Ohio News Briefs

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Ohio consumers to get back-to-school tax break on some items

CLEVELAND (AP) — Ohio consumers will once again get a back-to-school sales tax break on clothing and school supplies with the state’s third annual sales tax holiday.

This year’s “tax-free weekend” will be held this Friday through Sunday. It provides an exemption from sales tax on pieces of clothing priced at $75 or less and on school supplies that cost $20 or less. The tax exemption also applies to school instructional materials priced at $20 per item or less.

There’s no limit on the number of qualifying items a customer can buy.

This year, retailers in Ohio, Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia are required to participate in their states’ tax holidays. In New Mexico, participation is optional.

Mortuary shut down after inspection finds mold, maggots

CARLISLE, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio crematory has been shut down by the state after several unrefrigerated bodies were found to be decomposing, including one covered partly in mold, another that had begun to mummify and a third that was being eaten by maggots.

The Ohio Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors voted Monday to suspend the license of Premium Mortuary Services in Carlisle.

The board says an inspector visited the mortuary last week after receiving a complaint. Upon arrival, he noted a slight odor of decomposition coming from a garage door that was slightly ajar.

Inside he found two coolers not functioning. The board’s report says seven bodies were not embalmed and not refrigerated properly. One had been at the facility since February.

The mortuary did not respond to a request for comment.

Judge: Police staged reason for traffic stop in man’s arrest

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — A judge has thrown out evidence against a man arrested on gun charges in an order saying police “staged” their justification for the traffic stop and made remarks that suggest “racial profiling.”

The Dayton Daily News reports a Montgomery County judge granted a motion to suppress evidence from the traffic stop, including a loaded firearm. Prosecutors filed notice Monday they will appeal the order.

Thirty-four-year-old Calvin Wilson is charged with counts including improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle. The police report says officers found marijuana, cash and a gun in the car.

Court records say the officers pulled Wilson over in October after he allegedly cut them off.

Wilson’s attorney didn’t immediately return a call seeking comment.

Dayton police officials say they’re reviewing the arrest.

3 ring-tailed lemurs born at Cincinnati Zoo

CINCINNATI (AP) — The recent births of three ring-tailed lemur babies have doubled the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s population of the animals.

Two different mothers gave birth within days of each other. Five-year-old Izze gave birth to a single lemur Friday, while 3-year-old Willow gave birth to twins late Monday.

Visitors who spend some time at Lemur Lookout can see the entire troop in their habitat.

The three lemurs are the first born at the Cincinnati Zoo in 30 years.

Ring-tailed lemurs are classified as an endangered species, with their numbers in decline because of habitat destruction and the bushmeat trade.

They can be found in the wild in protected areas in the forests of southern and southwestern Madagascar.

Vehicle hits, injures 12-year-old girl crossing road in Ohio

MARION, Ohio (AP) — The State Highway Patrol says a 12-year-old girl was seriously injured when a vehicle struck her as she was attempting to cross a road in central Ohio.

A release from the patrol’s Marion post says the girl was struck Monday evening. The patrol says a 48-year-old man was driving on a Marion County road when his vehicle hit the girl. Authorities say the girl was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. The patrol didn’t immediately release her name or condition.

Troopers say the driver remained at the scene and was cooperating with investigators. The patrol says investigators do not suspect speed, alcohol, drugs or driver distractions were factors in the crash.

The crash in the county about 50 miles (81 kilometers) north of Columbus remains under investigation.

Ohio man charged in fires that killed 9 pleads not guilty

AKRON, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio man indicted on aggravated murder charges for two fatal fires that killed a total of nine people has pleaded not guilty.

Fifty-eight-year-old Stanley Ford, of Akron, appeared for an arraignment Wednesday in Akron. His $7 million bond was continued.

Ford is charged in the May 15 fire in Akron that killed two adults and five children. He’s also charged in an April 2016 fire in Akron that killed 66-year-old Lindell Lewis and 65-year-old Gloria Hart.

Those killed in May were 35-year-old Dennis Huggins, his partner, 38-year-old Angela Boggs, and five children: 14-year-old Jered Boggs, 6-year-old Daisia Huggins, 5-year-old Kylle Huggins, 3-year-old Alivia Huggins and 16-month-old Cameron Huggins. Their bodies were found in the second floor of the home.

Ford’s attorney didn’t immediately return a call for comment.

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