Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and law enforcement officers from throughout the state gathered Thursday for the annual Ohio Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremony to honor the 766 Ohio peace officers who have died in the line of duty since 1823. “The life stories of these officers are each unique, but their stories also share themes […]
Marion Harding student among winners of statewide MLK oratorical contest
April 20, 2015 by
Ohio students inspired by the lessons and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. presented original speeches on his teachings during the 16th Annual Statewide MLK Oratorical Contest held last week in Columbus. Twenty-two regional contest winners from grades kindergarten through 12 spoke before family, friends and judges at the King Arts Complex. Speakers were […]
Ohio House proposes many changes to Kasich budget plan
April 15, 2015 by
A new budget bill introduced Tuesday in the Ohio House of Representatives shrinks income tax cuts Gov. John Kasich recommended in his spending plan and strips out nearly all of the governor’s proposals for raising new tax revenue. The budget also guarantees to school districts that they will not see any reduction the next two […]
State school board to hold hearing, possible vote, on eliminating “5 of 8” rule
April 9, 2015 by
The state school board will have its final hearing and may vote Monday on axing the so-called “5 of 8 rule” that requires school districts to have a minimum number of nurses, counselors, librarians and arts teachers. A rule change that makes filling those positions an option for districts was tentatively passed by the board […]
Ohioans may now show proof of insurance with electronic devices
March 24, 2015 by
Effective Monday, March 23, 2015, Ohio motorists will now be able to show proof of financial responsibility to traffic violations bureaus, courts, Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) and/or law enforcement through use of an electronic wireless communications device. Electronic wireless communications devices include the following: Wireless telephone, including a cell phone; Personal digital assistants; Computers, […]
Ohio AG announces concealed carry reciprocity with five additional states
March 24, 2015 by
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine has announced that Ohioans with concealed carry permits will be able to use those permits in five additional states. Pursuant to changes adopted in House Bill 234 of the 130th General Assembly, Ohio now has concealed carry permit reciprocity with Colorado, Georgia, New Hampshire, Texas, and Wisconsin. House Bill 234 […]
State Auditor offers “Sunshine Audits” to check for public record violations
March 23, 2015 by
If government officials are stonewalling your open-records request, Auditor Dave Yost wants to help. Yost’s office announced it will now conduct “sunshine audits” of any public entity in the state to check for violations of the Ohio Public Records Act. If errors are found, the auditor will send the public entity a noncompliance citation, which […]
Mandatory 10-digit dialing is here for callers in the Ohio 740 area code
March 18, 2015 by
Beginning March 21, 2015, all local calls made within the Ohio 740 area code must be placed using the 10 or 11 digit telephone number (area code plus the seven-digit telephone number or 1+area code + seven-digit telephone number). To ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers, the new 220 area code will be added […]
State school board aware of PARCC complaints, wants more information
March 13, 2015 by
Both the state school board and Senate Education Committee chair Peggy Lehner have heard the complaints about the new state tests – very loudly and very clearly. Now they want to know whether problems with the tests are widespread or whether they are isolated incidents. Lehner joined the board this week for updates on how […]
Report warns of possibly imminent “catastrophic failure” of Buckeye Lake dam
March 12, 2015 by
“It’s the end of life as we know it at Buckeye Lake.” That was the cut-to-the-chase verdict that general manager Deb Sturm delivered to her boss, Tracy Higginbotham, owner of the Buckeye Lake Winery, after returning Wednesday night from a hastily called meeting with a handful of area civic leaders. They had gathered to discuss […]
