Large fish kills in Ohio may be linked to livestock manure
TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — Investigators from three state agencies are examining whether livestock manure spread on Ohio farm fields is to blame for at least four separate fish kills.
Officials say tens of thousands of fish have been killed in northwestern and western Ohio in the last month.
About 15,000 fish along a 10-mile stretch of a creek in Williams County near the Indiana and Michigan state lines were found dead last week.
The other spills were in Mercer, Allen and Hardin counties.
Investigators believe ammonia-laden manure spread onto fields ahead of rainstorms has been washing into creeks and causing the kills.
A new Ohio law put in place to combat algae in Lake Erie prohibits farmers from putting manure on fields before heavy rains because the manure also contains phosphorous that feeds algae.
Second Icelandic airline announces service to Cleveland
CLEVELAND (AP) — A second Icelandic airline has announced plans to start flights next year between Cleveland and Iceland about 24 hours after the first company made its announcement.
Wow Air said Wednesday that flights will begin in May, mirroring an earlier announcement from Icelandair. Cleveland.com reports the flights will mark the return of trans-Atlantic flight to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport after years without any nonstop flights to Europe.
Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson said the announcements position the region for growth by connecting it to European markets.
Wow air also announced service to airports in the Cincinnati area, Detroit and St. Louis.
Online charter school in legal battle seeks new designation
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The giant online charter school locked in a legal fight with Ohio officials over millions of dollars is moving to be designated as a dropout prevention school if the state approves that change.
The Columbus Dispatch reports Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow board officials Tuesday approved switching the designation. A document says the change would begin immediately with the 2017-18 school year, but would be subject to state approval by December.
The newspaper reports ECOT officials declined to answer questions about the move following Tuesday’s meeting.
Dropout recovery schools get a separate, much more lenient state report than traditional schools. The new designation also could allow ECOT to expand enrollment at a time when it’s under an order by the state Department of Education to refund $60 million for lax attendance.
Son of ex-Ohio Gov. Celeste backs Democrat Betty Sutton
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The son of former Ohio Gov. Richard Celeste is backing Democrat Betty Sutton in next year’s race for Ohio governor.
Christopher Celeste said Wednesday he’ll co-chair the ex-congresswoman’s campaign. The Columbus entrepreneur sided with Sutton over three other announced Democrats and a fourth considering a run.
Celeste’s father also is a Democrat.
Christopher Celeste attributed his decision to what he called Sutton’s experience, political tenacity and creativity in solving tough problems.
His support allows Sutton to broaden her economic message after earning 20 labor organizations’ endorsement.
Celeste has spent years helping create, lead or launch projects including political action committees, tech startups, e-commerce websites and small-scale neighborhood developments.
He emailed supporters that he believes Sutton can “enthuse” Democrats and attract independent and Republican voters. He says early fundraising is key.
Sheriff: Deputy charged with telecommunications harassment
CINCINNATI (AP) — An Ohio sheriff says a deputy who allegedly sent sexually explicit photos to two women has been arrested on misdemeanor charges of telecommunications harassment.
Hamilton County’s sheriff says 25-year-old Deputy Joshua Noel was taken to jail Wednesday. Court records don’t list an attorney for him.
Sheriff Jim Neil says the department received a complaint Aug. 11 from an 18-year old woman who said Noel was sending her pictures through social media accounts after pulling her over for a traffic stop. The department says Noel sent sexually explicit images and videos of himself.
Neil says a second complainant said Noel also sent her several sexually explicit images and videos of himself through social media.
The sheriff says Noel is on administrative leave pending the case’s outcome.
