Morning News Archives
April - June 2000

• June 2000
• May 2000
• April 2000

Safety in the Gay & Lesbian Community More than 7,500 people from around Ohio made their way to Cleveland last weekend for the area's 12th annual gay pride celebration. For some in the gay and lesbian community, coming out to a celebration of their sexual preference can also leave them vulnerable to those who disagree with their lifestyle. 90.3's Yolanda Perdomo reports on safety issues affecting that community. Aired June 29, 2000.

Sexual Versus Spiritual Identity: Churches Address Issues of Gender Orientation The ouster of a gay Ohio Methodist cleric this month was the first incident in what may be a controversial summer of soul searching for several mainline Christian denominations. Following the United Methodist Church's recent affirmation that homosexuality was incompatible with Christian teaching, the Presbyterian and Episcopal churches are about to address issues of gender orientation at their general conferences. 90.3's David C. Barnett reports. Aired June 26, 2000.

Northeast Ohio Arts and Culture Plan Live Call-in Show:From 7 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 21st, 2000, Tom Schorgl, President of the Community Partnership for Arts and Culture, fielded calls from listeners and from 90.3 WCPN® host David Kanzeg about the Partnership's development Plan for Northeast Ohio Arts and Culture.

Do your homework before doing your home work:Summer often signals that it's time to hire strangers to do home remodeling projects, landscaping and other seasonal jobs. Home improvement horror stories are not unusual, making the hiring of a contractor or even a handyman a cause for concern. Before you spend your money the experts agree you should do your homework. But who can you trust, and how much is it worth for the information? 90.3's Mike West investigates. Aired June 20, 2000.

Untangling the Knot of Welfare Reform: Welfare reform is fast approaching its three-year anniversary here in Ohio. That means those for whom public assistance has been a way of life for many years are running out of time. Reforms adopted in October, 1997 limit cash benefits to three years, and people who have received consecutive monthly welfare checks since then will no longer be eligible. What's more, that's a lifetime limit, meaning that they'll never be eligible for cash assistance again, unless the law is reversed. Cuyahoga County officials are stepping up efforts to help those remaining long term recipients make the transition from welfare to work - hopefully before the deadline arrives. That's not an easy task, as 90.3 WCPN®'s Bill Rice explains. Aired June 20, 2000.

Cleveland Police Candidates Held in Waiting: The spectre of scandal surrounding a Cleveland civil service exam continues to lurk at City Hall, even though historic hearings into the matter are over. A Cleveland City Council committee has spent several days trying to get to the bottom of problems that have kept over two thousand prospective police candidates in limbo for over a year and a half. This week, council leaders are trying to decide what action, if any, to take in the matter. 90.3's April Baer reports. Aired June 19, 2000.

Pelee Island Ferry Strike: Pelee Island, Canada in the western basin of Lake Erie is considered by many to be a natural paradise. Still largely undeveloped, the island - with its astounding wildlife, wine-making heritage, and close-knit community - is a growing tourist destination for Americans weary of miniature golf, McDonald's, and Mickey Mouse. This year had promised to be especially prosperous for Pelee's 275 year-round residents. But a recently-ended ferry strike nearly cost the island its livelihood. 90.3's Karen Schaefer has this report. Aired June 16, 2000.

Amish Teens and Drinking: Promoting Awareness of Alcohol in the Amish Community Ohio is home to some of the largest Amish communities in the world. While the population is growing, so is a problem that until recently was not discussed publicly. Law enforcement and bishops from Amish churches are banding together to educate teens about drinking - but as 90.3's Yolanda Perdomo reports, the rite of passage to the church for some may come through using drugs and alcohol. Aired June 15, 2000.

Tripping the Light Financial: Professional Dance Funding Shrinking: The world of dance has made headlines recently, both nationally and internationally, due to economic and management problems. Northeast Ohio's dance community has had it own share of financial woes. The Cleveland San Jose Ballet and the Akron-based Ohio Ballet are local troupes with national reputations. Still, they have troubles filling seats back home, leaving some to wonder about the viability of professional dance in an era of dwindling funding. 90.3's David C. Barnett reports. Aired June 12, 2000.

Big Box Stores: First it was strip shopping centers, then came malls. Today a number of America's surviving downtown business districts are fighting off a new threat - the presence of major retailers and so-called big box stores that spring up in former cornfields, surrounded by seas of asphalt parking lots. Some communities in states like Vermont have tried to fight off the big chains, while others have accepted the inevitability of a Wal-Mart or Target in their towns. But in the small college town of Oberlin, people are creating new partnerships they hope will keep Main Street vital. 90.3's Karen Schaefer has this report. Aired June 9, 2000.

Helping Children Cope with Effects of Violence: It's estimated that by the age of 18, young people will have viewed near 200,000 acts of violence on television. While the ensuing trauma is handled by the police and victims, a child who witnesses the violence in person could have problems that extend beyond the shock of the initial shock. 90.3's Yolanda Perdomo reports on a county program that's helping children who witness violence overcome its traumatic effects. Aired June 7, 2000.

On-line Businesses Boosted by E-Com Ohio: Northeast Ohio has long been known as an industrial center. But times are changing, and the new economy has government, business and education leaders wondering where the area will stand on the information super highway. The results of a year long study show the state has a long way to go in catching up with many other parts of the country. Mike West reports. Aired June 6, 2000

John Brown and the Underground Railroad in Hudson In the years before the Civil War, runaway slaves seeking freedom in Canada were often assisted on their journey by a secret network known as the Underground Railroad. While people in many states participated in this network, nowhere is the history of that effort better known - or documented - than in Ohio. 90.3's Karen Schaefer has this report. Aired June 2, 2000.

Big Plans for the Northcoast Harbor: While many people consider the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as the crown jewel of the Lake Erie shoreline, there's much more to consider. East of that area is the Port of Cleveland where ships come from all over the world. Thousands are headed for northeast Ohio manufacturing plants to unload tons of steel, iron ore, coal, stone and cement to fuel northeast Ohio's steel mills and electric power plants. But soon there will be more to the port than just the working docks. 90.3's Lorna Jordan reports. Aired May 31, 2000

What Price Image? A great deal of money and public relations have been spent trying to change Cleveland's image from "the mistake on the Lake" to the "new American city." A high profile building campaign has helped make the city look attractive in Goodyear blimp shots to the rest of the country. But are we getting our money's-worth? 90.3's David C. Barnett investigates the cost, and the value, of an image. Aired May 30, 2000

Safe Boating Week: A cautionary tale: On Memorial Day weekend, thousands of Ohioans will be hauling their boats out of dry dock and heading to the nearest boat ramp to launch a summer season on the water. Ohio has the eighth-largest number of registered recreational boats in the country. Learning how to sail, fish or race a jet ski can be fun, but mistakes on the water can be deadly. Already this year, eleven Ohio residents have lost their lives in boating accidents. This week officials in both the U.S. and Canada are launching the first North American Safe Boating Week. 90.3's Karen Schaefer reports. Aired May 26, 2000.

Seniors Fight City Over Upkeep of Homes: While many senior citizens dream of relaxing during their golden years, some in Cleveland are worried about whether they'll be fined or jailed for not fixing up their homes. 90.3's Yolanda Perdomo reports on how some are fighting with the city over the upkeep of their homes. Aired May 25, 2000.

Up in the Air with HDTV: The Price of Turning off Analog and Going Digital Almost everyone who owns a television set today is receiving analog signals. But that's changing. The government has ordered broadcasters to switch from analog to digital signals as their method of broadcasting TV shows. That could be a problem for viewers. Consumers are already wondering if digital TV means their current sets will turn into high priced junk. 90.3 WCPN®'s Mike West focuses in on the issue. Aired May 23, 2000.

The Newest Population in Conneaut: Private Prison The Lake Erie Correctional Institution is only a few months old, but it will be filled to capacity by this summer. The state's newest privately run medium security prison is taking great pains to distance itself from a privately run facility in Youngstown. The legacy of that prison is making some residents view this one with concern. 90.3's Yolanda Perdomo takes us inside for a look at the newest population of Conneaut. Aired May 18, 2000.

Use of Common Insecticides Might Be Restricted: Organophosphates May Cause Health Risks: The U.S. EPA is considering restricting one of the most widely-used group of insecticides. Organophosphates have been linked to memory loss, nervous system ailments, and other health problems. These compounds account for half of all pesticides sold in the U.S. and are used extensively in homes, schools, businesses, and agriculture. But while many people have pushed for tighter controls, some scientists feel the method of assessing the chemicals' effect is flawed. 90.3's Karen Schaefer has this report. Aired May 17, 2000.

The Vietnam Memorial: Taking Down Walls Most veterans of the Vietnam War came home from a messy conflict overseas to a conflicted country. The protests and derision that greeted them caused many vets to build emotional walls around themselves. 90.3's David C. Barnett reports that, in order to make some sense of their role in the war, some Ohio vets have been able to take some of those walls down...by putting another one up. Aired May 16, 2000.

The Burden of Borderline Personality Disorder - Part 2: Borderline Personality Disorder is a strange and powerful mental illness that can all but consume its victims. Patients who suffer from this disease not only fear abandonment but often go so far as to mutilate themselves. In the second part of our series on BPD, 90.3's Lorna Jordan takes a look at various treatment methods. Aired May 11, 2000 (Mental Health Month Series)

The Burden of Borderline Personality Disorder - Part 1: Mental Health experts estimate that as much as two percent of the US population suffers from the mental illness known as Borderline Personality Disorder or BPD. It accounts for about one-fifth of the people being treated on psychiatric wards. Women are three times more likely to suffer from this illness as men. Doctors have studied the condition under various names since the 1940's, but they don't know exactly why it develops, nor do they have a cure. Recently, 90.3's Lorna Jordan attended a conference about Borderline Personality Disorder put on by the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill - Cuyahoga County. Aired May 10, 2000 (Mental Health Month Series)

Treating Depression in Children and Adolescents: Twenty years ago, few people realized that children - as well as adults - could suffer from the form of mental illness known as depression. Today childhood depression is widely recognized and its causes better understood. As many as three percent of children and eight percent of adolescents experience the illness, but experts say only a small fraction receive the treatment they need. High costs and the stigma of mental illness are but two of the barriers to proper treatment. Some also argue that one factor may be the inability of parents, pediatricians and educators to recognize the warning signs of depression. 90.3 WCPN®, 90.3's Karen Schaefer has this report. Aired May 9, 2000 (Mental Health Month Series)

Small Businesses starting their own Political Action Committee: Ohio's largest Chamber of Commerce is hoping to exercise some political muscle in next fall's election. "The Greater Cleveland Growth Association" is starting it's own political action committee, or PAC. Northeast Ohio business leaders say they took the action because they believe small companies have been "let down" by elected officials who don't always vote with their best interests in mind. Mike West reports. Aired May 5, 2000

The Market and The Mission Later this month Cleveland City Council is expected to vote on a renovation project for the historic West Side Market. The Market's a haven for gourmets and bargain hunters alikeãoffering fresh fruits, vegetables, homemade ethnic food and meats often at bargain prices. The eighty-eight year old building housing the market also plays an important role in the city's cultural life. As planning for the five million dollar project continues, city officials are trying to decide just what the market's mission should be in coming years. 90.3's April Baer reports. Aired May 1, 2000

Perspectives of Cuban Life: The uneasy politics that mark the US and Cuban relationship also color the Elian Gonzalez story. To understand some of the strident actions by some Cuban Americans in Miami, you need look no further than Cuyahoga county. 90.3's Yolanda Perdomo profiles one Clevelander's journey to the US from Cuba, to see how his views of this case are shaped by his experience decades ago. Aired April 28, 2000.

Shipping Challenges on the Lake Erie: Unusually low levels of water in Lake Erie are causing some trouble for ships that carry iron ore, coal, sand and other industrial products to ports in the Great Lakes. Scientists don't know exactly what to blame for the low levels. But that's not important to shippers. They just want to move their cargo without losing money. 90.3's Lorna Jordan reports. Aired April 26, 2000

Joining Forces Under Electric Deregulation: Next January, a new state law could give Ohio residents a chance to choose their electric company. Backers of the plan believe deregulation will bring new competition and drive down prices, particularly for residential customers. Some communities are interested in pooling their buying power, with the hope of purchasing cheaper electricity. But details this week on FirstEnergy's deregulation plan has some consumer activists worried that residential customers may not reap the savings they've been promised. 90.3's Karen Schaefer has this report. Aired April 21, 2000.

Native American Mascots: The use of Native Americans for team names and insignias has been the focus of protests for many years. Most recently, those demonstrations have made their way to the courts....as activists sought to prohibit the use of Native Americans icons in professional and amateur sports. 90.3's Yolanda Perdomo reports on the continuing controversy and what people on both sides of the issue are doing to address it. Aired April 20, 2000

Hi-Tech Hotels: The Great "Plug-In" to Vacant Downtown Office Space: Some Cleveland buildings that have spent years, even decades gathering dust, are now finding new life. Many are becoming part of the high tech building boom. But the phenomenon could eventually drive up the cost of doing business for everyone who operates downtown. 90.3's Mike West checks into the accommodations at these high-tech hotels. Aired April 18, 2000.

The Verdict After a little more than three hours of deliberations, the jurors in the Sam Sheppard Civil Trial have returned a decision. And for the second time in the history of this case, the jury has ruled that Dr. Sam Sheppard may have been guilty of his wife's murder. Based on the preponderance of the evidence, at least six of the eight person jury determined that Dr. Sheppard was rightfully incarcerated for Marilyn's murder in 1954. 90.3's Yolanda Perdomo has the story. Aired April 12, 2000 (Continuing coverage of Sheppard Trial 2000)

Individual Development Accounts: A Unique Cleveland Program Cleveland is home to a unique program which helps low to moderate income people save money. Working for Empowerment through Community Organizing, or WECO, is sponsoring an initiative called the Individual Development Accounts or IDAs. They are savings accounts which can be used as a down payment on a house, for business support, or tuition. 90.3's Lorna Jordan reports that WECO is trying to recruit more than 500 people for the program. Aired April 11, 2000.

The Voinovich EPA Bill: Ohio Senator George Voinovich says when it comes to enforcing the Clean Air Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is too cavalier with taxpayer dollars. Voinovich has introduced a bill in Washington that would force the EPA to do a cost-benefit analysis before it imposes new air regulations. Conservation groups say his bill is an attempt to take the teeth out of a landmark environmental law. 90.3's Ley Garnett reports. Aired April 11, 2000.

Journalist Roundtable: 90.3's Yolanda Perdomo has been covering the trial, and will discuss the 2000 proceedings with fellow reporters who also followed the case. Joining Yolanda will be John Hagen, a reporter from the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Belinda Prinz, a reporter from WJW-TV FOX 8, and Jim Neff, an ex-Plain Dealer reporter and former Ohio State University journalism professor who has been researching the Sheppard story for the last 10 years for his upcoming book "Chasing the Fugitive". They'll be discussion the facets of this civil trial, as well as what the jury will use to make their decision. Aired April 10, 2000 (Continuing coverage of Sheppard Trial 2000)

Growing Local Markets There's a growing interest in this country in organic food and locally-grown foods. Most people think the products taste better and many believe they're better for us than foods produced by conventional farming. In recent years, there's been an effort to create new markets for organic, locally-grown foods. Supporters say there are many reasons to market local foods. They believe local marketing not only improves the quality of our health, but can reduce reliance on fossil fuels, support small-scale agriculture and preserve farmland - and can actually feed the local economy. INFOHIO's/90.3's Karen Schaefer takes us to Lorain County, where a diverse group of people is creating new markets for local foods. Aired April 6, 2000

Drifting Smog Last month a federal appeals court upheld the authority of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to impose tougher clean-air standards. Ohio is among a handful of Midwestern and Southern states that has joined forces with electric utilities and other smokestack industries to fight the regulations, claiming they are too expensive and unnecessary. The EPA and private environmental groups say a crackdown is needed because air pollution from the Midwest is so extensive that it is even fouling states on the east coast. 90.3's Ley Garnett reports that both sides are locked in legal battles. Aired April 4, 2000

April's Fools: If you didn't get enough of the bad jokes you'll be hearing all this week on the air, and would like to use these jokes at your next party (pluh-leeze), click here for transcripts and the audio for all of April's Fools! Hey, did you hear the one about...