Ohio

Advocates of a proposed Clinton County casino hit the road this week, speaking with various county commissioners about why they should support the project. Two weeks ago, the casino developers also made a tour of the state, fielding questions in Ohio's major population and media centers.

The $600 million casino, if approved, would be built in Clinton County across from the Caesar Creek Flea Market. It's proposed location would put it right in the middle of what is referred to as "The Golden Triangle" - the 60-mile radius area between Cincinnatti, Dayton, and Columbus.

The casino is anticipated to be a private development project, and would reportedly create 5,000 new jobs with liveable wages. The lowest paying position would start at $15/hour with full benefits.

The casino itself, say developers, would be built with "Midwestern sensibilities." In other words, it will fit in with the landscape. The casino would resemble a country mansion, and be similar in design to the Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo, Michigan.

Features of the casino would include a 20-floor hotel with 1,500 suite style rooms. There would also be eight restraurants available "for the discriminating palate".

Papa John's estimates that they sold an estimated 75,000 pizzas on Thursday in Ohio during a promotion that offered pizza lovers the chance to snag a pie for just 23-cents. More than 80 Papa John's locations in Cleveland, Akron, Youngstown, Toledo, and Columbus took park in the one-day special.

The promotion netted more than $17,500, with all proceeds going to the LeBron James Family Foundation. Papa Johns also donated an additional $10,000 to James' foundation, as well as another $10,000 to the Cavaliers Youth Fund.

Paja Johns offered the promotion to Ohioans after backing the wrong team in the playoffs, and giving away t-shirts making fun of "cry baby" LeBron James. After numerous complaints, Papa Johns decided on a 23-center special, taking inspiration from LeBron's #23.

Obviously more than just Cavs fans showed up for the special deal, and throughout the day there were reports of long lines, traffic problems, and complaints about long waits.

Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann admitted that he had an affair with a subordinate on Friday at a press conference held in response to an internal investigation of sexual harrassment claims against Director of General Services Anthony Gutierrez.

Results of the internal investigation were released on approximately 9:30am Friday morning.

Dann opened the news conference by first complimenting Assistant Attorney General Ben Epsy on a fair, complete, and thorough investigation. Dann also said that he is "heartbroken by my failure" to recognize and stop problems in his office. Then he admitted to the affair, and apologized to his wife and children.

"I have not conducted my self in a way that is consistent with my values..." said Dann.

Ben Espy, the assistant Attorney General for the state of Ohio, led the investigation. He indicated that he does not have the authority to recommend suspending or reprimanding Dann for his behavior, but did recommend that he receive additional training on proper office procedure.

Espy also cited a hostile work environment created by Gutierrez, one that was rampant with rumor and inappropriate fraternization and "poor judgment" on Dann's behalf.

Where's the beef? It is now in Atlanta. Wendy's, which was founded and based in Ohio, has been acquired by the parent company of Arby's. The Atlanta based chain had been trying to obtain control of the Dublin, Ohio, based chain for over a year. $2.34 billion of Triarc Companies Inc was the number that Wendy's board agreed to today.

Pam Thomas Farber, the daughter of founder Dave Thomas whose passing seemed to have doomed the 3rd largest hamburger chains fortunes, expressed her displeasure with the takeover by Triarc Companies Inc.

"It's a very sad day for Wendy's, and our family. We just didn't think this would be the outcome"

Wendy's stock price has plummeted over the year and billionaire Nelson Peltz, who is the largest shareholder of Triarc, has made it his goal to takeover the weakened company. Following a poor quarter he finally won over the board who agreed to $26.78 for the company who had traded over $40 a share just a year ago.

One of the factors we don’t know about the deal for the Medical Mart and Convention Center is what the lease will say or thereafter how often the lease will be ignored to the benefit of the developer.

Cuyahoga County has bestowed to private interests, in a memorandum of understanding, some $903 million for construction and operation of a Medical Mart and Convention Center. The public, however, doesn’t yet know what it is buying. The politicians have shown over and over that they don’t care.

With Commissioner Tim Hagan’s close association with the Kennedy family and its connection to MMPI (Merchandise Mart Properties Inc.) of Chicago, headed by Chris Kennedy, son of late Sen. Robert Kennedy, don’t expect much critical oversight.

Want some hints of what we may be buying?

Hagan, to me, is the key.

Hagan - a principal mover in Gateway – remained suspiciously quiet as some very strange and exotic spending spiraled out of control in that highly subsidized deal.

Sean Levert, the son Eddie Levert of the O'Jays and younger brother of R&B singer Gerald Levert, passed away late Sunday night at the age of 39.

Levert died at 11:57pm at Luthern Hospital after being transported to the facility from the Cuyahoga County Jail. Levert had gone to the jail's infirmary complaining he was sick. He was reportedly in jail for failing to pay about $80,000 in child support.

Levert was the younger brother of Gerald Levert, who passed away in 2006. He was also a member of the band "LeVert" with his brother.

Gerald Levert died on November 10, 2006 at the age of 40, where he was found dead in his bed at his Newbury home.

Due to new anti-terrorism rules from the Department of Homeland Security, those paying to fish on Lake Erie will have to bring with them either a passport or two other forms of ID if planning to cross the invisible northern U.S. border. The 2008 charter season begins next month, and these new regulations threaten to damage the local charter and tourism industry.

The rules apply to the other Great Lakes as well, but its half of the best fishing in Lake Erie - the half with the deeper, colder waters - that just happens to be on the Canadian side. And according to Homeland Security, they plan on enforcing the new border security rules on fisherman re-entering the country.

Upon arriving back on US shores, fisherman will be required to drive to a local government reporting station where they will have to pose for pictures for Customs officers through a videophone connection.

Lake Erie's over 600 charter boat captains are furious, citing that the rules will not only be difficult to follow, but will also deter tourism and won't stop terrorism.

Operators wishing to continue fishing in Canadian waters will be forced to:

12 high school baseball teams will have the honor of playing at the park the Cleveland Indians call home on April 19th and 20th. Progressive Field will host the teams as part of the 5th annual Cleveland Indians Charities High School Hardball Classic. Tickets for the event are a reasonable $5-$7. Fans are asked to call 216-420-HITS for more information.

Here are the dates and times of the scheduled games.

Saturday, April 19th
10:00am -- Notre Dame Cathedral Latin vs. Archbishop Hoban
12:30pm -- Port Clinton vs. Vermilion
3:00pm -- St. Vincent - St. Mary vs. Berea

Sunday, April 20
10:00am -- Hudson vs. Avon Lake
12:30pm -- Aurora vs. Kenston
3:00pm -- St. Edward vs. Solon

While 'The Beatles' famously sang "Magical Mystery Tour" in 1967, the city of Cleveland will host something much more depressing when ReMax realtor Al Stasek will launch a $15 tour of homes that have been foreclosed and up for sale.

Stasek will show a dozen homes and is taking bids right on the bus. Each trip to a foreclosed home will include a brief tour of the property. Stasek also plans on more tours if the trip is succesful. The first trip is scheduled for April 5th at 11 am.

If you are interested in attending the real estate bus trip, you are asked to call (877) 925-1018 ex.160.

One and done for the Kent State Golden Flashes. The Kent State basketball team could not overcome a horrendous start and fell to the UNLV Runnin' Rebels 71-58 today in the first round of the NCAA tournaments. Kent State, which won the Mid American Conference this year, finished the season at 28-7.

The big story of the game was the sloppy play of the Kent State in the opening half. Turning the ball over 17 times and barely shooting over 20% from the field led to a NCAA record low 10 points and deficit of over 20 points. Despite cleaning up their play in the second half, the Flashes couldn't overcome their poor start. How abysmal was Kent State's opening stanza? The team had five-minute and seven-minute scoreless stretches in the first half.