Dimora awaits fate in federal court 
Former Cuyahoga County kingpin Jimmy Dimora is still waiting in federal court in Akron for a final ruling on his fate.   A sentence is expected to be handed down within the hour.  Today Federal Judge Lioi set  the federal sentencing guidelines at 24 - 30 years in prison.  But she has wide discretion to deviate from that span.

So far Lioi has denied any downward departure on sentencing, ignoring arguments that Dimora is suffering from poor health, or did not benefit directly from some of the activities for which he was found guilty in March. Following testimony yesterday Judge Lioi found Dimora’s corruption cost the county 451,000 dollars.  That amount influenced the setting of federal sentencing guidelines and the amount of restitution Dimora is required to pay.

LaTourette tired of Washington gridlock
Nine-term Congressman Steve LaTourette made a surprise announcement today that he will not be seeking a tenth term in office.  The Bainbridge Republican announced this morning that he is fed up with Washington infighting and gridlock and is throwing in the towel.  LaTourette rode the Republican wave in 1994 when the party took the House for the first time after decades of Democratic rule.  The 14^th District representative now says he’s leaving a congress today where compromise is a dirty word.  LaTourette is considered one of the most-moderate Republicans in the House.  LaTourette was unopposed in the March GOP primary. Local party leaders will choose a replacement on the November ballot.  LaTourette says congressional colleagues in Washington tried to dissuade him from retiring, but understand his reasons for not running.

Solar powered summer
The summer drought has hurt farmers but extra sunshine has been a boon for the state’s largest solar power installation.  The 84-acre solar array in Wyandot County owned by a New Jersey-based company provides power to around 9,000 local customers of American Electric Power.  A spokesman says the 12-megawatt facility is producing more power this year than expected due to an increase in sunny days, although storms have damaged some cells.

Goodyear earnings up
Today’s earnings report shows sales at Goodyear were down this quarter, but overall costs were down more, leading to a doubling of second-quarter net income compared to the same period last year.