Ohio

Shelley Terry

A man on an all-terrain vehicle took police on a foot chase Thursday night, according to police reports.

Patrolman Adam Simons first spotted the vehicle on Samuel Avenue and Perryville Place, heading toward Woodman Avenue, and he took chase, police reports said.

“You are not allowed to ride four-wheelers on the road,” Detective Sgt. Joseph Cellitti said. “Plus, we’ve had an influx of stolen vehicles.”

April marks the opening of all-terrain-vehicle season in Ohio's forests, and as enthusiasts begin planning trips and loading up their gear, state and federal forest managers should consider how far to go in expanding this activity.

ATV riding is extremely popular in the Wayne National Forest in southeastern Ohio and in four stateforests, and demand is high for more trails. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources plans to add to its 40 miles of motorized-vehicle trails. In the Wayne, the National Forest Service has expanded the ATV-trail system to 121 miles in recent years, and just announced that it will allow a popular new ATV model on it.

With a 50-inch wheelbase, the Polaris RZR is slightly wider than standard ATVs and barely fits on the Forest Service's 50-inch trails.

OTTOVILLE - A 19-year-old woman remained hospitalized with serious injuries Wednesday, four days after being struck by an all-terrain vehicle in Putnam County, Putnam County Sheriff Jim Beutler said.

Beutler said the teen's injuries did not appear to be life-threatening.

A nursing supervisor at St. Rita's Medical Center said Kasey Brooks was listed in serious condition Wednesday night. It was not clear where Brooks is from and the Sheriff's Office would not release the incident report.

Police arrested 19 in Akron over the weekend for riding off-road vehicles on private property.

On Saturday, 11 people caught riding all-terrain vehicles and dirt bikes along the CXS railroad tracks between Eastwood and Evans avenues were arrested. On Sunday, eight more people were arrested while riding recreational vehicles in the same area.

The site was posted with "private property/no trespassing signs," said Lt. Rick Edwards, public information officer for the Akron Police Department. He said he believes the property is owned by the city of Akron.

Mike Burkholder

ST. MARYS — City officials say they plan to monitor activity at the former landfill as a result of a recent spike in ATV traffic at the location. St. Marys Safety-Service Director Tom Hitchcock told members of the Solid Waste Committee Monday night Ohio EPA officials encouraged the city to step up its efforts to prevent residents from driving ATVs at the former landfill. Hitchcock said the vehicles are damaging the landfill’s cap and causing erosion.

“We didn’t have any violations but they did express some concern about it,” Hitchcock said.

“They are starting to ride on the hill and we need to stop this. It’s causing ruts and killing the vegetation.”

William Bussa never thought much about leaving his red Honda all-terrain vehicle out in the sun to dry after a thorough washing.

He didn't worry about keeping the shed door open, displaying the ATV all day, while he worked in the yard at his home in Madison Township.

Now, the shed has window blinds, thicker locks and a security system, but no ATV.

The issue of young ATV riders in Milledgeville continues to be heated issue in Fayette County. The Washington C.H. City Council discussed the issue with concerned citizens at the city council meeting last night without reaching a solution.

Milledgeville Village Councilman Larry Anderson brought his grievances before the council, citing the law as a deciding factor in the issue.

"Its just the law," he said. "Can I grow marijuana? No. (Underage kids) shouldn't be allowed to ride ATVs. Why is it any different?"

Greg Sowinski

CELINA - A man deputies say was ripping through the courthouse lawn doing "doughnuts" on a four-wheel all-terrain vehicle was arrested early Wednesday after abandoning his vehicle.

Scott H. Spears, 20, was charged with criminal mischief, driving under suspension and riding an unlicensed vehicle on the roadway, all misdemeanors, Celina police reported.

Just after 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, deputies stationed at the Mercer County Courthouse for the election spotted a man doing doing doughnuts on the courthouse lawn. Later, about 12:30 a.m., Celina police received a call of a four-wheel vehicle driving in an area near North Main Street.

Randy Ludlow 

Twelve-year-old Matthew Good was tooling around alone in a field behind his grandmother's house in Ross County.

Ronald D. Thompson, a 49-year-old from Columbus, was riding down a rural Hocking County road at 2 a.m.

Both died Saturday on all-terrain vehicles: Good when his four-wheeler overturned, and Thompson when his ATV hit a tree.