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Associated Press Friday Morning Ohio Headlines - 2/26/2010
Latest Ohio news, sports, business and entertainment:
WINTER WEATHER-OHIO
Snowstorm closes usually hardy Ohio schools
CLEVELAND (AP) - A fierce winter storm has led to closings at northern Ohio school districts that are accustomed to snow and usually don't cancel classes.
The region is in the path of a huge storm that's once again hammering East Coast cities such as Philadelphia and New York. A winter storm warning in effect until 10 tonight says seven counties in northeast Ohio could get up to 15 inches of snow, and forecasters say wind gusts of up to 30 mph will blow the snow around and make things difficult for motorists.
The Cleveland and Akron school districts are among many in the region that have told students not to report today.
Though snowfall elsewhere in the state has been lighter, police are warning drivers about blowing, drifting snow and slippery road conditions.
CALAMITY DAYS-ONLINE CLASSES
Plan would allow e-learning on snow days
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio students who may be used to sledding or playing video games on snow days could instead be given schoolwork via computer, under a proposal from state lawmakers.
A bill offered by a bipartisan group of legislators would let schools use online lessons so as many as five school days called off for bad weather or other calamities would not have to be made up. Districts could immediately post assignments on their Web sites for students to complete within two weeks.
One of the bill's co-sponsors says students who don't have Internet access at home would receive hard copies of the lessons when classes resume.
Ohio House Education Committee Chairman Brian Williams has reacted favorably to the proposal. He says learning would keep moving during snow shutdowns.
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Information from: The Columbus Dispatch, http://www.dispatch.com
FORD ENGINE JOBS
Ford adds 60 jobs at Cleveland-area engine plant
BROOK PARK, Ohio (AP) - Ford has announced that it is investing $155 million and has added 60 jobs at an engine plant in suburban Cleveland to build a fuel-efficient V-6 engine for the 2011 Mustang.
Ford said Friday that the engine is expected to lead its class in fuel efficiency with 30 miles per gallon on the highway and 305 horsepower. The Cleveland Engine Plant Number 1 in Brook Park is expected to build two-thirds of Mustang engines in 2011.
The Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker says the 3.7-liter engine with automatic transmission shows Ford's commitment to delivering class-leading fuel efficiency in all new vehicles.
Ford says it is investing $1.8 billion and adding 1,260 jobs to support nine engines and transmissions for 2011 models in North America.
PARAMEDICS-STANDARDS
Ohio paramedic programs to meet national standards
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A state panel will now require Ohio paramedic training programs to be nationally accredited, a move advocates say will improve patient care.
Critics say accreditation is costly and unnecessary.
The state Emergency Medical Services board approved the change yesterday.
Currently, only five of the more than 50 paramedic training courses in Ohio are accredited, with another 14 pursuing that status.
Supporters of accreditation say Ohio's paramedics should meet national standards. But opponents, including EMS agencies, say Ohio already has standards that are higher than the national ones. They also complain about the roughly $2,000 cost for a program to be accredited.
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Information from: The Columbus Dispatch, http://www.dispatch.com
OBAMA-ARTS AND HUMANITIES
Dylan, Eastwood get White House arts awards
WASHINGTON (AP) - Ohio's Oberlin Conservatory of Music has been honored at the White House, right alongside actor and director Clint Eastwood and singer Bob Dylan.
The country's oldest continuously operating conservatory was one of the recipients of arts and humanities medals presented last evening by President Barack Obama.
The White House called Dylan "an icon of youthful rebellion and poetic sensitivity" and said Eastwood's films and performances are "essays in individuality, hard truths and the essence of what it means to be American."
Awards also went to soprano Jessye Norman, actress Rita Moreno, artist Frank Stella and Kennedy speechwriter Ted Sorensen, among others.
OHIO EARTHQUAKE
Researcher says 'tiny' earthquake hits Ohio
FOSTORIA, Ohio (AP) - The Ohio Seismic Network says a small earthquake has hit northwest Ohio, with reports of wobbly legs, rattling windows and a loud boom.
Network Coordinator Michael Hansen said yesterday that a preliminary analysis shows the earthquake's center was between Bettsville and Fostoria and that it ranked around a 2.4 or 2.5 on the 10-point Richter magnitude scale.
He says the tremor was felt around 5:15 p.m. and likely lasted less than 10 seconds.
There were no reports of injury and Hansen says such a "tiny" quake happens regularly is not the type that would cause damage.
He says the quakes help researchers locate Ohio fault lines, which are below the earth's surface.
ETHICS-KAPTUR
Ethics panel: NY congressman broke travel rules
WASHINGTON (AP) - The U.S. House ethics panel has ended a widespread investigation, saying it found no violations of House rules by seven lawmakers including Toledo Democrat Marcy Kaptur.
All are or were senior members of the House Appropriations Committee.
They steered government money and projects and contracts to favored companies that donated to their re-election campaigns.
The Associated Press obtained a copy of letters exonerating the seven along with an accompanying report.
The House panel's report says its investigators "found no evidence" that the lawmakers or their official staffs considered or sought contributions in return for appropriations.
FOOD-BURGER BASH
Iron Chef Michael Symon wins burger bash
MIAMI (AP) - Cleveland chef Michael Symon thinks pastrami is the reason his "Fat Doug" hamburger was named top burger yesterday at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival.
His winning burger -- a beef patty topped with his own pastrami, Swiss cheese and coleslaw on a brioche bun -- edged out a spice-crusted burger with slaw and barbecue sauce by fellow Food Network star Bobby Flay. Symon is a winner of the network's "Iron Chef" competition.
His new award is part of the Burger Bash, an annual event at the festival in Miami Beach hosted by Rachael Ray. Chefs from around the country gather on the beach for a massive grill session and let attendees vote for best burger.
Symon's winning burger is a menu staple at his B Spot restaurant in Cleveland.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
AP-NY-02-26-10 0904EST
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