Ohio museum celebrates on aviation pioneer’s birthday
DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in southwest Ohio is offering free educational activities for families to celebrate National Aviation Day.
The event on Saturday will mark the birthday of aviation pioneer Orville Wright, who was born in Dayton 146 years ago. Everything from the Wright Brothers’ first flight to today’s Air Force technology will be highlighted. Visitors can take part in hands-on activities such as building and flying balsa wood gliders.
There will be presentations by pilots and flight instructors about learning how to fly and the chance to use desktop simulators. There’s also a story time program for children.
The family day activities run from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. EDT.
Small-scale wind energy projects in Ohio still in demand
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A new report from the U.S. Department of Energy shows there’s still a steady demand in Ohio for small-scale wind energy projects to power factories and businesses.
The recent report says Ohio ranks sixth in nation after adding 42 megawatts of wind energy from small-scale projects since 2003.
That number pales in comparison with Texas, the nation’s leader after adding 198 megawatts during that period.
In Ohio, Honda has two turbines at its transmission plant in Russells Point and Whirlpool Corp. has turbines that help power its dishwasher manufacturing plant in Findlay.
But Ohio’s overall wind energy production still lags most states after moves were made three years ago by the Ohio Legislature to thwart development of large-scale wind farms.
Ohio State prepares for $20 million airport enhancement
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State is launching a $20 million project to update the university airport in central Ohio with a groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for Aug. 19.
The project includes construction of four new hangar buildings, an aviation education and research facility with state-of-the-art flight simulators, research labs and classrooms.
The renovation also includes an updated flight terminal. Half the funding comes from the Austin E. Knowlton Foundation , which provides grants to promote and advance higher education.
The airport’s current infrastructure has remained largely unchanged for more than 50 years.
The new facility should be open in January 2019.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of Ohio State’s aviation education program and the 75th anniversary of its airport.
More than 500 Ohio State students pursue aviation degrees annually.
Sheriff’s office to auction century-old machine gun
NEW PHILADELPHIA, Ohio (AP) — A northeast Ohio sheriff’s office is auctioning off a nearly century-old machine gun to help pay for new weapons for deputies.
The Dover-New Philadelphia Times Reporter reports that an expert has estimated the Thompson Model 1921’s value at $37,000.
The weapon was purchased by Tuscarawas County Sheriff Abe Laird in 1934. Sheriff’s Office staff is unsure what the machine gun was originally used for. Lt. Brian Alford says the Thompson was a popular law enforcement weapon during Depression-era mine riots.
Alford says the weapon is nearly original and is cleaned several times a year. He says he was the last person to fire the weapon five years ago.
Sheriff Orvis Campbell expects the gun to fetch nearly $50,000 at a September auction.
Police officers to stop processing suspected opiates
CINCINNATI (AP) — Police officers in Ohio are changing the way they handle drugs after several officers had to be hospitalized because of suspected fentanyl exposure.
Newtown Police Chief Tom Synan tells WKRC-TV his officers no longer process drugs because of the dangers presented by fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid often mixed with heroin and sometimes sold and used on its own.
Synan says his officers won’t field test drugs they’ve seized or open packages.
His decision comes after Cincinnati police officers and probation officers were hospitalized after being exposed to suspected fentanyl.
Synan is a member of the Hamilton County Heroin Coalition. He says his officers wear protective equipment and carry the overdose reversal drug naloxone.
He says the Hamilton County Coroner has identified through testing 10 variations of fentanyl.
City pays $11,000 to euthanize 250 geese
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio’s capital city has paid nearly $11,000 to “humanely euthanize” 250 geese that populated a downtown river.
The Columbus Dispatch reports the Columbus Department of Recreation and Parks obtained a state permit to have geese congregating along the Scioto River in downtown euthanized in late June.
The city paid a different service about $15,000 to scare the geese away with dogs and loud noises last year. Department spokesman Brian Hoyt says that effort didn’t work as well as officials had hoped.
Hoyt says the geese were killed this year using a procedure that puts the birds to sleep with carbon dioxide.
He says the city is working on reducing the bird’s habitat and encourages people not to feed the birds. About 50 geese remain in the area.
Ohio man pleads guilty to provide heroin resulting in death
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio man faces 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to providing a heroin mix that resulted in a woman’s fatal overdose.
Federal prosecutors say Richard Edwards, of Columbus, pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to distributing heroin and fentanyl that resulted in the death or serious bodily injury of another.
The 28-year-old Edwards was accused of distributing heroin and fentanyl that led to a non-fatal overdose of a man in August 2016 and the Columbus woman’s fatal overdose in December 2016.
Edwards was investigated by a Franklin County Sheriff’s Office task force that pursues individuals responsible for drug overdoses and gets treatment help for victims who survive an overdose.
A message was left with Edwards’ federal public defender seeking comment.
2 children slightly hurt on ride at Ohio festival
NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio (AP) — The Ohio Department of Agriculture says it will investigate after two children received minor injuries on a low-speed ride at a community festival outside of Cleveland.
Cleveland.com reports a car left the ride’s tracks Friday night at the North Ridgeville Corn Festival 24 miles (39 kilometers) southwest of Cleveland.
North Ridgeville fire officials say the children were examined at the scene and released to their parents.
Five passengers were on the ride when the car went off the tracks
The Agriculture Department’s Amusement Ride Safety division will investigate.
A man was killed and seven people were hurt, some seriously, when a swinging and spinning thrill ride called the Fire Ball broke apart last month at the Ohio State Fair.
