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From the 4/25/07 Chillicothe Gazette: Ethanol plant gets $2.4M boost New facility in Fayette County plans to open in February By LOREN GENSON Gazette Staff Writer A new ethanol plant under construction in Fayette County expected to create 60 jobs recently was awarded a $2.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce. The Economic Development Administration has announced it will award the grant money to the project for the purpose of providing a new water system for the plant, which is under construction. The new plant will utilize about $1.5 million gallons of water each day, said Fayette County Engineer Steve Luebbe, who is overseeing the project. "Washington Court House uses about 1.6 million gallons a day," Luebbe said. "So this plant will need about as much water each day as the city of Washington Court House." The new plant, in southern Bloomingburg, just north of Washington Court House, will produce ethanol, a colorless liquid that is distilled from agricultural crops, namely corn. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 1 out of every 8 gallons of gasoline sold contains ethanol. MORE: http://www.chillicothegazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070425/NEWS01/704250304/1002/rss01

From the 4/25/07 Fairfield Echo: Butler County sheriff meets with ICE leaders Tuesday, April 24, 2007 HAMILTON — Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones met Monday in Washington, D.C. with Immigration and Customs Enforcement administrators. Jones said discussion included the sheriff's office pending "287-g" immigration powers, some on-going pending local investigations, and other topics of mutual interest at the federal and local levels. Jones has been vocal in his opinions on illegal immigration and the need for more enforcement at both the federal and local levels. "I appreciate having had this opportunity to meet directly with some people in Washington who can have a direct impact on where immigration issues are going," he said. "We need help here in the Heartland, and it appears the federal government is beginning to listen." MORE: http://www.fairfield-echo.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/04/24/hjn042507sheriffbrief.html From the 4/25/07 Mansfield News Journal: 3 illegal immigrants subcontracted for work at local church By Linda Martz News Journal MANSFIELD -- Richland County sheriff's deputies say they were told they might find as many as 15 to 18 Mexicans without visas working at Clear Fork Valley Wesleyan Church at 160 Woodruff Road. When Capt. N. J. Baker went to the construction site Friday afternoon, he found four men finishing a drywall project. Three admitted to being in the country illegally and are now in federal custody. The three, had been held in the Richland County jail, were handed over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents Tuesday. A spokesman for the Detroit office of ICE said he did not know where Jesus Martinez, 27; Miguel Trejo, 33; and Alejandro Olguin, 20, were taken. MORE: http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070425/NEWS01/704250319/1002/rss01

From the 4/25/07 Newark Advocate: Local home sales down 8.4 percent from last year Advocate staff report NEWARK -- Licking County home sales from January through March were down 8.4 percent versus the same period in 2006. According to the Licking County Board of Realtors, 252 homes were sold in Licking County during the first three months of this year. In March, 112 homes were sold, one fewer than in 2006. The average price of homes sold in January through March was down a half of a percent versus the same period last year, to $142,182. However, Licking County Board of Realtors President Jim McKivergin said in a press release he is optimistic the housing market still will see a healthy rebound in 2007. "There's a wonderful inventory of homes available, interest rates are good, sales prices are coming down, and there are plenty of buyers out there," McKivergin said. Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070425/NEWS01/704250301/1002/rss01

From the 4/25/07 Pulse-Journal: Officials hold public info session on $34M in construction By Eric Schwartzberg Staff Writer Wednesday, April 25, 2007 Brian Tinkler's backyard faces Ohio 747, which is scheduled for expansion this year. Traffic on the roadway is already loud enough to affect the Liberty Twp. resident's daily life, he said. "The way that the road is graded, I can't stand in my back yard anymore and have a conversation," Tinkler said. Tinkler took his concerns to a Friday morning construction project meeting held at Liberty Twp. Fire Headquarters. On hand to answer questions from residents, motorists and business owners were officials from the Butler County Engineer's Office, the Butler County Transportation Improvement District, Liberty Twp. and the West Chester Chamber Alliance. "I had all kinds of extra insulation and sound insulation put in back of the house, but it's gotten to the point that I can hear it through that. Is there anything that I can do about that?" TID Executive Director John Fonner said the Ohio 747 widening project did not include extra provisions for noise reduction. "I don't have a solution for you. I wish I did," Fonner said. "We did look into that and, according to the criteria that the state and the federal government uses, there's not a need for it." Tinkler, who has tried to sell his home with no success, disagreed with that assessment. "I've had people come for a showing who will get out of their car, hear the noise and get back in their car and leave," Tinkler said. The meeting, first in a series, was held to explain more than $34 million of construction scheduled in West Chester and Liberty townships to start this spring. BCEO officials detailed plans for about two dozen projects in Liberty Twp., from resurfacing roads and installing traffic signals to much larger projects. The latter category includes intersection improvement and realignment at Ohio 4 and Kyles Station Road, an intersection that's been the site of several fatalities, said Butler County Engineer Greg Wilkens. Future public update meetings offered at 8 a.m. on April 27, June 29, Aug. 31 at West Chester Town Hall, 9113 Cincinnati-Dayton Road. May 25, July 27, Sept. 28 at Liberty Twp. Fire Headquarters, 6682 Princeton Glendale Road. For more information, visit bceo.org or call 867-5744. Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5126 or [email protected]. http://www.pulsejournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/04/25/hjn042107traffic.html

No decision yet on new schools for St. Marys Lima News, 4/24/07 The call from the state could come at any time. School and community leaders want to be ready. A community committee is closing in on a recommendation on whether St. Marys schools should pursue a school facilities project if state funds are available this year. On Monday, the group charged with making that recommendation presented one possible scenario — close Memorial High School and McBroom Junior High and build a new combined junior and senior high school. Bill Kellermeyer, co-chair of the facilities planning committee, urged continued feedback on the plan saying no final recommendation has been made. The school board also has made no decision about whether to participate even if funds are available. The committee’s preferred plan would cost nearly $46 million with the state’s 61 percent contribution topping $28 million. The total project cost with locally funded add-on’s could run as high as $54 million with the St. Marys community responsible for as much as $26 million. MORE: http://www.limanews.com/story.php?IDnum=37710

Both from the 4/24/07 DDN: Honey Creek opponents file petitions for referendum By Doug Page Staff Writer Tuesday, April 24, 2007 TROY — Opponents of the proposed Honey Creek residential planned development have filed petitions for a referendum with the city auditor. The opponents seek to overturn the City Council's recent rezoning of 201 acres on the city's northeast edge from agricultural to residential planned development. An identical rezoning was overturned in a November referendum by a near 2-to-1 margin. Auditor Dick Cultice said Tuesday he received the 41 petitions, containing 1,140 signatures, last week. Cultice will hold the documents for 10 days before forwarding them to the Miami County Board of Elections for verification of signatures. To qualify for the November ballot, opponents need valid signatures of 784 registered city voters. The proposed Honey Creek project would build 298 homes and 98 condominiums over a 12- to 16-year period at the intersection of North Market and Troy Urbana Road. It would be the city's largest residential development. The city planning commission recommended the rezoning in line with the city's comprehensive plan. MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/04/24/ddn042407referendumweb.html Owner of damaged building at odds with Troy on its fate By Doug Page Staff Writer Tuesday, April 24, 2007 TROY — The owner of a historic downtown building has told the city it is considering tearing down the building, which lost its roof in a February snowstorm. The city may have other ideas. "They said it was more economical for them to tear it down," Patrick Titterington, the city's public service and safety director, said Monday. "We've told them we may not be interested in them tearing it down." The circa-1880 Wasserman building, on the corner of East Main and North Walnut streets, was damaged in a severe storm on Feb. 14. About half the roof collapsed. The building's owner, Harbor Trust, brought in a contractor to remove the debris and the rest of the roof and stabilize the three-story building. Since then, the city has been pressing the owner on its rehabilitation plans for the building. Because the building is in the downtown historic district, any demolition would require approval of a "certificate of appropriateness" by the city planning commission. MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/04/24/ddn042407buildingweb.html

From the 4/25/07 Steubenville Herald Star: $480,000 OK’d to rehab site By MARK J. MILLER, Staff writer TORONTO — The rehabilitation of the former Hancock Manufacturing plant for a possible new business was discussed during Monday’s City Council meeting. Tom Bayuzik, executive director of Progress Alliance, told council the Ohio Department of Development had approved $480,000 in matching grant funds for rehabilitation of buildings on the site of the former extruded parts manufacturer. Bayuzik added the funds would be used for the demolition of a building used as an office by the prior owner and for a new roof for the main building... (Miller can be contacted at [email protected]) http://www.heraldstaronline.com/articles.asp?articleID=13050

Both from the 4/25/07 Enquirer: City schools: 115 laid off Teacher transfers, larger classes loom BY BEN FISCHER | [email protected] Layoffs at Cincinnati Public Schools triggered a wave of concern throughout the district Tuesday, as teachers prepared for more work and larger class sizes, while others wondered what bad news is next for the cash-starved school system. While the 115 job cuts approved Monday will slash a projected $9 million in spending next year, the impact of those cuts on students isn't clear, said school board member Catherine Ingram, who supported the layoffs along with the rest of the board. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070425/NEWS0102/704250397/ Bortz wants to explore school takeover BY BEN FISCHER | [email protected] Cincinnati City Councilman Chris Bortz said today it’s time for the city to look into taking over control of Cincinnati Public Schools. Bortz said he is frustrated with the management, direction and performance of the city’s public schools. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070425/NEWS01/304250041/

Given the current state of the Enquirer, McLean must be rolling over.... Sorry.

From the 4/24/07 Dispatch: Instant racing re-creates debate Gambling proposal wouldn't require voters' approval Tuesday, April 24, 2007 James Nash THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Less than six months after Ohio voters soundly defeated a measure to allow slot machines at horse-racing tracks, lawmakers are pushing a proposal to allow devices that look like slots but allow players to place bets on thousands of old races. The instant-racing proposal could breathe life into Ohio's dying horse-racing industry and provide tax revenue to expand a popular in-home-care program for seniors, its supporters say. Critics, however, call it a sneaky way to expand gambling in a state where nearly 57 percent of voters rejected last November?s ballot measure to allow slot machines at the state's seven racetracks. Under the new proposal, which has found bipartisan support in the House and Senate, racetracks could install terminals in which players would insert money and wager on a race based on the winning percentages of horses, jockeys and trainers. Participants in the race, along with the date and location of the race itself, would not be revealed. Full article at http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/contentbe/dispatch/2007/04/24/20070424-A1-00.html

From the 4/18/07 Lima News: Shawnee’s casino efforts still require years of work Heather Rutz | [email protected] - 04.18.2007 LIMA — With one long legal process nearly behind it, the Eastern Shawnee of Oklahoma will soon begin an equally long administrative journey, getting Ohio land in federal trust for casinos. “It’s an administrative process,” tribe attorney Mason Morisset said. “It’s long, complicated and detailed.” The tribe is beginning to prepare its application to the Bureau of Indian Affairs to have land taken into trust and that process includes doing environmental and economic impact studies of its own, Morisset said. Morisset’s experience is that once a tribe applies to have land taken into trust, it takes a minimum of 12 to 18 months for the process to work, and many times takes longer. Full article at http://www.limanews.com/story.php?IDnum=37475

From the 4/17/07 Lima News: Tribe, city OK with settlement Heather Rutz | [email protected] - 04.17.2007 LIMA — Now landowners in Ohio, the Eastern Shawnee of Oklahoma will take its court settlements to the federal government with requests to have that land taken into trust for casinos. Petitioning the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs is the next step for the tribe, now that it on Monday signed off on a proposed order dismissing the land claims lawsuit it filed in June 2005. The tribe and state both indicated in federal court filings Monday they had no problems with Judge James Carr’s proposed order. In that order, the tribe didn’t get language it wanted indicating the land as an “historical nexus” for the Eastern Shawnee and descriptions of settling a land claim. Attorney General Marc Dann said that language would have bolstered its petition with the federal government. Full article at http://www.limanews.com/story.php?IDnum=37414

From the 4/4/07 Massillon Independent: Tribe’s casino strategy falls flat By MATTHEW RINK [email protected] A federal judge has dismissed a land-claim lawsuit by the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma that could have resulted in the construction of a casino in Lawrence Township and other sites across Ohio. “While I am always pleased when a case settles, I desire to remain completely neutral, and to take no action that would appear to favor either the plaintiff, the settling defendants, or the State of Ohio,” U.S. District Court Judge James G. Carr wrote in his ruling, which was filed Tuesday. “Accordingly, I decline to sign the revised proposed order due to the flaws enumerated herein.” Carr said that he was dismissing a series of proposed settlements hammered out between the tribe and land owners because, by approving them, it “could be perceived as accepting and endorsing the proposition that the settlements resolve ‘land claims’ under the (Indian Gaming Regulatory Act). Full article at http://www.indeonline.com/index.php?ID=15273&r=0&Category=3

From the 3/6/07 Lima News: Tribe, city say state’s argument without merit Heather Rutz | [email protected] - 03.06.2007 LIMA — The state’s objections to settlements between the Eastern Shawnee of Oklahoma and landowners are without legal merit, the tribe and city of Lima have argued. The tribe responded to Attorney General Marc Dann’s opposition to the tribe’s request for court approval of its settlements in its land claims lawsuit. “For almost eight months, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office has succeeded in delaying the end of this complex land possession litigation,” the tribe’s Thursday filing reads. “This delay appears aimed at nothing more than having the court endorse the attorney general’s view of public policy issues that might or might not arise in the future concerning the status of tribal land. ... The tribe’s claims are not on trial and the attorney general’s vague policy concerns with future events masquerading as legal theory should be rejected.” Full article at http://www.limanews.com/story.php?IDnum=35935

From the 2/23/07 Lima News: State says tribe’s suit disguising motives of buying land Heather Rutz | [email protected] - 02.23.2007 LIMA — The state of Ohio wants to know what took the Eastern Shawnee of Oklahoma so long. Attorney General Marc Dann filed the state’s opposition this week to the American Indian tribe’s request for court approval of amended settlement agreements, a new settlement agreement with Lima and adding four new parties subject to those agreements. While the tribe’s pursuit of land in Shelby, Stark and Warren counties has been no secret, the owners of that land have not been part of the tribe’s land claims suit. The tribe wants to do so now, 15 months past a deadline to amend its complaint, Dann said in a court document. In addition, none of the land is within its original claim. “This action has served as a pretext for acquiring land for casinos that has nothing to do with historical tribal claims,” the filing reads. “The pattern here certainly indicates a coordinated and lengthy process by which the tribe arranged for options to purchase the sizable tracts of land with suitable highway access on which to locate its casinos, tracts of land that are not within the areas encompassed by the tribe’s land claims,” the filing reads. “And the tribe now asks this court to join these new parties, who own the land that the tribe really wants, as parties to this litigation.” Full article at http://www.limanews.com/story.php?IDnum=35520

From the 2/3/07 Massillon Independent: Tribe names Lawrence in land-claim lawsuit By MATTHEW RINK [email protected] The Eastern Shawnee of Oklahoma asked a federal judge this week to make a Lawrence Township landowner a party defendant in its land-claim lawsuit. Tribe attorney Mason Morisset said the motion to add N&N Development LLC, which owns a 49-acre tract at Ohio 21 and Arcadia St. N.W. in the township, as a defendant in the case is merely a legal formality. The tribe wants to build casinos in a handful of Ohio communities, including Botkins, Monroe and Lewiston. It also finalized a settlement agreement this week with Lima. The tribe filed a lawsuit in 2005 in U.S. District Court seeking thousands of acres of former reservation land and hunting, gathering and fishing territory. The suit claims the tribe was unjustly forced from the land. Full story at http://www.indeonline.com/index.php?ID=13637&r=1&Category=3

All from the 2/2/07 Lima News: Language changes could affect lawsuit outcome Heather Rutz | [email protected] - 02.02.2007 LIMA — After resubmitting settlement agreements to U.S. District Court, an American Indian tribe is waiting to see if changes pass muster with a judge. Judge James Carr is back where he started before a November 2006 hearing on whether he should approve settlements gained by the Eastern Shawnee of Oklahoma in its land claims suit. The tribe resubmitted to the court previously reached settlements and the new agreement with the city of Lima this week, along with new language in proposed order the tribe wants Carr to grant. The tribe wants Carr to approve the settlements so it can petition the federal government to place the lands into trust to develop a casino in Ohio. The new language leaves Carr neutral. Full article at http://www.limanews.com/story.php?IDnum=34812

From the 2/1/07 Lima News: Casino talks fail, city still negotiating with tribe Heather Rutz | [email protected] - 02.01.2007 LIMA — Negotiations that could have ended an American Indian tribe’s land claims lawsuit have failed. The Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma and the Ohio attorney general had until Wednesday to develop language satisfactory to both parties in settlements the tribe has gained in the lawsuit it filed in 2005. While those talks have broken down, negotiations between the tribe and city of Lima are continuing, Law Director Tony Geiger said, outside of court. The city and tribe have negotiated a dismissal of the city from the lawsuit in exchange for continuing talks about a possible casino in Lima, Geiger said. Wednesday evening Attorney General Marc Dann said in a court brief a deal can’t be made. “Dann has concluded that the parties will be unable to reach agreement upon the contents of an order that will be acceptable to him, despite the good faith efforts of all parties to explore this option,” according to a court filing from Dann’s staff. Full article at http://www.limanews.com/story.php?IDnum=34769

From the 4/24/07 PD: Lenders accused of preying on blacks Group says borrowers taken advantage of Tuesday, April 24, 2007 Susan Vinella Plain Dealer Reporter Three companies violated civil-rights laws by targeting predominantly black neighborhoods in Cleveland for home loans that were likely to result in foreclosure, according to complaints made by a housing advocacy group. The Housing Advocates Inc. filed the complaints Monday with the city of Cleveland and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, accusing Argent Mortgage Co., Wells Fargo Bank and First National Mortgage Co. of unfair lending practices. The agency filed on behalf of 77-year-old Elizabeth Redrick and other black residents whose homes are in foreclosure. Redrick lives on East 147th Street in ZIP code 44110, where the housing agency reported that the population is nearly 74 percent black. ... More at: http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/117740394096600.xml&coll=2

From the 4/23/07 Dayton Business Journal: Expert Advice State looks to stem the tide of foreclosures Dayton Business Journal - April 20, 2007 by Kathleen Brinkman, Richard Chema, and Craig Hoffman Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland has formed a task force to deal with the state's rapidly rising number of foreclosures on subprime home mortgage loans, many owed by lower-income Ohioans. The alarming increase in foreclosures in Ohio is part of what has been described as a national crisis. One remedy being considered is the equivalent of a moratorium on certain foreclosures. Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann already has reached an agreement with subprime lender New Century Financial Corp. establishing a procedure for protecting residential mortgage loan borrowers. Under the agreement, New Century will not solicit new residential mortgage loans or accept origination fees related to them. Also, New Century may foreclose only on loans that are 180 days or more in arrears and only with approval of the attorney general. In addition, Dann has obtained at least $500,000 to fund the task force, which will pursue those who engage in abusive lending practices. ... More at: http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2007/04/23/focus4.html

From the 4/21/07 PD: Group lacks Ohio license to refinance predatory loans Saturday, April 21, 2007 Sheryl Harris Plain Dealer Consumer Affairs Reporter The Neighborhood Assistance Corp. of America says it is offering homeowners nationwide up to $1 billion to help them refinance predatory loans, but the group is not in a position to offer loans to Ohioans. Although the group is having a "Call to Action" in Cleveland today, it isn't registered as a mortgage broker with the state, so it cannot process applications. On Friday, Department of Commerce spokesman Dennis Ginty said that the Boston-based nonprofit has "assured the division they won't take applications or close loans until they have been licensed or registered." ... More at: http://www.cleveland.com/business/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/business-1/1177144386204161.xml&coll=2

From the 4/10/07 Lantern: * PHOTO: Bryan Snyder, a project manager for the library demolition, looks down to the ground construction from the 6th floor of the William Oxley Thompson Library. Media Credit: Shino Omura Library reborn from rubble Andrew Sharp Issue date: 4/10/07 Section: Campus A green wall of fencing spotted with "No Trespassing" signs wraps around a zone of destruction in the middle of campus, where one library is dying, and a new one is being born. More of the Thompson Library is hauled away each day, but project supervisor Ed Alford said more is happening behind those safety fences than sheer destruction. He said the segment closest to the Recreation and Physical Activity Center that workers just knocked down was a newer addition built in the '70s. The workers avoided damaging the structure of the adjacent tower by making a cut to separate the two buildings. They were then able to knock down the entire newer structure. They were careful to avoid damage to the tower, especially to some of the original inscriptions the university wanted to preserve. Read more at http://www.thelantern.com/media/storage/paper333/news/2007/04/10/Campus/Library.Reborn.From.Rubble-2832080.shtml

From the 4/12/07 Elyria Chronicle-Telegram: Suits size up the mall Executives from Midway owner Centro Watt say ‘exciting plans’ afoot Bette Pearce and Shawn Foucher The Chronicle-Telegram ELYRIA — They weren’t your ordinary shoppers. A dozen people in suits, who were earlier seen taking measurements, snapping pictures and pointing to the ceiling in front of J.C. Penney, were huddled inside the Midway Mall offices Wednesday afternoon. When they came out, they didn’t have a lot to say. Three consultants said the mall’s new owners, Centro Watt, are working on “exciting plans” but wouldn’t elaborate... Contact Bette Pearce at 329-7148 or [email protected]. Contact Shawn Foucher at 329-7197 or [email protected]. FULL ARTICLE AT: http://www.chroniclet.com/2007/04/12/suits-size-up-the-mall/

MESSAGE EDITED - NO LINK.

From the 3/11/07 Elyria Chronicle-Telegram: With Dillard’s to close, some ask … is Midway Mall in crisis? Joe Medici | The Chronicle-Telegram ELYRIA — While the closure of a large anchor store usually doesn’t bode well for a shopping mall, it doesn’t necessarily mean the beginning of the end for a retail center, experts in retailing and urban planning say. Midway Mall and the community were jolted last week when Dillard’s, one of four major anchor stores in the mall, announced it would close the store because it was underperforming... Contact Bette Pearce at 329-7148 or [email protected]. FULL ARTICLE AT: http://www.chroniclet.com/2007/03/11/with-dillard%e2%80%99s-to-close-some-ask-is-midway-mall-in-crisis/