Meta

Return of the Living Dead

Columbuser.com has returned from the netherworld, all rested up and ready to rock your world with local stories of little-to-no import, bloggy ruminations on the state of Columbus, Ohio, and post-MSM internecine warfare.

To all those who’ve asked after the proprietor (i.e., me), I’m fine- just burned out on blogging for a while. Thanks. But that’s been my modus operandi on previous blogs- write for a while until I’ve run out of the urge to spiel, then to give up blogging as various ideas and rants pile up in my head until it inspires me to write again. So now I’m inspired. Will I quit again? Or to put it nicer, go on hiatus again? No doubt. For those who need constancy, just know: possessions are fleeting.

Special thanks to Jerid for the wonderful send-off!

Important news updates since I’ve been away: Bill Todd lost that race; Marc Dann resigned.

Wikifying Ohio’s elections

Jeff Coryell at the Ohio Daily Blog had a post up a little while back on Ohio’s mayoral elections and the difficulty of finding information on them:

Bonobo at Blue Bexley has an intriguing post up today, listing the people who have pulled petitions for Bexley mayoral and city council races. Coincidentally, I spent some time yesterday visiting county party and board of elections web sites, and googling for media stories, trying to assemble a list of significant mayoral elections on the ballot in Ohio this year….

Unfortunately, I find that the info isn’t so easy to compile! The county party and BOE sites are very inconsistent and not necessarily up to date.

I’ve found that that’s frequently the case, and not just concerning elections. That’s one reason why I’ve set up OhioWiki- to be a good source of information on Ohio. One that will drill down to a much more local level than Wikipedia does.

So I’ve taken Jeff’s list and put it in a table on a page in the wiki I’ve called Ohio elections 2007. I’ve also started a page on the Columbus mayoral race- it’s bare-bones at this point.

Hopefully the wiki can be become a good place for information on Ohio’s elections. If you have something to add, go right ahead. Registration is optional.

Sorry, no posts today due to real work intervening. Why not add something to the OhioWiki instead? OhioWiki needs editors!

I did a little rekajiggering on the site yesterday. This is a new post format, the main difference between it and a regular post being the lack of a title. I found that coming up with a post title and the style of having each post in a somewhat formal box was subtly discouraging me from writing quick one-liner posts with an interesting link, especially in cases where I don’t have anything in particular to add save for “look at this”. So this is the informal “look at this” post style. If it looks weird in your browser, hit refresh or F5 to reload the stylesheet. This post should have a very light grey background. If it’s still not right, or if it’s not quite working in your feed reader, please let me know.

A new local Columbus blog

Hi! This is a blog which will cover news, politics, and life in Columbus, Ohio. There are a number of other Columbus blogs out there, a bunch of which only started in the last few months. There’s something in the air I guess. This one aims to provide a perspective that you can’t get anywhere else. We’ll see how it goes.

I’m still tinkering behind the scenes on the layout and functionality, so it may be a bit bumpy the first couple of weeks. I’m going with a soft launch. In the meantime, there’s a blogroll to fill out, static pages to write, and WordPress code to hack.

If you want to write for the blog, let me know. In the event the site eventually makes money, you’ll start getting some of it. I know- everybody says that.

The Feed

Worth Sharing

This morning, the Chicago Tribune's political blog, The Swamp, is quoting the New Yorker's presidential endorsement:...We cannot expect one man to....

Ohio 15th District

Oct 6, 2008 10:56 am

Banking Giant Settles Suit Over Bad Mortgages

Facing a lawsuit over deceptive mortgage practices, Bank of America Corp. is agreeing to pay more than $8 billion to modify hundreds of....

nbc4i.com

Oct 6, 2008 10:46 am

Ohioans getting help from BofA mortgage-relief settlement

Bank of America Corp. has agreed to provide up to $8.4 billion to modify troubled mortgages it acquired in its July purchase of Countrywide Financial....

Business First of Columbus

Oct 6, 2008 10:39 am

Wall Street Tumbles Amid Global Sell-Off

Wall Street is down sharply in early trading, with the Dow Jones industrials down more than 200 points amid steep declines in global markets....

nbc4i.com

Oct 6, 2008 10:34 am

School Janitor Finds Body In Lot

UPDATE: A school janitor performing a routine grounds inspection found a body Sunday. CPD releases her identity.

nbc4i.com

Oct 6, 2008 10:24 am

State Auto: 3Q storm losses to hit, exceed $55M

State Auto Financial Corp. told investors Monday morning it expects third-quarter catastrophe losses following damage from Hurricane Ike in Texas and....

Business First of Columbus

Oct 6, 2008 10:07 am

New Ohio Bridge Built Of Plastic

Because of what it's made of, a tiny bridge is drawing attention from researchers.

nbc4i.com

Oct 6, 2008 9:52 am

STEM Schools Fund Sparks Budget Debate.

Ohio's Democratic governor and its Republican House Speaker agree on many things when it comes to education. They even agreed on a program to put....

WOSU

Oct 6, 2008 9:38 am

Doctor Faces Sexual-Misconduct Complaints

A doctor accused of touching patients inappropriately asked for a hearing after four patients came forward with complaints.

nbc4i.com

Oct 6, 2008 9:09 am

Mother Of Victim In Police Shooting Seeks 'Criminal Justice.'

A veteran Columbus Police officer awaits possible in-house discipline after a Franklin County grand jury found insufficient evidence for....

WOSU

Oct 6, 2008 8:45 am

Bicyclist Struck By Pickup; Driver Sought

Investigators are searching for the driver of a vehicle that struck a bicyclist early Monday morning. Get details.

10TV - News

Oct 6, 2008 8:28 am

Ohio Gas Prices Keep Falling

With oil prices in a downward spiral, the cost of gasoline in Ohio has dropped to levels not seen since the spring. According to AAA and the....

WOSU

Oct 6, 2008 8:04 am

Police Need Your Help To ID Woman's Body

Detectives have only a necklace to aid them in identifying a young woman's body.

nbc4i.com

Oct 6, 2008 8:01 am

Legal Action To Potentially Affect AG Race

A controversial office and a heated race: Ohio Attorney General. Republican Mike Crites will announce a legal action Monday that he says will....

nbc4i.com

Oct 6, 2008 7:54 am

Thieves Slash Into Boats At Buckeye Lake

Burglarized boats at Buckeye Lake leaves thousands in damages.

nbc4i.com

Oct 6, 2008 7:15 am

Nunnally: Pleasant Monday

Central Ohioans should expect partly sunny skies and a pleasant Monday.

nbc4i.com

Oct 6, 2008 6:14 am

It's Your Last Day To Register To Vote

Today is your last chance to register to vote in the upcoming November election. Get the latest.

nbc4i.com

Oct 6, 2008 5:58 am

Woman Found Dead In Van Parked Near School

A custodian at the school discovers the body and calls police. Get the story.

10TV - News

Oct 6, 2008 1:28 am

Obama-Jugend?

Is this a little creepy to you?

Naugblog

Oct 5, 2008 11:26 pm

A Fine October Day in Ohio

This afternoon, Bruce Springsteen appeared on the Oval at Ohio State to support the candidacy of Barack Obama for President. Springsteen sang seven....

Ohio 15th District

Oct 5, 2008 11:01 pm

Broad Street Closes For Suspicious Package

A suspicious package caused a road closing late Sunday. Get the latest.

nbc4i.com

Oct 5, 2008 10:25 pm

Treasurer Richard Cordray’s Pay-to-Play Scandal

Laura Bischoff provides the details here. And notice that even Democrat Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner’s office is willingly to....

Naugblog

Oct 5, 2008 10:17 pm

ODOT Issues Warning To Drivers

ODOT issues warning: Be on the lookout for deer.

nbc4i.com

Oct 5, 2008 7:40 pm

Biden Takes Time To Mourn

nbc4i.com

Oct 5, 2008 5:52 pm

Ted Diadiun is an Idiot

And I say “idiot” with the same “nuance” that columnist Ted Diadiun describes a full-page pro-Obama ad (a “visual op....

Naugblog

Oct 5, 2008 5:01 pm

Woman's Body Found Outside Apartment Building

Police hope that someone will come forward in identifying a woman's body that was found on the north side. Get details.

10TV - News

Oct 5, 2008 5:01 pm

Janitor Finds Van With Body At School

An older blue van parked next to a Columbus elementary school caused the janitor at the school to investigate; he was shocked at his finding.

nbc4i.com

Oct 5, 2008 1:30 pm

Tell Me What You Think

I've been struggling for awhile with how to index my site - I've always wanted a page with thumbnails and links to recipes. Now that it finally....

Restaurant Widow

Oct 5, 2008 1:29 pm

The Yost Post

Delaware County Prosecutor David Yost has joined the blogosphere. Check it out at http://www.daveyostpost.blogspot.com/. Unlike most other elected....

Naugblog

Oct 5, 2008 11:22 am

Transylvanian Goulash

You guys already know that I’ve been all about the soups and stews lately. As sad as I am to see summer fade into fall, I’m so pleased....

Columbus Foodie

Oct 5, 2008 10:50 am

Two Great things to do Today!

Since I sort of failed on the events listing this week, I have two great ideas; you could probably do both if you'd like . . . First up, Wild Good....

Restaurant Widow

Oct 5, 2008 10:43 am

Need some tips on how to not get caught speeding?

Need help in developing a strategy to illegally speed on the highways in Central Ohio without getting caught? Well, The Dispatch is here to help you....

The Walker Evans Effect

Oct 5, 2008 10:32 am

Suspected Shooter Tops Most-Wanted List

Help the U.S. Marshals track down the most-wanted criminals.

nbc4i.com

Oct 5, 2008 10:24 am

3 Suspects Allegedly Take Cash, Pills

Can you help police catch three males whom they say broke into a Grove City pharmacy and made off with money and pills?

nbc4i.com

Oct 5, 2008 10:04 am

Female Body Found In Parking Lot

Neighbors woke to crime-scene tape and detectives canvassing the area for clues. Get the latest.

nbc4i.com

Oct 5, 2008 9:36 am

RAW VIDEO: Puppy On Rush-Hour Freeway

Tense moments when a puppy was spotted running loose on a Los Angeles freeway during rush hour.

nbc4i.com

Oct 5, 2008 9:26 am

Fannie Mae Won't Foreclose On Elderly Woman Who Shot Self

Mortgage finance company Fannie Mae has said it will forgive the mortgage debt of a 90-year-old woman who shot herself in the chest as sheriff's....

nbc4i.com

Oct 5, 2008 9:21 am

Court Tosses Convicted Murderer's Death Sentence

A federal appeals court on Friday threw out the death sentence of a man convicted of beating and raping a woman and dumping her body in an abandoned....

nbc4i.com

Oct 5, 2008 9:18 am

McPeek: Early Sun, Some Clouds Later

Central Ohioans should expect plenty of sunshine this morning with skies turning partly cloudy this afternoon and evening.

nbc4i.com

Oct 5, 2008 9:01 am

Commissioners uphold tax rollback

The Delaware County commissioners last week stuck to a decision to roll back property taxes amid concerns about the county's ability to fund future....

ThisWeek News

Oct 5, 2008 1:32 am

County partners with state to standardize data

In an attempt to improve emergency response times and transportation projects, the Delaware County Auditor's Office will partner with a state....

ThisWeek News

Oct 5, 2008 1:31 am

Group goes to bat for ballot issues

With four short weeks left before the Nov. 4 election, Johnstown Just Imagine is busy getting the word out to the community about two school issues....

ThisWeek News

Oct 5, 2008 1:29 am

Heath council considers allowing digital billboards

Heath is looking cautiously at an ordinance to allow digital billboards in the city limits.

ThisWeek News

Oct 5, 2008 1:27 am

Newark asked to annex homes

Newark City Council on Monday is expected to hear an annexation ordinance that would help property owners tap into city water and sewer.

ThisWeek News

Oct 5, 2008 1:26 am

Sewer updates could cost millions

Sunbury could need to spend between $6.9- and $31.7-million during the next 20 years on its aging sanitary sewer system, engineer Wes Hall told....

ThisWeek News

Oct 5, 2008 1:25 am