Ohio News

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- As pool season begins for several Columbus locations this weekend, safety experts are urging parents to keep an eye on their children.

Five instances of water rescues or drowning were reported in central Ohio over the last week. A two-year-old girl drowned in Coshocton County last Friday. Then, two children were rushed to hospitals after rescues on Wednesday.

A few days ago, a Newark boy was found unresponsive in a swimming pool. The two-year-old was pulled out and given CPR by his father until EMS arrived. The boy as flown to Nationwide Children's Hospital.

At Columbus pools, pool manager Derrick Martin said they have a rule for parents and guardians.

"If your child is eight and under, you need to be within arm's reach of your child at all times," said Martin. "And I always remind parents that even if your child is a little older that you need to keep an active eye on your child at all times."

Martin, who is a former Marine rescue swimmer, encourages everyone to use that same rule when hanging out by the water his summer.

"If you have a kid go missing the first place you need to check is the water first before you start looking for that kid," he said. "It's very easy for a child to slip in and slip under and it can be a very quiet thing."

Columbus Public Health Commissioner Mysheika W. Roberts is also warning about water safety this summer.

"Unintentional drowning is the leading cause of death for individuals between the ages, or under age four," she said. "We aren't asking for everyone to be an Olympic swimmer. But kids, teenagers, everyone going into the pool should have some basic pool and swimming lessons so they can survive in the water."

"It's also important that If you're going to be around the pool, you know basic CPR," Roberts said.

"It can be learned on YouTube in about 10 minutes," said Martin. "Now you won't be certified, but that can give you some critical lifesaving information. Outside of that, if you pull somebody out of the water you want to give them two breaths as quickly as possible, and then start compressions."

"It's not a very complex training method or anything like that, but it is very effective," said Martin. "And it may be the only thing standing between that person and life or death."

Even if you're not CPR certified, Martin said you should still attempt CPR in an emergency.

"If you have a drowning victim, that person is not breathing and potentially does not have a pulse, and they need help immediately," he said.

Vigilance is another thing both experts explained can prevent tragedy from happening.

"You shouldn't be drinking, you shouldn't be distracted by your phone, and you should really pay attention to people in the pool and maybe even the kids playing around the pool," said Roberts.

Martin said familiarity with water can help children, but it doesn't necessarily mean every child who can swim is a strong swimmer.

"A child knowing how to swim doesn't mean that child doesn't need to be supervised while they're swimming," he said. "I do recommend introducing children to water as early as possible so that they don't develop a fear. They might be very comfortable with the water. So, you need to make sure that you always keep an active eye on them because they might not know the dangers that await them when they don't know how to swim. Because they're so used to having someone there supporting them when they're in the water."

Martin also warned about parents and others attempting to be a hero.

"If you don't have the capacity to save yourself, you can't save someone else. So, if you're not a swimmer and you see someone drowning in 12 feet of water, you are jumping in to save them is going to lead to two drownings instead of one," he said. "Parental instinct, you see that kid drowning, you're in the water, you can't swim either. It's not going to magically occur for you in that moment."

When swimming to get someone isn't an option and they're struggling, Martin suggests using the things around you.

"You need to find something that they can latch on to," he said. "So, if you have a shepherd's crook, a buoy, a long stick, anything that you can reach out to that person for them to grab on. And make sure you're in a low supported position and then pull them to the side. But don't just go jumping into water that you can't stand up in if you don't know how to swim."

Swimming lessons are always available through Columbus Parks and Recreation. Roberts said water safety should be something all parents teach their kids, even if they don't grow up around a pool or body of water.

"We need to teach our kids the same safety measures we teach them about crossing the street, looking both ways, we need to teach the same thing about water," she said. "And that's not just a pool or waterfall, but also retention ponds. We should really make our kids fearful of going into those areas whether they can swim or not."

Dr. Roberts explained that the COVID pandemic has been difficult for very young swimmers as well.

"There's also been some growth and developments delays, right. For our young kids from not being in the classroom, not getting to go to swim class, not being able to go to summer camp. We've got some catching up to do," she said.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- One person has been seriously injured after a shooting in north Columbus on Friday.

Authorities responded to Joyce Avenue and East 26th Avenue at 6:38 p.m. on Friday after report of a shooting, according to the Columbus Division of Police. The victim was transported to Grant Medical Center in serious condition.

This is a developing story and NBC4 will provide updates as they become available.

MARION, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) is searching for the driver involved in a May hit-skip crash in Marion that later killed one person.

OSHP confirmed that 32-year-old John Arthur II, of LaRue, died of his injuries on May 19 after a hit-skip crash on May 13. Medical crews took Arthur from the crash scene on Route 95 to Marion General Hospital, and then Grant Medical Center in Columbus, where he died.

On Friday, OSHP shared photos captured of the suspect from the crash. The agency said he appeared to be a man in his 30s or 40s with a reddish beard driving a BMW X5 manufactured between 2006 and 2013.

• (Courtesy Photo/Ohio State Highway Patrol)
• (Courtesy Photo/Ohio State Highway Patrol)
• (Courtesy Photo/Ohio State Highway Patrol)

The day of the crash, Arthur was driving his Subaru WRX westbound on Route 95 in Marion County.

The suspect's BMW was trying to pass Arthur as another car approached in the eastbound lanes, according to OSHP. The BMW then swerved into the westbound lane, and Arthur traveled off the right side of the roadway, striking a driveway embankment and then a house before flipping over.

The crash ejected Arthur from his Subaru, while the BMW fled the scene. OSHP's initial investigation indicated that the BMW struck Arthur's car during the crash, and it may have damage on its right side.

OSHP asked anyone with information on the crash or the suspect to call (740) 383-2181.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A city program aimed at making Columbus roads safer is expanding.

Since 2021, "Operation Taillight" has repaired brake lights, head lights, turn signals and more to qualifying residents, and the cost is covered by the city.

"It means so much, especially in a time like right now," said Shalonda Hendrix. "I mean with rising housing costs and utilities, I didn't know if or even when I would be able to get those things fixed. So it saved me a lot of money I could put towards other things I need to pay."

Hendrix got the lights on her car fixed through the program in April. Operation Taillight also includes an inspection of fluid top offs.

"I had no idea when I got it fixed how much money it saved me until I got the breakdown," she said.

The city has been working with Columbus State, Lindsey Automotive and Mr. Transmission Milex Complete Auto Care on the program. Matt Boily, owner of Mr. Transmission, said many of the cars they were working on needed more work than just the lights. City Council recently approved $175,000 to cover the cost of that work as well.

"It's really exciting to be able to go forward and fix those things for the people and actually make sure them and their family are safe as well as the people around them," Boily said. "To be able to do those things is going to be a game changer."

The program has helped 211 people with lights, according to Zach Klein, Columbus City Attorney. The program is run through his office. He said it makes the roads safer since more cars are running properly and it allows police to focus more on serious crime.

"There’s a lot of winners here, there’s people in the community who don't have the financial means, they’re winning, public safety general is winning because cars are safer on the street, and then of course the small businesses that participate in this program are winners too," Klein said.

Residents from households with incomes less than 200% of the federal poverty level are able to get the repairs, according to the ordinance passed last month.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- NBC4 anchor Jerod Smalley is appearing in a new movie that tells the origin story of NBA champion LeBron James.

Premiering on Peacock on Friday, "Shooting Stars" tells the story of James' high school basketball career at Akron St. Vincent St. Mary. The movie features actors Dermot Mulroney, Wood Harris and a young man named Mookie Cook to play James. Cook has committed to playing basketball at Oregon next school year.

• NBC4's Jerod Smalley and Mookie Cook. (NBC4 Photo/Jerod Smalley)
• "Shooting Star" stars Mookie Cook as LeBron James. (Courtesy Photo/Peacock)
• "Shooting Star" stars Mookie Cook as LeBron James. (Courtesy Photo/Peacock)
• "Shooting Star" stars Mookie Cook as LeBron James. (Courtesy Photo/Peacock)

Smalley said he got a call from the film's casting director early in May of 2022, during which the movie was already well into production in northeast Ohio.

The casting agency told Smalley they were looking for a play-by-play announcer for a specific scene in "Shooting Stars," and asked if he could be the one to do it. That night, Smalley received the lines for the scene and made a video for the director to review. The next day, Smalley was hired.

Smalley drove to Cleveland on May 10 last year to where the movie was staged at an abandoned school the filmmakers had repurposed. Smalley arrived for a wardrobe fitting, where he was put into an early 2000's suit.

Smalley and Brian Anthony Wilson. (NBC4 Photo/Jerod Smalley)

The next day, Smalley shot the scene at a gym on the Case Western University campus, where he had his own dressing room. Smalley met his fellow announcer for the scene, a veteran actor named Brian Anthony Wilson from Philadelphia. Smalley said he was the perfect scene partner and immediately put him at ease. Throughout the 10-hour day, Smalley and Wilson swapped stories and found so many eerie similarities between acting and broadcasting.

Smalley also met the director, Chris Robinson, who explained why the filmmakers wanted him for the scene. The scene Smalley is in depicts a time when LeBron is dealing with failure at a young age when the team loses to Oak Hill Academy.

For Wilson and Smalley, their job was to narrate that struggle and reflect the disappointment with James' performance. Robinson said they wanted the game to feel and sound as real as possible, so they wanted a real broadcaster for the role.

Smalley said he left the set with a new appreciation for the nature of the filmmaking process, and the stamina the entire staff showed. A year later, Smalley said he is still processing his day on set.

Learn more about "Shooting Stars" and how to watch the movie on Peacock here.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Maleah Coy is still having trouble processing May 20: when a group of three girls stole her car and drove off, she said, with Coy on the hood of the vehicle.

In an interview with NBC4, the Columbus resident said she had gotten home around 11:30 a.m. that Saturday, and it had been a normal day. A young girl approached Coy, grabbed her keys, and took off running, Coy said. As Coy chased after the girl, she was watched her and two others get inside the car.

“I knocked on the passenger window, in hopes that I could get the girls to just get out of the car and leave the situation alone,” Coy said.

But the girls didn't, she said. Coy jumped onto the hood of her car as the girls backed out.

“From that point, they drove off with me on the hood and was swerving the vehicle intentionally trying to get me to fly off," Coy said. “I looked at the driver as I was on the hood of the vehicle, in hopes that I could get through to her, and get through to her that it is not worth it.”

That didn't work, she said.

“No remorse, no guilt, no shame -- and that's the saddest part about it,” Coy said.

Eventually, Coy was thrown off the car. The fall injured her head and her ankle, she said, but in an adrenaline rush she ran after the car. In minutes, she found it: crashed into a home on the intersection of Joyce Avenue and Duxberry Avenue.

“My thoughts was, 'Why would someone do this, how could someone do this, and what was the purpose of someone doing this?' It's sad that there was no gain in this situation for them whatsoever,” Coy said.

No one was in the home at the time of the crash, according to the Columbus Division of Police and the homeowner.

When Coy saw her car inside the home, she said she was hysterical. Now, she wants to see action. “I would like them to pay for what they've done, because if they’ve done it to me, they can do it to anyone,” she said.

Coy said her car was less than a month old, and it is now totaled. She is in the process of saving to buy a new one.

Columbus police have not found the girls involved, according to Coy.

DUBLIN, Ohio (WCMH) — Geno Bonnalie and his boss, PGA golfer Joel Dahmen, became stars in February when they were featured on the Netflix documentary Full Swing.

It's been a whirlwind three months for this duo, especially Bonnalie who's become more popular than some players on the PGA Tour signing autographs regularly.

"I know that's very weird," Bonnalie said. "I get a hard time from fellow caddies about that but I've got to give the people what they want I suppose and the Netflix thing has certainly helped."

Full Swing featured two best friends who like to have fun on the golf course and give each other a hard time. The episode made the largely unknown duo instantly relatable.

"Just that relatable attitude that he has is very appealing to everyone, kids included," Bonnalie said. "We've got a lot more people out there on the golf course following us around, shouting both of our names, so it's taking a little bit to get used to."

But how does he feel about the newfound fame?

"I'm okay with it because my boss is okay with it," he said. "I feel like I would rather be anonymous."

Bonnalie remained anonymous even after playing 2,000 holes in one week, shattering a Guinness World Record that held strong from July 2011 to November 2021.

"I don't know (if I can break it again)," he said. "I need to lose about 13 years of age. Is that possible?"

That's not possible but he's not ruling out the possibility of giving it another shot.

The last time around, Bonnalie played for the Cystinosis Research Foundation to help study the rare genetic disease.

"We raised about $15,000 for that and I think we'd probably add a zero to that if we did it now," he said. "Yeah, I'm sure there's a lot of good causes we could raise some money for so who knows? . . . That might make for a good Netflix episode."

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- National Doughnut Day, which is Friday, has a rich history behind it that even involves the Salvation Army.

During World War I, the Salvation Army sent female volunteers overseas to boost morale, where they provided writing supplies, stamps, home-cooked meals -- and doughnuts.

“It comes back to doughnuts, that’s what they were able to make on the front lines,” said Major Tricia Brennan, the area coordinator for the Salvation Army of Central Ohio. “They would use their helmets to fry the ingredients that they had for the doughnuts, and they were able to do that on a pretty regular basis.”

When the U.S. was in the middle of the Great Depression in the 1930s, the Salvation Army knew how much the volunteers -- known as donut lassies -- were able to help soldiers, and they wanted to share that with all Americans.

National Doughnut Day was created.

“It was a way to try and meet needs and build morale during the Depression, but also commemorate the work of the donut lassies in World War I,” Brennan said.

The Salvation Army of Central Ohio wanted to make sure the legacy of the donut lassies lives on, so they paired with Buckeye Donuts on South High Street. On Friday morning, the first 50 customers at the shop were given a free doughnut.

“They get a little more information about the history of Doughnut Day, and they enjoy a really wonderful donut that has been donated to us by Buckeye Donuts,” says Major Brennan.

It’s a win for both the Salvation Army and Buckeye Donuts.

“We’re always about giving back to our community and there’s nobody who has a better track record for giving back to the community than the Salvation Army,” said Louis Sauter, Buckeye Donuts owner.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — As the temperatures warm up in Central Ohio, many will be spending time outside, but there are risks when it comes to not protecting your skin from the sun.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. That's why medical experts are urging people to take precautions when it comes to skin safety in the sun. Dr. Susan Massick, a dermatologist with OSU Wexner Medical Center, said everyone should be careful being out in the sun, but said that some people are more prone to getting a sunburn than others.

"There's some patients that have fair skin, a light complexion, light hair," said Dr. Massick. "So those people are going to be a little more susceptible to sun damage and the damaging ultraviolet rays."

Dr. Massick said you also have to be cautious when it comes to the amount of sun and how long you are exposed to it as well. Those who work or spend a lot of time outdoors have to watch for the amount of time they are exposed. Dr. Massick noted that all sun exposure and ultraviolet damage can be cumulative.

Some of the best ways you can protect your skin from the sun include how much sun you are going to be getting and how to protect yourself from the actual sun exposure itself.

"We really encourage people to be aware of the high times for sun, so we want to avoid being outdoors between 10 a.m. to 2 or 3 p.m.," said Massick. "We also want to protect our skin as best as possible, so that includes things like protective clothing, hats, sunglasses."

One of the most protective options to protect your skin is using sunscreen and checking which SPF is right for you. SPF is an actual calculated number that also correlates to how much exposure you can get in the sun before you start to get burned.

Temperatures quickly rising to hottest of the year so far, hot start to the weekend

"If you are using SPF, try to use the higher numbers if you are going to be outdoors for an extended period of time," said Massick. "Day to day, anywhere between SPF of 25 to 30 is fine, but if you know you are going to be outdoors, you want to try to shoot for an SPF of 50+."

Once you are above SPF 50, Massick said the SPF numbers are fairly equivalent. Massick also said to make sure to use an SPF that is UVA and UVB protection, but to consider broad spectrum and water resistant.

It is also important to make sure you are reapplying your sunscreen as well. It is advised to reapply sunscreen every two to three hours, especially if you are outdoors or swimming.

Dr. Massick said it's also important to buy a new sunscreen every year and check the expiration dates. Most sunblock's will expire after a year depending on the potency of their ingredients and how protective it is going to be.

Some other tips to help protect yourself from the sun include:

• Finding shade outdoors
• Wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes from the UV rays
• Hats can also protect your face and give you shade when outdoors

For more on skin damage and safety precautions you can take, click here.

Depending on who you ask, tacos are more than just a quick snack you can grab off a truck for lunch. They're an experience. One that allows the chef to layer flavor and textures—from the fresh crunch of the cilantro and onions to the smoked heat of roasted chiles cavorting with the savory delight of your protein of choice—all onto one delicious tortilla, freshly crisped over an open flame…sorry is anyone else hungry?

Much like the food, the origin story has a fairly layered history. Both Mayan and Aztec civilizations were said to have eaten a food similar to what we know as a taco, but the modern iteration traces back to the 1800s in Mexico. Born of a need to ensure that miners had a means to easily consume hearty food while on the job, piles of meat would be rolled into corn tortillas and packed for the road. During hours upon hours of hard labor in horrible conditions, the ability to pull out a few taquitos (named for the gunpowder role the miners carried with them) was practically life-saving.

Considering LA Taco once called the dish a "multifaced god" it's clear that the reverence for this dish has traveled across time and space—which resulted in a plethora of places to choose from. So where do you go to get the best taco?

Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated restaurants for tacos in Columbus using data from Yelp. See if some of your favorites are on the list, or go find some new favorites to enjoy! Note, some restaurants may have recently closed, so be sure to double-check.

#11. The Olde Oak

- Rating: 3.5/5 (107 reviews)
- Price: $
- Adress: 62 Parsons Ave Columbus, OH 43215
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Tacos, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp

#10. Cinco Tacos

- Rating: 3.5/5 (55 reviews)
- Price: $
- Adress: 1 S High St Columbus, OH 43215
- Categories: Tacos
- Read more on Yelp

#9. Junior's Bar & Grill

- Rating: 4.0/5 (23 reviews)
- Adress: 234 King Ave Columbus, OH 43201
- Categories: Bars, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp

#8. Condado Tacos

- Rating: 4.0/5 (742 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Adress: 1227 N High St Columbus, OH 43201
- Categories: Bars, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp

#7. Condado Tacos

- Rating: 4.0/5 (351 reviews)
- Price: $
- Adress: 132 S High St Columbus, OH 43215
- Categories: Tex-Mex, Bars, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp

#6. Bakersfield

- Rating: 4.0/5 (801 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Adress: 733 N High St Columbus, OH 43215
- Categories: Bars, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp

#5. Agave & Rye - Columbus

- Rating: 4.0/5 (172 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Adress: 479 N High St Columbus, OH 43215
- Categories: Tacos, American (New), Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp

#4. Tacos Rudos

- Rating: 4.5/5 (41 reviews)
- Adress: 1086 N 4th St Columbus, OH 43201
- Categories: Tacos, Food Stands
- Read more on Yelp

#3. Blackbird Kitchen

- Rating: 4.5/5 (15 reviews)
- Adress: 1200 W 3rd Ave Columbus, OH 43212
- Categories: American (New), Burgers, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp

#2. FoxFire Tacos

- Rating: 4.5/5 (13 reviews)
- Adress: Columbus, OH 43215
- Categories: Street Vendors, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp

#1. Taqueria Los Primos

- Rating: 4.5/5 (51 reviews)
- Price: $
- Adress: 233 W 5th Ave Columbus, OH 43201
- Categories: Food Trucks, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio State University is not under any sort of threat, a university spokesperson said Friday afternoon, after a vendor sent out an "errant" Buckeye Alert to community members.

The alert message that went out via text, online and on social media around 2 p.m. read "Buckeye Alert! Active Attacker reported on/near the OSU Columbus campus. Secure in place: RUN,HIDE,or, as a last resort,FIGHT! (sic) Police responding. More info soon."

The accidental text alert sent out to Ohio State University students on June 2, 2023. (NBC4 Screenshot)

Seven minutes later, OSU Emergency Management and OSU Police clarified that a vendor accidentally activated the systemwide alert while it was undergoing maintenance.

Columbus and Central Ohio Weather

An air quality alert has been issued by the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission for levels of ozone considered unhealthy for sensitive groups ("children, elderly, people with asthma or COPD"), who are advised to "limit prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity."

Today will be the warmest day of the year so far, with readings touching 90 degrees under bright sunshine. The summer heat will continue beneath a sprawling upper-level ridge of high pressure over the central and eastern portions of the country.

Near the surface, high pressure over the Northeast will maintain a dry northeasterly flow of unseasonably warm air and low humidity. A backdoor cold front will slip south through the region Saturday, possibly sparking an isolated storm over the eastern part of the state. Readings will reach the upper 80, before slightly cooler air arrives, under mostly sunny skies.

Noticeably cooler air will filter into the Ohio Valley early next week, with seasonable temperatures in the 70s and mainly sunny skies.

Forecast

• Friday: Sunny, hot. High 92
• Tonight: Moonlit sky, mild. Low 65
• Saturday: Mostly sunny., isolated storms. High 88
• Sunday: Partly sunny. High 85 (63)
• Monday: Mostly sunny. High: 82 (58)
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny, cooler, cooler. High 76 (57)
• Wednesday: Mostly sunny. High 74 (52)
• Thursday: Seasonable sunshine. High 77 (54)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A pharmaceutical company being sued for state and federal antitrust law violations has agreed on a settlement with 41 states and the District of Columbia, according to an Ohio Attorney General’s Office release.

Indivior Inc. was being sued for having schemed to block generic competitors from the market to sell their versions of Suboxone, a prescription drug used to treat opioid addiction by easing the cravings for opioids.

The case alleged that Indivior, a global pharmaceutical company that concentrates on treatment for substance use disorders and other mental illnesses, did so after the patented-protected period ended, thereby artificially elevating the drug’s cost to consumers.

The Ohio Attorney General’s Office states that Indivior engaged in illegal “product hopping,” by making modest changes to its product in order to extend the patent protections so other companies couldn’t offer cheaper generic alternatives.

Columbus and Ohio near top of list for most postal workers bitten by dogs in 2022

The company reportedly, “transitioned Suboxone from a tablet to a film (which dissolves in the mouth), and then actively attempted to destroy the market for tablets through marketing and price adjustments, the lawsuit maintains.”

This allowed Indivior to extend the patent protections, and the company eventually stopped selling tablets, forcing consumers to buy the more expensive film form of the drug, according to Yost.

The lawsuit says that Indivior violated the Sherman Act and Ohio’s Valentine Act by “engaging in anti-competitive activities designed to impede competition from generic equivalents of Suboxone.”

The settlement, filed in the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, says that Indivior will pay 41 states, including Ohio, and the District of Columbia, a total sum of $102.5 million. Ohio will receive approximately $5.9 million.

In addition, the agreement states that Indivior must disclose to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration any citizen petition that it files, product modifications and change in corporate control.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Dogs in Ohio are still going postal -- at least, according to the United States Postal Service.

Ohio ranked fifth in the country for states with the most mailmen and mailwomen attacked by dogs while they were delivering letters or packages, with more than 300 attacks reported in 2022. The 311 total incidents were lower than in 2021, when postal workers in Ohio reported 359 total dog attacks and the state ranked third in the country.

!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r

Metro-by-metro, Cleveland had the highest population of aggressive pups in the Buckeye state last year, ranking fourth of all U.S. cities, according to USPS. With 23 total attacks, Columbus sat at number 13. It beat out Cincinnati, which tied for 14 with Minneapolis and Milwaukee, as well as Toledo and Dayton, which were further down the list. 

USPS delivered the rankings as part of its National Dog Bite Awareness Week campaign, which begins Sunday. The agency said more than 5,300 of its letter carriers suffered dog attacks while on duty last year -- a common safety risk its workers face. 

Although postal workers are trained by the agency and given tools to properly navigate yards with furry friends and foes, USPS asked that dog owners do their part in protecting the individuals delivering their mail. 

“When our mail carriers are bitten, it is usually a ‘good dog’ that had not previously behaved in a menacing way,” said Linda DeCarlo, USPS occupational safety and health senior director. 

Mail arrives in a neighborhood at roughly the same time every day. Even if a dog seems docile, USPS recommended that owners secure them before mail time -- either inside the house, away from the front door or in another room; behind a fence; and on a leash. If a postal worker feels unsafe, that can cause a pause in service, the USPS said. 

USPS also offers a service called Informed Delivery, which shows customers a preview of mail and packages coming later that day.

The agency also recommended against children running out and grabbing mail from the carrier directly, because a dog could become defensive. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A man was seriously injured Thursday night after his motorcycle was struck by an oncoming vehicle on the Far West Side.

Columbus police responded to reports of a two-vehicle crash at 6:41 p.m. on North Wilson Road, near the Venture Court intersection. Police say that a 2013 Harley Davidson was traveling southbound on North Wilson Road, where a 2008 Saturn Vue, which was heading north, veered left and into the motorcycle’s lane.

Columbus leaders relaunch $2 million summer safety programs

The motorcycle was hit by the car and the motorcycle driver suffered severe leg injuries. He was taken to Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

The driver of the Saturn was not harmed, while the crash itself remains under investigation.

It is the second motorcycle-involved crash in Columbus over the last 24 hours. On Friday morning, a motorcycle and Honda CR-V collided, sending the motorcycle driver to Mount Carmel East in critical condition. He later died.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Pride Month each June celebrates the achievements of the LGBTQ+ community and remembers the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, a series of conflicts between police and LGBTQ+ protesters that stretched over six days. Today, Pride commemorates the Stonewall protesters with parades, festivals, memorials and more. 

Find a Pride festival near you below.

Bexley Pride Walk

Capital University at 5:30 p.m. on June 2

• Participants are meeting for the second annual walk at the Capital University Capital Lawn, across the street from Graeter's Ice Cream.

Delaware Ohio Pride Festival

Boardman Arts Park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 3

• Started in 2019, Delaware's Pride is featuring live entertainment, food trucks, vendors community resources, a kids' zone and more.

Worthington Rainbow Love Pride

Worthington Historic District from noon to 5 p.m. on June 4

• Rainbow Love is featuring LGBTQIA+ organizations, hands-on activities and crafts, food and local shopping specials, live music and entertainment.

City Hall Pride Illumination

Columbus City Hall at 7:30 p.m. on June 5

• Stonewall Columbus is beginning its Pride celebration with a rainbow illumination of City Hall. At the event, city leaders will present the Steven Shellabarger Illuminator Award to an individual who has demonstrated an outstanding initiative to promote LGBTQ+ rights and has created a more inclusive Columbus

Hilliard Pride

Station Park at noon on June 10

• Hilliard's third annual Pride is including live music, vendors, educational organizations, and activities for kids.

Westerville Pride

Westerville City Hall from 2 to 8 p.m. on June 10

• Visit tables with information on local organizations, check out local vendors as they feature special Pride themed wares, and participate in family-friendly events such as a children's story hour and other performances. 

Maysville Pride Festival

Memorial Health Pavilion from 3 to 11 p.m. on June 10

• The festival includes drag shows, food trucks, vendors and more.

Upper Arlington Pride

Sunny 95 Park from 1 to 5 p.m. on June 11

• This event features LGBTQ+ resources and organizations, live entertainment, food trucks and more.

Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival and March

Downtown Columbus and Goodale Park from 4 to 10 p.m. on June 16 and 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on June 17

• The Pride festival includes food, more than 200 vendors, nonprofit organizations, community resources, and live entertainment. The celebration continues on Saturday with the march at Broad and High streets.

Granville Pride

Denison University's Lamson Lodge at 4 p.m. on June 24

• Granville's celebration includes live music, a drag show, community resources and food trucks.

Grove City Pride Parade

Lincoln Village at 9 a.m. on June 24

• Grove City is hosting a Pride parade after holding its inaugural celebration last year.

Reynoldsburg Pride Celebration

Huber Park from 4 to 9 p.m. on June 24

• The event features music, food trucks, arts and crafts vendors, community groups and a pet parade.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- One person is dead after a motorcycle and SUV collided in far east Columbus on Friday morning.

According to emergency dispatchers, a crash was reported at 9:47 a.m. at the intersection of McNaughten Road and East Broad Street. A motorcycle and Honda CR-V collided, sending one person to Mount Carmel East Hospital in critical condition.

That person was pronounced dead at 11, dispatchers said.

The exit ramps from Interstate 270 northbound and southbound to East Broad Street are closed due to the crash, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation. A City of Columbus traffic camera at the crash intersection shows traffic on East Broad Street is closed in both directions at McNaughten Road.

This is a developing story.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A teenager is in stable condition after being shot on the southeast side of Columbus Friday morning.

Just after 9 a.m. Columbus police responded to reports of a shooting on Avati Drive, next to Spangler Road and Three Creeks Metro Park. A 15-year-old boy was taken to Nationwide Children’s Hospital and listed in stable condition.

CPD does not yet have information on what led to the shooting or any potential suspects as the incident remains under investigation.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The top home sold in Franklin County last month went for $2.48 million, while the top home in Delaware County went for $3.35 million.

NBC4 analyzed daily property sale records from the Franklin and Delaware County auditor’s offices and filtered for "one family dwellings" to not include apartments, duplexes, or unrelated land purchases.

Excluding transfers for $0, 1,354 single-family home purchases were made in Franklin County in December. The average price was $321,186 and the median price was $280,000. In Delaware County, 217 single-family home purchases were made. The average price was $537,784 and the median price was $502,000.

The 10 most expensive homes sold in Franklin County in May

10. This home at 2029 Cambridge Blvd. in Upper Arlington sold for $1,350,000 on May 10.

(Franklin County Auditor's Office)

9. This home at 1841 Suffolk Road in Upper Arlington sold for $1,415,000 on May 19.

(Franklin County Auditor's Office)

8. This home at 7487 Ogden Woods Bl. in New Albany sold for $1,475,000 on May 17.

(Franklin County Auditor's Office)

7. This home at 2144 Fairfax Road in Upper Arlington sold for $1,500,000 on May 2.

(Franklin County Auditor's Office)

6. This home at 7771 Pembrooke End in New Albany sold for $1,520,000 on May 30.

(Franklin County Auditor's Office)

5. This home at 2274 Yorkshire Road in Upper Arlington sold for $1,682,800 on May 23.

(Franklin County Auditor's Office)

4. This home at 7184 Biddick in New Albany sold for $1,800,000 on May 12.

(Franklin County Auditor's Office)

3. This home at 64 Stanbery Ave. in Bexley sold for $1,805,000 on May 19.

(Franklin County Auditor's Office)

2. This home at 2396 Lane Ave. in Upper Arlington sold for $2,030,000 on May 26.

(Franklin County Auditor's Office)

1. This home at 2528 Tremont Road in Upper Arlington sold for $2,485,000 on May 12.

(Franklin County Auditor's Office) The 10 most expensive homes sold in Delaware County in May

10. This home at 10518 Sage Creek Drive Galena sold for $990,650 on May 15.

(Delaware County Auditor's Office)

9. This home at 5483 S. Section Line Road in Delaware sold for $1,000,000 on May 22.

(Delaware County Auditor's Office)

8. This home at 7579 Tartan Fields Drive in Dublin sold for $1,100,000 on May 11.

(Delaware County Auditor's Office)

7. This home at 1141 Haverhill Court in Delaware sold for $1,110,000 on May 17.

(Delaware County Auditor's Office)

6. This home at 1837 Liberty Bluff Drive in Delaware sold for $1,170,000 on May 16.

(Delaware County Auditor's Office)

5. This home at 5192 Preston Ct. in Powell sold for $1,295,000 on May 12.

(Delaware County Auditor's Office)

4. This home at 6840 Temperance Point St. in Westerville sold for $1,360,000 on May 30.

(Delaware County Auditor's Office)

3. This home at 5177 Rosalind Blvd. in Powell sold for $1,425,000 on May 16.

(Delaware County Auditor's Office)

2. This home at 9247 Baytree Drive in Powell sold for $1,500,000 on May 10.

(Delaware County Auditor's Office)

1. This home at 1581 Woodland Hall Drive in Powell sold for $3,356,000 on May 26.

(Delaware County Auditor's Office)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Columbus voters will decide whether to supply additional funds to the Columbus Metropolitan Library this November.

The Columbus Metropolitan Library Board of Trustees voted last week to approve a 1.5-mill continuing levy on voters' ballots in the Nov. 7 general election. The funds will support operating expenses, including investing in materials, technology, programs and facility maintenance.

"We committed to Franklin County voters in 2010 that we would not return to them for additional levy funds for a minimum of 10 years,” Columbus Metropolitan Library CEO Patrick Losinski said in a news release. "Strong fiscal stewardship has stretched that funding 13 years – 30% beyond our promise to voters. If approved, this additional 1.5 mill levy will enable us to make continued investments in materials, resources, technology, programs and facilities."

The property tax would generate more than $39 million for the library system during its first year. Like other levies, it's measured in "mills," or one-tenth of a cent. For every $50,000 of a property's taxable value -- which is 35% of the market value -- the proposed levy would increase property owners' taxes by a little over $26.

Columbus voters last approved a levy for the library system in 2010 by a two-thirds majority, according to the Ohio Library Council. The 2.8-mill levy replaced a continuing levy to fund operational costs.

The proposed levy would be in addition to the 2.8-mill continuing levy. A library spokesperson said even as property taxes increase with reappraisals, the amount of money the library receives remains the amount decided in 2010. The existing levy now operates at an effective rate of 2.18 mills.

If passed, the levy would ensure the library can fully operate for at least the next decade, the spokesperson said.