Some of Today's State News Headlines
Today is Thursday January 3, 2008
Driver distraught over deaths in wrong-way crash
By JOHN SEEWER
Associated Press Writer
TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) - A man accused of killing a woman and four children in a wrong-way crash on an interstate while he was drunk is distraught over the deaths, said an attorney speaking for the man's family.
Michael Gagnon, 24, kept his head bowed and said little in court Wednesday during his first appearance since the crash on Sunday that killed five members of a family returning home from a holiday trip.
Toledo Municipal Court Judge Michael Goulding set bond at $1.25 million for five counts of aggravated vehicular homicide.
Gagnon, who still has a cut across his chin, spoke with attorney Rick Sanders on Tuesday while in jail.
"He couldn't believe this had happened," Sanders said. "He's distraught for the situation he's in. He's distraught that people are dead."
(Page 2 of today's Kenton Times)
Court: Private clubs not exempt from smoking ban
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - State health officials erred when they tried to exempt veterans halls and other private clubs from Ohio's smoking ban, an appeals court ruled.
The law, which took effect last year following a statewide vote, prohibits smoking in most public places, including restaurants, bars and offices.
The Ohio 10th District Court of Appeals on Monday upheld an earlier court ruling that said the state Health Department didn't have authority to write rules exempting private clubs. Such a change would need to be adopted by the state Legislature, the ruling said.
The decision was another victory for the Ohio Licensed Beverage Association, a trade group representing Ohio's bar owners. The group filed a lawsuit last summer, saying the exemption for private clubs was unfair.
(Page 2 of today's Kenton Times)
Explosive device kills Ohioan
WEST CHESTER, Ohio (AP) - A man who helped detonate an explosive device in the backyard of his parent's house died of severe head trauma, authorities said.
Daniel Ferraro, 19, a sophomore at Miami University, was with three others when they detonated the device in a wooden fort-like structure of a play set, authorities investigating Wednesday's explosion said.
Police arrested Robert Moser, 19, and charged him with involuntary manslaughter and illegally manufacturing or possessing explosives, both felonies. It wasn't immediately known if Moser, who was being held in the Butler County jail, had an attorney.
Two teenagers who were also in the backyard face the same charges as juveniles. The boys, ages 14 and 15, were taken to the Butler County Juvenile Detention Center, police said.
The relationship among Ferraro and the others was unclear.
(Page 2 of today's Kenton Times)
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