State changes rules for unpaid child support

Sept. 18, 2011, Coshocton Tribune

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

Non-custodial parents will be able to continually pay just half of their child support obligations with no risk of losing their driving, recreational or professional licenses starting Oct. 1.

From Jan. 1 to Aug. 31 of this year, 100,533 parents lost their drivers’ license, 83 lost their professional license and 997 lost their recreational license for failure to pay child support, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. A parent could have more than one license suspended.

Those who lost their drivers’ licenses between Sept. 30, 2010, and Aug. 31, 2011, collectively paid just 19 percent of their child support obligations, according to the department.

This change is one of three the General Assembly made this year to child support enforcement. They were enacted as part of the state budget.

OSU games, other events featuring beefed up security

Sept. 11, 2011, Newark Advocate

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

COLUMBUS — As you try to balance a drink and a hot dog in your hands while forming the “O,” you never know — the “H” next to you could be a plain-clothes security officer.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, security has been beefed up at Ohio State University football games, and any other event in the state that attracts thousands of people.

“Football games have a high concentration of people. Certainly that’s something that al-Qaida or those supported by them may want to target,” said Robert Glenn, head of Ohio’s Homeland Security office.

Homeland security grants help agencies prepare for disasters as well as terrorism

Sept. 11, 2011, Lancaster Eagle Gazette

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

If terrorists were planning another large-scale attack against the United States, it’s unlikely their next target would be in Chillicothe.

Still, Sept. 11, 2001, was a wake-up call to public safety officials in this southern Ohio community.

As Assistant Fire Chief Steve Gallagher pulled out the key to the padlock that secures the county’s hazmat trailer, he said he has had one more question at each local disaster in the county since 9/11: Did someone do this on purpose?

The U.S. government has given Ross County agencies $1.3 million in homeland security grants in the decade since the Sept. 11 attacks.

While the money helped mitigate potential terrorist threats, much of it also helped the county be more prepared for any kind of disaster — natural, accidental or intentional.

Ohio unions fight dwindling numbers, Issue 2

Sept. 5, 2011, Lancaster Eagle Gazette

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

As members of organized labor face what they see as a major threat to their existence, they will have 222,000 fewer Ohio members this Labor Day to promote their cause, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Placing the figure in the realm of the total employed, Ohio is losing union members at a rate faster than most states.

In 2000, 17.4 percent of those employed in Ohio were labor union members. In 2010, 13.7 percent of those employed belonged to unions, according to the bureau.

As unions deal with declining membership, they face yet another threat this year — Issue 2, also known as Senate Bill 5 — which would curtail the rights of public sector bargaining units across the state.

No Child Left Behind still controversial

Aug. 21, 2011, Coshocton Tribune

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

In 2010, Newark High School received the bureaucratic equivalent of a grounding when report cards went out.

For the seventh consecutive year, the building received low grades in reading and math. For the seventh consecutive year, officials had to send letters out to parents explaining the rating and reminding them that their children could go elsewhere. School officials had to create a plan for improvement and do more professional development.

State report cards come out this week, and Newark High Principal Mark Fullen said his building for the first time will be up to par, getting a rating of “excellent” and meeting math and reading requirements.

He credits the school’s improvement in part to the accountability measures put in place by the No Child Left Behind Act, have rare aging disorder signed by former President George W. Bush 10 years ago.

The annual school report cards tell districts how they’re doing with test scores and graduation and attendance rates and gives them a final rating based on a number of indicators.

Schools, others work to find ways to help poor overcome obstacles

Aug. 12, 2011, Newark Advocate

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

NEWARK — A large portion of residents in Licking County can’t even think about saving for a down payment on a house or college tuition for their 10-year-old.

This is because they might not know how they’re going to feed their family tomorrow.

Those in poverty don’t just have less money than those in other economic classes. They speak a different language and live in a different culture. All of their actions involve living for the here and now because they never can be completely sure if they will survive to see next week.

Bridges Out of Poverty consultant Chris Ramsey didn’t need to explain this concept to the 20 people sitting around a conference room table Thursday.

PUCO staff opposes AEP proposed rate increase

Aug. 9, 2011, Newark Advocate

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

American Electric Power is asking too much of its customers in its proposed rate increase, staff members of a key state agency argued this past week.

In addition to the increase in base rates, AEP also is requesting for numerous riders, or extra charges.

Public Utilities Commission of Ohio staff came out against AEP’s proposal Thursday in a series of testimonies.

Next, the proposal will go before the full commission, which will issue a decision by the end of the year.