📰 Summer of ’76 Mafia Bloodbath

Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop: Ferrara’s has been feeding this city for 65 years, and today feels like one of those rare moments where a place becomes a memory in real time 🍕🕰️💔

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John Petkovic & Jude Perez

He shied away from attention and you’d be hard-pressed to find a photo of him in public.

He was a private man born and raised on East 110^th and Kinsman who went on to live the American Dream his way – with guns and violence.

But there was no fanfare when it came to John Scalish – even in death, after a failed open-heart surgery.

A tiny obit was buried deep in The Plain Dealer. No photos.

But what followed made Cleveland national news 50 years ago with one of America’s biggest outbreaks of mob violence.

Thirty-seven car bombings, bloody wreckage and numerous Mafia hits earned Cleveland the title, “Bomb City U.S.A.”

It led to assassination attempts on Mayor Dennis Kucinich, turned Irish mobster Danny Greene into a folk hero and, ultimately, helped the FBI bust America’s La Cosa Nostra.

“The Cleveland Mafia helped build Las Vegas and was involved in the skimming operations Martin Scorsese depicted in ‘Casino,” says Rick Porello, whose book "To Kill the Irishman" was made into a 2011 film.

"Once Cleveland guys started flipping, it took down the mob,” he adds.

Tomorrow, our special edition 216 Insider explores the 50^th anniversary of the summer when all hell broke loose – from the bombings to the crime figures to the assassination plots in Cleveland’s deadliest chapter.

What do you get when you cross a detour with a detour with a detour?

Yes, a labyrinth of orange barrels, Lane Closed signs and a hot mess of frustration.

Cleveland drivers heading into downtown will face yet another challenge to their commutes when the eastbound I-90 exit ramp to northbound East 9th Street closes for four months starting June 29.

This closure will impact, er, I mean, drive 11,000 daily commuters crazy – because it adds to a series of overlapping construction projects that have made navigating downtown a rough ride.

Pavement and bridge replacements (such as E. 22nd Street and Carnegie Avenue bridges over I-90), and street reconfigurations and resulted in lane restrictions on Carnegie Avenue and closures and restrictions on E. 14th Street ramps to I-77 and portions of Cedar Avenue and E. 22nd Street.

Meanwhile, the just-started Memorial Bridges Loop Project has resulted in lane restrictions began on Huron Road and Ontario Street through mid-November.

Hey, Guardians fans: Aim for batting practice if you want to arrive by game time.

There are sports owners and there are sports owners and then there’s Jimmy Haslam – who stands above all.

At least when it comes to trading the franchise legends of two major sports teams in one month.

On June 1, his Browns traded Myles Garrett to the Rams in a blockbuster trade for draft picks and a young player, Jared Verse.

You ain’t seen nothing yet…

On Monday, his Bucks sent Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami for multiple first-round picks and a package of players.

It’s unprecedented in the history of sports for the same owner to trade cornerstone veterans in two rapid dual-franchise overhauls.

The Cavs were rumored to be a longshot in the Giannis sweepstakes.

WEDNESDAY

Cuyahoga River by Boat: Cleveland History Days and the Cleveland Metroparks will host boat tours to celebrate the river’s amazing revival after the 1969 fire. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Merwin’s Wharf. Info.

Steve Hofstetter: The popular YouTube comic with over 225 million views and half a billion more on Facebook, Steve Hofstetter is also the host of Finding Babe Ruth on FS1. 7 p.m. at Funny Bone. Info.

Sonido Gallo Negro: The Mexico City band brings its unique brand of psychedelic tropicalia – an exotic mix of organs, guitars, synths and a theremin – to the Grog Shop. 8 p.m. Info.

THURSDAY

St. Demetrious Greek Festival: The Westlake church rolls out one of the season’s most popular festivals rolls out entrees, immaculate pasties, drinks and music by Stigma. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. through Sunday. Info.

Tri-C JazzFest: The three-day bash kicks off with Sheila E., aka the “Queen of Percussion,” who’s mixed jazz with rock, R&B and pop in a career that reaches back to the late-1970s. 8 p.m., State Theatre. Info.

👉 View Listing on Zillow

For 65 years, it’s been a family and Mayfield Heights institution – not to mention a destination for Cleveland all over looking for a taste of its Sicilian-style pizza, sauces, sub sandwiches and antipasto.

No more. Ferrara’s Imported Foods, opened by brothers Alfred and Joe in 1959, has served its last meal.

The Mayfield store will be selling its inventory, according to its third generation owner, John Ferrara who started working there as a teenager 30 years ago.

Brookside Pool -- located where the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo amphitheater now sits -- was a popular summer destination in the 1960s.

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

73 °F 🌡️ 65 °F | ☀️ (Mostly Sunny) | 6% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 8 mph NNW (≈ 7 knots)

77 °F 🌡️ 65 °F | ⛅➡️⛈️ (PM Thunderstorms) | 53% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 11 mph SW (≈ 10 knots)

73 °F 🌡️ 66 °F | 🌧️ (Showers) | 52% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 8 mph ENE (≈ 7 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. White Sox, 2:10 PM June 24 (Wednesday)

Home vs. Mariners, 7:10 PM June 26 (Friday)

Home vs. Mariners, 7:10 PM June 27 (Saturday)

Home vs. Mariners, 1:40 PM June 28 (Sunday)

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