NOVEMBER 13, 2025

Ohio Justices Say Prosecutors Can Appeal Venue Rulings: Law360
The Ohio Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that prosecutors can now appeal when trial courts end criminal cases for being in the improper venue, overriding existing precedent.

Case against Youngstown in death from tree that fell on motorcyclist allowed to proceed: WCMH
The Ohio Supreme Court ruled last month that a lawsuit can proceed against the city of Youngstown for a man who died after a city tree fell on him.

County Domestic Relations Court launches ElevateU 180: Youngstown Vindicator
The Mahoning County Domestic Relations Court has launched ElevateU 180, a program developed by Judge Beth A. Smith and led by newly appointed Employment, Education, and Support Services Adviser (EESA), Ty Hobard. This strategic initiative reflects the court’s continued commitment to empowering families and promoting positive outcomes in litigants’ lives.

Lucas County leaders talk recidivism, county jail population, ways to fight crime: Toledo Blade
Lucas County leaders Monday discussed whether reducing the county’s jail population and recidivism significantly helps fight local crime.

Ohio consumers win $400 million utility fight: WFMJ Columbus
The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal from several Ohio utility companies, cementing a victory for the state's electric customers that secures more than $400 million in savings through 2031.

NOVEMBER 6, 2025

Ohio’s rural community has trouble finding legal representation: NBC4
Rural communities across Ohio are facing a growing crisis, with the Ohio State Bar Association warning of a shortage of attorneys…“We have got to meet the people where they are,” Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy said. “People should have representation.”

Are Big Utility Price Hikes Illegal? Ohio Courts to Decide.: Columbus Underground
Advocates on both sides stumbled momentarily Wednesday when the Ohio Supreme Court considered whether big increases in certain utility charges are legal. At issue is whether the state’s regulator, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, acted legally in 2023 when it allowed Columbia Gas of Ohio to increase total fixed monthly charges from $36 a month to $58 a month by 2027 — a 50% increase.

Graham to appeal levy decision to Ohio Supreme Court: WPKO
The Graham Local Schools Board of Education voted Tuesday evening to expedite an appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court after the Champaign County Budget Commission denied the district’s request for an unvoted permanent improvement levy.

Graham BOE votes to appeal budget commission’s decision: Urbana Daily Citizen
Graham Local Schools Board of Education held a special meeting on Tuesday and voted 4-0 to move forward with an expedited appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court of the county budget commission’s decision on Oct. 28 to deny Graham’s action to increase the existing property taxation amount without a vote from the electorate.

Ohio State Bar Foundation honors Washington Court House lawyer for service: Lancaster Eagle Gazette
Washington Court House attorney Jasmin Hurley has been recognized for her community service by the Ohio State Bar Foundation (OSBF).

NOVEMBER 4, 2025

Ohio Supreme Court questions Gates-backed solar project, among country's largest: Columbus Dispatch
The Ohio Supreme Court heard oral arguments Tuesday from backers and critics of one of the country's largest planned agrivoltaic solar farms, located in Madison County on more than 6,000 acres partially owned by Microsoft founder Bill Gates.

State supreme court won’t review appeal decision in Sharpe sex crimes case: Defiance Crescent-News
The Ohio Supreme Court has declined to review the decision of a state appellate court, which upheld the conviction of a Logan man who’s serving 28 years to life in prison for multiple sex crimes against juvenile girls.

Ohio Supreme Court makes decision on CFA-Barnes Advertising eminent domain case: Zanesville Times Recorder
A battle over two downtown billboards in the Welcome Center's parking lot reached a conclusion after a year and a half of court proceedings between advertising firm Barnes Advertising and the Muskingum County Convention Facilities Authority (CFA).

Changemakers: 28 years of creating second chances with drug court: WFMJ Youngstown
Before becoming a Mahoning County judge, Jack Durkin was an attorney for the Children Services Board (CSB). During his time there, he noticed many people struggling with addiction.

‘Fabulous’ renovated law library in courthouse pleases its users: Youngstown Vindicator
Attorney Terry Grenga said having three private offices in the Mahoning County Law Library on the fourth floor of the Mahoning County Courthouse will help her give legal advice to people with a case in Domestic Relations Court.

Couples marry their forever 'boos' at Civic Theatre weddings, hosted by municipal court: Akron Beacon Journal
Eleven couples who weren't scared to tie the knot on Halloween Day married their forever boos on Oct. 31 in the grand lobby of Akron's historic Civic Theater.

OCTOBER 30, 2025

Ohio Supreme Court hears case against approval of state's largest solar project: WOSU
Opponents of a Madison County solar project are challenging its approval in the Ohio Supreme Court.

Warren Boy Scout murder: Ohio Supreme Court hears death row appeal: WFMJ Columbus
The Ohio Supreme Court heard the appeal of a death row inmate convicted of the 1985 murder of a 12-year-old boy in Trumbull County Wednesday morning.

'Customers can't afford this.' Debate over gas rate hikes heads to Ohio Supreme Court: News 5 Cleveland
The Ohio Supreme Court will hear arguments on a proposed increase to Columbia Gas of Ohio’s fixed monthly charges, a move that could affect residential utility bills statewide.

Ohio Supreme Court to review Columbia Gas rate hike affecting residential bills statewide: WTOL
The Supreme Court of Ohio will hear oral arguments Wednesday on a proposed increase in the fixed monthly charge Columbia Gas of Ohio residential customers pay for natural gas service - a case that could impact utility bills across the state.

Ohio Supreme Court to decide whether Gov. Mike DeWine must distribute $900M in COVID benefits to Ohioans: Cleveland.com
The Ohio Supreme Court has agreed to hear Gov. Mike DeWine’s appeal of a lower-court ruling requiring him to seek and distribute $900 million in special federal coronavirus unemployment benefits that he declined in 2021.

Mathews Announce Passage of Bill Clarifying Ohio Law on Court Procedures: Warren County Post
State Representatives Mike Odioso (R-Green Twp.) and Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon) announced that House Bill 260 – legislation clarifying the law regarding rules adopted by the Ohio Supreme Court of Ohio – recently passed the House of Representatives.

Probate judge, staff educate about court through online program: Toledo Blade
When most people think of probate court, the first thing that comes to mind is death, said Judge Jack Puffenberger, probate judge of the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas.

'Don't overlook it.' Domestic violence cases are hard. A change in approach helps victims: Cincinnati Enquirer
Months before Tina Newman’s son was shot and killed, they took a weeklong trip to New Orleans during Mardi Gras season. She didn’t know then that it would be the last time they would go.

Mural helps youth fulfill service hours: Fairborn Daily Herald 
Another colorful and creative mural has been completed — the mural was painted on the wall of the Emerge Trade & Recovery Initiative’s clinical building, 2960 W. Enon Road. The mural — which required 400 hours of work and several coats of paint — was created by 16 court-involved youth.

OCTOBER 28, 2025

Ohio Supreme Court to review Columbia Gas rate hike affecting residential bills statewide: WTOL Toledo
The Supreme Court of Ohio will hear oral arguments Wednesday on a proposed increase in the fixed monthly charge Columbia Gas of Ohio residential customers pay for natural gas service - a case that could impact utility bills across the state.

Attorney who went to former law firm with 'war paint,' hatchet suspended 18 months: Cincinnati Enquirer
A former attorney at Blake Maislin's law firm, who showed up outside Maislin's offices a year after he had been fired with "war paint" on his face, a hatchet and a baseball bat, had his law license suspended for 18 months.

Judge touts drug court’s success: Youngstown Vindicator
Mahoning County Common Pleas Court Judge John Durkin said he remembers standing before Mahoning County commissioners 28 years ago to ask for their help to start a drug court.

Retired Akron Bar CEO C. Allen Nichols reflects on his career: Akron Legal News
It’s been about 12 years since C. Allen Nichols took on the role of executive director of the Akron Bar Association.

Mahoning law library sets grand reopening: Youngstown Vindicator
The renovation of the Mahoning County Law Library on the fourth floor of the Mahoning County Courthouse is complete, and a grand reopening will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday.

How to tie the knot at Delaware Municipal Court on Halloween: WBNS Columbus
The Delaware Municipal Court is offering wedding ceremonies for those who wish to say "I boo" this Halloween.

OCTOBER 23, 2025

Ohio Supreme Court to hear Danny Lee Hill's appeal next week: WFMJ Columbus
The Ohio Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments on Wednesday, Oct. 29, in a case that will determine if a death-row inmate can use a rule from civil law to challenge his sentence.

Ohio Supreme Court upholds conviction of Franklin man sentenced for raping child: WLWT
The Ohio Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of a Warren County man who was sentenced to life in prison for raping a child. In 2023, a jury convicted Todd Rogers on one count of rape of a child under the age of 10 years, one count of attempted rape of a child under the age of 10 years and six counts of gross sexual imposition.

Ohio Power Siting board denies Citizens for Fair Fields a second hearing: Lancaster Eagle-Gazette
The Ohio Power Siting board recently denied the Citizens for Fair Fields group a second hearing pertaining to the group's opposition to the Eastern Cottontail solar field project. Therefore, the group said it is taking its case to the Ohio Supreme Court.

Delaware County judge puts on director's hat for 'Shawshank Redemption': Columbus Dispatch
David Hejmanowski knows a thing or two about holding court. After all he’s been judge of the Probate/Juvenile Division of the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas for more than a decade.

Lowellville schools to partner with juvenile court for absenteeism program: Youngstown Vindicator
The local school district will partner with Mahoning County Juvenile Court and its early warning system to improve student attendance rates, Superintendent Christine Sawicki announced at last week’s school board meeting.

OCTOBER 21, 2025

Ohio Supreme Court: City of Youngstown waited too long to claim immunity in fallen tree lawsuit: WKBN Youngstown
The Ohio Supreme Court ruled that the City of Youngstown waited too long to claim immunity in a lawsuit filed after a man died when a city tree fell on him.

Ohio Supreme Court may review request for DNA testing in 1984 Van Wert Murder case: WLIO
The Ohio Supreme Court could soon hear a case that may impact a 40-year-old Van Wert County murder conviction.

The Van Wert County Prosecutor has filed the case with Ohio’s highest court, arguing that the office should have the right to appeal a ruling from the Van Wert County Common Pleas Court. That ruling granted John Spirko the opportunity to have evidence from the case tested for DNA by an outside laboratory.

Attorney General asks Ohio Supreme Court to uphold ban on gender-related medical treatments for minors: WTRF
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has filed arguments with the state’s Supreme Court defending a law that restricts medical treatments for minors aimed at changing gender.

Ohio High School Athlete Paid Endorsements Allowed for Now: Bloomberg Law News
An Ohio judge temporarily allowed high school athletes in the state to use their name, image, and likeness for product endorsements, blocking a sports association’s bylaws that ban such uses.

Lorain Co. Clerk of Courts collecting for 11th annual 'Marines Toys for Tots" drive: Elyria Chronicle-Telegram
For the 11th year, Lorain County Clerk of Courts Tom Orlando and his staff are sponsoring a toy drive as part of the annual "Marines Toys for Tots" campaign at all of the Clerk of Courts locations throughout the county.