Regional Features: Archive by Date

July 2000

Ohioans Take Interest in GOP Convention
Posted Monday, July 31
The Republican Presidential nominating convention kicks off today in Philadelphia. Among the attendees will be a number of Ohioans who haven't gotten jaded in an age of voter apathy. 90.3's David C. Barnett spoke with three of these Buckeye representatives, who are looking for a change in national leadership.

The Value of Wilderness: Old Woman Creek
Posted Friday, July 28
This week, a U.S. Senate subcommittee approved a piece of legislation that would set aside billions of dollars in federal funding for environmental conservation. Supporters on both sides of the aisle are calling it one of the most significant commitments to conservation in U.S. history. At least some of that money would make its way to a tiny nature preserve near Huron, Ohio on Lake Erie. There, international scientists are conducting research that can safeguard environmental and human health around the world. From Old Woman Creek, 90.3's Karen Schaefer has this report.

Airport Expansion Raises Questions, Concerns
Posted Wednesday, July 26
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport has been in the spotlight lately as it prepares to proceed with a major expansion project. This spring, more than 700 people turned out for a celebration of the airport's 75-year history, hosted by Cleveland Mayor Mike White. The event came on the heels of a meeting the previous day between city council members and representatives of suburban towns that surround the airport. While the meeting dealt with the problems and controversies surrounding the expansion, not so at the airport's secondary hangar. 90.3's Bill Rice has this report.

A New Waterfront… For a Price:  Cleveland City Leaders Try to Sell $700 Million Lakefront Proposal
Posted Tuesday, July 25
Cleveland Mayor Michael White unveiled a new plan for revitalizing the downtown lakefront last week. The $700 million proposal drew immediate criticism from some quarters for it's lack of financing details. The biggest part of that package involves the construction of a new convention center & hotel complex. 90.3's David C. Barnett recently attended a community meeting where Cleveland city leaders were trying to sell this half-billion-dollar building program.

Ohio’s Big Spending on Supreme Court Election
Posted Monday, July 24
The Ohio Supreme Court is receiving much attention heading into the fall campaign season. Republicans have set their sights firmly on Justice Alice Robie Resnick, and are spending big this year to unseat the two-term incumbent. The effort is largely matched by Democrats who want to retain her. Observers say the amount of money going into the race could set a U.S record for state supreme court campaign spending. Some are worried that judicial independence is increasingly threatened by big-money politics. 90.3 WCPN's Bill Rice reports.

African American Gay Pride: A Section of the Gay Community Finds Ways to Celebrate
Posted Thursday, July 20
Several gay pride events are taking place all over Ohio this month, including Cleveland this weekend. But one segment of the gay community is working on their own pride celebration for later this summer. 90.3's Yolanda Perdomo reports on how cultural and religious issues are affecting the way African Americans celebrate gay pride.

24-Hour Business in Lakewood:  Do All-Night Businesses Present a Security Risk?
Posted Monday, July 17
Lakewood City Council recently voted on a controversial proposal that restricts businesses from operating 24 hours a day. It's not uncommon in Greater Cleveland to find people working late from the factories down in the flats to the long quiet nights spent in local hospitals. But in the West Side suburb of Lakewood, some homeowners say all late-night activity poses a threat to their quality of life. The Council members were be asked to weigh the demand for round the clock service with homeowners rights. This story is the first of two reports on how society serves the needs of people working the late shift.

Lonz Winery Accident Affects Island Community
Posted Friday, July 14
The July Fourth weekend accident at a Lake Erie Island winery is still reverberating among victims and their families nearly two weeks later. One person died and dozens were injured when a terrace filled with holiday-revelers at the winery collapsed. But the victims were not the only ones affected by the incident. The winery's owner is now facing a possible class-action lawsuit that could mount into the millions of dollars. And residents of the small island are trying to put the events of the past few weeks behind them. 90.3's Karen Schaefer has this report from Middle Bass Island.

NRA Competitions Draw Interest of Youth
Posted Thursday, July 13
It began in the inner cities with school kids telling tales of guns available as close as the nearest street corner. Then the problem spread to the suburbs, and even rural areas. High profile tragedies in Littleton, Colorado, Paducah, Kentucky, Springfield, and Oregon have prompted fed-up parents to organize and call for tougher laws designed to keep guns out of kids' reach. Meanwhile, gun rights advocates led by the National Rifle Association deny that new restrictions will effectively address the problem. And, they say, with proper guidance, exposing kids to guns is appropriate, and even beneficial. Last weekend the NRA opened its annual series of shooting competitions at Camp Perry in Northwest Ohio, where kids compete alongside adults throughout the summer. 90.3 WCPN's Bill Rice reports.

Interview with Ray Suarez
Posted Thursday, July 13
Ray Suarez informed and entertained National Public Radio listeners for six years as the host of Talk of the Nation. This past fall, he started a new journalistic career as senior correspondent for public television's The News Hour with Jim Lehrer. Ray was in town recently and he stopped by our studios to talk with 90.3's David C. Barnett about his life as a reporter...and a role model.

Creative Writing Opens Doors for Mentally Ill
Posted Wednesday, July 12
Having a mental illness can be tough enough without confronting the stigma that society places on the diseases. Medical science has made great strides in the past decade finding treatments for these conditions and there are new strategies introduced all the time for use in the therapist's office. But one tool often overlooked is creative writing. 90.3's Lorna Jordan attended a workshop on the subject and filed this report.

Parents Rally to Reinstate Busing
Posted Monday, July 10
The use of busing to achieve racial balance in a segregated school district has long been a touchstone of controversy in cities across the state and across the country for more than a generation. Last week in Columbus, the Urban League warned that a lawsuit may be pending over segregation issues that busing failed to solve. Tonight in suburban Cleveland Heights, some local parents will rally to protest busing cut backs, but desegregation won't be on their minds. 90.3's David C. Barnett explains.

Help Shortages Force Cedar Point to Look Overseas
Posted Friday, July 7
It used to be that summer was a time when college students scrambled for jobs. But the recent tight labor market has sparked tough competition for employers looking for willing summer workers. Today a growing number of seasonal jobs in the nation's resorts and tourist attractions are being filled by students from outside the U.S. From member station 90.3 WCPN in Cleveland Karen Schaefer reports.

Resurgence of a Cleveland Jazz Legend: Jimmy Scott
Posted Thursday, July 6
Jazz singer Jimmy Scott turns 75 this month. He's enjoying a career resurgence after more than 30 years out of the spotlight. Scott's influence on everyone from Frankie Lymon to Frankie Valli to Nancy Wilson. Yolanda Perdomo of member station 90.3 WCPN in Cleveland reports his unique vocal style is also attracting new audiences.