Month: August 2020

By Del Duduit

Are we playing football, or ping pong?

I keep hearing plans for Ohio State to play football, even though the Big Ten put the kibosh on the season a couple of weeks ago amid panic from the coronavirus.

The Buckeyes’ head football coach, Ryan Day, has suggested starting a season in January.

He told reporters on a Zoom call that, “I think that starting the first week in January would be the best way to go,” Day said. “That way there is some separation between that season and the next season.”

I don’t believe officials within the Big Ten thought they would see such outrage from parents, players, big donors to the program, and boosters when they turned off the lights and put the season in the locker.

Many media outlets, and some college football analysts, downplayed the idea of a spring football season. But not now.

The tide – no pun intended to Alabama – is beginning to turn.

Parents and players have launched their own media blitz to gain support, and it might be working.

Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields has been traveling the media circuit to spread the word that he and the rest of the Buckeyes want to play.

In interviews on ESPN radio and Good Morning America, he emphasized that he wants to play. Fields is already projected by many college football experts to be drafted in the first round in the 2021 NFL Draft.

He could easily sit out and let the money come to him, but he wants to be in the Horseshoe and on the field.

This movement is putting pressure on Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren, who has fallen on the sword of the conference. “Was this a clunky process? Yes,” he said in an interview. “Were there areas I’d have liked to gone smoother? Absolutely. I need to learn from it and get better at it.”

Two of the top five power conferences in college sports opted out this fall.

The Big Ten and the Pac-12 canceled, or some say they delayed the season, while the SEC, ACC and the Big 12 have decided to keep playing.

Now there is a flurry of activity for those left out in the cold to play.

Could this really happen? Football in January?

The plan, according to an article in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, would include only using domed stadiums in the league. Currently, these include Ford Field in Detroit, U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, and Lucas Oil Field in Indianapolis.

Although that might appease the die-hard fans, it would put a strain on supporters who want to see the games in person, if they are allowed.
That would still mean no Horseshoe appearances. No Skull Session and no Script Ohio dotting the I in Columbus.

By starting in January and ending in March, some say athletes would have time to recover and rest up before the start of the regular 2021 season. It would also allow elite players the chance to attend NFL combines.
But would the big-name players risk the injury?

Nick Bosa did not return to Ohio State in 2018 after surgery because some speculated that he did not want to hurt his chances of being drafted. Why would a player who has a good chance of being drafted want to risk injury now?

The decision will put some players in a sticky situation. But they could approach the possibility of games in January as glorified scrimmages if the NCAA does not sanction the games.

The movement and petitions by players, coaches and parents is picking up steam.

Sandy Barbour, the athletic director at Penn State, said it would only take a few days to get a schedule approved, and Barry Alvarez, the AD at Wisconsin, said on the Dan Dakich Show last week that some big news might be coming soon.

“We’ve been working on this, Dan,” Alvarez said. “I can’t leak it to you. I’d love to give it to you, but I can’t leak it.”

We have gone from a reduced season to no football at all in the Big Ten, to the chances of playing in the first quarter of 2021, after the National Championship game has been played.

Football in January?

At this point, nothing will surprise me. Stay tuned.

Del Duduit is an award-winning writer and author who lives in Lucasville, Ohio with his wife, Angie. They attend Rubyville Community Church. Follow his blog at delduduit.com/blog and his Twitter @delduduit. He is represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary Agency.

State Representative Nino Vitale said it was a local newspaper that alerted him that campaign violations had been issued against him, not the state agency that filed the charges.

The complaint was submitted to the Ohio Elections Commission by Secretary of State Frank LaRose on Wednesday, two days after Vitale co-signed Articles of Impeachment against Gov. Mike DeWine.

The newspaper apparently leaned of the alleged violations in a press release from the Secretary of State’s office.

The Urbana, Ohio, Conservative has been an outspoken critic of the way DeWine has handled Covid-19 and was one of three representatives to co-sponsor a Resolution to Impeach the Governor on Monday.

The complaint alleges that Vitale used campaign resources for a firearms course that he instructs.

Other allegations include failure to file a true, full and itemized campaign finance report, failure to keep a strict account of all contributions, failure to disclose all expenditures over $25, and failure to deposit all contributions into a separate business account.

“Here comes the smear campaign,” said Vitale. “That is how they keep names off impeachment.

“LaRose is sending out press releases about me. There are about 200 of these a year. Why am I special?”

Vitale said his reports to the state have been the same for years.

“The Ohio Ethics Commission has okayed what I have been doing for seven years,” said the representative.

Vitale said he has worked with the Joint Legislative Ethics Committee for years to make certain his Concealed Carry Weapons permit traing class did not conflict with state ethics requirements.

“For seven years I have been asking Ethics, is it okay to do the CCW stuff through my campaign and they said it was. Now they have filed against me after Ethics said it was OK,” said Vitale.

One of the allegations involves an election finance report that was filed one day late.

Vitale responded to the allegations in a social media post.

Ohio Elections Commission Executive Director Phillip C. Richter said the anticipated date for a hearing would be mid-November or December.

Richtor confirmed that a number of complaints are received each year from the Secretary of State’s office, on average between 80 to 200. Another 500 to 700 complaints to the Ethics Commission come from Boards of Election, the director said.

“The assertion of the Secretary of State’s office is that there have been violations of certain provisions of Ohio election’s laws,” said Richtor.

Alleged violations against Vitale can be viewed here.

The complaint also alleges that Vitale converted for personal use his campaign website, email and marketing program and social media accounts.

Documents filed with the complaint say that Friends to Elect Nino Vitale paid for Facebook ads that promoted Vitale’s concealed carry weapons permit classes. Vitale is an instructor and has a shooting range on his Champaign County property. Each was for under $100.

The Secretary of State is reportedly in the process of auditing Vitale’s campaign finance reports and will meet with him on Friday.

An inquiry to LaRose’s office has not yet received a response.

An opinion poll conducted by a Central Ohio news station garnered so much attention that the station decided to leave it up longer than usual.

It asked, “Do you think Republican Governor Mike DeWine should be removed from office?”

The poll got more than 18,000 votes. Typically the station’s polls receive hundreds of votes, not thousands, according to Adam Slinger at abc6.

Ohioans voted overwhelmingly to impeach DeWine.

Yes: 83.02%
No: 16.98%

It should be noted that opinion polls are unscientific.

Ohio Statehouse News reached out to abc6 when it was brought to our attention that the poll results were never published.

Adam Slinger of abc6  had an explanation for this.

“The poll was opened Monday and closed late Tuesday,” said Slinger.

“Our polls are, typically, left open for less than 12 hours. As our regular broadcast viewers are aware, we do a new poll each day, usually in our 7PM newscast.

“Instead of ending this specific poll the next day, we made the decision to leave it open beyond 24 hours because it continued to generate a high number of votes.

“This specific poll was likely covered on-air more than any other poll in the past year. This poll generated 18,420 votes. Votes are counted by device,” said Sliger.

Link to abc6 story here.

 

 

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has a solution for working parents whose children must do online school, made necessary because of  Covid-19 restrictions.

DeWine presented a new program on Monday that he said will ensure that students learning remotely have someplace to go during their normal school day while their parents are at work.

Childcare providers, churches, recreation centers and businesses can apply for authorization to babysit them.

Beginning Tuesday, Aug. 25, childcare providers licensed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) and the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) may care for children who are learning remotely during the school day.

In addition, a “Pandemic School-Age Child Care License” will allow qualifying organizations like churches, recreation centers, and businesses to provide care.

To do this, the state will reduce the regulations that organizations have to meet to become licensed.

“With more than 30% of school districts opting for remote and hybrid models of learning for the start of the school year – including many of Ohio’s largest school districts – working families need safe options for their child’s care during the school day,” said DeWine.

“The safety of children is our number one priority,” said ODJFS Director Kimberly Hall. “The new Temporary Pandemic School-Age Child Care license will ensure that our children are cared for in safe, clean facilities by qualified staff, while also reducing the regulations that organizations have to abide by to become licensed.”

Parents will need to pay for childcare unless they meet established low-income criteria.

One must ask, Why not just open schools?

Will these places provide the same security as schools? Will children be safe from child predators and potential abuse?

How will the state of Ohio, that cannot manage to process unemployment benefits efficiently,  process background records of those who will be entrusted with our children?

Zero Ohio children have died of COVID-19, according to the CDC. But Ohio ranks sixth in the nation for human trafficking.

Some 18.5 thousand children were reported missing in Ohio in 2019 – 392 are still unaccounted for today, according to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.

BREAKING NEWS

A group of State Representatives introduced a Resolution of Impeachment to have Ohio Governor Mike DeWine removed from office over his handling of COVID-19.

Rep. Nino Vitale announced Monday morning that the House has initiated the first steps of the impeachment process.

In an exceptionally rare move, House Republicans moved to impeach a Governor of the same party.

Vitale is joined by Reps. Candice Keller, Paul Zeltwanger and John Becker, Republican co-sponsors.

This is the first time in more than a century that Ohio lawmakers have filed articles of impeachment against a sitting governor.

See Articles of Impeachment here.

Impeachment requires a state legislature’s lower chamber to bring specific charges, and the upper chamber to act as the jury in an impeachment trial.

The move to impeach DeWine is an apparent response to hundreds, possibly thousands, of letters, emails and telephone calls to Ohio representatives over recent weeks demanding the removal of DeWine from office.

An online portal has been established through which Ohioans can contact their representatives regarding DeWine’s removal and follow the initial impeachment process.

Article II, Section 23  of the Ohio Constitution states that the “House of Representatives shall have the sole power of impeachment. “Articles of Impeachment may only be introduced in the House of Representatives.

A majority of the members elected must concur therein.

The Ohio Senate will have no role in the impeachment process until a majority of the House votes to impeach. The decision to hold a vote lies with the House Rules Committee.

Impeachments shall be tried by the senate; and the senators, when sitting for that purpose, shall be upon oath or affirmation to do justice according to law and evidence.

No person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of the senators.

Rep. Vitale has been very outspoken about DeWine’s mishandling of the COVID-19 crisis, its impact on the economy, small businesses, religeous freedom and the Governor’s infringement on the liberties of Ohioans. Vitale’s Facebook Page has over 38,000 followers.

Vitale said, “Articles of Impeachment do not go far enough for me. While it’s a good step, Dictator DeWine needs to be charged and tried for crimes against humanity, in my opinion.”

Ohio has plenty of company.  In June, Articles of Impeachment against Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf were introduced.  In July, Sen. Rand Paul called for the impeachment of Gov. Andrew Cuomo over the number of deaths among New York nursing home patients during the coronavirus outbreak this spring.

Five other states have begun the process to recall their governors, another way of removing an elected official from office.

Recall is differs from impeachment in that it is a political device while impeachment is a legal process.

Out of 19 states (plus the District of Columbia) that allow for the recall of state officials, efforts are currently underway to recall governors in at least five.

In New Jersey, Colorado and Oregon, elections officials have given organizers the OK to collect signatures to get a recall on the ballot.

In Alaska, a group to recall Gov. Mike Dunleavy has formally registered with the state and is currently circulating a petition to receive official approval.

There’s also a fifth effort underway in California.

And a sixth state may soon join the ranks, as opponents of Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak say they’ll kick off a formal recall effort in the fall.

Only four gubernatorial recall efforts have ever made the ballot.

 

A major announcement from members of the Ohio House will be made on Monday morning, Ohio Statehouse News has learned.

We will go live with the story then.  Stay tuned!

 

 

 

If you’ve received an erroneous  COVID-19 test result, the Ohio Auditor’s office would like to hear from you through an online portal set up specifically for that purpose.

The Auditor is seeking tips from anyone that has received a notice from the State or County Health Department or a medical provider with what they perceive as erroneous COVID-19 test result.

This could include test results that were later reversed or results for test that was never taken.

Auditors from five states, Delaware, Florida, Mississippi, Pennsylvania and Ohio established the online reporting portal to review their respective states’ COVID-19 data for accuracy.

Information from these individual cases will allow auditors to examine the reliability and accuracy of COVID-19 data reporting procedures in their states.

The office is only interested in first-hand accounts to establish facts or debunk the rumors.

Ohio Auditor Keith Faber said recently that his office verified five cases in which people who had never taken a COVID test received notification that they tested positive.

Click here to access the online reporting portal.

Stockdale native and former Minford Elementary student Zach Veach has his best starting position yet in the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.

Zach will start in the sixth row at spot 17 on Sunday at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

I’m happy for him but I just cannot imagine.

The past three years, I have been there to cover the race at the Brickyard.

Although not an avid follower of auto sports, the Indianapolis 500 is the most exciting event I have ever attended, and I have been to a few of them.

I have covered everything from the Super Bowl to the Final Four. But I must admit, the MLB Home Run Derby comes close, but that was more entertainment and fun than anything.

The disappointment hits home because I won’t be there for his fourth attempt to “kiss the bricks” as many of the media will not be allowed to come.

The race, traditionally run on Memorial Day weekend, was pushed back to Aug. 23 over fear of the coronavirus. News came down this week that the race will be run without fans.

Zach, who grew up in Stockdale, put on his Twitter post recently that “My favorite sight of the year is walking through gasoline alley and seeing the stands for the first time on Indy 500 race day. Saddened it’ll look so different this year but it is what needs to be done. We’ll put on a great show for everyone watching at home!”

I will miss that too but cannot narrow down what I will miss the most.

Everything about the Indy 500 is spectacular. The pageantry, the tradition of honoring the military and the patriotism is appreciated. The flyovers send chills down my back and the order for “drivers, start your engines,” are the four most exciting words you will hear.

On race day, it is “highly suggested” to be in the media center about 4 a.m. – maybe I won’t miss that as much come to think of it. But I must admit, the place is hopping with adrenalin even before the sun comes up and rises over the Pagoda. Track employees are everywhere and hyped up on coffee.

But the entire event is a thrill.

I recall walking the straight away with my friend, George, who is the owner of Kingdom Racing, at 6 a.m. He always has a driver in the field and goes to each car and prays for safety over them.

Throughout the morning, there are church services as the Speedway in a garage conducted by IndyCar Ministries. I’ve been to a few of them.
It’s interesting to watch the employees at the track get ready to put on the show. The red carpet is rolled out for “celebrities” at 5:30 a.m. and once the gates open, about 400,000 fans come into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It’s electric.

A friend and fellow sportswriter who covers the Bengals with me, went two years ago for the first time at my suggestion, and told me it was more amazing than he ever thought it would be.

I will miss not talking with Zach in his garage hours before he straps into his No. 26 Gainbridge Honda for Andretti Auto Sport. I coached him in fourth grade basketball at Minford Elementary School and he is friends with my youngest son because they were on the same team.

I will miss following him on the board in the media center and watching his car zoom by the me at 240 mph.

Last year, Zach was in good position to finish in the top 10, but a five-car cash with 25 laps to go took him out of 12th place and the race.
Hardly any media, and no fans at the IMS. It’s hard to fathom.

When I spoke to Zach before he raced at Texas Motor Speedway in June, he said it was going to be odd to not see fans in the stands.

He loves the 500 and wants nothing more than to cross the finish line and drink from the milk jar.

Instead of being waited on inside the media center and having the traditional brisket and potatoes for lunch, I’ll be in my recliner chomping on nachos and cheering for our own as he takes part in the most exciting day in sports.

Godspeed Zach.

Del Duduit is an award-winning writer and author who lives in Lucasville, Ohio with his wife, Angie. They attend Rubyville Community Church. Follow his blog at delduduit.com/blog and his Twitter @delduduit. He is represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary Agency.

 

If you’re waiting on legislators to put an end to Gov. Mike DeWine’s tyrannical COVID-19 orders, don’t hold your breath. There is no formal plan in the works to impeach DeWine, according to legislators.

DeWine declared a health emergency in early March. That declaration is still in place and can be extended indefinitely… as in forever.

The good news is, multiple bills have been introduced that would remove some of the executive powers used by the governor. The bad news, both the House and Senate are needed to pass legislation and they are not scheduled to be back in session until mid-September.

The General Assembly has been excluded from the Administration’s COVID decisions thus far.

When asked what criteria must be met for the governor to lift his emergency declaration, DeWine’s press secretary Dan Tierney responded , “Ohio remains in a pandemic emergency based upon scientific data and the advice of scientific experts. Our administration looks forward to continuing our collaboration with the General Assembly on resolving important COVID-19-related issues, such as liability reform and administering CARES Act funds.”

An increasing number of Republican State Representatives and Senators have spoken out against DeWine’s handling of COVID-19.

Senator Andrew Brenner said the state will be dealing with ramifications of shutting down the state and shuttering businesses for months to come.

Brenner is calling for the state to fully open.

Ohio remains under strict restrictions that impact businesses, schools, sports, personal lives, the state budget and more.

Regarding Senate Bill 55, Brenner said he believes the Senate has the votes necessary to override DeWine’s veto and the House may also have enough. The legislation was vetoed by the Governor, so it will require a supermajority of 60 percent to pass.

Senate Bill 55 would decrease fines for violating a public health order from $750 to $150. It also would make the first offense a warning.

“The economic impact of canceling fairs, festivals, The Little Brown Jug, Ohio State Football. It’s very concerning,” said Brenner.

Rep. Jon Cross also has been vocal about opening the economy.

“I would prefer the Governor to stop all mandates and orders and work with the legislature to allow the people’s voice be heard in the decision-making process,” said Cross.

“Many of my constituents’ voices of frustration are being ignored by the executive branch and I’ll continue to be their voice to raise issues and concerns from the 83rd district.”

Rep. Cross said the new House Speaker Robert Cupp and the Senate need to work together to move legislation.

To contact Speaker Cupp  by email or phone 614-466-9624

To contact Senate President Larry Obhoff by email  or phone 614-466-7595

Obhoff could not be reached for comment.

Rep. Nino Vitale said, “The state government is doing nothing to protect our liberty and freedom.”

Vitale has been very vocal about Ohioans’ loss of liberties and DeWine’s unconstitutional mandates, including the mask mandate. Vitale has a huge Facebook following.

Regarding impeachment, the House of Representatives shall have the sole power of impeachment, but a majority of the members elected must concur therein.

Impeachments shall be tried by the senate; and the senators, when sitting for that purpose, shall be upon oath or affirmation to do justice according to law and evidence. No person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of the senators.

 

 

 

 

Throughout Ohio, mothers-to-be are forced to wear a face mask at work or lose their job.

Gov. Mike DeWine’s statewide mask mandate extends no consideration to the unborn.

Employers must enforce the governor’s ruling or face fines and other consequences.

A new study indicates that oxygen deprivation during the fetal stage could increase the threat of birth defects.

Oxygen is significant to life, and to a fetus, it is important to growth and development, therefore any lack of oxygen has the potential to be devastating and even fatal to a growing fetus. It is hence vital for an expectant mother to avoid any behavior that might scale back the amount of oxygen her baby receives.

Doctors say that any lack of oxygen has the potential to be devastating and even fatal to a growing fetus.

Wearing a face covering for extended periods can result in hypoxia. A low blood oxygen level lasting for several days or longer is called chronic hypoxemia.

Hypoxia is also associated with an impairment in immunity.

The human brain needs oxygen, and this is especially true for young developing minds of children and unborn babies. Women require 20% more oxygen during pregnancy, some experts have determined.

Ohio Statehouse News recently spoke with two expectant mothers who were forced to wear face masks or lose their jobs.

Linsey’s baby is due in mid-September. Linsey asked that her last name not be published.

“I’m currently 33 weeks and have to wear one,” said Linsey.

“I work at Marshall’s. We are required to wear a mask for the whole 8-hour shift and can only take it off to eat or drink. If I refuse to wear the mask, I unfortunately will not have a job anymore!

“I dislike wearing the mask. I feel like it negatively impacts my child’s and my own health.

“My doctor has said that they don’t have enough research to say whether or not the masks work, but they do recommend it for the ‘safety’ of myself and my child.

“I do worry about the amount of oxygen that myself and the baby are getting constantly. There have been many times at work where I’ve gotten light-headed and out of breath. When I am at work wearing the mask, I notice a huge decrease in my baby’s movements which to me is very concerning.”

Morgan Carrel is a front-end supervisor at Kroger. Her baby is due in mid-October.

“I either have to wear a mask or a face shield (with an approved doctor’s note) If I refused, I would have to take a leave of absence,” said Morgan.

“I’ve gotten used to wearing it. I work 40 hours a week, eight hours a day.

“I’m not a fan at all. Some days it does seem to affect my breathing to where I’m messing with the mask and pulling it down just to catch my breath at times.”

Brain cells are very sensitive to decreases in oxygen levels and don’t survive or function well for very long without it.

DeWine claims to care about children. His lack of regard for the unborn seems to leave that in question.