4 hurt at state fair remain hospitalized
COLUMBUS — Four people injured when a thrill ride fell apart at the Ohio State Fair remain hospitalized, including a woman in a coma.
An 18-year-old man was killed and seven people injured when the swinging and spinning Fire Ball ride broke apart July 26 on the state fair’s midway.
Tyler Jerrell’s burial was Tuesday. His girlfriend, 18-year-old Keziah Lewis, remains hospitalized in serious condition.
Relatives of 18-year-old Jennifer Lambert say she’s opened her eyes briefly but hasn’t woken up.
Forty-two-year-old Russell Franks is in critical condition. His niece, 36-year-old Tamica Dunlap, is in serious condition.
A co-owner of the company that provides rides at the fair in Columbus has said he’s certain the ride fell apart because of a mechanical problem. The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the accident.
Police: Baby delivered safely after pregnant teen shot
COLUMBUS — Police in Columbus say a baby was delivered safely after a pregnant teen was accidentally shot in the stomach.
Authorities say the 16-year-old was seven months pregnant when she was shot Wednesday morning in Columbus. She was taken to a hospital in critical condition, and the baby was delivered.
Police say both the newborn and mother are expected to survive.
Investigators say the girl was shot by an 18-year-old man, who now faces a felony gun charge.
Memorial proposed to honor police chief
COLUMBUS — A state lawmaker wants to honor a slain police chief by renaming part of a road for him.
The (Newark) Advocate reports that state Sen. Jay Hottinger introduced a proposal this week to designate part of U.S. 40 as “Steven Eric DiSario Memorial Highway.”
DiSario had been police chief in Kirkersville for only three weeks when he was fatally shot May 12 while responding to reports of an armed man at a nursing in the city.
DiSario was killed by 43-year-old Thomas Hartless. The domestic violence suspect also fatally shot his ex-girlfriend and her co-worker at the nursing home before killing himself that day.
The Republican lawmaker’s proposal would rename the Kirkersville portion of U.S. 40 for DiSario.
Police: 5 hurt in Amish buggy crash
WOOSTER — Police are searching for the driver who hit an Amish buggy, injuring a child and four others, before fleeing the scene.
Cleveland.com reports the crash happened Wednesday night in Wayne County. The Ohio State Highway Patrol says the buggy was knocked off the side of the road into a ditch.
The child was taken to Akron Children’s Hospital for treatment. The child’s current condition is not known.
Four other passengers were taken to a hospital with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening.
Police recovered debris from the car that hit the buggy and believe it to be a champagne-colored 2001 Honda Accord. They say it should have significant damage to the front right side.
Columbus man spit on Florida officers
KEY WEST, Fla. — A Columbus man ended up in a “spit hood mask” after spitting on two Florida police officers who were taking him to jail.
A police report says 30-year-old Joshua McLaughlin continued to scream and bang his head on the police cruiser’s window following his July 28 arrest at a Key West resort.
News outlets report police went to the resort after calls about a fighting couple. The police report says McLaughlin was cursing his partner as police officers talked to him. McLaughlin refused officer’s commands to stop so he was placed in handcuffs.
The report says McLaughlin then spit in the officers’ faces.
A check of his record found an active warrant in Ohio on drug and stolen property charges.
Records don’t list an attorney.
Man possibly killed by lightning
BREWSTER — Authorities are investigating whether an 82-year-old Stark County man found dead in a field behind his house was struck by lightning.
The Repository reports the body of Richard Lutes, of Brewster, was found Wednesday afternoon by his wife. Authorities say Lutes was outside during a brief storm that rolled over Stark County.
A coroner’s investigator says Lutes had a lesion on his chest that could have been caused by lightning.
The Stark County Coroner’s Office is expected to determine the cause of Lutes’ death on Thursday.
Sexual products sales force gathers in Cincy
CINCINNATI — Thousands of women are coming to Ohio to talk about sex.
And there will also be discussions on women’s health, running a small business, and social media marketing at the annual national training meeting for Pure Romance. The Cincinnati-based company sells lingerie, sex toys, beauty products and other items meant to enhance relationships through in-home parties. It operates throughout the United States and in Canada, South Africa and Australia.
The company in its 24th year expects nearly 4,000 people to take part in the three-day conference that began Thursday.
Guest speakers include doctors, sex therapists and entrepreneurs including Pure Romance founder Patty Brisben. She started the company in 1993 in suburban Loveland, Ohio.
Privately held Pure Romance said sales topped $200 million in 2016.
