A top-5 ranking for Huron County, but it’s not a good one.
According to new figures from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Huron County’s March unemployment rate was 10.4 percent, fourth highest in the state. Ottawa County was right behind, at 10.2 percent. Only Monroe, Morgan, Meigs and Pike counties in southeast and south central Ohio had higher unemployment rates. In nearby counties, March jobless rates ranged from 6.1 percent in Seneca County, to 7.6 percent in Lorain County.
An appeals court has upheld a ruling that says a Sandusky man must pay nearly $500,000, after making a phony distress call.
The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals said a lower court properly ordered 21-year-old Danik Kumar to pay U.S. and Canadian agencies involved in the March, 2012 search. His attorney may appeal. While flying solo from Cleveland to Bowling Green, Kumar radioed authorities, and claimed he saw a boat in distress on Lake Erie. The Coast Guard spent nearly 24 hours searching, but found nothing. Kumar later confessed to lying about the boat.
A state highway patrol trooper suffered minor injuries, when his cruiser was hit in eastern Huron County.
The collision occurred yesterday afternoon, at Zenobia and Butler Roads in Clarksfield Township. According to reports, Steven Lasky of Wakeman failed to yield at the intersection. Laskey, and trooper Steven Bacsi of Norwalk refused medical treatment. Both cars were towed from the scene. Troopers are still investigating the crash.
Tough Mudder is returning to Mansfield.
The endurance event will be held at Lahm Airport May 17th and 18th. It’ll feature a 10-12 mile hardcore, military-style obstacle challenge course. More information is available online, at toughmudder.com.
Columbia Gas is spending nearly $2 million to replace more than 16,000 feet of pipeline in Greenwich.
Crews will replace existing steel pipe with plastic. The project will take several months and will involve a number of village streets. Columbia Gas officials will discuss the project in more detail at 6:30pm next Tuesday at the village fire department. The informational meeting is open to the public.
Former Ohio State head football coach Jim Tressel is one of three finalists for the University of Akron president position.
Tressel also applied at Youngstown State University, where he also coached.
More than 73,000 Ohioans have voted early so far, in the state’s May 6th primary election.
Secretary of State Jon Husted said well over 150,000 ballots have been requested, since early voting opened April 1st.
A major outage affected a number of Time Warner Cable customers in Norwalk yesterday morning.
So far, there is no other information.
Workers comp rates may go down.
The Board of Directors will consider a 6.3 percent reduction to base rates, beginning July 1st.
Erie County deputies continue to pay special attention to several busy thoroughfares throughout the county.
According to a news release, deputies are working high visibility traffic enforcement for DUI and speed enforcement, and ‘Click It Or Ticket.’ Heavy emphasis has been placed on State Routes 2,4,6, 60 and 61, and U.S. Route 250. The Erie County Sheriff’s Office is using grant funds to cover the cost.
In sports…
The Indians and Kansas City Royals will continue their series tonight at 7:05. You can hear it on 95.3, WLKR. Last night, the Tribe lost to KC, 8-2.
Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel is in Cleveland today meeting with Browns officials.
And the 2014 NFL schedule will be released at 8 tonight.