Some of Today's State News Headlines
Today is Monday January 14, 2008
Penalties for unpaid child support varies in Ohio's 88 counties
COLUMBUS (AP) - Penalties for Ohio parents who fail to make timely child support payments vary widely from county to county, and although county officials say it's important to keep local control, others worry that the differences in punishments have created an unequal system of justice.
Failure to pay child support, a misdemeanor for more than 50 years in Ohio, was made a potential felony offense for chronic offenders in 1986. But local officials continue to differ on how aggressive the punishments should be.
Currently, whether or not a scofflaw in one of the state's nearly 1 million child-support cases serves time behind bars rests largely on which of Ohio's 88 counties the offender lives in.
"In one county, you don't pay and you wind up in jail,” said Geraldine Jensen, founder of The Association for Children for Enforcement of Support. "In another, nothing much happens. That's not fair.”
(Refer to page 5 of today's Daily Chief-Union)
Troubled system gets ready for March 4 primary
CLEVELAND (AP) - Ohio's presidential primary may be seven weeks away, but the elections chief in Ohio's largest county is busy preparing for a new voting system and finding a company to show voters how to use it.
The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections also must set up vote-counting equipment in a warehouse - all under the eye of Jane Platten, the executive director.
"And, of course,” Platten said, "I want it all done now.”
This is Platten's first major election since taking over the system in June, after Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner replaced the entire four-member board.
Brunner, Ohio's chief elections official, ordered a change in voting systems about three weeks ago. With absentee voting starting in less than a month, time is not on Platten's side.
Platten, who created 365-task list to complete for the March 4 primary, is considered a precise planner and an attentive leader. She has the trust of the board members, but there are concerns about the time shortage. "That's the challenge,” said board Chairman Jeff Hastings.
(Refer to page 5 of today's Daily Chief-Union)
Accelerant used in house fire where bodies found
MASON (AP) - Kerosene, gasoline or some other accelerant was used to set fire to a house where the bodies of a woman and her young son were found, a coroner said Sunday.
Three other children were pulled from Friday night's fire but died later at a hospital. Police on Saturday charged Michel Veillette, 34, with four counts of aggravated murder, one count of murder and one count of aggravated arson.
Veillette's wife, Nadya Ferrari-Veillette, died from multiple stab wounds, said Dr. Russell Uptegrove of the Warren County coroner's office. He wouldn't say how many times Ferrari-Veillette was stabbed or the location of the wounds.
Uptegrove said the child who was found dead at the home was probably killed through carbon monoxide poisoning due to smoke inhalation. He said Sunday he was unsure which child's body he had examined.
Further tests of clothing worn by Ferrari-Veillette and the child are being conducted to determine the type of accelerant, he said.
(Refer to page 5 of today's Daily Chief-Union)
Pickup Your Copy Of The Daily Chief-Union Today For The Rest Of The Stories....