Ohio News Briefs

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Ohio lawmakers propose back-to-school sales tax break again

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio lawmakers have proposed bringing back a three-day break from the state’s sales tax for back-to-school shopping during the first weekend in August.

It would mark the third straight year of the sales tax holiday. Shoppers wouldn’t pay sales tax that weekend on qualifying purchases, including clothing items under $75 and school supplies under $20.

Democratic Reps. John Patterson and Brigid Kelly, of Cincinnati, say if their legislation is approved, Ohio would join 17 other states that offer such a break. They say it helps support local businesses and encourages families to shop within Ohio.

The Senate approved similar legislation this week.

Businesses tell Ohio congressman import tax plan would hurt

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Some retailers worried that a contentious proposed tax on imports would hurt business have voiced concerns to an Ohio congressman who’s on a tax-writing legislative committee.

The Columbus Dispatch reports Republican Rep. Jim Renacci attended Thursday’s discussion hosted by the business group Americans for Affordable Products, which opposes the “border adjustment.” Attendees raised concerns about potential effects on their businesses, including clothing company Abercrombie & Fitch, Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, and discount retailer Big Lots.

House Republican leaders support the proposal to tax imports and cut the corporate tax rate.

The head of the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants says that potential shift to consumer tax worries business executives, though he agreed with Renacci that comprehensive tax change is needed.

Renacci is considered a potential gubernatorial contender.

Wife: Ohioan’s shooting began with dispute over music, trash

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The wife of a slain central Ohio man says he was fatally shot when he confronted neighbors about frequent loud music from their house and trash thrown in his yard.

Nichelle Lillard tells The Columbus Dispatch that her husband, 36-year-old Lonnie Lambert, went across the street Wednesday night, took off his shirt after having words with someone there and was shot by a man. Lillard says she then went over to help and was shot in the leg.

Lambert later died at a hospital. Lillard was treated and released.

No one was immediately charged in the shooting. Columbus police say it remains under investigation.

Ohio college student’s alcohol-related death ruled accident

OXFORD, Ohio (AP) — A coroner’s office says the alcohol-related death of 18-year-old student at Miami University in Ohio last month has been ruled an accident.

Autopsy and toxicology reports indicate freshman Erica Buschick, of Gurnee, Illinois, had a blood-alcohol level that was more than four times Ohio’s legal driving limit of .08. Police determined that Buschick had consumed champagne and vodka during a night of partying.

Buschick died Jan. 20. Her roommate found her unresponsive, face-down on a pillow on the floor of a dorm room. Authorities say her position might have been a factor in her death.

Officials at the university have said they’re worried about what they call a “blackout culture” of students heavily consuming liquor, and they’re looking for ways to address that.

Police: 14-year-old girl arrested in father’s fatal shooting

HAMILTON, Ohio (AP) — Police say a 14-year-old who called 911 to say she had shot her father has been arrested on a charge of aggravated murder in southwest Ohio.

Hamilton police say they found 71-year-old James Allen Ponder shot in the face inside the family’s home early Thursday. He later died at a hospital.

Police say his daughter called police sobbing and saying she was sorry. The teen said in the call that she just shot her dad and asked if somebody could “come put me in handcuffs.”

Police said the shooting was an “isolated domestic incident” and the public hadn’t been in danger. Police did not say what led to the shooting.

The teen is being held at a juvenile detention center.

The Associated Press generally doesn’t name juveniles charged with crimes.

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