185 apply for medical marijuana cultivator licenses
COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio has received more than 180 applications for 24 licenses to grow marijuana under the state’s new medical marijuana program.
Republican Gov. John Kasich signed a law more than a year ago allowing medical marijuana to be prescribed under certain conditions to patients suffering one or more qualifying medical conditions.
The Ohio Department of Commerce on Wednesday released a list of 185 applicants for medical marijuana cultivator licenses. The application deadline for Ohio’s 24 licenses was Friday.
The state plans to license up to 12 cultivators with up to 3,000 square feet (333 square yards) of growing space and 12 cultivators with up to 25,000 square feet (2,777 square yards) of space.
Ohio will award cultivator licenses based on how the businesses plan to grow marijuana, staff and secure their facilities and comply with state regulations.
Sentencing set for man accused of plotting attack
COLUMBUS (AP) — A judge has scheduled an August sentencing for an Ohio man who pleaded guilty to plotting a U.S. attack after receiving overseas training.
Court documents say Columbus resident Abdirahman Sheik Mohamud pleaded guilty in August 2015 to supporting terrorism and making false statements to authorities.
Federal prosecutors say Mohamud received training in 2014 on weapons, combat and tactics in Syria, and then returned to the U.S. with a plan to kill military officers or others in uniform.
Prosecutors say Mohamud also researched places to carry out attacks.
Federal Judge James Graham on Wednesday set sentencing for Aug. 18.
Mohamud’s attorney has said all sides have worked hard to come up with a fair resolution.
Kids injured during shootout
COLUMBUS (AP) — Police say an 8-year-old boy has been critically injured and his 2-year-old sister less seriously hurt after being struck by gunfire during a central Ohio shootout.
The Columbus Dispatch reports the siblings were among a group of children playing near a tree Wednesday afternoon at an apartment complex on Columbus’ east side. Columbus police Homicide Sgt. Stan Latta said early Thursday that the 8-year-old’s condition is “touch and go” while his sister is in stable condition.
The siblings haven’t been identified.
Latta says it appears at least two people were exchanging gunfire when the children were shot.
Witnesses estimated hearing at least 10 rounds being fired.
A woman escaped injury after a stray round struck the driver’s side window of her minivan as she talked on a cellphone.
Ex-Youngstown mayor sent to prison
CLEVELAND (AP) — The former mayor of northeast Ohio city near Youngstown has been sentenced to federal prison for defrauding investors out of more than $1 million.
The (Youngstown) Vindicator reports a judge in Cleveland on Wednesday sentenced George Krinos, of Boardman, to 57 months in prison and ordered him to pay $1.2 million in restitution. Krinos was mayor of Campbell from December 2009 until he resigned in January 2011.
Krinos pleaded guilty in January to securities fraud and willful failure to pay or collect taxes. Federal prosecutors say he defrauded more than 10 investors of nearly $1.2 million between 2011 and 2014.
His federal public defender says the sentence was agreed to in a plea deal. Attorney Jeffrey Lazarus says he and Krinos are “pleased” with the outcome of the case.
Man acquitted in national park shooting
YOUNGSTOWN (AP) — An Ohio man has been acquitted after facing charges for being the driver in a shooting at a national park.
A federal jury found 27-year-old Raymond Moore III not guilty of aiding and abetting an attempted murder and the discharge of a firearm Monday.
Prosecutors say Moore drove 28-year-old DeZay Ely to Cuyahoga Valley National Park in July 2016, where Ely shot a woman three times and left her for dead. She survived the shooting after being found by a jogger.
Moore’s attorney says his client had no idea what Ely was planning. He says they are “elated” the jury made the right decision.
Ely pleaded guilty in May to several charges, including attempted murder. He could face up to 30 years in prison when he’s sentenced in August.
Alzheimer’s patient hospitalized after stabbing
TOLEDO (AP) — Police say a patient at an Alzheimer’s care center in Ohio has been hospitalized after being stabbed multiple times during an altercation with his roommate.
The Blade reports Vincent Silva suffered stab wounds to his legs and buttocks.
An employee at the Foundation Park Care Center in Toledo reported the stabbing around 3 a.m. Wednesday. A police report shows a knife was found in Silva’s room, and the roommate was detained at the center’s front desk.
The roommate was also transported to the hospital, but police say he was not injured.
No charges have been filed. Police say both patients have late stages of dementia.
The stabbing is under investigation.
