Ohio News Briefs

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Ohio agency granted adjustments to no-bid contract process

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio agency under scrutiny for its awarding of no-bid contracts has been granted permission to use an alternative way of selecting some vendors.

The state Controlling Board approved the Department of Administrative Services’ request Monday exempting the department and other state agencies from competitive selection in certain cases, but with new protections.

The new protocol calls for obtaining at least three price quotes from among 500-plus pre-qualified suppliers. The contract still could be awarded through the unbid process if two or fewer bids are received or only one company can provide the product or service.

The proposal follows scrutiny by state legislators and authorities after a newspaper investigation. The Columbus Dispatch found Administrative Services sometimes ignored internal policy and analysts’ recommendations to questionably award millions in no-bid IT contracts.

Ohio grants Intralot unbid $71M lottery contract, extensions

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Greek company that runs Ohio’s state gambling operations has been granted a renewed contract with potentially lucrative unbid extensions, over the objections of competitors, a hired consultant and some state lawmakers.

Intralot will receive $71 million over two years to provide Ohio’s lottery terminals and electronic slot machines at racinos.

The deal approved Monday also allows the Ohio Lottery Commission to waive competitive bidding for two-year contract renewal options through 2027.

That arrangement prompted two members of the state controlling board to register formal objections to the contract. The last request for proposals to operate lottery games was issued 10 years ago.

Deputy lottery director Nicole Kostura says the extensions are optional and the commission retains the ability to change vendors.

Intralot has been paid $259 million since 2009.

Wright State enrollment to hit lowest point in more than decade

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — A report says enrollment at Wright State University could hit its lowest point in more than a decade this coming school year.

The number of full-time Wright State students is projected to drop from 14,651 students last year to 13,861 this academic year.

That’s according to a budget proposal approved by trustees on Thursday.

The Dayton Daily News reports that the potential drop is nearly double the decline between the 2015-2016 school year and last school year.

The drop amounts to a decline of nearly 5.4 percent,

The newspaper says the decline is difficult for cash-strapped Wright State, whose biggest source of revenue is tuition.

Interim president Curtis McCray said in a campus-wide email Friday that the school’s budget remains fragile with enrollment and income uncertain.

Police say argument led to shooting at Columbus main library

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Police say an argument between two men led to a shooting at the Columbus Metropolitan Library’s main branch in the city’s downtown.

Columbus police say the 28-year-old suspect said he fired gunshots at a 47-year-old man after an argument Sunday near a library elevator.

A police report says the suspect then chased the victim through the second level of the library with his gun out. Police say the suspect surrendered when confronted by a library security officer.

The building was evacuated after the shooting around 3 p.m.

The suspect has been charged with felonious assault. An investigation continues.

The victim was hospitalized in stable condition at a Columbus hospital with a gunshot wound in the ankle.

Antique firetruck crashes into tattoo parlor

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio tattoo parlor has been inflicted with major damage after an antique firetruck smashed into the building.

The Toledo Fire and Rescue Department says the truck crashed into Infinite Art Tattoo Saturday morning. Shop owner Brian “Monk” Taylor tells the Toledo Blade a quick thinking tattoo artist pulled a client away from the flying debris.

No one was injured in the crash.

Fire dispatchers say the vehicle was a part of the Toledo Fire Museum. Museum representatives were unavailable for comment.

Taylor says shop operations will continue on parts of the building not damaged by the crash.

It is unclear why the crash occurred. The accident is still under investigation.

Police: 3 women found dead at Ohio home

NORTH ROYALTON, Ohio (AP) — Three women have been found dead at a home in Ohio.

Police say a family friend found the mother and her two adult daughters Sunday night at a home in North Royalton, south of Cleveland.

Police say it appears all three of the women suffered gunshot wounds. Authorities have not released their names.

A motive for the shooting remains unclear. No arrests have been made.

North Royalton police and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation are investigating.

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