On Dec. 7, Ohio Issue 2 officially went into effect after Ohioans voted in favor of the proposal in November. The proposal, which legalized the use of recreational marijuana seven years after the state legalized medicinal use, allows Ohio residents age 21 or older to consume recreational marijuana and grow …

Ohio’s recently revamped education department has a new director, approved by the Republican-majority Senate. Steve Dackin, who will head the new Department of Education and Workforce, was already appointed by Gov., DeWine earlier this month, but required the final go-ahead from upper chamber lawmakers. Dackin said in an emailed statement …

Ohioans are now in a land of limbo for recreational marijuana use. Adults can now legally grow and possess cannabis at home, but cannot legally buy it. Gov. Mike DeWine urged lawmakers to quickly set parameters for Issue 2, the citizen initiative voters approved in November. While the state Senate …

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost wants to continue fighting an appeal of the state’s Heartbeat Act, despite the act now being unconstitutional, saying the case is about more than just abortion. The Heartbeat Act, which forbids abortions after detection of a fetal heartbeat, became unconstitutional after State Issue 1 passed …

The Williams County Port Authority will be getting help from an outside accounting firm to help file state-mandated reports. Dawn Fitzcharles, vice chair of the authority, says the group’s finances are set up on “a three-legged stool” with Fitzcharles, a book-keeper and help from the Ohio Auditor’s Office. Last year, …

One person dies in a mobile home fire in Paulding County. The Cecil Fire Department is dispatched to a N. Stafford St address. When first responders arrived, the structure was “fully involved,” and witnesses believed a resident was still inside. Firefighters did find one person dead inside the mobile home. …

Ralph L. Kuhn, 69, of Defiance, Ohio, passed away Friday, December 8, 2023, at ProMedica Toledo Hospital, Toledo, Ohio. He was born May 5, 1954, in Defiance, Ohio, the son of Raymond and Mary (Sheets) Kuhn. Ralph graduated from Fairview High School. He worked his entire life as a farmer. …

Loretta C. Roehrs, 79, of Oregon, Ohio and formerly of Hicksville, Ohio passed away Saturday, December 9, 2023, at Landings of Oregon Assisted Living, Oregon, Ohio. Loretta was born May 18, 1944, in Morgantown, West Virginia, daughter of Olen Robert and Estella Christine (Blake) Morrison. She was a 1962 graduate …

Carol Jane Gilmer, age 77, of Bryan, passed away Friday, December 8, 2023 at her home surrounded by her family.  Carol was a property manager for Cavalier Properties for 40 years.  She was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church and former member of the Bryan Civic League, Sew’n’sews Club, …

After a three-day bench trial, defendant Jochua A. Z. Smallwood, 31, was convicted Monday, December 4, by Williams County Common Pleas Court Judge J.T. Stelzer of multiple felony offenses of violence, including Attempted Murder, arising out of an incident that occurred on May 4, 2022.  Smallwood was found guilty and …