Regional Features: Archive by Date

January 2002

Maritime Security
Posted Thursday, January 31
Since September 11, the U.S. government has been closing the gaps in airline security. But maritime officials warn that security on our nation's waterways is even less certain. This week, the Coast Guard is holding an international conference in Cleveland on Great Lakes security. 90.3 WCPN's Karen Schaefer reports.

The Trials of a Cavs Male Dancer
Posted Wednesday, January 30
It's no secret that the Cleveland Cavaliers are struggling this year, playing near the bottom of the eastern division standings, and playing in front of some of the smallest crowds in the league. This year the Cavs joined an NBA trend and added a male to their dance team in an effort to pump up the fans at Gund Arena. Although the dancer's skills were enough to land him a solo spot on the squad, he was subsequently fired. 90.3 WCPN's Tarice Sims reports.

Students Speak Up About School Renovations
Posted Tuesday, January 29
As Cleveland school officials put together a master plan for facilities renovations they're going beyond the bureaucratic boundaries for input on what needs to be done. Yesterday we visited one of 120 community meetings - one for each school - that give staff and parents a chance to dream aloud of how they'd like to see the nearly one billion dollars in renovations funds spent. Today we check in with another important part of the equation - the kids themselves. 90.3 WCPN's Bill Rice reports.

Renovating Cleveland Schools
Posted Monday, January 28
This summer the renovation of Cleveland's school buildings will go into full swing. The Cleveland district has nearly a billion dollars to sink into improving its 120-some-odd school buildings, thanks to last year's passage of a school facilities levy and state match to go with it. State and district officials have completed their assessment of the schools, but they say an important component of the planning is still missing - gathering input from the public. That process began last week and continues through February 20th. 90.3 WCPN's Bill Rice prepared this report.

Cleveland/Cuyahoga County Port Authority: The Power of Development Financing
Posted Friday, January 25
In the midst of a national recession, Cleveland seems to be struggling with more than its fair share of economic bad news. The recent bankruptcy of LTV Steel, job losses at Ford and TRW, and reduced funding from both the state and the county have hit Northeast Ohio hard. Local leaders are trying to attract new high-tech industries like bio-technology, but most are still a long way from making significant contributions to the local economy. But there's one often-overlooked source of local funding that could help keep companies in the region and make it easier for new firms to locate here. 90.3 WCPN's Karen Schaefer has this report on the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority.

Gearing Up For the Winter Olympics
Posted Tuesday, January 22
A hearing of Olympic proportions begins today in Colorado Springs. An arbitrator will hear claims of cheating during a short track speed skating trial. Athletes who participated in the race, including Broadview Heights native Ron Biondo, are expected to testify. But far away from the hearing in Colorado, Olympians prepare for the start of the Salt Lake City games, which are in just 17 days. Locally, several athletes have taken their spots on the international stage. But, the road hasn't been easy all of them. One athlete has had to deal with health obstacles while another was counted out until a surprise win at the trials. 90.3 WCPN's Tarice Sims has the story.

Wings Over Jordan
Posted Monday, January 21
African American church music has played a continuing role in the civil rights movement throughout history. Spirituals in particular have provided solidarity and hope, when hope was in short supply. In the late 1930s, a Cleveland church choir achieved national fame through a weekly radio broadcast that made its own impact on race relations. 90.3 WCPN's David C. Barnett tells us about this "joyful noise."

Cleveland’s Growing Gay and Lesbian Culture
Posted Thursday, January 17
The economic downturn that began last year hit the city of Cleveland hard. Poor market conditions and other factors toppled LTV Steel, TRW laid off workers, and Dillard's downtown closed its doors. But some downtown Cleveland neighborhoods are on the upswing, in large part because of a growing, uncloseted gay and lesbian culture on the city's near-West side, that's opening up to the urban community. 90.3 WCPN's Janet Babin reports.

RTA Puts the Brakes on Bus Routes
Posted Monday, January 14
The current recession has left many public and private organizations short of cash. That includes the Regional Transit Authority, more commonly known as the RTA. Transit officials have warned that they needed to make cuts in order to balance their books. Cost reductions include "putting the brakes" on several bus routes and raising some fares. The proposal is making some riders unhappy and others question whether they are needed. 90.3 WCPN's Mike West has more.

Lake Erie Ferry Service Closer to Reality
Posted Monday, January 14
A new U.S.-Canadian ferry service is one step closer to becoming a reality. Supporters say it could expand the market for Cleveland businesses. 90.3 WCPN's Karen Schaefer reports.

The Future of Whiskey Island
Posted Friday, January 11
At the mouth of the Cuyahoga River on Lake Erie - just inside the Cleveland harbor - lies a tiny plot of land known as Whiskey Island. Once the site of a distillery, the island today is home to a salt mine, a small marina - and some of the last remaining undeveloped lakefront in Cleveland. One local group would like to keep the island open to public access and turn it into a public park. But competing interests could relocate the Port of Cleveland to Whiskey Island. 90.3 WCPN's Karen Schaefer reports.

A Quiet Crisis: Looking for Leaders in Cleveland
Posted Thursday, January 10
Many residents of Greater Cleveland are looking urgently for leaders they can believe in and trust.