Ohio town frets flagpole a hazard

RAVENNA, Ohio -- A northeast Ohio community wants to wash its hands of a towering flagpole well over 100 years old that officials fear is a tempting hazard.

Within the last year, two people thought to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs climbed up the 150-foot flagpole in front of the Portage County Courthouse in Ravenna. Ravenna Township Trustee Patsy Artz said both were lucky to survive and calls the flagpole "an accident waiting to happen."

The Record-Courier newspaper reports the township is asking that either the city of Ravenna or the county take responsibility for the steel flagpole, which resembles a broadcast antenna.

Artz said Tuesday the township should tear it down if no one else wants the responsibility. So far, city officials say they're not interested.