Proposal to release grand jury records open for comment
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The public can submit comments on a proposed rule change that could lead to some Ohio grand jury records being released to the public.
The Columbus Dispatch reports a task force appointed by Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor in the wake of police shootings recommended the rule change last year concerning secret grand jury proceedings.
The aim of the task force was to increase the public’s confidence in the grand jury system following fatal police shootings of blacks that resulted in no criminal charges against officers.
The change would allow members of the public to petition a court to open records of grand jury proceedings.
The Supreme Court has until mid-January to decide whether to submit the change to the Ohio Legislature for approval.
Workers at Fuyao plant set union election
MORAINE, Ohio (AP) — Workers for a Chinese glass maker in southwest Ohio will vote on union representation next month.
The Dayton Daily News reports employees of Fuyao Glass America Inc. facility in Moraine have agreed with the United Auto Workers to vote on unionization Nov. 8 and 9.
Workers have cited a pattern of unsafe workplace conditions, arbitrary policies and unfair treatment on the job. Safety regulators at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration repeatedly found unsafe working conditions at the plant after it started operations in 2015.
A group of Republican state lawmakers published an open letter last week expressing concerns with “outside forces trying to come into Fuyao.”
Some Ohio Democrats have previously spoken out in support of Fuyao workers unionizing.
Board postpones hearing on Lake Erie wind farm
CLEVELAND (AP) — A state board has postponed a hearing to consider plans for a Lake Erie wind farm.
The Ohio Power Siting Board says it postponed the scheduled Nov. 17 meeting so more information can be gathered about how the wind farm’s impact will be monitored.
A new date for the hearing hasn’t been set.
Plans call for developers to build six wind turbines in Lake Erie about 8 to 10 miles off Cleveland.
The siting board says a Nov. 8 public hearing at Cleveland City Hall will be held as scheduled.
Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak to speak at Miami
OXFORD, Ohio (AP) — Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak is speaking at a southwest Ohio university this week.
Wozniak is scheduled to speak at Miami University at 7 p.m. Monday as part of the 2017 Anderson Distinguished Lecture Series. The event is open to the public.
Wozniak helped create Apple’s first two personal computer models. His work with the late Steve Jobs launched Apple on its way to becoming one of the most influential technology companies in the world.
Wozniak is working on the launch of an online technology education platform called Woz U. Wozniak says he hopes to include software engineering, information technology and cybersecurity courses in the program.
YSU sets record for people dressed like penguins
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio university has apparently set a world record for the number of people dressed in penguin costumes.
The Vindicator reports 972 Youngstown State University students, alumni and community members gathered on the school’s campus Saturday in their best penguin finery to celebrate the school’s 50th anniversary as a university.
Youngstown State’s nickname is the Penguins.
Saturday’s waddle of faux birds apparently broke a mark recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records when 624 people dressed as penguins gathered at a children’s hospice in England in 2015
One of the organizers of Saturday’s event said half of the participants were school alumni.
