Parties in lawsuit call Ohio purges voter suppression

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Groups challenging Ohio’s system for removing inactive voters from rolls are disagreeing with the state elections chief’s arguments and the Trump administration’s contention that the purges are legal.

The American Civil Liberties Union and the New York-based public advocacy group Demos said in their latest U.S. Supreme Court filing that targeting registered voters who fail to vote in a two-year period for eventual removal from the registration rolls, even if they haven’t moved and remain eligible, is a tool for voter suppression.

The court agreed in May to accept Ohio’s appeal over whether its procedures violate the National Voter Registration Act.

The Justice Department under Democratic President Barack Obama sided with the plaintiffs. The Trump administration reversed the government’s position last month and said the system is within the law.

Ohio remembers 9 year anniversary of Hurricane Ike

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — Friday marked the nine year anniversary of the costliest natural disaster in recent Ohio history.

The Dayton Daily News reports a windstorm related to Hurricane Ike struck the state on Sept. 14, 2008.

The windstorm led to seven deaths and $1.255 billion in insured losses. Eighty-nine counties reported damage and power outages, and 29 counties received state of emergency declarations.

Insurance companies say claims were mostly received from the Cincinnati, Dayton and central Ohio areas.

The hurricane was the fifth costliest disaster for insured losses in the U.S. at that time period.

Ohio man recovering after ultralight plane crash-lands

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (AP) — The state patrol says an Ohio man is recovering from injuries suffered when the ultralight plane he was flying crashed during a landing attempt.

The patrol says 46-year-old James Lewis of Springfield was taken to the Ohio State University medical center following the Sunday afternoon crash.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol says Lewis was flying over a property to attempt a landing when he crashed.

The patrol says Lewis missed the landing area and hit a fence.

Lawsuit: Columbus police use excessive force against blacks

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A federal lawsuit alleges Columbus police used excessive force when they arrested a man earlier this month in an incident in which cellphone video showed officers kicking and punching the man.

The lawsuit filed Sunday in federal court in Columbus also accuses the police department of continuing a pattern of excessive force against civilians and in particular black residents.

The lawsuit filed on behalf of defendant Timothy Davis says the department also fails to properly supervise, monitor and discipline officers who use excessive force.

At issue was the Sept. 1 arrest of Davis inside a Columbus convenience store where officers tried to arrest him on a warrant alleging he assaulted an officer last year.

Messages were left with the Columbus mayor and police department.

Police: Man killed Ohio State student before shooting self

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Police say a 25-year-old man apparently killed a 22-year-old Ohio State University student at a Columbus apartment before fatally shooting himself.

Police identified the man as Kyle Lafferty and the woman as Heather Campbell. Investigators believe they were in a relationship.

Homicide detectives say their bodies were found by a concerned friend Sunday in an apartment north of campus.

A university spokesman says Campbell was a psychology major from Strongsville. The school is making counselors available to students who need support.

Driver dies after hitting dead horse, flipping truck

JEFFERSON, Ohio (AP) — Police say a driver has died after hitting a dead horse and flipping his truck on an Ohio highway.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol says 23-year-old Justin Alkire, of Niles, was driving in Ashtabula County on Sunday when he came upon a carcass in the road and tried to swerve around it. Police say he lost control, hitting the horse and flipping his truck onto its hood.

Alkire died at the scene. Police say he was not wearing a seat belt.

A 16-year-old passenger, who was wearing a seat belt, suffered minor injuries.

Investigators have not determined how the horse came to be in the roadway. Police continue to investigate.