Consumers' Counsel announces public forums to discuss proposed electric rate increases

(Columbus) With customers' electric rates at stake, the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC), the residential utility consumer advocate, in collaboration with other groups in Ohio Consumer and Environmental Advocates (OCEA) will hold a series of public forums throughout the state about the rate increases proposed by Ohio’s largest three electric utilities – American Electric Power, Duke Energy and FirstEnergy. The proposed increases are part of each utility’s Electric Security Plan, filed after the passage of Ohio’s energy policy (Senate Bill 221).

What you should know about getting help for your ADD child

Q: My son has ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). He is 12 and terribly disorganized. Although he's smart, his grades are terrible because he frequently misplaces his homework. Can I get the school to help him get and stay organized?

Analyst: Boomers shouldn't panic about stock market's currently-choppy waters

For many Baby Boomers, the current stock market slump is having a greater impact on their lives than just smaller savings accounts - it means they still have to get up and go to work every day.

Supreme Court: Disability benefits claim unsupported

Judges sitting on a 6th Circuit Court of Appeals panel reasoned a former military file clerk seeking disability benefits under the Social Security Act was not handicapped substantially enough to be eligible. The same decision had been reached earlier by a Cleveland U.S. District Court.

State legislation to give townships more authority went into effect last week

A small neighborhood in Cincinnati wanting to bury some overhead cables may not seem worthy of a year-long legislative initiative, but House Bill 244 - which went into effect last week - will make actionable future improvements in townships statewide.

Justices look to federal courts to settle remittitur-option question

The Ohio Supreme Court entered uncharted legal territory Wednesday, August 13th, with its decision centering on the question of whether a court order offering a plaintiff the choice of a remittitur or a new trial is a final, appealable order.

Known for its smokestack industries, Ohio becoming leader in green technologies

Could Ohio, a state that for decades thrived on smokestack industries, now become one of the leaders in renewable and advanced energy, where thousands of lost auto industry jobs are replaced by those making wind turbine parts?

Bill would increase penalties for wrong-way drivers

Following a flurry of incidents involving wrong-way drivers in the past year, Rep. Robert Spada has introduced legislation to increase penalties for those offenders. Spada readily admits to having a personal reason for taking a strong stance on the issue: In April, his brother-in-law was killed in a wrong-way accident.

Ohio Courts Network is coming to a courthouse near you

The pilot version of Ohio's new network linking courts throughout the state has been completed, and training and plugging in has begun.

Out-of-state investors set sights on Ohio

Ohio's burgeoning bioscience industry is catching the eyes of more out-of-state investors as venture capital more commonly is coming from outside of Ohio.

6th Circuit reverses district court in malicious prosecution case

A panel of federal appeals judges dismissed the constitutional claims brought by a Yorkville village councilman against a local police chief and his officer. The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals decision released Thursday, August 14th, reversed that of a lower court.

Retire Social Security

Social Security is morally bankrupt

Buyers and builders taking steps toward 'going green'

"Green" housing certainly seems to be gaining traction with both the public and the home building industry.

Boomer retirements won't come as a shock to power industry, but may cause concern

As the Baby Boomer engineers, maintenance personnel and technicians who keep our electricity flowing begin to retire en masse over the next 10 years, power companies, labor unions and universities all over the country are collaborating to re-charge the power plant workforce.

10th District reverses on $6M fraud claim

An appellate panel of judges sided earlier this month with a Massachusetts-based mortgage banking company which argued Franklin County Common Pleas Court was wrong to have granted summary judgment to an Ohio title company in the banking company's breach of contract claim.