Statewide News

ODOT Reveals Where New New Speed Limit Applies

Associated Press — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:13:26 +0000

The Ohio Department of Transportation has revealed which sections of rural interstate highway will have a higher speed limit of 70 mph instead of 65 mph starting July 1.

The department said Tuesday that the limit will increase on more than 570 miles of interstate highway. The increase applies to parts of Interstates 70, 71, 75, 76, 77 and 90 but doesn't include sections of those roads in major metropolitan areas and a few smaller cities along the way.

More than 300 signs will be made to alert drivers about the new limits.

Bill Would Make More Government Meetings Public

Associated Press and Dayton Daily News — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:35:00 +0000

A proposal in the Ohio Senate prompting concern from some public officials would make more meetings among government officials public and provide more details on government talks behind closed doors.

The proposal would expand the types of discussions subject to the law and require more information stated publicly in motions to hold closed-door sessions under Ohio's Open Meetings Act. It also would expand fees and expenses that may be recovered for violations of the act.

Ohio Lawmakers: Disarm Domestic Violence Suspects

Associated Press — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:08:28 +0000

A group of Democratic lawmakers in Ohio say domestic-violence deaths can be prevented by taking guns away from people served with restraining orders.

Legislation introduced by Rep. Bob Hagan, a Youngstown Democrat, would require those subject to domestic-violence protection orders to temporarily give up their weapons to law enforcement within 24 hours of being served.

The bill would also give defendants the option to sell their weapons to a licensed federal dealer instead of handing them over.

Ohio-Indiana Drone Aircraft Test Site Promoted

Associated Press — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:04:00 +0000

All 11 members of the Indiana congressional delegation have co-signed a letter to federal officials supporting an Ohio-Indiana bid for one of six drone aircraft test sites.

The delegation wrote Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Michael Huerta, saying the two states have the military and civil resources needed to be a leader in unmanned aircraft systems.

Proposals were due Monday. The FAA is expected to select sites by the end of the year.

Ohio Leads US in Claims for Metal Thefts

Associated Press — Thu, 02 May 2013 11:04:00 +0000

A new report says Ohio leads the nation in insurance claims for metal thefts.

A National Insurance Crime Bureau report released Wednesday showed Ohio filed 3,228 claims from 2010 through 2012. That's 23 percent more than second-place Texas.

The numbers don't necessarily mean there are more metal thefts in Ohio, only that businesses and homeowners file more claims in the state. The Columbus Dispatch reported that Ohio insurance officials say they're not sure why more claims are filed in the state.