News-Journal from Mansfield, Ohio • 6

Crestline police chief fights to keep city Jail open. SATURDAY RegionState Obituaries 7A Pot bust OA PAGE 6A NEWS JOURNAL Friday, November 22, 2002 Crestline, ship at odd town Police Jackson Twp. irked by bill for services, annexation plan and they are being blocked," Maddy said. "There is land being developed along (U.S.) 30. We want to be there, and there are people who want to be in the city." While some residents think Crestline withdrawing from the township is only a threat, Trustee Jim Greter offered another opinion.

"I was there when (Crestline City Council was) talking about it," he said. "I am serious; they are serious." kjackson a nncoganrwtt.com (419)521-7240 Auditor's Office, about 75 percent of the personal property and real estate tax Jackson Township generates comes from within Crestline's corporation limits. But township officials Thursday night said township residents in Crestline generate only 27 percent of the total revenue available to the township. Annexation could lead to dissolution of the township because of loss of tax dollars. Maddy said annexation is bound to happen anyway.

"There are people who want to come into the city figures showing the township's bill for using Crest-line's fire and emergency service increased from $10,950 to $31,866 between 1997 to 2003. Crestline City Council-woman Jan Maddy said the increases came after many years of no change in cost. "We needed to raise the cost (Jackson Township) may be like Jefferson Township and decide to pull out, but then they would not have coverage. The current contract goes through 2003," said Maddy, who attended Thursday night's meeting. Last year, Jefferson Township opted out of a contract for fire and emergency services from Crestline after Crestline raised the rates for coverage.

Many Jackson Township residents also disapprove of a plan that would allow blanket annexation of property adjacent to Crestline's city limits into the city, rather than doing it on an individual basis. Crestline already takes up a good portion of the Crawford County township. According to statistics from the Crawford County their businesses. They'll go under. We spend a lot of money there," Walker said at Thursday -night's Jackson Township trustees' meeting in Crestline.

"We used to get along swell. But what's going on now isn't right at all It doesnt make sense." Township officials say the relationship is becoming costly for the township's 400 residents. Township Clerk Kathleen F. Paynter presented By K.O. Jackson News Journal JACKSON TOWNSHIP It doesnt matter if the issue is the township's emergency services bill from Crestline, the city's plan to annex part of the township or the city's threat of leaving the township, Francis Walker doesn't think it's right.

"If (Crestline officials) talk about leaving us, maybe we should boycott Conifer courier Uiw -4-xS OSU hopes students celebrate with class Josh Kelling of Davey Tree in Wooster peeks his head out of a 50-foot con-color fir tree Thursday afternoon at Hattery and Chatlain Nursery as he prepared the evergreen for its trip on a flat-bed trailer to Malley's Chocolate In Cleveland. (Daniel MelogranaNews Journal) House to consider caps on malpractice damages 1 100 block of Cinnamon Drive, Weil Solom A woman told sheriff's deputies early Thursday her 13-year-old son tried to set the house on fire. A case will be sent to the prosecutor's office. Ashland County Sheriff's Department, 1205 I. Main Ashland James S.

Rigby, 27, of Garfield Heights was arrested Wednesday afternoon on a felony wor-rant for possession of cocaine, possession of drugs and possession of marijuana. 200 block of Sixth Avenue, Mansfield Police investigating the theft of beer from a Speedway gas station mode several arrests at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday after going to an apartment in search of several suspects. Two 20-year-old men were arrested, one on charges of obstructing and underage consumption and the other on both of those charges and a theft charge. A 21-year-old man was charged with obstructing, and a 22-year-old man was charged with obstructing and theft.

Several of the men attempted to hide from police by climbing into the ceiling, police reported. Mansfield -A 35-year-old man reported at 9:08 a.m. Thursday he found his garage door open and $2,750 worth or items were missing. Mansfield A 36-year-old man reported Thursday someone had entered his vehicle and removed $1,400 worth of stereo equipment. 200 Parkway Drive, Mansfield Police looking for a man wanted on three warrants found two pit bull puppies locked in a garage without water at 12:20 p.m.

The dog warden and law director were contacted. 200 block of West-gate Drive, Mansfield A 26-year-old man said at 8:15 p.m. Thursday someone had smashed a window on his vehicle and removed $700 worth of CDs. Westgate Drive, Mansfield A 1 8-year-old man reported at 4:15 p.m. Thursday someone had entered his vehicle and removed $500 worth of stereo equipment.

Fire Burger Avenue, Madison Township A Wednesday morning fire destroyed a single-story house on Burger Avenue. Firefighters said no one was at Rosemary Ward's home when the fire started in furnace ducts. The fire spread from the ducts to a wall and then the rest of the home. Damage was estimated at $60,000. When firefighters arrived just after 6:30 a.m., the house was engulfed.

It took about an hour to get the flames under control. No one was injured! The Red Cross is assisting Ward. The News Journal does not identify people, charged with misdemeanor offenses in the Emergency Calls. This is a fairness issue related to the large number of incidents that we cannot report in the wide geographic area being covered. Offenders are identified through subsequent court listings.

Foster dad charged in girl's death AKRON (AP) A foster father was charged with involuntary manslaughter Thursday in the death of a 2-year-old girl who police said was left in an attic for about five hours because she was misbehaving. Letia Harrison died from overheating, a medical examiner ruled. Elmer G. Lillard, 36, of Akron turned himself Thursday in at police head-. quarters, police Lt.

Sylvia Trundle said. He also was charged with child endangering and obstructing official business. By Jim Siege News Journal Statehouse Bureau COLUMBUS The general drunken mayhem that consumed a few weekends last spring at The Ohio State University has given way to a peaceful fall which gives law-enforcement officials hope going into Saturday. "I think the atmosphere up there has been a lot better recently," said Deputy Chief Stephen Gammill of the Columbus Division of Police. "It's been a very quiet fall and we expect and hope for that to continue." But win or lose, Columbus police will be out in force in the campus area Saturday night to prevent things from getting out of control after the OSU-Michigan game.

Police always have an extra presences' Michigan game day, and Saturday certainly will be no different, Gammill said. "We take all factors into consideration what the record is, what the weather is and then we staff it with the appropriate amount of officers," he said. "There will be a large presence of uniformed officers in the area." Police will have riot gear nearby if needed. "We want to strike a balance between being visible and not overbearing," Gammill said. "If there's a reason to celebrate, we're going to let people celebrate, as long as they do it within the law." Starting this afternoon, police will ban parking on four additional streets in the campus area, forcing students to find alternate locations for their vehicles.

While Columbus police work on safety in the hours after the game, a scene played out on ESPN last week reminded folks that what happens inside the stadium also can be a concern. Marshall University fans rushed the field after their team's victory over Miami of Ohio in Huntington, W.Va. Later, a Miami coach was led away in handcuffs after he pushed a fan to the ground, giving cap noneconomic damages in malpractice cases to $500,000 for noncata-strophic injuries and $750,000 for most permanent injuries. Bill sponsor Sen. Dave Goodman, R-Bexley, said the measure offers a workable solution for a "legal system out of control." "Every day we hear more and more from Ohio physicians considering changing their practice, retiring or moving out of the state," he said.

"These are reasonable reforms that will help ensure stability in medical insurance." The Ohio Department of Insurance and industry officials have labeled out-of-control jury awards in malpractice cases as the primary culprit for recent price spikes in mal "If there's a reason to celebrate, we're going to let people celebrate, as long as they do It within the law." Deputy Chief Stephen Gammill Columbus police him a concussion. Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr has expressed concern this week for the safety of his players and called for proper crowd control. Ohio State Athletics Director Andy Geiger has promised extra security for the game. Officials admit stopping fans from rushing the field is nearly impossible, but Ohio Stadium logistics make it tougher than in the past. The stadium renovation lowered the playing surface more than 14 feet.

"With the renovation of --the stadium, it is quite a lrop from the seats down to the field," OSU spokeswoman Elizabeth Conlisk lt fans reach the field, they will encounter greased field goal posts. OSU Police Chief Ronald Michalec, who coordinates security in and around the stadium with the Ohio Highway Patrol, declined to talk about what types of extra precautions officers would take Saturday. In an effort to calm fans days before the game, former OSU standouts Kirk Herbstreit, Archie Griffin and Chris Spielman have recorded radio and television messages urging fans to celebrate with class. Ohio State also is planning a variety of activities Saturday, including a post-game concert at the Newport Music Hall. "I'm fairly confident our coaching staff sets a phenomenal example," Conlisk said.

"You never see (head coach Jim) Tressel lose his temper, and you dont see them throwing their headsets. It remains to be seen how the fans will react to victory or defeat" dition at Morrow County Hospital. According to the Mount Gilead post of the Ohio Highway Patrol Donald Stull was driving a 1993 Chevrolet pickup on U.S. 42 when he turned in to the path of a Honda Passport driven by Kelly Harris, 43, of Mansfield. Harris was treated and released at Morrow County HospitaL Donald Stull was the only person in the accident who was not wearing a seat belt.

Ohio Senate approved award limits Thursday By Leo Shane III News Journal Statehouse Bureau COLUMBUS Ohio Senate members Thursday approved caps on punitive awards in medical malpractice cases, delighting medical groups who have been lobbying for the legislation for months. Next comes the Ohio House's turn. House members have started debate on a similar measure to the one passed by the Senate, which would Shelby If board's offer superintendent By K.O. Jackson News Journal SHELBY The Shelby Board of Education thinks it has its man. Now they hope he accepts their invitation.

Late Wednesday night, the board selected Charles Speelman as the new superintendent of Shelby schools pick new Democrats unsuccessfully offered three amendments, including one that would cap increases in malpractice insurance premiums. The Senate bill puts restrictions on what percentage of a jury award or settlement plaintiff's lawyers can collect and allows jurors to weigh a victim's other sources of compensation when reaching an award figure. A more comprehensive tort-reform bill that included jury-award caps was deemed unconstitutional by the court in 1999. But many expect with current Lt. Gov.

Maureen O'Connor, a Republican, joining the court next year, the court is more likely to uphold malprac-. ticecaps. leader Both candidates met with Shelby parents and administrators Tuesday evening in a community forum. McKinney said that the board hoped to make a decision within a week but decided instead to act quickly. Bell's salary is $91,048.

McKinney said Speelman's initial contract would not match that, however "he'll be the highest paid administrator in the district" kjactoon 6 nncogannettcom (419)521-7240 budgets The city already was strapped for cash, laying off workers this year and not hiring any replacements over the last several years. "Every department has squeezed every dollar they can over the last couple of years," Brown said. It's the same story in Fos-toria where a tornado ripped off a school roof and damaged or destroyed 51 homes. The city already had cut the jobs of three police officers, six dispatchers and told all departments including police to cut down on overtime. practice premiums.

Those price increases helped mobilize physicians groups to lobby for tort reform during this year's elections. Trial lawyers and victim's advocates have argued the economic downturn not jury awards is the primary force behind the spikes. The bill passed mainly along partisan lines. Democrats decried the measure as profitable to insurance companies but harmful to malpractice victims. "This doesnt help consumers.

It wont help doctors. It doesn't help victims," said Sen. Robert Hagan, D-Youngstown. "But it does help the insurance companies They dont want any blame whatsoever for the higher costs." it to happen this fast," said Fred McKinney, board president, who will begin contact negations with Speelman this morning. "Both had enthusiasm and passion for the position.

He doesnt have (superintendent) experience, but Charles just came across more down to earth. He's a small-town guy, and I am sure we don't know everything about him. But all the feedback we've had has been positive." owners and business owners eligible to receive federal aid. But a decision on possible help for cities had not been made, and most officials aren't expecting any federal money until next year. "It's critical," Port Clinton Mayor Tom Brown said.

"We really need that public assistance." Through the middle of last week, his city had spent $32,500 on overtime for city workers and $22,000 on landfill charges to dump debris. Mansfield man dies in two-vehicle crash Tornadoes take toll on city is accepted, to start Jan. 1 City Schools. Speelman, the principal of Shelby Middle School, was selected over David Scarberry of Cuyahoga County. If Speelman, 33, accepts the job, hell replace Stephen Bell, who retires Dec.

31 after 35 years in the Shelby district Speelman's first day would be January 1. "We really didn't expect already were facing tight budgets mainly because of the slow economy and now they must pay for the disaster cleanup. The bills include overtime for police officers, firefighters and other employees who worked around the clock in the days after the storm. Some will lose tax revenues from businesses that were destroyed. Most city leaders are looking to President Bush for help.

Earlier this week, Bush declared six counties disaster areas, making home News Journal staff report MOUNT GILEAD A 78-year-old Mansfield man died Wednesday after a two-vehicle crash in Congress Township in Morrow County. Donald Stull of 217 E. Hanley Road was taken to Morrow County Hospital in Mount Gilead after the 3 p.m. Wednesday crash at the intersection of U.S. 42 and County Road 110.

His 77-year-old wife, Marguerite, is in stable con VAN WERT, Ohio (AP) Four tornadoes bringing winds topping 200 mph didn't just wipe out the town's movie theater and industrial park. The twisters also may have wrecked the city's budget and could force cuts in police and fire training, building maintenance and other services. "This is going to have some fairly long-term effects," Mayor Stephen Genres said. Towns in the path of the tornadoes that struck northwest Ohio on Nov. 10.