info.

Rev. Horton Heat: High-speed and hard-wired, RHH is a hot rod that runs on psychobilly, punk-rock, surf, and country. 8 p.m. at Beachland Ballroom. Info.

👉 View Listing on Zillow

OK, let’s check our keys to the series, which opened Saturday with a Cavs win over the Raptors,126-113.

Star power? Yes, Donovan Mitchell and James Harden stepped up. Health? Yes, Dean Wade was cleared to start and notched a +20 while on the floor. Unlikely stars? Yes, Max Strus scored 24.

The Cavs up 1-0, with 15 wins to go. Tip-off for Game 2 is 7 tonight. Info.

Raptors coach Darko Rajaković will make adjustments to  free up Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram.

The Port of Cleveland and Cleveland Metroparks have embarked on an ambitious project to transform the land of Irishtown Bend into a sprawling green space. This is how it looked in 1885 – when shacks, houses and cottages lined the hillside along the Cuyahoga.

Ooh and don’t forget! Tag @The216Scoop on Facebook & @scoopcle on Instagram to get your photos in the Scoop!

60 🌡️ 51 | 🌧️ | 55% | 💨 WSW 9 mph (8 knots)

59 🌡️ 52 | 🌧️ | 55% | 💨 NNE 4 mph (3 knots)

63 🌡️ 55 | ☁️ | 20% | 💨 N 11 mph (10 knots)

_{Please note that weather conditions can change rapidly. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking a reliable local weather service.}

Home vs. Astros, 6:10 PM April 20 (Monday)

Home vs. Astros, 6:10 PM April 21 (Tuesday)

Home vs. Astros, 1:10 PM April 22 (Wednesday)

Away vs. Blue Jays, 7:07 PM April 24 (Friday)

Away vs. Blue Jays, 3:07 PM April 25 (Saturday)

Away vs. Blue Jays, 1:37 PM April 26 (Sunday)

Thanks for reading The 216 Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who’s proud to call Cleveland their home.

Watch this quick video (start at 0:50) to see how easy it is to add our app to your home screen!