Regional Features: Archive by Date

March 2001

Census Race Data’s Effect on Ohio
Posted Friday, March 30
While census figures provide the basis for the Congressional redistricting that will take place later this year, it's more than just a numbers game. Though the first criteria requires all districts to maintain equal population, minority representation is just as big of a factor in drawing new lines. 90.3's Renita Jablonski examines what the first batch of census race data means for the future of Ohio's Congressional districts.

Ohio’s Teaching Draught: Chronic Shortage of Teaching Recruits
Posted Thursday, March 29
Later today 90.3 WCPN will broadcast live the first in a series of forums dealing with education in Northeast Ohio. Cleveland School District CEO Barbara Byrd Bennett will open the series with her thoughts on a variety of issues facing the city's schools. One of the issues she'll likely touch on is recruiting. Cleveland is just one school district experiencing a chronic shortage of teachers. There are many others throughout Ohio. 90.3's Bill Rice reports.

100 Years of the Cleveland Indians
Posted Thursday, March 29
The phrase wait 'til next year seems to be the unofficial slogan of the Cleveland Indians. This year marks their 100th season, and although they've won a couple of world championships, they've known more tragedy than triumph. But despite hardship and heartbreak the "over comers" seem ready try it again. 90.3 Tarice Sims reports.

“Wigs For Kids” Helps Local Girl Cope With Hair Loss
Posted Wednesday, March 28
Everyone has hair loss in one form or another. The American Academy of Dermatology says most people lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day. Nothing too dramatic. But, some medical conditions can cause extreme hair loss for people who wouldn't normally be going through life bald -- like children. 90.3's Tarice Sims reports on one Cleveland girl who is coping with almost complete hair loss because of a little-known condition that changed life for her -- and her family.

Tremont’s Clean Air Problems: Grassroots Initiative to Stimulate Changes
Posted Tuesday, March 27
Yesterday we heard about a new U.S. EPA air toxin program that will help two Cleveland neighborhoods identify and clean up some of their air pollution issues over the next year. Eventually, EPA solutions may help other Cleveland residents improve their air quality as well. But folks in Tremont on Cleveland's west side aren't willing to wait. They've formed a grassroots initiative to fix problems that may require changes in enforcement and regulation of local air quality standards. 90.3's Karen Schaefer has this report.

New EPA Program Leaves Questions Unanswered
Posted Monday, March 26
The Environmental Protection Agency is implementing a new air toxins study program here in Cleveland. Last week, the Agency's top official showed up to talk about the project. But many community leaders left the event with more questions than answers. 90.3's Janet Babin reports.

Promoting Ohio Pharmacy Programs: Getting Students to Fill the Pharmacy Gaps
Posted Thursday, March 22
Yesterday we told you how the increased use of medications, expanded health insurance coverage, and longer schooling are making for strong competition in the health industry for pharmacists. Today, 90.3's Renita Jablonski looks at how educators in northern Ohio are fighting back against the pharmacist shortage.

Understaffed Pharmacies Learn to Cope
Posted Wednesday, March 21
If you're demanding quicker service at your local pharmacy, it may be time to learn how to be more patient. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says there just aren't enough pharmacists to go around. A federal study shows that last year, the number of unfilled pharmacist openings reached almost 7,000 nationwide, more than double the vacancies in 1998. 90.3's Renita Jablonski looks at how pharmacists in northeast Ohio are coping -- and what it means for consumers.

Tax Levy May Hold Cleveland Schools’ Future
Posted Tuesday, March 20
This May voters in Cleveland will decide whether to raise the taxes of home and other real estate owners to fund the re-building of the city's public schools. The ballot measure calls for a 4.2 mil levy to take effect in 2002. The tax would pay off a $380 million bond issue over the next 25 years. Municipal school district officials are adamant that the future of city schools hinges on passing the measure. As the May 8th vote gets closer, they're finalizing a strategy to sell the plan to the public. 90.3's Bill Rice reports.

Cleveland Budget Face-Off: City Council and Mayor Continue Budget Battle
Posted Monday, March 19
Cleveland City Council and Mayor Mike White's administration are still battling it out over the 2001 budget. The Mayor's budget includes $487 million of projected revenues, but City Council says the numbers are underestimated. 90.3's Janet Babin reports.

Zero Waste Business: Great Lakes Brewing Company
Posted Thursday, March 15
Recycling is America's favorite environmental activity. 100,000,000 of us do it every day. Over the last decade, recycling has almost cut in half the amount of waste going into landfills and incinerators. But some people say that's not enough. They've found a new way to reduce waste that can actually eliminate it. And it's turning leftovers from businesses like the Great Lakes Brewing Company into fresh produce, mushrooms -- and even milk. 90.3's Karen Schaefer reports.

Ohio’s Higher Education Affordability Problems
Posted Tuesday, March 13
Ohio Governor James Rhodes, who died early this month, took to his grave a reputation for commitment to higher education. When Rhodes took office in 1963 there were only 6 institutions of higher learning that received any state subsidy. 20 years later, at the close of his final term, Ohio's higher education system included 14 4-year campuses, a number of branch locations, and about two dozen technical and community colleges. But by many accounts the Rhodes legacy stopped there, and some feel Ohio's commitment today to higher education is inadequate. 90.3's 90.3 WCPN's Bill Rice reports.

Delivering “Cool Aid” to Stroke Victims: New Technique Can Help Save Lives
Posted Monday, March 12
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. The Cleveland Clinic is leading an international study to test a device delivering the chill that could save your life. 90.3's Renita Jablonski has more on this "cool" new therapy.

Cleveland Food Co-op Struggles to Compete
Posted Friday, March 9
The market for natural, unprocessed, organic foods is hot, right now. More people are buying healthier foods and grocery stores are expanding to meet the demand. But in the midst of this good food bonanza, a Cleveland organic pioneer is starving for attention. 90.3's David C. Barnett reports.

The Fight For the Future of Dike 14
Posted Thursday, March 8
It may still feel like winter, but the spring migration of birds over Lake Erie has already begun. Nearly 300 different species of birds now stop to rest and feed at a site on Cleveland's shoreline. Dike 14 is man-made land near Gordon State Park east of University Circle. There's a long-standing plan to make a new recreational park on the site. But preservationists say the Port Authority's intention to level Dike 14 will destroy an important wildlife habitat. 90.3's Karen Schaefer reports.

New Website Offers Local Cancer Information
Posted Wednesday, March 7
In Cleveland more people die each year of cancer than in Milwaukee and Chicago. If that's surprising it's just one of several startling comparisons found at a new website designed to inform you about health risks. Recently, a committee of health professionals released a mapping system on their website "Health-Track.org." This new data base allows easy access to information about cancer in your community just by clicking a mouse. But, as 90.3 Tarice Sims reports, some health officials aren't so sure this is information you need.

Finding the Answers to Test “Problems”: State Lawmakers Seek Better Way to Conduct Proficiency Tests
Posted Tuesday, March 6
The second of three rounds of proficiency testing is underway in public schools throughout Ohio. Each year, students in several grades undergo a week-long series of proficiency exams. This week it's 9th grade, next week 4th and 6th. President George W. Bush has made such testing a priority in his national education initiative. Here in Ohio, state rules on proficiency requirements have been found to be fraught with problems, and are being revamped by state lawmakers. 90.3's Bill Rice reports.

Giving Your Tax Refund to Nature: Ohio DNR Hopes To Raise Money For Wetland Preservation
Posted Monday, March 5
Most people have received their W2 tax forms and are getting ready for that yearly ritual: completing the taxes. If you're getting a tax refund check from the state, are you willing to donate a portion of it to state programs? To help you decide, 90.3's Janet Babin files this report.

Buckeye District Renewal: Landmark Neighborhood Seeks New Identity
Posted Friday, March 2
A re-designed Shaker Square was opened to holiday shoppers, late last year, injecting new life into an historic Cleveland shopping district. And yet, several blocks away, another landmark neighborhood continues to search for a new identity. After decades of mistrust and poor planning, the Buckeye district seems to be on the road to renewal. 90.3's David C. Barnett takes us for a visit.

Exploring the Cleveland Salt Mine
Posted Thursday, March 1
This year in Cleveland the snow left early. But most winters the city uses 60,000-70,000 tons of salt to make winter driving less hazardous. Maybe you've wondered where all that salt comes from. Some of it is mined from huge underground deposits on the Gulf Coast. There are also salt mines in Kansas and Utah. But most of the salt that's dumped on northern highways comes from ancient salt beds under the Great Lakes. 90.3 WCPN's Karen Schaefer reports.