Proposed change in speeding law likely won’t affect enforcement

June 27, 2010, Marion Star

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

Getting a speeding ticket based on radar is bad enough. But what about one based on a police officer’s observations?

A recently publicized development in state law means police officers need no more than a trained eye to issue a speeding ticket. A state lawmaker fears this leaves a door wide open to abuses in the system.

Passing legislation requiring officers to use a mechanical device while issuing speeding tickets will take some time, however — the General Assembly is on summer recess.

Thousands to lose jobless benefits

June 26, 2010, Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum

BY RUSS ZIMMER AND JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

MANSFIELD — Todd Schnittke figures he’s about nine months away from completing a degree at North Central State College.

An Army veteran and AMVETS officer, he wanted to go straight from graduation to a job helping soldiers who struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder.

That timeframe is in jeopardy, he said, because the U.S. Senate rejected a jobs bill containing another extension for jobless benefits.

Panel: Gibbs complaint against Space has merit

June 18, 2010, Newark Advocate

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

There is reason to think U.S. Rep. Zack Space lied in a campaign ad, a panel for the Ohio Elections Commission determined Thursday.

The Dover Democrat has no plans to pull the ad despite a call to do so by his opponent, state Sen. Bob Gibbs, R-Lakeville.

Gibbs filed a false-statement complaint after Space aired an ad accusing him of lying about his record as a tax cutter in the state Legislature. The ad also claims Gibbs voted for legislative pay raises and tax breaks for golf courses while ignoring Ohio families.

Space launches attack, accused of being deceptive

June 17, 2010, Zanesville Times Recorder

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

The 18^th Congressional District race has become ugly, and a non-partisan group saying a nevative ad launched last week by incumbent Zack Space is unfair.

Space, D-Dover, began airing the ad against opponent and state Sen. Bob Gibbs, R-Lakeville, last week. He accuses Gibbs of “voting himself a pay raise” and lying about his record as a tax cutter.

But the non-partisan Web site FactCheck.org issued a critical report on the ad, accusing Space of lying on one point and being deceptive on two others.

Gibbs' campaign filed an official complaint with the Ohio Elections Commission. Today the commission will decide if the case will proceed. However, even if Space is found to be in violation of Ohio's election law, it's highly unlikely there will be serious consequences.

School bus seat-belt bill unlikely to get look before fall

June 5, 2010, Coshocton Tribune

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

COLUMBUS — A student’s death on a Muskingum County school bus spurred committee action on a bill that would require seat belts on all new school buses.

However, the legislation has yet to get a vote on the House floor.

The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Kathleen Chandler, D-Kent, had hoped the House would take up the bill before members left for summer recess early Friday morning.

Lawmakers worked through the night, adjourning at 5 a.m., but the seat-belt bill never came up.

Dailey concedes House race; it’s Space vs. Gibbs in November

June 5, 2010, Coshocton Tribune

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

It’s finally official, the 18th Congressional District race will be U.S. Rep. Zack Space, D-Dover, vs. state Sen. Bob Gibbs, R-Lakeville. Two minor-party candidates also are running.

The May 4 primary ended in a dead heat between Gibbs and former state agriculture director Fred Dailey, the 2008 nominee. The race went to an automatic recount after the certified results had Gibbs leading Dailey by 156 votes.

Dailey conceded Friday morning, calling Gibbs to congratulate him and offer his help on the campaign trail. This was after 15 of the district’s 16 counties completed recounts this week.

After tragedy, seat-belt legislation moves forward

June 3, 2010, Mansfield News Journal

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

COLUMBUS — Just hours after a fatal school bus crash near Zanesville on Wednesday morning, a state legislative committee unanimously approved legislation requiring seat belts on all new and refurbished school buses.

One committee member said the tragedy expedited the vote. The legislation may be considered in the Ohio House today, and would then need Senate approval.

State Rep. Kathleen Chandler, D-Kent, said the mood in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee was somber after word of the rollover crash on Ohio 60 north of Zanesville, which killed 6-year-old Kasey King and injured the bus driver and six other students.