Families sue city and police on anniversary of fatal chase
The families of two people shot and killed by Cleveland police during a chase that involved more 60 squad cars and 137 shots fired are suing the city and police.

The lawsuit filed electronically Thursday in U.S. District Court in Cleveland claims police used excessive force, and supervisors failed to rein in officers.  The suit also names Mayor Frank Jackson, the safety director, and the police chief.

The suit seeks improved police procedures and unspecified damages on behalf of the families of driver Timothy Russell and his passenger, Malissa Williams.

Russell was shot 23 times and Williams was shot 24 times one year ago.

Mayoral spokeswoman Maureen Harper says the lawsuit will be reviewed and will be addressed in court.

Police union leader Jeff Follmer says the officers acted properly and will be vindicated in court.

A Cuyahoga County grand jury is still investigating the 13 officers who fired the shots into Russell's car. 

The U.S. Justice Department also is investigating the department's use of force.

Earlier this year 12 police supervisors involved the chase were reprimanded. That included suspensions, demotions and one firing.

In October, city administrators disciplined 63 officers for their roles in the chase.

 
Willard residents returning home after chemical spill 
Most of the residents evacuated this week in a northern Ohio town are back in their homes.

Families from more than 400 homes in Willard, Ohio were evacuated late Tuesday night after a railcar leaked thousands of gallons of a flammable and toxic chemical.

Most returned yesterday. Safety officials say residents closest to the spill could return later today, or tomorrow at the latest.

Railroad workers have been digging out ballast stone and soil beneath the tracks soaked with the spilled styrene.

Governor John Kasich joined displaced families yesterday who were eating Thanksgiving dinner provided by CSX in a high school cafeteria.

Kasich praised the response from residents, city officials, CSX, and state and federal environmental agencies.

High speed chase causes deadly crash on Ohio turnpike
Two people have been killed after the van they were riding in was struck by a car traveling more than 125 mph in northwest Ohio.

Troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol were chasing the speeding car when the accident happened Thursday night near Fremont.

Officials say the vehicle hit at least three other vehicles over the course of 17 miles.

The 24-year-old man allegedly driving the speeding vehicle has been taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

The turnpike's westbound lanes have been reopened.

Ohio insurer will not reinstate cancelled plans despite President's call for extension 
One of Ohio’s largest insurance providers says it will not reinstate plans cancelled because they don’t comply with the new healthcare law.

The Columbus Dispatch reports Medical Mutual of Ohio will not extend its plans that do not comply with the Affordable Care Act.

That’s despite President Barack Obama’s public request to insurers to let people keep their noncompliant health policies an extra year.

Another major insurance provider Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has not committed to adding extra year onto noncompliant policies.

Both companies are offering policies on the government run online exchange, healthcare.gov.

 
Amish family remains in hiding to avoid forced chemotherapy
A relative says an Ohio Amish girl diagnosed with leukemia continues natural treatments while hiding with her parents amid a legal case over whether she'll be forced to continue chemotherapy.

Doctors fought the family's decision to end chemotherapy, saying Sarah Hershberger would die without it.

Her grandfather tells the Akron Beacon Journal that Sarah recently celebrated her 11th birthday and seems vibrant and healthy. Isaac Keim says blood and imaging tests showed the cancer is gone.

The family's attorney says they fled their Medina County home, leaving the country at one point to avoid having to resume chemotherapy treatments. A state appeals court has appointed a guardian to take over the girl's medical decisions.

Her grandfather says the family returned to the U.S. but remains in hiding.

Bowling Green State to layoff 30 professors 
Bowling Green State University says it's cutting 30 faculty positions.

The school in northwestern Ohio has said it faces a deficit between $3 million and $10 million over the next several years.

Bowling Green says most of faculty cuts will come from the college of arts and sciences. Eliminating those positions is expected to save $1.4 million per year.

The university is awaiting a report that is looking into additional cost-saving measures. That report is due to be released in mid-December.

Bowling Green President Mary Ellen Mazey has said that she doesn't want to make up the budget deficit with tuition increases and instead will focus on spending cuts.

 
Fudge endorses FitzGerald for governor
Cuyahoga County Executive and Democratic candidate for Governor Ed FitzGerald has gained an important endorsement from a local lawmaker.

Congresswoman Marcia Fudge had withheld support of FitzGerald but is expected announce this morning that she’s backing him for governor.

Last week FitzGerald chose Eric Kearney, a black state senator from Cincinnati, as his running mate for lieutenant governor.

Fire destroys church on Thanksgiving
A Roman Catholic church in central Ohio was destroyed by a Thanksgiving Day fire.

Authorities in Morrow County northeast of Columbus say Sacred Hearts Church in Cardington was destroyed early Thursday.

No cause was immediately determined.

The church traces its roots to 1868.


Ohio high court returns $1.1 million to victims of lawyer scams
A fund overseen by the Ohio Supreme Court has reimbursed more than $1.1 million in the past year to people ripped off by their attorneys.

The fund reimbursed 19 percent more to victims of attorney theft in the fiscal year ending June 30 compared to the $930,000 paid out in the prior year.

The fund established in 1985 comes from a $350 registration fee all Ohio attorneys pay every other year.

The largest number of recent settlements, totaling $443,156, was against a former Columbus area attorney.

According to the Columbus Dispatch, the attorney resigned in 2011 but settlements continued into 2013 for misusing client funds and bilking them.

Ohio approves $2.5 million for parks and playgrounds 
Ohio has approved state and federal grants to help develop and improve public access for outdoor recreation facilities across the state.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources will administer the NatureWorks and Land and Water Conservation Fund grants.

The department has recommended that more than $2 million in NatureWorks grants and more than a half-million dollars in grants from the conservation fund be awarded to communities across the state.

Officials say the grants will support the acquisition of more than 30 acres of green space, the development and improvement of 28 playgrounds, and dozens of other local improvement projects.

The NatureWorks and Land and Water Conservation Fund grants provide reimbursement assistance for acquisition, development and rehabilitation of recreational areas.

Bad weather slows youth deer hunt
Young hunters in Ohio took fewer white-tailed deer this gun season than last year.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources says young hunters checked more than 6,600 deer, compared to nearly 9,200 in 2012. The agency says the hunters face below-average temperatures and windy conditions this year.

The youngsters could pursue deer with a legal shotgun, muzzleloader or handgun from Nov. 23 to 24.

The bag limits are set county by county. Youth hunting seasons are also set aside for small game, wild turkey and waterfowl.

 
Miniatures bring viewers close at Cleveland museum
The Cleveland Museum of Art is showing its entire collection of portrait miniatures for the first time in more than a half century.

The collection of about 170 portraits spans six centuries and includes a dozen new acquisitions.

The small works typically were done on vellum or slivers of ivory and were exchanged as tokens of affection.

Ohio AG warns of holiday scams
Ohio's attorney general has suggested tips to help keep shoppers safe from scams and thefts during the holiday season.

A release from Attorney General Mike DeWine advises shoppers to avoid distractions such as cellphones while walking to their cars and to park in well-lit areas.

Ohioans also should be aware of strangers approaching them for any reason. DeWine says con artists may try to distract shoppers in order to take their money or belongings.