Ohio News

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Ohio House has passed a resolution honoring Pope Leo XIV, marking the historic election of the first American-born pontiff and recognizing his Midwestern roots.

House Resolution 139, introduced by Reps. Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon) and Mike Odioso (R-Green Twp.), received approval from the chamber on Oct. 1. The measure celebrates the election of Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago, as the 267th pope in the Catholic Church's apostolic succession. Watch a previous NBC4 report on Pope Leo XIV in the video player above.

"The Ohio House joined us in recognizing this historic moment for Catholics in Ohio and across the world," Mathews said in a statement. "Pope Leo XIV's journey from the Midwest to the papacy is one of faith, service and leadership, and we are grateful that our state has formally honored him in his role of Vicar of Christ."

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Prevost, 70, was elected in May 2025, succeeding Pope Francis. Before his election, he served as a missionary, bishop and cardinal, most notably in Peru. He is a member of the Augustinian order and studied at Villanova University and the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

"I am proud and humbled to have joint-sponsored this important resolution with Rep. Adam Mathews honoring Pope Leo XIV's election to help forward the pride, congratulations and best wishes for the first American Pope from my fellow parishioners, friends, neighbors, classmates, constituents and Ohio citizens in the Catholic community and beyond," Odioso said.

Supporters of the resolution said the moment carries special meaning for Ohio's Catholic population, which numbers nearly two million.

During a Sept. 15 committee hearing, Marsha Forson, associate director for the Catholic Conference of Ohio, testified in favor of the measure. She highlighted the growth of the Catholic Church in the state and its ongoing role in education, health care and social services.

"Two hundred seven years ago, the oldest running Catholic parish in Ohio, St. Joseph's in Somerset, was established to minister to a nascent Catholic community of just 10 European immigrant families," Forson told the House General Government Committee. "Today, Ohio is home to 2 million Catholics, the descendants of earlier generations of countless backgrounds."

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Forson noted the unusual nature of the Catholic Conference offering testimony on a resolution, stating, "While the Catholic Conference of Ohio typically does not engage on resolutions, the Church also has never had an American pontiff."

She called Pope Leo XIV "a leader committed to promoting peace and to respecting the dignity of life without exception," and quoted a recent message in which the pope urged lawmakers to "work for a world where power is tamed by conscience … law is at the service of human dignity … [and] the dangerous and self-defeating mind-set that says nothing will ever change" is rejected.

The resolution will be formally sent to the Vatican as a symbolic gesture. View the resolution below.

Ohio House Resolution 139Download

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The federal government is looking for office space in Columbus to support unspecified "law enforcement operations."

The General Services Administration (GSA), which handles government needs like real estate and technology, posted a leasing solicitation in September seeking office space in Columbus and 18 other cities. The solicitation indicated urgency, although information is limited about the request. It did specify that the office would be used to support law enforcement.

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"Columbus is the safest it’s ever been, with homicides at a more than 20-year low even as the city has grown," said Jennifer Fening, deputy chief of staff for Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther. "The city works consistently with state and federal law enforcement to take dangerous criminals off our streets."

Although government solicitations are usually open for at least 30 days, the office space request was open for fewer than seven days. The GSA used an expedited federal process to move faster.

According to the listing, the government is looking for furnished office space to house about 70 people, mostly in private offices. The listing said space should offer “adequate sound privacy for confidential discussions.” It also said the government will not collaborate with agencies whose "primary clientele or operations" could conflict with law enforcement operations.

Government security ranges from Level I, small operations with fewer protections, to Level V, which is reserved for highly sensitive offices. The solicitation asks for Security Level II accommodations, which is considered minimum security. According to leasing documents, Level II requires various security and cybersecurity protections, but is typically used for routine activities.

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The solicitation was referenced by NPR and The Washington Post, which both claim that Immigration and Customs Enforcement is looking for additional office space in cities across the country to support deportation efforts.

Fening said city leadership has met with Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine to discuss collaborative efforts to reduce crime, but said Columbus has not been contacted by federal agencies about expanding law enforcement. DeWine's office did not confirm or deny the possibility of ICE expanding in Columbus, but did offer a statement. See previous comments from Ginther on immigration in the video player above.

"Ohio has many federal workers who work here in Ohio, including numerous federal law enforcement officials," DeWine's office said. "Of course, we welcome more employers, including the federal government, locating more jobs here to Ohio."

NBC4 tried to independently verify the NPR and Washington Post reports, but neither the GSA nor ICE responded to requests for comment. ICE already operates a field office in Westerville.

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Columbus joins 18 other cities on the list:

• Birmingham, Alabama
• Boise, Idaho
• Charleston, South Carolina
• Columbia, South Carolina
• Des Moines, Iowa
• Fort Lauderdale/Sunrise, Florida
• Fort Meyers/Naples, Florida
• Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Jacksonville, Florida

• Louisville, Kentucky
• Milwaukee
• Oklahoma City
• Pittsburgh
• Raleigh, North Carolina
• Richmond, Virginia
• Spokane, Washington
• St. Louis
• Tampa, Florida

The lease request is for 10 years, and despite its urgent messaging, it has not announced any contracts under the solicitation. Federal data reporting is delayed due to the ongoing government shutdown. The Department of Homeland Security said ICE is still operating without pay, but Fening cautioned Columbus residents from reading too heavily into the solicitation.

“It’s not a productive exercise to speculate at future actions of the federal government," Fening said. "Mayor Ginther will continue to lead and protect the residents of Columbus.”

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The Ohio Supreme Court recently heard arguments in a case that is poised to decide whether people can carry guns while drinking in bars. 

At the center of the case is a longstanding state law that prohibits residents from carrying firearms in establishments with on-premises liquor permits, unless they have a valid concealed handgun license, are not intoxicated and do not consume drugs or alcohol while there. The panel agreed to take on the case just over a year ago, after a man named Elijah Striblin argued the law is unconstitutional.

In 2022, Striblin visited a Muskingum County bar called the Lazy River Lounge and had a concealed pistol in his possession. Throughout the evening, he ordered five alcoholic drinks and took a sip of at least one, according to court records. 

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Striblin got into a fight in the men’s restroom just after 2 a.m., in which he shot a man in the neck. Although the man survived, Striblin faced felony charges in relation to the shooting, including one related to the law regulating firearms in bars.

The trial court sentenced Striblin to 30 days in jail and three years of probation. Striblin ultimately appealed the firearms charge to the Fifth District Court of Appeals, arguing the law violated his Second Amendment rights.

The appeals court agreed, finding the law conflicts with the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen. In that ruling, SCOTUS found that state firearms restrictions are unconstitutional unless they are consistent with the nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation. The Muskingum County prosecutor then appealed the decision to the Ohio Supreme Court.

On Oct. 8, attorneys presented their cases to the state’s highest court. John Dever, an assistant prosecutor with the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office, asked the court to reverse the Fifth District’s ruling. 

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“Is it a good idea to allow people to carry firearms into bars? Ohioans in the Ohio General Assembly do not think so,” Dever said. “But we are talking about a fundamental right here – the right to carry firearms for self-defense – and while the Second Amendment says ‘shall not be infringed,’ a fundamental precept is that firearm rights are not unlimited in scope. Their scope was determined by the people who enshrined them into law.”

Dever established a historical context for firearms regulations in bars, pointing to laws dating to the mid-to-late 1800s in New Mexico and Oklahoma that allowed places that sold alcohol to prohibit guns. He argued that 1791, when the Second Amendment was ratified, should not be the only point in time considered.

“There are many things that you can see refined over time that were within the tradition, that the people who enshrined the right to bear arms understood that they could do, that they could regulate,” he said. 

Attorney Elizabeth Gaba represented Striblin, arguing that the types of establishments that hold on-premises liquor permits would not have faced firearms prohibitions around the time the Second Amendment was ratified. 

“This court respectfully should decline to consider enactments that occurred well after the 1791 ratification of the Second Amendment,” she said. 

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Gaba also noted that in Bruen, the court found that there were historically relatively few places in the 18th and 19th centuries where firearms were altogether prohibited. 

After hearing arguments, it generally takes the Ohio Supreme Court “several months” to announce its decision, according to its website. 

Striblin’s case is accompanied by a variety of legal challenges to gun regulations that have popped up across the country after Bruen. The Trace, a nonpartisan newsroom dedicated to gun violence, reported federal courts have ruled on more than 2,000 Bruen-based challenges to gun laws since the 2022 decision. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Columbus Blue Jackets took the ice for the team’s 25th season and highly anticipated home opener Monday. Off the ice, the team has been scoring big for decades, especially when it comes to supporting children and families in central Ohio. 

"We're up to over a thousand organizations we're working with each year now," Columbus Blue Jackets Senior Vice President Kathryn Dobbs said. "That's incredible. We really show up in a lot of different ways, a lot of different programs."

For a quarter century, the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation has quietly been transforming lives across central Ohio. 

Final haunting photos on Ohio’s abandoned Johnny Appleseed amphitheater

"When the McConnells brought a professional sports team to Columbus, one of the reasons why they wanted a team here is because they understood the value that a sports franchise could do for a community to make it a better place to live, work and play," Dobbs said.

The foundation was established at the same time as the team in 2000. Since then, it’s been skating alongside Columbus as a force for good. 

"We know the incredible work of our health partners in this community," Dobbs said. "We know the importance of making sure that children have a safe place to play, to grow up, that we are providing the support, like addressing things like third grade reading scores and making kids ready for school and prepared."

The foundation focuses on four main areas: pediatric cancer, education, health and safety, and growing the game of hockey. Longtime fan April Vanest sees the work firsthand at Nationwide Children's Hospital. 

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"They come in the hospitals, and they work with the kids and they're present," Vanest said. "They are so vital to our city."

Since its creation, the foundation has granted more than $15 million back into the community, impacting more than 100,000 youth every single year.

"Our captain Boone Jenner is collaborating with Ronald McDonald House to bring families to 20 games, do a meet and greet, give them an experience," Dobbs said. "And so those partnerships can come to life in so many different ways. Sometimes we're investing time, sometimes we're investing money."

That support shows up in big ways, from 14 new playgrounds around central Ohio to new street hockey rinks. 

"Mayor Ginther had said, you know, we'd like to make sure that there's a safe place to play within a half mile of every home in Columbus," Dobbs said. "And the Blue Jackets said we feel like we can show up there."

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As the foundation looks ahead to the next 25 years, it plans to continue showing up where it matters most. 

"I'm really excited about some of the projects that we're looking at," Dobbs said. "I think you'll see some fun announcements coming up from the foundation as we move forward and consider, you know, what do we do to make sure that we're delivering on our promise to this community."

Anyone who would like to support the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation can do so by clicking here.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Fans were out on Nationwide Plaza all day Monday getting hyped up for the Columbus Blue Jackets home opener. 

Fans said the Blue Jackets' traditions have a feeling like no other team: the blue carpet, the part on the plaza, the sound of the cannon.

“We do that every year, too,” Columbus Blue Jackets fan Kellen Fasce said. “We go to Boston’s before, then we head up to the blue carpet, just the whole atmosphere. Opening night is just like magical, just a different feeling for it.”

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Hundreds were there to enjoy the festivities and get a chance to meet their favorite players.

“So we drove down from Ann Arbor this morning to get here early so we could get a good spot,” fan Maggie Meredith said. “We wanted to meet the players, see them, see if they'll sign anything for us before we enjoy the block party. Go in, see the arena. She's never been here before. Go to the game and just like, enjoy the opening night feel.”

Fans said they have a good feeling about this season and that it was a letdown not making it to the playoffs last year, but believe this year will be different.

“I think the momentum will carry over, especially if you see that wild game that we just had the other night,” Meredith said. “Like I think that momentum will carry over into today and especially being back in front of the fans like it'll be high energy and I think that will carry through the whole season.”

This season marks the Jackets’ 25th anniversary, and Monday’s game will feature a special opening ceremony to mark the anniversary.

While fans took in the festivities, others shopped at the Blue Line store as soon as it opened Monday, snagging some exclusive merchandise and making sure they got the perfect spot for the blue carpet.

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“I got the pin and puck, I collect them every year,” Fasce said. “I’ve been to the last 14 or so home openers, and I always buy the pin and the puck every year.”

For others, Monday marked their first in-person Blue Jackets game.

“It's my first Columbus game, but I'm really excited,” fan Emma Camp said. “I'm really set for the cannon. I think that's such a fun tradition.”

DELAWARE, Ohio (WCMH) -- The first Black woman city attorney for Delaware has resigned amid allegations she was bullied.

In her resignation letter to Delaware City Manager Paul J. Brake, former Delaware City Attorney Natalia S. Harris said she would "no longer subject myself to your workplace bullying and discriminatory conduct." The letter is dated Sept. 24, and Harris' resignation was effective Oct. 3.

In a statement, the city said it did not receive any "complaints, reports, or documentation to support these claims prior to the employee's resignation."

Harris, who took office in July 2019, said she was proud of the work she did for the city, particularly handling cases personally during the COVID-19 pandemic, avoiding a case backlog once the pandemic subsided.

"I am a career public servant and am grateful for the opportunity to have served the citizens of
Delaware," wrote in her letter.

There is no word on the nature of Harris' bullying allegations.

Harris was one of three Democratic candidates in the 2024 Franklin County Prosecutor primary election; she finished third with 23.95% of the vote.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A man who allegedly attempted to rape a woman on a walking trail in Gahanna last November will spend more than nine years in prison.

Franklin County court records show Johnathan M. Steele, 27, pleaded guilty last week to one count each of kidnapping and attempted rape, as well as a firearm specification on the kidnapping charge. Steele was sentenced to two concurrent seven-year prison terms as well as an additional three years for the firearm charge; he had 339 days of jail time credit at the time of his sentencing

According to police, in early November of 2024, the victim was walking along a path near James Road and Big Walnut Creek when a shirtless man in a ski mask pointed a gun at her, saying “come with me or I’ll shoot you.” The man, later identified as Steele, began dragging the woman into the woods.

Gahanna police said the woman ran away from the man, who chased her down, grabbing her. The victim said she offered the man her purse, an offer he rejected before dragging her towards a tree line by the path. The woman managed to fight Steele off a second time, managing to get away and call 911.

A short time later, police found Steele riding a bicycle on Price Road near the trail. Police said Steele had a loaded firearm in a holster, something he was prohibited from carrying due to a conviction in Virginia.

After being detained, Steele allegedly told police he had thoughts of wanting to commit rape and saw the victim near Creekside Park. Police said comments Steele made included admissions that he intended of having sex with the victim and specifically mentioned “rape” and “it was me with the girl.”

Once his prison sentence is over, Steele will have five years of probation and must register as a Tier 3 sex offender, meaning he will need to register with his local sheriff’s office every 90 days for the rest of his life.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Columbus organizations are celebrating the end of the conflict between Hamas and Israel in the Middle East after 20 hostages were released from Gaza and thousands of Palestinian prisoners were set free on Monday.

The war may have been thousands of miles away, but some central Ohioans have family and friends in Gaza or Israel.

Religious leaders in Columbus said they are relieved the fighting is over.

JewishColumbus has been outspoken about the conflict for the past two years, and board chair Dr. Jonathan Feibel said the ceasefire and release of the hostages is good news.

“The feeling really is hope, joy, but still a little sadness,” Feibel said. “We’re also going to remember those who weren't fortunate enough to get out and really show our hope and resilience for the future, both for people here in central Ohio and the people of Israel.”

Feibel said it’s been a tough two years for Jewish people in central Ohio and he’s hoping the ceasefire brings the temperature down in our area. He said it’s been tense since the fighting began.

“I really hope it's a reset because that's all Israel wants is to be able to live in peace and so if we can reset so that everyone in the Middle East can live in peace, it'll be a really historic day and a really great day for everyone around the world,” Feibel said.

The local chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations, or CAIR-Ohio, has also spoken out about the death and destruction in Gaza.

CAIR Executive Director Khalid Turaani said the bombings have finally stopped and central Ohioans with loved ones in Gaza are feeling a weight lifted off their shoulders.

“We’ve had no other conversation literally other than this. And everyone that I've spoken with is relieved and is glad that this killing field is coming to an end,” Turaani said.

He said the ceasefire is a good thing and he hopes it sticks.

Turaani said the atrocities in Gaza are unimaginable and that no one else on either side needs to be killed or injured.

“For the last two years, we've been really heavy hearted with the with the genocide that has been going on and about over 60,000 Palestinian civilians have been killed, more than 20,000 children,” Turaani said. “What we are praying for is that this cease fire is going to hold.”

Both JewishColumbus and CAIR-Ohio are hoping Gaza is rebuilt swiftly and that this peace agreement between Israel and Hamas lasts for a long time.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost voiced support for executions by nitrogen hypoxia and criticized Gov. Mike DeWine's capital punishment delays.

Yost testified in the Ohio House in favor of a House Bill 36, which would permit nitrogen hypoxia executions. Nitrogen hypoxia refers to executions where inmates are killed by inhaling nitrogen instead of oxygen, leading to suffocation. The move is in opposition with fellow Republican DeWine, who has delayed executions for death row prisoners throughout his time in office.

On Friday, DeWine pushed back two more death row inmates' execution dates by three years. DeWine said the delays were "due to ongoing problems involving the willingness of pharmaceutical suppliers to provide drugs."

Yost said private drug companies are refusing to provide execution drugs, which he hopes to fix by authorizing a secondary form of execution. Lethal injection is currently the only legal execution method in Ohio. See previous coverage of nitrogen hypoxia in the video player above.

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The nation's first nitrogen hypoxia execution took place in Alabama in 2024. The United Nations strongly opposed the use. U.N. experts asked the U.S. to ban the "experimental" practice, as it has not been widely tested.

Opponents of nitrogen hypoxia executions point to prolonged, possibly painful deaths. Although experts said the practice would be quick and painless, witnesses to Alabama's executions using nitrogen said inmates "writhed" in supposed pain for up to 20 minutes. Ohio banned gaseous executions for animals in 2023.

In his testimony, Yost called DeWine's 57 reprieves for death row inmates "dishonorable." He said Ohio jurors made the difficult decision to condemn offenders to death, and the state should fulfill its promises to jurors and to victims' families.

Ohio has not seen an execution since DeWine took office in 2018, and DeWine said that will continue until the end of his term in 2026. According to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Ohio currently has 113 inmates on death row.

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.

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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.

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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.”

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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.

What is price cycling?

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.