Regional News Stories Archive: February 2007

Making Change: Cleveland Design District Has Momentum
Originally aired Thursday, February 1, 2007
The Greater Cleveland Partnership, the Downtown Alliance and local real estate executives are meeting tomorrow to work out a strategic plan for what they hope will be the next big thing for Cleveland. Leaders behind a proposal to build a Design District in downtown say they are stunned by its momentum. ideastream's Mark Urycki has the story.

Local Students to Talk with ISS Astronauts
Originally aired Thursday, February 1, 2007
Students at the University School in Shaker Heights will be getting a unique opportunity in the month to come. NASA selected their school to talk with astronauts on the International Space Station live, over amateur radio waves. ideastream's Lisa Ann Pinkerton has the details.

Eyes in the Sky to Watch for Crime
Originally aired Thursday, February 1, 2007
The public safety committee of the Cleveland City Council is considering putting surveillance cameras across the city to help cut crime. ideastream's Dan Bobkoff reports.

Future Cleveland DFAS Jobs May Be in Jeopardy
Originally aired Thursday, February 1, 2007
The Defense Finance and Accounting Service in Cleveland was expecting to get 1,100 new jobs later this year. But a move by congress to keep the government running may jeopardize that plan. From Washington, Chad Pergram reports.

School Uniforms Working at John Hay
Originally aired Friday, February 2, 2007
Cleveland Municipal School District CEO Eugene Sanders made major announcements yesterday in his effort to improve the graduation rate and test scores of the struggling district. And, one of the proposals likely to affect students first is a district-wide dress code and uniforms. ideastream's Dan Bobkoff went to find a school in Cleveland that already has a dress code to see how it's working.

Dramatic New Vision for Cleveland Schools
Originally aired Friday, February 2, 2007
Cleveland Schools CEO Eugene Sanders outlined his plan for making the district, as he puts it, a premier urban school district in the United States. School uniforms, specialized schools of choice, and even boarding schools are all part of the blueprint. Details on how the district will pay for these changes are sketchy at best. But the lack of those specifics was offset - at least for the moment - by an abundance of dramatic vision. ideastream's Lisa Ann Pinkerton reports.

Free Tax Preparation for Low Income Workers
Originally aired Monday, February 5, 2007
We're in the season for filing income tax returns, and coalitions in Cleveland, Akron, Columbus, and cities around Ohio are offering free tax preparation for low income workers. ideastream's Mark Urycki reports.

Ohio Public Radio: Global Warming Could Shrink Lake Erie
Originally aired Monday, February 5, 2007
There won't be any melting glaciers or rising sea levels, but experts predict the effect of global warming on Northeast Ohio could be serious. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a report on Friday which warns increasing temperatures may result in less water in Lake Erie, more air and water pollution, and problems with human health and agricultural crops. Scientists are calling for immediate action as Karen Schaefer reports.

Statehouse News Bureau:  Some Children Denied Medical Care
Originally aired Monday, February 5, 2007
Last summer, Congress passed a new federal law requiring medicaid recipients to prove they are U.S. citizens. One goal was to stop illegal immigrants from receiving free medical care, courtesy of U.S. taxpayers. Now, advocates for children are saying there's been an unintended consequence purely legal citizens, most of them children, are being denied the free medical care. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen reports.

Working in Sub-Zero Temperatures
Originally aired Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Dozens of schools all over Northeast Ohio are closed again today due to the dangerously cold temperatures. That allowed some of the youngsters to hit the slopes in a ski season that got a late start. As ideastream's Mark Urycki reports, it's one thing to play in this weather - it's another thing to work in it.

Proposed White House Budget Eases NASA Glenn Concerns
Originally aired Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Concerns over possible spending cuts for NASA Glenn were eased yesterday with the release of the White House's budget proposal. ideastream's Dan Bobkoff has the story.

Alzheimer’s Research at UH
Originally aired Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Today across the U.S., more than a thousand people will be diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. It's something that four million Americans are currently living with. And despite its prevalence, Alzheimer's is something scientists know relatively little about. Before they can find a cure, they have to find a cause. And University Hospitals is one of 59 sites across North America that's taking part in a research study doctors hope will shed some light on what causes the disease. It's financed by the National Institutes of Health. To learn more, Eric Wellman speaks with ideastream's Rick Jackson, who's covering this story.

Schools Unite to Recruit Teachers
Originally aired Wednesday, February 7, 2007
One of the challenges for inner city schools is teacher burn-out. It can happen quickly, especially if the rookie teacher has little or no experience in urban areas. Now there's a plan afoot to address that. Cuyahoga Community College is joining together with the Cleveland Municipal School District and Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, in an effort to recruit more teachers from urban schools. ideastream's Dan Bobkoff reports.

State Audit Has Suggestions for Cleveland Schools
Originally aired Wednesday, February 7, 2007
The most recent state audit of the Cleveland Municipal Schools has lead to a variety of recommendations to make the district more fiscally responsible. ideastream's Lisa Ann Pinkerton reports.

BOE Director Vu Resigns
Originally aired Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Michael Vu, the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections director, announced his resignation yesterday. The decision ends months of speculation about his departure. ideastream's Tasha Flournoy reports.

Extra $1 Million for Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Originally aired Wednesday, February 7, 2007
President Bush's budget proposal for the coming year has staff at Ohio's National Park happy. A 14% increase for the National Park Service will mean an extra $1 million for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. ideastream's Mark Urycki reports.

From the Projects to Politics: The Stokes Brothers
Originally aired Thursday, February 8, 2007
It's impossible to talk about Louis and Carl Stokes without talking about firsts - Louis was the first black congressman from Ohio; Carl, the first black mayor of a major U.S. city. Through their work in Columbus, the U.S. Capitol, and Cleveland's City Hall, they left an indelible mark on Northeast Ohio. But what's truly remarkable is their ascension from the projects to politics. ideastream's Dee Perry had the opportunity to sit down with Louis Stokes at the Western Reserve Historical Society, which recently opened an exhibit about the Stokes brothers. When their father died at the age of 28, Louis recalls how their mother struggled to provide for her family.

Cleveland Hopes To Attract Gay Tourists
Originally aired Thursday, February 8, 2007
From San Francisco to New York, cities across the country are cashing in on a prime tourist market that has long eluded Cleveland. Many metropolitan areas are in competition for the billions of dollars that gay people spend when they go on vacation. The Greater Cleveland area has a number of amenities that would attract gay tourists. And ideastream's David C. Barnett reports that the Cleveland Convention and Visitors Bureau is bound and determined to get the word out.

2007 Inductees for Inventor’s Hall of Fame Announced
Originally aired Thursday, February 8, 2007
Of all the Halls of Fame in Northeast Ohio, the National Inventors Hall of Fame in Akron has the least famous inductees, but the ones who probably had the most affect on your life. The Inventors Hall will introduce its 2007 inductees this morning at a press conference in Washington D.C. This year's group includes 16 inventors, seven of whom are still living. Their inventions include the soft contact lens, the automobile airbag, and the computer disc drive. More from ideastream's Mark Urycki.

Plusquellic Suggests Hike in Akron’s Income Tax Rate
Originally aired Friday, February 9, 2007
The Mayor of Akron wants to raise the city's income tax rate. In his State of the City address yesterday, Don Plusquellic suggested an increase of one-third of one percent. He says the move is necessary to make up continuous cuts in funding from the federal government. ideastream's Mark Urycki reports.

New Grant For Homeowners in Trouble
Originally aired Friday, February 9, 2007
Homeowners dealing with the double whammy of job loss or illness and trying to keep up with mortgage payments may be able to find some help. ideastream's Mhari Saito reports on a statewide effort to address record numbers of foreclosures.

One Step Closer to Fresh Water Wind Farm
Originally aired Friday, February 9, 2007
Cleveland is one step closer to becoming the home of what could be the world's first ever fresh water wind farm. The Cuyahoga County Commissioners plan is to spend around $1 million in the next six months to fully study the idea of generating electricity through wind turbines three miles out on Lake Erie. ideastream's Lisa Ann Pinkerton reports.

Unclaimed Funds in Ohio at Record High
Originally aired Monday, February 12, 2007
The state of Ohio is sitting on over $1 billion in money, and some of it may belong to you. ideastream's Mhari Saito reports the state's department of Unclaimed Funds has reached a record high.

Cleveland Budget Hearings Begin
Originally aired Monday, February 12, 2007
Cleveland City Council starts its budget hearings this week with a visit from Mayor Frank Jackson. The Mayor is looking for approval of a tight budget that shows a city facing rising health care and employment costs, and limited revenue growth. ideastream's Mhari Saito reports.

Statehouse News Bureau: Disagreement Over Motto Funding
Originally aired Monday, February 12, 2007
Last year, Ohio legislators passed a law requiring all public schools to display copies of the state and federal mottoes "With God, All Things Are Possible," and "In God We Trust." It raised some eyebrows, especially among groups that advocate a strict separation between church and state. The measure's advocates counter the mottoes may not be paid for by taxpayer money. Instead, they must be donated by outside groups. But how many schools are displaying the mottoes? Statehouse Correspondent Bill Cohen reports.

Ohio Government: Bipartisan or Gridlock?
Originally aired Tuesday, February 13, 2007
The new Ohio legislature has been in office for nearly six weeks and has yet to pass a single bill. It could be a sign that Ohio government will be more bipartisan or that it is heading for gridlock. A Democrat and a Republican mulled over the future of state government before the Akron Press Club. ideastream's Mark Urycki reports.

Jackson Budget: Boosted Police Presence
Originally aired Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson kicked off City Council's annual budget meetings with a call for better neighborhoods and a boosted police presence. ideastream's Tasha Flournoy reports.

Akron School Board Votes Against Total Cell Phone Ban
Originally aired Tuesday, February 13, 2007
The Akron School Board has voted against fully banning cell phones in its schools. ideastream's Lisa Ann Pinkerton reports.

Joyce Foundation Donates $5 Million to Reduce Maumee Pollution
Originally aired Tuesday, February 13, 2007
The Joyce Foundation of Chicago is giving $5 million to environmental organizations to help reduce pollution in the Maumee River. ideastream's Bill Rice reports.

Statehouse News Bureau: Making Changes to Tobacco Settlement Money
Originally aired Tuesday, February 13, 2007
State officials are considering making changes to the money coming into the state from the multi-billion dollar settlement with tobacco companies. Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles has details.

Businesses Facing Tough Time with Snow Storm
Originally aired Wednesday, February 14, 2007
The snow storm is doing more than keeping students and teachers home for the day. Businesses are either in operation with fewer employees or closed altogether. Yesterday, more than 13,000 Honda workers went home when the company canceled the second and third shifts in its three Ohio facilities. But there are some businesses that are having a particularly hard time. ideastream's Mark Urycki reports.

Dress Code for Cleveland Schools Approved
Originally aired Wednesday, February 14, 2007
The Cleveland Board of Education has made it official: the Cleveland Public Schools are moving to a district wide uniform and dress code policy. The Board approved the new policy last night at the request of school system CEO, Eugene Sanders. ideastream's Lisa Ann Pinkerton reports.

Students Making Positive Gains in Testing
Originally aired Wednesday, February 14, 2007
The Cleveland School District says the goal this year is to improve its academic ranking from Academic Watch - the state's second lowest category - to Continuous Improvement, the middle ranking. New data on practice tests students took in the fall shows children in 3rd through 8th grades are making positive gains in math and reading. ideastream's Lisa Ann Pinkerton reports.

Plow Crews Busy Clearing Local Roads
Originally aired Thursday, February 15, 2007
City snow plow drivers are working around the clock to clear the roads for today's morning rush. Both Cleveland and Akron crews have largely finished the main arteries and have moved to the residential streets. ideastream's Mark Urycki reports.

Chrysler Eliminating 200 Northeast Ohio Jobs
Originally aired Thursday, February 15, 2007
Daimler Chrysler's restructuring plan will include the loss of over 200 jobs in Northeast Ohio. As ideastream's Tasha Flournoy reports, a local mayor is promising help for the affected workers.

Shaker Schools Give Parents Few Minutes Notice on Closing
Originally aired Thursday, February 15, 2007
Schools were closed all over Northeast Ohio yesterday, with most making the announcement late Tuesday night. However, the Shaker Heights Public Schools gave the community only a few minutes notice before closing its buildings on Wednesday, leaving many families frustrated. ideastream's Lisa Ann Pinkerton reports.

New Look to U.S. Senate
Originally aired Thursday, February 15, 2007
There's different look to the U.S. Senate this year. Part of it is the election of nine freshman who are either Democrats or caucus with the Democrats. That flipped control of the chamber. But it's the people in that class that give the Senate a different feel, like Democratic Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown, Democratic Socialist Bernie Sanders of Vermont and populist Jim Webb of Virginia. From Capitol Hill, Chad Pergram examines how Brown and his colleagues could have a unique impact on what is usually a staid institution.

Statehouse News Bureau: GOP: Ohio Can’t Afford School Measure
Originally aired Thursday, February 15, 2007
The Republicans who control the Ohio House and Senate are warning there will be money problems if a proposed ballot issue passes. A coalition of education groups is hoping to ask voters approve a constitutional amendment that would make a high quality education the right of every public school student. It would change the way schools are funded by shifting more of the burden to the state. But some GOP lawmakers say they now have proof from an unbiased source that the state can't afford it. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen reports.

Expert: New Business Models Needed for Local Papers
Originally aired Friday, February 16, 2007
An expert on the newspaper industry says local papers should look for new ways of doing business. Merrill Lynch analyst Lauren Rich Fine tells the Cleveland City Club that newspapers' profits will continue to shrink and circulation is only part of the problem. ideastream's Mark Urycki reports.

Bishop Lennon to Address City Club
Originally aired Friday, February 16, 2007
This afternoon, the spiritual leader of 800,000 Northeast Ohio Catholics will layout some of his plans for the future of the local diocese. That future may include the combining or closing of some churches. ideastream's David C. Barnett reports.

Statehouse News Bureau: Strickland vs. Legislature on Estate Tax
Originally aired Friday, February 16, 2007
Governor Strickland is sparring with leaders in the General Assembly over the estate tax, or as opponents call it, the death tax. Leading Republican legislators say Ohio's tax on estates runs counter to economic development. But Strickland disagrees and he's vowing to fight the GOP move to soften the levy. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen reports.

Statehouse News Bureau: Tax Battle Looms
Originally aired Friday, February 16, 2007
It appears there could be a battle brewing between Governor Strickland and Republican leaders in the legislature over the issue of taxes. The Governor and Legislative leaders have all said they don't intend to raise taxes. But Strickland may force some Ohioans, especially the wealthy, to pay a bit more by closing certain loopholes. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen reports.

Homeless, and in the Cold
Originally aired Monday, February 19, 2007
Digging out from last week's winter storm is tough for most Northeast Ohioans, but can be particularly hard for those without shelter. ideastream's Tasha Flournoy tells us how the area's homeless fare in the cold.

A Call for Religious Regionalism
Originally aired Monday, February 19, 2007
Regionalism seems to be the buzz word these days in Northeast Ohio. Many area cities are looking for ways to trim budgets by pooling resources. In a time when urban sprawl, money woes and a shortage of priests have shaken the Cleveland Catholic Diocese, church officials are exploring their own version of religious regionalism. ideastream's David C. Barnett reports.

Gov. Strickland Addresses Press Club
Originally aired Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Governor Ted Strickland says a deficit of quality workers is an obstacle for Ohio's economic growth. The governor was in Northeast Ohio yesterday to address the Press Club of Cleveland. ideastream's Dan Bobkoff has more.

Northeast Ohio Libraries Among the Nation’s Best
Originally aired Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Northeast Ohio has, perhaps, more than its share of problems - but it also has some very impressive assets, such as a world class symphony and the world's best heart clinic. It's also home to some of the best libraries in the country, according to the national ranking known as the HAPLR Index. That was a surprise to ideastream's newest reporter Dan Bobkoff, who's taking up the education beat. He went to find out what makes them so great.

Springfield Schools to Place Levy on May Ballot
Originally aired Wednesday, February 21, 2007
The Springfield Local School District Board of Education voted Tuesday to place a 9.5 mill levy on the May ballot. Voters in the Summit County district have turned down the same levy three other times and the schools are sliding toward fiscal emergency. ideastream's Mark Urycki has details.

U.S. Companies Aiming to Enter Chinese Market
Originally aired Thursday, February 22, 2007
As China's wealth and influence grows, more U.S. companies are trying to break into the Chinese market. But as ideastream's Eric Wellman found out, there are many cultural hurdles that need to be crossed.

New Wind Turbine for Urban Environments
Originally aired Thursday, February 22, 2007
Later this morning, officials at Cleveland State University will meet to move ahead with plans to build a new type of wind turbine designed specifically for dense urban environments. ideastream's Lisa Ann Pinkerton has more.

Issue 18 Tax Now in Effect
Originally aired Friday, February 23, 2007
Smokers in Cuyahoga County may have noticed a hike in the price of their cigarettes. Since February 1st, the county has been collecting a 30-cents-a-pack tax imposed by the voter-approved Issue 18. The excise tax will eventually go to nonprofit arts organizations. But first, ideastream's Mhari Saito reports, there's a lot of work that needs to get done.

Tackling Debt
Originally aired Monday, February 26, 2007
At a time when Cleveland has the highest number of foreclosures in Cuyahoga County, the region tops the nation in bankruptcy cases. The economic and financial crisis seems to have already hit us. But, on a recent visit to Cleveland, consumer finance critic Robert Manning has a prediction for a nation consumed by credit: by the year 2020, America will see a sharp decline in our way of living and face a serious financial crisis. ideastream's Tasha Flournoy explores the underpinnings of Manning's doom-and-gloom predictions and looks at how some locals tackle the issue of rising debt and financial uncertainty.

Reaction to Obama’s Cleveland Appearance
Originally aired Tuesday, February 27, 2007
A recent poll found that Ohioans have a mostly favorable opinion of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. But 52% said they didn't know enough about him to form an opinion. Most of the people who got to see him in person at Tri-C's eastern campus Monday night seemed to have made up their minds. ideastream's Mark Urycki spoke with some of them and filed this report.

Barack Obama Visits Ohio
Originally aired Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama picked up at least a half-million dollars on a campaign swing through Ohio yesterday. The Illinois Senator started with a fundraiser breakfast in Cincinnati, followed by a fundraiser lunch in Columbus and dinner in Cleveland. In the evening, he spoke at a free event to a packed house at Tri-C's Eastern campus in Highland Hills. ideastream's Mark Urycki reports.

CSU Report Shows Tax Abatement Program Works
Originally aired Wednesday, February 28, 2007
A Cleveland State University study reports the city's residential tax abatement program is working and should stay intact if Cleveland wants to remain viable. The results come a few months before the program is set to expire and City Council will decide whether to keep it as is or make changes. ideastream's Tasha Flournoy reports.

Problems from Undiagnosed Learning Disabilities
Originally aired Wednesday, February 28, 2007
In America today, around 20% of children have learning disabilities, but only 5% are aware of their problems. As ideastream's Lisa Ann Pinkerton reports, the problems undiagnosed learning disabilities create never go away - rather, they compound as children grow up.