📺 Netflix found our darkest story

Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop: New openings, revived favorites, and pop-ups multiplying like reindeer. We tried to keep up 🤯🍽️

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The birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll, Superman, the traffic light.

Alas, Cleveland also spawned the maniac who dismembered and decapitated transients and sex workers in a grisly rampage.

Ninety years after his first victim, the Torso Killer remains one of America's first modern serial killers – and his next stalking ground could be Netflix.

The streamer has won a bidding war for the rights to “Torso,” the 1998 graphic novel by Cleveland natives Brian Michael Bendis and Marc Andreyko. Zach Cregger (director of 2025 hit “Weapons”) will produce.

Between 1935 and 1938, the bodies of seven men and five women were discovered in and near Kingsbury Run, a shantytown running from East 90th Street and Kinsman Road to the Cuyahoga River.

Heads were cut off with surgical precision, a modern psycho killer preying on the underclass. The man on the case was crime-fighting legend Eliot Ness. A media frenzy and taunting post cards ensued… but the crime went unsolved.

Perfect fit for modern cinema, which is why it has attracted Hollywood studios since the early-2000s. This deal follows an intense seven-figure bidding war.

He’s the Willy Wonka of oddities, curiosities and all things fun.

For 27 years, Steve Presser’s pop-cultural emporium Big Fun was ground zero for retro hounds, toy nerds and kitsch cultists.

It’s closing, in 2018, left Coventry Village a lot less fun.

But wait… The pop maestro is back with a holiday pop-up in the space occupied by another departed icon: Record Revolution.

“My old store space wasn’t available, so I thought I was done,” says Presser. “Then I realized: ‘I’m gonna go stir crazy if I don’t do anything.’”

Big Fun runs through Jan. 11 and features old and newly acquired Cleveland memorabilia, toys, masks, novelties and vintage concert posters and backstage passes.

“I feel like a band on a reunion tour,” says Presser. “I get to see familiar faces and hang around this neighborhood I love.”

It goes both ways.

“People come to shop but also to revisit times at Big Fun and Record Rendezvous,” he adds. “Hey, my idea has always been, ‘Come shopping, leave smiling.’

Christmas Week is upon us. End-of-year vacations are kicking in. Out-of-town friends and family members are rolling into town.

What to do?

The city has experienced several changes since this time last year, with the opening of new eateries and shops, revived museums, and things to do.

These spots will showcase a city transformed.

Of course, Christmas bar mania hits peak bonkers this week. Check out the 216 Rundown for our last-minute guide.

Brew Garden: It looks like Gimbels department store in “Elf,” with lights and décor in every corner of the place. It’s also family-friendly – so all ages get to bask in the glow.

Deck the Vault: Trees, wreaths, lights, Santas – and a stunning maze of ornate rooms adorned with cushy couches, ornate wallpaper, moody lighting in old bank vaults.

Christmas Corner Bar: The Around the Corner pop-up did it first, four decades ago – and is still one of the biggest over-the-top celebrations of the season.

XMAS Bar at HI 5: The popular East Bank Flats spot looks like the holiday display at Macy’s NYC – with themed cocktails and party-hearty spirit.

A Winter’s Tale: The snazzy speakeasy in the InterContinental feels like Christmas, 1927… It’s behind a hidden door and requires a password.

Jingle Mingle: Amici’s Halloween pop-up was an over-the-top house of horrors. JM is back with a take on yuletide that’s just as extravagant.

Sleigh: Chandeliers, glowing lights an animatronic Rudolph, sparkling silver trees, immaculate displays & sweet drinks. This lounge at Jack Casino is a safe bet. Info.

Secret Cellar Christmas Bar: A festive time in the Great Lakes basement bar – with ornaments, cozy vibes and a drink list that isn’t sickly sweet.

Nano Brew's Holidayland: Yeah, there’s the décor. Check out the lists of themed beer and cocktails… fine pairing with the cozy, dog-friendly vibes.

Saint Nick’s Social Club: The 1920s-style speakeasy rolls out festive décor, an elaborate cocktail list and classic jazz.

Jolene’s Honky Tonk: The holiday trimmings are there. It’s the rooftop patio that makes for quite the Christmas gift.

👉 View Listing on Zillow

Cheer up, Cleveland — things are getting brighter. Sunday’s winter solstice marked the shortest day of the year.

Woohoo, we’ve gained a full two seconds today. OK, it gets better.

The days get shorter or longer by smallest increments leading up and following the Winter Solstice.

Going forward, gains won’t come equally in the morning and evening.  The sun won’t start rising earlier until Jan. 6. Instead, gains have been coming with later sunsets.

Gains and losses escalate as we reach the mid-point between the longest and shortest days – maxing out at around 2:44 a day.

On Jan. 1, we’ll gain 43 seconds; 2:13 on Jan. 31; and 2:27 by St. Patrick’s Day.

So, stay patient… Here comes the sun.

The Browns final game at Municipal Stadium was an emotional roller coaster for the 55,875 fans that watched the Browns defeat the Bengals, 26-10, on Dec. 17, 1995. It came six weeks after Art Modell announced that he was relocating the Browns to Baltimore. By the time the clock hit zero, there were rows of seats that had been ripped out lying on the field.

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37 °F 🌡️ 22 °F | 🌨️ (snow changing to rain late / overcast) | ~75% | 💨 ≈ 11 mph (≈ 10 knots)

46 °F 🌡️ 35 °F | 🌦️ (sprinkles / overcast) | ~40% | 💨 ≈ 12 mph (≈ 10 knots)

42 °F 🌡️ 35 °F | ☁️ (overcast / cloudy) | ~45% | 💨 ≈ 10 mph (≈ 9 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. Charlotte Hornets, 7:00 PM December 22 (Monday)

Home vs. New Orleans Pelicans, 7:30 PM December 23 (Tuesday)

Away vs. New York Knicks, 12:00 PM December 25 (Thursday)

Away vs. Houston Rockets, 7:00 PM December 27 (Saturday)

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