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From ThisWeek Licking County, 6/17/07: 120-home project OK'd in Pataskala, but concerns raised Sunday, June 17, 2007 By LORI WINCE ThisWeek Staff Writer Although Pataskala's Planning and Zoning Commission on June 13 recommended approval of a change in zoning for 120 homes on 84.3 ares at Summit and Cleveland roads, members expressed concern about the effect the development could have on area services and schools. "I think a vote in favor of this overburdens the school district, overburdens the streets and overburdens the city services," said commission member Brian Lenzo. "We're already at the point of capacity. That's been made clear." Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/061707/LickingCounty/News/061707-News-372583.html

From the 6/19/07 Hamilton JournalNews: Council may consider thoroughfare plan next month By Sean Strader Staff Writer Tuesday, June 19, 2007 OXFORD — After eight months of hammering out details, the thoroughfare plan is headed to Oxford City Council. Council will begin discussion of the plan July 17 at the earliest, said Community Development Director Jung-Han Chen. The Oxford Planning Commission voted Tuesday to recommend the plan to city council. Amid continued vocal opposition by a large group of citizens who packed the courthouse Tuesday, the commission voted 6-1 to put their revised version of the plan into council's hands. Council will have the option of adopting, revising or rejecting the plan. Designed to be a guiding document for future transportation improvements in and around Oxford, the plan includes a bypass south and west of the city connecting both ends of U.S. 27, a route north of the city from College Corner Pike to Brown Road and a bike path that would circle the city. Other major features include the possible connection of Kehr Road to Main or Locust Street, a possible Amtrak station and an underpass beneath the railroad on Locust Street. The current version of the plan can be found at the city's Web site at cityofoxford.org. The proposed roads along the outskirts are contingent on city annexation and development there, council representative Dave Prows said. A thoroughfare plan requires developers to build specific connective roads and prevents only rows of cul-de-sacs leading nowhere, according to Prows. "I feel for once we are being proactive and are coming out ahead here," commission chairman Paul Brady said. "We have a legal basis for dealing with these annexation requests coming in and ... requiring connectivity." However, the thoroughfare plan has been strongly opposed by a group of township residents troubled by the bypasses, which they say would open up more agricultural land to sprawling residential development. Jenny Gelber of 5508 Brown Road said planning routes in the countryside would encourage development and lead to problems. "A weakness of this plan is it sets the stage for future use of eminent domain. It only works if every parcel decides to develop," she said. Orie Loucks of 6195 Fairfield Road said the plan suffered from a lack of both vision and citizen consensus. "There's still no vision as to what the thoroughfare plan is that Oxford residents aspire to," Loucks said. "It is not a vision of how we want Oxford to look and function in the future." Bill Brewer, the only commission member to vote against recommending the plan to council, cited dissatisfaction with the process and the current plan, while noting the hard work done by the commission. "We have struggled valiantly," Brewer said. "But ... it shouldn't be this way, it shouldn't happen this way and I can't recommend this for council." http://www.journal-news.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/06/19/hjn061907thoroughfare.html

From the 6/19/07 Xenia Daily Gazette: Antioch looks to future while hosting students from past School's closing will be felt throughout village, county AARON KEITH HARRIS Staff Writer YELLOW SPRINGS -- While Antioch College officials continue to field questions from media and alumni about last week's announcement that the 150-year-old private liberal arts college will suspend operations after the coming academic year, village and county governments are offering help and preparing for the economic consequences. Antioch College officials have been preparing to provide detailed information on the situation to alumni at a reunion slated to begin on campus Friday, said Mary Lou LaPierre, vice chancellor for university advancement. "We really want to reach out beyond the college, but we really need to communicate with our community first to let them know exactly what's happening, and that's what we've been doing this week," said LaPierre, who said the announcement has prompted inquiries from across the country. Full story at http://www.xeniagazette.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=155565&TM=47683.09

Link contains photos. From the 6/19/07 Enquirer: GRAPHIC: Suburban housing woes rising Foreclosures keep climbing Southwest Ohio cases jump 10 percent in first 4 months BY JAMES MCNAIR | [email protected] As borrowers default on greater numbers of mortgage loans, banks are filing record numbers of foreclosure cases. According to new data from the Ohio Supreme Court, new foreclosure filings in Southwest Ohio in the first four months of 2007 rose 10 percent from the same period last year. As of March 31, Ohio was still leading the nation in the percentage of homes in foreclosure - 3.54 percent. Locally, the increase was most pronounced in Warren County, where foreclosures jumped 23.3 percent to 424 through April 30. Foreclosure filings grew 16 percent to 929 cases in Butler County, even before April data were fully compiled last week. Foreclosures rose 13.5 percent to 361 cases in Clermont County. Perhaps the big surprise is that Hamilton County, with its large numbers of old homes and low-income borrowers, experienced a mere 4.4 percent increase in new foreclosure filings in the first four months of 2007. ... More at: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070619/BIZ01/706190323/

From the 6/19/07 Warren Tribune Chronicle: Delphi seeks more time By staff, wire report WASHINGTON — Delphi Corp. said it needs five more months to work out a bankruptcy reorganization plan amid a bidding war for the company by two rival groups of hedge funds. The company, the biggest supplier to General Motors Corp., said it needs until Dec. 31 to develop its Chapter 11 plan. Its deadline to file the plan with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan currently expires July 31. In papers filed with the court late Friday, Delphi said it needs the additional time to continue negotiations with its labor unions, GM, and the hedge-fund groups. It said it still expects to exit bankruptcy proceedings by the end of the year. ... http://tribune-chronicle.com/articles.asp?articleID=19398 From the 6/19/07 DDN: GM workers: Aggressive fuels standards may hurt plant, businesses By Thomas Gnau Staff Writer Monday, June 18, 2007 MORAINE — Workers at General Motors Corp.'s assembly plant off Stroop Road have more than a passing interest in federal legislation that would mandate higher automotive fuel efficiency standards. They believe such legislation — dubbed H.R. 6 — could cripple the plant and nearby businesses. Leaders at the plant and its union, International Union of Electronic Workers-Communication Workers of America Local 798, instead support an amendment offered by four senators, including Ohio Republican George Voinovich. Supporters say the amendment gives automakers time to pursue and refine technologies to meet more aggressive mileage targets. ... Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2390 or [email protected]. http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/business/2007/06/18/ddn061807gmmoraineweb.html

From the 6/19/07 Newark Advocate: E85 Inc. awaits Ohio EPA's last permit Company has not yet filed rezoning requests By MARK SZAKONYI Advocate Reporter NEWARK -- The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is expected today to issue a final permit to install a state-of-the-art ethanol plant for a 78.5-acre site in Newark's southwest corner, an OEPA official said Monday. "We have done everything we can, and now we just wait and see," said Newark Mayor Bruce Bain. http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070619/NEWS01/706190304/1002/rss01 Regional jobs closer By ASHLEY LYKINS Gazette Staff Writer BLOOMINGBURG -$2.4 million was invested in a "corn-consuming monster" near Ross County Monday. The grant, presented by the Economic Development Administration, will be used for the Madison Mills Water Supply Project -a system that will provide 1.5 million gallons of water each day to an ethanol plant under construction in Fayette County. The plant, as well as the construction process, could mean jobs and projects for some in Ross County. http://www.chillicothegazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070619/NEWS01/706190311/1002/rss01

Link contains a photo. From the 3/11/07 Blade: COSI MARKS 10TH ANNIVERSARY Science center's survival not piece of cake Officials plan another attempt to get voters to OK tax levy for operations By JC REINDL and JENNI LAIDMAN BLADE STAFF WRITERS With explosions of paper confetti and an air blast from a plastic "Airzooka," COSI marked its 10th anniversary in downtown Toledo yesterday with a daylong celebration in which thousands of visitors were admitted for free. It was the science museum's first free-admission day since its opening in March, 1997. The riverfront building was bustling with excitement. For many, such as 7-year-old Shein Park, a first grader at Old Orchard Elementary School in West Toledo, it was their first visit. "That's what we wanted to do," said Anna Colin, COSI's marketing and event coordinator, explaining how the celebration was designed to attract newcomers. Judy Tripp, a physical education teacher who lives in Delta, said she hadn't been to the museum for six years. She went with five of her youngest relatives and one of her pupils from the Academy of Business and Technology downtown. Full article at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070311/NEWS34/703110323/-1/RSS

From the 6/8/07 Enquirer: Victims' families sue Chiquita Militants killed 144 in Colombia THE ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON - Family members of people killed by militant groups in Colombia sued Chiquita Brands International on Thursday, accusing the banana company of sponsoring terrorism. The lawsuit, filed anonymously by family members of 144 victims, follows the company's admission in March that for years it paid Colombian terrorists to protect its most profitable banana-growing operation. The lawsuit filed in a Washington federal court Thursday argues that the defendants "knowingly engaged in an ongoing campaign of terror" against those murdered by paramilitaries they funded. Read More...

From the University of Dayton, 6/12/07: Revitalization The University of Dayton is moving ahead on an 11-acre riverfront redevelopment project that includes removing Building 26. UD officials reaffirm their pledge to honor history. June 12, 2007 - As part of a $2.54 million Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund grant, the University of Dayton will request bids from certified professionals under the Ohio EPA Voluntary Action Program to oversee an 11-acre riverfront redevelopment project. The work includes cleaning up soil, taking out asbestos from Building 26 and removing the building, which is not eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. The building is expected to be torn down in the fall. Brady Kress, president and CEO of Dayton History and a member of UD's Historical Stewardship Group, led members on a 90-minute tour of the building on June 7 to determine what architectural elements could be preserved. The group, comprised of preservationists, community leaders and UD officials, compiled a list, including art deco sandstone surrounding the main entrance, crown molding from the front vestibule and limestone art deco curves and finishes around the roof. In addition, pallets of stone lintels and original bricks will be salvaged for use in telling the story of Building 26, which served as a top-secret site during World War II for the development of a code-breaking machine. The Historical Stewardship Group will work with Burt Hill, UD's master planner, to explore options for commemoration, such as a collection of oral histories, public art, a plaza or museum-style display. UD spent nearly two years meeting with preservationists and investigating whether Building 26 had retained any historical integrity. On May 31, the Ohio Historic Preservation Office confirmed that the heavily altered structure appears to be ineligible for the National Register. That opinion verified a January study by ASC Group Inc., specialists in historic architectural assessments. UD has explored alternatives to removing the building. According to Martin-Beachler Architects, it would cost about $3 million just to demolish the three 1960s additions to the building and replicate the original façade. A complete restoration of the building would cost millions more. Last year, UD turned to the Miller-Valentine Group to assess the use and availability of historic tax credits, which are available if a building is listed on the National Register. UD officials also have investigated the feasibility of adaptive reuse with Burt Hill, Martin-Beachler Architects and the Miller-Valentine Group. "Renovation is possible, but not practical. It doesn't make economic sense to invest in a building that has lost its historical integrity," said Jeff Funovits, Burt Hill's project manager for the master plan. Daniel J. Curran, president of the University of Dayton, reaffirmed UD's pledge to work with the Dayton community to create a lasting, significant and visible means of telling the story of the people and technological advances that occurred on the site. "I respect the passion of those who wanted to save the building. I also appreciate the support of others who recognized that the building lost its historical integrity decades ago and know that as a tuition-driven university, UD cannot justify spending millions of dollars to save it," he said. "Working with the community, we can, and will, honor history while we build for the future." Community leaders support UD's decision. "The development of this land is important to the region. It has high economic development value and the potential to attract high-value jobs and new businesses. It is the most developable piece of property in the city of Dayton," J.P. Nauseef, president and CEO of the Dayton Development Coalition, wrote in a letter to OHPO. "As a community, we need to respect the past, but focus on the future and support the University's leadership in taking on this difficult development challenge." The Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce also backs UD's position. "We honor those who worked at this one-time NCR site and feel confident the University will honor their legacy," Phil Parker, president and CEO, wrote in a letter to OHPO. The University of Dayton purchased 49 acres of land, which included Building 26, another building on Brown Street now known as the College Park Center, two parking lots and two soccer fields, for $25 million from NCR in June 2005. Most of NCR's manufacturing facilities on the site were demolished in the 1970s, and the property has remained largely unused since then. The site is considered a brownfield, but only a portion requires clean up, depending upon development plans. UD's complete master plan for its 259-acre campus is expected to be finished this fall, but UD has already committed to working with private developers to construct a mixed-use project on the 11-acre riverfront portion when it applied for the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund grant. http://www.udayton.edu/News/Article/?contentId=2390

From Flyer News, 4/24/07 (V54, N39): UD master plan not completed, firm taking time to define culture HaQuyen Pham Staff Writer Community. It’s easy enough to spell, but much more complicated to define, especially for the firm working on the UD master plan outlining long—and short—term campus development. Burt Hill consultants are currently in the alternatives development stage of the process after research took longer than expected, pushing the anticipated completion date to October, instead of May. It’s the flip side of opting not to hire a local firm who understands the key components of UD culture, according to campus planning director Rick Perales. http://www.flyernews.com/article.php?section=News&volume=54&issue=39&artnum=03

Link contains a photo. From Flyer News, 4/3/07 (V54, N37): Heritage Center opens to visitors Xiamara Hohman Staff Writer The UD Heritage Center was dedicated and then officially opened to the public March 19. The Heritage Center, a museum chronicling UD’s history, is located near Chaminade and St. Mary’s Halls in what used to be UD’s post office. It contains several panels describing UD’s history throughout the years and a variety of artifacts from UD’s rich history. http://www.flyernews.com/article.php?section=News&volume=54&issue=37&artnum=01

Link contains a photo. From the 6/11/07 Independent Collegian: Jacobs holds town hall Topics range from new programs to fee waivers Jackie Salter Issue date: 6/11/07 Section: News New academic programs will be added to the UT curriculum, UT President Lloyd Jacobs said at the Town Hall meeting at the Health Science Campus on Wednesday. Because of the merger, there are plans for about four new interdisciplinary programs, Jacobs said. UT is looking for faculty members for these new programs, and it is predicted that there may be a need for as many as 225 new faculty members within the next five years for these new programs and the expansion of current programs. UT already created a biomedical engineering doctorate program because of the recent merger with the former Medical University of Ohio and will also present the Ohio Board of Regents with a proposed doctorate in nursing, Jacobs said. UT will join with Wright State University to try to provide this by 2015. Full article at http://media.www.independentcollegian.com/media/storage/paper678/news/2007/06/11/News/Jacobs.Holds.Town.Hall-2913788.shtml

From the 5/24/07 Blade: GRAPHIC: On the upswing Student interest in University of Toledo increases Admissions for fall up 15 percent By MEGHAN GILBERT BLADE STAFF WRITER More than 10,000 students already have been admitted to the University of Toledo for the upcoming fall semester - 15 percent more than at the same time last year. And so far, 19 percent more people have applied to UT than in May, 2006, which was before the university merged with the Medical University of Ohio on July 1, 2006. "We're really excited about where we're positioned at this time," said Kevin Kucera, associate vice president of enrollment services. This is the first year that UT officials can use the prestige of a medical school and combined resources from both universities to reach out to would-be students, Mr. Kucera said. Full story at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070524/NEWS21/705240337/-1/NEWS

Link contains a photo. From the 4/19/07 Blade: Region will thrive, UT’s president says Community address keys on optimism By MEGHAN GILBERT BLADE STAFF WRITER Residents of northwest Ohio have reason to be optimistic about the region’s future, University of Toledo President Lloyd Jacobs said yesterday in his annual address to the community. Citing increased relationships between the university and community organizations, projects to enliven the area around campus, and recruiting and retaining more students, Dr. Jacobs said: “Toledo and the surrounding areas will thrive again. “Let’s stop being derogatory of Toledo and its institutions,” he said. “Speak well of them and you will come to love them.” Full article at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070419/NEWS21/70419043/-1/NEWS Link contains a photo. From the 4/19/07 Independent Collegian: Trustees plan ahead Andrea Sinclair Issue date: 4/19/07 Section: News UT is projected to meet its overall budget for the 2008 fiscal year, said Senior Vice President of Finance and Strategy Dan Morissette at Monday's UT Board of Trustees committee meetings. "[However,] the budget is dependent upon money from the state; it would create an 8.5 percent increase," Morissette said. "It is very important we receive the $6.6 million [from the state]." A final draft of the budget is expected to be presented to the board in May, with final approval slated for June. More at http://media.www.independentcollegian.com/media/storage/paper678/news/2007/04/19/News/Trustees.Plan.Ahead-2852825.shtml

Link contains a photo. From the 4/5/07 Independent Collegian: Meetings continue Tuition breaks, health care topics of discussion Andrea Sinclair Issue date: 4/5/07 Section: News About 75 people, five of which were students, gathered on the Health Science Campus for a town hall meeting hosted by UT President Lloyd Jacobs, yesterday. Questions submitted before the meeting were addressed by Jacobs first. One asked about HSC employees not having to pay tuition on the Main Campus. "It's past the planning stages," Jacobs said. Dan Morissette, senior vice president for finance and strategy, further addressed the question. "All HSC employees will receive a substantial discount - a minimum of 60 percent - on the Main Campus," he said. "All HSC employees, their spouses and their dependents are welcome at [uT]." More at http://media.www.independentcollegian.com/media/storage/paper678/news/2007/04/05/News/Meetings.Continue-2825419.shtml

Link contains a photo. From the 3/6/07 Blade: Provost for main UT campus is selected Animal science prof named academic V.P. By JOSHUA BOAK BLADE STAFF WRITER University of Toledo President Dr. Lloyd Jacobs yesterday picked a senior adviser at the National Science Foundation to become main campus provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, a position that will help shape classroom experiences for roughly 20,000 students. Rosemary Haggett, 53, is acting director of the government-funded science foundation's graduate education division and a professor of animal and veterinary sciences at West Virginia University. Dr. Jacobs said the university will enter into salary negotiations with Ms. Haggett. The former main campus provost, Alan Goodridge, was paid $213,627. Mr. Goodridge stepped down as provost last year after Dr. Jacobs assumed the presidency of UT following its merger with the Medical University of Ohio. Full article at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070306/NEWS21/703060352/-1/RSS From UT News, 3/6/07: PHOTO: Workers from Harmon Sign Co. installed new signage on the east side of the UT Medical Center on the Health Science Campus last week. Health Science Campus buildings get new signs By Jim Winkler Mar 6, 2007, 06:18 Two buildings on the UT Health Science Campus have gotten a significant, symbolic facelift. The old sign on the east side of the hospital that read “University Medical Center” has been replaced with lettering “UTMC,” which stands for University of Toledo Medical Center, and the crest-shaped, blue-and-yellow UT logo. The new sign has large type, making it easy for motorists driving west on Arlington Avenue to read. In addition, the UT name and the logo have been added to the sign on the overhang canopy on the east side of the hospital, and the UT logo now adorns the exterior of the George Isaac Minimally Invasive Surgery Center. This week a large sign with the words “University of Toledo Medical Center” and the logo are scheduled to be installed on the west side of the hospital building. The letters will be big enough for easy viewing by eastbound motorists on Arlington Avenue. More at http://utnews.utoledo.edu/publish/article_3361.shtml

From the 6/18/07 Record-Courier: Geauga Lake rollercoaster still closed today following weekend malfunction By Matt Fredmonsky Record-Courier staff writer A popular roller coaster at Geauga Lake and Wildwater Kingdom in Aurora remained closed to park visitors Monday while Geauga Lake officials began their investigation to determine what caused the ride to malfunction Saturday morning. The Raging Wolf Bobs shut down at 11:45 a.m. Saturday when one of the coaster trains failed to climb a hill and rolled down it backwards, coming to rest in a valley. http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/2146962

From the 6/18/07 News-Herald: PHOTO: Jose, center, who gave only his first name, showed up in Painesville Sunday to protest recent raids on the homes of illegal aliens. Brandon Baker/[email protected] ICE raids protested Father's Day carried different meaning during protest By: Brandon C. Baker [email protected] For the nearly 200 people who gathered on Painesville's city square Sunday, Father's Day represented a few non-traditional themes. With the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency's "Return to Sender" operation fresh on their minds, Hispanas Organizadas de Lake and Ashtabula hosted a Father's Day march and prayer vigil. The crowd, largely comprised of the area's Hispanic community, marched from the city's recreational park to the square in protest of the crackdown that has resulted in the arrests and deportations of more than 40 illegal immigrants since May 18. "We chose Father's Day because mainly the people being picked up in these raids and sweeps are fathers," said Veronica Dahlberg, director of HOLA. "They are decent, hardworking people who work in our fields, and we think it's not fair. (ICE) isn't taking terrorists, they're taking farm workers." MORE: http://www.news-herald.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18487869&BRD=1698&PAG=461&dept_id=21849&rfi=6

From the 6/18/07 DDN: GRAPHIC: Smoking complaints in the Miami Valley Smoking violations fire up residents By Anthony Gottschlich Staff Writer Monday, June 18, 2007 When voters approved Ohio's workplace smoking ban in November, Sharon Sweet breathed a sigh of relief. Now if she could just breathe some smoke-free air when she's out for a drink. More than six months after the law took effect — and six weeks since its enforcement began — Sweet said she's still sucking down secondhand smoke when she visits her favorite veterans clubs in northern Montgomery County. Read more: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/06/17/ddn061807smoke.html From the 6/18/07 Athens News: More room for indoor smoking; another hookah cafe set to open By Nick Claussen Athens NEWS Associate Editor Monday, June 18th, 2007 Athens area residents will soon have another place where they can smoke indoors, as another hookah cafe is set to open in Athens this week or next. This means Athens will have two hookah cafes, and they will be located next to each other on Mill Street in uptown Athens. In 2006, two hookah businesses opened in Athens, the Shishah Cafe and Pharao's. When Ohio residents voted for the statewide smoking ban in November, the Shishah Cafe, which also served food, phased out its hookah business and became Salaam restaurant. As a restaurant, it could not continue to offer hookahs because of the smoking ban. Read more: http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle&section=news&story_id=28570

Link contains a photo. From the AP, 6/18/07: Do facilities improve learning? By ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS Associated Press Writer CORNING - Court rulings against the state's school funding system led Ohio to spend billions of taxpayer dollars to replace or repair schools. The connection to better grades is not so clear. Despite 10 years of construction spending, the state has no way to measure the impact on grades of one of the country's biggest school-construction projects. "We'll be happy to join in if someone comes up with that magic tool," said Mike Shoemaker, the newly appointed head of the state's School Facilities Commission. "But I don't know who's going to invent the tool." http://www.chillicothegazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070618/NEWS01/706180301/1002/rss01

Hudepohl property may still be developed By Kevin LeMaster, Building Cincinnati | June 15, 2007 http://buildingcincinnati.blogspot.com/2007/06/hudepohl-property-may-still-be.html Plans are still on for the redevelopment of the Hudepohl property at 801 West Sixth Street, though hurdles still remain. In April pre-prosecution hearings for the condemned property, Hudepohl Square showed Buildings & Inspections (B&I) plans for the redevelopment of the site as residential lofts and commercial space. A few days later a meeting was held between B&I and the building owners on site. Saeed Safi, a partner in Hudepohl Square, discussed an ongoing lawsuit between the owner and its demolition contractor that was contributing to the holdup on demolition. Public safety still being the major issue, B&I instructed the owners that the site had to be fenced in. The structure has been used by the homeless and has been plundered by thieves. Meetings with Community Development and Planning occurred soon after, and redevelopment plans were again presented. In the meantime, Hudepohl Square will be applying for a Vacant Building Maintenance License (VBML) until building permits can be worked out and the lawsuit is settled. Still not known is the impact the future Brent Spence bridge project might have on the property, or whether Hudepohl Square can line up financing.

From the 6/17/07 Enquirer: City considers turning library into museum BY SCOTT WARTMAN | [email protected] Newport's vacant Carnegie Library may once again become an institution of learning if the City Commission accepts a Fort Thomas businessman's plan to turn the 105-year-old structure into a museum. City staff announced Friday they will advise the city commission on Monday to approve David Hosea's plan to rehab the Carnegie Library building into a museum showcasing local history, traveling exhibits and community events. Hosea owns Hosea Project Movers, a warehouse and moving business. In Hosea's plan, at least one wing of the library would house artifacts from the Ohio River's history, including steamboats. Most of the old, three-story library would be available for traveling exhibits, shows, and community events, he said. If the commission on Monday approves selling the library to Hosea, the sale price would be $500,000 plus an agreement to pay $25,000 a year in payroll taxes for five years, said Ryan Wyrick, the city's economic development director. The city had received proposals from three other developers. "We felt this proposal returned the highest financial return for the city and provided the most public access," Wyrick said. The Andrew Carnegie-endowed library closed in 2004 when the Campbell County Public Library's Newport branch moved to Sixth Street. The building is at the corner of Fourth and Monmouth streets a block away from Newport on the Levee and is on the city's main business thoroughfare. MORE: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070617/NEWS0103/706170398/

From the 6/18/07 Enquirer: Cincy PD recruits start training BY WILLIAM WEATHERS | [email protected] PRICE HILL - The 57 members of the Cincinnati Police Department's 101 Recruit Class begin their training this morning at the Police Academy at 800 Evans Street. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070618/NEWS01/306180018/

From the 6/18/07 Enquirer: Subdivision plans revised Autumn Woods would have fewer houses BY BRENNA R. KELLY | [email protected] When the Boone County Planning Commission rejected plans in February for the biggest subdivision in the county in the last 10 years, commissioners chided the developers for the lack of detail in the subdivision plans. So when Arlinghaus Builders and Fischer Homes recently resubmitted plans for Autumn Woods, they gave the commission an inch-thick binder. The new plan includes 93 fewer homes and introduces a commercial area into the development, which would stretch from Longbranch Road to Hathaway Road. The overall plan includes 886 single-family homes and 401 condominiums. Read more here: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070618/NEWS0103/706180359/

From the 6/18/07 Athens News: Meigs County debates pros, cons of proposed coal mine By Nick Claussen Athens NEWS Associate Editor Monday, June 18th, 2007 A new coal mine may be coming to Meigs County soon, and could be a sign of things to come. But while the mine proposal is going through the approval process, county residents are debating whether new coal mines would be good or bad for the county. Perry Varnado, development director for the Meigs County Economic Development Office, said Friday that it has been six years since any coal mines were operating in Meigs County. Athens County currently has one mine open in Glouster. MORE: http://athensnews.com/index.php?action=viewarticle&section=news&story_id=28577