JEFFERSON —
Measures on gay rights and child safety are among the top state laws taking effect at the start of 2013, along with attempts to prevent identity theft and perennial efforts to restrict abortion and illegal immigration.
In many states, new laws take effect on Jan. 1, while in others they do so 90 days after a governor’s signature.
Among other new laws:
Alabama begins cracking down on the state’s 900,000 uninsured drivers with a new system that allows instant checks by police, license plate offices and the state Revenue Department.A pair of laws in Georgia and Pennsylvania address the shortfalls faced by some states from the cost of unemployment benefits by raising employers’ contributions to unemployment compensation trust funds.
In New Mexico, drivers registering their car or truck will be able to donate $1 or $5 to a state fund that supports programs and services to veterans.
n In Utah, U.S. military personnel will be exempted from having to pay a full year’s property taxes after their return from 200 days of active duty in any calendar year.
In Florida, it will no longer be illegal to flash your headlights to warn oncoming drivers that police are lurking on the roadside ahead.
A California law bans the use of dogs when hunting bobcats or bears, while Wisconsin’s expansion of its hunting seasons in state parks to a month in autumn and another in April was a scaled-back version of a proposal that would have allowed hunting across a seven-month period from mid-October to late May. Residents reacted to the longer proposal with thousands of angry letters and emails.
Local News
New laws address gays, children, immigration
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Windsor site of two major crashes
Two multiple vehicle crashes, approximately one hour and 23 minutes apart, kept troopers and emergency workers busy for hours late Saturday afternoon and into the evening along Route 322.
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Kingsville Township veteran thankful to be alive 57 years after service
Richard Wright is one of many men who believe the atomic bomb saved his life.
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Boating agencies prepare for new season
Boating safety is on the mind of area agencies hoping to keep the boating public safe during the upcoming season.
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Area residents celebrate Ashtabula Harbor blessings
Participants in a Blessing of the Bridge ceremony were asked to improve the lives of future generations as they stood just outside of the shadow of the Ashtabula Lift Bridge.
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Author enjoys book signing in Geneva-on-the-Lake
Family memories seem to be the binding theme for people who return to Geneva-on-the-Lake year after year, said Wendy Koile who was signing her book about the resort in front of Eddie’s Grill Saturday afternoon.
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Garage Sale Bonanza accepting donations at Saybrook Plaza store
Pat Graham pulls a shopping cart of random items through the cavernous storefront at the Saybrook Plaza.
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Dog tied to Dumpster, abandoned in Geneva Township
The skinny dog choked on the rope holding him to a green Dumpster. People came and went, unsure of the hairless creature’s temperament. After awhile, people knew something had to be done — a dog can’t live tied to the garbage can.
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Task Force nabs Ashtabula man in traffic death case
An Ashtabula man who served time in connection with a 2006 traffic death was arrested Friday morning by members of a special law enforcement task force, officials said.
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No automatic recounts result from Ashtabula County May election
No problems, no glitches — and no automatic recounts — resulted from Ashtabula County’s May special election.
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Plaque saluting Conneaut war dead to make debut
The names of 49 people who gave their lives during times of combat can now be found on a plaque that will be featured at Monday’s Memorial Day ceremony in Conneaut.
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