Barn Burner

The Ohio Department of Transportation has told owners of barns visible from federal highways that they must obtain a state permit—which costs $225 and $125 to renew every other year—if they have any ads painted on the buildings. Many of the barns have ads for Mail Pouch chewing tobacco which have been maintained for decades. They are tourist attractions that have even been featured in National Geographic magazine. But the state still wants its cut. If it doesn't get it, it will force the owners to paint over the ads.