COLUMBUS

Experts: No easy solutions to lake algae

A group of international algae experts say there are no quick or easy solutions to clear algae from Lake Erie and Grand Lake St. Marys in Ohio.

In the case of Grand Lake St. Marys, it could even take decades.

The Columbus Dispatch reports that experts spoke about the algae problem in Ohio’s lakes at the EcoSummit 2012 conference this week in Columbus.

Harry Gibbons of, Seattle-based Tetra Tech lumped Grand Lake St. Marys in with other lakes around the world that suffer from summertime blooms of toxic blue-green algae.

The algae are common in most lakes but grow thick feeding on phosphorus from manure, fertilizers and sewage that rains wash into nearby streams.

CINCINNATI

Field trips becoming history at some schools

School field trips aren’t what they used to be.

Ohio schools have cut back on traditional field trips because of budget cuts and the added time it takes to prepare students for standardized tests. Nowadays, virtual field trips online will have to do in some schools.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that a growing number of Internet sites provide students the opportunity to take photo or video tours from their classrooms to museums and historical sites.

No one in Ohio’s state education department or nationally keeps track of field trips.

But nearly every education veteran and family with schoolchildren during the last decade can attest that they’ve have seen the decline in field trips since education reforms began placing more emphasis on standardized tests.

CLEVELAND

Landmark market celebrating centennial

A landmark public market in Cleveland is celebrating its centennial this weekend.

The iconic West Side Market is opening today(SUNDAY) for the first time in decades. It’s celebrating its 100th anniversary with a festival, parade and lighting of its 137-foot clock tower.

The West Side Market Fest and Parade on Sunday also includes a pie baking contest, ice cream eating contest and hot dog competition involving vendors in the market’s Ohio City neighborhood.

The market was dedicated in 1912 and has more than 100 vendors selling ethnic specialties, fresh meats, fish and baked items and has an outdoor arcade with fruits and vegetables.

The market has been featured on the Travel Channel and Food Network.

COLUMBUS

First lady addresses Latino event in Spanish

Ohio First Lady Karen Kasich surprised Latinos gathered for a diversity event in Columbus by delivering her speech in Spanish.

The Columbus Dispatch reports Kasich spoke from notes before a crowd at the Ohio Diversity Latino Talent and Leadership Conference.

The wife of Republican Gov. John Kasich says she’s long had an affinity for Hispanic people, culture and music. She says she first learned Spanish in college.

Onlooker Arquimides tells the newspaper he was shocked at first to hear Kasich continue in Spanish past the initial “buenos dias.”

The Worthington City Schools girls’ water polo coach and substitute teacher says the message meant more being delivered in Spanish. And he says Kasich was actually “pretty fluent.”

CINCINNATI

Trial delayed for man accused of killing niece

The trial of a southwest Ohio man accused of killing his 5-year-old niece has been delayed for two months as his mental competency to stand trial is evaluated.

Nineteen-year-old Matthew Pierson’s trial is now set for Jan. 7. It had been scheduled for Nov. 8.

Investigators say they believe that Pierson used a tool to beat his niece, Jada Beth Williams, to death.

Her blood-soaked body was found Aug. 12 in a plastic container in the garage of the Jackson Township home where she lived with her uncle and grandmother.

Pierson has pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated murder, abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence. He faces life in prison if convicted.