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Ohio News

Gov. Mike DeWine shares thoughts on J.D. Vance Senate replacement

News Channel 4 - Thu, 11/07/2024 - 16:03

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Election night in Ohio brought Republicans several wins, and while Gov. Mike DeWine said it was a good for the party, he has a message for its members.

“Bipartisanship, to some extent, is pretty much mandated if you want to get anything done,” he said. “There will be differences of opinion. That's not going to change. But I think there are some areas that we ought to be able to reach some agreement on.”

DeWine said one of those areas is that there should be agreement on is foreign affairs.  

“At least for since World War II, that has been bipartisan. And we should try to, with some exceptions, we should try to keep that,” DeWine said.  

But DeWine said one of the largest undertakings for the federal government right now is immigration.  

“We have had a long tradition in this country, going back decades, of letting people into this country who want to work and also people who were fleeing a country that was very dangerous to them or they were being politically or religiously oppressed,” DeWine said. “I think that is what this country is all about. And I think we should be able to continue, we should be able to do that into the future.”

DeWine said those groups that should be allowed in include people like the Haitian migrants in Springfield. Plus, he said they play a vital role adding to the economy.  

“These are jobs that are helping to create more jobs. They're helping to drive the economy of Springfield,” DeWine said. “They were being hired because there were no other people to fill those jobs. So that is that is that is the stark reality of this.”

But he is already splitting hairs with the state’s newest Senator-elect, Bernie Moreno. Moreno aligns with President-elect Donald Trump that the Temporary Protective Status (TPS) of those migrants should expire in February 2026 when it is meant to.

“I don't see a scenario in which that temporary protected status is extended,” Moreno said. “I would not support any extension of temporary protected status. I would be vehemently opposed to that, actually.”

Moreno said businesses in the state will have plenty of time to adjust before TPS expires. DeWine said no meaningful conversations can be had on who comes to the U.S. until the action is taken on the Southern border.

“Once that gets settled down, and I'm very hopeful that the Trump administration will be able to do that, once that gets settled down at the southern border, then we need to have a discussion about, okay, who do we think should come into this country,” DeWine said. “What I do want to do is make certain that we have a strong, legal, robust immigration system that's on our terms,” Moreno said. “We want to make sure that people come here, they learn English, they assimilate. They don't take government benefits for at least a decade.”

Because Trump won re-election, that makes Senator JD Vance (R-Ohio) now Vice-President elect. That means DeWine is now tasked with appointing someone to Vance’s Senate seat for the time being.

“This is not for the faint-hearted. This is not for someone who just wants to get a seat,” DeWine said. “This has to be someone who really wants to do the job and do the work and who we think has the ability to do it.”

There are several possible picks, and DeWine said he has had several conversations on the topic, but he is staying tight-lipped about who he is considering. He did say that having previously held public office is not necessarily a factor.

“I served with people where that was sometimes their first elected job. I served with people who had had seven or eight different elected jobs,” DeWine said. “Frankly, that diversity added to the discussions in the U.S. Senate, so having diverse backgrounds, I think is good.”

While DeWine did not give away any hints as to who he is thinking of for the job, he said his second in command, Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted (R-Ohio) already has a clear path.

“I've always said John Husted, based upon my six years working with him, he will be a great governor,” DeWine said.

Husted has not directly answered whether he is interested in the U.S. Senate appointment, and DeWine said his endorsement of Husted for governor does not rule out an appointment.

Issue 1 on the ballot was a proposed change to the state’s redistricting process. Before the election, DeWine opposed that amendment, but said out current system still needs some work. DeWine said his view on that has not changed.

“This should go through a legislative process, there should be public hearings. People should be able to come in and talk about how we should do that. So, this is what I'm encouraging the legislature to do,” DeWine said.

DeWine said he thinks the commission should focus on making compact districts and pay no attention to past voting patterns or any politics. But DeWine said while he is urging the legislature to take action, he does not see any urgency.

“I don't know that there's a great rush to do it,” he said. “I don't think we should be doing something overnight and rush, but I do think the process should start. And I put my two-cents in. I said what I think is the best way to do it.”

Categories: Ohio News

How to cope with post-Election Day stress

News Channel 4 - Thu, 11/07/2024 - 15:30

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- After much anticipation and build-up, the Nov. 5 general election has come and gone and while votes are still being tallied, many are now dealing with post-election stress.   

If election season has affected your mental health in any way, experts want you to know that you aren’t alone. Several tightly contested national and statewide races left millions anxious and waiting for results. 

While the election is over, it’s likely many Americans will still be concerned about what the next few weeks will bring. It can often leave people feeling isolated. 

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“In some ways, we're kind of grieving, right?” Kelley Breidigan, an assistant clinical professor at the College of Social Work at Ohio State University, said. “Some folks really are struggling with the idea that they thought it was going to be one way and it's something different, and so it puts them in a very vulnerable position.” 

According to the American Psychological Association, 43% of adults said they felt more anxious than they did in 2023 while 73% of adults said they were particularly worried about this election. 

“We've come off of COVID and we've come out of all this uncertainty and all of these things that have really in some ways, you know, created sort of a system of grief and vulnerability and isolation, right, and then to go right into something as important as an election like this, you can kind of see how folks are just sort of exhausted,” Breidigan said.   

She said the idea of change is scary because it can often make us feel powerless, which is why it’s essential for people to develop healthy coping strategies.   

Columbus among top 10 unhealthiest cities in United States, according to Forbes

“So the idea behind this is that an anxious mind cannot exist in a relaxed body,” Breidigan said. 

If you find yourself feeling anxious post-election, now is the time to start focusing on yourself. There are plenty of different ways to go about this: you can monitor your social media intake, practice deep breathing exercises or just get outside and be active, all ways that can help you relax your mind and body.   

Breidigan said that while post-election stress isn’t considered a diagnosable disorder, it is a very real thing people experience.   

“What we do see is that this is a pattern of stress and anxiety, right, that we're seeing that's sort of repeating each cycle like this, and it is real. It is a thing that people are really, really struggling with,” she said. 

If you’re feeling stressed or anxious after this election, Breidigan said to take a step back and find balance, finding ways to stay informed while also focusing on your mental health and well-being. 

Categories: Ohio News

Sunshine, more seasonable, rain returns Sunday

News Channel 4 - Thu, 11/07/2024 - 10:08
Central Ohio Weather and Radar

A frontal boundary near the Ohio River will sink a little farther south, allowing cooler and drier air to filter into Ohio, as high pressure builds north of Ohio.

Skies will be partly sunny, with high clouds. Afternoon temperatures will stay in the low 60s, which is still above normal for early November. Tonight will be mainly clear and cooler, with morning readings in the upper 30s.

Little change is expected Friday and Saturday, with sunshine and some high clouds, and light winds. In the Gulf of Mexico, Hurricane Rafael will likely make landfall along the central Gulf Coast later in the weekend.

Low pressure will track from the southern Plains to the Great Lakes later in the weekend, tapping into tropical moisture, which will bring periods of rain late Saturday night and Sunday, resulting in a widespread beneficial rainfall.

Sunny and slightly cooler weather will follow for Veterans Day and Tuesday.

Forecast
  • Thursday: Mostly sunny, high clods. High 62
  • Tonight: Mainly clear. Low 39
  • Friday: Sunny. High 63
  • Saturday: Mostly sunny. High 61 (39)
  • Sunday: Periods of rain. High 65 (48)
  • Veterans Day: Clearing. High 62 (49)
  • Tuesday: Mostly sunny. High 63 (43)
  • Wednesday: Partly sunny, shower. High 65 (47)
Categories: Ohio News

Columbus among top 10 unhealthiest cities in United States, according to Forbes

News Channel 4 - Thu, 11/07/2024 - 10:00

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Columbus is among the top 10 unhealthiest cities in the United States, according to a recent study by Forbes.

Between 2020 and 2050, the number of adults aged 50 and older with at least one chronic disease is projected to nearly double. Some cities are more impacted than others, with analyses suggesting income level, education and commuting patterns may influence how healthy a city’s residents are, according to Forbes. 

A study by the media company compared the 50 most populated cities in the country across eight metrics, including the number of adults who reported inactivity and smoking, as well as the percentage of adults with diabetes and high blood pressure. All data was sourced from The City Health Dashboard from 2021.

Columbus came in as the 10th most unhealthy city in America. The city experienced about 200 heart disease deaths and 57 opioid deaths per 100,000 residents in 2021. Additionally, about 19% of adults reported binge drinking, 19% reported smoking and 37% reported being obese. 

Taking the No. 1 spot as the unhealthiest city in the country was Detroit, which had the highest percentage of adults who reported obesity (45.5%) and smoking (28.5%). Coming in second place was Milwaukee, which had the highest number of opioid overdoses (59.2) and the highest percentage of adults who reported binge drinking (22.6%). 

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In third place was Memphis, Tennessee, followed by Philadelphia; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Indianapolis; Las Vegas; Louisville, Kentucky; and Nashville, Tennessee. 

On the other hand, the healthiest city was San Jose, California. The city had the second-lowest number of opioid deaths per 100,000 residents (8.3) and the second-lowest percentage of adults who reported obesity (20.9%). San Jose was followed by Austin, Texas; Seattle; San Diego; and Denver. 

Categories: Ohio News

Clintonville pizzeria that was the site of two fires in two years reopens

News Channel 4 - Thu, 11/07/2024 - 09:30

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- After a fire caused it to temporarily close for the second time in as many years, Harvest Bar + Kitchen in Clintonville is set to reopen.

The pizza kitchen at 2885 N. High St. is back in business, it announced on social media. Opening Thursday at 11 a.m., the restaurant said it "can't wait" to see customers come back.

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In July, crews were called to Harvest in response to a dumpster fire behind its building. Most of the damage was contained to the refrigeration unit and dumpsters, but the business still was closed for three months.

  • Firefighters are called to Harvest Bar + Kitchen in Clintonville for the second time in two years. (NBC4)
  • Firefighters are called to Harvest Bar + Kitchen in Clintonville for the second time in two years. (NBC4)
  • Firefighters are called to Harvest Bar + Kitchen in Clintonville for the second time in two years. (NBC4)
  • Firefighters are called to Harvest Bar + Kitchen in Clintonville for the second time in two years. (NBC4)

It was the second time since 2022 that this Harvest location closed after catching fire. That July, the restaurant suffered extensive damage and was closed for months after video footage from witnesses showed smoke billowing out of the roof.

Harvest has multiple other locations throughout central Ohio, including in Bexley, the Brewery District, Dublin and Granville.

Categories: Ohio News

Ohio Civil War soldiers honored at last for roles in 'Great Locomotive Chase'

News Channel 4 - Thu, 11/07/2024 - 09:00

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Two Ohio Civil War soldiers, who played crucial roles in one of the earliest covert military operations that became the subject of a classic Hollywood silent film, finally received the recognition and honor they deserved after more than 150 years.

According to the White House, Union Army Soldiers Private Philip G. Shadrach, a native Pennsylvanian, and Private George D. Wilson, who was born in Ohio, were awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously by President Joe Biden.

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Shadrach and Wilson were part of what came to be known as the “Great Locomotive Chase,” a real-life stealth mission later loosely adapted in the 1926 Buster Keaton film “The General.” The pair were part of Andrews' Raiders, a group of volunteers in a covert operation conceived by spy and scout James J. Andrews, a private citizen.

On April 12, 1862, Shadrach and Wilson joined nearly two dozen other Union soldiers who put away their uniforms and disguised themselves as civilians to slip 200 miles into Confederate territory. Once there, they commandeer a train in Georgia. The soldiers aimed to disrupt Confederate supply lines by tearing up tracks and severing telegraph lines. Despite their efforts, several men, including Shadrach and Wilson, were captured by the enemy and executed, their actions symbolizing the ultimate dedication to their country.

  • (Original Caption) 4/12/1862-: Great Locomotive Chase (Andrews Raid). The Locomotive General, which was pirated by a group of Union soldiers and driven from Marietta, Georgia to Chattanooga.
  • The Great Locomotive Chase or Andrews' Raid, a military raid that occurred April 12, 1862, in northern Georgia during the American Civil War. From The History of Our Country, published 1905. (Photo by: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
  • (Eingeschränkte Rechte für bestimmte redaktionelle Kunden in Deutschland. Limited rights for specific editorial clients in Germany.) USA - Tennessee - : Andrew's Raiders monument in Chattanooga National Cemetery, erected in 1890, bronze replica of the locomotive known as The General, the subject of the Great Locomotive Chase. - Photographer: A. W. Judds- Published by: 'Berliner Illustrirte Zeitung' 44/1903Vintage property of ullstein bild (Photo by ullstein bild/ullstein bild via Getty Images)
  • WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 03: U.S. President Joe Biden presents a Medal of Honor to Gerald Taylor (C), the Great, Great Nephew of Private Philip G. Shadrach, Posthumous Medal of Honor Recipient in the East Room of the White House on July 03, 2024 in Washington, DC. Biden presented the posthumous awards to two Union U.S. soldiers Philip Shadrach and George Wilson who fought during the Civil War and participated in an undercover mission which later known as the “Great Locomotive Chase.” (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
  • WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 03: U.S. President Joe Biden presents the Medal of Honor to Theresa Chandler (2nd L), great, great granddaughter of Private George D. Wilson, and Gerald Taylor (L), great, great nephew of Private Philip G. Shadrach, during a Medal of Honor ceremony in the East Room of the White House on July 03, 2024 in Washington, DC. Biden presented the awards posthumously to two Union U.S. soldiers Philip Shadrach and George Wilson who fought during the Civil War and participated in an undercover mission which later known as the “Great Locomotive Chase.” (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
  • WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 03: U.S. President Joe Biden presents a Medal of Honor to Theresa Chandler, the Great, Great Granddaughter of Private George D. Wilson, Posthumous Medal of Honor Recipient, in the East Room of the White House on July 03, 2024 in Washington, DC. Biden presented the posthumous awards to two Union U.S. soldiers Philip Shadrach and George Wilson who fought during the Civil War and participated in an undercover mission which later known as the “Great Locomotive Chase.” (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
  • President Biden is awarding the Medal of Honor to two Civil War soldiers. Descendants of Private Philip G. Shadrach and Private George D. Wilson are receiving the medal for their ancestors' heroism in battle. (Photo by Andrew Leyden/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Private Philip G. Shadrach, born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, was only 21 when he joined the 2nd Ohio Infantry Regiment on Sept. 20, 1861. On his own from a young age, Shadrach committed himself to the Union cause, risking his life in the perilous raid that led to his death.

Private George D. Wilson, a shoemaker from Belmont County, Ohio, enlisted in the Union Army’s Company B, 2nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry on Aug. 31, 1861. As a member of the famous Andrews' Raid, he became “a central figure in the Great Locomotive Chase,” the White House noted.

This posthumous recognition of Shadrach and Wilson addresses a long-overdue acknowledgment of their bravery. Though they were eligible for the Medal of Honor in 1863, they were not awarded for unknown reasons. The July 2024 awards for “conspicuous gallantry” bring their sacrifices to light more than a century after their deaths.

Categories: Ohio News

Blue Jackets' Learn to Play program honors Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau

News Channel 4 - Thu, 11/07/2024 - 08:30

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — When students in the Blue Jackets' Learn to Play program returned to the ice this fall to start a new season of hockey instruction, they were included in the teams' commemoration of forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew Gaudreau who died this summer when a drunk driver struck them as they were biking on a New Jersey road.

In LTP's welcome letter for the autumn session, the children learned they would receive a helmet sticker displaying the name “Gaudreau” and both brothers' jersey numbers. This is the same decal worn this season on the helmets of Blue Jackets players.

  • Blue Jackets Learn to Play, OhioHealth Chiller Dublin (Photo Courtesy/ Stephanie Thompson)Blue Jackets Learn to Play, OhioHealth Chiller Dublin (Photo Courtesy/ Stephanie Thompson)
  • Blue Jackets Learn to Play, OhioHealth Chiller Dublin (Photo Courtesy/ Stephanie Thompson)Blue Jackets Learn to Play, OhioHealth Chiller Dublin (Photo Courtesy/ Stephanie Thompson)
  • Blue Jackets Learn to Play, OhioHealth Chiller Dublin (Photo Courtesy/ Stephanie Thompson)Blue Jackets Learn to Play, OhioHealth Chiller Dublin (Photo Courtesy/ Stephanie Thompson)

The program, created by the National Hockey League Players' Association and the league, aims to be the “gold standard” for youth hockey programs.

According to the LTP website, the organization seeks to inspire girls and boys ages 4 to 10 to play hockey and learn key life lessons like “responsibility, respect and teamwork.” Designed to spark an enduring love for the game, it offers instruction in a “safe, encouraging environment.” Children receive eight weeks of 45-minute classes, allowing them to ease into the sport at Chiller Ice Rink locations in central Ohio.

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One of the standout features of the LTP program is its commitment to affordability and accessibility. First-time enrollees receive a complete set of equipment, valued at $600, at no additional cost. This set includes everything from a helmet and pads to a hockey stick and skates, making the initial leap into the sport financially and logistically easier for families. Participants also receive a ticket to a Blue Jackets home game.

Learn to Play program highlights

• Three-step introductory program
• Open to boys and girls between the ages of 4 to 10
• Receive head-to-toe equipment with first-time enrollment ($600 value)
• Family-friendly schedule with eight weeks of 45-minute classes
• Eight-week sessions ($200) held year-round at select OhioHealth Chiller Ice Rink locations
• With each registration, receive one (1) free ticket to a 2024-25 regular season Blue Jackets home game

Learn to Play program sessions

• August session: August – October
• October session: October – December
• January session: January – March
• March session: March – May
• May session: May – July

To register for a session, visit the Learn to Play website. Registration opens approximately one month before the session starts.

Categories: Ohio News

Boy dies after ATV crashes into car in south Columbus

News Channel 4 - Thu, 11/07/2024 - 07:25

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A boy is dead after an ATV crash on the South Side. 

On Tuesday at about 2:25 p.m., Columbus police said a man was driving south on South Fourth Street near East Barthman Avenue in a 2001 Volkswagen Golf. At the same time, a man was driving a 2013 Can-Am Outlander ATV with a boy passenger eastbound from an alley.

The ATV driver struck the Volkswagen on its passenger side, and both the man and child were ejected from the ATV. 

Medics took the ATV riders to a hospital, both in critical condition. The driver of the Volkswagen was also taken to a hospital, but he was stable. At 11:27 p.m., the boy was pronounced dead. 

Columbus police continue to investigate.

Categories: Ohio News

Get out and do something this weekend in central Ohio, Nov. 9-10

News Channel 4 - Thu, 11/07/2024 - 06:00

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) - From Veterans Day celebrations to the Ohio State Buckeyes, here are things to see and do this weekend in central Ohio.

Franklin County Dog Shelter Foster Open House

4340 Tamarack Blvd, Columbus, Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to noon

  • The first Foster Open House event invites community members to learn about the shelter's foster program, meet adoptable dogs and discover how fostering can make a difference for animals in need. No registration is necessary.
Canal Winchester Veterans Day Celebration

Downtown Canal Winchester, Nov. 9 starting at 8:30 a.m.

  • The Veterans Day Celebration will begin with a complimentary pancake breakfast for veterans and their families at the Community Center. A Veterans March will follow at 10 a.m.
March Through Time

Ohio History Center, Nov. 9-10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • Explore the stories of soldiers and learn more about Ohio's military history. Special programs include tours of the museum’s battle flag and World War I exhibits and artifacts, interactions with time-appropriate reenactors and hands-on activities.
Ohio State vs. Purdue

Ohio Stadium, Nov. 9 at noon

  • The Ohio State Buckeyes will take on the Purdue Boilermakers at Ohio Stadium. Kickoff is set for noon. In honor of Veterans Day on Nov. 11, this will be Ohio State's Military Appreciation Game.
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 02: A view of an Ohio State Buckeyes football on the field prior to a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) TWIG Bazaar

Lausche Building at Ohio Expo Center, Nov. 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

  • Spend your day at the Annual TWIG Bazaar crafting both traditional and unique items including home decorations, seasonal items, children's collectables and more. The Bazaar also includes a silent auction, raffles, pick-a-prize and TWIG Cafe. The event is benefiting Nationwide Children's Hospital.
OSU Marching Band Hometown Concert

Mershon Auditorium, Nov. 10 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

  • The Ohio State University Marching Band is hosting its annual Hometown Concert to entertain fans with selections from its popular halftime shows, favorites and traditional Ohio State tunes.
(AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Categories: Ohio News

Columbus approves $25,000 to increase access to diaper-changing stations

News Channel 4 - Thu, 11/07/2024 - 05:00

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- To bridge the gap between diaper-changing stations available in men and women's restrooms, the City of Columbus approved $25,000 in grants to increase equal access at local small businesses.

The initiative, which is in its second year, is expected to pay for 152 new changing stations at 63 businesses. So far, the plan has already added more than 100 stations to men's restrooms, as well as gender-neutral and women's restrooms, throughout the area in its first phase. Council President Pro Tem Rob Dorans said it's an issue that he has a personal connection to.

"I've got a little one at home, a lot of the other councilmembers have little kids," Dorans said. "If you have a little kid and you've had to change a diaper, you've known that there's not always an easy place to do that."

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Despite the National Center for Health Statistics reporting that 90% of fathers who live with their children bathe, diaper, and dress them every day or several times a week, many public facilities only offer changing tables in women's restrooms, according to the council. Dorans said it's part of an "outdated mindset" and that they want to fix the disparity.

"We've kept up with how parenting responsibilities and expectations have changed, and while that has maybe changed for families, maybe when they're outside interacting with the rest of the world, it's a little bit slow to catch up," Dorans said.

Matt Lofy is the host of a podcast for dads, discussing topics regarding pro-father advocacy. The council credited his program with playing a big part in raising awareness of the issue. He said the idea to add diaper-changing stations throughout the city came after he had to change his son's diaper in his car during his second birthday.

"There were no changing tables," Lofy said. "After that, I asked my wife, 'I think I want to advocate for change and get more men's rooms and gender-neutral restrooms to have changing tables and easier access."

It's important to discuss these topics through the lens of fathers, according to Lofy.

"Primarily because fathers haven't been the ones in the household that have been the most active or supportive for this, that or, you know, whatever reason through the decades," Lofy said. "It's typically moms."

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All of the changing stations will be purchased from Foundations Worldwide Inc., an Ohio-based furniture manufacturing company. Dorans said the city is casting a wide net for the businesses it chooses to get the stations, picking a number of nonprofits, restaurants and business centers. While it's primarily aimed at men's restrooms, the initiative will also add stations in gender-neutral and women's restrooms.

Now that the legislation has passed, Dorans said local businesses should start to see the changing stations arrive by the end of the year.

Categories: Ohio News

Appeals court to decide on Ohio school district's transgender restroom policy

News Channel 4 - Thu, 11/07/2024 - 04:30

TIPP CITY, Ohio (WCMH) -- A national legal group is aiming to revive its challenge against an Ohio school district for allowing transgender students to use communal restrooms consistent with their gender identity.

The Sixth District Court of Appeals in Cincinnati heard oral arguments on Oct. 29 in the suit filed in 2022 by "American First Legal," alleging Dayton-area Bethel Local School District violated the religious liberty of 18 anonymous parents and students when a 14-year-old trans student was granted access to use the girls' restrooms.

The suit was dismissed in 2023 by District Judge Michael Newman, who ruled the organization's claim lacked standing and the district's action did not infringe on the parents' free exercise of religion. Soon after, American First Legal appealed Newman's decision.

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Former Ohio Solicitor General Ben Flowers spoke on behalf of the 18 parents and students during the October hearing, arguing the district's remedy to allow all students to use single-occupancy bathrooms if they are uncomfortable using the communal restroom is not practical.

"The challenged policy accommodates religious objectors by offering them the same accommodation with the same hardships that previously deemed intolerable as applied to transgender students," Flowers said. "[Religious students] have access to the single-user restrooms. With the limited number of those, the large size of the religious communities means students end up holding their urine, refusing to use the bathroom."

School district attorney Taylor Knight echoed Newman's ruling and said Bethel's policy did not violate the rights of religious parents and students. She noted the district never restricted the 18 plaintiffs and argued the policy only allowed the trans student to use the school's bathrooms just as other students could.

"[The trans student's] risk is, every time she shows up at school to go to the bathroom and is using the restroom that she gender identifies with, it's going to be a problem for her," said Knight. "But, for the religious students, they only have a problem if [the trans student] is in the bathroom at the same time they are."

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The trans student joined Bethel Middle School in January 2020 after enduring bullying and harassment for being transgender at her previous school district in Fairborn, according to court documents. Before stepping foot on campus, the student's family said they informed the school's administration that she was trans and opted for single-occupancy restrooms for her safety.

Problems began when the student realized only two of the five single-occupancy restrooms on campus were accessible and caused her to be tardy to class. Using these restrooms also singled her out as trans.  

"I started noticing that other students would taunt and harass me for using the 'sissy bathroom,'" the student wrote in the filing. "Some of the other students would shout transphobic remarks or slurs, refuse to use my preferred pronouns, or ask inappropriate and invasive questions about my body." 

After nearly a year of attending Bethel, the student and her mom asked school administrators if she could begin using the girls' restroom. Court documents state the middle school's principal told the student in December 2021 that she could start using the girl's bathroom after winter break. 

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However, American First Legal wrote in the complaint that Bethel's Board of Education made this change "in secret to avoid community opposition" and announced the new policy at a meeting in January 2022 without public discussion, deliberation, or voting. 

Bethel students against the policy "hold their urine and avoid using the restroom at school if at all possible" out of fear "that they will be exposed to the opposite sex," the document states. The complaint also said forcing Muslim students "to use intimate facilities with members of the opposite biological sex is like forcing them to eat pork."

"The board is imposing a substantial burden on the free exercise of that faith by placing the children in intimate facilities with members of the opposite biological sex," the complaint states. "Among other things, this directly contradicts their faith on a fundamental moral question and places their children in a situation of compromised modesty." 

Bethel school district and American First Legal now await a decision from the appeals court.

Categories: Ohio News

Pedestrian dead after being struck by vehicle near Columbus airport

News Channel 4 - Thu, 11/07/2024 - 03:53

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A pedestrian is dead after they were struck by a vehicle near John Glenn International Airport on Thursday morning. 

Police were called to the 700 block of Stelzer Road at 4:34 a.m. after a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle. The victim was pronounced dead 10 minutes later, according to the Columbus Division of Police.

Stelzer Road is closed due to the incident as of 5:45 a.m. Police have not yet released any further information.

Categories: Ohio News

Unsolved Ohio: Father pushes for answers in 8-year-old daughter's 2006 homicide

News Channel 4 - Thu, 11/07/2024 - 03:30

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) – The father of an 8-year-old homicide victim is fighting to bring his daughter’s killer to justice, unraveling disturbing details in the process including a sexual assault and destroyed evidence. 

About four months before her death, Mackenzie Branham had moved into her mother’s home, which she shared with a live-in boyfriend, on East Walnut Street in Jeffersonville. Mackenzie was there for a long visit, as her parents were divorced and her father, Donald Branham, had custody of her.

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“She was a straight-A student, loved school, got along with everybody,” Branham said. “I know at the time of her death, they put up a sign in the school for kids to sign, and some kids were taping money to the sign, [because] she gave money to help kids eat lunches.”

(Photo Courtesy/Ohio Attorney General's Office)

On April 27, 2006, around 1:50 a.m., Mackenzie was sleeping in her second-floor bedroom when her mother's house caught on fire. Both the mother and her boyfriend escaped unharmed.

“That night I was at work and [Mackenzie’s mother] called me and told me that her house was on fire, and that our daughter was in there,” Branham said. “And I told her, ‘Why are you talking to me on the phone? Why are you not trying to save my kid?’ and I kept telling her, ‘Don't let my baby die.’” 

According to firefighters' statements in a coroner's report, they were at the scene for 15 to 20 minutes before being told Mackenzie was still in the home.

How election results may impact Intel’s Ohio plant

“[The mother and boyfriend's] pickup truck was sitting in the middle of the road with the keys in the ignition, with the doors open, the mother's cellphone laying on the front seat, but they were on the road and the fireman had to move their pickup truck to start fighting the fire,” Branham said. “Then they found out that my daughter was in there. They shut everything down and then went into rescue mode."

Mackenzie was discovered in her bed by firefighters and was pronounced dead at the scene just after 2 a.m. The blaze was later determined to be arson, with the fire originating from inside the house.

In a report taken by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, the boyfriend claimed he alerted Mackenzie of the fire, then broke a window for him and Mackenzie’s mother to escape. He said he got a ladder and attempted to reach Mackenzie through her window, but she did not respond to his calls and he retreated due to heavy smoke and flames.

The Montgomery County Coroner’s Office completed testing on Mackenzie’s body in September 2006. Six years later, in 2012, Branham discovered through questioning the Fayette County Sheriff's Office that male DNA was found on Mackenzie's body, indicating she was sexually assaulted shortly before her death. The sheriff’s office has not publicly announced if it has found a match for the DNA.

As the years since his daughter's death pass by, Branham has expressed frustration with the sheriff's office. He raised concerns about the integrity of the investigation since a now-deceased sergeant who responded to the fire was the brother-in-law of Mackenzie’s mother’s boyfriend.

Branham also stated that Mackenzie’s clothes were destroyed at the request of the Fayette County Coroner’s Office three months after her homicide. He said he was told the clothes were destroyed because they were wet and damaged, and therefore did not hold much value. Additionally, Branham claims he has contacted eyewitnesses who said they were never interviewed by law enforcement about the fire.

“It's been a joke with this whole entire thing with my kid,” he said. 

Woman escapes alleged rape attempt while on Gahanna walking trail

In 2017, Mackenzie’s body was exhumed for further testing with Branham's permission. Deputies have not publicly revealed if this led to any new information.

Despite Branham's efforts, including investigating his own daughter's homicide and organizing rallies for her, 18 years have passed since Mackenzie's death and no one has been held accountable. NBC4 asked the Fayette County Sheriff's Office if it could share any updates and respond to complaints about its investigation, to which it replied that the case is still active.

Anyone with information on the homicide of Mackenzie Branham may contact the State Fire Marshal’s tip line at 800-589-2728, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation at 800-282-3784, or the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office at 740-335-6170. 

If you’re a family member of an individual with an unsolved missing persons or homicide case in Ohio, reach out to aboldizar@wcmh.com.

Categories: Ohio News

Cooler temps, but still above-average for Central Ohio

News Channel 4 - Thu, 11/07/2024 - 01:57
Central Ohio Weather and Radar QUICK WEATHER FORECAST:
  • Today: Gradual clearing, high 61
  • Tonight: Mainly clear, low 40
  • Friday: Mostly sunny, high 63
  • Saturday: Few clouds, high 62
  • Sunday: Rain, breezy, high 65
  • Monday: Partly cloudy, high 63
FORECAST DISCUSSION:

Happy Thursday!

The front that brought us rain yesterday, leads to cloud coverage to kick off our Thursday, but we'll see gradual clearing into the afternoon. Expect cooler, but still above-average temps, topping out in the lower 60s this afternoon.

For our Friday, highs stick in the low to mid 60s, and high pressure returns, so we will see much more sunshine. We'll be nice and dry for Football Friday Nite plans, just cool, so keep jackets handy.

Saturday looks great for tailgating plans and the Ohio State game. The morning starts cool, in the 40s, then highs warm to the lower 60s during the afternoon. We'll see lots of sunshine, with clouds gradually building later in the day, out ahead of our next front, which brings rain overnight and into Sunday.

Expect scattered rain showers on Sunday, as a cold front, combined with tropical moisture move through the Ohio Valley. We'll also be breezy Sunday, with highs in the middle 60s.

Rain clears up by the start of the next workweek.

-McKenna

Categories: Ohio News

Three people found dead in west Columbus home

News Channel 4 - Wed, 11/06/2024 - 20:29

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Three people were found dead inside a home on the west side of Columbus Tuesday night from apparent drug overdoses.

According to Columbus police, the bodies were found in a home on the unit block of South Warren Avenue at approximately 6:17 p.m.

Police dispatchers said the three people -- all adults -- appear to have died from drug overdoses. They were all pronounced dead at the scene at 6:24 p.m.

Police have not released any further information.

Categories: Ohio News

How Trump led Ohio's red wave

News Channel 4 - Wed, 11/06/2024 - 16:00

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- NBC4 is digging into the impact of the red wave in Ohio and what it means for the state moving forward.   

President-elect Donald Trump easily won Ohio, something that experts said isn’t a surprise. His influence impacted other Ohio races as well, leading to other elected positions staying or switching to Republican. 

Trump’s lead in Ohio had an impact on the Senate race, pushing Senate-elect Bernie Moreno to victory as well as dozens of other seats in the Ohio House and Senate.   

Ohio projected to experience long-term population decline, report reveals

What surprised the experts was the extent to which most of the counties in Ohio shifted further red.  Trump won Ohio by about 11% compared to around 8% in 2016 and 2020.  

“That virtually every county, all but two, with the latest bit of data that's come in, went more for Donald Trump and more Republican than in 2020, for instance, is a bit of a surprise, so that includes some of the biggest urban counties in the state, places that are the sort of strongholds for Democrats,” Christopher McKnight Nichols, Ohio State history professor and Woody Hayes Chair in National Security Studies, said. 

He said there are multiple takeaways from Tuesday’s election results. 

“On the one hand, I think we can look at this election and attempt to generalize 2024 looks like a red wave,” Nichols said. “Ohio looks like it is more solidly Republican than it's been in a long time.” 

However, he said while Ohio may be red down the ballot, when it comes to ballot initiatives, such as the vote on women’s reproductive rights last year, there tends to be purple showing through.   

How election results may impact Intel’s Ohio plant

“You can tell that the state's actual politics below the surface from those ballot initiatives and referenda is more murky, is perhaps more purple, but when it comes to party affiliations and voting down a ballot, which candidates, which parties are being voted on, there’s no doubt that Ohio is more Republican than ever,” Nichols said. 

Dominik Stecula, an assistant professor of communication and political science, said this can be seen in the counties that surround what are usually more blue areas. 

“It is interesting to see the almost, like, a realignment with kind of who the Republican base is,” Stecula said. “Places like Youngstown and maybe places around Toledo, that kind of post-industrial places in Ohio and beyond are now going for Republicans, 

When it comes to the U.S. Senate seat that was up for grabs here, the experts said country-wide implications played a role.  

“It was probably more about an election season that went for Republicans in general in the state of Ohio and the redder states as well,” Nichols said. “You know, I think if you're thinking about what this signals, there's a big picture thing that's going on here, so it's been increasingly rare for states to have one Democrat and one Republican senator.” 

All eyes were on Ohio’s Senate race as this seat had the power to flip the upper chamber.  Senate-elect Bernie Moreno pulled ahead of incumbent Sen. Sherrod Brown and won.  

What to do with your political yard signs in Franklin County after Election Day

The experts said this was expected as Trump was favored to win Ohio and in order for Brown to hold on to his seat, he would need to convince voters to split their tickets. This didn’t happen to the extent Brown needed; Moreno did win, but by a smaller margin than Turmp, just under 4%. 

Stecula said this could mean Brown did succeed in convincing some voters to split the ticket - just not enough.     

“The flip happened, I think, primarily because of Donald Trump's performance,” he said. “If Donald Trump's margin was slightly smaller; if he, for example, only was winning by about seven percentage points instead of eight, it's likely that Bernie Moreno would not have won." 

Nichols adds it is becoming more common to see states have one solid block of representatives whether that is Republican or Democrat. For example, on Tuesday night every single Ohio Supreme Court justice elected was Republican. The election was the first time Ohio listed a justice candidate’s party affiliation on the ballot. 

“It seems pretty clear that having judges' political affiliations on the ballot is an act of transparency for the voters, for sure,” Nichols said. “It's useful in that sense so they know their party affiliation, but it also seems pretty clear that having their party affiliation on the ballot in states that trend hard in one direction, like Ohio now does towards Republicans, means that it's a real uphill battle for Democratic judges to get elected.” 

Categories: Ohio News

Kroger to open store at Jerome Village, first in central Ohio in 15 years

News Channel 4 - Wed, 11/06/2024 - 10:00

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Grocery chain Kroger has announced the opening date for its Jerome Village store.

The company said the store's opening events will occur on Friday starting at 7:30 a.m. The first 200 customers will receive gift cards ranging in value from $5 to $500. Additionally, sampling events and giveaways will extend the festivities into the weekend.

According to Kroger, the Jerome Village Kroger Marketplace, at 12116 Sycamore Trace in Plain City, is the first “net” new Columbus Division store in 15 years and represents a $38 million investment in central Ohio.

Kroger also said elected officials, business leaders, and community partners will attend. And Nationwide Realty Investors, the developer of Jerome Village, revealed several additional storefronts that will open in The Jerome Village Market anchored by the Kroger.

In a news release, the real estate company confirmed Village Vision Eye Care, Burton Family Dental Jerome and Great Clips hair salon will all have a presence in the 20,000-square-foot retail building next to the supermarket. The shopping center parcel is also expected to include restaurants, a learning center and a nail salon.

The firm noted that a variety of other businesses in the area are already open or will open soon, including Jerome Dental, the Kroger Fuel Center, Primrose School and Chase Bank.

“We’re thrilled with the interest we’ve received from businesses wanting to be part of The Jerome Village Market alongside Kroger,” said Brian J. Ellis, President of Nationwide Realty Investors. “We’re proud to bring more great amenities to the residents of Jerome Village and surrounding Dublin and Plain City communities, including a Kroger of this size and quality, as well as shops, restaurants, banks, and even healthcare services for area families.”

The announcement also offered key components of what shoppers can expect in the new 123,000-square-foot Kroger Marketplace. Labeled as an “enhanced shopping experience” the store will have larger produce, deli, bakery, meat, and seafood departments. In addition, the retailer will provide clients with a sushi counter, a Murray’s cheese shop, and a Starbucks. A drive-thru pharmacy and an on-site Fuel Center will round out the facilities.

Categories: Ohio News

Woman escapes alleged rape attempt while on Gahanna walking trail

News Channel 4 - Wed, 11/06/2024 - 09:36

GAHANNA, Ohio (WCMH) – A man in police custody allegedly admitted his intention to rape a woman before she was able to escape Tuesday afternoon in Gahanna.

According to an incident report, the Gahanna Division of Police received a 911 call to request assistance for an alleged victim who was assaulted while walking along a path near James Road and Big Walnut Creek.

Multiple officers arrived and located a victim, who told police that a shirtless man wearing a ski mask pointed a gun at her and began to drag her into the woods. The victim reported that the man emerged from the woods and said, “come with me or I’ll shoot you.”

Gahanna PD said the woman ran away from the man, who chased her down, grabbed her from behind and her wrist. The victim said she offered the man her purse, an offer he rejected before dragging her towards a tree line by the path.

What to do with your political yard signs in Franklin County after Election Day

After the victim was able to fight him off and flee a second time, police located 27-year-old Johnathan Steele riding a bicycle on Price Road near the trail. Police said Steele was armed with a loaded CCY CPX-2 in a brown holster on his right hip.

During the arrest process, Steele, who is prohibited from carrying a firearm due to a domestic conviction in Virginia, reportedly confessed to having thoughts of wanting to commit rape and noticed the victim walking near Creekside Park before attacking her.

Police said comments Steele made included admissions that he intended of having sex with the victim and specifically mentioned “rape” and “it was me with the girl”.

Steele, who was also in possession of a backpack with a ski mask inside, was arrested and taken to Gahanna PD headquarters. He is charged with kidnapping, abduction, attempted felony and carrying a loaded weapon.

Categories: Ohio News

How election results may impact Intel's Ohio plant

News Channel 4 - Wed, 11/06/2024 - 09:00

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The winning presidential candidate and his party have hinted at making changes that could directly alter the course for Intel's promised computer chip factory in New Albany.

The 2024 general election follows shortly after Intel's third quarter earnings report dropped on Oct. 31. While the tech giant had better-than-expected income for the time period, it ultimately saw a net loss of over $16 billion. The New York Times noted this was the biggest loss Intel had ever reported in its five-decade existence, and it had quick effect; by Friday, the Associated Press reported that rival company Nvidia would be replacing Intel on the Dow Jones Index, a stock position the latter had held for more than two decades.

With former President Donald Trump's projected return to the White House, more money problems may be on the way for Intel in a way that impacts the Ohio One project. On Nov. 1, a Citrus News reporter asked GOP Speaker of the House Mike Johnson if he would try to repeal the CHIPS and Science Act if Trump was elected and Republicans gained control of Congress. Johnson's reply: "I expect that we probably will."

The speaker's comment followed Trump's appearance on "The Joe Rogan Experience," where he bashed the CHIPS Act as "so bad." Rather than its incentive-based program that will hand out billions to companies to build domestic semiconductor fabrication plants, the president-elect said he would prefer a series of tariffs to force chipmakers to build the U.S. factories.

The CHIPS Act was so significant for Intel that it essentially held the promised Ohio chip factory hostage over the legislation's passage. Months after announcing plans to expand to New Albany in 2022, Intel announced it would delay the plant's groundbreaking as a direct result of the bill stalling in Congress. The gamble paid off for Intel, as President Joe Biden guaranteed the company billions in direct funding and loans to build semiconductor fabrication plants in Ohio, Arizona, New Mexico and Oregon.

President Joe Biden speaks Sept. 9, 2022, at the Intel Ohio semiconductor fabrication plant groundbreaking ceremony in New Albany. Members of the Ohio State University marching band, who performed throughout the event, watch from beside his podium. (NBC4 Photo/Mark Feuerborn)

Intel hasn't given any kind of indication as to what it would do in a scenario where CHIPS Act funding disappeared. But it still hasn't received the funding as of Wednesday, and losing it altogether would be the latest in a series of misfortunes for the computing giant, as it grapples with thousands of layoffs and a sunken stock price. The situation was previously set in motion by its second quarter earnings, which saw the company report a $1.61 billion loss. Earlier in the year, an Intel spokesperson also confirmed the Ohio plant would not be up and running by 2025, as originally forecasted in its "aggressive" timeline.

When the delayed groundbreaking announcement went out in June 2022, Intel Ohio General Manager Jim Evers did tell NBC4 how the resulting plant would be different, dependent on receipt of the CHIPS Act money.

"In order to be able to go fast, and we can do some great things and make that site the biggest manufacturing site for Intel, it can be bigger than this Arizona site, which is quite a dream for me, we need some help to do that," Evers said. "The CHIPS Act can help with that."

There was some recent good news for the Intel Foundry division, which the New Albany plant is a part of. In September, CEO Pat Gelsinger said his company secured a deal to manufacture artificial intelligence chips for Amazon Web Services. Simultaneously, he also shared plans to spin off the foundry division into a subsidiary, meaning Ohio One may report to a separate company from Intel.

Another indirect effect of the election could come from a suitor thinking about acquiring Intel. Sources said in October that Qualcomm -- whose Snapdragon processors power many Android smartphones -- approached Intel about a takeover. But Qualcomm then pumped the brakes on those plans, with sources noting it would wait until after the election to make a decision. It may be wary of past Trump administration hostility, which shot down a 2018 merger with Broadcom thanks to national security concerns.

Categories: Ohio News

What to do with your political yard signs in Franklin County after Election Day

News Channel 4 - Wed, 11/06/2024 - 08:30

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- After months of election anticipation, central Ohio residents will soon transition from yard signs to holiday lights, and the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio is ready to help.

After Tuesday’s election, SWACO is offering residents several free ways to recycle political yard signs as a way to keep roadside litter and landfill pollution at a minimum.

According to SWACO, Franklin County residents are encouraged to recycle their paper and plastic yard signs and the accompanying metal stands by one of the following methods:

  • Mobile Collection Event: On Saturday, from 8 a.m. until noon, the Bill McDonald Athletic Complex on Olentangy River Road will have an election sign collection event.
  • SWACO Recycling Convenience Center Drop-Off: Yard signs and metal stands can get dropped off at 2566 Jackson Pike in Columbus from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays the rest of the month.
  • Board of Elections Drop-Off: Yard signs can be dropped off today through Dec. 1 at the east end of the parking lot of the Franklin County Board of Elections building on Morse Road.
  • Residential Recycling Programs: Paper yard signs can be placed in curbside recycling containers, and stretchy plastic signs can be recycled at retail locations which accept film plastics. SWACO asks that residents do not put coroplast signs or metal stands in curbside or drop-off containers.

All the yard sign drop-off and collection options are free and open to the public. For more information about SWACO’s election yard sign recycling program, visit www.swaco.org.

Categories: Ohio News

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