Hicksville, Ohio is much more than its name

A quaint little motel/RV resort in Hicksville, Ohio.

   Toledo Blade reporter Tyrel Linkhorn and I traveled to Hicksville, Ohio for two days last month for the Decision 2012: The View from MAIN STREET series.
   Hicksville is one of several Ohio small towns, including Lima, Archbold and Pemberville, that Blade reporters examined to find out the political climate throughout Northwest, Ohio.
   We were concerned about finding a place to stay, considering Hicksville is, well, Hicksville. It's in Defiance County, near the Indiana border, and is only 2.5 square miles. It's in the middle of nowhere. The editors wanted all reporter/photographer teams to stay in the towns we featured. So, to our relief, Hicksville has a small but lovely motel right outside of town. What made this place so unique is that right behind the motel there were about half a dozen electrical and water hookups for RVs!
   Hicksville, with a population of under 4,000, is a quaint little farmers town surrounded by industry, farmland and homes as costly as $365,900! I love strolling up and down Main Street, talking to the residents, and eating in several of the seven restaurants. You read me right. Seven restaurants!
   To read the article and view the photos, click here.

Crystal Bowersox sings praises for the Obama campaign

American Idol finalist Crystal Bowersox sings for Obama campaign...then goes door to door in Sylvania. Can you imagine getting a knock at your door and there stands Crystal? She has joined a few big stars on the Obama campaign trail, including Bruce Springsteen.

Basic guidelines on cameras in the courtrooms

Lucas County Court deputy Barry Wilson hangs out in courtroom 5 prior to the start of a murder sentencing. (By Lori King)

   In Ohio, media are allowed cameras (with permission) in county and municipal courtrooms, but not Federal or the Court of Appeals. Each court has their own rules, as well.

• For example, Lucas County courts don't allow flash, but I've witnessed flash use in a few small-town courts. I was a bit shocked that the judge said nothing. Rule of thumb: though it's ultimately up to the individual judges,  I wouldn't recommend using a flash in court.
• A few judges let media take photos in the jury box as long as the jury box is empty. This is often preferable because we get a better shot of the attorneys, prosecutors and defendants. But other judges prefer we stay in the back, behind the gallery. This only allows us to shoot (no pun intended) the backs of heads.
• Lucas County judges do not allow media to start shooting until the judge begins the trial or sentencing; we can't show hand cuffs on the defendant until he is proven guilty; and we are not allowed to shoot anyone in the gallery. We also must have permission from the witnesses before we can shoot them. But in Toledo Municipal Court, we can basically shoot anyone at anytime.
• In the county courthouse, media can shoot defendants in the hallways as they are being escorted in and out by sheriff deputies, although it's standard for us to shoot them as they are leaving the courtroom. However, the last time I tried to shoot in the hallway at the Municipal Court, a deputy sheriff got nervous and told me I couldn't. I still have to check on that because I'm pretty sure we can. I wasn't willing to create a scene over something that wasn't that important at the time.

  The bottom line is to always ask the court bailiff what the rules are when shooting in a particular court for the first time. This will keep you out of hot water and on the good side of the judge.
   See this state-by-state guideline to find out which states allow cameras in court.
 

Wonder what was so intriguing...could be the NPPA tweet

My 100th Twitter follower! Thanks, Sophie! Both Sophie and her brother Rex love to follow the tiny mouse arrow on the screen.

   This is when having a cell phone close by is really beneficial. Otherwise, I would have been forced to get out of my chair, go to my car, grab my camera, put a memory card in it, come back in the house, and hope that Sophie resumes her position.
   But with a cell phone,  I simply reached for it, turned off the flash and CLICK.
   Moment captured.