Canton Catholics respond to Pope Benedict's resignation
News of the pope’s resignation took many by surprise, including the dozen people gathered for Mass this morning at Canton’s oldest parish, the Basilica of St. John the Baptist. Weekday Masses draw some of the most involved of Catholics. But those gathered for  9 o’clock Mass in the tiny chapel at St. John’s said Pope Benedict’s announcement took them by surprise. St. John’s pastor, the Rev. Ronald Klingler, says he was surprised by the resignation but believes a course has been set by Benedict. Klinger says the present pope tried to take the changing attitudes of society, "and to make sure they blended with the traditional teachings of the Church. And I see that as something that will continue in the new election of the pope.”  Those attending the Mass say they’re disappointed Benedict is leaving, but understand that his health may make the job just too much.

Local governments recover some losses in latest state budget
Town and county officials across Ohio are saying Gov. John Kasich’s new two-year budget proposal doesn’t go far enough to replace previous cuts to local governments.  The governor is boosting funds to local entities by $28 million over two years ago, but the Columbus Dispatch reports previous cuts still leave localities more than $600 mil-lion below where they were before Kasich took office. The governor is fulfilling his promise to rebuild the state’s rainy day fund with a projected $1.4 billion dollar surplus.  Kasich’s budget also promises Ohioans will receive a one-time income-tax refund of 4 percent next year, and a 50 percent cut in income taxes for small businesses over the next two years.

Hundreds of concealed carry licenses invalidated
Three central Ohio man have been given three years of probation after admitting they falsified concealed-carry weapons training certificates, leading to the invalidation of hundreds of licenses. Franklin County sheriff's deputies arrested the men last summer after determining that they had issued falsified training certificates to concealed-carry license applicants. The Columbus Dispatch reports about 300 recipients turned in their licenses after they were notified of the problems. About 200 were issued new licenses after receiving the proper training, and others didn't seek new licenses or haven't finished the training. All three pleaded guilty to five counts of falsification to obtain a concealed handgun license. Prosecutors alleged that one of the men, a certified firearms instructor, sold signed training certificates to the other two.