Photos: Chris Jones
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Check Cashing Culprit Collared
10 TV: A man suspected in a series of violent check cashing robberies was arrested Saturday morning without incident at a motel in Grove City, according to the FBI. Charles R. Harris was taken into custody at the Knights Inn, located at 3131 Broadway. Columbus police SWAT officers and the FBI were involved in the arrest. Late last month, Harris, 20, was identified as the suspect in five robberies at check cashing businesses located throughout central Ohio… Harris was expected to face charges of aggravated robbery, kidnapping and rape… Also arrested on Saturday was Geralanda S. Brown, 19, whom the FBI said helped hide Harris, and Freddie Boyd Darling, 27, who was the alleged getaway driver during each of the robberies. All three were expected to appear in court on Monday.
Quick Read
Initially, I must credit the front-page editors for leading with Friday’s economic news. You would think 7.2% unemployment and 524,000 jobs lost is a no brainer in terms of a big story, but CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC didn’t even feature the numbers in their afternoon first blocks… The Dispatch deserves applause…
Two other A1 stories deserve equal praise… James Nash’s above the fold story on a Casino gambling proposal was excellent… It was detailed, specific, and it painted the picture that maybe Ohio will finally not half-ass a proposal for gambling… Tim Feren’s story concerning digital tv coming to Columbus was also intriguing… The Dispatch’s only mistake was their ridiculous feature “Prize For Perilous Day – Lunar Magic,” which detailed an eclipse… That could have been swapped with their George Voinovich, which was buried on A3. In that story, Voinovich confirmed the paper’s previous report, that he may not seek re-election…
Finally, the metro front story, which was a follow up on light rail, started out solidly but disappeared in the middle when the paper seemed to contradict their own premise. The piece, however, did do a great job of explaining why Governor Strickland is refusing a gas tax increase.
Two other A1 stories deserve equal praise… James Nash’s above the fold story on a Casino gambling proposal was excellent… It was detailed, specific, and it painted the picture that maybe Ohio will finally not half-ass a proposal for gambling… Tim Feren’s story concerning digital tv coming to Columbus was also intriguing… The Dispatch’s only mistake was their ridiculous feature “Prize For Perilous Day – Lunar Magic,” which detailed an eclipse… That could have been swapped with their George Voinovich, which was buried on A3. In that story, Voinovich confirmed the paper’s previous report, that he may not seek re-election…
Finally, the metro front story, which was a follow up on light rail, started out solidly but disappeared in the middle when the paper seemed to contradict their own premise. The piece, however, did do a great job of explaining why Governor Strickland is refusing a gas tax increase.
Friday, January 9, 2009
INVITE: Ugly Sweater Get Together
“Best & Last Christmas Party of the Year”Commencement: 9:00
Venue: McFadden’s (South Campus)
Ugliest Sweater receives $200
Drinks (Available All Night)
$3 Soco Lime Shots
$2 Bud Light
INVITE: Social Saturday
Commencement: 10:00Venue: Sugar Bar (525 Park Street)
Open Bar 10:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Female Jumped, Foster Jailed
10 TV: Parents of students who attend Eastmoor Middle School received letters from the school district on Friday after a 12-year-old girl told authorities that she was sexually assaulted at gunpoint while on her way to school. According to police, the girl told investigators that she missed her school bus on Friday morning and began walking to the east side middle school when a man forced her inside his car… Police said the man sexually assaulted the girl inside his car and later dropped her off at an unknown location… The girl showed up at the school, located on Medway Avenue, and immediately told administrators about the incident…
Number twenty-four makes you ask… Is it ever safe for children to be outdoors?
NBC 4: A former Ohio State football player and former city employee was sentenced after two CPD officers were shot last year. Derrick L. Foster, 38, was accused of shooting two CPD officers during a drug raid April 30, 2008. He was arrested on and charged with two counts of felonious assault and two counts of attempted murder last year. He pleaded to two counts of felonious assault Friday, and one of those counts had a firearms specification. With the plea, Foster admitted responsibility to the shooting. Foster’s original charge could have sent him to prison for up to 19 years in prison, but a judge sentenced Foster to five years with possible eligibility for early release with good behavior in four.
This makes you ask, “What’s up with former Ohio State football players?” Since 2005, I think we’ve had more incarcerations than bowl wins…
Number twenty-four makes you ask… Is it ever safe for children to be outdoors?
NBC 4: A former Ohio State football player and former city employee was sentenced after two CPD officers were shot last year. Derrick L. Foster, 38, was accused of shooting two CPD officers during a drug raid April 30, 2008. He was arrested on and charged with two counts of felonious assault and two counts of attempted murder last year. He pleaded to two counts of felonious assault Friday, and one of those counts had a firearms specification. With the plea, Foster admitted responsibility to the shooting. Foster’s original charge could have sent him to prison for up to 19 years in prison, but a judge sentenced Foster to five years with possible eligibility for early release with good behavior in four.
This makes you ask, “What’s up with former Ohio State football players?” Since 2005, I think we’ve had more incarcerations than bowl wins…
Lose The Delusion
Mayor Coleman… Instead of begging for a train no one will use, why don’t you actually take care of the roads, which everyone uses?
10 TV: Live Doppler 10 chief meteorologist Chris Bradley said we will likely see a mix of snow, freezing rain and sleet on Saturday. Bradley said the best chance for snowfall will come after 10 a.m., with some precipitation becoming heavy at times. The Columbus-area will likely receive 2-4 inches of snow. Bradley said the storm system will push out of central Ohio by Sunday. Expect partly sunny skies and daytime temperatures approaching 30 degrees.
NBC 4: Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman is asking for $200 million from the federal government to build a 13-mile light rail system in Columbus as part of a $334.5 million economic stimulus package funding request. In a letter sent to President-elect Barack Obama last week, Coleman said his proposal would integrate the best elements of the 2006 North Corridor Light Rail Plan and the downtown streetcar plan. The proposed light rail system would stretch through the Short North, The Ohio State University campus and past Polaris Parkway.
10 TV: Live Doppler 10 chief meteorologist Chris Bradley said we will likely see a mix of snow, freezing rain and sleet on Saturday. Bradley said the best chance for snowfall will come after 10 a.m., with some precipitation becoming heavy at times. The Columbus-area will likely receive 2-4 inches of snow. Bradley said the storm system will push out of central Ohio by Sunday. Expect partly sunny skies and daytime temperatures approaching 30 degrees.
NBC 4: Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman is asking for $200 million from the federal government to build a 13-mile light rail system in Columbus as part of a $334.5 million economic stimulus package funding request. In a letter sent to President-elect Barack Obama last week, Coleman said his proposal would integrate the best elements of the 2006 North Corridor Light Rail Plan and the downtown streetcar plan. The proposed light rail system would stretch through the Short North, The Ohio State University campus and past Polaris Parkway.
Quick Read
The Dispatch’s single greatest problem is not a lack of competent writers or intriguing stories… Their problem is that they bury the most compelling in spaces where they are either not likely to be read or likely to only be read by those people who spend more than twenty minutes reading the paper (for example, someone who reads the paper and then writes about it on their website)…
The prime example of their if it’s best, it’s buried philosophy was their A3 story on whether Senator George Voinovich is reconsidering seeking re-election… The story was mixed, sources saying he is reconsidering, outgoing chairman Bob Bennett saying no way; but the inconsistency isn’t the point… Voinovich’s potential reconsideration, especially given recent Republican incompetence and Mike Dewine’s defeat in 2006, is a page one story if ever there was one…
While the paper’s lead story on a proposed light rail project was outstanding, the Voinovich news should have led and another fascinating feature, “Reading Rates Dismal” (metro front) should have found it’s way onto the front page… The column’s statistics were excellent and given the always heated exchange of the immigration issue, the fact that Franklin County’s immigrant population is rising, made this story ideal morning coffee discussion…
Two other stories worth mentioning, which were buried were the stories on Columbus church marketing (B9) and a Life and Arts story on black directors (D6)… Both stories were unique and presented angles of issues I assume most haven’t considered… Unfortunately, they are so well hidden; they will line birdcages before being read…
Finally, our city’s biggest news, that of Chris Wells’ exit, was a mostly rehash, Ken Gordon and Tim May mirage, that painted Wells’ decision as difficult… So difficult, it took him all of fifty hours to make it, when he had another week to spare… The column was sadly typical of two writers, both of whom I respected, that are becoming less and less objective and more and more public relations ambassadors for OSU…
The prime example of their if it’s best, it’s buried philosophy was their A3 story on whether Senator George Voinovich is reconsidering seeking re-election… The story was mixed, sources saying he is reconsidering, outgoing chairman Bob Bennett saying no way; but the inconsistency isn’t the point… Voinovich’s potential reconsideration, especially given recent Republican incompetence and Mike Dewine’s defeat in 2006, is a page one story if ever there was one…
While the paper’s lead story on a proposed light rail project was outstanding, the Voinovich news should have led and another fascinating feature, “Reading Rates Dismal” (metro front) should have found it’s way onto the front page… The column’s statistics were excellent and given the always heated exchange of the immigration issue, the fact that Franklin County’s immigrant population is rising, made this story ideal morning coffee discussion…
Two other stories worth mentioning, which were buried were the stories on Columbus church marketing (B9) and a Life and Arts story on black directors (D6)… Both stories were unique and presented angles of issues I assume most haven’t considered… Unfortunately, they are so well hidden; they will line birdcages before being read…
Finally, our city’s biggest news, that of Chris Wells’ exit, was a mostly rehash, Ken Gordon and Tim May mirage, that painted Wells’ decision as difficult… So difficult, it took him all of fifty hours to make it, when he had another week to spare… The column was sadly typical of two writers, both of whom I respected, that are becoming less and less objective and more and more public relations ambassadors for OSU…
Wells Enters NFL Draft
As Gossip Cbus first reported, Ohio State’s Chris Wells will skip his senior season and enter the NFL Draft. Wells formally announced his decision this afternoon. “I want to thank my teammates, my coaches, my teachers and the academic advisors for all they have done, and I definitely want to thank the Buckeye fans for all their support,” he said in a statement. “Ohio State has become like a family to me, and it will always be that way. But in the best interest of my family, it's time to move on and take a chance at fulfilling my lifetime dream of playing in the NFL.”
Wells’ decision was not surprising. One of eleven children, Gossip Cbus reported that finances were his soul consideration. “He needs to get paid, he needs to get paid now, the boy has family and things outside OSU to think about,” said a source close to Wells’ family (December 29). “This is purely financial and anyone who throws up any static should shut up. He was already hurt this year. At least next year, he could be hurt with millions.”
Wells concludes his career as Ohio State’s fourth leading rusher. In three seasons, Wells had 585 carries, 3,382 yards, and 30 touchdowns. This season, despite injuries (three games missed), he had 207 carries, 1,197 yards, and 8 touchdowns. He closed his junior season with five one hundred yard efforts in six contests (four consecutive).
“Ohio State football will miss Beanie's big runs, but we will also miss his big smile,” Coach Jim Tressel said in a statement. “He has been a tremendous teammate and one of the all-time great performers in the greatest rivalry in college football.”
Since our first report (December 18), Wells has slipped from a consensus top five selection to twelfth (in an average of six NFL Mock Drafts). Experts say his stock will continue to fluctuate based upon NFL free agency, individual workouts, and other underclassman who declare. Since 2006, an underclassman running back has been selected in the top seven each year.
Wells’ decision was not surprising. One of eleven children, Gossip Cbus reported that finances were his soul consideration. “He needs to get paid, he needs to get paid now, the boy has family and things outside OSU to think about,” said a source close to Wells’ family (December 29). “This is purely financial and anyone who throws up any static should shut up. He was already hurt this year. At least next year, he could be hurt with millions.”
Wells concludes his career as Ohio State’s fourth leading rusher. In three seasons, Wells had 585 carries, 3,382 yards, and 30 touchdowns. This season, despite injuries (three games missed), he had 207 carries, 1,197 yards, and 8 touchdowns. He closed his junior season with five one hundred yard efforts in six contests (four consecutive).
“Ohio State football will miss Beanie's big runs, but we will also miss his big smile,” Coach Jim Tressel said in a statement. “He has been a tremendous teammate and one of the all-time great performers in the greatest rivalry in college football.”
Since our first report (December 18), Wells has slipped from a consensus top five selection to twelfth (in an average of six NFL Mock Drafts). Experts say his stock will continue to fluctuate based upon NFL free agency, individual workouts, and other underclassman who declare. Since 2006, an underclassman running back has been selected in the top seven each year.
Love the Logos, Hate the Losers
Random is intriguing. Ridiculous is simply stupid. Alice in Wonderland’s Cheshire cat standing on top his own head and asking “can you stand on your head” is random. The Cheshire cat converting head into a soccer ball and kicking it past the Columbus Crew goalie is ridiculous. Understand the difference?
When I arrived, Sugar was empty. The booths, the dance floor, the tables… they spelled empty in capital letters. Thankfully, a lower scoring than I would have imagined slugfest between Florida and Oklahoma provided welcome entertainment. I stood and watched the game, which Sugar thoughtfully had on every television screen, likely with the same pair of thoughts in mind as every Sugar Bar employee I saw… Those two thoughts being, when will people arrive and why is Oklahoma’s offense playing so miserable?
As Florida assumed command of the fourth quarter (first by a field goal and eventually by their winning margin of double digits), they started to trickle in. Four guys and three girls. A trio of bunnies. Another trio of bunnies. Two guys. As the college football season concluded, the crowd was expanded, but remained reserved.
Twenty minutes later, the crowd exploded. Bunnies in booths, bunnies at tables, bunnies on the dance floor, and the street cast of the Wire looking to hit on all of them (more on that momentarily)… I must pause at this point to thank (by name) Avi Primetime and Brian Swanson… As we teased all week, Gossip Cbus was a co-sponsor of the evening and Aaron and Brian were phenomenal, making sure our logo was exquisite and on every screen…. Looking at our logo, the same logo you see on this website, on their television screens… my evening was perfect…
Perfect, albeit slightly scattered, given the crowd that had accumulated… I know the first time I experienced Sugar, I raved and this experience overall was similar… I still love the venue… And, just like the first experience, there were bunnies dancing, drinking, shaking their asses… Most were as immaculate as what I had seen the first time….
Unfortunately, ridiculous was also present… A drunken girl who was the spitting image of Amy Winehouse (wardrobe included), one male that should consider a career as a couch (yes, he is that large), and four girls whose every step must register as earthquake weather… And before anyone sends me hate mail, I am not being mea… It is not my fault these four girls had more buns than a day old bakery…
Worse than the bizarre patrons, were the bunnies that chose to hook up with them… One nauseating pairing in particular coupled an adorable doll (black leopard print dress and stunning body) with a Marlo Stanfield imitator with hair that looked like one of my ex’s bad shag carpet… The site of these two dancing, making out, her sitting on his lap with his Yankees (yes Ohio, Yankees) cap on… it was enough to make you vomit… Desperate white girls and Wire castoffs, if you want to hook up (even though you really shouldn’t), there are clubs in this city where you can do this… But, please avoid the ones I attend…
While the site of Cleopatra becoming Cleopatra Jones was annoying, it was not enough to ruin another overall magnificent Sugar experience… You will have random and ridiculous at every spot in this city… The trick is not letting either overtake you… With our logos on the screen (thanks again Avi and Brian), neither could spoil my night…
When I arrived, Sugar was empty. The booths, the dance floor, the tables… they spelled empty in capital letters. Thankfully, a lower scoring than I would have imagined slugfest between Florida and Oklahoma provided welcome entertainment. I stood and watched the game, which Sugar thoughtfully had on every television screen, likely with the same pair of thoughts in mind as every Sugar Bar employee I saw… Those two thoughts being, when will people arrive and why is Oklahoma’s offense playing so miserable?
As Florida assumed command of the fourth quarter (first by a field goal and eventually by their winning margin of double digits), they started to trickle in. Four guys and three girls. A trio of bunnies. Another trio of bunnies. Two guys. As the college football season concluded, the crowd was expanded, but remained reserved.
Twenty minutes later, the crowd exploded. Bunnies in booths, bunnies at tables, bunnies on the dance floor, and the street cast of the Wire looking to hit on all of them (more on that momentarily)… I must pause at this point to thank (by name) Avi Primetime and Brian Swanson… As we teased all week, Gossip Cbus was a co-sponsor of the evening and Aaron and Brian were phenomenal, making sure our logo was exquisite and on every screen…. Looking at our logo, the same logo you see on this website, on their television screens… my evening was perfect…
Perfect, albeit slightly scattered, given the crowd that had accumulated… I know the first time I experienced Sugar, I raved and this experience overall was similar… I still love the venue… And, just like the first experience, there were bunnies dancing, drinking, shaking their asses… Most were as immaculate as what I had seen the first time….
Unfortunately, ridiculous was also present… A drunken girl who was the spitting image of Amy Winehouse (wardrobe included), one male that should consider a career as a couch (yes, he is that large), and four girls whose every step must register as earthquake weather… And before anyone sends me hate mail, I am not being mea… It is not my fault these four girls had more buns than a day old bakery…
Worse than the bizarre patrons, were the bunnies that chose to hook up with them… One nauseating pairing in particular coupled an adorable doll (black leopard print dress and stunning body) with a Marlo Stanfield imitator with hair that looked like one of my ex’s bad shag carpet… The site of these two dancing, making out, her sitting on his lap with his Yankees (yes Ohio, Yankees) cap on… it was enough to make you vomit… Desperate white girls and Wire castoffs, if you want to hook up (even though you really shouldn’t), there are clubs in this city where you can do this… But, please avoid the ones I attend…
While the site of Cleopatra becoming Cleopatra Jones was annoying, it was not enough to ruin another overall magnificent Sugar experience… You will have random and ridiculous at every spot in this city… The trick is not letting either overtake you… With our logos on the screen (thanks again Avi and Brian), neither could spoil my night…
Thursday, January 8, 2009
BREAKING: Chris Wells Enters NFL Draft
As Gossip Cbus first reported, Ohio State’s Chris Wells will skip his senior season and enter the NFL Draft. Wells announced his decision via a statement this afternoon. We will have more details this evening.
Sugar Rush
We’ve teased you with it… We’ve taunted you with it… And now its here… Sugar’s Back to School Bash co-sponsored by Gossip Cbus… Our logos will be on all the inside television screens, our photographers will be snapping every bunny, and our twitter will be live from the event…
Columbus, we couldn’t have sponsored this event without you…. Drink… Dance… Own Park Street tonight… Until next time, you know you love me…
Columbus, we couldn’t have sponsored this event without you…. Drink… Dance… Own Park Street tonight… Until next time, you know you love me…
INVITE: The Hat Party
“Wildest Hats Requested”Commencement: 10:00
Venue: Sugar Bar (525 Park Street)
Open Bar 10:30 – 11:30 pm
The Bloody East
I could watch television with the sound off and still my odds of guessing correctly that a crime occurred on the east side are likely 80%…
NBC 4: A woman told officers she was stabbed by a neighbor Thursday and she and another woman had to jump to safety. Louise Blair, 50, told CPD officers she was stabbed by her neighbor, Wallace Shackleford, after a dispute over money. Blair and another woman jumped out of a second-story window to escape the assault, CPD Sgt. Rich Weiner said. During her fall, Blair hit a pipe, officials said. The incident happened in an apartment off Nelson Road on the city’s near East Side. Blair was transported to Riverside Methodist Hospital with several stab wounds and a severed finger. She was listed in stable condition. Shackleford, 78, was taken into police custody and faces one count of felonious assault. He is currently being held in Franklin County Jail pending arraignment on Friday.
NBC 4: A woman told officers she was stabbed by a neighbor Thursday and she and another woman had to jump to safety. Louise Blair, 50, told CPD officers she was stabbed by her neighbor, Wallace Shackleford, after a dispute over money. Blair and another woman jumped out of a second-story window to escape the assault, CPD Sgt. Rich Weiner said. During her fall, Blair hit a pipe, officials said. The incident happened in an apartment off Nelson Road on the city’s near East Side. Blair was transported to Riverside Methodist Hospital with several stab wounds and a severed finger. She was listed in stable condition. Shackleford, 78, was taken into police custody and faces one count of felonious assault. He is currently being held in Franklin County Jail pending arraignment on Friday.
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