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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- As the weather in central Ohio gets colder, the Ohio Department of Transportation is making sure it is ready for the winter months.

On Wednesday, the department staged its annual winter readiness event.

The department goes through a safety process and conducts and inspection for all trucks taking on the winter roads. Plow drivers went through a 150-point inspection of each truck, checking things like the plow blade, the salt spinner and brakes.

The inspections are to help protect both plow drivers and other vehicles on the road during winter conditions.

"We're doing our checks, everything that is necessary, something that we always like to focus on is safety," Morgan Eibel said. "Last year in the 2024-2025 winter season, our plows were struck 54 times, so that's 54 more times than they should have been struck. We always want that number to be as close to zero as possible."

Each ODOT garage has one of these winter preparedness days so plow anywhere in Ohio are ready to go in a moment's notice.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Everything old is new again at this year's Art for Life.

The charity art auction started in 1989 and has raised millions to support the HIV and AIDS services provided by Equitas Health. It has been held every other year for nearly four decades as an evening gala, but for the first time, it will take place during the day as a Sunday brunch. Also for the first time, the artists themselves will benefit financially.

Co-chair and former director of the Columbus Museum of Art, Nannette Maciejunes, said a special fund was donated to give artists 10% of the final sale price of the artwork they donate.  

"We're calling it Wayne's 10%, because the late Wayne Lawson, who used to run Ohio Arts Council, used to complain endlessly that we ask artists to donate and they get nothing in return," Maciejunes said. 

The fund was donated in Lawson's memory. 

"This is a small gesture back to the artists, but we really think it’s important," she said.

Six galleries and nearly as many restaurants in the Gay and High streets arts district are helping to host the event. Each gallery will display 15 pieces donated for the silent auction. The live auction will take place mid-afternoon inside The Citizens Trust.

Patrons can stroll from gallery to gallery and to the food stations set up along the way. The owner of Lindsay Gallery, Duff Lindsay, said it's a way for gallerists to support an important cause and to showcase the arts district. 

"I often say the biggest job of a gallery owner is not about the art, it’s about getting people in the door. This helps us do that, and in the process, do something for an organization that really deserves support."

Art for Life begins at 11 a.m. Sunday and runs until 4 p.m. You can find information on tickets at this link.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- An alternative to assisted living has been expanding all over the country and now Ohioans have the option too.

The Ohio Department of Aging has been working to expand the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, also known as PACE. On Wednesday morning, BoldAge PACE opened its doors to Franklin County residents.

“I thought to myself, this sounds too good to be true. So I talked to the leaders some more and I thought I'd give it a try and I have not looked back,” said Joyce Spear, Hilliard resident and BoldAge PACE participant.

The center is meant to be a one stop shop for older residents. “Participants are usually folks with a lot of chronic medical conditions that make it difficult for them to function and be independent so we can provide the care and support that they need,” said Mary Austin, CEO of BoldAge PACE.

Adults 55 years and older can get check ups, meals and socialize all in one place. Austin said insurance or Medicaid often covers the cost, aiming to make it as accessible as possible.

“We provide free rides to and from the center to and from all medical appointments and to and from any other activities,” she said.

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The center has started enrolling participants including Spear. She said she relies on bus transportation which made it difficult to make it to different appointments. Now, it’s all under one roof.

“I was taking the bus to every doctor appointment which amounted to tons of time and transportation for maybe a 20-minute appointment,” she said.

Spear said it’s important for her to keep living at home but that also comes with isolation. Now, she comes to the center for meals, activities and to hang out with friends.

“I'm a crafter. I had fun with that to a degree, but being so isolated the fun of it, it just kind of dissipated and now that I'm here, I'm doing crafts and I'm having the time of my life,” Spear said.

BoldAge PACE is partnering with many community organizations to make this program happen including the Mid-Ohio Food Collective and Stonewall Columbus.

“We want to bring PACE to communities, but we need to partner with communities because it really needs to be a program that comes from the people,” Austin said.

Learn more about how to get enrolled here.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Central Ohio first responders and doctors are trying to raise awareness about the increasing number of kids they're seeing get hurt on electric scooters and electric bikes.

"We’ve definitely seen an increase in injuries related to electric bikes and electric scooters. I would say over the last few years it’s been increasing exponentially," said Dr. Chelsea Kadish with Nationwide Children's Hospital.

Kadish, an emergency room doctor at NCH, urged parents to talk with their children about wearing helmets, as she said many patients she's seen were not.

“Emphasizing how important it is to protect the head because head injuries are a lot harder to fix than those cuts and scrapes and broken bones," Kadish said.

The city of Upper Arlington recently released a public service announcement about the issue. Their first responders said they are seeing injuries from crashes on e-bikes or scooters every week. They reminded parents to teach their kids about riding safely and to make sure they know the rules.

“I think there is a little bit of shock sometimes from family members about oh my gosh I can't believe this happened to my child. I had no idea they were out there riding, renting electric scooters and riding them without helmets," Kadish said. "It's more about talking about safety and raising awareness to children, and their parents and just trying to get families to understand these devices come with high risks."

New Albany City Council this week passed new laws related to electric bikes and powered scooters. 

“These are regulations that aren't trying to ban the use but to kind of regulate and make it safe for everybody to use our sidewalks and leisure paths around the community," a councilmember said during the meeting.

The new laws include a helmet requirement for those younger than 18, reflector and light requirements, and a speed limit on shared-use paths.

“Whatever we can do to sort of protect the safety of our children is to the benefit of our population, and I hope as we increase awareness on this topic and get kids to wear their helmets more, that I hope we’ll see fewer of these really severe injuries in the emergency department," Kadish said.

DUBLIN, Ohio (WCMH) -- Dublin City Schools leaders heard from passionate parents Wednesday during three listening sessions about plans to redistrict three high schools.

The decision comes as the Dublin area continues to grow, and thousands of students and families will be affected.

Many parents have not been quiet during the process, with dozens attending the listening sessions held by the district. Some said they aren’t happy with how Dublin has handled redistricting.

“This process is being done backwards,” Dublin parent Alicia Pauling said.

Dublin City Schools began the process of redistricting students in April. Superintendent Dr. John Marschhausen said the process would be data-driven, but Pauling said that’s not how it’s gone so far.

“We are just looking for a fair, transparent and equitable process where decisions are being made based on actual, real data and not emotions or opinions, and I don't feel like that has been done,” Pauling said.

Marschhausen said at an April meeting that a traffic study would be conducted, but the study wasn’t actually done until the end of September, after draft maps were shared with the public.

“When we look at Dublin, traffic is a concern for everyone, and our goal is to try to balance the information we have as we look to create seats for students to be in in high schools in the future,” Marschhausen said.

The superintendent said the district will continue to look at those traffic patterns, but Pauling said the study was done too late. She also said it doesn’t have all the information parents were hoping to see.

“It doesn’t include teen driver crash data. It doesn't include ODOT safety data, it doesn't include specific commuter routes that are being analyzed,” Pauling said.

At a Wednesday morning listening session alone, district leaders heard from 30 parents. Marschhausen said everything they hear at these sessions will be taken into consideration. He also said it was concerns that had been brought up before.

“I think our community has done a phenomenal job communicating with us,” he said. “A lot of the things we've heard today are the same things we've heard in emails and communications and conversations over the past several weeks.”

Pauling said the listening sessions are a step in the right direction but she still isn’t sure parents will actually be heard. She doesn’t believe anything has been done right in the redistricting process so far and would like the district to start the process over.

“They will say ‘we listened,’ but then nothing potentially will be addressed, or the predetermined outcome that we think is going to happen will happen anyway,” Pauling said. “It’s hard to trust the process.”

The superintendent said no decisions have been made yet and parental input will be at the front of district leaders’ minds.

The Board of Education will hold a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the feedback received at the listening sessions. Marschhausen said the goal is to release the final map by Nov. 10.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Employees at the Central Ohio Transit Authority are marking the end of growing season with their final produce giveaway of the year.

It's part of a partnership between COTA's 'Believe Team' and the Mid-Ohio Food Collective.

Volunteers with COTA packed 250 boxes to give out. They distributed more than 37 pounds of produce at its four events this year, serving at least 2,000 families in central Ohio.

COTA has been holding the produce giveaways since 2022, and organizers said they are blown away by the program's success.

"When we first started it, I didn't think it would be this huge," said Ivy Curtis, legal and security administrator for COTA. "Each year we do it, it gets larger and larger. And actually, this is our first time at this location, out at Great Southern, and it's a huge success so far."

COTA said its produce stand will be back with its first distribution event in April.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Leaders of the only domestic violence shelter in Franklin County said they are at risk of having to cut more than half of their shelter beds due to federal cuts.

Lutheran Social Services CHOICES said it will lose a significant amount of federal funding by next summer.

With the high demand CHOICES is experiencing, the shelter is already having to turn people in danger away. Leadership is now calling on the community to keep this serious situation from getting worse.

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“It keeps me from sleeping,” Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio President and CEO Rachel Lustig said.

Lustig said the federal government used to provide around 25% of CHOICES’  funding. She said that over the last several years, that amount has dropped to about 2%. 

“So, we are looking at a very serious situation of how do we keep CHOICES providing this level of service to our community,” Lustig said.

She said they’ve learned that amount is expected to drop more by next summer and after running the numbers, she said CHOICES would have to reduce the number of beds from 120 to 48.

“We're talking mothers with children, we’re talking about the lives of children who often wouldn't have a place to flee when they need to be able to go to a safe home environment to be able to go to,” Lustig said.

Lustig said it costs around $4 million to maintain the domestic violence shelter. She said CHOICES is not just providing shelter, but three meals a day, legal services and a 24-hour hotline. She said they currently receive around $1.2 million from state and local resources and have to raise the rest. 

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“I think that we have to invite everybody in the community to be a part of the solution,” Lustig said. “We have to remind people that these are our neighbors,” Lustig said. “We're going to do everything we can to be there with you.”

Lustig said CHOICES tripled in size since 2018 to be able to respond to the needs of a growing community. She said that happened at the same time they saw these inflationary pressures over the course of the last couple of years that have increased the cost. 

These funding cuts come at a time when Columbus has seen a continuous rise in domestic violence over the last several years. Columbus Police data shows there have been 23 domestic violence-related homicides so far this year.

The city's Office of Violence Prevention Director Rena Shak sent the following statement on the matter. It reads:

“Supporting domestic violence victim and survivor services, including CHOICES, is a top priority for Mayor Ginther and the Office of Violence Prevention. We have been working closely with LSS and CHOICES to monitor their funding expectations and concerns, while encouraging collaboration within the entire Columbus community to make resources available to individuals and families experiencing domestic violence.  We will continue to work hand-in-hand with our partners in this space to serve domestic violence victims and will remain dedicated to all three prongs of our domestic violence prevention strategy.”

Lustig said they will do everything they can to raise awareness about this concern and keep providing services to the people in need. Lustig said they receive about 4,400 calls to their hotline each year.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- One person is dead after a collision on Stelzer Road just south of Montcair Drive Wednesday afternoon.

The victim was involved in a collision that occurred only minutes earlier. According to Columbus police, the victim was "standing between two vehicles, when the third vehicle struck the rear vehicle," causing a fatal injury to the victim.

Columbus high school football game cancelled due to safety concerns

The Accident Investigation Unit has opened an investigation.

Police are asking anyone with information about the vehicle or driver to contact the Columbus Police Accident Investigation Unit at (614) 645-4767.

COSHOCTON, Ohio (WCMH) -- Years after the death of a central Ohio 15-month-old, her mother is still pleading for answers. 

Graclynn Young died in the care of a babysitter in 2021. That babysitter is now serving three years for child endangerment, but Graclynn’s death is still being investigated as a homicide. 

NBC4 Investigates spoke with the child’s mother, who is asking anyone who knows something to come forward. 

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Documents show Graclynn died from multiple blunt force trauma to her head during the timeframe she was in her babysitter’s care, but Coshocton County Sheriff’s investigators have hit a wall. The other people who had access to Graclynn in the timeframe experts estimate she received the deadly injury are now staying silent. 

“That little girl was the happiest baby in the world. The only time she cried was if somebody was eating around her and she wasn't,” Graclynn’s mother Cheyene Untied said. 

That’s how Untied remembers Graclynn: happy and always hungry. 

“Cheeseburgers were her favorite meal,” Untied said. 

She would have been five years old, but she died at 15 months after a skull fracture caused by multiple blunt force trauma. 

“There were four separate points of impact at minimum, so there is no way that it was an accident,” Untied said 

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Testimony from a former forensic neuropathologist for the City of New York, who served as an expert in the trial, states: “This is on the order of the type of injuries that I saw in New York City of, you know, babies being pushed in a stroller and getting hit by a car.”

Kristin Neff, the Coshocton babysitter taking care of Graclynn that day, was found guilty of child endangerment in August. 

“It was a relief because this may be the only justice Graclynn ever gets, but frustrated because it also may be the only justice she ever gets,” Untied said. 

While Neff is serving time, Graclynn’s case is still being investigated as a homicide. 

The detectives investigating this case say right now there isn’t enough evidence to convict anyone of homicide.  

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“I'm exhausted,” Untied said. “The fight is not over, so I don't get to sit back and relax and continue with my life.”

The court transcript shows six people had access to Graclynn around the estimated time of her injury: Neff, her three minor children, her fiancé, and his mother, who is a neighbor. They have not been charged with a crime, so NBC4 is not naming them. The transcript states, and other sources confirm, they are suspects in Graclynn’s death.

“There were six people there that day, which is why we can't get the homicide charge quite yet,” Untied said. 

The neighbor runs childcare out of her home in Coshocton. NBC4 Investigates found four complaints to the Ohio Department of Children and Youth going back to 2022 about that daycare. Because she has not been convicted of crime, she is allowed to keep the daycare open. 

NBC4 Investigates spoke with Neff’s lawyer. She advised those who were named as suspects to invoke their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination during Neff’s trial, and they did. 

NBC4 also spoke with a Capital University law professor about the Fifth Amendment.

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“At any point, in the middle of an interview, at trial, at any point where you feel that an answer would incriminate yourself and expose you to criminal liability, you may refuse to answer,” Capital University Assistant Law Professor Robert Barnhart said. 

Now the case has stalled, if someone knows what happened, they haven’t come forward, but detectives are not closing the case. 

“Criminal law is just very fundamentally human, and you need other human beings to explain what happened or who was responsible,” Barnhart said. “What doesn't happen a lot, oddly enough, in criminal law is that people don't talk -- defendants, suspects, witnesses talk to the police all the time. They talk to the police all the time after being told explicitly they don't have to.”

Untied is holding out hope that is what happens so she can get answers. 

“If we can save one kid by telling Graclynn’s story, then Graclynn’s death served a purpose, and it sucks but sometimes that's what it takes to make change,” Untied said. 

Neff was sentenced to three years in prison. She is appealing. 

Detectives continue to investigate, and if more evidence is found, tomorrow or years down the road, they will file additional charges.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A Columbus City School District high school football game to be played in the northeast section of the city has been cancelled.

According to a media alert from CCS, this Friday’s game versus Northland will be cancelled “due to an ongoing concern directly involving the safety of Beechcroft High School football student-athletes.” Beechcroft's season will therefore conclude with its last game having been played in Week 9 on Oct. 17, the district said.

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Though the district did not specify what safety concerns it had, the cancellation comes four days after a shooting took place in the Northgate neighborhood, where two juveniles were shot just before 10:30 p.m. Saturday.

No suspects have been identified in the shooting, which took place near the intersection of Beechcroft Road and Sharon Woods Boulevard, where the high school is located.

Two victims were found near the high school and taken to a hospital in stable condition. At the time of the shooting, police said two to three people were seen exiting a black Honda SUV and fired shots at multiple individuals.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Felony Assault Unit at 614-645-4323 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477 to leave an anonymous tip.

The game between Beechcroft and Northland will result in a forfeit loss for the Cougars, who will finish the season with a 3-7 overall record and 2-4 in the City League North. The Vikings end their season at 7-3 (5-1).

For all of NBC4's Week 10 central Ohio area football coverage, visit our Football Friday Nite Scoreboard.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A child was hospitalized after a shooting Wednesday in east Columbus that police said appears to be accidental.

The shooting happened in the 1700 block of Lonsdale Road at the Pine Hill Townhomes, near the intersection of Lonsdale Road and East Livingston Avenue, according to Columbus police.

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The boy who was shot is under the age of 12, according to police, and used a handgun. He is listed in stable condition at an area hospital.

Two adults were taken into custody. No other details were immediately available.

ATHENS, Ohio (WCMH) -- In seven months, Kent Lankas went from living under bridges as one of many homeless Athens residents to sheltered, employed and helping others recover, an accomplishment he attributes to support from local nonprofit The Gathering Place.

"That one thing of having shelter, of having security, allowed me to come so far," Lankas said.

Lankas shared his story in a packed Athens City Council meeting Monday night in support of an ordinance to allow temporary shelters for homeless individuals on North Congress Street. Proponents of the plan said it is an opportunity to address Athens' large homelessness problem. Opponents said the location poses safety concerns so close to Ohio University students and Athens Middle School.

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"We should feel safe and comfortable in our own house," Ohio University student Allison Perry, who lives on the same street as the proposed temporary housing, said.

Athens' homeless population has spiked since the pandemic. According to the Athens County Foundation, between 40%-60% of homeless Athens residents are employed, but a lack of a livable wage and affordable housing drives housing insecurity. In 2023, the Athens Homeless Coalition counted 342 homeless individuals, likely a low estimate due to data collection difficulties.

Council is considering allowing The Gathering Place to erect three dry, warm and safe microshelters, called Conestoga huts. Among the many testimonies were accounts of homeless people who lost a leg or their lives sleeping in the cold. Proponents emphasized the need for approval before winter.

The shelters are slated for the parking lot shared by The Gathering Place and affiliate male sober living facility Mike's Bridge House. The Gathering Place has helped Athens residents for nearly 50 years. It said the Conestoga huts would begin as a pilot program.

Map courtesy of Google Maps

The site is surrounded primarily by student housing, and is about 200 feet from Athens Middle School. It is also just blocks from Court Street, the primary Uptown street in Athens that is home to a number of bars and student apartments.

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Students like Perry said they appreciated what the huts would do, but they would not feel safe living next to them. Athens resident Jack Stauffer said he represents a small group of businessmen and residents concerned by how the huts might affect aesthetics and Ohio University, the regions largest economic contributor.

"We are concerned about the image of our town," Stauffer said. "We don't want a homeless encampment one block from Court Street."

Athens resident Aaron Leatherwood also disagreed with the site selection. He said drug offenses carry larger penalties in proximity to the middle school. He suggested alternate locations, but none have been made available.

"When we are trying to help people, we need to set them set up for success," he said.

To qualify for the Conestoga hut housing, residents must already be working with The Gathering Place and seeking permanent shelter. Residents must also agree to adhere to a wellness plan tracked by the nonprofit.

Huts will be unlocked at night to allow the people in to sleep, then locked up in the morning once they leave; the huts will then remain inaccessible during the day. The inexpensive huts offer small covered outdoor space with about 60 square feet inside with a lockable door and window, a twin bed and storage. They do not include kitchen or bathroom access, so residents will use nonprofit facilities and have access to a porta-john.

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"I understand the concerns about the possibility of them getting alcohol and drugs, but that exists now. They’re out on the streets now. They have no shelter now," The Plains resident and Gathering Place member Nathan Crowley said. "For them, this gives them that one step."

Many speakers, including Crowley, have been victims of violent crimes perpetrated by homeless individuals. Many said desperation drives crime, and housing could help reduce threats to the public. Council member Solveig Spjeldnes said male students likely pose a bigger threat to female students than homeless people in recovery.

"I am not kicking any members of the (general public) out of my yard for urinating in the bushes or throwing beer cans at 3 a.m.," Lankas said. "I understand that student life is student life ... but also we, as a community and as adults, need to not shelter people from the fact that the world can be difficult sometimes."

Monday night's meeting included a public hearing and the first formal reading of the ordinance. Council members unanimously altered the ordinance language so that it must be reviewed and renewed every year by the city's service safety director. The ordinance is scheduled to be voted on at its third reading. City council next meets for a likely second reading on Nov. 3.

DUBLIN, Ohio (WCMH) -- Honey, your pumpkin wish list has been granted.

Dublin pumpkin artist Jeanette Paras of "Paras Pumpkins" unveiled her annual Halloween season pumpkin, which usually takes the form of a celebrity. And no its not Elizabeth Taylor, its the showgirl herself Taylor Swift for the second time in three years.

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Paras unveiled the 735-pound pumpkin she painted that takes the likeness of Swift making her appearance on her fiancé Travis Kelce's podcast "New Heights", where Swift announced details on her latest album "The Life of a Showgirl", which launched on Oct. 2.

The pumpkin was grown by Ashland natives Dan and Julia Kamburoff to help Paras continue her pumpkin tradition.

Paras Pumpkins 2025 Taylor Swift design

• Central Ohio pumpkin artist "Paras Pumpkins" unveils 2025 Taylor Swift pumpkin design. (Courtesy Photo / Jeanette Paras)
• Central Ohio pumpkin artist "Paras Pumpkins" unveils 2025 Taylor Swift pumpkin design. (Courtesy Photo / Jeanette Paras)

Paras has been turning giant pumpkins into works of arts for decades and this year's Taylor SwiftKin does have an eldest. She painted a 399-pound pumpkin into Taylor Swift in 2023. Other celebrities she has emulated into the fall fruit include "Saturday Night Live" cast member Bowen Yang, President Donald Trump, and Betty White.

Paras Pumpkins previous artworks

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• Bowen YangKin (Photo Courtesy/ Paras Pumpkins)
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On her website, Paras said these works can take roughly 25 to 30 hours in total from the research stage to the finished product. As a two-time breast cancer "thrive-r", according to her website, she has teamed up with the Stefanie Spielman Fund for breast cancer research at Ohio State.

To learn more about how to donate, click here.

UPPER ARLINGTON, Ohio (WCMH) – A coffee and ice cream shop is underway in Upper Arlington, led by a local mom who hopes it will cater to both parents and children.

Alyssa Litzinger is preparing to open Mallway Market Coffee + Cone at 1966 N. Mallway Drive. The shop is taking over a former real estate office and has been under construction since June, according to Litzinger. 

Alyssa Litzinger telling her kids that she is opening Mallway Market. (Photo courtesy/Alyssa Litzinger)

“We live nearby and there's a lot of great spots in Upper Arlington, but nothing quite like this,” Litzinger said. “As a mom, I really wanted somewhere with great coffee, but also something for the kids.”

The business will serve coffee from One Line, a Columbus-based roaster that also runs cafés in central Ohio. The menu will feature espresso, drip coffee and seasonal lattes, Litzinger said. 

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The shop will also offer soft serve ice cream in vanilla and either chocolate or a seasonal flavor, with the option to swirl the flavors together. The shop will serve snacks and pastries provided by local bakeries as well, according to Litzinger. 

Mallway Market is designed primarily as a grab-and-go space, with limited seating available, Litzinger said. It is located in the Mallway at Old Arlington, a walkable retail and dining district that features a nearby park. 

“It's a very walkable and bike-friendly neighborhood for the kids, and families are always out and about,” Litzinger said. “It's kind of right in the heart of the neighborhood and near a couple schools and a public pool as well.”

Litzinger has not yet determined an opening date but hopes to begin training employees as soon as construction ends within the “next few weeks.” Once open, the shop will welcome customers daily, she said.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — As changes ramp up at Mill Run shopping center, customers of one recently shuttered shop are expressing heartbreak after the retail chain abruptly announced it would end its two-and-a-half-decade run at the northwest marketplace.

In a recent Facebook post, Hilliard United Art and Education, formerly located at 3622 Fishinger Blvd. in Hilliard, confirmed the store's permanent closing on Oct. 4.

“We have appreciated your business for the past 25 years!” the post read. “We can still be your source for educational and art supplies at UnitedNow.com. Rest assured that gift cards never expire and can be used as payment on our website.”

Additionally, the company explained in the post's comments how its unexpected end came about.

“We're very sorry to have to go!” the comment stated. “Unfortunately, our landlord intends to open a new pickleball business at our location and informed us early last month that our lease would not be renewed. We did not have enough time to find a suitable location nearby.”

In the Nextdoor app, several community members voiced their opinions upon learning the news from a neighbor's post.

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“Shame on the owner … for forcing the teacher store (United Arts and Education) to close!” the original post read. “What a great resource that supports education in our community! Note: They were given 30 days' notice to evacuate because the Landlord wants to start his own pickleball business there.”

The post garnered dozens of reactions and nearly 100 comments.

“My heart is literally breaking [because] of the closing of that store,” one person said.

“Sad, so, so sad,” another neighbor wrote. “We as a family went there often.”

Many people were concerned that local teachers would lose access to a valuable resource for materials.

“It was the only teacher store I knew of,” one comment read. “Let me know if you find another.”

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“Are there any teacher stores left in Columbus?” echoed another person.

Other Nextdoor users hoped that the educational supply seller would relocate somewhere nearby.

“What a shame! I hope they can find another reasonably priced place,” offered one commenter.

“There are plenty of places they can relocate with a good leasing agent,” another person said.

Despite this optimism, the education chain's website suggests that there are no plans to reopen in central Ohio. The site's locations page displays the business's four stores, including Hilliard and Dayton, which are both marked as permanently closed. Two other Indiana storefronts in Fort Wayne and Mishawaka remain open.

Online, the company notes that it was founded in 1960 in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

“We are committed to serving schools, organizations and individuals with quality products, competitive prices and friendly customer service,” the company information page states. “Our goal is to make shopping fun for every customer, whether you're an art instructor, elementary teacher, school supply buyer, fine artist or parent.

Both Hilliard United Art and Education and the building owner were contacted for this story, but did not respond.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Columbus voters will return to the polls on Nov. 4 to decide who will represent District 7 on Columbus City Council, with attorney Jesse Vogel and assistant city attorney Tiara Ross as the two finalists in the race.

The two candidates advanced from a three-person field in the May 6 primary, defeating nonprofit director Kate Curry-Da-Souza. The winner in November will fill the seat vacated by Shayla Favor, who was elected Franklin County prosecutor. Council appointed Otto Beatty to serve temporarily, but he is not seeking the seat.

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While District 7 is made up of Downtown and most of the city's central neighborhoods, all Columbus residents are eligible to vote in the nonpartisan race. Watch a previous NBC4 report on this year's Columbus City Council race in the video player above.

Vogel, 32, is an attorney with Community Refugee and Immigration Services, where he represents low-income residents. A Columbus native, he holds a bachelor's degree in politics from Oberlin College and a Juris Doctorate from Ohio State University. He has made affordability a central issue in his campaign, especially housing and transportation.

Jesse Vogel. (Courtesy Photo/Jesse Vogel for Columbus City Council)

"I've been an attorney representing renters struggling to stay housed, and I think our city needs a stronger strategy to make sure that our public dollars being invested to build housing that people can actually afford," Vogel previously told NBC4. He has also expressed interest in a property tax relief program for low-income seniors and in making COTA buses free to use.

Vogel said he "would be an advocate for people," and although he is a Democrat, he said he wants "to hold others accountable, including other Democrats, to see how collectively we can do better at making our city work for working people," and that he's "ready to be able to get on council and ask some hard questions."

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Ross, 37, has served as an assistant city attorney for the past seven years. She previously worked in financial crimes compliance at JPMorgan and holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and strategic communication, along with a Juris Doctorate, both from Ohio State. A lifelong Columbus resident, Ross has also prioritized housing and public safety in her campaign.

Tiara Ross. (Courtesy Photo/Tiara Ross for Columbus City Council)

"As we are thinking about development looks like, making sure we are prioritizing affordable housing for people, making sure that when we are looking to develop, we are planful about the areas in which development occurs to maker sure that there is appropriate infrastructure that walks alongside development," she told NBC4.

Ross has also called for more comprehensive approaches to public safety, including alternative responses for nonviolent mental health emergencies, and has emphasized the importance of representation on city council.

"Having been the one candidate that has worked inside city government for the better half of the last decade offers me the unique opportunity to have already created and established very good relationships with the administration," Ross said. "I think representation matters here; who is at the table and what voices are represented at the table. There is a gaping hole right now where there are no Black women that are serving on city council."

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Polls on Nov. 4 will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. More information about ballots and polling locations is available through the Franklin County board of elections.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio is digitizing its education scholarships, relying on a third-party company to help manage funding for programs like EdChoice.

EdChoice is one of five state-sponsored scholarships allowing families to attend private and charter schools using public money. On Monday, the state announced it will switch from a paper-based system to a digital one, selecting Florida-based ClassWallet to manage the more than 175,000 students enrolled in a state scholarship program. The change also introduces a universal scholarship application, streamlining enrollment.

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The switch will require all scholarship students to create accounts through ClassWallet and log in online to manage their funding. Students can attach multiple funds and pay directly from the app. Families are also able to switch between users and manage programs for different kids in the same app.

The change will also streamline scholarship applications, making it easier to apply, proponents said. In partnership with education technology services solution FACTS, ClassWallet is offering the ability to apply for scholarships online. A spokesperson said the transition allows families to apply for all five programs in minutes with reduced paperwork and delays.

Ohio offers five scholarship programs, including EdChoice and EdChoice-Exp, the latter of which removed income requirements and allows any child regardless of financial need to receive at least a partial scholarship to attend nonpublic school. EdChoice and EdChoice-Exp make up 86% of all scholarship participation. See previous coverage of EdChoice in the video player above.

Ohio's Cleveland scholarship offers low-income students in Cleveland schools funding to attend private schools. Ohio also offers the John Peterson Special Needs Scholarship and the Autism Scholarship, which provide funding for students to attend special education programs.

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ClassWallet is used in 37 states to manage public funds, including 12 states' education savings accounts and microgrants. ClassWallet said it offers real-time spending tracking to ensure accountability, and it cuts down processing time by 98%.

ClassWallet was once used to manage Oklahoma's pandemic relief funding for students. However, the state auditor found at least $1.7 million in questionable purchases under the program, and sued ClassWallet for a lack of oversight.

Oklahoma's attorney general dismissed lawsuits against the vendor, saying ClassWallet was not responsible for individual misuse and was operating under the direction of state officials. A ClassWallet spokesperson said its technology allows state agencies to set their own spending rules within the digital wallet.

"We’re really proud of our strong track record helping states minimize both fraud and unintentional misuse of funds," a spokesperson said.

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In a statement, School Choice Ohio applauded ClassWallet's experience and entry into the scholarship program. School Choice Ohio has advocated for programs like EdChoice for 20 years, and said the transition is a "positive step forward for Ohio families."

"Its technology will help create a more efficient, user-friendly experience for families and schools alike," School Choice Ohio said in a statement. "This change not only saves the state money and leverages innovation but also ensures better support for the more than 175,000 students who rely on Ohio’s scholarship programs."

The scholarships have also received criticism, with opponents alleging they take money from public schools. In June, a Franklin County judge ruled that the EdChoice program is unconstitutional. Expecting an appeal, she stayed her own order, which allowed EdChoice and EdChoice-Exp to continue until it is determined by a higher court. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has since appealed the ruling, and legal proceedings continue.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – An Ohio bill named after a corrections officer who was killed by an inmate on Christmas morning seeks to increase the penalties for incarcerated people who harm prison employees. 

House Bill 338, sponsored by Reps. Mark Johnson (R-Chillicothe) and Phil Plummer (R-Dayton), would “reform Ohio’s prisons” and make them safer places to work, according to the lawmakers.

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The legislation was named Andy’s Law in honor of Andrew Lansing, a 62-year-old corrections officer at the Ross County Correctional Institution who died after being assaulted by an inmate in 2024. Authorities identified the inmate as Rashawn Cannon, 28, who pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder in connection with the killing and awaits trial.

The measure would create a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole for incarcerated individuals who murder Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections or Department of Youth Services employees, while leaving the door open for the death penalty.

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Under current state law, individuals convicted of aggravated murder – the charge typically brought in such cases – could already face life in prison without parole or the death penalty. However, judges have the ability to grant parole eligibility after 20 years. 

“These sweeping changes are necessary to show DRC and DYS employees that their safety is valued by the state,” Johnson and Plummer wrote in testimony for an Oct. 15 hearing. “It’s shameful that it took the death of a husband and father for us to realize there needs to be changes made to our prison system, but, as Legislators, we need to do everything in our power to prevent another death.”

The proposal would also create a mandatory seven-year prison sentence for inmates who commit felonious assault against correctional employees, along with a mandatory three-year sentence for assault, according to the lawmakers. 

Andrew Lansing

The bill seeks to ensure all level three and level four prisons – which house medium- to high-risk offenders – use a drug-sniffing dog that is exclusively assigned to their institution within two years of the bill taking effect. It would require all lower-level prisons to deploy K-9s within five years. 

HB 338 would also would increase the penalty for smuggling drugs into a government facility from a third-degree felony to a first-degree felony in relation to correctional institutions. 

“Inmates that are bringing drugs in and assaulting officers are not facing serious enough repercussions to deter them from [committing] these violations in the future,” the lawmakers wrote. “As a result, the staff vacancy rate at many prisons, especially level 3 prisons, is approaching a critical level.”

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Under the legislation, the DRC would be required to hire a consultant to help address the staffing crisis. The bill also would ban physical contact between inmates and visitors in all level three and level four prisons. 

Gabe Davis, CEO of the Ohio Justice and Policy Center, a nonprofit law firm that works to reduce mass incarceration, said his organization is reviewing the “complicated” and “nuanced” bill thoroughly. 

HB 338, introduced in June, awaits further hearings and public testimony. The bill has six Republican cosponsors. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Fans of the former alternative radio station WWCD have a chance to own a piece of local music history as the Brewery District building long associated with the station prepares for demolition.

An online auction of nearly 500 items from the former station and the Big Room Bar, which operated above it, is underway ahead of the building's razing at 1036 S. Front St. The auction, hosted by Paul Delphia of AuctionByDelphia, began Oct. 9 and will close Oct. 30.

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"Big Room Bar and radio station at site have ceased business," the listing reads. "Building to be razed so some of the items are of an architectural nature." Watch a previous NBC4 report on WWCD's closure in the video player above.

The Brewery District site at 1036 S. Front St. will make way for a six-story apartment complex. (Courtesy Photos/Franklin County Auditor's Office)

Items up for bid range from practical kitchen equipment, including griddles, deep fryers, refrigerators and dishwashers, to more unique memorabilia such as neon beer signs, a piano, disco balls, flat-screen TVs, a Big Room Bar-branded chalkboard, and a large WWCD sign. Also listed are desks, office chairs, storage units, a ping pong table and even bathroom stall dividers.

The building served as home base for WWCD -- known to listeners over the decades as CD101, CD102.5, and, most recently, CD92.9FM -- before the station shut down in April 2024. The locally owned alternative station had already transitioned to an online-only format earlier after losing its frequency.

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"The time has come that we must announce with heavy hearts that WWCD Radio has played its last song," the closure announcement read. "It has been an incredible journey, one that legend can be told with memoires and cherished moments shared with you that will never be forgotten. Thank you to each and every one of you."

The Brewery District site at 1036 S. Front St. will make way for a six-story apartment complex. (Courtesy Photo/City of Columbus)

The building is set to be demolished to make way for a six-story apartment complex by real estate firm Arcadia development. The project, approved in September by the city's Historic Resources Commission, will include 106 residential units, a second-floor pool deck and a parking garage.

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The commission approved the demolition in a 5-2 vote.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Columbus Board of Education is still weighing a major change that could impact how thousands get to school. After voting earlier this month to amend its transportation policy, the district is facing concerns from the community about what this could mean for students.

"I thought I better get out here and say something because a lot of these children are going to be affected and their families, sadly, because they just don't know how hard it's going to be," Sherri Smith said.

Sherri Smith spoke during public comment at Tuesday night's meeting. She shared her own experience as a working parent and said eliminating busing for high schoolers could put them at risk of falling behind. 

"The truancy rate is already high, and I just can't stand to see children not graduate and not having a chance of a successful life," Smith said. 

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According to Smith, for many families, busing isn't a convenience; it's a necessity.

"A lot of them, the children, are on the reduced or free lunch program," Smith said. "That tells me they're having a hard time right there. You telling me that your income is at a certain level, that if even if they gave them COTA bus passes, that's not going to last forever."

Columbus Board of Education President Michael Cole said the recent policy change simply allows the district to consider cuts as it works to close a $50 million deficit.

"I appreciate the common sensibility that she brings to it," Cole said. "There are a lot of nuances to consider, and I think the important thing for her to understand, like many folks, is that we haven't made a decision yet. We merely amended a policy."

The policy change is just one word from "shall" to "may." This means the district would not be required to transport students in grades 9-12. 

"I just don't want the kids to be in harm's way," Smith said. "When they get on a school bus, they're safe. Most of the time, they're safe. You know, point A, point B."

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Cole said the pressure to balance costs while putting students first is incredibly trying. 

"I'm encouraged by the resolve of my colleagues who serve alongside me courageously," Cole said. "And, you know, curiously and engage in a way to make sure that we're making the best choices we can for children, given our circumstances. This is not taken lightly at all."

For now, bussing will continue as is. If passed, the bus schedule would not change until next school year. Cole encourages the community to continue sharing where they stand on the issue.

The Board of Education is expected to discuss the human capital side of the transportation policy, including staff impacts, at its next meeting on Nov. 13. 

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