http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/ohio/ en-us Sat, 5 Jul 2008 08:02:44 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2041011/posts Governor will use cornhole to fund campaign Strickland holds games throughout the state and even plays himself By Stephanie Warsmith Beacon Journal staff writer Published on Friday, Jul 04, 2008 Forget the rubber chicken dinners. There's a new game in town: cornhole. And Gov. Ted Strickland has let it be known he will soon hold a cornhole tournament to raise money for his campaign, with regional competitions around Ohio, including one in North Canton. Not familiar with cornhole? It's a bean bag-tossing game that's popular on campuses and at tailgate parties. ''The tournament is a fun way of bringing Ohioans... ohio.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2041011/posts#comment Sat, 5 Jul 2008 08:02:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2038347/posts DELAWARE, Ohio -- A former Delaware County pastor charged with raping a 15-year-old girl who attended his church pleaded guilty yesterday to related charges. Brian L. Williams, 45, the former head pastor of Sunbury Grace Brethren Church, pleaded guilty to two sexual battery charges, Delaware County Prosecutor Dave Yost said in a news release. Williams was indicted in March on two counts of rape and two counts of sexual battery, all felonies. The indictment alleged that on March 6, Williams forced the girl to perform oral sex and assaulted her at his church office. Yost's office re-filed sexual battery charges... THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2038347/posts#comment Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:42:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2037760/posts Once known as the Mother of Presidents, Ohio is now getting poorer, older and dumber – and making all the wrong moves to reverse the situation. And that may actually be a plus for Barack Obama. His party is finding that lofty, vague promises of change combined with high-spending, high-tax, welfare state-ish policies are a political winner in the state. How else to explain why Gov. Ted Strickland's approval ratings are in the mid-50s or why Democrats may even win control of the state House for the first time in 14 years? But as a formula for economic revival, it... Wall Street Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2037760/posts#comment Sat, 28 Jun 2008 13:38:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2037219/posts DEADLY BEATING: A Cleveland man died Wednesday night after he was beaten by a group of kids on bikes. 19 Action News has learned Anthony Waters was attacked in the 3000 block of East 55th Street in a heavy industrial area. Police say the suspects - ages 13-15 years of age - robbed the 42-year-old prior to the fatal attack. Investigators believe the random violence took place around 9:15PM - no witnesses have come forward but officials believe security cameras caught part of the attack. Waters originally refused medical treatment from EMS but his condition quickly worsened and he later... WOIO- Channel 19 News - Cleveland http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2037219/posts#comment Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:08:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2036471/posts Link only http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2036471/posts#comment Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:24:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2036166/posts For 36 years, Ohioans have been sending a portion of their paychecks to the state -- an act that cost the median filer $619 in 2005. Some Ohio lawmakers say it's time to let Ohioans keep that money. "To me, it just seems pretty logical," said Rep. John Adams, R-Sidney. His House Bill 534 calls for phasing out the state income tax over 10 years. "I'm going to keep pushing it because I don't foresee the economy getting better in Ohio. I only foresee it getting worse." While some see little logic in trying to wipe out state government's largest... Columbus Dispatch http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2036166/posts#comment Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:09:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2035441/posts Did you know that if you live in Lake County, there is a chance you can still find an ancient Indian artifact in your own backyard? And if you lived in Eastlake in the 1970s, you most likely did. Thousands of artifacts including pipes, stones, shells, bone hair pins and beads, turned up in the area in 1973 when property on Reeves Road was sold to make way for condominiums. Pipes, in particular, were easy finds. "There were so many pipes in the area because there were a lot of tobacco patches there," says Ann Dewald, director of the Indian... Cleveland Plain Dealer http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2035441/posts#comment Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:25:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2034802/posts Businesses have had more than a year to acclimate to Ohio's indoor smoking ban, but state lawmakers are now exploring ways to adapt that ban to businesses. Two legislators are pushing for changes in Ohio's Smoke Free Workplace Law, with one asking for new definitions of family-owned businesses and private clubs and the second seeking to exempt bars that serve little food. Sen. Robert Schuler, R-Sycamore Township, said the goal of Senate Bill 346 is to redefine businesses covered by the law. House Bill 592, proposed by Rep. Diana Fessler, R-Bethel Township, would add the term "standalone bars" to the... Columbus Business First http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2034802/posts#comment Sun, 22 Jun 2008 19:38:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2032855/posts WASHINGTON (AFP) - For the first time, White House hopeful Barack Obama leads his Republican rival John McCain in three of the biggest battlegrounds of November's election, according to a new poll Wednesday. The surveys by Quinnipiac University also found independent voters are opposed to defeated primary contender Hillary Clinton running as Obama's running mate on the Democratic ticket. Another poll out Wednesday by Zogby had Obama leading McCain by 47 percent to 42 nationally, with a 22-point lead among all-important independents. The Quinnipiac polls had Obama besting McCain 52-40 percent in Pennsylvania, 48-42 percent in Ohio, and 47-43 in... AFP on Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2032855/posts#comment Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:49:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2032174/posts One of these days I expect the Toledo Blade to change its name to something softer, like maybe the Toledo Spoon or Toledo Safety Scissors. Referencing the blade of a knife or sword is just too aggressive sounding for such a liberal, feel-good paper who apparently all believe if we'd just ban all weapons that crime would magically stop and we'd live in a rosy tinted Mr. Roger's neighborhood for the rest of time. Unless I'm missing the point, and they're referring to a lawnmower blade. Well, that still won't work since Karl Childers used one to kill Doyle Hargraves.... Ohioans for Concealed Carry http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2032174/posts#comment Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:54:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2031117/posts CHESTER, Ill. -- The rookie state senator from Chicago had driven 340 miles to explore southern Illinois, but Barb Brown could muster only 20 Democrats in this small town on the Mississippi River to have breakfast with him. She asked her niece and sister-in-law, who were helping in the kitchen, to come out to pad the audience. "We tried to convince people that they needed to come out and meet with this senator from Chicago, who on top of everything else was African American," Brown, a circuit court clerk, said of the 1997 gathering. "We had people looking at us... Washington Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2031117/posts#comment Sat, 14 Jun 2008 18:10:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2030929/posts Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- To draw attention to the way abortion disproportionately affects the African-American community, black pro-life advocates will be protesting outside the upcoming annual meeting of the nation's largest organization representing blacks. The NAACP protest will also reach the Democratic presidential candidate. Rev. Clenard Childress, a New Jersey pastor, told LifeNews.com about the protest and said pro-abortion presidential candidate Barack Obama and former candidate Hillary Clinton will be at the convention.  "Because 2008 is an election year, the presidential candidates will undoubtedly speak at the convention. This gives us a national stage to make our case to the... Life News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2030929/posts#comment Sat, 14 Jun 2008 03:13:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2030774/posts A jury on Friday convicted three men of Middle Eastern descent of plotting to recruit and train terrorists to kill American soldiers in Iraq. The men — Mohammad Amawi, 28, Marwan El-Hindi, 45, and Wassim Mazloum, 27 — face a maximum sentence of life in prison. Prosecutors said the men were learning to shoot guns and make explosives while raising money to fund their plans to wage a holy war against U.S. troops. Defense attorneys charged that the three defendants, who all lived in the Toledo area, were manipulated by a government informant. The jury returned its verdict after three... MSNBC http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2030774/posts#comment Fri, 13 Jun 2008 21:02:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2030295/posts Press Release Source: Opponents of Ohio Bans Ohio Voters Misled When They Voted for Smoking Ban; Ohio Senator Introduces Common Sense Bill Thursday June 12, 10:37 am ET COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 12 /PRNewswire/ -- On Nov. 7, 2006, Ohio voters passed Issue 5, Ohio's smoking ban, which included exemptions for private clubs and family-owned businesses. Over a year later, no private clubs are exempt and no family-owned businesses are exempt as far as we know. Ohio citizens have serious concerns about Issue 5 and an apparent concerted effort by special-interests to mislead Ohio voters. Ballot Language: What voters read when... Opponents of Ohio Bans via Yahoo News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2030295/posts#comment Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:41:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2030206/posts He has a high job rating in what was the most fiercely contested state in 2004, a state whose 20 electoral votes would have made John Kerry president if he had gotten 119,000 votes. But Strickland has taken himself out of the running. "If drafted, I will not run; if nominated, I will not accept; and, if elected, I will not serve." Some find that astonishing. A look at Strickland's curriculum vitae tells why he bowed out. He served as an associate minister in a Methodist church a year or so in the late 1960s. He worked two years as... US News and World Report http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2030206/posts#comment Thu, 12 Jun 2008 22:38:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2029646/posts 54 groups share nearly $1 million in cigarette-tax money for arts projects by Karen Sandstrom / Plain Dealer Reporter Tuesday June 10, 2008, 3:49 PM Over the next year, cigarette-buyers in Cuyahoga County will help pay for a summer arts program for 1,000 young people in neighborhood parks as well as outdoor concerts in University Circle. Those programs are among 54 that will receive a total of $980,000 from Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, the agency that administers the Issue 18 tax for the arts, levied at 1.5 cents per cigarette. On Tuesday, trustees approved the grants to, among others, University... The Cleveland Plain Dealer http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2029646/posts#comment Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:13:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2028900/posts Ohio Supreme Court properly rejects smoking-ban exemptions - editorial Monday, June 09, 2008 The Ohio Supreme Court did the right thing in snuffing out the Strickland administration's effort to allow patrons to smoke in fraternal and veterans clubs. In a 4-3 ruling, the high court last week rejected the governor's attempt to exempt those clubs from the statewide ban on smoking in almost all public places. Obviously pandering to veterans, the Ohio Department of Health exempted those private clubs from the Smoke-Free Workplace Act, approved by voters in 2006. A trade association that represents bar owners challenged the exemption in... The Cleveland Plain Dealer http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2028900/posts#comment Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:39:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2028681/posts BATAVIA, Ohio — An ailing retired farmer who refused to give up his outhouse after authorities declared it to be a public nuisance finally got a new one. Elbert "Lew" Preston, 79, stood his ground long enough for a nonprofit group to come to his aid [snipped] Foxnews.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2028681/posts#comment Tue, 10 Jun 2008 04:04:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2027489/posts Brown lambasted for opposing global-warming vote Friday, June 6, 2008 11:24 PM By Jack Torry THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH WASHINGTON — Sens. Sherrod Brown and George V. Voinovich today helped block a sweeping bill aimed at curbing global warming, ending congressional efforts on climate change until next year. By a 48-36 vote, supporters of the bill failed to muster the necessary 60 votes to end a Republican filibuster and clear the way for final passage. Brown was one of four Democrats and Voinovich was one of 32 Republicans to support the filibuster. While Voinovich's decision to oppose the bill had been... The Columbus Dispatch http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2027489/posts#comment Sat, 7 Jun 2008 06:24:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2027006/posts Green laser beam aimed at planes, choppers in Cleveland Posted by Donna J. Miller June 05, 2008 17:54PM Four people were arrested Wednesday night and accused of pointing a green laser beam at two passenger planes attempting to land at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. The laser was also pointed at a police helicopter, temporarily blinding the pilot, and at a Life Flight chopper that responds to emergencies for MetroHealth Medical Center. The police helicopter pilots said the laser beam entered their cockpit and struck the pilot directly in the eyes. The beam also created a disorienting matrix effect, with the... The Cleveland Plain Dealer http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2027006/posts#comment Fri, 6 Jun 2008 12:59:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2025700/posts A US-born man pleaded guilty Tuesday to helping to train fellow Al-Qaeda agents to carry out bombings in Europe and the United States, after a five-year global investigation, officials said. The targets included European tourist resorts frequented by Americans, as well as US military bases, embassies and consular offices in Europe. "Today's guilty plea brings an end to the long, dangerous career of Christopher Paul, an Ohio native who joined Al-Qaeda in the early 1990s, fought in Afghanistan and Bosnia and conspired with others to target Americans both at home and abroad," said Acting Assistant US Attorney General Patrick Rowan.... AFP via Yahoo News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2025700/posts#comment Wed, 4 Jun 2008 06:07:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2025602/posts Quarter to golf-ball sized hail, Tornado on the ground near College Corner. 46,000 foot tall storm. Strong rotation. http://www.wlwt.com/video/16482808/index.html http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2025602/posts#comment Wed, 4 Jun 2008 01:09:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2025511/posts Homeowners who don't mow their grass in the northeast Ohio city of Canton now face stiffer penalties-including possible jail time. The city council unanimously passed a law Monday that makes a second high-grass violation a fourth-degree misdemeanor carrying a fine of up to $250 and as many as 30 days in jail. The previous law only made the first violation a minor misdemeanor, with a fine of up to $150 but no jail time. The new law is to take effect in 30 days. "This is the type of action we need to take in order to clean up our... One News Now http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2025511/posts#comment Tue, 3 Jun 2008 22:19:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2023636/posts COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Self defense or an excuse for murder? It's the question state lawmakers have debated for months when it comes to an intruder storming your home. The House approved several Senate amendments on Wednesday and the Castle Doctrine may now become law. Senate Bill 184, the conceal carry Castle Doctrine, has a wide range of support in the statehouse, including backing from Ohio's top leader, NBC 4's Matt Alvarez reported. "The bill as I understand it, in its current form, is something I will support," said Gov. Ted Strickland. If made law, the bill will clear up current... nbc4i.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2023636/posts#comment Fri, 30 May 2008 18:30:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2023458/posts Ted Strickland’s first gun was a Roy Rogers cap pistol, “like the ones the cowboys use,” he said this week. After that, the governor remembers shooting squirrels and rabbits with a .22-caliber rifle. From that foundation, Strickland has supported gun rights in a way a lot of other Democrats haven’t—before it was trendy. It’s been a tough couple of years for Toby Hoover. More than three decades ago, her first husband was murdered during a hardware store robbery, and since then, she’s fought to spread the message that putting more guns into more hands would make Ohio a violent and... The Other Paper http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2023458/posts#comment Fri, 30 May 2008 12:24:29 GMT