🌱 Black Shield President Fired + Bibb Expands Diversion Program

Hey, people of Cleveland! Danielle Fallon here with a fresh Cleveland Daily.

---

First, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy and very cold. High: 23 Low: 15.

---

Rent this space:

Are you a local business owner or marketer in Cleveland? We love connecting local businesses with our amazing readers. Click here to learn how it works.

---

Here are the top three stories in Cleveland today:

1. After an internal investigation, the Cleveland Division of Police terminated a sergeant for committing multiple violations. Vincent Montague Jr. was hired by CDP in 2008 and assigned to the Second District; he was also the president of the Black Shield Police Association, a group to support Black and minority officers in the greater Cleveland area. Montague's violations included lying about his communication with a man charged with attempting to bribe a police officer. (Cleveland 19 News)
2. On Friday, Mayor Justin Bibb announced expanded eligibility requirements for non-violent offenders to participate in the Cleveland-County Diversion Center. The program is designed for individuals experiencing mental or physical health crises (or with a history thereof), including those stemming from substance misuse and/or addiction. Those charged with any non-violent misdemeanor offense can be eligible for screening into the center, with the exception of escalating misdemeanors and sex offenses. (News 5 Cleveland)
3. Residents in East Cleveland's Crystal Tower Apartment still don't have heat, despite the owners of the complex saying that services were restored on Wednesday. One tenant reported that her heat has been out for ten weeks, and her attempts to use a space heater blew a fuse that partially cut out her electricity. Reporters with News 5 stated they "received the runaround" when attempting to contact various East Cleveland officials. (News 5 Cleveland)

---

Today in Cleveland:

• Music At Main: The Garland Variations At Cleveland Public Library Main Branch Virtual Events (2:00 PM)
• Glo Party At Kaiser Gallery (11:00 PM)

---

From my notebook:

• Thanks to a $3 million grant from the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation, Cleveland and East Cleveland residents can enjoy free admission every Sunday to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. (Cleveland 19 News)
• Cleveland Clinic and the City of Cleveland announced their donation to Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition, an organization working to prevent children from lead poisoning. (Facebook)
• Investigators are offering a $5,000 reward for information regarding a Thursday night arson in the Hough neighborhood of Cleveland. (Cleveland 19 News)

---

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Two Fish Five Loaves - Food Pantry (January 15)
• 2022 Cuyahoga County Solar Co-op Online Info Session (January 20)
• Estate Planning Webinar (January 24)
• Estate Planning Webinar (January 25)
• Add your event

---

Loving the Cleveland Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
• Get your local business featured in front of readers

---

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you around!

— Danielle Fallon

About me: Danielle Fallon is a writer who loves using her creativity to fuel her passion for communication. She is an employee of content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master's Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.