Ohio News

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Sherrod Brown announced on Monday he will run for the U.S. Senate once again, setting the stage for a 2026 showdown against Republican Jon Husted.

Brown's comeback bid re-enters him into the national spotlight just over a year after narrowly losing re-election in 2024. The 72-year-old Democrat represented Ohio in the Senate from 2007 to 2025 and has remained active since his departure through his nonprofit "Dignity of Work Institute." His campaign is already drawing national attention as Democrats look to reclaim control of the Senate.

Brown will be running in a special election, which will determine who finishes the remainder of J.D. Vance's Senate term. Vance vacated the seat in January to become vice president, prompting Gov. Mike DeWine to appoint then-Lt. Gov. Husted to fill the vacancy.

Supreme Court appeal reignites push to repeal Ohio's same-sex marriage ban

Husted, a longtime fixture in Ohio Republican politics, officially launched his campaign earlier this year and has quickly consolidated GOP support, including an early endorsement from President Donald Trump. Husted has more than $2.6 million in campaign funds and the backing of national conservative organizations.

Polls suggest the race will be competitive: an April poll by the Democracy and Public Policy Network at Bowling Green State University shows Husted leading Brown by three percentage points, within the margin of error.

As part of a press release Monday morning, Brown's campaign said, "Washington is making life harder for Ohioans by pushing reckless tariffs and economic chaos, spiking drug prices, ripping away health insurance and raising the deficit – all to give billionaires the largest tax cut in American history – Sherrod is running for Senate to make a real difference for Ohioans."

Democrats need to flip four seats in 2026 to retake the Senate majority, and Brown's return significantly improves their odds in Ohio. Despite Trump winning Ohio by double digits in 2024, Brown's past success in winning statewide has Democrats optimistic. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer reportedly met with Brown multiple times in Columbus to urge him to run.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The City of Columbus has hired a handful of furry, hoofed landscapers to help remove invasive plants at Antrim Park. 

Tracy Chesney operates a Columbus affiliate of Goats on the Go, a national organization that specializes in goat grazing. On Aug. 9, Chesney brought 20 of her goats, which are all around 3 years old, to Antrim Park in north Columbus. 

The goats are hard at work to remove invasive plants, such as honeysuckle shrubs and poison ivy, in a half-acre area bordered by an electric fence. Chesney said the goats are eventually supposed to graze a total of two acres, but containing them in smaller zones helps ensure they graze the whole area and do not just eat their favorite plants. 

Why AEP Ohio is reporting fewer power outages this year

“I always think of it as you're making sure they sit at the table and eat everything on their plate,” Chesney said. “It just helps them to focus.”

While Antrim Park visitors can see the goats, they cannot pet them. Chesney said it’s important that the little employees do not get distracted. 

“That is something that they're, I would say they're struggling with, but they're adapting to now, because they're naturally curious,” Chesney said. 

Most of Chesney’s customers want to avoid using herbicides and chemicals on their property, she said. Goats can also provide an alternative to the use of heavy equipment, which can cause erosion, especially on sloped lands.

‘End of an era:’ Kings Island to close long-standing ride

“There's really probably a place for all the tools we have and goats are just a part of that,” she said. “They'll really eat the soft parts on trees and weeds. But other than that, just like every other livestock, they're going to eat the green stuff, and that helps to suppress the growth of the plant.”

Many invasive plants reproduce by spreading seeds, but when goats graze on these plants, they significantly hamper the ability to reproduce seeds, according to Goats on the Go. Additionally, goat manure is beneficial to soil, acting as a natural fertilizer. 

“These invasive plants do really well in poor soil where our native plants don't,” Chesley said. “So adding the fertilizer back into the ground really does, especially over repeated grazing, have a huge impact.”

A few of Chesney’s goats also briefly visited Antrim Park in April to help her and the park prepare to launch the pilot program. This project marks the first time the city’s recreation and parks department has used goats at a park to tackle invasive plants, according to the agency's Communications and Marketing Manager Stephanie Garling. 

Ohio has one of highest tipping rates in U.S.

Garling said the goats’ services cost $4,100, which she called “much more cost-effective than other options.” A lot of the price tag comes from building the fence and Goats on the Go workers continuously monitoring the animals, according to Chesney.

Chesney’s team checks on the goats one to two times a day to ensure their health and safety. Park staff and local police also monitor the animals periodically during the day and night. 

How long the goats will stay at Antrim Park will depend on how much time it takes them to graze the area. Chesney estimated it will take the goats a total of three weeks to complete the job.

Goats on the Go is an Iowa-based company with about 65 affiliates across the country. Chesney said there are two other branches in central Ohio, amounting to a total of three affiliates in the state.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- It's back to school week for much of central Ohio, but decades ago students would still have some summer break left.

It used to be common for schools to return after Labor Day, but just three out of dozens central Ohio districts will begin after Sept. 1 this year. In Ohio, the switch to earlier classes came 30 years ago with an emphasis on school tests.

Beginning with the graduating class of 1994, Ohio legislators required public school students to take standardized tests in high school to ensure proficiency in key subjects. This was extended further in 2002 when the No Child Left Behind Act was introduced and mandated standardized testing.

List: Back to school dates for central Ohio’s 2025-26 school year

Today, Ohio requires students in grades 3-8 to take standardized tests in English and math, and grades 5 and 8 must also take a science test. High school students must also prove competency in English and Algebra, although state tests are just one way to achieve this requirement.

These tests are administered in the spring, starting in late March. As standardized tests became integral to measuring student and district success, schools began to start earlier to allow more time to prepare. If a test is in April, a mid-August to late May calendar offers more time to prepare than a September to June school year.

Although standardized tests drove the move toward earlier start dates, they are not the only factor. In central Ohio, 95% of school districts start between Aug. 10 and 23 this year, according to an analysis of back to school dates. However, some states' average start dates skew closer to the start of the month, and some trail into September.

Some states have laws dictating when they begin. For instance, Iowa has a law preventing schools from starting before Aug. 23 to ensure there is no crossover between school and the Iowa State Fair. Other states respond to local community wishes, such as in Georgia, where nearly three-quarters of schools have switched to an earlier start so they can have more breaks during the year.

Ohio grants school districts the right to choose when they start school, but most choose mid-August. The Ohio High School Athletic Association sets a start date for when sports can begin coaching, and most fall sports fall around Aug. 1. Schools are incentivized to go back by the time sports seasons begin in mid to late August.

Ohio has one of highest tipping rates in United States, analysis of Toast data finds

Starting in mid-August also allows Ohio students to have a clean break between semesters. A later start date pushes the end of the semester back, and some schools used to have semester exams after their winter break ended. Starting earlier helps ensure districts can wrap up the semester before the holidays so students aren't tested after weeks off from school.

Although most schools start earlier, no school is required to. Districts set dates to reflect the needs and expectations of their communities.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – As predicted last week by petroleum analysis experts, central Ohio got hit with another round of price-cycling, with the cost of gasoline jumping well above the $3 per gallon threshold.

According to GasBuddy’s survey of 500 stations in and around Columbus, Ohio, gas prices rose 14 cents in the last week to average out at $3.14 per gallon. The current price is 13.3 cents higher than four weeks ago but remains 31.6 cents lower than this time one year ago.

Columbus Gas Prices Tracker

The cheapest gas station in the Columbus area was priced at $2.72 a gallon on Sunday, while the most expensive was $3.30, a difference of $58 per gallon. In Ohio, the average price of gas also jumped by 13.2 cents from $2.92 per gallon to $3.05 per gallon

Nationally, gas prices did not budge, holding steady at $3.08 per gallon. The price of diesel dropped by 1.9 cents, settling in at $3.67 per gallon.

What is price cycling?

GasBuddy’s head of petroleum analysis Patrick De Haan says he expects more of the same in midwestern states, which typically go through larger, abrupt changes due to price-cycling strategies. Prices in Ohio, therefore, could experience a decline over the next couple of weeks.

“Price cycling markets once again led the biggest weekly price changes, with Ohio and Florida seeing a cycle and higher prices last week,” De Haan said. “For the majority of motorists in non-cycling states, gas prices will likely remain near current levels as we head toward Labor Day. However, it’s worth watching developments around a potential peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.”

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A push to repeal Ohio's same-sex marriage ban is gaining urgency after former Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis asked the U.S. Supreme Court last week to revisit Obergefell v. Hodges, the 2015 decision that legalized same-sex marriage.

Davis, who gained national attention a decade ago for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, is appealing a ruling that requires her to pay $360,000 in damages and legal fees to a couple she denied in 2015. In her petition to the high court, Davis argues the First Amendment shields her from personal liability and is calling on the justices to overturn Obergefell, which she claims was "egregiously wrong" and a threat to religious freedom.

Out in Ohio: 10 years after Obergefell, advocates warn marriage equality still at risk

"This flawed opinion has produced disastrous results," her legal filing states, "leaving individuals like Davis finding it increasingly difficult to participate in society."

This marks the first time since Obergefell was decided that the Supreme Court has been formally asked to reconsider marriage equality. The move has alarmed LGBTQ+ advocates in Ohio, where a 2004 constitutional amendment still defines marriage as only between a man and a woman -- language that remains on the books despite being unenforceable under current law.

A preemptive strike

Ohio Equal Rights, a grassroots organization, is collecting signatures to place a constitutional amendment on the 2026 ballot that would repeal the state's same-sex marriage ban.

"Regardless of what the Supreme Court decides this time, attacks on our rights will keep coming," the group said in a statement. "We're fighting to repeal Ohio's gay marriage ban so marriage is protected here -- no matter what happens federally."

Lis Regula, executive co-chair of Ohio Equal Rights, said in a previous NBC4 interview that the effort is about ensuring state protections remain in place, especially if Obergefell is overturned.

Ramaswamy sets Ohio record with $9 million for governor’s race; Acton at $1.4 million

“Just in case Obergefell falls, we want to not have that trigger language in Ohio's constitution anymore," Regula told NBC4 in a previous interview. "It's not right, knowing all the advantages and all the privileges that come with being able to be married to someone, that marriage should be only for certain people and not for others."

The concern is not unfounded. In 2022, when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in a concurring opinion that the court should also reconsider other substantive due process rulings, including Obergefell.

Legislative backing

Democratic lawmakers at the Ohio Statehouse have echoed these concerns. In June, they introduced a resolution to place their own marriage equality amendment on the 2026 ballot. A similar effort last year, to align Ohio law with the federal protections of Obergefell, stalled in committee.

Ballot strategy and hurdles

Ohio Equal Rights is also collecting signatures for a separate amendment that would add broad anti-discrimination protections to the state constitution -- covering race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and more. The group initially sought to combine the marriage and discrimination initiatives into one amendment, but the Ohio Ballot Board voted in July to split them into two.

Ohio bill inspired by leaf blower theft aims to revise state’s definition of burglary

To qualify for the 2026 ballot, the organization must gather signatures from at least 10% of voters from the last gubernatorial election, spread across at least 44 of Ohio's 88 counties. All signatures must be submitted and verified by the secretary of state at least 65 days before the election.

If successful, the proposals would follow in the footsteps of other constitutional amendments in recent years. In 2023, voters approved Issues 1 and 2, establishing the right to abortion and legalizing recreational marijuana, each with around 57% support. Another amendment, Issue 1 in 2024, aimed at changing how political districts are drawn, failed by a 53-47 margin.

COMMERCIAL POINT, Ohio (WCMH) - A fire at a Commercial Point property destroyed a barn and killed seven horses, and now the owners are left to pick up the pieces.

Firefighters were called just before 6:30 a.m. Thursday to the home near Commercial Point Road. The barn, owned by Bill and Diane Capretta, was home to their horse boarding business.

"It means everything to me,” Bill Capretta said. “It's where I do my horses every day. That's why we live here. I raised my family here. It's my life.”

‘End of an era:’ Kings Island to close long-standing ride

Capretta recalled the moments that are now burned in his memory.

“I was still in bed,” he said. “It was 6 o’clock, and my neighbor here was going out the driveway to go to work, and he saw nothing. No smoke, no nothing. Normal morning. And ten minutes later, his wife called and said, ‘Bill, your barn’s on fire.’ I'm thinking, OK, I can maybe get some of the horses out, but the whole hallway was already engulfed. I couldn't even get in there, you know? And, so, yeah, it was pretty, I don't have a word for it at this point. It was devastating. You just saw your whole life go away from you that you've done for 30 years.”

Capretta is a retired Columbus Police Officer; he served as president of the police union, the Fraternal Order of Police, for six years after that. Working as a police officer for three decades, he learned very young that he needed an outlet. That outlet became horses.

"I've been doing it since I was 24 years old,” he said. “I needed something to offset whatever I did. And I kind of like the cowboy life and, you know, I just, in the country life for sure. It was a great break and relief because I worked the street for 25 years on the late shift, on what they called paddy wagons or ambulance cruisers. So, we took all the, the bad runs and stuff like that. And, but when I came home, I wasn't all hung up with it. I had something else to go to.”

In his retirement, Capretta boarded horses for other clients. All seven horses that died in the fire belonged to clients.

Ohio has one of highest tipping rates in United States

"I know all my boarders personally and I knew it was going to affect them; for a couple of the girls, one was 23, I was 13, these girls love their horses,” Bill Capretta said. “They live for them, and it's no different than if they lost a family member.”

Both Bill and Diane Capretta are retired and now fight various health issues as well. The boarding business was a major source of income for them, and now it's gone. The community has already stepped up for them. 

“The family would like everyone to know what a humbling experience this has been,” Kendall Capretta, their daughter, wrote. “When you’re from a farm town, it could happen to anyone. We can’t thank the community enough for banding together to help at a time like this. Friends, and even strangers. Neighbors from miles down the road we’ve never met, rushing here with their equipment to help. Pick'Em Up Joe Coffee Co. in Commercial Point donating their profits from Saturday. The Summer Market in South Bloomfield, taking donations. It’s been so special to see, and we couldn’t be more grateful. They’ve truly shown us what ‘community’ means.”

"When something bad happens, they all show up, you know, because most of them are farmers and they understand, that's country living. It was amazing," Bill Capretta said.

Scioto Township Fire Department and at least two other local fire departments were on the scene to put out the blaze, returning twice over the following days to extinguish hotspots. The question that still weighs heavily on Capretta, though, is how did the fire start?

Conversations are emerging about the Christopher Columbus statue that once stood outside of city hall

"The fire inspectors have been here,” he said. “They don't really know. When I saw the fire, it was in this right-hand corner right here. My hay was clear back in another barn and there was no new hay. It was brought in, that was all, been there all winter. So, they really don't know. All my electric was in conduit. It was put in right. It is very frustrating. You just have to assume something like that happens because it usually is either hay or electrical, because it went so fast. I mean, it looked more like electrical fire, you know? And I just don't know.”

Now the Caprettas are considering their next steps.

Capretta said he's gone through so many emotions since the fire, but he thinks there's still a path forward, with all the help from the community and his family.

"I'm 78 years old,” he said. “I start over, you know? Well, why not? I'm still here, you know, but I got to figure out how I'm going to do it because this is all going to be cleaned out. I got to build a new barn and start all over again. And, long as the good Lord keeps me here, I might as well do something. My goal at this point is to rebuild.”

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- AEP Ohio reports power outages caused by animals have been cut nearly in half since last year.

In June 2024, the company reported more than 1,100 outages caused by animals; this June, that number was 586.

Conversations are emerging about the Christopher Columbus statue that once stood outside of city hall

“In the last year especially, we've had a hard focus on how to prevent outages for customers,” AEP Ohio Columbus Operations Manager Dylan Brown said.

He credited this success to its animal mitigation system. In the last year, Davis said that AEP Ohio has invested more than $158 million into preventative measures for outages, including upgrading animal mitigation efforts. The most noticeable piece of equipment is black pole wrap.

“This is something you see on a lot of our poles," he said. "We install this to keep the animal from coming in at the base of the pole, up the pole and contacting our energized equipment, causing an outage."

AEP Ohio also installs spinners on its power lines.

“The squirrel or the raccoon would jump over this, trying to run down the line, and this spins it off,” he said.

Proposed German Village apartment complex again faces community pushback

Brown said they also install bushing covers, which keep animals from touching any energized sources.

“This is to protect the animal, too," Davis said. "You know, we're trying to prevent an outage. It's never easy to have an outage. Nobody wants to experience that. There's nothing nutritious about our equipment, our lines, anything. They're getting into our stuff, and then, at the end of the day, if they cause an outage, most likely the animal doesn't make it.”

Brown said AEP Ohio is still working to get the measures installed across Ohio. He said every time AEP workers respond to an outage, if the electrical pole doesn’t already have these deterrents, they will install them.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – This week on The Spectrum:

• Sherrod Brown appears to have made up his mind about his political future.

“I guess he wants, 50 years wasn’t long enough, and well, we’ll see if he actually runs,” Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) said.

Hear more from Husted about the possibility of facing off against Brown at the ballot box.

• Experts said Social Security will run out of money within the next decade if changes aren’t made.

“People have questions, people are concerned, people are frustrated, people are scared,” Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio) said.

“So, we're going to go, we're going to go through this thoughtfully, in a bipartisan way,” Rep. Mike Carey (R-Ohio) said.

Hear from Ohio lawmakers on what they are doing to try to shore up the program.

• Do utility companies have too much leeway with their regulators?

“It’s the utilities that have the opportunity to influence and change the auditor’s recommendation,” Ohio Consumers’ Counsel Director Maureen Willis said.

Why the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel said there needs to be more transparency in the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio’s audit process.

• Does Sherrod Brown have a chance to mount a political comeback and retake a seat in the Senate, or does Ohio’s political shift to the right make it an uphill battle? Republican strategist Will Hinman and Democratic strategist Brian Rothenberg weigh in.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Nine years after a 14-year-old boy was shot and killed while playing dice on the East Side, police remain without leads despite 50 possible witnesses to the crime.

The shooting occurred on May 9, 2016, when officers responded to home near the 800 block of South Weyant Avenue, near East Main Street in Eastmoor. Police located Armani Anderson, 14, who was shot in the torso and taken to Grant Medical Center in critical condition. For a previous report on this story view the video player above.

Trial date announced for accused killer of Morrow County sheriff’s deputy

Anderson, who died just before 6 p.m. that evening, was among a group of individuals playing dice when the drive-by shooting occurred at around 5:15 p.m. Police said that’s when a dark colored vehicle drove through an alley and an individual began firing shots out of the window.

A 21-year-old man, now 30, was also shot in the leg, but there were no other injuries reported. Detectives said about 50 people were present when the shooting took place, but no one has come forward with any information.

David Jones-Anderson, Anderson’s father, told NBC4 days after the shooting that he didn’t know his son was in Columbus that evening but said Armani wasn’t running with a rough crowd or getting into trouble.

“Everybody loved him. Like, goofy kid, liked to joke. Just a kid. If anything, they murdered a baby, for real,” Jones-Anderson said. “He died for something that wasn’t meant for him. Like, he wasn’t supposed to be over there. I don’t know who he was with, but I know he wasn’t supposed to be there.”

Central Ohio Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for any information leading to the arrest and/or indictment of the person(s) responsible for this crime. Anyone with information is asked to call 614-461-TIPS (8477) or visit www.stopcrime.org and submit your tip.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Ohio residents are among the most generous tippers in the United States, a recent study found. 

Toast, a restaurant management software platform that processes both in-person and online orders, recently released a report on trends in the food industry during the first quarter of 2025. The report analyzed data from the approximately 140,000 restaurants that use Toast.

The company identified the states that tip the most and least by looking at data from orders on its platform where a tip was added via a card or digital payment. Transactions without tips and cash tips were not included in the analysis. 

The company found that the average tip in Ohio was 20.6% – the fifth-highest percentage in the report. Residents of the Buckeye State tipped an average of 21.1% at full-service restaurants and 17.7% at quick-service ones. 

!function(e,n,i,s){var d="InfogramEmbeds";var o=e.getElementsByTagName(n)[0];if(window[d]&&window[d].initialized)window[d].process&&window[d].process();else if(!e.getElementById(i)){var r=e.createElement(n);r.async=1,r.id=i,r.src=s,o.parentNode.insertBefore(r,o)}}(document,"script","infogram-async","https://e.infogram.com/js/dist/embed-loader-min.js");

The state with the highest overall tipping rate was Delaware, at 22.1%, followed by West Virginia (21%), New Hampshire (20.9%) and Indiana (20.7%). The states at the bottom of the list were California (17.3%), Washington (17.8%), Nevada (18.2%), Florida (18.2%) and Louisiana (18.5%).

In the first quarter of 2025, tips at full-service restaurants rose slightly to 19.4% from 19.3% in the fourth quarter of 2024, Toast found. Tips at quick-service restaurants remained flat at 15.8% compared to the fourth quarter of 2024. 

ZANESVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) – Six co-defendants who pleaded guilty in connection with an attempted murder of a Muskingum County man could serve as many as a combined 83 years in prison.

According to the Muskingum County prosecutor, sentences were handed out this week to five of six remaining co-defendants for the shooting of a 21-year-old man who was misidentified as a local drug dealer.

The prosecution’s office said that on Dec. 9, 2024, seven people were responsible for the man's shooting at a suspected drug house on Swingle Street in east Zanesville. They believed the man had raped an acquaintance of Lovely Worden, who police said organized the group.

Suspect in fatal shooting near north Columbus bar arrested after police standoff in Springfield

Worden -- along with John Hoffer, Kayla Hargraves, Jamie Jarrett, Adam Johnson-Larimer, Christopher Johnson-Emmons and Jackson Clapper -- devised a plan to kill the man. Worden reportedly obtained a shotgun from Jarrett and Clapper, used Jarret’s vehicle and brought Hoffer, Hargraves, and Johnson-Larimer to the drug house.

Video surveillance showed the victim walking to a nearby gas station when Jarret’s vehicle drove by. It stopped at the end of an alley before two gunshots were heard. The victim suffered several injuries and was taken to Genesis Medical Center before being transferred to a different trauma center for treatment.

The Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office located and identified Hargraves as the driver and Johnson-Larimer as a passenger. A box of ammunition was found on the floor of the back seat, and the two were arrested.

Zanesville police later uncovered video evidence of the group meeting together with Hoffer and Worden leaving Hargraves’ vehicle and catching a ride with Johnson-Emmons before leaving the scene.

Columbus Business Beat: Downtown housing, restaurant openings

On Monday, the following sentences were handed down by a Muskingum County judge:

• Lovely Warden: 21½-25 years, pleaded guilty to attempted aggravated burglary, conspiracy to commit murder and felonious assault with a drive-by shooting specification, to be served consecutively with a separate sentencing on a drug case.
• Kayla Hargraves: 15-19 years, pleaded guilty to attempted aggravated burglary and felonious assault with a drive by shooting specification and discharging of a firearm on or near a prohibited premises.
• Jamie Jarrett: 5 years, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder.
• Adam Johnson: 3 years, pleaded guilty to attempted burglary and felonious assault.
• Christopher Johnson: 3 years community control, plus 50 hours of community service, pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence.

Earlier this month, Hoffer received a 27-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to felonious assault, discharging a firearm on or near a prohibited premises and having weapons under disability. Jackson Clapper will be sentenced at a later date.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- One person was critically injured after being shot early Sunday morning in a southwest Columbus neighborhood.

Two injured in east Columbus crash

A police dispatcher said that officer were called to the intersection of West Broad Street and South Highland Avenue in the Hilltop neighborhood at 2:16 a.m. One person was found suffering from a gunshot and taken to a hospital in critical condition.

A suspect has not been identified as police continues its investigation.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A scaled-down proposal to bulldoze a German Village office building to make way for an apartment complex again faced resistance from community members.

Plans by Columbus-based real estate developer Mershad Development call for the office building at 251 E. Livingston Ave. to be razed for a new four-story housing complex named "Cedar Square." A collaboration with architecture and design firm Berardi + Partners, Mershad's proposal received another review by the German Village Commission on Aug. 6.

"Back in 1960, Livingston Avenue was an active street," the developers said in the proposal. "Our goal is learn from the history of the site and develop a project that supports the current site context."

Lightning strike ignites roof at apartment complex near Polaris

When the plans were first shown to the commission in February, Cedar Square was to include 96 apartments to address "the need for housing that will serve all local business," the proposal said. Since then, Mershad has continuously scaled back the development, calling for 81 units when presenting to the commission in July and now proposing 68 apartments at the August meeting.

• Mershad's plans call for the office building at 251 E. Livingston Ave. to be razed for a new housing complex named "Cedar Square." (Courtesy Photo/German Village Commission)
• Mershad's plans call for the office building at 251 E. Livingston Ave. to be razed for a new housing complex named "Cedar Square." (Courtesy Photo/German Village Commission)

The commission voiced concern during the July meeting for the development's density, while some members said they wouldn't support the building's proposed height and suggested that parts of the structure "should be more architecturally significant."

Minutes for the August meeting show that commissioners again voiced concern for the density and said they are not supportive of the commercial-style building proposed on the complex's corner. Community members also pushed back against Mershad, arguing the development would increase traffic in the area and dominate the property while overshadowing the existing historic structure.

Columbus suburb ranks among Realtor.com’s top 10 ‘hottest’ ZIP codes in America

Should Cedar Square gain approval, several existing buildings along East Livingston Avenue would remain, including the corner space home to Asian fusion restaurant Bendi Wok. However, the complex would snake behind those buildings and redevelop the parking lot dedicated to Bendi Wok customers, which is accessed from Livingston and extends along East Blenker Street.

While Mershad is decreasing the number of apartments, the development now includes increased parking from 37 to 40 stalls and eight to 10 on-street spaces.

The developers will again return to the commission for additional review.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Two people were hospitalized after being injured in a crash on the east side of Columbus overnight Sunday.

One killed in Lancaster after motorcycle crash

A police dispatcher said the crash occurred at 2:16 a.m. at the intersection of Rhoads and East Livingston Avenues in the Driving Park neighborhood. Medics transported two victims of the crash to Grant Medical Center.

One of the victims was hospitalized in critical condition while the other was listed in stable condition, per police dispatch. Columbus police is continuing to investigate the crash.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Five years after its removal, new conversations are emerging about the Christopher Columbus statue that once stood outside of city hall. 

City leaders announced the statue would be removed in 2020 after calls from the community saying he's a symbol of racism and not someone who should be glorified. But about two years ago, Reimagining Columbus was tasked with coming up with a 'generational vision' for how it might be reintroduced to the community. 

"Very happy to hear that people are actually wanting it to be put it back," resident Alicia Healy said. 

According to Dan Williamson, a member of the Reimagining Columbus project team, there has been one question that's fueled the project.

Columbus City Schools, NBC4 partner in Back to School Resource Fair

"Is there a way to bring this statue back in the right way?" Williamson said. "And what this project concluded is that there is a way. That's different from saying we have a plan to bring it back, because we don't. We have a vision to bring it back."

Reimagining Columbus unveiled an idea for a park that includes the statue without making it the centerpiece. Text about Columbus' history would surround it. 

"People can look up at it with respect," Williamson said. "People can look down at it. People can come to the space and avoid the statue altogether and never see it."

The vision includes an approximately 5-acre park designed around a circular community gathering space where festivals and concerts could be held. 

"It's pretty incredible," resident Michelle Brandt said. "I mean it's very ambitious, but I think it's an opportunity to show the rest of the country also what we can do with something that's maybe a little controversial and I think the park can serve a bigger purpose which is to bring communities together."

Throughout this process, Reimagining Leaders said there have been several community conversations. 

"What's most remarkable about it, particularly in this day and age and in the climate that we have today, you had people from different backgrounds and different points of view sitting across from a table from each other, actually talking and listening to each other," Williamson said. 

Williamson said this is a subject that people feel strongly about no matter which side they're on. 

"We think our heritage should be preserved," resident Joseph Healy said. "I mean, the statues represent great men. They might've had flaws. If you go back in history, every great leader had flaws."

However not everyone feels this way.

"There are other people who look at the statue and say why are we showing reverence to a person who caused the death of many indigenous people," Williamson said. 

There is currently not a site or budget identified for this project.

"If people see this and people are excited about it, then that could give it some momentum," Williamson said. 

Williamson said this step will give the city a chance to gauge community reaction and that feedback will guide what happens next. With Reimagining Columbus' work complete, the decision now rests with the city. 

"Whatever comes out of this, I believe this is a national model for how do you bring a community together and actually attract people from different backgrounds, different cultures and different points of view to get them to have uncomfortable conversations about uncomfortable topics," Williamson said. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Columbus City Schools students are getting ready to head back to the classroom. To make sure families are prepared, the district held its Back to School Resource Fair in partnership with NBC4 on Saturday.

“We are ready to welcome back all of our students on Monday, Aug. 25,” Angela Chapman, superintendent of Columbus City Schools, said.

The Fort Hayes campus was flooded with families.

“I’ve got two children in middle school and this looks like an amazing event. Supplies being given away. I mean, so many people have come out,” Reggie Rice, a CCS parent, said.

Families were provided with bus route information, health screenings and learned about after-school programs. Students also got to stock up on free school supplies from NBC4’s Stuff the Backpack campaign.

“It’s the greatest showing of love and support from our community,” Chapman said.

Central Ohio ramen chain opening its third location

This event marked the last stop on NBC4's Stuff the Backpack campaign. This year, the station helped out more than 22,000 students in 20 school districts thanks to our partner, United Way of Central Ohio, along with our sponsors, business donors and viewers.

“They care about the community and I feel like Columbus City Schools is doing a pretty good job of helping people out,” said Timothy Williams, a district parent.

Chapman said the goal is to equip students with the supplies and knowledge they need beforehand so that they can go into the school year with excitement.

“I’m happy because I can see my friends,” Kingston Williams, 3rd grade student, said.

If your school district would like to become one of our Stuff the Backpack districts next year please email NBC4stuffthebackpack@wcmh.com.

LANCASTER, Ohio (WCMH) -- Police are investigating a two-vehicle crash involving a motorcyclist in Fairfield County.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol says a 44-year old man was driving a 2015 Dodge Ram southbound on State Route 674 around 2:10 p.m., Aug. 9 while Johnny Hackney, 73, was traveling on a 2014 Harley Davidson motorcyle northbound near County Road 41.

The man tried to turn eastbound into a private drive causing Hackney to stike the pickup.

Hackney was transported to a Columbus hospital, where he was later pronouced dead.

Friday shooting victim identified as 15-year-old

The crash remains under investigation.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — For the second-straight year, the Block O honor goes to a member of the linebacker room. 

Ohio State football legacy Sonny Styles will wear the coveted jersey this season, following in linebacker Cody Simon's footsteps.

Raised in Pickerington, Ohio, Sonny Styles was a star basketball and football player at Pickerington Central High School. He followed the path of his father, former Buckeye All-American Lorenzo Styles Sr, and chose to play for Ohio State. After two seasons at the safety position, Styles mirrored his father again and moved to the linebacker position for 2024. He was the Buckeyes' second-leading tackler on last year's national championship team.

Starting over on the Ohio State defensive line

“Sonny is the ultimate pro,” linebackers coach James Lauriniatis said earlier this month. “He’s very intentional. From the day we decided to make the switch [to linebacker], he’s done nothing but work at it. He’s the leader of the entire team.”

Ohio State's "Block O" is inspired by defensive end Bill Willis who is remembered for toughness, accountability, and the highest of character -- all values that the current-day Buckeyes strive for every day. And nobody better exemplifies those traits than Styles, which is why Day and his staff chose him to represent the No. 0 jersey this year.

Styles is also one of four team captains for the Buckeyes this season. He is joined by junior safety Caleb Downs, junior offensive lineman Austin Siereveld and junior wide receiver Brandon Inniss. 

Downs is considered, by many, to be the best defensive player in college football this season. He was the Big Ten’s Woodson/Tatum Defensive Back of the Year and a unanimous first team All-American while totaling 82 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions.

Siereveld was a key player on last year's national championship offensive line. Somewhat of an unsung hero on last year's team, he stepped up when two starters went down with injuries on the offensive line and became a stabilizing figure. 

Inniss becomes a team captain without having a single start at wide receiver yet in his career. That says so much about who he is and what his leadership means to this team. He is primed for a breakout season at the receiver spot and will continue to impact on special teams. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) —  There are three position groups that don’t return any starters: quarterback, running back and defensive line. When the Buckeyes open up against Texas, all four lineman will be making their first Ohio State start.

Kayden McDonald has a great chance to anchor the interior of the line and he’s ready to take advantage of this special opportunity. Kayden has changed his body this offseason by altering his diet and spending day after day with Mickey Marotti, director of football sport performance at Ohio State.

“It started with fixing my diet, putting the right stuff in my body, taking care of myself, taking my vitamins, conditioning every day, hitting the sled every day,” McDonald said.

He’s only down eight pounds, from 330 to 322, this offseason, but he looks completely different and more powerful.

NCAA announces punishment in Michigan sign-stealing scheme

At defensive end, there’s talk Kenyatta Jackson could turn himself into a first round draft pick. Jackson went the other way compared to Kayden, putting on ten pounds in the offseason, and he looks like he’s ready to go. The coaching staff is also turning to him to lead, something very new to Kenyatta at Ohio State.  

“To be honest, I did not want to be the leader of this room at first in the winter. You know, it was tough. It was tough. I haven't told anybody this but there were days where Coach Mick and the coaches would be hard on the defensive line and it was tough. I went home and shed tears, like real talk, but I stayed with it. I stuck with it, Coach J, Coach Mick helped me along with it, and I'm in this position now,” Jackson, who is set to start week one against Texas, said.

Beau Atkinson is another intriguing defensive end. He transferred in from North Carolina after spring ball in late April. This camp is his first time working with Larry Johnson and he can tell it is different.

“His drill work is just awesome. I'm sure you all have watched it, but his drills are kind of different than what a lot of D-line units do. And so just the intensity throughout all of our drills, I think that's all been super helpful,” Atkinson said.

With three years of college experience, Atkinson has two years of eligibility.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Police have identified the victim in a Friday afternoon shooting as 15-yaer-old Anthony Johnson.

Columbus Police said they responded to the 600 block of Raleigh Drive in the west Columbus Georgian Heights neighborhood on reports of a shooting around 3:45 p.m. Friday. Upon arrival, they found Johnson suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to an area hospital and pronounced dead at 4:40 p.m.

Police said they arrested 19-year-old Jordan Austin for the murder. According to court records, Austin was arrested on Saturday without incident. He will be arraigned on Monday at 9 a.m.

Police said they continue to investigate what lead up to the shooting. Anyone with information is asked to call Columbus Police at (614) 645-6420, or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at (614) 461-TIPS (8477)