Regional Features: Archive by Date

July 2007

Making Change: Promoting Regional Cooperation
Posted Tuesday, July 31
The cities of Lakewood and Bedford have agreed to take advantage of a deal offered by Cleveland, aimed at promoting regional cooperation among nearly 60 communities surrounding the central city. If participating suburbs pledge that they won't poach businesses from each other, the Cleveland Water Department will help them repair and maintain their aging water lines. Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson describes yesterday's agreements with Lakewood and Bedford as "monumental", but with only five such deals inked so far, there doesn't seem to be a rush to sign on. As a part of Making Change, ideastream's David C. Barnett has this report.

Spending the Homeland Security Money
Posted Tuesday, July 31
Devastating events like the attacks of September 11th and Hurricane Katrina thrust emergency preparedness to the forefront of national consciousness. But while the push to make the country safer comes from the top, state and local agencies must juggle resources to meet federal expectations. Ohio was recently awarded more than $75 million in federal funding for Homeland Security. Yesterday on 90.3's the Sound of Ideas, several state and local officials told us just how they thought the money would best serve Ohioans. ideastream's Gretchen Cuda reports.

The New Travel Trend - Couch Surfing
Posted Tuesday, July 31
Yesterday we heard about gift-less birthday parties for children; today we have another budding social trend to tell you about - couch surfing! It's the practice of sleeping on other people's couches, and the people have to be strangers for it to qualify. This new travel trend caught the attention of Cleveland Magazine writer Andy Netzel. But rather than merely reporting on it, Netzel decided - perhaps against his own better judgment - to try couch surfing himself. He explains.

Lawmakers’ Healthcare Tour Kicks Off
Posted Tuesday, July 31
Last night in Middleburg Heights, 15 Ohio lawmakers - Democrats and Republicans - kicked off their tour of five Ohio cities to hear what citizens think about the state's health care system. ideastream Health Reporter, Lisa Ann Pinkerton has more.

State Lawmakers Hit the Road for Health Care Reform
Posted Monday, July 30
A group of state lawmakers is going on the road to hear from Ohioans about how to reform health care policy. A joint committee of the Ohio House and Senate will be conducting public hearings in five cities on ways to improve access to health care. ideastream's David C. Barnett reports that the group's first stop will be today in the Cleveland area.

Smart Car Shown in Cleveland
Posted Monday, July 30
There's perhaps no car on the road smaller than Daimler Chrysler's smart car. It's short, seats just two, and is a parallel parker's dream. Smart USA showcased the compact car this past weekend in Cleveland. ideastream's Tasha Flournoy has more on the latest European style car to make its way to the U.S.

Giftless Parties
Posted Monday, July 30
Kids' birthday parties have changed a lot over the years from small, family celebrations to larger, expensive events with hired entertainment and gift bags. Some parents say they've had enough. They're keeping the party, but saying no to presents and goody bags. ideastream's Mhari Saito reports.

A Day With Congressman Ralph Regula
Posted Monday, July 30
Republican Ohio Congressman Ralph Regula used to be one of the most powerful lawmakers in Washington. He's still there. But voters clipped Regula's wings when they cast Democrats into power last fall. That fueled speculation Regula might not seek a new term. Chad Pergram recently spent a day with the congressman to get some insight into what happens on Capitol Hill each day.

Strickland Not Joining Future Presidential Ticket
Posted Friday, July 27
Ohio Governor Ted Strickland dispelled talk of his possibly joining a future democratic ticket as a Vice-Presidential running mate today during an interview on 90.3's The Sound of Ideas. ideastream's Dan Moulthrop has more.

Polensek on International Stage with Letter
Posted Friday, July 27
Cleveland City Councilman Mike Polensek found himself on an international stage Thursday. It's the latest development in a story that started with the day-to-day work of a councilman trying to keep Cleveland's eleventh Ward clean. ideastream's Dan Moulthrop explains.

Cuyahoga Commissioners Raise Sales Tax
Posted Friday, July 27
Cuyahoga County Commissioners voted yesterday to raise the county sales tax by a quarter percent. The increase will help finance a new convention center and it is hoped that will attract a medical mart. But, key questions remain about the plan, it's financing, and site location. ideastream's economics reporter Tasha Flournoy has more.

Improving Barry Bonds’ Image
Posted Thursday, July 26
Barry Bonds is three swings away from reaching the pinnacle of his career. The Giants slugger needs a total 756 home runs to beet Hank Aaron's record. But there's just one problem - Barry Bonds' image. Well, we here at ideastream believe there may still time for Bonds to resurrect his image. So, we went on search for a couple of PR people to offer advice. Ed Byers works for medical mutual. Barbara Paynter works for Hennes Communications. Neither has experience counseling athletes, but both are big time baseball fans, and ideastream's Eric Wellman spoke to them about Bonds.

Help is Here Express
Posted Thursday, July 26
A program to help uninsured and low income Ohioans get free or discounted medications is making its way around the country by bus. It made a stop at the Cleveland Free Clinic yesterday. ideastream Health Reporter, Lisa Ann Pinkerton has more.

New GammaKnife at Cleveland Clinic
Posted Thursday, July 26
Medical technology is evolving at breakneck speed, and it pays to be one of the leaders in the race. In the past week University Hospitals and the Cleveland Clinic highlighted their use of some of the latest advances in cancer treatments. ideastream's Gretchen Cuda reports on the Clinic's most recent state-of-the-art acquisition - the new GammaKnife.

Ohio Supreme Court Rules on Domestic Violence Laws
Posted Thursday, July 26
In a case that's being watched across the country, the Ohio Supreme Court has ruled that Ohio's domestic violence laws do not conflict with the state's ban on gay marriage. Ohio Public Radio's Bill Cohen reports.

Putting Abandoned Properties to Use
Posted Thursday, July 26
Columbus plans to build a new police heliport on nearly 13 acres of land purchased from the state. Other cities might also be getting land from the state for other community projects. It's part of a new push to put abandoned properties to better use. Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles reports.

New Cancer Treatments
Posted Wednesday, July 25
For many years, the only treatment for cancer was exposing the whole body to chemotherapy or radiation. Now a new generation of cancer options are available to patients. Specialists at the Ireland Cancer Center at University Hospitals say they have two brand new treatments they're testing this summer that target tumors with extreme accuracy while sparing surrounding tissue. ideastream Health Reporter, Lisa Ann Pinkerton has more.

New School Initiatives to Begin Soon
Posted Wednesday, July 25
Schools in Cleveland reopen in just a few weeks, and that means the start of several new initiatives introduced by CEO Eugene Sanders last spring. Uniforms and single-gender schools are just some of the changes we'll see. Sanders gathered community and school leaders yesterday in an effort to rekindle support before the start of school. ideastream Education reporter Dan Bobkoff was there.

Global Warming in the Buckeye State
Posted Wednesday, July 25
Environmental activists in Ohio say there's now clear proof that global warming has come to the Buckeye State. They're using the latest numbers to push for a new state law that would require utility companies to make big changes, but one of the largest utilities in the Midwest says that idea would simply make electricity bills soar. Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen reports.

Dealing With Invasive Species in Lake Erie
Posted Tuesday, July 24
It's been a problem for decades, but lawmakers now say they're going to do something about invasive species in Lake Erie. But they concede, change is coming slowly. ideastream's Dan Bobkoff has the story.

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