Ohio News

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) - From Rascal Flatts, Justin Timberlake and Mary J. Blige, to Monster Jam, comedy shows and much more, many top concerts and performances will be hitting venues across central Ohio this winter. Below is the list of shows and concerts in Columbus.

Disney On Ice

Nationwide Arena, Jan. 30 - Feb. 2

• For the first time, Disney On Ice invites families to step inside the magical adventures of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Frozen and Disney Animation’s Encanto. Audiences will be able to watch their fan favorites while experiencing the magic of Disney at Nationwide Arena. Tickets are on sale now.

Disney On Ice 2025 (Feld Entertainment) Kelsea Ballerini

Schottenstein Center, Feb 1 at 7 p.m.

• Grammy-nominated country music star Kelsea Ballerini is making a stop in Columbus, as part of her live tour across the U.S. Her special guests include Sasha Alex Sloan and MaRynn Taylor. Tickets are still available.

Dancing With The Stars Tour

Mershon Auditorium, Feb. 7 at 7:30 p.m.

• See the glitz, glam and breathtaking performances of America’s favorite dance show in Columbus with this all-new show starring your favorite pros. Tickets are on sale.

PAW Patrol Live! “A Mighty Adventure”

Mershon Auditorium, Feb. 15-16

• Based on the top rated animated preschool series, PAW Patrol follows Chase, Marshall, Skye and the rest of the pack after they save Adventure City with their Mighty Pup Powers. Tickets for shows are on sale with showings at different times on Feb. 15 and 16.

Cinch World’s Toughest Rodeo

Nationwide Arena, Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m.

• The World's Toughest Rodeo is back at Nationwide Arena, showcasing action and intense competition. Enjoy a night of Bull Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, Bareback Riding and Women's Barrel Racing.

Justin Timberlake | The Forget the World Tour

Nationwide Arena, Feb 27. at 7:30 p.m.

• Justin Timberlake: The Forget the World Tour is coming to Columbus in February, after the tour stop was rescheduled back in 2024. Timberlake will sing songs from his newest album, "Everything I Thought It Was" along with his other top hits. Tickets are on sale now.

FILE - Justin Timberlake performs at the Pilgrimage Music and Cultural Festival in Franklin, Tenn., on Sept. 23, 2017. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File) Rascal Flats | Life is a Highway Tour

Nationwide Arena, March 6 at 7 p.m.

• Country music band Rascal Flats is performing at Nationwide Arena, with special guests performances from Lauren Alaina and Chris Lane. The band will be on the road for their "Life is a Highway" tour while celebrating 25 years of creating music. According to the band's website, the tour sold out nearly two-thirds of their dates, including the stop in Columbus.

TobyMac’s Hits Deep 2025

Nationwide Arena, March 16 at 6:30 p.m.

• Enjoy a live dance party at Nationwide Arena with a lineup that includes TobyMac, Crowder, CAIN, Ryan Stevenson, and Terrian.

Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Gaffigan

Nationwide Arena, March 21 at 7:30 p.m.

• The two popular comedians will take the stage for one night only in Columbus as part of the duo's comedy tour. Tickets for seats are on sale.

Deftones

Nationwide Arena, March 29 at 7 p.m.

• The multi-platinum Grammy Award-winning Deftones are performing with The Mars Volta and Fleshwater this Spring. The band, comprised of Chino Moreno, Frank Delgado, Stephen Carpenter, and Abe Cunningham, has released nine studio albums, sold over 10 million albums globally, and have been streamed 7.1 billion times. Tickets are on sale now.

Tyler, The Creator | CHROMAKOPIA: THE WORLD TOUR

Schottenstein Center, March 29 at 7:30 p.m.

• Rapper, producer and singer Tyler, The Creator is coming to Columbus to perform on his tour called CHROMAKOPIA. This comes after the rapper's new album was released in October 2024. He will be joined with Special Guests Lil Yachty and Paris Texas. According to the musician's website, there is a waitlist for tickets to the Columbus concert.

Mary J. Blige | The For My Fans Tour

Nationwide Arena, April 2 at 7 p.m.

• Grammy and Emmy Award-winning and Oscar-nominated artist, actress, producer, and entrepreneur Mary J. Blige is on tour alongside special guests Ne-Yo and Mario. Blige will perform her music hits for one night only in Columbus.

Shane Gillis

Nationwide Arena, April 4 at 8 p.m.

• Comedian and actor Shane Gillis is stopping in Columbus for his comedy tour at Nationwide Arena.

Monster Jam

Schottenstein Center, April 4-6

• Monster Jam returns to Columbus where attendees can watch world champion athletes and their 12,000 pound monster trucks tear up the dirt in wide-open competitions of speed and skill. 

SUNBURY, Ohio (WCMH) – The Ohio State Highway Patrol has released new details surrounding a fatal crash involving three vehicles Sunday night in Delaware County.

According to an OSHP release, an investigation remains ongoing into a three-vehicle crash that killed one person and injured several others on Interstate 71 in Berkshire Township, near the Tanger Outlets and the U.S.-36/State Route 37 exit in Delaware County. For a previous report on this story, view the video player above.

At around 5 p.m. Sunday, troopers say a black Hyundai Tucson, driven by 35-year-old Michael Duncan, was heading north on I-71. Duncan reportedly lost control of the vehicle, veered across the median, overturned, struck the median cable barrier, and then hit a Chevrolet Silverado traveling in the southbound lanes head on.

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The Hyundai came to rest in the middle of the southbound lanes, while the Chevrolet slid off the left side of the highway after impact.

One person was killed and four others hospitalized after a multi-vehicle crash on I-71 near the Tanger Outlets, Jan. 12, 2025. (Courtesy/Ohio Department of Transportation)

Duncan was pronounced dead at the scene. Two Hyundai passengers, a 38-year-old woman and a 10-year-old girl, were hospitalized with serious injuries serious injuries, as were the driver and passenger of the Chevrolet.

A Toyota Tacoma, also heading southbound, was struck by debris during the crash. The driver and passenger were treated at the scene for minor injuries.

The OSHP reported that Duncan was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, which caused all southbound lanes to close for approximately three hours. All others involved were wearing seatbelts, troopers said.

The Delaware County Sheriff's Office, Delaware Fire & EMS, BST&G Fire and EMS and the Ohio Department of Transportation all assisted the OSHP in responding to the crash. It is still unknown what led to Duncan losing control of the Hyundai.

BEXLEY, Ohio (WCMH) -- In the month since Bexley City Schools has completed its $6.02 million purchase of nearly 30 acres of land just north of the city's limits, the district has released more information about the purchase and its future.

The district has confirmed it intends to demolish the existing building on the property, as well as install temporary fencing for safety. Bexley has also debuted possible renderings of what could be coming for the property at 935 N. Cassady Ave. Public Information Officer Carol Taylor said it is important to remember the possibilities presented are only possibilities, and nothing is finished.

"The development of the Cassady land complex will be preceded by a community-engagement process specific to the Cassady Avenue complex -- similar to what we’re doing now and what we also did with our Strategic Plan development in 2023," Taylor said. "Community members were heavily involved in Strategic Planning in 2023, and have been in Facilities Planning since the beginning of 2024."

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Two of many possibilities have been made public, both with increased athletic facilities including two turf fields, tennis courts and a new track and field center. A primary difference between the two renderings was deciding if the district should move 10th Avenue from where it currently sits, driving through the property.

The estimated costs without markups ranged from around $29 million to around $37 million, which Taylor said did not include the over $6 million used to purchase the property. The district has said its hefty operating levy will not be able to pay to develop the land but could be used for future daily operations. See previous coverage of Bexley City Schools' 2024 levy in the video player above.

Both renderings were titled "Phase I," and Taylor said although the architects labeled them that way, there is currently not a suggested phase two. However, Taylor also said the district knows it is unlikely the land will be developed in just one phase.

Taylor said the possible options and cost projections were drafted by architects working with the district before the land purchase was finalized, in order to understand the land's potential. During that due diligence phase, the district also had conversations with city zoning officials, surveyed the property and completed site assessments, including an environmental report.

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NBC4 obtained the initial environmental assessment, which found the property was listed in two environmental data resource databases, both of which were deemed unlikely to affect the site today. Regarding surrounding properties, the Calgon Carbon Corporation next door was the only site of 90 listings found to be likely to have adversely affected the property.

A questionnaire was also completed by a representative for the property's last owner, who said no previous assessments have been completed, and answered that he did not have knowledge about most possible environmental factors.

The first database hit was a listing as an infectious waste generator, a designation left over from the site's days as a nursing home. As it provided medical care for patients, the property used and disposed of sharp items, containers, biohazards and medical waste, all of which are classified as infectious waste. The report said it is unlikely this would impact the property negatively today.

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The second was a spill of pesticide reported at the property in 1990, likely from routine maintenance, the report notes. According to the environmental report, the 35 years since the spill occurred means it will likely not affect the current property.

The Calgon Carbon Corporation was found to have contributed to contamination on the southeastern portion of the property. The report said the contaminated soil has been topped with 2 feet of clean soil in compliance with environmental standards. Ohio EPA reports have also found this facility is in compliance with environmental regulations.

The development will be a change for Bexley schools. Taylor encouraged families to remember that things are flexible and to consider the possibilities of the new property.

"The need for a new outdoor complex is not just to support our student athletes. We need to alleviate overcrowding on the Cassingham complex in order to enlarge and improve the school day space by addressing our undersized classrooms and alleviate cafeteria overcrowdedness, to name just two of many issues," Taylor said.

Taylor encouraged those wanting to know more to sign up for the district newsletter, where updates are often shared. The district documents facilities planning processes and makes them available online, and asked residents to get information from the district rather than second-hand.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — With the arrival of the new year and the 2024 winter solstice in the past, the people of central Ohio can now look forward to more daylight hours.

The Columbus region will gain about 45 minutes of daylight in January, with earlier sunrises and later sunsets. According to timeanddate.com, the sunrise will shift from 7:53 a.m. on Jan. 1 to 7:40 a.m. on Jan. 31. Additionally, the sunset will begin several minutes later from 5:17 p.m. on Jan. 1 to 5:50 p.m. on Jan. 31.

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This season's solstice, or the “shortest” day of winter with the fewest daylight hours, arrived on Dec. 21 and provided Columbus with about 9 hours and 20 minutes of sunlight. On Jan. 31, the day will last around 10 hours and 9 minutes.

While days will continue to get “longer” until the summer solstice on June 20, when daylight hours will start to diminish, there will be a brief interruption when daylight saving time begins on March 9. The time change will shift the sunrise from 6:54 a.m. on March 8, to 7:52 a.m. the next morning.

It is also possible that March will be the last time daylight saving time will be observed. In December, President-elect Donald Trump said he would push to eliminate the “inconvenient” and “costly” practice of daylight saving time. However, most recent federal attempts to modify the time change have pushed for daylight saving time to become permanent.

Last July in Ohio, a bipartisan bill to observe daylight saving time permanently took another step forward at the Statehouse after passing the House the previous year.

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Around the country, Alaska will see the biggest increase in daylight hours this month. On Jan. 1 in Anchorage, the sun rose at 10:14 a.m. and set around 3:53 p.m. local time, giving the city fewer than six hours of daylight. By the end of the month, the sun will rise at 9:23 a.m. and set after 5 p.m., NOAA’s Solar Calculator shows, giving Anchorage seven hours and 41 minutes of daylight.

The chart below shows how Ohio stacks up to other cities in the U.S. when it comes to gaining daylight this January.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Gas prices in and around the Columbus area took a dive last week and now mirror that of the national average.

According to GasBuddy’s survey of 500 stations in the Columbus area, the average price at the pump fell by 14.2 cents per gallon last week to reach $3.02. The current price is 10.9 cents per gallon lower than four weeks ago but still 19.1 cents per gallon higher than this time one year ago.

Columbus Gas Prices Tracker

The cheapest gas station in the Columbus area was priced at $2.66 a gallon on Sunday, while the most expensive was $3.29, a difference of 63 cents per gallon. In Ohio, the average price of gas also dropped by 15.3 cents from $3.11 per gallon to $2.95 per gallon.

Nationally, gas prices fell slightly, by 1.1 cents per gallon, to reach $3.02. The price of diesel rose slightly, by 3.7 cents, settling at $3.52 per gallon.

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Head of petroleum analyst Patrick De Haan said oil prices are at their highest level since October, which could soon lead to “noticeable increases” throughout the country.

“Seasonally weak demand may help soften the impact of any increases for now,” De Haan said. “But with refinery maintenance season just weeks away—when refiners typically reduce gasoline production—motorists should be prepared for the spring rally to kick off."

This article discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline available 24/7. To reach the 24/7 Crisis Text Helpline, text 4HOPE to 741741.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Gov. Mike DeWine has signed a bill into law that will make sextortion a felony in Ohio, years after a 15-year-old Olentangy High School football player took his life after falling victim to the scam.

DeWine signed House Bill 531, known as “Braden’s Law,” on Wednesday, surrounded by Braden Markus’ family and friends. The Olentangy student died by suicide in October 2021, after falling victim to sextortion -- short for sexual extortion -- which occurs when someone is blackmailed over intimate images. 

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Introduced by Reps. Brian Lorenz (R-Powell) and Beth Lear (R-Galena) in May, the new law will make sextortion a third-degree felony. The charge could be upgraded to a second-degree or first-degree felony depending on a variety of factors, including if the victim is a minor or disabled, and if the perpetrator is a repeat offender. 

In Ohio, a third-degree felony carries a prison sentence of nine months to three years, and a judge may impose a maximum fine of $10,000. A first-degree felony is punishable by three to 11 years in prison, and a maximum fine of $20,000. 

“This legislation may have been inspired out of a tragic situation, but now Ohio will have a law that will make online perpetrators think twice about their activities,” Lorenz said. “I’m grateful that Gov. DeWine has seen the need for this legislation and how it can help families in the future.”

The law will also provide immunity from prosecution to victims who sent explicit images, and allow parents or guardians to gain access to a device belonging to a deceased minor within 30 days. Markus’ family was unable to gain access to his phone for about a year after his death, according to Lorenz. 

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“His parents were unable to get into his phone to find out why he did what he did,” Lorenz previously told NBC4. “It was a year of just complete agony for that family.”

The law will provide immunity to telecommunication carriers from any criminal or civil penalties that could arise from providing access to the minor’s device. Failure to give access after 30 days will result in increasing fines for the involved company, starting at $1,000 per day and going up to as much as $10,000 per day depending on the length of the delay. Those fines will be deposited into Ohio's consumer protection enforcement fund.

An earlier version of the bill would have also made victims and their families eligible for compensation through the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, but that portion was ultimately removed by lawmakers. 

Before gaining DeWine's signature, the bill passed the House and Senate unanimously and did not have any known opponents. The Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association, Buckeye State Sheriffs Association and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted submitted testimony in support of the bill. 

“This is a very large issue in the lives of our children,” Husted said in June testimony. “They are being targeted online and social media companies enable it with their algorithms. They allow our children to be targeted by adult sexual predators, and we must fight back. When Ohio takes action on an issue and passes legislation, the rest of the nation pays attention.”

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The FBI has called sextortion a “growing threat” targeting minors. Often, minor victims will believe they are talking to someone their own age, whom they send revealing photos. The criminal will then threaten to publish the content if the victim does not send them more images or money.

In Markus’ situation, he was contacted by an individual on social media, who sent him revealing photos posing as a 15-year-old girl. The user convinced Markus to send photos back, then the interaction quickly escalated. 

Immediately after receiving the photo of Markus, the user demanded $1,800 and threatened to release the photo on social media if Markus did not comply. Just 27 minutes after being contacted by the blackmailer, Markus died by suicide. 

Ohio now joins over a dozen states that have laws against sexual extortion. The law will take effect on April 8.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A national crisis hotline received a significant increase in calls from LGBTQ+ youth in Ohio within hours after Gov. Mike DeWine signed a bill that opponents say will result in the "outing" of students.

The Rainbow Youth Project USA Foundation said its crisis hotline received 579 calls from LGBTQ+ young people in Ohio on Jan. 8 closely following DeWine's signing of House Bill 8, coined by supporters as "The Parents' Bill of Rights." The quantity is notable given the hotline usually handles an average of 284 calls per month from Ohio. Watch a previous NBC4 report on H.B. 8 in the video player above.

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H.B. 8 will go into effect in April and will require teachers to notify parents before teaching "sexuality content" and of changes in a student's mental, emotional or physical health. Other legislation was folded into the bill to require public schools to adopt a policy permitting excused absences for students who attend religious instruction during the school day.

"This bill endangers lives. It strips transgender and nonbinary youth of the safe spaces they need to confide in educators and school staff, putting them at risk of being outed to unsupportive families," said TransOhio, Ohio's only statewide trans-led organization, in a previous statement. "H.B. 8 sends the harmful message that there is something 'wrong' with LGBTQI+ youth and punishes schools for fostering trust and safety for students."

In addition to calls from youth, the national suicide prevention hotline also recorded 82 calls from educators seeking clarity on their rights and responsibilities under the new legislation. Rainbow Youth Project said this indicates "a significant level of uncertainty and concern among school staff regarding the potential implications for their students' well being."

DeWine told reporters after a separate bill-signing at the Statehouse on Jan. 8 that H.B. 8 will provide a path for parents to be informed about what's going on in their child's life. "[Parents are] the first teachers, they're the best teachers, and that's very, very important," the governor said, also noting that he does not see the bill as harming LGBTQ+ students.

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"We love these students as we love anybody else and they're not only welcome in Ohio, they're welcome in our schools and we want to protect them as we protect every other student," the governor said. "But, I do believe that parents, again, having information, they're the most likely people to help that child."

The Center for Christian Virtue, Ohio's largest Christian public policy organization, celebrated DeWine's signature and said "parents, not government bureaucrats, should be making healthcare and education decisions for their kids."

"H.B. 8 protects children by safeguarding parents' rights to make important decisions for their children," said Aaron Baer, the group's president. "Whether it's a decision about healthcare, a decision about when a child has a discussion about sexuality, or a decision over whether a child can access a religious released time program like LifeWise Academy, H.B. 8 puts parents back in control."

Equality Ohio, a statewide LGBTQ+ advocacy group, said it is "deeply disappointed" DeWine signed the legislation given it includes "language similar to Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' bill."

"H.B. 8 had bipartisan opposition in the state legislature because it did nothing to create a school that welcomes LGBTQ+ Ohio students as they are, and did nothing to support teachers in creating a safe learning environment," said Dwayne Steward, Equality Ohio executive director. "We will continue to fight for an Ohio that makes all students feel safe and secure in their schools."

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Ohio State Buckeyes have traveled over 6,500 miles so far in the College Football Playoffs. They'll add another 1,200 miles when they journey to Atlanta, Georgia this week for the National Championship game. 

Buckeye fans have been racking up the miles, too. It takes a lot of time, planning, and money to follow their favorite team across the country.  

Local travel agent Emily Koester said that even though it may be a short notice trip to follow the Buckeyes to Atlanta, it shouldn't be an impossible task. 

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"Obviously it's going to be busy,” she said. “There's not going to be a lot of options, but really, it's not that difficult to do.” 

"Where I would start is accommodations,” Koester added. “I would find a place that you can stay. I would search for hotels or rentals or just find somewhere to stay. Tickets are there. You know, you're going to be able to get a ticket to get in.” 

Hotels in the downtown Atlanta area near Mercedes Benz Stadium are pricey, with many of them well more than $1,000 a night. 

"Look outside the city a little bit; look at rentals as well,” Koester said. “If you're not really finding what you want on a hotel website, look. You could always look for a rental option.” 

Koester had several other tips for travelers to Atlanta that could come in handy in any traveling situation.  

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"If you are finding a better price out there, you can always call the hotel, see if they'll do a price match guarantee for you," she said. “Worst they can do is say ‘no.’” 

Koester spoke from experience when she said, "I would check in and I would secure that room because sometimes hotels do oversell, do overbook."  

Her experience traveling to an Ohio State football game against Purdue in West Lafayette ended with a Buckeyes loss, and a hotel not having their room reserved.  

"Check into your flight as soon as you possibly can, and I would check into your hotel as soon as you possibly can," Koester said.  

When it comes to flights, Southwest Airlines and Delta Airlines both have multiple direct flights from Columbus to Atlanta. Those flights still have availability but will cost you over $850 for Southwest and around $1,300 for Delta.  

To try to make your travels headache-free, Koester said, "I would book it directly on the airlines websites. I would stay away from some of those third-party websites only because when it comes, if you need to make changes, add anything, cancel for any reason, you're going to want to deal with the airline themselves." 

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Unlike the first two College Football Playoff road games for the Buckeyes, this one is much more drivable. Mercedes Benz Stadium is about 600 miles from The Shoe, about an eight- or nine-hour drive. Filling up the gas tank a few times will cost significantly less than a plane ticket for frugal-minded fans.  

Tickets to the National Championship can be found for sale on any number of third-party websites. Ohio State football season ticket holders have an opportunity to buy tickets through the University as well. 

The "get-in" price as of Sunday night on StubHub was around $1,600 before taxes.  

No matter if you are booking airfare, a hotel or buying tickets to the game, Koester said, "Before you purchase anything, do another little quick search, try to see if there's any promo codes, anything to bring that cost down even more." 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- More cases of the avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, have been detected in Ohio in recent weeks.

According to the United Nations, it has killed more than 300 million birds worldwide and one person in the U.S. Health officials still said the risk for the public is low right now but a professor at Ohio State's College of Veterinary Medicine said the medical community has been scrambling to slow down the spread.

“As much as I hate to use the term unprecedented, I think what we're seeing with this strain really is something new and novel,” said Dr. Andrew Bowman. Of the 67 people detected with the bird flu since its spread in 2021, none of the human cases have been in Ohio.

We have seen the spread here in animals, most recently on a Darke County farm with more than 900,000 chickens infected. “We do have a vaccine stockpile. It will start for humans if this were to turn into something that looks like it's more severe for humans and or human transmissible but the reservoir being wild birds is a really difficult thing to control,” said Dr. Bowman.

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The virus has yet to be spread from person to person, so he said people should only be concerned right now if they are working with wild animals. Dr. Bowman did say he is worried about protecting pets. “I do think there is this concern, especially for animals that are outdoors. You know, if it's a domestic cat that maybe is an indoor-outdoor cat,” he said.

Dr. Bowman recommends limiting pets' time outdoors, especially unsupervised. There is also a pet food concern. The Northwest Naturals of Portland brand recently issued a voluntary recall of its 2lb. Feline Turkey Recipe raw & frozen pet food. The product was sold nationwide including at the Graceland Mutts & Co.

“Certainly the recommendation of using either pasteurized products or fully cooked products would be the safe bet. So raw pet food is certainly a concern. Raw milk consumption, whether for animals or for people, is a concern as well,” said Dr. Bowman.

Most cases in humans are reportedly mild. The top symptoms of bird flu in humans are pink eye, fever, fatigue and cough, per the Cleveland Clinic. Healthcare providers can diagnose avian flu with a throat or nose swab test.

SUNBURY, Ohio (WCMH) -- A crash has closed all lanes of a portion of Interstate 71 near the Tanger Outlets north of Columbus. 

According to the Ohio Department of Transportation, all lanes of I-71 southbound near US-36/State Route 37 are closed due to the crash. 

The multiple-vehicle crash happened at approximately 5 p.m.. The Delaware County Sheriff's Office said the roadway will be closed for several hours as the crash is cleaned up and investigated. 

There is no further information available at this time. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Don DePerro, the former president and CEO of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, has died, the chamber announced in a statement Sunday.

DePerro became president of the chamber in 2016, and served 31 years as president and publisher for American City Business Journals, publisher of Columbus Business First, according to his LinkedIn page.

Circumstances surrounding DePerro's death are not known at this time.

Columbus Chamber of Commerce President Derrick Clay's full statement is below:

It is with profound sadness that we share the unexpected passing of Don DePerro, our former President & CEO. Don was a visionary leader whose passion and dedication profoundly shaped the Columbus Chamber of Commerce and the greater Columbus Region. 

During his tenure, Don spearheaded transformative initiatives that strengthened the Chamber’s mission and championed economic growth for our business community. His ability to bring people together, advocate for businesses, and lead with integrity left an enduring legacy that will continue to inspire us all. 

On a personal level, Don’s unwavering commitment, generosity, and faith were hallmarks of his character. He was a mentor and friend to many, and his impact extended far beyond the Chamber, touching countless lives in our region. 

As we mourn this significant loss, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Don’s family, friends, and all who were fortunate to know him. We will share details about arrangements or opportunities to honor Don’s memory as they become available. 

Let us come together as a community to celebrate his life and contributions.  

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

• A new Congress is now in session. Will lawmakers in Washington push back on Donald Trump's comments about annexing other countries?

• Gov. Mike DeWine has signed more than two dozen bills into Ohio law. Here are some of the policies set to go into effect later this year.

• Republicans are pushing for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants on a national level, but some experts said there could be consequences for Ohio's economy.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Ohio State Buckeyes are one win away from a national championship and the team's final preparations are just getting started.

After a 28-14 win over Texas in the Cotton Bowl, the Buckeyes will be making one last road trip to face Notre Dame in Atlanta in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Jan. 20. This will mark the third consecutive season Ohio State plays the Fighting Irish.

Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day will speak with the media multiple times in the lead-up and will hold his first press briefing at noon Sunday. You can watch Day's comments live in the player above.

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Day and the Buckeyes beat Notre Dame twice in the last two seasons with a 21-10 win in Columbus in 2022 and a 17-14 win in South Bend, Indiana the following year. This will be the teams' ninth all-time meeting and fifth this century.

Both Midwest powerhouses went through difficult paths to get to the first final in the 12-team playoff era. The Buckeyes took down Tennessee, Oregon, and Texas while Notre Dame vanquished Indiana, Georgia, and Penn State on its way to Atlanta.

Ohio State seeks its ninth national championship and first since 2014, the first in the four-team playoff era. Notre Dame will need to upset the Buckeyes to win its 12th national championship and first since 1988.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – An Akron woman has been charged with felony assault of an officer while in custody at the Franklin County correctional center on Jackson Pike.

According to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Jessica Thomas, 36, was an inmate after a capias was issued by the Summit County Sheriff’s Office in relation to criminal charges. She was held at the Jackson Pike location from Nov. 1-8.

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The sheriff’s office said that on Nov. 4, Thomas attempted to escape a housing unit by running out of an open door. Thomas reportedly ran into a deputy, and the two fought.

Documents state that Thomas pulled the deputy’s hair and began striking the deputy in the face. The two fell to the ground and continued wrestling before deputies apprehended Thomas.

On Thursday, Thomas, who spent the previous two months at Summit County Jail, was returned to Franklin County to face the assault charge and a judge issued her a $25,000 bond.

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In December, Thomas was sentenced to two years of community control on drug possession charges in Summit County. She now faces a violation of parole stemming from a 2020 conviction on grand theft of a motor vehicle felony charge.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Columbus police are searching for leads in an east Columbus homicide that occurred nearly four years ago.

On March 5, 2021, police responded to reports of a shooting in the 2300 block of Ridgeway Avenue in the St. Mary’s neighborhood. Officers found 42-year-old Michael Keaton inside his apartment and unresponsive, suffering from a gunshot wound.

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Medics pronounced him dead at the scene at 11:46 p.m. No suspects were identified at the time and to this day, there have been few leads to the case. Find an earlier report on this story in the video player above.

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 about this crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS (8477) or visit www.stopcrime.org and submit your tip.

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohio's fair season is still months away, but dates have been set for the Ohio State Fair and the nearly 100 combined county and independent fairs around the Buckeye State.

In a news release, the Ohio Department of Agriculture announced when Ohioans can expect fairs to return in each of the state's 88 counties. The 2025 season will begin in Paulding County, located near the state's northwest corner, on June 7. The year's final fair will occur in central Ohio's Fairfield County, spanning Oct. 5 to 11. The Ohio State Fair will last 12 days this year, opening on July 23.

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Here are all the fairs taking place in and around central Ohio by date:

• Pickaway County Fair (Circleville), June 14 to June 21
• Marion County Fair (Marion), June 30 to July 5
• Madison County Fair (London), July 5 to July 12
• Logan County Fair (Bellefontaine), July 6 to July 12
• Crawford County Fair (Bucyrus), July 14 to July 19
• Fayette County Fair (Washington C.H.), July 14 to July 19
• Franklin County Fair (Hilliard), July 14 to July 20
• Perry County Fair (New Lexington), July 14 to July 19
• Union County Fair (Marysville), July 20 to July 26
• Ohio State Fair (Columbus), July 23 to Aug. 3
• Union County Fair (Marysville), July 20 to July 26
• Pike County Fair (Piketon), July 25 to Aug. 2
• Athens County Fair (Athens), Aug. 1 to Aug. 9
• Ross County Fair (Chillicothe), Aug. 2 to Aug. 9
• Hartford Independent Fair (Licking Co.), Aug. 3 to Aug. 9
• Richland County Fair, Aug. 3 to Aug. 9
• Muskingum County Fair (Zanesville), Aug. 10 to Aug. 16
• Morrow County Fair (Mt. Gilead), Aug. 25 to Sept. 1
• Hardin County Fair (Kenton), Sept. 2 to Sept. 7
• Morgan County Fair (McConnelsville), Sept. 2 to Sept. 6
• Holmes County Fair (Millersburg), Aug. 4 to Aug. 9
• Noble County Fair (Caldwell), Aug. 25 to Aug. 30
• Richwood Independent Fair (Union Co.), Aug. 26 to Sept. 1
• Bellville Independent Fair (Richland Co.), Sept. 10 to Sept. 13
• Guernsey County Fair (Old Washington), Sept. 8 to Sept. 14
• Hocking County Fair (Logan), Sept. 8 to Sept. 13
• Ashland County Fair (Ashland), Sept. 14 to Sept. 20
• Wyandot County Fair (Upper Sandusky), Sept. 8 to Sept. 13
• Delaware County Fair (Delaware), Sept. 13 to Sept. 20
• Coshocton County Fair (Coshocton), Sept. 26 to Oct. 2
• Loudonville Independent Fair (Ashland Co.), Sept. 30 to Oct. 4
• Fairfield County Fair (Lancaster), Oct. 5 to Oct. 11

The ODA notes it plays a key role in ensuring the safety of amusement rides, promoting fair practices in livestock competitions and working with local veterinarians to maintain animal health, along with setting the dates for Ohio fairs.

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See this link for a complete schedule of all the fairs in Ohio, or view the brochure below.

Ohio-Fair-Schedule-Brochure-2025Download

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Buckeye Nation has a lot to celebrate coming off Friday night's Cotton Bowl win.  

Some fans are already working out travel arrangements to watch Ohio State take on Notre Dame in Georgia in the final of the first College Football Playoff to feature 12 teams. 

It was nothing but smiles Saturday as Buckeye fans returned to Columbus from Dallas. Aaron McGonigle is a longtime fan who was on that flight.  

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"It was incredible," McGonigle said. "We had a rough day Thursday getting there with the weather."  

Former Ohio State long snapper Bradley Robinson also went to the Cotton Bowl.    

"Very proud," Robinson said. "It's a good day to be a Buckeye."  

Fans did not let the winter storm in Dallas get in their way of the Cotton Bowl. Robinson said his travel issues were well worth it to watch his boys take home the win.   

"Jack Sawyer's touchdown happened right in front of me so that was nice and exciting, and I know Jack," Robinson said. "It was great to see him do that and cap off his career as a Buckeye to send the team to the natty. So, really exciting stuff. I'm pumped to get down to Atlanta in a week."  

Robinson is not the only one that's pumped. Leeann McGonigle was also on his flight and she said she's ready for the national championship. 

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"We found flights and we're excited," McGonigle said. "Hoping for cheaper tickets but we'll see."

Matthew Coffman is a graduate of Ohio State University and calls himself a die-hard Buckeye fan. 

“We all can't wait to show out in Atlanta," Coffman said. "I lost my voice at the game. Since we were a little outnumbered, I felt like I had to yell as loud as I possibly could."  

Coffman promised his voice will be healed come time for the title game one week from Monday.

"As long as we play the way we've been playing, I think Ryan Day's been coaching the guys up," Coffman said. "Everybody's been giving their best efforts. Guys have been playing through injuries. Everyone's been working hard. I think that we'll come out on top."  

"Marcus Freeman, a former Buckeye, makes it a little interesting, but I think we’ll take it home,” McGonigle said about Notre Dame’s head coach. 

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Fans hope the Buckeyes can carry that winning mentality with them to Atlanta.  

"I'm looking for the team from the Tennessee win and the second Oregon win," McGonigle said. "I'm looking for that team." 

It's safe to say Buckeye Nation has full confidence in the team.   

"I'm expecting a win," Robinson said. "I think Notre Dame's going to be challenging. Coach Freeman does a great job there and I think they'll really challenge us defensively, but I think their offense can't keep up with us."  

Southwest Airlines has added several additional flights to get Buckeye fans to and from the game, giving more nonstop options to those traveling. Meanwhile, several travel agencies like Reynolds Travel have begun offering ticket packages complete with airfare and hotel accommodation.  

The national championship is set for Jan. 20 in Atlanta.  

HILLIARD, Ohio (WCMH) -- It’s been a year and half since the Hilliard Food Pantry Plus went up in flames, but volunteers didn’t let that stop them and have been working hard to recover ever since.

After losing their location on Cemetery Road, the pantry moved to Hilliard Methodist United Church. That’s where the Share Closet was born, allowing community members to come in for clothing and small appliances.

“We started with the Share Closet in the little space in the back of the pantry,” Dr. Brenda Martinez-Nieves, manager of the Share Closet, said.

She said they originally started rebuilding to eventually move the pantry back to its old location, but as time passed and both the closet and pantry grew, they changed plans. The food pantry is staying at Hilliard Methodist United Church and, on Saturday morning, volunteers opened up their revamped Share Closet.

“There we can have all the resources that are needed and supply the pantry and then here we have enough resources and space to actually set up our store,” Martinez-Nieves said.

She said the closet is open to anyone as long as they live in one of the seven eligible zip codes and make an appointment. According to the closet's scheduling calendar, it plans to be open Thursday through Saturday starting Jan. 16 and continuing through at least Feb. 8.

“A family can come and shop as a whole for once a month and it doesn’t have a limiting factor of your income. So you can come and shop regardless of your income because what we are here for is to make sure that the community has the resources that they need,” Martinez-Nieves said.

She said it was a successful opening day with 70 appointments made.

“It actually fills my cup in such a way that is beyond what I ever thought. I even get goosebumps because it’s so amazing to see the community,” she said.

Martinez-Nieves said none of this would have been possible without community support.

“I mean the amount of donations that we have received, it’s beyond comprehension,” she said.

If you are interested in donating, she said they are in the most need of boys' and men’s clothing, particularly pants and shoes. You can learn more about donation hours and how to make an appointment here.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- When I first met Jack Sawyer, he was a freshman at Pickerington North.

Even then it was clear: He was hooked up a little different. There’s a thin (but real) line between cocky and confident. Even as a first-year high school athlete, he trended toward grown-up confidence over youthful swagger.

He knew he was bigger and more talented than pretty much all of the kids he played against. Honestly, he was an even better basketball player than many of the central Ohio kids who were headed to college to play … basketball. In fact, our friend and Ohio University men's basketball coach Jeff Boals offered Sawyer a scholarship in 2018 when Boals was at Stony Brook.

Jack played quarterback as a junior at Pick North and, frankly, looked pretty good at that spot. This guy could do it all.

On Friday night in Arlington, Texas, a rugged veteran of a defensive end turned in what will be perhaps the defining moment of the 2024 Ohio State football season. Sawyer unleashed an aggressive, confident move around a projected first round NFL draft pick at tackle to create one of the most exciting moments in College Football Playoff history.

In between Friday and our first meeting, it was not a straight line of growth and success for Sawyer. He missed his senior year of high school football to fully recover from a knee injury. He had committed to Ohio State early in his high school career and constantly wore that weight of expectation. When he got to Ohio State, he earned playing time as a freshman and set the expectation that he would quickly become the latest game-wrecking Buckeyes defensive end.

That did not happen. Make no mistake — Jack has been one of the most coveted defensive end prospects for several years. His physical gifts with height, weight, speed and power make him an obvious NFL target. But typically, his running mate, JT Tuimoloau, would put up more sacks and pressures.

Despite not being the best player on the field for every snap, Sawyer did not crumble as some five-star, can’t-miss kids sometimes do. He found success in the grind. Blue collar work. Motivate others. Lead with integrity and intensity.

This year, that leadership has shown up in the biggest moments. Even when Ohio State fell to Michigan, it was Sawyer who turned in one of the most athletic plays of the season with his late interception to save a touchdown. Losing that game reduced the impact of that play and, frankly, it robbed Sawyer of the kudos he deserved for it.

After that game, Sawyer vented his frustration over having never beaten the Bucks’ rival, or even winning a rivalry game at Pick North. He had never beaten a rival team.

Friday vs. Texas, it was clear the long trail of frustration had built to a place where he refused to deal with that again. His constant pressure of, yes, his former OSU roommate Quinn Ewers set the defensive tone for the night.

And on fourth-and-goal from the 8 yard line, when Texas merely needed a touchdown to tie the score in the fourth quarter, Sawyer’s nimble hand placement quickly fought off Texas tackle Cameron Williams. Two giant strides later he was punching the football out of Ewers right hand, virtually ending the game. What happened next was the moment Captain Jack had earned—his true moment as an Ohio State legend. As the ball bounced off the turf and right up into his hands, Sawyer instinctively reverted to his quarterback days at Pick North. He took off, with no Longhorn capable of catching him.

Eighty-two yards later, running out of the gas halfway through, Sawyer scored perhaps the greatest touchdown an Ohio State defensive player has ever scored, especially considering the circumstances.

A quick Look at some of other candidates:

• Maurice Clarett’s strip fumble vs. Miami in the '02 title game.
• In that same game, the final-play pressure by Cie Grant.
• Joey Bosa’s game-ending sack to win at Penn State in ‘14.
• Steve Miller’s pick-6 to help OSU beat Alabama in the ‘14 Sugar Bowl.

There are many other elite plays, and I’m sure I’m forgetting several. But in the moment it’s hard to think of a single effort that led to a bigger, championship-level victory than what Sawyer delivered.

Clearly, he did not do it alone. Coverage was excellent, and Caleb Downs’ swooping in on second down and backing Texas up 7 yards is also a massive play on that same series of plays.

Ohio State overall is allowing 12 points per game through 15 games. A dozen. That’s it. Despite the various offensive schemes you’ll find in the sport, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has found ways to put his players in good spots to win their share of snaps. No defense stops everyone all the time. But against a Texas team with as much skill as Ohio State has, they still found multiple ways to get Texas off the field. The Horns finished 5 of 15 on third downs.

Now, as Ohio State turns toward a national championship showdown with Notre Dame, they’ll face a coach in Marcus Freeman who can personally appreciate the unique nature of the OSU defense. Marcus played on some monster groups as a Buckeyes linebacker, alongside James Laurinaitis and others. He likely appreciates players like Sawyer far more than other coaches because he’s lived the experience of a Buckeye and knows the toughness Sawyer exudes. Freeman knows how tough a job it’s going to be to score on this defense.

The evening of Jan. 20, just watch 33. Few players on the field in Atlanta will match the self-belief Sawyer displays. It’s a confidence which spreads to teammates. And it’s among the biggest reasons OSU stands 60 minutes from national title No. 9.

DELAWARE, Ohio (WCMH) -- A Delaware man has been sentenced to fines and jail time after being found guilty of animal cruelty for keeping 40 dogs in heavy chains and swampy conditions.

Robert M. Phillips was sentenced to 51 days in jail and nearly $3,000 in fines on Thursday on more than two dozen counts of animal cruelty. Phillips was arrested after the Delaware County Dog Warden rescued 40 dogs from his property on Kilbourne Road near Sunbury in April 2024.

Attention first came to Phillips' property when a viral TikTok showed the conditions of the property, revealing dozens of dogs in heavy chains living in mud and standing water with only blue barrels to shield them from the elements. Most were believed to be pit bulls or pit bull mixes, and although rumors spread online alleging there was dog fighting at the property, officials said there was no evidence to support that claim.

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After the dogs were taken by the county, they received formal medical care and help for various behavioral needs before they entered fostering and adoption.

Before Phillips' arrest, Delaware County Dog Warden Mitchell Garett said officials were aware of the property since Phillips moved to the area, but previous investigations only found six dogs, all in good health. Although there were many complaints lodged about Phillips, Garett said most informants wanted to be anonymous and would not consent to witness statements, making it difficult to press charges.

Online court records show Phillips was charged with animal cruelty in North Carolina in 2012. After this week's sentencing, Phillips is now banned from having pets and will spend three years on probation after his release from jail.