News Channel 4

View a related report on an Ohio private college being the most expensive in the U.S. in the video player above.

Almost all the oldest universities in the United States are private colleges. Harvard and St. John's College, for example, were founded before the 18th century and boast alumni and founders, respectively, who signed the Declaration of Independence.

Stacker compiled a list of the best private colleges in Ohio, using data from Niche released in 2024. Niche ranks schools based on a variety of factors including academics, value for money, professors, campus, and diversity.

Private institutions today remain distinguished from other types of institutions by their source of funding. While public colleges and universities are at least partially subsidized by state government funding, private institutions are funded by tuition dollars, endowments, grants, and donations. As a result, private schools tend to be more expensive: The average tuition for full-time in-state undergraduate students at public four-year colleges was $11,260, and $29,150 for out-of-state students in 2023, while average tuition for students attending private four-year institutions was $41,540, according to the College Board's 2023 Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid report.

Private and public schools play important roles in the postsecondary landscape, offering top-tier education and valuable opportunities outside the classroom. But some characteristics of private institutions—namely size, reputation, and flexibility—make them more appealing to prospective students.

Private colleges, which tend to be more selective, generally offer smaller class sizes and, by extension, more direct instruction and support. Large lectures with around 100 students are more of an exception at private schools when compared to public colleges. Private colleges may also attract more distinguished faculty based on prestige.

While the quality of education received at private institutions is not necessarily better than what students receive at public schools, graduates from more selective colleges with name recognition generally tend to have higher earnings, according to a study on earnings outcomes by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce.

The study also notes, however, that within specific majors, the institution that a student attends can have a significant effect on earnings outcomes. For students entering college without a well-defined idea of what discipline they want to pursue, the flexibility to explore various subjects at a liberal arts institution often makes private colleges an appealing option.

Read on to see the highest-ranked private colleges in Ohio.

1 / 10 Motortion Films // Shutterstock

#10. Walsh University

- Location: North Canton, OH
- Acceptance rate: 80%
- Net price: $20,350
- SAT range: 990-1220
- Niche grade:  B

2 / 10 mangpor2004 // Shutterstock

#9. Baldwin Wallace University

- Location: Berea, OH
- Acceptance rate: 79%
- Net price: $26,577
- SAT range: 1040-1250
- Niche grade:  B

3 / 10 Sean Locke Photography // Shutterstock

#8. Oberlin College

- Location: Oberlin, OH
- Acceptance rate: 34%
- Net price: $44,689
- SAT range: 1300-1460
- Niche grade:  B+

4 / 10 DavidPinoPhotography // Shutterstock

#7. Cedarville University

- Location: Cedarville, OH
- Acceptance rate: 62%
- Net price: $25,380
- SAT range: 1120-1350
- Niche grade:  B+

5 / 10 Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#6. Ohio Northern University

- Location: Ada, OH
- Acceptance rate: 69%
- Net price: $25,006
- SAT range: 1090-1300
- Niche grade:  B+

6 / 10 Canva

#5. College of Wooster

- Location: Wooster, OH
- Acceptance rate: 61%
- Net price: $24,934
- SAT range: 1220-1430
- Niche grade:  A-

7 / 10 Canva

#4. Denison University

- Location: Granville, OH
- Acceptance rate: 28%
- Net price: $38,833
- SAT range: 1230-1430
- Niche grade:  A-

8 / 10 Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#3. University of Dayton

- Location: Dayton, OH
- Acceptance rate: 81%
- Net price: $29,933
- SAT range: 1130-1330
- Niche grade:  A

9 / 10 Canva

#2. Kenyon College

- Location: Gambier, OH
- Acceptance rate: 37%
- Net price: $38,927
- SAT range: 1340-1500
- Niche grade:  A

10 / 10 Canva

#1. Case Western Reserve University

- Location: Cleveland, OH
- Acceptance rate: 30%
- Net price: $38,166
- SAT range: 1410-1530
- Niche grade:  A+

This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin, additional writing by Lauren Liebhaber, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 46 states.

Columbus and Central Ohio Weather QUICK WEATHER FORECAST:

• Today: Partly cloudy, high 53
• Tonight: Mostly clear, low 34
• Sunday: Clouds building, high 61 (44)
• Monday: Some clearing, high 72 (51)
• Tuesday: Chance of showers, high 70 (52)
• Wednesday: Chance rain showers, high 69 (55)

FORECAST DISCUSSION:

Temperatures start of chilly on Saturday, but will warm up as the morning goes on. A Freeze Warning is in effect for portions of Central Ohio until 10am. Later today temperatures will be in the low 50s for the daytime highs. Skies will be partly cloudy, but a few extra clouds will build in during the afternoon. Except north winds moving at 10-15 mph.

Overnight skies will clear out a little bit. Temperatures will fall close to the freezing point once again. Lows will be in the low to mid 30s. Winds will be light and variable.

Sunday will bring more clouds by the afternoon as our next system approaches Central Ohio. Daytime highs will will closer to normal for this time of year reaching the low 60s. As the day goes on clouds will increase in the afternoon. Light rain chances start up late in the evening. More chances for scattered rain arrive overnight into Monday morning.

Monday's Eclipsecast continues to show clouds clearing again as we move into the afternoon. Temps will top off in the low 70s. Generally speaking, it's going to be a beautiful day. That beauty won't last long. Rain chances and a few thunderstorms roll in as the week goes on. Temperatures through the work week are expected to stay above normal.

NEWARK, Ohio (WCMH) - The temporary bridge on Wolford Road near Newark in Licking County is back open as of about 7 p.m. Friday night. 

The bridge was put in place as a temporary passage over Rocky Fork Creek while a new permanent bridge is being built. The temporary bridge nearly floated away after heavy rains flooded the area Monday and Tuesday.

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"On Monday, we were out here, spent the night. We had some crews out here overnight watching it, worrying about whether or not the temporary bridge may float, although it was sitting on an abutment and hopefully, we were hopeful that it wasn't going to. But on Tuesday, as the waters began to rise, it lifted off of one of the abutments," said Kim Christian the Deputy Administrator for the Licking County Engineer's Office.

The county had eyes on the bridge and knew it could be a potential problem. 

"We've had some bridges that's gone out unexpectedly, although we and you know, I was watching this one, so we knew it potentially was going to go out," Christian said. 

Beginning after Monday's rain, excavators were put in place to hold the bridge down with a chain connecting the bridge to a tree as well. But Tuesday, the ground surrounding the bridge started to give way.

"We were out here all-day Tuesday. We've been out there all day every day since the rain. Today, we've been out here since about 7 a.m. They've worked nonstop and we're hopeful that hopefully that it'll be open by 6 or 7 tonight," said Christian. 

The estimate was accurate as the bridge was back open Friday night.

"I mean, as you can see, we've got a bridge. And I'm on the other side of it," Wolford Road resident Vito Rosato joked Friday evening after the road was reopened.

NBC4 first talked to Rosato Thursday evening when he walked across the collapsed bridge to go to the grocery store with his mother. 

"You have news team showing up, you know, you do get a quick response, especially when people hear that, you know, you got people on a dead end road that's been stuck, you know, without being able to get out there off the road for five days straight, you know, being able to get to the doctors or to the grocery store," he said Friday night.

Christian and the County Engineer's office have been monitoring the situation. They've also been hearing from residents.

"There's been some negative, of course, because they feel stranded. The unfortunate thing is that the one way in, one way out, it's been a flood plain. So it makes it somewhat difficult for us," she said.

NBC4 asked Christian how long it takes to get a crane and contractors to do the work. 

"They were able to get it the next day, but we wasn't able to do anything until the water receded to where they can actually get down in there," she said.

Rosato was impressed that the crew was able to get the bridge back up and operable in a single day. 

"They showed up with, you know, Cranes, you know, a ton of people," he said.

The new permanent bridge is set to be complete by May or June of this year, according to Christian and the County Engineer's office. 

Rosato is still concerned about the height of the new bridge not leaving enough room underneath for the water to pass.

"Really surprised at how low it is. Its water was hitting this bridge before it was hitting this bridge. We're going to run into problems with it. So, every time it floods, it may not move this massive bridge, but it's just going to dig the road out around it. So we'll get stuck again," he said.

Other residents who spoke to NBC4 Thursday and Friday had similar concerns for future flooding. Debris and tree branches stacked up at the bridge Tuesday after the water rose. The debris remained several days later even as water subsided.

NBC4 asked Christian, "Being on a flood plain, does that change how you approach putting a bridge in? Do you have to put the bridge in higher?"

"It certainly does, yeah,” she said. “So, the new structure that's going in now is slightly above the previous structure. But we do have to watch the elevation."

Construction on the permanent structure is set to resume on Monday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A former receiver for the Ohio State Buckeyes will spend seven years in federal prison after pleading guilty to firearms charges. 

Raymond Small, 38, of Westerville admitted to possessing a fully automatic weapon as a previously convicted felon, according to United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio Kenneth Parker.

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Federal prosecutors said from August to December 2022, Small was involved in numerous drug and gun deals with an undercover agent, and recruited others to participate in firearms trafficking.

In August 2022, Small and a friend met up with the undercover agent and brought with them oxycodone pills and a machine gun that had no serial numbers. In October 2022, Small accompanied a second individual and met again with the undercover agent to sell the agent two pistols, according to Parker. 

The crimes occurred while Small was on probation for prior drug and weapons convictions. Small pleaded guilty in August 2023 to possessing a machine gun and possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon.

Small played for the Buckeyes from 2006 to 2009, scoring three touchdowns in his career at Ohio State. In 2011, Small admitted to selling a Big Ten championship ring in an interview with Ohio State's student-run paper, The Lantern.

The interview happened the same year the NCAA vacated the Buckeyes' 2010 season wins after it came to light that players were trading championship rings and other memorabilia in exchange for tattoos and cash.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Simply stated, Columbus loves sports. We've watched Columbus grow from a college town into a professional, championship city.

The story of NBC4's sports department starts simply with one man: Jimmy Crum.

Nothing about James W. Crum was subtle. He joined WLWC-TV in 1954, just a few years after this station became the first to broadcast an Ohio State football game live from Ohio Stadium.

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Crum did it all, from his boisterous sport coats to his bold commentaries. As the sports director at WLWC, which later became WCMH, Crum personified the golden era of local television. He called Ohio State basketball games during the 1960 national championship run and interviewed virtually every sports star of note, including Bobby Knight.

Most importantly, Crum helped raise more than $20 million for Easter seals and other charities. In the 1960s, he co-founded Recreation Unlimited, a summer camp for people with developmental disabilities.

After more than 40 years in his role, Crum retired in 1994, paving the way for award-winning broadcasters like Doug Lessells and Dave Maetzold to take the reins.

"Much like you don't replace a Woody Hayes, you follow Woody Hayes," Lessells said. "You don't replace a Jimmy Crum, you follow him. But I was very excited and I look back on it and it was one of my greatest memories in this business."

NBC4 was there for stories like the rise of Columbus native and world boxing champion Buster Douglas. We tracked the remarkable career of Columbus' own Jack Nicklaus, including the growth of his Memorial Tournament into a PGA Tour staple. Logan's Katie Smith became the all-time scoring leader in women's professional basketball history.

The city's growth is also reflected in the rise of the Columbus Crew in 1996, followed soon after by the Blue Jackets. While the Jackets have struggled over a quarter century, the Crew has been a mainstay in American soccer, winning their third MLS Cup last December.

With its familiar music, Football Friday Nite and NBC4's passion for high school sports has produced cutting-edge coverage for decades.

"I mean that theme song. It took a life of its own," Lessells said.

"Bands wanted to play it. It was really an iconic part of central Ohio Friday nights," Maetzold added.

Perhaps the biggest star of FFN was Athens' Joe Burrow, who went on to win the Heisman Trophy in 2019 and is now the Bengals' prized quarterback.

"If you ask anybody about Columbus, Ohio and sports, with all due respect to the Blue Jackets and the Columbus Crew, it's still Ohio State football," Maetzold said.

Hopalong, Woddy, Archie, Eddie. Their names lead the hundreds of stars who've graced Ohio Stadium and our airwaves. NBC4 has covered the championship highs and the high-profile setbacks. Every fall, it's one of the most followed storylines of the year in Central Ohio.

And today, the NBC4 sports team is as strong as ever. In fact, current sports director Joe Nugent might have been destined for this. When he was seven years old, he met the man whose job he'd later occupy.

"We hope that you'll continue to enjoy Channel 4. I've been blessed to be in the right spot at the right spot," Crum said in his final sign-off. "A great station and a great staff and to be in one of the greatest cities in the United States - Columbus, Ohio. Thank you Columbus. We love you."

You can watch Jerod Smalley's look back at NBC4's 75-year history of covering sports in Central Ohio below:

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Ohioans and visitors around the state will soon be using their special eclipse glasses and the Columbus Metropolitan Library is hoping community members will help ensure those glasses serve a purpose after the eclipse.

CML gave out 100,000 pairs of the glasses. It did not have any left until COSI donated 10,000 more pairs.

Ohio solar eclipse: Could gas stations run out of fuel?

“It’s just a couple days away, we can't wait," said Dorcas Taylor Jones, Communications Manager at CML.

CML encouraged community members to bring their glasses back after the eclipse. Blue boxes normally used for books will be used to collect the glasses. CML has partnered the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio. SWACO is working with a company to then send the glasses to Latin America where there will be an annular eclipse in October.

“Children are one of the core tenants of the work we do here at the library so to be able to say we allowed our community to celebrate and then we want to be able to help another community of children celebrate, it's part of what we do," Jones said.

Glasses can be dropped off at any CML location starting after the eclipse until April 18. They can also be dropped off at the locations below before April 30.

• SWACO Recycling Convenience Center, 2566 Jackson Pike, Columbus
• Columbus Waste & Reuse Center, 2100 Alum Creek, Columbus
• Participating Columbus & Franklin County Metro Park Nature Centers at:
  • Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway
  • Blacklick Woods, 6975 E. Livingston Ave., Reynoldsburg
  • Blendon Woods, 4265 E. Dublin Granville Road, Columbus
  • Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike, Lewis Center

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- As Columbus continues to grow, so does the need for more affordable housing.

On Thursday, city leaders announced a proposal to address the housing crisis. It involves making significant changes to the city’s 70-year-old zoning code. 

Whistleblower describes ‘toxic culture’ within Circleville Police Department

Michael J. Roebuck is a former radio jockey. He said his story is proof that having the right housing can make all the difference.

“It took a while to get on my feet to get stable and things," Roebuck said. "And so, you know, staying with friends along the way and then a few places that were substandard, you know, and things like mold and things like that came into play and affected my voice and actually took my speaking voice away from me for years."

He said it wasn’t until moving to Hamilton Crossing, a proper affordable senior living community, that his health improved.

“I feel like myself again,” Roebuck said.

Leah Evans is the President and CEO of Homeport, an affordable housing development group. She described the housing crisis as an inflection point in Columbus. She said they run into issues with the current city zoning code every day.

“How tall can the building be? How close to the street does it need to be? What are some of the window sizes,” Evans said. “Think of where Columbus was 70 years ago. There is nothing else that we really have that we have maintained and still abide by from 70 years ago.”

The city’s proposal includes creating six zoning districts. There will be clearer design standards for developers. It also includes incentives to bring more affordable housing units to areas that currently are not offering that option.

Evans said this will allow them to increase density. She said updating the code will influence affordability for more than just the agencies like homeport.

Evans is glad Columbus is getting ahead of the issue. She said she has seen other cities go through this kind of growth and get stuck in the crisis.

“So, as much as our community has changed, this new zoning code, I'm excited that it's providing transparency and accessibility,” Evans said. “I would have to say this takes a long tail on things we're talking about today. We won't see out of the ground for three, four or five years. So, the work we're doing right now is really preparing us to be able to serve the market in the future."

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Roebuck said it is a dream come true to hear the city’s plans.

“To have this change after all of these years is going to impact so many lives," Roebuck said. "And folks like myself who needed this kind of situation, more of them will get to experience what I've, you know, come to experience the last almost four years."

Columbus City Council is expected to adopt a resolution sending this into a discussion period on Monday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Lawmakers at the Ohio Statehouse are laying out their plans for the next few months, now that they are back in session after a month-long break. 

“When we have a session, we want to have 10 to 12 bills that we can get through,” Speaker of the Ohio House Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) said. 

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The “capital budget,” also known as House Bill 2, spends millions of dollars on projects for things like jails, schools, and infrastructure. It includes a one-time fund for local projects on things like the pro-football hall of fame. The House passed its version back in February and the Senate passed some spending in a different bill a few weeks later. 

“We haven’t had a chance to look at that yet,” Stephens said. “We’re waiting to see what comes back from the capital budget from the Senate.” 

Though this is a priority for leadership in both chambers, nothing has been agreed upon between the two chambers yet, partly due to Republican infighting. 

“There are very real consequences for that. In this case we’ve got real projects that can’t get started or may not get the re-appropriated funds necessary,” Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) said. “Those are jobs, those are services for communities and that is ultimately who suffers from this dysfunction.” 

“I am optimistic we’ll get something back to the House,” Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima) said. “Memorial Day might be a little optimistic, but I think it could get done by Memorial Day but certainly by the end of June.” 

The Senate is taking spending requests until April 8. Aside from the capital budget Stephens said he wants to pass legislation like House Bill 7. That legislation is a spending bill to help ensure the wellbeing of mothers and children. 

“That’s one of our higher priorities,” Stephens said. “We put a lot of that into the budget but I think it’s good for us to do that.” 

House Bill 51, or the “Second Amendment Preservation Act,” which would make federal gun laws unenforceable in Ohio if they contradict with the state’s laws, has been stalled, but Stephens said talks on that will start back up soon. 

“I like that bill a lot,” Stephens said. “We’ll be having those discussions and see where everybody is on that bill.” 

Stephens said members are also working on energy policy, with the goal that the House can “unify around” a proposal. He said this is an important piece of economic development.

“As we look at our challenges from an economic standpoint, whenever we have all these economic development opportunities but yet don’t have the electricity,” he said. 

Stephens said energy policy also means making sure the lights can stay on at home, and considering the energy that Ohio is “sitting on” with natural gas. 

“We have to be smart about the legislation, but we want to try to do those things,” he said. 
 

As for marijuana-related legislation, House leadership agrees that they won’t be moving anything forward right now, despite the Senate’s actions.

“Getting a consensus on what that action will be in the House is probably not going to happen,” Stephens said. “I’m sure as time progresses and we have an idea of what things are going to look like well into the future, there is going to be some tweaking of the rules around recreational marijuana.”

“I think that the window of reforming what the voters passed, or making changes, rather, to what was passed in Issue 2 is closing,” Russo said. “But [the new law] will move forward.” 

The House and Senate will have several committee hearings next week. Neither chamber will be meeting in full for session next week. They will likely be in session until the end of June before going on a break.

CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Circleville Police Department has been facing public scrutiny after three people in city leadership roles were fired or placed on administrative leave over a three week span, and on Friday a whistleblower came forward.

On March 11, former Chief of Police Shawn Baer was escorted off police department property after being placed on administrative leave. In the following weeks, former director of public safety Steven Wilkinson was hired and fired in one week, and new Acting Chief of Police Doug Davis was placed on administrative leave, with pay, due to alleged employee misconduct.

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NBC4 obtained personnel files for Wilkinson and Davis, which revealed a hostile work environment within the department. Now, Wilkinson is coming forward with his story.

Wilkinson resigned from his role as a Circleville reserve police officer on March 8 and took the oath of office for the public safety director role that day. Just one week later, on March 15, he was fired. In the documents received by NBC4, no reason was given for his firing.

Before getting into the wrongdoing, Wilkinson made one thing clear.

"This has never been about the officers of the Circleville Police Department," Wilkinson said. "I've never witnessed anything that would lead me to believe there's misconduct in the rights of the police officer. This is solely in the right from their leadership. It's a very toxic culture that needs to be changed, and that's what I'm attempting to do."

One of Wilkinson's concerns questioned the training process officers go through to carry a firearm. He said he observed an October incident that left him wondering whether trainees were being passed in their firearm training without actually meeting the requirements.

"There are time limits, there are distance limits, holster limits, when rounds are being counted after the time goes off, that's improper," Wilkinson said. "There was three different occasions that day on the range where a person was unable to get their gun out of the holster in the prescribed time limit."

Wilkinson didn't want to blame any individual officer, but raised concerns about leadership's approach to training.

"I don't believe that the rank and file in the city of Circleville are technically qualified to carry a firearm," Wilkinson said. "Just because a box is checked on a piece of paper does not mean that you are qualified, and the instructors that are doing that, that needs to be addressed."

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Wilkinson said he tried to approach Davis about his concerns, but was never able to get through to him. That's where his main issue lies: the department's leadership. He said that city leadership lives in fear of its police department.

"My personal belief for me being fired is that the mayor and the legal director, and they both said this to me, they are terrified of the police department," Wilkinson said. "They are terrified of assault, which we can see allegedly occurred. They're terrified of other actions that the police might take against them."

The assault Wilkinson is referencing was allegedly against Mayor Michelle Blanton by Davis during a meeting. He said Davis gave her a list of demands regarding how the city should handle its relationship with him. Now, he's apologizing to Blanton for his initial response.

"She's a victim of a crime now and we shouldn't be discussing her actions after she was allegedly assaulted," Wilkinson said. "I didn't have that information at the time, which leads to a whole other avenue of questions. But no, I do want to apologize for putting that out there like I did."

Wilkinson said there is no documentation proving the assault, but that the mayor is clearly afraid of the department.

"When I put all the pieces together now, I know she's afraid of the police department," Wilkinson said.

Circleville City Councilmember Zack Brooks joined the short-lived public safety director in speaking out.

"It's obviously concerning to me as a councilman, to me as a private citizen," Brooks said. "I know it's concerning to everybody that lives in the community to hear that, you know, we're down leadership and pretty much all aspects of the police department at this point."

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Brooks said that he had been advised not to speak to the media.

"But my response to that is, next time they come to me and ask council to hand over $50,000 for more investigations, next time they ask for more money for a legal settlement or litigation, whatever it might be, how am I supposed to make that decision if I'm not purviewed to all the details of this evolving discussion?" Brooks said.

Columbus and Central Ohio Weather

We are now three days away from the total solar eclipse. Each day, we have been tracking model cloud forecasts, focused on the path of totality, which stretches from Texas to Maine and covers 13 states, including the northwestern portion of Ohio. The remainder of the state will continue to see a partial eclipse.

Graphic: National Weather Service/Wilmington

Early indications have positioned a frontal system stretching from Texas to the Upper Midwest, which will be the focus of a broad band of cloud cover, with scattered showers moving through the Ohio Valley early Monday leaving a blanket of lower clouds.

The key to optimal viewing will be a partial clearing trend in the afternoon on Monday, Apr. 8, as drier air works in from the west. The model probability map, which is currently just a snapshot and subject to refinement through the weekend, suggests there will be some sunshine, though clouds will be slow to break in some areas.

The chance for showers will diminish to isolated pockets of rain earlier in the day. The challenge is whether the cloud cover will part sufficiently.

Historically, Columbus has been mostly cloudy around between 12 and 4 p.m. in early April in two-thirds of the years during El Niño, when warmer-than-normal water extends across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, based on a NOAA analysis of data from 1979-2022.

This is consistent with our spring pattern that features a more active subtropical jet stream feeding moisture northward, intercepting frontal systems and associated storms.

Storm Team 4 will continue to update the most accurate forecast for April 8th.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The leader of a large drug and human trafficking operation pleaded guilty to multiple felonies in federal court Friday.

Cordell Washington, 37, of Pickerington, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances near an elementary school, money laundering, labor trafficking and drug trafficking-related charges. He is the 21st defendant in the case to plead guilty.

According to court documents, Washington and co-defendant Patrick Saultz oversaw a drug trafficking operation in Columbus that spanned nearly 15 years. Saultz, who pleaded guilty in July 2023 and was known as “White Boy Pat," admitted to selling drugs out of multiple west Columbus houses, including one less than 1,000 feet from Burroughs Elementary School.

Man sentenced in $44 million drug store front laundering scheme

The duo's drug ring allegedly sold fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana, Xanax and oxycodone across central Ohio. In pleading guilty, Washington admitted to coercing men, many of whom were addicted to drugs, into performing construction and cleaning work under the threat of violence or with the promise of drugs. Court documents state Saultz and other organization members, meanwhile, coerced women to engage in prostitution in exchange for drugs and housing.

Washington, who also went by "Dub," faces a minimum of 15 years in prison and a possible life sentence.

Washington, Saultz and nine other people were originally charged in 2022 after federal agents seized more than $1 million in cash and nearly 50 firearms from multiple properties connected to the trafficking operation. Officers have seized a total of $1.7 million in suspected drug proceeds and charged 23 people in the case.

Columbus and Central Ohio Weather

FREEZE WARNING TONIGHT

A large storm system over the Northeast will bring another day of cloudiness and isolated showers, before moving away in time for the weekend. Afternoon temperatures will again be confined to the low to mid-40s.

Temperatures will dip into the low 30s in late tonight, resulting in a freeze warning for much of central and southwestern Ohio early Saturday, as skies clear.

Saturday will bring sunshine as high pressure slides across the region. Clouds will increase later in the day, then clear off at night. Temperatures will still be on the cool side, near 50 degrees in the afternoon.

Sunshine will give way to clouds later on Sunday, as a disturbance moves in from the West and low pressure develops in the southern Plains.

Moisture will spread northward Sunday night, with scattered showers ending early Monday. Clouds should part in the afternoon, with at least a partial view of the total solar eclipse in Ohio.

Temperatures will warm up into the 60s next week. More widespread rain is likely midweek with the next in a series of western storm systems.

Forecast

• Friday: Cloudy, breezy, stray shower/flurry. High 44
• Saturday: Partly sunny. High 50 (32)
• Sunday: Partly sunny, showers at night. High 58 (33)
• Monday: Mix clouds and sun, isolated showers. High 67 (47)
• Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, shower p.m.. High 71 (51)
• Wednesday: Showers. High 69 (52)
• Thursday: Showers linger. High 66 (55)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A man who admitted to laundering proceeds from illegal drug sales through Columbus cell phone store fronts has been sentenced to a decade in federal prison.

Cruz Albert Perez-Nunez was sentenced Friday to 10 years in prison on charges of money laundering and conspiring to possess, with the intent to distribute, at least one kilogram of heroin. In October, he pleaded guilty to the charges, admitting to organizing teams of drug dealers and laundering $44 million in drug proceeds to Mexico.

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According to court documents, 36-year-old Perez-Nunez oversaw a team of heroin dealers in central Ohio in 2018. He coordinated with the owners of Los Rosales on Shady Lane Road, Los Rosales 2 on East Main Street and Express Cellular on Eastland Square Drive to send bulk money transfers -- the drug proceeds -- to lists of names in Mexico. The stores sold few, if any, phones and conducted little legitimate business, prosecutors previously said.

Perez-Nunez is one of nine people federally convicted in the scheme. The other eight defendants, who were sentenced in 2020 and 2021, received between five and 18 years in prison.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A nonprofit cinema will feature a variety of classic movies in its spring programming.

Gateway Film Center on 1550 N. High St. is hosting multiple series this spring with options for all movie-lovers to enjoy. The lineup will include series of female-directed horror movies, animated stories, cult classics and a tour through a renowned director's filmography.

Here's the spring programming coming to Gateway.

Ringling Bros., Bruce Springsteen, ‘The Lion King’ among top spring central Ohio events Femme Fatalities

Gateway's "Femme Fatalities" series will feature a selection of horror feature and short films made by women, curated by women in the industry -- filmmakers Jenn Wexler and Hope Madden. Each feature in the program will be presented with a short film.

• April 10: Trouble Every Day (2001)
• April 17: The Sacrifice Game (2023)
• April 24: Raw (2016)
• May 1: Tigers Are Not Afraid (2017)
• May 8: The Babadook (2014) 10th Anniversary
• May 15: We're All Going to the World's Fair (2021)
• May 22: Obstacle Corpse (2022) with filmmaker in attendance
• May 29: Slumber Party Massacre (1982)
• June 5: Perpetrator (2023)
• June 12: Candyman (2021)

Pet Sematary (1989) was the series' first feature. It was shown on Wednesday.

Ghibli at GFC

For over 40 years, Japanese animation giant Studio Ghibli has been known for its beautifully animated and groundbreaking stories. In 2024, Gateway is bringing back its "Ghibli at GFC" series, inviting the community to experience the studio's beloved films for themselves.

• April 5: Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) 40th Anniversary
• April 12: Castle in the Sky (1986)
• April 19: Howl's Moving Castle (2004) 20th Anniversary
• April 26: The Secret World of Arrietty (2010)
• May 3: Kiki's Delivery Service (1989) 35th Anniversary
• May 10: My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
• May 17: Ponyo (2008)
• May 24: Princess Mononoke (1997)

Cult 101

In 2017, Gateway first introduced its most ambitious program ever: "Cult 101," a yearlong celebration of the best cult classic movies of all time. Now, the series that drew more than 10,000 people is back. The winter Cult 101 series featured films like Scream (1996), Zodiac (2007), American Psycho (2000) and more. The spring series will feature another stacked lineup.

• April 5-7: Requiem for a Dream (2000) 4K Restoration
• April 12-15: Escape from New York (1981) 4K Restoration
• April 20: Dazed and Confused (1993) 4K Restoration
• April 20: Friday (1995)
• April 20: Pineapple Express (2008)
• April 19-22: Fantastic Planet (1973) 2K Restoration
• April 26-28: The Last Unicorn (1982)
• May 3-5: Moon (2009)
• May 10-12: Joint Security Area (2000)
• May 17-19: Three … Extremes (2004)
• May 24-26: Audition (1999) 25th Anniversary
• May 31-June 2: Donnie Darko (2001) 4K Restoration
• June 7-9: Point Break (1991) 4K Restoration
• June 14-16: Videodrome (1983) 4K Restoration
• June 21-24: Take Shelter (2011)
• June 28-30: Pig (2021)

Mecha Noodle Bar days away from Columbus opening in former White Castle Mondays with Marty

For nearly 60 years, Martin Scorsese has dominated the movie industry. An influential and award-winning American director, producer, screenwriter, and actor, Scorsese is one of the most celebrated and acclaimed figures in film history. This spring, Gateway is bringing back its "Mondays with Marty" series, which will show one of his feature films every week, for the first time since 2021.

• April 8: Mean Streets (1973) 4K Restoration
• April 15: Goodfellas (1990)
• April 22: Raging Bull (1980) 4K Restoration
• April 29: After Hours (1985)
• May 6: Cape Fear (1991)
• May 13: The Aviator (2004)
• May 20: Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974)
• May 27: The Departed (2006)
• June 3: Shutter Island (2010)
• June 10: Gangs of New York (2002)
• June 17: The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
• June 24: Casino (1995)
• July 1: Taxi Driver (1976) 4K Restoration

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Police have identified a man killed on Columbus' south side in late March -- and are asking for help identifying a person of interest in the case.

Columbus police identified the victim, who was found unconscious on March 29 at Parsons Avenue and East Whittier Street, as 61-year-old Dwayne Dowdell. After being called to the intersection, officers found Dowdell bleeding from the head. He died the next day.

It still is not clear how Dowdell was injured. On Friday, police released an image of someone detectives have identified as a person of interest.

(Courtesy Photo/Columbus Division of Police) Rockmill Brewery acquired in foreclosure auction by couple who married on site

Police ask anyone with information on the case, including the person of interest's identity, to call the Columbus Police Homicide Unit at 614-645-4730, Det. Lowell Titus at 614-645-4059, or submit an anonymous tip to Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The site of a now-demolished Weinland Park liquor store may become home to a 7-story, mixed-use apartment complex.

Geis Companies and M. Panzica Development, from Streetsboro and Cleveland, respectively, have proposed an 186-unit apartment complex for the corner of East Fifth Avenue and North Fourth Street. The former site of Mid-America Beer Barn now sits mostly empty in a neighborhood under rapid development.

The designer and developer duo’s application to the University Area Commission shows two buildings of studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments, separated by Sixth Avenue and connected by a pedestrian skybridge. The northern building would have two levels of parking, and the southern building would have apartments on all seven floors and retail space on the ground level.

Rockmill Brewery acquired in foreclosure auction by couple who married on site

“We want to make sure we leave this area, this neighborhood, after the construction, hopefully better than what it currently is,” Brandon Kline, vice president of design at Geis Companies, told residents during a Weinland Park Community Civic Association town hall meeting in March.

The parcels of land are owned by Kevin Lykens, owner of Columbus property management company Lykens Companies. Developer Michael Panzica said at the townhall that he struck up a relationship with Lykens last summer, and Lykens has agreed to sell the land and approves of the development plans.

• A rendering of the ground floor of an apartment complex proposed for Weinland Park. (Courtesy Photo/Geis Companies and M. Panzica Development)
• A rendering of the second floor of an apartment complex proposed for Weinland Park. (Courtesy Photo/Geis Companies and M. Panzica Development)
• A floor rendering of an apartment complex proposed for Weinland Park. (Courtesy Photo/Geis Companies and M. Panzica Development)

The city would need to approve multiple code variances for the project to move forward as proposed, including a height variance – allowing 85 feet instead of the maximum 45 feet – and, because the land is commercially zoned, permitting residential units on the ground floor. 

On Thursday, the city released its proposed changes to the zoning code, aimed at making it easier to develop high-density residential properties along . But changes to the zoning code are still months away; city council must formally vote to receive the proposal, and after that a 60-day public comment period will begin. Councilmembers said Thursday that they hope to vote the changes into law by the summer.

In Geis and M. Panzica Development’s hardship statement, required whenever an applicant requests a variance, the group pointed to the outdated zoning code – last updated in the 1950s – and rising construction costs as barriers to development. 

“High-density solutions, such as our proposed project, not only respond to the urgent need for affordable housing but also represent a financially viable approach for designers and developers,” the hardship statement read.

Watch DeWine's 10:30 a.m. press conference in the video player above.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Gov. Mike DeWine is joining other Ohio leaders on Friday morning to outline how the state is preparing for Monday's rare total solar eclipse.

DeWine is hosting the 10:30 a.m. conference at the Ohio Emergency Operations Center given the state is expecting an influx of visitors. The governor will be joined by representatives from the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, Ohio Adjutant General's Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Ohio Department of Transportation.

Marking the first time since 1806, Ohio will be in the direct path of the solar eclipse on April 8. Forecasters predict the phenomenon will last for just up to four minutes and 28 seconds, and could have some impact on weather as well. The eclipse could last twice as long as the previous eclipse in 2017.

The 124-mile-wide path of totality, where the sun will be 100% blocked by the moon, will span from the southwest to the northeast portion of the state. Everyone outside this coverage area will have a different view of the occurrence, but all of Ohio falls in at least a 95% coverage zone. 

Local organizations are urging residents to fill up their tanks before the weekend, due to the possibility of gas shortages. Kara Hitchens, public affairs manager for AAA, said stations running out of gas is a possibility, and whether gas stations will have extra gas stocked up for the eclipse will vary on a station-by-station basis. 

Drivers could also face additional congestion on eclipse day to construction. ODOT also created an interactive map to display an hour-by-hour look at four potential traffic scenarios based on the number of visitors the state sees: 150,000, 350,000, 575,000 and 625,000.

POWELL, Ohio (WCMH) -- One of central Ohio's largest homebuilders is moving forward with construction of a small neighborhood next to a brewery in downtown Powell, as the city is embarking on a redesign of the historic district.

Grand Communities, a subsidiary of Fischer Homes, is building 19 single-family homes off of Depot Street next to Nocterra Brewing Co. Named "Encore Park," the development will feature two-story homes from Fischer's Uptown Collection which can span up to more than 3,000 square feet with five bedrooms.

Mecha Noodle Bar days away from Columbus opening in former White Castle

"The Uptown Collection was created for today's modern urban lifestyle, with walkability and amenities in mind," said Tim Brader, market president for Fischer's Columbus division. "This makes downtown Powell the perfect location to launch these new homes."

The development will feature two-story homes from Fischer's Uptown Collection. (Courtesy Photo/Fischer Homes)

Encore Park is coming to Powell as co-working business COhatch has been recruited to be one of the main developers tasked with transforming a section of the city's downtown district at North Liberty and East Olentangy streets.

Plans call for the redevelopment to begin this spring with the demolition of a former office building at 50 E. Olentangy St., a 0.63-acre site where COhatch will then construct a 13,900-square-foot location. The three-story building will be home to a rooftop bar, private offices, meeting rooms, an event space and more.

Beyond the COhatch building, COhatch CEO Matt Davis said the downtown redesign will continue with proposals to extend Scioto Street and collaborations with nearby landowners for a variety of mixed-use developments. Other goals include finding solutions for traffic congestion and constructing a larger, shared parking lot.

How can the solar eclipse affect the temperature in central Ohio?

Davis caught the attention of Powell officials after COhatch unveiled plans to transform 2.85 acres along North Riverview Street near the Scioto River in Dublin to launch a mixed-use development named “Riverview Village,” including the construction of COhatch’s new 15,000-square-foot headquarters and the restoration of four historic homes.

Other developments taking shape in Powell include construction on a new 43,000-square-foot shopping center attached to a lone Target store. Named “The Shoppes at Wedgewood,” the complex will be built on a vacant 6.1-acre site to the left of the Target store at 10560 Sawmill Parkway.

In addition, Ohio State’s Wexner Medical Center is expected to start building a $183 million outpatient campus in Powell this spring, a years-long effort once regarded as the “largest economic development project” in the city’s history.

FREDERICKTOWN, Ohio (WCMH) -- A Knox County veterinarian has been charged with having sex with an animal.

A 66-year-old man was arrested at his home on Knox Lake Road late March 31 on one count of sexual conduct with an animal and two counts of domestic violence, according to Mount Vernon Municipal Court records. He has pleaded not guilty and was released on Monday with a temporary protective order in place.

One dead after crash into pond near west Columbus apartment complex

The man has been a licensed veterinarian in Ohio since 2012, according to state records. On Tuesday, the Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board unanimously voted to suspend his license during an emergency teleconference.

Sexual conduct with an animal is a second-degree misdemeanor, first made illegal in Ohio in 2017. The man's next court appearance is scheduled for April 29.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – With Ohio located in the path of totality of the solar eclipse, the state is expecting an influx of visitors. Local organizations are urging residents to fill up their tanks before the weekend, due to the possibility of gas shortages.

“Because Ohio is in a perfect spot for viewing the eclipse, there’s going to be a lot of people here and with an influx of people the resources get tight,” said Kara Hitchens, public affairs manager for AAA. “Same can be true for gas stations.”

Hitchens said stations running out of gas is a possibility, and whether gas stations will have extra gas stocked up for the eclipse will vary on a station-by-station basis. 

“I would just tell people who live here now to fill your gas tank up before the weekend,” Hitchens said. “And that way you’ve got plenty of gas.”

Lorain County, which is located just outside of Cleveland and is directly in the path of totality, issued a warning that residents could have issues accessing certain items, including gas. The county has also recommended residents fill up their tanks before the weekend. 

“I attempted to work with local gas stations to get a handle on this, but they apparently do not like to share supply information,” said Lorain County Department of Emergency Management Director Dave Freeman. “If we have large crowds, I do see that as a concern, especially with the smaller mom and pop stations.”

If there’s heavy traffic, Freeman said the possibility of getting additional fuel delivered could be an issue. As for central Ohio, local emergency management agencies said they believe gas stations in the area are capable of supporting a large number of people. 

Delaware County Emergency Management Director Alex McCarthy said reports from the 2017 eclipse show fuel shortages could be a challenge, but he’s not concerned about widespread fuel shortages locally.

“In Delaware County, I suspect that gas stations near the exit ramps for I-71 will see the most demand, and this is where the greatest risk of shortages would probably show up,” McCarthy said. “If there are supply challenges at those locations, there are a lot of other gas stations across the county for people to turn to.”

Similarly, Franklin County Emergency Management director Darrel Koerber said the number of gas stations in and around the county are capable of supporting large crowds, as seen with Ohio State football games and the fair. He also said the agency encourages residents to fill their tanks ahead of eclipse day.

For those who want to preserve gas, Hitchens suggests drivers make sure their car is running well ahead of traveling, avoid speeding and if the weather is nice, avoid running the air conditioning. 

Hitchens said drivers can use grocery store points, warehouse store memberships and loyalty memberships at gas stations to save on gas, as well as use the AAA app to find the best gas prices. 

NBC4 has a gas price tracker, and it can be used as a way to find a station near you.