Pleasant Township – The Norwalk Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash that occurred on July 26 at approximately 5:40 a.m. on State Route 53 near County Road 38 in Pleasant Township, Seneca County.
The preliminary investigation showed a 2011 Nissan Frontier, operated by Dylan E. Schiets, 20, Oak Harbor, was traveling southbound on State Route 53. Schiets traveled left of center and struck a northbound 2018 Ford Fusion, operated by John P. Lunsford, age 56, Bucyrus. After the collision, the Frontier came to rest off the west side of the roadway and the Fusion came to final rest on State Route 53.
John Lunsford suffered fatal injuries as a result of the crash. Dylan Schiets sustained serious injuries and was transported by air ambulance to Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office, Old Fort Volunteer Fire Department, Seneca County EMS, Mercy Health Life Flight, Seneca County Coroner’s Office, the Ohio Department of Transportation, and Reinhart Auto Body.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—On Wednesday, July 24, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed the following bill into law:
House Bill 214, sponsored by Representative Adam Holmes (R-Nashport), enacts the “Religious Expression Days” or “R.E.D.” Act to require each public school to adopt a policy that reasonably accommodates the sincerely held religious beliefs and practices of students; to require each public school to adopt a policy regarding certain expectations related to the performance of staff member professional duties.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed the following bills into law:
Senate Bill 28, sponsored by State Senator Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson), enters into the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact, revises the law governing the certification and practice of medication aides, and remove residency conditions related to limited licenses to practice veterinary medicine.
Senate Bill 29, sponsored by State Senator Stephen Huffman (R-Tipp City), regarding educational records and student data privacy.
Senate Bill 40, sponsored by State Senator Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson), enters into the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact and to address limitations imposed by health insurers on dental care services.
Senate Bill 94, sponsored by State Senators Andrew Brenner (R-Delaware) and Al Landis (R-Dover), makes various changes regarding recorded instruments, powers of attorney, judgment liens, mortgage subrogation, law enforcement towing laws, state stock banks, liquor control laws, motor vehicle sales and leases, designation of public depositories, community reinvestment areas, motor vehicle certificates of title, and higher education cost and aid disclosure forms; to provide for the electronic filing of pleadings or documents in courts of common pleas except a probate or juvenile court; in municipal courts, and in county courts, to permit an elected clerk to disburse funds for the computerization of the clerk’s office without the court’s authorization; to permit municipal and county courts to increase the maximum amount of their additional fees from ten dollars to twenty dollars to cover the computerization of the clerk’s office; to enact the “CAMPUS” Act regarding the prevention of harassment and intimidation at institutions of higher education; to establish campus safety and community programs; to provide additional funding to support responsibilities of the Chancellor of Higher Education related to educator preparation programs and the science of reading; and to make appropriations.
Senate Bill 98, sponsored by former State Senator Michael Rulli (R-Salem), addresses fraudulent business filings, deceptive mailings, reinstatement of canceled business entities, and addresses of statutory agents, and to make changes regarding property taxation, fire investigator firearms, acting or assigned judge reimbursements, common pleas clerk of court duties, recreational vehicle park and camp operation licenses, and state ballot numbering.
Senate Bill 112, sponsored by former State Senator Michael Rulli (R-Salem), requires school buildings to comply with national life safety standards and to name this act the Ohio Childhood Safety Act.
Senate Bill 156, sponsored by State Senators Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin) and Bob Hackett (R-London), revises the law governing the designation of wild, scenic, and recreational rivers and to revise boating law to encourage boating safety.
Senate Bill 168, sponsored by State Senator Michele Reynolds (R-Canal Winchester), amends Section 265.270 of H.B. 33 of the 135th General Assembly regarding primary, secondary, and higher education reform and notice requirements for certain reemployed retirants, to transfer cash from the General Revenue Fund to the High School Financial Literacy Fund.
Senate Bill 175, sponsored by State Senator George Lang (R-West Chester), amends sections of the Revised Code regarding insurance regulations and taxes.
Senate Bill 214, sponsored by State Senator Stephanie Kunze (R-Dublin), allows a victim of human trafficking to expunge certain criminal records.
Senate Bill 225, sponsored by State Senator Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson), designates September 22 as Veterans Suicide Awareness and Prevention Day.
House Bill 56, sponsored by State Representatives Phil Plummer (R-Dayton) and Andrea White (R-Kettering), prohibits causing the death of or serious physical harm to another while operating a utility vehicle or mini-truck, to require law enforcement entities to train officers related to the pursuit of a motor vehicle, to increase penalties for fleeing from law enforcement and forms of stunt driving, and to make changes to the distribution of certain driving-related fees.
House Bill 147, sponsored by State Representatives Sarah Fowler Arthur (R-Ashtabula) and Adam Miller (D-Columbus), makes changes to the education law regarding teacher licensure, hiring, conduct, professional development stipends, interscholastic athletics, school-event ticket pricing, school funding calculations, special needs scholarship program service providers, background checks for private before and after school care program staff, and the High School Financial Literacy Fund.
House Bill 158, sponsored by State Representatives Bill Roemer (R-Richfield) and Melanie Miller (R-Ashland), makes changes to the law governing the regulation of cosmetologists and barbers, to enter into the Cosmetology Licensure Compact, and to revise the law governing hospital police officer commissions
House Bill 179, sponsored by State Representatives Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon) and Brian Stewart (R-Ashville), relative to vicarious liability in tort actions and to provide that the tolling of the limitations period during the defendant’s absence or concealment does not apply to statutes of repose.
House Bill 202, sponsored by State Representative Jim Thomas (R-Jackson Twp.), designates a portion of United States Route 62 in Canton as the “Specialist Dennis Alan Combs Memorial Highway.”
House Bill 226, sponsored by State Representatives Monica Robb Blasdel (R-Columbiana) and Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus), permits water-works companies to bear the costs for replacing certain customer-owned water service lines.
House Bill 251, sponsored by State Representative Gail Pavliga (R-Portage County), designates a portion of State Route 88 in Portage County as the “Patrolman James R. Wert Memorial Highway” and to update the name of an organization receiving contributions for the “ALS Awareness” license plate.
House Bill 301, sponsored by State Representative D.J. Swearingen (R-Huron), amends the Nonprofit Corporation Law, the law governing dissolving corporations, and the law governing the repair or replacement of a mausoleum or columbarium; to replace two part-time judgeships in the Ashtabula County County Court with one full-time judge, and to include the village of North Kingsville and Kingsville, Monroe, and Sheffield Townships within the territorial jurisdiction of the Conneaut Municipal Court; to expand the authority of a board of trustees of a political subdivision soldiers’ memorial; to modify the law governing public depositories; to establish a standing juvenile committee within the state criminal sentencing commission; to allow an immediate appeal of a court order restricting enforcement of state law; to allow a court to order parents to undergo conciliation with a magistrate in a custody proceeding; and to reiterate the effective date of judicial release and transitional control provisions enacted in S.B. 288 of the 134th General Assembly.
House Bill 466, sponsored by State Representatives Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland) and Sean Brennan (D-Parma), requires a written agency agreement for a licensed broker to represent a buyer or seller in a real estate transaction.
(DELAWARE, Ohio) — The former chief executive officer of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium entered a plea of guilty today ahead of his trial date, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced today.
Tom Stalf pleaded guilty in Delaware County Common Pleas Court to 15 felonies:
1 count of aggravated theft (F2)
1 count of conspiracy (F2)
1 count of telecommunications fraud (F3)
12 counts of tampering with records (F4, F5)
As part of the plea agreement, Stalf agreed to pay $315,572.65 in criminal restitution to the Columbus Zoo, State of Ohio and Internal Revenue Service. This amount is in addition to the $400,000.00 of restitution already made on his behalf in 2021.
Stalf’s trial had been scheduled to start Aug. 6. He will be sentenced on Oct. 14 at 9:00 a.m.
The Ohio Attorney General’s Office was appointed to prosecute the case at the request of Delaware County Prosecutor Melissa Schiffel. The Ohio Auditor’s Office is assisting the Special Prosecution section of the Ohio Attorney General’s office in the investigation and prosecution.
Cases against the four other defendants are nearing conclusion:
Greg Bell, former zoo chief financial officer, pleaded guilty to 14 felony charges, including aggravated theft, conspiracy and tampering with records. His sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 19 at 1:30 p.m.
Pete Fingerhut, former zoo marketing director, pleaded guilty to 16 felony charges and one misdemeanor. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 23 at 10 a.m.
Tracy Murnane, former zoo purchasing agent, pleaded guilty to six felony charges and two misdemeanors. He will be sentenced on Sept. 23 at 11 a.m.
Grant Bell, former zoo purchasing assistant, was charged with one felony count.
In total, the defendants are alleged to have defrauded the zoo of more than $2.29 million and used the money for personal benefits.
Prairie Township — On Monday, July 22, 2024 at approximately 7:02p.m., the Wooster Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol was called to the scene of a severe injury traffic crash on Holmesville Road (County Road 1 92) in Prairie Township of Holmes County.
The on-scene investigation revealed that a black 2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer was southbound on Holmesville Road, when it drove off the right side of the roadway, as it crested a hill. The vehicle over-corrected and went off the left side of the roadway, striking an embankment and a tree, causing it to overturn multiple times.
The driver of the Chevrolet Trailblazer, Elmer Yoder, 23 years old, of Fredericksburg, was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle. Mr. Yoder was transported to Wooster Community Hospital with minor injuries.
The front seat passenger of the Trailblazer, Kendrick Miller, 20 years old, of Applecreek, was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle. Mr. Miller sustained severe injuries and was transported to Akron City Hospital by Life Flight. Mr. Miller succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased on July 23, 2024.
The rear seat passenger, Abraham Weaver, 19 years old, of Holmesville, was not wearing his seat belt and was medically evaluated and released on scene with minor injuries.
At this time, the crash remains under investigation. Alcohol and drugs are believed to be contributing factors to the crash.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by Fredericksburg EMS, Prairie Township Fire Department, and Star American Towing.
Erie County, OH – The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating two separate two-vehicle crashes that occurred today in Erie County.
Two-Vehicle Injury Crash on State Route 113
Milan Township – The first crash occurred at approximately 2:54 PM on July 17, 2024, on State Route 113 at Kelley Road in Milan Township. Lavon J. Hayes, 33, of Wickliffe, Ohio, was operating a 2022 Freightliner M2 straight truck and did not suffer any injuries. He was wearing his safety belt at the time of the crash.
Jeffrey W. Erb, 62, of Avon Lake, Ohio, was riding a 1965 Harley Davidson Electra Glide without a helmet. He sustained serious injuries and was transported to Fisher Titus Hospital by North Central EMS.
The incident happened as Mr. Hayes was traveling eastbound on State Route 113 and attempted to turn left onto Kelley Road, failing to yield to westbound traffic. Mr. Erb’s motorcycle struck the truck, and both vehicles came to a stop in the roadway.
Alcohol and drugs are not believed to be factors in the crash, which remains under investigation. The Erie County Sheriff’s Office, North Central EMS, Groton Township Fire & EMS, and Wilson’s Towing assisted at the scene.
Two-Vehicle Injury Crash on State Route 60
Vermilion Township – The second crash occurred at approximately 5:30 PM on July 17, 2024, on State Route 60 at Mason Road in Vermilion Township. Victoria L. Swartz, 67, of Huron, Ohio, was driving a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and sustained serious injuries. She was transported to Mercy Hospital by Vermilion Township EMS and was wearing her safety belt at the time of the crash.
Matthew T. Rehak, 47, of Wakeman, Ohio, was driving a 2014 Chevy 1500 and was not injured. He was also wearing his safety belt.
The crash occurred when Mrs. Swartz, traveling eastbound on Mason Road, failed to yield at a stop sign and proceeded through the intersection, where she was struck by Mr. Rehak, who was traveling southbound on State Route 60. Mrs. Swartz’s Jeep overturned and struck a pole after veering off the right side of the roadway, while Mr. Rehak’s Chevy came to rest in the roadway.
As in the earlier incident, alcohol and drugs are not suspected factors. This crash also remains under investigation. The Erie County Sheriff’s Office, LifeCare EMS, Vermilion Township Fire & EMS, L&M Towing, and Dunn Rite Towing provided assistance at the scene.
COLUMBUS – The Ohio State Highway Patrol has entered the 11th annual “Best Looking Cruiser” contest sponsored by the American Association of State Troopers (AAST). Voting for the best-looking cruiser began today, July 15, at 10 a.m. and will end on July 29 at 12 p.m.
Visit the Patrol’s Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages and click the link in any of our contest posts or visit the SurveyMonkey website to vote the Ohio State Highway Patrol as having the best-looking cruiser.
When visiting the SurveyMonkey website, scroll to the bottom of the page and select Ohio from the drop-down menu. Agency rankings will be updated on the AAST’s website throughout the contest.
Please help vote for the Ohio State Highway Patrol as the 2024 best-looking cruiser. The top 13 photos receiving the highest number of votes will be featured in the 2025 AAST wall calendar and the photo that gets the highest number of votes will be featured on the cover.
NORWALK – The Norwalk Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a three-vehicle fatal crash that occurred on July 11 at 10:53 a.m. on state Route 18 at County Road 24 in Scipio Township, Seneca County.
The preliminary investigation showed a Ram Promaster, operated by David Gaertner, 57, Janera, was traveling westbound on County Road 24. Gaertner failed to stop at a posted stop sign at state Route 18 and struck a northeast-bound Ford F-250, operated by Joseph Miller, 41, of Vickery.
A southwest-bound Freightliner semi tractor-trailer, operated by Aaron Knoll, 42, Tampa, Fla., then struck the F-250 and the Promaster. The F-250 and the Freightliner continued off the southwest corner of the intersection, where both vehicles overturned and the Freightliner struck a utility pole and the F-250 caught fire.
Both of Joseph Miller passengers, Richard Miller, 67, Sandusky, and Conner Miller, 13, of Vickery, suffered fatal injuries at the scene. Gaertner sustained serious injuries and was transported by air ambulance to Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center. Knoll sustained serious injuries and was transported by ambulance to Mercy Health – Tiffin Hospital.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office, Seneca County EMS, Mercy Health Life Flight, Scipio-Republic Fire Department, John’s Welding & Towing, Seneca County Coroner’s Office and the Ohio Department of Transportation.
CRAWFORD — Troopers from the Bucyrus Post are investigating a fatal crash that occurred on July 9, 2024 at approximately 09:45 am on County Road 2 in LaRue, Ohio within Marion County. The crash was not discovered and reported until July 10, 2024 at approximately 08:18 am when the Ohio State Highway Patrol Marion & Bucyrus Post began to investigate the crash.
The crash involved a 201 1 Chevrolet HHR station wagon driven by Harry E. Baker, 72, of LaRue, Ohio. The Chevrolet was northbound on County Road 2. The Chevrolet traveled off the west side of the roadway, into a creek, and struck the north bank of the creek.
Mr. Baker was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash. Mr. Baker was wearing his seat-belt at the time of the crash. Drugs and alcohol are not suspected. Next-of-kin have been notified.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Scioto Valley Fire & EMS, Kirby’s Towing, and the Marion County Coroner’s Office. The crash remains under investigation.
MARION – The Marion Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash involving a pedestrian that occurred on July 8th at 11:30 a.m. on Center Street near Chicago Avenue in the City of Marion.
The preliminary investigation showed a Ford Escape, operated by Sandra Brown, 85, Marion, struck a pedestrian on the sidewalk as she was pulling out of a private drive onto Center Street. The pedestrian was identified as Linda Dowalter, 72, of Bellville. Dowalter and the Escape were then struck by a Kenworth T480 truck, operated by James McGinnis, 53, Marion who was traveling east on Center Street.
Dowalter sustained fatal injuries at the scene. Brown and her passenger, Diane Wilcox, 79, Marion, both sustained minor injuries and were transported by ambulance to Marion General Hospital. A 7-year-old and 2-year-old were with Dowalter at the time of the crash. The 2-year-old sustained minor injuries. The 7-year-old and McGinnis were not injured.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by Marion City Department of Fire and EMS, Marion Police Department and Kirby’s Towing.
Pleasant Township – The Norwalk Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash that occurred on July 26 at approximately 5:40 a.m. on State Route 53 near County Road 38 in Pleasant Township, Seneca County.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed the following bills into law: 
(DELAWARE, Ohio) — The former chief executive officer of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium entered a plea of guilty today ahead of his trial date, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced today.
Erie County, OH – The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating two separate two-vehicle crashes that occurred today in Erie County.
CRAWFORD — Troopers from the Bucyrus Post are investigating a fatal crash that occurred on July 9, 2024 at approximately 09:45 am on County Road 2 in LaRue, Ohio within Marion County. The crash was not discovered and reported until July 10, 2024 at approximately 08:18 am when the Ohio State Highway Patrol Marion & Bucyrus Post began to investigate the crash.