There are new concerns about the Toyota Prius. This morning, a Toyota spokesman admitted to design problems with the anti-lock brake system. The problems were fixed in third-generation Prius models sold since late January. But Toyota is trying to determine what to do about older models that were sold between May and the end of last year.
Today ten U.S missionaries could find out if they will be released or face charges for attempting to take 33 undocumented children out of Haiti. The ten Baptists, mostly from Idaho, were arrested last week. Members of the church group insist they were only trying to rescue the children.
A local group opposing the death penalty plans to stand in vigil once again this morning at 9:30 a.m. The Toledo Coalition Against the Death Penalty will stand at the corner of Erie and Adams Streets to protest Mark Brown's execution. Brown was sentenced to die for shooting and killing a Youngstown convenience store owner. Brown also got a life prison term for killing a clerk, who was shot first.
The Ohio Senate is now taking up the issue of domestic violence. Back in December the House passed a bill that will prohibit terminating employees solely because they are victims of domestic violence. In addition, employers must provide for limited unpaid leave for things such as court hearings and emergency medical treatment. At home, landlords would be required to change locks at the victims' request and terminate leases under certain circumstances. If passed, Ohio would join 26 other states with housing protections and 15 which have employment protections for victims.
A new police class could hit Toledo streets despite the city's nearly $44 million budget hole. Today Toledo City Council's Public Safety Committee is meeting to discuss police and fire retirements and will consider hiring 33 new officers selected from a 2008 civil service test. That meeting is at 1:30 p.m. in city council chambers.
San Diego-based motivational speaker James Ray is no longer touring the country giving seminars because he's behind bars. Ray was charged with three counts of manslaughter after three people collapsed and died in a makeshift sweat lodge at a retreat in Arizona last year. Ray's lawyer says the deaths were "a terrible accident," not a criminal act.
Tomorrow, Ohio State University's board of trustees plans to vote on a proposal to increase football and basketball ticket prices. Football tickets would go up $7 to a face value of $70 for reserved seats. Faculty and staff would see a $4 increase. Students would see a one dollar jump. Basketball tickets would be raised one dollar for a reserved seat to $18. Faculty, staff and students would pay 50 cents more.
There's a push to help kids in need eat healthy food. The Toledo Seagate food bank just got a $5,000 grant from the Toledo Community Foundation and "Learn to Give". It's for the "Help Me Grow" program where families with babies three and younger get fresh fruit and vegetables and learn to prepare a healthy diet.
Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm gave her eighth and final State of the State Address last night in Lansing. Granholm rolled out proposals to help small businesses, including training programs for entrepreneurs. The governor even used Dundee's Chrysler plant as a prime example as to how the state must look to the future and create jobs for tomorrow. Governor Granholm also called for restoring the promise grant college scholarship and raising more money for Michigan roads.
There are new details in the case of an Oak Harbor woman facing charges for animal cruelty in Ottawa County. Robin Vess's lawyer says his client never got the help she needed from a local humane society, even though she asked repeatedly. He claims Vess has financial problems and made multiple pleas to the humane society of Ottawa County, which rescued 30 of her horses last week.
Pierino Frozen Foods is recalling some 24-ounce packages of its Jumbo Shells with Cheese because the labeling doesn't include eggs. It warns that people allergic to eggs could suffer serious reactions from eating that product. The UPC number is 039106333347. The company says the packages have an expiration date of January 2011.
You might hear some noise today that will make you look up. The North American Aerospace Defense Command will be conducting exercise flights in the areas of Toledo, Youngstown and Canton. You can expect to see and hear Norad fighter aircraft.
A Monroe woman has been charged with sexually exploiting her daughter after investigators found explicit photos on the computer of a convicted sex offender. The FBI says James Frazee of Monroe created a paid web site seven or eight years ago to display photos of the girl. Frazee is charged with production and possession of child pornography. Federal agents uncovered more than 500,000 sexually exploited pictures of the young girl.
A Toledo father accused of abusing his five-week-old baby has been sentenced. Last month, Shawn Smith Sr. changed his plea from "not guilty" to "no contest" on a child endangering charge and the judge convicted him. Wednesday, a judge sentenced him to four years behind bars. Police say Smith abused his baby at his home on Champlain back in August The child had a broken skull and suffered from bleeding on the brain.
State officials say they are bracing for anger and confusion from tens of thousands of jobless Ohioans if Congress decides not to grant another extension to the nation's unemployed. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services estimates that without the extension, between 25,000 and 30,000 Ohioans will begin losing benefits weekly, beginning February 27.
A Findlay business has gotten its final green light to help produce more solar energy. The mayor and other officials announced Dow Chemical has gained final state approval for financial incentives for an expansion to make specialty films for solar energy modules. Dow Chemical will get a job creation tax credit because the project is expected to create 20 new jobs and keep 63 positions.
A legendary singer is in a legal fix with leaders of a regional airport near Detroit. Officials at the Oakland County International Airport in Waterford say entertainer Wayne Newton owes them over $60,000 in storage fees for a private jet he owns. The craft has sat at the airport for three years. Black mold is believed to be growing inside the plane, negating any future flying opportunities. Officials say they've had to turn away possible business due to the Newton plane taking up storage space.
