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PerfectO-H
OSU defense steps up in second half to help team squeak past Michigan and complete undefeated season
 
By Felix Hoover
For Your News Columbus
Nov. 24, 2012
 
With 12 wins in as many games, the Ohio State football team became the sixth team in school history to go undefeated and untied.
From day one this squad knew there could be no baker’s dozen of victories because of NCAA sanctions imposed after last season.
As with many games this season, the win in the finale against Michigan wasn’t the prettiest. The win column, however, has no esthetic sensibilities, so the what exceeds the how.
The what was a 26-21 defeat of the Wolverines.
Michigan did all of its scoring in the first half and holding a one-point edge at halftime.
Two of the Wolverine scores were long distance, a 75-yard pass and run from Devin Gardner to Roy Roundtree and a 67-yard run by the elusive Denard Robinson. Gardner added a 2-yard run for touchdown.
OSU kicker Drew Basil made four of five field goal attempts and added the P.A.T. after a 3-yard touchdown run by Carlos Hyde in the first quarter, and a 14-yard scoring pass from quarterback Braxton Miller to Corey Brown.
Hard hitting, multiple forced turnovers and the attitudes of coaches Brady Hoke of Michigan and Urban Meyer of OSU set the tone for “The Game” and signaled that the nation’s greatest grid rivalries remains alive.

 

Buckeyes score big against Illini; journalists rack up points with teens
 
By Felix Hoover
For Your News Columbus
Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012
 
Working journalists aren't allowed to cheer in the press box at Ohio Stadium, but at least one writer in the writing corps can beam with pride because of what took place Saturday, November 3, at the Ohio Center for Broadcasting.
 
A few hours before the Ohio State football team posted a 52-22 win over Illinois, the Columbus Association of Black Journalists held a graduation ceremony for this year's students in the Jerry Revish High School Journalism Workshop.
Those honored were the eight students from central Ohio high schools who gave up each Saturday morning last month to take part in the workshop.
 
Kudos go not only to the students, but also to the professionals who gave their time and talent to sessions on radio, public relations, graphic design, television and online media. A video presentation and a mock newscast were shown at today’s ceremony to show off many of the things the students learned about the various media.
 
Here in Ohio Stadium the Buckeyes lead the Illini 7-6 at the end of the first quarter. As the teams switch directions on the field between quarters, fans observe a moment of silence for former Judge Robert M. Duncan, who died November 2. Through the years he served the university in numerous capacities, including chairman of the board.
 
Many members, prospective members, members from the Dayton chapter of the National Association of Broadcasters, new partners at the Ohio Center for Broadcasting and others contributed to the success of the journalism workshop and today's program.
 
After a 36-yard field goal by Drew Basil, it's 10-6. Carlos Hyde just bulled in from the five yard-line for another Buckeye TD. With Basil’s PAT it’s 17-6. Hyde wound up the day with 139 yards rushing on 18 carries.
 
No doubt the workshop students and their parents expected, and received, a first-rate workshop because it carries the name of WBNS-10TV anchor Jerry Revish, a former president of CABJ. He offered words of encouragement during today’s program as did speaker Amelia Robinson, president of the Dayton Association of Black Journalists.
 
Braxton Miller's pass to Rod Smith resulted in a 51-yard score. It's 24-6.
Wait, it's 31-6. The Buckeyes are scoring faster than this writer can assemble his observations about CABJ and the workshop.
 
What might have surprised the students was the enthusiasm with which the professionals made their presentations and their willingness to maintain contact with the young people throughout high school and beyond.
 
If there hadn't been a tripping penalty on Howard Travis's interception return, OSU probably would have chalked up another touchdown before the half.
Play during the third quarter was sloppy, but each team scored a touchdown. It's 38-14.
Corey Brown showed that Miller isn't the only Buckeye with sweet moves when he caught a pass from the elusive quarterback and outmaneuvered the Illini secondary on a 37-yard touchdown play.
Kenny Guiton replaced Miller at quarterback and seemed to be leading the Bucks to paydirt when an option play went awry. Illinois defender Ashante Williams scooped the errant pitch in stride and scored on a 71-yard recovery run. From a kicking formation, Russell ran in the two-point conversion.
Buckeye back Bri'onte Dunn carried most of the load, including the final three yards in a seven-play, 44-yard drive, making the final tally 52-22 in favor of the Buckeyes. OSU retains the coveted Illibuck.
Some extra licks on the last play of the game prompted the coaches to rush onto the field quicker than usual to ensure things didn't get out of hand.
Ohio State has a bye week before returning to play on Nov. 17 against the Badgers in Madison, Wisc.

 

Westside Casino set to Open

Twilight tranquility -- An aura of serenity outside the new Hollywood Casino on the West Side belies the hubbub inside on Wednesday during the preview activities at the gaming establishment. Proceeds from gambling at the preview are to be split among local charities. The amounts are to be announced on Monday, Oct. 8 at the casino's official opening. (Photo/Terry Gilliam)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Columbus City Schools Superintendent/CEO Gene T. Harris, Ph.D., Announces Her Retirement

Superintendent Gene Harris reflects for a moment during a news conference, at the King Arts Complex, Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012, where she announced she will retire effective July 1, 2013. Harris said the recent Columbus City School attendance investigation played no part in her decision to retire. (Photo/Terry Gilliam)

 
UAB footballers roll time, but Buckeyes stem tide for fourth victory
 
By Felix Hoover
For Your News Columbus
 
The gold and green UAB Blazers looked more like their better known Crimson Tide counterparts in the early going against Ohio State in Saturday’s match in Ohio Stadium.
 
Instead of  “Roll Tide,”  the phrase associated with the school in Tuscaloosa, “Roll Time” might have described the Birmingham team’s approach to the Buckeyes. UAB maintained possession of the ball 33:05 to 26:55 for Ohio State.
 
The Blazers got on the board first in their first-ever meeting with the OSU when Nick Adams scooped up a blocked punt and ran it into the end zone.
 
Orhian Johnson blocked the extra point kick by Ty Long, limiting the damage to 6-0 in favor of the Blazers.
 
After numerous missed tackles in OSU’s first games, that was to have been a point of emphasis in practices leading up to the UAB contest, but play throughout the game suggested more work needs to be done.
 
The Buckeyes showed enough offensive muscle to take a 21-12 lead into the locker room at halftime.
 
Being Alumni Week for the OSU marching band meant fans were treated to quadruple Script Ohio, one of the highlights of the afternoon. The Blazers’ kickoff to start the second half was much like a well-placed corner kick in soccer, but instead of setting up a teammate for a header into the goal, the maneuver enabled another UAB player to recover the kick in midair.
 
Long, who had shown strength and technique on kickoffs and on field goals of 47, 54 and 34 yards, missed from 47 yards out late in the fourth quarter. A made kick would have given him the option to try another onside kick. Instead, the Buckeyes mounted a scoring drive that essentially assured a win.
 
Doran Grant’s interception with 4:51 left in the game gave the Buckeyes the ball long enough to run time off the clock and for Buchanan to place a punt within the five yard line.
 
In the end, it was OSU 29, UAB15. The Buckeyes are 4-0 going into Big Ten play on September 29 at Michigan State. The game, which will kickoff at 3:30 p.m., will be the first away game this year for Ohio State.
 
***EXTRA: The name “Nick Adams” and a southern school somehow conjured up images of the old TV show featuring Nick Adams as The Rebel.
 
Reruns credit Johnny Cash as the singer of the theme song, but shows that air nowadays have a bland instrumental instead of the Man in Black’s distinctive “Johnny Yuma was a rebel….”
 
Was is money and contractual issues or social consciousness that brought about the change?

 

Buckeyes bounce back to beat Bears
 
By Felix Hoover
For Your News Columbus
 
With members of the 1942 national championship team and the new inductees into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame, Buckeyes fans were invited to look farther into their rearview mirrors than to last week’s win against Central Florida and the season-opening victory two Saturdays ago against Miami.
 
That’s not to forget a stellar performance by OSU quarterback Braxton Miller against Central Florida. His 27 rushes, believed to have been the most in a game by a Buckeye QB, and his three touchdowns tied the single-game OSU record set by Art Schlichter against Illinois in 1979.
 
Those are the kinds of stats cited when Hall of Fame talk begins.
 
Although the OSU defense wants to continue its take-away tactics -- it had a total of five interceptions from the first two games -- sometimes it takes only one timely theft to seal a spot in the Hall of Fame.
 
Think 1975 against Michigan with the Buckeyes’ undefeated season on the line. Think No. 44. Think Ray Griffin.
 
Just Googel “Ray Griffin interception” and you get the details of a play that helped save the day for OSU.
 
Griffin, an all-American defensive back in 1977, was among 12 people introduced at halftime of today‘s OSU-Cal game as the latest inductees into the school‘s athletic hall of fame.
 
The others were: Louise Bond-Williams, fencing; Pete Cusic, football; Jessica Davenport, basketball; George Downes, wrestling; Joseph Gailus, football, Rex Holman, wrestling; Bob Knight, lifetime achievement; Keturah Lofton, track and field; Dick Schafrath, football, Jim Stone, women‘s volleyball coach; and Mike Vrabel, football.
 
The 1942 football squad, which gave Ohio State its first national title in the sport, included future Heisman Trophy winner Les Horvath and East High grad Bill Willis, a future member of the collegiate and professional halls of fame.
 
It took a lot to trump the football heroes and the other spectacular athletics who gained and shared their fame with OSU.
 
“The General,” as some called Knight, commanded more applause than the other athletes honored, but not more than a certain retired Marine colonel,” former U.S. Sen. John Glenn. During the marching band’s halftime salute to the U.S. space program, the former astronaut and his wife, Annie, dotted the “I” in America. They are among the few non-band members who previously dotted the “I” in the band’s signature formation “Script Ohio.”
 
After all of the mid-game festivities, the Buckeyes sought to build on their 20-7 halftime lead.
Golden Bear tailback Brendan Bigelow didn’t want to make that an easy feat, however, as he a broke away from would-be tacklers to rip off an 81-yard touchdown run, the third longest run from scrimmage against the Buckeyes and longest by an opponent in Ohio Stadium. His combination of strength and balance showed why he’s on national watch lists as a kick return specialist.
 
Late in the game, folks were wondering whether Cal would make the Buckeyes pay for a missed extra point following the first touchdown of the day.
 
Cal quarterback Maynard turned receiver on a trick play that took the Bears into scoring position. He tied the game at 20 with a keeper.
 
Vincenzo D’Amato, who had missed two field goal attempts, made the extra point to put the Bear up 21-20 with 12:26 left in the game.
 
 
Bears defending against a Miller run allowed him to make an easy toss to Jake Stoneburner and to give the Bucks a 26-21 lead. Miller’s keeper for the 2-point conversion made it 28-21 with 8:31 to go.
 
Uh-oh. Bigolow, again. This time for another touchdown from beyond midfield. With the extra point, it was 28 all.
With 7:17 to go, Steve Williams’ interception of a Miller pass put the Bears back on offense with good field position.
 
With fourth and one at the OSU 25, California called time out, then sent out the field goal team for a 42-yard attempt. Much to the relief of the Buckeye faithful, the kick was once again wide left.
 
Then three plays into the Ohio series, Devin Smith was left wide open and easily scored on a 71-yard catch and run from Miller. With a made extra point kick by Basil it was 35-28.
Buckeye defensive back Christian Bryant intercepted a Maynard pass with a little over a minute in the game to help seal the win for OSU, which now is 3-0 for the season under first-year head coach Urban Meyer.
 
While several members of the Columbus Association of Black Journalists were covering today’s game, others were watching it together at T. Murray Bar on South High Street. About 25 folks were in the party, which included CABJ members and guests, as well as a delegation from Dayton, said CABJ President Jason Frazer.
 
This reporter had intended to exit the stadium in time to catch up with the partiers, but the close game changed that plan. Besides meeting newcomers and out-of-towners, the idea was to remind colleagues about predecessors who fought decades ago to be included in the press box and to be recognized as legitimate journalists.

 

 

Your News Columbus will be featuring a different Ohio State Women's basketball player each week. Make sure you check it out! (Photos/Terry Gilliam)

 

 

This weeks Player`: Tayler Hill

 

Your News Columbus will be featuring a different Ohio State Women's basketball player each week. Make sure you check it out! (Photos/Terry Gilliam)

 

This weeks Player`: Amber Stokes

 

 

Your News Columbus will be featuring a different Ohio State Women's basketball player each week in February. Make sure you check it out! (Photos/Terry Gilliam)

 

 

This weeks Player`: Kalpana Beach

 

 

Your News Columbus would like to Congratulate The Northland Vikings for winning its Sixth straight City League Basketball Championship (Photos By Terry Gilliam)

 

 

 

 

Your News Columbus will be featuring a different Ohio State Women's basketball player each week in February. Make sure you check it out! (Photos/Terry Gilliam)

 

 

This weeks Player`: Ashley Adams

 

 

Your News Columbus would like to Congratulate The Northland Vikings for winning its Sixth straight City League Basketball Championship (Photos By Terry Gilliam)

 

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Your News Columbus will be featuring a different Ohio State Women's basketball player each week in February. The first week will feature 7 reserve players. Make sure you check it out! (Photos/Terry Gilliam)

 

 

This weeks Players: Amy Scullion (25), Aleksandra Dobranic (15), Darryce Moore (22),  Raven Ferguson (31), Martina Ellerbe (23) Kynard Maleeka (12), Emilee Harmon (50).

 

 

 

Underdog Buckeyes make it close in season finale against Michigan gridders

By Felix Hoover

For Your News Columbus
Nov. 26, 2011

The one-game season boiled down to a two-minute drill.

Trailing 40-34 with 1:59 left in regulation, Ohio State needed the kind of ending that pulled out a 33-29 win against Wisconsin. Or something like the late touchdown against Purdue that wound up an overtime loss because of a missed point after touchdown toward the end of regulation play.
Today, however, didn’t come down to the PAT because there was no last-ditch touchdown. The day’s final pass from OSU quarterback Braxton Miller ended up as a tip-drill interception for Michigan.
Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson, who ran for 170 yards and passed for167 yards, took a knee on the last snap of the contest and ignited the victory celebration for the home crowd in Ann Arbor. The 40-34 victory would be the only win in the series for one of the league’s flashiest runners.
Both quarterbacks showed stretches of brilliance and plays that weren’t so bright, but both players boosted programs that needed a lift.
For Michigan, the win ended a seven-game losing streak to its archrival and put the Wolverines in position for a BCS bowl game, even though they won’t be playing for the Big Ten championship next week.
This year’s game in Ann Arbor marks the first one under the 12-member Big Ten and divisional play. Half of the teams, including Michigan, are in the Legends Division; the other half, including Ohio State, are in the Leaders Division. Division winners Michigan State and Wisconsin will play for the league title on December 3 in Indianapolis.
Even though the Bucks and Wolverines are in different divisions, they will still be scheduled to play one another during the final game of the regular season to maintain what many people consider the greatest rivalry in college football.
Going into today’s game with only a 6-5 record and facing reports that head coach Luke Fickell would be replaced by Urban Meyer, the underdog Buckeyes’ play seemed to reflect what Fickell had preached throughout the week.
“The most important thing: This is Michigan Week,” he said at a news conference on Monday.  “That’s where we’re focused. That’s what we want to talk about. That’s what we want our guys to understand about. It’s always been about a one-game season regardless of the records.

 

Marion Franklin Win in Overtime

Marion Franklin players celebrate after defeating Dresden Tri-Valley 48-42, Friday, Nov. 18, in overtime to advance to the Division II State Semifinals. The Red Devils will play Trotwood-Madison (13-0) at Clayton Northmont Good Samaritan Stadium, Friday, November 25, 7:30 p.m. (Photo/Gerald Diggs)

 

 

Home football finale downer for OSU seniors, boost for victims of sexual assault, bittersweet tribute to band leader.

By Felix Hoover

For Your News Columbus
Nov. 19, 2011
After last season, the 24 seniors on this year’s Ohio State football team couldn’t have imagined  the changes that would take place on the squad, in the league and in the leadership of two of the Big Ten’s most venerated programs.
The pre-game ceremonies before today’s contest between Ohio State and Penn State accentuated the suspension of players, the lost opportunity to win the Big Ten and the absence of former head coaches Jim Tressel  at Ohio State and Joe Paterno at Penn State
Some of the loudest applause went to some of the senior players who had been suspended for various games this year because they received various types of compensation in violation of NCAA rules.  The compensation included free or reduced rate tattoos, payment for work not done and other things. Violations led to the exodus of star quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who now is a member of the Oakland Raiders, and failure to properly report them, to the resignation of Tressel.
Today marked the first game that receiver DeVier Posey was eligible to play after his suspension. At times he looked like he would make up for much of that lost time, but ultimately neither he nor his teammates made enough good plays to overcome the bad.
For the third game in a row, the Buckeyes gave up 10 points before getting on the board.  Also, this marked the third game that the Bucks were in position for a late-possession winning score.
 No stars could be seen in the heavens because of heavy cloud cover, but they clearly were not aligned in OSU’s favor tonight. The 20-14 lead that Penn State mounted in the first half held up as the final score.
What had long been revered as one of the nation’s cleanest programs to a dive off the pedestal when allegations surfaced about child molestation involving former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky. The fallout has cost the jobs of Coach Joe Paterno and other ranking school officials.
Some people have questioned whether victims have been overlooked because so much attention is being placed on the football program.
Karen Days, president of the Center for Family Safety and Healing, took part in the coin toss ceremony before today’s game in Ohio Stadium as an advocate for the victims.
“I think that (OSU Athletic Director) Gene Smith was very classy in knowing that he wanted to do something that wasn’t too over-the-top. It paid respect to the victims, but it also paid respect to the Penn  State players and  saying: It’s not your fault either.’’
Days headed up two organizations, the Center for Child and Family Advocacy, as well as the Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence, which merged in April to form the center.
“We do all of it,” she said. “We don’t just do family violence. We do child sexual assaults, the exams and so forth, all done under my direction now. So it was fitting for me to be here today because of that matter.”
Even some of the brightest the moments for the Buckeye faithful were bittersweet – when the OSU marching band moved into a Woods formation in honor of retiring Band Director Jon Woods and when he was presented to the crowd to dot the “I” in the famed Script Ohio.
Without its full complement of players, OSU lost several early games in and out of the conference. Even so, the team controlled its destiny to be the Leaders divisional champs until last week’s loss to Purdue.
Saturday morning, Ohio State still had a slim chance to represent the division in the inaugural Big Ten Football Championship on Dec. 3, but that hope was crushed when Wisconsin beat Illinois. The winner in next Saturday’s game between Wisconsin and Penn State will face Legends Division winner Michigan State in Indianapolis for the conference title and a spot in the Rose Bowl.
Ohio State will play long-time rival Michigan next Saturday in Ann Arbor.

 

Big night for Coleman

Michael B.Coleman celebrates, after winning his historic fourth term as mayor of the city of Columbus, during a party at the Westin Hotel Tuesday, Nov 8, 2011.

 

Victory stroll

Former heavyweight boxing champ Joe Frazier was among this year's honorees in August at the annual ceremony held by the Sports Task Force of the National Association of Black Journalists. The occasion allowed "Smokin' Joe" to reflect on his career, including his three matches against his archrival Muhammad Ali. Those bouts included the Fight of the Century and the Thrilla in Manilla. Frazier died Monday, November 7, of cancer. He was 67. Photo Courtesy of Flexi-Media, LLC

 

City of Columbus Honors All Who Serve at the 2011 Veterans Day Ceremony and Parade

Workers line High Street to watch the Annual City of Columbus Veterans Day Parade, sponsored by the Military/Veterans Educational Foundation, Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011. This year's parade salutes Vietnam veterans, in honor of the 50th anniversary of U.S. troops in that nation in Southeast Asia.

 

 

International first

 
The Pledge of Allegiance has new meaning for the 200 people who became naturalized citizens of the United States on Saturday, November 5. U.S. District Court Judge Edmund A. Sargus Jr. presided over the session at Veterans Memorial on West Broad Street. This marked the first time that the swearing-in ceremony was held as part of the International Festival. Photo courtesy of Flexi-Media, LLC

 

 

 

 

Buckeyes’ football win over Indiana doesn’t play as scripted

By Felix Hoover

For Your News Columbus
Nov. 5, 2011

The book and the movie versions of today’s football game between Ohio State and Indiana don’t tell the same story.

According to the book, the Buckeyes’ high-power offense tramples the porous defense of the Hoosiers. The victory over Indiana is part of a scenario that has OSU winning out, getting help from another team that beats Penn State and advancing as the representative of the Leaders Division to face the Legends Division winner in the inaugural Big Ten Championship game.
The book, which was released after Wisconsin lost its way as the favored team among the Leaders, shows Ohio State running and passing at will against the Indiana. The Buckeyes were heavily favored because the Hoosiers had come into the game with a 1-9 record, 0-6 in the league.
OSU did amass a lot of rushing yardage, with three backs picking up more than 100 yards each, but the movie script keeps things close until a fourth-quarter interception by Buckeye defensive back Travis Howard gives his team breathing room en route to a 34-20 win.
A quick start by Indiana, aided by good field position after the game opening kickoff by OSU went out of bounds, allowed the Hoosiers to score 10 points before the Buckeyes got on track.
One of the most impressive plays by OSU quarterback Braxton Miller was his 81-yard touchdown run. He took full advantage of downfield blocking to take the ball the distance. The run was the sixth longest TD run in the school’s history and the longest by a Buckeye quarterback. It helped him net 105 yards rushing on the day. Running backs Daniel “Boom” Herron and Carlos Hyde also surpassed 100 yards on the ground today, with 141 and 105 yards, respectively.
Wisconsin’s freshman quarterback Tre Roberson also showed spurts of brilliance, ending up with a net 70 rushing and 174 yards passing. He and Miller both had one pass intercepted, but Miller’s had the same effect as a deep punt. Roberson’s, however, was the costly pick that essentially sealed the win for Ohio State.
The book would have Ohio State beating Purdue, Penn State and Michigan the next three weeksc, but the movie plot is yet to be screened.
And then, because of NCAA violations that led to the resignation of former head coach Jim Tressel and suspensions of several players, who knows what’s on the last page of the book or the movie?

 

 

Marion Franklin beats Brookhaven 34-28

Marion Franklin's defense surrounds Brookhaven's Tajuan Green, during the third quarter of a division II state playoff game, Friday, Nov 4, 2011. Green scored four touchdowns in the loss for the bearcats. Red Devils won 34-28.

 

 

Candidates making final pitches for local elections, state issues

 

By Felix Hoover

For Your News Columbus
Nov. 3, 2011
 
Campaign time takes candidates and issues activists to all sorts of events where potential voters are to be found.
In recent weeks, Mayor Michael B. Coleman, 56, has not only touted his own re-election, but also made a “vote No” pitch on Issues 1, 2 and 3.
 
He spoke on October 27 at the Thursday Lunch Club at the Eldon and Elsie Ward Family Y on the East Side and allowed members to get a one-stop overview of his bid for a fourth term as mayor and some the issues on the November 8 ballot.
 
Coleman said he’s departing from the Democratic Party position on Issue One, which would raise the maximum age at which a person can be elected or appointed judge from 70 to 75.
 
“I’ve seen example after example after example of people over 70 that make contributions as significant and important as when they were under 70,” he said.
 
There is a time when judges might not be able to perform their duties because of age, Coleman said, but he knows many able senior citizens who are mentally and physically able to continue service to the community well beyond the current mandatory retirement age.
 
Even though he explained why he’s voting “yes” on State Issue 1, contrary to his party’s position, he said he wasn’t banging the drum as loudly on that matter as on Issues 2 and 3. He has done commercials and other things asking people to vote “No” on 2 and 3.
 
Summaries from the Voter Information Bulletin published by the League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Columbus show: Issue 2 is a referendum on legislation relative to government union contracts and other government employment contracts and policies; Issue 3 is a proposed constitutional amendment concerning health care and health care coverage.
 
Unlike the Thursday Club appearance, Coleman also rode  in the Uptown on the Hill Parade earlier that week.  Several candidates for City Council, the Columbus Board of Education, judge and Clerk of Franklin County Municipal Court were among the officeholders and contenders who walked or rode along the parade route on West Broad Street.
 
Former Columbus police officer Earl Smith, 58, the Republican challenger in the mayoral race, also took part in the Hilltop parade. He is a former president of the Ohio Crime Prevention Association.
Franklin County voters will also decide the fate of Issue 22, a proposed levy to replace a 6-year, 3.5-mill levy for the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
Several events, such as Souls to the Polls, have been organized to draw out early voters. Souls to the Polls was an interfaith initiative that transported voters to the Franklin County Board of Elections to cast their ballots ahead of Election Day.

 

 

Judgement in favor of underdog Buckeyes in night game vs. Badgers.

 

 
By Felix Hoover
For Your News Columbus
Oct. 30, 2011
 

You’d have to think Judge H. Alfred Glascor would have loved the ceremony surrounding Saturday night’s football game between Ohio State and Wisconsin. With throwback uniforms and tributes to Buckeye legends, it was the kind of event the former Municipal Court judge had savored throughout much of his 97-year life.

As noted at his funeral earlier in the day at Centenary United Methodist Church, Glascor had been a lifetime member of the OSU Alumni Association, Omega Psi Phi fraternity and the NAACP. He and his wife Mary attended many games at Ohio State, always dressed stylishly and appropriately.
The judge, who served on the Franklin County Municipal bench from 1976 to 1990, and as a visiting judge for the Ohio Supreme Court, was known for his dapper appearance and for posture that was as straight as his character.
He was a role model in the legal and religious communities, as attested by the Rev. Dr. Lawrence E. Carter Sr., dean of the chapel at Morehouse College; and the Rev. Donnetta Peaks, pastor at Centenary, and affirmed by the presence of a chuch filled with lawyers, judges and court workers.
Glascor had been a Sunday School teacher, a trustee and choir member in several congregations. He was a co-founder of Second Community Church and had more recently been a member at Centenary.
He was as much a hero in his arena as the former football players who were honored at Ohio Stadium Saturday, Oct 29, Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George and members of the 1961 team.
George is to be inducted into the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame in Decemeber. The on-campus recognition of that honor was part of Saturday’s halftime ceremony.
One might not have thought that someone who made two costly fumbles against Illinois his freshman year could bounce back to become one of the most effective runners in Buckeye history. That’s not even factoring in that he needed an extra year of preparation at Fork Union Military Academy just to earn a chance at OSU.
According to former teammates, George’s success at Ohio State and in nine seasons in the National Football League can be attributed to his hard work.
Similarly, preparation was the cornerstone of Glascor’s career as a lawyer and jurist.
Glascor was a historian, whose knowledge covered a wide range of subjects, including Buckeye football. He was also a willing mentor and would have been glad to enlighten George about the accomplishments of the ’61 team, including the All-American performance of fullback Bob Ferguson, runner-up to Ernie Davis of Syracuse for the Heisman.
 The 1961 Buckeyes won the Big Ten and were named national champions by the Football Writers Association of America. After a tie withTexas Christian in the season opener, OSU won the rest of its games that year and received a bid to play in the Rose Bowl.
The bid, however, was rejected by the OSU Faculty Council because some members thought the university’s academic mission was being comprised by overemphasis on athletics. Student demonstrators protested what they thought was unfair treatment to players who had earned the trip to Pasadena.
That lost privilege pales in comparison to the injustice that Glascor and other African-Americans had experienced under the Jim Crow segregation of his native Georgia. His family moved North in 1921 when he was seven.
Glascor’s profession positioned him to administer justice and his leadership in ecumenical activity enabled him to further the cause of human dignity across racial, gender and religious lines.
The judge knew how to celebrate. His world travels were gifts to his wife of 65 years, Mary. He also maintained a place at Indian Lake – he called it “Buckeye Country” – where the Glascors entertained guests for many years.
Life on the bench demands a degree of pageantry, so the pyrotechnic display and the ritual of Script Ohio in its 75th year, were things he would have embraced. Likewise for the firework supplied by both teams in the second half.
Braxton Miller might not be the most prolific passer, but for the second game in a row, the freshman quarterback connected when it counted most.
Down 29-26 with 1:18 to go, he rolled right and looked like he was going to run for whatever he could get. Instead, he pulled up and launched a 40-yard touchdown pass to Devin Smith. With Basil’s extra point, the Bucks led 33-29 with 20 excruciating seconds left.
A squib kick out of bounds gave Wisconsin the ball at its own 40 Three passes to Nick Toon were incomplete, but a facemask penalty on the Buckeyes gave Wisconsin a final play with no time on the clock.
Badger quarterback Russell Wilson’s arm was hit as he was heaving the Hail Mary. The ball fell harmlessly into an empty space in the ‘Shoe that was quickly overrun by a Buckeye crowd eager to celebrate the Homecoming victory.
You’d have to think Judge Glascor surely would have loved the final verdict.

 

 

 
Punchers, punched by Bearcats
 

Mifflin quarterback Javonte Bing sits on the ground after fumbling the football during the second half of a City League-North Division game against Brookhaven, Friday, Oct. 28. Brookhaven defeated the Punchers 48-18.

 

 

 

Mayor spread message at Ward Y

 
Mayor Michael B. Coleman explains how the city is using the greatly reduced federal block grants today at the Thursday Lunch Club on Oct. 27 at the Eldon & Elsie Ward Family YMCA on Woodland Avenue. Once considered a candidate for governor, Coleman said he prefers his current position and hopes to be elected for a fourth term as mayor on November 8. The mayor of a major city has greater opportunities to have “direct impact on the daily lives of people,” he said.

 

 

Three Columbus Schools named Ohio Schools of Promise
Columbus Alternative HS, Eastmoor Academy HS, and Winterset ES
recognized by State Superintendent

Dr. Harris, Mr. Bell, Exquisite Riddle, Ebony Brown, Andrelisae Robinson, Nicole Gardner, Alexis Pannell, Jhane' Johnson, Crystal Bugg, Candace Milner, India Adams, Malcolm Crenshaw, Tahje Brown, Principal Gillison, Allora Mahon, Dia Scruggs and Mr. Stan Heffner, State of Ohio Superintendent of Public Instruction. ( Photo/ J. Bryant Columbus City Schools)


COLUMBUS, OH, October 18, 2011 — State Superintendent, Stan Heffner, chose Eastmoor Academy High School to announce the 2011 Ohio Schools of Promise. Among the 122 schools on his list – three Columbus City Schools – Columbus Alternative High School, Eastmoor Academy High School, and Winterset Elementary School.

These schools are being recognized for having excelled through rigorous coursework and a strong system of learning supports to help students succeed in an urban setting. Results are based on data from the 2010-2011 Local Report Cards issued by the Ohio Department of Education.

“This is the tenth year for the Schools of Promise program and we continue to see students who meet high expectations despite the challenges they may face,” said Heffner. “Although students in these schools come from a variety of ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, they prove that with the right learning supports, they can achieve at high levels. We celebrate their efforts, as well as their continued commitment to education.

“We are very proud of this accomplishment,” said Columbus City Schools Superintendent/CEO Gene T. Harris, Ph.D. “Over the past decade several Columbus City Schools have been recognized by the Ohio Department of Education as Schools of Promise. Principals, teachers, and support staff throughout the district have been working hard to increase the rigor of our offerings and to improve teaching and learning – and it is paying off in terms of improved State Report Card ratings across the district. It’s exciting to see Columbus Alternative High School, Eastmoor Academy High School, and Winterset Elementary School specifically recognized for their accomplishments. They are most deserving.”

According to the Ohio Department of Education, Schools of Promise are closing achievement gaps for economically disadvantaged and minority students. The 122 Schools of Promise outperformed schools statewide when comparing the number of indicators met in the state accountability system.

For more information please contact:
Jeff Warner, CCS Communications Director, 614-365-5680
Patrick Galloway, ODE Media Relations, 614-728-5959

 

King Arts Complex goes local for this year’s legends

By Felix Hoover
For Your News Columbus
Oct. 20, 2011

A recognition program that traditionally brings in some of the premier artists and arts advocates from across the country found an abundance of worthy honorees close to home this year.

The 6th Annual Legends & Legacies ceremony at the King Arts Complex saluted two dozen people who have helped develop and sustain the facility on Mount Vernon Avenue and have contributed to the betterment of central Ohio through their generous expenditure of time and talents.
 
Emcee Mike Jackson, an anchor at NBC4, invoked the memory of the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., who said, “Anybody can be great because everybody can serve….”
For this year’s legends, such service has been rendered on more than 1,000 boards. Jackson said.
 
As with previous honorees, such as Harry Belafonte, Maya Angelou, Danny Glover and Ruby Dee, advocacy has been among the many ways in which this year’s legends have distinguished themselves. Their advocacy has translated into inclusion across racial and gender lines throughout central Ohio and beyond.
The latest honorees were: Loann Crane, Robert M. Duncan, Lynn Greer, Archie Griffin, Donald Harris, Is Said, Larry James, Kojo Kamau, Cathe Kobacker, Doug Kridler, Wayne Lawson, Robert Lazarus, Amos H. Lynch Sr., Mary McClendon, Florence and William Richardson.
 
Aminah Robinson, Clifford Tyree, Gene Walker, Terri Springer Walker, Ric Wanetik, Tony and Aziza West, Jeanette Williams, John B. Williams and Catherine Willis.
 
The legends received a medal and a plaque. Cliff Tyree Jr. accepted on behalf of his late father; William Richardson accepted on behalf of himself and his late mother.
Such an occasion wouldn’t have been complete without performance. Presentations by spoken word artist “Speak” Williams and vocalist Sabrina Tutstone filled the bill. Tutstone modified the popular That’s What Friends are For, making it That’s What Legends are For.

 

Amos Lynch, six others inducted into Ohio Civil Rights Hall of Fame

 

By Felix Hoover

For Your News Columbus

Oct. 13, 2011

 

Honors continue to pour in for the local journalism icon known to many as “The Godfather.”
 

The latest tribute came today at the Ohio Statehouse, where Amos H. Lynch Sr. was among the seven distinguished individuals inducted into the Ohio Civil Rights Hall of Fame. He was recognized for more than a half-century of service to the community as a reporter, manager and publisher of weekly newspapers targeted toward the African-American community.

Recently Lynch was saluted by the Columbus branch of the NAACP. On Oct. 20 he is to be among about two dozen honorees at Legends & Legacies: Celebrating Our Own, 7 p.m. Thursday, October 20 in the Pythian Theatre at the King Arts Complex.

Angela Pace, community affairs director at WBNS-10TV, emceed today’s ceremony in the Statehouse atrium. Lynch often has said if she’s not the person who dubbed him “The Godfather,” a la the Mario Puzo title character, she made the nickname stick. Lynch was one of Pace’s first mentors in journalism.

The other six inductees were: Roger Ambramson, a musician and promoter who fought segregation in Cincinnati and nationally; the late Theodore M. Berry, lead defense attorney for three Tuskegee Airmen court-martialed during the Freeman Field Mutiny; the late Ken Campbell, a national advocate for people with disabilities; retired Judge Nathaniel R. Jones, formerly of the Sixth Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals; Louis Sharp, a pioneer with the Ohio State Highway Patrol and former mayor of Urbancrest; and V. Anthony Simms-Howell, long-time board member for the Ohio Commission on Hispanic Latino Affairs.

 

Steven A. Davis, chairman and chief executive officer of Bob Evans Farms Inc., was the speaker.

 

For details, see www.crc.ohio.gov

 

Marion-Franklin gridders hold on against invading Eastmoor Warriors

By Felix Hoover

For Your News Columbus

Oct. 20, 2011

The pageantry of Senior Night set the stage for a hard-fought football game tonight between Eastmoor and hosting Marion-Franklin.

Both powerhouses in the City League South displayed speed and strength in the early going, and as some of the veteran observers in the stands predicted, each side revealed vulnerability to turnovers.
The expectation of a high scoring contest got off to a slow start, with the only scoring in the first quarter coming from Eastmoor on a touchdown and a successful kick for the point after.
Once Marion-Franklin got into gear, it chalked up 24 second-quarter points before the Warriors scored again. The Red Devils used at least one trick play, the old hook and ladder, in that stretch. Fans questioned whether some of the kickoffs by Marion-Franklin were drawn up as on-side kicks, but the effect was the same. The Devils recovered one such kick in its scoring barrage.
Eastmoor looked like it might cut further into Marion-Franklin’s lead before halftime, but failed to connect on a number of passes in scoring position. The teams headed for the lockers with Marion-Franklin up 30-14. For the Devils, that was all of their points for the night, but enough to hold off the Warriors for a 30-20 win and sole possession of first place in their division.
Not all of the blocking took place on the playing field. Many fans arrived early because they figured parking would be at a premium, but they probably didn’t factor in several later arrivals who had no qualms blocking them in. Authorities made announcements over the public address system and took other actions to aid those trapped.

 

Late TD helps football Buckeyes avert shutout in league opener

 
By Felix Hoover
For Your News Columbus
Oct. 1, 2011
 
Fans provided the scarlet, and cloud cover the gray the team‘s performance added the gray, as the Ohio State football team began Big Ten play at home against the Michigan State Spartans.
 
The early going suggested that defense would be the operative word because of the sluggish start by the Buckeye offense. Likewise for Michigan State, although the Spartans did mount a five-play scoring drive in the first quarter that culminated with a 33-yard touchdown pass from Kirk Cousins to former Westerville South standout B. J. Cunningham. Otherwise, neither team got its offense in gear the rest of the half.
 
In the first minute of the fourth quarter, MSU was on the move when the Buckeyes secondary executed a tip-drill interception to perfection. Joe Bauserman replaced Miller at quarterback, but had no better luck than the freshman until late in the contest.
 
With 10:35 left in the game, Michigan State gave itself a cushion with a 50-yard field goal. Although they didn’t score the rest of the way, they ate enough clock to put the Buckeyes on the ropes.
 
A 34-yard Bauserman to Evan Spencer pass with 10 seconds left prevented a skunking and even set up the possibility of a miracle finish. Had the Buckeyes recovered the onside kick they would have had only seven seconds to get into field goal position or score a touchdown.
 
No miracle. Michigan State corralled the kick and won 10-7.
 
In a post-game news conference Buckeye Coach Like Fickell said, “It all starts with the penalties. You can’t start with that negative situation to get behind in the count.”
 
Cunningham was the offensive star of the game, ending with 154 yards on nine catches. Another local product, running back Le’Veon Bell, who played for Groveport Madison, picked up 50 yard rushing and 17 receiving.
 
With the loss, the Buckeyes went to 3-2 for the season and 0-1 in the conference.

 

 
 
HUD Awards Columbus $3 Million Grant for Lead Paint Cleanup Efforts
Funding will Make Low-Income Housing Safer and Healthier
 
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced last week that Columbus will be awarded grant funds to implement activities to protect children and families from lead-based paint and other home health safety hazards. The $3 million, three-year grant will be used to evaluate 250 homes for lead paint and hazards, eliminate lead hazards in 200 homes built prior to 1978 with children younger than 6, conduct outreach and education to reach at least 200,000 people, and provide training to120 individuals in lead-based paint assessments and remediation.
 
“The safety of our kids and families is always a top priority, which is why it’s so important for making sure our homes are free of hazardous material,” Mayor Coleman said. “I want to thank HUD for helping us make sure our homes are safe and lead-free.”
 
HUD awarded $93 million in grant funds to 39 projects for cities, counties and states to eliminate dangerous lead pain hazards in thousands of privately-owned, low-income housing units. Homeowners and tenants benefiting from the program must meet HUD income guidelines for the grant award. Lead-based paint was banned for residential use in 1978, but HUD estimates that 24 million homes still have significant lead-based paint hazards today. Lead exposure can lead to a variety of health problems in young children.
 
Since 1995, the City’s Department of Development has administered the Lead Safe Columbus program which has invested HUD grant funds totaling $14,969,067 in the neighborhoods of Columbus. To date LSC has performed 1,527 single and double unit risk assessments, conducted risk assessment sample methods for multi-family units, and cleared 1,156 multi-family units and 898 single and double units as lead safe homes for families. LSC has sponsored the training of 535 persons to become lead contractors, lead workers, risk assessors, lead safe renovators and RRP certified. 
 
For additional information visit the City of Columbus, Lead Safe Columbus web page at http://development.columbus.gov/housing/content.aspx?id=22672
 

 

standTaking A Stand Against Abuse   

  

Franklin County Children Services Welcomes
New Executive Director Chip Spinning

Chip SpinningThe Franklin County Children Services Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that it has appointed Charles (Chip) M. Spinning as the agency's new Executive Director, effective October 11.

 

Spinning, age 42, of South Charleston, Ohio has served more than 11 years as executive director of the Madison County Department of Job and Family Services in London, Ohio and is serving his first term as president of the Public Children Services Association of Ohio (PCSAO), which represents the legislative interests of child welfare agencies in all 88 Ohio counties. He formerly worked for a skilled nursing home and assisted living services in two states.


"I embrace this agency's concept of protecting children by strengthening families and look forward to collaborating with the staff and the community to continue the incredible progress already made in child protection and family engagement here," said Spinning. Click here for the media release.

 

Buckeyes herd Buffaloes in bounce-back game
 
By Felix Hoover
For Your News Columbus
Sept. 24, 2011
 
Colorado running back Rodney Stewart (5) catches a pass during the third quarter.

 Much like the day itself, it took both football teams a while to warm up today as Ohio State hosted Colorado in Ohio Stadium.

 
For the home team, it was a test to see if it could bounce back from last week’s 24-6
loss to Miami. They did, winning 37-17.
 
Even with a holding penalty against the Buckeye’s on their opening kickoff return, they still started with good field position, their own 40 yard line. A mishandled center snap by freshman quarterback Braxton Miller initially made his first start as the Ohio State quarterback less than wonderful.
　
A 20-yard punt by the Buffaloes gave the Bucks even better position for its second possession. The series ended with a 1-yard touchdown run by Jordan Hall.
 
A fumble by Colorado running back Rodney Stewart put OSU deep in Colorado territory. A little more than 10 minutes into the game, Drew Basil kicked a 28-yard field goal and OSU led 10-0. A 32-yard pass from Miller to Devin Smith in the second quarter made it 17-0 in favor of the home team.
 
Some of the exciting play that Ohio State loyalists have expected from quarterback Miller was exhibited early in the game, with runs totaling 98 yards and passes accounting for 40 yards the first half. He wound up with 104 yards on the ground and 83 in the air, completing 5 of 13 passes with no interceptions. He also sustained some tough hits, but said after the game that he was all right.
 
Miller also said he learned, “Just play fast, and things came a lot easier.”
 
After Colorado closed the gap to 17-7 with an 11-yard pass from Tyler Hansen to Toney Clemons, the Buffaloes again gave the Buckeyes good field position by kicking the ball out of bounds. OSU, however, didn’t capitalize by run or pass. Instead, recovering a muffed punt helped them maintain control of the ball with enough time for a field goal right before the half ended.
 
In the second half, OSU struck first, with Miller again connecting with Smith, this time for a 17-yard touchdown.
A 47-yard field goal in the third quarter by Will Oliver proved to be Colorado’s last serious threat. On the ensuing kickoff, Jordan Hall picked up 90 of his total 135 kick-return yards on a crowd rouser that left the ball five yards short of the end zone. In a post-game interview he said he was “mad that he didn’t finish it off.“
 
His fellow running back Carlos Hyde picked up the difference the next play to make it 34-10 once Drew Basil tacked on his fourth extra point of the day.
 
A Basil field goal and a Colorado touchdown rounded out the scoring.
 
Joe Bauserman, the Buckeyes’ starting quarterback the first three games of the season, engineered a drive that wound up about a foot short of the end zone. OSU allowed time to expire rather than going for a rub-it-in last touchdown.
 
Even though Colorado’s Stewart had a few miscues, the Brookhaven product showed glimpses of why he ranks among the team’s all-time best rushers and receivers.
 
Today’s game came a day short of 34 years ago when the team from Boulder upset Ohio State 20-14. The Bucks won all three of the other previous contests between the two schools -- one at home, one away and one at a neutral site, the 1977 Orange Bowl.
 
OSU begins Big Ten play next Saturday with a 3:30 p.m. contest at home against Michigan State. It will air on ABC.

President Obama’s personal touch connects with Fort Hayes students

By Felix Hoover

For Your News Columbus
Sept. 13, 2011
 
Teens who might not normally have interest in the political scene perked up today when the president of the United States showed up on their campus.
 
The 1,400 students at Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center and people from the community gathered on the grounds of the old Columbus Barracks to hear President Barack Obama promote the American Jobs Bill he announced on television last week and presented to Congress yesterday.
 
“It motivates me to do better in school,” said Cheyenne Younger, 15, a 10th-grader at Fort Hayes High School.
Much of the president’s speech was devoted to upgrading educational opportunities and giving students the tools to compete globally..

 

 

Candle for hope

Photo: Courtesy Flexi-Media, LLC

The Rev. Forrest Hoppe, association minister, Central Southeast Association, United Church of Christ, lights a candle for hope at the Ohio Interfaith Prayer Service on the 10th anniversary of 9/11. The service at the Statehouse atrium brought together communities of diverse faiths to:

Pray for all affected by the tragedy.
Honor the creative human responses
Promote peace and interfaith harmony
Foster unity among people of Ohio
Sponsors included Central Ohioans for Peace, Columbus Jewish Federation, Columbus Metropolitan Area Church Council, Council on American Islamic Relations - Ohio, Dominican Sisters of Peace. Interfaith Association of Central Ohio. Ohio Catholic Conference, Ohio Council of Churches, Office for Social Concerns - Catholic Diocese of Columbus, Muslim Students’ Association at OSU, Sikh Educational and Religious Foundation, St. Thomas More Newman Center and United Church of Christ, Ohio Conference.
 

Buckeye gridders romp in season opener with Akron Sept 11, 2011

 

Buckeyes win, but by how much, in 1891 football series opener with Akron Sept 11 2011

 

Ohio State honors 13 who elevated athletics in Buckeye land Sept 10, 2011

 

USA Today Ranks Columbus 2nd Most Playful City for Kids

USA listed the nation’s five best cities for kids to play. Columbus was named behind San Francisco and ahead of Hartford; Orlando; and Auburn, Washington. Please see the link below.

http://www.usaweekend.com/article/20110902/HOME02/110902001/Where-playgrounds-are
 

 

Mayor Coleman Delivers 12th State of the City Address Highlighting the Character of Columbus Residents and the Strength of Columbus Neighborhoods

Mayor Michael B. Coleman delivered  his 12th State of the City Address Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011, at COSI. The Mayor declares that the greatness of our city flows from the character of its people. He says Columbus neighborhoods are the lifeblood of our city, and many are in need of reinvestment and revitalization. (Photo/Terry Gilliam)

Read Mayor Coleman’s entire State of the City Address

 

 

Protesters against Senate Bill 5

Protesters against Senate Bill 5 display signs during a rally, in the atrium, at the Ohio Statehouse Thursday, Feb 17, 2011, in Columbus, Ohio. ( Photo/Terry Gilliam)