Cedar Point adds metal detectors
SANDUSKY, Ohio (AP) — Officials say amusement park visitors can expect a slightly longer wait time to pass through new metal detectors at Cedar Point.
The park’s parent firm, Cedar Fair LP, says it decided to add another level of security at all of its parks to screen for prohibited metal objects.
Cedar Point spokesman Tony Clark says the process for passing through metal detectors will go quickly for guests entering the park. Clark recommends guests leave unnecessary items in their cars before entering.
Cedar Point will open with a newly-expanded water park called Cedar Point Shores. The park is working with the LeBron James Family Foundation to host a VIP charity preview for the water park a few days before it opens to the general public.
Ohio Republicans target taxpayer-funded ad campaigns
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — An amendment tucked into the Ohio House version of the state operating budget aims to curb taxpayer-funded advertising campaigns like the one starring Republican Treasurer Josh Mandel.
Mandel, who is running for U.S. Senate, spent about $2 million on ads that featured him and Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer. His office used a loophole to avoid spending approval by the Controlling Board by paying for the commercials in increments under $50,000.
The amendment released by House Republicans requires Controlling Board approval for any advertising that, in total, exceeds $50,000.
Mandel’s spokesman did not say if the state treasurer was the target of the latest amendment. He did say Mandel’s office reviewed the amendment, and “we have no problem with it.”
The House is expected to approve its budget Wednesday.
Ohio bridge refuses to fall down after failed blast tries
LEBANON, Ohio (AP) — A state transportation agency says it will use a crane to tear down the remaining portion of a southwest Ohio bridge truss by truss after three implosion attempts failed to finish the job.
WCPO-TV reports workers tried again Sunday to bring down what’s left of the old Jeremiah Morrow Bridge over the Little Miami River in Warren County after two blast attempts a week ago.
An Ohio Department of Transportation spokesman says there will be no more implosions for the bridge that once carried Interstate 71 traffic and has been replaced by twin concrete spans. Like its predecessors, the new Jeremiah Morrow spans are Ohio’s tallest bridges at 239 feet and nearly the longest at 2,300 feet.
The bridges are 30 miles northeast of Cincinnati.
Woman charged with murder in death of boyfriend’s baby
OREGON, Ohio (AP) — Authorities say a 40-year-old Ohio woman has been charged with murder in the death of her boyfriend’s 6-month-old child.
The Blade reports Angie Walker was arrested Friday in the Toledo suburb of Oregon. She also faces a child endangering charge after emergency crews responded to a home Tuesday morning and found Levi Ashley unconscious. Police say Walker was caring for the baby and that neither the boyfriend nor Levi’s mother was there at the time.
The newspaper reports the child was taken off life support Wednesday. The Lucas County Coroner’s Office says Levi died of abusive head trauma.
Walker is being held on a $300,000 cash bond. Court records don’t indicate if she has an attorney.
She is scheduled to appear in court Monday morning.
Exhibit depicts lives of Ohio’s Bhutanese-Nepali refugees
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A photo exhibit will depict the experience of one of Ohio’s newest and largest refugee groups.
The exhibit opening May 5 at the Ohio History Center in Columbus explores the lives of the Bhutanese-Nepali community.
The exhibit chronicles the refugees’ experience from life at home in Bhutan in southeast Asia to living in refugee camps in Nepal to resettlement in Columbus.
The Bhutanese Nepali Community of Columbus estimates about 20,000 refugees live in Columbus. Akron, Cincinnati and Cleveland also have large Bhutanese-Nepali communities.
The exhibit of photographs of 30 community members by photographer Tariq Tarey includes backgrounds for each individual.
Ohio county offers job training to former inmates
CLEVELAND (AP) — The county that includes Cleveland is offering paid job training to former inmates.
Cleveland.com reports Cuyahoga County’s Towards Employment pilot program will train 100 low-income residents with a criminal record in the hope paid internships lead to jobs.
A representative with the county’s Job and Family Services says the program will run like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which helps people who receive food stamps find steady employment. Residents will be enrolled through the Office of Reentry or the Fatherhood Initiative.
Those enrolled in the program will receive job training, career coaching and legal services.
County officials say helping former inmates find work keeps them from committing another crime.
The new program will receive $400,000 in state funding.
