Regional News Stories Archive: January 2007

Lorain Judge McGough Retiring
Originally aired Tuesday, January 2, 2007
After nearly two decades, Judge Lynette McGough is hanging up her robe and plans to pursue some of her interests outside of the courtroom. McGough downplays her role as a pioneer, but when she was first elected in 1989, she was the first female judge in Lorain County. McGough spent 18 years on the Court of Common Pleas and now enters her first week of retirement. When we visited last week, her desk was bare, walls void of the pictures and plaques that document her tenure. Most of it packed up, put away. But Judge McGough was full of memories and stories.

Goodyear Workers Return to Jobs
Originally aired Tuesday, January 2, 2007
About 13,000 Goodyear workers will begin returning to work today for the first time since they went on strike almost three months ago. ideastream's Mark Urycki reports.

Cleveland Firefighters Get New Contract
Originally aired Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Cleveland firefighters have ratified a new three-year contract by a four-to-one margin. They are the first of 34 bargaining units that City Hall has to negotiate with this year. Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson says others can get a similar pact if they are willing to deal. ideastream's Mark Urycki reports.

Statehouse News Bureau: New Congress Starts Work
Originally aired Wednesday, January 3, 2007
The new members of the House and Senate start work right away in this new year. Statehouse correspondent Karen Kasler has the first of a two part series on the challenges facing the new governor and incoming General Assembly.

Cleveland Art Students Helping with Humvee Redesign
Originally aired Thursday, January 4, 2007
Since the U.S. invaded Iraq in 2003, the humvee has been used to transport troops and equipment in some very dangerous territory. It's credited with being a vehicle that can run on some very rough terrain amid inhospitable conditions, but it's also been criticized for its lack of protection. Many of the humvees have been retrofitted with armor to protect against insurgent attacks and roadside bombs. But there's one unintended consequence - the armor raises the center of gravity making the vehicles more likely to roll over. As the war in Iraq continues, the military is looking for ways to make the vehicle safer and it's turning to industrial design students in Cleveland.

Homeland Security: Cleveland Not Prepared
Originally aired Thursday, January 4, 2007
Cuyahoga County Safety officials say they know what needs to be done. The Department of Homeland Security issued a report yesterday saying the Cleveland area is unprepared to handle an emergency because a safety force from one community can't talk with one from another. ideastream's Mark Urycki reports.

Quality Counts Report Released
Originally aired Thursday, January 4, 2007
Ohio students are faring well in grades K-12, according to a new report, but lagging in post-secondary education and prospects for success later in life. ideastream's Bill Rice reports.

Advocacy Group Says Mittal Does Not Comply
Originally aired Thursday, January 4, 2007
A new report by the environmental advocacy group Ohio Citizen Action says Mittal Steel is failing to report actual pollution emissions coming from it's Cleveland mill. ideastream's Lisa Ann Pinkerton reports.

Statehouse News Bureau: New Congress Starts Work, Part 2
Originally aired Thursday, January 4, 2007
The newly sworn in members of the House and Senate have a budget due in six months and other issues still unresolved from the last session. Statehouse correspondent Karen Kasler continues her examination into what's ahead for the new governor and General Assembly - this time, on what will be done about Ohio's system of funding public education, which has been declared unconstitutional four times.

Akron’s Plusquellic Running Again
Originally aired Friday, January 5, 2007
Today in Columbus, Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic will deliver a series of recommendations to Governor-elect Ted Strickland on how to run the state's office of economic development. In two weeks, Plusquellic will be back in Columbus leading a group of Ohio mayors and school officials in announcing proposals to change the way the state funds education. Despite the focus on these "big picture" items, the Democrat took time yesterday to announce he is running for reelection. ideastream's Mark Urycki reports.

Policy Matters Ohio Interview
Originally aired Friday, January 5, 2007
Come Monday, 16 years of Republican rule in Ohio is going to end. The administration of Ted Strickland is coming to power and folks have high expectations. At the top of the agenda: get the state's economy on the right track. The non-profit research group Policy Matters Ohio is out this morning with a report which is basically a series of suggestions --a guide - it hopes the incoming administration will follow. On the line with us is Amy Hanauer, the group's executive director.

Cuyahoga Prosecutors Crack Down on Mortgage Fraud
Originally aired Friday, January 5, 2007
70 more defendants face indictments today as Cuyahoga County prosecutors continue an effort to crack down on mortgage fraud. ideastream's Mhari Saito reports.

Congress Passes Ethics Reforms
Originally aired Friday, January 5, 2007
The Democrat-led Congress came to power yesterday and lawmakers wasted no time passing ethics reforms. The legislation bans members from receiving gifts and free travel from lobbyists. Cleveland Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones is now chair of the ethics committee. From Washington, Matt Laslo reports.

Rainbow Babies Ranked in Top Ten, Again
Originally aired Friday, January 5, 2007
University Hospital's Rainbow Babies and Children is again ranked one of the country's top pediatric facilities in a new report by a national magazine. Our intern Beth Phillips has our report.

BCS Championship Preview
Originally aired Monday, January 8, 2007
Many Ohioans will be glued to their television sets as the Ohio State Buckeyes take on the Florida Gators in college football's championship game. The Plain Dealer's OSU beat report, Doug Lesmerises, joins us by phone with this preview.

Banning Cell Phones in Akron Schools
Originally aired Monday, January 8, 2007
Parents often provide their children with cell phones so they know where they are after school and on weekends. But when those phones make it into the classroom, educators say it's a distraction and tempts students to use text messages to cheat. That's why many school districts, including some Akron schools, ban the use of cell phones in the school building. Akron's principals say a ban on use is too difficult to enforce so they want the School Board to prohibit cell phones altogether from school grounds. ideastream's Lisa Ann Pinkerton reports.

Buckeyes Scorched in Desert: Bill Livingston Interview
Originally aired Tuesday, January 9, 2007
It's an upset that Florida fans are bound to be talking about for a long time... and it's a game the Buckeyes would love to forget. If you missed it - it was a slaughter. The Buckeyes fell to the Gators in college football's championship game 41-14. Columnist Bill Livingston is covering the game in Arizona for the Plain Dealer. He was kind enough to get up early with us this morning.

Rock Hall Inductees Announced
Originally aired Tuesday, January 9, 2007
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced this year's inductees and for the first time, hip hop artists have made the list. ideastream's Mark Urycki has details.

Akron Schools Cell Phone Ban Vote Delayed
Originally aired Tuesday, January 9, 2007
The Akron Board of Education last night decided to delay a vote to ban all cell phones from schools and school related activities. ideastream's Lisa Ann Pinkerton has more.

Backpacks of Food for Homeless Students
Originally aired Tuesday, January 9, 2007
In the Cleveland Public Schools, almost 2,000 students are homeless. That means about 1% of the district's total student population struggles with food and shelter problems. With many more students eligible for free or reduced price lunches, school officials say "food insecurity" influences not only the personal lives of students but their academic success as well. This fall, the Cleveland Food Bank stepped in, starting two pilot programs in the city to give needy students backpacks full of food for their weekends. ideastream's Lisa Ann Pinkerton reports.

Trans Fat To Be Eliminated from School Lunches
Originally aired Tuesday, January 9, 2007
Cleveland City Council has resolved to get trans fat out of school lunches. ideastream's Bill Rice reports.

Statehouse News Bureau: Ethics Rules Tightened
Originally aired Tuesday, January 9, 2007
Ohio's top ethics watchdog says his job will be easier now that new governor Ted Strickland has issued an executive order, tightening ethics rules on thousands of state employees. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen files this report.

Damra in Israeli Custody
Originally aired Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Family members and supporters of former Cleveland cleric Fawaz Damra are saying his deportation has turned into an extradition. Damra was arrested by Israeli authorities after returning to the West Bank last week. His friends are claiming the American government made an "end run" around the courts. ideastream's Mark Urycki reports.

Statehouse News Bureau: Possible Lawsuit Over Veto
Originally aired Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Governor Ted Strickland took office on Monday and he's already at odds with the Republican-controlled legislature. Its leaders are considering filing a lawsuit over the governor's veto of a recent bill. Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles reports.

Challenges Ahead for New Case President
Originally aired Thursday, January 11, 2007
Over the holidays, Case Western Reserve University announced the hiring of Barbara Snyder as the school's next president. When she begins work in July, she'll be facing some tough challenges. Last spring rising deficits coupled with a no confidence vote from the arts and science faculty led the former president to resign. Barbara Snyder spoke with ideastream's Eric Wellman about some of the challenges ahead.

Housing Budget Cutbacks Upset Local Politicians
Originally aired Thursday, January 11, 2007
Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic is meeting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Congressional leaders this morning to lobby on behalf of cities. One issue he'll address is federal funding for public housing. Many public housing agencies around the country are protesting budget cutbacks proposed by the Bush Administration. ideastream's Mark Urycki reports.

Stalemate Over Inner Belt
Originally aired Thursday, January 11, 2007
Several Cleveland City Council Members yesterday went on record with their concerns over the Ohio Department of Transportation's plans to revamp the I-90 inner belt, from Metro Health Hospital to Dead Man's Curve. ideastream's Lisa Ann Pinkerton reports.

Statehouse News Bureau: Cracking Down on X-Rated Entertainment
Originally aired Thursday, January 11, 2007
Anti-pornography activists failed last year to convince Ohio legislators to crackdown hard on topless bars and x-rated video stores, so now they're launching a drive to have voters okay a crackdown. The drive has already begun with the collection of more than 200,000 petition signatures. That's the first of two steps that could put a measure onto the November ballot. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen reports.

Statehouse News Bureau: New Ohio AG Wants to End Pay-to-Play Politics
Originally aired Thursday, January 11, 2007
New Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann says he wants to stop pay-to-play politics in government. As Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles reports, he wants to make sure private lawyers who contract with the state are chosen on the basis of their merits.

Phase One of Cleveland Efficiency Project Complete
Originally aired Friday, January 12, 2007
A task force appointed by Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson has completed phase one of its effort to bring greater efficiency to city government. ideastream's Bill Rice reports.

Making Change: Dream It Do It
Originally aired Monday, January 15, 2007
For some years now, the conventional wisdom has been that manufacturing in Ohio is withering, and the state must adjust to a new, high tech, knowledge-based economy. But the National Association of Manufacturers has a different take. It's rolling out a campaign to convince young people that manufacturing today is high tech and knowledge-based, and needs more young recruits. The group made its case in Cleveland and Canton last week, and will take it to Akron tomorrow. ideastream's Mark Urycki prepared this report.

New Technology Could Save Ford Casting Plant Jobs
Originally aired Monday, January 15, 2007
Dozens of local Ford workers are getting their last paychecks this month, as the first rounds of buyout takers leave the company. Ford's CEO has not ruled out more cuts ahead as the struggling auto maker fights for profitability. Local union leaders are betting new technology will help save jobs at the city's casting plant and win work that's now being done overseas. ideastream's Mhari Saito reports.

Statehouse News Bureau: Strickland Sworn In
Originally aired Monday, January 15, 2007
Ted Strickland was officially sworn in as Ohio's new governor a week ago, but that was a private ceremony. This past weekend, thousands of Ohioans flocked to Columbus for various inaugural events and watched a second symbolic swearing-in. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen reports.

Plusquellic Meets With Pelosi
Originally aired Monday, January 15, 2007
Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic and other big city mayors met with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi last week to talk about the challenges impacting American cities. ideastream's Bill Rice reports.

Four Buckeyes Going Pro
Originally aired Tuesday, January 16, 2007
The coming year looks to be difficult for the Ohio State football team. Their four top offensive players are leaving school, hoping to turn professional. ideastream's Mark Urycki reports.

Ohio Public Radio: African American Candidates Lose Statewide
Originally aired Tuesday, January 16, 2007
This past election year was a record for African American politicians. There were three African American candidates on the statewide ballot. But none of them won. Ohio Public Radio's Karen Kasler has more on some reasons why.

New Protective Wear for Cleveland Firefighters
Originally aired Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Officials of the Cleveland Fire Department say they are, once again, leading the country in providing the latest in safe, protective wear for their firefighters. The department is outfitting its crews with expensive new coats and pants that they believe will perform better. ideastream's Mark Urycki reports.

The Environment Report: Auto Show Shows More Green
Originally aired Wednesday, January 17, 2007
An Ohio factory that makes a special kind of battery could be in for a boost in business if GM's latest creation takes off. The automakers newest concept car is on display at the North American International Auto Show. It runs on an ion lithium battery made by Cobasys, which has a plant just outside of Dayton. The battery allows the car to be ultra fuel efficient. And as Dustin Dwyer reports, green is a big theme at this year's auto show.

School Funding Proposal Expected Today
Originally aired Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Today's the day that a coalition of education advocacy groups unveil a proposal to solve the school funding issue - constitutionally. ideastream's Bill Rice reports.

Bringing Floating Homes to Lake Erie
Originally aired Thursday, January 18, 2007
In states like California, people will pay enormous sums of money to buy a house with an ocean view. Coastal land is at a premium and the price reflects that. So rather than buying houses near the water, there's a growing demand for houses on the water. In fact, developers are building entire communities of floating homes up and down the west coast. Now there's one developer who hopes to bring the concept to Ohio. He envisions a community of homes on Lake Erie. ideastream's Eric Wellman reports.

Mayors Withdraw Support of School Funding Amendment
Originally aired Thursday, January 18, 2007
Several Ohio mayors who were originally in favor of the school funding amendment have withdrawn their support. ideastream's Lisa Ann Pinkerton has more.

Putting the Leash on Vicious Dogs
Originally aired Thursday, January 18, 2007
Several Cleveland Council members want the city to do more to target vicious dogs and the people who own them. ideastream's Bill Rice reports.

New Head at Cleveland FBI: Frank Figliuzzi Interview
Originally aired Thursday, January 18, 2007
For the fourth time in five years, there is new management at the top of Cleveland's FBI office. Frank Figliuzzi, the special agent in charge, has worked in field offices all across the country. He's spent time tracking down white collar criminals, child predators, drug dealers, and terrorists. It's that last item - terrorism - that's occupied much of his time over the past six years. But that wasn't always the case. Speaking with ideastream's Eric Wellman, Figliuzzi recounted his time in Miami investigating cases of white collar crime.

Statehouse News Bureau: Ohio School Funding Moving Closer to Public Vote
Originally aired Thursday, January 18, 2007
A coalition of education groups is moving closer toward its goal of putting a ballot issue to voters that would change the way Ohio's schools are funded. It would also pump extra state dollars into education. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen reports on the many challenges that lie ahead.

Ney Sentenced to 2 1/2 Years
Originally aired Friday, January 19, 2007
Two-and-a-half years. That's how long Former Republican Ohio Congressman will spend in prison after his conviction in the Jack Abramoff bribery scandal. Ney accepted trips, meals drinks and free gambling chips for trying to peddle influence on behalf of convicted super lobbyist Abramoff. Chad Pergram reports from Capitol Hill.

Record Number of Mortgage Fraud in Solon
Originally aired Friday, January 19, 2007
Solon police are now investigating a record number of mortgage fraud cases for the wealthy suburb. ideastream's Mhari Saito reports.

PD’s Doug Clifton to Retire in June
Originally aired Friday, January 19, 2007
The editor of The Plain Dealer, Doug Clifton, has announced that he'll be retiring in late spring. ideastream's Bill Rice has more.

Strickland: Ohio Budget Not in Good Shape
Originally aired Friday, January 19, 2007
Governor Ted Strickland had a message of hope in his inaugural address last weekend. But in his next speech as governor, Strickland talked about difficult medicine for an ailing state. The Democrat told the Akron Roundtable that the Ohio budget is not in as good shape as former Governor Bob Taft had stated. ideastream's Mark Urycki reports.

Statehouse News Bureau: The Price of Green Energy
Originally aired Friday, January 19, 2007
If you could make sure that a chunk of the electricity you buy every month was generated from renewable sources such as the sun, or the wind, would you be willing to pay a little more? Ohio's consumer advocate agency on utility issues thinks, in many cases, the answer is yes. And the agency wants utility regulators to make sure that customers have that option. Bill Cohen reports from Columbus.

Fostering Support for Region’s Biomedical Industries
Originally aired Monday, January 22, 2007
Local economic leaders have high hopes for a conference they are hosting this week for Israeli medical technology companies. The goal? To foster new area investment and high-tech partnerships for the region's biomedical industries. ideastream's Mhari Saito reports.

Inner Belt Bridge Design Missing Bike & Pedestrian Lanes
Originally aired Monday, January 22, 2007
The Ohio Department of Transportation's latest proposal to build a new westbound I-90 inner belt bridge still doesn't include the bike and pedestrian lanes requested by the city and its citizens. The Cleveland Planning Commission says ODOT has to stop ignoring this request. ideastream's Lisa Ann Pinkerton reports.

ARM Interest Raise May Lead to Foreclosures
Originally aired Monday, January 22, 2007
Thousands of Northeast Ohio homeowners with loans they once thought affordable may be looking at higher mortgage bills in coming months. Adjustable rate mortgages, or ARMs, appealed to many because of the promise of lower payments up front. But the interest rates, and how much a borrower pays, can go up or down depending on what economic index the loan is linked to. Many adjustable rate loans taken out in 2004 and 2005 are now resetting at higher rates. And that's got housing advocates worried about a new round of foreclosures on the horizon. ideastream's Mhari Saito reports.

Gun Buyback Program Legislation Introduced
Originally aired Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Cleveland City Councilman Zack Reed has introduced legislation to create a gun buyback program for his and possibly other Cleveland wards. ideastream's Lisa Ann Pinkerton reports.

Mayor Jackson Unveils Investment Plan
Originally aired Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson has unveiled a $1.6 billion investment plan in neighborhood and business redevelopment. ideastream's Bill Rice reports.

Connie Schultz Returns to The Plain Dealer
Originally aired Tuesday, January 23, 2007
At the end of this week, readers of The Plain Dealer will see of a columnist return to its pages who's been notably absent for the past year. Pulitzer prize-winning columnist Connie Schultz left last February to work full time on her husband's campaign. Her husband is Ohio's junior Senator Sherrod Brown. Her travels took her to all corners of the state - Schultz estimates she visited at least 66 of Ohio's 88 counties. And, she's in the process of writing a book about the experience. During a recent visit to the Idea Center, ideastream's Eric Wellman asked her what life on the road was like.

Making Change: Israeli Company Reps Tour Akron Hospitals
Originally aired Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Representatives from 15 Israeli companies toured Akron hospitals yesterday after looking at Cleveland medical centers earlier this week. The small firms specialize in medical information technology and are looking for ways to break into the American market. Local officials hope they set up shop in Northeast Ohio. ideastream's Mark Urycki reports.

Audit Committee Established for Cleveland Schools
Originally aired Wednesday, January 24, 2007
The Cleveland School Board has taken measures to establish an Advisory Financial Audit Committee, that it says will bring more trust and transparency to the district's financial reports. ideastream's Lisa Ann Pinkerton has more.

Judge Orders Damra’s Release
Originally aired Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Fawaz Damra, the former spiritual leader of the Islamic Center of Cleveland, may be freed soon from an Israeli jail. ideastream's Bill Rice reports.

Ohio Public Radio: Closing the Health Care Gap
Originally aired Wednesday, January 24, 2007
An estimated 5% of Ohio's children are going without health insurance. Many of those kids are eligible for an existing plan offered by the government but aren't taking advantage of it. Still other children are not eligible because their parents earn too much money. Jo Ingles reports on the governor's plan to close the health care gap.

Ohio Canal Towpath Bridge Complete
Originally aired Thursday, January 25, 2007
The 100-mile Ohio Canal Towpath trail stretching from Cleveland to Zoar is a little more complete. A 65-foot bridge crossed the canal in downtown Akron Wednesday to finish one phase through the city. ideastream's Mark Urycki reports.

EPA Probing Landfill Nuisance
Originally aired Thursday, January 25, 2007
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has launched a probe into a possible landfill fire in Stark County. Officials say they've never seen a situation quite like it in the state. ideastream's Tasha Flournoy reports.

Sherwin Williams Profits Up
Originally aired Friday, January 26, 2007
The Cleveland-based Sherwin Williams Company has announced 4th quarter profits of 31%. Earnings for 2006 were up 24% from 2005. ideastream's Mark Urycki reports.

Cleveland Biotech Venture Dollars Climb
Originally aired Friday, January 26, 2007
A recent study found that money invested in Cleveland healthcare startups dropped last year. But, the number of companies receiving venture capital dollars continues to climb. ideastream's Tasha Flournoy reports.

Lake Erie Monsters Surface
Originally aired Friday, January 26, 2007
Hockey is on its way back in Cleveland, at least for a while. ideastream's Bill Rice headed down to the Q yesterday for the dramatic unveiling.

Teachers Union and Schools to Meet
Originally aired Monday, January 29, 2007
Today the Cleveland Teachers Union and the Cleveland Public Schools are sitting down at the bargaining table for the first time in six years to negotiate a new contract. As ideastream's Lisa Ann Pinkerton reports, this time around they're trying a new type of negotiating strategy that some say is less adversarial - but that won't mean the top issues will be any less contentious.

Ohio Public Radio: Elderly Crime Victim Breaking Her Silence
Originally aired Monday, January 29, 2007
Crimes against the elderly are some of the most common, but also the most underreported. One Columbus woman is breaking her silence about the swindler who left her broke and heartbroken, in the hopes of helping other victims. Ohio Public Radio's Karen Kasler reports.

Ohio Public Radio: Farm Workers Not Included in Minimum Wage Hike
Originally aired Monday, January 29, 2007
Farm workers in Ohio who won't get an increase in the minimum wage due to recently passed legislation are fighting back. Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles has more on the story.

The Environment Report: Growers Cover Up Local Produce
Originally aired Tuesday, January 30, 2007
It's the middle of winter and you're craving some fresh, juicy strawberries. Go to your local grocery store and you'll find lots of packaged strawberries shipped from the west coast or down south. But for locally grown strawberries, you have to wait till June if you live in Ohio or other parts of the midwest. Although, that's starting to change as Jennifer Guerra reports.

Ohio Public Radio: Ohio EPA Weighing New Pollutant Crackdown
Originally aired Tuesday, January 30, 2007
The Ohio EPA is considering doing something that's only been done in one other state - cracking down on the amount of air pollutants in hair spray, deodorant, furniture polish and other consumer products. Ohio Public Radio's Karen Kasler reports.

Ohio Public Radio: Brunner Considering Poll Draft
Originally aired Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Ohio's new secretary of state, Jennifer Brunner thinks she has the answer to a shortage of poll workers throughout many parts of the state. But the plan is getting a chilly response, as Jo Ingles reports from Columbus.

Invisible Children
Originally aired Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Sometimes what's in the news so moves us that we are compelled to act. That's what happened with three young people from California who set off for the Sudan on their own, and at some personal risk. They went to produce a documentary about genocide, one that would be targeted specifically for the high-school and college-age crowd. They came back with a powerful film that is being shown in high schools around the country, including tonight's screening in Strongsville. However, as things turned out, the film is not about Sudan - it's about child soldiers in Uganda. ideastream's Eric Wellman has more.

Residential Tax-Abatement Program Examined
Originally aired Wednesday, January 31, 2007
The Cleveland City Council is continuing its examination of whether to end the city's residential tax-abatement program. Mayor Frank Jackson wants to scale back the benefit. ideastream's Dan Bobkoff has an update.

Levitt Speaks to City Club
Originally aired Wednesday, January 31, 2007
To help bring down healthcare costs, President Bush wants the nation's employers to demand more transparency in prices and more access to quality comparisons. Mr. Bush has sent his top health official out stumping for the changes, including a stopover at the City Club of Cleveland yesterday. ideastream's Lisa Ann Pinkerton reports.