Regional Features: Archive by Date

August 2000

Preventing E-Coli Outbreaks:  Health Officials Working Hard to Stop Food-Borne Illness
Posted Wednesday, August 30
There are now 39 people in Ohio infected in the recent e-coli outbreak that may have started at the Medina County Fair. State and county health officials are investigating, but so far they've been unable to determine the source of the infection. While doctors understand how the disease is transmitted, they don't know why food-borne illnesses like e-coli seem to be on the rise worldwide. But health officials both here and abroad are working on a plan to stop them. 90.3's Karen Schaefer has this report.

Conflict in the Jewish Community:  Searching for Unity Over Beachwood Land Dispute
Posted Monday, August 28
Democratic vice-presidential candidate Joseph Lieberman likes to emphasize that he is an "observant" member of the Jewish faith. To be more precise, he follows the Modern Orthodox strain of Judaism, one of several gradations that exist in American culture. The sometimes troubling impact of those gradations in Greater Cleveland are examined in a new book. 90.3's David C. Barnett reports that the local search for a common Jewish identity has its roots in a three-year-old land transaction.

A Challenge to the School Voucher System:  Survival of Program in Doubt
Posted Friday, August 25
All this week, as summer winds down and children begin to return to school, we're looking at various issues at the root of disagreement and discord in our education system. Among those is Cleveland's controversial school voucher program, designed to give parents an alternative to sending their child to a public school they feel doesn't meet their educational needs. The pilot program is heading into its fourth year, but its survival is in question. A lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of vouchers is now in a federal appeals court. 90.3's Bill Rice reports.

Making Schools Safe… For Teachers:  How Some Local Teachers Plan to Stop Attacks from Students
Posted Thursday, August 24
Today is the first day of school for more than 70,000 students in the Cleveland school district. While kids prepare for a short week, teachers are making extra plans. Tomorrow, their union continues contract talks with the city school district. At the top of the union's list: issues surrounding teacher safety. 90.3's Yolanda Perdomo reports what the teachers union and school district are proposing to stop the attacks by students against their teachers.

Removing Middle Schools in Cleveland:  Will Students Want to Accept the Change?
Posted Tuesday, August 22
As school begins this year, 14 schools in the Cleveland district won't be letting go of their sixth graders. Instead, students will be staying in their elementary schools. It's part of a district-wide K-through-8 expansion program. Administrators say the program solves two problems. It reduces the number of students in Cleveland middle schools, so that fewer pupils share the resources, and also helps those children that stay in elementary school to learn better. But some students don't want to be a part of the program. 90.3's Janet Babin reports.

Title IX Promotes Controversy Among Colleges
Posted Friday, August 18
Al Gore's acceptance speech last night brought to an end the major political party conventions for 2000. Many notable discussions were held this year in both Philadelphia and Los Angeles. However, one non-traditional issue managed to get a brief moment in the national spotlight. For the first time in history, the Republican Party Platform included a statement of gender equality in sports. Although Title IX (9) became law in 1972, which gives women equal opportunity to compete in school athletic programs on all levels, recent cuts in some men's programs have prompted lawsuits and new controversy. 90.3's Tarice Sims reports on its impact in Ohio.

Funding Tight For Rural Railroad Overpasses:  Huron County May Have Creative Solution to Problem
Posted Thursday, August 17
When the Conrail merger took effect a year ago last June and train traffic increased across northern Ohio by as much as 50%, communities began clamoring for help to build railroad overpasses. Urban areas quickly got funding, but it wasn't until this year that the state offered money from its coffers to help smaller communities and rural areas. But even $200 million won't go far. That's why a creative overpass design in Huron County could give some communities new light at the end of the tunnel. 90.3's Karen Schaefer reports.

Abortion Topic All But Absent: 2000 Presidential Campaign Avoids Controversial Issue
Posted Wednesday, August 16
This campaign season abortion is not quite the front and center issue it has been in the past. Republican campaigns in the past have been bold in denouncing abortion and the landmark Roe Vs. Wade Supreme Court Decision that guaranteed abortion rights. Democrats have campaigned equally hard on upholding Roe v. Wade. 90.3's Bill Rice looks at why abortion has thus far remained largely on the sidelines in the Gore/Bush race.

Creating a New Democratic Party:  Ohio’s Democrats Hope to Build New Legacy for Party
Posted Monday, August 14
Democrats from around the country have gathered in Los Angeles for tonight's kick-off of their party's Presidential nominating convention. After the glitz and good feelings of the Republican convention two weeks ago, these delegates are looking to neutralize George Bush's 17-point advantage in the polls. 90.3's David C. Barnett spoke with some Ohioans who are in Los Angeles with the goal of building a new legacy for the Democratic party.

Hispanic Clevelanders’ Effort to Boost Latino Vote
Posted Monday, August 14
Like the Republicans two weeks ago, the Democrats plan to host a diverse panel of speakers during their convention. While both parties are courting Latinos, they're not voting in the numbers that reflect their status as the country's fastest growing minority. 90.3's Yolanda Perdomo reports on what some Hispanics in Cleveland are doing to try to get their community to participate in the process.

An Update on the Ward Bakery Standoff:  Demolition Stopped… For Now
Posted Friday, August 11
It's a happy day for two formerly homeless people who used to live at the Old Ward Bakery building on East 55th and Chester avenue. The building was purchased by the City of Cleveland in July, and demolition of the site began at the beginning of this month. 90.3's Janet Babin joins us live in the studio with an update on this story.

Ripples in Plan For New Waterfront: City, Architects Disagree Over Project
Posted Tuesday, August 8
Cleveland City Council and Mayor Michael White's administration are in dispute over architectural contracts for the Northcoast Harbor and waterfront development. 90.3's Janet Babin reports.

Plans Move Ahead For New Juvenile Detention Center
Posted Monday, August 7
Cuyahoga County is one step closer to building a new juvenile detention center at a brownfield site on Cleveland's East Side. A City Council committee has approved the rezoning of the 16-acre plot the county has chosen, and the County Commissioners will make a final vote to purchase the land at the end of the month. The land poses several political and financial risks, though, because of its extensive chemical contamination. 90.3's April Baer reports.

Containing Milfoil in Local Waters:  An Ohio Company Helps to Control Water Plant
Posted Friday, August 4
Eurasian water milfoil is an exotic plant that arrived in the U.S. in the 1940's through the aquarium trade. Scientists say it's destroying native plants like a biological wildfire out of control. The weed is now found in Ohio and 47 other states. Biologists have several methods to control it, but they're still looking for an ideal solution. A small Stowe, Ohio company is revolutionizing the way communities get rid of the milfoil. 90.3's Janet Babin reports.

Uninformed, Uninspired Youths Fail to Show at Polls
Posted Thursday, August 3
As the Republican National Convention continues this week, so does an emphasis to showcase inclusion and diversity. Part of that is an outreach to younger voters. In Cuyahoga County, those between the ages of 17-24 make up a small percentage of people who can make decisions on their local, state, and national leaders. 90.3's Yolanda Perdomo reports on what young voters have to say about the political process and the people who represent it.

City, Homeless Square Off at Abandoned Bakery
Posted Wednesday, August 2
Yesterday the city of Cleveland confronted half a dozen homeless people occupying the old Ward Bakery on E. 55th and Chester. The city wants to tear down the building to make way for new development. But the homeless took a stand over the abandoned bakery, some even willing to risk their lives to protect their squatter's rights. 90.3's Karen Schaefer reports.

They Called it Camelot
Posted Wednesday, August 2
Yesterday the city of Cleveland confronted half a dozen homeless people occupying the old Ward Bakery on E. 55th and Chester. The city wants to tear down the building to make way for new development. But the homeless took a stand over the abandoned bakery, some even willing to risk their lives to protect their squatter's rights. 90.3's Karen Schaefer reports.