Ohio’s population increases 0.1%

Ohio’s population increases 0.1%

COLUMBUS

New information from the U.S. Census shows Ohio’s population is growing, but at a very slow pace.

According to estimates released Wednesday, the state added about 8,450 people from April 2010 to July 2011. That’s an increase of just 0.1 percent, putting the state in 48th place for growth.

Washington, D.C., grew faster than any state in the nation, climbing by 2.7 percent. Texas was second for population growth.

Michigan is one of three states that have lost population since the 2010 census. The others are Rhode Island and Maine.

The new state census numbers are the first since the 2010 count, which found the nation’s population growth shifting to the Sun Belt. Those results led to the loss of two of Ohio’s 18 congressional seats.

Suicidal animal owner wasn’t drunk

COLUMBUS

A final coroner’s report shows an Ohio man who released dozens of wild animals and then killed himself had no alcohol or illegal drugs in his system.

The findings released Wednesday also confirm that 62-year-old Terry Thompson died after he put a gun to the roof of his mouth and fired. And, the report indicates he was bitten and clawed by large cats immediately after his death Oct. 18 on his property near Zanesville in eastern Ohio.

Sheriff’s deputies were forced to kill 48 loose exotic animals including bears, lions and endangered Bengal tigers.

Three leopards, two primates and a grizzly bear survived the big-game hunt and are now in the care of the Columbus zoo.

Ohio gives up on recovering funds

COLUMBUS

Ohio has stopped trying to recover accidental food stamp overpayments made before 2000.

State officials explain this week’s decision by saying that going way back would create problems for poor families not responsible for the errors.

Spokesman Rob Nichols says Gov. John Kasich believes it’s “impractical and mean-spirited” to seek repayment of the money.

The same rationale was given last month when the state stopped going after excess welfare cash assistance paid out by mistake more than 10 years earlier.

VINDICATOR WIRE REPORTS