Cleveland Browns fire head coach Mike Pettine, general manager Ray Farmer
The Browns have fired coach Mike Pettine following a 3-13 season. Pettine went 10-22 in two years, dropping 18 of his final 21 games after a promising 7-4 start in 2014. The Browns announced Pettine's firing — and the dismissal of general manager Ray Farmer — shortly after a 28-12 home loss to the rival Pittsburgh Steelers. Pettine's job security had been in doubt for months, and not even owner Jimmy Haslam's vow at the start of training camp not to "blow things up" could stop another regime change in Cleveland. Haslam says he takes responsibility for a disastrous couple of years. 11632, NFL learning curve. Haslam promoted a systems analyst on the team to be the head of football operations. Sashi Brown will first pick a coach and then a general manager.
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor to meet with Cleveland-area clergy members in wake of Tamir Rice decision
The prosecutor who recommended to a grand jury that a white police officer not be indicted for the fatal shooting of Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old black boy, will meet with Cleveland-area ministers to discuss the decision. Cleveland.com reports that the meeting between the ministers and Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Tim McGinty is scheduled for Tuesday morning. A grand jury last week voted not to indict patrolman Timothy Loehmann for shooting Tamir outside a Cleveland recreation center in November 2014. McGinty said it's "indisputable" that Tamir was reaching for a real-looking pellet gun tucked in his waistband when Loehmann opened fire within two seconds of a cruiser pulling next to the boy. McGinty has been criticized by Tamir's family and others for recommending that Loehmann and patrolman Frank Garmback not be indicted.
Douglas Prade's daughters believe he's innocent of 1997 murder
The daughters of a former Akron police captain who is seeking a new trial in the 1997 slaying of his ex-wife say they steadfastly believe their father couldn't have killed their mother. The Beacon Journal reports that one daughter of 69-year-old Douglas Prade says the absence of Prade's DNA on a bite mark on Dr. Margo Prade's blood-stained lab coat shows their father is innocent. Another daughter says prosecutors are engaged in a "witch hunt" as they fight Prade's efforts to obtain a new trial. The newspaper reports there's no timetable for when a judge in Akron might rule on the new trial question. Prade was convicted by a jury of aggravated murder and other charges in 1998 and received a sentence of 26 years to life.
Gov. Kasich continues down presidential campaign trail in New Hampshire
Republican presidential candidate John Kasich is returning to New Hampshire for a week of campaign events across the state. Kasich has set his sights on a strong performance in the state's first-in-the-nation primary Feb. 9 to break him from the crowded GOP pack. The Ohio governor has struggled to gain traction with his campaign, but he says he is not discouraged. His campaign says Kasich will hold his 50th town-hall meeting in New Hampshire on Wednesday.
Ohio Supreme Court considering whether the state’s “Good Samaritan” law applies to non-medical help in emergencies
The Ohio Supreme Court is weighing whether the state's “Good Samaritan” law should apply to individuals trying to provide non-medical help in emergencies. The court plans to hear from both sides Tuesday in the case of a man sued after his unsuccessful efforts to free another man whose leg was pinned between a truck and a loading dock in Fairfield. The injured man, Dennis Carter, lost his leg after the man trying to help him inadvertently caused the truck to roll back and crush the leg. Attorneys for Larry Reese say he shouldn't be held liable for the accident because Ohio's good Samaritan law protects people trying to help in such circumstances.
Ohio saw largest number of job openings during fall 2015
Ohio saw more job openings during a 30-day period this fall that at any time since it began tracking those numbers in 2011. The Columbus Dispatch reports that statewide there were 240,000 job openings posted between mid-October and mid-November. Nearly 50,000 were in central Ohio and more than 40 percent offered annual pay of $50,000 or more. The biggest demand was for truck drivers, followed by registered nurses, retail workers and customer-service representatives. There were 255,000 people officially listed by the state as unemployed during that period. More than half the openings required a high-school diploma or GED and about 1 in 5 jobs required a bachelor's degree.
Area ski resorts still waiting to open
Despite lake effect snow across the region, many Northeast Ohio ski resorts remain closed today.
This winter's unseasonably warmer weather is cited as the reason for the closures.
Summit County’s Boston Mills and Brandywine ski areas have yet to announce when they’ll open for the season.
Alpine Valley Ski Resort in Geauga County, however, is open, but with limited slope and lift access. | 
Ohio Attorney General sues Cleveland car dealer for failing to provide titles
