Regional News Stories Archive: December 2006

Appreciating Robert Lockwood, Jr.
Originally aired Friday, December 1, 2006
The family, friends, and fans of famed Cleveland musician Robert Lockwood Jr. will say goodbye to the blues master at his funeral downtown, this weekend. The 91-year-old guitar legend died last week after suffering a stroke a month ago. ideastream's David C. Barnett has this appreciation.

Statehouse News Bureau: Controversy Over Great Lakes Water Use
Originally aired Friday, December 1, 2006
A proposal to have Ohio join a multi-state compact to regulate the use of water in the Great Lakes is sparking controversy at the statehouse. Governor Bob Taft and environmentalists are pushing the plan, but critics claim it would force Ohio to give away regulatory power to a United Nations-like group. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen has both sides of the story.

Statehouse News Bureau: New Tool to Fight Meth in Ohio
Originally aired Friday, December 1, 2006
Ohio's top crime fighter has come up with one more tool to fight the methamphetamine problem in the Buckeye State. Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles has details.

Ford Buyouts Presenting Challenges to Brook Park
Originally aired Monday, December 4, 2006
At least 2,000 Northeast Ohioans have signed up for buyout or early retirement packages from the struggling Ford Motor Company. The exact number may not be known for months, and that's presenting financial challenges for the city of Brook Park where most of the area's buyouts could come. ideastream's Mhari Saito reports.

Going Green
Originally aired Monday, December 4, 2006
The growing interest in so-called "green buildings" has municipal leaders in Northeast Ohio wondering if such a thing will work for them. What once seemed like a costly experiment for environmentalist dreamers is showing some down to earth results. Speakers at a recent conference at Cleveland State University say it's a no-brainer. ideastream's Mark Urycki reports.

Metrohealth to Expand Spinal Cord Services
Originally aired Monday, December 4, 2006
Metrohealth's Rehabilitation Institute of Ohio will get two-and-a-quarter million dollars to expand its spinal cord services as part of a federally designated network of model systems. ideastream's Bill Rice reports.

Statehouse News Bureau: Ohio Fresh Eggs Shut Down
Originally aired Monday, December 4, 2006
The Ohio Department of Agriculture has revoked the permits that allow one of the state's largest egg farmers to operate. Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles reports on the decision and the process for shutting down Ohio Fresh Eggs.

Harnessing Lake Erie’s Wind Power
Originally aired Tuesday, December 5, 2006
The electricity being generated by wind turbines accounts for a mere .6% of the total amount of energy sold in the U.S. The U.S. Department of Energy wants that expanded to 20% in the next decade. Environmental leaders are anxious to see the state harness the strong winds blowing over Lake Erie. At the moment, the pace of progress there is slow. But there's another aspect of wind power that's beginning to gather more steam in the region: manufacturing. ideastream's Lisa Ann Pinkerton reports.

OSU-Florida Preview
Originally aired Tuesday, December 5, 2006
The Ohio State Buckeyes have known for several weeks now that they'd be playing in the BCS Championship Game in Glendale, Arizona. But the question has been - who are they going to play? Well, we now know it'll be the University of Florida, who secured the Southeastern Conference Title this past weekend. Joining us on the line is Doug Lesmerises, who follows Ohio State for the Plain Dealer.

Statehouse News Bureau: Death Penalty for Foster Parents?
Originally aired Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Some of Ohio's child welfare agency directors are proposing that foster parents who are convicted of killing their children be eligible for the death penalty. But the idea is not being embraced by all advocates for abused and neglected kids. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen reports.

Keeping the Orchestra’s Budget in the Black
Originally aired Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Ask any director of an arts-related organization about his or her biggest challenge. Securing money would probably be somewhere near the top of the list. Raising money has never been easy, but here in Cleveland many people will tell you it's getting harder. Many of the wealthy individuals and organizations that used to support the city's arts scene are no longer here... and neither is their money. Today, we're talking about the future of the Cleveland Orchestra, which last month unveiled a turn-around plan designed to keep its budget in the black. Gary Hanson is the orchestra's executive director.

Ohio Ranks 25th in Overall Health
Originally aired Wednesday, December 6, 2006
Ohio ranks dead center in a national foundation's state-by-state ranking of the overall health of citizens. But Buckeye residents fare much better when it comes to making improvements. ideastream's Bill Rice explains.

Private Schools May Merge
Originally aired Wednesday, December 6, 2006
A Lake County developer has pledged $12 million to merge two local private schools. If the schools approve the merger tonight, it would form the only independent school system in Lake County to span all grades. ideastream's Lisa Ann Pinkerton has more.

Statehouse News Bureau: Smoking Ban to Affect Truckers
Originally aired Wednesday, December 6, 2006
Some truckers are upset over a new law that Ohio voters okayed at the polls on election day. The law bans smoking in public places, including work places, and some state health officials are interpreting that to include the cabs of those big semis that are constantly crisscrossing Ohio. The trucker's association says that's a problem because 30 to 40% of professional truck drivers smoke. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen has the story.

Smoking Ban: Terry Allen Interview
Originally aired Thursday, December 7, 2006
If you go out to eat, there's one question you won't have to answer - smoking or non smoking? Starting today, bars, restaurants, bowling alleys, and all workplaces are one big non-smoking section. Voters approved the measure at the polls last month. As you might imagine, smokers and business owners are taking the new rules in stride. To help us out with some basics, we're joined by Terry Allen, Cuyahoga County's Health Commissioner.

Statehouse News Bureau: Health Insurers to Possibly Cover Mental Health
Originally aired Thursday, December 7, 2006
There are indications that Ohio Governor Bob Taft might sign a bill that would require private health insurers to cover mental health problems the same way they do physical illnesses. Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles reports.

Statehouse News Bureau: Curriculum Boost for College-Bound Students
Originally aired Thursday, December 7, 2006
Ohio Senators approved a bill Wednesday to eventually force all Ohio college-bound high-schoolers to take a beefed-up curriculum if they want to move directly to a four-year, state-supported university. But approval of the measure didn't come until there was a vigorous debate among lawmakers. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen was on the senate floor and files this report.

Smoking Ban Goes Into Effect
Originally aired Thursday, December 7, 2006
Today, Ohio's Issue 5 takes effect, banning smoking in almost all workplaces. That includes bowling alleys, restaurants, and bars. Summit County tried a similar ban last year but gave up when its biggest city, Akron, didn't go along. Now bars in that city have joined the entire state under the same restriction. ideastream's Mark Urycki reports.

Educating Ohio’s Future
Originally aired Friday, December 8, 2006
When it comes to reading and math, American children score in the lower half of the world's 25 wealthiest countries. Meanwhile, only a third of Ohio's students are meeting national standards. To many education advocates, that means Ohio's future wage earners will be less prepared for the new knowledge economy than children in Europe and Asia. A new report released today says for Ohio to compete effectively on a global scale, nearly every aspect of its educational system needs improvement. ideastream's Lisa Ann Pinkerton reports.

Radical Change Needed in Educating Ohio’s Children
Originally aired Friday, December 8, 2006
A report just released by a network of Ohio philanthropic groups is calling for no less than a radical change in approach to educating children. The Ohio Grantmakers Forum says despite attempts to develop more challenging academic standards and provide better educational opportunities, Ohio's and the nation's children continue to fall dangerously behind. In the quest for new and promising ideas, one program has especially caught the group's attention. ideastream's Bill Rice reports.

Statehouse News Bureau: Taft Veto on Gun Control
Originally aired Friday, December 8, 2006
Governor Bob Taft has vetoed a bill legislators passed that would wipe out local gun control laws, but lawmakers appear determined to override the veto. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen reports.

Hoover Sold for $107 Million
Originally aired Friday, December 8, 2006
Workers at the Hoover company in North Canton have long fought against foreign competition. Now with a sale to a Chinese company, they are the foreign competition. Hoover parent company, Whirlpool, announced a sale of the vacuum cleaner company to Hong Kong-based Techtronic Industries yesterday. ideastream's Mark Urycki reports.

Living with Diabetes in Northeast Ohio
Originally aired Monday, December 11, 2006
Governor Bob Taft has declared December 4-12, 2006, Diabetes Control Week in Ohio. This comes as more than half a million people in Northeast Ohio are believed to have the disease and the number is only expected to grow. ideastream's Eric Wellman sat down with a nationally renowned trainer and a Cleveland physician who are trying to get the word out about how to live successfully with the disease.

Disparity Gap for Leukemia Patients
Originally aired Monday, December 11, 2006
25 years ago, there was a racial disparity gap in patients with Leukemia and Lymphoma. Now, a new study by the Cleveland Clinic says the only difference between survival rates in blacks and whites is found in patients in their twenties. ideastream's Lisa Ann Pinkerton reports.

Statehouse News Bureau: Smoking Ban Not On Hold
Originally aired Monday, December 11, 2006
State leaders say Ohio's new smoking ban is not on hold. But some groups are sending the opposite message to their members. Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles reports on the confusion over the status of the state's new law.

Ohio Receives Funding For Teaching Mandarin Chinese
Originally aired Tuesday, December 12, 2006
By the fall of 2008, more Ohio students might be saying "Ni hao" as often as "hello" to each other in school hallways. That's thanks to a federal grant to fund the teaching of Mandarin Chinese in selected elementary schools. ideastream's Lisa Ann Pinkerton has more.

Kucinich Announces 2008 Presidency Run
Originally aired Tuesday, December 12, 2006
A second Democrat is about to announce his candidacy for President. Congressman Dennis Kucinich has indicated he will make the official announcement today. It will be his second try for the office, as Mark Urycki reports.

Cuyahoga Looking to Replace Voting Machines
Originally aired Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Under the Help America Vote Act of 2002, Cuyahoga County received nearly $18 million from the federal government to purchase touch-screen voting machines. But a recent federal report says the machines aren't secure, and the county is looking to dump them in favor of a safer, more flexible system. Benjamin Shaw reports from Capitol Hill.

Steelyard Commons Update
Originally aired Tuesday, December 12, 2006
It's been a while since we heard the last salvos fired in the battle between local shopkeepers, city hall, and Wal-Mart. But on the near west side of Cleveland, the one-million-square-foot retail development called Steelyard Commons is nearly completed - and despite initial objections, will include a Wal-Mart Supercenter. ideastream's' Rick Jackson recently went to the site just south of MetroHealth Medical Center to talk with developers about their progress. He found there's much more going on than the building of a Wal-mart store.

Statehouse News Bureau: Heated Debate Over Minimum Wage Law
Originally aired Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Though voters approved the constitutional amendment that raises the minimum wage, there is still much heated debate about the language that translates that amendment into law. Statehouse correspondent Karen Kasler reports.

Statehouse News Bureau: Gambling Fight Goes On
Originally aired Tuesday, December 12, 2006
A group that successfully fought the November ballot issue that would have expanded legalized gambling in Ohio is vowing to keep going - just in case gambling interests try to change Ohioans' minds a fourth time. One prominent race track owner is indeed keeping the door open to another gambling ballot issue. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen reports.

Ford Agrees to Pay $18 Million
Originally aired Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Ford Motor Company has agreed to pay more than $18 million to Cuyahoga County, several school districts and other government agencies to settle a dispute over business taxes. ideastream's Bill Rice reports.

Kucinich Runs Again
Originally aired Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Congressman Dennis Kucinich was all over national television yesterday. At noon, the Cleveland Democrat formally announced that he was running for president again, and a few hours later he was making his points about the War in Iraq to a national audience. Kucinich ran two years ago saying he was the only presidential candidate who had actually voted against the war. Now he says he's the only one who is against further funding of the war. ideastream's mark Urycki reports.

John Green Interview
Originally aired Wednesday, December 13, 2006
This news about Dennis Kucinich throwing his hat into the ring begs the question - why do long shot candidates run? Well, there are plenty of reasons. For one, it's a great platform to get a message heard. But that's not the only reason. Iraq again takes center stage in the Kucinich campaign, but a lot has changed since he last ran for president in 2004. We spoke with John Green, the director of the Bliss Institute at the University of Akron.

Statehouse News Bureau: Domestic Violence Law Only For Married?
Originally aired Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Two years ago, Ohio voters okayed the so-called "marriage amendment." It bans same-sex marriages and hints that only married people have certain rights. The constitutional amendment has prompted some courts to rule that only married people are protected by Ohio's domestic violence law, and unmarried people can not be criminally charged under it for battering a live-in partner - gay or straight. Tuesday, the Ohio Supreme Court took up the legal controversy that has ramifications for hundreds of thousands of Ohio couples. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen watched the hearing and files this report.

Statehouse News Bureau: Legislature Overrides Taft Veto
Originally aired Wednesday, December 13, 2006
For the first time in 30 years, the Ohio legislature has made history by overriding a Governor's veto on a bill. But as Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles reports, a new poll suggest that might not be the politically popular thing to do.

Statehouse News Bureau: Deadbeat Child Support Roundup
Originally aired Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Hundreds of child support deadbeats have been arrested across Ohio the past several days. It's part of a yearly round-up of parents who refuse to pay court-ordered child support. Jon Allen speaks for the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, and he talks with statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen about this year's tally.

Ohio to Jump on Business Opportunities
Originally aired Thursday, December 14, 2006
Ted Strickland will be sworn in as governor in three weeks, but his transition team is hoping the new administration can get started early. One concern is that Ohio not miss out on business opportunities during the change of administrations. ideastream's Mark Urycki reports.

Troy Smith Speaks to Alma Mater
Originally aired Thursday, December 14, 2006
Ohio State Quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith brought a message of optimism yesterday to his alma mater, Cleveland's Glenville High School. Smith's football career began at Glenville, where he graduated in 2002. He's not only hailed as this season's best college player on the best college team, but as a favorite son who, with a lot of help and support, made the best of the options he had as a youth. ideastream's Bill Rice reports.

Statehouse News Bureau: New Legislation Could Limit Consumers
Originally aired Thursday, December 14, 2006
An Ohio house committee is considering legislation that would put limits on the amounts consumers could collect in a variety of situations from phone calls from telemarketers to predatory home loans. Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles reports.

Global Nuclear Energy Partnership Could Provide Boost to Economy
Originally aired Thursday, December 14, 2006
There's a good chance residents of Pike County are already familiar with GNEP - The Global Nuclear Energy Partnership. The project could provide a big boost to the local economy, or it could be an environmental boondoggle. Fred Kight has the story.

Statehouse News Bureau: Pay to Play Solved
Originally aired Thursday, December 14, 2006
House lawmakers have passed a bill that Republicans say will solve the pay to play issue that cost many of them their jobs in this year's elections. But Democrats wonder what was the rush in getting it through. Statehouse correspondent Karen Kasler reports.

Taft to Announce Third Frontier Grants
Originally aired Friday, December 15, 2006
Governor Bob Taft journeys to Cleveland today bearing gifts. At least, that's what he's expected to do as he announces winners of Third Frontier Grants. ideastream's Mark Urycki reports.

Goodyear Will Attempt Negotiations with Striking Workers
Originally aired Monday, December 18, 2006
Goodyear officials will attempt to resolve disputes with more than 12,000 striking employees when negotiations resume today. ideastream's Bill Rice reports.

Statehouse News Bureau: Urging Taft Veto on Consumer Lawsuits Bill
Originally aired Monday, December 18, 2006
Opponents of a recently passed bill that limits consumer lawsuits are lobbying Governor Taft to veto it. The fear is that it would make it easier for predatory lenders to do business in Ohio. Statehouse correspondent Jo Ingles has more on the story.

Statehouse News Bureau: The Do-All Bill
Originally aired Monday, December 18, 2006
It began as a proposal to honor military men and women who've been wounded in battle, but it wound up doing dozens of other things including designating April 29th as Dale Earnhardt Day and proclaiming an official state fruit and an official state amphibian. Details now from Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen.

Statehouse News Bureau: Year in Review - New Legislation
Originally aired Monday, December 18, 2006
Ohio lawmakers made dozens of laws this year. They dealt with everything from sex abuse and drugged driving to predatory lending and limits on government spending. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen is spending this week reminding us of many of the big news events in state government during 2006. In today's report, a look at some of the most important bills that legislators approved.

A Diamond for the Holidays
Originally aired Monday, December 18, 2006
Okay, here's an idea for a unique gift this holiday season - how about a diamond? A very, very personal diamond. We're joined by one of the founders of LifeGem - a company that makes diamonds from the remains of people and pets. They're in Cleveland for the dog show that wrapped up this weekend.

Pushing for Charter School Expansion
Originally aired Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Republicans in Columbus are working quickly to push through last-minute amendments favorable to expanding charter schools in Ohio. Charters schools - or community schools, as they're sometimes referred to - are funded with public dollars, but are subject to less oversight than traditional public schools. Democrats fear the amendments could make it harder for Governor-Elect Ted Strickland to keep his campaign promise to bring more accountability to the charter school system. ideastream's Lisa Ann Pinkerton reports.

Akron Agrees to Phase Out Weights and Measures
Originally aired Tuesday, December 19, 2006
There's another example of government cooperation in the region. Last week, the city of Stow signed a deal to share taxes with the city of Akron in return for cheaper water. Now Akron plans to turn over one of its departments to the Summit County government. ideastream Mark Urycki reports.

Sutton Speaks to AFL/CIO
Originally aired Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Organized labor contributed a lot of work and money to get Democrats elected to Congress last month. One candidate they helped elect from Ohio is Betty Sutton, one of three new Democratic members from Ohio. Sutton was working as a labor attorney before winning Ohio's 13th District seat, and she is heading to Washington with labor issues on her mind. She told a group of union members yesterday that voters gave her party a mandate. ideastream's Mark Urycki reports.

Education Bill Contains Charter School Changes
Originally aired Wednesday, December 20, 2006
An education bill headed to Governor Taft's desk contains some changes to Ohio's Charter School laws. ideastream's Lisa Ann Pinkerton reports.

Ohio Public Radio: Ohio Medicaid Wasteful
Originally aired Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Ohio's auditor says the state's Medicaid program is wasting millions of taxpayer dollars through fraud and inefficiencies. Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles reports.

Lorain Ford Plant Sold
Originally aired Thursday, December 21, 2006
Plans to redevelop the Ford assembly plant in Lorain that closed a year ago could eventually bring as many as 2,000 new jobs to the city, according to the site's new owner. City officials are giving the California company a very warm welcome to the neighborhood. ideastream's Bill Rice reports.

The Sensitive Santa
Originally aired Thursday, December 21, 2006
This holiday season, there have been several Santa sightings at malls across Northeast Ohio. Children are lured by the tinsel and toys, the elves the bells... mommy, daddy, can I please tell Santa what I want for Christmas? But there are some children who don't get that opportunity. They may have physical or cognitive disabilities and find the whole scene pretty tough or impossible to navigate. That's why last weekend, St. Nick pulled up his sleigh at Cincinnati's Children's Hospital to meet with kids there as part of a program they call "sensitive santa." He joins us on the line now. Good morning Santa, and happy holidays.

Paying the Rent with Street Music
Originally aired Thursday, December 21, 2006
Maurice Reedus Jr. doesn't want you to call him a panhandler. A familiar figure in downtown Cleveland, he has the requisite box sitting next to him on the sidewalk, waiting for your contribution, but he gives you something in return. ideastream's David C. Barnett produced this profile of a man who pays his rent with street music.

All Eyes on Akron Art Museum
Originally aired Thursday, December 21, 2006
The city of Akron is getting a lot of attention lately, and it has nothing to do with rock bands, or the Soap Box Derby, or the Bridgestone Invitational Golf Tournament. It's the Akron Art Museum. A design magazine in England, an architecture magazine in Korea, construction magazines, art websites, Newsweek: they're all following the progress of the building now under construction in the city's downtown. ideastream's Mark Urycki looks at what all the fuss is about.

Free Nicotine Patches for Non-Insured
Originally aired Friday, December 22, 2006
Clevelanders without health insurance will get some assistance obtaining nicotine patches to help them quit smoking. The Cleveland Clinic and the City of Cleveland are teaming up to provide the patches for free. ideastream's Mark Urycki reports.

Colo Turns 50
Originally aired Friday, December 22, 2006
Colo is celebrating her 50th birthday today. Now that wouldn't be too remarkable, except for the fact that Colo is a gorilla - and gorillas typically don't live 50 years. She is the first Gorilla born in captivity and lives at the Columbus Zoo. Joining us on the line from the zoo's ape house is Debby Ames, Colo's keeper.

Cleveland Council on World Affairs: Alan Tonelson Presentation
Originally aired Friday, December 22, 2006
Manufacturing and international trade policy: What is in our best interest? The Cleveland Council on World Affairs addressed this question in a presentation by Alan Tonelson, Research Fellow, United States Business and Industry Council.

Possible Savings for Schools on Health Insurance Collaboration
Originally aired Tuesday, December 26, 2006
A recent report suggests Ohio's school districts could save millions of dollars in healthcare costs if they collaborate on health insurance plans. ideastream's Lisa Ann Pinkerton reports.

DeWine Term Ending
Originally aired Wednesday, December 27, 2006
The term of Republican Ohio Senator Mike DeWine ends in a few days. In the fall, democratic Avon Congressman Sherrod Brown defeated the two-term senator in one of the toughest senate contests in the country. DeWine's moved back to his home near Cedarville in Greene County. But if he has his way, the senator won't stray far from politics. Chad Pergram reports from Capitol Hill.

New Trials for Convicted Murderers
Originally aired Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Two convicted murderers in Portage County may be getting a new trial 18 years after the crime was committed. The Ohio Supreme Court Tuesday has ruled that the two men who were convicted in the rape and murder of 31-year-old Connie Nardi did not get fair trials. ideastream's Mark Urycki reports.

Schools and Teachers Union to Meet
Originally aired Wednesday, December 27, 2006
The Cleveland Schools and the Cleveland Teachers Union will go to the bargaining table in January. As ideastream's Lisa Ann Pinkerton reports, both parties hope to spend the six months negotiating long term priorities, rather than bickering over individual issues.

Foreclosure Series: Attorney General Marc Dann Interview
Originally aired Thursday, December 28, 2006
The Cuyahoga County Clerk's office says by the end of 2006, there will be nearly 11,500 foreclosure filings - most from people who have lost their homes because they can't keep up with their mortgage payments. It's a statewide problem, and experts say part of the blame goes to predatory lenders - that small subset of lenders who trick people into fraudulent loan deals. ideastream's Mhari Saito spoke with incoming Attorney General Marc Dann, who says he plans to make cracking down on predatory lenders one of his top priorities.

Term Limits Frustrating to Lawmakers
Originally aired Thursday, December 28, 2006
A provision of the Ohio Constitution that took hold more than a decade ago may get some renewed attention in the coming year. Legislative term limits, which were approved with enthusiasm by voters in 1992, are falling into some disfavor with lawmakers - from both sides of the aisle. ideastream's Bill Rice reports.

Folk Music Store Closing
Originally aired Friday, December 29, 2006
The new year brings the end of a Cleveland institution. ideastream's David C. Barnett has more on the closing of a popular folk music store, known as Goose Acres.