Ohio News

NEWARK, Ohio (WCMH) — A Licking County man on trial for the murder of a Newark woman 18 months ago was sentenced to prison after a plea change was submitted last week.

According to court documents, 23-year-old Andrew Hoskinson pleaded guilty to one count of murder in the death of 21-year-old Tala Smith. In exchange for his plea, additional charges of murder, aggravated murder, felonious assault and strangulation were dropped.

Ohio lawmakers want to allow pregnant women to use accessible parking spaces

Smith was found unconscious in the back seat of a vehicle on March 17, 2024, in the 200 block of Eddy Street. Arriving medics were able to perform life-saving measures and obtain a pulse for Smith, who was taken to a nearby hospital before being flown to a Columbus hospital.

Smith was pronounced dead six days later. She reportedly had numerous contusions and abrasions in various stages of healing, some of which, police said, appeared to have been recently caused.

Search warrants were secured for the vehicle and Hoskinson’s address, where evidence of domestic violence was discovered, including information that Smith had been strangled as part of ongoing violence.

Hoskinson was originally charged with domestic violence and strangulation with amended charges of murder charges being added after Smith’s death. He pleaded not guilty in April 2024 and was issued a $1.5 million bond.

On Friday, Hoskinson entered his guilty plea, and Monday morning a Licking County Court of Common Pleas judge sentenced Hoskinson to 15 years-to life in prison, with 576 days of jail time credit. For a previous report on this story view the video player above.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Former Ohio congressman Tim Ryan is moving closer to a run for governor.

According to Ryan's spokesperson Dennis Willard, Ryan has asked his "closest advisors" to begin planning a gubernatorial run. However, Ryan still has "not made a definitive decision yet."

Ryan, 52, has been teasing a possible run for months, and posted a photo of himself at dinner with three political strategists on Thursday. He had previously said he would announce his decision by Sept. 30, but decided to push the self-imposed deadline back further by a "few additional days."

If Ryan joins the race, it would spur a more competitive Democratic primary in May. Ryan would have to face fellow Democrat Amy Acton, who announced her run in January. Acton is a well-known name in Ohio after her work as state health director during the first months of COVID-19.

Bill would allow pregnant women to use accessible parking spaces

Across the aisle, Vivek Ramaswamy, who already banked endorsements from the Ohio Republican Party and President Donald Trump, leads the Republican race.

Ryan served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2003 to 2023, representing Ohio’s 13th and 17th districts. His term ended in 2022 after an unsuccessful Senate bid, which he lost to now-Vice President J.D. Vance. He had a brief presidential campaign in 2020 and now works as a lobbyist.

Ryan is the only rumored candidate who had not announced a decision. Republican Lieutenant Governor Jim Tressel had been weighing a run, but announced on Sept. 19 that he would not pursue the state’s top seat.

Although earlier entries to the race have more time for fundraising and campaigning, Ryan has until February to officially declare his ticket.

MANSFIELD, Ohio (WCMH) — Possibly the last images of one of Ohio's most mysterious and forgotten places have been revealed through the lens of a local digital creator, who has a knack for uncovering some of the state's most intriguing history.

In the past year, Mark Soergel has shared rare photos of the Longaberger Basket Building and Whitehall’s former Woodcliff condos on his Facebook page. Recently, Soergel posted dozens of pictures of a former outdoor arena built specifically to host a historical performance about a legendary figure who worked to transform Ohio and the surrounding regions nearly 200 years ago.

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“I enjoyed an absolutely gorgeous day on Sunday and hiked up to the abandoned Johnny Appleseed Amphitheater near Charles Mill Lake,” wrote Soergel in the post's caption. “This beautiful site sits nestled into a hill deep in the woods and is surrounded by nature on all sides.”

Soergel's images feature vines draping down the amphitheater's seats, vacant passageways, a shattered window, old electronics, and what seems to be a single shoe from an Appleseed-era costume.

• Photo Courtesy/ Mark Soergel Designs
• Photo Courtesy/ Mark Soergel Designs
• Photo Courtesy/ Mark Soergel Designs
• Photo Courtesy/ Mark Soergel Designs
• Photo Courtesy/ Mark Soergel Designs
• Photo Courtesy/ Mark Soergel Designs
• Photo Courtesy/ Mark Soergel Designs
• Photo Courtesy/ Mark Soergel Designs
• Photo Courtesy/ Mark Soergel Designs
• Photo Courtesy/ Mark Soergel Designs
• Photo Courtesy/ Mark Soergel Designs
• Photo Courtesy/ Mark Soergel Designs
• Photo Courtesy/ Mark Soergel Designs
• Photo Courtesy/ Mark Soergel Designs
• Photo Courtesy/ Mark Soergel Designs
• Photo Courtesy/ Mark Soergel Designs
• Photo Courtesy/ Mark Soergel Designs
• Photo Courtesy/ Mark Soergel Designs
• Photo Courtesy/ Mark Soergel Designs
• Photo Courtesy/ Mark Soergel Designs
• Photo Courtesy/ Mark Soergel Designs
• Photo Courtesy/ Mark Soergel Designs
• Photo Courtesy/ Mark Soergel Designs
• Photo Courtesy/ Mark Soergel Designs
• Photo Courtesy/ Mark Soergel Designs
• Photo Courtesy/ Mark Soergel Designs
• Photo Courtesy/ Mark Soergel Designs

“Sadly, it only stayed open for an outdoor drama/play about the life of Johnny Appleseed for 2 seasons, from 2004-05 and has sat vacant since,” added Soergel. “Several attempts to save or repurpose it have failed for various reasons over the years, and it just continues to succumb to the forces of time and nature.”

The post received dozens of reactions and comments admiring Soergel's spooky compositions and lamenting the venue's current condition.

“Whelp, I see folks have finally started busting the place up,” said one person. “Was here several yrs ago & it was in good shape.”

“Awesome pics,” offered another viewer. “I love places like that.”

Ohio lawmakers want to allow pregnant women to use accessible parking spaces

As it turns out, Soergel's mystical photography shoot might be the last recorded images of the amphitheater. The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, which owns the land in Ashland County, east of Mansfield, recently made the “difficult” decision to demolish the facility.

Pete Novotny, the MWCD chief of recreation, told NBC4 that after an exhaustive study, the organization learned that several factors would doom its redevelopment. Novotny cited its isolation, inaccessibility to water and lack of infrastructure as barriers to its repurposing.

Crews began dismantling the open-air theater in September, according to Novotny. He said the MWCD paid $325,000 to remove the installation, but liability concerns outweighed the cost. The area will be “returned to nature.”

An old promotional video produced by the now-defunct Johnny Appleseed Heritage Center nonprofit organization highlights the history of the amphitheater. The video features Tim Smucker, the great-grandson of the well-known jelly maker J.M. Smucker, who served as the honorary chairman of the fundraising committee. The production explains the center's plans.

“Johnny Appleseed Heritage Center's 45-acre site lies within the 118-acre Johnny Appleseed Forest, halfway between Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio,” the video's narrator notes. “Its location was chosen carefully for its relationship not only with apple seeds, activities, but also with exciting events that took place during the early settling of the region. Johnny Appleseed actually lived and worked with native inhabitants and early settlers in these very same hills.”

The recording goes on to detail the site's future amenities.

“In addition to the more than two-hour historical outdoor musical drama presented in a 1,600-seat, naturally contoured and wooded amphitheater, the center will also offer an interactive museum focusing on Johnny's life on the region and apple industry, and on the 90-seat J.M. Smucker Company indoor auditorium and library,” the narrator continues. “Also planned are nature trails and indoor classroom and outreach programs for children and adults on philanthropy, humanitarianism, and conservation.”

Additionally, background on Johnny Appleseed is presented in the late '90s tape recording.

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“An extraordinary missionary who goes about barefooted,” the voice-over says. “Can sleep anywhere, and can live on the coarsest and most scanty fare. He has even fought the ice with his bare feet. He gathers what books he can of the new church, travels into the remote settlements and lands the books wherever he can find readers. This man, for years, has been cultivating in numerous places in the wilderness.

“He was an uncommon man with universal appeal. Known for his courage, sacrifice, and his impact on the lives of Ohio's early settlers and the generations that followed. John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed, is a true American hero.”

More of Soergel's work can be found in person at the Ashland University Art+Design Alumni Art exhibition, running through Oct. 31, in the Coburn Art Gallery at Ashland University. The event is free and open to the public.

WESTERVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) -- A longtime Westerville pizza staple is making a comeback just months after closing its doors.

Antonio's Pizzeria, which shut down in July after 20 years of business at 7001 Sunbury Road, is reopening inside Campfire Brewing, a new Westerville brewery located at 6300 Frost Road. Campfire announced the partnership on Oct. 1 on social media.

"We're thrilled to announce that Antonio's Pizzeria will be reopening at Campfire," the brewery posted. "We couldn't be happier to partner with Antonio's owner, Rita, to keep this beloved Westerville favorite right here in Westerville." An opening date has not yet been announced, but Campfire told followers to "stay tuned" for more details.

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The return of Antonio's follows an emotional closure this summer, when owner Rita Vaccari Pavuk announced the pizzeria's final weekend of service after what she described as "irreconcilable differences" with the building's landlord. "It was not expected or wanted," Pavuk wrote in a July social media post, adding that the decision came "with a heavy heart."

Antonio's originally opened in 1977 under the ownership of Frances and Sam Giuliani, Pavuk's aunt and uncle. The restaurant later sold, but the family revived it in 2005 with Pavuk and her cousin, Robert, at the helm. Since then, the pizzeria has built a loyal customer base with its homemade dough, secret family sauce and signature aged provolone.

While Antonio's finds a new home inside the brewery, another pizza shop is moving into the space it left behind. Red Bank Pizza announced in late September that it plans to take over the 7001 Sunbury Road space. An opening date has not been shared.

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Campfire launched in January, founded by four Westerville neighbors who turned a shared love of homebrewing into a business. The idea took root in a local garage in 2019 and grew into a neighborhood tradition of Saturday brew sessions and backyard gatherings around a campfire -- traditions the founders hope to recreate in their taproom today.

"Everyone is welcome by the campfire," the brewery's website states.

Campfire is open 4 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 2 to 11 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio State's new high-end student living complex is adding one more amenity: an in-house bagel shop.

Rambler Columbus, a luxury student housing complex that opened this fall, said Bagels & Co. signed a lease to operate out of a 2,660-square-foot space on the apartment building's ground floor. It will join coffee shop Daydreamer and an Ohio State-themed sports bar called Victory Lap, which both offer dining within the Rambler, 222 W. Lane Ave.

Bagels & Co. offers Brooklyn-style bagels and 25 cream cheese options, including specialty flavors like box truffle and Oreo. Bagels & Co. operates in Philadelphia and several Florida cities, and the Ohio State campus location furthers the company's expansion goals.

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At its Rambler location, the shop will serve freshly baked bagels and La Colombe coffee. It plans to offer indoor and outdoor seating, grab-and-go options and online ordering for students.

"As we continue to expand across the country, we're thrilled to bring our bagels and signature sandwiches to the heart of Columbus and be part of the vibrant, amenity-rich environments at Rambler, which is elevating the daily lives of students," Bagels & Co. President and CEO Mike Marsh said.

The Rambler is a more luxurious take on student housing, offering a yoga studio, pet spa and outdoor entertainment area. Located directly across Lane Avenue from the Jesse Owens Recreation Center North and North campus dorm buildings, Bagels & Co. hopes to be a convenient dining and studying spot for Buckeyes living in and out of the Rambler.

Bagels & Co. will open its Ohio State location in spring 2026.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Ohio lawmakers have introduced a bill that would allow pregnant women to use accessible parking spaces.  

Reps. Heidi Workman (R-Rootstown) and Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon) introduced House Bill 450 on Sept. 15. Under the proposal, pregnant women could apply for a removable windshield placard, permitting them to use accessible parking. 

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The placard would be valid for one year, and women could apply for it at any point in their pregnancy. The permit would not be renewable, but women could obtain another for a subsequent pregnancy. 

“This is a commonsense way to take care of pregnant mothers, and it makes it easier for mothers trying to maneuver daily life with a newborn,” Mathews said. 

To obtain the decal, pregnant women would have to submit an application to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, including confirmation that they are pregnant from a healthcare provider and their due date. The legislation tasks the BMV with determining the size, form, material and color of the decal, which would cost $8.

The BMV offers three types of removable windshield placards to residents who have a disability that limits their mobility. These permits include a standard placard that expires after 10 years, priced at $5, a temporary placard that expires within six months ($5) and a permanent placard with no expiration date ($15). Residents must also apply for these placards and provide proof of their condition from a medical provider. 

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“Currently, temporary handicap tags are only available for up to six months – and only in cases of complicated pregnancies,” Mathews said. “This bill would extend the option to women experiencing normal, healthy pregnancies for a full year.”

Florida and Illinois have enacted laws similar to Ohio’s proposal. The Sunshine State allows expectant mothers to obtain an accessible parking placard that is valid for one year. In Illinois, women in their third trimester can obtain an accessible parking decal that is valid for no more than 90 days. 

While pregnancy itself is generally not considered to be a disability, expectant mothers may experience a variety of unpleasant symptoms, including back pain, morning sickness, swollen feet and fatigue. 

HB 450 was assigned to the Children and Human Services, where it awaits its first hearing. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A U.S. Supreme Court case that could strike down bans on anti-LGBTQ+ conversion therapy is drawing concern in Ohio, where more than a dozen cities and a county have passed local prohibitions against the discredited practice.

During arguments on Oct. 7 in Chiles v. Salazar, several justices signaled skepticism toward state laws that prohibit licensed therapists from offering conversion therapy to minors, according to reporting by the Associated Press. Watch a previous NBC4 "Out in Ohio" episode on conversion therapy in the video player above.

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Kaley Chiles, a Christian counselor from Colorado, is challenging her state's 2019 law that bans conversion therapy for youth, arguing it violates her First Amendment right to free speech and religious expression. Colorado officials counter that the measure regulates health care and protects children from psychological harm.

Ohio does not have a statewide law prohibiting conversion therapy. Still, if the justices side with Chiles, the ruling could invalidate local ordinances across 15 cities in the Buckeye State. Among them are Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton, Athens, Reynoldsburg, Westerville, Whitehall and Lorain. Cuyahoga became the first county in the state to enact a ban last month.

The bans generally apply to licensed mental health professionals who perform conversion therapy on minors and carry civil penalties or disciplinary action through professional licensing boards.

LGBTQ+ organizations that pushed for those local measures say the potential loss of legal protections would put vulnerable youth at risk. Brandon West, the advocate who led campaigns to ban conversion therapy in several of those Ohio municipalities and at the county level in Cuyahoga, said the case underscores what's at stake.

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"These bans are not about politics; they are about preventing trauma and saving lives," he said. "If this ruling overturns local protections, it will not erase the moral truth that conversion therapy is dangerous, discredited, and deeply harmful. It will only strengthen the resolve of communities, advocates, and local leaders across Ohio to find new ways to protect our youth."

"If the Supreme Court does rule against the bans in June of next year, my team and I have a legal way to fight back and fight back we will because we'll do everything possible to protect LGBTQIA+ youth, to ensure survivors know they are not alone, and to create positive, lasting, and kind change across Ohio," West continued.

Conversion therapy, a practice widely condemned by major medical associations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association, attempts to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. Research has linked the practice to higher rates of depression and suicide among LGBTQ+ youth.

The justices are expected to issue a decision before the court's term ends in late June.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohio was among the 40-plus states to see its average gas price fall to help the national average approach the $3 per gallon threshold. In central Ohio, that average is now well below that mark.

According to GasBuddy’s survey of 500 stations in and around Columbus, Ohio, gas prices dropped 25.2 cents in the last week to average out at $2.77 per gallon. The current price is 15.8 cents lower than four weeks ago as well as 42.2 cents lower than this time one year ago.

Columbus Gas Prices Tracker

The cheapest gas station in the Columbus area was priced at $2.22 a gallon on Sunday, while the most expensive was $3.19, a difference of 97 cents per gallon. In Ohio, the average price of gas also fell by 21.3 cents from $2.97 per gallon to $2.76 per gallon.

Nationally, gas prices also experienced 6.4 cents per gallon decline to average out at $3.02, and the price of diesel followed suit by 3.5 cents, settling in at $3.63 per gallon.

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Barring any major setbacks due to weather or refinery issues in the Midwest, GasBuddy’s head of petroleum analysis Patrick De Haan says that prices throughout the county, including in Ohio, should drop below the $3 per gallon mark in future weeks.

“Americans appear to be on the cusp of seeing the national average drop below $3 per gallon for the first time in years, as prices have fallen across the vast majority of the country,” said De Haan. “With well over 40 states seeing gas prices decline and oil plunging below $60 per barrel to end the week, the good news may not end if — and when — the national average hits that magical $2.99 mark.”

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A disability advocacy organization has sued the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health, accusing the agency of withholding records tied to alleged abuse and neglect at its facilities, including one in which a patient died. 

Disability Rights Ohio filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio on Oct. 7, demanding access to records related to an investigation it is conducting.

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The lawsuit accuses the department of breaking federal and state law by not providing the records. Disability Rights Ohio is the state’s federally designated Protection and Advocacy System, which grants it the authority to investigate incidents of maltreatment against residents with disabilities at treatment facilities.  

“While we value and respect the role of the protection and advocacy system, we must exercise our statutory authority carefully to ensure compliance with applicable privacy laws,” the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health said in a statement. “We take seriously our dual role of safeguarding patients’ rights and protecting the public, and our responses to records requests are guided by this balance.”

One incident that Disability Rights Ohio is attempting to investigate is a death at Northcoast Behavioral Healthcare, a state-operated psychiatric facility in Summit County. In November 2024, a patient was found dead with a plastic bag over their face.

The organization received a report in January, claiming that the patient was subject to neglect resulting in their death. Specifically, the report indicated that the patient was able to access a plastic bag, which are generally prohibited at mental health facilities because of suffocation and choking risks, according to the filing.

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In March, the disability rights group requested records from the facility related to the patient’s death, including a coroner’s report, incident reports, scheduled medical appointments, medication administration records and any video footage related to the incident. 

Disability Rights Ohio received the medication administration records and autopsy report, which indicated a 14-minute delay between when the patient was found and when the staff called 911. However, “lifesaving measures began immediately,” the lawsuit notes. 

In June, the organization requested internal investigation documents related to the time gap in contacting 911, as well as any corrective actions taken regarding a variety of staff members, such as additional training or discipline. 

Legal counsel with the state department responded that it would not provide the records. Over the next couple of months, the organization and department debated the legality of providing the records, with the state agency claiming some of the records are confidential under the law and the request for employee disciplinary measures was vague, the lawsuit states.

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On Sept. 23, the department provided a one-page record related to the discipline of an employee. Disability Rights Ohio claims it is still waiting on all other records it requested related to the incident. 

The disability rights organization is also investigating two state-licensed facilities serving children with disabilities, where there have been reports of the use of "prohibited chemical restraints,” sexual assault, staff abuse, overreliance on medications that are dangerous to youth, and high suicide rates, according to the lawsuit. The filing does not name the facilities. 

On Sept. 9, Disability Rights Ohio requested reports related to the alleged abuse and neglect at the two facilities. The organization received the records on Sept. 26, despite similar requests typically being fulfilled within 24 hours for decades, the filing says. 

Because of the delay, the organization claims the video of two incidents is likely gone, as the facility's cameras record over footage every 30 days. 

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“State-operated and state-licensed facilities are restrictive, isolated settings where some of the most vulnerable individuals with complex behavioral health conditions find themselves locked in without their consent,” said Kerstin Sjoberg, CEO of the nonprofit. “Our ability to comprehensively monitor and investigate these facilities is critical.”

Disability Rights Ohio is asking the court to compel the agency to release the requested records, cover a “reasonable” amount of its attorney fees and “any other relief the court deems appropriate.”

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Columbus Day, a federal holiday in observance of Christopher Columbus, occurs annually on the second Monday of October.

In 2025, Columbus Day falls on Monday, Oct. 13. And locally, the day is recognized as Indigenous Peoples Day in the city of Columbus. Most stores and restaurants in central Ohio will be open. However, various services could be affected, including mail and package delivery, trash collection, public transportation, library services, and government offices.

Find out what to expect on Columbus Day with the list below.

Will mail and packages be delivered on Columbus Day?

FedEx
FedEx will operate with modified service. FedEx Freight, FedEx Office, FedEx Custom Critical and FedEx Logistics will all be open on Columbus Day.

United States Postal Service
The USPS observes Columbus Day as a federal holiday and will be closed. There will be no mail delivery, caller service, or Post Office Box service available. All services will resume on Tuesday.

UPS
UPS pickup and delivery services are available. UPS Ground Saver  and UPS Mail Innovations deliveries will require one additional business day for transit due to the Federal (USPS) holiday. The UPS Store  locations are open.

Is the library open on Columbus Day?

Columbus Metropolitan Library branches
All locations across Columbus are closed on Monday, Oct. 13, for a staff development day.

Does Columbus’s trash collection day change after Columbus Day?

Because Monday, Oct. 13, is observed by the city as Indigenous Peoples Day, there will be no trash collection. For residents assigned a collection color, pickup will rotate forward by one day the week of the holiday:

Monday, Oct. 13NO COLLECTIONTuesday, Oct. 14NavyWednesday, Oct. 15PinkThursday, Oct. 16RubyFriday, Oct. 17 GoldMonday, Oct. 20 Gray

The color-coded collection schedule will rotate forward again on Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11.

For residents not assigned a collection color: If the collection day falls on or after the holiday, trash pickup will be delayed by one day during the week of the holiday.

Recycling and yard waste collection: The collection schedule for weekly recycling and biweekly yard waste is not impacted by Indigenous Peoples Day. Please set out recycling and yard waste for collection on Oct. 13, if it is scheduled for pickup that day.

Residents can check collection days and set collection schedule reminders on the city's website, or download the free PickUp CBUS app for schedules and reminders.

Is COTA running on Columbus Day?

Central Ohio Transit Authority will operate its normal schedule on Monday, Oct. 13. Customers can plan their trip at COTA.com or use the Transit app.

COTA observes Sunday schedules on nine holidays, including New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Is parking free on Columbus Day?

Indigenous Peoples Day is listed as one of the 11 holidays with free parking. Parking at city kiosks and meters will not be enforced on Monday, Oct. 13. Parking restriction signage at some meters will be enforced, including but not limited to morning and evening rush hours and zones marked for valets, taxis, loading, handicapped-only and residential parking permit areas.

Will banks and government offices be closed on Columbus Day?

Because Columbus Day is a federal holiday, banks will be closed; however, ATMs and online services should still be accessible. The New York Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ will be paused.

Federal employees will have a paid day off on Oct. 13, per the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Federal, state, county and city offices, including courthouses, will be closed.

Will schools be open on Columbus Day?

Columbus City Schools will be open on Oct. 13. Parents should check with their local school district, as some may be closed on Columbus Day.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio is leading the nation this year in the number of La Crosse virus cases, a mosquito-borne illness that most commonly affects children under the age of 16. 

"We're seeing a lot of cases in Ohio this year," Nationwide Children's Infectious Disease Physician Dr. Chris Ouellette said. "This has been a busier year than what we've seen in other years, but this is not something that I would consider as out of the normal from what we've seen if you go back long enough in time."

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According to the Ohio Department of Health, there are currently 40 reported human cases in Ohio this year. That's double the average number of cases typically reported in the state each year.

"It happens that the virus and the type of mosquito that transmits it the best are really kind of focused around here in central to southeast Ohio, but also into the Appalachians," Ouellette said. 

Ouellette said they've seen over 20 cases at Nationwide Children's over the past year.

"That's not an unexpectedly low number or unexpectedly necessarily high number," Ouellette said. "I think it kind of fits within the range of cases that we have seen." 

The virus is carried by a specific type of mosquito that thrives in wooded areas and tends to bite during the day. Since it can't be spread from person to person, the best way to prevent getting sick is to prevent mosquito bites.

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"The best thing, number one, is using mosquito repellent, containing formulas on skin that's exposed to help try to repel those insect bites," Ouellette said. "And then, of course, just good coverage in terms of either wearing long clothing to cover your skin so you have less area of your skin to bite." 

Most people infected with the virus don't show any symptoms, but for those who do, signs usually appear between five to 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. 

"This virus likes to cause inflammation of the brain and also inflammation of the layers that surround the brain," Ouellette said. "So, the majority of cases that we do see when they do present, they do have fevers, headache, oftentimes nausea."

While La Crosse virus can sound scary, Ouellette said most children fully recover without any long-term lasting physical effects. There is currently no vaccine or direct treatment for the virus which is why doctors say prevention is key. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Downtown Columbus was full of flavor Sunday as local chefs and wine lovers came together for one big toast to the city.

Saucebox, formerly known as the Columbus Natural Wine Festival, was reimagined this year with a new name, more vendors, and an even bigger footprint.

On Sunday afternoon, 20 of Columbus’ top restaurants joined forces with more than 100 wines from around the world, creating a street festival that was part tasting tour, part celebration.

The event was hosted by the Columbus Wine Alliance, serving as a love letter to the city’s culinary scene. Winemakers from as far as Milan, Croatia, and Spain joined the event.

"Restaurants are a community,” Saucebox founder Gregory Stokes said. “Wine is supposed to be shared. So, we created this with the idea that bring people from all over the city, Pickerington, New Albany, Powell. Bring them all downtown to celebrate Columbus."

The event’s new name was inspired by a Victorian term meaning “the mouth,” capturing the festival’s passion for bold flavors and exciting sips.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Sunday was the annual central Ohio Walk to End Alzheimer's, which NBC4 was a proud sponsor of once again.

This walk is aimed at driving awareness and raising money to fight and end the disease while also bringing people together..   

“It's like a huge support group. People come together who need support,” said Vince McGrail, executive director of the Alzheimer's Association of Central Ohio. “People in the middle of this journey that they're givers. Those who've lost someone to this disease, there's too many of them.” 

About 3,000 people came together for the walk. Out of 625 walks in the country, Columbus has the 11th largest fundraising walk in the country – leading to support for education, caregiver support and more.   

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“We are driving and research is going to help with treatment, diagnosis, understanding how to reduce your risk in the future and helping one another,” McGrail said.  

NBC4 evening anchor Colleen Marshall shared details about the impact these walks, and research has had over the past two decades.   

“When my mother was diagnosed in 2004, what we were told is there's really nothing you can do for her but keep her comfortable and watch her go through this,” Marshall said. “Now, they say early intervention, we have drugs that can remove the amyloid proteins from the brain. We can slow it down. They can't cure it yet, but they can have so much progress in treatments.” 

The goal is to raise $1 million this year in the hopes of eventually finding a cure for the over six million Americans facing this disease.   

“It's hard to describe it until you're going through it, but the allies' supporters, you'll see people with Alzheimer's walking,” Marshall said. “That's why that flower garden is so important. You can tell where everybody is in this disease. I carry purple in memory of someone and it'd be great someday to see white in honor of somebody who's cured.” 

For more information on how you can support the Alzheimer's Association of Central Ohio, click here.

Central Ohio Weather and Radar

A storm system developing along the Mid-Atlantic Coast will remain far east enough to have no real impact on our weather, except for some patchy clouds that will dissipate this evening.

An expansive area of high pressure will take control and provide sunshine to start the week, with temperatures in the low to mid-70s.

The weather next week will be pleasant early next week, with plenty of sunshine and a gradual warmup, as temperatures rebound well into the 70s, nearly 10 degrees above normal. A cold front will cross the state early Wednesday, bringing seasonably cool weather, with a slight cooldown beginning on Wednesday beneath an area of high pressure building across the region from the north.

A chance for showers will arrive next weekend.

Forecast

• Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 71 
• Tonight: Partly cloudy. Low 50
• Monday: Mostly sunny. High 74
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny. High 76 (49)
• Wednesday: Partly cloudy, cooler. High 67 (51)
• Thursday: Mostly sunny. High 64 (47)
• Friday: Partly cloudy. High 67  (41)
• Saturday: Showers p.m. High 73 (52)

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

• Ohio party leaders on both sides of the aisle are sharpening their messages ahead of next year’s midterm elections

"Democrats barely have any organization in this state. They really don't have strong candidates on their side,” Ohio Republican Party Chairman Alex Triantafilou said.

“We are working hard to recruit candidates for all of the positions, up and down the ballot,” Ohio Democratic Party Chairwoman Kathleen Clyde said.

What influence could their strategies have on the state’s top races?

• The president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland is out meeting with business leaders and talking to families across the state.

“What I see right now is a two-speed economy at the top end of the wealth spectrum,” Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland President Beth Hammack said.

Hear how she is working to keep the Central Bank’s policy decisions independent from government pressure.

• Behavioral health is a growing concern in Ohio and there aren’t enough professionals to help.

“One in five Ohioans struggles with some kind of mental illness, and nearly 2 million Ohioans are struggling with a substance use disorder,” Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Director LeeAnne Cornyn said.

Learn what the state is doing to try to alleviate the workforce shortage.

• Democratic strategist Morgan Harper and Republican strategist Ryan Stubenrauch join the roundtable to weigh in on the government shutdown. Will either side come to the bargaining table any time soon? Plus, do Ohio Democrats need a new strategi to connect with voters?

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Buckeyes' 34-16 win over former No. 17 Illinois kept the Illibuck trophy in Columbus and kept the team No. 1 in the nation.

Ohio State (6-0, 3-0) is now bowl eligible and maintains its status as the No. 1 ranked team in college football's coaches rankings. The 18-point victory over the Fighting Illini, which extends OSU's winning streak over ranked opponents to eight, keeps the Buckeyes as one of 11 remaining undefeated teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

The other undefeated teams are Navy, Memphis, Georgia Tech, Miami, BYU, Texas Tech, UNLV, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, and one other from the Big Ten.

What we learned about Ohio State’s 34-16 win over Illinois

The No. 3 Indiana Hoosiers handed now No. 9 Oregon its first Big Ten loss since the Ducks joined the conference in 2024 to stay unbeaten. The Buckeyes and Hoosiers do not play each other this season but are on a crash course towards the 2025 Big Ten Championship Game in December.

Thanks to other upsets around the Big Ten, Ohio State and Indiana do not have any ranked opponents in their schedules for the remainder of the season. Towards the bottom of the rankings is No. 24 Cincinnati of the Big 12, who has won five straight and is in the running for the conference's title.

2025 USA Today coaches rankings (Oct. 12, 2025) 1Ohio State (63)2Miami (2)3Indiana (1)4Texas A&M5Ole Miss6Alabama7Georgia8Texas Tech9Oregon10LSU11Tennessee12Georgia Tech13Oklahoma14BYU15Notre Dame16Missouri17Texas18Vanderbilt19Virginia20Memphis21USC22Utah23South Florida24Cincinnati25Illinois

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

Ohio State looks to move to 7-0 on Saturday when it travels to play Wisconsin at 3:30 p.m. That game will be the last for the Buckeyes in the month of October. After a bye week to conclude October, Ohio State will host struggling Penn State on Nov. 1. A kickoff time has yet to be announced.

DELAWARE, Ohio (WCMH) -- Hank's Texas BBQ has expanded its central Ohio footprint with the opening of a second location, bringing its Texas-style smoked meats and Southern-inspired sides to Delaware.

The new restaurant, located at 5200 U.S. 42 South, launched in September and spans 6,000 square feet -- three times the size of its original Clintonville location at 2941 N. High St., which opened in 2020.

Milo’s Deli reopens in Franklinton after 11-year hiatus

The expanded space allows for a broader menu that includes a variety of starters, handhelds and meat platters. Diners can choose from appetizers dubbed "hankerings," such a fried pickle chips, chicken wings and fried green tomatoes. The menu also features tacos with house-made chips and salsa, salads, and sandwiches served on brioche buns and house-cut fries.

The new restaurant, located at 5200 US Highway 42 S., launched in September. (Courtesy Photo/Hank's Texas BBQ)

Meat platters include a quarter-pound portion of protection per selection, with options such a prime brisket, pulled pork, smoked sausage and turkey. Sides range from mac and cheese and potato salad to burnt ends baked beans and corn spoon bread.

Hank's specializes in central Texas barbeque, a style that emphasizes simple rubs, quality cuts and slow smoking. On the company's website, owner Brad Harkrider explains the restaurant's origin and namesake.

Developer, church group advancing Fort Rapids redevelopment as ‘Hamilton Rising’

"I was born in Texas and have worked in the Columbus restaurant scene for the last 20 years. I have always felt drawn to BBQ throughout my career," Harkrider said. "While doing my externship in culinary school, chef coats were ordered with my name on them. Instead of reading Brad Harkrider they read Hank Rider. The name just stuck."

Both the Clintonville and Delaware locations are open from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Kirill Marchenko had his fourth career hat trick and Elvis Merzlikins made 48 saves in his season debut, carrying the Columbus Blue Jackets past Minnesota 7-4 to spoil the Wild's home opener on Saturday night.

Zach Werenski and Boone Jenner each had a goal and two assists and Adam Fantilli scored for the Blue Jackets, who took the lead on Miles Wood's wrist shot just 2:29 into the game and never trailed.

Kirill Kaprizov had his first two goals of the season on a career-high 11 shots plus an assist for the Wild, just 11 days after signing the richest contract in NHL history with his eight-year, $136 million extension.

Matt Boldy had a goal and an assist and Zeev Buium got his first career goal for the Wild, who had a franchise-record 52 shots on goal but lost 62% of the faceoffs and blew several prime scoring chances early with sloppy stickwork and off-target shooting.

Ohio State defeats Illinois 34-16 in top 25 matchup to stay unbeaten

Including their 5-0 win at St. Louis to open the season on Thursday, linemates Kaprizov and Boldy already have six points apiece.

Marchenko stole the show from his fellow Russian with the same first name, after managing eight shots on goal without scoring in the season-opening 2-1 loss at Nashville on Thursday. The fourth-year right wing broke out last season with 31 goals and 43 assists, bettering his previous career high for points by 32.

The Wild fell to 17-3-4 in their 25-year history in home openers at newly renamed Grand Casino Arena, which superseded Xcel Energy Center after the original naming rights expired.

This was the first regulation win for the Blue Jackets in their last 12 matchups with the Wild, who lead the all-time series against their 2000-01 season expansion brethren 35-23-11.

Up next

Columbus plays its home opener against New Jersey on Monday, when Minnesota hosts Los Angeles.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Another year has passed since the 2021 shooting of a man found dead while sitting in a vehicle in northeast Columbus.

Central Ohio Crime Stoppers is asking for assistance in solving a South Linden homicide in which a man was found suffering from a gunshot wound while sitting in a gold Monte Carlo. Officers found Yahieness Jamaal Dixon on April 18, 2021, in the vehicle parked in an alley behind East 25th Avenue.

Jamaal Dixon

Police believe the shooting took place on the south side of the 1300 block of East 25th Avenue, between Medina and Cleveland avenues.

Crime Stoppers is 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) -- One person is dead and multiple others are in custody after a shooting involving officers responding to an attempted robbery in a north Columbus neighborhood.

9-year-old boy dies after Lancaster shooting

A police dispatcher said officers responded to a robbery call at the intersection of North High Street and East 9th Avenue in the University District at 3:26 a.m. Sunday. Columbus police said officers found a suspect and then shots were fired, although police has not confirmed if the suspect or officers fired first.

The suspect was shot and taken to a hospital in critical condition. Police said the suspect was pronounced dead at 3:56 a.m.

The officers involved in the shooting were not seriously injured and multiple suspects were taken into a custody, per a Columbus police spokesperson.