No matter who next year's major party nominees for the presidency turn out to be, they'll square off face-to-face for the first time, here in the buckeye state. Wright State University in Fairborn has been named host of the first-of-three debates between the Democratic and Republican candidates. It's set for September 26th of next year at the Ervin J. Nutter Center.
This past summer, Cleveland hosted the first debate for the republican contenders.
Wright State has been in the political spotlight before, as the place where Republican presidential candidate John McCain introduced his running mate Sarah Palin, back in 2008.
The federal government is sending one Ohio town $15 million to clean up some toxic river pollution that was years in the making. The Black River in Lorain was one of the dirtiest in America, after years of residue from steel-making and car building was allowed to flow into it.
To clean the area and make the ground usable again, the environmental protection agency is giving Lorain the largest Great Lakes Restoration grant ever to restore the site. Lorain has been trying to revitalize the area for years, but didn't have the money for such an expensive project. Now the city will remove 24 acres of contaminated sediment, and create new habitats for native fish and other animal species.
And why is this chicken crossing the road? It's actually a teacher, dressed in a strange looking suit to lead middle school students into the heart of Chagrin Falls.
Once a year the Safe Routes Chagrin group creates a fun environment for all students to walk from school in large groups. At some spots, they learn historical facts about their town. At others, they hear about careers and businesses from shopkeepers they pass on the way. Eventually they round things out with snacks and games at a downtown park in the afternoon.
The elementary, intermediate, and high schools all take part, each doing different events. This was the seventh year the schools have participated.
Instructional Links
Website: Wright State University, Presidential Debate 2016
http://www.wright.edu/event/debate
Website: Environmental Protection Agency, Black River Area of Concern
http://www2.epa.gov/black-river-aoc
Website: World Carfree Day, Official Site