Ohio will soon become the 39th state to ban texting while driving.
Governor John Kasich is expected to sign legislation passed by the House and Senate. It bans all drivers from texting while driving. For adults, it’ll be a secondary offense, meaning an officer would first have to cite a driver for a different infraction. But for anyone under 18, use of any handheld device while driving will be banned, and it’ll be a primary offense. Punishment for a first-time offense will be a $150 fine and a two-month license suspension. Repeat violations would lead to a $300 fine, and a one-year license suspension.
Legislators are again considering a measure to drug test welfare recipients.
And lawmakers are mulling a proposal that would allow teens to take driver’s ed courses online, instead of in classrooms. 15 states have similar laws.
A Tuesday morning fire in Norwalk claimed a puppy, and did at least $30,000 in damage.
The call to 102 Newton Street came in around 11am. Firefighters were able to contain the blaze to the kitchen and bedroom. One person was injured, while trying to save the puppy. She was taken to Fisher-Titus Medical Center.
A Bellevue man charged with sex crimes has been found competent to stand trial.
19-year-old Lawrence Hoffman is facing charges of gross sexual imposition. The alleged crimes involved girls between the ages of 5 and 10. Hhis trial is scheduled to begin June 26th. He remains in the Huron County Jail.
A Shiloh man set to be sentenced for stealing a credit card took off before the hearing.
Jon Hamons fled the Huron County Courthouse yesterday, shortly before sentencing. A warrant was issued for his arrest. Hamons was facing a year in prison for credit card theft. Now, he’s facing 18 more months for bolting before the hearing.
Sandusky firefighters are investigating a suspicious fire at a vacant Central Avenue home.
Crews were called out late yesterday afternoon. They arrived to find flames coming from the porch roof. Early damage estimates were placed at $20,000.
Missing: One 18-wheeler.
The 2000 Peterbilt rig was stolen Sunday, from a lot between Vanson’s and Midway in Monreville. So far, there’s no suspects.
AAA says nearly 35 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home during the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
That’s a 1.2 percent increase from last year. The holiday weekend runs from next Thursday through May 28th.
A reminder…Norwalk’s Ernsthausen Aquatic Center will be shut down tomorrow through Sunday, for cleaning, maintenance and improvements.
