Diberdayakan oleh Blogger.

Popular Posts Today

So far, few answers in Pilot Flying J case

Written By kolimtiga on Senin, 29 April 2013 | 00.38

By: Nate Rau and Walter F. Roche Jr., The Tennessean

As the dust settles on the FBI raid of the Knoxville headquarters of Pilot Flying J, the nation's largest truck stop chain, the long wait for the legal fallout has begun.

Laptops have been confiscated by federal agents, secretly recorded conversations have been made public and Pilot Flying J CEO Jimmy Haslam III, who is the brother of Gov. Bill Haslam, has held three somber press conferences conferences trying to reassure his customers and the public about the integrity of his company.

The case has captivated the local legal community, white-collar crime experts from across the country, professional football fans and the multi-billion-dollar trucking industry. But there can be a lag time of months or even years between an FBI raid on corporate offices and potential criminal charges. That means the most pressing questions regarding the federal investigation of Pilot Flying J may not be answered for quite some time.

Which sales executives, if any, will be indicted for their role in an alleged scheme to defraud trucking companies out of millions of dollars in diesel fuel rebates? How high up the Pilot executive ladder did the rebate scheme go? And what will the federal investigation mean for billionaire Tennessee heavyweight and Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam?

"It's something everybody here is talking about," said Gerard Martin, a Baltimore attorney and former federal prosecutor.

Legal intrigue

When news broke that FBI and IRS agents had raided the Pilot headquarters on April 15, observers quickly began to wonder as to the focus of the investigation. The government was under no obligation, experts say, to release the details of its investigation to the public. Investigators could have built their case and waited until charges were filed to break the news to the public.

But the day after the raid, Haslam held a press conference and said he thought the investigation was about fuel rebates that some trucking companies thought they were owed. He downplayed the issue and said it involved an "insignificant" number of customers.

The press conference created a public relations game that scored the first point for Pilot.

Then, in a highly unusal move, the FBI and U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee Bill Killian made the choice to unseal the affidavit for the search warrant of the Pilot headquarters.

The affidavit painted an embarrassing picture of vulgar, foul-mouthed Pilot sales staffers, who unscrupulously singled out "unsophisticated" trucking companies they believed would not notice that their full rebates were not being paid out. Under the program, trucking companies receive rebates based on the volume of fuel they purchase from a Pilot or Flying J truck stop.

Most of the rebates are calculated electronically by computer software, but some were manually calculated by sales executives. According to the affidavit, some executives would intervene before a rebate check was mailed out and reduce the payment actually owed to the customer. The practice was so widespread that national sales director Brian Mosher allegedly gave a workshop to other sales staffers on how to execute the scheme.

But while the affidavit gave a public relations hit to Pilot - Haslam called the details contained in the 120-page document embarrassing - it was not necessary for the government to make the affidavit public. In fact, Nashville attorney Jerry Martin, who recently resigned as the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee so he could enter private practice, said Pilot's attorneys now have a head start on investigating and possibly building a defense against the government's case.

"The unsealing of the affidavit at this early stage in an investigation is unusual. I can't think of any tactical advantage the government gets by doing it," Martin said.

On the other hand, another former federal prosecutor said the move to unseal the affidavit demonstrated confidence by the government in its case against Pilot.

S. Benjamin Bryant, a former West Virginia federal prosecutor, said the fact that such a detailed affidavit was filed indicates prosecutors "have a very comprehensive collection of evidence."

"It shows they are not concerned about the subjects of the investigation knowing what the evidence is," he said. "It suggests they are very comfortable with the evidence."

Possible criminal charges

Legal experts who have studied the case say it is too soon to know what or when criminal charges could come.

In a different customer fraud case that got widespread attention in Nashville, it took about 20 months after an FBI raid for charges to be filed. In that case, federal agents raided the Williamson County headquarters of the Sommet Group in 2009, but it wasn't until early 2012 that the top executive and his wife and his father-in-law were charged.

Mosher and vice president of sales John Freeman were the two sales executives perhaps singled out more than others. Haslam announced that some sales staffers were put on administrative leave, but he didn't identify who they were last week.

The affidavit listed wire fraud, mail fraud and conspiracy to commit fraud as the possible crimes. Mail fraud is punishable by up to 30 years in prison, wire fraud by up to 20 years and conspiracy to commit fraud carries a possible sentence of five years.

"Federal investigations are of course about as serious as it gets for any individual or corporation," Martin said. "It is way to early to speculate about the outcome because, remember, no charges have been filed. The government won't do that until it believes it has evidence necessary to support any specific charges."

Considering his position as a professional sports owner, a top Republican fundraiser and his family ties to the top of state government, Jimmy Haslam III remains the most compelling character in the legal drama. He met Wednesday with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Gerard Martin, a Baltimore attorney and former federal prosecutor, said he and some of his colleagues have been speculating about the possibility that the investigation could lead to a forfeiture order that could give the federal government control of the Cleveland Browns.

Gerard Martin said the affidavit made public in the Pilot investigation indicates that the potential criminal charges against Jimmy Haslam, if proven true, could well lead to a forfeiture order on Haslam's assets, including his ownership interest in the Cleveland football franchise.

"We've been wondering out loud about that possibility," Gerard Martin said. "It could lead to a freeze on all his assets," Gerard Martin said, adding that forfeitures "can be deadly."

He said the use of forfeiture orders was initially tied primarily to drug cases, but has recently expanded to a wide variety of other cases including those involving mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering.

While individual executives could face criminal charges, it is not unusual for the government to pursue criminal charges against an entire company. Such a move would subject Pilot to possible fines and civil penalties.

Mark Cohen, professor of management and law at Vanderbilt said that if the allegations turn out to be true, the company itself could be criminally charged and could face substantial fines and restitution orders.

But Cohen said that the company's liability could be limited if it had procedures and policies in place forbidding the actions described in the affidavit.

Even if company policies barred such schemes, it could still be charged.

"There are plenty of cases where that has happened," Cohen added, adding that companies not only need to have the correct policies, but procedures in place to enforce those policies.

"Did they have a whistleblower policy? Did they perform audits? Those are factors that a court would consider," Cohen said.

He said actions taken by the company to correct any wrongdoing could mitigate the amount of penalties a court would impose.

Comparisons to HCA

Perhaps the most prominent instance of corporate fraud was the 1997 case against HCA/Columbia, the nation's largest health care company. That case, which also began with a federal raid of the HCA corporate offices, ended in the largest fraud settlement in U.S. history of $2 billion.

While investigators focused on HCA CEO Rick Scott, no criminal charges were ultimately filed against him. That didn't stop one former federal prosecutor from heaping blame on Scott, who resigned after the investigation but is now governor of Florida.

In 2010 former assistant U.S. Attorney A.G. Alexander III filmed a political ad blaming Scott for the fraud.

"Companies he created, owned, invested in or controlled systematically defrauded taxpayers," Alexander said of Scott during the 2010 ad. "Rick Scott claims he didn't know. Well the facts and the timeline say different."

While Scott escaped criminal charges, four HCA executives did face criminal charges.

Jerry Martin, the former U.S. Attorney, said that when his office investigated corporate fraud during his stint as the area's top federal prosecutor, it paid close attention to how a company responded once it knew of wrongdoing. Martin was complimentary of Pilot's response since the investigation became public, especially taking efforts to reach out to companies that might have be shorted on their rebate payments because of the scheme.

"When I was U.S. Attorney, we investigated a lot of health care companies," he said. "Those companies almost always had vigorous compliance programs and were undoubtedly full of ethical, honest people. What mattered to me was how the company responded when a problem was exposed. If they wanted to get to the bottom of it and fix it, then that goes a long way. That certainly seems to be the posture of Pilot's leadership now."

Contact Nate Rau at 615-259-8094 or nrau@tennessean.com. Follow him on Twitter @tnnaterau. Contact Walter F. Roche Jr. at 615-259-8086 or wroche@tennessean.com.

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Between the Lines: FitzGerald's campaign and those seeking his job

Ed FitzGerald is finally officially off and running for the Governor's mansion.

What should be his strongest message against Gov. John Kasich?

How will he react to statewide media scrutiny? When will both sides start running ads in this race?

What can he say to critics who call him an "opportunistic job-jumper?"

A host of Democratic and Republican candidates are already jockeying to get the job FitzGerald won't be seeking -- County Executive.

Who are the strongest contenders in both parties?

Mayor Frank Jackson's team finally delivered its long-awaited report on last November's frantic police chase.

Lots of officers face possible punishment. Was the report what the community expected?

How should Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Tim McGinty approach the looming Grand Jury investigation into the deadly shootings?

Three Cleveland Council members are teaming up to oppose one Councilman close to Council President Marty Sweeney.

Jeff Johnson, Kevin Conwell and Mike Polensek will work together to help Johnson's surprise campaign against Eugene Miller.

Miller is the council member who Sweeney worked to protect when he oversaw creating the city's new 17 council districts.

What are the trio's goals? What can they hope to accomplish?

Tom Beres discusses these issues with Channel 3 Political Analysts Mary Anne Sharkey and Dennis Eckart on this edition of Between the Lines.

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Strongsville teachers' strike ends

CLEVELAND -- Strongsville teachers will be back in the classroom on Tuesday. 

The Strongsville School Board voted unanimously 5-0 in favor of the teachers' contract, ending the strike that lasted two months.

"I am very proud of our administrative team and the dedication of our non-teaching staff. We appreciate the support of our parents and community as well as the initiative and flexibility of our students during two challenging months," said John Krupinski, Strongsville's superintendent.

School has been cancelled on Monday, April 29th, as transitions are made to get back to regular operations.

Strongsville City Schools ask the following groups to report to work Monday at their regular scheduled times:

  • All administration
  • All board office employees
  • All transportation employees
  • All 260-day employee groups

Transportation will be provided to Polaris and non-public schools.

Normal operations will begin on Tuesday, April 30th, 2013.

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cleveland Weather: Mostly sunny and warm

Written By kolimtiga on Minggu, 28 April 2013 | 00.38

Saturday: Mostly sunny skies and very pleasant temperatures. Near 70. Winds: SW 5-10 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear to partly cloudy. Low 50s. Winds: SW 5-15 mph.

Sunday: Cloudy with scattered showers during the late afternoon and evening. Mid 60s. Winds: S 5-10 mph.

Monday: Mostly cloudy with scattered showers.  Mid/upper 60s

Tuesday:  Partly cloudy.  Low 70s

Wednesday:  Partly sunny with isolated rain/storm chances.  Low 70s

Thursday:  Mostly cloudy with scattered rain and storms.  Mid 60s

Friday:  Mostly cloudy with scattered rain and storms.  Low 60s

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Strongsville: Teachers strike could end after 5 p.m. vote

STRONGSVILLE -- Members of the Strongsville Education Association (SEA) will meet at Strongsville High School at 5 p.m. to vote on a tentative deal that would end the two-month teachers strike.

After eight weeks on the picket line, the tentative deal was reached Friday between SEA and the Strongsville Board of Education.

"The past eight weeks have been difficult, but the healing process begins today," said David Frazee, BOE president after negotiations Friday.

Tracy Linscott, President of SEA, says although the deal still has to be ratified, they would not be going to their members for a vote if they didn't believe it would pass.

Details of the deal have not been released.

SEA represents nearly 385 highly qualified classroom teachers, guidance counselors and special education interventionists in the Strongsville City School District.

If ratified, teachers could be back in the classrooms as early as Monday.

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Lorain County: Man killed in crash on Route 252

LORAIN COUNTY -- A Columbia Station man is dead after a morning crash, which also caused the closure of state Route 252 between Sprague Road and Route 82.

According to the Elyria post of the Ohio Highway Patrol, 44-year-old David Makaryk was pronounced dead at the scene.

Troopers say the accident happened around 8:40 a.m. when Makaryk's vehicle, a 2003 black Ford Fusion, traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck two utility poles.

A witness told authorities that Makaryk's vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed behind a red Ford F-150 pickup truck just prior to the accident. It's reported the driver of the pickup truck continued southbound and did not stop after the crash.

Anyone with information about the crash or the driver of the red pickup truck is asked to contact the Elyria Highway Patrol at 440-365-5045.

The roadway remains closed until further notice. Motorists are urged to use Route 82 East to Route 237 North to Sprague Road as an alternate route.

The crash is currently under investigation.

Authorities say it's unknown if alcohol and/or drugs were a factor.

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cleveland: Search for Hoffa ends but case still draws interest

Written By kolimtiga on Sabtu, 27 April 2013 | 00.38

CLEVELAND -- Crews have finished their demolition work inside an Old Brooklyn bar in a search potentially connected to Jimmy Hoffa without finding any evidence of the missing Teamster leader.

Two additional bone fragments were found before crews called in quits on Thursday at Wexler's Tavern. The owner of the bar, Doug Graziano, says he does not plan to have the last fragments tested because they look like the others pulled from inside the wall. Those earlier fragments were determined by the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner to be non-human.

The search raised interest, especially on-line and on social media, because at the start there was the slight possibility it could be connected to Hoffa who disappeared in 1975. Why Hoffa?

Two reasons. First, a matchbook found inside the walls recently for a lodge in California dubbed "The House that Jimmy Hoffa and the Teamsters built."

Second, a strange discovery made during a renovation of the tavern 25 years ago. The previous owner says he found seven football-sized packages of bones, neatly wrapped in red-butcher paper.

While the bone fragments found over the last few days were determined to be non-human, we will never know what was inside those packages back in the late 80s. The former owner says police told him to throw the bones away and he did.

Graziano says the mystery was fun but now it's time to get back to the work of running his bar. But the story may not quite be finished yet.

Workers at the tavern have claimed to see things they can't quite explain inside the bar.

The entire story has caught  the interest of a paranormal investigator who would like to check out Wexler's Tavern.

Graziano says he is considering the option but has made no decision yet.

Previous stories:

Dig planned: http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=296405

Wall dismantled: http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=296463

Bones non-human: http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=296598

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

House clears bill to end FAA furloughs, flight delays

Getty Images: Chip Somodevilla

Flight delays caused by the furloughs of air-traffic controllers are coming to an end.

The House cleared legislation Friday that allows the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to shift $253 million from other accounts to end furloughs that began Sunday. The vote was 361-41. The Senate approved it Thursday night.

The chairman of the transportation committee, Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Pa., supported the bill to "stop this needless pain on the American traveling public and the economy."

Lawmakers said the furloughs could end immediately after President Obama signs the bill into law,. But the FAA said it wasn't clear how quickly the controller schedules could be changed to fully staff control towers.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said President Obama would sign the bill, though he wasn't sure when. "It will be good news for America's traveling public if Congress spares them the unnecessary delays that we've seen," he said.

About 40% of delays this week were a result of not enough controllers in towers, the FAA said, with 1,200 delays blamed on staffing on Monday, 1,025 on Tuesday and 863 on Wednesday.

The number of delays, including those for weather, more than tripled from a year earlier, from 2,795 to 8,804 this week, according to the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, the union representing furloughed workers.

Nobody liked the furloughs of about 1,500 controllers a day, which resulted from $85 billion in government-wide spending cuts that forced the FAA needing to cut $637 million by Sept. 30.

The second-ranking Democrat in the House, Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, opposed the legislation by citing an editorial in Friday's USA TODAY that urged Congress to find alternatives to the meat-axe approach of cutting federal spending.

"Flight delays are just the tip of the iceberg, visible above the waterline for most Americas, and as time goes on without a big balanced solution to replace the sequester, more of that iceberg will surface," Hoyer said. "More Americans will be negatively affected."

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said they couldn't avoid furloughs to shave about $220 million and the closure of towers at small airports to save $25 million, along with curbing training, travel and information-technology spending.

The White House signaled Wednesday it was prepared to fix just the FAA, which Carney called a "Band-Aid approach" to the lingering federal spending dispute between Republican lawmakers and the Democratic administration.

Airport executives voiced some disappointment that a grant program for runway repairs would be raided to end the furloughs. The legislation allows FAA to shift money to end furloughs from the Airport Improvement Program, which has an estimated $400 million in unused funding, which had been exempted from spending cuts.

David Edwards, chairman of Airports Council International -- North America, acknowledged that continuing flight delays would have a devastating effect on the economy. But Edwards, who is CEO of Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District, said raiding the grant program is unprecedented and doesn't take into account the safety and security improvements made with grants.

The bill doesn't specify how FAA should spend the $253 million and the fate of towers at small airports remains uncertain.

The FAA planned to close 149 towers staffed by contract workers on June 15, although local communities offered to pay to keep about 50 open. The towers are at airports with less than 150,000 landings and departures a year and 10,000 commercial landings and departures.

Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., said the bill gives the agency the flexibility to keep the towers open.

"I would encourage the secretary to do that for the safety and for the economy of our local communities," he said.

Spencer Dickerson, executive director of the U.S. Contract Tower Association, said his group will lobby for tower funding.

"We're going to work with the FAA to work on a solution here that will keep these towers open, so they will provide the safety benefits that control towers provide the traveling public," Dickerson said.

Bart Jansen, USA TODAY

Gannett/USA Today


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Columbus: Kasich's favorite wins GOP chairman job

COLUMBUS -- Governor John Kasich's choice to be top man of the Ohio Republican Party has been elected, beating a Tea Party conservative challenger from Portage County.

The GOP Central Committee voted 48 to 7 to elect 40-year-old Matt Borges, the party's current Executive Director, over businessman and Tea Party Leader Tom Zawistowski.

Zawistowski said the party had gotten away from its principles and lost connections with conservatives on fiscal and social issues.

Borges had a 2004 misdemeanor corruption conviction in a pay to play scandal. He had that expunged.

Fellow Republicans also criticized for not being more upfront about significant unpaid Federal and state taxes.

Some were uncomfortable with his former role as a lobbyist for a gay rights group.

Borges repaid most of the liens before Friday's vote.

Borges succeeds Cleveland's Bob Bennett who came back to the job a second time as interim chairman after Kevin DeWine was pressured out of the job.

Bennett served 23 years in the post.

Borges starts June 1st.

A Democratic Party spokesman said Borges election means, "the Governor's political machine will be run by a tax cheat and admitted influence peddler."

Kasich had said Borges is a good man, deserving of a second chance.

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Perspective: "Don't read anything into it"

Written By kolimtiga on Jumat, 26 April 2013 | 00.38

PERSPECTIVE -- Everybody knew about Ed FitzGerald's big announcement for more than a week.

After months of crisscrossing the state and laying groundwork, he was finally announcing he's running against Governor John Kasich.

The date and time was widely publicized.

He was kicking off his campaign in his hometown of Cleveland. It was his big day and a big media event, guaranteed to lead newscasts and be headline news.

Then about 10:30 Wednesday morning, a surprising e-mail dropped into newsrooms all over Greater Cleveland.

Mayor Frank Jackson and his team investigating the Nov. 29 police chase that preceded the barrage of gunfire that killed two unarmed suspects would finally release their findings....at 2 p.m....Wednesday.

Suddenly, two blockbuster stories were butting heads.

At FitzGerald's event, many were buzzing, wondering if there is a backstory. Was Mayor Jackson attempting to undercut or upstage FitzGerald?

And why wouldn't Cleveland's Democratic mayor be part of an event to launch FitzGerald's campaign?

Was there a feud? A tiff? How about a wilder theory, that Mayor Jackson was in cahoots with Governor Kasich?

Well, the word from Mayor Jackson's communications chief Maureen Harper is that it was all an unfortunate coincidence.

"Don't read anything into it," she said.

She claimed the mayor and his team had actually picked this date before the announcement of FitzGerald's date.

But they didn't publicize that until hours before it was scheduled to keep it under wraps.

Those close to both men say FitzGerald and Jackson have a businesslike, but not backslapping, relationship.

Harper claims the police investigation press conference was actually moved back from a 1 p.m. start time so as not to go head-to-head with FitzGerald.

Harper says Mayor Jackson called FitzGerald after the events to make sure there was no misunderstanding, explain the curious timing, and assure him that "it's all good."

Still it seems a little communication, flexibility or courtesy could have avoided a situation that will still have lots of people going ..."Hmmmmmmm."

POSTSCRIPT-After this original column appeared, we got assurances  both men were aware of the conflict ahead of time.  But sources said it was too late to change either event.

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cleveland: Driver found guilty in I-90 bridge crash

CLEVELAND -- A truck driver entered a plea of no contest this morning in connection with a crash that damaged a pedestrian bridge over I-90 and shut down the highway for an entire weekend last month.

The court found Michael Edwards, 35, guilty after he entered his plea of no contest on a charge of failure to control and driving an unsafe vehicle. The judge fined him $300 plus court costs. A charge of shifting loose loads was dropped.

The charges stem from a crash last month after the dump truck  Edwards was driving slammed into the pedestrian bridge over I-90. Police say the truck was traveling with a raised trailer.

The truck then flipped over after hitting the bridge.  No one was hurt.

The bridge had to be dismantled due to structural damage caused by the crash forcing the highway to shut in both directions for nearly two days.

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cleveland: Bones found in tavern wall are not human

Jimmy Hoffa. Photo by Al Muto, AFP / Getty Images.

OLD BROOKLYN -- It's the story that has become the talk of the town. Were the remains of Jimmy Hoffa inside a local tavern?

According to experts the mystery of Hoffa's disappearance did not end in the basement of Wexler's Tavern after all.

As crews began tearing down a basement wall in Wexler's on Wednesday, workers found 11 bone fragments buried inside.

Cleveland Police took possession of the bones and delivered them to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office for examination.

At 10:45 a.m. Thursday, the Medical Examiner's Office declared the bones are not human.

Photos: Wexler's Tavern search - http://on.wkyc.com/ZQLTJO

This means the location of Jimmy Hoffa's remains will stay a mystery.

In light of all this news, why was Wexler's Tavern suddenly such a focal point in Hoffa's mysterious disappearance?

It goes back to Wexler's previous owner who discovered bones wrapped in red-butcher paper inside the wall 25 years ago during a renovation. After notifying police, the bar owner says police told him to discard the bones.

Recently, the tavern's new owner found a matchbook from the Palm Desert Lodge in California when cutting out a panel in the wall. The lodge was dubbed "the house Jimmy Hoffa and the Teamsters built."

That sparked the interest to see if Hoffa's 1975 mysterious disappearance might have a connection to Northeast Ohio.

---

Read more about the bar and the search: http://on.wkyc.com/10fcUXl

Day 1 wall dismantling coverage: http://on.wkyc.com/ZP8N5l

---

WKYC-TV

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cleveland Weather: Rain showers, cooling

Written By kolimtiga on Kamis, 25 April 2013 | 00.38

Today: Rain showers. Windy.  50s to start, falling into the 40s by late morning and staying cool for the rest of the day.Winds: WSW 10-20 mph.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy with isolated showers. Mid 30s.

Thursday: Partly sunny with scattered showers and thunder. Low 50s

Friday: Mostly sunny. Upper 50s/low 60s

Saturday: Partly sunny. Mid 60s

Sunday: Partly sunny.  Upper 60s

Monday: Partly sunny to mostly cloudy with isolated showers.  Upper 60s

Tuesday:  Partly sunny.  Perhaps a showers.  Low 70s

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Orange Police: Browns player arrested in prostitution bust

Associated Press

WKYC Web Staff

ORANGE -- Cleveland Browns linebacker Quentin Groves has been arrested on a charge of soliciting in connection with a prostitution sting.

Orange, Beachwood and the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office conducted the sting on April 17.

According to a police report, Groves made contact with an undercover female officer and made arrangements  for sex for hire. Police took him into custody when he arrived at the motel room.

Groves received a citation and is scheduled for a court date on May 10.

Police confiscated a box of condoms and $195 dollars in cash from Groves.

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

FitzGerald announces run against Kasich for governor

Associated Press

WKYC Web Staff

CLEVELAND -- Ohio Republican Gov. John Kasich now has a 2014 challenger as Cuyhaoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald announces for governor.

FitzGerald was introduced by former Congressman Louis Stokes just before 1 p.m. Wednesday before a room of about 300 people.  

FitzGerald scheduled announcements first in Cleveland, then in Columbus and Cincinnati later Wednesday.

Fitzgerald, 44, married with children and a former FBI agent and Lakewood mayor, promotes his role as a reformer who helped restore integrity after the commissioner form of government in Ohio's most populous county was plagued with scandal.

To make his case, FitzGerald must fend off critics who seek to use his designation as Public Official 14 in the government's corruption probe to tarnish his tough-on-crime message. Republicans have launched a website using the moniker.

FitzGerald's name surfaced only marginally in the investigation. He was never a target and was not charged.

FitzGerald has a special annoucement scheduled for 12:30 p.m. today at the Cleveland Hilton Garden Inn downtown.

The Associated Press


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Jimmy Haslam to make second Pilot Flying J statement

Written By kolimtiga on Selasa, 23 April 2013 | 00.38

KNOXVILLE -- Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam will make a statement from the headquarters of Pilot Flying J again at 3 p.m. today.

Due to the ongoing investigation, Haslam said he will not take questions, but his statement about the actions the company plans to take is significant and "should help to answer the media's questions."

Despite reports he might step aside as Browns owner amid a federal investigation, Haslam has not.

Haslam has repeatedly said that his company will be completely cooperative with authorities throughout the investigation.

Pilot Flying J's headquarters were raided last week.

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cleveland: Five indicted in underage 'sex sting'

CLEVELAND -- Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Timothy J. McGinty said the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force recent actions has led to the indictments of five men -- from Painesville, Mayfield Heights, Hartville, Ashland and Brooklyn.

The indictments of Mark Steffee, 42, of Hartville; Michael Paster, 37, of Mayfield Heights; Wesley Bailey Jr., 26, of Painesville; Jon Schnittke, 43, of Ashland; and Bryan Hrehocik, 32, of Brooklyn, are a result of a collaborative effort among law enforcement and the Ohio ICAC Task Force.

Steffee was charged in an eight-count indictment. On March 27, Steffee was arrested after traveling to the Cleveland area to meet whom he believed to be a 14-year-old girl.

Steffee planned to drive the 14-year-old girl back to his apartment where the two would engage in sexual activity which was to be filmed.

The following law enforcement agencies assisted in this investigation: The Wells Township Police Department, Hartville Police Department, Parma Police Department, Cleveland Police Department, Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office, Lorain County Sheriff's Office, US Secret Service, and Department of Homeland Security Investigations.

Paster was charged in a five-count indictment. On April 2, Paster was arrested after traveling to the Cleveland area to engage in sexual activity with whom he believed to be a 15-year-old girl. Prior to traveling, Paster indicated that he would pay $100 for the sexual activity.

The Mayfield Heights Police Department and the US Secret Service assisted in this investigation.

Wesley Bailey, Jr. was charged in a 10-count indictment. On April 9, Bailey was arrested after traveling to the Cleveland area to engage in sexual activity with whom he believed to be a 15-year-old girl. Prior to traveling, Bailey indicated that he would pay up to $50 for the sexual activity.

The Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office, US Secret Service, Homeland Security Investigations, FBI and Lake County Sheriff's Office assisted in this investigation.

Jon Schnittke was charged in a 10-count indictment. On April 16, Schnittke was arrested after traveling to the Cleveland area to engage in sexual activity with whom he believed to be a 15-year-old girl. Prior to traveling, Schnittke indicated that he would pay $50 for the sexual activity.

The Parma Police Department, Brooklyn Heights Police Department, US Secret Service, and Ashland Police Department assisted in this investigation.

Bryan Hrehocik was charged in a three-count indictment. On April 17,  Hrehocik was arrested after traveling to a Cleveland area hotel to engage in sexual activity with whom he believed to be 12 and 14-year-old girls.

At the time of arrest, Hrehocik was found to be in possession of a box of condoms. A receipt found in his vehicle coupled with store surveillance footage revealed that Hrehocik had purchased the box of condoms immediately prior to his arrival at the hotel.

The Parma Police Department, Cleveland Police Department, US Secret Service, and Homeland Security Investigations assisted in this investigation. The Northeast Ohio ICAC Task Force was created in 1999 to combat the rise of Internet crime against children.

In 2003, the US Department of Justice provided additional funding for the Task Force to expand statewide. Today, with members located in each of Ohio's 88 counties, Ohio ICAC now has 326 law enforcement partner agencies across Ohio: 181 Police Departments, 73 County Sheriffs, 61 County Prosecutors, and 11 other agencies that include the FBI, US Treasury, US Attorney General, Ohio Attorney General, Metropark Rangers, and the US Marshals.      

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

White House: Tsarnaev to be tried in federal court

The FBI released this image of the second Boston Marathon bombing suspect who is identified as 19-year-old Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev. Photo: FBI.

WASHINGTON -- The White House says the surviving suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing will not be tried as an enemy combatant in a military tribunal.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said Dzhokhar Tsarnaev will be prosecuted in the federal court system. Tsarnaev is a naturalized U.S. citizen.

Carney says that under U.S. law U.S. citizens cannot be tried in military commissions.

Carney says that since Sept. 11, 2001, the federal court system has been used to convict and incarcerate hundreds of terrorists. Tsarnaev, 19, and his older brother and suspected co-conspirator, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, were born in southern Russia.

Associated Press


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Public defenders will represent bomb suspect

Written By kolimtiga on Senin, 22 April 2013 | 00.38

The FBI released this image of the second Boston Marathon bombing suspect who is identified as 19-year-old Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev. Photo: FBI.

BOSTON -- Federal public defenders have agreed to represent the suspect in the Boston Marathon bombings.

Miriam Conrad, the federal defender for Massachusetts, says her office expects to represent Dzhokhar Tsarnaev after he is charged. Tsarnaev remained hospitalized Saturday after being wounded in a firefight with police Friday.His brother was killed.

Conrad says she believes Dzhokhar should have a lawyer appointed as soon as possible because there are "serious issues regarding possible interrogation."

U.S. officials said a special interrogation team for high-value suspects would question him without reading him his Miranda rights, under a public safety exception that exists to protect police and the public from immediate danger. Miranda rights include the right to remain silent and the right to have a lawyer.

The American Civil Liberties Union says the exception applies only when there's a continued threat to public safety and is "not an open-ended exception" to the Miranda rule.

The Associated Press


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sunday Night Football's Al Michaels arrested

The voice of NBC's "Sunday Night Football" was busted for drunk driving.

Police say Al Michaels was arrested in Santa Monica, California Friday night just before 10 p.m.

He spent more than five hours in jail before being released.

Michaels was charged with misdemeanor DUI and is due in court on June 26.

Neither Michaels nor NBC has commented on the charges.

CNN


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cleveland Weather: Bright, Brisk Sunday!

Sunday:  Mostly sunny, but still cool. Mid/upper 40s along the lake shore, low 50s inland. Winds: NE 5-10 mph.

Sunday Night:  Partly cloudy but not as cold. Mid/upper 30s. Winds: ESE 5-10 mph.

Monday: Mostly sunny to partly cloudy. Low 60s. Winds: SE 10-15 mph.

Monday Night:  Partly cloudy & cool.  Low: 45.  Wind: SE 10-15 mph.

Tuesday: Above normal temperatures with rain showers moving in late. Mid 60s.

Wednesday: Cloudy with rain & a few thunderstorms. Near 50.

Thursday: Partly sunny. Mid 50s.

Friday:  Partly cloudy.  High: 60.

Saturday:  Mostly cloudy with scattered showers.  High: 61.

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Akron: Professor teaches 'bomb-making' to keep us safe

Written By kolimtiga on Minggu, 21 April 2013 | 00.38

AKRON -- You don't stop a terrorist on the day of the attack. That's what Dr. David Licate teaches his Homeland Security students at the University of Akron.

You stop a terrorist before the bomb is built.

"There are always signs and signals that are out there that can be detected and that's where you stop a terrorist attack," said Licate, an associate professor of criminal justice, emergency management and Homeland Security.

"These attacks that have been prevented,  it's been an aware individual, an aware business owner or an employee that said, 'hey, listen, there's something suspicious here,'" said Licate.

He wants his students and the rest of us to know the compounds, to be "situationally aware" like with traditional crime. If you see something, say something.

"We feel polite, we're very busy," he said. "We don't listen to that little voice in our heads that says there's something odd here."

"How do you know if they're not going to do something?" said student Kayla Grizer, who hopes to work with the FBI one day.

Chemicals like acetone, peroxides and fertilizer, fuels and acids can all be used to build a bomb.

The Department of Homeland Security's Bomb-Making Materials Awareness Program helps private business owners and their employees recognize suspicious behaviors or large amounts of dangerous chemicals. You can learn more about the program here.

Like in Boston, most terrorist bombs are homemade explosives or improvised explosive devices, IEDs. Licate says they provide terrorists the cheapest way to cause major damage.

"You can go on Google and type it how to make a bomb and tell you all the steps right there on Google. It's all out there on the internet," said Adam Daugherty, who is majoring in homeland security. "It's scary how much is public information and can get out there now."

"They are using the internet. They know where to go to get this information," Licate said of potential terrorists. "It's up to the rest of us to be aware of what to look for so we can identify when someone is in need of assistance, when they are disturbed, and might go ahead and use one of these weapons." 

David Coulson, with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, says all levels of the law rely on your input. 

"In addition, the public is highly encouraged to report to law enforcement any threatening statements or behavior by an individual or group. This would include online and social media which is such an active part of our daily lives today," said Coulson in a written statement.

Coulson said since the inception of the Safe Explosives Act in 2002, ATF agents have seen fewer instances where stolen commercial or military explosives are used in homemade explosives.

They have noticed an uptick in the use of commercial grade fireworks in criminal bombings. But smokeless powder, black powder and black powder substitutes have consistently been the filler of choice, possibly because they are not regulated as explosives.

Licate says he's been teaching homeland security since 9/11/2001, and students have becoming increasingly disconnected to the idea of terrorism in the U.S.

Until this week, that is. "It became real for them."

"There's so many resources available," said Rebecca Wrightsman, an emergency management major. "As we become more educated, the bad people, the terrorists, are becoming more educated on other tactics, so we have to stay up to par."

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Obama: Boston capture closes out a 'tough week'

WASHINGTON -- President Barak Obama and Republicans used their weekly addresses to celebrate the resolve Americans demonstrated after the attack on the Boston Marathon.

Obama says "the world has witnessed one sure and steadfast truth: Americans refuse to be terrorized."

In the Republican address, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina praised the first responders as "amazing Americans, some of whom charged through fences and barricades."

He says they "put their own lives on the line to help others." Both addresses were recorded before yesterday's tension-filled capture of the surviving suspect.

The Associated Press


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cleveland Weather: Chilly weekend

Cold and windy weather will be the story today, temperatures lingering in the upper 30s and low 40s and with winds gusting up to 35 mph at times.

Calmer, drier and brighter weather will move in for Sunday and near-normal temperatures are expected for Monday.

Saturday: Partly sunny and breezy.  Scattered snow showers (some mix) lingering east.  Mid 40s

Sunday:  Mostly sunny and slightly warmer (but still well below seasonal averages).  Low 50s

Monday:  Mostly sunny.  Near 60

Tuesday:  Partly cloudy with scattered rain/storm chances late.  Warmer!  Mid 60s

Wednesday:  Mostly Cloudy scattered rain and rumbles likely. Cooler.  Mid 50s

Thursday: Partly sunny.  Low/mid 50s

Friday:  Partly cloudy.  Near 60

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Uncle urges Boston bombing suspect to turn self in

Written By kolimtiga on Sabtu, 20 April 2013 | 00.38

Authorities released this new image of suspect number two in the Boston Marathon bombings, identified as 19-year-old Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev. It was reportedly taken in a 7-11 store before a shootout with police erupted Thursday night. Photo: FBI.

MONTGOMERY VILLAGE, Md. -- The uncle of a Boston Marathon bombing suspect is urging his nephew to turn himself in.

Ruslan Tsarni of Montgomery Village, Md., said Friday that 19-year-old Dzhokhar Tsarnaev should turn himself in to police and ask for forgiveness. Officials say Tamerlan Tsarnaev, a 26-year-old who had been known to the FBI as Suspect No. 1, was killed overnight.

The brothers came from a Russian region near Chechnya and lived together in Cambridge, Mass. Tsarni says he hasn't seen them for several years.

He says the family is ashamed and called both men "losers" several times. He says he loves the U.S. and respects this country.

ERIC TUCKER, Associated Press

Associated Press


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Manhunt underway for Boston bombing suspect, one dead

Authorities released this new image of suspect number two in the Boston Marathon bombings, identified as 19-year-old Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev. It was reportedly taken in a 7-11 store before a shootout with police erupted Thursday night. Photo: FBI.

Boston and its suburbs were in lockdown Friday morning as a massive manhunt intensified for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19, the surviving Boston bomb suspect.

Tsarnaev was a wrestler at the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School in Cambridge, Mass. He was named a Greater Boston League Winter All Star in 2011.

Cambridge Rindge and Latin School did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's phone calls. Many Boston-area schools were closed Friday.

Larry Aaronson, is a retired history teacher at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, where Dzhokhar graduated in 2011. Aaronson got to know Dzhokhar while taking photos of the high school wrestling team and other school activities.

"It's completely out of his character," Aaronson said of Dzhokhar's alleged role in the bombings. "Everything about him was wonderful. He was completely outgoing, very engaged, he loved the school. He was grateful not to be in Chechnya."

Dzhokhar was not overtly political or religious, Aaronson says. "He spoke and acted like any other high school kid."

Aaronson says he can't reconcile the young man he knows with the characterizations he's seeing in the media. "I cannot do it," he says. "I mean this from the deepest part of my heart: It's not possible it's the same person. It's just not possible."

Jacob Colbath-Hess, a freshman at Harvard University, was a member of the class of 2012 at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School but first met Tsarnaev in middle school.

"I don't really know how to react to this....he was a funny, sweet, goofy kid," said Colbath-Hess. "It's not something you would expect from someone you know."

Police have identified Tsarnaev's older brother, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, as the other bombing suspect, killed during the manhunt at MIT.

The brothers had been living together on Norfolk Street in Cambridge. An uncle, Ruslan Tsarni of Montgomery Village, Md., told the Associated Press that the men lived together near Boston and have been in the United States for about a decade. They came from the Russian region near Chechnya, which has been plagued by an Islamic insurgency stemming from separatist wars.

Dzhokhar was a wrestler at the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School in Cambridge, Mass. He was named a Greater Boston League Winter All Star in 2011.

Cambridge Rindge and Latin School did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's phone calls. Many Boston-area schools were closed Friday.

In May of 2011, as a high school senior, Dzhokhar was awarded a $2,500 City Scholarship from the City of Cambridge to pursue higher education.

Before moving to the United States, he attended School No. 1 in Makhachkala, the capital of Dagestan, a predominantly Muslim republic in Russia's North Caucasus that has become an epicenter of the Islamic insurgency that spilled over from Chechnya.

His profile on the Russian social networking site Vkontakte says he lists his languages as English, Russian and Nohchiyn Mott (a Chechen language). His worldview is described as "Islam" and he says his personal goal is "career and money."

A "joke" posted on the profile page, translated from Russian, says: "There is a car... in the car sits a Dagestani, a Chechen and an Ingush. Question - who is driving? The answer: - The Police."

BREAKDOWN: Timeline: A glance at the search for Boston bomb suspects

This is an old joke that has been told with a myriad of ethnic "passengers," meant to imply that if a certain ethnic person is in the car, the only reason would be because they had been arrested, says Andrea McCarren of WUSA-TV in Washington, D.C., who had the posts translated.

The father of the suspects in the Boston Marathon bombing claims that his son who is still on the loose is a smart and accomplished young man.

Anzor Tsarnaev spoke with the Associated Press by telephone from the Russian city of Makhachkala on Friday after police said one of his sons, Tamerlan, had been killed in a shootout and the other, Dzhokhar, was being intensely pursued.

"My son is a true angel," the elder Tsarnaev said. "Dzhokhar is a second-year medical student in the U.S. He is such an intelligent boy. We expected him to come on holidays here."

---

By Natalie DiBlasio, USA Today

Contributing: Ishani Premaratne, Kevin Johnson, Judy Keen and The Associated Press

USA Today, Gannett


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Haslam to hold press conference at 4 p.m.

WKYC has learned that Pilot Flying J CEO Jimmy Haslam, owner of the Cleveland Browns, has scheduled a 4 p.m. press conference in Knoxville.

It is not known if it will address issues regarding ESPNCleveland.com's report that the NFL may require Haslam to step down from day-to-day operations of the Cleveland Browns as the investigation continues.

Related article: Browns owner Jimmy Haslam to step aside?

On Monday, the FBI and IRS raided the Pilot Flying J headquarters in Knoxville regarding an investigation of rebate fraud.

Related article: Haslam statement on Pilot Flying J search warrants released

WKYC-T


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cavs fire coach Byron Scott

Written By kolimtiga on Jumat, 19 April 2013 | 00.38

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

CLEVELAND -- The Cavs have fired head coach Byron Scott.

The 52-year old combined a record of 64-166 in three seasons as the head coach in Cleveland.

He signed on with the Cavs in the summer of 2010. 

Scott has one season left on his contract. The Cavs picked up his option for 2014 in October.

Cavs General Manager Chris Grant issued a statement in a press release: 

"I have tremendous respect for Byron professionally and a great deal of admiration for him personally. At the same time, it is critical for where we are as a team to ensure that we capitalize on every opportunity for development and success and we have fallen short of that on the court," said Grant. "I believe we needed to make this change in order to get to a better position to achieve our goals. I know I speak on behalf of the entire Cavs organization and the Cleveland community, in thanking Byron for his three years here and his hard work and many contributions on and off the court. We wish Bryon and his wife, Anita, the best."

Grant will address the media today at 2:30 p.m. at Cleveland Clinic Courts in Independence.

Cavs owner Dan Gilbert also issued the following statement:  "I wish Byron Scott and his entire family the best going forward. Byron is a class guy, both on and off the court, and I thank him for his three years of coaching the Cavaliers." 

Scott reached the NBA Finals twice as the head coach of the Nets.  He was named the NBA Coach of the Year in 2008 with New Orleans.

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Teams search for survivors of deadly Texas plant blast

Emergency teams combed through mountains of debris in a devastated four-block area of West, Texas on Thursday in hopes of finding survivors of an earthquake-like blast at a fertilizer plant that sent a ball of fire and burning embers into nearby homes, killing as many as 15 people and injuring more than 160, police said.

The Wednesday evening blast, which rocked the ground with the force of a magnitude-2.1 earthquake, could be felt as far as 45 miles away.

Officials said there was no initial indication that the blast was anything but an industrial accident, although agents from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were on the scene investigating the explosion.

Waco police Sgt. William Patrick Swanton said initial reports indicated that the fire and blast may have involved a railroad tanker carrying anhydrous ammonia, an odorless gas that is used in making fertilizer. 

Swanton said casualty figures were still preliminary, but that as many as 15 people were believed dead and more than 160 were injured by the explosion Wednesday evening in this north-central Texas town 80 miles south of Dallas.

Swanton said three to five firefighters were still unaccounted for, but that one missing responder had been located in a local hospital with "serious injuries."

Local EMS director George Smith confirmed that two paramedics were among the fatalities.

As a storm front moved through the area Thursday morning, teams were still going house to house looking for possible survivors.

Swanton said that it was a good sign that emergency teams were still in a "search and rescue" mode because it indicated that they still hoped to find more survivors.

West Mayor Tommy Muska told reporters that his small farming community of about 2,800 people needs "your prayers."

Officials said it did not appear that the town was threatened by chemical fumes from plant, which was still smoldering hours after the explosion.

Emergency teams had responded to a fire call at the plant at 7:29 p.m. CT. The explosion erupted 24 minutes later, as the firefighters, police and paramedics were battling the blaze and attempting to evacuate nearby residents.

"They were responding to the scene and were actively fighting the fire at the time the explosion occurred," Swanton said.

First responders to the West Rest Haven Nursing home, which was heavily damaged, removed 133 residents, many in wheelchairs.

In one video, posted on YouTube, a young girl, Khloey Hurtt, is taping the fire from about 300 yards away while sitting in a truck with her father, Derrick. The force of the blast knocks them both backward.

In the video, Khloey can be heard pleading with her father, "Please get out of here, please get out of here, Dad, please get out of here. I can't hear anything."

Derrick Hurtt later told NBC's Today show, "I'm pretty sure it lifted the truck off the ground. It just blew me over on top of her. It all happened so quick that things just kind of went black for a moment."

"The injuries that we are seeing are very serious,'' said Glenn Robinson, CEO of Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center. "There are a number of patients that will be going to surgery. ... It's a very, very unfortunate situation.''

Robinson said that 10 or 12 of the injured were in critical condition. Two people were in surgery as he spoke and two more were awaiting surgery, he said.

Robinson said an unknown number of people with minor injuries were being treated at a triage center set up by emergency medical personnel at a high school football field.

Swanton said the scene in the area next to the plant resembled the aftermath of a tornado, with one house left standing alongside one that was leveled.

The blast and ball of fire reduced a middle school to rubble and seriously damaged least 50 houses. A 50-unit apartment building looked like a "skeleton," according to one state trooper.

Julie Zahirniako said she and her son, Anthony, had been playing at a school playground near the fertilizer plant when the explosion occurred. She was walking the track, he was kicking a football.

The blast threw her son 4 feet in the air, breaking his ribs. She said she saw people running from the nursing home and the roof of the school lifted into the sky.

"Hit the ground, hit the ground," Zahirniako heard a neighbor yell.

"The fire was so high," she said. "It was just as loud as it could be. The ground and everything was shaking."

Texas Trooper D.L. Wilson said the damage was comparable to the destruction caused by the 1995 bomb blast that destroyed the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.

Muska, who is a firefighter as well as mayor, urged residents to stay indoors as protection from the possibility of chemical fumes in the area.

Wilson said half the town had been evacuated due to damage or the threat posed by the fumes.

"When that north wind changes, we might have to evacuate the other side of town,'' Wilson said.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry said in a statement that his office was monitoring events. "We have also mobilized state resources to help local authorities," the statement said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of West, and the first responders on the scene."

Lucy Nashed, a spokesman for Perry's office, said personnel from several agencies were en route to West or already there, including the Texas Commission for Environmental Quality, the state's emergency management department and an incident management team. Also responding was the state's top urban search and rescue team, the state health department and mobile medical units.

There were no immediate details on the number of people who work at the plant, which was cited by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in 2006 for failing to obtain or to qualify for a permit, the Associated Press reported. The agency acted after receiving a complaint in June of that year of a strong ammonia smell.

In 2001, an explosion at a chemical plant killed 31 people and injured more than 2,000 in Toulouse, France. The blast occurred in a hangar containing 300 tons of ammonium nitrate, which can be used for both fertilizer and explosives. The explosion came 10 days after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the U.S., and raised fears at the time it was linked. A 2006 report blamed the blast on negligence.

William M. Welch and Doug Stanglin, USA TODAYContributing: Associated Press

 

Gannett/USA Today


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Obama to Boston: 'You will run again'

Jewel Samad, AFP/Getty Images

BOSTON - President Obama found himself at an all too familiar event Thursday; a somber ceremony where he tried to comfort victims of a deadly tragedy.

"Everyone of us has been touched by the attack on your beloved city,'' Obama said, speaking at an interfaith service here at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross dedicated to the three people killed and 176 injured at Monday's Boston Marathon bomb attacks.

"For millions of us, what happened in Boston Monday is personal,'' he said in a speech that reached out to victims and families with condolence, prayer and inspiration.

He issued a warning to those responsible for the attacks. "They picked the wrong city to do this,'' Obama said. "Yes we will find you. And yes, you will face justice,'' he said, later calling their acts "small and senseless."

Obama also met with survivors, victims' families and first responders, joined by First lady Michelle Obama.

Obama's appearance here the wake of another tragedy had a familiar tone. He spoke following 2009 serial shooting at Fort Hood, Texas, which killed 13 servicemembers; the 2010 shooting in Tucson that killed six people and wounded 13, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz.; the 2012 shooting at a suburban Denver movie theater that left 12 dead; and the December shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, in which 20 children and six staff members were killed.

Speaking ahead of the President at Thursday's interfaith ceremony, long-time Boston Mayor Thomas Merino praised firefighters, medical personnel and Bostonians for reacting swiftly to attend to victims. "This was the strength of our city at work,'' he said. "Nothing will take us down, because we take care of each other."

Groups of people came in waves to the church, surrounded by volunteers dressed in bright yellow Boston Marathon jackets. A woman began openly sobbing as she neared the entrance. Hospital staffers and volunteers from the American Red Cross quickly surrounded her, embracing her and helping her walk.

STORY: Investigators claim major progress in Boston bombings

Anne Thibau, who was injured in the leg and back from Monday's blasts, wore a T-shirt reading "I Love Boston" as she prepared to enter the cathedral. She wasn't hoping for any particular message from the president, but simply wanted to be in a place of comfort. "I thank God that I walked away" from the blasts, said Thibau, 57.

Boston resident Sharon Butler-Charles was among a swarm of people who'd gotten to the cathedral early Thursday, but not early enough to get a ticket inside.

"I hope (Obama) offers a message of healing," said Butler, 50, a program manager for Boston Public Schools. "I was born and raised in Dorchester, and I really felt for the little fellow that was killed (Martin Richard, 8, Dorchester)," Butler-Charles said. "I just wanted to give support."

Dozens of people gathered in the gymnasium of Cathedral High School to watch the service. Inside, people filled bleachers while others stood or sat on wood floors across from a projector and basket ball hoops. Security to get inside was tight as police searched purses and confiscated items like apples, which one officer warned could be thrown. Anyone entering had to pass through a metal detector. There was silence as the service began and people stared intently at the images of speakers whose voices echoed through the room.

Regina Fisher, 57, got in line at 11 p.m. Wednesday and stood outside all night.

"I haven't slept a wink and I probably won't sleep when I get home," she said. "I came because I care about people and it hurts me when innocent souls get hurt."

Fisher, of Boston, learned about the bombings as she was getting ready to take her grandson down to the finish line of the marathon. She's watched the race for years, often cheering on runners. It could have been her or her grandson, Fisher said she kept thinking when she learned about the deaths and horrific injuries.

Fisher said she wanted to hear Obama talk about stepping up security for Boston and preventing similar tragedies.

"I know he's an intelligent man," Fisher said. "Hopefully he'll step up when events like this happen. I'm just concerned about the safety and protection of people."

Bostonian Amanda Ayers was volunteering at the marathon's mile 18 water station when the explosions hit. She doesn't know anyone who was killed or hurt. But Thursday morning, Ayers, 27, got to the line to get into the church just as general admissions tickets were being passed out at 7 a.m.

Watching Obama on television didn't feel personal enough, said Ayers, a student at Boston University.

"Being here, with other people makes it real," she said. "This happened in our city. I want to be with my Boston people."

Greg Packer, 49, took a bus from New York on Wednesday night to be in Boston for the service. He's attended vigils and prayed with residents because for him, a person who often frequents sporting events, this is personal. He came to stand in line for the event at 1:30 a.m. Thursday.

"I wanted to be here in person because I wanted to hear what the president had to say," said Packer of Huntington, N.Y. "I ask that he brings us words of hope and doesn't make it political. I don't want to hear about water-downed background checks or guns."

Yamiche Alcindor and Melanie Eversley, USA TODAY

Gannett/USA Today


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ohio AG creates Internet cafe advisory unit, search warrants executed

Written By kolimtiga on Kamis, 18 April 2013 | 00.38

Associated Press

WKYC Web Staff

COLUMBUS -- Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine has created an internal unit to help police officers and prosecutors investigate illegal gambling at storefront gambling-like operations known as Internet cafes.

Early Wednesday afternoon, DeWine and Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Timothy J. McGinty will announce the execution of six search warrants on six separate internet cafes that are currently open and operating illegally.

Several bank accounts were also seized within the operation.

Channel 3's Tom Beres will bring you more on this story later Wednesday.

Wednesday's sweep is a collaborative investigation by the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office working in connection with the Ohio Attorney General's Office,  Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Ohio Investigative Unit of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Secret Service, Parma Heights Police Department, and several law enforcement agencies in the state of New Jersey .

DeWine, long a critic of the businesses' operations and their lack of regulation, says a recent state appeals court decision made it clear the cafes are conducting illegal gambling.

DeWine said at an earlier news conference Wednesday to once again press lawmakers to pass a bill regulating the cafes, calling the approach he's been forced to take "the hard way."

The cafes' status has been the subject of intense lobbying in Columbus, with the Ohio House voting last month to approve a crackdown on the operations.

Backers of the cafes say they are legal and help the economy.

WKYC-TV/Associated Press


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Akron: Arrest made in McDonald's murder

Suspect Johnnl Lewis was arrested and charged in the fatal shooting of a McDonald's employee. Photo courtesy of the Akron Police Department.

AKRON -- Police say an arrest has been made in the shooting death of a McDonald's employee who was murdered earlier this month.

21-year-old Johnnl Lanier Lewis of Akron was taken into custody and charged with murder and aggravated robbery for the April 6 incident in which a 28-year-old man was killed.

According to police, Lewis was identified after they received several combined tips. He was brought in for questioning and subsequently arrested Tuesday night.

"The police cannot solve all crimes on their own," Chief James Nice says. "Crime solving depends on the community's dedicated involvement. In this instance, the public stepped forward to provide valuable information and we are very appreciative. This is a great example of how our community policing efforts are working to bridge the gap between safety forces and the public."

Lewis was taken to the Summit County Jail where he is being held pending his 9 a.m. arraignment Thursday in Akron Municipal Court.

The charges against Lewis stem from the night when John Lehman was shot around 11 p.m. while he was taking out the trash at the McDonald's restaurant located at 390 West Market Street.

Lehman had been shot several times and later died at Akron General Medical Center.

Authorities were offering a reward up to $10,000 for anybody with information leading to the identification or arrest of those responsible.

John Bickle, McDonald's owner/operator of Rubber City McDonald's released this statement after news of the shooting broke:

"Our entire Rubber City McDonald's family is shocked by the tragedy at our West Market Street restaurant. We offer our prayers and sympathies to the family of the victim. The safety and well-being of our employees and customers is our top priority. We are cooperating with the police investigating this incident and defer any questions to them."

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

CNN: Sources say suspect possibly identified in bombings

CNN is reporting that sources close to the investigation have told John King they may have identified a suspect in the Boston Marathon bombings that left three dead and more than 170 hurt.

The breakthrough reportedly came after analysis of video surveilance from near the site of the second bombing.

Read more from CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/17/us/boston-blasts/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cleveland Weather: Tracking Tuesday Showers

Written By kolimtiga on Rabu, 17 April 2013 | 00.38

Today: Mostly cloudy with scattered rain and storms. Highs in the low 60s around midday, then sliding into the 50s through the afternoon. Breezy. Winds: WSW 15-20 mph

Tonight: Isolated showers. Mid 40s. Winds: NNE 5-10 mph

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with isolated sprinkles.  Low 60s

Thursday: Partly sunny with scattered rain and storms. Upper 70s/low 80s

Friday:  Mostly cloudy with rain and storms likely.  Windy.  Low 60s, then falling through the 50s in the afternoon

Saturday: Mostly cloudy to partly sunny.  Isolated showers.  Cool. Upper 40s

Sunday: Partly cloudy.  Mid 50s

Monday:  Mostly sunny.  Upper 50s/Low 60s

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

RTA police: No explosives found in suspicious bag

CLEVELAND -- RTA Police say a suspicious backpack found at a rapid station contained personal items and no explosives.

Concern over the backpack prompted an evacuation of the RTA station at East 55th and Woodland as well as adjacent RTA buildings and some homes.

The bomb squad and ATF were called in to assist.

The backpack was found just before 9 a.m. and the bag was determined to be safe just before noon.

There were several highway and ramp closures as a result of the investigation.  As soon as police gave the all-clear, ODOT reopened I-490 east and westbound including the I-77 ramps.

RTA says all service on the Red, Blue and Green Lines is also being restored. 

The evacuation comes one day after the bombings at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. As a result of the bombings, security in cities has been increased.

In Cleveland, police have increased patrols and put the bomb squad on stand-by.

People are being asked to be extra-vigilant and report any suspicious activity to authorities.

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Boston Marathon bombings: How you can help

Boston is more than 600 miles away from Northeast Ohio but there are things you can do right here to help.

The most important need is donated blood. While the American Red Cross in Boston can handle this tragedy with supplies on-hand, the Red Cross needs blood donated to help out in the day-to-day needs as the days go forward elsewhere.

In Northeast Ohio, you can go to the Greater Cleveland Chapter of the American Red Cross to learn where to donate blood locally.

To find your local chapter elsewhere, go to American Red Cross and see where you can donate blood.

Eligible blood and platelet donors across the country are strongly encouraged to schedule an appointment to give in the days and weeks ahead by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

Type O negative blood is often used during emergencies, when there is no time to determine the patient's blood type. It's especially important that people with type O blood donate as frequently as they can.

Many people in Boston yesterday jumped in to provide immediate help for the victims. Register for a Red Cross First Aid and CPR/AED course at redcross.org so that you can be better prepared to help in future emergencies.

Download the free Red Cross First Aid App which puts free and simple lifesaving information in the hands of smart phone and tablet users.

For those in Boston or have loved ones there, knowing people are safe is the best way to bring peace of mind. It is important for people to connect with one another.

People who have access to a computer should go to redcross.org/safeandwell to list themselves as safe. Those in Boston without computer access can text loved ones or call a family member and ask them to register the person on the site.

The Salvation Army is providing support to survivors and first responders. You can donate-clothes, food, books, gift cards, etc.-here.

You can also donate to the Salvation Army Boston Relief Fund to support their efforts there.

For families trying to locate loved ones, call the Boston Mayor's hotline at 617-635-4500.

And if you have any tips to help out with the investigation, call 1-800-494-TIPS (8477), text the word TIP to CRIME (27463), or call 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) and choose prompt #3.

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Perspective: Seth Taft -- A 'high-road class act'

Written By kolimtiga on Selasa, 16 April 2013 | 00.38

PERSPECTIVE -- Few people under 50 in Greater Cleveland could tell you much about Seth Taft.

His contributions belonged to a different era. Taft died over the weekend at his Pepper Pike home. He was 90.

He was a class act, who cared about his community and public service and championed several ideas ahead of his time that later became reality.

Taft was the grandson of President William Howard Taft.

He was part of the Taft family political dynasty rooted in Cincinnati  that included the President, Ohio Senator Robert Taft and a host of VIPs who became cornerstones of the Greater Cincinnati community.

He could have stayed home and inherited the Taft reputation and stature and, no doubt, had a long  and cushy career in elective office.

But he and his wife decided not to inherit a blueblood life in his hometown.

They decided to risk the uncertain and move to Cleveland.

Taft began working at the prestigious law firm then called Jones, Day, Reavis and Pogue.

He was involved in political and civic life.

He was best known as  the Republican candidate who ran against and lost to Carl Stokes, who went on to become the first African-American mayor in the country.

Taft was not a flashy or glib politican, lacking a bit in the charisma department.

Some urged him to play race cards in his campaign when a majority of Cleveland voters were white. He refused.

He lost in a close race, but earned respect and admiration for staying on the high road.

Taft's impressive showing in the race for mayor helped him get  elected  Cuyahoga County Commissioner when it was still possible for a Republican to do that.

Taft was on of the early voices advocating a restructured county government.

He also pushed for the concepts of regional government and shared services to be more efficient and save money in a county with many duplicate governments and agencies.

Taft was involved with five unsuccessful reform ballot efforts. Some called him the "father" of the  reform movement that finally succeeded in 2009, in the wake of scandals and official greed.

He lost most of the political races he ran for. He was an unsuccessful candidate for Ohio Senate in 1962.

He came up short in the Republican primary for governor in 1982.

Carl Stokes' family chose Taft to deliver a eulogy at his funeral.

He was not a winner at the ballot box.

But he deserves to win the region's appreciation and gratitude for his dedication to good government.

If only there were more like him.

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Strongsville: Striking teachers offer counter proposal

STRONGSVILLE -  The Strongsville City Schools Board made a new offer to the teachers' union-- and then the union offered a counter-offer. But the district rejected the proposal abournd 3 a.m. Monday.

Teachers have been on strike against the district since March 4.

The BOE has stood by its last best offer during strike negotiations.  But the district now says in a written release that "based on actual tax receipts, revenue projections have changed" and the board says it is using some of the additional $3.2 million to increase its offer to try and end the strike.

"The bottom line is that this is a proposal that our school district can afford and sustain," said Board President David Frazee in a release on the district's web site. "We have offered a proposal that provides the teachers with a half-step increase for each of two years or a one-time cash payment of $1,200 depending on their position," said Frazee.

A source from the teachers' side says that there is less than $1 million dollars separating the two sides.

The board says some of the additional funds will also be used to lessen the general education and pay-to-play fees.

So far no new negotiations are scheduled.

The SEA released the following written statement regarding the district's offer:

"Yesterday the Board finally admitted what the SEA has known for the last 6 months. They have $3.2 million more than they have claimed. When added to the $1.6 million saved since the strike began, the total is $4.8 million.
Last night the Board could have ended the strike and returned the teachers to their classrooms immediately. Unfortunately, $4.8 million isn't enough to convince the Board to put students ahead of their personal agendas."

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Strike may delay trash pickup for Northeast Ohio customers

Your trash may end up sitting on the curb longer than expected after workers for Republic Services went on strike today.

The workers are striking in support of fellow Teamsters in the Youngstown area who have been on the picket lines since late March.

Republic Services has customers in Cuyahoga, Lorain, Medina, Lake and Geauga counties.

Republic workers in Canton and Columbus are also striking.

The company says while garbage pickup may be delayed, the company is ensuring customers that waste and recycling materials will be picked up as soon as possible.

Here is the text of a joint statement from Eric Vanhouten, General Manager, Republic Services, Elyria and Alan Marino, General Manager, Republic Services, Cleveland:

"We appreciate the patience of our customers during this time as members of Teamsters Locals 20 AND 244 have gone on strike today. We want to assure all of our customers that while their normal service will be delayed, we are working to ensure that their waste and recycling will be picked up as soon as possible."

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cleveland: Extras wanted for Kevin Costner football film

Written By kolimtiga on Senin, 15 April 2013 | 00.38

CLEVELAND -- How would you like to be part of a major motion picture starring Kevin Costner, Jennifer Garner and Denis Leary?

Here's your chance.

Extras of all ages are being sought for "Draft Day" -- a football movie surrounding the Browns franchise, which will be filmed in Cleveland.

Real Style is hosting the open casting call, which takes place Sunday, April 14 from noon - 6 p.m. at the Terry Macklin Event Centre at 6200 Enterprise Parkway in Solon. The line will be cut off at 5 p.m.

All aspiring extras should expect to have two photographs taken during the casting call and be prepared to fill out paperwork for a profile.

Extras placed in the film will be paid.

In addition to everyday people, extras for "Draft Day" also include folks who can portray football fans, football players, coaching staff and team owners.

No acting experience is needed.

Some of the more specific roles that need to be filled include a Caucasian male who is 6'1" and 190 pounds or a Caucasian female at 5'8" and 110 pounds with long brown hair.

IMDB.com describes the film's plot as follows: "The manager of an American football franchise struggles to acquire the number one draft pick for his team."

"Draft Day" the latest flick to shoot in Cleveland on the heels of Marvel's "The Avengers" and the upcoming "Captain America" sequel, which starts lensing in town soon.

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cleveland Weather: Sun and clouds, warmer

Flood warnings continue for some area rivers and will be discontinued as water subsides.

Clouds and isolated showers are likely for the start of the afternoon. These showers will move out during the afternoon, allowing for some sun to the end of the afternoon.

Tonight partly cloudy weather will be the story across Northeast Ohio and warmer weather will take over for Monday. We are also expecting the chance for more rain and even storms Monday evening and for the rest of the work week.

Sunday: Isolated showers during the early afternoon hours, this partly to mostly sunny. Upper 50s/low 60s.

Monday: Partly cloudy with rain chances late.  Warmer. Upper 60s/low 70s

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with scattered rain and storms. Low 60s

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with scattered storms.  Low/mid 60s south

Thursday: Mostly cloudy with rain and storms. Upper 60/low 70s.

Friday:  Mostly cloudy with a chance for showers. Cooler. Mid 50s.

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Back to the table for Strongsville school board, teachers union

INDEPENDENCE -- A federal mediator has called another meeting for 1:30 p.m. Sunday for the Strongsville City Schools Board of Education and Strongsville Education Association. 

The two will attempt to negotiate the end of the two-month strike.

The meeting will be held at the Federal Mediation of Conciliation Service regional office in Independence.

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Perspective: Flats East Bank built on patience, persistence, partnership

Written By kolimtiga on Minggu, 14 April 2013 | 00.38

Lots of big Cleveland projects are being launched this year.

The first of two Innerbelt bridges will replace a rickety gateway as the main artery to the heart of the city.

A new convention center, combined with the Global Center for Health Innovation, will get Cleveland back in the serious business of bringing large groups of visitors to a more vibrant downtown.

But the project that may ultimately have the most dramatic impact on Cleveland's future development will be in a spot once known for free-flowing beer and rowdy night life.

The Flats East Bank is preparing to start welcoming office workers and visitors in late May and early June. And new residents will arrive soon after that.

It will ultimately become an instant neighborhood that will be the first major waterfront project mixing working, living and nightlife along Cleveland's woefully underdeveloped waterfront.

The first new downtown office building in 20 years will be the flagship home of Ernst and Young, the accounting giant with Cleveland roots. Other businesses, and the law firm of Tucker Ellis, will move into the gleaming office tower.

A smorgasbord of national and local restaurants and night clubs are eagerly signing on to be part of what's happening.

It won't be your "father's Flats." It will be much more. And it's all happening because of one man's dream and his family's dedication.

For years, late developer Bart Wolstein tried to sell a vision of making the Flats into the kind of waterfront that drew residents, visitors and life to lakefront and riverfront communities in places like Baltimore, Chicago and San Francisco.

He expended lots of time, effort and money touting the idea and buying up property from a bunch of diverse owners. When he died, his family vowed to keep the dream alive and make the project happen.

I remember covering the enthusiastic "finally it's happening" press conference, announcing the city's buy-in on then-Mayor Jane Campbell's watch. But before the project could get off the ground, the economy collapsed and financing for speculative projects dried up.

The project was mothballed for a while. But Scott Wolstein and his development partners didn't pull the plug. They kept working to obtain financing from about 30 private and public sources.

That included some creative ideas. Some foreign investors from places like Brazil, Argentina and India kicked in dollars under a federal program that helped them get immigration rights in exchange for job-creating investment.

That brought millions of needed assistance.

Mayor Frank Jackson's administration gave the project support. Now he points to it as the poster child example that should encourage other developers to see that overdue waterfront development in Cleveland may be difficult but do-able.

Jackson envisions Cleveland's downtown becoming a 24-hour city. Phase Two of the East Bank project will include building 250 apartments.

But the demand for downtown housing from young professionals and creative types craving city living is growing. Wolstein thinks the project could easily include 1,000 housing units.

The project's delays have created fortuitous timing. It will likely have more impact opening in concert with other downtown improvements, one complementing the other.

There will be lots of ribbon cuttings this year. But those on the East Bank may be the most significant. As Bart's widow, Iris, said at a recent press conference, "He's looking down and smiling" at how his dream turned out.

It should play a big role in a new Cleveland era where persistence and partnering will pay off.

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cleveland Weather: Mostly dry and cool

Flood warnings continue for some area rivers and will be discontinued as water subsides.

We'll have a cool and brisk weekend, with a chance for some sprinkles today.

Next week the warmer weather will make a return, but the rain and thunderstorm chances will come along with it.

Saturday: Partly sunny with a few showers possible. Mid/upper 40s

Sunday: Partly sunny. Mid 50s

Monday: Partly cloudy with rain chances late.  Warmer.  Upper 60s

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with scattered rain and storms.  Low 60s

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with scattered storms.  Mid/upper 50s north, low/mid 60s south

Thursday: Mostly cloudy with rain and storms.  Upper 60s

Friday:  Mostly cloudy with a chance for showers.  Cooler.  Upper 40s

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Indians/Yankees postponed games rescheduled

CLEVELAND -- The two games that were rained out against the New York Yankees have been rescheduled for a traditional doubleheader on Monday, May 13 beginning at 12:05 p.m.

Tickets dated April 10 are valid for both May 13 games.

Tickets dated April 11 can be exchanged for a May 13 seat or any game in 2013.

For information on how you can exchange your tickets, click here.

If you would like to buy tickets for the double header go to Indians.com.

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cleveland Weather: Drier this afternoon

Written By kolimtiga on Sabtu, 13 April 2013 | 00.38

Flood warnings are active for Erie, Huron, Lorain, Wayne, Holmes and Trumbull counties until further notice.

A cold front will sweep drier and cooler air into Northeast Ohio today. Isolated showers are still expected this afternoon.

Friday: Mostly cloudy with rain likely early, the becoming more scattered to isolated later in the day.  Some peeks of sun.   Cooler.  Temps in the upper 40s to near 50, the slowly falling late day

Saturday: Partly sunny with a few showers possible, especially east. Mid/upper 40s

Sunday: Partly sunny. Mid 50s

Monday: Mostly cloudy with rain chances. Upper 60s

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with chances for showers.  Low 60s

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with a chance for scattered storms.  Mid 60s

Thursday: Mostly cloudy with scattered rain and storms.  Upper 60s

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Groundbreaking improv comic Jonathan Winters dies

Charley Gallay/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES  --  Comedian Jonathan Winters, whose breakneck improvisations inspired Robin Williams, Jim Carrey and many others, has died at age 87.

Longtime family friend Joe Petro III says Winters died Thursday evening at his Montecito, Calif., home of natural causes.

Winters was a master of improvisational comedy, with a grab bag of eccentric personalities and facial expressions. Characters such as the dirty old lady Maude Frickert were based on people Winters knew growing up in Ohio.

In the mid-1950s, "The Jonathan Winters Show" pioneered the then-new videotape technology on to do stunts such as showing up as two characters on screen together.

He was introduced to millions of new fans in 1981 as the son of Williams' goofball alien in the final season of ABC's "Mork and Mindy."

The Associated Press


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Last-minute 2013 tax tips, 'open late' April 15 post offices

The IRS reports that about 77% of tax returns last year were filed electronically and that this year the majority of people have already filed.

As a result, the following two post offices will be the only ones open late on Monday, April 15.

Cleveland Main Post Office - 2400 Orange Ave --

Open until 10 p.m. At about 3 p.m., the traffic flow in the customer parking will be reversed to accommodate the anticipated increased customer volume.

Curbside collectors will be working until 10 p.m. to accept prepared returns with postage already affixed.

Akron Main Post Office - 675 Wolf Ledges Parkway -

Open until 7 p.m. Customers who mail their returns on April 15 should check with their local Post Office or read the posted times on the collection box to make sure that their tax return will be collected and postmarked before the deadline.

Also, any letters or packages weighing 13 ounces or more must be brought to a Post Office and handed to a postal clerk at the window.

The Internal Revenue Service will accept returns sent via Express Mail or with Delivery Confirmation for those customers who would like verification that their return was delivered.

The IRS accepts the postmark on the envelope as proof of timely filing. As a result, there is not significant enough need for most area Post Offices to remain open beyond normal business hours.

Now, before you even get to rushing towards the nearest open post office, know this.

If you make a mistake on your tax return, it usually takes the IRS longer to process it. The IRS may have to contact you about that mistake before your return is processed.

This will delay the receipt of your tax refund. The IRS reminds filers that e-filing their tax return greatly lowers the chance of errors.

In fact, taxpayers are about twenty times more likely to make a mistake on their return if they file a paper return instead of e-filing their return.

Here are eight common errors to avoid:

  • Wrong or missing Social Security numbers. Be sure you enter SSNs for yourself and others on your tax return exactly as they are on the Social Security cards.
  • Names wrong or misspelled. Be sure you enter names of all individuals on your tax return exactly as they are on their Social Security cards.
  • Filing status errors. Choose the right filing status. There are five filing statuses: Single, Married Filing Jointly, Married Filing Separately, Head of Household and Qualifying Widow(er) With Dependent Child. See Publication 501, Exemptions, Standard Deduction and Filing Information, to help you choose the right one. E-filing your tax return will also help you choose the right filing status.
  • Math mistakes. If you file a paper tax return, double check the math. If you e-file, the software does the math for you. For example, if your Social Security benefits are taxable, check to ensure you figured the taxable portion correctly.tax booklet carefully.
  • Errors in figuring credits, deductions. Take your time and read the instructions in your tax booklet carefully. Many filers make mistakes figuring their Earned Income Tax Credit, Child and Dependent Care Credit and the standard deduction. For example, if you are age 65 or older or blind check to make sure you claim the correct, larger standard deduction amount.
  • Wrong bank account numbers. Direct deposit is the fast, easy and safe way to receive your tax refund. Make sure you enter your bank routing and account numbers correctly.
  • Forms not signed, dated. An unsigned tax return is like an unsigned check - it's invalid. Remember both spouses must sign a joint return.
  • Electronic signature errors. If you e-file your tax return, you will sign the return electronically using a Personal Identification Number. For security purposes, the software will ask you to enter the Adjusted Gross Income from your originally-filed 2011 federal tax return. Do not use the AGI amount from an amended 2011 return or an AGI provided to you if the IRS corrected your return. You may also use last year's PIN if you e-filed last year and remember your PIN.

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

2-week delay for grand jury's work in Steubenville rape

Written By kolimtiga on Jumat, 12 April 2013 | 00.38

COLUMBUS -- Ohio's attorney general says a grand jury investigating possible additional charges in the rape of a 16-year-old girl last summer won't hear from witnesses for about two weeks after it is convened Monday.

Attorney General Mike DeWine says the delay relates to his office's continuing evaluation of evidence.

DeWine says the decision was made to get the seating of the grand jury out of the way first.

A judge last month convicted two Steubenville high school football players of raping the girl after an alcohol-fueled party in August.

DeWine said Thursday the grand jury will explore whether other laws were violated and could result in more charges or none at all.

ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS
AP Legal Affairs Writer

The Associated Press


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cleveland Weather: Rain just keeps on coming

Periods of rain will continue through early afternoon. Later this afternoon and this evening, the rain will be scattered.

Flood watches have been posted for Erie, Huron, Lorain, Medina, Ashland, Richland, Wayne, Holmes, Stark, Tuscarawas and Carroll counties through tonight.

Additionally, flood warnings for widespread standing water and high rivers continue for Erie, Huron, Lorain, Wayne, Holmes and Stark counties until further notice.

Finally drier air will push in after midday Friday, but the drier air is cooler.

Today: Mostly cloudy with rain and storms likely. 50s lakshore counties...Low 60s south

Friday: Mostly cloudy with rain chances early.  Some clearing late day.   Cooler.  Near 55 then falling into the 40s

Saturday: Partly sunny with a few showers possible, especially east. Mid/upper 40s

Sunday: Partly sunny.  Mid 50s

Monday: Mostly cloudy with rain chances. Mid/upper 60s

Tuesday:  Mostly cloudy with chances for showers. Near 63

Wednesday:  Mostly cloudy with a chance for scattered storms.  Low 60s

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Strike a pose -- Superman style!

CLEVELAND -- It's time to strike a pose, superhero style!

City officials are honoring Superman's 75th anniversary by asking everybody to snap a photo showing off their best Superman pose.

Superman, which was brought to life in Cleveland, celebrates his big birthday on April 18 -- a day that Mayor Frank Jackson is declaring "Superman Day."

How big of a superhero can you be? We want to see for ourselves.

You can send your pictures to our Twitter page using #SupermanStyle, post them on our Facebook page or upload 'em right here on WKYC.com.

Grab your goofiest superhero gear and be creative. We might feature your Superman pose on TV.

We will be sure to add your superhero photos to the gallery above.

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Medina: Group to meet on controversial school board actions

Written By kolimtiga on Kamis, 11 April 2013 | 00.38

MEDINA -- The parents/residents' group Medina City Schools Outrage has set a meeting for 7 p.m. Thursday at Williams on the Lake on Lafayette Road to "plan a course of action for the coming weeks, establish priorities..." and voice their concerns over recent moves by the Medina City Schools board.

Related: Medina parents want superintendent's, board's resignation

The issues include Superintendent Randy Stepp's controversial contract approved in early March; the board's recent placing Stepp on paid administrative leave; and the board's hiring of a Public relations firm for "crisis management."

Medina City Schools Outrage Facebook page

Related: Medina: Residents protest before school board meeting

On Tuesday, the board approved the $20,370 contract with Hennes Paynter Communications, which specializes in crisis management.

The board had hired the firm on March 6, right after details of Stepp's contract became public, and Hennes Paynter provided two weeks of input.

On April 8, the board placed Stepp on paid leave after it was announced April 5 that state Auditor David Yost would be investigating a fund used to pay Stepp more than $265,000 for college education expenses.

Related: Medina school superintendent placed on leave

The Medina school board asked for the review after questions arose about the fund. The coverage of education expenses was part of Stepp's contract but the community has questioned some other payments, including travel expenses.

When asked Tuesday why the board hired Hennes Paynter, President Karla Robinson said the firm was hired "in response to the overwhelming number of calls, emails and media questions that we had regarding the superintendent's contract."

The board said the district did not have the staff to handle the public outcry.

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cleveland Weather: Rain and storms

Temperatures will be dependent upon where a frontal system lies at any point in time.  Areas north of various fronts will be cooler, while those farther south will stay mild.  

As waves of energy pass through the atmosphere, expect rain and storms to stay with us.  

Today: Mostly cloudy with scattered rain showers and t-storms likely.  Strong and severe storms are possible (wind and hail threat).  Mid 60s to mid 70s (cooler lakeshore)

Thursday: Mostly cloudy with rain and storms likely.  Mid 60s

Friday: Mostly cloudy with rain chances early.  Some clearing late day.   Cooler.  Near 55 then falling into the 40s

Saturday: Partly sunny with a few showers possible, especially east. Mid/upper 40s

Sunday: Partly sunny with rain chances. Low 50s.

Monday: Mostly cloudy with rain chances. Low 60s

Tuesday:  Mostly cloudy with chances for showers.  Low 60s

WKYC-TV


00.38 | 0 komentar | Read More
techieblogger.com Techie Blogger Techie Blogger