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Five face federal charges in alleged $25 million drug operation

News Channel 4 - Thu, 10/17/2024 - 13:32

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — An alleged drug operation where the profits were shipped through FedEx has led to five being indicted on federal charges, including four from central Ohio.

A news release from the office of U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker stated that the alleged crimes in the 25-count indictment took place between 2015 and 2024 and involved five kilograms or more of cocaine and 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

The defendants are accused of shipping nearly $25 million in drug profits from Columbus to California, Texas and other states via FedEx. The indictment details that the money was allegedly shipped to buy more narcotics for distribution and to launder the proceeds.

Some individuals facing charges are believed to have used real estate investments as a way to hide the drug money. The revenue was also allegedly spent on airline tickets, hotel rooms and travel to move the drugs and cash between Columbus and California, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Texas and other states. 

Those charged include:

NameAgeCity of ResidenceCharles Wooden46PickeringtonGregory Fountain37Columbus, Ohio, and Montgomery, IllinoisAlexis Ortega31ColumbusCarl Campbell30Newnan, GeorgiaCourtney Musick37PickeringtonSource: United States Attorney Kenneth L. Parker Southern District of Ohio

Three of the alleged co-conspirators, Wooden, Fountain, Ortega and Campbell could receive at least 10 years and up to life in prison if convicted. The money laundering crimes carry a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison.

Wooden, Musick and Ortega were arrested Thursday. The federal grand jury indictment was returned on Tuesday and unsealed after Thursday's arrests.

Categories: Ohio News

Pizza chain to open location near Ohio State campus

News Channel 4 - Thu, 10/17/2024 - 09:30

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A Columbus pizza chain will open soon in University Square, offering by-the-slice favorites to Ohio State students.

Mikey's Late Night Slice will open its OSU location in the coming weeks at 1839 N. Pearl St. The new store will serve slices, pies and alcohol, situated just a short walk from The Oval.

“We couldn’t be more excited to bring our pizza party experience to this new location near campus,” founder Mikey Sorboro said in December. “We’ve had our eye on a location near Ohio State for a while now, and finally the timing, the project and the partners have clicked for us.”

In an Instagram post Tuesday, the chain revealed it is in the process of training its OSU staff. Late Night Slice Restaurant Group Co-founder Jason Biundo confirmed the campus location will open in the next week or two.

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"We're just waiting for the usual bureaucratic red tape to be cut," Biundo said.

Mike Sorboro launched Mikey's Late Night Slice in 2009 as a pop up in the parking lot attached to his apartment. Since then, the New York-style pizza shop has expanded into an Ohio chain, with the campus location marking its ninth shop. There are seven other Columbus locations, and a shop in both Dublin and Cincinnati.

The shop is known for its classic slices and eccentric flavors. In anticipation of Halloween, the shop has offered holiday pizzas like Pepper Jack Skellington, a "coming soon" item with pepper jack cheese, tomatoes, sausage, spicy ham and red pepper flakes.

The campus location will be open from 11 a.m. until 3 a.m., or possibly later on weekends.

Categories: Ohio News

Shuttered Bob Evans in Dublin listed for sale

News Channel 4 - Thu, 10/17/2024 - 09:00

DUBLIN, Ohio (WCMH) -- A central Ohio Bob Evans that closed earlier this year is now on the market.

A listing posted by Goodman Real Estate Services Group, which doesn't include a sale price, advertises the chain's Sawmill location at 3830 Tuller Road as a "Dublin restaurant building" for sale. The location's Facebook page has been marked as permanently closed, and calls to the restaurant's phone number are directed to other nearby Bob Evans.

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"This site has been permanently closed," a recorded message states when calling the Sawmill eatery. "We do have nearby locations ready to assist you at Bob Evans Powell [and] Bob Evans Bethel Road."

A listing posted by Goodman Real Estate Services Group advertises the chain's Sawmill location at 3830 Tuller Road as a for sale. (Franklin County Auditor's Office)

It's unclear when the eatery closed. Crexi, a Los Angeles-based commercial real estate agency with an online catalog of listings nationwide, claims that the property has been on the market since June 3. However, the restaurant's Facebook was active this past summer, posting photos and videos through June and July.

Goodman's listing states that the restaurant spans 5,000 square feet with 100 parking spaces, built in 1987 and then renovated in 2012. The listing also includes market research on the area's demographic, like population estimates and the average household income within three miles, which it states is $125,915.

According to the Franklin County Auditor's Office, the building has yet to find a buyer. Auditor's office records show that the building was last transferred ownership in July of 2023 to "Cot Bob 44 Dublin" for a sale price $955,621.

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Headquartered in central Ohio, Bob Evans began exploring a change in ownership this past spring and hired an investment bank named Kroll to aid in overseeing the process, according to multiple reports. Bob Evans is owned by a private equity firm based in San Francisco named Golden Gate Capital, which purchased the chain in 2017 for $565 million.

Farmer Bob Evans founded the restaurant concept in 1948 with a 12-stool diner in Gallipolis, Ohio, then expanded in 1962 with a restaurant called "The Sausage Shop." Today, the chain is headquartered in New Albany and operates more than 435 locations across 18 states, with about 35 restaurants in Ohio.

Another shuttered Bob Evans at 3988 E. Broad St. is on track to become a Wendy's. John Marth, construction manager at Wendy’s, applied to the city of Whitehall for a special use permit to equip the restaurant with a drive-in window and other drive-in facilities. 

Categories: Ohio News

Gahanna beauty salon opens in former Old Bag of Nails

News Channel 4 - Thu, 10/17/2024 - 08:30

GAHANNA, Ohio (WCMH) – A beauty salon recently launched its third location, taking over the building that formerly housed Old Bag of Nails in Gahanna.  

Residents may have noticed new pink paint at Creekside, thanks to Skin & Sugar’s renovations to its latest location at 63 Mill St. The building previously housed the restaurant Old Bag of Nails, which closed in August 2021. 

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The beauty business’ Gahanna shop opened last week. Services include facials, sugar hair removal, eyelash lifts, eyebrow laminations, dermaplaning and more. Skin & Sugar’s first location opened at 1750 W. Lane Ave. in Upper Arlington in 2018, before a second location opened at 16 Crossing St. in Powell in 2020.

“I really just thrive off of making sure clients have great customer service, great experiences,” owner Sarah Jacobson said. “I hire really great team members to provide those services and so it's just personable, but it's affordable. I think it's just the quality of what we provide is great.”

Jacobson said she chose to open her third location in Gahanna because she has numerous clients from the area who travel 30 minutes or more to visit the Powell and Upper Arlington salons. 

“We had the clientele already and we felt like Gahanna and that location off the highway was the perfect target area to really get all those clients from the east side who already came to us, but also reach new people,” Jacobson said. 

Appointments can be made on Skin & Sugar’s website.

Categories: Ohio News

Get out and do something this weekend in central Ohio, Oct. 17-20

News Channel 4 - Thu, 10/17/2024 - 06:00

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) - From the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena, to trick-or-treating with adoptable dogs from the Franklin County Animal Shelter and Adoption Center, here are things to see and do this weekend in central Ohio.

Circleville Pumpkin Show

159 E. Franklin St., happening now through Oct. 19

  • The annual event dubbed as “The Greatest Free Show on Earth” returns, promising a selection of baked goods, live entertainment, parades, amusement rides and much more. Each year, the pumpkin show attracts more than 400,000 visitors while displaying over 100,000 pounds of pumpkins, gourds and squash.

The Great Westerville Pumpkin Glow

60 N. Cleveland Ave., Oct. 17-20

  • Enjoy jack-o-lantern and pumpkin themed displays, food trucks and fall themed entertainment and attractions.

Blue Jackets vs. Sabres

Nationwide Arena, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.

  • The Blue Jackets will face the Buffalo Sabres. Puck drops at 7 p.m. with arena doors opening at 5:30 p.m. The team will also host a CBJ Plaza Party beginning at 3:30 p.m. featuring a DJ, concessions, games, prizes and more.

Boo at the Zoo

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Oct. 18-20

  • Celebrate spooky season with several fun events and activities for all ages. Anyone wanting to come to Boo at the Zoo can wear their favorite costumes, meet with zoo character ambassadors and much more.

Day of the Dead Columbus 2024

Green Lawn Cemetery, Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

  • Hosted by Latino Arts for Humanity, the educational, cultural, and family event helps to remember and celebrate our loved ones that are no longer with us.

Trick-or-Treat with the Pups

Franklin County Dog Shelter & Adoption Center, Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to noon

  • Bring your family in their favorite costumes for a fun-filled morning of trick-or-treating with the shelter's adorable, adoptable dogs. Throughout the shelter, kids can collect candy and also give out treats to dogs as you make your way through the adoption center.

Ohio State volleyball matches

Covelli Center, Oct. 18 vs. No. 3 Penn State at 8 p.m.; Oct. 19 vs. No. 2 Nebraska at 3:30 p.m.

  • The Buckeyes women's volleyball team is hosting two of the best teams in the country this weekend. They will face third-ranked Penn State on Friday night before taking on No. 2 Nebraska on Saturday afternoon. The Buckeyes-Cornhuskers game will be broadcast live on NBC4.

Blue Jackets vs. Wild

Nationwide Arena, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m.

  • The Blue Jackets will take on the Minnesota Wild at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets are celebrating the youngest members of the 5th Line at Kids Opening Night. The first 5,000 kids entering the arena will receive CBJ Kids Tech Tattoos.

The Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon and 1/2 Marathon

311 W. Long St., Oct. 20 with corrals opening at 6 a.m. and events starting at 7:25 a.m.

  • Participants from all over Ohio come to Columbus to join the race and raise money for Nationwide Children's Hospital. Each mile is dedicated to a different NCH patient who gets to pick the mile’s theme and cheer on the runners. 
Categories: Ohio News

COhatch plan to renovate historic Dublin homes for mixed-use village inches forward

News Channel 4 - Thu, 10/17/2024 - 05:00

DUBLIN, Ohio (WCMH) -- A Columbus-based co-working business is one step closer to redeveloping several historic Dublin homes and constructing a more than 14,000-square-foot as part of a "one-of-a-kind co-working and entrepreneurship community."

COhatch is transforming several acres along North Riverview Street near the Scioto River in Dublin to launch a mixed-use development named "Riverview Village." While Dublin City Council approved a development agreement for Riverview last year, the city's planning commission voted on Oct. 10 to recommend the rezoning of three of the project's parcels so construction may begin.

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"This development is intended to create a walkable district with a mix of start-ups and growing businesses, non-profits, hybrid companies, restaurant and event spaces, markets, and active outdoor plazas," COhatch's latest plan filed with the city states.

COhatch is transforming several acres in Dublin to launch a mixed-use development named "Riverview Village." (Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission)

Launched in 2016, COhatch is home to co-working spaces and private offices with locations across nine cities, including Atlanta, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay. The company offers intimate "phone booth" rooms, fully equipped podcast rooms, large meeting rooms and event spaces available for company gatherings, anniversary parties, reunions and even weddings.

A development outline submitted to the city shows that COhatch has updated their plans for Riverview to include an outdoor kiosk located in a center plaza, home to a market and other interactive events on the weekends. The kiosk will offer desserts and beverages for visitors to munch or sip on while strolling around Riverview.

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Riverview will also including the construction of COhatch's new 14,250-square-foot headquarters and the restoration of four historic Dublin homes. Once completed, one of the renovated buildings will be home to a café, while the company has said the others could be used as private offices, meeting spaces, individual company retreat homes or event spaces.

"Restoring the historic houses and maintaining the charm of historic Dublin is critical in our design," said Joel Limes, COhatch co-chief brand office, in a release when the development was announced. "There is something special about being able to create an integrated experience of many structures, some new and some old, that will inspire, energize, and connect the public for many years to come."

Categories: Ohio News

Advocacy group challenges Ohio after Christian schools receive state funding

News Channel 4 - Thu, 10/17/2024 - 04:30

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A national advocacy group is investigating Ohio after claiming the state's use of taxpayer dollars to fund private, Christian school renovations is unconstitutional.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State alleges the one-time payments -- totaling nearly $4 million among eight schools -- violate the Ohio and U.S. Constitutions. The nonpartisan organization announced its investigation on Oct. 3 and has given the state until Friday to respond and fulfill its request for public records surrounding the funding.

The investigation concerns money allotted as part of the One-Time Strategic Community Investment Fund, a part of the capital budget passed this summer. Senate Republicans spokesperson John Fortney said the grants benefited organizations that typically would not be eligible to receive state funding.

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The fund gave $717.8 million to 656 projects across Ohio, eight of which went to renovations of private, Christian schools. In a legal analysis addressed to Ohio's Office of Budget and Management, Americans United attorneys said the grants to these schools violate taxpayers' religious freedom and precedents set by court cases prohibiting government funding for construction that will house religious activities.

Specifically, Americans United said the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment prohibits the use of direct grants to support religious activities, pointing to several former lawsuits. Fortney has been clear that the fund was not a grant program, although the state budget office has referred to the funding as grants in public memos.

Americans United also said the grants violate two parts of the Ohio Constitution: a clause stating no religious groups should be able to control state funds and another guaranteeing Ohioans cannot be compelled to support a place of worship without consent.

“The separation of church and state guaranteed in our Constitution means that we each get to decide if, when and how to engage with religion. This protects both taxpayers’ religious freedom and the sanctity of religion," Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United, said. "By forcing taxpayers to fund the buildings of private religious schools, Ohio is obliterating that promise of religious freedom."

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"Any organization could apply for those funds," Fortney said. "It was simply a one-time fund that was set aside for additional community-related projects that would not normally qualify for the standard Capital Budget."

Pete LuPiba, OBM's communications director, said OBM disbursed the funds as directed by legislators, but was not involved in reviewing or awarding the grants. He said Ohio distributed millions in funds to nonpublic schools in this fiscal year alone through state programs to support access to specific materials, security expenses and clerical costs.

Americans United also argues the funding is unconstitutional if the schools enroll students through Ohio's voucher program, which gives scholarships to students to attend private schools. Americans United attorneys and Fortney said vouchers have been upheld constitutionally because parents choose where their students attend.

"Here, the grants go directly to religious schools, not parents or students," Americans United attorneys wrote. "And the grants recipients were selected by the state legislature, so the receipt of funds by religious schools is not controlled by the choices of parents or students."

"The state providing funding for nonpublic schools is nothing new," LuPiba said. "Ohio supports a variety of school choice options that allow families to determine the best educational pathway forward for their individual situation."

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The state budget does not elaborate on what all eight schools will use the funding for but listed projects include playground enhancements and building expansions.

One recipient, Calvary Christian School in Bellefontaine, discussed the grant in a blog post titled “A Testament to God’s Provision: $250,000 Grant Received!” According to the post, the school applied for the funding in the spring of 2024 and met with legislators several times, both at Calvary Christian and at the Ohio Statehouse. 

“The dream of a new facility, one that will build a biblical worldview, nurture young minds, and shape future leaders seemed daunting at the outset,” the post read. “Yet, here we are, having just received another miracle … a $250,000 grant — an amount that is nothing short of miraculous.”

An Americans United representative told NBC4 its attorneys will consider next steps once they have received and reviewed the records requested from the state, which include all communications between the state and the schools, all applications and proposals from schools and all grant agreements.

"We received the public records request from Americans United for Separation of Church and State and will fulfill this request in accordance with the law," LuPiba said.

Categories: Ohio News

Ohio Supreme Court upholds limitations on who can use ballot drop boxes

News Channel 4 - Thu, 10/17/2024 - 03:30

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled that residents delivering ballots on behalf of voters with disabilities cannot use drop boxes but instead must go inside the county board of elections building and fill out a form. 

Under state law, only close relatives such as spouses and parents are legally allowed to drop off a ballot on behalf of someone else. However, a federal judge ruled in July that Ohioans with disabilities can choose anyone to help deliver their ballot.

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In response to the ruling, Secretary of State Frank LaRose imposed a new directive in September requiring anyone dropping off a ballot on behalf of someone else to sign a form at a county board of elections during business hours, ultimately preventing them from using a drop box.

The form declares that the individual is returning the ballot of a state-approved family member or a person with disabilities who has designated them to do so. LaRose cited concerns about ballot harvesting, which is when a political campaign or third party collects and returns multiple ballots.

The Ohio Democratic Party and two voters filed a lawsuit challenging LaRose’s rule change, arguing the directive limits drop off hours to when the board of elections is open, and prevents those who are legally assisting someone to vote from using drop boxes. The Supreme Court rejected the lawsuit and upheld the rule change 4-3, with a Republican majority, in a Tuesday decision.

“I’m grateful the court has allowed us to proceed with our efforts to protect the integrity of Ohio’s elections,” LaRose said in a statement. “Political activists tried once again to dismantle the safeguards we’ve put in place, specifically in this case against ballot harvesting, and they’ve been rejected.”

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Drop boxes are locations put in place by government officials where voters can submit a completed mail ballot. The boxes are often under 24-hour surveillance and can be a more reliable option when there are concerns about the time it may take a ballot to go through the U.S. Postal Service, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center. 

Democrats argued LaRose’s rule made it harder for individuals with disabilities to vote, while a Republican majority argued the lawsuit was filed too late, and claimed the plaintiffs could have filed the legal challenge as early as Sept. 3 but instead waited until Sept. 27.

"Absentee voting has already begun," the court wrote. "As a general matter, courts should refrain from ordering changes to the rules governing elections during or close to the start of an election."

The dissenting opinion argued the court failed to uphold the rule of the law and that the secretary was to blame for the timing issues, given he imposed changes on Ohio voters and election officials about two months before an election. 

Three Ohio Supreme Court justices – Republican Joe Deters and Democrats Melody Stewart and Michael Donnelly – recused themselves from the case, as all are on the general election ballot.

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The majority ruling was signed by Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy, as well as Justices Pat Fischer and Pat DeWine. The fourth majority vote came from Judge Stephen Powell, a Republican on the 12th District Court of Appeals sitting in for Deters. The dissenting opinion consisted of Justice Jennifer Brunner, Judge Pierre Bergeron of the First District Court of Appeals and Judge William Hoffman of the Fifth District Court of Appeals.

Ohio law permits the secretary of state to issue directives regarding how elections are conducted. The law does prohibit permanent directives from being issued beginning 90 days prior to an election, therefore LaRose’s rule change will only remain in effect until mid-December.

Categories: Ohio News

Columbus Marathon road closures expected Thursday-Sunday

News Channel 4 - Thu, 10/17/2024 - 02:40

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)-- Sunday morning, thousands of runners and volunteers for the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon will hit the roads in various neighborhoods of Columbus. Below are the dozens of road closures that go along with the annual fall event.

Events

Saturday, Oct. 19 – Jesse Owens 5K and One Mile Family Fun Walk starts at 11 a.m.; the Highlights Kids’ Run starts at 12:30 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 20 – The Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon -- 7:25 a.m. wheelchair division starts; 7:30 a.m. Marathon & ½ Marathon starts

Road Closures

Friday, October 18

  • 9 a.m.: Long St. closes, Hocking St. to Neil Ave., remains closed until 6 p.m. Sunday. (except 5-7 p.m. Saturday for Blue Jackets)
  • 11:59 p.m.: Spring St. between West St. and Neil Ave. closes until 6 p.m. Sunday 
  • 11:59 p.m.: Hanover and Cozzins Streets closed except to local traffic until 6 p.m. Sunday
  • 11:59 p.m.: West St. from Nationwide to Marconi and John McConnell from New Public Way to Spring St. close until Sunday at 6 p.m.

Saturday, October 19

  • 11:59 p.m.: Spring St. from Neil Avenue to Hocking St. closes until 6 p.m. Sunday
  • 11:59 p.m.: Neil Ave. south from Nationwide Blvd. goes down to one lane for condo traffic only until 4 a.m. Sunday. 

Sunday, October. 20

  • 4 a.m.: Neil Ave. south from Nationwide closes until 3 p.m. Sunday (condo traffic uses the rear entrance off Nationwide). 
  • 7:30 a.m.: Starting at the start line on Long Street and for the 26.2 miles of the marathon course and the 13.1 miles of the 1/2 marathon course, roads will be subject to partial or full closure based upon the expected arrival times of the first and last athlete
  • Spring Street, Long Street and Neil Ave. will open back up to traffic at 6 p.m.
Categories: Ohio News

Chilly mornings, big warm-up on the way for Central Ohio

News Channel 4 - Thu, 10/17/2024 - 02:18
Central Ohio Weather and Radar QUICK WEATHER FORECAST:
  • Today: More sunshine, high 61
  • Tonight: Clear, frost, low 37
  • Friday: Mainly sunny, high 67
  • Saturday: Warmer sunshine, high 72
  • Sunday: Clear sky, high 74
  • Monday: Mostly sunny, high 75
FORECAST DISCUSSION:

Happy Thursday!

We are off to another frosty start to the day, but our afternoons are getting warmer! Expect highs near 60 in the city today, with much more sunshine, and just a calm wind.

With clearer skies, we will still see another steep drop in temps overnight, with lows bottoming out in the 30s once again Friday morning. Frost will be possible again, but highs continue warming, into the upper 60s for Friday. It will be a cool, but dry evening for Football Friday Nite plans.

Then for the weekend, we've got a really beautiful forecast on tap! Expect abundant sunshine, with highs in the low to middle 70s for both Saturday and Sunday. Sunday morning will be perfect for runners in the Columbus Marathon. Spectators will want a jacket for the start of the marathon.

We continue to warm into the next workweek, with highs in the middle 70s Monday, and continued sunshine.

-McKenna

Categories: Ohio News

Ohio State study shows Narcan use up, but could be better

News Channel 4 - Wed, 10/16/2024 - 21:02

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- In March 2023, the FDA cleared the use of naloxone, also known as Narcan, for over-the-counter use. 

Narcan is used to reverse the effects of a drug overdose and it’s extremely effective.  

“If you give naloxone early, it’s like performing CPR,” Dr. Ashish Panchal, an emergency physician at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, said. “You are being the person who is intervening to save a life, and it really is a question of life and death.”  

Panchal and researchers at Ohio State decided to take a look at Narcan use to see how often it is being used by lay people to treat an overdose. 

Panchal said the findings of the study showed the use of naloxone by good Samaritans is up by 43 percent since 2020. 

That is good news, but Panchal said he wants the number even higher. 

“Of all the EMS activations in the United States which involve opioid overdoses, only about three to four percent actually got lay person naloxone,” he said. “I’d rather want that to be something like 100 percent so that we know we can save more lives every day.” 

There is still an opioid crisis in central Ohio and Maryhaven is an addiction treatment center in Columbus trying to fight the problem. Matt Grafton, vice president of Stabilization Services at Maryhaven, said that in his line of work, he has had to reverse an overdose. 

“Yeah, it can be scary, the person had overdosed,” he said. “They were turning blue as well as gray, so we had to administer Narcan to them. We had contacted EMS, so while we were waiting for EMS, we had to administer a couple doses of Narcan.” 

Grafton said the more people who carry naloxone on them, the better. 

Former drug addict Timothy Pratt is getting treatment at Maryhaven and agreed with Grafton. He said he overdosed between 20 and 40 times and that Narcan saved him many times. 

After being given Narcan, Pratt said, “Kind of you’re in a state of shock. Like I said you don’t know anything until you come to and it’s all blurry at first and then you don’t even know that it happened until it already happened.” 

Grafton, being someone who has administered Narcan before, warned that some people can be aggravated as they come out of an overdose, so he recommended staying alert. 

But even if this is a possibility, both Grafton and Panchal said it is worth it to save a life. 

“As a lay person, if I can use it and help bring them back, I’m going to do that first,” Grafton said.  

Following OSU’s study, Panchal said the next step is building even more awareness around Narcan, showing people that the drug is easily accessible and easy to use. 

Categories: Ohio News

How genetic testing saved the lives of a daughter and her mother

News Channel 4 - Wed, 10/16/2024 - 18:30

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- It’s a simple test that could empower you to make decisions about your health.  

Genetic testing is a process that can reveal changes or mutations in your genes, providing insight into predicting or diagnosing cancers.  

The results for one central Ohio woman revealed stage 1 ovarian cancer, but that was after a preventative hysterectomy was done after genetic testing revealed she was a carrier of a gene that increased her chances of breast and ovarian cancer.  

"I had some pain on my right abdominal and that’s what eventually led to the diagnosis," Brooke Lane said.  

That was in 2018. Lane explains the pain was on and off at first, but it eventually got to a point where she was going to urgent care and the emergency room to find out what was going on.  

The diagnosis she would later receive at the Ohio State University James Cancer Center was stage 3 ovarian cancer. Her chemotherapy treatments began almost immediately and as she approached the end of the treatment, her doctor recommended genetic testing for her and her family members.  

The physician explained the testing was a way to see if there were any specific genes fueling her disease.  

Both Lane and her mother Sharon Shealy tested positive for the BCRA1 gene. According to the Centers for Disease Control, mutations in the gene can increase the chances of both ovarian and breast cancer.  

Shealy previously had a preventative hysterectomy, a procedure that revealed she had cancer cells in her fallopian tubes.  

"Usually, when you get ovarian cancer, you are 63," Shealy said. "I was 63, so basically she saved my life."  

Leigha Senter, a genetic counselor at the James, worked with both women to understand the results of their testing and explains the simple test – done by saliva or blood - can potentially save lives.  

"When we received her results, the next important action item was to inform all of her family members about her test results," Senter said.  "It's that critical step to allow family members to really be in a powerful position to either prevent cancer altogether or detect it very early like we saw in this family."  

Senter said questions around the cost of genetic testing are common, saying the testing is nearly always covered by insurance, especially for patients with cancer.   

"My mother passed from cancer, so I knew it was a very hard disease," Shealy said.  "The more you know about it, the earlier you get tested, the better things go." 

Categories: Ohio News

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