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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — As roundabouts become more common around the Buckeye State, the Ohio Department of Transportation is educating people on how to use the ring-shaped intersections and explaining how they differ from traffic circles.

ODOT recently highlighted how it gave an old traffic circle in the heart of the village of Somerset a modern makeover, converting it into a true roundabout. In a social media video, ODOT demonstrated the tricky traffic pattern drivers need to follow in a traffic circle. With pavement markings and signage, the transportation agency overhauled the intersection into a more streamlined roundabout in a few months, avoiding years of construction.

According to Chas Cosgrave, the public information officer for ODOT’s District 5, the terms “traffic circle” and “roundabout” are often used interchangeably, but they are different.

FeatureRoundaboutTraffic CircleTraffic ControlYield at entryOften stop signs or signalsSpeedLow-speed (20–30 mph)Higher-speed entriesDesignCurved approaches, splitter islands, truck apronsOften lacks modern safety geometryConflict Points8Up to 32 (like traditional intersections)SignageStandardized yield signs and lane markingsMay vary or be outdatedSafetyProven crash reductionLess consistent performanceSource: ODOT

Cosgrave told NBC4 that roundabouts are engineered to reduce dangerous angle crashes, such as T-bones and left turns, by slowing vehicles and simplifying decision-making. Citing the Federal Highway Administration and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Cosgrave noted that replacing a two-way stop with a roundabout cuts serious crashes by nearly 90%, while converting to a signalized intersection reduces them by about 80%. Overall, roundabouts are credited with reducing total crashes by 44%.
 
“We get it, roundabouts can feel unfamiliar, especially in rural or suburban areas,” Cosgrave said. “That’s why we focus on helping drivers adjust in a few key ways.”

One method includes engaging and educating drivers through social media, weekly “Loop” video segments on its website, or community meetings. The other, explained Cosgrave, is to emphasize the simple design of the roundabout where clear signage and striping guide drivers to yield to the left, enter when there is a gap and exit at their destination.

Cosgrave said the perception of roundabouts is changing, pointing to an IIHS study that showed support for roundabouts jumped from 31% before construction to 70% after just one year of use.

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“That kind of shift is incredibly encouraging,” Cosgrave said. “It shows that once people experience the benefits firsthand, they come around. It’s a win for safety, efficiency, and it makes us proud to be part of that change.”

Ohio's older-style traffic circles, such as the one recently updated in Somerset, are being replaced with roundabouts as communities modernize intersections.

“These updates are often driven by the strong safety benefits roundabouts offer, including significant reductions in serious and fatal crashes,” Cosgrave said.

To learn more about roundabouts, Cosgrave suggested viewers visit ODOT's Roundabouts page on its website. It offers a fact sheet, printable guides, an instructional video and an FAQ.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Citing the state's new anti-DEI law, Ohio State University has banned certain statements that acknowledge lands historically occupied by Native Americans.

The concept is known as land acknowledgement, and Ohio State argues that it falls under Senate Bill 1, passed earlier this year.

"The problem I see here is that the university's interpretation of S.B. 1 now restricts us, in many situations, from even stating historical facts about Ohio's historic tribes, their treaties and the laws that became part of Ohio's origin story," said Elissa Washuta, director of OSU's American Indian Studies Program. "These facts are not controversial beliefs."

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Washuta is a Cowlitz tribal member, and she spoke with NBC4 to share her perspective, not as a representative of the university. She said Ohio State's new guidance, which says university representatives cannot issue land acknowledgements unless they are directly related to a course, has had a "chilling effect" on university conversations about the state's Native peoples.

Washuta said she, like many Native scholars, has complicated feelings about land acknowledgements, which can be seen as uplifting to Indigenous history or as hollow activism without action. She said at its most basic, land acknowledgements name the Native peoples who lived in a place. She worried the university's limitations will interfere with sharing basic facts about Ohio's historic tribes.

The university said the change was due to Senate Bill 1, a new law that bans campus DEI programming and stops universities from endorsing "any belief or policy that is the subject of political controversy." It does not define diversity, equity and inclusion, leaving room for interpretation. See previous coverage of S.B. 1 in the video player above.

The university said land acknowledgements are considered controversial topics and banned them on university websites, social media, event promotions or in courses unless directly relevant to the subject matter. The law does not expressly limit land acknowledgements.

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A university spokesperson said the change also stems from Ohio State's policy on institutional statements, which was enacted in 2023. The preexisting policy directs Ohio State to only issue statements when the subject directly affects the university or its students or is of importance to the area and offers educational value.

No other university appears to have interpreted S.B. 1 the same way. Miami University still lists a land acknowledgement under its Office of the President webpage. Bowling Green also has an online land acknowledgement, but added a disclaimer that it is for educational purposes and does not represent an official statement.

John Low, a retired Ohio State associate professor of history and citizen of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, said the decision made him sad. He previously served as the director of the Newark Earthworks Center, an OSU academic center dedicated to researching and uplifting Midwestern Indigenous cultures. The Earthworks Center's land acknowledgement webpage is now labeled as an archive of past grant work.

"For the general faculty, I feel sad they're restricted," Low said. "I think its an infringement on free speech rights."

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Ohio State spokesperson Ben Johnson said the change does not entirely eliminate land acknowledgements. He said faculty are free to teach as they see fit and can address land acknowledgements when relevant.

"After speaking with faculty leaders, we made some revisions to make clear that Ohio State remains committed to academic freedom, and the university’s academic freedom and responsibility rules have not changed," Johnson said.

Washuta said she was glad the university updated its guidance for courses, but felt it still limits research announcements, public lectures and other faculty tasks that are not approved for land acknowledgements. Washuta was also concerned that the university did not clarify what qualifies as a land acknowledgement.

"The Native community at Ohio State is miniscule -- we are dramatically underrepresented, compared to the demographics of the state of Ohio -- and I worry that this interpretation of S.B. 1 will only make the Native community and American Indian Studies less visible at OSU," Washuta said.

OSU's Indigenous student population has consistently declined over the past 15 years. In 2011, Ohio State had 169 American Indian/Alaska Native students. Of the more than 67,000 students enrolled for the 2025-2026 school year, only 46 are American Indian/Alaska Native.

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Johnson said Ohio State continues to support Indigenous students and faculty, pointing to the Earthworks Center and American Indian Studies program. Monday is Indigenous Peoples Day, which Ohio State is observing in tandem with Columbus Day on a delayed schedule. Low was glad they still celebrate and said things like the land acknowledgement limitations happen cyclically.

"I've lived long enough to see the roller coaster ride of people being supportive to Indigenous peoples and not supportive, supportive and not supportive," Low said. "I'm not a fortune teller, but I suspect, based on my lived experience, that this too shall pass."

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Some central Ohio police departments are misinterpreting a state law that allows them to charge for body camera video, which could lead to higher costs for public records, according to a law professor.

In January, Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 315 into law, which allows government agencies to charge the public and news media for public records requests before releasing them. This could include video from police-worn body cameras, police vehicle dashboard cameras and jail surveillance footage.

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The statute reads, in part: “A state or local law enforcement agency may charge a requester the actual cost associated with preparing a video record for inspection or production, not to exceed seventy-five dollars per hour of video produced, nor seven hundred fifty dollars total.”

The law is intended to cover the administrative costs associated with editing the video since police departments often have to redact the voices or faces of uncharged suspects or victims whose identities are protected under the law. The Ohio Revised Code previously allowed agencies to charge for public records, but only nominal fees associated with copying the content onto items such as paper or a flash drive, not labor costs.

Under state law, any person, including corporations, individuals and government agencies, is entitled to request and inspect public records.

Since the new law took effect, some police departments have rolled out updates to their public records policies, opting to charge for body camera video, but not all departments are interpreting the statute the same way. Some say they are charging per hour of video footage, while others are charging per hour of work. 

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The Grove City Police Department’s policy states charges for video records will not exceed $75 per hour of footage. The Whitehall Police Department’s policy for video records states it charges “$75 per hour or $1.25 per minute,” seemingly based on video length. 

However, the Columbus Division of Police and Reynoldsburg Police Department told NBC4 they are charging per hour of work it takes to prepare the video for release. Columbus police have set a fee of $37 per hour of work, and Reynoldsburg police have set a fee of $75 per hour of work. 

Susan Gilles, a professor of law at Capital University, said she believes the latter departments are misinterpreting the law. She said the law allows departments to charge per hour of video, and that charging per hour of work could lead to much higher costs for police video. 

“It's going to be a lot, lot more,” Gilles said. “It's a massive amount that they can put into, quote, actual cost, which is why the legislature, I think, said, ‘OK, but you can only charge $75 per hour of the video produced, of the record you're giving up.’”

For example, the law allows agencies to charge up to $75 per hour of video, which caps the price of 20 minutes of footage at $25, according to Gilles. But if a police department charges $75 per hour of work, and they claim it took them two hours to edit that 20 minutes of footage, the price for that record would jump to $150. 

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Gilles said she believes the update to Ohio Revised Code allowing labor costs to be factored into public records charges has led to police departments misconstruing the statute. 

“I think they are overreading the cap provision, the $75 per hour of video produced, because they're thinking, ‘Well, they said we could include actual costs, so it can't mean $75 per hour of video produced,’ but it does,” she said. “All of a sudden, they're allowed to include this employee time, so they're thinking, ‘Wait, it must mean $75 per hour of work to produce the record.’”

According to Gilles, police departments could face lawsuits if they are charging more than allowed by the law for body or dash camera video. 

The office of the state’s highest attorney seems to also agree the law allows departments to charge per hour of video, rather than per hour of work. The Ohio Attorney General's website states: “agencies can charge up to $75 per hour of video footage.” 

When NBC4 reached out to the office to get clarification on the law, a spokesperson said: “We do not have authority over how individual agencies interpret the statute – that’s a better question for the departments or their attorneys.”

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Gilles said government agencies that are unsure about the statute can still reach out to the office for an official opinion – formal, written legal guidance. The office has discretion over whether to issue an opinion. 

“If [lawmakers] had wanted what the police departments are saying, they would have to write ‘$75 per hour of … the time required to produce the record,’ and to me, they know how to say that and instead, they said ‘$75 per hour of video produced,’” Gilles said. 

The entire public records portion of House Bill 315 did not receive any public hearings, as it was added as a last-minute provision to the 450-page bill, which addresses a range of unrelated issues.

The Cleveland and Cincinnati police departments currently do not charge for body or dash camera video, according to city spokespeople. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A decades-old bee colony in German Village is no longer living in the place it once called home; rather, it's been relocated after one person allegedly reported a sting.

The community has long referred to the sycamore tree at the corner of S. Sixth and Lear streets as the 'Bee Tree', but a new sign posted on it this week says they were moved, and many neighbors are not happy. 

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"Being the person that had to take that away, that was kind of hard," founder of The Bee Collective Luke Howard said. "And then also this time of year is just the wrong time to do it."

The Bee Collective is a Columbus group focused on pollinator habitats and education. He said relocating the bees in the spring would have been the ideal time to provide the most opportunity for success.

"They really get started in the spring and by this time of year, they are hunkering down for the wintertime," Howard said. "So not only is this a kind of a hard process that can take a while, this time of year they really don't want to move."

Howard was the one called in from the condo complex where the tree sits. They notified him that the city ordered the complex to remove the bees.

"They absolutely did not want them gone at all," Howard said. "It was the city that said, 'Hey, you have to get rid of them. There has been a complaint and there's no fighting this. It just has to be done.'"

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Howard said it took him about a month and a half to relocate all the bees into his care. He posted a sign on their former home this week that reads, in part, "It saddened me to take on this job, but alas, it had to be done." He said he felt he owed the German Village community an explanation. 

"Bees are very, very important for the environment because they help pollinate the plants that we have," Howard said.

Now residents are pushing back. Several neighbors NBC4 spoke to off-camera are questioning whether one complaint should uproot years of peaceful coexistence. News spread quickly on social media, with many expressing their disappointment in the decision.

"It'd be nice if we could lead with more curiosity about what's happening versus just, hey, this sting was awful, and I want these things removed," Howard said. "It's like, this thing is awful. What happened? How important are bees? Should we protect them? Do I need to report them?"

Howard said he hopes what happened will spark more conversation and curiosity about how to coexist with pollinators. 

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"It can be one of those things where we have this loss of the honeybees, but we could create much more abundance for all the other native pollinator species that we have," Howard said. 

Howard created the "Beecoming Home Project" with Dr. Sarah Scott four years ago, where they invite artists locally and from across the globe to collaborate with an unexpected creative partner: honey bees. Their exhibit showcases what the meaning of home means for us as humans and our kin we share this planet with. The bees will now become a part of that project next summer.

"The goal is through this bummer of a moment to create an opportunity for the community to come together and create something cool, create some art, create a way to commemorate," Howard said. "It's in that vein of let's create a silver lining in this situation that clearly a lot of us are upset about."

The Beecoming Home Exhibit opens Saturday, Oct. 11, at 700 Bryden Rd. Gallery. Meantime, anyone can visit the bees at The Bee Collective, located at 410 W. Town St. 

NBC4 reached out to the city for comment, but has yet to hear back.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Columbus Board of Education moved one step closer to eliminating busing for all high school students with a policy change at Tuesday’s meeting.

Before, the transportation policy said the district “shall” bus 9th through 12th graders. Now, the board changed it to say “may” bus those students, meaning the district will not be required to transport high schoolers from here on out.

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Even though it’s only a one-word difference, the impact is huge.

Board President Michael Cole said the bus schedule would not change until next school year, but he recognized this is a big decision.

“We’re trying to find out not just how to deal with something in terms of economics or finance, but how to deal with something in terms of the safest, most appropriate way to transport students to and from school,” Cole said.

As CCS looks to cut $50 million from the budget, transporting fewer students each day would save a lot of money.

“You’re thinking about the cost of transportation from gas, so the energy costs,” Cole said. “You’re thinking about that in terms of human capital and again, the fact that we don't have the human capital and drivers to actually provide the additional routes needed.”

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The district has also been fined millions because of students not being picked up by a CCS bus.

“Right now, that's prospected to be about $17 million in cuts for a very small number of students who may not have gotten to school on time or missed a bus,” Cole said.

The superintendent will present a list of recommended budget cuts to the school board next month.

Cole said the policy change just allows conversations around busing cuts to begin.

Nothing has been decided, but he said it is something they are considering, especially because other urban districts in Ohio don’t bus 9th through 12th-grade students.

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“It is not a promise that every student is going to get the traditional yellow bus route," Cole said. "That is not the promise. The promise is, the commitment is that we're going to work diligently to ensure children have every means of getting to school."

If busing for high schoolers is cut, it’s unclear how those students would get to class; Cole said they are discussing different options.

If you have any recommendations on transportation, you can find contact information for CCS board members by clicking here.

NORWICH TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WCMH) -- One person is dead after a traffic crash Tuesday afternoon that appears to have been caused by the rain.

According to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, the crash happened on Feder Road south of Jones Road in Norwich Township at approximately 4:22 p.m.

A 2006 Kia Spectra was traveling northwest on Feder Road while a 2025 Toyota Tacoma was traveling southeast. According to the sheriff's office, the driver of the Kia lost control of the car in the rain, spun sideways into the opposite lane and into the path of the Toyota.

The driver of the Kia was pronounced dead at the scene at 4:31 p.m. The driver of the Toyota was taken to a local hospital in a stable condition.

The sheriff's office is continuing to investigate the crash. Anyone with any information is asked to call the sheriff's office's crash investigation unit at 614-525-6113.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Ohio Domestic Violence Network said there were 157 domestic violence fatalities statewide from July 2024 through June 2025, the highest reported number since starting the annual report a decade ago. 

Advocates said this is a dramatic increase, up 37% compared to the previous year when 114 fatalities were recorded. 

“I think the fact of the matter is that violence is higher,” Ohio Domestic Violence Network Policy Director Maria York said. “We are seeing more instances of violence. We're also seeing more completed murders. And I know that sounds strange to say, but in our previous reports, we had quite a few cases where there were attempted murder suicide.”

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York said of the 157 deaths and 108 total incidents, there were 40 cases of murder suicides resulting in about 80 deaths.  The data shows that of the total incidents, in more than half of the cases, the accused killers had prior contact with the criminal justice system and 69% of victims had been involved in the courts in some way, many for divorce or custody proceedings.

“This is a lot, this is heavy information, and that there's people that are behind the numbers,” York said. “These are families whose lives have been torn up. There's children who no longer have parents or grandparents. I think it was the highest number this year. We had 168 children left behind that don't have their guardian in their lives anymore.”

The report said Franklin County saw more domestic violence fatalities than any other county with 33.

York said her network answered more than 100,000 calls and provided services to more than 127,000 people. 

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“I hope people are also inspired to take action, especially hearing from a survivor that there is still hope after experiencing domestic violence, that this could very well be lethal,” York said.

ODVN said 84% of the incidents involved guns. 

York said one concerning statistic is that last year, ODVN had to turn away around 6,000 people seeking shelter in Ohio due to lack of resources. She said they are always looking for cracks in the system that they could fix to help fight the issue.

WESTERVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) – For the second November in a row, Westerville City Schools is seeking taxpayer money via a levy.

A property tax levy measure was defeated in November 2024 by just over 2,000 votes. The November 2025 levy is an earned income levy.

Opposition and support for the levy have become increasingly heated. Founder of the Concerned Citizens of Westerville PAC Doug Krinsky, recently posted a table of data he said describes a different financial story for the WCSD.

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"Senator Andrew Brenner and Representative Beth Lee sent this to me because they got the numbers from the Department of Education and Workforce, so, from top down there, these are the numbers that support Westerville City Schools,” Krinsky said. “It's all 100% going to the School of Public Schools. And they get it all. So, what it showed was over the last five years, they've gotten almost $6 million more, 16.5% more than what they were getting in 2020.”

WSC state support 10 1 25 1_286170281Download

The table shows a 16.5% increase in state funding for Westerville City Schools. Westerville Superintendent Angie Hamberg said this data is misleading.

"This is information that does not match our payment reports,” she said. “That includes some support that was provided to private schools and it's just very frustrating, very frustrating that our community is being misled into believing that we're providing false information. All of that information is public information, both through our district and through the state as well, and we want to provide that information so our taxpayers are informed and can see that we're being good stewards of their tax dollars. I understand every voter needs to make their own decision, but when misinformation is purposely being put out there to try to persuade people to try to cast doubt on our integrity, to try to imply that we're lying, we're not being transparent with our community. You know, I just take that personally.”

Westerville City Schools Treasurer and CFO Nicole Marshall worked for the state auditor's office for seven years prior to joining WCSD almost a decade ago.

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"There's lots of different ways that data can be represented, and it's easy to, do calculations and make things show one way or another,” Marshall said. “The information that I share, you can tie directly back to our audited financial statements. The Department of Education and Workforces payment reports. It's important to me to be able to provide sources and links to all of the information that I'm providing, which I work very hard to do with our community. And I'm just a little surprised when I see a random PDF thrown into the world, and it's presented as factual information.”

Brenner, a Republican, confirmed he shared the data from the table with Krinsky. Brenner said he received the data from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, but it doesn't match the data posted on the website.

Lindsay Bobb is also campaigning against the levy in November.

"I am confident in the information that is being presented, but I'm also just a resident,” Bobb said. “I am so disappointed that it is this hard to get numbers and facts that no one can argue with.”

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The data from the ODEW website is readily available; however, to search for specific numbers, a person has to know what they are looking for. Bobb said, regardless of the data disagreement between the district and levy opposition, there are questions that need to be answered.

"We have lost 765 kids, but over that same time period, we've gained 171 teachers,” she said. “Well, why is the staffing increasing when the enrollment is decreasing so much?”

NBC4 reached out to the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce multiple times for this report, but has not received a response as of publication.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — As rain fell during the Tuesday morning commute, there were reports of at least two dozen crashes on central Ohio highways.

“This morning's commute, of course, was unusual because the big accident on I-71 that shut down the southbound lanes of the freeway pushed a lot of traffic onto all of the other roads," said Jan Weisenberger, faculty director of the Ohio State University Driving Simulation Lab.

Shortly into their drive to an interview, an NBC4 crew saw a car stopped and facing the wrong direction on I-670. Weisenberger studies driver behavior and said many of the crashes were likely related to the weather in some way.

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“I think absolutely the weather played a role. The slower driving speeds played a role, the increased amount of traffic on the road played a role," she said.

When it comes to research about rainy weather and driving, the lab has worked with OSU's College of Optometry to study glare sensitivity. Weisenberger said nighttime, fog, and rain all increase glare.

"If you’re someone who suffers from glare sensitivity in the first place, it's going to be way worse on days when any of those conditions are present," she said.

She said there are three main factors that affect driving on a rainy day. They are traction, visibility, and increased driver anxiety. With how dry it's been recently, those are not things drivers have had to think about.

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“That's the other thing, too, is the not being accustomed to it because we certainly haven't had very many rainy days in the last couple months," Weisenberger said. “So they’re not thinking as much about those things that really aren't causing much of a problem on a sunny day."

She also said distracted driving is still a problem and that behavior can be even more dangerous on rainy days.

"A lot of it's common sense, slow down, leave more distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you, know your commutes going to be slower, some things are just not under your control, and try to keep your anxiety level down while you’re driving, that’ll make driving safer for everybody," she said.

LANCASTER, Ohio (WCMH) -- A 9-year-old boy is fighting for his life after being shot in the head Monday afternoon.

The shooting happened Monday evening inside a home on Summitview Drive.

According to Lancaster police, officers found the boy on the floor in the home’s basement; they also found a semi-automatic handgun in the same room.

According to police, there is a second juvenile who witnessed the shooting.

According to a police report, the two juveniles were playing with a gun, with one of the children saying "he would show him what a drunk person acted like." The boy with the gun then fired it, hitting himself.

According to police, the juvenile witness then moved the gun before going to tell an adult.

Medics airlifted the boy to a Columbus hospital in critical condition.

Lancaster police are investigating and called the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation to assist.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – There’s a home warranty scam targeting homeowners across central Ohio, and the Better Business Bureau says it’s popping up again, and we’re hearing from those who have fallen victim. 

What makes this scam tricky is that sometimes it’s a scam, but sometimes it’s a legitimate business using deceptive practices to get you into a contract that is difficult to cancel. 

A home warranty covers the repair and replacement of major household appliances and systems, but it doesn’t cover everything, and it’s not something everyone has. So scammers try to get homeowners to sign up for a home warranty that doesn’t exist or that they don’t want.

“I got sucked into it,” resident Allan South, said. 

South and his wife received a card in the mail, with the phrase “registration required” written on it. That made them think it was real. 

“It's that high-pressure sales environment, you know,” BBB Central Ohio President Judy Dollison said. “They want you to think that if you don't respond, you're going to have these massive expenses that are going to cost you a lot of money.”

It’s actually the opposite. 

“Many people don't even have a home warranty. They don't necessarily know that you have one. They're just really trying to trick you into paying some money,” Dollison said. 

South responded to the card, thinking it was information he had asked for about protecting his water pipes. It wasn’t and then another packet came in the mail. 

“It talks about what they cover and so forth, much, much more than just our water pipes that I thought we were getting,” South said. 

This warranty had a cost of $4,000. 

“We were both pretty shocked. Like, wow, yeah, it was, it's much, much more than we had thought we were getting into and we were a little bit concerned,” South said. 

They were able to cancel the plan, but not everyone catches it in time. 

“They may be out money when they give that credit card information or some other type of payment method, but even worse than that, they can provide information that's much more critical that could lead to further identity theft and financial losses in many ways,” Dollison said.

In cases of a scam, your private information is at risk. Sometimes legitimate businesses use this method to get more customers. 

“If you have a warranty, call that warranty on the paperwork that you were originally provided. Look up the number on an independent source like bbb.org and call that warranty company directly. Don't rely on the information that's provided,” Dollison said. 

The BBB said that unsolicited communications, whether that’s a phone call, text, or in the mail, are the primary way people fall victim to this scam. So if you get an odd text from an unknown number, block it or report it as junk and don’t respond to those letters you get in the mail unless you confirm it’s from a company that you want to do business with.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A project that has been in the works for more than two years is starting to show visible changes on the east side of Columbus.

The Eastland Prosperity Center is giving new life to an old building and will soon help that side of town have access to food and other needs.

Workers began demolition on the former Kroger building on Refugee Road on Monday morning. The Kroger closed in 2022 and has been vacant since. 

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While most of the structure will remain standing, crews are tearing down the entrance of the building. 

"Soon that's going to turn into this welcoming entrance where our community is going to come to get the help they need," Mid-Ohio Food Collective Senior Vice President of Communication and Public Affairs Mike Hochron said.

He said the building will be turned into a multi-use facility serving the Eastland area. 

"All summer long, our team's been hard at work clearing out the inside, turning it from bones of an old grocery store into an open space," he said. 

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The Eastland Prosperity Center's purpose is to address what Hochron called an undeserved part of Columbus.

"We not only know where people go to get food, but we know where hunger lives," he said. "And what our data tells us very clearly is that greatest unmet need all across central Ohio is right here in the 43232 zip code."

Hochron said it's only fitting that the building was a grocery store in its past life, since that's similar to the way MOFC markets work.

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"You go in, you shop, you put it in your shopping cart,” he said. “The only difference when you check out is that it's free and we do this so we're reducing the stigma of asking for help.” 

The need on the East Side stretches beyond just food. The center will also bring access to healthcare, benefit resources and workforce development.

Once open, MOFC expects the center to serve 100,000 people each year.

"This is really going to be a hub for the community and it's surely in a place where it's much needed," Hochron said. 

The Eastland Prosperity Center is set open and serve the community in the fall of 2026.

If you are in need, you can visit MOFC’s website by clicking here and using the food finder for help. 

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A national travel magazine has named Columbus as one of the best big cities in the country, placing it ahead of popular destinations including New York City and Seattle. 

Condé Nast Traveler – a magazine owned by the company that also publishes Vogue, The New Yorker and Vanity Fair – on Tuesday released its 38th annual Readers’ Choice Awards, in which 757,109 people voted for what they believed to be the best big cities in the country. 

Columbus ranked at No. 8, with the magazine highlighting how the city’s food scene “draws visitors from far and wide.” Condé Nast Traveler pointed to Columbus’ international food options – such as Himalayan cuisine – and its burgers.

“Columbus has long been lauded for its burgers – it was here, after all, that Wendy’s first got its start,” the magazine wrote. “That claim to fame has never diminished, and there are travel-worthy burgers all around town, from the gooey, overloaded sandwiches at The Thurman Cafe to the surprisingly dazzling beet-and-bean veggie burgers at Northstar Cafe.”

Ohio’s capital also made the list last year, when it was ranked one spot lower at No. 9. 

For the ninth year in a row, Chicago took the No. 1 spot. The magazine applauded the city for its “impressive architecture, first-rate museums, brilliant chefs and massive brewing scene.”

“Most people start downtown – from the Magnificent Mile to the ritzy Gold Coast to funky Old Town – but there are 77 neighborhoods to explore, where you'll find cutting-edge restaurants, chilled-out corner bars, and, no matter where you go, some of the most pleasant people you'll find anywhere,” the magazine said. 

The full top 10 included:

1. Chicago
2. San Francisco
3. Milwaukee
4. Portland, Oregon
5. New Orleans
6. Washington, D.C.
7. San Diego
8. Columbus
9. New York City
10. Seattle

Condé Nast Traveler’s full 38th annual Readers’ Choice Awards can be found here. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- After more than a decade, Milo's Deli has reopened in Franklinton, returning to the Columbus neighborhood where the Pappas family has deep roots in the local food scene.

The deli opened its doors on Oct. 2 at 401 W. Town St., taking over the space formerly occupied by Strongwater Food & Spirits, which closed in 2023. Owner Louie Pappas, who also runs Milo's Catering, purchased the property last year and announced plans in May to revive the longtime Columbus eatery.

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"We're making deli dreams come true today," the business wrote on social media. "Our doors are officially open and the crew is at the counter, ready to take you order."

• (Courtesy Photo/Milo's Deli)
• (Courtesy Photo/Milo's Deli)
• (Courtesy Photo/Milo's Deli)
• (Courtesy Photo/Milo's Deli)

Milo's Deli originally opened in 1998 at 980 W. Broad St. and operated for 16 years before closing in 2014 to focus on the catering side of the business. The original West Broad Street location now serves as the headquarters for Milo's Catering.

The new deli is not too far from another Pappas family business: Tommy's Diner at 914 W. Broad St., owned by Louie's brother, Michael Pappas. Their father, Athanasios "Tommy" Pappas, founded the diner more than 30 years ago and was a fixture in the local dining scene until his death in December 2024.

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Milo's reopening marks a return to the neighborhood for the Pappas family, whose businesses have served Franklinton for decades. The new deli space has been updated with a reimagined menu. Milo's Catering continues to operate Strongwater's former event venue on the same property.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- One person was killed Tuesday morning in a shooting in east Columbus.

The shooting happened at about 11 a.m. in the Eastmoor area near Templeton Road and South James Road, according to a police dispatcher. A victim was taken to an area hospital in critical condition and was later pronounced dead.

The shooting occurred near the Mason Run Career Prep charter school.

A male suspect has not been named but police said he remains at large.

No other details were immediately available.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The remains of a central Ohio man found dead in Franklin County over 35 years ago has been identified thanks to forensic genealogy.

According to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, skeletal remains of a man found dead in 1989 have been identified as belonging to Ernest Emerson Carter.

Whitehall mayor lays out agenda for community improvement A digitally enhanced photo of Ernest Carter from June 1948 when he was 25 years old. (Courtesy: Ohio Attorney General's Office)

Carter's remains were discovered on Nov. 3, 1989 on Walcutt Road, south of Trabue Road, in the far west side of Columbus. It is believed he was 66 years old, though the attorney general’s office said little is known about his life or the manner in which he died.

A deep dive investigation into Carter’s identity began in 2000 after the Franklin County Coroner’s Office submitted his remains to BCI investigators, who used Project Link, an initiative that collects DNA samples from unidentified human remains and from people with missing loved ones in hopes of finding a match.

Zero leads were generated for over 20 years, but in 2024, Porchlight Project, a nonprofit organization which funds forensic genealogy for families of the missing and murdered, assisted in the investigation. A family tree was built to help locate a close relative and a DNA match was used to confirm Carter’s identity.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- No. 1 Ohio State is getting ready for its second game against a ranked opponent, but this time it'll be on the road.

The Buckeyes (5-0) will play Saturday at No. 17 Illinois, with kickoff set for noon. Coach Ryan Day will address the media about the game at noon on Tuesday. You can watch Day's comments live in the video player above.

Ohio State opened its season as the preseason No. 3 team and played preseason No. 1 Texas, and what followed was a 14-7 win at Ohio Stadium.

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Looking ahead on the schedule, after Illinois, only one ranked team remains, in the season-ending game on Nov. 29 at No. 15 Michigan. The Buckeyes still have a home game Nov. 1 against Penn State, but the Nittany Lions, along with the Longhorns, dropped out of the Top 25 this week.

The Buckeyes enter this week's game off a 42-3 win over Minnesota. Illinois (5-1) is coming off a 43-27 win over Purdue.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A Dublin-based development firm will soon break ground on an $28.2 million apartment complex that is taking over the former Movies 11 at Mill Run. 

Dune Companies will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for its Reserve at Mill Run project on Thursday. The 120-unit complex will be constructed at 3755-3799 Ridge Mill Drive, which was home to Movies 11 until it closed in July 2023 and was demolished last year.  

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“By transforming the former Mill Run movie theater site, Dune Companies is revitalizing one of Hilliard’s aging properties into a vibrant residential community,” the company said in a news release. “The redevelopment replaces an outdated use with something the city truly needs: high-quality housing designed for today’s lifestyles.”

The complex at Mill Run, a large development spanning portions of Hilliard and Columbus, will include four three-story apartment buildings. Each building will have an adjacent surface lot, and three parking garages will be located throughout the property.

Two of the buildings will have 36 units each, while the other two will have 24 units each. Plans call for 40 one-bedroom units, each ranging from 730 square feet to 818 square feet; 74 two-bedroom units from 955 square feet to 1,043 square feet; and six three-bedroom units that are 1,480 square feet. Rent will range from $1,550 to $2,950 per month. 

• A rending of Reserve at Mill Run apartments. (Photo courtesy/Sean Hinds)
• A rending of the clubhouse for Reserve at Mill Run. (Photo courtesy/Sean Hinds)

“The Reserve at Mill Run will feature spacious floor plans, contemporary interiors and a thoughtfully curated mix of amenities,” the company stated. “Highlights include a fully upgraded clubhouse, a resort-style pool, fitness center, garages, EV charging stations, trash valet and more – all crafted to support a refined and connected lifestyle.”

Site work began in August to prepare for the construction of the apartments. The framing of the first two buildings are scheduled to start within the next month, according to Dune Companies.

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The firm expects the clubhouse and first 36-unit building to be constructed by May or June of 2026. The second 36-unit building is scheduled to be completed in July or August of 2026, and the two 24-unit buildings in September or October of 2026.

Mill Run is undergoing a variety of changes, including redevelopment of the former Steak ‘n Shake at 3635 Data Point Court, which will host two tenants that have yet to be announced. It is also preparing to welcome a luxury pet hotel and research and development facility. 

CENTRAL OHIO TRICK OR TREAT TIMES

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — As central Ohio prepares to host the premiere event of the Halloween season, otherwise known as trick-or-treating, an age-old question has arisen on social media.

Just days ago, a poster on the Nextdoor app asked the community, “Is 13 too old to trick or treat?” Nearly 200 comments poured in response to the familiar query about the top age to participate in the fall tradition.

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Many people felt Halloween fun should not have an age limit.

“Absolutely not. Let kids be kids as long as they can be,” said one commenter.

“No, never care their age if they are having fun and polite,” added another.

Other parents advised those handing out candy against quickly judging the age of trick-or-treaters, noting that appearances can be deceiving. One mother recalled the story of how her 12-year-old daughter, who stood 5 feet 8, was questioned about her age, despite wearing a costume and traveling with her young friends.

“I have a special needs daughter who is 27 but has the mind of a 12-year-old,” said one parent. “I DARE someone to say something.”

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“My 18-year-old with special abilities is excited to get a costume,” echoed another mom. “I dare anyone to turn her away!”

Another common theme was that having kids participate in the night's organized candy-grab was better than letting them get into mischief.

“I would rather see a 13-year-old trick-or-treating than out causing trouble on the street,” said one neighbor. “Actually, it’s kind of fun when they come to your door to talk to them for a minute about their costumes. It always seems like they’re having a lot of fun.”

“The way I see it, no matter the age, better to trick-or-treat than be out here causing problems or using drugs,” agreed another resident.

Some people felt that trick-or-treaters, regardless of their age, should adhere to a minimum standard of wearing a costume when asking for sweets.

“Not at all, but they definitely need to put some effort in and be dressed up in a costume,” suggested one person.

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“All I would like to see is they put a bit of effort into a costume or makeup,” said another neighbor. “My pet peeve is these kids showing up in street clothes with a pillow case.”

Out of all the comments, not one person said 13 is too old to trick-or-treat. Currently, Ohio does not have a statewide age restriction for trick-or-treaters. Some Ohio municipalities, such as Sandusky and Broadview Heights, limit trick-or-treating to those 14 or younger and those 12 and under, respectively.