Five things to know for Tuesday, Oct. 14

Bill would mandate life or death for killing an officer

Proposed legislation would amend the sentence for the aggravated murder of a peace officer to life in prison without the possibility of parole or death. It would also apply to killing a prosecutor, first responder, or military member.

House Bill 372, the Larry Henderson Act, sponsored by state Reps. Cindy Abrams, R-Harrison, and Phil Plummer, R-Dayton, is pending before the House Judiciary Committee. The measure is named for the Hamilton County sheriff’s deputy, who was killed in May while on a security detail for the spring commencement at the University of Cincinnati.

DeWine names Ohio State Parks Working Group

Republican Gov. Mike DeWine announced the members of a group to study how state and local governments provide emergency services at Ohio’s 76 state parks. Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson and Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director Mary Mertz will co-chair the Public Safety in Ohio State Parks Working Group.

DeWine called for the group after vetoing a provision in the state operating budget that would have required ODNR to reimburse the local government for emergency response services provided at South Bass Island State Park. However, the budget did not include additional appropriations.

Former Carrollton Exempted Village Schools treasurer sentenced

A Carroll County Common Pleas Court judge sentenced the former Carrollton Exempted Village Schools treasurer to 18 months in prison, followed by community control. Amy Spears was also ordered to pay $22,620 in restitution and pay court costs.

The Auditor of State’s Special Investigations Unit began investigating Spears after anonymous complaints reported that she had cashed a district check for $5,000 that she had made out to herself. According to a release from the Auditor of State’s Office, Spears redeposited the money into the district bank account after she was confronted.

Yost announces money for addiction treatment for jail inmates

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has awarded more money to supply “the tools and support for addicted inmates to overcome withdrawal, get clean and improve their lives upon release.” This latest tranche of funding, the third round, went to 11 jails.

The $2 million in grants expands the program’s reach to 37 counties statewide. Yost has announced more than $5.6 million in grants.

Ohio wants to give out money for films

State officials said they want to dole out more than $40 million under the state’s Motion Picture Tax Credit. While state officials previously considered applications twice a year, they now do so throughout the year.

The taxpayer money includes $34 million for film and television productions. Another $6 million is for Broadway and theatrical productions.