Police: shots fired at Columbus sergeant on special duty

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Columbus police say someone shot at a sergeant working special duty at an apartment complex, and the officer returned fire.

Police say the sergeant suffered a superficial wound that was not the result of a gunshot.

A report says the sergeant heard a series of gun shots shortly after 1 a.m. Friday that he believed were intended for him and he shot back. Several callers reported multiple gunshots before the officer returned fire.

No civilians were injured and a gun was recovered. An investigation continues.

It’s the second time in just over a week that someone apparently fired at Columbus police.

Investigators say an unknown person or persons opened fire on officers with a “high caliber firearm” shortly before midnight on July 20.

Former village official charged with theft in office in Ohio

NEWARK, Ohio (AP) — A village’s former fiscal officer accused of stealing about $80,000 from the central Ohio village has been indicted on charges including theft in office.

A Licking County grand jury on Thursday also indicted 48-year-old Laura VanScoy Andrews on charges of tampering with records and dereliction of duty. She’s accused of stealing from the village of Alexandria between early 2013 and August 2015.

No telephone listing could be found for VanScoy Edwards and no court documents showed an attorney for her.

VanScoy Andrews was fired last year after officials said she wasn’t transparent in performing her job. The village council then authorized an investigation into the fiscal office.

Officials in the village of about 500 residents say they plan financial reforms to prevent any similar problems in the future.

Kings Island to add another wooden roller coaster

MASON, Ohio (AP) — A southwest Ohio theme park is adding another wooden roller coaster next year.

Officials at Kings Island announced its latest attraction Thursday and say Mystic Timbers will be the park’s 16th roller coaster. The coaster will be more than 3,000 feet in length, reach 109 feet into the air and will top out at 53 mph.

The new ride is the park’s fourth wooden roller coaster, giving Kings Island more than 18,000 feet of wooden tracks.

The coaster will be designed and built by Great Coasters International, Inc. out of Sunbury, Pennsylvania.

This is the first major new roller coaster announcement since 2013, when it announced the addition of the Banshee, an inverted steel roller coaster.

Mystic Timbers is expected to open in April 2017.

Group cancels Cleveland’s annual gay pride parade

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland’s annual gay pride parade and related events next month have been canceled.

A statement from Cleveland Pride Inc. alludes to safety concerns, saying it’s entrusted with creating a secure environment for the event.

President Todd Saporito said: “Because of the changing social climate, Cleveland Pride did not have enough time to engage in the development of awareness programs and training that we believe is critical in today’s environment.” He didn’t offer specifics.

Cleveland.com reports the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland lamented the decision in a separate statement. Its president says instances like the Florida shooting at a gay nightclub that killed 49 patrons and the broader fight for LGBT rights make this a time when the LGBT community and its supporters need to be together and visible.

Suspect in fatal Ohio freeway shooting charged with murder

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A man accused in a fatal shooting on a central Ohio freeway has been indicted on seven counts, including an aggravated murder charge.

The county prosecutor in Columbus says the July 15 shooting on Interstate 70 followed an altercation at a bar between a pair of friends and another group of people. Authorities say the larger group called another friend for a ride home, and the suspect followed that vehicle and eventually opened fire.

The 26-year-old driver died after multiple shots were fired at his vehicle, and another man was injured.

Court records list no attorney for the suspect, 23-year-old Javon Lyons. The Columbus man is scheduled for arraignment Monday.