Ohio Supreme Court Justice Joe Deters was formally sworn in Tuesday as he begins the six-year term he was elected to in November.

In remarks during a public investiture ceremony, Deters, who was the longest-tenured prosecutor in Hamilton County history before being appointed to the high court in December 2022, criticized “judicial activism.” He said it’s crucial that judges as well as Supreme Court justices “stay in their lane.”

Deters said a justice’s job is to interpret laws, determine if they’re constitutional and protect the rights of individuals. It does not include, he said, “inserting ourselves and our personal beliefs into the process.”

“If you don’t care for a law, run for the legislature and change it,” he said. “Don’t ask me, or us, to do that. That is not our job.”

The ceremony was held in the Supreme Court’s grand courtroom in Columbus. It featured remarks from Deters’ close friend, WLW radio host Bill Cunningham, who said he first met Deters in 1985 after Deters lost his first race for political office, for Springfield Township trustee. The winner: John Waksmundksi.

Deters, then in his late-20s, had asked Cunningham if he could appear on the radio show. “I said, ‘Not really,’” Cunningham recalled.

He noted that two decades later, Deters was well-known enough that he won a race for county prosecutor as a write-in candidate. The two speak nearly every day, Cunningham said.

“A citizen could not have a better judge,” he said, “and a man could not have a better friend than Joe Deters.”

Mike and Fran DeWine, Justice Shanahan in attendance

Justice Megan Shanahan, a former Hamilton County judge who was elected to the Supreme Court in November along with Deters, watched the proceedings with the other justices. Also in attendance were Gov. Mike DeWine, First Lady Fran DeWine and Attorney General Dave Yost.

Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy administered the oath of office.

Deters, 67, served as county prosecutor in two separate tenures − from 1992 to 1998 and 2005 to 2023. He also was elected as Ohio Treasurer in 1998 and 2002.

In 2023, he became the first Ohio Supreme Court justice in 30 years to join the court without prior experience as a judge.

Among those in attendance were his wife, longtime WCPO news anchor Tanya O’Rourke, and his children. Two of his siblings, brother Dennis Deters and sister Nancy Slayton, spoke at the ceremony. Joe Deters is the oldest of eight children.

A graduate of St. Xavier High School, he holds a bachelor’s degree and a law degree from the University of Cincinnati. In 1982, the same year he received his law degree, he got a job with the prosecutor’s office.

Last week, the Dallas Cowboys parted ways with running back Ezekiel Elliott. The former Ohio State star requested his release so he could pursue an opportunity with a playoff contender as his years in the league are growing shorter. It didn’t take long for Elliott to find a new home.

The former Buckeye will be heading to the West Coast to join the L.A. Chargers. Los Angeles is currently prepping for a Wild Card game with the Houston Texans. Zeke may be past his prime in being a productive runner in the NFL, but his veteran leadership, short-yardage prowess, and excellent pass-blocking ability make him a valuable asset for the Chargers.

Elliott will be joining former teammate Joey Bosa in L.A. Bosa was the No. 3 pick by the Chargers in 2016 followed by Elliott as the No. 4 player drafted. He will also join fellow Buckeye running back J.K. Dobbins who has had a resurgence with Los Angeles after an injury-filled time in Baltimore.

Chargers signing RB Ezekiel Elliott to practice squad. (via @rapsheet) pic.twitter.com/4DfMeA6mQv

— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2025

It remains to be seen if Zeke will be able to have an impact on such short notice but he’s always been a guy willing to do the dirty work. That alone may get him some reps.

The Chargers take on the Texans in Houston on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET.

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Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Devin Royal had 19 points and Bruce Thornton scored five of his 18 in a second overtime as Ohio State rallied to beat Minnesota 89-88 on Monday night.

Thornton hit a 3-pointer for Ohio State (10-5, 2-2 Big Ten Conference) to begin the second extra period, Aaron Bradshaw followed with a three-point play and Ques Glover capped a 7-0 run with a layup to give the Buckeyes the lead for good.

Minnesota (8-7, 0-4) had a chance to win in the first overtime, but Mike Mitchell Jr. — a 91% free-throw shooter — missed twice with six seconds left and the Golden Gophers leading 73-71. John Mobley Jr. made two free throws with four seconds remaining to force a second extra period.

Royal stole the ball and dunked with five seconds left in regulation but missed on his chance for a three-point play, forcing overtime tied at 64.

Royal made just 5 of 14 shots from the floor, but he hit nine of his 11 free throws and added seven rebounds. Thornton made two 3-pointers and went 8 for 9 at the foul line. Glover had 13 points off the bench and Mobley scored 12. Micah Parrish added 11 points and seven rebounds.

Parker Fox had 21 points to lead the Golden Gophers. Lu’cye Patterson totaled 20 points, six rebounds and four assists. Mitchell and freshman reserve Isaac Asuma both scored 18 — a season-high for Asuma.

Fox scored 11 to help Minnesota take a 28-27 lead into halftime.

Minnesota made only 12 of 27 free throws, while Ohio State sank 29 of 33.

Ohio State will host No. 15 Oregon on Thursday. Minnesota travels to play Wisconsin on Friday.

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