Weekend in review: Top stories, multimedia

10/22/2007

BOWLING GREEN - Even with Al Gore sharing this year's Nobel Peace Prize with the world's most prestigious group of climate scientists, Americans may have a hard time weaning themselves off coal-fired power plants that spew carbon dioxide, the chief greenhouse gas. To understand why, look no farther than this Wood County city of 30,000 people.

To an off-duty ninja, nothing is simple. Not even walking down a wheelchair-access ramp. That s why Mike Schiewer wearing a black sweatband on each arm and a T-shirt identifying his secret vocation finds himself running at a 12-foot wall. Instead of just turning left around the corner of the ramp like everybody else, his rubber soles grip the concrete as he scrambles up the surrounding wall and hoists himself over the top.

The battle for the conservative soul of the Republican Party is playing out across Ohio s sprawling 5th Congressional District in a campaign of negative attack ads that party leaders fear will harm the GOP. The fight between state Sen. Steve Buehrer and state Rep. Bob Latta for the seat solidly held for two decades by the late Paul Gillmor has drawn warnings from Columbus.

A Toledo man was arrested early yesterday after he was accused of leading police on a high-speed chase in South Toledo and western Lucas County before crashing at Garden and South Crissey roads in Springfield Township. Steven Kennedy of 212 South Ave. was charged with felony fleeing and eluding police and a number of traffic violations, police said.

The gracious Ohio Bobcats arrived at the Glass Bowl with gifts last night. The Bobcats presented the ball, just about any time the University of Toledo wanted it. The Rockets beat Ohio 43-40, forcing eight turnovers in their third victory of the year. The last one was the biggest. With 26 seconds left UT's Greg Harris recovered a muffed punt by Chris Garrett, setting up a 40-yard field goal try by sophomore Alex Steigerwald.

COLUMBUS - Forget all that blabber you've heard about Ohio State being ultraconservative and never flamboyant. Jettison those reports that the Buckeyes are not explosive, and that they keep their offensive approach very reserved and close to that gray sleeveless sweater vest worn by their often stoic coach, Jim Tressel. There's some bang in those Bucks, too, and yesterday they needed it.