http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/content/syndication/www.dispatchpolitics.com DispatchPolitics: Latest news, information, and blogs http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/22/santorum-to-speak-in-northwest-ohio.html Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum will add northwest Ohio to his state campaigning. GOP officials say Santorum will speak March 3 at the Lincoln-Reagan Day dinner for the 5th House district. They say all Republican presidential candidates have been invited to the dinner at Bowling Green State University’s student union. http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/22/santorum-to-speak-in-northwest-ohio.html http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/22/clean-energy-ballot-initiative-has-its-quirks.html A proposed Ohio renewable-energy ballot issue has some strange quirks: $13 billion in investments in wind, solar, geothermal and other energy projects over 10 years would be solely controlled by a secretive Ohio commission incorporated in the state of Delaware; the General Assembly would be strictly prohibited from influencing project selection and investments, or any operation of the Ohio Energy Commission Initiative; the spokeswoman for the energy issue, Evonne Richardson of Columbus, is a model, actress and burlesque dancer who also goes by Zulie Perfect, a fictitious name officially registered with Secretary of State Jon Husted. alan johnson http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/22/clean-energy-ballot-initiative-has-its-quirks.html http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/22/village-hopes-to-replace-speed-trap-rep-with-destination-shopping.html ALEXANDRIA, Ohio — Meredith Martin likes to use the word renaissance. Martin said she moved her newly opened Sunbear Studio & Gallery to Alexandria from Delaware County because of the Licking County village’s small-town charm and great location near affluent communities. Having an art gallery on Main Street has residents buzzing with the hope that the village of about 500 people is on the cusp of an economic resurgence. josh jarman http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/22/village-hopes-to-replace-speed-trap-rep-with-destination-shopping.html http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/22/meeting-puts-husted-in-gop-feud.html The intraparty feud splitting Ohio Republicans between those loyal to party Chairman Kevin DeWine and those backing Gov. John Kasich might have another prominent player: Secretary of State Jon Husted. joe vardon http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/22/meeting-puts-husted-in-gop-feud.html http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/22/pit-bulls-not-automatically-vicious-under-new-law.html Pit bulls no longer will be automatically classified as vicious dogs under a bill signed into law yesterday by Gov. John Kasich. jim siegel http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/22/pit-bulls-not-automatically-vicious-under-new-law.html http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/22/husted-backs-gop-panelists-in-ballot-feud.html Ohio’s elections chief has sided with fellow Republicans in breaking a tie vote over counting ballots in a disputed 2010 juvenile court election. http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/22/husted-backs-gop-panelists-in-ballot-feud.html http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/22/paving-samples-need-monitoring-odot-told.html The state watchdog flagged “significant deficiencies” yesterday in how the Ohio Department of Transportation collects asphalt samples to ensure road crews are repaving highways effectively. david eggert http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/22/paving-samples-need-monitoring-odot-told.html http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/21/pit-bulls-not-automatically-vicious-under-new-law.html Pit bulls no longer will be automatically classified as vicious dogs under a bill signed into law today by Gov. John Kasich. jim siegel http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/21/pit-bulls-not-automatically-vicious-under-new-law.html http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/21/pauls-ohio-supporters-see-success-in-small-steps.html A donations box sits just inside the door, next to a sign on the wall inviting people to the “Rock for the Revolution” concert in Columbus the night before the primary. Of the dozens of people in the office, not one is getting paid, and the volunteers move around at a casual pace, rather than like energy-drink-infused balls of stress. U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas isn’t your average presidential candidate, and this is no average state political-campaign operation. His Ohio headquarters Downtown is run by a nonprofit group called Ohio Revolution. jim siegel http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/21/pauls-ohio-supporters-see-success-in-small-steps.html http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/21/meeting-puts-husted-in-gop-feud.html The intraparty feud splitting Ohio Republicans between those loyal to party Chairman Kevin DeWine and those backing Gov. John Kasich might have another prominent player: Secretary of State Jon Husted. joe vardon http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/21/meeting-puts-husted-in-gop-feud.html http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/21/renewable-energy-ballot-measure-advances.html A group is a step closer to getting the OK to collect signatures for an Ohio ballot measure that would pump $1.3 billion a year into renewable energy. david eggert http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/21/renewable-energy-ballot-measure-advances.html http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/21/trying-to-swingback-in-the-lead.html NEWTOWN, Ohio —When it comes to electing presidents, “Ohio has a special place,” Mitt Romney told an audience yesterday in this Cincinnati suburb. And that’s why he came to this place, desperate to stem Rick Santorum’s wild ride to the top of the Republican presidential heap. joe hallett http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/21/trying-to-swingback-in-the-lead.html http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/21/hitting-ohio-hard-energy-theme-drilling-obama.html STEUBENVILLE, Ohio — Burn coal. Drill for oil. Strengthen the church. Republican presidential hopeful Rick Santorum’s message yesterday seemed tailored to Steubenville, a community with a strong Roman Catholic presence that was raised on coal and is seeking an economic rebirth through shale drilling. joe vardon http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/21/hitting-ohio-hard-energy-theme-drilling-obama.html http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/21/powerball-lures-fewer-ohioans-but-more-money-at-2-cost.html About a month after lottery organizers doubled the price to play Powerball, Ohioans are playing less than before but responding to sizable jackpots just the same. pat holmes http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/21/powerball-lures-fewer-ohioans-but-more-money-at-2-cost.html http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/21/delaware-county-commissioners-in-primary-fight.html The three men challenging the two Delaware County commissioners in the March 6 Republican primary say they would bring professionalism and fiscal responsibility to the board that is lacking. allison manning http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/21/delaware-county-commissioners-in-primary-fight.html http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/21/mental-health-agency-has-new-medical-chief.html Dr. Mark A. Hurst has been appointed medical director for the Ohio Department of Mental Health, agency Director Tracy J. Plouck announced. alan johnson http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/21/mental-health-agency-has-new-medical-chief.html http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/21/ohio-on-political-figures-itineraries.html The presidential candidates are leaving us alone for a few days, but never fear, the political stew continues to bubble in Ohio. darrel rowland http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/21/ohio-on-political-figures-itineraries.html http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/21/3-vie-to-become-licking-county-commissioner.html Licking County Republican voters have a choice among three candidates in the primary election for county commissioner. josh jarman http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/21/3-vie-to-become-licking-county-commissioner.html http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/20/mental-health-agency-has-new-medical-chief.html Dr. Mark A. Hurst has been appointed medical director for the Ohio Department of Mental Health, agency Director Tracy J. Plouck announced. alan johnson http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/20/mental-health-agency-has-new-medical-chief.html http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/20/delaware-county-commissioners-in-primary-fight.html The three men challenging the two Delaware County commissioners in the March 6 Republican primary say they would bring professionalism and fiscal responsibility to the board that is lacking. allison manning http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/20/delaware-county-commissioners-in-primary-fight.html http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/20/powerball-lures-fewer-ohioans-at-2-cost.html About a month after lottery organizers doubled the price to play Powerball, Ohioans are playing less than before but responding to sizable jackpots just the same. pat holmes http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/20/powerball-lures-fewer-ohioans-at-2-cost.html http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/20/romney-takes-aim-at-santorum-during-ohio-stop.html NEWTOWN, Ohio — It’s President’s Wanna-Be Day in Ohio. With the state’s Republican primary two weeks from Tuesday, Mitt Romney chased Rick Santorum to Super Tuesday’s big prize, desperately trying to stem the former Pennsylvania senator’s momentum. joe hallett http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/20/romney-takes-aim-at-santorum-during-ohio-stop.html http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/20/no-child-left-behind.html Ohio schools wouldn’t be judged by whether all students pass state tests if federal officials grant the state’s request for freedom from the No Child Left Behind Act. Instead of inching toward the requirement that 100 percent of students be “proficient” on standardized math and reading exams by 2014, Ohio would require schools to show improvement among all students, regardless of race, family wealth or other factors. catherine candisky jennifer smith richards http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/20/no-child-left-behind.html http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/20/state-tries-to-ease-job-hunts-of-ex-cons.html The feared question that trips up one in six Ohioans — “Have you ever been convicted of a crime?” — will soon disappear from state job applications. Gov. John Kasich’s administration is working with private organizations to help knock down barriers created for past offenders by 800 sanctions attached to scores of laws. alan johnson http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/20/state-tries-to-ease-job-hunts-of-ex-cons.html http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/20/agency-focused-on-reining-in-regulations.html Kids’ fun houses, booze and college tuition are among the topics tackled in the first year of Gov. John Kasich’s Common Sense Initiative to eliminate what he calls excessive regulations on business. joe vardon http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/02/20/agency-focused-on-reining-in-regulations.html