Collins, Ohio – On the evening of August 16, 2024, a serious incident occurred at the Huron County Fairgrounds during the popular Tough Truck event. At approximately 10:00 PM, one of the participants experienced a mechanical malfunction, causing their vehicle to veer into the staging area.
The mishap resulted in multiple injuries, two of which were severe. The injured individuals were transported to nearby trauma centers for further medical care.
In a statement issued by the Townsend Township Fire Department, Acting Fire Chief Jonathan White expressed deep concern for those affected by the incident. “We will be keeping everyone involved in our thoughts and prayers,” said Chief White.
Chief White also extended his gratitude to the emergency response teams who assisted in managing the situation. “I would like to thank the members of our department, Berlin Township Fire Department, New London Fire Department, and North Central EMS for doing a great job and keeping everything running as smoothly as possible,” he stated.
The swift response by the Huron County Sheriff’s Office and the Huron County Fair Board was also acknowledged for ensuring the safety of all involved and allowing emergency personnel to carry out their duties effectively.
The incident is under investigation, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
The community remains hopeful for the recovery of the injured and is rallying around those affected by this unfortunate event.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine joined Ohio Department of Commerce Director Sherry Maxfield and State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon today at the Division of State Fire Marshal’s campus to announce a statewide Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign to raise awareness for Ohio’s need for volunteer firefighters.
“Many Ohio communities rely on volunteer firefighters to keep them and their families safe every day,” said Governor DeWine. “As volunteer numbers decrease, Ohioans are increasingly at risk, which is why it so important to spread awareness for Ohio’s need. We hope to encourage everyday Ohioans to become extraordinary heroes by serving their communities as volunteer firefighters.”
In 2022, Governor DeWine created the Volunteer Fire Service Task Force, a group consisting of volunteer fire departments, municipalities, and state agencies, to study and improve the future sustainability of volunteer fire services in Ohio. The deployment of the PSA campaign is the latest fulfilled recommendation identified in the Task Force’s 31-page report.
Starting today, two 30-second PSAs will appear on televisions across the state along with ads on various digital platforms, including social media. The PSAs feature current Ohio volunteer firefighters sharing why they choose to serve encouraging Ohioans to consider becoming a volunteer firefighter themselves.
Individuals can visit MakeMeAFirefighter.org and search for volunteer firefighter opportunities in, or near, their communities. Users can then click on a specific position, read details about the role, and express their interest. Currently, there are nearly 400 open positions across Ohio listed on the website.
Approximately 70% of fire departments in Ohio are volunteer. While the number of emergency calls is increasing across the state, the number of volunteer firefighters is decreasing. From 2018 to 2021, there was a 6.5% decrease in the number of volunteer firefighters; meanwhile, from 2018 to 2020, there was a 9% increase in calls.
The nation is experiencing a similar trend. According to the National Volunteer Fire Council, approximately 65% of the country’s estimated 1,041,200 firefighters are volunteers, and 64% of 29,452 fire departments in the U.S. are all-volunteer. In 2020, the number of volunteer firefighters in the U.S. reached a low while call volume has more than tripled in the last 35 years.
“Many Ohioans underestimate or simply aren’t aware of the critical role that volunteer firefighters play in our daily lives,” said Ohio Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon. “There is no question that volunteers are a key component in our ability to maintain a strong, robust and responsive fire service across the state. These are men and women who, despite working full-time jobs, have made the decision to step up and serve their communities and neighbors, often on what could be considered the worst days of their lives. The trend we’re seeing at this moment in Ohio is unsustainable, which is why now is the time for Ohioans to step up and become the hometown heroes our communities desperately need.”
In addition to the new awareness campaign, the Division of State Fire Marshal has made strides toward fulfilling other recommendations from the Task Force, including making training classes at the State Fire Marshal’s Ohio Fire Academy 100% free for volunteer firefighters and volunteer fire departments, increasing fire department grant funding to $7.5 million, and hiring a volunteer service coordinator to support the needs of Ohio’s volunteer fire service.
MARGARETTA TOWNSHIP – The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a serious injury motorcycle crash that occurred on August 13, 2024, at approximately 11:06 P.M. at the intersection of Mason Road and State Route 269 in Margaretta Township, Erie County.
Micah L. Plemens, age 29, of Tiffin, Ohio was operating a 2008 Harley-Davidson. Trinity R. Robinson, age 30, of Republic, Ohio, was the passenger of the motorcycle. Mr. Plemens was driving westbound on Mason Rd east of SR 269.
Mr. Plemens failed to maintain control while approaching the intersection, overturned, traveled through the intersection of Mason and SR 269 and struck a barbed wire fence before coming to rest.
The driver and passenger were both ejected from the motorcycle and both were not wearing a helmet. Both the driver and passenger sustained serious injuries as a result of the crash and were both taken by Life Flight to St. Vincent Medical Center.
Alcohol and drug use are unknown and no charges have been filed at this time. The crash remains under investigation.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by Margaretta Twp Fire & EMS, Erie County Sheriff’s Office, and Sandusky Towing.
Marion – Troopers from the Marion Post continue to investigate a crash that occurred August 5, 2024, at approximately 2:09 PM, on US23 in Marion County.
The crash involved a 2015 Freightliner Cascadia semi-tractor trailer, driven by Abdulkhalif Mohamed Warsame, age 40, of Gahanna, Ohio. The second vehicle involved was a 2011 Harley Davidson Tri Glide Ultra motorcycle, driven by James P. Wetzel, age 79, of Marion, Ohio. The third vehicle involved was a 2019 Ford Taurus, driven by Jonathan T. Cathers, age 44, of Oregon, Ohio.
The preliminary investigation indicated Mr. Warsame and Mr. Wetzel were traveling northbound on US23 in the right lane. Mr. Cathers was traveling northbound on US23 in the left lane. Mr. Wetzel slowed to turn right to travel eastbound on Linn Hipsher Rd. (CR195). Mr. Warsame swerved to the right, traveled onto the paved berm, and struck Mr. Wetzel’s motorcycle. Mr. Warsame’s truck traveled off the northeast side of the intersection, struck a stop sign, and came to final rest in a ditch. Mr. Cathers vehicle struck debris from the crash.
Mr. Wetzel sustained serious injuries and was transported from the scene by Salt Rock EMS to Marion General Hospital. He was later flown to Grant Medical Center.
On August 6, 2024 Mr. Wetzel succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at Grant Medical Center.
Mr. Warsame and Mr. Cathers did not sustain any injuries.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by Salt Rock Fire and EMS, Marion Township EMS, Ohio Department of Transportation, Liverpool Towing and Kirby’s Towing.
The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) is now accepting applications for the Nonpoint Source Implementation Strategy (NPS-IS) Development Fund. This newly created fund is intended to assist communities in developing a 9-element nonpoint source implementation strategy for watersheds within the Muskingum River Basin and implement them through conservation programs and projects, water quality issues, and flood reduction and mitigation projects.
Nonpoint source pollution does not come from a single, identifiable source, such as an industrial facility or residence, but instead is created collectively from multiple diffuse sources, such as agriculture or forestry, construction activities or even highways. Because the sources are difficult to pin down, it can be difficult to correct and, therefore, requires larger, community-wide strategies to effectively address.
A NPS-IS is a strategic planning document that summarizes the causes of nonpoint source water impairments and identifies projects to address them. Each watershed has its own unique list of issues, and each plan will be unique to properly address those issues. Most of all, an approved NPS-IS opens the door to funding opportunities through both state and federal organizations that are otherwise unavailable.
“This fund represents a significant step forward in supporting MWCD’s neighboring communities as they work to improve water quality and manage flood risks,” said Craig Butler, MWCD Executive Director. “By assisting with the development of these strategic plans, we are helping to lay the groundwork for long-term environmental and economic benefits throughout the Muskingum River Basin.”
The new fund aims to reimburse up to 75% of a community’s costs associated with developing a nonpoint source implementation strategy (NPS-IS), up to $9,000.00 per plan. The grant opportunity provides assistance to local agencies and groups involved in projects and programs that support the conservation and flood control aspects of MWCD’s mission as outlined in the Amendment to the Official Plan of the MWCD.
The deadline to apply is October 1, 2024. The application is available online at www.MWCD.org and can be emailed to Rome Marinelli, Watershed Coordinator at rmarinelli@mwcd.org.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost today announced a significant victory in the ongoing battle to ensure fair competition in the digital marketplace. A federal court has found that Google is a monopolist and has violated Section 2 of the Sherman Act by unlawfully maintaining its monopoly.
“Today reaffirms that no company, no matter how powerful, is above the law,” Yost said. “We will continue to hold monopolies accountable to protect Ohioans and ensure a fair and competitive market.”
The states allegedthat Google illegally maintains its monopoly power over general search engines and related advertising markets through a series of anticompetitive exclusionary contracts and conduct. As a result, Google has deprived consumers of competition that could lead to greater choice, innovation, and better privacy protections.
Further legal analysis is being conducted of Judge Amit Mehta’s decision in the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — In a significant legal victory, Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Judge Michael J. Holbrook ruled in favor of the state in the contentious House Bill 68 case. This decision underscores the state’s legislative power to regulate medical and surgical decisions affecting minors, particularly in the realm of gender-affirming care.
Bethany McCorkle, Communications Director for the Ohio Attorney General, released a statement celebrating the court’s decision: “The Attorney General applauds the trial court’s decision. This case has always been about the legislature’s authority to enact a law to protect our children from making irreversible medical and surgical decisions about their bodies. The law doesn’t say ‘no’ forever; it simply says ‘not now’ while the child is still growing.”
Ruling Summary
In the detailed ruling, the court addressed several constitutional challenges brought forward by the plaintiffs, which included transgender adolescents and their parents. The plaintiffs argued that HB 68 violated multiple clauses of the Ohio Constitution: the Single Subject Rule, the Health Care Freedom Amendment, the Equal Protection Clause, and the Due Process Clause.
Key Points from the Ruling:
Single Subject Rule: The court found that despite initial appearances, HB 68 maintains a common purpose of regulating transgender individuals, thus meeting the requirements of the Single Subject Rule under Ohio law.
Health Care Freedom Amendment: The court ruled that the Health Care Ban within HB 68 does not violate this amendment. The ban imposes penalties on medical providers offering gender-affirming care to minors, which the state has classified as “wrongdoing.”
Equal Protection Clause: Applying a rational-basis review, the court concluded that HB 68 is rationally related to the state’s legitimate interest in protecting minors. The ruling noted the global reevaluation of gender-affirming care’s risks and outcomes.
Due Process Clause: The court upheld the ban, emphasizing the state’s vested interest in regulating medical treatments, particularly those deemed experimental and risky for minors.
Implications
This ruling marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over the regulation of gender-affirming care for minors. The court’s decision reinforces the state’s authority to intervene in medical decisions involving children, highlighting the balance between parental rights and state interests in public health and welfare.
As the discussion on transgender rights and healthcare continues to evolve, this ruling sets a precedent for how states may legislate on such sensitive issues. For those opposed to HB 68, the court’s message was clear: recourse lies within the democratic process and the ballot box, not the judicial system.
Next Steps
The plaintiffs and their supporters may seek to appeal the decision, potentially escalating the case to higher courts. Meanwhile, the ruling will likely influence similar legislative efforts across the country, as states navigate the complex intersection of healthcare, parental rights, and child protection.
This case underscores the judiciary’s role in interpreting legislative intent and constitutional protections, affirming the principle that substantial legislative decisions, especially those affecting vulnerable populations, must withstand rigorous judicial scrutiny.
Lorain County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant J. Croston, said in a press release,
On August 3, 2024, at 2: 14 PM the Lorain County Sheriffs Office received reports of a male that had been shot multiple times at 42163 North Ridge Rd in Elyria Township.
As deputies responded to North Ridge Rd, additional calls were received that the actual shooting had occurred near the intersection of Lake Ave. and Griswold Rd. also in Elyria Township, The victim was able to drive his vehicle away from Lake Ave. and Griswold Rd. after sustaining multiple injuries and stopped for help at the location on North Ridge Rd.
Prior to deputies arriving at the North Ridge Rd. location, the male victim was transported to UH Elyria by a bystander. The victim was later transferred to UH Main Campus in Cleveland. The full extent of his injuries are unknown at this time. Both scenes were secured and processed for evidence.
The suspect vehicle was reported to be a newer body style white Chevy Camaro. This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding the white Chevy Camaro or its occupant(s) is urged to contact Detective Wohlever at 440-329-3749.
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine held a press conference earlier today, voicing strong opposition to the proposed ballot initiative on redistricting.
Governor DeWine stated, “If this amendment were to be adopted, Ohio would actually end up with a system that mandates – that compels – map drawers to produce gerrymandered districts. In fact, Ohio would have gerrymandering in the extreme.”
In his prepared remarks, Governor DeWine emphasized the pitfalls of the proposed amendment, arguing that it would mandate gerrymandering by prioritizing proportionality over other considerations such as keeping communities of interest intact and respecting political subdivision boundaries.
Prepared Remarks from Governor Mike DeWine:
Good morning.
Today, I want to discuss redistricting and the efforts to end gerrymandering in Ohio. Our current redistricting provisions, passed with bipartisan support, have proven ineffective and need change. However, the proposed amendment on this fall’s ballot, aimed at eliminating gerrymandering, will not achieve this goal.
Gerrymandering occurs when politicians manipulate geographic borders to maximize elected seats for a particular party. The proposed amendment mandates proportionality, requiring map drawers to create districts based on past statewide partisan election results. This approach forces gerrymandering, leading to extreme gerrymandered districts and widespread voter dissatisfaction.
The amendment’s focus on proportionality supersedes important factors, such as respecting political subdivision lines, keeping communities of interest together, ensuring equal participation of racial, ethnic, and language minorities, and maintaining population equality in districts.
Examples of gerrymandered maps, like those created by Dave’s Redistricting and the Ohio redistricting commission’s democratic members in January 2022, demonstrate how proportionality leads to bizarre and unfair district configurations. These maps split cities, counties, and townships, creating districts with predetermined partisan outcomes, disenfranchising independent voters, and increasing legislative polarization.
The Iowa system offers a better alternative, removing politics from map drawing by prohibiting the use of past voting patterns, ensuring compact districts, and not favoring any political party, incumbent, or member of Congress. This system has been successful for decades, providing a model for Ohio to follow.
In conclusion, the proposed ballot initiative will worsen gerrymandering and require future constitutional revisions. We must defeat this flawed proposal and work towards a solution that truly ends gerrymandering, such as adopting the Iowa system.
After defeating this initiative, I will collaborate with the General Assembly to introduce and vet a resolution, holding hearings and gathering citizen input to place a proper initiative on the ballot for voter approval.
Governor DeWine’s sample maps referenced during the press conference are posted below.
Gerrymandering refers to the manipulation of electoral district boundaries to create an undue advantage for a party, group, or socioeconomic class. This practice undermines fair representation and can lead to disproportionate political power.
Governor DeWine urges Ohioans to reject the proposed amendment and support a system that ensures fair and representative districts.
MILAN – The Milan Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash. The crash occurred July 31 at 12:35 p.m. on the Ohio Turnpike, westbound near milepost 82 in Harris Township, Ottawa County.
The preliminary investigation revealed a Lincoln Nautilus, operated by Doris Klingshirn, 78, Elyria, was traveling west on the Ohio Turnpike when it struck the rear of a Kenworth semi-tractor-tanker, occupied by Jarrel Harrington, 37, Windsor Mill, Maryland. The Kenworth became disabled in the roadway due to a mechanical issue.
Doris Klingshirn sustained minor injuries and was transported by ground ambulance to Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo. The front passenger in the Lincoln, Kenneth Klingshirn, 92, Elyria, succumbed to fatal injuries at the scene.
Harrington sustained possible injuries and was treated at the scene by EMS.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission, Harris-Elmore Fire Department, Sandusky County EMS, Lucas County Coroner’s Office, Madison Motor Service, and Interstate Towing and Transport Specialist.
The crash remains under investigation at this time.
Joe Lyons •
August 17, 2024
The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) is now accepting applications for the Nonpoint Source Implementation Strategy (NPS-IS) Development Fund. This newly created fund is intended to assist communities in developing a 9-element nonpoint source implementation strategy for watersheds within the Muskingum River Basin and implement them through conservation programs and projects, water quality issues, and flood reduction and mitigation projects.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost today announced a significant victory in the ongoing battle to ensure fair competition in the digital marketplace. A federal court has found that Google is a monopolist and has violated Section 2 of the Sherman Act by unlawfully maintaining its monopoly.
Lorain County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant J. Croston, said in a press release,
