LIMA, Ohio - Lima police yesterday continued to shield the identity of a SWAT officer who fatally shot a mother of six and wounded her 14-month-old son in her arms. Tarika Wilson, 26, was killed and her son was wounded when Lima police conducted a drug raid on their home Friday night. Police also refused yesterday to reveal details of the raid and what provoked the shooting. Wilson's family yesterday renewed claims that she was unarmed and not a threat to officers in the house. [continues 515 words]
Black Community, City Officials Clash Over Search LIMA, Ohio -- Darla Jennings walked through the streets of south Lima last night sobbing as hundreds of people behind her called for justice after the shooting of her daughter, who was killed by police as she held her baby. Tarika Wilson, 26, was shot and her 1-year-old son was wounded when Lima police conducted a drug raid on their home Friday night, prompting members of the black community to organize a candlelight vigil and demand answers from police. [continues 1029 words]
Supporters of a controversial initiative on the ballot Tuesday in Detroit that would legalize marijuana use for medical purposes are confident the measure will pass. The proposal would create an exception in the city code for patients who have a doctor's permission to use the drug. Tim Beck, chairman of the Detroit Coalition for Compassionate Care, said he knows passage of "Proposal M" wouldn't affect state and federal laws that prohibit marijuana use and allow prosecution of those possessing or using the drug, but he thinks it's an important first step. [continues 235 words]
Second Officer's Help Wanted In Oregon Middle Schools Oregon is hoping to expand its Drug Abuse Resistance Education program with a second officer who will teach part-time at the city's middle schools. City Council will consider a measure Monday night to apply for matching state funds. It's requesting $18,881 to help pay for the salary of officer Michael Poddany, who teaches the program to students at Coy, Starr, Wynn, and Jerusalem elementary schools. Last year the city received $14,028 to help offset the cost of officer Poddany's pay. [continues 271 words]
The Genoa Board of Education plans to join the ranks of schools that require mandatory and random drug testing for athletes - starting with its middle school students. The board intends to have the new policy in place by September. Seventh and eighth-grade pupils who participate in sports would be subject to testing. Ernie Cottrell, school board vice president, said the initiative is meant to prevent drug, alcohol, and tobacco use. "We have had several meetings with parents in the community and everyone is in favor of testing," he said. "Our hopes are that if there is a problem, that it gets caught before it becomes a major problem." [continues 570 words]
