Columbiana sheriff’s story has big hole

Columbiana sheriff’s story has big hole

LISBON — Columbiana County Sheriff David L. Smith said he was at a Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association dinner before he was charged late Thursday with driving while under the influence.

The association, however, didn’t have a dinner that night.

Smith was charged by the Ohio Highway Patrol in Guernsey County for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence, speeding and driving outside marked lanes on Interstate 70, apparently while heading home.

Robert A. Cornwell, the association’s executive director, said today that Smith arrived at the association’s office about 9:25 a.m. Thursday for a meeting that started at 10 a.m.

The meeting was held to discuss how command vehicles stationed at 11 counties throughout Ohio are being used and whether they are effective.

One of the vehicles is stationed in Columbiana County and is to be used, if needed, in surrounding territories.

Cornwell said the meeting broke at noon, and everyone went to a local restaurant for lunch.

“People had iced tea or lemonade,” Cornwell said.

The officials went back to the office, and the meeting ended at 2 p.m.

The executive director said he did not know where Smith went after that.

For the complete story, see Tuesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.