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From the 1/11/07 Parma Sun Post: Rockside Terrace hits snag School board delays vote on financing agreement Thursday, January 11, 2007 By Tom Vanek Parma Sun Post SEVEN HILLS The $400 million Rockside Terrace development was dealt a setback last week, when the Parma school board failed to approve a Tax Increment Financing proposal by Dec. 31 to help fund infrastructure construction. The TIF agreement was hammered out by attorneys representing the city, the school district and the developer, Slyman Development Group. More at: http://www.cleveland.com/sun/parmasunpost/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1168537670195200.xml&coll=3

From the 3/4/07 Newark Advocate: Civil War fundraiser aims to save home Capt. Scott House threatened with demolition for Ohio 161/37 expressway By L.B. WHYDE Advocate Reporter ALEXANDRIA -- An Alexandria committee trying to save an historic house at the corner of Ohio 161 and 37 will be hosting a Civil War fundraiser this coming weekend. The supper and auction, to be Saturday at Alexandria Elementary School, aims to raise enough money to move the house out of the path of the Ohio 161/37 expressway project. At least $45,000 must be raised by next month or the Capt. Joseph M. Scott House likely will be demolished. The blue Victorian Italianate style home was built shortly after the Civil War by Scott, an outspoken abolitionist and prominent farmer and historian. FULL ARTICLE: http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070304/NEWS01/703040310/1002/rss01 From ThisWeek Licking County, 3/4/07: PHOTO: Indiana bat ODOT crews working to preserve Indiana bat habitat along 161 Officials unsure if bats use area Sunday, March 4, 2007 By LORI WINCE ThisWeek Staff Writer State officials try to protect endangered species during road-construction projects, even when they're not certain the species actually inhabits the immediate area. Construction crews working with the Ohio Department of Transportation to widen state Route 161 from New Albany to Granville have to clear trees along the route by April 15 so that the endangered Indiana bat's habitat will not be disturbed. Angela Zimmerman, endangered-species coordinator with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Ecological Services, said there haven't been many surveys done in Licking County that could show whether the bats use trees in that area. In the absence of surveys, she said, "If the habitat is suitable, we'll assume presence." FULL ARTICLE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/030407/LickingCounty/News/030407-News-314716.html

From the 2/24/07 Newark Advocate: Hottinger worried about Ohio 161/37 funding State representative says construction will be reviewed By KENT MALLETT Advocate Reporter NEWARK -- The Ohio 161/37 expressway project from New Albany to Granville, already under way, apparently will be included in the new governor's re-evaluation of all major roadway construction projects. State Rep. Jay Hottinger, R-Newark, said Friday he does not expect the new administration of Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland to delay or stop the long-awaited project, but he has concerns because administration officials could not assure him changes wouldn't be made to existing projects. "There's projects going on all over the state, a number of projects where dirt is moving, and I wanted assurances those timetables won't be moved," Hottinger said. "My concern is we stay on schedule as much as possible." He said he endorses any evaluation of state spending, but it's awfully late to make any changes to projects as far along as the Ohio 161/37 widening. FULL ARTICLE: http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070224/NEWS01/702240303/1002/rss01

From the 2/23/07 Newark Advocate: PHOTO: Bridge supports have been put into place along Mink Road for the Ohio 161/37 project. Eric George, The Advocate Ohio 161/37 project awaits spring Trees being cleared; bridge skeleton in place By MARK SZAKONYI Advocate Reporter NEWARK -- Construction on the Ohio 161/37 expressway has come to a halt because of poor weather, but recent work has helped prepare the project to continue in April. About 2,000 trees adjacent to the highway between Watkins Road and Granville have been cut down in recent weeks, Ohio Department of Transportation spokeswoman Cindy Brown said. She said the trees must be cut down before April 15, when the endangered Indiana bat species could start nesting in the trees. She said the bats are attracted to dead or dying trees. The plan to widen the road between Watkins Road and Granville, known as Phase Two, is expected to go out for bid in April, and work will begin in May or June, she said. The first phase of the project originally was expected to be completed in May 2008, but its deadline has been pushed back to the end of 2008, she said. FULL ARTICLE: http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070223/NEWS01/702230308/1002/rss01

From ThisWeek Licking County, 2/3/07: Behind but moving forward Route 161 showing signs of progress Saturday, February 3, 2007 By LORI WINCE ThisWeek Staff Writer Already about five months behind schedule, the widening of state Route 161 has slowed down during the winter, officials say. "The weather wasn't cooperating," said Numan Babieh, an engineer with the Ohio Department of Transportation's District 5. "It pushed the project as a whole about five months back." Babieh said rain caused the delay. Crews directed by general contractor Shelly and Sands Inc. couldn't get the proper foundation set in place for road work at state Route 310. He explained that the ground was too soft to build up an embankment. "One day of rain can shut a project down for a week," he said. FULL ARTICLE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/020307/LickingCounty/News/020307-News-300678.html

From the 3/4/07 Defiance Crescent-News: Commissioners still deciding what to do with Defiance County Courthouse March 4, 2007 By TODD HELBERG [email protected] During their unsuccessful campaign last year to pass a sales tax for a new courthouse, Defiance County commissioners said failure would mean that millions in improvements would still be needed. Nearly four months after the half-cent sales tax increase was defeated in November by 68 percent of the voters, commissioners are still deciding what to do. But another tax issue isn't a serious option. "I understand what 68 percent of the vote means," said Commissioner Otto Nicely. One main reason for the tax levy -- additional space -- continues to be a concern. Had the tax passed, it would have generated enough revenue to help fund a $14.5-million new five-level courthouse that would have provided additional office and records space. It would also have provided funding to demolish the existing 130-plus year-old facility. During the campaign, commissioners were reluctant to talk about alternatives if the sales tax request failed. However, they did note that improvements totaling $4.5 million were needed at some point although none of those have been carried out. More at http://www.crescent-news.com/news/article/1681221

From the 1/11/07 Euclid Sun Journal: The Price to develop lakefront K&D Group partner: city needs to market itself better Thursday, January 11, 2007 By Jeff Piorkowski Euclid Sun Journal As the developer of Euclid's lakefront, when Doug Price talks, people listen. Price, in a Jan. 2 conversation with Ward 2 Councilman Daryl Langman said the city needs to better market itself in order for his project to succeed. The city is now gathering forces to do just that... Contact Piorkowski at [email protected]. http://www.cleveland.com/sun/euclidsunjournal/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1168537732195200.xml&coll=3

From New Albany News, 3/7/07: Problems persist over Hamilton Road development plans By JENNIFER WRAY Casto Development and The New Albany Co., is helping the developers in their efforts to rezone 330 acres around the Hamilton Road-state Route 161 interchange to allow for, among other things, a 187,000-square-foot Super Target. Roughly 60 acres originally planned to be part of the project were pulled from the rezoning request last month because of concerns regarding wetlands development. Despite that change, the developers' overall plans still have the residents of the neighboring Albany Park subdivision crying foul. Read more at http://www.snponline.com/NEWS3-7/3-7_nanndvlpmt.html

CROSSWAEH facility for women slated to open soon Fostoria Focus, 3/7/07 CROSSWAEH Community Based Correctional Facility for men has been open for over seven years, and is now ready to move into its next phase of development. A CROSSWAEH correctional facility for women, located next to the males’ facility on St Rt. 100 outside Tiffin, is slated to open in mid-April. The facility can house up to 36 inmates, but will only hold 16 upon opening, due to funding. Like the male correctional facility, the female correctional facility will work towards rehabilitating its inmates. “We have a cognitive behavioral program that’s geared towards changing the way clients think, and therefore, helping them change the way they behave,” said Jason Varney, Oriana House vice president of correctional programs in Seneca County.

Bump... Remember, March 9th by 1 AM!

From Business First of Columbus, 3/5/07: Brokers, developers team up to satisfy demand for bigger, newer sites Business First of Columbus - March 2, 2007 by Brent Wilder For Business First A lively industrial market in Greater Columbus has developers and investors jockeying for position to tap the potential of a cycle of growth that is only just beginning. Plenty of available local land, an existing trend toward industrial growth in Central Ohio's southeastern quadrant and the intermodal transportation system under way at Rickenbacker International Airport are converging to create a national distribution channel and associated industrial development of a type Columbus has never seen, say members of Columbus' real estate community. Read more at http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2007/03/05/focus6.html

From SNP newspapers, 1/10/07: Columbus faces weak '07 job market growth projections Jobs in education, health and social services will see the greatest growth, forecasters predict. By JENNIFER WRAY First the good news: The Columbus region will see an increase in job growth this year, according to the Columbus Chamber's Blue Chip Economic Forecast. The bad news: The growth is predicted to be modest and slower than that of 2006 -- only 0.5 percent, or about 4,800 jobs in the eight county region of Central Ohio, said Bill LaFayette, vice president of economic analysis for the chamber. Employment growth in greater Columbus was "pretty lame in 2005 and pretty lame in 2006," he said. The 0.7 percent local employment growth seen both years was half the national average, LaFayette said. The forecast, released by the chamber at a Columbus Metropolitan Club luncheon last Wednesday, projected the strongest labor growth in education, health and social services. Full story: http://www.snponline.com/NEWS1-10/1-10_allforecast.html

From the 3/6/07 ABJ: The complete University of Washington draft report (PDF) Study: Spend more on schools 16-31 percent increase urged, up to $4.8 billion more By Dennis J. Willard Beacon Journal Columbus Bureau For years, state officials have been talking about the need to give each child in Ohio a world-class education, and finally a price tag has been attached to the idea: $2.4 billion to $4.8 billion in new money. The group that developed the plan is not the coalition that has successfully sued the state four times in the past decade, but a team of researchers at the University of Washington, funded in part by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which has been sponsoring education research around the country. The study suggests that Ohio should spend as much as 31 percent more on public education for such changes as longer school years, lower pupil-teacher ratios and significant improvements in early education. A working draft of the study, called Education Policy and Finance Project for Ohio: Investments to Improve Student Performance, done by researchers at the Human Services Policy Center at the University of Washington, was obtained by the Beacon Journal through a public records request. MORE: http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/living/education/16842810.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_news From same: Costs THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON STUDY • $2.4 billion to $4.8 billion in additional spending. (Ohio spent about $15 billion on public education in the 2005-06 school year using state and local taxes). • This represents a 16 percent to 31 percent increase in preschool-to-grade-12 public education spending. • About 47 percent of the new money would come from the state if the current ratio of state-to-local contribution is maintained. SCHOOL-CALENDAR SCENARIOS (Lowest to highest cost). • Increase the school year from 180 to 188 days, with 168 required as instructional. • Year-round school, 180 instructional days, 200 total days for students in poor districts; 168 instructional and 188 total days for others. • Year-round school, 185 instructional days, 205 total days for all students. MORE: http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/living/education/16842820.htm

From the 3/4/07 Hudson Hub Times: School funding forum attracts record size crowd March 4, 2007 by Rachael Biasiotta Associate Editor Hudson -- A discussion on school funding and property taxes in Ohio may not seem like the type of event people tend to line up for, but a Feb. 27 forum hosted by the Hudson Economic Development Corp. and the Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce at the Hudson Holiday Inn certainly attracted quite a crowd. The forum, the second joint effort between the HEDC and the Chamber, was the most well-attended breakfast event ever hosted by the Chamber, said Chamber Executive Director Carolyn Konefal. Konefal said an early tally of the total turnout at the breakfast was more than 80 people. She said breakfast gatherings usually average about 50 attendees. Ed Devlin of the HEDC said he was very happy to see so many people interested in school funding and was pleased with the presentation given by Hudson Interim Superintendent L. Jack Thomas, Treasurer Bart Griffith and Interim Treasurer Lowell Davis -- three administrators who between them have 100 years of experience in 24 school districts. MORE: http://www.hudsonhubtimes.com/news/article/1672061

From the 3/4/07 Middletown Journal: AK's corporate departure reflects a larger trend Dayton economist: 'In terms of the tax base, it's an even more pronounced loss.' By Thomas Gnau Staff Writer Sunday, March 04, 2007 Even as the community hails a hoped-for end to the yearlong AK Steel lockout, another reality is beginning to sink in. Middletown has lost the base of its sole Fortune 500 company. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/04/mj030407traumasII.html

From the 3/5/07 (OSU) Lantern: Clintonville property debate continues Commission passes resolution urging further talks with OSU Travis Minnear Issue date: 3/5/07 Section: Campus The Clintonville Area Commission passed a resolution at its Thursday meeting urging Ohio State officials to discuss plans for two stone cottages previously owned by Mildred "Migg" Urban, who died in 2003 and willed the properties to OSU. OSU is seeking approval from state lawmakers to sell the property to a private developer for a plan that would put new condominiums in the Clintonville community. The late Urban requested the larger cottage be preserved and used for visiting faculty of the Knowlton School of Architecture. Several Clintonville residents argued the university should live up to Urban's wishes. Read more at http://www.thelantern.com/media/storage/paper333/news/2007/03/05/Campus/Clintonville.Property.Debate.Continues-2757463.shtml

Groundbreaking held for new Hicksville school Defiance Crescent-News, 3/4/07 History was made Friday in the village of Hicksville and because of actions scheduled throughout the day, students in the school district will soon be getting a new home. Several groundbreaking events took place in Hicksville for the new K-12 school facility. The events kick off construction of the new 1,050-student facility on the southwest side of the village. The school is being constructed for approximately $28.5 million. The Ohio School Facilities Commission is contributing $18.6 million toward the project, with the remaining $9.9 million coming from a local bond issue. Fanning-Howey of Celina are architects for the project, which is expected to be 147,977-square-feet. The new school, with a triangular floor plan, is to be built on a 40-acre site, the former Wilderson Orchards, located off of Ohio 2 by Ohio 49. The plans call for separate two-story academic wings for elementary and middle/high school students.

Van Wert downtown to seek improvement funds Van Wert Voice, 3/2/07 Thanks to funding provided by the government's transportation enhancement program, Van Wert officials may realize their dream of stepping back in time in this city's downtown area. Jane Jones, executive director for Van Wert's Main Street program, said early Friday morning that the city has been given the opportunity to apply for funds to allow for a major streetscape program downtown which will include brick pavement along the edge of sidewalks, historic lighting, and construction of wrought-iron arches like the ones that were in place at the turn of the 19th century. According to Jones, the cost of the entire project is estimated to be $805,000, with the government's transportation funding picking up 80 percent of the cost, and the remaining 20 percent coming from other funding sources since as community development block grant funds. "We are really excited about this. We have been planning and working toward this for a long time," Jones said. "One of the unique aspects of all of this is that we hope to make our historic downtown look different than that of our neighbors." Jones said that one of the most distinguishing differences from other communities that have undergone similar projects will be the style of lamp posts.

HENRY COUNTY Group proposes Napoleon sports complex Defiance Crescent-News, 3/2/07 A group of Napoleon High School graduates is seeking investors to help finance a $5 million recreation center. Joe and Kevin Good, along with Steve Wesche and Chris Speiser, have proposed the construction of the Edge Sports and Fitness Complex on American Road, near Henry County Road 13. The facility would house six basketball courts and would provide space for everything from soccer to volleyball to baseball to be played. The facility would also house an arcade, weight room, aerobics room and conference and party rooms. The group has been studying both a business plan and facility design to build the sports complex for more than a year and hopes to have the structure built by mid-2009.

Both from the 3/4/07 Middletown Journal: AK Steel unlocked What are lockout's lasting effects? By Ed Richter Staff Writer Sunday, March 04, 2007 As AK Steel Corp. becomes a leaner company with fewer employees, the city of Middletown will have to find more ways to stretch tax dollars and look for ways to enhance revenues or cut services and employees. Recently, Middletown City Council discussed how it would balance the projected shortfall in the 2007 budget, which may include making cuts proposed last year to the Division of Fire. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/04/mj030407akcity.html AK meetings draw questions, ire from union officials By Dave Greber Staff Writer Sunday, March 04, 2007 The president of the local union representing locked-out employees of AK Steel's Middletown Works declined to answer questions Saturday regarding whether he or the group's executive board would endorse the tentative agreement on a new contract. When prompted with the same question Wednesday when the union announced the tentative agreement on a new 54-month deal with AK Steel, President Brian Daley said he would leave it up to the membership to make their own decisions. During at least one of the three informational meetings held Saturday to discuss particulars of the proposal Daley was asked the same question from the rank-and-file. "He did not want to commit on anything," said Todd Frazier, a locked-out union member present at the 2 p.m. meeting Saturday. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/04/mj030407akmeeting.html

All from the 3/2/07 Middletown Journal: Machinists send out contract ballots By Dave Greber Staff Writer Friday, March 02, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — In the next few days, members of the International Association of Machinists Local Lodge 1943 will begin receiving documents that could put them back into Middletown Works by mid-month. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/02/mj030207akvoting2.html Tentative AK pact will not affect current retirees CARE President Michael Bailey says retirees group not taking a position on contract. By Ed Richter Staff Writer Friday, March 02, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — The announcement of a tentative agreement being reached between AK Steel Corp. and its largest union at the Middletown Works Wednesday was welcome news for the city and the nearly 1,800 locked-out workers. However, the agreement with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers won't affect current retirees, according to company and union representatives. The Rev. Michael Bailey, president of the Concerned Armco Retired Employees, said its lawsuit against AK Steel remains pending in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/02/mj030207akretirees.html AK Steel stock jumps on reports of tentative contract Stock climbs to $23.38 Thursday but closes down 32 cents at $22.81. By Dave Greber Staff Writer Friday, March 02, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — AK Steel Corp.'s stock price leapt nearly $3 Wednesday, the same day the company reached a tentative agreement on a new contract with its largest union. The Curtis Street-based steelmaker's stock closed Wednesday at $23.13 after reaching a high of $23.83 during day trading on the New York Stock Exchange, and opening at $20.16. On Thursday, after hitting a daytime high of $23.38, the stock closed at $22.81, or down 32 cents. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/02/mj030207akstock.html AK worker: 'People are hungry' By Rick McCrabb Columnist Friday, March 02, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — Many of the locked-out AK Steel Corp. workers haven't read the company's proposal or received their ratification ballots. That didn't stop one employee from predicting a landslide. "No way in hell this won't pass," locked-out AK Steel worker Will Chambers, 30, said Thursday afternoon while sitting in an enclosed shelter near the coke plant entrance. "People are hungry." Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/02/mj030207mccrabbak.html

All from the 3/1/07 Middletown Journal: Union may end 'growing pains' and financial hardship By Dave Greber Staff Writer Thursday, March 01, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — Machinists' lead negotiator James Smith walked into AK Steel Corp.'s general office Tuesday morning holding a lengthy document he hoped would put nearly 2,000 people back to work for the next four and a half years. It was nearing the end of a grueling six-month process for the Machinists — and more than a year for the locked-out employees of Middletown Works. By the time he walked out of the office of James L. Wainscott, AK Steel's president, chairman and chief executive, Smith had a tentative agreement — the closest to a deal the union and company have been since its labor contract expired at midnight Feb. 28, 2006. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/01/mj030107akunions.html AK CEO calls local leaders Many community officials show surprise and relief to news the lockout may soon end. By Ed Richter Staff Writer Thursday, March 01, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — With a tentative agreement signed between AK Steel Corp. and its locked-out union, the steelmaker's top executive made personal calls to local officials. Middletown Mayor David Schiavone said he received a call from James L. Wainscott, AK's chairman, president and CEO, who told him it was time for the community to recover from events of the past year. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/01/mj030107akreax.html Proposal calls for guaranteed 40-hour work weeks Tentative agreement also prohibits any reference to temporary replacement workers. By Dave Greber Staff Writer Thursday, March 01, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — For the first time in more than a year, a unionized hourly work force could be taking the helm at Middletown Works. Should rank-and-file members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 1943 approve the tentative agreement reached Wednesday by AK Steel Corp. and the union, they would begin returning to the plant March 15. It will be the first time in 63 years union members inside the steelworks will not be represented by the Armco Employees Independent Federation. Locked-out workers voted in July for the Machinists representation. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/01/mj030107akreturn.html Locked-out workers await ballots, contract details Tentative agreement is subject to ratification by rank-and-file union members. By Dave Greber Staff Writer Thursday, March 01, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — When confronted with questions about the tentative agreement reached between AK Steel Corp. and its locked-out hourly work force's union Tuesday, rank-and-file members had a common response. They wanted to know how close it was to the company's Oct. 10 "final" proposal and how different it was from the company's Oct. 19 offer. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/01/mj030107akanalysis.html Don't celebrate end of lockout yet; consider the cost of the past year By Rick McCrabb Columnist Thursday, March 01, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — This morning, before you order that "Congratulations for surviving the AK Steel lockout" cake, consider how you're going to pay for it. Steelworkers, the backbone of this community, haven't worked in Middletown Works since they were locked out at midnight on Feb. 28, 2006. On Wednesday — one day shy of the one-year anniversary of the work stoppage — a tentative agreement on a new contract was reached between AK Steel Corp. and its hourly work force union, the company announced. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/01/mj030107mccrabbta.html Timeline of lockout at AK Steel Corp. Staff Report Thursday, March 01, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — Nov. 30, 2005: Negotiations begin between AK Steel Corp. and representatives of its largest union, Armco Employees Independent Federation. January 2006: The company begins training salaried workers for hourly jobs while bargaining sessions continue. Feb. 19: AEIF authorizes union leaders to strike if necessary. In a two-day vote, 2,368 AEIF members voted for strike authorization and 56 opposed authorization. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/01/mj030107aktimelinenew_1.html

All from the 2/28/07 Middletown Journal: AK worker sees potential to lose it all By Dave Greber Staff Writer Wednesday, February 28, 2007 Brian Lanier of Franklin Twp. spent more than 16 years working in the temper mill at AK Steel Corp.'s Middletown Works. He spent the past year locked out of the local steel plant — searching for hope and a new job. And he spent Monday afternoon filing for bankruptcy. "This, right here, is the breaking point for me," Brian Lanier said as he and his wife, Charla, filled out paperwork in the waiting room of a Springboro attorney's office in advance of filing Chapter 7. "Short of winning the lottery, we would never catch up without this." Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/02/27/mj022807unionlanier.html For another locked-out family, bond gets tighter during trying times By Dave Greber Staff Writer Wednesday, February 28, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — Sacrifices are as common among locked-out employees of AK Steel Corp. as mud on the picket lines outside Middletown Works. Some are apparent, smudged on the surface like hardened skin. Others are hidden beneath the straw of everyday life, buried by humility. Savannah Geier of Trenton knows about sacrifice. She's 12. But at 12 is there anything larger than things like friends, cheerleading and Christmas? Savannah's father, Jeff, has been locked out of Middletown Works for a year, and after 365 days worth of challenges, she would say with a confident smile: Yes. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/02/28/mj022807uniongeier.html AK lockout highlights Wednesday, February 28, 2007 Lockout begins — Negotiators for AK Steel Corp. and its hourly work force union fail to come to an agreement by midnight Feb. 28. Locked-out steelworkers take to eight picket lines around Middletown Works. Earlier that same day, the first union members are seen being escorted out of Middletown Works and the mill's blast furnace is shut down for maintenance. First negotiation session — The two sides came together for the first time post-lockout March 4, 2006. Bargaining is brief, and the two sides agree to meet again the following Monday. There have been more than 100 negotiation sessions since. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/02/27/mj022807akhighlights.html

From the 2/27/07 Middletown Journal: Union to hold lockout remembrance event By Dave Greber Staff Writer Tuesday, February 27, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — On the eve of the one-year anniversary of the lockout at AK Steel Corp., union members are asking the community to not forget the plight of the nearly 1,800 steelworkers locked out of Middletown Works. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 1943 is gathering supporters for a remembrance event at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the union's Crawford Street headquarters. "The cost to the community and the families has been devastating," said Butler County Commissioner Michael Fox. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/02/27/mj022707unioneventprv.html

From the 2/26/07 Dayton Business Journal: Lockout nears one-year mark AK Steel moves headquarters, 300 employees from Middletown Dayton Business Journal - February 23, 2007 by Tracy Kershaw-Staley DBJ Staff Reporter Nearly one year ago, AK Steel Corp. workers picketed all night outside the company's gates, huddling around fires to keep warm in the cold March night. Newly locked out of their plant, most of the hourly workers likely wouldn't have bet the labor dispute would drag out for the next 12 months. Read more: http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2007/02/26/story1.html