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From the 1/15/07 Mount Vernon News: First wave of layoffs to hit Kelsey Hayes By Dylan McCament, News Staff Reporter Monday, January 15, 2007 MOUNT VERNON As required by law, TRW Automotive notified the mayor last week about the first wave of an upcoming mass layoff for the local Kelsey Hayes Co. plant. The company was required to give the city notice according to the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988. The companys letter sent to Mayor Richard Mavis states that 19 employees will be laid off March 12. The equipment lines stated are the Collete and Hummer brake caliper assembly. On Nov. 6, 2006, the company announced its plan to move about 160 assembly and machining jobs from the local plant to an undisclosed location. Reasons given were increasing pricing pressure in the marketplace and the need for the business to ensure future growth through competitiveness... http://www.mountvernonnews.com/local/07/01/15/biz.trw.layoff.html

From Business First of Columbus, 1/15/07: CoCo Key opens spa Business First of Columbus - January 15, 2007 Just a month after opening, the CoCo Key Water Resort in Newark has added onto the list of activities at its tropical themed water park. The 1,500-square-foot Banyan Leaf Spa opened Saturday, offering massages and facials to resort guests. The water park at 2299 Cherry Valley Road includes a 14,000-square-foot activity pool, including water basketball, a plunge pool and 246-foot long "river channel." Sage Hospitality Resources LLC, based in Denver, and Milwaukee-based WPH Cherry Valley LLC bought the resort in October 2005 for $15.5 million. Sage hired Milwaukee-based Wave Development LLC, which specializes in developing water park-anchored hotel resorts, to redevelop the 50,000-square-foot Newark property. The companies broke ground on a 200-room expansion for the lodge in November 2005. More at http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2007/01/15/daily2.html

From the 3/1/07 Pomeroy Daily Sentinel: Pomeroy-Mason Bridge rumor 'not true' By Beth Sergent Thursday, March 1, 2007 5:03 PM EST POMEROY - The rumor circulating the Bend Area that the existing Pomeroy-Mason Bridge will close for the entire month of March is “not true,” according to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). The rumor has become so pervasive it came up at this week's session of Pomeroy Village Council and resulted in ODOT receiving a phone call from Mason, W.Va. Mayor Mindy Kearns about the situation. There is even an untrue rumor floating around that ODOT would be providing a ferry during the “so called” closure. http://www.mydailysentinel.com/articles/2007/03/01/news/local_news/news01.txt

From the 2/4/07 Gallipolis Daily Tribune: Equipment to connect new bridge due in April By Beth Sergent Sunday, February 4, 2007 5:37 PM EST POMEROY - Meeting in the middle may now be a possibility when a crucial piece of equipment arrives in April to connect the Ohio and West Virginia spans of the new Pomeroy-Mason Bridge. Stephanie Filson, Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) information officer for District 10, said the equipment called a form traveler will allow workers to finally begin “crossing the channel.” http://www.mydailytribune.com/articles/2007/02/04/news/local_news/news00.txt

From the 1/23/07 Pomeroy Daily Sentinel: Bridge closing overnight for annual inspection By Charlene Hoeflich Tuesday, January 23, 2007 5:21 PM EST POMEROY - In preparation for the annual inspection of the Pomeroy-Mason Bridge which will take place next week, the bridge will be closed from 9 p.m. this Wednesday (Jan. 24) to 6 a.m. on Thursday. This initial closure will be used to take measurements and plan for repairs to be made next week, said Stephanie M. Filson, Public Information Officer, District 10, Ohio Department of Transportation. http://www.mydailysentinel.com/articles/2007/01/23/news/local_news/news02.txt

From the 1/16/07 Pomeroy Daily Sentinel: Bridge re-opens after weekend inspection Tuesday, January 16, 2007 5:22 PM EST POMEROY - Traffic was restored on the Pomeroy/Mason Bridge late Saturday afternoon after a barge struck the bridge earlier in the day. Stephanie Filson of the Ohio Department of Transportation said a barge detached from a towboat and drifted into the bridge early Saturday afternoon. The bridge, Filson said Saturday, received only a “glancing blow” from the collision. It was re-opened after inspectors determined there was no serious damage as the result of the accident. http://www.mydailysentinel.com/articles/2007/01/16/news/local_news/news02.txt

From the 1/14/07 Pomeroy Daily Sentinel: Barge strikes Pomeroy-Mason bridge Sunday, January 14, 2007 5:02 PM EST Staff report POMEROY - The Pomeroy-Mason bridge was closed Saturday afternoon after being struck by a barge. According to the Ohio Department of Transportation, the barge detached from a towboat and drifted into the bridge. It appeared the bridge only received a glancing blow and there was no major damage, but to be safe the bridge was closed until it could be properly inspected. Once the inspectors are positive no severe damage occurred, the bridge will be reopened. http://www.mydailysentinel.com/articles/2007/01/14/news/local_news/news01.txt

From the 3/12/07 Warren Tribune-Chronicle: Royal Mall buyer appears By AMANDA SMITH-TEUTSCH Tribune Chronicle NILES — A new company has stepped forward, expressing interest in taking over an aging public housing complex on Niles Cortland Road. Vesta Corp. of Weatogue, Conn., informed councilman David Wilkerson of its decision to take over the Royal Mall complex earlier this year... [email protected] http://tribune-chronicle.com/articles.asp?articleID=15652 From the 3/11/07 Lisbon Morning Journal: Cinema owners plan big project By MATTHEW SCHOMER Journal Staff Writer COLUMBIANA — Don and Dawn Arthurs may have gained even more local support for their plan to renovate the old Columbiana Cinema after speaking Thursday at a meeting of the Columbiana Retail and Business Association... [email protected] http://morningjournalnews.com/news/articles.asp?articleID=5372

Both from ThisWeek Licking County, 3/11/07: Investor's plans for condos hit snag in Heath McClain wants city water, sewer, but 73-acre site is noncontiguous Sunday, March 11, 2007 By LORI WINCE ThisWeek Staff Writer A real estate investor is interested in annexing 73 acres into the city of Heath, but not all city officials support the idea. Joe McClain of McClain Investments met informally with Heath City Council's community development committee March 4 to discuss the project. McClain said he has an option to purchase the acreage in Union Township, west of Thornwood Drive and north of Beaver Run Road. But the property is not contiguous to Heath's city limits. That means he needs to purchase adjacent property that borders the city limits before applying to annex, Heath City Council members told him. Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/031107/LickingCounty/News/031107-News-318590.html

From the 3/11/07 Blade: PHOTO 1 PHOTO 2 SYLVANIA TOWNSHIP VILLAS FOR THE 55-PLUS CROWD About 25 villas of an eventual 500 are under way or completed at Waterside Sylvania, a subdivision for people 55 and over. Residences in the development, which follows developer Watermark Ltd.'s successful Waterside project in Monclova Township, will be built around a planned 30-acre lake. The 200-acre project is on Sylvania Avenue west of Mitchaw Road. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070311/BUSINESS05/703100381/-1/RSS13

From the 3/9/07 Enquirer: Keep 'Strangler' locked up, panel recommends BY SHARON COOLIDGE | [email protected] The man known as the Cincinnati Strangler should be kept in prison, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction officials determined after a parole hearing this week. A hearing officer and parole board member who heard Posteal Laskey's bid for release referred their recommendation to the state's nine-member parole board. Seven of those members are expected to meet Tuesday. They can confirm the decision or recommend Laskey be released. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070209/NEWS01/702090395/

From Cincinnati.com, 3/9/07: East Price Hill Improvement Association Wins City Honor Contributed By Linda Parker | Cincinnati.com/NKY.com The East Price Hill Improvement Association (EPHIA) was honored by the City of Cincinnati at the Neighborhood Summit kickoff dinner Jan. 19 at Xavier University EPHIA was honored for excellence in the Crime & Safety category. Much of this work is coordinated by EPHIA Recording Secretary Patti Hogan. EPHIA President Dan Boller said, "Patti organizes a community walk every other week in two designated areas for concentrated efforts. http://rodeo.cincinnati.com/getlocal/gpstory.aspx?id=100163&sid=108066

From the 3/3/07 Enquirer: Fangman won't be charged over calls BY KIMBALL PERRY | [email protected] Cincinnati Police Officer Keith Fangman won't face criminal charges for making hang-up telephone calls to the head of Cincinnati's police union, but he has been assigned to a new job. Fangman, former head of the Queen City Fraternal Order of Police local union, admitted to The Enquirer he made hang-up calls to Spc. Kathy Harrell, the current head of the city police union. That admission came after Harrell contacted police about the calls - which her attorney said included heavy breathing and an adult movie soundtrack in the background. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070303/NEWS01/703030397/1056/COL02

From the 2/28/07 Enquirer: Body armor for Citizens on Patrol? THE ENQUIRER Volunteers who walk Cincinnati streets as members of Citizens on Patrol could one day be doing their rounds wearing bullet-resistant vests. City Councilman Cecil Thomas, chairman of council's Law and Public Safety Committee and a former police officer, asked the city administration Tuesday to research the possibility of buying body armor for the volunteers. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070228/NEWS01/702280383/

From the 2/27/07 Enquirer: Bates maintains her vigil Six months ago, she lost her husband to violence, but remains determined that something good will come of that BY CHUCK MARTIN | [email protected] Six months after her husband was shot and killed outside their North Avondale home, Melanie Bates says it's time to move on. Not that she doesn't appreciate the sympathy cards and kind words. Not that she no longer grieves for Phil. It's just that Bates is focusing her considerable energy on ending the violence in Cincinnati. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070227/LIFE/702270311/

From the 2/20/07 Post: Cop reform deal under scrutiny By Joe Wessels Post contributor A groundbreaking agreement that brought federal oversight to the Cincinnati Police Department is set to end later this year, but some in the community may ask a federal judge to extend it. The so-called "Collaborative Agreement" between Cincinnati community groups and the police was an outgrowth of the 2001 riots that were sparked by the separate deaths at police hands of two unarmed black men. Plaintiffs in a 2001 lawsuit alleged that for decades, city police had discriminated against minorities. The lawsuit was settled by the agreement, a five-year pact that runs out Aug. 5. http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070220/NEWS01/702200370

From CityBeat, 2/7/07: Finally Ready for a Ceasefire Cincinnati officials embracing Boston's successful anti-crime plan By Kevin Osborne Cincinnati's political leaders hope it's a case of better late than never when it comes to trying to duplicate the success locally of a plan used in Boston and more than a dozen other cities nationwide to significantly reduce gun violence and crime. At the urging of community activists, university researchers and local physicians, Cincinnati City Council is considering implementing a crime-fighting strategy developed by David Kennedy, a professor who helped create the Boston Gun Project in the mid-1990s. Sometimes referred to as "the Boston Miracle," the plan was rolled out in response to a youth homicide epidemic there and is credited with causing a nearly 50 percent drop in gang-related violence within a few months. http://www.citybeat.com/2007-02-07/news2.shtml

From the 2/2/07 Enquirer: Ceasefire Cincinnati rallies for peace, recalls victims BY QUAN TRUONG | [email protected] AVONDALE - A bottle of Woodford Reserve bourbon sat on Philip Bates' grave Thursday night. It would have been his 56th birthday. His widow, Melanie Bates, said he loved gatherings and bourbon. This year, she made sure he got both. Bates, who was shot to death outside his North Avondale home in August, was one of two people whose lives were remembered Thursday by Ceasefire Cincinnati, an Avondale anti-violence group. Earlier in the day, Melanie Bates had left the bottle at her late husband's gravesite. The other life remembered Thursday was that of Angelo Dwayne Jackson, 24, who was shot in the head twice on Tuesday, a few blocks from the Bates' home. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070202/NEWS01/702020398/1056/COL02

From the 2/1/07 Enquirer: Cincinnati wants to expand use of sheriff's patrols Five neighborhoods would be added; union not so happy BY DAN KLEPAL | [email protected] Cincinnati officials want to talk with Hamilton County about extending sheriff's office patrols into five city neighborhoods - Avondale, Bond Hill, Walnut Hills, Westwood and Price Hill. Council member Cecil Thomas introduced the idea and said that sheriff's deputy patrols in Over-the-Rhine have been so successful the city should investigate how much it would cost to expand them. City administrators are supposed to report back in two weeks. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070201/NEWS01/702010367/1056/COL02

From the 1/31/07 Enquirer: Poverty got many jail time, court told BY DAN HORN | [email protected] Hamilton County judges failed for years to hold hearings that could have kept hundreds of poor people out of jail, a county lawyer told a federal appeals court Tuesday. The hearings would have determined whether offenders were too poor to pay court-ordered fines. If they were, the judges could have waived the fines and avoided sending them to jail. The offenders sued the county five years ago and argued their case Tuesday before the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070131/NEWS01/701310360/1056/COL02

From CityBeat, 1/24/07: A Matter of Trust Is the end of Cincinnati's Collaborative Agreement over police reforms a success -- or premature? By Kevin Osborne Brian Garry still is shaken when he recalls the incident that occurred on an unseasonably warm evening a few weeks ago in Over-the-Rhine. As he worked in his Vine Street storefront office with the windows open, he heard a family who lived in the building next door having a barbeque in the back alley behind their apartment. An African-American woman grilled some food as her young daughters laughed and played, all while the family listened to music from a nearby stereo. Garry remembers pausing briefly and trying to smell the tantalizing aroma from the sizzling meat before he continued his work. It was a typical urban scene repeated in cities across the nation: a poor family doing what it could to have some quality time together on a skimpy budget and in the absence of a nice home with a backyard to call their own. Soon, though, the incident took a turn that some people say places the event squarely in the stark reality of Cincinnati. Click link below for the rest of the article... http://www.citybeat.com/2007-01-24/cover.shtml

From the 2/28/07 Dispatch: CONCERNS FOR TOURISM Hocking Hills neighbors fight growth of strip mine Wednesday, February 28, 2007 By Mary Beth Lane THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH ENTERPRISE, Ohio — A 4-acre hole in the ground is one thing. A 186-acre hole, plunked into the ground along the Hocking River, is something else. The proposed expansion of a sand-and-gravel strip mine in Hocking County has outraged some residents in the area, about 40 miles southeast of Columbus. It would be a giant expansion, if approved. Mar-Zane Materials operates a 4-acre mine at Chieftain Drive and Iles Road. Now the company, a subsidiary of Shelly & Sands of Zanesville, is asking permission to expand by 182 acres. The company’s application, proposing both wet and dry mining, is pending before the Division of Mineral Resources Management of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/02/28/20070228-E1-05.html

From the 1/14/07 Pomeroy Daily Sentinel: No coal mining within Racine corporation limits By Beth Sergent Sunday, January 14, 2007 5:02 PM EST RACINE - There will be no coal mined within the corporation limits of Racine, including the area which includes the village's well fields, this according to Racine Mayor J. Scott Hill. Hill's statement wasn't a demand but what he said was told to him by representatives associated with Gatling Ohio, LLC during a recent, informal meeting with Clerk-Treasurer Dave Spencer and Racine Council members also in attendance. Gatling Ohio, LLC has filed a mining permit with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) for an area just outside of Racine on Yellowbush Road. ODNR confirmed the permit is for a continuous room and pillar mining operation. The permit is for mining 1,894.9 acres of underground coal reserves while the surface operation is estimated to expand over 80.8 acres. Until now there'd been speculation and worry the mining permit area would include mining beneath the village's aquifer. Though the permit hasn't been made public officials in Racine are now resting a little easier after hearing the permit wouldn't include the well fields, especially since the village's new $2.3 million water improvement project is nearing completion. MORE: http://www.mydailysentinel.com/articles/2007/01/14/news/local_news/news00.txt

The Glass Pavilion got some positive press in January in a wire story from the AP. I know that I saw this in the Cincinnati Post, as well as in the Dispatch. MUSEUM Crystal pavilion lets ‘Glass City’ reflect on beauty Toledo facility filled with blowers’ furnaces, pieces as fragile as ice Sunday, January 14, 2007 John Seewer ASSOCIATED PRESS TOLEDO — Leonard Marty pulled a glowing glass bulb out of the fiery furnace and spun it on a pole. Within seconds, the glob began taking the shape of a red Christmastree ornament. An assortment of green and red ornaments were neatly stacked in a box. For Marty, a glassmaking instructor at the Toledo Museum of Art, and his students, inspiration is only steps away. The museum’s new Glass Pavilion houses an impressive assortment of ancient and contemporary glass art along with the glass-blowing studio that brings a deeper appreciation of the collection. While the studio and its flaming furnaces are at the heart of the building, the $30 million pavilion manages not to overwhelm the collection. It enhances and invites. Full story at http://www.dispatch.com/features-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/01/14/20070114-D8-00.html

From the 2/22/07 Elyria Chornicle-Telegram: Soccer Academy in Lorain gets 12 students Shawn Foucher The Chronicle-Telegram LORAIN — Twelve boys from across the globe will become the first athletes to enroll in a new soccer academy opening this year in Lorain, and one of the boys is a Northeast Ohio native, academy officials said Wednesday. As Premiere Soccer Academy nears the final phases of construction at its massive Leavitt Road facility, academy officials are hurrying to fill the 24 positions that will be offered to standout soccer players. http://www.chroniclet.com/2007_Archive/02-22-07/Daily%20Pages/022207head8.html