Regional News Stories Archive: October 2007

Clinic’s Medical Innovation Summit Begins Today
Originally aired Monday, October 1, 2007
CNN's Larry King, who underwent quintuple-bypass surgery 20 years ago, will be the featured moderator at The Cleveland Clinic's Medical Innovation Summit that kicks off later today. ideastream's Dan Bobkoff has a preview.

A Plus to Urban Sprawl?
Originally aired Monday, October 1, 2007
Urban sprawl is often seen as a negative thing. Experts often site the environmental impact. But there may be a plus side to sprawl. ideastream's Rick Jackson reports.

Questions Linger Over Avon Interchange
Originally aired Monday, October 1, 2007
For decades now, Northeast Ohioans have been migrating beyond the fringes of Cleveland, Akron, and their inner-ring suburbs. But there is worry from several quarters about the effects of growing sprawl. The city of Avon's bid to put in a new I-90 interchange has sparked questions about how development will impact the environment and economic competition within the region. ideastream's Tasha Flournoy reports.

Three Plans to Deal with Payday Lenders
Originally aired Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Lawmakers in Columbus are taking a critical look at the payday lending industry in Ohio -- an industry that has seen tremendous growth in recent years. But many are asking growth at what expense? Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen reports there are three different plans to deal with payday lenders.

RTA Named Best Public Transit System in America
Originally aired Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Sports analogies were flowing, yesterday, as the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority won what some local leaders are calling the "Super Bowl Championship" of public transit. RTA has been named the Best Public Transportation System in North America. ideastream's David C. Barnett has more.

New Cuyahoga Sales Tax Rate in Effect
Originally aired Tuesday, October 2, 2007
If you missed it, the Cuyahoga County sales tax went up a quarter of a percent yesterday. The tax hike was enacted to help pay for a new convention center attached to a medical mart. ideastream's economics reporter Tasha Flournoy has more.

Rainy Rally Held for Tribe
Originally aired Tuesday, October 2, 2007
A rally in the rain was held for the Cleveland Indians last night. Despite a thorough soaking, several hundred of the faithful gathered to show their support for the Central Division Champions. ideastream's David C. Barnett was there.

Marathon Woman: Kathrine Switzer Interview
Originally aired Tuesday, October 2, 2007
The name Kathrine Switzer may not immediately ring a bell, but you may know the photograph. It shows Switzer getting pushed off the Boston Marathon course by a race official. It was 40 years ago -- 1967 -- and Switzer was the first woman to officially don a number and run in the race. She's out with a new memoir called Marathon Woman. She sat down with ideastream's Eric Wellman.

Generous Pay for Lawyers
Originally aired Wednesday, October 3, 2007
It's a good time to be a graduate of law school especially when you're in the top tier of the class. We're seeing a national trend where many of the nation's largest law firms are upping their salaries for recent law school graduates by 10% to 15%. Firms in Cleveland are no exception. Jones Day, for example, is now paying its least experienced attorneys as much as $135,000 a year. Why are the biggest firms giving such generous raises? Eric Wellman asked that question to finance reporter Shawn Turner who reported this story for Crain's Cleveland Business.

Going Green: Solar Homes
Originally aired Wednesday, October 3, 2007
In July the New York Times asked Americans what they thought the top source of energy would be 15 years from now. The sun was the top pick. For a small group of homeowners in Ohio the switch to solar power has already begun. Al Compaan, a professor at the University of Toledo and David Carpenter, a physics teacher in Deleware, Ohio, told freelance producer Sandra Sleight-Brennan how their concerns about climate change lead to some major life changes.

Workers Will Benefit From Sick Day Policy
Originally aired Wednesday, October 3, 2007
A new study finds that more than two million Ohio workers would benefit from a proposed policy that would allow them to earn up to seven paid sick days a year. Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles reports.

CWRU Prof Gets Visa
Originally aired Wednesday, October 3, 2007
The plight of a Northeast Ohio history professor stranded in Panama over a visa dispute has been resolved. ideastream's David C. Barnett reports. Image: Marixa Lasso, courtesy of Case Western Reserve University

Police Union to File Complaint Over Airport Police Shift
Originally aired Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Cleveland's Police Union plans to file a complaint this week in an effort to stop the city from replacing its officers stationed at Cleveland Hopkins Airport with a private security firm. ideastream's Kymberli Hagelberg reports.

Proposed Ban on Airing 911 Calls
Originally aired Thursday, October 4, 2007
If some law enforcement officials get their way, Ohioans will no longer be hearing tapes of those frantic 911 calls on their TV newscasts. Many radio and TV stations, though, don't like the proposed ban. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen reports.

The War: Vets Speak Out
Originally aired Thursday, October 4, 2007
60 miles west of Cleveland - in Sandusky - a 99 acre campus is home to more than 700 Veterans from America's 20th century wars, including World War II. As the Ken Burns documentary "The War" concludes, ideastream's Rick Jackson takes us to Erie County.

Commissioners Considering Living Wage Law
Originally aired Thursday, October 4, 2007
Cuyahoga County's commissioners today will consider the results of a study that makes the case for enacting a county living wage law. The study done at the county's behest was completed in June. ideastream's Bill Rice reports.

Playoffs Begin for Indians
Originally aired Thursday, October 4, 2007
The Indians will be making their first playoff appearance in six years tonight against the Yankees. Let's take a trip to Jacobs Field.

Reward for Information About Shooting
Originally aired Friday, October 5, 2007
The Cleveland NAACP and Crime Stoppers are offering a $30,000 reward for information that may help police find those responsible for the shooting death of Brandon Marshall on Sept. 7. ideastream's Tasha Flournoy reports.

Bridging the Gap Between Hospice and Hope
Originally aired Friday, October 5, 2007
Children's health care advocates will be looking to state legislators to solve a vexing problem: how to pay for care that will bridge the gap between hospice and hope for kids with life threatening diseases. It's the subject of a conference underway this week at Akron's John S. Knight Center. ideastream's Kymberli Hagelberg reports.

Lorain Commissioner Wants Sales Tax Increase
Originally aired Monday, October 8, 2007
Lorain County officials are hoping to see results this week of a study that assesses the impact of unfunded state and federal mandates on the county budget. ideastream's Bill rice reports.

Positively Cleveland
Originally aired Tuesday, October 9, 2007
The people whose job it is to promote Cleveland as a destination for business and fun say it's time for a make-over. The Convention and Visitors Bureau of Greater Cleveland has determined it needs a new name, one that is shorter and more upbeat. The marketing agency now plans to call itself… Positively Cleveland. ideastream's Economics Reporter Tasha Flournoy explains.

New Ordinance Aimed at Controlling Utility Boxes
Originally aired Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Some area residents have complained for months about an invasion taking place on their tree lawns. Last night, Cleveland City Council came up with a solution. But, we're not talking about an infestation of bugs or weeds. Instead, a new ordinance is aimed at controlling the spread of high-tech utility boxes. ideastream's David C. Barnett explains.

Lighting Some Change for Burnt Out Street Lights
Originally aired Tuesday, October 9, 2007
After several days of criticism for a number of burnt out street lights around Cleveland, city officials are trying to spark some change. ideastream's David C. Barnett has more.

American Electric Power Agrees to Settlement
Originally aired Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Earlier this week American Electric Power agreed to a $4.6 billion settlement in a suit brought by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The result should mean less pollution, as Ohio Public Radio's Bill Cohen reports.

Interview with Clean Air Program’s John Walke
Originally aired Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Earlier this week it was announced that Columbus-based American Electric Power has agreed to pay more than $4 billion to reduce pollution produced by its coal-fired power plants. Environmentalists blame the pollution for eating away at northeast mountain ranges and even some national landmarks -- including the Statue of Liberty. For more on what this settlement means for Ohio, ideastream's Eric Wellman spoke with John Walke, the director of the Clean Air Program with Natural Resources Defense Council.

Electronic Voting Machines Will Be Deployed in November Elections
Originally aired Wednesday, October 10, 2007
The Cuyahoga County Board of elections has voted to deploy more than 5,700 electronic voting machines for use in November. The allocation works out to one device for every 178 registered voters. ideastream's political reporter Kymberli Hagelberg has details.

Productivity Up Slightly in Northeast Ohio
Originally aired Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Despite the loss of manufacturing jobs in Northeast Ohio, productivity is slightly up -- if you look back over the last 15 years. Those findings are part of Team NEO's latest report on our region. The regional marketing group hosted an economic check up of sorts last night in Independence. ideastream's economics reporter Tasha Flournoy has more.

Opportunity Seen in Dying Mall
Originally aired Wednesday, October 10, 2007
The slowly dying mall is an eyesore to many, but one area Baptist Minister sees it as an opportunity and he and his congregation are praying that they will be able to buy it. ideastream's Mhari Saito reports.

Train Derails in Lake County
Originally aired Thursday, October 11, 2007
Cleanup continues in Painesville after an explosion and fire rocked the Lake County city just after noon yesterday, blocking roads and forcing evacuations following a train derailment. ideastream's Rick Jackson has details.

Familiar Path for School Shooter
Originally aired Thursday, October 11, 2007
Yesterday afternoon a teenage boy, apparently angry about being suspended from SuccessTech High School in Cleveland, shot two of his fellow classmates and two teachers and ultimately turned the gun on himself. Asa Coon's attack at the school and subsequent suicide is a tragedy that follows a familiar path, according to a local expert on workplace and school violence. ideastream's Kymberli Hagelberg reports.

Questions Remain Over SuccessTech Shooting
Originally aired Thursday, October 11, 2007
Cleveland Schools are closed today following yesterday's shooting at SuccessTech Academy in downtown Cleveland. Two teachers and two students were shot. The alleged shooter, a 14-year-old student named Asa Coon, committed suicide, but none of the victims were killed. Today, the questions turn to why. How could this happen? Who was the shooter? And, why weren't warning signs seen earlier? ideastream's education reporter Dan Bobkoff was on the scene yesterday and pieces together what we know now.

New Details About SuccessTech Shooting
Originally aired Thursday, October 11, 2007
Police and city officials briefed media today, less than 24 hours after a student shot at students and teachers at SuccessTech Academy in downtown Cleveland. New details are emerging about the attack and the alleged perpetrator, Asa Coon, who committed suicide after shooting two teachers and two students. Tomorrow, Cleveland Schools CEO Eugene Sanders is expected to give Mayor Frank Jackson a proposal for improved school safety. ideastream's Dan Bobkoff has the latest.

Being Prepared in Akron Schools
Originally aired Friday, October 12, 2007
Wednesday's shooting at a Cleveland magnet school raises concerns about school security not only in Cleveland but throughout Northeast Ohio. Each school district makes its own plan to avoid violent incidents. ideastream's Kymberli Hagelberg reports on how Summit County's Akron school system prepares for dealing with and preventing similar situations.

ALCS Preview: Bill Littlefield Interview
Originally aired Friday, October 12, 2007
There is a saying in Boston that Red Sox fans root for two teams: the Red Sox... and any team that can beat the Yankees. Last week, there were a lot of Tribe fans in Bean Town, but alas, no more. The Indians and Red Sox play tonight in game one of the American League Championship Series. Typically when we preview these match-ups we turn to a local sports writer, but this time around we thought we'd step outside the box and perhaps find a Bostonian who could offer some insight. So we turn now to Bill Littlefield, host of NPR's Only a Game.

StoryCorps Cleveland: Leroy Brown
Originally aired Monday, October 15, 2007
As part of their latest cross-country journey to capture the voices of Americans, StoryCorps spent much of August collecting the oral histories of residents of Northeast Ohio. Some of the stories they gathered will eventually be heard on NPR, and others will be heard from time to time here on 90.3. This morning we'll hear Leroy Brown, a Deacon at Antioch Baptist Church, in conversation with Reverend Marvin McMickle as he describes some of his experiences as an African-American Steward on a Navy ship during World War II.

School Officials Announce New Safety Plan
Originally aired Monday, October 15, 2007
Cleveland officials announced a new school safety plan days after 14-year-old Asa Coon shot four of his fellow students and teachers before killing himself. ideastream's Tasha Flournoy gives us details of the plan.

Lakewood Receives National Assistance Award
Originally aired Monday, October 15, 2007
A national award of special assistance to help support children and youth is headed to one Northeast Ohio city. ideastream's Rick Jackson has details.

SuccessTech Students Return to School
Originally aired Tuesday, October 16, 2007
It's the first day of class for students at SucessTech Academy since a 14-year-old student there went on a shooting spree. Meantime SuccessTech teacher Michael Grassie has been released from the hospital. ideastream's Rick Jackson spoke with him, and files this report.

New Wave of Foreclosures in the Works
Originally aired Tuesday, October 16, 2007
A new national wave of American home foreclosures could be in the works according to a survey released in Cleveland yesterday by the AFL-CIO. The victims may be home buyers who didn't read the fine print of their Adjustable Rate Mortgages. ideastream's David C. Barnett reports.

Indians Take 2-1 Lead in ALCS
Originally aired Tuesday, October 16, 2007
The Indians have taken a two games to one lead in the American League Championship Series last night with their 4-2 victory over the Red Sox. Jake Westbrook pitched six innings and effectively neutralized the power-hitting duo of David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez. ideastream's Dan Bobkoff was at the game and has some highlights.

Increased Security Just the Beginning for Schools
Originally aired Wednesday, October 17, 2007
A Cleveland school safety advocate says increased security implemented today at a local magnet school is just the beginning of the work school officials must do in the wake of last week's shootings by a troubled 14-year-old. ideastream's Kymberli Hagelberg has more.

Cleveland Triumphs Over Boston in Game 4
Originally aired Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Just one game separates the Indians from the American League pennant. The Tribe beat the Boston Red Sox 7-3 last night at Jacobs Field. Indians pitcher Paul Byrd kept the Red Sox at bay for nearly 6 innings. And Boston was no match for Cleveland's offense in the fifth inning. ideastream's Dan Bobkoff has some highlights.

Acting Black or White
Originally aired Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Race --- it's an issue that underlies many of our lives, and yet it's a topic that can be tough to talk about. And one area of race relations that is really rarely discussed, occurs at the intersection of... Black... and... White. This morning on 90.3, we're going to explore that area where racial boundaries cross --- for instance, where some young black women get accused of "acting white".

Ohio Influence Wanes as Congressional Leaders Retire
Originally aired Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Ohio stands to lose millions of federal dollars in congressional spending for local projects - now that several top leaders are retiring from Congress. Sara Sciammacco takes a look at Ohio's waning influence on Capitol Hill.

Casey Blake Fires Up Indians Offense
Originally aired Wednesday, October 17, 2007
The Indians had one big inning when they scored all their runs. They beat Boston 7-3 and now are one win away from the World Series. Casey Blake got the offense started in the fifth with a home run off knuckleballer Tim Wakefield.

Indians One Win Away from World Series
Originally aired Wednesday, October 17, 2007
The Indians are one win a way from heading back to the World Series for the first time in ten years. They beat the Red Sox 7-3, after scoring all their runs in the fifth inning. Paul Byrd ran into trouble in the sixth, but kept the Red Sox offense silent through five.

Ohio Lenders have until Monday for Loan Agreement
Originally aired Thursday, October 18, 2007
Governor Strickland has given the state's biggest lenders until Monday to sign an agreement promising to restructure more troubled home loans. If they don't, Strickland says he may try to push it through the legislature. One option, a loan modification, changes the written terms of a loan. Politicians like it because it means no tax payer bailout, but investors holding the loan would have to take any loss. ideastream's Mhari Saito reports not all homeowners looking for loan modifications are having luck.

Ohio Congressional Democrats Blast S-CHIP Veto
Originally aired Thursday, October 18, 2007
Forty-eight hours before a scheduled override vote, a group of Ohio Congressional Democrats are blasting President Bush's veto of the Children's Health Insurance Program known as S-CHIP. ideastream political reporter Kymberli Hagelberg has more.

Cuyahoga County Elections Board to Test Voting System
Originally aired Thursday, October 18, 2007
The director of the Cuyahoga County Elections Board told a City Club crowd that the county is prepared for its first big test in November. ideastream political reporter Kymberli Hagelberg has more.

Cleveland State Hosts Bioneers Cleveland
Originally aired Friday, October 19, 2007
Environmentalists and social justice advocates will gather at Cleveland State University this weekend as part of a "bioneers" conference - so named for the founding group's holistic and forward-thinking philosophy. ideastream's Kymberli Hagelberg has more.

Indians Lose to Red Sox
Originally aired Friday, October 19, 2007
A disappointing night in Cleveland last night, as the Indians fell to the Red Sox 7-1. ideastream's Dan Bobkoff was there and has this recap.

Wal-Mart Supercenter to open in Steelyard Commons
Originally aired Monday, October 22, 2007
This week a Wal-Mart Supercenter will open in Steelyard Commons -- Cleveland's largest big box retail center. It's the culmination of a long effort to open the first Walmart within the city limits. ideastream's economics reporter Tasha Flournoy explains.

Indians Lose Game 7 to Boston
Originally aired Monday, October 22, 2007
As you probably know by now, it was a horrible night in Boston for Tribe fans. The Red Sox beat the Indians 11-2 in game 7 to head to the World Series. While Boston celebrated, fans at Jacobs Field last night looked forlorn. About five thousand watched the game on the giant Indians' scoreboard at what would become this year's final "Tribe Pride Party". ideastream's Dan Bobkoff was there.

Cleveland Bioneers Conference Highlights
Originally aired Monday, October 22, 2007
People gathered at Cleveland State University for a conference last weekend to explore the connection between environmentalism, spiritualism, health, sustainable business and science. These advocates of a more holistic way of life call themselves Bioneers. They believe they have the tools to make Northeast Ohio a healthier and more sustainable place. ideastreastream's Kymberli Hagelberg reports.

Nano-Technology Conference to be Held in Cleveland
Originally aired Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Northeast Ohio's next big industry could end up being very small. Local researchers claim that microscopic machines known as "nano-technology" will bring some amazing changes to our lives. ideastream's David C. Barnett has more on a nano-technology conference being held in Cleveland this week.

Vigil Against Violence
Originally aired Tuesday, October 23, 2007
The recent shooting spree at a Cleveland high school and last Friday's stabbing death of an eastside teenage girl have spurred some local and national activists to call for an end to a wave of urban violence. ideastream's David C. Barnett has more.

Sick Days May Become Mandatory
Originally aired Wednesday, October 24, 2007
A group of doctors, union leaders and politicians brought their campaign to Cleveland to make Ohio the first state in the nation to require paid sick days. ideastream's Kymberli Hagelberg reports.

Cuyahoga County Re-Evaluating Plans for Ameritrust Site
Originally aired Thursday, October 25, 2007
Years after Cuyahoga County Commissioners worked hard to secure the site of the former Ameritrust tower for a new headquarters, the future is still an open question for the building at the corner of Euclid Avenue and East Ninth Street. ideastream's Dan Bobkoff reports.

Norton May Abolish Police Department
Originally aired Thursday, October 25, 2007
Numerous township rely on county sherriff's departments to provide them with police services rather than maintain their own departments. But it's rare for a city to do away with an existing force. One Akron suburb is contemplating doing just that. ideastream political reporter Kymberli Hagelberg has more.

Walmart Opens at Steelyard Commons
Originally aired Thursday, October 25, 2007
The first Walmart store within Cleveland's city limits opened early yesterday morning with lots of fanfare. The store is a cornerstone of the Steelyard Commons retail complex, and its location in Cleveland was hard-won. ideastream's Bill Rice reports.

Coal Fired Power Plant Could be in Ohio’s Future
Originally aired Thursday, October 25, 2007
The Cleveland city council is deciding whether to join a consortium of communities in building a new coal-fired power plant in southern Ohio. It would be the first such plant in the state in two decades. The Public Utilities Committee heard testimony on the proposal at a hearing yesterday. ideastream's Dan Bobkoff has the story.

Facing the Foreclosure Epidemic
Originally aired Friday, October 26, 2007
Cleveland City and Cuyahoga County officials want to form a joint agency to buy thousands of properties left in the wake of the nation's foreclosure epidemic. City Council members and county Treasurer Jim Rokakis announced plans to study a regional approach to the problem. ideastream Political Reporter Kymberli Hagelberg has more.

Ohio to Become Country’s Healthcare Leader
Originally aired Friday, October 26, 2007
Deal brokers and regional leaders have promised a site location for a new convention center and medical mart by the end of the year. As that deadline approaches, Cleveland City Council members still have questions about the project. ideastream's Tasha Flournoy reports.

Entrepreneurial Spirit Alive and Well in NE Ohio
Originally aired Friday, October 26, 2007
Northeast Ohio entrepreneurs like doing business here despite difficulties working with local government. That's according to a confidence survey of entrepreneurs released yesterday. ideastream's economics reporter Tasha Flournoy has details.

March Against Violence Held in Cleveland
Originally aired Monday, October 29, 2007
Flight delays prevented Reverend Al Sharpton from attending Saturday's march against violence, but several hundred activists and other community members turned out on a rainy day to call for an end to bloodshed in Cleveland. ideastream's Dan Bobkoff has the story.

Legislator Calling for Tax Holiday
Originally aired Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Imagine buying a new computer, a used car, or some new clothes -- and not having to pay Ohio's 5 and a half percent sales tax. That's what one state legislator is calling for, at least for one weekend each year. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen reports.

Tobacco Settlement Money In Bank
Originally aired Tuesday, October 30, 2007
The money from selling Ohio's future payments from the national tobacco settlement is now in the bank. Jo Ingles reports from Columbus on how the money will be spent.

Leaders Back Issue 14 Renewal
Originally aired Tuesday, October 30, 2007
A wide-ranging coalition of community leaders is backing the renewal of a levy supporting the activities of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority. And while Issue 14 is targeted for Port operations, advocates claim it has a much bigger impact. ideastream's David C. Barnett has more.

Conference Focuses on Urban Landscaping
Originally aired Wednesday, October 31, 2007
That patch of mulch and decorative plants outside your downtown office could be polluting the environment. Changing the way urban settings are landscaped is the theme of a statewide conference this week. From member station WKSU Kevin Niedermier reports.

Green Energy Now Offered
Originally aired Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Millions of electric customers are now getting the chance to buy "green" energy -- if they're willing to pay a bit more for it. Earlier this year, customers in Southwest Ohio were offered the option by Duke Energy. Soon, Northern Ohio customers of FirstEnergy will get the opportunity. And now, customers of American Electric Power are getting the offer for the first time. Ohio Public Radio's Bill Cohen has details.

NASA Glenn to Play Part in Return to Moon
Originally aired Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Cleveland's NASA Glenn Research Center will be an integral part in developing technologies for a return to the moon expected in the coming decade. ideastream's Dan Bobkoff has the details.

Funeral Held for Stabbing Victim
Originally aired Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Friends and family turned out yesterday for the funeral of stabbing victim Demesha Sharp. ideastream's Dan Bobkoff reports.

Vampires Continue to Fascinate
Originally aired Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Boo! I'm Eric Wellman. Happy Halloween. Vampires -- whether in books or film -- continue to fascinate and frighten more than a century after the creation of the world's most famous vampire Dracula. Since the 19th century the portrayal of the vampire has changed as society's fears have changed, says Benita Blessing. She's an assistant professor of Women's and Gender Studies at Ohio University... and also an expert on vampires.

Weekend America: Elephants in Cleveland
Originally aired Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Ohio is the original "bellwether" state. For the past two elections, the state has been an election battleground and is noted for voting with every winning Presidential candidate since 1960, whether Democrat or Republican. During election season, Weekend America will visit communities in Ohio, starting with Cleveland this Saturday. Cleveland is usually a slam-dunk for Democrats, especially on the east side. But reporter Mhari Saito found a few lonely Republicans in Cleveland and asked then what they're looking for in a president. Click here to listen.