INVITE: OSU Greek Guest Bartending Competition Finals

Commencement: 10:00

Venue: Lodge Bar (Arena District)

Cover: $2

Thursday’s Paring: Alpha Tau Omega vs. Phi Kappa Psi vs. Sigma Alpha Mu

Drinks (Available All Night)
$2 Budweiser (16 ounces)
$2 Bud Light (16 ounces)
$2 Three Olive Bombs
$1 Washington Apple Shots

Synopsis
The Lodge Bar Guest Bartender Competition pairs 4 sororities and 4 fraternities involved in a single elimination tournament. 2 houses will face off each week in an attendance-based competition to see who can bring the largest crowd. Invite everyone you know to support you! There will be a sheet at the door where guests will sign in, marking who they came to see. Whoever brings the most people will advance to the next round until we have a winner.

First Heroin, Now Cocaine?

NBC 4: More than two dozen people have been charged with operating a drug trafficking organization in the Columbus area. Operation Georgia Peach links Columbus with interstate drug trafficking… The indictment charges Maurice Williams with operating a continuing criminal enterprise. Authorities said they believe Williams is the top of the organization and that he could be in Atlanta. Officials said they are actively searching for him. Of 29 defendants, 21 people are charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine. As of Wednesday, 19 people were arrested. Anyone with information is asked to call 614-645-TIPS.

The next time Mayor Coleman’s mouthpiece rattles off the “Columbus is a safe city” bit, someone should replay the last two weeks…

Give Us Good Weather, We Won’t Mind Traffic

10 TV: Drivers should anticipate heavy traffic in the downtown area this weekend because of the Arnold Classic. Events take place Friday through Sunday, with events taking place at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, Veterans Memorial, Nationwide Arena and the Ohio Expo Center. According to the city, Vine Street will temporarily be made one-way westbound between North High Street and Park Street. Left turns from southbound Wall Street to Vine Street will be prohibited. The changes will be in place from 8 a.m. Friday through 6 p.m. Sunday.

10 TV: A dramatic warm up is on the way lasting through the weekend. After an early morning low slightly below freezing, Thursday's high temperature will soar to 55 degrees under sunny skies… A warm front will lift over the area on Thursday night. Look for highs in the 60s on Friday and Saturday. Some of the computer models are hinting that we could see highs near 70 degrees south of the area on Saturday… On the flip side, Bradley said that there will be a chance of scattered showers Friday through Monday. A cold front moves into Ohio Sunday for the start of Daylight Savings Time. Highs drop from the 60s back into the 50s, but lows at night will remain above freezing.

Snowed Inn Showcase (Volume Four)

Photos: Chris Jones

Snowed Inn Showcase (Volume Three)

Photos: Chris Jones

Snowed Inn Showcase (Volume Two)

Photos: Chris Jones

Snowed Inn Showcase (Volume One)

Photos: Chris Jones

Columbus Promotes Police Chief

NBC 4: Deputy Chief Walter Distelzweig was announced Wednesday as the new police chief for the Columbus Division of Police. The announcement was made by Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman, who described Distelzweig as a hands-on leader…

Distelzweig has served the department since 1972. At the ceremony, Distelzweig said it is an honor to serve as Chief of Police and that he will be accessible to the public. “Distelzweig brings forward 36 years of experience within the division and is committed to keeping our neighborhoods safe. He will focus on getting results, managing police resources, and making sure that our officers have the tools they need to be the best,” Coleman said.

As a deputy chief, Distelzweig oversaw internal investigations, business and personnel administration. The change comes at a critical time for the police department. In January, its police recruit class was laid off only to be reinstated due to federal stimulus money. Distelzweig replaces former Chief James G. Jackson, who was sworn into office in 1990 and held the post for 18 years. His last day as chief was in November 2008. In years past, Chief Jackson clashed with the city because of funding and hiring issues.

Distelzweig will be the first police chief to serve under the 1999 Charter Change, in which individuals selected as chief will be appointed to a five-year term with the possibility of appointment to a second five-year term based on job performance. When asked if he is already considering ten years as chief, Distelzweig said that he will discuss that at a later point.

According to rules established by the Columbus Civil Service Commission, eligible candidates for the police chief’s office must be a current deputy chief or commander with the Columbus Division of Police. Candidates must have a State of Ohio driver’s license, a Bachelor’s degree and one year’s continuous service as a deputy chief or five years’ continuous service as a commander.

Gossip CBUS Challenges Maurice Clarett

NBC 4: Former Ohio State football star Maurice Clarett writes that he’s blogging from prison so others will learn from his wrong decisions. The tailback who led the Buckeyes to the 2002 national championship is in the Toledo Correctional Institution on his 2006 conviction for aggravated robbery and carrying a concealed weapon. In his first blog entry, Clarett said in October that defects in his character put him behind bars. This week, he wrote he’s interested in public speaking once he’s out. Clarett doesn’t have computer access in prison. His mother tells The Columbus Dispatch he phones the blog entries to relatives, who post them.

The preceding appeared this afternoon on NBC 4’s website. The following is our open invitation to Maurice Clarett, which has also been posted on his website…

During this website’s initial month, the possibility of interviewing Maurice Clarett was broached. We assumed we were not the first to make such an inquiry and prison officials confirmed this… They said that Maurice had turned down all offers to discuss his situation. Imagine my surprise when I read this afternoon, that he is, in fact, discussing his situation, but in the way most convenient to him.

Now, I don’t begrudge Maurice discussing his situation or telling his story. In fact, I welcome him doing so. There are hundreds, if not thousands of Columbus residents that would like to hear his side of the story. We would like to present his side of the story, in his own words, unedited… As Maurice is now a blogger, as we are bloggers, we would like to issue this invitation…

Maurice, tell us your story… Sit down with us for an interview and tell Columbus what happened… We don’t want to confront you or criticize you, we simply want to hear from you… You can dictate the day of the interview, the length of the interview, the circumstances of the interview (video tape, audio tape or written), you can dictate everything but the questions and we will run your answers unedited…

Maurice, I speak on behalf of the Ohio State fans that cheered you in 2002… We want to hear from you… Talk to us…

Another Campus Robbery

10 TV: Police were searching for two men who they said robbed a woman near the Ohio State campus on Monday night. The woman told police the men stole her purse in the area of West 10th Avenue, located east of Neil Avenue, at about 10:30 p.m…

The suspects were described as being 25-30 years old. The first suspect is black, 6 feet 1 inch to 6 feet 3 inches tall and was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, black pants and a black skull cap. Police said the second suspect is black, 5 feet 11 inches tall and has a muscular build. He was wearing black clothing and a black skull cap. Anyone with information is asked to call Columbus police at 614-645-4545, University Police at 614-292-2121 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-645-8477.

Columbus Police Arrest Arson Trio

10 TV: Fire investigators announced Monday that three people, including two juveniles, have been arrested and charged with setting fires on the city's south side. Since last fall, the city's south side has been the scene of dozens of suspicious fires, including four more late Sunday night and early Monday morning. "We've had over 70 or so fires out here, over half of them have been arson," said Columbus Division of Fire Battalion Chief Doug Smith.

Firefighters were first called to Innis Avenue Sunday at about 7 p.m. when two vacant homes caught fire. Two hours later, crews were called to a burning home on Woodrow Avenue... A fourth blaze was reported at about 3:45 a.m. Monday at a vacant house in the 1500 block South Third Street. No injuries were reported in any of the fires.

Although all four fires were considered suspicious, it was not immediately known if they were connected to a recent string of arsons in the area. William Parsley, 33, was taken into custody Sunday night. Investigators believe Parsley may be behind several arsons, but, so far, he has only been charged in connection with one fire in January…

In addition to Parsley, fire investigators said that the two juveniles were arrested early last week. They both face one count of aggravated arson. Investigators would not elaborate on the relationship between Parsley and the two juveniles. Despite the arrests, the fires continue, and investigators would not rule out additional arrests or charges.

Junior Achievement Jumbles Assets

To all of the Junior Achievement Volunteers, Teachers, Administrators and Friends: We have had some significant changes recently that we wanted to share with you. We are accelerating our move towards our long term vision of an Entrepreneurial Institute, implementing a business model change, and doing some internal reorganization.

Long Term Vision: We are currently evaluating how quickly we can move into the 2nd Ave facility. This is our future and we, along with the kids of Central Ohio benefit from our geographic proximity to downtown and our partnership with Columbus City Schools. Our goal is to move into the new facility before Fall of 2009.

Business Model Change: It is imperative in today's economic climate that we are a model for economic responsibility. Therefore, we will only be running funded programs. This includes BizTown and in-school classes. Again, our delivery of in school classes and BizTown will continue, although we will be only be delivering those classes that we have funded.

Reorganization: With all of these changes, Roger Kisel will be transitioning to a PT consultative role focusing on the Entrepreneurial Institute. Due to the business model change and the slowing economy Shawnda Vega, Cathy Beaber, and Roger Murphy will be leaving Junior Achievement. Their passion and contributions will be sorely missed. On an interim basis I will be serving as executive director.

Calling all Friends: The time is now! The reorg allows us to operate in this environment without worrying about viability, but only you can help us to grow and prosper. Over the next couple of weeks I will be working with our JA Staff to identify our top priorities and how we might be able to use the untapped power of our volunteer base. It you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to email me and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Thanks for all of your hard work, passion and commitment!

RJ Nicolosi
Interim Executive Director - Junior Achievement of Central Ohio

Yankees Robber Rips Cleveland Avenue Bank

10 TV: Police and the FBI said that they were looking for a man who robbed a northeast side bank on Monday morning. A man entered National City Bank, located at 2700 Cleveland Ave., shortly after 9 a.m. and was seen writing on a deposit slip at a counter in the lobby.

Police said that he then stood in line, letting several customers go in front of him, before finally approaching a bank teller where he handed her a note that said he was robbing the bank and wanted money. The robber told the teller that he had a gun and would shoot if she did not comply, police said.

According to the FBI, no weapon was seen and the teller reached into her drawer and handed money to the robber before he left the bank and ran away. The robber is described as black and in his 30s. He is about 6 feet tall, with a thin build, and was wearing a dark yellow New York Yankees baseball cap, a dark-hooded sweatshirt, dark pants and white tennis shoes. Anyone with information is requested to contact the Columbus Police Robbery Squad at 614-645-4665 or the FBI at 614-744-2168.

You Have Questions... I Have Answers

Since Gossip Cbus began, I’ve been swamped with e-mail (thanks for the love)… While I’ve tried to give individual responses to several, I also know that some of the questions are questions others may have and thus, answering them publicly would be better… Therefore, from time to time, I will answer questions where everyone can see them…

Q: I really enjoyed Snowed Inn. What’s up next?
A: Gossip CBUS is discussing possible events with several venues. We will likely have an announcement on another event within the next month.

Q: I plan on attending the Arnold Classic this weekend. Will Gossip CBUS have any coverage?
A: We will have announcements on Thursday (March 5) about events that are taking place… As for twitter coverage or wraps, that is in the decision process…

Q: This Saturday, the Blue Jackets and Red Wings meet for the last time this season. Will Gossip CBUS cover this?
A: Yes, we will have coverage of the Blue Jackets final regular season meeting with the Red Wings. As for specific coverage details, expect those on Thursday.