Chris Ball

Chris Ball became managing editor of FreshWater Cleveland in August 2019 after more than 20 years of editing and writing for The Plain Dealer. A graduate of Hawken School and Oberlin College, he previously worked for Crain Communications, the Lorain Morning Journal, The Free Times and The Cleveland Edition. A lover of Frisbee and film, Ball wrote a DVD review column for The PD for 15 years. He won a Press Club of Cleveland award in 2018 for Best Headline Writer in Ohio. Ball stepped down as managing editor of FreshWater in April 2020.

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On the hunt: A Gen Zer goes in search of his first apartment in downtown Cleveland
Want to live downtown? Ian Meadows does. The city planner recently toured 13 Cleveland apartment buildings over six months before landing his dream apartment. He describes his search for FreshWater as only a lover of urban architecture could.
Eight groups share $626,500 in new grants from coronavirus fund#COVID-19
A third round of weekly grants totaling $626,500 for eight Cleveland-area nonprofit groups was announced April 10 by the Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund coalition.
Anti-bullying project shows #CLE kids that words hurt too
Craven Smith’s Live2Love Project aims to open lines of communication to shut down bullies.
17 groups share $1.2M in new grants from coronavirus fund#COVID-19
A second round of weekly grants totaling $1.18 million for 17 Cleveland-area nonprofit groups was announced April 3 by the Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund coalition.
How Cleveland organizations are coping with coronavirus shutdowns#COVID-19
Events are being canceled or rescheduled left and right. Offices are closing, and people are working from home and sheltering in place. We caught up with five Cleveland organizations to see how the coronavirus crisis is affecting their efforts to serve the public.
Stuck at home? Give these Cleveland podcasts full of stories and roots music a listen#COVID-19
If you’re practicing social distancing and self-isolation and need a Netflix binge break, Roots of American Music hopes you’ll give their podcast series a listen.
24 Hours in #CLE: Emcee extraordinaire Christopher Axelrod, aka Peacock, loves to show off his city
Peacock is proud to show us his favorite places in Cleveland. Christopher Axelrod leads the way on a perfect day in his hometown.
Projects bridging Cleveland’s digital divide get a boost from Accelerate civic pitch competition
Two technology-driven projects that were pitched last year at the Cleveland Leadership Center’s Accelerate: Citizens Make Change civic pitch competition are well on their way to fruition.
Derf's new graphic novel ‘Kent State’ takes on tragic shooting
Shaker Heights illustrator Derf Backderf has a new book coming out in April. "Kent State: Four Dead in Ohio" will arrive less than a month before the 50th anniversary of the tragic event.
Slideshow: 'Cleveland 20/20' photo exhibit at downtown library captures beauty of urban scenes
“Cleveland 20/20: A Snapshot of Our City” presents nearly 200 photographs by 25 photographers capturing the urban grit and glamour of Cleveland, on display at the Cleveland Public Library.
Talking about trauma: Ride-along in Central gives Cleveland doctors new insight into patients’ lives
Doctors from St. Vincent Charity Medical Center explore issues involving trust and trauma with Central residents during a reverse ride-along hosted by the Cleveland Central Promise Neighborhood.
Central Kitchen sets the table for minority-owned craft food startups to flourish
Central Kitchen's two locations put it at the center of Cleveland's thriving craft food scene.
With retail incubator set to open, Glenville envisions a new future
Seven retail businesses are coming to Glenville Circle North in early 2020, bringing new shopping options and hope to a neighborhood that has suffered from decades of disinvestment.
Cleveland Heights car mechanic finds a much cheaper way to paint lines on streets
Sam Bell closed his Lusty Wrench auto repair shop in Cleveland Heights because he saw a way to greatly reduce the cost of painting lines on resurfaced roads.
Who's Hiring in #CLE: The Fund, CWRU, Barnes & Noble, Wag, and more
Need a job? Check out the latest edition of FreshWater Cleveland's “Who’s Hiring” series, where we feature growing companies with open positions, what they’re looking for, and how to apply.
Four aspiring Fairfax writers prepare to take on Cleveland with their stories
FreshWater Cleveland's new Fairfax correspondent program is giving four budding journalists the tools to share stories about their Cleveland neighborhood that otherwise would never be told.
Who's Hiring in CLE: Girl Scouts of North East Ohio, Cleveland Botanical Garden, and more
Looking for a job? Check out the latest edition of FreshWater Cleveland's “Who’s Hiring” series, where we feature growing companies with open positions, what they’re looking for, and how to apply.
Documenters.org comes to Cleveland
A website making it easier for citizen watchdogs to keep track of government meetings is coming to Cleveland.
Meet the #Fresh4, innovative thinkers making a difference
Tom Gill, Jacqueline Gillon, Stephanie Buda and Shelly Gracon are thinking outside the box to make their communities stronger. They are this year's #Fresh4, recognized by the Cleveland Leadership Center and FreshWater Cleveland as innovators who are making a difference.
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