Ohio News

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Franklin Heights High School Golden Falcons and the West High School Cowboys finished the last eight minutes of their season-opening football game on Monday after a shots-fired call prompted law enforcement to evacuate the stadium on Friday night.

Law enforcement officers said no one was injured in the incident, which happened in a neighborhood south of the stadium.

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Yvonne Shepard, whose son is a junior and plays football for Franklin Heights, said he spent the summer looking forward to Friday's opening game against the West Cowboys.

“The boys were pumped, they were ready,” Shepherd said.

Shepherd said she was in the stands on Friday.

“They're in the middle of a play and next thing you know, mind you, my son is on the field, so we just hear a pop, pop, pop, pop,” she said. “It was like 15 shots and then next thing you know, like, we're in the stands and we're looking and then the boys just drop to the ground.”

The incident happened at approximately 10 p.m. Toya Moore lives behind the stadium and said she heard the shots loud and clear.

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“I do know they do not have a name on the bullets, so I made sure I stayed low and I didn't go to any windows,” Moore said. “The first game, you're going to hear gunshots. I mean, really, come on, people, put the guns down.”

The stadium was evacuated out of caution while law enforcement investigated. 

“All the parents were looking for their kids, trying to make sure they're okay,” Shepherd said.

Authorities said they didn’t find anything. 

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In a letter to parents, Franklin Heights Principal Tim Donahue wrote:

“The FHHS administration and South Western City Schools would like to commend our staff, coaches, and event personnel for their leadership and steady presence in guiding students, families, and fans through the evacuation process. Your professionalism and attentiveness played a critical role in ensuring safety and order during a difficult situation.

“We also appreciate the support of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office for their oversight and swift action to secure the area and mitigate potential risks.

“While such circumstances are never anticipated, tonight reflects the strength of our Franklin Heights High School team and the importance of preparedness in putting student and community safety first.”

Both Shepherd and Moore said they were glad no one was hurt.

"When I was growing up, we didn't have to deal with stuff like this, like we were able to enjoy our sports, go out and have fun,” Shepherd said.

Reynoldsburg to hold annual festival featuring food trucks and live music

They both said people need to behave because children should not have to go through this.

“I've lived in this neighborhood for over 20 years, so the games are right here, you know?” Moore said. “Let's just have a quiet school year. No incidents. That's my prayer.”

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation. No arrests have been made as of Monday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A newly released interview with Ghislaine Maxwell, former associate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, gives more insight into Epstein’s ties to Ohio.

Maxwell was convicted in 2021 on sex trafficking charges tied to her involvement with Epstein.

Over the course of two days at the end of July, Maxwell spoke with the Department of Justice Deputy Attorney General.

Former Ohio State QB Art Schlichter pleads guilty, sentenced in latest drug charge

He questioned her about Epstein’s life.

Epstein had a financial relationship with L Brands founder Les Wexner from the mid-1980s up until 2007, when court documents show Wexner severed ties with Epstein.

The first time Wexner is mentioned in Maxwell’s interview is when she is asked about traveling with Epstein.

“He had the house in Ohio because of his business relationship with Mr. Wexner,” Maxwell said in the interview.  

Throughout the 1990s, Epstein owned two properties in New Albany, which also came up in Maxwell's interview.

“Epstein ran New Albany, which included a country club and a golf club and a -- I mean, gosh, your boss is one of the all-time great, you know, businessmen in this area. You know what that is and he certainly does,” Maxwell said. 

She spoke about what Epstein did for Wexner as his personal finance manager, including allegedly setting up trusts.  

“So with Les, for instance, it was really all encompassing. It could go from the structure of the business. So he would -- he structured or restructured the Limited,” Maxwell said. “I also traveled with him and Les, and I was in business meetings with them on the plane when they were there. So I could observe and I could hear some of this.” 

She also referred to Wexner as one of Epstein’s closest friends.

“I want also to clarify something for you or clarify or underline. Wexner was, in my opinion, his closest friend in this time period from when I met him in '91, right, all the way until-- well, 'til, I don't know,” Maxwell said. 

Throughout the interview, she emphasizes that she is relying on what she remembers seeing and hearing.

“I was not part of Epstein's business world, except tangentially and obviously. So what I'm talking about is I -- what I observed or what I overheard or what I saw within the business,” Maxwell said. 

In a 2019 email to L Brands employees, Wexner wrote: “When Mr. Epstein was my personal money manager, he was involved in many aspects of my financial life. But let me assure you that I was never aware of the illegal activity charged in the indictment.”

A spokesperson for the Wexner family did not provide comment about this story when NBC4 reached out.

We also reached out to the mayor of New Albany for his reaction on the city being mentioned but he did not respond.

Being mentioned in the Maxwell interview does not mean someone is connected to something illegal.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Travelers at John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) will be getting another daily flight to Texas.

Delta Air Lines announced a new nonstop route between CMH and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) beginning June 7, 2026. Watch previous coverage on John Glenn Columbus International Airport in the player above.

The flight will be operated once daily by SkyWest, the airline's Delta Connection partner. It will be flown on an Embraer 175 aircraft with Delta First, Delta Comfort, and Delta Main fare classes. One-way Main Cabin tickets range between $140 and $309 depending on the day, according to the airline's price calendar.

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The announcement comes as the airline expands its service -- and creates a flight attendant base -- in Austin, adding other routes from AUS to Denver and Kansas City, Missouri.

Southwest Airlines already offers daily nonstop flights between Columbus and Austin. Several other airlines temporarily added the route for Saturday's matchup between Ohio State and Texas at Ohio Stadium.

DUBLIN, Ohio (WCMH) -- Sweetgreen, the fast-casual health chain known for hearty salads and bowls, is opening another central Ohio restaurant.

The Los-Angeles-based chain is readying to open the new location in Dublin at 36 N. High St., according to building permits filed with the city. An opening date has yet to be announced, but the company's website lists the Dublin restaurant as "coming soon."

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The Dublin eatery will mark Sweetgreen's second central Ohio location after the first opened in the Short North at 700 N. High St. last fall. In a news release at the time, Sweetgreen CEO Jonathan Neman said Columbus was one of the brand's most requested areas for expansion. Watch a previous NBC4 report on Sweetgreen's first Ohio eatery in the video player above.

• The Los Angles-based chain is readying to open the new location at 36 N. High St. in Dublin. (Courtesy Photo/Sweetgreen)
• Sweetgreen's first Ohio location opened last fall at 700 N. High St. in the Short North. (Courtesy Photo/Sweetgreen)
• The Los Angles-based chain is readying to open the new location at 36 N. High St. in Dublin. (Courtesy Photo/Sweetgreen)
• Sweetgreen's first Ohio location opened last fall at 700 N. High St. in the Short North. (Courtesy Photo/Sweetgreen)

"With local ingredients sourced from across the Midwest, we're excited to bring the
Sweetgreen flavor to Columbus' iconic food scene," Neman said before the Short North location's opening. "It's been a long time coming, and we are so grateful to the Columbus community for embracing us with open arms."

Sweetgreen's menu includes an array of salads, warm bowls, protein plates, including long-time favorites like the Harvest Bowl, Crispy Rice Bowl, and the Caramelized Garlic Steak Protein Plate. The brand said its customizable menu features more than two billion flavor combinations with a variety of fresh ingredients and signature dressings.

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The chain's 3,605-square-foot Short North location accommodates up to 46 diners and features an open-kitchen concept. Founded in 2007, Sweetgreen has expanded to more than 250 restaurants nationwide and is also preparing to open a Cincinnati eatery in Liberty Township, according to the company's website.

Sweetgreen's Short North location is open 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Chick-fil-A announced on Monday it's planning to open 25 to 30 new Ohio locations by the end of 2027, including several slated for the Columbus area.

The new restaurants are expected to create up to 3,000 full- and part-time jobs across Ohio, the chain said in the announcement. In addition to a Westerville drive-thru that launched in April at 680 Polaris Parkway, the chain is readying to open a Groveport eatery at 4201 S. Hamilton Road alongside other new locations planned for Athens, Whitehall, Hilliard, Lancaster and Marysville. Watch a previous NBC4 report on Chick-fil-A in the video player above.

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"Ohio's mix of vibrant cities, close-knit suburban communities and deep-rooted traditions truly makes it the heart of it all," said Omar Dione, Chick-fil-A's area director for the Midwest. "This is a state with a rich history built on entrepreneurial spirit, heart, hard work and Midwestern hospitality. It's been an honor to serve Ohioans for the past 45 years and we look forward to building on our restaurant company's legacy in such a strong state."

Beyond central Ohio, Chick-fil-A is set to open restaurants this fall in Cincinnati's Madisonville, West Chester and Middletown neighborhoods, along with a location in the Miami University Armstrong Student Center. Growth will continue over the next few years with one location planned for Corryville and another in northern Kentucky, the chain said.

In the Cleveland and Akron area, openings in Alliance and North Canton are also slated for this fall. The chain said additional growth in the coming years includes locations planned for Downtown Cleveland, Broadview Heights, Aurora, Akron, Stow, Streetsboro and New Philadelphia.  

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A planned location in Dayton's Fairborn neighborhood is slated to open in the coming years, while two other northwest restaurants are planned for 2026 in Oregon and Findlay.

Like most other Chick-fil-A restaurants, these new locations will utilize the chain's franchising model. The company has more than 3,000 restaurants in 48 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and Canada, including about 80 eateries in Ohio.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Former Ohio State quarterback Art Schlichter’s court schedule, exasperated by delays and medical setbacks, resumed and concluded Monday morning with a plea agreement.

The trial for Schlichter, embattled with prior drug and gambling convictions, had long been scheduled for Aug. 25, but hearings over the past two months that reportedly could have involved a plea agreement, were delayed or postponed due to medical setbacks.

But after nearly a dozen continuances, the two sides agreed on a sentence - two years of probation. The sentence, which could include prison time of one year should any violations occur, require Schlichter to submit weekly urine screenings. Judge Chris Brown did grant him the ability to travel and visit family.

"I apologize for having us carry on this long," said Schlichter in court Monday. "I'm doing better, but I got a lot of health issues and I'm worried about them."

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Schlichter, who played for the Buckeyes from 1978 to ’81, was facing a fifth-degree felony drug possession charge stemming from a Feb. 2024 incident in North Linden involving an Ohio State Highway Patrol deputy.

He was found with two crack pipes during a traffic stop and was also found with small white rocks, which he reportedly said were “crack rocks.”  The arrest, which was captured on police body camera footage, occurred while he was serving a probation sentence from a 2022 arrest when he was found unresponsive outside of a Columbus-area hotel.

Online court records showed that if Schlichter violated his probation, he would be subject to as many as 11 months in prison. The court has also reserved the right to extend his probation by two years.

Last month, Schlichter was unable to change his plea last month due to medical issues, his attorney said. Two weeks ago, Schlichter, 65, did not appear in court again after he was hospitalized due to a fall, according to defense counsel. Documentation of Schlichter’s admittance to a skilled nursing rehabilitation center on Aug. 8 was provided to the court.

Judge Brown noted that the case should have been pleaded out on July 31 and that Schlichter’s attendance on Monday was expected.

The plea agreement follows years of turmoil for the ex-Buckeye, who previously spent 10 years in prison – twice. After his release from an Indiana prison in 2006, Schlichter wrote a book about his addiction, “Busted,” and became an anti-gambling advocate. Nevertheless, while he campaigned against casinos during church appearances, he continued to accumulate additional gambling debts.

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In 2021, Schlichter was released from the Trumbull Correctional Institution in Leavittsburg, Ohio, serving time for 2011 federal fraud charges related to a ticket scheme in which he swindled millions of dollars from his victims.

Schlichter became Ohio State’s all-time leader in offense and was drafted fourth overall by the Baltimore Colts in the 1982 NFL draft. He threw three touchdown passes and 11 interceptions over a four-year period in the NFL.

He eventually won the 1990 Arena Football League title with the Detroit Drive, then retired from football after the 1992 season, spending it with the Cincinnati Rockers.

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (WCMH) – The City of Reynoldsburg will soon hold its annual Blues and Brews Festival, featuring a variety of food trucks, live music and family-friendly activities. 

The event will take place on Sept. 12 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Huber Park, located at 1640 Davidson Drive. The annual festival, launched in 2021, is a “celebration of live blues music, craft beer, great food and fun family activities,” according to the city.

Bobby Floyd, a jazz pianist and organist, will perform at the event. Sean Carney, a blues singer and guitarist, and Austin and the Syd Experience, a band that describes itself as “blues soul funk rock,” will also take the stage.

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Five food trucks will be in attendance, including Liberty Kettle Corn and Fresh Fruit Smashers, a family-owned business specializing in popcorn and freshly squeezed fruit drinks. Little Italy Ristorante and Schmidt’s Sausage will also serve attendees, along with the burger-centric food truck Roasters and the Mexican eatery Truck Valle Verde. Eastside Brewing Co. will sell beer.

A variety of family-friendly activities, such as cornhole, Jenga and Connect Four, will be available, a spokesperson with the city said. Admission to the event is free, but attendees will have to purchase any food or beverages.

Reynoldsburg hosts a variety of other annual festivals, including its Pride Festival in June, Tomato Festival in August and Diwali-Tihar Festival in October. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The most a-maize-ing moment of Ohio State head coach Ryan Day's career has been carved into corn in central Ohio.

The MAiZE at Little Darby Creek revealed its fall design with Day with his hands held high after winning the College Football Playoff national championship in January. The Milford Center farm used an eight-acre area of corn that also includes the caption "A-Maize-Ing Day." The corn maze's opening day will be on Sept. 27 and is located at 8657 Axehandle Road.

Ryan Day's likeness is carved into the corn maize at Little Darby Creek. (Courtesy Photo / The MAiZE at Little Darby Creek) Hilliard Darby brings volleyball to the football field

This continues a year of plenty of tributes and celebrations for Day and the team which included a championship celebration at Ohio Stadium, appearing as a guest on "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon", and going to the White House to be recognized by President Trump and Vice President and avid Buckeyes fan J.D. Vance.

The tributes to last season are likely over as kick off approaches for Ohio State's title defense. The third-ranked Buckeyes host No. 1 Texas on Saturday at noon in a rematch of last year's playoff semifinal at the Cotton Bowl.

Ohio State has never won back-to-back national championships and aims to join Georgia as the second school to win two straight in the playoff era.

WHITEHALL, Ohio (WCMH) -- Whitehall City Council has passed a sweeping ordinance strengthening nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ residents, including a citywide ban on the widely discredited practices of conversion therapy.

With the vote on Aug. 19, Whitehall becomes the 14th Ohio city to outlaw conversion therapy, stepping in where the Ohio Statehouse has yet to act. The ordinance specifically prohibits licensed mental health professionals from subjecting minors to the practices, which aim to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. Watch a NBC4 Out in Ohio episode on conversion therapy in the video player above.

In addition to the ban, the ordinance expands Whitehall's civil rights protections to explicitly include sexual orientation and gender identity, ensuring safeguards in housing, employment, and public accommodations.

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Conversion therapy encompasses a range of pseudoscientific techniques including talk therapy, behavioral conditioning, and in some extreme cases, physical interventions. While often framed by some proponents as a religious or moral intervention, conversion therapy has been condemned by every leading medical and mental health organization in the United States.

The American Psychological Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Medical Association have all stated that conversion therapy is not only ineffective but also deeply harmful. Research shows that LGBTQ+ youth subjected to conversion therapy face significantly higher rates of depression, anxiety, substance abuse and suicidal ideation.

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The ordinance passed without public comment from council members. However, Joseph Soza, a local organizer with Equality Ohio and a neighboring Whitehall resident, addressed the council. Soza has long advocated for Whitehall to ban conversion therapy since city council passed a separate resolution in April declaring the city a "safe haven" for the LGBTQ+ community. Soza highlighted the impact of local protections in the absence of statewide legislation.

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"I have been living in this very awkward situation of knowing that I have explicit legal protections in my home, but not in a lot of the businesses that I frequent outside of the Columbus line," Soza said. "If the ordinance passes, at least between Columbus and Whitehall, no longer will I have this bizarre patchwork of having rights there, but not having rights here."

The April "safe haven" resolution also discredited conversion therapy and rebuked House Bill 68, a contested Ohio law banning gender-affirming care for minors. The resolution said Whitehall would not criminally prosecute individuals seeking, receiving, or providing such care. It also reiterated support for marriage equality and recognized "the right of the trans/nonbinary community to use the bathroom that matches their gender expression" in municipal buildings.

A local movement amid statewide inaction

Despite years of advocacy, the Ohio Statehouse has failed to pass a statewide ban on conversion therapy or comprehensive LGBTQ+ non-discrimination laws. As a result, local governments have taken it upon themselves to pass protections. With the passage of Whitehall's ordinance, the number of Ohio cities with local bans on conversion therapy grows to 14 -- including Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, Toledo, and, most recently, Westerville.

"Whether it's at the federal level or at the state level, I think anytime a community has the power to protect the most vulnerable amongst them, that they should do it," Jen Kuhn from Kaleidoscope Youth Center, Ohio's longest-serving LGBTQ+ youth organization, said. "I always applaud any city, township that is able to go in and do that and say, 'Hey, you're safe here with us,' and that's really what Kaleidoscope is all about, so very excited to see that trend happening all over."

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Additional conversion therapy bans are on the way in Ohio through the activism of Brandon West, a 23-year-old who championed his home city of Lorain to ban the practices last year and is now advocating for Cuyahoga County to do the same. Earlier this year, he also rallied the mayors of cities that have already banned the practices to sign onto a letter urging others to follow suit.

NEW ALBANY, Ohio (WCMH) -- President Donald Trump's administration is taking ownership of $8.9 billion of Intel stock in part to help the chipmaker's New Albany investment stay afloat.

Intel's $28 billion manufacturing project in western Licking County has been hindered by delays and financial issues. On Friday, Trump and Intel announced they were closing a deal for the U.S. government to take a 10% stake in the company in exchange for the release of promised federal funds. The move received mixed results, with some Republicans fearing federalizing a private company is anti-capitalist and local Republicans wishing for stability.

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"Rather than looking at it from the perspective of ideology or party politics, I think Licking County Republicans view the project through the lens of the local impact, measuring the positive versus the negative, and how it might affect our way of life here," Licking County Republican Party Chairman Matt Dole said, speaking personally rather than on behalf of the party.

Intel was promised $7.8 billion in CHIPS Act funding in November 2024, bipartisan legislation signed by Trump's predecessor, Joe Biden, that provides funding for domestic semiconductor manufacturing. Intel was also guaranteed $3 billion through another federal program, the Secure Enclave fund. Intel's declining profits mean these federal funds are crucial, but the company had not received payments since Trump took office in January.

With the deal, the government will invest a total of $11.1 billion in Intel. Although Intel did not include Ohio's project in its announcement, sources familiar with the deal believe the funding is intended in part to prop up the major investment into Ohio, the home state of Vice President JD Vance.

Intel confirmed the government will have passive ownership, with no governance or information rights. The government will not have board representation and promises to vote alongside Intel's Board of Directors on issues that require shareholder approval, with limited exceptions.

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"This is a great Deal for America, and, also, a great Deal for INTEL. Building leading edge Semiconductors and Chips, which is what INTEL does, is fundamental to the future of our Nation," Trump announced on Friday via social media.

Not all Republicans agree, although many have backed the plan or refrained from commenting. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) criticized the move in a post on X, saying: "If socialism is government owning the means of production, wouldn't the government owning part of Intel be a step toward socialism? Terrible idea."

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky) also condemned the move, as did Sen. Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina). Both raised concerns about what a government stake in a private company means for the U.S. Tillis said he needed an explanation for how the move contends with free market capitalism.

Ohio Republicans are more hesitant to comment. Before the announcement, Sen. Jon Husted, who was lieutenant governor when Intel selected Ohio for its megaproject, said the goal is American semiconductor manufacturing to better compete with the Asian companies that dominate the industry. Husted did not outright endorse or condemn the agreement, saying a stake "might make sense for taxpayers," but he is most focused on growing U.S. chip production.

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Dole said Licking County Republicans have not discussed or taken a stand on the issue, but he personally believes the Intel project has been a "seesaw" for cities, villages and townships near the plant. Dole said personally, he feels like Licking County residents care most about how the deal will disrupt their daily life.

From the announcement of the Silicon Heartland to the hurried countywide economic development and zoning planning to Intel’s continued delays to Trump's criticism of Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan and now to this announcement about the government receiving a stake in the company, it’s been a whirlwind, Dole said. "I think Licking County residents are trying to figure out how they can participate in the developments rather than being tossed around by the tumult."

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The Ohio Supreme Court has clarified the state’s stalking law, ruling that explicit threats are not required for a conviction. 

Last week, the state’s highest court unanimously ruled that someone can be convicted of menacing by stalking under Ohio law without threatening their victim, having a prior relationship with them, or being directly told to stop.

The ruling stems from a case where a Montgomery County man, Dorian Crawl, was convicted of menacing by stalking for his conduct toward a woman he had gone to elementary school with, although the pair had never spoken in school, according to court records.

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In May 2022, the woman posted a photo on Instagram for her 29th birthday, and Crawl commented, “Happy Birthday, baby girl. I love you. Hope we can see each other sometime soon,” the legal filing states. The woman did not respond. 

Six days later, the woman posted a video on her Instagram account, and Crawl commented, “Where is this? Is this your house, boo?” 

Less than one month later, Crawl appeared at the front door of her Dayton-area apartment. He knocked on her door, and when she asked who he was, he said he was her friend. He then tried to open the door by turning the knob, prompting the woman to quickly lock the door and hide her 9-year-old daughter in a closet before calling the police, court records say. 

By the time police got to the scene, Crawl had left. An officer testified that when he arrived, the woman was visibly upset and crying. Crawl told the officer that he believed there was potential for a relationship with the woman and had found her address online.

“The officer noted that Crawl wanted to find out why [the woman] had not asked him to prom and why they had not been in a relationship,” the filing said.

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While the officer warned Crawl against showing up at the woman’s residence uninvited again, Crawl continued to send her messages on social media. 

The woman stated that the incident caused her anxiety and prompted her to install cameras around her apartment, ensure she was on the phone with someone when arriving home at night, have her boyfriend sleep over more, and look into moving, court records indicate. 

In August 2022, Crawl was charged and found guilty of menacing by stalking, a first-degree misdemeanor. The offense is defined as engaging in a pattern of conduct that knowingly causes another person mental distress, or to believe the offender will cause physical harm to them or another household or family member. He was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay $650 in fines.

Crawl fought the conviction in 2024, with a court of appeals agreeing with the lower court. He then took the case to the Ohio Supreme Court the same year, arguing that the state failed to prove that his actions were knowingly taken to cause the victim to feel threatened or to cause mental distress. 

He asserted that the act of making nonthreatening comments on someone’s public social media, when there is no relationship between the two and the poster does not alert the commenter that she finds the comments threatening or unwanted, does not support a stalking conviction. 

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The Ohio Supreme Court disagreed, unanimously upholding Crawl’s conviction. The court said the woman was not required to block Crawl on social media or “affirmatively reject his advances.” Requiring this for a conviction would force victims to engage with their stalkers, who may be dangerous, according to the court. 

The opinion states Crawl knew the woman did not want to be contacted by him after his conversation with the officer, yet he continued messaging her on social media. The justices ruled that the combination of Crawl’s inappropriate social media messages, uninvited visit and attempt to enter the woman's home supported a conviction for menacing by stalking.

The justices determined that his actions formed a “pattern of conduct” that caused mental distress, “even if some of them, when viewed in isolation, do not seem threatening.”

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Central Ohio gas prices got a second consecutive jolt, and then some, after prices climbed twice as much as they did the previous week due to an offline refinery in the Midwest.

According to GasBuddy’s survey of 500 stations in and around Columbus, Ohio, gas prices jumped 28 cents in the last week, double that of the 14-cent hike one week ago, to average out at $3.42 per gallon. The current price is 23.1 cents higher than four weeks ago as well as 14.5 cents higher than this time one year ago.

Columbus Gas Prices Tracker

The cheapest gas station in the Columbus area was priced at $2.67 a gallon on Sunday, while the most expensive was $3.65, a difference of 98 cents per gallon. In Ohio, the average price of gas also jumped by 29.4 cents from $3.05 per gallon to $3.34 per gallon.

Nationally, gas prices rose slightly by 3.4 cents per gallon to average out at $3.12. The price of diesel dropped by 2 cents, settling in at $3.65 per gallon.

What is price cycling?

GasBuddy’s head of petroleum analysis Patrick De Haan says that while most of the country saw a modest increase in prices, the impact in the Midwest was felt the strongest after storms in Indiana knocked the largest refinery in the region offline. That issue, which affected Ohio, Wisconsin, and Michigan the hardest, has since been resolved and prices are expected to stabilize.

“With no major hurricanes threatening the U.S. at the moment, the biggest wildcard remains any shifts in Russia’s war on Ukraine,” De Haan said. “For now, expect only moderate gas price fluctuations, with the potential for lower prices arriving later this fall.”

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- As students return Monday, Columbus City Schools Superintendent Angela Chapman has a big assignment: cut $50 million annually from district spending.

“Thinking about a $50 million reduction is shocking, but it’s not unexpected," Chapman said. "The Ohio legislature continues to unconstitutionally underfund public education, and the federal government threatens holding back grants and diminished future public education funding."

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Columbus' board of education will cut $50 million from the budget starting with the 2027 fiscal year, which begins July 1. Chapman and District Treasurer Ryan Cook said they will have to make difficult decisions to reduce costs, including reexamining school consolidations and transportation.

For context, Chapman said cuts are much more than CCS' most recent levy, which provides $36.8 million annually for the district. With that money, CCS funded student programming and 200 staff positions, so cuts will be substantial. No reductions are finalized, and Chapman has until November to make her suggestions.

Why does CCS need to make cuts?

Cook said CCS is already in deficit spending, meaning the district is spending more than it is taking in. This forces the district to deplete its savings; if nothing changes, the district will run out of money by 2029.

CCS is also concerned after Ohio passed its two-year budget on June 30, which lays out public school funding through 2028. Despite being the largest dollar investment in education in state history, the Ohio Education Association said the state is underfunding public school districts by $2 billion.

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Cook explained Ohio's budget will fund schools using data from fiscal year 2022, meaning the data used to calculate how much districts should get is four years behind what districts need today. CCS will work with $15 million-$20 million less than anticipated each year.

“Are we given the funding that we need to educate today’s students? No,” Chapman said. “Are we given the funding that we need to educate students who have additional needs or require more support? Absolutely not.”

What's on the chopping block?

Already, Chapman said they are not backfilling nonessential positions and are decreasing the budget by more than $15 million. But as costs rise, she said there’s little left to reduce outside of personnel, which the board is trying to avoid. She said they are reorganizing the central office to cut wherever they can, but the district cannot find $50 million in administrative reductions.

CCS spends more on operational costs than peer districts locally and nationally, an expense Chapman attributed to facility and transportation costs. Although reducing transportation and school buildings is unpopular, Chapman recommended looking at those cuts first to preserve staff and academics.

School closures

CCS already underwent school closure considerations, which raised concerns among families who did not want their neighborhood schools to shut down. However, more than half of CCS schools are underenrolled, and another half are more than 50 years old and have not been modernized. Chapman said taking a hard look at school reconfigurations is "long overdue" and recommended closures as a possible cost reduction.

Transportation cuts

Ohio public schools are required to provide transportation for students who live within district boundaries and go to charter schools. Rodney Stufflebean, executive director of transportation, said that although the district gets a reimbursement for all nonpublic students it transports, the cost to transport nonpublic students exceeds state funding allotments.

Report: The most difficult town name to pronounce in Ohio and each state

Chapman said many Ohio districts have shifted to the state minimum of who they need to transport, something she said CCS has not done but should consider. She said CCS continues to operate transportation as it had before COVID-19, despite having 200 fewer bus drivers.

Compounding costs, the state implemented a penalty in 2022 for districts that receive transportation complaints from nonpublic schools. After the fifth complaint, CCS is charged $161,000 per day for violations. Stufflebean said the district spends $77 million each year on transportation, and state fines push total transportation costs over $100 million.

Although districts can address concerns to avoid the fines, the state has no required timeline for when nonpublic schools must report issues. Stufflebean said the district was saddled with complaints in April from the previous August. He alleged nonpublic schools did so knowing the district would not be able to fix concerns in time.

Alternative revenue sources

Cook said there are ways to bring in other income, but it is difficult to generate alternative revenue. Cook said federal grants are one of the biggest alternative revenue sources. However, he said there is a lot of uncertainty with federal funding, which was withheld for part of the summer.

For instance, Cook said he expects a downward trend in funding for English as second language learners. Chapman said one-third of CCS students are English as a second language learners, and the funding they receive now is already not enough.

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The board is considering all options. Board member Steven Miller said moving forward, he thinks CCS has to engage with corporate partners, who would help fund programs and access future workforce. Regardless of what's formally recommended in November, Cook said cuts will be hard.

“Those have real and devastating risks in the classroom for our students. Those are dollars that I’m recommending we need to take out of the system," Cook said. "I take no joy in that. I loathe it. I’m frustrated by it, but it’s the situation we face as a district.”

HILLIARD, Ohio (WCMH) – Volleyball has become the second most popular sport in the country for high school girls, gaining more participants every year for more than 40 years; the only girls' sport with more athletes is track and field.

At Hilliard Darby High School, they’re taking the court outside for a one-of-a-kind experience for the athletes and spectators.

The Stadium Series put hockey in Ohio Stadium, and Monday will be the first time in central Ohio for an outdoor volleyball game, a special night for Hillard Darby’s seniors, but not without some hard work to make it happen.

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"We were all here at 1 o’clock yesterday; we didn't finish until like 6:30 p.m.,” Hilliard Darby senior Kameryn Durbin said.

"We had to start by putting all this black part down and that took us a really long time, like two hours,” Hilliard Darby senior Cami Ludban added.

Volleyball is played outdoors all the time, typically on sand and not a hard court. But the fastest growing high school sport in the country is pushing the boundaries.

"It's a big talk around the town and everything that they're going to come out and support us and watch the game because we're playing Hilliard Bradley," Hilliard Darby head girls’ volleyball coach Herb Sharfenaker said. "We're just having fun with it and, you know, it just grows and grows. I mean, we have open practice and we have people here."

Hilliard Darby Athletic Director Chris Ludban watched Nebraska University play volleyball in front of more than 90,000 fans and decided he wanted to bring that atmosphere, albeit on a smaller scale, to their school, and first-year coach Sharfenaker was all for it.

“It's going to be like a Friday night football game, but watching Monday night volleyball,” Sharfenaker said.

Report: The most difficult town name to pronounce in Ohio and each state

The game of volleyball has steadily become one of the most played youth sports in the country. The National Federation of State High School Associations estimated more than 470,000 student-athletes played high school volleyball in the United States during the 2022-2023 school year. Meanwhile, USA Volleyball, an organization of club volleyball teams around the country, had a membership of more than 330,000 athletes ages 11-18 in 2024, a 40% increase from ten years ago.

"The points go so fast, there's long rallies,” Ludban said. “I think it's just everyone is, like, starting to watch it, and it's growing so fast. It's just taught me so much. I think leadership is a really big one."

"I wanted a team, I wanted a family, so from there on, I've had one and it's been great,” Hilliard Darby senior Jillian Fisher said.

"I've learned to be a hard worker,” Durbin said. “You don't just get it. You have to work hard for what you want. That has helped me a lot. It helps you with time management in school, just helps through all aspects."

Sharfenaker sees that growth and points to the team’s comeback win last week after falling down 2-0.

"You're going to get knocked down and whatever you do, get back up and swing and do it,” he said.

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Monday’s senior night will be different for many reasons – the setting is the most obvious.

“In the gym, there's no sun and then the ceiling, you can pass as high as you want here, and then I think the wind is going to play a big factor in that for serving and passing,” Fisher said.

"You might serve different,” Durbin said. “So, like, the wind is coming at you, you it might blow out of bounds, or it might not make it as far."

All of Hilliard Darby’s girls’ volleyball teams – middle school, freshman, junior varsity, and varsity – had a chance to practice on the outdoor court, and all the teams will play Monday with games starting at 5 p.m. and the varsity squad scheduled to take the court at 8 p.m.

BEXLEY, Ohio (WCMH) – Every Sunday, a group gathers for the Run For Their Lives walk, drawing attention to the hostages still being held during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

A group of community members participated in the silent 18-minute walk through Bexley, most of them holding signs that read “Home Now,” while others carried pictures of the hostages.

“We stand strong, not only with the Jewish people, but the hostages were taken from all different countries,” walk organizer Yehudit Wittert said. “So that's why it's important that we continue until every last one is home and that we stand strong with each other and for each other.”

Young artist from central Ohio takes top prize in America’s Field Trip contest

Another organizer, Daniel Newman, shared that it's imperative to continue showing their support to those in the midst of the war; it also signifies standing in solidarity with those group members in Boulder, Colorado, who were attacked during a similar walk in June, injuring 15 people, including an 82-year-old woman who later died from her injuries.

“We're hoping for the return of them all as soon as possible,” Newman said. “And we're just, that's what, that's what one, whenever possible, we're going to speak out just to make sure that everybody knows there are still hostages in there and that they should be home.”

There are more than 200 Run for Their Lives groups around the world continuing to hold the walks weekly.

MARYSVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) -- One man is dead after a car crashed into a home in Marysville Sunday afternoon.

According to Marysville police, the crash happened at approximately 2:43 p.m. on the 600 block of North Main Street.

According to the Marysville Police Divison, the driver of the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene. There were no injuries reported from anyone inside the house. Police identified the driver as 54-year-old Robert Oliver.

North Main Street between Elwood Avenue and Holly Drive was closed until approximately 6:20 p.m., according to Marysville police, which is still investigating the crash along with the Union County Sheriff's Office.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – An East Side traffic stop Wednesday for an alleged equipment violation turned into a significant drug bust.

According to Franklin County court records, the Ohio State Highway Patrol was conducting a traffic stop east of the intersection of East Livingston and College avenues in the Berwick area.

The OSHP called in the DEA to investigate when Kemar Campbell was found in possession of over 100 grams of cocaine and an undetermined amount of fentanyl inside his pants. Campbell was detained and charged with possession and trafficking in drugs, both first-degree felonies.

Search warrants were later issued for multiple residences and storage facilities reportedly associated with Campbell. Police said the first search, at a storage unit on Gender Road near Canal Winchester, turned up over 100 grams of fentanyl, which were separated into multiple bags as if they were being prepared for distribution.

“Numerous” firearms were discovered at the Gender Road location, as well as a storage unit on Evanswood Drive in Columbus’ Woodward Park neighborhood. Additionally, large amounts of cash and a pistol were found at his residence in the Arena District.

Campbell, who admitted to the charges during an interview with police, has two prior drug charges from 1998 and 2004. He is facing two counts each of drug possession and drug trafficking, as well as one count of having weapons under disability.

He is due in court on Sept. 2.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Two scooter riders were injured, including one seriously, after a car allegedly hit them and left the scene in an early Sunday morning north Columbus hit-skip crash.

Columbus police said two people were riding an electric scooter at 12:13 a.m. on North 4th Street. The scooter was in the bicycle lane on the left side of the road at the same time a grey SUV was driving on North 4th Street.

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Police said the driver of the vehicle was turning left onto East 3rd Avenue and hit the scooter, causing the driver and passenger to be ejected. The driver of the vehicle is alleged to have left the scene after the crash, per CPD.

Both scooter riders went to the hospital on their own with the passenger sustaining serious injuries.

Anyone with information on the vehicle or driver in this crash is asked to contact CPD's accident investigation unit at 614-645-4767.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A trio of suspects, along with a dozen co-conspirators, have been indicted in a pandemic unemployment assistance fraud scheme that resulted in the theft of $7.3 million.

According to the Ohio Office of the Inspector General, a Franklin County grand jury returned an indictment against Markeya Smith, Brandi Smith and Shirkara Reggins, plus 12 others, for crimes related to fraudulent claims involving the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program. Charges include engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, theft, tampering with records, telecommunication fraud, and money laundering.

In October 2022, the state Department of Jobs and Family Services referred an allegation of suspicious activity to the PUA program. Markeya Smith, who worked for temp agency Randstad as an ODJFS contractor, allegedly cleared issues and inflated claimant incomes on PUA claims to fraudulently increase the weekly benefit amounts paid out. Additionally, the ODJFS alleged that Brandi Smith improperly accessed or authorized payments on PUA claims.

Three central Ohio women accused of $7.3 million in pandemic assistance fraud

Investigators learned the two Columbus women were related and found a significant overlap on PUA claims accessed. It was discovered they were acquaintances with Reggins, who was also accused of improperly accessing and authorizing payments on PUA claims to which claimants were not entitled. Reggins, of Canal Winchester, also allegedly was using the identity “Cherita Reggins” for her employment at Insight Global and later at ODJFS.

The investigation found that the three received cash or electronic payments from the claimants and that they used “recruiters,” who also received fees, to find additional PUA claimants who desired to have their claims inflated.

In total, it was determined that the three released over $7 million in improper PUA benefit payments, including $3.5 million by Reggins, over $3 million by Markeya Smith, and $600,000 by Brandi Smith.

The additional suspects and their charges are as follows:

• Jahlil Suber-Richardson (Columbus), engaging in corrupt activity, theft, telecommunications fraud, money laundering, theft
• Carolyn Slaughter (Lewis Center), engaging in corrupt activity, theft, money laundering
• Tarik Chukes (Columbus), engaging in corrupt activity, theft, money laundering
• Alice Cowans (Columbus), engaging in corrupt activity, theft, money laundering
• Artania Gordon (Columbus), engaging in corrupt activity, theft, money laundering
• Natasha Davis (Reynoldsburg), engaging in corrupt activity, theft, money laundering
• Danielle Johnson (Canal Winchester), engaging in corrupt activity, theft, money laundering
• China Hester (Columbus), engaging in corrupt activity, theft, money laundering
• Eboni Goods (Columbus), engaging in corrupt activity, theft, money laundering
• Amber White (Reynoldsburg), engaging in corrupt activity, theft, money laundering
• Ashley Boyce (Houston), engaging in corrupt activity, theft, money laundering
• Tereka Daniels (Huntington, West Virginia), engaging in corrupt activity, theft, money laundering

PATASKALA, Ohio (WCMH) — A central Ohio 11-year-old won first place in America250's America's Field Trip contest, receiving national recognition and the trip of a lifetime this summer.

Eva Haylett of Pataskala used her art skills to respond to the competition's question, “What does America mean to you?” Her vibrant image captured the attention of the judges from America250 and America 250-Ohio and the panel of current and former educators selected her drawing as a winner in the third to fifth grade category.

“I think of myself as a cartoonist,” said Haylett. “I love to draw on notebooks everywhere and anything that I can find. So I, I had a list of patriotic things and monuments that I come to think of [as] America. And from there, I just started doodling and it all came together.”

Launched in 2024, America's Field Trip contest invited students from third grade to high school seniors to submit artwork, videos, or essays that expressed their patriotism. Thousands of entries were accepted from all 50 states, five U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia. A total of 150 winners were selected from 41 states and four U.S. territories.

“America’s Field Trip is a transformative opportunity for students across the country to engage with our nation’s history in meaningful, lasting ways,” said Rosie Rios, Chair of America250. “Our tentpole programs are intentionally designed to be hands-on, educational and engaging.”

Report: The most difficult town name to pronounce in Ohio and each state

Haylett, one of 75 first-place prize winners, said she was stunned to learn of her success.

“My mom was picking me up from choir and … got the email, and she showed me her phone, and I practically exploded,” said Haylett. “I was so excited and my mind was just racing.”

As a winner, she received her choice of a specialized field trip to American historical and cultural sites this summer. Out of more than a dozen excursions across the United States, Haylett chose a private guided tour of Yellowstone National Park. She said the four-day trip was a “bucket list” experience for her and her father.

“I was immediately down for Yellowstone,” said Haylett. “Ever since fifth grade, you're learning about the states … I saw all the pictures, and it just seemed beautiful. I've always wanted to go see Montana and Wyoming, and I feel like Yellowstone was the perfect opportunity.”

• Photo Courtesy/ James Haylett
• Photo Courtesy/ James Haylett
• Photo Courtesy/ James Haylett
• Photo Courtesy/ James Haylett
• Photo Courtesy/ James Haylett
• Photo Courtesy/ James Haylett
• Photo Courtesy/ James Haylett
• Photo Courtesy/ James Haylett
• Photo Courtesy/ James Haylett
• Photo Courtesy/ James Haylett

Highlights of her trip included whitewater rafting and fly fishing.

“I caught five fish,” said Haylett. “It was just awesome. I caught brook trout and rainbow trout.”

Haylett's entry was a colorful illustration that “captured the spirit of America.” It depicts a young girl holding an American flag, surrounded by U.S. landmarks and a map of the states with iconic symbols. Included in the image are the Golden Gate Bridge, the Space Needle, the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore, the Washington Monument, the U.S. Capitol, the Liberty Bell and a scroll of the U.S. Constitution, among others.

Eva Haylett's artwork, America's Field Trip contest (Courtesy/ America250 and America 250-Ohio)

ODNR's Director's Choice: Ohio Proud (Courtesy/ODNR)

After entering a similar contest organized by America 250-Ohio and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Haylett discovered she had won a second time.

“It once again was very surprising and just an honor to be … a part of that contest,” said Haylett.

That competition asked for art pieces or short essays about how Ohio’s natural resources played a role in the applicant’s life. Haylett received the ODNR Director’s Choice award and will go on an exclusive Ohio field trip put together by ODNR staff.

In addition to Haylett's first-place win in America250's America's Field Trip contest, another Ohio fifth grader was honored as one of the 75 second-place winners. Aria Hous, from Springboro near Dayton, entered a “powerful written reflection.” She received a $500 cash prize.