Meth ring suspects arrested statewide
COLUMBUS — Law enforcement officials from the federal, state and local levels began arresting 27 people last week on charges related to illegal methamphetamine. The group is charged with conspiracy to produce and distribute the drug.
This comes after a federal grand jury in Columbus returned a 33-count indictment Friday. The indictment alleges the defendants were involved in cooking methamphetamine in locations throughout south central Ohio, including Ross, Pickaway, Fairfield, Vinton, Jackson and Hocking counties.
Law enforcement agents said Timothy E. Neff, Sr. and his son, Timothy E. Neff, Jr. — both of 20015 London Rd., Circleville, Ohio — were in charge of the illegal operation to buy the ingredients and produce and distribute the drug.
Amish horses leave more than manure
MOUNT HOPE — Amish residents in northeastern Ohio said they are willing to pay counties and townships for damages their horses cause to local roadways. However, they need legislation to do it.
At a general store in the heart of Amish country, Merlin Keim said he understands the shoes on his horse damage paved roads, and he’s willing to pay for repairs.
But Keim, 53, said he believes he should be allowed to make his payment a donation.
“I think it’s better left up to the individual,” he said.
State law prevents the governments from accepting donations.
“In Ohio, county governments and township governments can’t do anything unless the state law specifically tells them to,” said state Sen. Ron Amstutz, who is preparing legislation to allow the contributions. “If somebody writes them a check, they probably can’t do anything with it.”
Budget cuts close girls’ juvenile hall
COLUMBUS — The state will close a juvenile detention center for girls to help balance Ohio’s budget.
Geno Natalucci-Persichetti, director of the Ohio Department of Youth Services, said Tuesday inmates of the Riverview Juvenile Correctional Facility in Delaware, Ohio will be moved to the nearby Scioto Juvenile Correctional Facility for boys.
He said the move to a single coed institution will save the state $8.4 million during the remainder of the fiscal year that runs through June.
Gov. Bob Taft said in his State of the State speech last week at least one prison and one juvenile detention center must be closed because of budget problems. The prisons department announced Tuesday it will close Lima Correctional Institution in northwest Ohio.
Man with gun in airport doesn’t fly
CLEVELAND — A man was arrested yesterday in the terminal of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport after police found a loaded handgun and ammunition in a small backpack.
Airport security asked Cleveland police to question Robert Igoe, 30, of Cleveland, and his backpack was checked, said police spokeswoman Sgt. Donna Bell. A .40-caliber semiautomatic handgun and ammunition were found, she said.
She said an airport security worker who is a part-time cab driver noticed Igoe because he remembered he had recently been a cab passenger and went to a store to purchase a gun.
Bell said Igoe did not try to pass through a security checkpoint. He was in the terminal near a United Airlines sales counter about 8:30 a.m.
Hopkins Commissioner Fred Szabo said Igoe “seemed somewhat confused and was not responsive to why he had the gun and 96 rounds.” He said Igoe previously had been convicted for carrying a concealed weapon and did not resist when arrested.
– compiled by Zach Wittig
