Homestead-exemption deadline is extended

Homestead-exemption deadline is extended

YOUNGSTOWN

Senior citizens and totally and permanently disabled people will have until Dec. 31 to apply for homestead exemptions for this year, Mahoning County Auditor Ralph T. Meacham announced. The deadline extension from the first Monday in June to Dec. 31 is due to passage of Ohio House Bill 166.

The exemption allows disabled people and people 65 or older to shield $25,000 of their home’s fair-market value from real-estate taxes, meaning a $100,000 home would be taxed as if it were worth $75,000.

Veterans with 100 percent service-connected disabilities may shield up to $50,000 of their home’s market value from real-estate taxes. For information, 330-740-2010.

DeWine rejects petition paperwork on prayer in school

COLUMBUS

Attorney General Mike DeWine has again rejected petition paperwork filed by a Columbus-area group that wants to amend the state constitution to protect prayer in public schools.

In a letter Wednesday, DeWine wrote that the rejection was for a technical defect – part-petitions submitted by supporters were not properly labeled to include the text of the amendment and summary language.

The decision means the Coalition to Return Prayer to Public Schools will have to resubmit its Amendment to Return Prayer to Our Public Schools for further consideration.

The proposal would add language to the Ohio Constitution ensuring citizens’ right to “express their religious beliefs.” It reads, “schoolchildren have the right to pray and/or acknowledge their religious beliefs voluntarily in their schools.”

Charged in assault

YOUNGSTOWN

A Glenwood Avenue woman was arrested early Wednesday on felonious assault and resisting-arrest charges after reports said she hit a housemate in the back of the head with a glass ashtray and threatened to cut the throats of at least two people.

Police were called about 1:05 a.m. to a home in the 1800 block of Glenwood on the South Side, where reports said Loray Triplett, 56, refused to come out of a room she was in or talk to police.

Officers eventually broke down a door after a negotiator failed to get her to surrender and she was taken into custody.

Weed-science event

NORTH JACKSON

The public is invited to join the OSU Extension from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at Dean Mar Farms, 11440 Palmyra Road, for a weed-science field day.

Participants will learn about palmer amaranth identification and control, take part in a discussion about weed pressure and control, review weed identification, and discuss challenging weeds in crops. Mark Loux, OSU weed specialist, will share his insight, research and practical application of controls on the farm.

Registration is $10 and includes lunch, handouts and materials. Door prizes include 2016 weed control guides, corn, soybean and alfalfa field guides and more.

Call 330-533-5538 or visit go.osu.edu/weedday to register. The event is sponsored by Grier Ag Center in Canfield.

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