Lamar Advantage GP Co. v. City of Cincinnati

"It is generally improper for a court to dispose of a case on the merits following a hearing for preliminary injunction without consolidating that hearing with a hearing on the merits or otherwise giving notice to counsel that the merits would be considered." George P. Ballas Buick-GMC, Inc. v. Taylor Buick, Inc., 5 Ohio App.3d 71, 449 N.E.2d 503 (6th Dist. 1982). Nonetheless, because Rule 65(B)(2) of the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure"provides that consolidation may be ordered 'before or after beginning the hearing,' the trial court can transform a preliminary injunction hearing into a…