NewsChannel5 Troubleshooter Joe Pagonakis' blog, "Joe Talkin' Trouble," will focus on the problems that the Troubleshooter unit is tackling. Joe will provide updates on Troubleshooter investigations. Read his latest entry here.,

Friday, September 18, 2009

I can't tell you how many calls we get from residents who complain they have been the victim of illegal dumping. Someone leaves a pile of debris in their neighborhood, and it's a hazard for children playing, not to mention an eyesore.

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson is cracking down on this problem, and has established a hotline for residents to call if they witness someone illegally dumping. The number is 216-664-DUMP. That's 216-664-3867.

Keep in mind that you'll need to give a description of the suspect, and the vehicle that was used. Get a license plate number if you can.

In most cities, illegal dumping will earn you a fine of more than 200 dollars. Taking your trash to dump will cost you less, and, it's of course, the right thing to do.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

I covered a story involving a fire that injured three children this week. It turns out the family renting the apartment disconnected the batteries from the two smoke detectors in their unit, and it nearly caused a tradgety.

I just want to remind everyone that they need to check the batteries in their smoke detectors at least a few times every month. You should also sit down with your family and create a fire safety escape plan. If you live in an apartment building, take a good look at the floor plan, and learn all escape routes.

All three children have now been released from the hopsital, a piece of news that made my week. Remember, stay safe and have an ecsape plan.

Friday, August 14, 2009

The Five On You Side, Troubleshooter Job Team would like to tell you about a job fair specifically set up for veterans and their families. It's the "Welcome Home Celebration" job fair to take place this Sunday, August 16th at the Cuyahoga Falls Riverfront.

The job fair has free admission and will take place from 12 noon to 6 PM. It's being sponsored by the Cleveland Veterans Administration, which says that 12 different employers will be on hand with job openings available right now!

So head to Cuyahoga Falls, say "welcome home" to our veterans. Have a safe weekened everyone :)

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

In the past week I have dealt with a half dozen cases involving leases and rental properties, especially since a large number of college students will soon be heading back to school.

Remember to make a complete inspection of the place you would like to rent BEFORE you sign that lease. Do a walk through and make a written list of all concerns you have, and make sure that list of repairs is written into the the lease. A written date for completing the upgrades should also be part of the written contract.

Parents, I know at times it can be tough, but please check out your students rental before co-signing or handing out rent or that security deposit. These young adults are always in a hurry and all they care about is living with their friends. This will cause them to overlook potentially hazradous or unsafe circumstances when it comes to security or fire safety.

If you notice problems later on, and the landlord is not cooperative, you can turn to building inspectors in that city and get them to enforce code violations, or hold rent in an escrow account until problems are taken care of.

Best wishes on a safe, productive school year :)

Monday, July 27, 2009

A Troubleshooter warning tonight to call before you dig!

Remember, natural gas and other utility lines are likely buried in your yard. In my Troubleshooter story tonight on News Channel 5 at 6, electrical contractor Jeff Burnstein learned that lesson the hard way while installing driveway lights at a Moreland Hills home. Jeff and his crew struck a gas line on the property while digging the trench for the lighting. Jeff Burnstein was left with an 18-hundred dollar repair bill from East Ohio Gas.

Now this situation wasn't all his fault, because inspectors who went out to mark the gas line used a survey that was incorrect and the mistake wasn't caught at the scene.

Still, it's important that you call the Ohio Utlities Protection Service before you dig, in fact it's the law that you call first! The number is 1-800-326-2764. It's also important that you are on the scene when inspectors come out to do the survey, this way, you can catch any discrepancies.

Have a safe summer!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

I want to tell you about a great web site I recently discovered if you happen to be one of the growing number of people who are searching for a job.

The site is akronworks.com and it contains dozens of current job openings. I found the people who operate this great local web site at a job fair hosted by akronworks.com at the Sheraton Suits in Cuyahoga Falls. The career fair attracted 30 different companies from the Akron/Canton area and all of them have 2 dozen job openings or more.

So check out akronworks.com, it's linked with our Troubleshooter Job Team web page in the "resources section".

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

More and more people are now being forced to shop for individual health insurance. In fact the number of Ohioans who don't have health insurance has now increased to more than 1.3 million.

That's why it's so important that you make sure your deal with a reputable insurance company. Price isn't everything. Make sure you fully understand your insurance needs and pick a policy accordingly. It's always best to get information from a qualified broker, or from the Ohio Department of Insurance, before you buy.

Just dial up the Ohio Department of Insurance hotline at 1-800-868-1526 for information. Or just click on the link to the Ohio Department of Insurance "tool kit" located at the top of the "headlines" section of my Troubleshooter web page.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Today, I just want to tell you how the Troubleshooter Job Team is growing. First, if you haven't done it as yet, you should check out the Troubleshooter Job Team web site. You can find it by clicking on the "big red tool box" along the right margin of our newsnet5.com home page.

Once on the "Job Team" web site, you'll find current job opening, links to great job search agencies, video advice from career experts and testimonials from job seekers who share their job search stories.

You'll also find curent listings of up coming job and career fairs and seminars. Career fairs like the Mcdonald's Midewest Regional Career Fair, taking place this Saturday at the Cleveland Convention Center from 1 to 5 pm. This college career fair is free and you can still sign up by clicking on the link located on our Troubleshooter Job Team Page under "job fairs".

The Job Team will continue to host career phone banks and we are looking to do a career fair of our own with Polaris Career Center in September.

If you need help finding a job, the Troubleshooter Job Team web page is where you want to be!

Thursday, July 2, 2009

In the past two weeks I have received nearly 20 Troubleshooter cases that could have been avoided if the consumer would have given less up-front money.

You should never "pay-in-full" up-front for goods or services of any kind, especially in this economic climate. I see far too many cases where consumers are left hanging because the company they were dealing with went out of business.

I recommend never giving more than 50% up-front or less. If a company asks for more, this is a red flag.

Have a safe July 4th holiday weekend and keep fighting back against trouble. :)

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

If your looking for a job, or your hoping to upgrade the one you have, then you should check out our "Troubleshooter Job Team" web page right here on Newsnet5.com.

Just click on the "big red tool box" that is located on the right hand margin on our Troubleshooter home page. On our Job Team site you'll find current job openings, advice from career experts, and testimonials from job seekers who share their job search success stories.

Also posted are a host of links to top career service agencies, and the latest news and information on career fairs, and job seminars.

It's the News Channel 5 Troubleshooter Job Team web page, a job search tool box! Check it out, and best wishes in your job search.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

I'm trying to help a consumer who bought a set of DVD's from a company that uses a Chinese suppplier. The DVD's contained the entire first season the original Mission Impossible television series. Unforetunately the DVD's where of such poor quality, they were unwatchable.

The consumer found the DVD distributor through Amazon on-line, but the actual manufacture is located in China. As you might guess it's very difficult to get a 100 dollar refund from a company that is loacted in that country. I'm trying to work the case but I have some advice.

1) Just because your buying through Amazon doesn't give the transaction instant creditability.

2) Before you buy, find out where the product is being shipped from. If it's overseas, or from China, keep in mind that you taking a risk.

3) And finally use a credit card that has fraud protection, just in case the deal goes bad. Many times the fraud protection will cover your refund.

Stay aware and do your homework before buying on-line :)

Wedenesday, June 24, 2009

Do you have a home improvement project scheduled this summer that will require some digging on your property? If you do, make sure you take out the proper building permits. Perhaps even more importantly, call the Ohio Utilities Protection Service before you start to dig!

Currently I'm working with an electrical contractor who hit a gas line while he was attempting to install driveway lighting. Be sure to call before you dig so you can be sure there are no utility lines underground. This could be a life threatening situation! So please contact the Ohio Utilities Protection Service at 1-800-362-2764. The people there will send out a "locator" to take a look at the job site and mark where the buried utility lines are located before you start your project.

Keep it safe, and have a wonderful summer.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Just a quick word about lawn service contracts. Complaints have been coming into the troubleshooter office about lawn companies, who fertilize your yard, but when consumers try to cancell the service over the phone, the company still comes out and puts down material and then sends the bill.

Remember, if you have a written contract with the company, it will likely take something in writing to cancell the agreement. If you want your service stopped, look at your contract, it should have a cancellation proceedure listed in writing. Follow the guidelines in the contract. If your allowed to stop service by phone, then follow-up that cancellation with a regsitered letter, so you have something in writing if they try to bill you for an application you didn't ask for.

Have you thought about fertilizing your own lawn? Keep it green, and get it in writing!

Monday, June 22, 2009

NewsChannel 5 Troubleshooter viewers, I want to hear from you! Share your job loss sorrows and your success stories. We'll be profiling consumers in need of work and profiling companies who are hiring. Call us at 216-431-4357. Leave your name and number. We'll give you a call back. And be sure to log onto newsnet5.com/jobteam for employment resources and posted job openings.