MASON, Ohio

Cincinnati principal cancels Muslim headscarf event

The principal of a suburban Cincinnati high school has apologized to anyone who was offended after canceling a student-led event that invited girls to spend the day wearing a Muslim headscarf.

“The Covered Girl Challenge” at Mason High School was intended to combat stereotypes students may face when wearing head coverings.

But Principal Mindy McCarty-Stewart says the school received numerous strong messages as word of the event spread, forcing her to reconsider the event’s ability to meet its goals. She says the event sponsored by a Muslim student group should not have been promoted by the school’s Student Activities Department.

Online backlash was strong. Some said it was similar to making fun of Muslim traditions; others said Mason caved in to bigotry by canceling it.

The event is held on college campuses and at other high schools.

NEW LONDON, Conn.

Commemorative coin would help fund museum

Members of Connecticut’s congressional delegation are again proposing a commemorative coin to help fund a National Coast Guard Museum in New London.

Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy and Rep. Joe Courtney announced their renewed effort Friday. Courtney says he has 116 bipartisan sponsors for his House version of the bill reintroduced last month.

The legislation requires the U.S. Treasury to create the coin. Supporters say it would be minted in 2018 and could raise at least $2 million for the $100 million museum.

Murphy’s office told The Day of New London the $5 coins would sell for $40, the $1 coins for $11, and half-dollars for $5.50.

AKRON, Ohio

Police alert minivan driver to caged puppies on roof

Police finally caught up with a minivan carrying four caged puppies on its roof after dozens of calls poured in to 911 centers in northeast Ohio.

Akron police say the driver didn’t realize he did anything wrong by leaving the mixed-breed puppies on the roof. He said Friday he was transporting them for his father, who couldn’t keep them. He was taking the 3-month-old puppies to his wife’s family in Pennsylvania, some 300 miles away.

He, his wife and their four children were inside the minivan. The Mennonite family from Nova, Ohio, turned over the dogs to police, who said they would be given to the Humane Society of Greater Akron.

The Akron Beacon Journal reported that police didn’t charge the man, but educated him on proper transportation of animals.

The puppies appeared shaken, but fine otherwise.

– From news service reports