Tag: Columbus

Examiner Who Performed Andrew Brown Autopsy Previously Had License Suspended, Accused of Mishandling Prior Investigation

Ohio Star Staff

The forensic pathologist hired to perform an autopsy on Andrew Brown Jr., a black man sheriff’s deputies killed in North Carolina earlier this month, resigned under scrutiny as a county medical examiner in 2013 and had his medical license temporarily suspended in 2018, according to filings with the North Carolina state medical board.

Brent Hall, who runs an autopsy-for-hire company called Autopsy PC, said in his autopsy report that Brown was shot five times, including once in the back of the head.

Brown’s family members and their legal team, led by Benjamin Crump, hired Hall to perform a private autopsy on Brown. They cited the autopsy results as evidence that Brown was executed by police.

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’60 Minutes’ Chronicles Columbus’ Struggles During COVID Lockdowns

Peter D'Abrosca

Sunday night, CBS’ “60 Minutes” chronicled the struggle in the city of Columbus, especially among young people, during the COVID-19 lockdowns that cost many their livelihoods.

The center of the segment was 23-year-old Courtney Yoder, who before the pandemic was homeless, and had almost saved enough money from working to be able to move off the streets before the birth of her first child. 

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Lawsuits Filed Against Ohio Cities over Municipal Income Tax Collections During Pandemic

The Center Square

Two Ohioans filed lawsuits this week challenging Ohio tax law that allows cities to tax income of workers who, the lawsuits say, do not live in nor work in the municipalities.

The Buckeye Institute, an independent research and educational group, filed the lawsuits on behalf of Eric Denison and Josh Schaad against the cities of Columbus and Cincinnati. The lawsuits ask the court to declare unconstitutional Ohio law that allows cities to tax workers who do not live in and have not been working in those cities.

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Ohio’s Largest City Wants to Cap Delivery Fees for Restaurants

The Center Square

With Ohioans facing an ongoing curfew and continued pressure from Gov. Mike DeWine to stay at home, the state’s largest city plans to take steps to help both restaurants and their customers.

In an effort to help small businesses and the restaurant community, the Columbus City Council announced plans for legislation to cap third-party delivery services, according to President Pro Tem Elizabeth Brown and Council President Shannon G. Hardin.

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Citizens Concerned About Election Integrity to March for Trump in Every State Capitol, Washington on Saturday

Jason M. Reynolds

A series of marches supporting President Donald Trump and to demand election integrity are being held throughout the country at noon local time on Saturday.

The March for Trump will be held in every state capitol as well as at Freedom Plaza, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave. in Washington, D.C., according to the event website. The website links to America First Projects.

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Columbus Statue to Remain on Ohio Statehouse Grounds for Now

The Associated Press

A statue of Christopher Columbus will not be removed from the grounds of the Ohio Statehouse until at least 2025, officials said Thursday.

The 9-foot-tall, copper statue of Columbus, in place since 1932, will remain erected in front of the Statehouse in the largest city that bears the explorer’s name until a formal process for removal is undergone by the agency that manages the grounds.

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Buckeye Institute Sues Over Law Allowing Columbus to Collect Income Taxes From Commuters Despite Emergency Order Preventing Them from Working in the City

Jason M. Reynolds

The Buckeye Institute said that it and three employees filed a lawsuit over the taxing of workers’ income in Columbus since they do not live in the city and were not allowed to work there during Ohio’s Stay-at-Home order.

The lawsuit, which is available here, was filed in the Court of Common Pleas in Franklin County.

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Ohio Speaker of the House Threatens to Remove Capitol Square from City of Columbus

Zachery Schmidt

Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford) announced he is looking into whether the Ohio Capitol can be annexed from the City of Columbus’ city limits as a result of the city not protecting the Capitol from recent protests.

“We’re researching it currently. If Columbus isn’t interested in protecting state property we need to consider removing Cap Square from the City,” he said in an emailed statement.

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Ohio Dems Call for Banning Sale of Confederate Memorabilia at All Fairs

Anthony Gockowski

Ohio House Democrats unsuccessfully attempted last week to ban the sale, display, possession, or distribution of Confederate flags at county and independent fairs.

During a Thursday night debate on House Bill 665, a bill related to agricultural societies and public safety, Democrats introduced two amendments in an effort to crack down on Confederate memorabilia.

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Franklin County Democratic Party Tells Local FOP Lodge Its Candidates Do Not Want Police Endorsements

Jason M. Reynolds

The Franklin County Democratic Party has decided that the local Fraternal Order of Police does not need to endorse any of its candidates.

Party Chairman Michael Sexton informed the FOP Capital City Lodge #9 of the decision in a letter, available on the Democratic chapter’s Facebook page here from a Friday post.

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Ohio Black Caucus Introduces Bill to Declare Racism ‘Public Health Crisis’

Anthony Gockowski

The Ohio Legislative Black Caucus announced Friday that it plans to introduce legislation to declare racism a “public health crisis.”

“Our citizens of color have been subjected to the effects of racism since the founding of the State of Ohio in 1803. Since that time, Ohioans of color have endured unequal education, unsafe work conditions, inadequate health care services, subpar housing and an unjust criminal justice system, based on policies that were rooted in a belief that people of color are not worthy of the American Dream,” said a statement from the caucus sent to every member of the Ohio General Assembly.

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Ohio Dems ‘Outraged’ by Gov. DeWine’s Plan to Address COVID-19 Racial Disparities: ‘Too Little, Too Late’

Anthony Gockowski

Ohio Democrats said they were “outraged” by Gov. Mike DeWine’s proposal for addressing the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Ohio’s black population.

African Americans make up 14 percent of Ohio’s population, but represent 26 percent of positive COVID-19 cases, 31 percent of COVID-19 hospitalizations, and 17 percent of COVID-19 deaths.

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Gov. DeWine Prepared to Pull Plug on Ohio’s Reopening as His Strict Guidelines Lead to Penalties for Restaurants

Jason M. Reynolds

Gov. Mike DeWine said he is prepared to “pull back” on Ohio’s reopening.

The governor made the remark Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

”Candidly, we’ve worked with the attorney general … and we’re going to do what we have to do if these things in fact occur across Ohio.”

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‘You’re Getting a Paycheck, We’re Not,’ Protestors Say of DeWine, Acton

Jason M. Reynolds

Approximately 150 people gathered outside the State Capitol in Columbus Monday to tell Gov. Mike DeWIne and Health Department Director Amy Action that it’s past time to reopen the state.

Tom Zawistowski, president of Ohio Tea Party group We the People Convention, estimated the attendance, in an interview with The Ohio Star. This was the second such protest since last Thursday.

Many of the protestors called out, “You’re getting a paycheck, we’re not,” Zawistowski said.

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Illegal Immigrant Sentenced in Columbus Helped Imprisoned Members of MS-13

Anthony Gockowski

An illegal immigrant who was helping imprisoned members of MS-13 in Columbus, Ohio was sentenced to 10 months in prison last week.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio said Wednesday that Fabian Posadas-Mejia will receive a year of supervised release after his prison term and will be subject to deportation upon completing his sentence.

Authorities said they first encountered Posadas-Mejia nearly 25 years ago when he was ordered to be removed from the United States. He was then deported twice in 2014 and once in 2017, meaning he illegally reentered the country at least three times.

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Ohio Gov. DeWine Overcomes ‘The Governator’ Arnold Schwarzenegger, Forces Arnold Sports Festival to Bar Spectators Except for Parents

Jason M. Reynolds

A bodybuilding competition sponsored by Arnold Schwarzenegger turned into a battle of wills with the governor of Ohio, who expressed concerns about potentially exposing crowds to the coronavirus. 

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther sent the former California governor/actor and his partner a letter stating they reached an agreement Tuesday to go forward with the event provided there were no spectators. Event organizers, however, moved forward with issuing tickets, passes and other admittences to the The Arnold Sports Festival, which began Thursday and runs through Sunday at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

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Ohio Ranks Third in Nation in Ongoing Hepatitis A Outbreak

Jason M. Reynolds

As of Jan. 21, the Buckeye State had experienced 3,468 cases of hepatitis A in a statewide community outbreak that officially began Jan. 1, 2018, according to data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sixty-two percent of patients were hospitalized, and 16 died.

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Register for The Ohio Star Constitution Bee, Coming to Columbus in May 2020

Julie Carr

  The Ohio Star Constitution Bee will be held at a location to be announced shortly in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, May 2, 2020. The event is sponsored by The Star News Education Foundation, a newly formed non-profit. Star News Digital Media, which owns The Ohio Star, The Tennessee Star,…

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Pete Hegseth from ‘Fox and Friends’ Talks to Ohioans After Dem Debate

Beth Lear

On Wednesday morning, Fox and Friends’ Pete Hegseth was at Tee Jaye’s Country Place in Columbus to dish about Westerville’s Democratic Presidential Debate with area residents. The Ohio Star caught up with a couple of those interviewed.

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Ohio Legislators Already Paid in Full for July Even Though Government Is Only Funded Through July 17

Anthony Gockowski

  As of now, Ohio’s state government is only funded through July 17 under a temporary budget passed by the State Legislature. The stop-gap measure was passed after legislators failed to meet their June 30 constitutional deadline for passing a biennial budget. But, according to The Cleveland Plain Dealer, legislators…

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Ohio Cities Partake in Pro-Abortion ‘Stop the Bans’ Protests

Anthony Gockowski

  Pro-abortion activists across the country organized “Stop the Bans” rallies on Tuesday, several of which occurred in Ohio. In Columbus, protesters lined the streets outside of Gov. Mike DeWine’s office, chanting: “Keep abortions safe and legal!” Several protesting outside the governor’s office for the ‘Stop the Ban’ protest pic.twitter.com/kda5faqQpl…

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Pelosi Delivers Rousing Speech to Ohio Democrats: ‘We Will Turn Ohio Blue’

Anthony Gockowski

  House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called on Democrats to “turn Ohio blue” in a passionate speech at the Ohio Democratic Party’s annual Legacy Dinner in Columbus Friday night. Pelosi spent the early portions of her speech touting the new Democratic majority in the House of Representatives and the legislation new…

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Warren Promises Free College, Canceling of Student Loan Debt and More at Columbus Rally

Anthony Gockowski

  Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), a 2020 contender, hosted a campaign rally in Columbus, Ohio Friday night where she received thunderous applause while discussing her controversial wealth tax. “I’m tired of freeloading billionaires,” Warren said Friday night after campaigning across West Virginia earlier in the day. In January, Warren floated…

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Group Forms in Ohio to Prevent ‘Consumer-Funded Bailout’ of Nuclear Plants

Anthony Gockowski

  A new group calling itself the “Ohio Consumers Power Alliance” has formed in response to House Bill 6, a controversial piece of legislation that many consider being a bailout of FirstEnergy’s two Ohio-based nuclear plants. Under House Bill 6, the state would effectively subsidize the plants with taxpayer dollars…

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Lake Erie Improvements Bill Turned Into a 90-Page Spending Package with $2 Million in Renovations to the Ohio Governor’s Residence

Anthony Gockowski

The Ohio Governor’s Residence in Bexley is set to receive $2 million in renovations on the taxpayer’s dime after the funding was tossed into a catch-all bill passed at the last minute of 2018. Senate Bill 51 was initially introduced in the Ohio Senate in February 2017 as a piece…

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Diocese of Columbus Releases Long Awaited List of Accused Clergy

Anthony Gockowski

The Diocese of Columbus released its long-awaited list of clergy credibly accused of abusing a minor Friday. In a letter issued by Bishop Frederick F. Campbell, the diocese exposed the names of 35 clergy members with ordinations to the priesthood or diaconate dating as far back as the 1930s. Several…

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Sandusky, Ohio Will No Longer Observe Columbus Day, Election Day To Become State Holiday Instead

Andrew Shirley

For the first time since 1934, government workers in Sandusky, Ohio will be working on October 12th. The city commissioners approved a measure that would officially eliminate Columbus Day as a federal holiday. In lieu of the lost holiday, Election Day would officially replace it. In a statement to the Sandusky Register, city manager…

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City of Kettering Announces New Amazon Distribution Center, City to Subsidize $1 Million in Construction Costs

Andrew Shirley
Amazon

The city of Kettering, Ohio announced via Twitter Wednesday that a new Amazon distribution center would be coming to the city. As planned, the online distributor will sign a “long term” lease that would bring “several hundred” jobs to the area. Smile!We have good news : )We can confirm that a building…

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Ohio Tea Party Group Invites President Trump to Give State of the Union Address in Columbus

Jason M. Reynolds

An Ohio Tea Party organization has invited President Donald Trump to visit the state Tuesday and deliver his State of the Union address to residents and the rest of America in response to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi canceling the event during the government shutdown. We the People Convention Inc. sent…

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Two Week Debate on Massive Ohio Solar Farm Begins Today

Andrew Shirley

Tuesday, hearings began that could lead to the construction of the largest solar farm in Ohio. 400 megawatts of solar energy production, spread out over two sites would employ more than 4,000 workers and could mean big changes for the economically depressed areas of Columbus and western Ohio. There’s just one…

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Haslam Family Buys Columbus Soccer Club to Keep Them in Ohio

Andrew Shirley

Friday, Ohio soccer fans were relieved to hear that the Columbus Crew Soccer Club would remain in Ohio following the decision to transfer ownership to the Haslam and Edwards families. This decision comes after a year of uncertainty, fan outrage, and statewide protests. On October 17, 2017,  Precourt Sports Ventures, a group…

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Kasich Vetoes Bill Expanding Benefits for Families of Fallen First Responders

Anthony Gockowski

Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R-OH) vetoed a bill Friday that would expand benefits for widows and children of deceased first responders because it also included legislative pay raises. According to The Dayton Daily News, Senate Bill 296 included a provision that would increase pay for lawmakers by 4 percent in…

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Ohio Mom Sings Lullaby to Her Aborted Baby at Pro-Choice ‘Prayer’ Service

Ohio Star Staff

A new abortion clinic in Columbus hosted a prayer service for its grand opening in November, and new video leaked from that event shows a mother singing a lullaby to the child she aborted. On November 9, Your Choice Healthcare hosted a “clinic blessing” featuring “various prayers, music, and abortion…

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Taxpayer Support of New Columbus Crew Stadium Could Reach $115 Million

Anthony Gockowski

The Columbus City Council approved a pledge of $50 million Monday to help build a new Columbus Crew stadium, and now state lawmakers want to provide an additional $15 million in taxpayer support. As The Cincinnati Enquirer noted Tuesday, state lawmakers dismissed plans to provide FC Cincinnati $10 million in…

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Rental Scooter Fan Wants Columbus Government to Scoot Away from Regulating Ride-Sharing Devices

Jason M. Reynolds
Lime scooters

One Columbus e-scooter aficionado is doing some community organizing – against heavy-handed government regulation that is starting to congest free-market efforts to provide alternative transit options. Donovan O’Neil formed a group called Scooter Customers Organized to Oppose Temporary, Excessive Regulation, or appropriately enough, S.C.O.O.T.E.R. O’Neil said he formed the grassroots…

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