The Power Rankings from Signal Cleveland is a weekly roundup of the people, places and things wielding their power, for better or worse, in Greater Cleveland.
Weed, LeBron and a handsome cat made the list last week. The list is a bit shorter this week; the PR team started the long weekend early — for research purposes, of course.
Have suggestions for next week’s rankings? Submit an idea here.
1. Cleveland Zoo primates
Gorilla welfare: Plans are underway to provide the gorillas and orangutans a new place to hang out. We hope it includes secret openings in the windows so they can reach through anytime some dork pounds his chest at them for TikTok.
2. Community Police Commission
Watching the watchmen: The commission has gotten more attention for infighting than for accomplishments. Its upcoming forum on police surveillance shows the important role it can play in Cleveland.
3. Trent Vogelhuber
Making Cleveland a hockey town?: In 2016, the Cleveland native was part of the Calder Cup-winning Lake Erie (now Cleveland) Monsters. Today he’s the head coach (the youngest in the AHL), and the Monsters are 6-1 in playoff games and headed to the conference finals. The Cavs play in the same arena – could he coach them too?
4. Park volunteers
Gang Green: Folks taking care of parks across the city for no pay and little recognition show that the DIY spirit is one of Clevelanders’ best attributes.
5. The Cavs’ “Core Four”
Sticking together?: Fresh off dismissing coach J.B. Bickerstaff, team exec Koby Altman reaffirmed his belief in young stars Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. (Unless LeBron wants to come back, right?)
