 |
November 2008 |
 |
|
|
|
|
By MATT NICHOLS
Staff Writer
A former Wapakoneta law enforcement officer’s future is now in the hands of seven state Supreme Court justices.
Former Wapakoneta Police Chief Dave Harrison’s 6-year-old sex crime case reached the pinnacle in Ohio’s court system Wednesday, as justices heard arguments from Harrison’s attorney Dean Boland and state prosecutor Scott Longo.
Each party had 15 minutes to present their case to the justices. After both attorneys argued their cases, a single word in Harrison’s sentencing entry and a grilling delivered to Longo by justice Maureen O’Connor left Boland optimistic about his client’s future.
In June, 2003, Harrison plead guilty to a six-count bill of information after child pornography was found on his computer. After entering his plea, the man who served as police chief from 1988 to 2002 was sentenced to one year in jail.
Seven months after he completed his sentence, it was discovered by county prosecutors that Harrison should have been sentenced with an additional five years of mandatory post release control, or probation.
During a court hearing, Harrison was given the option to either be re-sentenced or withdraw his plea. Harrison chose the latter, taking things back to square one.
With the plea withdrawn, the state of Ohio slapped Harrison with a 23-count indictment which he was ultimately found guilty of and sentenced to six years in prison.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Tuesday, 29 July 2008 |
Ottoville sweeps competition
 A Wapakoneta Redskin varsity cheerleader competes Monday night at the Auglaize County Fairgrounds in the cheerleading competition. The Redskins were once again one of the top cheerleading programs to compete in the area. (Staff photo/ Matt Nichols)
By MATT NICHOLS
Staff Writer
After the pompoms were laid dormant and the screams typical of the high school spirit died, the Big Green took home the hardware. Ottoville Schools swept the junior high and varsity categories in the 2008 Auglaize County Fair Cheerleading Competition.
Perennial favorites in any cheer competition they enter, Ottoville’s junior high squad beat out three other teams, while the varsity squad cartwheeled and hand sprung their way to the top of the judges scorecards.
In their first competition of the year, the Big Green showed that like previous years, the 15-member varsity squad is a force to be reckoned with once again this year.
When Ottoville’s name was announced as the winner at the fairgrounds track, the team leapt to their feet and simultaneously let out a blood curdling scream. Even with past dominance, members of the squad said they were not sure how they would perform in their first performance of 2008.
“We didn’t know what to expect tonight,” cheer coach Tammy Koester said. “We were so apprehensive about coming tonight and it’s our first time out. We just didn’t know where we would be.”
After the judges scores were announced, any questions about the team performance were answered.
The Big Green varsity squad beat runner-up Holgate High School Monday night with Fort Jennings High School taking third. Fort Loramie High School and Delphos St. Johns High School finished the night fourth and fifth, respectively. Wapakoneta High School, St. Marys Memorial High School and Kenton High School also participated in the competition.
The Spencerville Bearcats, Fort Loramie Redskins and Fort Jennings Musketeers were the Big Green’s junior high competition. The Celina Gym & Cheer’s Celina Lakers Exhibition Squads and Delphos All-Stars Exhibition Squad also performed demonstrations to the packed grandstands.
When they finally stopped screaming and hugging each other, a couple of Big Green squad members caught their breath long enough to express their excitement for the coming season.
“We were a little nervous coming because we had never been to this competition so it’s kind of new for us,” Ottoville senior Shayla Koester said. “But we’re glad it ended happily.”
Fellow senior squad member Chelsea Bowers agreed, adding that it’s a good sign to do well in the first competition — a time when not all of the performance kinks are ironed out.
“This is always the most nerve racking because it’s the one where you’re shaking all your nerves out,” Bowers said “Now we just need to go from here.”
Even with nerves still to be shaken out, Bowers said there is one factor that she believes gives the Big Green the winning edge — team chemistry.
“We’re like sisters,” Bowers said. “We get along so good and every time we come to practice, everyone is high spirits and everyone is happy and we end up working really, really hard.”
In her second year as event organizer, Robin Whitney said she was pleased with the competition and turnout.
“I really thought everything went well,” Whitney said. “We had a lot of talented squads, and I just want to thank all the cheerleaders and coaches for all their hard work and dedication.” |
|
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 30 July 2008 )
|
|
|
|
