Kasich adviser new state schools chief
Columbus -- Ohio's state school board picked Republican Gov. John Kasich's top education adviser March 12 as the new superintendent of public instruction.
Richard Ross was selected over acting Superintendent Michael Sawyers by a 10-6 vote of the state Board of Education, with Kasich appointees dominating Ross supporters.
The two finalists emerged from a list of 30 applicants.
Ross said he is excited to oversee the Ohio Department of Education and pledged to advocate the interests of the independent board despite coming from inside the governor's administration.
He helped craft Kasich's school-funding formula and education reform package, which has received mixed reactions from districts and educators.
Ross has been director for more than a year of the Governor's Office for 21st Century Education, after previously serving as superintendent of the Reynoldsburg schools in suburban Columbus.
-- Associated Press
Prosecutors say serial killer deserves death
Columbus -- Prosecutors say an Ohio serial killer convicted of killing 11 women and hiding their remains around his home got a fair trial, and that his conviction and death sentence should stand.
Responding to an appeal by convicted serial killer Anthony Sowell, prosecutors tell the Ohio Supreme Court that the Cleveland man is "the worst offender in the history of Cuyahoga County and arguably of the state of Ohio."
In an October appeal, Sowell's attorneys argued that his trial lawyers were his "chief saboteurs" and should have focused on sparing him from the death penalty, not arguing to jurors that he was innocent in the face of overwhelming evidence in the case and a confession.
Jurors found Sowell guilty of killing 11 women between June 2007 and July 2009.
-- Associated Press
Horses, dogs among 100 animals at home
Bellaire -- Authorities say they removed more than 100 animals from inside and around a woman's eastern Ohio home, including dogs, cats and about a dozen horses.
WTOV-TV reports sheriff's deputies had a warrant to look for emaciated and dead animals at the property in the Ohio River town of Bellaire.
A humane society official says it was heartbreaking to find so many animals in need of basics like water and food.
Goats, chickens and other animals also were taken from the property. It wasn't clear why the owner had so many animals.
Belmont County Sheriff Dave Lucas says the removal of the animals March 12 is part of an ongoing investigation. The creatures are expected to be treated by specialists.
No charges were immediately filed.
-- Associated Press
Man returns box with $50,000 in gold, silver
Canton -- Police say a Northeast Ohio scrap metal collector who found a small box containing nearly $50,000 in gold and silver won't face charges because he returned it all.
The Repository in Canton reports an employee of Hartville Coin & Jewelry put the box in a vehicle, but it fell out of the trunk as he drove away last week. Someone passing by scooped up the box, and police began using surveillance footage to track down the perpetrator.
Michael Swogger says a friend recognized Swogger's picture on the news and told him police were looking for him in the theft case. The 36-year-old Canton man says when he realized what was happening, he contacted police to return the box of gold coins, Canadian silver dollars and scrap gold on March 9.
-- Associated Press
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