SEPTEMBER 8, 2025

The Athens County Board of Elections denies Nelsonville’s petition to remove candidates from the November ballot: WOUB
The Athens County Board of Elections on Thursday denied the city of Nelsonville’s request to remove from the ballot certain candidates running for office.

Richland County unveils new Common Pleas courtroom: Richland Source
The Richland County Common Pleas Court officially unveiled its newest courtroom Friday morning, promising faster hearings and improved service for the public.

Former Hubbard Township police chief sues trustees: Youngstown Vindicator
Ronald Fusco, a former Hubbard Township police chief, claims he was unfairly fired and mistreated because of his disabilities and for reporting threats made by a township trustee, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.

Flooding concerns drive zoning battle back to court: Sandusky Register
Concerns over flooding and drainage along Cherry Road took center stage during a recent court hearing in which Vermilion Township's zoning appeals board voted, 4-1, to revoke a zoning certificate of compliance issued to Robert and Jessica Dunn.

Psychologist: Man facing death penalty faked mental illness for months to avoid trial: Cincinnati Enquirer
A man who prosecutors say killed his girlfriend and her son has been faking mental illness for the last several months in an apparent attempt to delay his death penalty trial, a psychologist testified on Sept. 5.

Prosecutors fighting judge's ruling to release Cincinnati brawl grand jury transcript: Cincinnati Enquirer
The Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office is fighting a judge's decision to turn over transcripts of the secret grand jury proceeding that led to charges against a woman who was allegedly involved in the July 26 Downtown brawl.

Columbus schools assistant principal being punished for husband's rape case, attorney says: Columbus Dispatch
An attorney for a Columbus City Schools assistant principal charged with paying women who accused her husband of rape to not go to the police said his client is being punished for her husband's crimes.

Former Uhrichsville Mayor Mark Haney enters not guilty plea to four criminal counts: Times-Reporter
Former Uhrichsville Mayor Mark Haney has pleaded not guilty to four criminal counts that resulted from an investigation into improper reimbursements he reportedly received.

Judge Cheryl D. Grant to be inducted into MLK College of Ministers and Laity: Cincinnati Herald
Judge Cheryl D. Grant has been selected to be inducted into the 40th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. College of Ministers and Laity in the Martin Luther King International Chapel at Morehouse College in Atlanta during the Collegium of Scholars Benjamin Elijah Mays Crown Forum at 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 2.

Legal-Ease: Can I qualify for Medicaid by giving my assets to my children?: Lima News
As fall begins to creep in and cooler nights start to become increasingly more popular, people start to spend less time outside and more time inside…When looking at pending nursing home admissions, people start to think about gifting their assets to their children, which can negatively impact their future Medicaid application.

Butler County wants full review of $1M verdict granted to Jewish magistrate: Hamilton Journal-News
Butler County has asked the entire 6th Circuit Court of Appeals to review the case of the magistrate who claims she was fired for being Jewish.

Carboline sues Sherwin-Williams over alleged false advertising of fire-protection coating: Cleveland Business Journal
Allegations of deceptive marketing practices pit two rival coatings makers against each other.

6th Circ. Backs Search Of Home Linked To One Drug Sale: Law 360
A federal appeals panel has said officers had good reason to search a home connected to a man they set up in a drug-buying sting, determining a federal judge did not err by refusing to suppress evidence found inside the home.  [A district judge in Ohio denied Florence's motion to suppress the evidence, and Florence later pled guilty to illegal distribution of drugs and illegal possession of firearms.]

SEPTEMBER 5, 2025

Lawsuit asks Ohio Supreme Court to order release of sealed records in Downtown brawl: Cincinnati Enquirer
As court documents in the case against a man who was badly beaten in the July 26 Downtown brawl and later charged with disorderly conduct remain sealed, a local resident is seeking to make them public.

Ohio Supreme Court to hear oral arguments in Youngstown homicide case: Youngstown Vindicator
The Ohio Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Dec. 10 to determine whether to uphold the 7th District Court of Appeals’ decision granting Lavontae Knight a new trial in the Dec. 30, 2018, killing of Trevice Harris and wounding Harris’ girlfriend in a car on Youngstown’s South Side.

Ohio Panel Says Judge Can't Thwart Prison Credit Programs: Law 360
A split Ohio appeals court on Tuesday ruled an incarcerated man should be allowed to participate in prison programs that can earn him credit toward his release, adding that a state trial judge cannot bar access to the programs.

Cuyahoga courts see a jump in mentally ill defendants, leading to calls for greater services: Cleveland.com
Anne Gullia walked into her Solon home on a November morning to find her husband had been beaten to death with a baseball bat.

Ohio State closed Lawrence Tower dorms for mold — the building sits empty months later: Columbus Dispatch
Nine months after mold and mushrooms drove roughly 500 Ohio State University students from their campus dormitory mid-semester, the future of Lawrence Tower remains uncertain. [The article provides updates on the status of the lawsuits against Ohio State.]

A 'fairness thing': Akron to start pilot to provide attorneys for those facing evictions: Akron Beaccon Journal
In Akron’s eviction cases last year, 88% of landlords had an attorney but only 3% of tenants had one.  A pilot right-to-counsel program that starts Sept. 15 is aimed at reducing this gap by providing attorneys to eligible tenants for free.

Toledo drummer's case continued, likely headed toward mediation: Toledo Blade
A court case involving a South Toledo man who believes he was wrongfully charged for playing his drums could be headed to mediation.

Defiance man sentenced on theft charge in Paulding County: Defiance Crescent-News
A Defiance man convicted in Henry County of bilking various property owners after promising to complete construction jobs has been sentenced here in Paulding County Common Pleas Court as well.

Judge gives lessons on the Constitution: Bowling Green Sentinel-Tribune
Join the Exchange Club of Bowling Green for a conversation on the Constitution with Judge Matthew L. Reger on Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. This program will be held in the 2nd Floor Programming Room at the Bowling Green Library.

Judge dismissed the James M. Gavin power plant’s lawsuit challenging EPA rules on toxic waste disposal: WOUB
Regulators say a coal-fired power plant in southeast Ohio did not comply with federal rules on the safe storage of toxic waste, putting groundwater at risk of contamination.

Nippon Steel Drops Lawsuit Against Leaders of Cleveland-Cliffs, Union: Wall Street Journal
Nippon Steel said it has dropped a federal lawsuit accusing the leaders of Cleveland-Cliffs and the steelworkers’ union of conspiring to scuttle its deal for US Steel.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2025

Ohio Supreme Court delivers win to nursing homes over Medicaid payments: Columbus Dispatch
In a unanimous decision on Sept. 2, the Ohio Supreme Court delivered a win to nursing home operators, saying that Ohio Medicaid incorrectly calculated incentive payments for high-quality facilities.

Ohio Supreme Court Orders Medicaid to Recalculate Nursing Home Payments: AVC News
The Ohio Supreme Court says the state’s Medicaid program must recalculate how much it pays nursing homes after underfunding quality incentive payments required by state law.

Ohio Supreme Court rejects effort to have judge replace a township trustee: Columbus Daily Reporter
The Ohio Supreme Court in a recent ruling ended a Sylvania Township trustee’s effort to compel the local probate judge to appoint a new trustee to the board to replace a previously appointed trustee.

The future of city government in Nelsonville remains unclear as the state Supreme Court reopens a case regarding candidates: WOUB
The Nelsonville City Council’s effort to remove candidates from the November ballot could result in the city having almost no government at the start of next year. 

Appeals court: Prosecutors can't use disputed evidence at Elwood Jones' new murder trial: Cincinnati Enquirer
Hamilton County prosecutors won't be able to present key evidence if they attempt to try Elwood Jones a second time for murder.

Legal saga continues for Cleveland’s court fights against Shaker Boulevard apartment owner: Cleveland Signal
Earlier this summer, the owner of a trio of apartment towers near Shaker Square contested Cleveland Housing Court’s power to tell landlords what to do. In August, attorneys for City Hall laid out their case defending Housing Court Judge W. Moná Scott’s powers.

Judge dismisses most of former Ohio lawmaker’s lawsuit claiming ‘political hit job’: Cleveland.com
A state judge has dismissed most, though not all, of former state Rep. Elliot Forhan’s lawsuit accusing state officials from both parties of performing a “political hit job” on him while he served in the Ohio House last session.

Overdose Awareness Day: Miami Valley Today
Miami County Common Pleas Court Judge Jeannine Pratt talks with Amy Grilliot of Awakenings Christian Fellowship in Piqua during Overdose Awareness Day 2025 at Lock 9 Park on Thursday, Aug. 28. The event was a celebration of those in recovery and a time to remember those who died from drug-related causes. Pratt oversees Miami County Common Pleas Drug Court as a specialized docket judge.

Judge rules on whether ex-Kroger CEO McMullen will have to disclose reason for departure: Cincinnati Business Courier
A Hamilton County judge has ruled on a motion from former Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen, who asked for any questions about the reasons for his departure to be barred in a lawsuit brought by singer Jewel.

Judge denies Columbus Zoo request to temporarily block township from taxing admissions: WCMH
A judge has denied the Columbus Zoo’s request to temporarily block Liberty Township from collecting a tax on admissions.

Hearing to determine whether Myers gets new trial: Fairborn Daily Herald
A death row inmate who served over 35 years in an Ohio prison will soon have a hearing to determine whether or not he will be receiving a new trial.

FREE! Guernsey Co. Courthouse Halloween Night Light Show Opening Night!:AVC News
The Guernsey County courthouse will be home to ghosts, goblins, witches and other scary creatures for special Halloween light shows this October on selected evenings. Colorful lights synchronized to Halloween favorites that is fun for kids of all ages!

Hurricane Katrina deployment leads Stark County volunteer to career at American Red Cross: Canton Daily Repository
Tim Reichel's good deed plunged him into volunteerism for the American Red Cross – then ultimately into a career. (During the hurricane, Riechel was the chief bailiff in the Canton Municipal Court).

Study finds more e-discovery professionals embracing generative AI: Akron Legal News
More e-discovery professionals are embracing the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI). A new study shows 37% of professionals are now using the technology compared to two years ago when the number was just 12%.

Protections against lawsuits restricting speech grow — but some states still lag: Nashville Tennessean
Laws protecting Americans from expensive lawsuits threatening to restrict their free speech have risen across the country over the past seven years, though 12 states still offer no such protections, according to a report from a leading free speech organization.

Lawsuit claims sexual assault during alleged Ursuline football team hazing: WFMJ
A federal civil rights lawsuit has been filed in connection with an alleged hazing incident involving the Ursuline High School football team earlier in the summer.

Judge orders Youngstown to pay $739,500 penalty for failing to meet sewage project deadlines” WFMJ
It remains to be seen if the city of Youngstown will appeal a federal court order to pay a fine for not finishing a $240 million sewer improvement project on time, or if city leaders will just accept the ruling as money down the drain.

Ohio Co. Says Kalshi Gambling Suit Belongs In State Court: Law360
An Ohio-based company suing several financial firms, including Kalshi and Robinhood, over their allegedly unregulated sports betting said its suit should be moved back to a state court because its claim regarding the legality of the companies' operations does not raise a federal question.

AUGUST 29, 2025

Kennedy Fetes Fellow Women Justices, Members of Bar in New Supreme Court Exhibit: Hannah News Service (Subscriber Only)
Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy unveiled the Ohio Supreme Court’s new Women in Law Exhibit Tuesday in the visitor education wing of the Ohio Judicial Center, a celebration formally marking the relocation of former Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor’s life-size portrait from the Court’s Grand Concourse.

Ohio Supreme Court Unveils Women in Law Exhibit: AVC News
The Supreme Court of Ohio has unveiled a new Women in Law exhibit, honoring the groundbreaking contributions of women who have shaped the state’s legal history.

Justices refuse to oust Sylvania Township trustee: Toledo Blade
The Ohio Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously rejected an attempt by a Sylvania Township trustee to oust a fellow board member he claimed was illegally appointed to a vacancy last year.

Ohio Supreme Court sets hearing on Youngstown murder case: WFMJ
The Ohio Supreme Court has set a date to hear arguments in the case of a Youngstown man whose murder conviction was thrown out by a lower court. The state's top court will hold the hearing in the case of Lavontae Knight on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025.

Nelsonville elections Ohio Supreme Court case reopens: Athens Independent
The Ohio Supreme Court on Wednesday, Aug. 27 reopened Nelsonville’s case to remove what the city argues are “moot” positions from the general election ballot. 

Richland County judges will not hear Butler Mayor Wesley Dingus' case: Mansfield News Journal
Citing concerns about a potential conflict of interest, Richland County Common Pleas Judges Brent Robinson and Phil Naumoff Aug. 27 filed a motion to disqualify themselves in any proceedings regarding Butler Mayor Wesley Dingus, who ran over a suspect fleeing from police during a traffic stop on July 11.

Appellate panel upholds assault, robbery convictions: Daily Reporter
A central Ohio appellate panel overruled a Toledo man’s assertion that his felonious assault and robbery convictions stemming from an attack of a Polaris-area hotel housekeeper in 2023 were contrary to the evidence presented at trial.

Appeals court says judge must reconsider if Lorain utility lawsuit is 'class action': Elyria Chronicle
A Lorain County Common Pleas judge must reconsider whether a years-long legal battle over Lorain's water and sewer rates should proceed as a class action lawsuit potentially affecting thousands of customers.

DC Common Pleas Court updates courtroom Daily Advocate
During the months of June and July, the Darke County Common Pleas Court was closed for renovations. Judge Travis Fliehman and his staff held court in other facilities during this time. Judge Fliehman’s wife, Kelly, oversaw the interior design of the new courtroom. Which, due to her help, the courtroom turned out great. He expressed everything in the new courtroom had her hand in it.

'A statement building': Licking County unveils documentary detailing courthouse restoration: Newark Advocate
Licking County Commissioners have unveiled a documentary that provides some more insight about the process to restore and renovate the west courtroom at the county courthouse. 

An Amish woman is accused of killing her 4-year-old son by throwing him into an Ohio lake: Associated Press
An Amish woman who told authorities she was testing her faith when she threw her 4-year-old son into an Ohio lake was charged Wednesday with two counts of aggravated murder in the boy’s death.

Judge finds Reynoldsburg woman guilty of failing to control dogs that attacked 11-year-old: Columbus Dispatch
The owner of two dogs that disfigured a child and severely injured a woman was found guilty of failing to confine and register her dogs.

Summit County Fair board member accused of stealing over $24,000 from 4-H Club, Horse Camp: Akron Beacon Journal
A 60-year-old Cuyahoga Falls woman who serves on the Summit County Fair board is accused of stealing over $24,000 between 2017 and 2024 from the fair's 4-H club and horse camp.

U.S. Supreme Court asked to hear Hoerig's 'sudden passion' defense in Newton Falls murder case: WFMJ
The U.S. Supreme Court has added to its calendar a request that the justices hear the case of a woman convicted and sentenced for killing her Air Force officer husband at their Newton Falls home in 2007.

Anthropic Settlement Unlikely to Spur Wave of AI Copyright Deals: Bloomberg Law
Authors, news outlets, and artists suing OpenAI Inc. and other tech giants face significant hurdles to recreate the circumstances that pushed Anthropic PBC to settle copyright infringement claims this week.

AUGUST 27, 2025

Ohio Supreme Court unveils women in law exhibit: WCMH
The Supreme Court of Ohio is celebrating the contributions of women to the Buckeye State’s legal history.

Ohio Supreme Court unveils women in law exhibit: Yahoo News
The Supreme Court of Ohio is celebrating the contributions of women to the Buckeye State’s legal history. There is a new women in law exhibit at the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center.

Consumers’ office hails Supreme Court ruling on AES Ohio ‘overearnings’: Dayton Daily News
The Ohio Supreme Court recently ruled that state utility regulators erred when they let Dayton electric company AES Ohio keep $61 million in what a consumers’ advocacy office called “overearnings.”

Ohio Supreme Court rejects appeal from ‘rat heaven’ landlord who said the word ‘clean’ is too vague: Signal Ohio
The Ohio Supreme Court rejected an appeal from a landlord who argued the definition of the word “clean” is too vague to be legally enforceable against his blighted property, which a Huron city attorney called “rat heaven.” 

Jean Anderson campaign asks Ohio Supreme Court to put Beth Deck on Vermilion mayoral ballot as replacement: The Elyria Chronicle
Former Vermilion mayoral candidate Jean Anderson, who withdrew from the race earlier this month, is asking the Ohio Supreme Court to allow replacement candidate Beth Deck's name to go on the ballot in November in her place.

High court affirms ruling dismissing suit over lack of service: The Daily Reporter
The Supreme Court of Ohio affirmed a trial court’s dismissal of a personal-injury lawsuit involving two Summit County sheriff’s deputies on the basis that the plaintiff failed to properly serve the summons to the respondent.

West Virginia Supreme Court justice, longtime lawmaker Tim Armstead has died: WCHS
West Virginia Supreme Court justice and longtime lawmaker Tim Armstead has died. He was 60.

Fifth District Court of Appeals vacates a man's guilty pleas for 21 theft-related offenses: The Daily Reporter
A Fifth District Court of Appeals panel vacated the guilty pleas, reversing the conviction, of a Marion man indicted on 51 counts of theft-related offenses for collecting deposits from prospective customers for home-improvement projects that he never completed.

Lorain County Commissioners hold second discussion on creating county public defender: The Elyria Chronicle
Laura Austen, assistant director at the Ohio Public Defender's Office, spoke Tuesday to the Lorain County Board of Commissioners about what it would mean to start a public defender's office in Lorain County.

No resolution reached in case of bar owner’s alleged arson: The Lima News
Attorneys for a man accused of setting the sports bar he owns in Kalida on fire in March 2024 huddled behind closed doors Monday but failed to come to a resolution to the case.

Ex-Ohio Lawyer Gets Probation For Making False Statements: Law360
A former Ohio lawyer was sentenced to two years of probation and fined $15,000 after pleading guilty earlier this year to making false statements to the FBI regarding a cooperating witness he represented in a drug and sex trafficking probe the bureau was pursuing.

Former attorney sentenced to prison for lying to family about investigating son's death: The Columbus Dispatch
A former lawyer will spend more than four years in prison after admitting that he lied about a criminal investigation into a man's death, including pretending to be an attorney with the Ohio Attorney General's office. 

Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP acquires Tampa firm: Cleveland Jewish News
Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP, a national law firm headquartered in Cleveland, acquired Walters Levine & DeGrave in Florida, effective on Aug. 15.

Ohio Cannabis Co. Accused Of Leaking Patient Data: Law360
An Ohio company that connects patients with physicians to secure medical marijuana cards is accused in a new federal proposed class action of making public the personal information of its clients and others.

Bench IQ, AI Startup Led By Former ROSS Cofounder to Understand Judges’ Decision Patterns, Raises $5.3M Seed: Lawsites
In February 2024, I wrote here about the launch of Bench IQ, a company that is using generative AI to provide comprehensive insights into the decision-making patterns of judges — based not just on their written rulings, but also their rulings from the bench and other data.

AUGUST 25, 2025

Nelsonville City Council wants the Ohio Supreme Court to reconsider its dismissal of a request to remove candidates from the ballot: WOUB
Nelsonville City Council is asking the state Supreme Court to reconsider its decision to dismiss a request that the names of certain people running for city offices be removed from the ballot.

Ohio Supreme Court reverses appellate decision in guaranty agreement dispute: The Daily Reporter
The Supreme Court of Ohio reversed an appellate decision that had determined Huntington National Bank owed the co-owner of a collection of skilled-nursing facilities a duty to disclose facts that materially increased his risk in a refinancing deal undertaken by his business partner.

Ohio Supreme Court Seeks Art Submissions from Justice-Involved Veterans: AVC News
The Supreme Court of Ohio is calling for submissions for a special art exhibit honoring justice-involved veterans, set to debut in November during National Veterans and Military Families Month.

94-year-old Marine veteran fights long-standing Ohio malpractice law after losing an eye: Columbus Dispatch
Marine Corps veteran John Paganini is challenging a long-standing Ohio law that limits how much people can collect for their pain-and-suffering in malpractice lawsuits.

Ohio Panel Says Med Mal Damages Cap Is Unconstitutional: Law360
An Ohio appeals court has declared that the state's statutory limit on pain and suffering damages in medical malpractice cases is unconstitutional because it violated the right to due process to a patient who suffered a severe brain disorder.

Murder case hangs in the balance as appeals court considers Cleveland police’s use of AI: Cleveland.com
The question of whether a jury will ever hear about Blake Story’s brutal death could come down to this: Did Cleveland police use inadmissible evidence and mislead a judge when seeking a search warrant?

Judges reject appeal of Wellsville man sentenced for multi-year child sex abuse: WFMJ
An Ohio appeals court has upheld the convictions of a Wellsville man who was found guilty of sexually abusing a boy as young as six.

Battle over mental health of man accused of killing Officer Jamieson Ritter: Fox8 Cleveland
A judge may soon decide if a hearing will be held in the murder case of Cleveland Officer Jamieson Ritter, even though the defendant, ruled incompetent to stand trial, remains in a mental health facility.

Columbus man sentenced to over 12 years for arson and assault spree: WSYX
Alfredo Salinas-Rosas, a 25-year-old resident of Columbus, has been sentenced to 12 to 14.5 years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple felonies, including aggravated arson and felonious assault.

Ex-country club controller accused of theft is still in Mexico. $4 million judgment awaits: Cincinnati Enquirer
The former controller for an Anderson Township country club who is accused of stealing nearly $900,000 in 2023 before fleeing to Mexico, is still wanted in the U.S. and has been ordered along with his wife to pay more than $4 million.

Changemakers: decades of service, advocacy, and hope: WFMJ
Carl Nunziato's story is one of sacrifice, resilience, and advocacy that helped reshaped the Mahoning Valley.

Greene County Courthouse to light up purple for Overdose Awareness Day; Dayton Daily News
The Greene County Courthouse will light up purple and a special memorial will be held Tuesday in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day.

A Scioto County Commissioner and his wife have been indicted in an alleged kickback scheme involving the Southern Ohio Port Authority: WOUB
The Scioto County Grand Jury handed down indictments Friday against a Scioto County commissioner and his wife as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged bribes and public contracts involving the Southern Ohio Port Authority and a Portsmouth-area business park.

Founder of Ohio naloxone distributor files suit over employee’s second job for pharma rep: Signal Ohio
For years, Harm Reduction Ohio, the state’s biggest distributor of lifesaving overdose reversal drugs, always tried to steer clear of Kloxxado, a controversial, brand-name version of naloxone. 

Diverse group of power players rally behind pardoned Ohio politician’s Supreme Court appeal: Cleveland.com
A lengthy lineup of heavy hitters is going to bat for PG Sittenfeld, urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the Democratic former Cincinnati City Councilman’s corruption conviction despite being pardoned by President Donald Trump.

AI-Powered Tech Opens Potential for Affordable Legal Help: Bloomberg Law
Legal technology innovators are getting creative to bring AI-powered tools to the masses.

AUGUST 22, 2025

Huron wins state Supreme Court appeal: Sandusky Register
The city of Huron won an appeal in a case in which it cited a property owner for property maintenance issues.

Ohio Supreme Court Rules Restitution Must Be Paid Before Records Can Be Sealed: AVC News
The Supreme Court of Ohio has ruled that offenders convicted of fourth- or fifth-degree felonies must pay all court-ordered restitution before they can apply to have their criminal records sealed.

Ohio Supreme Court Hears Weathersfield Well Arguments: The Business Journal
The Ohio Supreme Court took under advisement Wednesday morning arguments in a 2014 case involving a Weathersfield saltwater injection well.

Ohio Supreme Court allows ACLU lawsuit over ICE records to proceed: Cleveland.com
The Ohio Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed a lawsuit to move forward over Geauga County officials’ refusal to release records involving the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Napoleon school board apprised of Rover Pipeline court case decision: Defiance Crescent News
The Napoleon Area City Schools Board of Education was updated during its monthly meeting Wednesday on a recent court decision that could impact tax revenues, and also addressed a state-mandated student cellphone policy.

Appeals panel refuses to hear state’s appeal of attorney fees: Akron Legal News
A Franklin County appellate panel determined that state law precludes the Ohio attorney general’s office from appealing a trial court’s award of attorney fees to an individual at the center of an auditor’s investigation of unlawful compensation of more than $195,000.

Appeals court rejects appeal of drug conviction resentencing: The Daily Reporter
A Franklin County Appeals Court panel determined that a Columbus man convicted of drug trafficking and related offenses in 2013 missed his opportunity to appeal a 2014 resentencing when he failed to raise the issue in a direct appeal at the time.

Appellate panel affirms ruling in auto loan repayment case: The Daily Reporter
A Franklin County appellate panel affirmed a trial court’s judgment in favor of First Bank of Ohio, which sought to collect on an auto loan that was in default.

Prosecutor to dismiss charge against former Lorain school employee who went armed on 2023 field trip: Elryia Chronicle-Telegram
The Lorain County Prosecutor's Office will dismiss a criminal weapons charge in the case of a former Lorain City Schools employee who brought a gun on a 2023 school field trip after an appeals court upheld a ruling tossing out the evidence in the case.

Akron Municipal Court Judge Jon Oldham to host National Recovery Month event featuring Olympic Gold Medalist Oksana Baiul: Akron Legal News
Akron Municipal Court Judge Jon Oldham will welcome Olympic Gold Figure Skating Champion Oksana Baiul on Thursday, Sept. 4, for an event to kick off National Recovery Month.

Court master: Cleveland Heights unlawfully hid video of mayor’s wife’s City Hall outburst: Cleveland.com
A report to the Ohio Court of Claims says Cleveland Heights has for months been unlawfully withholding a public record that depicts an obscene outburst by Mayor Kahlil Seren’s wife, Natalie McDaniel, inside City Hall last December.

New Lebanon officials deny wrongdoing in public records law court case; Councilman pushes back: Dayton Daily News
New Lebanon Councilman Gale Joy says his complaint against the village in the Ohio Court of Claims for alleged public records law violations should not be dismissed, despite Law Director Michael McNamee’s argument to the contrary.

Franklin County judge rules Columbus can't pass local gun restrictions: Columbus Dispatch
A Franklin County judge has sided with the state, ruling that Ohio can restrict Columbus and other cities from passing local gun regulations.

Grand Jury Indicts Trio in $7.3 Million Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Case:AVC News
A Franklin County Grand Jury has indicted Markeya Smith, Brandi Smith, and Shirkara Reggins, along with 12 other co-conspirators, in connection with a $7.3 million Pandemic Unemployment Assistance fraud scheme.

Social media spat leads case against Pickerington Food Pantry director to start over: Columbus Dispatch
The special prosecutor in the criminal case against Pickerington Food Pantry Executive Director Vanessa Niekamp has removed herself from the case after the police chief criticized her on social media.

Field reports from Ohio Division of Wildlife Officers: Urbana Daily-Citizen
While on patrol during the 2024-25 waterfowl hunting season, State Wildlife Officer Maurice Irish, assigned to Delaware County, received information that a trumpeter swan had been shot at Big Island Wildlife Area. Officer Irish responded and contacted a group of waterfowl hunters who had a trumpeter swan in their possession. The shooter had mistaken the swan for a snow goose. Officer Irish provided identification information and issued the suspect a summons to Marion Municipal Court. The individual was found guilty and ordered to pay $238 in fines and court costs. The swan was seized as evidence.

Lori's Roadhouse sues former operating partner, alleging theft, fraud and more: Cincinnati Business Courier
A suburban Cincinnati restaurant is suing its former operator – the founder of a growing local music festival – after an investigation that claims to have uncovered alleged fraud and theft from the business.

Man admits to federal hate crime for attacking Ohio State students over Jewish faith: Columbus Dispatch
An Ohio man faces up to 10 years in prison after admitting to assaulting two Jewish students at Ohio State University, including breaking one's jaw.

CVS Opioid Insurance Loss Hits Companies Fighting Nuisance Suits: Bloomberg Law
Companies looking for insurance carriers to pay for opioid-related lawsuits or other “public nuisance” litigation face an uphill climb in Delaware following a decision by the state’s top court siding with liability insurers over CVS Health Corp.

Airlines facing lawsuits over windowless ‘window seats’: The Hill
United Airlines and Delta Air Lines were hit with class-action lawsuits Tuesday accusing them of charging passengers more for “window seats” that were actually next to an opaque wall.

 

AUGUST 20, 2025

Ohio Supreme Court stands by its public records ruling on private emails: Columbus Dispatch
The Ohio Supreme Court declined to reconsider its ruling in a public records case that could allow public officials to use private email accounts to hide what they're doing.

Ohio Supreme Court Restrict Judges’ Power to Free Some Prisoners: Bloomberg Law
Ohio courts can’t use the state’s judicial-release law to free inmates serving “indefinite” sentences imposed before lawmakers rewrote the criminal code in 1996, the state Supreme Court said Tuesday.

Ohio Supreme Court to hear Weathersfield well case Wednesday: WFMJ
The Ohio Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments today in a Trumbull County case involving a brine water disposal well that was shut down by the state after claims that it caused minor earthquakes. The dispute centers on whether the state's actions constitute a “taking” of the company's property and, if so, how much compensation is owed.

Appeals Court upholds conviction in murder of 4-year-old Rowan Sweeney: WFMJ
An appeals court has upheld the aggravated murder conviction of a man found guilty in the fatal 2021 home invasion and shooting of 4-year-old Rowan Sweeney at his home in Struthers.

Ohio State releasing football, basketball season ticket holder information after court ruling: Columbus Dispatch
The Ohio State University said it intends to release some information about season ticket holders for its football and men's basketball programs after a court rejected the school's appeal of an anonymous public request.

Podcaster sentenced to probation: Sandusky Register
A local podcaster was sentenced to probation after being convicted of felonies relating to threatening social media posts directed at public officials.

Family of pregnant woman killed by Blendon Twp. police files suit against department, Kroger: Columbus Dispatch
The estate of a 21-year-old woman shot and killed by a Blendon Township police officer outside a Kroger store has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the store and the officer.

Columbus lawsuit against Kia and Hyundai cleared to proceed: NBC4i.com
A 2023 lawsuit filed by the City of Columbus, which alleged Kia America and Hyundai Motor America did not do enough to theft-proof their vehicles, costing millions of dollars and putting lives at risk, recently cleared a legal hurdle, allowing it to move forward.

Marysville newspaper publisher admits to stealing money from balloon festival: Columbus Dispatch
One of the organizers of the All-Ohio Balloon Festival, who also serves as publisher of the Marysville Journal-Tribune, has admitted to stealing money from the event over more than five years. 

Ejected NCAA Fan Ends Negligence, Civil Rights Lawsuit: Law360
A woman ejected from an NCAA Division III Final Four game at Capital University in Ohio has shelved her negligence and civil rights lawsuit against the organization and several individual defendants.

Henry commissioners move forward on courthouse interior project: Defiance Crescent-News
Henry County commissioners helped move forward on the planned courthouse interior renovation during their Tuesday meeting.

Becoming Thurgood’ documentary about first black Supreme Court justice includes commentary from Miami University scholar: Hamilton Journal-News
The influential legacy of Thurgood Marshall, who served as the first Black associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1967-1991, is in the spotlight once more as PBS premieres its new documentary “Becoming Thurgood: America’s Social Architect” Tuesday, Sept. 9.

Employers Have a New Client Harassment Defense Post-Loper Bright: Bloomberg Law
Workers will have a tougher time holding their employers accountable for client, customer, and vendor harassment if more federal appeals courts adopt the Sixth Circuit’s new standard that gives businesses a leg up.

AUGUST 18, 2025

Ohio Justices Back Landlord In Speedway Store Leases Suit: Law360
The Ohio Supreme Court has sided with a landlord embroiled in a lease renewal dispute with a tenant that subleased 24 properties to major convenience store chain Speedway LLC, ruling that the tenant didn't make a mistake when it negligently failed to renew its leases on time.

Supreme Court of Ohio upholds menacing-by-stalking conviction: The Daily Reporter
The Ohio Supreme Court was not convinced a 32-year-old Dayton man was unaware his actions — showing up on the doorstep of a woman.

Nelsonville council asks the state Supreme Court to remove candidates from the November ballot: WOUB
The city of Nelsonville is asking the state Supreme Court to order that some people running for office in the November election be removed from the ballot.

Google Beats Ohio AG’s Suit to Regulate Search as Public Utility: Bloomberg Law
Google LLC is not a common carrier that can be regulated as a public utility, an Ohio state court ruled Friday, dealing a blow to the state’s attorney general.

Harding graduate shifted service: Tribune-Chronicle
When Derick Young was honorably retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in April of 2012, his service to his country did not end. Young, 45, is a native of Warren and is the director of the Mahoning County Veterans Honor Court. He is also one of five commissioners of the Mahoning County Veterans Service Commission.

Dayton able to give RTA bus passes to students after Franklin County court issues ruling: Dayton Daily News
Dayton Public Schools has already started distributing bus passes to high school students after a Franklin County court granted them a temporary restraining order to stop the state from enforcing a new law blocking students from transferring through the downtown bus hub using passes paid for with DPS dollars.

Staffing agency sues Insight for alleged breach of contract, unpaid invoices: WFMJ
A staffing agency doing business with Insight Health Systems, and previously Steward Health, is suing Insight for an alleged breach of contract.

California wildfire victims sue Nationwide over withheld insurance payments: Columbus Dispatch
Nationwide is being sued for allegedly withholding insurance payouts to victims of the Eaton Fire in southern California.

Akron man gets life in prison for shooting death of 24-year-old woman: Cleveland.com
An Akron man convicted of shooting a woman to death as her young child stood nearby has been sentenced by a Summit County judge to life in prison.

Jury trials set for journalists arrested during Roebling Bridge protest: University of Cincinnati The News Record
Trial dates have been set for the two Cincinnati CityBeat journalists who were charged with several misdemeanors while reporting on the Roebling Bridge protests.

Taft, Morris, Manning & Martin announce merger: Cleveland Jewish News
Taft Stettinius & Hollister and Morris, Manning & Martin announced on Aug. 8 that they plan to combine their two law firms with the merger to take effect on Dec. 31.

Downtown vandalism suspect has 140+ prior convictions: Dayton Daily News
A 60-year-old man accused of causing thousands of dollars in damage to storefronts and a church in downtown Dayton this month has more than 140 prior convictions, according to a Dayton Daily News review of court records.

Judiciary Starts Rule Debate Spanning AI, Subpoenas, More: Law360
The federal judiciary's comment clock officially started ticking Friday for rulemaking efforts spanning a smorgasbord of subjects, from high-tech testimony utilizing artificial intelligence to the low-tech tasks of hand-delivering subpoenas and paying witness fees.

US Supreme Court declines for now to block Mississippi social media age-check law: Reuters
The U.S. Supreme Court declined on Thursday to put on hold a Mississippi law requiring that users of social media platforms verify their age and that minors have parental consent in a challenge by a trade group whose members include Meta's Facebook, Alphabet's YouTube and Snapchat.

AUGUST 15, 2025

What counts as stalking in Ohio? Supreme Court clarifies law in unanimous ruling: Cleveland.com
When it comes to online behavior, threats aren’t the only content that crosses the legal line.

'Extremely elated:' Superintendent reacts to Ohio Supreme Court decision on Rover Pipeline: New Philadelphia Times Reporter
A local school superintendent is elated by an Ohio Supreme Court decision issued Aug. 13 that should save his district millions of dollars.

Aliza Sherman murder: Defense claims DNA evidence points away from accused: Cleveland.com
No DNA recovered from the scene of Aliza Sherman’s killing matches that of the man charged with her murder, a defense attorney said Thursday.

Man convicted of killing Bedford Heights Police officer granted parole: WOIO
A man convicted in the 1975 murder of Bedford Heights Police Detective William Prochazka, was just granted parole.

All Ohio Balloon Festival organizer pleads guilty to misappropriating funds from festival: WSYX
The organizer of the All Ohio Balloon Festival pleaded guilty to grand theft Thursday, agreeing to repay $40,000 to the non-profit organization.

Man on federal parole sentenced on sexual battery charge: WKBN
A man on parole for a federal weapons charge was sentenced Thursday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to one year in prison after a guilty plea in July to a third-degree felony count of sexual battery.

Pammy Maye currently found incompetent to stand trial in 5-year-old Darnell Taylor's death: WBNS
A woman charged with murder in the death of a 5-year-old boy was found to be incompetent to stand trial on Thursday.

Mistrial declared for former Franklin County sheriff’s deputy charged with sex crimes: WCMH
A mistrial was declared Wednesday for a former Franklin County sheriff’s deputy facing multiple sex crime charges.

Appellate court tosses out judge’s ruling for class-action lawsuit in FirstEnergy securities case: Cleveland.com
A federal appellate court has thrown out an attempt by investors to consolidate their securities lawsuits against FirstEnergy Corp., a move that stems from the tainted House Bill 6 scandal.

AUGUST 13, 2025

Ohio Supreme Court upholds $3.6 billion taxable value of Rover Pipeline in state: The Times Reporter
The Ohio Supreme Court has affirmed a Board of Tax Appeals (BTA) decision determining the taxable value of the portion of the natural gas Rover Pipeline that passes through Ohio to be $3.669 billion for the 2019 tax year.

High court finds drug-trafficking conspiracy crossed county lines: Toledo Blade
A player in a Toledo drug ring could be convicted of crimes he was not directly involved with when another player expanded the trafficking enterprise into neighboring Henry County, the Ohio Supreme Court unanimously ruled Tuesday.

10th District upholds lower court decision of man convicted of Hilltop murder: Akron Legal News
A Tenth District Court of Appeals panel upheld a trial court decision denying an inmate’s motion in which he ultimately sought a new trial related to his conviction on charges in the shooting deaths of two people in 2017 in Columbus’ Hilltop neighborhood.

Dayton Public sues Ohio, says busing changes are unconstitutional: Dayton Daily News
The Dayton Public Schools Board of Education has filed a lawsuit against the state of Ohio trying to stop the state’s enforcement of a new provision in the state budget that blocks DPS students from using school-purchased bus passes to change buses in the downtown bus hub.

Jury acquits Cleveland activists in gas station extortion case: Cleveland.com
A Cuyahoga County jury on Monday acquitted three Cleveland activists of all charges stemming from a dispute last summer involving an East Side gas station.

Prosecutors request bond revocation for man arrested downtown: The Vindicator
Mahoning County prosecutors have asked Mahoning County Common Pleas Court Judge Anthony Donofrio to revoke bond for a young man charged with weapons offenses over the weekend.

Chemours 'boldly' violating pollution permit, putting Ohio River at risk, judge rules: Cincinnati Enquirer
Chemical manufacturer Chemours must stop unlawfully polluting the Ohio River with PFAS from a West Virginia plant, a federal judge ordered Aug. 7, citing a pattern of permit violations and impacts from the discharges "as far downstream as Louisville."

AUGUST 11, 2025

Jurors in New Era Cleveland case to deliberate Monday, while Ohio Supreme Court weighs mistrial: Ideastream
Jurors in the case against three members of the activist group New Era Cleveland will return on Monday to continue deliberations, despite the prosecutor’s emergency motion, first filed Thursday and refiled Friday at the Ohio Supreme Court, to pause the case.

Judge asks Ohio Supreme Court to reject prosecutors’ request for intervention in extortion trial: Cleveland.com
Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge William Vodrey asked the Ohio Supreme Court to reject prosecutors’ request for intervention in the extortion trial of a Cleveland activist.

Franklin County panel refuses to hear state’s appeal of attorney fees: The Daily Reporter
A Franklin County appellate panel determined that state law precludes the Ohio attorney general’s office from appealing a trial court’s award of attorney fees to an individual at the center of an auditor’s investigation of unlawful compensation of more than $195,000.

Willoughby Hills not alone: This NE Ohio court also charged ‘unconstitutional’ traffic ticket fees: Cleveland.com
A Lake County court isn’t the only one in Northeast Ohio that has charged drivers a fee to contest traffic camera tickets.

Lawsuit over former Saucy property: Sandusky Register
A local property owner is suing a Cleveland business and its Sandusky subsidiary.

Athens County woman purchased helicopter tour, concert tickets, in theft of over $2.8 million: WCMH
 An Athens County woman arrested and convicted of theft of public resources has been ordered to pay back over $2.8 million. According to the Auditor of State’s Office, Jodi Rickard pleaded guilty in June 2023 to seven felony counts, including engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.

Stark County residents share personal stories about how they were scammed out of money: Canton Repository
For Louise, being cheated out of $25,900 by scammers who threatened to arrest her for missing jury duty means she can't afford to put a new muffler on her car or spend $1,000 on the tires she needs before winter.

New Ohio law raises age requirement for driver’s ed: Dayton Daily News
A coming change to Ohio law forcing more aspiring drivers to get a formal driver’s education is expected to bring more business to driving schools, which have already taken on more business following the closure of their competitors throughout the pandemic.