News Channel 4

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (WCMH) -- A Ross County Sheriff's deputy shot a suspect Sunday afternoon while responding to a call in Chillicothe.

According to the sheriff's office, deputies responded to the 400 block of State Route 180 at approximately 3 p.m. for what the office said was a "disorderly complaint."

When deputies started their investigation, it was discovered there was enough probable cause to arrest a 58-year-old man for assault, the sheriff's office said. While trying to place the man under arrest, the suspect was shot by the sheriff's office.

The sheriff's office did not specify what the suspect did to be shot, how many deputies fired their weapons, or the suspect's condition. The sheriff's office also did not identify the deputy or deputies involved in the incident.

NBC4 is not naming the suspect because, according to online court records, charges have not been filed against him.

The Ohio Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation has been requested to investigate the incident.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Sunday marked the 18th annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at Genoa Park.

The event brings breast cancer survivors, caregivers, and advocates together in a 5K or one-mile walk with the goal of raising funds for cancer research and bringing together a community of supporters.

“It’s the fact that we are able to make headway in survivorship, so it’s really important,” cancer survivor Esther Kasin said.

The event featured a signing wall and a moment of silence for those who lost their lives to this disease. A group of breast cancer survivors were also honored by being named “Champions of Hope.”  Kasin was one of the honorees, and she noted she felt hopeful seeing so many people turn out. She also shared what the moment meant for her.   

“It means a lot, my journey has been very long,” Kasin said. “And I'm just excited that I'm able to have the energy and the strength to be here, not only for myself but for all the other survivors, thrivers and even those we have lost.”

There was also a post-walk party for all those in attendance and NBC4’s Gabrielle Phifer was the emcee for the event.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Ohio High School Athletic Association has released the schedule for the first round of high school football playoffs, scheduled for this Friday.

All games will be played Oct. 31 with kickoff at 7 p.m., unless otherwise stated in the list below.

High school football scores, highlights for Columbus and central Ohio: Oct. 24, 2025

Due to a reduction in regional playoff qualifiers, the top four seeds in each region get a first-round bye.

The playoff schedule is as follows:

First round games: Oct. 31
Regional quarterfinals (second round): Nov. 7
Regional semifinals (third round): Nov. 14
Regional finals: Nov. 21
State semifinals: Nov. 28
State title games: Dec. 4-6

Throughout the first three rounds, the better-seeded team will host the games. The regional finals and state semis will all be held at neutral sites, while the state title games will be held at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.

Former Buckeyes center Nick Mangold, 41, dies from kidney disease

Tickets for all games can be purchased starting on the Monday before the game at the OHSAA website by clicking here. For more information on tickets, click here.

OHSAA Football First Round Playoff Games

Pairings shown with regional seed. All games on Friday, Oct. 31, at 7 p.m., unless otherwise indicated. 

Division I
Region 1

No. 1 Lakewood St. Edward (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9
No. 2 Mentor (10-0), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 7 vs. No. 10
No. 3 Canton McKinley (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 6 vs. No. 11
No. 4 Toledo Whitmer (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 5 vs. No. 12

No. 12 Cleveland St. Ignatius (1-9) at No. 5 Perrysburg (8-2)
No. 11 Medina (3-7) at No. 6 Strongsville (8-2)
No. 10 Brunswick (5-5) at No. 7 Massillon Jackson (5-5)
No. 9 Cleveland Heights (5-5) at No. 8 Berea-Midpark (6-4)

Region 2

No. 1 Middletown (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9
No. 2 Troy (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 7 vs. No. 10
No. 3 Findlay (6-4), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 6 vs. No. 11
No. 4 Springboro (7-3), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 5 vs. No. 12

No. 12 Marysville (5-5) at No. 5 Springfield (6-4)
No. 11 Galloway Westland (5-5) at No. 6 Huber Heights Wayne (6-4)
No. 10 Dublin Jerome (5-5) at No. 7 Hilliard Bradley (5-5)
No. 9 Kettering Fairmont (5-5) at No. 8 Lebanon (7-3)

Region 3

No. 1 Lewis Center Olentangy Orange (10-0), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9
No. 2 Pickerington Central (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 7 vs. No. 10
No. 3 Pickerington North (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 6 vs. No. 11
No. 4 Lewis Center Olentangy (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 5 vs. No. 12

No. 12 Newark (6-4) at No. 5 Powell Olentangy Liberty (6-4)
No. 11 Westerville Central (4-6) at No. 6 Upper Arlington (8-2)
No. 10 Groveport Madison (5-5) at No. 7 Gahanna Lincoln (7-3)
No. 9 Grove City (5-5) at No. 8 Delaware Olentangy Berlin (5-5)

Region 4

No. 1 Cincinnati Elder (10-0), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9
No. 2 Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller (7-3), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 7 vs. No. 10
No. 3 Cincinnati St. Xavier (7-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 6 vs. No. 11
No. 4 Cincinnati Princeton (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 5 vs. No. 12

No. 12 Morrow Little Miami (3-7) at No. 5 Cincinnati Winton Woods (8-2)
No. 11 Cincinnati Oak Hills (4-6) at No. 6 Liberty Township Lakota East (7-3)
No. 10 Hamilton (4-6) at No. 7 West Chester Lakota West (6-4)
No. 9 Mason (5-5) at No. 8 Fairfield (5-5)

Division II

Region 5

No. 1 Akron Archbishop Hoban (8-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9
No. 2 Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit (8-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 7 vs. No. 10
No. 3 Austintown Fitch (8-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 6 vs. No. 11
No. 4 Uniontown Lake (7-3), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 5 vs. No. 12

No. 12 Willoughby South (5-5) at No. 5 Hudson (8-2)
No. 11 Uniontown Green (5-5) at No. 6 Garfield Heights (9-1)
No. 10 Twinsburg (6-4) at No. 7 Macedonia Nordonia (7-3)
No. 9 Youngstown Boardman (5-5) at No. 8 Painesville Riverside (7-3)

Region 6

No. 1 Medina Highland (10-0), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9
No. 2 Wadsworth (10-0), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 7 vs. No. 10
No. 3 Avon (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 6 vs. No. 11
No. 4 North Ridgeville (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 5 vs. No. 12

No. 12 Toledo Start (6-4) at No. 5 Whitehouse Anthony Wayne (6-4)
No. 11 Fremont Ross (6-4) at No. 6 Olmsted Falls (6-4)
No. 10 Parma Heights Valley Forge (5-5) at No. 7 Toledo St. Francis de Sales (6-4)
No. 9 Oregon Clay (6-4) at No. 8 Brecksville-Broadview Heights (6-4)

Region 7

No. 1 Sunbury Big Walnut (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9
No. 2 Columbus St. Francis DeSales (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 7 vs. No. 10
No. 3 Massillon Washington (7-3), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 6 vs. No. 11
No. 4 Canal Winchester (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 5 vs. No. 12

No. 12 Louisville (6-4) at No. 5 Westerville South (8-2)
No. 11 Columbus Northland (7-3) at No. 6 North Canton Hoover (8-2)
No. 10 Mount Vernon (6-4) at No. 7 Ashland (9-1)
No. 9 Worthington Kilbourne (7-3) at No. 8 Columbus Walnut Ridge (7-3)

Region 8

No. 1 Cincinnati Anderson (10-0), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9
No. 2 Kings Mills Kings (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 7 vs. No. 10
No. 3 Trotwood-Madison (6-3), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 6 vs. No. 11
No. 4 Xenia (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 5 vs. No. 12

No. 12 Cincinnati Turpin (5-5) at No. 5 Cincinnati La Salle (7-3)
No. 11 Cincinnati Aiken (6-4) at No. 6 Lima Senior (8-2)
No. 10 Vandalia Butler (6-4) at No. 7 Harrison (7-3)
No. 9 Piqua (6-4) at No. 8 Cincinnati Withrow (8-2)

Division III

Region 9

No. 1 Canfield (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9
No. 2 Cuyahoga Falls CVCA (9-0), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 10 vs. No. 7
No. 3 Gates Mills Hawken (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 11 vs. No. 6
No. 4 Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph (8-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 12 vs. No. 5

No. 12 Maple Heights (7-3) at No. 5 Chardon (6-4)
No. 11 Cleveland Benedictine (8-2) at No. 6 Akron East (8-2)
No. 10 Geneva (8-2) at No. 7 Alliance (8-2)
No. 9 Madison (7-3) at No. 8 Chagrin Falls Kenston (6-4)

Region 10

No. 1 Medina Buckeye (10-0), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9
No. 2 Wapakoneta (10-0), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 10 vs. No. 7
No. 3 Lexington (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 11 vs. No. 6
No. 4 Richfield Revere (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 12 vs. No. 5

No. 12 Grafton Midview (5-5) at No. 5 Rocky River (8-2)
No. 11 Ontario (6-4) at No. 6 Toledo Central Catholic (6-4)
No. 10 Parma Heights Holy Name (6-4) at No. 7 Lima Shawnee (7-3)
No. 9 Copley (7-3) at No. 8 St. Marys Memorial (7-3)

Region 11

No. 1 Columbus Bishop Watterson (9-0), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9
No. 2 Newark Licking Valley (10-0), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 7 vs. No. 10
No. 3 Steubenville (7-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 6 vs. No. 11
No. 4 Dresden Tri-Valley (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 5 vs. No. 12

No. 12 Columbus Independence (6-4) at No. 5 Columbus Hamilton Township (8-2)
No. 11 The Plains Athens (9-1) at No. 6 Delaware Buckeye Valley (8-2)
No. 10 Columbus Linden McKinley (8-2) at No. 7 Carroll Bloom-Carroll (7-3)
No. 9 Thornville Sheridan (7-3) at No. 8 Granville (7-3)

Region 12

No. 1 London (10-0), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9
No. 2 Tipp City Tippecanoe (10-0), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 7 vs. No. 10
No. 3 Hamilton Badin (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 6 vs. No. 11
No. 4 Jackson (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 5 vs. No. 12

No. 12 Hillsboro (5-5) at No. 5 Washington Court House Miami Trace (9-1)
No. 11 Bellbrook (6-4) at No. 6 Kettering Archbishop Alter (7-3)
No. 10 Goshen (7-3) at No. 7 Oxford Talawanda (9-1)
No. 9 Chillicothe (6-4) at No. 8 Cincinnati Archbishop McNicholas (6-4)

Division IV

Region 13

No. 1 Perry (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9
No. 2 Cleveland Glenville (7-3), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 7 vs. No. 10
No. 3 Mentor Lake Catholic (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 6 vs. No. 11
No. 4 Beloit West Branch (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 5 vs. No. 12

No. 12 Ashtabula Edgewood (6-4) at No. 5 Norton (9-1)
No. 11 Chesterland West Geauga (6-4) at No. 6 Streetsboro (8-2)
No. 10 Salem (6-4) at No. 7 Canal Fulton Northwest (6-4)
No. 9 Hubbard (7-3) at No. 8 Chardon Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin (7-3)

Region 14

No. 1 Shelby (10-0), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9
No. 2 Galion (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 7 vs. No. 10
No. 3 Napoleon (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 6 vs. No. 11
No. 4 Lima Bath (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 5 vs. No. 12

No. 12 Clyde (4-6) at No. 5 Bellevue (7-3)
No. 11 Lorain Clearview (5-5) at No. 6 Sandusky Perkins (7-3)
No. 10 Lodi Cloverleaf (6-4) at No. 7 Bay Village Bay (6-4)
No. 9 Orrville (6-4) at No. 8 Bellville Clear Fork (6-4)

Region 15

No. 1 New Lexington (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9
No. 2 Gnadenhutten Indian Valley (9-0), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 7 vs. No. 10
No. 3 Plain City Jonathan Alder (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 6 vs. No. 11
No. 4 Chillicothe Unioto (10-0), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 5 vs. No. 12

No. 12 Canton South (5-5) at No. 5 Columbus East (9-1)
No. 11 Johnstown (7-3) at No. 6 Wintersville Indian Creek (9-1)
No. 10 Duncan Falls Philo (6-4) at No. 7 Circleville (7-3)
No. 9 Heath (6-4) at No. 8 Lancaster Fairfield Union (6-4)

Region 16

No. 1 Cincinnati Indian Hill (10-0), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9
No. 2 Germantown Valley View (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 7 vs. No. 10
No. 3 Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 6 vs. No. 11
No. 4 Cincinnati Taft (10-0), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 5 vs. No. 12

No. 12 Cleves Taylor (6-4) at No. 5 Clarksville Clinton-Massie (9-1)
No. 11 Middletown Bishop Fenwick (6-4) at No. 6 Brookville (9-1)
No. 10 Cincinnati Roger Bacon (5-5) at No. 7 Cincinnati Wyoming (9-1)
No. 9 New Richmond (4-6) at No. 8 Washington Court House Washington (5-5)

Division V

Region 17

No. 1 Youngstown Cardinal Mooney (7-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9
No. 2 Girard (10-0), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 7 vs. No. 10
No. 3 Poland Seminary (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 6 vs. No. 11
No. 4 Garrettsville Garfield (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 5 vs. No. 12

No. 12 Andover Pymatuning Valley (7-3) at No. 5 St. Clairsville (7-3)
No. 11 Urichsville Claymont (6-4) at No. 6 Youngstown Liberty (8-2)
No. 10 Richmond Edison (6-4) at No. 7 Akron Manchester (7-3)
No. 9 Burton Berkshire (6-4) at No. 8 Canfield South Range (6-4)

Region 18

No. 1 Liberty Center (10-0), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9
No. 2 Wooster Triway (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 7 vs. No. 10
No. 3 Genoa Area (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 6 vs. No. 11
No. 4 Creston Norwayne (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 5 vs. No. 12

No. 12 Delta (6-4) at No. 5 Findlay Liberty-Benton (10-0)
No. 11 Port Clinton (6-4) at No. 6 Milan Edison (7-3)
No. 10 Fredericktown (8-2) at No. 7 Fairview Park Fairview (8-2)
No. 9 Oak Harbor (8-2) at No. 8 Pemberville Eastwood (8-2)

Region 19

No. 1 Wheelersburg (10-0), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9
No. 2 Gahanna Columbus Academy (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 7 vs. No. 10
No. 3 Nelsonville-York (10-0), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 6 vs. No. 11
No. 4 Barnesville (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 5 vs. No. 12

No. 12 Amanda-Clearcreek (5-5) at No. 5 Portsmouth (7-3)
No. 11 Belmont Union Local (7-3) at No. 6 Columbus Africentric (7-3)
No. 10 Chillicothe Zane Trace (8-2) at No. 7 Lucasville Valley (8-2)
No. 9 McConnelsville Morgan (7-3) at No. 8 Coal Grove Dawson-Bryant (8-2)

Region 20

No. 1 Williamsburg (10-0), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9
No. 2 Lewistown Indian Lake (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 7 vs. No. 10
No. 3 Casstown Miami East (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 6 vs. No. 11
No. 4 St. Paris Graham (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 5 vs. No. 12

No. 12 West Liberty-Salem (5-5) at No. 5 Carlisle (8-2)
No. 11 Cincinnati Mariemont (6-4) at No. 6 Cincinnati North College Hill (8-2)
No. 10 Arcanum (7-3) at No. 7 Camden Preble Shawnee (9-1)
No. 9 Jamestown Greeneview (7-3) at No. 8 Richwood North Union (6-4)

Division VI

Region 21

No. 1 Kirtland (10-0), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9
No. 2 Columbiana Crestview (10-0), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 7 vs. No. 10
No. 3 Columbia Station Columbia (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 6 vs. No. 11
No. 4 Hanoverton United (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 5 vs. No. 12

No. 12 Cuyahoga Heights (7-2) at No. 5 Smithville (8-2)
No. 11 Columbiana (7-3) at No. 6 Dalton (7-3)
No. 10 Mineral Ridge (7-3) at No. 7 Sugarcreek Garaway (7-2)
No. 9 New Middletown Springfield (7-3) at No. 8 Wickliffe (8-2)

Region 22

No. 1 Castalia Margaretta (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9
No. 2 Bascom Hopewell-Loudon (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 7 vs. No. 10
No. 3 Archbold (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 6 vs. No. 11
No. 4 Paulding (10-0), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 5 vs. No. 12

No. 12 Defiance Tinora (5-5) at No. 5 Sherwood Fairview (9-1)
No. 11 Elmore Woodmore (7-3) at No. 6 Attica Seneca East (7-3)
No. 10 Collins Western Reserve (8-2) at No. 7 Bluffton (8-2)
No. 9 Carey (6-4) at No. 8 Hamler Patrick Henry (8-2)

Region 23

No. 1 Centerburg (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9
No. 2 Beverly Fort Frye (8-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 7 vs. No. 10
No. 3 West Jefferson (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 6 vs. No. 11
No. 4 Mount Gilead (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 5 vs. No. 12

No. 12 Reedsville Eastern (7-3) at No. 5 North Robinson Colonel Crawford (9-1)
No. 11 Columbus Grandview Heights (7-3) at No. 6 Toronto (9-1)
No. 10 Caldwell (7-3) at No. 7 Grove City Christian (8-2)
No. 9 West Lafayette Ridgewood (8-2) at No. 8 Newcomerstown (7-3)

Region 24

No. 1 New Madison Tri-Village (10-0), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9
No. 2 Springfield Northeastern (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 7 vs. No. 10
No. 3 Mechanicsburg (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 6 vs. No. 11
No. 4 St. Bernard Elmwood Place (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 5 vs. No. 12

No. 12 Covington (5-5) at No. 5 Coldwater (6-4)
No. 11 Cincinnati Deer Park (5-5) at No. 6 Anna (7-3)
No. 10 Miamisburg Dayton Christian (6-4) at No. 7 Ironton Rock Hill (6-4)
No. 9 Portsmouth West (5-5) at No. 8 Cincinnati Summit Country Day (5-5)

Division VII

Region 25

No. 1 McDonald (10-0), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9
No. 2 Fairport Harbor Fairport Harding (10-0), hosts winner of No. 7 vs. No. 10
No. 3 Mogadore (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 6 vs. No. 11
No. 4 Monroeville (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 5 vs. No. 12

No. 12 Ashtabula St. John (5-5) at No. 5 Malvern (6-4)
No. 11 Berlin Center Western Reserve (4-6) at No. 6 East Palestine (7-3)
No. 10 Lisbon David Anderson (6-4) at No. 7 East Canton (8-2)
No. 9 Norwalk St. Paul (5-5) at No. 8 Warren JFK (5-5)

Region 26

No. 1 Lima Central Catholic (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9
No. 2 North Baltimore (10-0), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 7 vs. No. 10
No. 3 Leipsic (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 6 vs. No. 11
No. 4 Columbus Grove (7-3), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 5 vs. No. 12

No. 12 Morral Ridgedale (6-4) at No. 5 Gibsonburg (7-3)
No. 11 Montpelier (6-4) at No. 6 Sycamore Mohawk (8-2)
No. 10 Arlington (7-3) at No. 7 Pandora-Gilboa (7-3)
No. 9 Edgerton (6-4) at No. 8 Edon (8-2)

Region 27

No. 1 Jeromesville Hillsdale (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9
No. 2 Waterford (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 7 vs. No. 10
No. 3 Lancaster Fisher Catholic (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 6 vs. No. 11
No. 4 Willow Wood Symmes Valley (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 5 vs. No. 12

No. 12 Glouster Trimble (6-4) at No. 5 Crown City South Gallia (7-3)
No. 11 Danville (5-5) at No. 6 Steubenville Catholic Central (6-4)
No. 10 Lucas (5-5) at No. 7 Strasburg-Franklin (7-3)
No. 9 Zanesville Bishop Rosecrans (6-4) at No. 8 Bowerston Conotton Valley (7-3)

Region 28

No. 1 Maria Stein Marion Local (10-0), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9
No. 2 St. Henry (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 7 vs. No. 10
No. 3 Cincinnati Country Day (9-1), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 6 vs. No. 11
No. 4 Beaver Eastern (10-0), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 5 vs. No. 12

No. 12 Fort Recovery (5-5) at No. 5 Cincinnati College Prep (8-2)
No. 11 Cedarville (5-5) at No. 6 Portsmouth Notre Dame (8-2)
No. 10 New Bremen (6-4) at No. 7 Ansonia (8-2)
No. 9 Minster (6-4) at No. 8 Sidney Lehman Catholic (9-1)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – This week on The Sunday Briefing:

• Ohio’s Congressional map is now in the hands of the state’s redistricting commission. Hear from leaders on why the district boundaries could become the most gerrymandered in history.

• Two Democrats are facing off in the primary for Ohio’s 15th Congressional District.

“This is the most destructive Congress we’ve had,” candidate Adam Miller said. “It goes all the way back to the Johnson administration, Andrew Johnson administration.”

“If we can get down to the kitchen table, family issues that face most working families, I think we can see that this culture war that’s being waged in Washington is just a distraction,” candidate Don Leonard said.

Hear from both about why they should be sent to Washington.

• The government shutdown in Washington is entering its fourth week. Hear from Ohio’s lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

• Who will blink first, and how long can the government shutdown go on without devastating consequences? Democratic strategist Joe Rettof and Republican strategist Mike Gonidakis join the roundtable to focus on that as well as Ohio’s redistricting standoff.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The undefeated Ohio State Buckeyes will go into November as the No. 1 team in the nation as it pushes towards a 12-0 regular season record.

Ohio State (7-0, 4-0), kept its No. 1 spot in the Week 10 Associated Press poll and USA Today coaches poll despite being on a bye Saturday. The Buckeyes will return to the field on Nov. 1 to host unranked Penn State at noon from Ohio Stadium.

Head coach Ryan Day's side is chasing its first undefeated 12-game regular season since 2019 and its first appearance in a Big Ten Championship Game since the COVID-shortened 2020 season.

Blue Jackets pick up rare victory in Pittsburgh with shootout win

The chief rival for the Buckeyes in the Big Ten this year is No. 2 Indiana, who steamrolled UCLA 56-6 on Saturday in Bloomington. While Ohio State has one more ranked team on its schedule (No. 21 Michigan), Indiana will not play another ranked opponent this season.

Joining Ohio State in the rankings once again is Cincinnati (7-1, 5-0), who moved up to No. 17 as one of two Big 12 teams yet to lose in conference play.

2025 Associated Press rankings (Oct. 26, 2025) 1Ohio State (54)2Indiana (11)3Texas A&M (1)4Alabama5Georgia6Oregon7Ole Miss8Georgia Tech9Vanderbilt10Miami10BYU12Notre Dame13Texas Tech14Tennessee15Virginia16Louisville17Cincinnati18Oklahoma19Missouri20Texas21Michigan22Houston23USC24Utah25Memphis

The Buckeyes' projected opponent for the College Football Playoff using this week's rankings is the winner of a first-round game between No. 8 Georgia Tech and No. 9 Vanderbilt in a quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl.

The first official College Football Playoff rankings will be revealed on Nov. 4 at 8 p.m. The Buckeyes have opened as the No. 1 team in the CFP poll on two previous occasions (2023, 2019).

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Former Ohio State and New York Jets center Nick Mangold has died after complications from kidney disease. He was 41.

The Jets announced that Mangold, of Centerville, Ohio, died Saturday night a little more than one week after he announced he was in need of a kidney donation. He had been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease in 2006 and began undergoing dialysis treatments in the summer. A previous story on Mangold can be seen in the video player above.

"Nick was more than a legendary center," said Jets Chairman Woody Johnson in a release. "He was the heartbeat of our offensive line for a decade and a beloved teammate whose leadership and toughness defined an era of Jets football. Off the field, Nick's wit, warmth, and unwavering loyalty made him a cherished member of our extended Jets family."

Columbus police continue to investigate nine-year-old home-invasion murder

After being a high school multi-sport star, Mangold played four seasons of college football at Ohio State as a center. He won the 2002 national title as a freshman and was later named a first-team All-American with the Buckeyes in 2005.

Ohio State football said in a statement: "The Ohio State football program is saddened by the news of Nick Mangold's passing and sends heartfelt condolences to his family and friends."

Mangold was selected with the 29th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft by the Jets and stayed with them for his entire career. He was a seven-time Pro Bowler and an NFL first-team All-Pro center in 2009 and 2010, helping the Jets to two AFC Championship game appearances in those seasons.

Nick Mangold's life in photos

• COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 3: Center Nick Mangold #55 of the Ohio State Buckeyes gets set to snap the ball against the Miami (OH) Redhawks on September 3, 2005 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Miami (OH) 34-14. (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images)
• Ohio State offensive lineman Nick Mangold stretches during practice Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2005, in Columbus, Ohio. Mangold, named this season as one of the team captains, is in his fourth season at center, playing in 33 games including 23 starts. When things go wrong for Ohio State's offense, the first people to be verbally attacked by fans and talk-radio callers are the offensive linemen. Based on the way things have gonethe past year or so, those critics have had a lot to complain about. (AP Photo/Terry Gilliam)
• ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 19: Nick Mangold #55 and A.J. Hawk #47 of Ohio State celebrate after defeating Michigan on November 19, 2005 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Buckeyes defeated the Wolverines 25-21. (Photo by Tom Pidgeon/Getty Images)
• New York Jets center Nick Mangold (74) and kicker Mike Nugent leave the field after beating the Oakland Raiders, 23-3, to make the playoffs during NFL football Sunday, Dec. 31, 2006 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
• New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) walks off the field with center Nick Mangold (74) after a 22-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
• New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) calls signals as he lines up behind center Nick Mangold (74) during an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
• 
• New York Jets' Nick Mangold during the fourth quarter of an NFL preseason football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Jets, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Eagles beat the Jets 24-14. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
• New York Jets center Nick Mangold carries an American flag as he runs on to the field before an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Jets Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
• New York Jets center Nick Mangold (74) looks on before an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
• New York Jets center Nick Mangold (74) of Team Rice during the NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014, in Honolulu. (Marco Garcia/ AP Images for NFL)
• Nick Mangold for the New York Jets and Chad Pennington are seen at the NFL draft eve party presented by Verizon on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 in New York. (Amy Sussman/AP Images for NFL)
• FILE - In this Jan. 22, 2015, file photo, New York Jets' Nick Mangold poses for a picture after a practice session at Luke Air Force Base for the NFL Football Pro Bowl, in Glendale, Ariz. Former New York Jets center Nick Mangold has announced his retirement from playing football after 11 seasons in which he established himself as one of the NFL's best at his position. The 34-year-old Mangold announced on Twitter on Tuesday morning, April 17, 2018, that he will sign a one-day contract with the Jets to retire as a member of the team.(AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
• Lian Taylor, 2, of Bayonne, N.J., sits on the lap of New York Jets center Nick Mangold, posing as Santa Claus during the team's holiday party for military families, Friday, Dec. 4, 2015, in Florham Park, N.J. The event, hosted by the Atlantic Health Jets Women's Organization, honored 18 military families. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
• Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump shakes hands with former Ohio State and NFL football player Nick Mangold as he arrives at the Wright Brothers Aero Hangar for a rally, Saturday, March 12, 2016, in Vandalia, Ohio. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
• New York Jets center Nick Mangold, holding his 3-year-old daughter, Eloise, officially retires during an NFL football news conference, Tuesday, April 24, 2018, in Florham Park, N.J. Mangold announced his retirement a week earlier in a post on Twitter. He was selected to seven Pro Bowls and was twice a first-team All-Pro during his 11-year career. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
• Former New York Jets player Nick Mangold during a ceremony to honor him during the halftime of an NFL football game between the New York Jets and the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
• Former New York Jets player Nick Mangold during a ceremony to honor him during the halftime of an NFL football game between the New York Jets and the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

He was inducted into the Jets’ ring of honor in 2022 after starting 164 games for the team from 2006 to 2016.

Mangold is survived by his wife Jennifer and their four children.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A Marion County special education teacher has been found guilty of assaulting a 6-year-old child with nonverbal autism.

According to the Marion County prosecutor, Jodi Grafmiller faces up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine at a future sentencing date after a jury convicted her of one count of assault, a fourth-degree felony. The charge stems from an October 2024 incident in which Grafmiller was accused of slapping a 6-year-old girl at Hayes Elementary School in Marion.

The prosecutor’s office reported that Grafmiller struck the girl after the child reportedly spit on her. As Grafmiller, 50, led students outside for recess, the victim, known to spit due to her nonverbal autism, spit on Grafmiller. In response, Grafmiller smacked the girl across the face, prosecuting attorneys said.

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A classroom aide witnessed the assault and urged Grafmiller to report it, leading to an investigation by Marion police.

Surveillance video was used during the trial, which included testimony that the child had spit on two other employees at the school who did not respond with physical violence.

Grafmiller was placed on administrative leave after the incident and no longer appears on a staff directory for Marion City Schools.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Police remain committed to solving a nine-year-old homicide in which a man was shot several times on the West Side.

David Lee Hodge was gunned down near the 200 block of Columbian Avenue at 8:45 p.m. on Oct. 27, 2016. At that time police responded to Hodge’s home, where he was found lying on the stairs and suffering from several gunshot wounds.

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According to Central Ohio Crime Stoppers, it is alleged that multiple suspects broke out windows to enter the residence, where Hodge and a witness both attempted to confront the suspects before shots were fired. For previous reports on this story view the video player above.

All suspects fled the scene, police said, allegedly in a silver Nissan Rouge. Police said it is believed that Hodge, who was pronounced dead at a hospital, knew the suspects.

Nearly nine years later, the home invasion-murder of David Lee Hodge remains unsolved.

Crime Stoppers is once again asking for community assistance and offering a cash reward for any information leading to the arrest and/or indictment of the person(s) responsible for this crime. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS (8477) or visit www.stopcrime.org and submit your tip.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Ohio ranks among the states where residents are most burdened with student debt, according to a recent study. 

To determine the best and worst states for student debt, the personal finance company WalletHub compared all 50 states and Washington, D.C., across 12 metrics, including the average student debt, proportion of students with debt, unemployment rate among those aged 25 to 34, and availability of student jobs. 

The study, released in September, collected data from a variety of government agencies, nonprofit research organizations and private companies, such as the hiring platform Indeed.

Ohio ranked No. 10 among the worst states for student debt. The average amount of student debt represented about 42.01% of the state’s median income, marking the eight-highest rate in the country. The Buckeye State also saw the fifth-highest share of student loan borrowers aged 50 and older. 

Mississippi was the state where residents were the most burdened with student debt, according to the study. The average Mississippi resident with student loan debt owes 56% of the state's median income -- the highest rate in the country. The Magnolia State also had the fourth-worst availability of jobs to students and the second-lowest share of paid internships.

The full top 10 included:

1. Mississippi
2. New Hampshire
3. Pennsylvania
4. Delaware
5. South Dakota
6. South Carolina
7. Kentucky
8. West Virginia 
9. New Jersey
10. Ohio

Source: WalletHub

Hawaii ranked as the best state for student debt, seeing the third-lowest proportion of students with debt, and the second-lowest amount of student debt as a percentage of the median income. 

The Aloha State was followed by Utah, California, New Mexico, Washington State, Oregon, Colorado, Washington, D.C., Nevada and Alaska.

WalletHub’s full study can be found here.

LANCASTER, Ohio (WCMH) -- A historic Lancaster church will undergo a $4 million transformation to become "a dynamic mixed-use facility" with a co-working space, a makers kitchen and restaurant, and new retail opportunities.

The project will transform Mills Memorial Church at 402 N. Broad St., founded in 1898 and last used for worship in 2019. Backed by a $700,000 JobsOhio Vibrant Community Grant, the redevelopment aims to honor the nearly 125-year legacy of the church, "while creating a dynamic space that serves Lancaster's 40,000 residents," a news release said.

"The Mills Memorial Church has stood in Lancaster for well over a century, and I commend the community's vision and the partnerships created to renew and transform this historic structure," said Gov. Mike DeWine in the release. "The revitalization of the Mills Memorial church will serve future generations by restoring an important part of Lancaster's heritage while creating opportunities that will attract jobs and commercial activity downtown."

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Once completed, the building's co-working space will be Lancaster's first, the release said, while the makers kitchen will give food-based startups access to the tools and certifications they need to scale their operations. Alongside new retail and dining, "these additions will bring more activity downtown and create better opportunities for residents and visitors."

The redevelopment project marks a collaboration between Columbus-based real estate firm Trivium Development, the city of Lancaster, the Lancaster Port Authority, Destination Downtown Lancaster, One Columbus at the Columbus Partnership and JobsOhio.

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"We are thrilled to bring such an exciting project to Lancaster," said Tim Spencer, president of Trivium. "Revitalizing this historic church into a place for innovation, dining and community gathering is both a privilege and an opportunity to contribute to the city's momentum. We believe this space will quickly become a centerpiece for Lancaster's growing downtown."

A rendering of the redeveloped Mills Memorial Church at 402 N. Broad St. in Lancaster. (Courtesy Photo/The Columbus Partnership)

"Lancaster is on the rise," said Lancaster Mayor Don McDaniel. "By transforming this historic landmark into a hub for entrepreneurs and community activity, we are honoring our past while building a vibrant future."

It's unclear when the redevelopment will finish construction and reopen as the mixed-use facility.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- One current and one former Crew player were suspended Saturday night by MLS.

Derrick Jones, a lightly used midfielder who joined the team in 2023 as a free agent, was suspended along with Los Angeles FC midfielder Yaw Yeboah, who left the Crew after last season. MLS described the action as "administrative leave pending league review of potential violations of MLS league rules."

"Both players will be prohibited from participating in team activities and competition during the respective reviews," the two-sentence statement concluded.

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Jones, 28, has appeared in only three games for the Crew this season, totaling four minutes of playing time with no other stats. Last season, he appeared in 20 games, including four starts, and recorded two assists. A native of Ghana, Jones has played in MLS since 2016.

According to the salary database provided by the MLS players' union, Jones is making $387,500 in guaranteed compensation this season.

Yeboah, 28, is also from Ghana, appearing in 17 MLS games this season for LAFC, with one goal and one assist. Last season with the Crew, he was a regular starter the first half of the season and recorded one goal. After the season, the team decided not to renew his contract.

Yeboah is making $550,000 this season with LAFC.

The suspension comes as the Crew is preparing to open the MLS playoffs. A series against FC Cincinnati begins Monday night on the road.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Columbus Humane hosted a free one health clinic Saturday, giving people the opportunity to get themselves and their pets vaccinated.

The event was in partnership with OhioHealth and the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging. The clinic offered access to flu vaccines and core animal vaccines including rabies. The event also had free pet food, grocery cards and supplies from the Mid-Ohio Food Collective.

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Brittany Williams, Chief Advancement Officer of Columbus Humane says it was overwhelming to see how many people came to the event, but notes that this work is part of their mission for a reason.

"It's so important because it's needed. And people want to help their pets, they want to help their family. They want to help their family thrive, it's not just about surviving. It's how you can sustain and be able to thrive in your life," Williams said. "The very first person who was in line today got here at 6 a.m."

Organizers say they hope to continue events like this in the future whenever they must fill a need in the community.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Special Olympics Ohio held their state championship for flag football Saturday, highlighting teams from four regions across the state.

The teams competed in various matches throughout the day to eventually win gold. The games were livestreamed for the first time ever.

The event was held at the Bo Jackson Sports Facility bringing fans and families together to support these athletes. The event also provided access to health education for people with mental disabilities.

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Chad Highland of Special Olympics Ohio said the organization gives opportunities to those with disabilities. "Special Olympics is allowing people to do what they want to do and maybe even for sports. And so bringing all these athletes together to compete," Highland said. "The best part is seeing these athletes interacting with their friends."

Special Olympics Ohio is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

DUBLIN, Ohio (WCMH) -- Black smoke rising in Dublin on Saturday afternoon raised alarm bells on social media.

But it was no cause for concern.

Posts began appearing on Reddit and Citizen of dark smoke rising near the northwest corner of Interstate 270, north of its interchange with U.S. 33 and State Route 161. The posts noted a large column of smoke and that there had no public information about reports of a fire.

NBC4 reached out to Dublin police and was told that the smoke was from a training fire.

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On Saturday morning, the Washington Township Fire Department, which serves parts of Dublin, posted on Facebook about the training fire in an empty residence on River Forest Road.

"Our crews will be participating in a live burn training exercise TODAY in Dublin. This notice is to inform residents that smoke may be visible in the area during the training," the post read. "Please note that this is a planned and controlled exercise, and our crews will be onsite ensuring all safety protocols are followed."

The post said that the first burn was scheduled for 9:30 a.m., with others to follow throughout the day.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A state champion in high school football has been banned from defending its title.

The Ohio High School Athletic Association announced Saturday that Ironton has been removed from participating in the Division V playoffs, citing numerous violations of recruiting bylaws over seven years. The school was also placed on three years of probation and fined $7,500, and some unnamed members of the coaching staff were suspended from the 2026 playoffs.

"The OHSAA’s investigation determined that some members of the Ironton football program had engaged in ongoing and coordinated recruiting efforts, including communications with parents and students regarding methods to influence other prospective athletes’ enrollment," a news release from the OHSAA said. "Records show deliberate efforts to conceal recruiting activity, including direction on how to avoid leaving evidence of infractions."

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Ironton finished 9-1, capped by a 55-13 win Friday night over Portsmouth. Although the OHSAA is not making Ironton surrender its 2024 state title or forfeit any wins, it is making the Tigers forfeit Friday's win since they knew by that time that they had been using an ineligible player. Watch Football Friday Nite from Oct. 24 in the video player above.

NBC affiliate WSAZ of Huntington, West Virginia, said that the school learned of its punishment on Thursday and that fans gathered outside Ironton City Schools offices on Friday in support of the team. Ironton is a city of about 10,000 people along the Ohio River on the southern border of the state.

A district statement sent to WSAZ did not indicate that it would challenge the sanctions.

“This is a setback, but this has not erased the hard work and accomplishments of our students as a team this year," it read. "We are so proud of them. We will not let this take away our pride or our legacy, and we will strive, as always, to uphold the values that define Ironton City Schools both on and off the field.”

The OHSAA said Ironton schools also agreed to change its policies on enrollment and transfers and to attend an education seminar.

The 2024 title was the third for Ironton football, and it had reached the state final three other times since 2019.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A man received a seven-figure bond out of municipal court on rape charges, stemming from reports of a sexual assault this month in northeast Columbus.

According to court records, Columbus police was called to an apartment complex in the Clinton Estates neighborhood, where a mother reported that her 13-year-old child had been sexually assaulted.

Officers interviewed the child, who said she was forced to perform acts on a man who was at the apartment in the early hours of Oct. 6.

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The victim and a witness reported that 20-year-old Dontarius Burley left afterward. Burley, of Whitehall, was arrested just over two weeks later and charged with rape and kidnapping, two first-degree felonies.

A Franklin County Municipal Court judge issued Burley a $1 million bond and ordered him to stay away from the victim, any potential witnesses involved in the case and the location of the alleged crime, should he post bond. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for the morning of Oct. 31.

ZANESVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) — Three central Ohio suspects, including two from Columbus, could face over 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to drug trafficking and possession charges.

According to the Muskingum County Prosecutor's Office, three “major” fentanyl dealers admitted guilt related to separate, months-long investigations by the county’s Joint Drug Unit, CODE Task Force and the FBI.

One man, 26-year-old Steven Smith, of Zanesville pleaded guilty to multiple charges in two cases, the first from a March investigation that resulted in Smith admitting to LSD possession with a firearm specification, aggravated possession of drugs, and having weapons under disability. The second case stems from June in which he pleaded guilty to trafficking in a fentanyl related compound and possession of cocaine.

Related to the June case were the guilty pleas of two Columbus residents – Krisawn Taylor-Hayes, 23, and Breonna Kelly, 19.

Taylor-Hayes pleaded guilty to trafficking in a fentanyl related compound and possession of cocaine, while Kelly pleaded guilty to the same charges, plus possession of methamphetamine.

Steven Smith (top), Krisawn Taylor-Hayes (left) and Breonna Kelly (right) pleaded guilty to multiple drug charges in Muskingum County, Oct. 22, 2025. (Courtesy/Muskingum County Prosecutor's Office)

The prosecutor’s office stated that Smith and Taylor-Hayes participated together in selling approximately 400 pills containing fentanyl but appearing to be Percocet to undercover law enforcement. The two, plus Kelly, who was driving, were later caught in possession of the money they were paid for the transaction.

Both men were in custody during the duration of their trial. Kelly had posted bond, but had it revoked when she tested positive for drugs.

On Wednesday, a Muskingum County common pleas judge sentenced Smith to 17 years in prison. Kelly faces a sentencing hearing in which a jointly recommended sentence was agreed to of four years. Taylor-Hayes will have a pre-sentencing investigation and could face a maximum sentence of 20 years.

LOGAN, Ohio (WCMH) — A man charged with possession of sexually oriented material and voyeurism after a family staying in a Hocking Hills cabin discovered hidden camera in their bathroom has pleaded guilty.

According to a Hocking County Sheriff’s Office report, supported by three deputies who reported to the scene, a woman called the sheriff’s office to report a hidden camera was found in the bathroom of a short-term rental cabin her family had rented in February 2024.

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A search warrant was executed at the property on State Route 664 in Marion Township, north of Logan, where a camera was found in the drop-down ceiling of a bathroom. The camera, which reportedly had a green light lit when the victim found it, had an extension cord that was routed from the ceiling to a utility room and plugged in behind laundry facilities.

The victim told deputies that she, her husband and their 4-year-old child all had used the bathroom before discovering the camera, which was mounted within the ceiling and secured by black electrical tape, the report stated.

Deputies searched the rest of the property and only discovered “Ring” or “Bing” cameras outside of the residence for security measures, although the report noted the rear camera had views of a basement entrance and the hot tub.

During the investigation, deputies spoke with property management, who informed them that Jason Yard, of Akron, was the owner of the rental. In addition, it was discovered that Yard was the owner of the following evidence found at the cabin.

• A partial backup/download of a Samsung phone on the MicroSD card belonging to Yard found inside the camera.
• Several recordings within the device of Yard adjusting the camera while installed in the bathroom ceiling.

In addition, Amazon purchase records secured by the Hocking County Sheriff's indicate that Yard bought several hidden cameras, nanny cams, memory cards and adaptors between 2019 and 2023.

• Hocking County deputies discover a hidden camera in a Hocking Hills rental cabin. (Courtesy/Hocking County Sheriff's Department)
• Hocking County deputies discover a hidden camera in a Hocking Hills rental cabin. (Courtesy/Hocking County Sheriff's Department)
• Hocking County deputies discover a hidden camera in a Hocking Hills rental cabin. (Courtesy/Hocking County Sheriff's Department)

In total, the sheriff's office estimate that 49 adults and 13 children were victims of the hidden camera, and approximately 170 digital files were submitted into evidence, including one which captured a couple having sexual intercourse.

In June, an indictment was filed against Yard of Akron, who was arrested in July and issued a $100,000 bond after pleading not guilty to six charges – four felony counts of illegal use of nudity-oriented material involving a minor and two misdemeanor counts of voyeurism.

After a September motion for a continuance, Yard changed his plea on Thursday to no contest on the first count of the indictment, illegal use of nudity-oriented material involving a minor. The remaining charges were dropped as part of the agreement.

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Yard, who will have to register as a Tier I sex offender according to Ohio law, is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 12 and faces a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison. However, court records state that the prosecution's office and defense counsel agreed to a prison term of 4-6 years.

The guilty plea of a felony sex offense also comes with a five-year mandatory post-release control period and a fine of up to $15,000.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- One person has been injured after a shooting in west Columbus on Saturday morning.

Authorities responded to the 3700 block of Briggs Road in the Hilltop at 6:34 a.m. on Saturday after report of a shooting, according to the Columbus Division of Police. One person was found suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg, and was transported to a local hospital in stable condition.

Two suspects were detained, police said. Other details have yet to be released. The shooting remains under investigation.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A recent report ranked more than 180 U.S. cities based on how safe they are, and Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati all placed in the bottom half of the list. 

The personal finance company WalletHub compared 182 cities – including the 150 most populated U.S. cities, plus at least two of the most populated cities in each state – across three key dimensions: home and community safety, natural disaster risk and financial safety. 

Researchers analyzed 41 metrics across those key dimensions. For example, home and community safety included metrics such as the murder rate, presence of sex offenders and number of traffic deaths. The natural disaster category included the likelihood of hurricanes and tornadoes, and the financial safety category included the unemployment rate and median credit score. 

“The safest cities in America protect residents from these threats of bodily harm and property damage, but on top of that, they also help secure people’s financial safety,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. “Financial safety includes things like minimizing the risk of fraud and identity theft, keeping the population employed and insured, and combating homelessness.”

In the list of the safest cities, Cleveland ranked near the bottom at No. 173, making it the 10th-most unsafe city in America. In each specific dimension, the city ranked at No. 171 for home and community safety, No. 107 for natural disaster risk and No. 162 for financial safety. 

Columbus placed at No. 159, making it the 24th-most unsafe city. It ranked at No. 164 for home and community safety, No. 85 for natural disaster risk and No. 122 for financial safety. 

Cincinnati ranked as the safest of Ohio’s major metros, although it still appeared in the bottom half of the list, at No. 135. The city placed at No. 134 for home and community safety, No. 102 for natural disaster risk and No. 121 for financial safety. Toledo, at No. 144, and Akron, at No. 148, were also included in the list.

The study found that New Orleans is the least safe city in America, followed by Memphis, Tennessee; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Detroit; and Baltimore. 

Source: WalletHub

The safest city in the country is Warwick, Rhode Island, followed by Overland Park, Kansas; Burlington, Vermont; Juneau, Alaska; and Yonkers, New York, according to the report. 

WalletHub’s full study can be viewed here.