 |
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With the plea withdrawn, the state of Ohio slapped Harrison with a 23-count indictment which he was ultimately found guilty of and sentenced to six years in prison.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, 23 September 2008 |
 Paul Oldenwelder, as “Captain Lonesome Paul” shows a set of rattling bones pirates used to scare away bad luck to a crowd gathered at the Auglaize County Public District Library in Wapakoneta. Staff photo/Andrea Poteet
By ANDREA POTEET
Staff Writer
Decked out in a brown pirate hat she intends to wear for Halloween and a pink T- shirt featuring her favorite pirate — Capt. Jack Sparrow of Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” film series — Ashlyn Steinke, 5, and her older sister, Amanda, 8, wait for their chance to see a pirate up close.
“We heard it was supposed to be fun,” their mother, Barbie Steinke, said. “We’ve been looking forward to it for a long time.”
More than 100 people turned out Monday to see pirates come to life as part of Indianapolis-based Family Time Entertainment’s “Pirate Show,” part of the Auglaize County Public District Library’s monthly series of family nights.
The show, narrated by Family Time Entertainment’s Paul Oldenwelder, playing “Captain Lonesome Paul,” featured magic tricks and historical facts about pirates.
Pointing to the skull-and crossbones design on many of the audience members’ shirts, Oldenwelder told the crowd that the famous design many have come to know as the “Jolly Roger,” or calling card, of all pirates, belonged to one pirate named Edward England.
He said each pirate had their own Jolly Roger they used to let others know who they were and send messages from their ships.
A red Jolly Roger, meant the pirate took no prisoners, and those who found their way onto his ship had two choices — joining his crew or walking the plank, Oldenwelder said.
Oldenwelder also told audience members how pirates believed in good and bad luck and used rattling bones to scare away bad luck.
As the hour-long program neared its end, Oldenwelder took audiences
members on a treasure hunt from their seats, as they looked for clues hidden throughout the library’s basement that would lead them to treasure hidden in a previously-empty treasure chest.
As the chest was opened to reveal piles of glittering gold coins, Oldenwelder ignored the loot in favor of the real treasure, two pirate-themed books included in the case.
He told the children that money comes and goes but the adventures they experience from reading stay with them for the rest of their lives.
“If you read and get smart, you’ll be smart your whole life,” Oldenwelder told the crowd.
The show, created by Oldenwelder two years ago, is the second most popular he does for Family Time Entertainment. He estimated he performs the show nearly 60 times a year.
“Who doesn’t like pirates?” Oldenwelder said. “I try to make it funny and a little informative.”
He said the show was designed for elementary-aged children, but it can be adapted for older or younger crowds. For older children he focuses more on history, while for younger children he drops his pirate accent and loses his plastic foil and gun.
The show has continued to grow in popularity as the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies have ignited a national pirate craze, Oldenwelder said.
“This summer we did a lot of them,” Oldenwelder said. “The kids seem more into it now than ever.”
Library Youth Services Coordinator Beth Steiner said the show had a rather high turnout for a fall family night, when attendance usually drops due to team sports.
Attendee Stephanie Sorensen, 6, attended the event with her brother, Harrison, 7.
“I liked the magic,” Stephanie said. “And they had gold.” |
|
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 24 September 2008 )
|
|
|
|
