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From the 2/9/07 Youngstown Vindicator: Supporters at forum push for state health-care system The plan would attract business to the state, officials said. By WILLIAM K. ALCORN VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER NORTH JACKSON — Supporters of a single-payer health-care system that would cover all Ohio residents say they hope it is adopted here and becomes a model for a national health-care system. The Mahoning Valley Chapter of the Single-Payer Action Network Ohio, or SPAN-OHIO, conducted a health-care forum Thursday at United Autoworkers Local 1112's hall to explain the plan and to get input from government officials and business representatives. A single-payer system means that one fund, administered by a nonprofit government agency accountable to the public, would make payments for all medical services. In Ohio, it would be called the Ohio Health Care Fund. Read More...

From the 4/24/07 Miami Student: Warfield Hall construction date depends on asbestos removal Jessica Roy Issue date: 4/24/07 Section: Campus Construction in Warfield Hall, home to the Office of Student Affairs, will not begin until June 2007 due to the removal of asbestos in the building prior to further renovations. Jeff Johnson, industrial hygienist and radiation safety officer of Miami's Environmental Health and Safety department, said that Miami University has known about Warfield Hall's asbestos for more than 10 years. In 1996 and 1997, all buildings built prior to 1981 were sampled for asbestos, including Warfield Hall. "Any building built prior to 1981, you have to assume that certain suspect materials are asbestos before you sample them and send them to a lab to have them proved that they are not asbestos," Johnson said. According to Mel Shidler, project manager for the renovation of Warfield Hall, asbestos in Warfield Hall was found near pipes, in insulation, and under brittle floor tiles. And Shidler explained that removing asbestos from a building is a dangerous task and requires proper gear and protection. "People generally wear suits," he said. "With the (contaminated) insulation, they use a glove bag so nothing is released into the air. They actually enclose the whole area and put it under negative pressure so nothing is released into the atmosphere." According to Dr. Gregory Garnett, medical director of Student Health Services, safety measures are vital because asbestos can cause lung scarring and mesothelioma, a form of lung cancer. "The concerns we have from a health standpoint revolve around the inhalation of asbestos dust," Garnett said. "Inhaling the dust can result in disability because of the long-term lung damage. Once the asbestos is in the lung, it stays in the lung." He added that while asbestos is dangerous, it only presents a risk if it is in the air in the form of dust. If asbestos remains intact, it does not create a health issue. However, asbestos becomes an issue during construction and remodeling when it is torn out and creates dust. The Environmental Protection Agency echoes Garnett's view about when to eliminate asbestos from a building. Johnson explained that the EPA does not recommend removing asbestos until the building is going to be either renovated or demolished unless the material becomes significantly damaged. For this reason, asbestos remains in buildings across campus. "Hughes Hall was renovated several years ago, and there is an enormous amount of floor tile containing asbestos," Johnson said. "But, the tile is found to be in good condition, and the scope of the renovation was strictly mechanical." As an employee of the physical facilities department, Shidler is both familiar with and not at all concerned with the asbestos contamination in Warfield Hall. "It's very normal," he said. "It happens in every building that we renovate." Johnson echoed Shidler's comments, saying that this process is more or less routine. "There are very few buildings in which we don't have to deal with asbestos," Johnson said. "This is part of the renovation." The renovation plan for Warfield is that all of the hall will be gutted and remodeled to better suit the needs of faculty, staff and students. The project includes upgrades for the Americans with Disabilities Act compliance to meet the needs of handicapped students. The expected date of completion for the renovation is August 2008. However, this date is subject to change depending on when construction begins. After the renovation, the building will continue to house student affairs, currently relocated in Kreger Hall. http://media.www.miamistudent.net/media/storage/paper776/news/2007/04/24/Campus/Warfield.Hall.Construction.Date.Depends.On.Asbestos.Removal-2876108.shtml

From the 3/27/07 Miami Student: * PHOTO: McGuffey and Phillips halls recently underwent renovations with a combined cost of nearly $19 million. The re-dedication ceremonies will be in late April. 3 Miami buildings to be dedicated after completion, renovations Austin Fast Issue date: 3/27/07 Section: Campus After four years of planning, 23 months of construction, 10 miles of electrical wiring, and 300,000 red bricks mortared into place, Miami University's newest building, the Engineering Building, has officially opened its doors. This Friday, the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences plans to hold a ceremony to celebrate the completion and dedication of the new Engineering Building. Yet, Linda Kramer, assistant to the dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science, said it may be a while before the building gets an official name. "The building will simply be called the Engineering Building as Miami has a very strict process for naming buildings," Kramer said. "It may not have a name for quite some time, just as the Campus Avenue Building does not have a name." According to Kramer, the dedication festivities include an academic processional beginning at 4 p.m. at Kreger Hall, continuing along the sidewalk between Laws Hall and Roudebush Hall before ending at the new Engineering Building. President David Hodge, Provost Jeffrey Herbst, and Marek Dollár, dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science, will lead the processional of faculty and administrative members in full academic regalia. "Once the procession reaches the north terrace of the Engineering Building," Kramer said, "Dean Dollár, President Hodge, and other school officials will present short speeches, followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony at 5 p.m. There will then be an open house with self-guided tours of the building." Among the honored guests scheduled to attend are Ohio senators and representatives, former President James Garland, former President Phillip Shriver, and Ronald A. Crutcher, a former Miami provost who currently serves as the president of Wheaton College in Norton, Mass. According to Jack Williams, project architect and manager, the construction process began in January 2005 on land that was originally the plaza in front of the old Goggin Ice Arena. The project was finally finished in December 2006, when professors and students were finally allowed to occupy the building. Currently, the offices for the School of Engineering and Applied Science are located in the Bonham House on Spring Street. According to Kramer, the purpose of the construction was to unite the school under one roof. "The adjacent Benton Hall is also being renovated to include the computer science and systems analyst department, computer labs, and the dean's office," Kramer said. "We plan to move in by the end of the calendar year." First-year engineering management student Michael Eilers said the new facilities are more convenient for students. "One thing that helps is having everything in one building," Eilers said. "It makes the labs very student friendly and more accessible than the old ones." Williams said that the new building centralizes classrooms and is an improvement in the quality of classrooms compared to the older buildings. "Before the completion of the new building, the engineering classrooms were spread out - some were in Kreger Hall and some were in Gaskill Hall," Williams said. "Kreger's (classrooms) were in grim condition." According to Williams, the new building strives to accommodate and facilitate effective student learning and education. "The new building features state-of-the-art data and communication technology," Williams said. "It also has more space and an upgraded quality of classrooms, offices, and laboratories, as well as a more pleasant learning environment. We put in more areas to relax and study, and it's nice to see students using the study areas. The design has created something that works." Williams revealed that one of the particularly remarkable features of the complex are the three levels of subterranean parking located underneath the structure and accessible from the building's north side, which may help to ease parking problems on campus, although Parking Services has not yet allocated their use as of yet. This is William's third construction project at Miami. He worked on the construction of Pulley Tower in 2002 and Hughes Hall from 2001 through 2003. He said that the architectural scheme of campus is something he is able to accommodate. "It wasn't hard to make the building match the rest of the campus," Williams said. "I know that's just part of the deal." The Engineering Building is not the only recent physical change for Miami's campus. Both McGuffey and Phillip halls were also renovated and both buildings will hold open houses and re-dedication ceremonies April 21. According to Mel Shidler, project manager of the McGuffey renovation, the renovation process began with design ideas in 1997 and construction lasted from September 2003 until March 2006. The McGuffey renovation cost approximately $14.5 million to complete, according to a Miami press released March 19. Phillips Hall, which was actually completed in 2002, cost $4.5 million. Shidler said that the addition of technology to the building was the biggest improvement. "The biggest positive change and asset was the development of south wing of building incorporating high tech classrooms," Shidler said. "There were also audio-visual services provided as well the addition of two computer classrooms." Although he was not directly involved with the Phillips Hall renovation, Shidler remarked that the construction there greatly improved a facility that was in desperate need of repair. Phillips Hall, besides being the location for the department of physical education, health and sport studies (PHS), also houses basketball courts, racquetball courts and a dance studio used by Miami's club sports and other organizations. It is one of the few buildings at Miami named after a woman - Margaret E. Phillips, the chair of the department of physical education for women between 1921 and 1961. "The Phillips Hall renovation was incorporated into the renovation of McGuffey," Shidler said. "The project was a very long process, and there was a tremendous amount of work that went into it." http://media.www.miamistudent.net/media/storage/paper776/news/2007/03/27/Campus/3.Miami.Buildings.To.Be.Dedicated.After.Completion.Renovations-2793141.shtml

From the 2/13/07 Miami Student: MU trustees approve provisionary timeline for new student union Sarah McEleney Issue date: 2/13/07 Section: Front Page With the official creation of a planning committee, Miami University is one step closer to building a new student center. Even with this development, however, the university's board of trustees contends that definite plans for a new facility remain tentative. The board of trustees approved a resolution Friday that will allow research regarding the creation of the new center to begin. Specifically, the board approved that $250,000 be allocated to fund the student center design concept process. However, results will not be immediate, according to Steve Snyder, executive assistant to the president and secretary to the board of trustees. "It's going to take a couple of years to see what we want," he said. Snyder also said that just because the university is conducting the study does not mean that a new student center will be built. "Sometimes you do a feasibility study � and it indicates that yeah, you can do this but it's going to cost a lot of money," Snyder said. "The fact that you do a feasibility study doesn't mean you get a new building." In fact, a couple of years ago the university did a study about building a new performing arts building, but decided it would be too expensive, Snyder said. Snyder said he wants to remind students that this process will take a very long time and most will not see the new student center during their time here. Student Body President Brian Alexander said from what he has heard from students in both Associated Student Government (ASG) and around campus is that most are excited about this prospect. "Those of us who do know of it, both inside of ASG and outside, they're pretty excited about it," Alexander said. "(But) not too excited - they know it won't be here until their gone." Alexander said he hopes that ASG will have a large part in the planning and outcome of this potential project. "(We hope to have) a significant say in this project ... (the building) is supposed to be a crossroads for student organizations," Alexander said. President David Hodge sees a new student center as crucial to Miami - especially now. "This is a very significant need we have," Hodge said. "The time has come, we believe, to move forward with this project." Snyder said that while the university does have a need for a new student center, the process of the finalizing decision will go on for years to come. "We have to manage the expectation that it's going to be a long process," he said. "But it's pretty exciting." Hodge expects that should building commence, the project will take about five and a half to six years and anticipates results around 2012. Though it may seem long, this is how the university goes about planning all construction, Snyder said. "When we build a new building, this is the process we go through," Snyder explained. The next step in the planning process will be hiring an architectural firm selection committee which will include student, faculty and staff representatives. Hodge will select the committee in March, with the purpose of researching the prospects of a new student center, as well as reviewing potential architectural firms. The committee will also address the questions of where the center should be built, how much it should cost and how Shriver Center would be used in the future. Miami's Physical Facilities Department will complete the initial selection of the architectural firms by reviewing the firms' qualifications and experience in developing a design concept statement for a new student center, conducting an analysis of existing buildings, conducting a needs assessment, performing a program development plan, conducting a building site analysis and developing conceptual design studies for the new building, according to the university's concept timeline. (See box) The selection committee is expected to make its final decision on a firm between May and June of this year. The board will probably choose the student members of the committee from Associated Student Government (ASG) or the student trustees, according to Snyder. The committee will then work with the chosen architectural firm on a feasibility study regarding the new student center. The university began seriously thinking about a new student center after WTW Architects and Sextant Group came to Miami in January and spoke about future student concerns, such as resident halls, student centers and dining services. Snyder said he thought the presentation was helpful. "It helps to do the planning for a building to adapt to different ways students will interact with each other," Snyder said. Other business The board also approved Friday the university securing the necessary funds for other construction projects. These projects include the completion of the new engineering building, construction of the new business school building, development and construction of a joint education center in West Chester, Ohio and the construction of a new Middletown Campus Community Center. Furthermore, renovations will take place at the Center for Performing Arts as well as renovations at Benton, Presser and Hiestand Halls. Richard Norman, vice president of finance and business services said that much of the construction is to update buildings from the 1960s and '70s. http://media.www.miamistudent.net/media/storage/paper776/news/2007/02/13/FrontPage/Mu.Trustees.Approve.Provisionary.Timeline.For.New.Student.Union-2715518.shtml

From the 2/9/07 Miami Student: Presidential house faces delays in construction Shannon Depenbrock Issue date: 2/9/07 Section: Campus Faulty plumbing and unsupported floors are just a few of the obstacles contractors working on Lewis Place - the building that serves as the home of Miami University presidents - have faced in the renovations that have been underway since June. Yet despite setbacks, Jim Haley, associate vice president of physical facilities and the individual who proposed renovations on the home three years ago, believes Miami President David Hodge and his family will able to move in by April 15, which is on schedule. "Even though we have faced some difficulties, because it is Lewis Place and because of the upcoming graduation activities, we are still attempting to get the project completed by the initial deadline," Haley said. The renovations, commissioned by the board of trustees and under the supervision of general contractors Valor Construction, first encountered delays when the addition being added to the house for catering and kitchen services was found to be lacking in support. "The north side of the house virtually has no foundation under it, so if (the builders) would have added on, as the original renovation plans called for, it could have pulled the whole house down," said Valerie Hodge, university ambassador and wife of President David Hodge. Another problem occurred when a workman's foot went through the floor while he was working on plumbing. This signaled unsupported floors, caused by inefficient pipe installation in the 1920s. As a result, completely new flooring support will need to be added, Valerie Hodge explained. "It's lucky we didn't attempt to put anything heavy on the second floor," Valerie Hodge said. "It could have fallen right through, just like the Truman's piano did in the White House." Since renovations began in June, the Hodges have been living just two homes away, at the Lottie Moon House. "The Lottie Moon House is wonderful and is still close to campus, so it only takes President Hodge three minutes to walk to (Roudebush Hall)," Valerie Hodge said. "But we are looking forward to moving into Lewis Place." The renovations mark the first update to the house in 35 years and the first major renovation to be completed since 1920, when indoor plumbing was installed. "I noticed that Lewis Place was beginning to show its age." Haley said. "It was having some maintenance issues. With the transition of (university) presidents, and the house being vacant, this was the most appropriate time to begin renovations." The Hodges have also enjoyed settling into a lake house they recently purchased in Grand Lake St. Mary's, in St. Mary's, Ohio. "Since we sold our house in Seattle we have been looking forward to investing in a home of our own in Ohio, and this house is wonderful, it sits out on a point overlooking the lake," Valerie Hodge said. "Since it is relatively close we can go for a weekend getaway, and we will definitely take advantage of it in the summer." Although the Hodges are excited about their recent purchase, they are eager to move into Lewis Place. What Valerie Hodge is looking forward to the most is the additional space that Lewis Place will provide to host the certain events traditionally held at the president's home. "We feel as if we have been missing out on a lot of events that are traditions for the university and community, because we haven't been able to host them while the renovations are taking place," Valerie Hodge said. "We don't want people to feel as if they are missing out, too." If all goes according to plan, the renovations should be completed April 15. "We have saved Lewis Place through these renovations," Hodge said. "The builders are doing the work as fast and as efficiently as possible." http://media.www.miamistudent.net/media/storage/paper776/news/2007/02/09/Campus/Presidential.House.Faces.Delays.In.Construction-2708982.shtml

From the 2/21/07 News Leader: Schools sought new tax deal on stadium plan by Eric Marotta Editor Nordonia Hills -- Without a stadium, would retail still come? That's a question school administrators were pondering while negotiating a new multi-million dollar tax agreement with the firm that wants to build a professional soccer stadium and shopping center along Route 8. However, it now appears the district will be offered a contract identical to one that recently expired. The Wolstein Sports and Entertainment Group, which wants to build the stadium/retail center on 450 acres east of Route 8 in Macedonia and Northfield Center, pledged to give the district up to $8 million up front and up to $200,000 per year for 30 years, in exchange for allowing the Wolstein Group to use future school property tax revenue to finance the stadium's construction. But project plans stalled and the deal, known as a TIF (tax increment financing) agreement, expired Dec. 31. http://www.the-news-leader.com/news/article/1628331

From the 2/14/07 Nordonia Hills Sun: District reviews new deal Developer amends proposal to schools while trying to revive stadium project Wednesday, February 14, 2007 By Pat Salemi Nordonia Hills Sun The Wolstein Sports and Entertainment Group has submitted to Nordonia Hills City Schools officials an "amended and restated compensation agreement" regarding property along State Route 8 where it still hopes to build a sports/retail complex, according to Treasurer Christopher Wright. A compensation agreement approved by board members last April expired Dec. 31, Wright said. In December, less than a month after formally unveiling their plans for a retractable-roof soccer stadium and athletic complex with retail and professional office space, developers learned that the Ohio legislature would not agree to allow Summit County Council to put a tobacco tax before voters without hearing more details. http://www.cleveland.com/nordoniahillssun/news/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1171487295102320.xml&coll=4

From the 2/9/07 ABJ: Route 8 access road wins support State, federal money would pay for design By Kymberli Hagelberg Beacon Journal staff writer Summit County Council's Public Works Committee on Thursday recommended a resolution that would allow for preliminary engineering work for an access road off state Route 8 that was last proposed as part of the now-dormant plan for a 20,000-seat soccer stadium. If the full council passes the resolution, the county would receive about $728,000 in federal and state funding for the design work on the alternate road, which would run next to Route 8 between Hines Hill and Highland roads, through Northfield Center Township, Macedonia and Boston Heights. There is no cost to the county for the road design, which was conceived before the stadium plan, said Andrea Wlaszyn of the engineer's office. The road is part of a project to widen the state highway. A detour will be needed when the intersection of Twinsburg Road and Route 8 is closed by the Ohio Department of Transportation in June or July. That intersection will remain closed through 2008 while a bridge is built. http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/16660198.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_news

The Mansfield News Journal had a nice list of EdChoice applications by district: http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/assets/pdf/B77181252.PDF From the 5/3/07 Dispatch: Choosing private schools 1,410 apply for vouchers in Columbus Thursday, May 3, 2007 4:05 AM By Jennifer Smith Richards THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH For those keeping score, this is the tally: More than 8,500 Columbus children have chosen charter schools. The first year of the statewide voucher program took a smaller bite: About 650 students used the EdChoice program to attend private schools instead of district ones. But that number could grow dramatically in the coming school year in Columbus, the district with the most voucher-eligible schools in the state. Columbus Public Schools students filed 1,410 applications this spring to use private-school vouchers, twice as many as they did last year. Statewide, the numbers more than doubled, too. Nearly 8,000 voucher applications were filed by the deadline, compared with 3,667 for the current school year. The state Department of Education released the numbers yesterday. MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/content/local_news/stories/2007/05/03/EdChoice.ART_ART_05-03-07_A1_3D6ITIT.html School voucher information Thursday, May 3, 2007 4:05 AM What they are • Vouchers allow students to attend a private school using public money for tuition. This school year was the first that students statewide could use the vouchers through a program called EdChoice; Cleveland has had its own program since 1995. Most of the participating private schools are parochial. How they work • A student applies to the private school they hope to attend. If the school accepts the student -- using its normal admission criteria -- it applies to the state for a voucher on the student's behalf. Who can get them • Up to 14,000 students linked to public schools that have been in academic emergency or academic watch for three consecutive years are eligible. In central Ohio, students are eligible at some Columbus, Groveport Madison and South-Western schools. The application deadline for next school year has passed. What they're worth • High-school students can get up to $5,000. Younger students can use up to $4,250. Source: Ohio Department of Education MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/content/local_news/stories/2007/05/03/EdChoice_box.ART_ART_05-03-07_A4_3D6IV05.html

This will also be posted in the Wal-Mart thread. From the 5/3/07 Enquirer: Wal-Mart wants 2nd locale BY BRENNA R. KELLY | [email protected] FLORENCE - How many Wal-Mart Supercenters does one city need? Two, according to the discount retailer. Wal-Mart wants to build a new Supercenter in Florence, less than 2½ miles from the one it opened last May on Houston Road. Read more here: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070503/BIZ01/705030334/

From the 5/3/07 Cincinnati Post: ACLU: Extend city police agreement By Joe Wessels Post contributor The plaintiffs in the nearly five-year-old Collaborative Agreement with Cincinnati police said when they ask for an extension of the pact later this month, they will focus on the police administration, not the officers who serve under it. American Civil Liberties Union attorney Alphonse Gerhardstein, who is representing the plaintiffs, said Tuesday that the Collaborative should continue and zero in on the police command structure, specifically Police Chief Thomas H. Streicher Jr. http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070503/NEWS01/705030382

Carriage Inn in line for major renovations Steubenville Herald-Star, 4/30/07 Capital Health Services has begun a renovation that will cost more than $1 million at the Carriage Inn of Steubenville, 3012 St. Charles Drive, to improve patient accommodations to go along with the nursing facility’s high levels of care. Toni Heavilin, corporate director of public relations, said, “Carriage Inn of Steubenville has consistently been voted the No. 1 facility in the valley as well as having the friendliest employees. Capital Health Services employs highly qualified employees who are experts in caring for the geriatric patient. With these renovations, Carriage Inn will truly be able to provide outstanding accommodations and healthcare services second to none,” she said. The changes will be extensive, right down to doorknobs and water faucets, said Heavilin, Richard Hvizdak, project manager; and Administrator Brad Conto. One of the chief changes will be that each patient room will be equipped with a new flat-screen, wall-mounted television. The cabinets and closets in the rooms will be integrated into the walls to provide more space in the rooms. Another major change is that all patients will have electrically adjustable beds.

From the AP, 5/3/07: Delta revises projected pre-tax profit figure THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ATLANTA - Delta Air Lines Inc., which emerged from bankruptcy earlier this week, said Wednesday in a regulatory filing that its projected pretax profit for the year will be reduced by $145 million because of fresh-start accounting. The Atlanta-based airline had projected in March that it would earn a pretax profit for 2007, excluding special and reorganization items, of $816 million. That figure has now been revised to $671 million, based on how Delta will report its results as a new entity since exiting bankruptcy Monday. Delta's new stock will begin trading publicly on the New York Stock Exchange today. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070503/BIZ01/705030329/1076/BIZ From the 5/3/07 Enquirer: Delta traffic up, Comair down BY ALEXANDER COOLIDGE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER Delta Air Lines reported its traffic in April rose 4.2 percent compared with the same month last year, while its Erlanger-based subsidiary saw a 10.5 percent drop. Delta's seating capacity was down slightly by 0.7 percent, while Comair's was reduced 14.8 percent. Delta planes were 81.5 percent full in April, up from 77.6 percent a year ago. Comair jets were 77.5 percent full, compared with 73.7 percent a year ago. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070503/BIZ01/705030330/1076/BIZ

From the 5/3/07 Newark Advocate: Office complex proposed for Ohio 310 By CHAD KLIMACK Advocate Reporter PATASKALA -- A new office complex could be coming to Ohio 310. The Pataskala Planning and Zoning Commission on Wednesday recommended approving the rezoning of 1.24 acres on Ohio 310 from agricultural and rural residential uses to professional-research-office ones. The property is on the west side of Ohio 310, just south of Hosanna Lutheran Church. Resident Robin Samsal submitted the rezoning application to the city, and Samsal told the commission Wednesday that investors have contacted him about the property. The investors have talked about turning it into offices and day-care centers, Samsal said. Under Pataskala's zoning code, rezoning the property to PRO would permit someone to build medical or medical-related offices or clinics, law offices, insurance and real estate offices, banks and finance establishments, utility company offices and research facilities and laboratories, among other uses. Full story at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070503/NEWS01/705030332/1002/rss01

From the AP, 5/3/07: GM reports 1Q profit of $62M ASSOCIATED PRESS DETROIT — General Motors Corp. reported a first-quarter profit on Thursday of $62 million, its second straight quarter in the black but down sharply from a year ago. The nation’s largest automaker, which lost a total of $12.4 billion during the previous two years, said the profit for the January-March period was driven by record sales worldwide and improvements in its automotive operations. GM’s net income of 11 cents a share is down sharply from a profit of $602 million, or $1.06 per share, in the first quarter of 2006. ... http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070503/BUSINESS02/305030015/-1/RSS04 From the 5/3/07 Warren Tribune Chronicle: GM, UAW talks to resume By LARRY RINGLER Tribune Chronicle LORDSTOWN — Contract talks are expected to resume between the General Motors Lordstown Complex and United Auto Workers bargainers some two weeks after meetings broke off, according to an industry trade publication. Automotive News reported on its Web site late Wednesday afternoon that United Auto Workers leaders met and ‘‘things were moving along,’’ according to sources the publication didn’t name but said are familiar with the talks. ‘‘The issues are being worked out. I don’t know if they’ve returned to the bargaining table, but that is something that is going to happen,’’ a source close to GM said, according to Automotive News. ... [email protected] http://tribune-chronicle.com/articles.asp?articleID=17635 From the 5/2/07 Defiance Crescent-News: GM VP speaks in Defiance about company's turnaround By HEATHER BAUGHMAN [email protected] General Motors" turnaround, technology and plans for tomorrow were discussed this morning during the monthly Breakfast of Champions held at Defiance College. Ron Pniewski, GM North America vice president and global portfolio planning for General Motors Corp., was the speaker at the meeting, which is sponsored by the Defiance Area Chamber of Commerce, The Crescent-News, Defiance County Economic Development and the college. With GM experiencing a fumbling market in 5 and 6, Pniewski said the company is back on track. In the past few years, he said, "You couldn"t look at a daily newspaper ... news magazine ... or turn on the television and not hear about the dire predictions and impending demise (of GM)." ... http://www.crescent-news.com/news/article/1943882

From the 5/3/07 PD: Lorain County Jail headed for tragedy, study warns Thursday, May 03, 2007 Mark Puente Plain Dealer Reporter Lorain - Lorain County Jail officials need to either move inmates to other counties, institute an emergency-release program or erect temporary housing before tragedy strikes inside the facility, a national jail consultant said. The inmates in the jail are "harder than most" jail populations, according to a study done by Voorhis Associates Inc., a Colorado-based consultant. Jail officials released the 56-page study Wednesday. The jail houses more serious offenders than similar-size facilities, and the jail was under capacity for just 11 days in 2006. http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/lorain/1178181128224960.xml&coll=2

From the 5/3/07 Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Pickerington working on solution for its commuters By NIKKI G. BANNISTER The Eagle-Gazette Staff [email protected] PICKERINGTON - The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission wants to address Pickerington's population boom, and the city's related roadway congestion on State Route 256 and Interstate 70. The commission and the city of Pickerington will hold a Ridesolutions informational on May 10 for frustrated commuters seeking more gas-saving and driver-friendly methods for commuting to work in Columbus. Ridesolutions is the commission's program designed to offer alternatives to driving alone. The program is currently offering vanpooling - an alternate to carpooling - to 565 commuters in 11 Ohio counties. Full story at http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070503/NEWS01/705030310/1002/rss01 From ThisWeek Pickerington, 5/3/07: Fee waivers proposed for projects Thursday, May 3, 2007 By SEAN CASEY ThisWeek Staff Writer Pickerington is courting a pair of commercial projects by waiving impact fees. City council heard the first reading of two ordinances Tuesday that would exempt new corporate headquarters planned for Tobin, Merritt and Associates and Volunteer Energy Services Inc. from Pickerington's pay-as-you-grow policy. Tobin, Merritt, a health-care recruitment firm, the affiliated patient-referral service Interactive Care Network and the office of chiropractor Christopher Tobin will occupy an 8,000-square-foot building in the Shoppes at Stonecreek, the retail and office complex under development by Equity Inc. on Hill Road, just south of Kohl's. Full story at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/050307/Pickerington/News/050307-News-348182.html

From the 5/3/07 Fairborn Daily Herald: Residents, developer disagree Terry Acres homeowners don't want 400-bed student-housing complex in their neighborhood RAINEY HOWARTH Staff Writer BATH TWP. - With a 65-signature petition and a 25-member representative group, Terry Acres residents want to stop the development of nearby land into a student housing complex. Place Properties, of Atlanta, is under contract for nine of 18 acres of agriculturally-zoned land between I-675 and the Terry Acres subdivision, according to Development Manager Bob Landers. On the land, Place Properties is planning a 400-bed student housing complex, Landers said. The complex would stretch over seven to eight buildings. Although representatives did discuss a 512-bed facility when speaking with the City of Fairborn Planning Board, Landers said that was the maximum number of beds and that they are only planning on a 400-bed facility. Residents expressed concerns to Place Properties in March about traffic safety, crime and confusion of services between Bath Township, where Terry Acres is located, and the City of Fairborn, where the housing development would be constructed. MORE: http://www.fairborndailyherald.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=124936&TM=52479.66 From the 5/2/07 DDN: Historic Troy building to be sold By Doug Page Staff Writer Wednesday, May 02, 2007 TROY — A city loan committee Wednesday unanimously recommended loaning a development company $380,000 to purchase the historic Dye Building on the Public Square. Medallion Investment Group plans to renovate all three floors of the building, which housed Taggarts on the Square restaurant. Taggarts closed recently in anticipation of the sale. The City Council finance committee must approve the recommendation so the City Council can vote Monday. Last week, the finance committee asked the Downtown Loan Committee to revisit the issue after having questions about collateral for then $360,000, 30-year loan at 2-percent interest. MORE: http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/05/02/ddn050207troyloanweb.html 2 buildings in line for renovation Dayton Daily News, 5/3/07 City staffers are preparing for the renovation of two local buildings — the former Holiday Health Spa and the Earl Heck Community Center. The city has received approval from the Community Development Block Grant committee for funding to renovate the former Holiday Health Spa building and is filing an application for funding to improve the community center. The former Holiday Health Spa, 20 W. Wenger Road, has been unoccupied for more than 12 years. In 2006, the city tried to get money to demolish it. But when the Kettering Medical Center recently proposed a project to renovate the building, the city requested funding and was awarded $50,000. The developer is awaiting the county's approval for a building permit.

Demolition Zone: 460 Conroy St 460 Conroy St is a pile of rubble. When talking to developer John Walter a couple of years ago, he mentioned that the home was owned by an older lady who didn't wish to sell. Walter wanted to demolish that house, as soon as it became available, so that he could build more new houses like the ones he's already developed on the street. I'm not sure what exactly happened. I can find no record of it being demolished due to poor condition, I can find no record that the lady is deceased, and she's still listed as the property owner. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. I've fired off an e-mail to John, but I haven't heard back from him yet. The three-family, 5000+ square-foot building was erected in 1870. WINDOWS LIVE BIRD'S EYE VIEW Before

From the 5/3/07 Maple Heights Press: Senior housing project will go up at St. Wenceslas by Tim Troglen Reporter Maple Heights -- Plans for an apartment building for senior citizens on the property of St. Wenceslas Catholic Church were put on the back burner last summer because of a lack of funding... E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 440-232-4055 ext. 4109 http://www.mapleheightspress.com/news/article/1942591 Master plan wins approval in Orange Chagrin Valley Times, 5/3/07 After close to a year of discussion and changes, Orange Village Council has approved the village's master plan...

From the 5/3/07 Pulse-Journal: Official: Despite dining defections, Deerfield Towne Center's doing fine Property manager says overall sales are good; report shows a low comparative vacancy rate. By Denise G. Callahan Staff Writer Thursday, May 03, 2007 There is no shortage of eateries at the Deerfield Towne Center, but at a recent township meeting, one woman asked, "Where did all the restaurants go?" In recent months diners have watched as the Macaroni Grill, the Red Star Tavern and Nothing But Noodles all have folded their menus and shuttered their doors. Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4525 or [email protected]. http://www.pulsejournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/05/03/pjm050307restaurants.html

From the 5/3/07 Dayton Business Journal: Ohio courts report foreclosure filings climb 23 percent Dayton Business Journal - 10:38 AM EDT Thursday, May 3, 2007 Ohio's foreclosure filings were up 23 percent and criminal filings up 7 percent in 2006 compared with 2005, according to the 2006 Ohio Courts Summary released Thursday by the Ohio Supreme Court. ... More at: http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2007/04/30/daily22.html?from_rss=1

There have been a couple of stories posted about this in the Random Akron-Canton thread (the latest was yesterday), but this just got a little more interesting. From the 5/3/07 ABJ: Akron parking project hits U.S. barriers Judges cite security, threaten relocation of federal offices. City plans meeting today By Phil Trexler and John Higgins Beacon Journal staff writers U.S. officials are threatening to relocate their downtown federal offices -- and 300 jobs -- if Akron moves forward on a plan to build a $20 million parking deck that would come within one foot of the federal building. In a strongly worded letter to Mayor Don Plusquellic, Judges James G. Carr and Randolph Baxter invoke the memory of the Oklahoma City bombing and say city officials have essentially ignored their security concerns over construction plans for South Main Street. ... http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/living/community/17171846.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_news

From ThisWeek Big Walnut, 4/29/07: Plan could bring 300-400 homes to Galena Sunday, April 29, 2007 By MARK MAJOR ThisWeek Staff Writer Galena Village Council last week agreed to provide municipal services to a 197-acre proposed Trinity Homes development that could, when complete, increase the village's population by 50 percent. The property, known as the Miller Farm, could accommodate 300 to 400 homes, said Galena's public service director Dave LaValle. Under the municipal services agreement, the village will provide services such as police, road maintenance, zoning and sewer if the property is annexed. The agreement was forwarded to the Delaware County commissioners as part of an annexation petition for the property, at the southeast corner of Sunbury and Vans Valley roads in Berkshire Township. LaValle said the annexation could be a boon for Galena, not a burden. "It would certainly add additional residents, but at the same time, I think it will help the village with additional revenue," he said. The 2000 census listed Galena's population at 305. Officials now estimate village population at about 560, LaValle said. MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/042907/Sunbury/News/042907-News-345778.html

From the 4/19/07 Lima News: New lighting coming to Kibby Corners this summer Heather Rutz | [email protected] - 04.19.2007 LIMA — The Kibby Corners area will see its first improvement this summer, thanks to another city project that came in under budget. The decorative lighting first installed in the area of South Main and Kibby streets 30 years ago will be replaced, Public Works Director Howard Elstro said Wednesday. The lights and posts have been damaged or taken down from normal wear, weather and during some demolition projects in the area, city officials said. The project has long been on the books but the money hasn’t been there, until now. The city and Kibby Corners Neighborhood Revitalization are working to renew the area’s business and residential districts. “It’s an important way to jump-start the plan,” Mayor David Berger said. “It’s something of immediate substance to go with the efforts that are under way.” Full story at http://www.limanews.com/story.php?IDnum=37526