PLATFORM EXPLOSION SENDS MORE OIL INTO GULF:
NEW ORLEANS, La. (AP) - The Coast Guard is saying there are no immediate signs of a spill from an oil platform fire in the Gulf of Mexico off the Louisiana coast.
All 13 crew members were rescued from the water in the second such disaster in the Gulf in less than five months.
The Coast Guard initially reported an oil sheen a mile long and 100 feet wide had begun to spread from the site of the fire, about 200 miles west of the site of BP's massive spill. But officials said at a Thursday afternoon news conference that boats at the platform have not seen any oil sheen.
CONVICTED CHILD MOLESTER SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS:
A Washington County man previously jailed for sex crimes against children was sentenced Thursday to 20 years in prison - the maximum possible sentence - on charges he abused three children, one as young as 2 years.
Prosecutors said Kenneth E. Goff, 48, whose previous stated address was West Road and State Route 550 in the Cutler area, has shown no remorse since his March arrest and has gone as far as to blame the victims and their parents for the abuse.
According to police, Goff had sexual contact with a 12-year-old family member in February, a 2-year-old child in August and a 3-year-old child in May 2007.
In exchange for the guilty pleas, Assistant Washington County Prosecutor Kevin Rings said he agreed to dismiss two of the six charges against Goff. Specifically, he was charged with six counts of third-degree felony gross sexual imposition. All of the charges alleged improper touching or fondling.
Goff was released from prison in 2005 after serving a five-year sentence for molesting a 12-year-old girl. Because of his prior conviction, the 20-year sentence imposed is mandatory, with no chance for early release. Goff can appeal his sentence, though.
STRICKLAND SPARES INMATE WHO CLAIMS INNOCENCE:
COLUMBUS (AP) - A condemned inmate had his life spared Thursday when Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland cited "legitimate questions" about evidence used to convict the inmate, even though the governor believes the prisoner committed the crimes.
Strickland questioned some of the eyewitness testimony against Kevin Keith, who was scheduled to die Sept. 15, and says he's bothered that other possible suspects weren't fully investigated.
Strickland said Keith has appeals available that could lead to a full reexamination of the crime, but he also acknowledged that might not happen.
Strickland said that despite evidence supporting Keith's guilt, "many legitimate questions have been raised regarding the evidence in support of the conviction and the investigation which led to it."
The "case is clearly one in which a full, fair analysis of all of the unanswered questions should be considered by a court," Strickland said. "Under these circumstances, I cannot allow Mr. Keith to be executed."
The move by the Democratic governor overrides last month's decision from his parole board, which unanimously recommended against clemency.
Strickland also overrode the parole board in 2008, when he commuted the death sentence of another inmate who claimed innocence.
Strickland made it clear he believes Keith is likely guilty of the 1994 slayings in Bucyrus, about 60 miles north of Columbus.
