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From the 5/30/07 Mount Vernon News: Council lends support to senior housing By Dylan McCament, News Staff Reporter Wednesday, May 30, 2007 MOUNT VERNON — City Council voted on Monday to support a Columbus-based developer’s plan to build an apartment complex for low-income seniors on Upper Gilchrist Road. John Stock of Stock Development appeared before council during a Planning & Zoning Committee meeting and asked for support for the development, which would be built on a 4-acre parcel near the radio station. He said he is seeking assistance through the Ohio Housing Finance Program’s housing tax credit program to construct the 32-unit complex, and requires a resolution of support from council. More at http://www.mountvernonnews.com/local/07/05/30/mv.cc.01.html

APRIL 2007 NUMBERS From the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Ohio and U.S. Employment Situation (Seasonally Adjusted) Ohio's unemployment rate was 5.7 percent in April, up from 5.2 percent in March, according to data released this morning by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Ohio's nonfarm wage and salary employment decreased 5,800 over the month, from 5,436,000 in March to 5,430,200 in April. "The increase in Ohio's unemployment rate in April reflects a seasonal influx of job seekers entering the labor market looking for work along with a slight decline in employment," ODJFS Director Helen Jones-Kelley said. "Most of the decline in employment was in service-providing industries." The number of workers unemployed in Ohio in April was 339,000, up from 307,000 in March. The number of unemployed has increased by 19,000 in the past 12 months from 320,000. The April unemployment rate for Ohio was up from 5.4 percent in April 2006. The U.S. unemployment rate for April was 4.5 percent, up slightly from 4.4 percent in March. Total Nonagricultural Wage and Salary Employment (Seasonally Adjusted) Ohio's nonfarm wage and salary employment fell 5,800 over the month, from 5,436,000 in March to 5,430,200 in April, according to the latest business establishment survey conducted by ODJFS. Service providers, at 4,406,300, lost 4,900 jobs. The largest decrease, 1,500, occurred in leisure and hospitality. Financial activities dropped 1,300, while educational and health services were 1,200 lower. Smaller declines occurred in other services (-700), information (-300), professional and business services (-300), and trade, transportation and utilities (-100). Employment in goods-producing industries fell 900 from March to 1,023,900. Losses in durable goods (-800) and nondurable goods (-400) lowered manufacturing 1,200. Natural resources and mining advanced 200, while construction rose 100. Over the past 12 months, nonfarm payroll employment fell 13,200. Goods-providing industries were down 22,100. Manufacturing dropped 19,400, due mainly to a loss of 13,900 in durable goods. Construction (-2,300) and natural resources and mining (-400) also lost employment. Service-providing industries advanced 8,900 from April 2006. Educational and health services rose 10,900. Other sectors with higher employment were professional and business services (+3,800) and trade, transportation and utilities (+1,800). Financial activities had a decrease of 3,800. Also down were leisure and hospitality (-1,400), information (-1,000), other services (-1,000), and government (-400). For more information, contact the ODJFS Office of Communications, (614) 466-6650. EDITOR'S NOTE: All data cited are produced in cooperation with the U. S. Department of Labor. Data sources include Current Population Survey (U.S. data); Current Employment Statistics Program (nonagricultural wage and salary employment data); and Local Area Unemployment Statistics Program (Ohio unemployment rates). More complete listings of the data appear in the monthly Ohio Labor Market Review. Unemployment rates for all Ohio counties as well as cities with populations of 50,000 or more are presented in the monthly ODJFS Civilian Labor Force Estimates publication. Updated statewide historical data may be obtained by contacting the Bureau of Labor Market Information at (614) 466-1109. http://jfs.ohio.gov/releases/unemp/200705/UnempPressRelease.asp Metro area numbers of civilian labor force and unemployment (in thousands), not seasonally adjusted, for April 2007 from the Bureau of Labor Statistics: http://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/metro_05302007.pdf Here are the April 2007 numbers for Northern Kentucky counties, not seasonally-adjusted, from Workforce Kentucky: Boone...4.0 Bracken...5.0 Campbell...4.2 Carroll...4.7 Gallatin...4.2 Grant...5.1 Kenton...4.2 Mason...4.5 Owen...4.9 Pendleton...5.1 Robertson...4.8

MARCH 2007 NUMBERS From the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (March map unavailable) Ohio and U.S. Employment Situation (Seasonally Adjusted) Ohio's unemployment rate was 5.2 percent in March, up from 5.0 percent in February, according to data released this morning by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Ohio's nonfarm wage and salary employment increased 10,000 over the month, from 5,423,200 in February to 5,433,200 in March. "Better weather in March than in mid-February brought more job seekers into the labor market, increasing the unemployment rate," ODJFS Director Helen Jones-Kelley said. "The milder weather also boosted construction employment." The number of workers unemployed in Ohio in March was 307,000, up from 295,000 in February. The number of unemployed has decreased by 8,000 in the past 12 months from 315,000. The March unemployment rate for Ohio was down from 5.3 percent in March 2006. The U.S. unemployment rate for March was 4.4 percent, down slightly from 4.5 percent in February. Total Nonagricultural Wage and Salary Employment (Seasonally Adjusted) Ohio's nonagricultural wage and salary employment, at 5,433,200 in March, was up 10,000 from February according to the latest business establishment survey conducted by ODJFS. Goods-producing industries rose 5,000 to 1,023,600. Milder weather boosted construction 3,900. Gains in durable goods helped advance manufacturing 1,200. Natural resources and mining dipped slightly. Service-providing industries, at 4,409,600, increased 5,000. Educational and health services rose 3,700 due to growth in health care and social assistance. Also up were professional and business services (+1,700), financial activities (+800), government (+300), and other services (+200). Scattered declines lowered trade, transportation, and utilities 1,100. Leisure and hospitality dropped 500, while information slipped 100. Over the past 12 months, nonagricultural wage and salary employment fell 14,800. The goods-producing sector was down 23,500. The largest decrease was in manufacturing (-18,400). Also down were construction (-4,600) and natural resources and mining (-500). Service-providing industries rose 8,700 over the year. Educational and health services advanced 10,800. Professional and business services gained 3,900 jobs, while trade, transportation, and utilities was up 1,800. Sectors that declined from March 2006 were financial activities (-2,400), leisure and hospitality (-2,200), government (-1,200), other services (-1,100), and information (-900). For more information contact ODJFS Communications, (614) 466-6650. EDITOR'S NOTE: All data cited are produced in cooperation with the U. S. Department of Labor. Data sources include Current Population Survey (U.S. data); Current Employment Statistics Program (nonagricultural wage and salary employment data); and Local Area Unemployment Statistics Program (Ohio unemployment rates). More complete listings of the data appear in the monthly Ohio Labor Market Review. Unemployment rates for all Ohio counties as well as cities with populations of 50,000 or more are presented in the monthly ODJFS Civilian Labor Force Estimates publication. Updated statewide historical data may be obtained by contacting the Bureau of Labor Market Information at (614) 466-1109. http://jfs.ohio.gov/releases/unemp/200704/UnempPressRelease.asp Metro area numbers of civilian labor force and unemployment (in thousands), not seasonally adjusted, for March 2007 from the Bureau of Labor Statistics: http://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/metro_05022007.pdf Here are the March 2007 numbers for Northern Kentucky counties, not seasonally-adjusted, from Workforce Kentucky: Boone...4.7 Bracken...6.8 Campbell...4.9 Carroll...5.2 Gallatin...5.2 Grant...5.8 Kenton...5.0 Mason...5.0 Owen...5.6 Pendleton...6.6 Robertson...5.5

FEBRUARY 2007 NUMBERS From the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Ohio and U.S. Employment Situation (Seasonally Adjusted) Ohio's unemployment rate was 5.0 percent in February, down from 5.3 percent in January, according to data released this morning by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Ohio's nonfarm wage and salary employment decreased 9,700 over the month, from 5,433,300 in January to 5,423,600 in February. "The severe winter storms in mid-February appear to have skewed labor market data as job seekers were less likely to be looking for work while employers also reported a decline in employment," ODJFS Director Helen Jones-Kelley said. "Nearly half of the employment decline for the month was in construction." The number of workers unemployed in Ohio in February was 295,000, down from 320,000 in January. The number of unemployed has decreased by 21,000 in the past 12 months from 316,000. The February unemployment rate for Ohio was down from 5.3 percent in February 2006. The U.S. unemployment rate for February was 4.5 percent, down slightly from 4.6 percent in January. Total Nonagricultural Wage and Salary Employment (Seasonally Adjusted) Ohio's nonfarm wage and salary employment dropped 9,700 over the month, from 5,433,300 in January to 5,423,600 in February, according to the latest business establishment survey conducted by ODJFS. Goods-producing industries declined 5,600 over the month to 1,018,700. Adverse weather conditions reduced construction 4,300. Manufacturing was down 1,200 due to losses in nondurable goods. Natural resources and mining slipped 100. Service providers, at 4,404,900, lost 4,100 jobs from January. Declines in local government lowered government 4,100. Smaller reductions occurred in professional and business services (-1,600), trade, transportation, and utilities (-1,200), financial activities (-900), information (-100), and other services (-100). Growth in accommodation and food services boosted leisure and hospitality 2,200, while educational and health services advanced 1,700. Over the past 12 months, nonagricultural wage and salary employment fell 24,100. Goods-producing industries dropped 31,800. Employment was down in manufacturing ( 21,900), construction (-9,600), and natural resources and mining (-300). A gain of 9,100 in educational and health services helped raise service-providing industries 7,700. Also up were professional and business services (+4,000) and trade, transportation, and utilities (+3,500). Scattered losses reduced financial activities 3,200. Declines were also noted in other services (-2,000), government (-1,500), leisure and hospitality (-1,200), and information (-1,000). Ohio County Unemployment Rates (Not Seasonally Adjusted) Among the state's 88 counties, the February 2007 unemployment rates ranged from a low of 3.9 percent in Delaware County to a high of 10.8 percent in Pike County. Rates decreased in 81 of the counties. The comparable rate for Ohio in February was 5.7 percent. Seven counties had unemployment rates at or below 4.5 percent in February. The counties with the lowest rates, other than Delaware, were: Mercer, 4.0; Holmes, 4.1; Franklin and Hancock, 4.3; Auglaize and Union, 4.5 percent. Seven counties had unemployment rates above 9.0 percent during February. The counties with the highest rates, other than Pike, were: Monroe, 10.6; Morgan, 10.0; Adams and Meigs, 9.8; Huron, 9.3; and Vinton, 9.1 percent. For more information contact ODJFS Communications, (614) 466-6650. EDITOR'S NOTE: All data cited are produced in cooperation with the U. S. Department of Labor. Data sources include Current Population Survey (U.S. data); Current Employment Statistics Program (nonagricultural wage and salary employment data); and Local Area Unemployment Statistics Program (Ohio unemployment rates). More complete listings of the data appear in the monthly Ohio Labor Market Review. Unemployment rates for all Ohio counties as well as cities with populations of 50,000 or more are presented in the monthly ODJFS Civilian Labor Force Estimates publication. Updated statewide historical data may be obtained by contacting the Bureau of Labor Market Information at (614) 466-1109. http://jfs.ohio.gov/releases/unemp/200702/UnempPressRelease.asp Metro area numbers of civilian labor force and unemployment (in thousands), not seasonally adjusted, for February 2007 from the Bureau of Labor Statistics: http://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/metro_04042007.pdf Here are the February 2007 numbers for Northern Kentucky counties, not seasonally-adjusted, from Workforce Kentucky: Boone...5.4 Bracken...8.9 Campbell...5.6 Carroll...6.1 Gallatin...5.9 Grant...6.9 Kenton...5.4 Mason...6.2 Owen...6.6 Pendleton...8.0 Robertson...7.8

JANUARY 2007 NUMBERS From the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Ohio and U.S. Employment Situation (Seasonally Adjusted) Ohio's unemployment rate was 5.3 percent in January, down from 5.6 percent in December, according to data released this morning by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Ohio's nonfarm wage and salary employment decreased 12,000 over the month, from 5,442,800 in December to 5,430,800 in January. "The decline in the unemployment rate in January is more likely the result of year-end data adjustments than actual changes in the work force," ODJFS Director Helen Jones-Kelley said. The number of workers unemployed in Ohio in January was 320,000, down from 334,000 in December. The number of unemployed has decreased by 2,000 in the past 12 months from 322,000. The January unemployment rate for Ohio was down from 5.5 percent in January 2006. The U.S. unemployment rate for January was 4.6 percent, up slightly from 4.5 percent in December. Total Nonagricultural Wage and Salary Employment (Seasonally Adjusted) Ohio's nonagricultural wage and salary employment fell 12,000 over the month, from 5,442,800 in December to 5,430,800 in January, according to the latest business establishment survey conducted by ODJFS. Service providers declined 8,500 to 4,406,500 in January. Declines in administrative, support and waste services lowered employment in professional and business services 6,300. Also down were financial activities (-1,800), other services (-1,000), information ( 800), and educational and health services (-200). Growth occurred in trade, transportation and utilities (+800); leisure and hospitality (+700); and government (+100). Goods-producing industries dropped 3,500 to 1,024,300. Employment was down in manufacturing (-5,300) due chiefly to losses in durable goods, while natural resources and mining slipped 400. Construction was up 2,200 from December. Over the past 12 months, nonfarm wage and salary employment fell 16,600. The decrease was concentrated in the goods-producing sector (-27,100). Losses were noted in manufacturing ( 22,400), construction (-4,500), and natural resources and mining (-200). Service-providing industries advanced 10,500. Growth in health care and social assistance boosted educational and health services 9,400. Professional and business services rose 5,400, while trade, transportation and utilities were up 2,600. Government employment was 200 higher. Sectors with lower employment over the year were financial activities (-2,800), other services (-1,700), leisure and hospitality (-1,600), and information (-1,000). Ohio County Unemployment Rates (Not Seasonally Adjusted) Among the state's 88 counties, the January 2007 unemployment rates ranged from a low of 4.0 percent in Mercer County to a high of 11.1 percent in Monroe and Pike counties. Rates increased in 75 of the counties. The comparable rate for Ohio in January was 6.2 percent. Eight counties had unemployment rates below 5.0 percent in January. The counties with the lowest rates, other than Mercer, were: Delaware and Holmes, 4.2; Auglaize, 4.6; Franklin, 4.7; Hancock and Union, 4.8; and Shelby, 4.9 percent. Seven counties had unemployment rates above 10.0 percent during January. The counties with the highest rates, other than Monroe and Pike, were: Morgan, 10.8; Huron and Ottawa, 10.4; Adams, 10.3; and Meigs, 10.2 percent. For more information contact ODJFS Communications, (614) 466-6650. EDITOR'S NOTE: All data cited are produced in cooperation with the U. S. Department of Labor. Data sources include Current Population Survey (U.S. data); Current Employment Statistics Program (nonagricultural wage and salary employment data); and Local Area Unemployment Statistics Program (Ohio unemployment rates). More complete listings of the data appear in the monthly Ohio Labor Market Review. Unemployment rates for all Ohio counties as well as cities with populations of 50,000 or more are presented in the monthly ODJFS Civilian Labor Force Estimates publication. Updated statewide historical data may be obtained by contacting the Bureau of Labor Market Information at (614) 466-1109. http://jfs.ohio.gov/releases/unemp/200703/UnempPressRelease.asp Metro area numbers of civilian labor force and unemployment (in thousands), not seasonally adjusted, for January 2007 from the Bureau of Labor Statistics: http://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/metro_03212007.pdf Here are the January 2007 numbers for Northern Kentucky counties, not seasonally-adjusted, from Workforce Kentucky: Boone...5.2 Bracken...7.6 Campbell...5.2 Carroll...5.8 Gallatin...5.4 Grant...6.6 Kenton...5.2 Mason...5.5 Owen...5.8 Pendleton...7.1 Robertson...6.0

DECEMBER 2006 NUMBERS From the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Ohio and U.S. Employment Situation (Seasonally Adjusted) Ohio's unemployment rate was 5.6 percent in December, up from 5.4 percent in November, according to data released this morning by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Ohio's nonfarm wage and salary employment decreased 5,100 over the month, from 5,454,500 in November to 5,449,400 in December. "The number of seasonal jobs in December was outpaced by the number of job-seekers which resulted in a slight increase in the unemployment rate," ODJFS Director Helen Jones-Kelley said. The number of workers unemployed in Ohio in December was 335,000, up from 321,000 in November. The number of unemployed has decreased by 11,000 in the past 12 months from 346,000. The December unemployment rate for Ohio was down from 5.9 percent in December 2005. The U.S. unemployment rate for December was 4.5 percent, unchanged from November. Total Nonagricultural Wage and Salary Employment (Seasonally Adjusted) Ohio's nonagricultural wage and salary employment fell 5,100 over the month, from 5,454,500 in November to 5,449,400 in December, according to the latest business establishment survey conducted by ODJFS. Service-providing industries were down 3,800 to 4,406,800. Trade, transportation and utilities dropped 1,700, while government dipped 1,300. Small declines were also noted in other services (-600); professional and business services ( 500); and information ( 200). Educational and health services and leisure and hospitality each advanced 200. Financial activities added 100 jobs. Goods-producing industries fell 1,300 over the month to 1,042,600. Losses occurred in manufacturing (-1,900) and natural resources and mining (-100). Construction employment was up 700. Over the past 12 months, nonagricultural wage and salary employment grew by 3,700 jobs. Gains in the service-providing sector totaled 21,000. Leisure and hospitality rose 10,700. Increases also occurred in educational and health services (+8,700); professional and business services (+7,100); and financial activities (+900). Trade, transportation and utilities fell 4,500. Smaller losses occurred in government (-1,100) and information ( 800). Other services was little changed over the year. Goods-producing industries dropped 17,300 over the year. Decreases were noted in manufacturing (-17,000) and natural resources and mining (-900). Employment in construction advanced 600. Ohio County Unemployment Rates (Not Seasonally Adjusted) Among the state's 88 counties, the December 2006 unemployment rates ranged from a low of 3.4 percent in Delaware County to a high of 9.8 percent in Monroe County. Rates increased in 75 of the counties. The comparable rate for Ohio in December was 5.4 percent. Seven counties had unemployment rates below 4.5 percent in December. The counties with the lowest rates, other than Delaware, were: Holmes, 3.7; Mercer, 3.8; Auglaize and Warren, 4.2; and Geauga and Hancock, 4.4 percent. Eight counties had unemployment rates above 8.0 percent during December. The counties with the highest rates, other than Monroe, were: Pike, 9.7; Morgan, 9.2; Ottawa, 9.0; Vinton, 8.7; Huron, 8.6; Adams, 8.3; and Meigs, 8.1 percent. For more information contact ODJFS Communications, (614) 466-6650. EDITOR'S NOTE: All data cited are produced in cooperation with the U. S. Department of Labor. Data sources include Current Population Survey (U.S. data); Current Employment Statistics Program (nonagricultural wage and salary employment data); and Local Area Unemployment Statistics Program (Ohio unemployment rates). More complete listings of the data appear in the monthly Ohio Labor Market Review. Unemployment rates for all Ohio counties as well as cities with populations of 50,000 or more are presented in the monthly ODJFS Civilian Labor Force Estimates publication. Updated statewide historical data may be obtained by contacting the Bureau of Labor Market Information at (614) 752-9494. http://jfs.ohio.gov/releases/unemp/200701/UnempPressRelease.asp Metro area numbers of civilian labor force and unemployment (in thousands), not seasonally adjusted, for December 2006 from the Bureau of Labor Statistics: http://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/metro_01302007.pdf Here are the December 2006 numbers for Northern Kentucky counties, not seasonally-adjusted, from Workforce Kentucky: Boone...4.2 Bracken...5.6 Campbell...4.4 Carroll...4.9 Gallatin...4.0 Grant...4.7 Kenton...4.4 Mason...4.6 Owen...4.8 Pendleton...5.3 Robertson...4.6

From the 5/30/07 Record-Courier: Plaza, Cascades eye new development By Deborah Guziak Record-Courier staff writer BRIMFIELD -- Brimfield Plaza and The Cascades will be seeing new construction this summer. Preliminary site plans for Robinson Medical Center, which will be located behind Brimfield Plaza, have been approved. The 6,400-square-foot building will be located about 200 feet from where Kelso Drive now ends, said Planning Director Richard Messner. The center will feature two doctors' offices and six examination rooms... http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/2063882

From Miami University, 3/20/07: Miami part of Ohio third frontier grant for IDCAST 03/20/2007 Miami University is a collaborative partner with lead institution the University of Dayton and a host of other partner organizations in a $28 million Ohio Third Frontier Wright Center of Innovation Grant awarded recently to establish the Institute for Development and Commercialization of Advanced Sensor Technology (IDCAST). Miami's share of IDCAST is $1 million in equipment. Miami has committed to a 4,000 square foot research space at a facility in Dayton's new Tech Town 2020 development. The 20,000 square foot IDCAST facility - the anchor tenant of Tech Town - will house academic, industry, and federal labs, to spur sensor technology research, development and commercialization. "IDCAST is projected to have a $238.3 million economic impact in Ohio and create 364 high-paying jobs within eight years," says Larrell Walters, director of technology partnerships at the University of Dayton Research Institute. Read More...

From the 3/29/07 News-Herald: Route 2 project is set to begin First stage of $192 million plan will focus on freeway at Lake's west end David W. Jones [email protected] 03/29/2007 Work will start April 9 on the $25.39 million, first stage of a proposed $192 million overall reconstruction of the east-west Lakeland Freeway (state Route 2). Ohio Department of Transportation work will begin where Route 2 enters western Lake County at the Wickliffe-Willowick side and goes east to the other side of the city of Painesville. "This year we'll probably wrap up most work by the end of October, and possibly some work in the winter," said Kathy Sarli, the ODOT Division 12 project director... http://www.news-herald.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18141190&BRD=1698&PAG=461&dept_id=21849&rfi=6

From the 2/19/07 News-Herald: Freeway plans not in drive Governor may halt Route 2 project due to funding; Lake officials disagree By: David W. Jones [email protected] 02/19/2007 Lake County officials hope they can shift gears on April 1 toward the planned $192 million Lakeland Freeway (state Route 2) project, the biggest in county history. But new Gov. Ted Strickland says he is ordering the Ohio Department of Transportation to reset priorities because current projects could create $1.2 billion in debt by 2014. "I would hope we wouldn't have to cancel projects, but we're going to have to take a hard look at our situation," the governor told the Associated Press... http://www.news-herald.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17868689&BRD=1698&PAG=461&dept_id=21849&rfi=6

From the 3/20/07 Dispatch: MAP Rt. 161 firms make plans for block watch Tuesday, March 20, 2007 Mark Ferenchik THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Block watches are about neighbors keeping an eye out for one another. It works for housing subdivisions, say business owners along Rt. 161, so why shouldn't commercial neighbors band together for safety? They are tired of break-ins, robberies and the perception that their area is declining, so they're working with Columbus police to create a block watch along E. Dublin-Granville Road. "Police said neighborhood block watches have helped deter crime. It only makes sense that we do that for each other and businesses," said Dave Cooper, who owns the Ink Well and leads the Rt. 161 Task Force, a group of business and property owners formed through the Northland Area Business Association. Full story at http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/contentbe/dispatch/2007/03/20/20070320-C1-03.html

From ThisWeek Northland, 3/1/07: March 8 meeting Route 161 task force seeks public input Thursday, March 1, 2007 By RANDY NAVAROLI ThisWeek Staff Writer Northland officials seeking to improve state Route 161 in some of the same ways as the Morse Road corridor is being rehabilitated will introduce their 2007 agenda at a March 8 meeting sponsored by the Northland Area Business Association's Route 161 Task Force. The session is being viewed primarily as a networking opportunity for Northland business managers, property owners, residents and the area's various community organizations. The Northland Area Business Association's Route 161 Task Force includes members of the Northland Alliance and the Northland Community Council. Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/030107/Northland/News/030107-News-312458.html

Link contains a photo. From Northland News, 2/21/07: Groups hope to clarify focus on 161 By JENNIFER WRAY In business since the summer, the NABA State Route 161 Task Force will celebrate its official coming-out party of sorts on March 8. The task force is the result of a partnership among the Northland Area Business Association, the Northland Alliance, the Northland Community Council and others. In addition to community representatives, Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman, Columbus City Councilman Andrew Ginther, Councilwoman Maryellen O'Shaughnessy, Columbus Development Director Mark Barbash and Franklin County Auditor Joe Testa are among those expected to attend the kickoff. Council recently approved a 2007 general fund budget that included $50,000 set aside by Coleman for the Northland Alliance, which has teamed up with the task force in its work along Dublin-Granville Road. The bulk of the funding, $40,000, will go toward professional services to help explore long-term solutions and funding for the corridor. Options include the establishment of a Special Improvement District, akin to what the Alliance helped businesses establish along Morse Road. Additional information on the task force is available via the Internet, on its Web site: www.naba161taskforce.org. Full story at http://www.snponline.com/NEWS2-21/2-21_nn161.htm

From the 5/29/07 Cincinnati Business Courier: Restaurant, retailer to take over pet store Cincinnati Business Courier - 11:06 AM EDT Tuesday, May 29, 2007 by Lisa Biank Fasig Staff reporter Local developer Midland Atlantic Properties is investing $1.8 million in rebuilding a former pet store at the corner of Paxton and Isabella avenues in Oakley, where the area's first Noodles & Co. restaurant will open in the fall. The 4,600-square-foot site also will include a second retail tenant, yet to be signed, said Casey Ward, senior vice president of Columbia-Tusculum development company. Though negotiations continue with several suitors, he said a salon, a jewelry store or a cellular dealer - something that would not require a lot of parking - would be among the possibilities. The development will include 30 parking spots. Noodles & Co., based in Broomfield, Colo., announced plans for the Oakley store in early May and expects to open one or two more locations in Cincinnati, possibly in the Tri-County area. The 2,600-square-foot Oakley store, across from Mio's Pizza and near the Hyde Park Plaza, will open in late October or early November. MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2007/05/28/daily5.html?from_rss=1 Athletic complex planned for TMC Cincinnati Post, 5/29/07 After using a natural grass football field for eight years, which has sustained a deadly combination of rainy weather and strong human impact, Thomas More College is tackling a $5 million project for a new athletic complex. Synthetic turf is a key component. In contrast to natural grass, the turf should hold up against the weather and be safer for the players, said Thomas More spokesperson Kelly Marsh. The new field will be home to the football team and the men's and women's soccer teams. Although Thomas More does not have a track and field team, the plan includes a track around the field, which opens up the potential for such a team. ‘Sacred monument’ being built in Williamstown Kentucky Post, 5/28/07 It's more than a cemetery that's being built in Williamstown. "It's a sacred monument," said Lisa Aug, spokeswoman for the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs. Work is under way to construct a 99-acre cemetery that will be the final resting place for thousands of military veterans from around the region. The $9.5 million cemetery, funded by the federal government, is expected to open in the summer of 2008. The cemetery, to be named Kentucky Veterans Cemetery North, is near exit 154 of Interstate-75 on land donated by the Grant County Industrial Development Authority. Council to debate park plan changes Cincinnati Enquirer, 5/28/07 After months of discussion, Fort Wright City Council has called a special meeting for Wednesday to try to determine the scope of improvements to Battery Hooper Park. At a March 27 hearing, some of the 28 speakers questioned the need for an amphitheater and its $330,000 expense. Still others wanted more money devoted to street repairs, debated the merits of passive recreation, such as hiking trails, versus more ball fields and playgrounds, or questioned the park's overall price tag of $1.9 million. That figure excludes a permanent easement for access and parking worth $400,000 that was donated by Community of Faith Presbyterian Church. The city has received a $250,000 grant from the state to help develop the park, of which about $100,000 has been spent on the park's design. The park was first proposed by a city vision committee in 2001. As proposed, it would include an amphitheater, picnic shelters, restrooms and recreational trails. Career center plans rehab Cincinnati Enquirer, 5/28/07 When it opened 30 years ago, the Warren County Career Center was state-of-the-art. But now the vocational center for high school students and adults seeking career retraining needs an overhaul, supporters say. It needs bigger classrooms, a bigger cafeteria, better security, and more than a dozen other improvements, according to a study done by the Ohio School Facilities Commission at the center's request. The career center serves all of Warren County's public school districts except Mason and Carlisle. There are about 700 high school students on campus and through April, 7, 200 adults had taken one or more courses.

From the 5/29/07 Dispatch: BICYCLE GETAWAY Columbus Police shoot suspect in robbery of pharmacy Tuesday, May 29, 2007 3:35 AM By Dean Narciso THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH A robbery suspect who fled on a bicycle was shot and critically injured last night by Columbus police. The incident began about 7:15 p.m., when an employee of the CVS pharmacy called 911 to report a robbery in progress at 5445 N. High St. in Clintonville. A description was given to patrol officers, who quickly spotted a man wearing a navy blue zip sweat shirt, dark glasses and dark baseball cap riding a bicycle from the CVS parking lot. Full story at http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/content/local_news/stories/2007/05/29/copshoot.ART_ART_05-29-07_B7_FJ6RP20.html?type=rss&cat=21

Both from the 5/29/07 Enquirer: PHOTO: A police cruiser video shows two officers firing at a man who fired at them on Queen City Avenue on Sunday afternoon. The suspect, Qayyim M. Moore, 25, died at the scene. Cincinnati Police Department Multimedia Video: Cruiser cam of shooting Video: Streicher press conference Audio: UDF's 911 and police dispatch calls (MP3) Cops: Why did he fire? Homeless man shot at officers three times before dying BY DAN HORN | [email protected] Cincinnati police investigators spent most of Monday trying to figure out why a man suspected of stealing ice cream from a convenience store would open fire on police officers. Qayyim N. Moore, 25, was shot and killed Sunday after leading police on a wild chase down Queen City Avenue. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070529/NEWS01/705290394/ Shooting doesn't shake UC students Dorm damaged, but no injuries in Sunday morning incident BY STEVE KEMME | [email protected] UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS - A spurt of gunfire outside a University of Cincinnati dormitory early Sunday caused a lot of commotion but resulted in no injuries. Police said a group of 10 males were fighting outside Calhoun Hall at 3:30 a.m. when one of them pulled out a gun and fired four shots. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070529/NEWS01/705290395/

Link contains a photo. From the 5/28/07 Dayton Business Journal: Eateries contend with smoking ban Ohio received 3,800 complaints since May Dayton Business Journal - May 25, 2007 by Tracy Kershaw-Staley DBJ Staff Reporter Terry Riber can tell the difference. His clothes no longer smell of smoke. The air is clearer. And business, knock on wood, isn't down. Riber, general manger of two Cadillac Jack's restaurants in Greene County, believes Ohio's statewide smoking ban actually will spur new business, drawing more families in for dinner and lunch. But in these first months of the smoking ban, other restaurants are taking a hit, mostly on their bar business. Some began enforcing the law in January, while others have waited until this May, when the state began collecting complaints. More than 3,800 complaints have been filed statewide since May 1, according to the Ohio Department of Health. In a nine-county area of southwestern Ohio, reaching south to Butler and Warren, west to Preble, east to Clark and north to Shelby, there were 645 complaints. For Dayton bar and restaurant owners, 2007 has been the year of the triple-whammy: the smoking ban, the hike in the minimum wage and increased competition as several new players opened. The business climate has forced restaurant owners to be more creative and reduce staffing levels, owners say. Read more: http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2007/05/28/story4.html

From the 5/15/07 Lima News: Task force explores uses for LCI Bart Mills | [email protected] - 05.15.2007 LIMA — Members of the Lima Correctional Institution Task Force know they want the former prison reopened. Now they just need to come up with some ideas of what it could reopen as. The task force, with the help of a lobbyist and state Rep. Matt Huffman, R-Lima, managed to insert language into the state’s budget calling for a $50,000 study of the possible uses of LCI. The language has passed the House and the drafters are optimistic about its chances of making it through the Senate and being signed by Gov. Ted Strickland. The amendment would establish a Lima Correctional Institute Study Committee, effective July 1, and give it $50,000 to fund an independent feasibility study on the condition and value of the facility as well as the cost of reopening and some alternative uses for the prison. The study will also examine state and local correction needs and the economic impact opportunities associated with the closed prison. Task force members toured the prison with Collins and his staff last month. They said paint was peeling and some equipment had been removed from the building, but overall the building remains in good shape. MORE: http://www.limanews.com/story.php?IDnum=38508

From the 4/17/07 Lima News: Task force hoping for LCI amendment in state budget Bart Mills | [email protected] - 04.17.2007 LIMA — Local leaders are hoping an amendment in the upcoming state budget will eventually lead to the reopening of Lima Correction Institution. The LCI task force is working with its recently hired lobbyist, SZD Government Advocates, and state Rep. Matt Huffman to insert an amendment into the 2007 state budget calling for a study on the state’s corrections needs and how LCI could be used to serve them. Jed Metzger, task force chairman and president of the Lima-Allen County Chamber of Commerce, said the amendment would be a step in the right direction for LCI. “I think things look very optimistic. We will hopefully be able to insert the study but it’s too early to tell for sure,” Metzger said. The amendment would call for a study of the state of corrections in Ohio. It would also explore alternative uses for the former prison as well as examine costs and identify funding sources. The study is expected to cost between $50,000 and $60,000 and will be funded through the state’s Department of Corrections budget. MORE: http://www.limanews.com/story.php?IDnum=37406

From the 3/13/07 Lima News: Task force hires lobbyist to push for LCI reopening Bart Mills | [email protected] - 03.13.2007 LIMA — The effort to reopen Lima Correctional Institution goes on despite the governor’s recent rejection of the idea. The LCI task force met Monday to discuss the next steps in its effort to see the prison reopened. Despite a recent announcement by Gov. Ted Strickland that he is not considering opening the prison, the group has decided to continue its lobbying. “We’ve asked [Director of Rehabilitation and Correction] Terry Collins for clarification regarding the governor’s statement. He suggested there would be no consideration for the next several years, that their focus is going to be on community-based corrections,” said Jed Metzger, task force chairman and president of the Lima-Allen County Chamber of Commerce. “But we’re still going to continue with our efforts because we feel there is a need.” Earlier this month, the group hired lobbyist Daniel Helmick with the Columbus-based SZD Government Advocates. Helmick has connections within the administration and legislature, as well as experience working with prisons, Metzger said. MORE: http://www.limanews.com/story.php?IDnum=36206

From the 2/24/07 Lima News: LCI staying closed, for now Heather Rutz | [email protected] - 02.24.2007 LIMA — Lima Correctional Institution won’t open any time soon, Gov. Ted Strickland said this week. Strickland, asked about a report detailing a projected prison population increase, said reopening LCI is not an option. “This is a serious problem that we have in Ohio. I’ve got some ideas regarding some things that may be done to help alleviate the situation but ... I have not been talking about or planning for the reopening,” Strickland said this week, according to Gongwer News Service. Strickland said he won’t pursue “that particular course of action” of LCI when addressing prison overcrowding. The governor is “seriously considering” reopening LCI in some fashion in the long-term, but Ohio’s tight finances do not allow for it in the next two-year budget Strickland will propose in March, Strickland spokesman Keith Dailey said. MORE: http://www.limanews.com/story.php?IDnum=35584

From the 2/21/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Group drops building project Another downtown redevelopment proposal is making progress. By DAVID SKOLNICK CITY HALL REPORTER YOUNGSTOWN — An organization wanting to transform a vacant downtown building into a sports museum and bar withdrew its proposal after striking out on raising enough money for the venture. The Youngstown Arts and Entertainment District Association wanted to buy and renovate the former Kress Building on West Federal Street between Phelps and Hazel streets. The building is owned by the Youngstown Central Area Community Improvement Corp., a downtown property redevelopment agency... [email protected] http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/325804167043861.php

From the 5/20/07 PD: Kucinich has hearts of anti-war citizens but not votes Doubts raised about his ability to win the race Sunday, May 20, 2007 Sabrina Eaton Plain Dealer Bureau Washington - As Dennis Kucinich bustled past a Capitol Hill metal detector on the way to cast a series of congressional votes last week, cheers of "Go Dennis!" erupted from an all-female cluster of anti-war protesters. Rosalie Yelen of Huntington Station, N.Y., wore a pink "Impeach Bush and Cheney" T-shirt as she greeted the Cleveland Democratic congressman. Kucinich, who recently introduced a congressional resolution to impeach Vice President Dick Cheney, gave her group a smile and quick wave before disappearing down a corridor in the U.S. Capitol. Although Yelen, a co-founder of the Long Island, N.Y., chapter of the anti-war group CodePink, fervently believes that President Bush should be removed from the Oval Office, she says she's not convinced that presidential candidate Kucinich should replace him. More at http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1179649994169080.xml&coll=2

From the AP, 4/16/07: Lagging in fundraising, Kucinich to emphasize he has no special ties COLUMBUS (AP) — Democratic presidential hopeful Dennis Kucinich, who significantly trails his opponents in fundraising, plans to tell voters that his shoestring budget makes him the only candidate not tied to special interests, a spokeswoman said Sunday. The Ohio congressman raised just $344,891 in the first three months of the year, according to paperwork filed Saturday with the Federal Election Commission. After campaign expenses, Kucinich was left with about $163,887 on hand. More at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/293395516976100.php

From the AP, 4/13/07: Kucinich sees 'fake debate' over Iraq war By MIKE GLOVER Associated Press Writer DES MOINES, Iowa - Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio criticized fellow Democratic presidential candidates on Thursday for waging a "fake debate" over the war in Iraq, saying they are masking their support for the war. "You cannot claim you are for peace and vote to fund the war," Kucinich said. "It's totally contradictory." The Cleveland Democrat was at the Iowa Statehouse where he met with House and Senate Democrats. He conceded his long-shot status but said public anger about the war in Iraq could work to his advantage. "I'm certainly a long shot in this race and I understand that," he said. "I'm in a singular position. All these other Democrats have voted to keep the war going." Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York, Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois and former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina are considered the leading candidates for the Democratic nomination, but all have voted at one time or another to continue the war, said Kucinich, scheduled to speak at a meeting of the Iowa State Education Association in Ames later in the day. Kucinich said Democrats are missing the point of the last election, where they grabbed control of both chambers of Congress. "The Democrats were elected to end the war," Kucinich said. While the leading candidates for the Democratic nomination are seeking to draw distinctions over the war, he said none of them have taken steps to end it. "We've got a fake debate going on inside the Democratic Party right now on the war," Kucinich said. "People are saying they are for peace and they are voting to keep the war going." The leading candidates have defended their votes for funding the war by arguing they won't abandon troops who are in harm's way, even while saying they don't support the decision to go to war. "I'm the only candidate in this race who has a consistent record in not only opposing the war from the beginning ... and voting against each and every appropriation," Kucinich said. http://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070413/NEWS01/704130318/1002/rss01