⚾ Guardians Drop Game One vs Tigers

Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop: The trees are showing off—have you planned your fall drive yet? 🍂🍁

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John Petkovic, Jude Perez & Victor Takakura

Welcome to October, when green turns yellow, red and gold. Experiencing the changing leaves is an annual pastime for photographers and hikers.

Fall foliage is already changing, slowly, due to September’s hot, dry weather. It will reach its peak in the second and third weeks of the month.

Here are five places for your fall foliage tour:

Cuyahoga Valley National Park: A natural beauty, and the 12th most popular park in the U.S. Frommer’s calls it a top spot to see in the world and it’s been named the fourth best place in the country to see fall foliage. Info.

Holden Arboretum: It houses 3,600 acres of gardens and wooded areas and the 125-foot-high Kalberer Emergent Tower – and has just opened its Halloween installation, Skeleton Grove. Info.

Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park: The sparkling quartz and stunning sandstone cliffs date back to the Ice Age. The lush forests offer stellar views of changing leaves. Info.

North Chagrin Reservation: Cleveland Metroparks trail winds through old-growth forests to a 20-foot waterfall and the 1890s Squire’s Castle – which is said to be haunted by a ghost that roams its ruins. Info.

Bedford Reservation: The deep gorge (a National Natural Landmark) carved out by Tinker’s Creek, boasts picturesque vistas and waterfalls – and offers a spectacular vista in the fall. Info.

The days of targeting drivers in speed traps in a money-making scheme are over. An Ohio law that slams the brakes on traffic ticket quotas has taken effect.

Leonard’s Law is named after Leonard Mazzola, the former lieutenant in Independence Police Department who was threatened by the city after complaining about the practice in 2019.

"Quotas turn officers into revenue generators instead of public servants," says Mazzola. "They create incentives to write tickets regardless of the facts or circumstances, including when a warning would be more appropriate."

He won $1 million in a lawsuit against the city in 2022 – and lobbied the State lawmakers to pass the bill, which was signed into law in July. It was supported by police organizations.

Unofficial ticket mandates date back to 1980s.

"It [was] completely legal for us to mandate a police officer to go out every single day on the taxpayer dime to produce 10 or 20 tickets,” said Leonard’s Law supporter State Sen. Tom Patton (R-Strongsville), whose family included several police officers.

Coming back from 15 ½ games made it a miracle season. The Guardians 2-1 loss to the Tigers in the first game of the Wild Card Series is a reminder of why they fell so far behind.

A lack of timely hitting and errors by Jonathan Rodriguez and Jhonkensey Noel botched a stellar performance by Cleveland ace Gavin Williams.

The inability to drive in Jose Ramirez – on third, with no outs in the ninth – underscored the ineptitude the team displayed before it got hot.

Tanner Bibee hits the mound in game two – 1:08 p.m. today at Progressive Field. He’s pitched well against Detroit this year, but defense and hitting are keys to Guards Ball.

Even as Coventry Village was changing with bars, shops and clubs coming and going, there was always Hunan. No more. The Chinese restaurant will close after 38 years. Taking its place is Mizu Sushi. The Parma-based Japanese restaurant will open its second location in October, according to Mizu management.

Autumn Ales at Irish Bend Taproom: Market Garden rolls out its lineup of seasonal beers –complete with pumpkin decorating. 6 tonight. Info.

California Honeydrops: The neo-blues, soul and R&B band from Oakland brings its Redwood Highway Tour to House of Blues, 7 tonight. Info.

Shonen Knife: The Japanese trio brings its mix of 1960s girl group pop and ‘70s punk to the Grog Shop. 8 p.m. Thursday. Info.

👉 View Listing on Zillow

Goblins, ghouls and witches rejoice. Boo at the Zoo is back after a five-year hiatus.

The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s Halloween extravaganza was a staple for 30 years – not to mention one of the zoo’s more popular attractions. Then came the pandemic and poof.

It returns Thursday and runs 5-9 p.m. Thursdays to Sundays through Oct. 26. Tickets.

Boo mixes themed entertainment, animal acts and trick-or-treat – where attendees of all ages are encouraged to come in costume.  

Pioneering automaker Alexander Winton drives the first Winton car around Cleveland in 1897.

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

69 °F 🌡️ 56 °F | ⛅ | 1% | 💨 ENE ≈ 18 mph (≈ 16 knots)

75 °F 🌡️ 52 °F | ☁️ | 1% | 💨 E ≈ 10 mph (≈ 9 knots)

76 °F 🌡️ 58 °F | ☀️ | 3% | 💨 WSW ≈ 9 mph (≈ 8 knots)

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

Away vs. Minnesota Vikings, 9:30am October 05 (Sunday)

Home vs. Lehigh Valley Phantoms, 7 AM October 18 (Saturday)

Home vs. Lehigh Valley Phantoms, 7 AM October 19 (Sunday)

Home vs. Rochester Americans, 7 AM October 26 (Saturday)

Away vs. Bulls, 8 PM October 9 (Thursday)

Away vs. Celtics, 7 PM October 12 (Sunday)

Home vs. Tigers, 1:08pm Wednesday

Home vs. Tigers, 1:08pm Thursday

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