LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

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Since 2004

Tag: prosecutors

  • Columbus city attorney, Cuyahoga County prosecutor pledge not to enforce abortion bans

    Columbus city attorney, Cuyahoga County prosecutor pledge not to enforce abortion bans

    BY: SUSAN TEBBEN –  Ohio Capital Journal

    Local legal officials say they and other city attorneys and county prosecutors in the U.S. will not make abortion ban enforcement a priority.

    Zach Klein, city attorney for the city of Columbus, and Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley signed on with more than 60 other prosecutors throughout the country, pledging not to use their offices’ resources to enforce abortion bans.

    “We will continue to use our prosecutorial discretion to put the safety and security of Columbus residents first by allocating our resources to target the most serious crimes facing our community,” Klein wrote in a statement.

    The city attorney’s office does not prosecute felony offenses, of which most abortion-related charges would be. Those would fall under the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office.

    However, legislation currently being considered by the Ohio legislature could include misdemeanor charges, such as a charge of “promoting” abortion, and the city attorney plans to keep from using his resources on those charges as well, a spokesperson for Klein said on Tuesday.

    “The announcement that the City Attorney’s Office will not prosecute abortions shows women, health care providers and residents where we stand should these cases come before us,” said communications director Pete Shipley.

    Franklin County Prosecutor Gary Tyack did not respond to requests for comment as to whether or not he supported the letter. Republican Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters has indicated he would enforce the ban.

    The letter, which was created on June 24 and is still being updated with more attorneys signatures as of Tuesday, says the attorneys “cannot stand by and allow members of our community to live in fear of the ramifications of this deeply troubling decision.”

    “Laws that revictimize and retraumatize victims go against our obligation as prosecutors to protect and seek justice on behalf of all members of our community, including those who are often the most vulnerable and least empowered,” the letter states.

    Though the attorneys didn’t all agree on a moral level about abortion, they agreed individual beliefs shouldn’t dictate the justice system.

    “But we stand together in our firm belief that prosecutors have a responsibility to refrain from using limited criminal legal system resources to criminalize personal medical decisions,” the letter stated.

    Currently in Ohio, abortion is legal up to six-weeks of pregnancy. Legal ramifications of the law are focused on the medical professionals conducting abortions, not on those receiving the abortions. Criminal and civil penalties could be leveled against doctors.

    A bill that sits in the legislature awaiting committee passage would ban abortion entirely, with no exception for rape or incest, and create penalties for “promotion” of abortion as well.

    RELATED: Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has six-week abortion ban put into effect

    RELATED: A weekend of protests in Columbus following Dobbs decision

    COLUMBUS, OH — JUNE 24: Rebecca Molnar of Hilliard (left) acknowledges support from a passing car from a small group of protesters gathering after the Supreme Court announced the reversal of Roe v. Wade, June 24, 2022, at the Ohio Statehouse, Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Graham Stokes for the Ohio Capital Journal.)

    COLUMBUS, OH — JUNE 24: Christy Hahn of Columbus holds up her sign to passing cars from a small group of protesters gathering after the Supreme Court announced the reversal of Roe v. Wade, June 24, 2022, at the Ohio Statehouse, Columbus, Ohio. Hahn, who has three daughters and six grandchildren, said it was important to come out to protest because “the court is eating away women’s rights bit by bit.” (Photo by Graham Stokes)

    COLUMBUS, OH — JUNE 24: A young woman who chose not to give her name joins a small group of protesters gathering after the Supreme Court announced the reversal of Roe v. Wade, June 24, 2022, at the Ohio Statehouse, Columbus, Ohio. When asked why it was important to come out a companion answered “because today the constitutional rights were take away from 50% for the population.” (Photo by Graham Stokes)

    COLUMBUS, OH — JUNE 24: Rebecca Molnar of Hilliard joins a small group of protesters gathering after the Supreme Court announced the reversal of Roe v. Wade, June 24, 2022, at the Ohio Statehouse, Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Graham Stokes)

    COLUMBUS, OH — JUNE 24: A sign on a statue announces a rally for later in the day after the Supreme Court announced the reversal of Roe v. Wade, June 24, 2022, at the Ohio Statehouse, Columbus, Ohio. The statue of an adult female figure of Peace, a palm of peace grasped in her hand, draws a little girl close to herself to confide that the greatness of the nation is in her peaceful pursuits. (Photo by Graham Stokes)

    COLUMBUS, OH — JUNE 24: Christy Hahn of Columbus (left) gives a thumbs up to a passing car from a small group of protesters gathering after the Supreme Court announced the reversal of Roe v. Wade, June 24, 2022, at the Ohio Statehouse, Columbus, Ohio. Hahn, who has three daughters and six grandchildren, said it was important to come out to protest because “the court is eating away women’s rights bit by bit.” (Photo by Graham Stokes)

    COLUMBUS, OH — JUNE 24: Rebecca Molnar of Hilliard (center) signals to a passing car from a small group of protesters gathering after the Supreme Court announced the reversal of Roe v. Wade, June 24, 2022, at the Ohio Statehouse, Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Graham Stokes)

    COLUMBUS, OH — JUNE 24: An abortion rights supporter joins a small group of protesters gathering after the Supreme Court announced the reversal of Roe v. Wade, June 24, 2022, at the Ohio Statehouse, Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Graham Stokes)

    COLUMBUS, OH — JUNE 24: A small group of supporters of abortion rights gathering after the Supreme Court announced the reversal of Roe v. Wade confronts a counter protester, June 24, 2022, at the Ohio Statehouse, Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Graham Stokes)

    COLUMBUS, OH — JUNE 24: A small group of supporters of abortion rights gathering after the Supreme Court announced the reversal of Roe v. Wade, June 24, 2022, at the Ohio Statehouse, Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Graham Stokes)

    Protesters gathered at the statehouse to voice opposition to the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade. (photo by Nick Evans)

    Tim Ryan addressing the crowd outside the statehouse. (photo by Nick Evans)

    Ohio U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown speaks at a rally for abortion rights at the Ohio Statehouse. Photo by Nick Evans, OCJ.

  • 2020 Loveland area Election results

    2020 Loveland area Election results

    Here are election results as of November 23 as reported by Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren counties. The State-wide and U.S. Congress results are those reported from the Ohio Secretary of State.

    If you notice any errors in this report please EMAIL us so we can make corrections.

    The Voter Turnout in Clermont County was 76.71%

    The Voter Turnout in Hamilton County was 72.44%

    The Voter Turnout in Warren County was 81.8%

    For President

    Clermont County

    Joe Biden 34,092 (30.79%)

    Donald Trump 74,570 (67.36%) √

    Hamilton County

    Joe Biden 246,266 (57.15%) √

    Donald Trump 177,886 (41.28%)

    Warren County

    Joe Biden 46,069 (33.76%)

    Donald Trump 87,988 (64.49%) √

    State-Wide

    Joe Biden 2,603,681 (45.18%)

    Donald Trump 3,074,418 (53.35%) √

    The AP reported National Totals on November 23:

    Joe Biden has 306 Electoral College Votes –  51.1% (79,896,713 total votes) √

    Donald Trump has 232 Electoral College Votes 47.2% (total 73,826,657)
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    270 Electoral College Votes are needed to win
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    The Associated Press has called this race for Joe Biden · Learn more
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    On Monday, November 23 the U.S. General Services Administration formally “Ascertained” Biden as the “Apparent Winner” and will move ahead with the Presidential transition proceedings.
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    FOR REPRESENTATIVE TO CONGRESS (1ST DISTRICT)

    Democrat Kate Schroder

    Hamilton County 130,362 (51.85%)

    Warren County 41,660 (31.11%)

    Total 166,061 (44.55%)

    Republican Steve Chabot

    Hamilton County 112,489 (44.74%)

    Warren County 87,071 (65.01%)

    Total 193,637 (51.95%) √

    FOR REPRESENTATIVE TO CONGRESS (2ND DISTRICT)

    Democrat Jaime M. Castle

    Clermont County 29,366 (27.09%) 

    Hamilton County 93,554 (54.11%)

    Total 143,436 (38.90%)

    Republican Brad Wenstrup

    Clermont County 78,985 (72.86%)

    Hamilton County 79,319 (45.88%)

    Total 225,271 (61.09%) √

    State Races

    For State Representative (65th District)

    Republican Jean Schmidt 44,435 (65.08%) √

    Democrat Alan Darnowsky 23,019 (33.71%)

    FOR STATE SENATOR (8TH DISTRICT)

    Democrat Daniel Brown74,565

    Republican Louis W. Blessing III 112,313 √

    For State Senator (14th District)

    Republican Terry A. Johnson 75,051 √

    Democratic Ryan Ottney 31,089

    FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE (27TH DISTRICT)

    Democrat Sara Bitter 33,339

    Republican Tom Brinkman 37,723 √

    FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE (28TH DISTRICT)

    Democrat Jessica E. Miranda 35,353 √

    Chris Monzel 33,039

    FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE (29TH DISTRICT)

    Cindy Abrams 43,320 √

    Unopposed

    FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE (30TH DISTRICT)

    Bill Seitz 42,269 √

    Tom Roll 16,426

    FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE (31ST DISTRICT)

    Democrat Brigid Kelly 42,180 √

    Unopposed

    FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE (32ND DISTRICT)

    Democrat Catherine D. Ingram 42,055 √

    Unopposed

    FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE (33RD DISTRICT)

    Democrat Sedrick Denson 41,500 √

    Republican Mary Hill 13,901

    FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE (54th DISTRICT)

    Morgan Showen 22,261 (38.04%)

    Paul Zeltwanger 36,261 (61.96%) √

    FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE (62nd House)

    Scott Lipps 54,802 (74.66%) √

    Erin Rosiello 18,596 (25.34%)

    For State Representative (66th District)

    Adam C. Bird 30,976 (93.26%) √

    State Supreme Court

    FOR JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT (FULL TERM COMMENCING 1-1-2021)

    John P. O’Donnell 2,177,003

    Sharon L. Kennedy 2,667,548 √

    FOR JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT (FULL TERM COMMENCING 1-2-2021)

    Jennifer Brunner 2,624,224 √

    Judi French 2,125,979

    Hamilton County

    FOR JUDGE OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS (FULL TERM COMMENCING 1-1-2021)

    Heidi Rosales 179,070

    Melba Marsh 191,834 √

    FOR JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS (1ST DISTRICT)

    Ginger Bock 204,998 √

    Russell J. Mock 160,641

    FOR JUDGE OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS (JUVENILE DIVISION) (FULL TERM COMMENCING 2-14-2021)

    Kari L. Bloom 206,415 √

    John M. Williams 159,635

    FOR JUDGE OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS (FULL TERM COMMENCING 1-2-2021)

    Christian A. Jenkins 189,920 √

    Pat Dinkelacker 182,333

    FOR JUDGE OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS (FULL TERM COMMENCING 1-4-2021)

    Chris Wagner 208,339 √

    Curt C. Hartman 153,252

    FOR JUDGE OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS (FULL TERM COMMENCING 2-9-2021)

    Democrat Jennifer Branch 202,64 √

    Elizabeth Callan 159,525

    FOR JUDGE OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS (FULL TERM COMMENCING 2-10-2021)

    Alan C. Triggs 198,81 √

    Stacey DeGraffenreid 163,225

    FOR JUDGE OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS (FULL TERM COMMENCING 2-11-2021)

    Democrat Thomas O. Beridon 179,567

    Robert A. Goering 189,896 √

    FOR JUDGE OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS (FULL TERM COMMENCING 2-12-2021)

    Wende Cross 202,503 √

    Ethna Marie Cooper 159,182

    FOR JUDGE OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS (FULL TERM COMMENCING 2-13-2021)

    Alison Hatheway 213,554 √

    Charles J. Kubicki, Jr. 150,233

    FOR JUDGE OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS (DRUG COURT DIVISION) (FULL TERM COMMENCING 1-3-2021)

    Nicole Sanders 207,310 √

    Kim Wilson Burke 153,529

    FOR JUDGE OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS (PROBATE DIVISION) (FULL TERM COMMENCING 2-9-2021)

    Pavan Parikh 177,677

    Ralph Winkler 201,245 √

    FOR JUDGE OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS (DOMESTIC RELATIONS) (FULL TERM COMMENCING 7-1-2021)

    Anne B. Flottman 177,888

    Amy Searcy189,943 √

    FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONER (FULL TERM COMMENCING 1-2-2021)

    Democrat Alicia Reece 212,638 √

    Republican Andy Black 187,263

    Herman J. Najoli18,843

    FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONER (FULL TERM COMMENCING 1-3-2021)

    Democrat Denise Driehaus 241,806 √

    Republican Matthew Paul O’Neill 174,088

    FOR PROSECUTING ATTORNEY

    Democrat Fanon A. Rucker 200,738

    Republican Joseph T. Deters 221,298 √

    FOR CLERK OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS

    Democrat Aftab Pureval 237,825 √

    Republican Alex Glandorf 177,524

    FOR SHERIFF

    Democrat Charmaine McGuffey 218,878 √

    Republican Bruce Hoffbauer 198,454

    FOR COUNTY RECORDER

    Democrat Scott Crowley 216,427 √

    Republican Norbert A. Nadel 193,632

    FOR COUNTY TREASURER

    Democrat Jill Schiller 208,705 √

    Republican Charlie Winburn 201,650

    FOR ENGINEER

    Republican Eric Beck260,343 √

    Unopposed

    FOR CORONER

    Democrat Lakshmi Kode Sammarco 312,990 √

    Unopposed

    Clermont County

    For County Commissioner (Full term commencing 1-2-2021) (Vote for not more than 1)

    Republican Bonnie Batchler 75,570 √

    Democratic Jeff Richards 30,418

    For County Commissioner (Full term commencing 1-3-2021)

    David L. Painter Republican 83,912 √

    Unopposed

    For Prosecuting Attorney

    Mark J. Tekulve Republican 85,106 √

    Unopposed

    For Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas

    Acacia Uible Democrat 28,405

    Barbara Wiedenbein Republican 76,835 √

    For Sheriff

    Robert S. Leahy Republican 86,975 √

    Unopposed

    For County Recorder

    Deborah Clepper Republican 85,067 √

    Unopposed

    For County Treasurer

    Jeannie M. Zurmehly Republican 85,710 √

    Unopposed

    For County Engineer

    Jeremy Evans Republican 85,206 √

    Unopposed

    For Coroner

    Brian Treon Republican 85,431 √

    Unopposed

    For Member of the State Board of Education (10th District)

    Mary E. Binegar 38,804

    Brendan P. Shea 49,569 √

    For Judge of the Court of Appeals (12th District) (Full term commencing 1-1-2021)

    Matthew Byrne 76,347 √

    Unopposed

    For Judge of the Court of Appeals (12th District) (Full term commencing 2-9-2021)

    Robert A. Hendrickson 76,325 √

    Unopposed

    For Judge of the Court of Common Pleas (Probate/Juvenile Division) (Full term commencing 2-9-2021)

    James A. Shriver 80,189 √

    Unopposed

    Proposed Tax Levy (Renewal) Clermont County

    A renewal of a tax for the benefit of Clermont County for the purpose of the support of children services and the care and placement of children at a rate not exceeding 0.8 mill for each one dollar of valuation, which amounts to $0.08 for each one hundred dollars of valuation, for 5 years, commencing in 2021, first due in calendar year 2022.

    For the Tax Levy 74,985 √

    Against the Tax Levy 31,940

    Proposed Tax Levy (Renewal) Clermont County

    A renewal of a tax for the benefit of Clermont County for the purpose of the operation of community addiction services providers and community mental health services providers and the acquisition, construction, renovation, financing, maintenance, and operation of alcohol and drug addiction facilities and mental health facilities at a rate not exceeding 0.75 mill for each one dollar of valuation, which amounts to $0.075 for each one hundred dollars of valuation, for 5 years, commencing in 2021, first due in calendar year 2022.

    For the Tax Levy 70,089 √

    Against the Tax Levy 36,332

    Proposed Tax Levy (Renewal) Clermont County

    A renewal of a tax for the benefit of Clermont County for the purpose of providing or maintaining senior citizens services or facilities at a rate not exceeding 1.3 mills for each one dollar of valuation, which amounts to $0.13 for each one hundred dollars of valuation, for 5 years, commencing in 2021, first due in calendar year 2022.

    For the Tax Levy 77,585 √

    Against the Tax Levy 29,288

    Warren County

    County Commissioner 1-2-21

    Bob Stein 38,458 (29.64%)

    David G. Young 91,286 (70.36%) √

    County Commissioner 1-3-21

    Shannon Jones 97,000 (100%) √

    Unopposed

    Prosecutor Attorney

    David P. Fornshell 98,161 (100%) √

    Unopposed

    Court of Common Pleas

    James L. Spaeth 97,945 (100.00%) √

    Unopposed

    Sheriff

    Larry Lee Sims 98,248 (100.00%) √

    Unopposed

    County Recorder

    Linda Oda 96,925 (100.00%) √

    Unopposed

    County Treasurer

    Barney Wright 96,985 (100.00%) √

    Unopposed

    County Engineer

    Neil Tunison 97,242 (100.00%) √

    Unopposed

    Coroner

    Russell Uptegrove 96,839 (100.00%) √

    Unopposed

    Judge of Court of Appeals (12th District) 1-1-2021

    Matthew Byrne 87,992 (100.00%) √

    Unopposed

    Judge of Court of Appeals (12th District) 2-9-2021

    Robert A. Hendrickson 86,131 (100.00%) √

    Unopposed

    Judge of the Court of Common Pleas (General Division)

    Robert Peeler 87,945 (100.00%) √

    Unopposed

    Judge of the Court of Common Pleas (Probate and Juvenile)

    Joseph Kirby 89,762 (100.00%) √

    Unopposed

    Little Miami LSD Tax Levy Renewal

    For the Tax Levy 11,255 (52.95%) √

    Against the Tax Levy 10,002 (47.05%)

  • DeWine announces development of new sexual assault kit tracking system

    DeWine announces development of new sexual assault kit tracking system

    The “Ohio Attorney General’s Sexual Assault Kit Tracking System” will give those who have undergone a sexual assault forensic examination the option to track the status of their rape kit evidence online.

    Columbus, Ohio – Attorney General Mike DeWine announced Thursday that his office is developing a statewide system that will increase transparency surrounding the collection, submission, and analysis of sexual assault kit evidence in Ohio.

    The “Ohio Attorney General’s Sexual Assault Kit Tracking System” will give those who have undergone a sexual assault forensic examination the option to track the status of their rape kit evidence online.

    “Sexual assault survivors have already gone through unimaginable trauma, and not knowing where their cases stand can be agonizing,” said DeWine. “This new system will empower survivors by giving them the ability to instantly and anonymously find out where their evidence is located and whether or not it has been submitted for testing.”

    By entering a barcode number into the free, online program, survivors who choose to use the system will be able to follow their evidence as it proceeds from collection at a medical facility, to inventory at a law enforcement agency, to analysis at a crime lab, and to storage or destruction.

    By entering a barcode number into the free, online program, survivors who choose to use the system will be able to follow their evidence as it proceeds from collection at a medical facility, to inventory at a law enforcement agency, to analysis at a crime lab, and to storage or destruction.

    New legislation introduced by State Senator Stephanie Kunze (R-Hilliard) and State Representative Dorothy Pelanda (R-Marysville) seeks to require all agencies involved in the chain-of-custody of sexual assault kits to participate in the tracking program.

    “As we continue to help and encourage victims of sexual assault to rebuild their lives, it is imperative that we provide them the ability to check the status of the testing of their rape kits quietly and discreetly,” said Senator Kunze. “Affording them the opportunity to do so in a safe, secure manner ensures their privacy. We can allow survivors to continue moving forward with the option to check on the progress to help with the emotional healing and journey to moving forward from their horrific experience.”

    “Attorney General DeWine and his office have demonstrated tremendous leadership and diligence when it comes to this issue. The bills introduced this week in the House and Senate represent a crucial next step in the process,” said Representative Pelanda. “I look forward to working with Attorney General DeWine, my great colleague Senator Kunze, and my brothers and sisters in the House of Representatives as we move forward with this legislation.”

    The advisory group will include victim advocates, sexual assault nurse examiners, law enforcement, prosecutors, and representatives from hospital associations and crime laboratories.

    DeWine is also creating an advisory group to study best practices and provide advice on how Ohio’s tracking system should operate. The advisory group will include victim advocates, sexual assault nurse examiners, law enforcement, prosecutors, and representatives from hospital associations and crime laboratories. The members of the advisory group, who will be announced at a later date, will give special consideration to protecting the privacy of survivors who use the system.

    “We are excited to see this initiative coming from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office,” said Rosa Beltre, executive director of the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence. “It is important to reform how rape kits are handled and tracked in the state of Ohio, despite the many challenges and difference of opinion. We collectively can choose to do nothing because of funding and road blocks, or as we have done today, we can choose to take steps within our circle of influence to make a difference. We owe this to every survivor in our state.”

    The development of the program, as well as any maintenance and equipment, will be financed through Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) funding. VOCA funds, which are administered by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, are from federal settlements, fines, and fees and must be used to enhance victim rights and services.

    “This new tracking system will also help ensure that an accumulation of untested rape kits never happens in Ohio again,” said Attorney General DeWine. “Survivors expect their kits to be submitted for analysis in a timely manner, and this new program will increase accountability and transparency throughout the entire process.”

    To date, Attorney General DeWine’s SAK Testing Initiative has led to 5,071 hits in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), and hundreds of attackers have been prosecuted according to DeWine’s office. In response to the success of the initiative, new law was enacted in 2015 requiring that law enforcement agencies in Ohio submit sexual assault kit evidence to a crime laboratory within 30 days.