The iOpener: Indians' Training Camp Opens; Suspect in OSU Abduction Killed; Fireman's Third Arrest

Good morning on this rainy Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019.  Pitchers and catchers report to the Indians' spring training camp in Arizona today.  Can spring be far behind?  What isn't far behind is Valentines Day.  It's tomorrow.  Have you ordered the flowers yet? 

Indians pitcher Danny Salazar, who missed all of the 2018 season with a shoulder injury, told reporters he hopes to be pitching off a mound before the end of spring training with the goal of appearing in a major league game before the All-Star break in July. Salazar was an all-star in 2016, the 29-year-old could return as a relief pitcher for the Tribe. The full squad reports to Spring training Saturday, with the first exhibition game on February 23rd. 

Kentucky State Police say both the suspect and victim in an abduction case at Ohio State Mansfield died after a police chase and officer-involved shooting Tuesday. Authorities say 24-year-old Ty’rell Pounds was seen forcing 20-year-old Skylar Williams into a car at gunpoint Monday. A witness in Kentucky called police after seeing a woman in distress, sparking the chase. A deputy heard a gunshot from within the vehicle and believed that both he and the victim were in danger. He is believed to have shot Pounds, who died at the scene. Williams was struck by a bullet that entered the car and died at the hospital. The couples’ son was not involved and is safe with relatives.

Cuyahoga County continues to respond to a U.S. Marshals report that called conditions at the county jail inhumane. Council approved $3.5 million to hire 60 corrections officers and supervisors in hopes of eliminating the practice known as “redzoning”, where inmates are locked down for hours at a time due to staff shortages. Former inmate Cecil Fluker added several defendants including county executive Armond Budish to his civil rights lawsuit, alleging he was forced to drink dirty water and eat off moldy food trays. Eight inmates died in county custody in 2018.

A veteran Cleveland firefighter was arrested for a third time in 24 hours at Hopkins Airport. Battalion Chief William Graham was first arrested Monday around 1 p.m. on accusations he was intoxicated and acting aggressively at an airport gate and was not allowed to board his flight. Graham was arrested again just after 7 a.m. Tuesday for disorderly conduct with a heavy odor of alcohol and behavior that Cleveland police say was alarming to passengers and employees. Graham complained of an illness and was taken to the hospital, but the city sent out another release stating Graham had been arrested for a third time Tuesday around noon, again for disorderly conduct. The Department of Public Safety is investigating after placing Graham on restrictive duty. A 30-year veteran of Cleveland Fire, Graham remained hospitalized as of Tuesday afternoon

Weather forecast: A wind advisory is in effect until 4 p.m. today. Scattered snow showers with a high of 30 Wednesday. Partly cloudy tonight, low 27.