Ohio killer who survived execution wants next try blocked
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A convicted Ohio killer who survived a botched execution attempt in 2009 is asking a federal judge to prevent a second trip to the state’s death chamber.
Romell Broom was sentenced to die for the 1984 rape and murder of 14-year-old Tryna Middleton in Cleveland.
The state stopped Broom’s execution after two hours when executioners couldn’t find a usable vein following 18 needle sticks.
The 61-year-old Broom is only the second U.S. inmate to survive an execution after the process began. A new execution date has been set for June 17, 2020.
Broom’s attorneys asked in a filing last week that Broom be removed from death row, arguing a second execution attempt is cruel and unusual punishment and a double jeopardy violation.
The state is expected to oppose the request.
Conservation adviser criticizes Gov. Kasich in resignation
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A top conservation adviser to Ohio Gov. John Kasich has resigned and has written a letter criticizing the state’s natural resources agency.
The Columbus Dispatch reports that Mike Budzik, a part-time policy liaison to the hunting and fishing community, says the Ohio Department of Natural Resources has little regard for the state’s outdoor enthusiasts.
Budzik says ODNR’s lack of money and staff has resulted in hunting and fishing licenses going unchecked, calls about people trespassing not being responded to and hunting safety courses not being held.
ODNR spokeswoman Bethany McCorkle says the agency has better allocated its resources and is not understaffed. She denied rumors that ODNR’s Wildlife Division will be eliminated.
A Kasich spokeswoman says the governor appreciates Budzik’s service and wishes him well.
Pence to visit Cleveland-area manufacturer on Wednesday
CLEVELAND (AP) — Vice President Mike Pence is expected to visit northeast Ohio this week for an appearance at a manufacturing company near Cleveland.
An invitation sent to Republican supporters says he will visit Tendon Manufacturing, a sheet metal fabricator in Warrensville Heights, on Wednesday. Cleveland.com reports it will be Pence’s fourth visit to the state since taking office in January.
Tendon CEO Mike Gordon says he’s excited to host Pence and expects the vice president to discuss a manufacturing initiative.
Pence previously visited manufacturers in the Cincinnati and Columbus areas. He spoke last month at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base outside of Dayton.
Advisory group recommends financial education in high school
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — An advisory group that reviews debt-collection practices for unpaid student loans at Ohio’s public colleges has recommended that high school students receive financial literacy education.
State Attorney General Mike DeWine released a report Thursday with 22 recommendations from the Advisory Group on Student Loan Debt Collection that he convened last fall.
The group also has recommended that colleges help students understand what their debt obligations are when they graduate or withdraw from school.
The attorney general’s office is responsible for collecting money owed to state colleges and universities. DeWine says he wants to ensure that Ohio’s practices are fair and transparent.
DeWine said nearly 70 percent of Ohio college graduates leave school with student loans and owe an average of more than $30,000.
Military, overseas ballots available for August election
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Military and overseas ballots are now available for Ohio’s special election on Aug. 8.
Republican Secretary of State Jon Husted says 11 local issues are on the ballot in 10 counties. Voters also will be deciding a number of local races.
Voting begins July 11 for both in-person and mail-in absentee ballot.
Military voters who haven’t yet registered to vote or haven’t requested an absentee ballot can still do so by visiting OhioMilitaryVotes.com.
Overseas voters can visit OhioVoterPassport.com to download a federal post card application, register to vote and request an absentee ballot. The site also allows voters to track the status of their mailed ballots and to sign up for election reminders by email or social media.
Local election boards also provide voter information.
Ohio Air Force base recognized for bee conservation
DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio Air Force base has been recognized for its efforts to save bee populations.
The Dayton Daily News reports Wright-Patterson Air Force Base received the Bee City USA designation from a national program that helps strengthen ecosystems for bees, which are vital to pollinating many plants humans eat.
Wright-Patterson is the first military base to earn the special environmental distinction.
Wright-Patterson natural resources technician Danielle Trevino says the base’s conservation efforts began in 2015 with 50,000 bees in four colonies. The bee population has since grown to about 250,000.
Trevino says two of the bee colonies will be relocated to a remote area on the base.
Toledo Zoo’s Louie the elephant arrives at new Nebraska home
TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — Louie the elephant has arrived at his new home in Nebraska after a 700-mile trip from the Toledo Zoo.
The Blade reports Toledo Zoo officials say there weren’t any problems during the 13 ½ hours trip that ended Friday at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium in Omaha, where plans call for Louie to mate with its five female elephants.
The 14-year-old Louie was chosen as the best possible mate by the Survival Species Plan, a program sponsored by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums that manages breeding to ensure diversity.
It’s hoped that Louie and the females will create a new bloodline among captive African elephants in North America.
Louie will be kept in quarantine initially and then slowly introduced to the females before courtship begins in earnest.
