Ohio News

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A second suspect in the brutal death of a 9-month-old was indicted in court on Wednesday.

According to court records, 29-year-old Anfernee Barthel has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and endangering children in connection with the death of an infant in the Italian Village neighborhood of Columbus.

Competency results for New Albany mass shooting suspect disputed

The infant was hospitalized after Columbus Fire medics were called to the 900 block of North 4th Street on reports of an unresponsive child just after 5 p.m. on Sept. 17. Columbus police were then contacted at about 6:30 p.m. by the hospital about the infant, who had reportedly sustained injuries believed to be caused by foul play.

The child was originally reported to have been hospitalized in extremely critical condition with traumatic injuries, including what prosecuting attorneys described as multiple fractures in the skull and neck, brain and carotid artery bleeding, and dilated pupils.

Court documents said the child was only being kept alive due to life support measures, and the Franklin County Coroner’s Office confirmed the baby’s death at Nationwide Children’s Hospital on Sept. 22 at 11:24 a.m. For a previous report on this story view the video player above.

Delaware County man among victims killed in NC mass shooting

The mother of the child, 30-year-old Billie Jo Tustin, reportedly told police that she would throw the child, including distances of up to 15 feet, spank him, and slap him in the face. She is charged with aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault, and endangering children.

Barthel, Tustin's live-in boyfriend, was named as a co-defendant, pleaded not guilty, and was issued a $750,000 bond on Wednesday in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. Tustin, who also pleaded not guilty, was issued a $1 million bond last week and ordered to have no contact with Barthel.

NEWARK, Ohio (WCMH) — A man accused in a mass shooting at a New Albany warehouse has been declared competent to stand trial, but his defense counsel plans to appeal Thursday’s ruling.

According to court records, a competency hearing was held for Bruce Foster III, who was indicted in May on 19 total charges related to the deaths of two people in a shooting at the KDC/One warehouse in February.

Ohio Senate overrides governor’s veto, eliminates levy options for schools

The shooting took place at the warehouse, in an industrial section of New Albany. Foster, an employee, had been working for several hours before opening fire and then leaving in a rideshare vehicle, authorities said.

Foster, who was found not competent to stand trial four months ago, is charged with four counts of murder, murder, four counts of aggravated burglary, two counts of attempted murder, two counts of felonious assault, and six counts of inducing panic, along with a firearm specification.

Witnesses reported Foster firing a handgun at people along a production line, including one victim who was shot at close range in the head. One of the shooting victims was able to get the handgun away from Foster, prompting Foster to then flee the building.

• Scene of a large police presence at a New Albany manufacturer on Feb. 5, 2025. (NBC 4/El Richards)
• KDC/One building (NBC4 Photo)
• Cars line up along with law enforcement vehicles outside the KDC/One building in New Albany following a shooting Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (NBC 4)
• A Columbus police SWAT unit responds to a tip at a residence near Morse Court Shopping Center. No arrests were made in connection to a New Albany Mass shooting, Feb. 4, 2025. (NBC4/Jackie Gillis)
• Multiple police vehicles outside a local hospital after a shooting at a New Albany manufacturer on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (NBC4)
• 
• This photo provided by New Albany Police, shows Bruce-Reginald-Foster-III, a suspect in a fatal shooting at an Ohio cosmetics warehouse, on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (New Albany Police via AP)

Approximately 150 people were inside the warehouse at the time of the shooting, with some not knowing about the incident until police arrived. Police arrested Foster about 12 hours later in an apartment in Weinland Park, north of Downtown Columbus.

At the time police said there was reportedly no altercation prior to the incident and witnesses reported that Foster arrived at work intoxicated and smelling of marijuana.

Foster was found not competent to stand trial twice before being treated to restore competency. He has since been released from Central Ohio Behavior Healthcare and was returned to Licking County jail.

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However, Foster’s attorneys are challenging the medical report and have requested a second opinion.

"On behalf of the defense we’ll stipulate to the report, and its admission into the record. But making the court aware we don’t agree with the ultimate conclusions and would be asking another doctor to review it,” attorney Brandon Shroy said. “If that doctor makes the same finding, then we’ll be proceeding sort of as per usual."

Arguments will be heard on Oct. 27 in what court records state will be an oral hearing on mental health evaluation.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Past and present Buckeyes will flood the campus area this weekend to enjoy Ohio State University's 113th homecoming. NBC4 has your homecoming guide for the weekend.

Ohio State Homecoming Parade

Friday, Oct. 3 at 6 p.m. -- Free

The Homecoming Parade is one of the university's largest and longest-running traditions. This year's grand marshal is Brutus Buckeye, who is also celebrating a 60th birthday this year. The parade marches from Ohio Stadium to the Ohio Union and will feature floats and banners from student organizations, college departments, community organizations and local celebrities.

Parade route for the Homecoming Parade (Courtesy: The Ohio State University)

Brutus will lead the promenade down Woodruff Avenue and along College Road. Both streets will be closed from 5:15-8:30 p.m. Friday, as will 19th Avenue; Annie and John Glen Avenue at Neil Avenue; 18th Avenue at College Road; and 12th Avenue between High Street and Neil Avenue. The parade will also be streamed online.

OSU enrolls 36% fewer first-year international students Homecoming Court

Saturday, Oct. 4 before the football game

Homecoming Court was first established in 1921, and the university continues to select students each year for their contributions on campus. The 20 court members were selected from an online application process that included written responses and a resume. All students have at least 60 credit hours completed and a minimum GPA of 2.5.

Ohio State University President Kristina M. Johnson (left) smiles with the 2022 homecoming court royalty, Shayna Kling (middle) and Kelsey Lowman (right) as the Buckeyes prepared to take on Rutgers on Saturday, Oct. 1 (Courtesy Photo/Maeve Walsh)

Each Homecoming Court member selected a charity or project to raise money for, and the students had raised about $20,000 as of Thursday. Causes include dementia care, central Ohio homeless youth organizations, and free legal services for Columbus immigrants.

All 20 students will be recognized as the 2025 Royal Buckeyes are crowned on Saturday before the football game.

Ohio State Homecoming Game

Saturday, Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m. -- tickets range in price, or watch on NBC4

No. 1 Ohio State will take on Minnesota at home Saturday night. Off a 24-6 win on the road last weekend, the Buckeyes (4-0) will be greeted back at Ohio Stadium for its first Big Ten home game. This week's Homecoming Game will be broadcast on NBC4.

COLUMBUS, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 13: Tight end Max Klare #86 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates a touchdown with Tight end Will Kacmarek #89 and Offensive tackle Ethan Onianwa #78 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second quarter against the Ohio Bobcats at Ohio Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images) Other events

Although the football game, parade and Homecoming Court are highlights of the weekend's festivities, there are plenty of other events for Buckeyes. Through Oct. 10, anyone can take part in the free Scarlet & Games scavenger hunt to find Brutus statues throughout the campus area. Buckeyes celebrating from afar can also take part via a virtual option.

On Saturday at 2:30 p.m., Men's Basketball is holding a free open practice at the Schottenstein Center. Anyone interested in getting a sneak peek of this year's Men's Basketball team is welcome to watch through 4:30 p.m. Each college and regional campus will also hold its own activities.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) - Meet Scottie! He is available at the Franklin County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center.

Scottie is 11 months old and is full of fun, according to the shelter. Shelter volunteers who spend a lot of time with Scottie say he is super sweet, loves to run around the play yard with his toys and will greet anyone who walks by.

The shelter says Scottie can play by himself, but loves to share his personality with his person. Scottie likes to receive attention and will give anyone all of the kisses. The shelter says he loves to just cuddle up and cuddle.

• Scottie (Franklin County Dog Shelter)
• Scottie (Franklin County Dog Shelter)
• Scottie (Franklin County Dog Shelter)

Right now, Scottie knows "sit" but he is very treat-motivated and will be easy to train in the future. He also takes his treats gently and is a great listener, according to the shelter. Along with being a well-behaved pup, Scottie also walks well on leash.

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If you want to give this sweet, loving dog a forever home, you can visit Scottie now at the shelter, located at 4340 Tamarack Blvd. in Columbus. His adoption fee is just $18, according to the shelter website. For the full list of adoptable dogs at the Franklin County Dog Shelter, visit their website.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- When Phillip Daniels gets to the line of scrimmage on Saturday night against Minnesota, he'll see more than a few familiar faces on the other side.

The Cincinnati native transferred to Ohio State from the Golden Gophers in the offseason, playing in 12 games in 2024 and making three starts.

With the Buckeyes, Daniels started in all four games at right tackle. Coach Ryan Day said he's earned his spot as a starter.

"He's made great progress. He's an Ohio player who has a lot of pride in this state. He knows what it means to be a Buckeye," Day said. "We love the intensity. We love the passion. We love how hard he plays. He gives us an edge. He continues to get better in everything that he's doing and he has a higher ceiling than where he's at right now."

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Junior left guard Luke Montgomery said Daniels plays with the biggest edge of all the offensive linemen.

"You learn that he's a kill-minded human being on the field. He loves putting people in the dirt, and you feed off of that as an offensive lineman. And he's kind of changed our group a little bit. We see a little bit of a different identity with our group this year," Montgomery said.

With Daniels set to face the school where he spent two seasons, he's become a valuable asset to the rest of the offensive line.

"He pretty much shared what he knew," left tackle Austin Siereveld said. "He's a little different this week. He's ready to go out there and compete on Saturday."

The Buckeyes think those emotions can add fuel to the fire against the Golden Gophers.

"This will be a big week playing his old team for sure," Day said. "But I think the guys appreciate what he brings every day."

Saturday's game against Minnesota kicks off at 7:30 p.m. and can be seen on NBC4.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — October kicks off with plenty of weekend events around central Ohio, from outdoor family fun to concerts, theater and sports.

Families can bring a blanket to Columbus Commons for CAPA’s free “Goosebumps” movie night on Thursday, with food trucks, giveaways, and a Columbus Crew appearance. New Albany’s Oktoberfest and the Latino Heritage Art Festival both offer free, family-friendly celebrations, while Darby Creek Day at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park features outdoor activities along the creek.

Fall festival season is in full swing with the Ohio Gourd Show at the Delaware County Fairgrounds and the Columbus Coffee Festival at Franklin County Fairgrounds. The Short North’s October Gallery Hop adds even more art, performances, and local shopping to the weekend.

Music and theater fans have a wide range of options. O.A.R. headlines a concert at Kemba Live! and hosts the Crazy Game of Hockey at the Ice Haus, while the Columbus Symphony performs “Scheherazade” at the Ohio Theatre. Denison University presents “The Grown-Up,” Shadowbox Live stages “Freak Show,” and “Sh!t-faced Shakespeare: Hamlet” offers an offbeat twist on the classic.

Ohio Stadium will light up once again on Saturday night as the Buckeyes face the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Free Sunset Movie: 'Goosebumps'

Columbus Commons, Thursday, Oct. 2, 7 p.m.
• Every Thursday in October, CAPA will present a free Halloween-themed outdoor movie at the Columbus Commons. Attendees can bring a chair or blanket, grab a drink at the bar, dinner at a food truck and enjoy complimentary popcorn. The family-friendly night will include giveaways and activities. Plus, there will be a special appearance by the Columbus Crew. The team will showcase its new black “Goosebumps” kit featuring bright yellow slime that glows under ultraviolet light. This event is part of a city-wide celebration of “Goosebumps” creator and Bexley native R.L. Stine.

62nd Annual Ohio Gourd Show and Festival

Delaware County Fairgrounds, Friday, Oct. 3 through Sunday, Oct. 5
• Gourds, gourd art, gourd music, gourd food and special programs are highlights at the Show.
This year, the “Artistry in Gourds” competition and “Gourd Costume Contest” are open to the public, with a cash prize for 1st place. Friday from noon to 5 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no entry fee.

O.A.R.'s Crazy Game of Hockey Weekend

Kemba Live!, Friday, Oct. 3
• On Friday, celebrate 25 years of Blue Jackets hockey with a special anniversary concert headlined by the platinum-certified band, O.A.R., which has deep ties to Columbus and the Blue Jackets. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $65.

Ice Haus, Sunday, Oct. 5
• On Sunday, O.A.R. presents the Crazy Game of Hockey at the Ice Haus, featuring celebrities, NHL athletes, former Jackets, and trick shot pioneers. Doors open at 12:30 p.m., puck drops at 1:30 p.m. Fan activities and entertainment. Proceeds benefit The John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation. Admission is $26.25 to $52.50

'The Grown-Up'

Michael D. Eisner Center for the Performing Arts, Denison University, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 3 and 4, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 5, at 2 p.m.
• “The Grown-Up” is a funny, bittersweet, and fantastical adventure about growing up. Ten-year-old Kai uses a magic crystal doorknob to travel through space and time to see his future. This production includes adult situations and strong language and may not be suitable for young children. See website for tickets.

Columbus Symphony: 'Scheherazade'

Ohio Theatre, Friday, Oct. 3, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 5, 3 p.m.
• An enchanting evening full of rich orchestral textures and evocative musical storytelling. The evening unfolds with Debussy’s Nocturnes. Each movement paints an impressionistic picture portrayed by the voices of the Columbus Symphony Women’s Chorus. Kaija Saariaho’s “Vers toi qui es si loin” is an exploration of longing and connection to what lies beyond our human existence. Finally, escape into Rimsky-Korsakov’s colorfully orchestrated “Scheherazade.” Tickets are $10.33 and up.

Columbus Coffee Festival 2025

Franklin County Fairgrounds, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 4 and 5, starts at 9 a.m.
• The festival features more than 40 coffee roasters, vendors and tea vendors from all over Ohio and the surrounding states. Attendees will receive a commemorative mug for sampling from the on-site coffee and tea vendors. Choose from a variety of ticket options to attend the event. Tickets range from all-day passes to two-day passes to single tickets throughout each day. Admission ranges from $20 to $75.

New Albany's Oktoberfest

Rose Run Park, Saturday, Oct. 4, noon to 10 p.m.
• A lively celebration in the heart of New Albany with traditional polka music, local food vendors, OSU on the big screen and a featured “Masskrugstemmen” or steinholding competition. This family-friendly event is free.

Latino Heritage Art Festival

Blockfort, 162 N. 6th St., Saturday, Oct. 4, 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• A family-friendly cultural festival where art comes alive through arts activities, live music, traditional games, and Latino food trucks. La Feria is a celebration of art, culture, and community, showcasing the creative expression of Latino heritage through live performances, interactive art, and games for all ages.

October Gallery Hop

Short North Arts District, Saturday, Oct. 4, 4 p.m.
• Visitors can view new work by various Ohio-based artists at locally owned galleries. This monthly event runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and features a dynamic blend of local creativity and community spirit. Featuring live performances, public art and locally-owned shops and eateries along High Street.

'Freak Show'

Shadowbox Live, Saturdays through Nov. 15 and Friday, Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m.
• Shadowbox Live's “Freak Show” is a Halloween-themed carnival of comedy sketches and haunting musical performances. Shadowbox sells tickets by the table to accommodate food and drink service before the show. Tickets range from $52 to $312.

Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers

Ohio Stadium, Saturday, Oct. 4, 7:30 p.m.
• Ohio State takes on Minnesota at Ohio Stadium.

Sh!t-faced Shakespeare: Hamlet

Southern Theatre, Saturday, Oct. 4, 8 p.m.
• Shakespeare’s greatest work gets the full boozy treatment. Performed in under two hours, this show includes profanity and brief nudity; audience members must be 18 or older to attend. Admission starts at $43.

Darby Creek Day

Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, Indian Ridge Picnic Area, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• A celebration of the anniversary of Darby Creek's designation as a Scenic River. Attendees can enjoy activities such as seining in the creek, observing live animals, participating in crafts, trying archery, and more along the banks of Big Darby Creek. Food trucks will be available on-site. This family-friendly event is free.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- An Ohio lawmaker has introduced a bill offering a state income tax credit to businesses that provide financial bonuses to employees who get married, framing it as part of a broader push to strengthen family structures. 

House Bill 342, titled the "Invest in Marriage Act," would grant employers a nonrefundable tax credit of up to $50,000 per year if they implement a "qualifying marriage bonus policy." Under the bill, employers would be eligible for a $1,000 credit for each employee who receives a marriage bonus of at least that amount.

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To qualify, employers must provide the bonus to any employee who submits a marriage license or marriage record. The legislation allows unused credits to be carried forward for up to five years.

Rep. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania), the bill's primary sponsor, said the legislation is intended to incentivize marriage by engaging employers in supporting family formation.

"We've been looking at the studies, not only studies from conservative groups like [the Center for Christian Virtue] but also from BGSU on the outcomes of children that are raised in single parent households, specifically single mother households, and the detrimental impact that it can have," Williams told NBC4. "Our society has been getting away from incentivizing marriage."

Williams added that the bill is also a response to what he said are disincentives built into public assistance programs, which he argues discourage two-parent households.

"We have, you know, the marriage penalty when it comes to other public assistance programs," he said. "We just thought of a way to be able to incentivize marriage here in the state of Ohio, and we wanted to make sure that the employers were engaged in that encouragement."

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Williams said the $1,000 minimum bonus was chosen to ensure it would be meaningful to employees and could potentially influence hiring or employment decisions.

"We thought $1,000 minimum seems like a reasonable bonus amount, and something that an employer will be kind of vested in to provide," he said. "Maybe Company A offers this bonus, and Company B does not. And a qualified employee wants to make the decision on where he wants to be employed at."

H.B. 342 is part of Williams' "Family First Agenda," a suite of proposals focused on strengthening nuclear families in Ohio. Other bills include a measure to designate the weeks between Mother's Day and Father's Day as Natural Family Month, a tax credit for in vitro fertilization, and others aimed at supporting parenthood and marriage.

"It is a group of bills that we intentionally designed to promote family units here in the state of Ohio," Williams said. "We want Ohio to be a place where people want to… meet their spouse, get married, plant their roots right here in Ohio, and raise a family."

Ohio work group reveals property tax relief suggestions: Here's what they mean

Democratic lawmakers and policy analysts have not yet publicly commented on H.B. 342. Critics of similar proposals in other states have expressed concern that tax-based marriage incentives can marginalize unmarried people and may not address deeper economic or social challenges facing families.

The bill has been referred to the Ohio House Ways and Means Committee but has not yet received a hearing.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio's Property Tax Reform Work Group released its final report this week, offering 20 proposals to provide relief.

The 11-member group had until Tuesday to unveil its suggestions. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine appointed the group after vetoing measures this summer that would have provided tax relief at the expense of schools and services reliant on property tax revenue.

The group does not have the authority to implement changes, so it focused on suggestions that members thought Ohio legislators might be amenable to. The suggestions dive into complicated tax law, so NBC4 broke down each provision below.

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One suggestion limits entities from "carrying over" more than 100% of what they spent into the next fiscal year. If a school spent $1 million in FY 2026, they could not bring $1.2 million into FY 2027 without permission. This allows entities to save money where needed but prevents hoarding tax dollars.

Some changes would add more levies to the 20-mill floor, a complicated tax program that ensures school districts get at least 2% of their possible tax revenue. Districts making less can adjust tax rates to ensure they are getting the minimum amount.

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The group recommended including more levy types in the 20-mill floor, making it harder for schools to raise tax rates. They also recommended passing House Bill 186, which would stop districts at the 20-mill floor from increasing taxes at a higher rate than inflation.

Some recommendations are now obsolete. On Wednesday, the Senate voted to override one of DeWine's vetoes, eliminating emergency levies, which offer limited funding for day-to-day needs, or replacement levies, which expand emergency levies to reflect tax base changes. The group suggested limiting, not abolishing, emergency levies.

Supporting existing tax bills

The group threw its support behind House Bills 156 and 154, Senate Bill 42 and other existing bills. The first would freeze the amount of property taxes owed by qualifying long-term homeowners. The group suggested amending the bill to make it less expensive for the state while offering tax credits to low-income senior and disabled homeowners.

The group also supports ensuring school districts have a say before cities or counties give out property tax incentives for big developments. This protects districts from unexpected funding losses.

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Another supported idea adds Residential Stability Zones with limitations. The zones allow governments to set partial tax exemptions in designated areas. The group said this was a good idea, but recommended limits to ensure it is not overused.

The group suggested expanding eligibility for the Homestead Exemption, which gives tax reductions to eligible citizens. They also suggested implementing a property tax circuit breaker, which would refund a portion of a homeowner's bill if it equals too much income. Both ideas were introduced at the Statehouse, but could be costly.

County powers

One suggestion would allow County Budget Commissioners to reduce levies that are bringing in more money than is reasonably needed. DeWine vetoed a similar provision, fearing it would violate voters' will. The group's idea addresses his concern by requiring a public hearing before approving reductions.

The group suggested property tax levies that come from entities that don't have elected officials should be approved by county commissioners before making the ballot.

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The work group also recommended allowing levy boards to keep interest earned on levies, allowing for more income. County commissioners would still be allowed to recover any costs they spend helping to implement levies.

Ohio reappraises property values every six years, and does an update every three years. The work group said the current cycles differ from county to county, leading to possible inequities based on when those appraisals take place. The group recommended unifying timelines to be more equitable.

Support for homeowners

Ohio charges penalties when citizens are late on their taxes. The group said it was important to incentivize timely payments, but added fees can complicate residents' ability to pay. The group suggested revising the penalty and interest process for delinquent tax bills to offer some support for late payments.

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Seniors are among the hardest hit by rising property taxes. The group recommended creating a property tax deferral program for low-income seniors and disabled Ohioans who have lived in their home for at least 10 years. This could be costly but would protect those most vulnerable to tax hikes.

The group said legislators should address Ohio's "severe housing shortage." More housing means more people offering tax dollars, allowing lower rates to produce the same funds.

State changes

The group recommended several state-level fixes to reduce tax burdens. One suggestion was for the Ohio Secretary of State to approve an easily understood summary of what a levy does and how it will affect tax rates, offering more clarity at the ballot.

Group members also suggested implementing a more regular review of tax exemptions. They suggest exemptions that fail to meet their original purpose should be reconsidered or repealed.

The group hopes to prevent common tax abuses like the "LLC loophole." The loophole allows property transfers made by an LLC to go undisclosed to county auditors, therefore avoiding some taxes. The group suggests LLCs that buy residential or agricultural properties should have to disclose land transfers and pay related taxes.

Unsolved Ohio: Daughter seeks answers in father's 2023 disappearance

The group also suggested a system to more easily track people who claim tax credits in multiple counties when they should only be allowed to claim one. Counties don't have easy access to one another's information, so the group said unifying records could help identify systemic abuse.

Finally, they asked DeWine to form another work group tasked with improving government efficiency. They hope this group could help public services share resources, lowering costs and the need for more property tax revenue.

CAMBRIDGE, Ohio (WCMH) – About two years have passed since Jeffrey Fultz’s family has seen or heard from him, and his daughter said she wants answers regarding his “suspicious” disappearance. 

Fultz vanished from Cambridge, a Guernsey County city with a population of around 10,000, in 2023. Seventy-three years old at the time, Fultz had been living out his retirement after working various jobs throughout his life, including as a truck driver and at a local factory, his daughter Robin Crew said. 

“My dad, he has a great personality,” Crew said. “He's funny, easy to talk to, very friendly. … He and I have a great relationship.”

• Jeffrey Fultz and his daughter Robin Crew.
• 
• Jeffrey Fultz, Robin Crew and her mother.
• 

Crew, who lives in California, said she called Fultz to wish him a happy birthday on Nov. 28, 2023, but he did not answer. Crew stated she then called Fultz’s wife, who claimed she had not seen him recently and had kicked him out of their home because he had been drinking.

A few days later, Crew said she reached out to some of her family members, who said they were unaware that Fultz may have moved out. One of his cousins reported him missing on Dec. 9, 2023, according to a Cambridge police report.

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The report further states Fultz's wife told the cousin that the couple had separated in late October due to Fultz's alleged alcohol use. Crew said Fultz had a history of alcoholism, but others in his life maintained he was sober. 

“His friends that he's known his entire life shared with me that he protected his sobriety and that they just don't believe that he started back to drinking,” Crew said. “He had been sober for at least 10 years or so.”

The day Fultz went missing remains a mystery. According to the report, the cousin went to Fultz's residence on Dec. 9 before reporting him missing, and a man working on the property said he had not seen Fultz in "over a month." Fultz's friends also told the cousin they had not seen him in two months, the report says.

Fultz uses an oxygen tank that he cannot go long without, according to Crew. Since his disappearance, Crew said he has missed doctor’s appointments and his phone has been disconnected. His car and other belongings were found at the residence he shared with his wife.

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Cambridge residents participated in a search for Fultz in January 2024, and police held a search before that, The Daily Jeffersonian reported. Yet, Fultz remains missing. The police department has not publicly named anyone as a suspect in his case and told NBC4 it is limited in what it can share "as to not interfere with the ongoing investigation."

“I don't want to allow my mind to go down that road of theories,” Crew said. “I just want facts and the truth, and I’m fighting hard for that.”

Although Crew said she finds her father's sudden disappearance "suspicious," she is “at a loss” as to what happened to him and there has been little evidence to work with. She asked anyone who may know anything to speak up. 

“I think about it 24 hours a day,” Crew said. “It just pains me to the core that we don't know. The family, we need help, and that's coming from my heart.”

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At the time of his disappearance, Fultz was 5 feet 11, 150 pounds, and had brown eyes and gray hair, according to the national missing persons database NamUs. Today, he would be 75 years old. 

Anyone with information on his disappearance may contact the Cambridge Police Department at 740-439-4431.

If you’re a family member of an individual with an unsolved missing persons or homicide case in Ohio, reach out to aboldizar@wcmh.com.

POWELL, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Columbus Zoo and Liberty Township remain at odds over a $1 surcharge on zoo admission aimed at funding emergency services the township provides.

"We estimate that a typical run, regardless of any type of run, whether it's the zoo or to somebody's home, it's about somewhere around $3,500," Liberty Township fiscal officer Rick Karr said. 

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The Protect and Serve Charge officially went into effect Oct. 1 after township leaders delayed it by a month to give the zoo time to comply. But there are questions about whether the zoo is collecting it. 

When NBC4 tried buying a zoo ticket online Wednesday, there was no sign of the new fee, only the standard conservation and processing fee. 

"The idea of the fees is that there is an additional burden by nonprofit organizations when they have visitors, over 2,000 people per day, that they do create a safety burden to those in the township," Karr said.

Under Ohio House Bill 315, Ohio townships like Liberty can now add a fee of up to $1 per ticket to help cover the rising costs of these services. 

Zoo leaders filed a lawsuit against Liberty Township, arguing the law isn't meant for non-profits like itself, but a judge ruled the zoo qualifies as an entertainment venue and the township could impose the charge. 

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"We've said a number of times we're willing to sit down and have further discussions on coming up with a solution that might be more beneficial to both the zoo and the township and all those in the city of Powell," Karr said. 

The zoo has around 2 million visitors every year. That could mean an extra $2 million annually for the township. According to township leaders, those visits come at a cost, especially for medical runs. The township fire department made 87 emergency runs to the zoo last year, which cost the department close to $300,000.

"In addition to that, there's a lot of training and additional things that the fire department, EMS goes through in Liberty Township to support and provide all the additional services that the zoo may require if there is a variety of incidents that could happen at the zoo," Karr said.

The Columbus Zoo issued the following statement to NBC4: 

"We believe that Liberty Township has no legal authority for this tax to be imposed on our guests. We are continuing to make our legal case, and at this time since we are in litigation, we cannot make any further comments."

Ohio Senate overrides governor’s veto, eliminates levy options for schools

According to Liberty Township, the Protect and Serve Charge is not a tax; it is a designated service fee collected by the venue and remitted to the township to directly offset the costs of police, fire, and emergency medical services needed to safeguard guests and staff at high-capacity venues.

"The trustees foresee that we'll continue to play this out in Delaware Common Pleas Court and continue to focus on moving forward with the protect and serve fees," Karr said.

Since this is an active legal matter, the zoo directed NBC4 to its attorneys for further comment, but we've yet to hear back. 

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (WCMH) -- Reynoldsburg City Schools was in a tough financial situation after its levy failed in November 2024, and it was forced to cut millions of dollars from the operating budget.

While the district’s finances have improved, leaders said they are now facing uncertainty from the Ohio Statehouse.

Lawmakers are looking to override some of the governor’s vetoes from the state budget, like a limit to the amount of cash a district can carry over. Reynoldsburg’s school board discussed this during a special meeting Wednesday.

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“I don’t know where we are with some things such as the 20-mill floor, the cash balance,” Reynoldsburg School Board President Angela Abram said. "Property tax, yeah. So those are the three main things that come to mind that I know will have an impact on how the district manages its money going forward.”

District leaders presented the most recent five year forecast, showing the district’s financial situation has stabilized.

The district recently cut $8.5 million from its operating budget, which included laying off 51 teachers, at the end of last school year.

“Because we made the necessary reductions that were recommended by our team, we are in a better place now, so I think it'll be a little while before we would need to go to our voters to ask for additional funding,” Abram said.

Reynoldsburg Treasurer Emily Hatfield said the numbers from the five-year forecast could change depending on what happens at the Statehouse over the next few months.

How will government shutdown affect central Ohio?

“It’s really just making sure that everything's lining up the way that we thought it would,” Hatfield said.

Lawmakers and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine have been at odds over how much property tax revenue school districts across the state should receive, especially as home prices rise. For now, at Reynoldsburg schools, it’s time to wait and see.

“We are just trying to do our best with the information we have and we will just continue to make adjustments as needed,” Abram said.

Reynoldsburg Schools has another five-year forecast due in February and leaders hope they’ll have more concrete answers on finances by then.

Abram encouraged community members to reach out with any questions; find contact information for school board members by clicking here.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- City leaders are sitting down to answer questions about an almost $2 billion ballot issue in November.

Columbus voters will be asked to vote on the largest bond package in city history. If passed, it will fund many projects across the city, including affordable housing, public safety and neighborhood development.

A bond package allows city leaders to use this money without raising taxes. The city borrows this money and repays it over time.

On Wednesday, Mayor Andrew Ginther and councilmember Nick Bankston spoke about this package to help voters further understand what is at stake.

"This is a critically important period in our city's history," Ginther said. "We know we're going to continue to grow. So we have this moment, we have this time. And even with all the chaos and craziness at the federal and state level, this is a chance for us to invest in ourselves, control our own destiny, create jobs, invest in infrastructure, without raising taxes."

Ginther said he knows it's a big sum of money but said he hopes to continue educating people that it won't raise their taxes.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The Columbus Division of Police is continuing a partnership with the National Insurance Crime Bureau to address fraud and other crimes related to insurance. 

“If you think about all of the things that insurance is involved with, it's a pretty wide span of investigations," Columbus Assistant Police Chief Greg Bodker said.

The NICB is donating as many as six vehicles to the department. The NICB has been helping the division in this way since 2015, according to Bodker. The vehicles won't become traditional police cruisers; they are regular cars that detectives could use to investigate any crimes connected to insurance. 

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“Could be our intelligence analysts have identified an area they believe there are going to be motor vehicle thefts, and they might utilize those cars to be in that area when those motor vehicle thefts are attempted," Bodker said.

Examples of crimes the cars can be used to help prevent or investigate include car break-ins, car thefts, and fraud, according to Bodker.

“We work together really to investigate fraud, sharing intelligence, investigation information, ultimately to protect our insurers and protect consumers to fight fraud," John Sokit, Nationwide's associate vice president of Recovery and Special Investigations, said.

The vehicles have been reclaimed by Nationwide Insurance, then donated to the police department through the NICB. Bodker said every vehicle can make a difference.

“Any one vehicle certainly helps us to further investigations and provides us the ability to really scale investigative units," he said.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- For some people in Ohio, a gameday in Ohio Stadium is just a ritual event. 

For many others, it's a life goal.

Tickets are expensive. Parking is expensive. Even some of the most hardcore Buckeye fans have never set foot in Ohio Stadium for an actual game. 

"This experience will make you be a Buckeye forever,” said Nate Evans, a life-long Buckeye fan who saw his first game in the stadium in 2001. 

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Every gameday at Ohio Stadium is somebody's first game. For Ohio State's home game against Grambling State on Sept. 6, ticket prices were the cheapest listed prices for the entire season. Many season ticket holders were willing to part with their seats, and they found thousands of interested fans eager to take their place. 

Just outside the rotunda of the stadium, Kane McCarrick and his dad had just finished watching the Buckeye players walk into the stadium. Kane, a 13-year-old from St. Louis, adopted his Ohio State fandom from his dad.

"We got two tickets last minute, really good seats, too,” he said.

Kane, like many young people in the crowd, was eagerly anticipating his first-ever gameday.

"It's freaking huge as I see it up close. It's just kind of crazy to me,” he said. 

Mike Rusk and his son, Hudson, drove in from Belpre for Hudson's first-ever game. 

"I'm a pretty big fan. I've been a fan for as long as he's showed me,” Hudson Rusk said.

The Rusks watch every game together at home. 

"I can't wait to see him watch the band come in... Script Ohio,” Mike Rusk said. “I just kind of like getting him caught up on everything we've seen on TV together, but not in person.”

Also outside the rotunda was a woman named Rose Reinecke. She proudly wore her Ohio State t-shirt and a pink, flower-themed visor. Rose is a 73-year-old retired nurse from Norwalk. 

"I want to see a win, I want to see the band,” she said. 

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Reinecke has been a Buckeye fan most of her life, but had never stepped on OSU's campus until that day. Her neighbors brought her along so she could check an in-person game off of her to-do list. 

"It would be in comparison to when I went to New York City for the first time and saw the Statue of Liberty and just cried like a baby,” she said. "This is heritage. This is tradition. This is, you know, history in the making every week."

The McCarricks had seats in 18A, while the Evans family took the covered approach in 12B. Nate says he used the crowd and the pillars which can block the view in B-deck as teaching moments for his three sons, including 7-year-old Tuff Evans.

"There's always going to be somebody in front of you unless you're in the very front, so he's got to learn to bob and stand and weave,” Nate Evans said.

The Rusks posted up in 23A, with a clear view of Ohio State's offensive line warmups. Hudson plays offensive line at his school.

"They kind of impressed me because my coach always tells us how to do it and they did it perfectly,” Hudson Rusk said.

And in 23C, Reinecke got her wish: to see the Best Damn Band In The Land with her own eyes. 

"I could see perfectly,” she said. “I don't need binoculars or anything, and I thought about bringing them.”

Reinecke also took in the sheer size of the building, which holds more than 107,000 people. "The enormity of it... I didn't think it would go up that high. It's just so large.”

And as the Buckeye team took the field for the game, music screeched from the stadium speakers and pyrotechnics launched fire into the sky. It was a moment Mike Rusk said it was hard for his son to hide his joy.

"Lit up like the 4th of July. I'm just so excited for him to be here,” he said. 

Reinecke agreed.

"It's just a joy come true,” she said. “It's a dream come true."

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A local economist predicts Ohio will see less of an impact than other states from the government shutdown. 

Ben Ayers, a senior economist with Nationwide, said the biggest impact will be on federal workers. He said there are around 83,000 federal workers in Ohio, about 15,000 in Columbus. 

“So you're talking about impacts on some of the areas that were tied to that work that the federal workers are doing now,” Ayers said. “Those workers are on leave, they're on furlough, and they're not going to be working. So some of those activities, projects might start to shut down, at least temporarily.”

Judge tosses lawsuit, rules Columbus not liable for cyberattack

However, some local organizations are staying alert to help those in need. 

“We'll see how long the shutdown goes and what it means for Central Ohio families,” Mid-Ohio Food Collective Senior Vice President of Communications Mike Hochron said.

Hochron said the collective is already facing high demand, adding that the service numbers are currently 58 percent higher than during peak need in the pandemic. He said the collective expects that number to grow with the shutdown.

“When you look at the many thousands of families in central and eastern Ohio who are federal employees, work for federal contractors, those are folks who don't know yet whether they may have a disruption in their paychecks, and a lot of hardworking people are just one paycheck away from needing help to meet all their basic needs,” Hochron said.

He said they have a long-standing system in place to be able to provide in times like this, but the longer the shutdown, the more complicated it gets.

Ohio Senate overrides governor’s veto, eliminates levy options for schools

“It's too early to speculate on what the future might hold,” Hochron said. “We're hopeful that, you know, it's not a long shutdown and, you know, there's minimal disruption in people's lives.”

Ayers believes the shutdown will be short-lived.

“It's a pretty small impact from a broad economic perspective, but each week this goes on, that impact builds and you're talking about pulling away growth, going-away activity impacting people's livelihoods,” Ayers said.

We’ve reached out to some of the federal workers in central Ohio.

A spokesperson for the federal courts said, “All judicial operations will continue through Friday, October 17, by using court fees and other available balances.

“Should fees and balances be exhausted before Congress enacts a continuing resolution or full-year funding, the judiciary would then operate under the terms of the Anti-Deficiency Act. Federal courts would continue operating but would be limited to activities needed to support the exercise of the judiciary’s constitutional functions and to address emergency circumstances.”

A spokesperson for the Defense Logistics Agency in Whitehall said 99 percent of employees are not affected by the shutdown. She said they are funded through the Defense Working Capital Fund. However, some smaller organizations and DSCC tenants funded through direct appropriations may have been impacted and would’ve received furlough notices.

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“We typically see is that activity picks back up later. So it's a very short-term temporary impact," Ayers said.

Hochron said the food collective does not rely too much on federal funding, but rather on community partners, so they aren’t too concerned about keeping up operations.

“No matter how long the shutdown lasts, we're going to be here for our local community. And we're going to rely on our community to help make sure that nobody goes hungry,” Hochron said.

He said donations are helpful in this time of high need. He said more information on how to donate is on their website.

GALENA, Ohio (WCMH) -- A Delaware County man is among the victims killed during a mass shooting at a North Carolina waterfront bar this past weekend.

According to a statement from the City of Southport, North Carolina, Michael Durbin, 56, of Galena, was one of three people killed in the Saturday night shooting at the American Fish Company.

Ohio Senate overrides governor’s veto, eliminates levy options for schools

Southport police said one man on a boat opened fire into the bar, killing three and wounding five others. The man, later identified as 40-year-old Nigel Max Edge, then fled the scene in the boat; he was arrested a few miles south of the bar.

Edge has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degree murder, and five counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injuries.

In addition to Durbin, Solomon Banjo, 36, of Charlottesville, Virginia, and Joy Rogers, 64, of Southport, were killed in the shooting, which police have described as "highly premeditated" and "targeted."

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Ohio Senate successfully voted to override one of Gov. Mike DeWine's line-item budget vetoes, eliminating some levy options for schools in hopes of providing property tax relief.

While signing Ohio's two-year budget this summer, DeWine vetoed 67 provisions, including new restrictions on property tax levies. The House reconvened over the summer and successfully voted to override the property tax levy restrictions, and on Wednesday afternoon, the Senate followed suit. With a 21-11 vote, Ohio will no longer allow schools to place some levies on the ballot. See previous coverage of the House vote in the video player above.

School districts and political subdivisions can no longer levy replacement levies, and schools can no longer levy fixed-sum emergency, substitute emergency and combined income tax and fixed-sum levies. All of these levies involve property taxes, and schools typically use them to fund day-to-day operations, like salaries or key services.

• Fixed-sum emergency levy: An emergency levy that generates a set amount of money every year, as some levies fluctuate.
• Substitute emergency levy: Substitutes an existing emergency levy, typically when new properties have been added to the tax base.
• Combined school district income tax and fixed-sum property tax levy: Allows districts to combine two levy types, an income tax levy and a levy that generates a set amount of money annually, as one issue.

All about new laws taking effect in Ohio

Replacement and emergency levies both came under fire for what some lawmakers believed to be confusing language. On Tuesday, Ohio's property tax reform group similarly recommended adjusting replacement and emergency levies out of similar concerns, although they had recommended allowing emergency levies during true fiscal concerns.

However, school districts and DeWine worried these levies are important revenue sources. Opponents also feared removing these levy types may not provide meaningful relief for taxpayers.

The move just barely passed the Senate, which needed 20 votes in favor to concur the House vote. The law involves all emergency and replacement levies introduced after Jan. 1, 2026, so replacement and emergency levies on the ballot in November will still be valid.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A judge tossed a class action lawsuit against the City of Columbus over a 2024 cyberattack, ruling that the city is not liable because it is a political subdivision protected under Ohio law.

NBC4 Investigates revealed that the private, sensitive information of half a million people was leaked on the dark web as a result of the attack, despite the mayor’s claim that the data lacked value.

The city argued that it was not at fault for the attack and asked for the suit to be dismissed. The plaintiffs argued the city owes a duty of care to protect personally identifiable information because it is collected and stored. Watch previous coverage in the player above.

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Judge Carl A. Aveni ruled that the plaintiffs showed evidence of injury and that the injuries are traceable to the city's actions. However, he agreed with the city's argument that its IT infrastructure falls under "governmental functions" and therefore the city is immune from liability under Ohio's Political Subdivision Tort Liability Act.

"The Court does not reach its conclusion in this matter lightly," Aveni wrote. "Plaintiffs have allegedly suffered meaningful harm, through no fault of their own. Were the Defendant a private actor, instead of a political subdivision, Plaintiffs' tort claims would almost certainly survive a motion to dismiss, allowing them to test their suit, shoulder their burden of proof, and seek whatever redress their evidence and the law might allow. All of that is thwarted here."

The lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice, meaning it cannot be filed again.

"We are pleased that Judge Aveni agrees with the city's position that in today's world, maintaining IT services is as fundamental a city service as shoveling snow or filling potholes," the city said in a statement. "We remain firm in our belief that the City of Columbus and its leaders have acted to protect Columbus residents and the city's technology systems, and that any harm resulting from this incident lies with the Rhysida threat actors who sought to profit from attacking our city and our residents."

A spokesperson for one of the plaintiffs said they plan to appeal the ruling.

NBC4 Investigates found confidential information about undercover officers and criminal cases on the dark web after the cyberattack.

"While we are disappointed with the ruling, we respect the judge and look forward to appeal process," said Brian Steel, president of the local lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

GAHANNA, Ohio (WCMH) – Gahanna has tapped a developer for a $100 million overhaul of its Creekside District that could add housing, restaurants, a hotel and more along Mill and North High streets.

During a Sept. 22 committee meeting, Gahanna City Council considered a development agreement with the Columbus-based companies Connect Real Estate and Benson Capital, a private investment firm.

The ordinance will have its first reading on Oct. 6 and be discussed further at another meeting on Oct. 13, a councilmember said at the Sept. 22 meeting. If approved, the partnership would pave the way for a two-phased redevelopment of nearby vacant properties. 

In the first phase, developers would buy 10 properties, located on both the west and east sides of Mill Street between Carpenter Road and Walnut Street, from the Gahanna Community Improvement Corporation, a nonprofit group that is also part of the agreement.

After demolishing these structures, developers would construct two seven-story buildings on either side of Mill Street that would collectively consist of 263 apartments, a 55- to 70-room hotel, two restaurants, including one on a rooftop and a parking garage. The two buildings would be connected by a pedestrian bridge, and the ground floors would offer retail and office space, according to city documents. 

• A conceptual, unofficial rending of the redevelopment of Gahanna's Creekside district. (Photo courtesy/City of Gahanna)
• A conceptual, unofficial rending of the redevelopment of Gahanna's Creekside district. (Photo courtesy/City of Gahanna)
• (Photo courtesy/City of Gahanna)

In phase two, developers would build 24 townhome units on three parcels, located north of Town Street and south of Walnut Street, that currently make up a city-owned parking lot. Each unit would have first-floor parking and a private patio. 

"This catalytic mixed-use concept will bring much-needed vibrancy to the area by redeveloping blighted and vacant properties, adding more residents, visitors, foot traffic and commercial spaces to financially support the businesses in Creekside," Gahanna Economic Development Director Jeff Gottke wrote in a letter to City Council.

Phase one of the project would be completed no later than three years after receiving the necessary governmental and financing approvals. The construction of phase two would begin after the first phase is finished. 

Under the agreement, Connect Real Estate would also construct a multipath extension to Carpenter Road and add a public art installation in Lintner Park. The company also agreed to financially support community organizations and create internships for local high school students, city documents say. 

The two-phase plan is a result of multiple years of work by the city and the CIC to redevelop the Creekside District. In 2022, the CIC began acquiring the properties with the intention of supporting a large mixed-use development. 

In a separate, parallel project, the city has been considering revitalizing its Creekside Plaza, located at 117 Mill St., by installing an amphitheater, splash pad and other amenities. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A new Mediterranean restaurant from a local chef is set to open in the Columbus riverfront space once home to Milestone 229, nearly a year after the long-standing eatery closed its doors.

Restauranteur Josh Dalton, known for concepts including Veritas, Speck Italian Eatery and 1808 American Bistro, is bringing a new dining experience to 229 S. Civic Center Drive in Bicentennial Park, next to the Scioto Mile Fountain. The yet-to-be-named restaurant is expected to open in spring 2026, ahead of the scheduled summer reopening of the fountain.

• The yet-to-be-named Mediterranean restaurant is expected to open in spring 2026. (Courtesy Photo/Sketch Blue)
• The yet-to-be-named Mediterranean restaurant is expected to open in spring 2026. (Courtesy Photo/Sketch Blue)
• The yet-to-be-named Mediterranean restaurant is expected to open in spring 2026. (Courtesy Photo/Sketch Blue)

The new concept will feature cuisine inspired by coastal regions from Barcelona to Lebanon. The menu will include small plates, dips and spreads, Mediterranean-style handhelds and reimagined entrees, along with desserts and a curated beverage menu, a press release said. Dalton also plants to offer drinks designed to be enjoyed within the City Center designated outdoor refreshment area.

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The restaurant's interior will seat nearly 100 guests, with additional lounge and patio seating available during warmer months.

Milestone 229, which operated in the same location for 14 years, closed at the end of 2024 after the restaurant and the city were unable to reach new lease terms. Known for its skyline views and American fare menu, Milestone was a popular spot for celebrations and casual dining along the Scioto Mile. Watch a previous NBC4 report on Milestone's closure in the video player above.