Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge Fanon Rucker could be history in the making. Rucker is seeking a seat on the Ohio State Supreme Court. If he wins the Democratic primary and the general election, he then joins his father in being the first father and son to sit on a Supreme Court bench at the same time in U.S. history.    

For some people, City Councilman Christopher Smitherman is Cincinnati’s wakeup call for change. Smitherman’s election to council in November proved not only that independent candidates can get elected, but that city residents wanted someone who is outspoken and didn’t pull his punches at City Hall.   

Collaboration, growth, opportunity and progress are the buzzwords that Cincinnati City Councilwoman Yvette Simpson uses to describe what she wants to foster at City Hall during the next two years.    

On Dec. 2, CUFA achieved a small victory for its so-called “People’s Platform” when City Manager Milton Dohoney Jr. announced his proposed 2012 municipal budget that eliminated a projected $33.6 million deficit while also fully funding all city-operated health clinics, along with the operation of 28 swimming pools, as well as preserving the school nurse program.  

Sometimes it seems like everything Bill Burwinkel touches turns to gold, and he's hoping that some of his Midas touch rubs off on low-income students in the Greater Cincinnati area. The Price Hill resident and entrepreneur is a big believer in giving back to the community. With his Adopt-a-Class Foundation, he's not only challenging students to be successful but also is urging the business community to move away from its comfort zone to help those in need.  

A showdown is looming between the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati and a group that wants to keep two YMCA branches open in Walnut Hills and East Walnut Hills. In 21 days the Williams and Melrose branches are scheduled to close despite the opposition of some residents.  

The YMCA of Greater Cincinnati unexpectedly lost a $6 million grant this week due to the recently announced closings of two branches in the city's urban core. Lamont Taylor, president of the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA), announced the agency's decision during a public forum held at Bush Recreation Center in Walnut Hills.  

Andrew Williams is still standing, much to the chagrin of Cincinnati officials and some of his neighbors. The city of Cincinnati has attempted on numerous occasions to close William’s nightclub — known variously as Club Oasis, Club Ritz and Club Aqua Nite Life — through legal means but he continues to stay open to fight another day.  

Hamilton County candidates seeking elected office in November might experience dramatic outcomes to their races as Ohio voters adjust to new election laws. Sweeping election law reforms are pending in the both the Ohio House and Senate that supporters say are aimed at expanding access to the voting booth, but that critics counter will disenfranchise some people.  

Despite attempts to cut its federal funding, officials in Planned Parenthood’s Southwest Ohio Region insist closing isn’t an option. Regional President Becki Brenner's concern isn’t merely for her organization’s survival but for the many people who have lost their jobs, had their COBRA health insurance expire or women who need health-care services and can’t afford them and don’t have anywhere else to go.