The Clever Peasants

04/05/2020

Hocking Hills State Park Closed Until Further Notice

COLUMBUS, Ohio – In response to the developing public health situation with COVID-19 and the Ohio Department of Health’s (ODH) guidance, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) will close Hocking Hills State Park and all of its trails at sunset on Friday, April 3.

“In order to protect the health and safety of our visitors, we are temporarily closing Hocking Hills State Park,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “This was a difficult decision, however, this unique trail system is not designed to allow for adequate social distancing without potential risks.”

Hocking Hills State Park is the only full park closure in Ohio’s state park system and will include the closure of several features and sites including: Ash Cave, Cantwell Cliffs, Cedar Falls, Old Man’s Cave, Rock House and Whispering Cave. This closure will also include Conkle’s Hollow State Nature Preserve.

03/20/2020

PUCO directs utilities to suspend meter readings, non-essential work

COLUMBUS, OHIO—The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) today issued an order directing Ohio’s electric, natural gas, water & wastewater distribution utilities to suspend any in-person meter reading activities, and any other non-essential work that would create unnecessary social contact.

In its order, the Commission noted functions that are necessary to initiate new service or to ensure the continuity of service should be deemed essential and should continue during the state of emergency.

Utility customers who have questions or concerns regarding their utility service are encouraged to contact the PUCO online at PUCO.ohio.gov/contact-us.

For information and updates related to COVID-19, visit the Ohio Department of Health website at www.odh.ohio.gov or coronavirus.ohio.gov

A copy of today’s entry is available on the PUCO website by clicking the link to the docketing information system (DIS) and searching for case 20-591-AU-UNC.

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) affects every household in Ohio. That's because the PUCO regulates providers of all kinds of utility services, including electric and natural gas companies, local and long distance telephone companies, water and wastewater companies, rail and trucking c...

03/20/2020

Ohio Department of Job and Family Services reports 111,055 Ohioans applied for unemployment from Sunday through Wednesday of this week. During the same period last week, 3,895 Ohioans applied for jobless benefits.

It probably comes as no surprise that unemployment claims in Ohio have skyrocketed this week as businesses continue to temporarily close and lay off

10/11/2019

By Jo Ingle, Statehouse News Bureau

One Ohio lawmaker says current penalties for people convicted of cruelty to pets and other companion animals are too lax. His bill would increase

03/15/2019

The weather's a little warmer, the snow is gone and the Jerseyville Jammers are ready! Come join us this Friday at the Shade Community Center at 7 p.m. for an evening of music and friendship!

03/07/2019

GM is cutting its plant here because it no longer wants to make small cars such as the Cruze in the United States. As of this week, the company has laid off 4,500 workers since cuts began in early 2017, and another roughly 900 have lost jobs at nearby suppliers.

The automaker is shutting down production at its Lordstown plant, home of the Chevy Cruze — affecting 5,400 people

03/07/2019

The Commerce Department said Wednesday that the United States last year posted an $891.2 billion trade deficit in merchandise, the largest in the nation’s 243-year history despite more than two years of President Trump’s “America First” policies.

After two years of ‘America First’ policies, the United States is likely to post the biggest trade gap in its history. The gap with China is also set to hit a record.

03/07/2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In an effort to fill some of the 30,000 health care professional vacancies at the nation’s Veterans Health Administration medical centers, the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday adopted legislation by Toledo Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur intended to steer college students toward VA health care careers.

The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday adopted legislation by Toledo Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur intended to steer college students towards VA health care careers.

03/05/2019

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States Supreme Court rejected a rural Nebraska county's appeal of a $28 million court judgment aimed at compensating six people wrongfully convicted of a 1985 slaying. The Beatrice Six spent a combined 75 years in prison.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a rural Nebraska county's appeal of a $28 million court judgment aimed at compensating six people wrongfully convicted of a 1985 slaying.

03/04/2019

Students at charter schools like E-Prep Woodland Hills are shortchanged by the state by having less money than school districts, some charter schools say. Charter school leaders are pressing state officials to give them $2,000 more per student in the upcoming state budget. - Patrick O'Donnell

Ohio's charter schools want more money from the state because they have much less than school districts. Can the troubles schools be trusted with more money?

03/04/2019

Ohio Issue 1: Curbing gerrymandering in Ohio
What is gerrymandering, and where did the term originate? Ohio Issue 1, on the ballot May 8, is a bipartisan attempt to curb gerrymandering in Ohio.
THE ENQUIRER/MIKE NYERGES

A federal trial set to begin in Cincinnati will examine whether Ohio's congressional map is constitutional.

03/04/2019

Brown, currently on a “Dignity of Work” tour inspired by King, returned to Selma for the fifth time. He frequently draws connections between civil rights and worker’s rights. A former secretary of state in Ohio, Brown also has a reputation as a leader on expanding voter participation.

They marked the anniversary of a key moment in civil-rights history 54 years ago