Ohio

Los Angeles Times Invented in Paris in the late 1950s, the mechanical drawing toy that would eventually be marketed as "the world's first laptop" became wildly popular soon after an Ohio company introduced it under a new name: Etch A Sketch. French electrician Andre Cassagnes stumbled upon the concept for what he called the "Telecran" - or telescreen - while peeling a decal from a switch plate and noticing how his pencil marks had transferred from one surface to another. After an Ohio Art Co. executive discovered it at the 1959 Nuremberg Toy Fair, he bought the rights for $25,000 and launched it in time to become the best-selling toy of the 1960 holiday season.

Two high school athletes charged with raping a 16-year-old girl in a case that has gained national attention for the role social media played in exposing the incident will face trial in open court, a judge ruled Wednesday, rejecting requests it be closed to the public and media. Judge Thomas Lipps also refused defense motions seeking to move the trial out of Steubenville, Ohio, to another county, but he did agree to delay its start one month, until March 13. On that day, Trent Mays and Ma'Lik Richmond, both 16, are to go on trial in juvenile court for the alleged rape of the girl, who witnesses and prosecutors say was too drunk to speak coherently or stand up on her own. During some of the alleged assault at a high school party last August, the girl was unconscious, according to witnesses who testified at a hearing in October to determine whether there was sufficient evidence to press charges.

Leroy 'Sugarfoot' Bonner Lead singer and guitarist for Ohio Players Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner, 69, lead singer and guitarist for the Ohio Players, a band that fused rock, soul and funk for a string of R&B hits in the 1970s, died Saturday in a Dayton suburb after battling cancer, his family announced. The Ohio Players, known for their brassy dance music, catchy lyrics, offbeat sound effects, flamboyant outfits and provocative album covers, topped music charts in the 1970s with hits such as "Love Rollercoaster," "Fire," "Skin Tight" and "Funky Worm.

A judge is expected to rule this week on whether to move the trial of two high school football players charged with raping a drunk and unconscious girl as classmates tweeted comments and shared pictures of the incident. The case has drawn national attention to Steubenville, Ohio, for the sordidness of the alleged crime and for the manner in which details of it leaked out: via social media, which revealed damning photographs, text messages and other communications that helped fuel the prosecution.

When an Ohio middle school teacher posted a picture of her students' mouths masked with duct tape on her Facebook page last fall, she meant it as a joke, if a bit of an ill-conceived one --  “Finally found a way to get them to be quiet!!!” she quipped. The Akron Public School District, whose board voted last week to take the first step in the process of firing Melissa Cairns, did not agree with her lighthearted sentiment. Another district employee spotted the picture, which depicted about eight students with tape over their mouths, and tipped off a supervisor, according to a release from the school district.

The two high school football players accused of rape will get their day in court. The city of Steubenville, Ohio, however, will have to fight some of its battles online, where news of the case began. It's the story of a horrifying accusation met with small-town side-taking and blown up into a national scandal. Trent Mays and Ma'lik Richmond, both 16, are accused of raping a drunk and unconscious 16-year-old girl at a party on the night of Aug. 11 while other partygoers tweeted and Instagrammed about the attack.

An Ohio teenager videotaped laughing hysterically as he makes jokes for more than 12 minutes about the alleged rape of a 16-year-old girl is "ashamed and embarrassed" but had nothing to do with the criminal case that has roiled his small town, an attorney said Monday. The attorney, Dennis McNamara, described himself as a spokesman for the family of the 18-year-old, identified only as Michael. Michael has not been charged with a crime, but his comments and cackling laughter have helped catapult the Steubenville, Ohio, case to national attention.

If work or play takes you to Ohio's capital, Delta has a round-trip fare from LAX to Columbus for $233, including all taxes and fees. It is, of course, subject to availability. There is no minimum stay, but there is a seven-day advance purchase requirement. Travel must be Mondays-Thursdays or Saturdays for travel through March 13. Info: Delta , (800) 221-1212 Source: Airfarewatchdog Follow us on Twitter @latimestravel , like us on Facebook @Los Angeles Times Travel.

You'd be hard pressed to find a company that talks more about its "people-centric" management culture than Barry-Wehmiller, a privately owned manufacturer of industrial equipment. Barry-Wehmiller, which has $1.5 billion in annual sales, says it's all about fostering "personal growth" among its 7,000 employees, whom it calls "team members. " Its "Guiding Principles of Leadership" include the imperative to "treat people superbly and compensate them fairly. " (Italics are theirs.)

A high school production of the musical "Legally Blonde" in Ohio has been deemed by administrators to be inappropriate for its audiences, resulting in the apparent dismissal of a drama teacher. A report from station WLWT in Cincinnati said that Sonja Hansen, a drama teacher at Loveland High School, has been forced to resign following the staging of the musical show. Hansen told the station that she was asked to resign or she would be fired. The dispute centers on the school's production of "Legally Blonde," the musical based on the popular Reese Witherspoon movie.