Ag department has violated CAFO permit law, suit says Some farm math: Researchers at The Ohio State University calculate a 1,400 pound dairy cow “produces” about 25 tons of manure annually. Multiply that by, say, 1,000 or more cattle housed in a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) facility, and you have a lot of manure. And the phosphorus in the manure leaching from farm fields to tributaries of Lake Erie was one of the major concerns expressed by the public to the International Joint Commission as it prepared the Lake Erie Ecosystem Priority report released in 2014.
But it’s not just the volume of manure at CAFOs that worries Larry and Vickie Askins of Bloom Township in Wood County. A lawsuit they filed in U.S. District Court in Toledo contends the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Ohio’s EPA and Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) have violated federal law covering permits for the facilities in the state. They also contend the run-off situation in Ohio has deteriorated since the ODA has assumed authority over CAFO permits.
Olympic wrestling hopeful and Oak Harbor native J.D. Bergman had the unique experience of working on the movie Foxcatcher, which stars Steve Carell, Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo, and playing a wrestler in the film, which is currently in theaters. The film is based on the true story of two Olympic champion brothers, Mark and Dave Schultz, who trained at a wrestling facility located at the home of multimillionaire and wrestling enthusiast John du Pont, who develops a complex relationship with the men before things turn hostile. Foxcatcher, which has been nominated for five Academy Awards and currently has a rating of 87 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, is directed by Bennett Miller, who directed other noteworthy films like Moneyball and Capote. Bergman says he enjoyed the experience immensely. "I just saw it a couple weeks ago," he said. "Bennett Miller did a great job. He wanted it to be authentic. He doesn't mind working with amateurs. The extras, you could tell in their faces (they) were trying to act, and it didn't look natural. He just said to do what you would (normally) do in this situation — give us an outline. It was very organic.
The conviction of a third man involved in a 2013 robbery at an Oak Harbor residence has been upheld by the Ohio Sixth District Court of Appeals. The court affirmed the May 2014 decision of the Ottawa County Common Pleas Court that sentenced Travis Edwards to two consecutive 18-month prison terms for attempted robbery and attempted intimidation of a witness. In December, the appeals court upheld the 11-year and 14-year sentences imposed on Cody McClanahan and Paul Thebeau, III, respectively. The cases stemmed from a Dec. 5 2013 robbery at the home of James Edens, Jr., who was in the home at the time with his sons Jimmy Edens, Ryan DeVincent and Kevin Edens. According to court records, Edwards and the other co-defendants entered the home and assaulted James and Jimmy in front of the children, demanded money and smashed cell phones. Edwards was indicted on charges of burglary, aggravated burglary and intimidation of a witness. In March, prosecutors amended two counts of the indictment and dismissed the remaining counts in exchange for Edwards withdrawing his not guilty plea and pleading guilty.
Tensions over recent financial missteps left Oak Harbor Village Council on edge Tuesday night. Councilwoman Donna Wendt-Elliot kicked off the lively debate by accusing Mayor Bill Eberle of being aware of the Northern Manufacturing departure and not informing council sooner to plan for the financial hit. The mayor announced at the first meeting of January that Northern Manufacturing, one of the only major industries within corporate limits, will be moving most of its Locust Street operations to Lakewinds Industrial Park where it will consolidate with its other operations. A new tax abatement program initiated by Ottawa County helped move the project along. “I hate to start the year out with derogatory comments. But I’m frustrated,” explained Wendt-Elliot, who said a number of people had told her the mayor knew about the issue months ago. “We need to do something now,” she added about creating a similar Community Reinvestment Area for tax abatement that will make the village competitive.
The 2015-2016 small game hunting seasons were proposed to the Ohio Wildlife Council on Jan. 14, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). Hunting season date proposals are prepared by the ODNR Division of Wildlife and maintain many traditional opening dates. Proposals concerning Ohio's white-tailed deer hunting season will be presented at the next council meeting on Feb. 11. Proposed 2015 hunting season dates are: • Oct. 24-25 and Oct. 31-Nov.1 -Youth small game hunting seasons statewide
• Nov. 10 - Fox, raccoon, skunk, opossum and weasel hunting and trapping |
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