Ohio execution moves forward despite innocence claims 
The state of Ohio executed a condemned killer this morning who claimed he was innocent of a 1997 stabbing.

Brett Hartmann came within about a week of execution in 2009 before federal courts allowed him to pursue an innocence claim.

When that claim failed, Hartman had a new date set last year, but that was postponed because of a federal lawsuit over Ohio’s execution policy.

Hartmannwas the 49th inmate put to death since Ohio resumed executions in 1999.

 
Toledo casino covers neighbor's extra expenses
The operator of Toledo's new casino has given a neighboring city $200,000 to address the potentially increased burden on its fire and police departments as the casino draws more people to the area.

Penn National Gaming Inc. says the grant it gave to the city of Rossford yesterday helps with personnel costs for safety services.

Emergency responders from Toledo have primary responsibility for the Hollywood Casino Toledo.  But officials from the company say they recognize many customers travel through Rossford and the grant fulfills the developer's commitment to help the city deal with that increase.

Cuts coming in food stamp benefits 
Ohioans who get food stamp benefits could see that aid shrink by about $50 a month next year, partly because of a change in how the government calculates utility expenses for recipients.

Ohio tried to appeal the change, but the request was denied by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Organizations that provide food assistance to those in need say the loss of $50 in aid could have a big effect on some families, and they're bracing for higher demand for help as a result of the change.

869,000 households are enrolled in the food stamp program.   A spokesman for the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services says it will send letters this month to notify those affected by the change.


Woman serves sidewalk sentence
A woman caught on camera driving on a sidewalk to avoid a Cleveland school bus that was unloading children stood in the cold this morning at an intersection holding a sign warning people about idiots.

A Cleveland Municipal Court judge ordered 32-year-old Shena Hardin to serve the highly public sentence for one hour today and Wednesday.

Her punishment is to hold a sign that reads: "Only an idiot would drive on the sidewalk to avoid a school bus."

Hardin's license was suspended for 30 days and she was ordered to pay $250 in court costs.