A newspaper analysis finds an increase in the number of gun-related bills brought forth by the Ohio Legislature.
The report by the Cincinnati Enquirer says lawmakers have introduced 19 firearm-related bills since taking office in January, 11 of them expanding gun owners’ rights.
The paper says in a story Thursday that that’s five more than the 14 firearm-related bills introduced in 2011 and 2012.
The paper says Rep. John Becker, a freshman Republican from Clermont County, has sponsored the most, with four bills, including one that removes semi-automatic weapons that can fire more than 31 rounds without reloading from the Ohio definition of automatic weapons.
None of the bills have yet moved out of committee. Of 14 gun-related bills introduced in 2011 and 2012, just three became law.
COLUMBUS
Hospital sued over botched kidney transplant
A family involved in a botched kidney transplant has filed a lawsuit against a northwest Ohio hospital were a nurse accidentally disposed of the viable organ.
The suit filed this week against the University of Toledo Medical Center includes claims of alleged medical negligence and seeks $25,000 for each of the eight plaintiffs.
The hospital in a statement said it cannot discuss pending litigation.
The hospital has resumed its kidney transplant program after it voluntarily suspended it following the August accident. A report by a surgeon hired by the hospital to review its program called it “baffling” that the nurse would accidentally dispose of the viable kidney. But he found no problems with the systems that would have indicated the hospital was at risk for such a mistake.
CINCINNATI
Teacher pleads not guilty to sex charges
A high school teacher accused of having sex with two 16-year-old male students has pleaded not guilty to sexual battery charges in southwest Ohio.
Thirty-six-year-old Julie Hautzenroeder, of Loveland, pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Cincinnati to two counts of sexual battery. She could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that Hautzenroeder is a science teacher at Colerain High School in suburban Cincinnati and has been placed on administrative leave.
Assistant Hamilton County Prosecutor Joshua Berkowitz says Hautzenroeder allegedly invited the two boys to her home to spend a night this spring, gave them alcohol and marijuana and had sex with them.
Hautzenroeder’s attorney, William Stewart Matthews, declined to comment Thursday other than to confirm the not-guilty plea.
CANTON
30 cameras to monitor Hall events
Authorities in Canton are aiming 30 security cameras at several Pro Football Hall of Fame events this weekend.
Safety forces will use 20 cameras to monitor Saturday’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival Grand Parade, while an extra 10 cameras will be installed around Canton Memorial Civic Center, the site of several Hall of Fame events surrounding the induction of new members.
The Canton Repository reports Thursday that officials hope the cameras deter crime rather than record it.
City Information Technology Director Patrick Barton told City Council earlier this week that people behaving badly on the parade route Friday will be caught.
The city will relocate many of the cameras to other public areas after Hall of Fame events conclude.
CINCINNATI
Man gets maximum 8 years in fatal crash
A 20-year-old Ohio man has been sentenced to the maximum of eight years in prison stemming from a car crash that killed a 22-year-old woman.
The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that the judge in the case gave Dennis Alsip Jr. the maximum sentence Thursday for aggravated vehicular homicide and told him she wished she could sentence him to more.
Witnesses reported that Aslip was speeding and weaving in and out of traffic on a state route west of Cincinnati on July 16, 2012, before his car landed on top of a car driven by 22-year-old Lisa Hasting, an emergency medical technician.
Prosecutors say Alsip was either on drugs, alcohol or both.
The young woman’s mother screamed at Alsip after his sentencing, telling him that he’ll “spend eternity in hell.”
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