Growers say Ohio’s tight timeline could delay 1st pot crop

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Officials in Ohio say they don’t expect to issue the state’s first medical marijuana cultivator licenses until around November, at least a month later than growers expected.

The Ohio Department of Commerce announced the timetable Thursday.

It drew immediate concern from the National Cannabis Industry Association of Ohio. The association had anticipated growers having about a year before the September 2018 deadline to ramp up their operations and produce their first crop.

Association President Thomas Rosenberger said it will be difficult for growers to get the necessary local zoning approvals on such a tight time frame.

The state received 185 applications in June for 24 cultivator licenses. Ohio Medical Marijuana Control officials say they never estimated a date for scoring submissions and awarding licenses, and winners may know sooner.

Patrol believes hit-skip led to fatal Ohio motorcycle crash

MARION, Ohio (AP) — Highway patrol investigators believe a hit-skip vehicle may have led to a fatal Ohio motorcycle crash.

The patrol says 20-year-old Jacob Cannon, of Marion, died early Thursday when he lost control of the bike and overturned.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol says a preliminary review of evidence indicates Cannon may have been struck by a vehicle that fled the scene.

The patrol says damage on the vehicle would be contained to the front. An investigation continues.

Columbus schools superintendent announces retirement

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — An announcement by the Columbus schools superintendent that he plans to retire by the end of the year will trigger a search for a new leader for Ohio’s biggest school district.

The Columbus Dispatch reports Dan Good announced his retirement Thursday. Good was appointed in 2013 after retiring as superintendent in Westerville.

Good says people warned him the district was beyond repair when he took the job. His predecessor was convicted of dereliction of duty after failing to stop a data fraud scandal.

Good says he believes the community’s faith in the district has been restored. The 55-year-old says he plans to take time off before deciding what’s next.

The district says Good will stay through December, giving officials plenty of time to prepare for a search.

Women veterans conference to offer job, education info

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Women veterans from around the state will get information on jobs, education and other topics at the biennial Ohio Women Veterans Conference.

The Ohio Department of Veterans Services says as many as 750 of the state’s 67,000 women veterans, representing all branches of military service, are expected to attend Saturday’s conference in Columbus.

The Ohio director for the Military Women Across the Nation organization tells The Columbus Dispatch that it is often difficult for women veterans to “come forward for the benefits they deserve.” Jennifer Baun says the conference helps create a sense of belonging among the veterans.

The conference will also address topics including how to manage finances and find volunteer opportunities.

It will be held at the Ohio Union on the campus of Ohio State University.

Judge issues gag order in case of buried newborn infant

LEBANON, Ohio (AP) — Attorneys and others involved in the case of an 18-year-old Ohio woman charged with aggravated murder in her newborn infant’s death have been ordered not to comment publicly outside the courtroom.

A Warren County judge issued the gag order Thursday in the case of Brooke Skylar Richardson. She has pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder and other charges in the May death of the infant whose remains were found buried outside her home.

The remains were found July 14 in Carlisle, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) north of Cincinnati.

The prosecutor has alleged that Richardson “purposely caused” the death, then burned and buried the baby. Richardson’s attorney has said she “didn’t kill her baby.”

The judge says the gag order is intended to help ensure a fair trial.

Driver acquitted of vehicular homicide in trooper’s death

CLEVELAND (AP) — A driver accused of fatally hitting a state trooper along a Cleveland highway has been acquitted of vehicular homicide charges.

Jurors on Thursday also found 38-year-old Joshua Gaspar not guilty of charges including operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs in the Sept. 15 crash that killed Trooper Kenneth Velez. Gaspar was found guilty of misdemeanors including falsification and tampering with records.

Prosecutors alleged Gaspar lied to get a driver’s license and took methadone shortly before driving.

The Columbia Station man’s attorney argued the crash was an accident. Defense attorney Jon Sinn said the methadone was prescribed for an addiction to painkillers Gaspar developed after injuring his back and didn’t affect his ability to drive.

Sinn said Thursday after court that Gaspar “will face the consequences of his actions.”