Ohio News

GALENA, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation hosted its annual Golf Classic charity event as a part of the organization's celebration of its 25th NHL season.

On Friday, fans were able to golf with a Blue Jackets Player at the Double Eagle Club for the annual Golf Classic. The Columbus Blue Jackets (CBJ) say this charity event is one of their largest fundraisers for the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation.

Proceeds from today's event are invested into local charities in Central Ohio, primarily focusing on areas of pediatric cancer, education, health and safety, and growth and development of youth hockey.

Those participating in the golf outing also received an exclusive CBJ gift package, a luncheon where each group of four drafted their celebrity golfer, and an evening cocktail reception where the winning group will be announced.

HILLIARD, Ohio (WCMH) -- Habitat for Humanity-Mid Ohio celebrated the grand opening of its new ReStore facility in Hilliard Friday morning.

A grand opening celebration was held Friday morning in Hilliard for the new ReStore facility created by Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio. ReStore is a non-profit improvement store where anyone can donate new and reusable items from home remodeling projects or overstock inventory.

The new location, located on 5419 Roberts Rd, will sell a range of products. The inventory will include appliances, furniture, home accessories, paint, lumber, and much more. According to Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio, the items will be sold at a fraction of the regular retail price.

"Habitat aims to be a leader in helping solve the region’s affordable housing crisis through affordable home ownership and critical home repairs. Habitat ReStores provide opportunities for people of all income ranges to buy necessary items to upkeep their homes while serving as a vital economic engine for our work in building and financing affordable housing," says Habitat MidOhio's CEO Brandi Al-Issa.

Habitat for Humanity Mid-Ohio has two other Restore locations in central Ohio, one in Westerville and another in Newark. Anyone interested in donating items or shopping online can visit their website here.

We had a nice late summer day, with temperatures reaching the low 80s. Clouds increased ahead of a cold front swinging southeast across the state that brought gusty southwesterly winds.

A disturbance will trigger scattered showers early Saturday, as a wave moves along the front, with improving conditions for the game Saturday by kickoff at 3:30 p.m., although clouds will linger. Temperatures will be slow to rise, eventually nearing 70 degrees later in the day. 

Skies will be mostly sunny on Sunday, with temperatures in the low 70s, after a crisp morning in the upper 40s. The weather will be pleasant early next week, with high pressure building across the region, providing a northwesterly flow of cool, dry air, followed by a midweek warming trend.

Forecast

• Tonight: Partly cloudy, breezy, scattered showers late. Low 58
• Saturday:  Morning showers, cooler. High 71
• Sunday: Sunshine, crisp. High 71 (51)
• Monday: Mostly sunny. High 74 (47)
• Tuesday: Sunny. High 77 (49)
• Wednesday: Mostly sunny. High 81 (54)
• Thursday: Mostly sunny. High 82 (58)
• Friday: Showers. High 76 (60)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Central Ohio Home & Design Show began on Friday.

More than 150 exhibitors are showcasing their designs and services. People can get inspiration from interior design firms highlighting the latest style trends and they can hire services on the spot, including window work, landscaping and remodels.

Guests can also get advice from gardening experts and the Better Business Bureau.

"The biggest thing we like about these shows that we produce is you can come down and dream," said Stephen Buzza, director of the Central Ohio Home & Design Show. "There's nothing wrong with dreaming. It doesn't mean you have to do it. But you have an idea or even if you want to generate ideas you can come down and reimagine what your place might look like."

Admission is free all weekend.

Organizers also partnered with the Franklin County Dog Shelter, so people can adopt a pup on-site and the show covered all fees.

The Home & Design Show is open through the weekend in the Bricker Building at the Ohio Expo Center.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Saturday's Ohio State vs. Grambling State matchup is bringing HBCU culture and tradition to central Ohio.

Ahead of the historic game, one Columbus native is feeling the excitement in a special way.

Evan Clark, better known as 'DJ IQ', is a former member of the Grambling State marching band. This weekend his two worlds are colliding in his hometown making it a homecoming like no other for him. 

"I can't believe OSU and Grambling are playing each other in the first place," Clark said. "When I first saw the schedule, I called all my friends from down south like, yo, y'all gotta come, ya'll gotta come. And they're all here. So, it's exciting. It's a lot of their first times in Ohio and so I'm showing them around."

Clark's college roommate at Grambling State even made the trek to central Ohio for Saturday's game. Clark graduated from Independence High School in Columbus before making the big move down south. He went to Grambling on a band scholarship and played Quints on the drumline.

"That was 2004 and it was an awesome experience," Clark said. "It was like a culture shock to me because it was so different. It was so hot too. The heat was crazy."

With Grambling's band coming to Ohio Stadium, Clark said it's a full-circle moment for him.

"These two bands together, it's one big powerhouse," Clark said. 

Even Ohio State football players are excited Grambling's band is making the trip.

"We just found out that one of our old coaches there is a legend, and they got a, you know, big league background there," Ohio State football player Will Kacmarek said. "And their band coming in. I mean, we're really excited and we're preparing hard for this game."

According to Clark, Grambling's band has a history of breaking barriers and seeing them on the same stage as Ohio State's renowned marching band will be something special. 

"Grambling was the first band to ever perform in Africa," Clark said. "The first band to perform for President Clinton. We did a lot. We performed in Seattle. We performed for the Dallas Cowboys, for the Seattle Seahawks."

For Clark, having his alma matter bring its sound, style and culture to his hometown is personal and he said he's proud to share that with central Ohio. 

"I'm hoping they get that experience, that excitement, especially we bring to the football games and the halftime show," Clark said. "You don't want to miss that."

Clark said this weekend feels like a piece of home coming home. He will be busy all weekend with different HBCU parties and events. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Ohio Stadium.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- It's a big weekend in Columbus as the city hosts HBCU alumni weekend.

From career opportunities to cultural celebrations, organizers said it's about showcasing the pride and impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

The three-day event kicked off Friday with a job and career fair, connecting recent graduates and professionals with opportunities ranging from education to government and business.

According to organizers, it goes beyond job opportunities, it's about education, legacy, and celebrating the culture of HBCUs.

"Without them, many of us wouldn't be here," organizer Lawrence Lemon said. "When you look at the impact that HBCU alum have made, not only in our city but across the nation, it is one that is undeniable."

HBCU alumni weekend runs through Sunday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Local experts are concerned about the rise in COVID-19 numbers amid national vaccine recommendation changes.

Earlier this week, the U.S. Health and Human Services Department rolled back recommendations on the COVID-19 vaccine. This comes as the CDC is now reporting Ohio is one of 24 states with a rise in cases of covid 

Dr. Ben Bring with OhioHealth notes this increase probably stems from newer variants that may be more infectious yet don't cause as much severe illness.  

“One thing we are noticing, though, is a definite uptick in positive cases within the state of Ohio,” Bring said. “I just recently visited the CDC website; It showed that Ohio was one of the higher states of increased COVID-19 infections. So, we do know that our positivity rate is increasing.” 

Since August 28th, Ohio has seen over 200 hospitalizations due to COVID-19. Those being affected are mostly older adults with chronic medical conditions. But with immunizations at a five-year low for the state, some health officials are stressing the importance of being vaccinated.     

“I think the misinformation is rampant right now, and so I think what I would do is look to the experts,” Bring said.  

When it comes to various infectious diseases like COVID, the Flu, and RSV, Bring urges people to get their vaccines. He also hopes older adults get the COVID-19 booster shot if they haven’t already.

“Before I went to medical school, I was a scientist first and so, you know, it's really important to take data for what it actually is and to make sure we're actually interpreting data correctly, and that the overwhelming data on these vaccines is that they are safe, they are effective, they're going to reduce hospitalizations,” Bring said. “They're going to reduce long-term morbidity and mortality in patients.” 

This spike in cases comes as we head into colder months, and Bring warns that if vaccine rates stay low and we see more cases of COVID or other viral illnesses, that could lead to our hospitals being strained.   

“A lot of E.R.s are in the red range, meaning they're already at capacity. Some E.R.s get so busy, they get they go on diversion, meaning we have to start sending patients to other hospitals,” Bring said. “What happens during respiratory season, though, is as these E.R.s get overwhelmed, we run out of hospital beds, we run out of resources, we run out of doctors in space, too, to be able to care for people.” 

Dr. Bring shared it's also important to remember simple safety tips like washing your hands, wearing a mask, and staying home if you feel sick to prevent the spread. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The American Red Cross and the Columbus Blue Jackets celebrated 25 years of partnership, hosing their annual blood drive.

Everybody who went on Friday received a complimentary shirt and a buy one, get one free ticket offer for upcoming Blue Jackets games. But it doesn't stop on Friday. Blood donors in the region through the end of the month will receive that same deal.

Red Cross officials said the donations from Friday are going to save someone's life next week, and the commitment from the team to help in that effort means the world.

"The Blue Jackets deeply care about the community, and from day one of those organizations starting up here in Ohio, they've cared about the community and know the Red Cross is built on helping in alleviating suffering and just seeing that connection come through for years and years and years now," American Red Cross Regional Communications Manager Don Hawkins said. "I see the same folks coming out to donate at this drive. Every year I get to see the same Blue Jackets staff members coming to donate."

Those who couldn't make it to the blood drive on Friday can visit redcrossblood.org and enter their ZIP code to find the nearing blood drive and snag that Blue Jacket ticket offer.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Tough times are ahead for people struggling to pay their rent, according to one nonprofit leader, as pandemic emergency rental assistance money runs out.

NBC4 Investigates is looking into what federal dollars running out means for the community and what resources are still available in Franklin County.

"Filings are at an all-time high," Franklin County Municipal Court Magistrate Tony Paat said. "The people who come here, they're way ahead of the game. You'd be surprised how many people just don't respond to the eviction filings."

In the span of a few months, there are fewer resources at eviction court as organizations have to pull back as funding runs out. There's still the same demand, but fewer organizations are able to meet it.

"The tough times that we’ve talked about that were going to come, they’re here," IMPACT Community Action CEO Robert 'Bo' Chilton said. 

With federal resources, IMPACT Community Action and its partners helped almost 40,000 households across Franklin County with more than $132 million. Now there’s less than $1 million to help those who have already applied.

"We were virtually able to help almost everyone who came our way, and that was very rewarding. But now we have to turn a lot of people away and that is very discouraging," Chilton said. 

Those federal dollars are not coming back, so now community organizations are looking to local leaders.

"What we know now is that housing prices are on the rise. We're seeing an uptick in evictions. Our shelters are starting to fill up and the resources are coming to an end," Chilton said. 

IMPACT still has the programs that do not rely on pandemic federal dollars, such as helping households with heat and energy costs and connecting families with housing opportunities and support services.

"We do still have a very robust utility assistance program. We serve over 35,000 customers a year, but the robust rental assistance that people have become accustomed to will no longer be there," Chilton said. 

The city of Columbus has announced the 'Resilient Housing Initiative' to support around 600 households. The county has not yet announced any additional support.

"Tough times are ahead, but we live in a community that really cares. They talk about the Columbus way. It's something I believe in. Our community rallies to support everyone, and that is our vision," Chilton said. 

Franklin County Municipal Court has resources through its self-help center. More information about that can be found here. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Buckeyes football returns to Ohio Stadium on Saturday as they take on Grambling State.

There are many advantages to a home game, especially when you have The Best Damn Band in the Land on your side. The marching band is already made up of more than 200 members, and it's going to grow by more than 600 for the alumni game.

“You get to see all of your old friends. You get to experience the crowd. I mean the crowd is bonkers,” said Mark Weaver, alumni i-dotter.

It’s one of the most beloved traditions at Ohio State, Script Ohio. Getting to dot the i is the greatest honor for a veteran band member, particularly a sousaphone player.

“I remember the first time I was looking around and you can see the whole crowd and you can pick people out. It’s something that you just don’t forget,” said Randy Hann, alumni i-dotter.

Script Ohio will quadruple in size for the alumni game and be performed at all four sides of the stadium. Hann and Weaver will dot the i’s on the west and north Script Ohios.

“It’s so unique to be up there," Hann said. "Every time I watch an i-dotter do it, it’s a special experience for me just to watch them knowing that I did it before."

They have both dotted the i before. Weaver even did so at a Cleveland Browns game. After countless walks down memory lane, he’s looking forward to re-living that glory.

“It does not become less nerve-wracking. It does not become less special. It’s very exciting. There’s a lot of hype around these now,” he said.

This performance is a family affair for Hann. He met his wife in the marching band and now the couple will march alongside their daughter who is a sophomore at OSU.

“The crazy part is the last time I dotted the i, I proposed to my wife at Skull Session. So it’s really coming full circle now that our daughter is going to be on the field with us,” Hann said.