Cleveland Daily Local Brief: East Side Investigation, Burke Airport Debate, Lead Paint Push

Top local headlines

1) East Side investigation: two girls found buried in suitcases

Cleveland police and the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner are investigating after two girls were found buried in shallow graves with suitcases in the South Collinwood area. Officials said preliminary DNA testing indicates the girls are half-siblings, and the victims have not yet been positively identified. Authorities have said they are checking beyond the city for matches and asking the public to share tips as the case develops.

2) Burke Lakefront Airport: closure debate moves into public view

The city is continuing its push to close Burke Lakefront Airport, a proposal tied to a bigger vision for lakefront redevelopment. At a recent town hall at the airport, city leaders and community stakeholders discussed possible next steps and what a future use of the land could look like, while aviation advocates pressed concerns about access and the airport’s role in the region. More public engagement is expected as plans move forward.

3) Lead paint: advocates press City Hall for faster action

Local housing and health advocates outlined demands aimed at speeding up Cleveland’s response to lead exposure risks, including calls for stronger enforcement and more resources for remediation. The issue remains a long-running public health concern, particularly for families in older housing stock, and it is also intersecting with the city’s broader budget season priorities.

4) Budget season: City Council pushes for more street funding

As negotiations continue over the 2026 budget, Cleveland City Council members have signaled they want more dollars directed to street repair and related infrastructure needs. The discussion is part of the ongoing back-and-forth with the mayor’s office as lawmakers weigh what gets funded now versus what gets deferred.

Sources

• https://www.ideastream.org/law-justice/2026-03-04/dna-links-bodies-of-girls-found-buried-in-suitcases-on-clevelands-east-side
• https://www.cleveland19.com/2026/03/05/city-explains-what-future-burke-lakefront-airport-could-look-like-with-possible-closure-looming/
• https://www.ideastream.org/environment-energy/2026-03-02/cleveland-advocates-outline-demands-for-city-to-solve-decades-long-lead-paint-crisis
• https://www.ideastream.org/government-politics/2026-03-02/cleveland-council-wants-more-money-from-mayor-bibb-for-city-streets