North Canton City leaders say they will make a concerted effort to eliminate pockets of blight in the city due to a rising number of foreclosures. The city plans to mail letters to property owners threatening court action if homes are not in compliance with North Canton's housing code. The code requires homeowners to maintain their homes, eliminate unsafe conditions and keep up the home's aesthetics. North Canton hopes to complete a street-by-street inspection of all homes looking for housing code or nuisance violations by the end of June. Last year, nine North Canton homes were sighted for non-compliance. This year, City leaders already know of eight homes that are in violation of the housing code.
Georgetown Road Northeast in Canton will be closed at Hamilton Avenue for one week beginning today as contractors will be repairing a manhole and the roadway. Eastbound traffic will detour north on Georgetown to Eighth Street. Westbound traffic will be directed north onto Marietta Avenue to Eighth Street. Motorists are encouraged to avoid the area.
Democratic state Rep. Connie Pillich announced yesterday that she will run for state treasurer next year, setting up a potential battle of military backgrounds with incumbent Josh Mandel. Pillich, 52, a lawyer and three-term state representative from Montgomery in Hamilton County, served eight years on active duty with the Air Force, reaching the rank of captain. Mandel, 35, a Republican, served eight years in the Marine Reserve, including two tours of duty in Iraq, reaching the rank of sergeant.
A Columbus police narcotics lieutenant could lose his job over allegations that he falsified overtime slips last year, a union official said. Lt. Troy Casner, 46, has been on desk duty and without his gun and badge since Feb. 27. He faces a June 25 hearing with Chief Kimberley Jacobs, who will decide on any discipline.
On the brink of adulthood, Robert Spencer saw his life and dreams nearly end in 1969, with the slice of a .22-caliber bullet into his spine that rendered him a quadriplegic.
The State Highway Patrol has filed drunken-driving and failure-to-control charges against a Mount Vernon man accused of hitting a Danville police officer after leading law enforcement on a chase across Knox County early Sunday.