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From the 11/29/06 Middletown Journal: AK's request for no-drinking clause on hold By Dave Greber Staff Writer Wednesday, November 29, 2006 MIDDLETOWN — It could be next year before a Butler County judge adds a no-drinking clause to an injunction that limits picketing activities outside AK Steel Corp. What happened? Although a status conference between attorneys for the company and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 1943 was held Tuesday as planned, Butler County Judge Andrew Nastoff was absent. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/11/29/mj112906injunctionfolo.html

Both from the 11/28/06 Middletown Journal: AK, locked-out union head back to negotiations Friday Temporary, salaried work force set production records. By Dave Greber Staff Writer Tuesday, November 28, 2006 MIDDLETOWN — AK Steel Corp. and it's locked-out hourly work force on Monday agreed to come together again for a bargaining session at 9 a.m. Friday. Read more: [http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/11/28/mj112806ak.html AK asks judge to amend picketing injunction amid alleged vandalism, alcohol consumption Machinists agree to include damage amendment, but not one on beverages By Dave Greber Staff Writer Tuesday, November 28, 2006 MIDDLETOWN — AK Steel Corp. requested amendments to a court order that curtails picketing activities of locked-out workers Monday after alleged incidents of drinking and vandalism. The preliminary injunction, which was initially filed in September in Butler County Common Pleas Court, limits picketing activities and the number of people at any of the union's eight picket lines outside the company. Read more: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/11/28/mj112806injunction.html

This article appeared in the 11/15/06 issue of CityBeat: A Matter of Ownership As usual, 3CDC presentation leaves questions By T.K. Hall Things were going fine at the Cincinnati Center City Development Corp.'s (3CDC) Over-the-Rhine "rap session" Nov. 2 at Memorial Hall until Pipefitters Union Local 392 spoke up. The second of three 3CDC community meetings focused on building a parking garage between Music Hall and Memorial Hall and west to Central Parkway. http://www.citybeat.com/2006-11-15/news3.shtml

PHOTO UPDATE Mount Lookout: 3646 Heekin Ave Two photos of the Chrisman Homes project from November 28, 2006. LAST UPDATE (8/26/05) East End: 3960-3966 Eastern Ave Here is a post-demolition photo of the site at 3960-3966 Eastern Ave (corner of Eastern and McCullough). This site was once occupied by buildings from the 1870s and 1880s. The buildings were condemned. Meanwhile, the owner was looking for city funding to build a residential project on the site. It seems that he had no interest in repairing or maintaining the condemned buildings, so he had them torn down. There is no plan in place for redevelopment of the parcels, and no city money forthcoming. Pictured below are 3960 Eastern, 3962 Eastern, and 3964-3966 Eastern. Round-up: City of Cincinnati EAST PRICE HILL After foreclosure and a year vacant and on the market, 1019 Wells St has been sold to an investor for $18,100. The home, built in 1880, is up to code but needs a lot of cosmetic work. EAST PRICE HILL Meyer Management has assumed control of 921 McPherson Ave, a two-family built in 1887. Meyer has a lot of pretty crappy properties around the city, and this one is destined to join the club. EAST PRICE HILL It's hard to tell, but 1016 Underwood Pl has been rehabbed. EVANSTON 1611 Jonathan Ave has been rehabbed. I'm not sure that I like the job. The "before" house had more charm, while the new version is basic and unadorned. Still, the house is in better shape. EVANSTON Starting soon, the multi-family at 3121 Durrell Ave will be converted from a five-family to a three-family. There will be one apartment per floor. (The building is 3676 square feet.) FAIRVIEW 2629 Halstead St may be coming down soon. The property had a fire in April 2006. The owner told the city that a buyer was going to come forth and buy the building as is. The city barricaded it and a new owner did purchase it in July 2006. However, no plans have materialized from this new owner on how to fix the building and they have not responded to B&I inquiries. I would expect a hearing soon. NORTHSIDE A great job was done on the rehab of 1579 Pullan Ave. NORTHSIDE 1711 Jo Williams St has been updated. PLEASANT RIDGE A New Look for Pleasant Ridge Branch Library Cincinnati.com (reader submitted), 11/28/06 Members of Local Businesses and Area Residents Contribute to Landscaping Makeover During October overgrown shrubbery and old evergreens were replaced with new plantings at the Pleasant Ridge Branch Library. Proposed by the Community Library Committee of the Pleasant Ridge Community Council, the landscape makeover is one piece of the capital project approved by the Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County Board of Trustees to renovate the branch and provide handicap accessibility for area residents. A new irrigation system will be installed and funded by the Public Library as part of a collaborative venture. Donations of services and materials from generous professionals and businesses make this project possible: Martha Wassermann Landscape, Design & Services,L.C.C. (landscape design), Jeff Dapper Landscape & Design, L.C.C. (removal of old shrubbery), Natorp’s (discounted cost of plantings), Harry Ewers & Sons (mulch), Bzak Landscaping Services (compost), Perfect Cut Tree Service (tree service) Funds donated specifically for this project were received from Natorp’s, Pleasant Ridge Garden Club, and other area residents. SOUTH FAIRMOUNT Last week I mentioned 2486 Seegar Ave. Its neighbor, 2488 Seegar Ave, was demolished about a week ago. The house, which was condemned and has been vacant since August 2004, had a cracked and failing foundation, wall failure and was routinely open. WESTWOOD After foreclosure and 9 months on the market, 3358 Cavanaugh Ave has sold to an investor for $9,800. The mortgage company lost over $30,000 on the deal, and this guy gets a house that's up to code for about 1/8th of its 2005 appraised value. Round-up: Metro AMBERLEY VILLAGE Amberley's renewed path proposal stirs debate Cincinnati Enquirer, 11/27/06 A proposal to build a hike-and-bike path along busy Section Road in the southwestern part of the village is sparking a debate again between supporters and opponents. Amberley Village officials rejected the proposal 12 years ago because of engineering challenges involved in the project. But at the urging of some residents, the village has pulled the hike/bike path proposal off the shelf and will reconsider it. The 1½-mile path would run along Section Road from Ridge Road to Elbrook Avenue and on Ridge Road from Section to the south village border near Losantaridge Avenue. The main proponents of the proposal 12 years ago were the village's Orthodox Jews, who don't drive motorized vehicles to synagogue on the Sabbath and some Jewish holidays. Some Conservative Jews in Amberley, which has a large Jewish population, also observe that practice. BETHEL Bethel council to look at municipal building plans Clermont Sun, 12/1/06 Sometime in late December or early January the Bethel Village Council will interview a pair of engineering firms concerning plans to build a new village municipal building. Recently, the village purchased three properties to the north of the current municipal building in order to build the new structure, which will replace an aging and crumbling structure that is currently being used as the village headquarters. "The new building, there are two design firms who have taken an interest in this," said councilman Tim Cherry. "That's CDS Associations and Brandsetter and Carroll. Both of these have expressed interest in the design of the new building and the development of the master plan for Burke Park." Cherry also said that options would have to be examined concerning the possible donation of two historic log cabins that are located in Bethel's Burke Park. The cabins, which have fallen into disrepair, have been sought after by both a historical society and private individuals. A local group of history enthusiasts have been working to find a way to save the structures and keep them local. CLERMONT COUNTY Hike-bike trail project underway Clermont Sun, 12/1/06 The first phase of the proposed $4 million 15-mile hiking/biking trail between the villages of Williamsburg and Batavia is now underway. Phase one consists of the engineering and design work for the first part of the trail that will connect Williamsburg to the East Fork State Park Campground. According to Clermont Park District District Director Chris Clingman, partial funding for the trail has been secured through a $240,000 Federal Highway Administration Improvement grant and an additional $85,000 has been received from Ohio's capital improvement budget. "We are seeking additional grant funds," he said. "But local matching funds will be needed to secure more grants." The trail committee has estimated that a local match of an additional $250,000 is needed to complete phase one of the trail. CVG Airport plans to improve park Boone Community Recorder, 11/21/06 The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport is planning to upgrade a park on its grounds, including honoring its retirees and its longtime aviation director. The park is on the south side of the airport's airfield that has been used by groups as part of tours, according to Rita Wetterstroem, the airport's director of human resources. Wetterstroem said the park will be beautified and "make it a nicer area for the tours" with an aviation theme. A wall will be built that will honor the Kenton County Airport Board's retirees, the organization that operates the airport. "We also want to make it more into an educational area," she said. That will be accomplished by having information in the park about environmental issues, the airport's history and aviation history. There also will be a paved area that will resemble a runway. DEARBORN COUNTY Time to talk land use plan Aurora Journal-Press, 11/30/06 Dearborn County officials will host an interactive open house to discuss revisions and additions to the land use element of the county’s current comprehensive plan from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 4, in the Sunman-Dearborn Middle School cafeteria, 8356 Schuman Road, St. Leon. The event is the first in a series of public meetings planned throughout the community in the next few months. County officials and staff will be present to discuss the driving purposes in evaluating and formulating a future land use component to the county’s comprehensive plan and to share the recommendations and findings from a 60-person advisory committee. The committee has already dedicated 320 hours of service in the past 1 1/2 years. Officials and staff also will be on hand to discuss interrelated studies and efforts and most importantly to solicit feedback from all interested persons and parties. FOREST PARK Winton Woods schools may be realigned Cincinnati Enquirer, 11/29/06 Winton Woods elementary school students might be changing schools throughout childhood if the district revamps its elementary schools into grade-level buildings. Superintendent Camille Nasbe recommended Monday night that Winton Woods close Cameron Park Elementary because the building is too costly to renovate. She also recommended that the district convert its other elementary buildings into specific grades. The change means grade school students would switch school three times before middle school, which prompted some parents to object to the plan at the meeting. Larry Parks, of Springfield Township, told the board that he might take his sons to other schools rather than separate them. Both attend Lakeside Elementary. "We cannot jeopardize or risk their potential," he said. "We are causing an otherwise excellent school system to be dismantled and rebuilt while my children are there. That is unacceptable." INDEPENDENCE Independence receives more sidewalk money Kenton Community Recorder, 11/27/06 The city announced that they have received an additional $130,000 from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to continue placing sidewalks along Madison Pike. The council voted unanimously at their Nov. 20 meeting to authorize Mayor Chris Moriconi to accept the money, which will go toward Phase III of the Renaissance Construction Project. Moriconi said the goal of the Renaissance Construction Project is to have sidewalks from "school-to school", meaning from the north side of Madison Pike at Summit View Elementary down to Kenton Elementary. He said the sidewalks will help maintain the city's historic areas which will become low-traffic upon completion of the new Ky. 17. The council as also expressed interest in revitalizing the downtown area to make it more family-friendly, with outdoor dining and decorative landscaping. "This is good news that we've received this money," said Moriconi. "We're very pleased that we're keeping this project going, and that the state is recognizing the importance of it." City clerk Pat Taney said the project will likely be put out to bid after the first of the year, and actual construction work would likely begin in late spring or early summer. INDIAN HILL Remington Rd (OH-126) has reopened to traffic. It has been closed since summer for culvert replacement and landslide abatement. LOVELAND Loveland tries annexation again, only without high school Cincinnati Enquirer, 12/1/06 After wanting for years to annex property in the Loveland High School area, the city is asking again, but this time without the school land itself. Officials have filed a petition with the Hamilton County commissioners that seeks the annexation of Boike Park, which abuts the school land, and land across the street known as the Mather property. The city already owns both, though they lie in Symmes Township. But because both are in the township, the city doesn't have control over them in the same way it has controls of land within the city. The city police and firefighters don't respond there and the city planning and zoning boards don't have authority outside the city. The move is important, City Manager Tom Carroll said, in case the city decides to put its proposed swimming pool in Boike Park, the spot that has become the front-runner for that project. Committee members working on the pool plan are pushing to quickly finish it so the city can be ready, if necessary, to put a levy on the ballot in 2007 to pay for it. Cincinnati Enquirer: Loveland pool levy up for discussion (11/27/06) MARIEMONT Council to hold meeting on Resthaven renovation Eastern Hills Journal, 11/28/06 Mariemont Mayor Dan Policastro is concerned the bid to renovate the Resthaven Barn will not be enough to finish it properly. Policastro asked Mariemont Village councilmembers to meet as a committee of the whole with a representative of the Cincinnati Women's Art Club Foundation to discuss the project. The meeting, tentatively scheduled for 7 a.m. Monday, Dec. 4, in council chambers, would be open to the public. The club had bid $50,000 to renovate one floor of the building. Policastro said he had been told by others the renovation would cost between $1 million and $2 million. MIAMI TWP (Clermont County) New civic center opens on Saturday Cincinnati Enquirer, 11/29/06 Residents of Miami Township in Clermont County don't have to wait until Christmas to unwrap this year's big present. Trustees will dedicate the new, 38,000-square-foot Civic Center and hold an open house at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. From 4 to 8 p.m., children can visit with Santa Claus, decorate cookies, have their faces painted and make holiday crafts. The Miami Township Christmas tree will be lighted at 7:15 p.m. Acquired for $2.35 million in December 2004, the building at 6101 Meijer Drive has undergone a $1.39 million renovation. The center is available for use by local nonprofit groups and for business or organizational meetings. MIAMI TWP (Clermont County) Clermont County amphitheater planned Cincinnati Enquirer, 11/30/06 The next time the Clermont Philharmonic Orchestra strikes up the band here, it could be in an outdoor amphitheater. One will be built in Community Park next year. The cost hasn't been determined, but a $50,000 grant has been lined up from the state to cover at least some of it. Katie Turning, a member of the orchestra's board of directors, said a fund-raising concert might be scheduled to help with construction costs. An amphitheater in the 17-acre park at 5951 Buckwheat Road could be used for occasional concerts by the orchestra, which usually performs with 55 musicians. The rest of the time, the building would be used as a picnic shelter. While other township parks were considered, "Community Park is centrally located and where we've tended to have most of the concerts anyway," said Edwin H. Humphrey, president of the township board of trustees. "We have parking there and across the street at Mulberry Elementary School." MT HEALTHY Mount Healthy board finalizes February bond levy Hilltop Press, 11/29/06 The Mount Healthy Board of Education took the final step Nov. 20 to put a $33 million bond issue back on the ballot in February. The district asked voters to support a $33 million bond issue in November to allow the district to consolidate its buildings from eight to three. According to unofficial results from the Hamilton County Board of Elections, the issue lost by about 110 votes. School officials want to follow a plan that would cost about $90 million to build three new buildings to replace the eight buildings currently used by the district. The Ohio Facilities Commission is set to pay $57 million of the cost. The $33 million represents the school district's share of the project. Superintendent David Horine said the district has a one-year window to pass this issue and take advantage of $57 million in state funds. School officials say the consolidation could save the district about $1.5 million in annual operating costs. OXFORD Walgreens builds in Oxford Miami Student, 11/10/06 As the new CVS in Stewart Square prepares to open, Oxford gets ready to welcome another drug store with construction of a Walgreens pharmacy on the corner of Locust and Spring streets underway. Walgreens' $3-5 million plan for constructing a 14,820-square-foot site is well on track, and the new pharmacy is expected to open by midsummer of 2007, according to Walgreens corporate spokesperson Carol Hively. Walgreens has 200 stores in Ohio and is building in Oxford as part of its ongoing state expansion project. The Oxford store will employ approximately 25 to 30 people and is expected to average more than $7 million in annual sales, according to the Walgreens' sales and earnings fact sheet on the company's Web site. Features of the coming Walgreens will include a drive-thru pharmacy, photo processing center and fountain drink station. But according to project developer Nat Stark, the store will be not open 24 hours a day like many Walgreens in other locations. With Kroger, Wal-Mart, CVS and now a Walgreens, when driving around the city of Oxford, it is hard to miss the abundance of pharmacies. ST BERNARD The city of St. Bernard is currently accepting bids for a gateway wall project. What this project will look like or where it will be placed is unknown to me. My guess is that it will be some sort of brick "Welcome" sign and that it will be somewhere on Vine St. Bids are being accepted until December 11, 2006. SHARONVILLE Sharonville wants to make theater center-stage Tri-County Press, 11/30/06 Bill Lewis, who spent much of his childhood living in the apartment above the Act One Theater on Main Street in Sharonville, stepped to the microphone to speak in front of Sharonville council Nov. 28 on behalf of restoring the crumbling theater. "I'm the kid that grew up in there and caused mischief for 10 years," he said with a chuckle. "But that is not a reason for saving it ... We have a number of gems here and that theater is one of them. It's got a place in the history of Sharonville and it still can. "Even though that was my home, I am so ashamed to admit I lived in it. It is blight." The theater has definitely seen better days, and that's exactly why Sharonville and the Sharonville Fine Arts Council want to partner in restoration efforts and have the theater up and running as a live playhouse by the end of next year. The Fine Arts Council, a non-profit organization, volunteered to take on the project, but is having difficulty raising the capital necessary for the $1.4 million project, Sharonville Mayor Virgil Lovitt said. They do have renderings drawn for the completed theater, and know the scope of remodeling work that needs done.

From the 11/30/06 (UT) Independent Collegian: Savage family gives money Ed Carroll Issue date: 11/30/06 Section: News A $1 million gift to the College of Business Administration will go mainly to support the new Savage and Associates Complex for Business Learning and Education. Tom Gutteridge, dean of the College of Business, said that the money would be primarily divided up in three ways. www.independentcollegian.com/media/storage/paper678/news/2006/11/30/News/Savage.Family.Gives.Money-2514797.shtml?sourcedomain=www.independentcollegian.com&MIIHost=media.collegepublisher.com]http://media.www.independentcollegian.com/media/storage/paper678/news/2006/11/30/News/Savage.Family.Gives.Money-2514797.shtml?sourcedomain=www.independentcollegian.com&MIIHost=media.collegepublisher.com

From the 11/21/06 Toledo Blade: RENDERING: An artist’s rendering shows what the Savage & Associates Complex for Business Learning & Engagement at the University of Toledo will look like. The $14 million addition to UT’s Stranahan Hall is scheduled for completion in 2009. Savage donating $1M to UT Gift to help build complex where students, firms mix By JOSHUA BOAK BLADE STAFF WRITER The University of Toledo will cement a $1 million donation from Savage & Associates today, laying the groundwork to build a 51,000-square-foot complex that integrates business students and companies. Contact Joshua Boak at: [email protected] or 419-724-6728. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061121/NEWS21/611210400/-1/NEWS

Both from UT News, 11/14/06: UT updates exterior, way-finding signage By Jon Strunk Nov 14, 2006, 06:04 The University of Toledo is accepting bids for exterior signage, beginning the process of replacing and updating signage across the University’s campuses. http://utnews.utoledo.edu/publish/article_3088.shtml New parking lot for patients, hospital guests opens on Health Science Campus By Jim Winkler Nov 14, 2006, 06:09 The newest parking lot on the Health Science Campus is scheduled to open today. Chuck Lehnert, associate vice president for facilities and construction, emphasized that the lot east of University Medical Center is only for patients and hospital guests. The lot was designed to improve customer service, to make the east side entrance to the hospital the main entrance, and to help alleviate pedestrian and vehicle congestion on the west side of the hospital, where ambulances and Emergency Department patients arrive. Free valet parking services will be available. http://utnews.utoledo.edu/publish/article_3094.shtml

From UT News, 11/13/06: SKETCH: Preliminary plans call for a "town square" inside the Memorial Field House. SKETCH: “Academic sidewalks" also would be part of the renovated interior. PHOTO: The Memorial Field House was the second building on Main Campus. It was completed in 1931. Trustees to consider proposal to renovate Memorial Field House By Jim Winkler Nov 13, 2006, 06:15 The building once hosted concerts by Simon and Garfunkel and Jimi Hendrix, and talks by anthropologist Margaret Mead and civil rights activist Dick Gregory. The Doors were set to perform a Sept. 21, 1969, concert in the building, but a skittish UT Board of Trustees and concert organizers canceled it after Jim Morrison reportedly exposed himself at a show in Miami. http://utnews.utoledo.edu/publish/article_3087.shtml

From the 12/2/06 ABJ: Chinese delegation will visit Cleveland A Chinese delegation seeking investment opportunities in the United States is making just three stops -- and one is in Cleveland. The visit next week by more than 30 government officials and representatives of Chinese companies is being coordinated by World Trade Center Cleveland, which worked for three years to raise Ohio's visibility in China. Opportunities being touted include investment, strategic alliances and sales relationships with various Ohio companies. Among the industries represented by the Chinese are power, electrical appliances, machinery and equipment, and auto parts. The group is also stopping in Seattle and Washington, D.C. World Trade Center Cleveland, with the help of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, MAGNET and Team NEO, will present "Invest in Ohio,'' a two-day program for the delegation, which begins Monday. The welcoming committee includes representatives from Sherwin-Williams Co., Cleveland Clinic, Eaton Corp., Charter One Bank, the Cuyahoga County commissioners, KeyCorp, Forest City Enterprises, Invacare Corp., Squire, Sanders and Dempsey, Cleveland Foundation and the Greater Cleveland Partnership. ... http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/business/16147881.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_business

From the 11/19/06 Warren Tribune Chronicle: Ryan: See China as export opportunity By RAYMOND L. SMITH Tribune Chronicle YOUNGSTOWN — The development of American relations with China will be the challenge of political and business leaders over the next two decades, U.S. Rep. Timothy J. Ryan said Friday at YSU. The Niles Democrat spoke during a two-day campus seminar discussing foreign trade and the rise of China. The event will continue today with a breakfast and open forum in the Humphrey Room of Kilcawley Center. The topic will be ‘‘Strategies for Improving the Extent and Quality of Asian Content in the American Undergraduate Curriculum.’’ Ryan told the crowd of about 70 business professionals, academics and politicians that local governments and businesses must begin looking outside of markets in which they are comfortable if they want new opportunities for growth. This would help to change the image of the region, he said. MORE: http://tribune-chronicle.com/articles.asp?articleID=11333

From the 11/14/06 Dispatch: SHANGHAI Trade office in China will be Ohio’s eleventh Tuesday, November 14, 2006 Alan Johnson THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Ohio’s 11th international trade office, and first in China, will open in Shanghai, Gov. Bob Taft announced yesterday. One of the fastest-growing markets in the world and the state’s seventh-largest trading partner, China will be a crucial base for Ohio exports and reverse investment, Taft said. The office will cost about $200,000 annually to operate, half of which will be paid by the Ohio Soybean Council. China is the largest buyer of Ohio soybeans. Overall, Ohio exports to China rose to $934 million last year from $231 million in 1998, according to the Ohio Department of Development, Division of International Trade. Lt. Gov. Bruce Johnson, who doubles as development director, led a business mission to China in December. MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/business-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/11/14/20061114-C1-04.html

From the 11/23/06 Toledo Blade: Skyway gala to raise funds for memorial By JC REINDL BLADE STAFF WRITER Fading labor union banners and plastic flower wreaths stood guard yesterday morning over an old makeshift memorial site in East Toledo, overlooking a segment of the nearly completed Veterans' Glass City Skyway where four ironworkers died in 2004. Meanwhile, closer to the cable-stayed bridge's Maumee River crossing, project officials announced that the cost of building a permanent sculpture memorial to honor all workers involved in building the Skyway will be raised through a $100-a-person gala set for this spring. "This will be our tribute to the brothers and sisters who built this bridge," said Joe Blaze, co-chairman of the Tribute Committee for the Veterans' Glass City Skyway Task Force. Mr. Blaze also is the business manager for Ironworkers Local 55, the union representing Robert Lipinski, Jr., Arden Clark II, Mike Moreau, and Mike Phillips, who were killed Feb. 16, 2004, when a crane collapsed while being repositioned. FULL ARTICLE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061123/NEWS17/611230446/-1/NEWS

From the 11/17/06 Toledo Blade: PHOTO: Mike Davey photographs construction activity on the Veterans’ Glass City Skyway during his tour of the structure. Tours of the bridge are available to people 13 and older. ( THE BLADE/DAVE ZAPOTOSKY ) PHOTO: Skyway visitors view construction of the unfi nished span across the shipping channel from inside the deck of the bridge. ( THE BLADE/DAVE ZAPOTOSKY ) CAPTURING A PIECE OF CONSTRUCTION HISTORY Skyway tours popular as completion looms By DAVID PATCH BLADE STAFF WRITER Tim Stange and his employees at Safe-Way Barricades have become very familiar with I-280 near the Veterans' Glass City Skyway as they've set up, moved, or dismantled barricades, orange barrels, and concrete barrier walls during the four years that the new Maumee River bridge has been under construction. On Wednesday, he and several others got a much closer look at the $220 million project as they climbed down inside the bridge's concrete deck, watched workers prepare stainless steel stay-cable sheathing for installation, and looked out over the ever-narrowing gap in the structure's main span over the river's shipping channel. "We've had a lot of people spend a lot of hours out here working. It's good to get to see the rest of it," Mr. Stange, Safe-Way's co-owner, said as a 2 1/2-hour tour - which began with a meeting-room presentation on the bridge's construction - drew to a close. FULL ARTICLE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061117/NEWS11/611170368/-1/NEWS

From the 11/15/06 Toledo Blade: PHOTO ( THE BLADE/DAVE ZAPOTOSKY ) SKYWAY APPROACH NEARS COMPLETION The last span for the North Toledo approach to the $220 million Veterans Glass City Skyway neared completion yesterday. Mike Gramza, the project manager for the Ohio Department of Transportation, watches as crane operators maneuver the span’s precast concrete segments into position near Ontario Street. Currently closed, Ontario is scheduled to reopen on Friday, while I-280 beneath the structure is scheduled to reopen to traffi c one week from today. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061115/NEWS11/61115018/-1/NEWS

From the 11/13/06 Toledo Blade: Skyway contractor gets a break State gives Fru-Con 60 more days to finish job without daily fine By DAVID PATCH BLADE STAFF WRITER When the Ohio Department of Transportation negotiated a new schedule for finishing the Veterans' Glass City Skyway with the project's contractor last summer, the deal included pushing back by 60 days a deadline after which the contractor would pay a $20,000 per day late-completion penalty, state officials disclosed late last week. Giving Fru-Con Construction Corp. until March 2 to open the $220 million structure over the Maumee River to at least two lanes of traffic in each direction was preferable to keeping I-280 closed past Nov. 22 so the contractor could try to meet the Dec. 31 opening deadline, said Mike Gramza, the transportation department's project manager. FULL ARTICLE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061113/NEWS11/611130334/-1/NEWS

From ThisWeek Clintonville, 11/30/06: Public can comment on I-70/71 split Dec. 5 Thursday, November 30, 2006 The public will have a chance next week to weigh in on a thorny issue city and state officials have been wrestling with for the past four years: What to do with the congested "downtown split" of Interstates 70 and 71. A public meeting to answer questions and take suggestions on the overtaxed stretch of highway will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 5, from 6 to 8 p.m. The gathering, which will feature Ohio Department of Transportation officials and urban designers, will be held in the auditorium of the Columbus Health Department, 240 Parsons Ave. Parking is available behind the building, which is at the intersection of Parsons Avenue and East Main Street. http://www.thisweeknews.com/index.php?sec=clintonville&story=sites/thisweeknews/113006/Clintonville/News/113006-News-268784.html

Committee working to bring skate park to Fostoria Fostoria Focus, 12/3/06 You may have seen them skating down the street passing out flyers during the Halloween Parade. But they say that the street can’t cut it for too much longer. The Fostoria Skatepark Committee reportedly has the go-ahead from the city to build a skate park. Now, they need to acquire the funds to get the park up and running. “Basically, the city has already allotted the land ... and at this point it’s just a matter of whether or not people will donate their times and efforts,” said Erica Tobin, organizer of the Fostoria Skatepark Committee. The Fostoria Skatepark Committee has already approached the Parks and Recreation Committee about their project.

From the 12/2/06 Middletown Journal: Port authority may spur development in Warren County By Tiffany Latta Staff Writer Saturday, December 02, 2006 LEBANON — Warren County leaders are close to establishing a local port authority that could pull together funds for economic development projects throughout Warren County. Interest in a port authority began after the city of Mason made plans to build a sports complex in its community last year and later established a port authority, Commissioner Pat South said. The proposed port authority would be charged with pooling development money, purchasing land and structuring deals to lure industrial and commercial businesses to the area. It would not, however, levy taxes, South said. http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/12/02/mj120206portauthority.html From the 11/30/06 Middletown Journal: Holiday Inn Express looks to Franklin City planners expect to see site plans on Dec. 11 for 80-room hotel. By Christopher Magan Staff Writer Thursday, November 30, 2006 FRANKLIN — The under-construction Wal-Mart Supercenter, which often acts as an economic magnet, attracted another business to the Second Street corridor. The city planning commission expects to see site plans Dec. 11 for an 80-room Holiday Inn Express on about two acres near the big box store on Commerce Center Drive. "It's one more step in the process of building up that area to where we are becoming a destination for people," said Mayor Todd Hall. http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/11/30/mj113006holidayinn.html

From the 11/25/06 Middletown Journal: Schools construction on schedule By Ed Richter Staff Writer Sunday, November 26, 2006 Construction on the Middletown City School District's newest buildings are on schedule and on budget, district officials and construction managers say. Miller Ridge, Wildwood and Mayfield elementary school buildings' projects are the second phase of new school construction in the district. Fifty percent of the Miller Ridge building is complete, said project manager Nate Minnich-Weber of Quandel Group/ProjDel, who updated the Board of Education Monday on the progress on all three new schools. At Miller Ridge, 90 percent of the exterior brick work has been completed and 100 percent of the steel trusses have been installed at the site, which is expected to be completed by July 13. MORE: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/11/26/mj112506schoolconstruction.html From the 11/26/06 Enquirer: Way cleared for new flea market BY RYAN CLARK | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER RICHWOOD - From the interstate, it looks like a pile of debris. But Mike Stallings says there is progress being made at the Richwood Flea Market site. There, work crews have demolished the remains of the old market, which was destroyed by storm winds last spring. Now, the site is being cleared to begin construction next week, said Stallings, co-owner of the market. The project is scheduled to be completed in February, he said. The flea market was devastated in the spring by 76-mph winds that left a gaping scar in the building. The National Weather Service blamed the damage on straight-line winds, and said they were the strongest recorded in a series of storm systems that did extensive damage in Kentucky and Ohio. MORE: http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20061126/NEWS0103/611260404

Things are definitely looking up!

From the 11/30/06 PD: Want to work for Strickland? Send resume Gov.-elect wants inclusive' transition Thursday, November 30, 2006 Mark Rollenhagen Plain Dealer Bureau Columbus -- They're back. Democrats who have been shut out of the governor's office for 16 years are lining up to work for Gov.-elect Ted Strickland. Strickland's transition team on Wednesday released the resumes of about 800 people who have applied for jobs in the new administration when Strickland takes office on Jan. 8. ... To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: [email protected], 1-800-228-8272[/i] http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1164880036222660.xml&coll=2

From the 11/29/06 Dispatch: GRAPHIC: Lee Fisher Fisher to lead economic push Lt. governor-elect picked for development post Wednesday, November 29, 2006 Mark Niquette THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Gov.-elect Ted Strickland moved to fill his first cabinet post yesterday by tapping running mate Lee Fisher as the next director of the Ohio Department of Development. Strickland said he plans to nominate Fisher, the former Ohio attorney general and the 1998 Democratic nominee for governor, after taking office Jan. 8. Fisher must be confirmed by the Ohio Senate. ... [email protected] http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/11/29/20061129-B1-00.html From the 11/29/06 PD: Gilligan suggests plain pragmatism for new governor Wednesday, November 29, 2006 Mark Rollenhagen Plain Dealer Bureau Cincinnati - When Ted Strickland is sworn into office in January, he will face a challenge unseen in Ohio for 35 years: a Democratic governor trying to convince a Republican-controlled legislature to go along with his program. The last time it happened was in 1971 when John J. "Jack" Gilligan managed to get Republicans to join with Democrats in establishing Ohio's first income tax to help pay for education and human services. He lasted just one term. ... To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: [email protected], 1-800-228-8272 http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1164794840139720.xml&coll=2

From the 11/21/06 Dispatch: Incoming governor opens informational Web site Tuesday, November 21, 2006 Mark Niquette Gov.-elect Ted Strickland has launched a new Web site for those seeking information related to the transition to his new administration, including news, details about jobs, volunteer opportunities and contact information. The Web address is: http://govelect.ohio.gov. "This Web site is the onestop information source for those interested in the transition process," Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman said in a statement. He is helping lead Strickland’s transition team. "We invite Ohioans from across the state to offer not only their skills and service but also their ideas and suggestions on how best to turn around Ohio." Coleman said the Web site will give Ohioans the opportunity to submit comments or policy suggestions, upload resumes and apply for positions in the new administration. The official Strickland-Lee Fisher transition office was to open yesterday Downtown in the Riffe Center. http://www.dispatch.com/news/news.php?story=dispatch/2006/11/21/20061121-D4-05.html

From the 11/16/06 PD: Suburbs to seek Strickland's help Thursday, November 16, 2006 Thomas Ott Plain Dealer Reporter Columbus -- When Governor-elect Ted Strickland takes office in January, Ohio's older suburbs want to welcome him with ideas to help them rebuild. About 50 officials and advocates for the inner-ring suburbs of Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton gathered here Wednesday. They discussed ways to shore up crumbling roads, redevelop abandoned property and keep cities from using state-sanctioned tax breaks to pirate businesses from each other. ... To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: [email protected], 216-999-5739 http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/116367096764530.xml&coll=2

From the 11/15/06 Dispatch: Glenns to plan inauguration for new governor Strickland says he hasn’t ruled out keeping some of Taft’s appointees Wednesday, November 15, 2006 Joe Hallett THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Gov.-elect Ted Strickland appointed former U.S. Sen. John Glenn and his wife, Annie, yesterday as co-chairmen of his inauguration, scheduled for Jan. 13. Although Strickland will be sworn in as the state’s 68 th governor shortly after midnight Jan. 8, the inauguration will be held the following Saturday so "as many Ohioans as possible can come out and participate, particularly the young people," Sen. Glenn said. ... Dispatch reporter Mark Niquette contributed to this story. [email protected] http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/11/15/20061115-C6-00.html