Ohio News

NEW LEXINGTON, Ohio (WCMH) -- A Perry County judge dismissed rape charges against a former central Ohio police officer who was previously disciplined for allegedly attempting to solicit sex with a young child. Justin Lally, 44, was charged last month with one count of rape in Perry County. The charge came nearly four years after [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- People in downtown Columbus on Wednesday afternoon may hear loud explosions. The Center for Science and Industry is testing activities for the COSI Science Festival, which takes place later in the spring. The tests are being used as a training opportunity for team members. "Some of these demonstrations involve the use [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A Columbus City School District middle school was placed on lockdown after weapon was found inside a locker Wednesday morning. According to Dominion Middle School Principal Kate Dominique, the city’s District Safety and Security Specialist conducted a search of a student’s belongings inside a locker when a weapon was discovered after [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — For the second time in less than 12 months, the Ohio Department of Transportation is warning drivers to not stop on the highway. A spokesperson for ODOT shared a video from 6:49 a.m. Tuesday where a car stops in the median on Interstate 71 South in an attempt to to exit [...]

UPPER ARLINGTON, Ohio (WCMH) -- Upper Arlington Schools are requesting court approval to rebury unidentified human remains found at the high school six years ago. Upper Arlington High School found bones and bone fragments belonging to three people and a full skeleton of a 9- or 10-year-old girl when the district prepared to rebuild the [...]

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (WCMH) — Hundreds of grams of drugs and a dozen weapons were confiscated last week as part a law enforcement effort in targeting trafficking in central Ohio. According to a release from the U.S. 23 Major Crimes Task Force, the agency executed three drug-related search warrants in Ross County, which resulted in the [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- OhioHealth is moving forward with plans to expand its northeast Columbus footprint after receiving city approval to rezone the former Big Lots headquarters it purchased last year for $36 million. The Columbus Development Commission voted Feb. 12 to approve the health system's application to rezone the 24-acre property at 4900 E. [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Higher temperatures after a period of harsh cold in late winter may boost Ohioans’ moods, but it can also bring another unwanted outcome: more potholes. Ohio Department of Transportation Press Secretary Matt Bruning said potholes primarily form due to the freeze-thaw cycle. This occurs when water gets into pavement through cracks, [...]

A unique Gothic revival-style church converted into a living space in Port Clinton, Ohio, is listed for $550,000 and has been featured on Zillow Gone Wild, with its 3-bed, 2-bath home boasting soaring ceilings, Amish-crafted cabinetry, quartz counters, and a paver patio.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – An Ohio senator is hoping to create a new license plate option for drivers in the Buckeye State. Senate Bill 358, introduced by Sen. Nathan Manning (R-North Ridgeville) on Feb. 10, would authorize the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles to issue blackout license plates, which feature a black background and white [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A growing fight over whether Ohio middle and high school athletes should be allowed to profit from their name, image and likeness sharpened Tuesday, as a national NIL attorney and the state's top high school sports official urged lawmakers not to roll back rules approved just months ago. Luke Fedlam, a [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -– A Columbus mom wants two ICE agents investigated after they deployed pepper spray into her open car window, hitting her and three children. “Our eyes were burning and I had crying kids and you’re helpless,” said the mom, who NBC4 Investigates is not naming over concerns of retaliation. “It’s one of [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Chaos in a popular Mexican resort town left some central Ohio tourists stranded. Flights in and out of Puerto Vallarta were cancelled left and right after cartel violence erupted across Mexico following the killing of powerful drug lord El Mencho.  "It was just a constant sense of explosions, and you could [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- President Donald Trump announced "rate payer protection pledges" during his Tuesday evening State of the Union address, saying tech companies have pledged to cover electric costs for data centers. Trump said top tech companies have agreed to pay increased electricity costs in communities were new AI data centers are being built. [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The OhioSEE program has officially launched, expanding access to free, in-depth eye care services for students across the state. Fifteen counties, including Franklin, have been designated as high-need areas, where Gov. Mike Dewine said only one in five children receive the follow-up vision care they require. DeWine visited Prairie Lincoln Elementary [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The former property manager of a troubled east Columbus apartment complex has been indicted on fraud and theft charges. According to the Franklin County Prosecutor's Office, Sylvia Sherman, 43, was the property manager at Colonial Village Apartments in 2023, when Columbus officials discovered approximately 1,300 Haitian immigrants were living in apartments [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Local food pantries are calling on Congress to help seniors access food benefits. Many are urging lawmakers to fund a food delivery program. Right now, eligible low-income seniors are able to get monthly food boxes through the federally funded Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), but in most counties, it’s up to the person to go pick it up. [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Franklin County health officials are investigating six cases of measles in the county, five of whom have no recent history of travel. According to officials with both Columbus Public Health and Franklin County Public Health, the cases were reported among children who were not vaccinated against the disease. Measles is a [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio Republicans are taking additional actions against diversity, inclusion and equity policies and programs at state colleges and universities. Ohio Rep. Tom Young (R-Washington Twp.) introduced House Bill 698, which would establish steps to review if schools are continuing DEI programs in violation of the provisions in Senate Bill 1, passed [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – “Today” Show anchor Savannah Guthrie said Tuesday her family is offering up to a $1 million reward for information leading to the return of her mother, Nancy Guthrie. The search for her mother has entered its third week. The case of Nancy Guthrie and Tuesday's announcement of a new reward for [...]