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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Gov. Mike DeWine postponed three upcoming executions until 2028.

DeWine, who has not authorized an execution since taking office, said the postponements are due to "ongoing problems involving the willingness of pharmaceutical suppliers to provide drugs to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, pursuant to DRC protocol, without endangering other Ohioans." Watch a related video in the player above.

Timothy Coleman's execution, originally scheduled for Oct. 30, has been delayed until Sept. 13, 2028. Kareem Jackson, originally scheduled for Dec. 10, has been moved to Oct. 11, 2028. Quisi Bryan, originally scheduled for Jan. 7, 2026, has been moved to Nov. 15, 2028.

Jackson's execution has been postponed several times in the past. Jackson was sentenced to death for two execution-style slayings in 1997. Bryan's execution has also been postponed before. Bryan was sentenced to death for killing a Cleveland police officer in 2020.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Kroger plans to close about 60 stores over the next year and a half, according to the company's first quarter earnings report.

A company spokesperson told NBC4 that there is no list of store closures to share at this time.

Kroger is expected to see a "modest financial benefit" from the store closures, but added that the savings will be reinvested back into customer experiences, and "will not impact full-year guidance."

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Employees affected by the store closures will be offered roles at other stores.

The company has already planned to open several other stores in central Ohio, including in Canal Winchester, Powell, and Delaware.

Kroger plans to build a marketplace and gas station near Glenn and Sunbury roads in Delaware. If it's approved, it would be Delaware's third location. A 123,000-square-foot marketplace is also expected to be opening in late 2025 near Home Road and Sawmill Parkway in Powell.

The company opened a new store in Plain City in 2024.

Kroger was founded in 1883 in Cincinnati, and has since spread to more than 1,200 locations in 16 states. There are nearly 200 stores in Ohio.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Conner Smith has dropped out of performing at Buckeye Country Superfest on Saturday after he reportedly hit and killed a woman in a crosswalk in Tennessee earlier this month.

Smith was scheduled to take the stage at 3 p.m. Saturday, but he has been replaced with Vincent Mason, according to the festival.

Smith, 24, was driving in Nashville on June 8 when he hit a 77-year-old woman who was walking her dog in a crosswalk, according to Nexstar's WKRN. Smith did not show any signs of impairment.

Kellogg sues the Ohio food truck L’Eggo My Eggroll

Investigators said the crash was caused by Smith failing to yield the right of way to the woman, who later died at a hospital, according to WKRN. Smith has not been charged.

“On June 8th, Mr. Smith was involved in a car accident that tragically claimed a life. His heart goes out to Ms. Dobbins’ family during this incredibly difficult time. Mr. Smith continues to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation,” Smith’s attorney said in a statement to the station.

Buckeye Country Superfest will take place on Saturday at Ohio Stadium. The festival is headlined by Kane Brown and Jelly Roll. Megan Moroney, Treaty Oak Revival, and Dasha will also perform.

Parking lots will open at 8 a.m., with the official tailgate kicking off at 10 a.m., featuring several other artists. Doors for the main festival will open at 2 p.m.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — NBC4, along with more than one hundred other Nexstar Media Group, Inc. stations, celebrated the company’s 29th anniversary by giving back to our communities on Friday, June 20.

The annual event, known as Founder’s Day of Caring, celebrates the founding of Nexstar on June 17, 1996. The day allows Nexstar employees across the country to have the opportunity to serve their neighbors by volunteering eight hours of their time with nonprofits.

For 2025, NBC4 staff volunteered with multiple local organizations dedicated to improving lives and supporting those in need.

NBC4 staff supported the Mid-Ohio Farm at NBC4. At the Mid-Ohio Farm, an urban farming initiative launched in collaboration with the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, employees spent time planting, weeding and putting up shade cloth. This effort is part of the farm’s mission to end hunger and promote healthier communities through sustainable urban agriculture.

• NBC4 volunteers at Mid-Ohio Farm at NBC4
• NBC4 volunteers at Mid-Ohio Farm at NBC4

At Charity Newsies, an organization that provides new clothing to K-12 children in Franklin County, station employees helped with sorting, organizing and taking inventory.

• NBC4 volunteers at Charity Newsies
• Charity Newsies

Volunteers assisted with building beds at Sleep in Heavenly Peace to prepare for children who do not have a place to sleep. The work included cutting, sanding and assembling parts.

• NBC4 volunteers at Sleep in Heavenly Peace
• NBC4 volunteers at Sleep in Heavenly Peace
• NBC4 volunteers at Sleep in Heavenly Peace
• NBC4 volunteers at Sleep in Heavenly Peace

The NBC4 team took to packing meals, helping stack new boxes of meals for shipping and assisting with inventory at Lifeline Christian Mission.

At St. Stephen's Community House, NBC4 assisted at the Mid-Ohio Market, where food is provided to over 1,200 households a week. Volunteers were stocking shelves, packaging food, helping customers with shopping and more.

Previously on Founder’s Day, NBC4 employees volunteered by painting buildings at Recreation Unlimited, planting flowers with Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Healthy Homes, doing maintenance work at Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks, and painting a mural at Faith Mission with Lutheran Social Services.

NBC4’s participation in these volunteer activities highlights the station’s and Nexstar’s ongoing commitment to community service and making a positive impact. Through collective efforts, NBC4 staff is proud to support and strengthen the communities they serve.

Nexstar is the largest local broadcast television group in the United States, with more than 200 owned or partner stations in 116 U.S. markets, reaching hundreds of millions of people in communities across the United States.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A suspect has been apprehended in connection to the fatal shooting of an east Columbus business owner last month.

According to court records police arrested 21-year-old Joshua Norfleet after a weeks-long investigation into the death of Jehad Alzaben, the owner of the Livingston Market in Driving Park who was gunned down while working the night of May 25.

Officers were flagged down on a shooting at the market on East Livingston Avenue at 11:45 p.m., when Alzaben was found suffering from several gunshot wounds. He was taken to Grant Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead approximately 45 minutes later.

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The investigation into Alzaben’s death included video surveillance footage from the market, where Norfleet was seen purchasing several items. The date and times of the purchases from the surveillance footage in which Norfleet was seen match the purchase history on Norfleet’s credit card.

At the time of the shooting, the suspect is seen again, but with a mask, inside the store and shooting Alzaben. The suspect then steals the victim’s firearm from his holster and fled the scene.

Witnesses’ descriptions of the suspect matched video evidence from the store, which shows the man running northbound on Fairwood Avenue. Additional cameras showed him running from the northeast.

One day after the shooting many neighbors gathered outside of the Livingston Market to honor Alzaben, who had owned the store for nearly 30 years. For previous coverage of this story, view the video player above.

On May 28, Columbus police released photos from the incident and asked the public for help identifying and the following day Norfleet was named a suspect. A warrant was issued for his arrest on June 3.

Norfleet was in custody on June 18 and on Friday he was issued a $2 million bond in Franklin County Municipal court. He is next scheduled to appear in court on June 27 for a preliminary hearing.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — From treehouses to a cave and inside a craft brewery, there is no shortage of unique places to stay in Ohio.

The Buckeye State offers interesting lodging for nature getaways, small-town stays and city vacations. The list below includes seven of the most original rentals to help travelers escape from the everyday and avoid the generic.

The Cave, Dunlap Hollow
Hocking Hills, Rockbridge, Ohio 43149

The Cave is a 1,500-square-foot house built into a natural sandstone cavity at Dunlap Hollow. It offers a rare blend of natural beauty and luxury amenities. The cave sleeps up to six guests, with two king bedrooms and two twin Murphy beds. Its features include a full kitchen, pool table, private hiking trails and a spacious outdoor patio.

Often booked more than a year in advance, reservations are now open through 2026. Guests can join a mailing list to be notified of cancellations. Rates start at $780 per night. All properties are pet-free, with check-in at 3 p.m. and check-out at 11 a.m.

The property also offers a modern A-Frame cabin and a renovated 1920s cottage.

The Doghouse Hotel
BrewDog USA brewhouse, 96 Gender Rd., Canal Winchester, Ohio 43110

The world’s first hotel inside a craft brewery. There are 32 beer-themed rooms, each with draft beer on tap.

This property blends comfort with creativity, offering guests a range of amenities. Guests can enjoy complimentary WiFi, an epic mini-bar, and artisan coffee and tea. The space includes a writing desk, a guitar, a record collection and a widescreen TV. Unique touches like a shower beer fridge add to the experience, and the property is proudly dog-friendly.

Double queen rooms feature two queen beds and are located on the second floor, just off the corridor overlooking the brewery. The BrewMaster Suite is a luxury room with a separate living and entertainment space. It boasts a window view directly into the brewery.

Jail Break Inn
14 N. 3rd St., Ripley, Ohio 45167

Jail Break Inn offers guests a one-of-a-kind stay inside a converted 1930s jailhouse, blending preserved architecture, like iron bars and brick walls, with modern comforts.

Once home to the town’s police station, jail and mayor’s office, the building was transformed after the 1997 flood into a unique vacation rental with three bedrooms, four beds, one bath and two original jail cells. It can accommodate up to six guests.

• Photo Courtesy/The Jail Break Inn
• Photo Courtesy/The Jail Break Inn
• Photo Courtesy/The Jail Break Inn
• Photo Courtesy/The Jail Break Inn
• Photo Courtesy/The Jail Break Inn
• Photo Courtesy/The Jail Break Inn
• Photo Courtesy/The Jail Break Inn
• Photo Courtesy/The Jail Break Inn
• Photo Courtesy/The Jail Break Inn
• Photo Courtesy/The Jail Break Inn
• Photo Courtesy/The Jail Break Inn
• Photo Courtesy/The Jail Break Inn
• Photo Courtesy/The Jail Break Inn

Guests enjoy complimentary “commissary” snacks, bottled water, coffee and hot chocolate, along with free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs with Roku. The kitchen includes cooking essentials, dishes, and silverware.

The inn features a game room with a pool table, ping pong and board games, plus cozy comforts like bedding with extra pillows, bath towels, and personal care items. Located steps from Ripley’s downtown and waterfront.

Maple Syrup Cabin
Malabar Farm State Park, 4050 Bromfield Road, Lucas, Ohio 44843

Photo courtesy/ Ohio Department of Natural Resources

The renovated maple syrup cabin at Malabar Farm State Park offers a cozy overnight stay in a restored 1940s log cabin with modern comforts.

Sleeping up to four, featuring a queen bed, sofa bed, full kitchen and bath, heat, A/C, a wood-burning fireplace, cable TV, and WiFi. Guests can relax on the covered porch with a picnic table and Adirondack chairs. Linens and dishware are provided. No smoking, pets, or housekeeping. Reservations can be made online or by calling (866) 644-6727.

Retro Retreats, boutique hotel with four TV-themed suites
5904 Ridge Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45213

The Retro Retreats combine a boutique hotel experience with sitcom-infused charm, with four uniquely themed one-bedroom suites. Enjoy a Cincinnati getaway by booking a single suite or by reserving the entire building for a private group retreat.

• Photo Courtesy/ Retro Retreats
• Photo Courtesy/ Retro Retreats
• Photo Courtesy/ Retro Retreats
• Photo Courtesy/ Retro Retreats
• Photo Courtesy/ Retro Retreats
• Photo Courtesy/ Retro Retreats
• Photo Courtesy/ Retro Retreats
• Photo Courtesy/ Retro Retreats
• Photo Courtesy/ Retro Retreats

Each suite includes a king-size bed and additional sleeping space in the living room, along with updated kitchens, private balconies and detailed decor. Located in a walkable neighborhood just minutes from downtown attractions, sports venues and Kings Island.

Suite options include:
• The Golden Suite: Replicates the Miami Beach house of “The Golden Girls.”
• The Purple Suite: Takes its inspiration from the colorful New York apartment in “Friends.”
• The New York Suite: Reminiscent of Jerry Seinfeld's one-bedroom flat.
• The Creek Suite: Duplicates the Rosebud Motel for “Schitt's Creek” fans.

Tree houses, The Mohicans
The Mohicans, 23164 Vess Rd., Glenmont, Ohio 44628

The Mohicans offers 10 private treehouses for a secluded nature getaway. Due to priority bookings for wedding guests, reservations for Thursdays through Sundays (March–November) open about three months in advance. However, Mondays through Wednesdays are available up to a year in advance.

• Photo Courtesy/ The Mohicans Treehouse Resort (Glenmont)
• Photo Courtesy/ The Mohicans Treehouse Resort (Glenmont)
• Photo Courtesy/ The Mohicans Treehouse Resort (Glenmont)
• Photo Courtesy/ The Mohicans Treehouse Resort (Glenmont)
• Photo Courtesy/ The Mohicans Treehouse Resort (Glenmont)
• Photo Courtesy/ The Mohicans Treehouse Resort (Glenmont)

Select properties, including the Nest, White Oak, Tin Shed Treehouses, Mohican Cabin, Farm House, and Manor House, offer Wi-Fi access. Each unit also includes a wood shed to keep firewood dry. Guests are encouraged to bring their own or purchase from local vendors nearby.

The property also includes cabins and country homes for rent.

Yurts, Nomad Ridge
The Wilds, Nomad Ridge, 14000 International Rd., Cumberland, Ohio 43732

A stay in a yurt at The Wilds' Nomad Ridge offers a mix of luxury, relaxation, and adventure in a remote, scenic setting.

Guests enjoy a complimentary open-air safari on arrival or departure day, along with discounts on specialty tours like horseback riding and ziplining. The experience includes table-service breakfast and dinner in a private dining area, with menus that accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets.

Each yurt features a private deck, bed linens, towels, soaps, and limited Wi-Fi. Additional amenities include concierge service, complimentary coffee and tea, and access to games like cornhole, ladder golf, and board games. A shared observation deck provides sweeping views of the landscape and flashlights are recommended for nighttime walks.

Yurts are available May 1 through Oct. 31 for guests 21 and over. Options include twin bed yurts, king bed yurts and “grand” yurts, for the ultimate glamping experience. Check-in is at 3 p.m., with check-out at 11 a.m.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) - Independence Day is quickly approaching, with several firework shows like Red, White & BOOM! and community fireworks held for the holiday. Many people will also light off their own fireworks at home, but could put families at risk if not done carefully.

9,700 firework-related injuries were reported in 2023, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). 42% of the injuries reported were burns to several parts of the body.

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To stay safe while having fun for the July 4th holiday, the CPSC has some tips to avoid trips to the emergency room.

Children and fireworks

• The CPSC urges parents to never allow children to use or set of fireworks, including sparklers.
• According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), sparklers may seem harmless but reach high temperatures when burning and can cause severe burns to the body.
• Instead of sparklers, the NFPA encourages using glow sticks instead.

Setting off fireworks

• If you are igniting fireworks at home, the CPSC says to keep a bucket of water or a garden hose near you, in case of any accidents.
• Never re-light or pick up a firework.
• Do not drink alcohol or use drugs while lighting off fireworks.
• Light your fireworks one at a time.
• Never point a firework or throw it at anyone.

Disposing fireworks

• When finished, let the fireworks complete their burning.
• Pour water on the firework or device with a bucket or hose before throwing away in the trash to avoid any fires.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio senators pitched a grant to help cities and townships near major economic development projects build more housing.

The Residential Economic Development District grant program was proposed by the Senate in their state budget draft. If passed, the program would allow municipalities near major developments like Intel or Anduril to apply for grant funding to increase local housing. Applicants would have to implement "pro-housing development policies" and approve at least one workforce housing project with at least 100 units.

The grant program hopes to address critical housing shortages, especially near rapid development. The grant could be awarded to municipalities that are within 20 miles of a major development project, which must create at least 700 new permanent jobs and attract at least $700 million in private investments to qualify.

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Applicants would have to adopt pro-housing policies, like increasing efficiency for permit reviews, acquiring sites to develop homes or zoning plans that promote higher density housing. The program would allow applicants to partner with developers, planning commissions or other nearby townships.

If approved, grant recipients could use the money to provide funding for housing development through grants or loans, acquiring and readying sites for development, providing financial assistance for housing-related infrastructure projects, addressing additional service or public safety needs or any other approved purpose from the director of development.

The Senate offered criteria for the director of development to grade applications based on state priorities. The bill gives preference to projects that would build more units in smaller spaces and that adjust local development guidelines to allow for greater population density.

The Senate's proposal suggests allocating $10 million in Fiscal Year 2026 and $15 million in FY 2027 to fund the grant.

Cities near Intel and other developments are already adjusting housing plans to meet increased demand. New Albany Mayor Sloan Spalding told NBC4's Jerod Smalley that the city used to have one house per acre, but development like Intel has required a bit more crowding.

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Increased demand has also raised prices. Johnstown Mayor Donny Barnard told Smalley that houses near Intel used to be $100,000 but now are more than twice that. See previous coverage in the video player above.

“We’re being priced out of our houses here and we haven’t done anything. We’re just living here," Barnard said.

The housing grant does not require the grant to be used to create affordable workplace housing, just more of it. However, it does incentivize lowering costs for development companies.

The Senate's draft removes a grant program proposed by the Ohio House that would provide $2.5 million each year to reward municipalities that implement at least three pro-housing policies. However, it implemented several new targeted housing grants or tax credits, such as a loan program for counties with fewer than 75,000 people to help fund development.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – An Ohio food truck is facing a lawsuit from Kellogg over claims that its name plays off a trademarked slogan owned by the multibillion-dollar company. 

On June 3, Kellogg filed a lawsuit against the Findlay-based food truck L’Eggo My Eggroll in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. Kellogg alleges the food truck is infringing on its slogan “L’Eggo My Eggo,” a trademarked term the multinational corporation uses to promote Eggo waffles. 

EdChoice families hit first when public schools lack transportation funding A photo of the food truck included in the lawsuit.

The lawsuit asserts that, along with using the term "L'Eggo" in its name, the food truck’s design mimics Eggo packaging, by using a “highly similar” font and a red, white and yellow color scheme. The filing claims that the branding may confuse customers into believing the food truck is associated with Kellogg.

The legal action states Kellogg sent multiple letters to L’Eggo My Eggroll since it first became aware of the food truck in April 2024, asking the small business to stop using Eggo-related branding. The food truck “ignored Kellogg’s requests and responded with its own threats and demands,” the lawsuit alleges. Kellogg claims the food truck operators have made it clear they will not stop using the name, giving the company “no other choice” but to file the lawsuit.

Elliott Werth, an attorney for L’Eggo My Eggroll, said due to how recently the lawsuit was filed and for purposes related to legal strategy, he cannot go into “great detail” about the case. Werth did say he looks forward to evidence coming out that he believes will show his client has done nothing wrong.

“This case is nothing more than a case of a billion-dollar company attempting to push around a successful, local, small business here in Findlay, Ohio,” Werth said in a statement. “We look forward to fighting for our clients and for the full facts and evidence to be presented to a judge or jury."

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Kellogg is demanding that L’Eggo My Eggroll gets rid of its name and any designs or symbols that resemble Eggo branding. The company is not stopping there, as it is seeking all profits the food truck made “from its [alleged] violation” of the law, as well as attempting to hold the food truck responsible for its attorney fees. 

L’Eggo My Eggroll serves hibachi and eggrolls, primarily around northwest Ohio. The food truck held its grand opening on April 8, 2024, according to its social media.

GROVE CITY, Ohio (WCMH) -- South Western City Schools parent Aaron Nestor said his family felt "targeted" when they received word the district would no longer provide busing for their kids to attend their Catholic school.

"I have the right to EdChoice in the state of Ohio, I have the right to send my child to wherever I want," Nestor said. "It feels like I'm being targeted for my address and my religious beliefs of having my children go to a religious school.”

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Nestor said his elementary schoolers are two of 30 students who live in the South Western district boundaries and attend St. Christopher's Catholic School in Grandview Heights, formerly Trinity Catholic. Although other school choice families not far from his students' route are still being bused in the fall, Nestor received word that the district would no longer bus to St. Christopher's. He said his family is now scrambling, and he said it's an issue school choice families are having around the state.

Districts are responsible for busing charter and private school students who live within their boundaries. However, they can declare students' transportation ineligible when the time, distance, cost or too few students makes transportation impractical. If a district declares a student ineligible, the student's family can either accept a payment as determined by the state or request mediation to find a solution.

School Choice Ohio spokesperson Beth Lawson said the nonprofit has seen a "significant increase" in students being declared transportation ineligible in recent years. This has coupled with a significant increase in school choice students; Ohio's Education Choice scholarship participation has skyrocketed since 2022.

"In many of these cases, families feel caught in a system that lacks consistency and transparency — and they're not wrong," Lawson said. "When transportation is withheld, it can functionally block access to a school that is otherwise available to them through programs like EdChoice."

SWCS said it is providing busing to nine fewer charter, religious and nonpublic schools this upcoming school year. The district is actively seeking more bus drivers, holding an open recruitment event on Tuesday to staff routes to 34 district schools and 25 nondistrict charter or private schools this fall.

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"While it is always our hope to transport every student that lives within our district boundaries, each year in an annual review of new routes, staffing, new enrollments and shifting addresses for the near 16,000 students we transport across 119 square miles, we regrettably must start the impractical to transport process with a small percentage of students each year,” SWCS spokesperson Evan Debo said.

SWCS is one of many districts changing its bus routes. In September 2024, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost sued Columbus City Schools after the district gave limited warning that it would no longer bus many charter school students. Nearly 2,000 students were affected.

"Some (districts) are following the law and transporting students as they have received the funding to do," Lawson said. "Unfortunately, others have found creative ways to avoid providing this transportation, which essentially denies school choice for families who rely on it to access the best education fit for their children."

But SWCS said it is far more expensive for the district to bus nonpublic students. The district said between travel, maintenance and personnel costs, it costs $5,678 per non-public student but just $950 per SWCS student to bus them for a year. The district receives transportation funding from the state; however, SWCS said it had to spend nearly double that during the 2024-2025 school year, shouldering $10,704,816 more in transportation costs.

Nestor said his children's school cannot afford to bus the students either. Cost is a concern for Nestor, too. He said having just two weeks to decide whether to accept the $590 payment per child was too short, saying it felt like a "shakedown" to make such a crucial choice so soon.

Teacher negotiations continue at South Western City Schools

Nestor said the choice is especially difficult because they moved to the SWCS district just last year so their students could attend the Catholic school. When moving, Nestor said the family asked the district if transportation would be an issue and were assured they would have it. Nestor said he plans to request mediation instead of the payment, and SWCS said it will bus students until a resolution is reached.

"Busing is critical to the reason why we chose this school," Nestor said. "My wife and I both work ... we would either have to either quit our jobs and find new work to make time to take them to school ourselves, or we're going to have to find new schooling. I don't think they understand how traumatic this is to our family and to the future of our children's education."

Lawson said if families are declared transportation ineligible, they should request a detailed explanation from their district and reach out to the Ohio Department of Education if they don't feel it is justified. She said families can also reach out to School Choice Ohio to be connected with resources.

"Ohio needs to ensure that districts are accurately following the law and are appropriately penalized for failure to meet this important obligation," Lawson said. "There are many school districts, large and small, that do a fabulous job providing safe and timely transportation to students. Safe transportation to schools should not be a barrier to opportunity."

GROVEPORT, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Groveport Police Department has purchased several new traffic monitoring devices over the past few months, placing them around the community, some more visible than others. 

If you’ve driven around Main Street in Groveport recently, you’ve probably noticed one of the devices. The police department is using them to better serve the community.

“When we get concerns from citizens, we want to be able to address those concerns and one of the ways we do that is with these devices,” Groveport Police Officer Josh Dillard said.

As part of the city’s Capital Projects Budget, the police department was allotted $21,000 to purchase different traffic monitoring devices. 

“Which includes the small black boxes which just monitor the traffic, in addition to digital signage that also monitors traffic patterns and speeds,” Dillard said.

The devices have been placed in areas like a business district, residential neighborhood and a school zone where police receive complaints of speeding from residents.

“The black box devices are very concealed in the environment,” Dillard said. “You'll drive by them and not even know they're there. The speed signs that are on the trailers, those are a great deterrent.”

So, what information, if any, do these devices collect?

“So these devices do not track any personal information, they are not snapping photographs,” Dillard said.

In an example of a report generated by the devices, more than 2,400 cars over a week’s time traveled in the area where the device was set up over a week’s time. 

“It gives you the days of the week and the times you would need to sit in the certain area where you're getting the most speeders, whether they're coming toward the device or going away, which is this graph down below here,” Dillard said. “It shows you where you're seeing those peak times and where we would need to sit in those areas to adequately enforce traffic violations that we got from the data.”

Dillard, who has been with the department for two years, has adopted the project, saying officers can’t be everywhere at the same time, so this is another tool in the department’s toolbox.

“Traffic enforcement is one of the functions of our job, but again, we can't be everywhere all the time, so we can put these devices, again, where we're hearing concerns of speed and other things, and then we compile that data and then we can actually put patrol cars there,” he said. “We may not know that there are a bunch of issues until they're brought to us and then we can address them from there.”

Drivers speeding past either of the devices won’t get a ticket. Dillard said that if they do notice an area where speeding seems to be an issue, then they’ll put an officer there to monitor, which is when tickets will be issued.

If you’d like to know more about how the devices work or request one for your Groveport neighborhood, contact the police department.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A company that took over a once bustling department store to give it a new lease on life is nearing the completion of its first project

Last June, NBC4 reported on a 630,000-square-foot space that was once a Schottenstein’s store and Value City distribution center; inside it, modular apartments are produced from start to finish.

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"Here we are years later after having a manufacturing facility built, putting a product in the market," Brad Dehays, founder of Connect Housing Blocks, said. "So it's very exciting for us."

The first development using the apartments now sits on the near east side of Columbus and is already welcoming tenants. It's called The Station at Trolley District, located across from East Market.

It’s been 11 months since Connect Housing Blocks began stacking the modular apartments and Dehays expects that process to be wrapped up by next month. 

"What we did is we broke our floor plans up into modules and we wanted to maximize the height," Dehays said. "So, we build everything in the factory other than the furniture. But, I mean, even the microwave, dishwasher, they're installed in the factory; hot water tank, electric panel."

It's a creation unlike anything Dehays has done before.

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"We wrap it in plastic, almost like a boat and a marina and then we ship them here," Dehays said. "And then we take a crane, and we pick it up and we lift it, and we set it on site."

The modular apartments essentially assemble like Lego blocks.

"So then, all we have to do, are -- we call them seaming kits -- where the doorways come together, we do drywall in that doorway and at the floor, and then we hook all the mechanicals go to the hallway so our contractors can stay in the hallway, make those connections, drywall the hallways and we're done," Dehays said. 

According to Dehays, this method not only allows them to build in half the time standard construction would take, but it cuts back on waste and traffic. 

"It's 80% less on-site construction waste and close to 70% less on-site vehicular traffic of workers," Dehays said. "At this point in the project, we're wrapping it up, right now we'd be like halfway done and we'd have 150 workers here every day. Instead, we have like 20."

On top of increased efficiency, Dehays said there are many benefits to building these units inside. They're built out of steel and don't touch the outside elements, eliminating concerns about shrinking and expansion.

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"This operates significantly better than anything that we build with traditional construction," Dehays said. "We have more insulation, we have more void space in the wall that creates sound dampening."

Dehays said the company has up to 165 full-time employees at the factory, helping to create jobs in central Ohio and address a major issue in the city: affordable housing.

"What we're seeing is, you know, the next five years, hopefully we can add a significant amount of supply at a lower cost, help stabilize rent," Dehays said. 

Tenants started moving into The Station at Trolley District in May, and there are still units available to rent. Dehays said now they're working on a low-income housing project about half a mile from the site that's half built in the factory right now. Dehays expects building to wrap up by the end of September.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A third teenager has been charged in the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old man last month in Franklinton.

A 17-year-old boy was arrested by Columbus police on Thursday and charged with murder in the shooting death of 19-year-old Richard D. Murphy on May 12.

Storms lead to Crew stadium concert delay, frustration

Police said that with the arrest, all suspects wanted in connection with the shooting, including a 14-year-old boy and Joseph Johnson Jr., 18, have been arrested.

According to police, officers responded to the unit block of South Princeton Avenue at approximately 5:30 p.m. on May 12 for a report of a shooting. At the scene, they found Murphy suffering from a gunshot wound; he was pronounced dead at a local hospital at 6:02 p.m. the same day.

The 17-year-old is being held at the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Facility.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio State women’s volleyball coach Jen Flynn Oldenburg knows very well what it means to be a Buckeye.  

"As a player, we were pretty good,” she said about her time as a women’s volleyball player for Ohio State. “We had just come off Final Four runs, and as a player, I never got back there and it was like, ‘Man, I want to do that.’” 

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Now she’s working to get the program back there as a coach, and Ohio State has made it clear they see the work and potential by including women’s volleyball as one of four teams in its revenue-sharing plans.  

"Volleyball is big in the Big Ten, and in order to compete, you have to compete with the big dogs,” Flynn Oldenburg said. “And by saying that we're one of the four at Ohio State to get revenue share, we're going to compete with the big dogs in volleyball." 

"Volleyball is a booming sport. The Covelli Center is an amazing atmosphere,” Ohio State Athletic Director Ross Bjork said. “So we thought volleyball could be a sport that, you know, could drive more revenue, but also the attention that it gets within the Big Ten." 

The historic House vs. NCAA settlement that led to this new era of college sports has drawn the attention of the sports world, but it has also drawn many more questions.  

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For example, how will all of this work with Title IX? 

"I think there's always Title IX concerns,” Flynn Oldenburg said. “But I also understand, like the revenue that's created is not always through a women's volleyball match. At the end of the day, football drives this place and we want and need football to be good." 

"From a Title IX standpoint, we think we will be in a better position to support our female athletes,” Bjork said. “The revenue share and the NIL world is not subject to Title nine per se, but we do have an obligation to support our female athletes, just like we do our male athletes. The Buckeye Sports Group allows us to spread out the attention so we can promote 100 female athletes and 100 male athletes just the same." 
 
"I think it's more making sure we are in a space where we are supporting student-athletes, and especially female student-athletes,” Flynn Oldenburg said. 

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And that support needs to come from beyond the walls of Ohio State. Yes, revenue sharing now means athletes will get paid by the schools. It also means there is an expectation from those sports to bring in revenue. That is where women’s volleyball has huge potential.  

"Columbus really has shown that it's a volleyball city,” Flynn Oldenburg said. “Not only in our facility here in Covelli, but also, you know, the Fury matches. We sold out the NCAA a couple years back. We are hosting again in a couple of years. You know, I think that just shows the support that the city has and so to be able to give them a little more what they've earned, what they're worth. It's good for our sport.” 

GROVE CITY, Ohio (WCMH) -- One of Ohio’s largest school districts is in the middle of teacher contract negotiations with the collective bargaining agreement between the district and the union expiring June 30.

South Western City Schools (SWCS) and the South Western Education Association (SWEA) both hope to reach an agreement soon. Since there was no agreement met by a June 1 deadline, mediation will start on June 23.

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There is some uncertainty with the mediation process which is different this year. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) made cuts to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, which typically appoints a mediator to help schools and unions in negotiations.

“It has caused a lot of these mediators to be put on administrative leave, so we had to go find a private mediator,” union spokesperson Emmalee Harding said. “SWEA’s bargaining team and SWEA’s membership has agreed with district administration to split the cost of that.”

Harding called the private mediator a band-aid rather than a permanent fix. She said the fear is that it may not be sustainable if an agreement is not reached soon.

“I don’t have a crystal ball,” she said. “I wish I did; that could tell us what could happen on the 23 or by June 30. We’re going to keep fighting.”

What salary is needed to live comfortably in Ohio in 2025, according to recent study

Negotiations happen behind closed doors, so it’s not known why the district and SWEA haven’t reached an agreement. This uncertainty is frustrating for some parents.

“I don’t know much about like what's going on or what's happening,” South Western parent Kyra Paul said. “I do know the process can be quite lengthy and it has been in the past.”

Paul said she wishes she had more information, but wants teachers and staff to fight for what they need to educate their students and all South Western students.

“They’re educating our future,” Paul said. “I mean, they truly, truly are. So, to keep our highly skilled, highly qualified, engaged teachers, they need to be compensated and treated with the respect they deserve.”

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A school district spokesperson sent a statement that said, in part, “SWCS understands there is a natural curiosity as to the latest developments in regards to each party’s pursuit of an agreement. With that in mind, such negotiations require a level of confidentiality to ensure fairness and protect the integrity of the discussions between parties for all stakeholders involved.”

The current collective bargaining agreement between the district and the union expires June 30. If an agreement is not met by that date, then bargaining sessions will continue with the hope that it is resolved before the start of the school year.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio lawmakers are mulling several changes to the state’s recreational marijuana laws, but efforts to pass something have stalled. Again.

How did we get here?

Ever since voters legalized recreational marijuana in 2023, Ohio lawmakers have been trying to change the rules and regulations surrounding it. Several bills have been introduced to do things like decrease legal THC extract levels, change the tax structure and expressly ban public smoking.

Senate Bill 56 was on the schedule to pass from the Ohio House on Wednesday, but was removed from the agenda in a last-minute move.

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“There were a whole new set of issues, additional issues, which were raised Monday night by the Senate regarding what we were trying to do,” Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman (R-Lima) said. “I just told my caucus we’re not going to just say ‘OK’ because we’re so anxious to pass the marijuana bill. Which I’d like to get it done, but we’re not going to give up house priorities to do that.”

Huffman said on Monday night, 48 hours before the scheduled House vote, the Senate presented a list of 16 issues they have with the House version of the bill. Senate President Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) chalked it up to bad communication.

“I think the conversations have gone pretty well on it,” McColley said. “I think there was maybe a misunderstanding as to where we might have been on the bill.”

But Huffman is taking a different tone. He said he is “not very optimistic” that something can get done before lawmakers break for the summer at the end of next week.

“I don't know that something would not be possible,” McColley said. “That doesn’t jive with the conversations I’ve had with the speaker.”

Huffman said no agreement was ever struck between chambers, but that “we were hoping that there would be, anticipating that there would be, sounded like we might have.”

One of the big pieces here is the tax revenue distribution. Right now, “host communities” of dispensaries get 36% of the excise tax revenue. Republicans want to change that, likely driving much of it to the General Revenue Fund (GRF), giving lawmakers more control over it.

What salary is needed to live comfortably in Ohio in 2025, according to recent study

“If we’re going to deal with anything having to do with the funding, it needs to be weighed against all the other provisions we have in the budget,” McColley said.

Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) said she, and her caucus, has no interest in pulling the rug out from local governments.

“They’ve invested into these businesses and created a pathway for these businesses, and they should be able to reap the tax revenue benefits of these businesses thriving in their communities,” Russo said. “I have full faith the voters knew what they were voting on, and they said very clearly host communities should be able to benefit from the revenue that is generated from adult use cannabis.”


What about Delta 8 regulations?

That issue has also stalled time and time again at the dismay of Gov. Mike DeWine. Delta 8 is a low-level THC product that can give a similar high to marijuana. The product, though, is not regulated and has no age restrictions. It is often found for sale at places like convenience stores. House Republicans are looking to change that law in Senate Bill 56.

“I actually think that there probably is more opportunity for agreement in the hemp piece and especially as it relates to Delta 8. The problem is this bill keeps getting loaded up with many other things that impact the will of the voters,” Russo said. “This is not the first time that this bill has not been able to quite make it across the finish line and I think it’s because it tries to do too much.”

They have been weighing a few options with Delta 8:

• Regulating it like marijuana, 21+ can buy it from a licensed dispensary
• Putting an age regulation on it, but allowing convenient and other stores to keep selling it
• Banning the product all together

Republicans and Democrats in both chambers agree something needs to be done. Huffman said even if recreational marijuana regulations don’t pass, he does see a path forward for Delta 8.

“Certainly, we could do the things regarding sold that are being sold that are unlicensed and all of that in a separate bill next week,” Huffman said.

Next week is important because that is the last week of session before summer break. Lawmakers will not be back to the Statehouse until October, at least, afterwards. That’s why Huffman and McColley are hoping to resolve both issues by the end of this month.

“Even though that’s a short timeframe to get that done, these are also issues that we’ve been taking about for 18 months,” Huffman said. “I think we’re ready to do that, we just need to get agreement between the two chambers.”

If the House does pass Senate Bill 56, the Senate will need to take a concurrence vote on it before it heads to DeWine’s desk.

CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) -- An OhioHealth hospital in Circleville has started the process of reopening after smoke shut down the building earlier this week.

According to OhioHealth, Berger Hospital will start a phased reopening process starting with the emergency department on Thursday at 7 p.m. The reopening will continue Friday with inpatient services, office visits, and Quest laboratories. Outpatient services offered by the hospital will remain closed until further notice.

The hospital was closed on Wednesday when an overheated pump caused smoke in some of areas of the building. Watch previous coverage of the incident in the video player above.

Storms lead to Crew stadium concert delay, frustration

"Hospital staff and remediation experts have been working since yesterday to sanitize and return the hospital to normal operating status and ensure the safety of patients and hospital staff," OhioHealth said in a statement.

In total, 55 patients from Berger Hospital were evacuated and either transferred to area hospitals, Circleville High School, or discharged if appropriate.

Patients who had their appointments canceled due to the closure will be contacted by phone or via the MyChart app to reschedule.

Patients with other questions about appointments can call 614-566-1111.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Central Ohioans with personal connections to the Wheeling area of West Virginia are stepping up to help as communities there continue to recover from devastating flash flooding.

“To know that, like some of them are my family, those are my people, that’s where I grew up, that could have easily been me, my kids, my husband; it hits home," Jess Benson, a Wheeling native, said.

Benson lives in central Ohio now, but spent most of her life in the northern panhandle of West Virginia.

“I still have family, friends, a lot of connections in Wheeling,” she said. “I have family and friends in the Triadelphia area whose homes were hit. I know there’s a need for supplies, for manpower, for whatever you can do.”

Gresso's on South High Street in Columbus is known as a place where local West Virginia University (WVU) fans get together. Its owners have ties to West Virginia.

Benson is partnering with the bar to hold a collection drive on Saturday. Others from central Ohio are also lending a hand. Christy Gammon, board president of Eyes Wide Open International, packed up supplies Wednesday and brought them to her hometown Thursday. She is also from the Wheeling area.

“I think it's important for anyone, anywhere, at any time to help in any way that you can,” Gammon said. “For me, of course, it's personal, but I would challenge anyone to look within and ask what can I do to help.”

Benson's plan is to bring everything collected at Gresso's to West Virginia on Sunday.

“When I see all of that devastation, all of that damage, see the personal stories the people I know are sharing, it just makes me want to jump in and just relieve as much as I can," she said.

The event at Gresso's is taking place from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday. Benson said final pickup will be at 1 p.m. Sunday. Gammon and Eyes Wide Open International plan to make more trips with supplies. They said some of the most needed items are work gloves, five-gallon buckets, and flat metal shovels.

More information about how to support their efforts can be found here.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Storms rolling through Columbus on Wednesday created confusion at Historic Crew Stadium, delaying a scheduled concert by hours, and now many concertgoers said they are disappointed and asking for answers.

Hozier was scheduled to play the stadium and concertgoers claim the venue’s lack of communication led to safety concerns.

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A number of people who were at the concert reached out to NBC4 with concerns, saying the weather delay started around 8:30 Wednesday night. 

Jessica Huckleberry traveled from Cincinnati. She shared a video she took which shows a tunnel at the stadium where she and several others were stuck for nearly two hours while waiting for the show to start.

At one point, she asked if they could have water due to the high temperatures and was told none was being sold at that time.

When the concert finally began around 10:30 p.m., Huckleberry said people were nearly trampled while heading back to their seats.

“I think it was handled really poorly by the venue,” she said. “I don't think there was a good regard for people's safety at all. If they were going to delay us for two hours due to lightning and wind, you know, why not cancel or reschedule the show.”

What salary is needed to live comfortably in Ohio in 2025, according to recent study

Paige Finscally traveled from Dayton. She said she was there to celebrate her sister’s graduation. Finscally said she spent a lot of money on floor seats, but when the delay started, she chose to wait out the rain in her car. She said she kept trying to check social media and the website for updates on the delays, but there was no cell phone service. She said they ended up leaving before Hozier took the stage.

“It was really disappointing and pretty frustrating the longer that we sort of just didn't get communication from them,” she said. “I understand, like, a lot of people probably came from further away, like out of state. So, it's really hard because they really want to see him. But just the safety of it all. Yeah, they're not kind of taking that into consideration and canceling it sooner.”

A spokesperson for Historic Crew Stadium said there is an extensive weather policy that stadium personnel follow, including using technology to track the location of lightning; the stadium is not permitted to resume operations until 30 minutes after receiving the all clear.

The spokesman said everyone who went to their cars during the storm should have been allowed back inside the stadium with proof of tickets.

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In a statement, the stadium spokesperson wrote:

“Historic Crew Stadium’s first priority for all events is the safety of fans and staff. In collaboration with Live Nation, we promptly executed and communicated the inclement weather protocol prior to the concert, directing all attendees to secure locations and provided updates as the situation progressed. Following industry best practices, the concert proceeded only after all potential for lightning in the area had dissipated while we continued to closely monitor weather conditions throughout the event.” 

Some concert attendees have also been reaching out to Live Nation about refunds.

Live Nation has not responded to an NBC4 request for comment.

NEW ALBANY, Ohio (WCMH) -- After Intel delayed construction into 2031, AEP Ohio was left with a nearly complete power station and nothing to power.

In September 2024, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approved an authorized rate agreement between Intel and AEP Ohio. Now, the companies are hoping PUCO will approve an amended agreement, as Intel's delay postpones when AEP Ohio can start benefiting from its investment.

Intel and AEP Ohio filed for an updated agreement on June 5, just four days after AEP Ohio announced a rate increase for customers. Despite the timing, an AEP Ohio spokesperson told NBC4 the rate increase was unrelated to its agreement with the semiconductor giant.

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"Those are pass-through charges from generation suppliers to AEP Ohio customers, largely driven by power supply and demand across the 13-state power grid that includes Ohio, and AEP Ohio makes no money on them," an AEP Ohio spokesperson told NBC4.

Once Intel is up and running, it will have its power costs offset by Ohioans, who will pay small added fees through the distribution investment rider. This added fee is not unique to Intel; as of June, AEP customers already pay between $2-$3 each bill through unrelated DIR fees.

"The costs associated with AEP Ohio investments to be used in serving Intel will not be reflected in rates until after Intel begins taking permanent power at the fabrication facilities," AEP Ohio said via a spokesperson.

The original agreement said AEP Ohio would cover the costs of a 500 megawatt power plant, dubbed Green Chapel Station, to deliver Intel's vast power demand. According to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, that is enough MW to power as many as 500,000 homes. AEP Ohio would be able to bill other Green Chapel Station users, and Intel would pay an undisclosed cheaper rate for 20 years.

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The plant will be ready for service in August, and the new PUCO filing said AEP Ohio is about $10.4 million under the $95.1 million budget. According to the filing, AEP Ohio built the Green Chapel Station to align with Intel's original plan and needs.

“Due to Intel’s two-year delay, even though the Green Chapel Station will be ready to use in accordance with the original timeline, Intel is not prepared to take service, preventing AEP Ohio from placing the Green Chapel equipment in service and incorporating it into the DIR,” the filing said.

The new agreement asks for continued construction cost coverage for AEP Ohio to offset the delay. Intel has also agreed to cover any costs associated with the continued construction allowance that would push the total project cost beyond the original budget.

Intel referred NBC4 to the state filing in lieu of a statement. The PUCO filing now awaits approval or other action from the state.