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Identity theft can happen at any time

News Channel 4 - Tue, 01/28/2025 - 16:30

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Identity theft can happen to anyone at any time. 

"It's, oftentimes, it's a long-term process," President of the Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio Judy Dollison said. "So, you don't even know that they've had access to your information and that they've started taking out credit in your name until a lot of damage has been done.” 

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Better Call 4 has worked to get the word out about the importance of spotting the signs and stopping the scammers before it's too late. But some local, state and federal agencies are also working to educate and protect consumers during Identity Theft Awareness Week. 

From Jan. 27-31, the Federal Trade Commission, Better Business Bureau, Social Security Administration and other organizations will hold virtual and in-person events focused on teaching you what identity theft looks like, how to protect your personal and financial information from it, and what to do if you become a victim.  

According to the FTC, it's often as simple as someone getting hold of and using your credit card or bank account details from a data breach, through phishing emails and text messages, or from card skimming devices.

Need help? Contact ‘Better Call 4’

"Know when your bills are due," Dollison said. "Sometimes, if someone has stolen your identity, they may have changed your address because they don't want your credit card bill going to you. So, really you want to stay vigilant and monitor your accounts on a regular basis. Look at your credit card statements and make sure there's no charges that don't sound right to you, you don't recognize the name and you always want to check your credit reports. You can access your credit reports annually for no charge. So, it's a good annual review, just to make sure there's been no additional accounts set up in your name.” 

Categories: Ohio News

Westerville school board votes to not put levy vote on May ballot

News Channel 4 - Tue, 01/28/2025 - 11:30

WESTERVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) -- Residents in Westerville will not have to vote on another bond issue in May, after the school board voted to not move forward with its approval.

This comes after their first levy attempt failed in November. Though many community members did not want to see another levy on the ballot so soon, Westerville school's treasurer Nicole Marshall notes the consequences of not having this funding are inevitable.

“We have planned to lose over 30 jobs in our school district as a result of the November levy failure,” Marshall said. “I think we're going to continue to look at things as vacancies occur, what opportunities do we have? I mean, this means we'll probably be offering fewer sections of some classes at our high school level.”

The bond issue that voters rejected in November was expected to bring in 20 million dollars and help with deficit spending for the school district. OThe board unanimously voted against the option Monday night to put another levy on the ballot in May at the recommendation of superintendent Angela Hamberg.

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Now the district will have to continue making harsh cuts. The board's plan moving forward is to advocate for more state funding. “I tell everyone my, my soapbox is that the state continues to rely on public school systems to solve all of the world's problems, but they don't fund for it,” Marshall said. “So, I'd really like for them to start funding appropriately for it.”

Though these cuts will have impacts on many students, some parents like Lindsay Bobb are still glad the board did not vote to bring the levy back, saying many people just don't have the money to support it and that it would have been disingenuous.

“I think it's a really big misconception that if you're against the levy, that you're somehow against the schools and that's just not the case,” Bobb said. "Everyone has felt the cost of inflation. You know, grocery trips are just more expensive. The cost of everything is more expensive right now.”  

The board says they hope residents will join them in advocating for more funding from the state before the state budget is set in June.     

Categories: Ohio News

Pandemic-era Wizard of Za closes in Clintonville

News Channel 4 - Tue, 01/28/2025 - 10:30

CLINTONVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) -- Wizard of Za, a Clintonville pizzeria whose Sicilian-style pies garnered a month-long wait during the COVID-19 pandemic, has closed.

The shop, which shared space with sushi chain Fusian at 4214 N. High St., welcomed pizza enthusiasts for the last time on Jan. 20, the brand announced on social media. Wizard of Za was conceived by Youngstown native Spencer Saylor, who began selling pizza through his Instagram in 2020 and later moved into Fusian's store to create a "speakeasy" pizza concept. Watch a previous NBC4 report on Wizard of Za in the video player above.

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"We built a little pizza shop with a big red oven in the middle of a sushi restaurant, we couldn't believe it," Wizard of Za's post said. "It has been an incredible journey serving Columbus and embracing the wickedly fun world of pizza."

While the eatery's closure marked the end of "Wizard of Za as you have come to know it," the social media post teased "exciting news coming soon about the future of the pizza shop inside Fusian." The brand said "we will be getting back to our roots to launch the next generation of pizzapreneurs."

Wizard of Za launched during the pandemic after Saylor began marketing and operating the concept out of Instagram. Customers would place an order through DM, then wait 4-6 weeks for a message from Saylor that said their pizza would be ready that evening.

"No one can have the restaurant experience during COVID," Saylor said to NBC4 in 2021. "My brain was trying to create an experience that was fun through crappy times. For me, that was creating a word-of-mouth experience."

Former Resch’s employee opening bakery of his own in Grove City

Saylor then collaborated with Paceline Restaurants, the owner of Fusian, to open inside the Clintonville location in late 2020. Paceline acquired the Wizard of Za brand in 2022 and then expanded with a second location in Dayton that closed last year.

The pizza concept's waitlist once topped 4,500 people and served former Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer and the Columbus Blue Jackets. Making 80 to 90 pizzas a day, Saylor told NBC4 at the time that "it was like buying tickets to a highly anticipated show."

"I finally have that moment of feeling like I’m not working," Saylor said in 2021. "Like I'm not going to work. This is where I’m supposed to be. It's a dream come true."

Categories: Ohio News

Ohio among states with highest rate of seniors facing food insecurity, study finds

News Channel 4 - Tue, 01/28/2025 - 10:00

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Ohio is one of the worst states for food insecurity among seniors, a recent study found. 

As of 2024, nearly 3.1 million seniors in the United States, or 5.6% of the population aged 65 and older, reported experiencing food insecurity, according to the nonprofit Feeding America. Food insecurity is defined as not consistently having access to adequate meals. Older adults can be more susceptible to struggling with food access due to health and mobility issues. 

Retirement Living, an online resource for retirement planning, conducted a study to discover which states had the highest rates of food insecurity among seniors. The website analyzed the most recent U.S. Census Household Pulse Survey data, in which millions of seniors aged 65 and older were asked if they have faced food insecurity in the past seven days. The survey was completed from Aug. 20 to Sept. 16.

The study found that Ohio had the sixth-highest percentage of seniors who struggled with not having enough food. In the state, 7.4% of seniors reported experiencing food insecurity, which is roughly 2% higher than the national average. In contrast, states neighboring Ohio had lower rates of food insecurity, including Michigan (2.7%), Pennsylvania (3.9%), Kentucky (4.1%), West Virginia (4.2%) and Indiana (4.9%). 

North Carolina took the No. 1 spot as the state where the highest rate of seniors face food insecurity, with 9.3% of older adults reporting they struggle with accessing sufficient food. North Carolina was followed by Louisiana, which saw 9.1% of seniors facing food insecurity, along with Tennessee (9%), Connecticut (7.8%) and Georgia (7.7%). 

The states with the lowest rates of senior food insecurity were Nebraska (1.8%), Montana (2.3%), Utah (2.3%), Mississippi (2.6%) and Michigan (2.7%), the study said. 

Categories: Ohio News

Grove City man pardoned in Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection remains in prison

News Channel 4 - Tue, 01/28/2025 - 09:30

LANCASTER, Ohio (WCMH) – A Grove City man who was pardoned for his alleged role in the January 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol building remains in a Fairfield County prison.

According to the Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Benjamin Shuler will not be released from Lancaster's Southeastern Correctional Institution while serving a five-year sentence in the death of Olivia Wright, who was killed in a drunk-driving crash near Ashville on September 29, 2020.

Watch: Ohio troopers in police chase after one of their cruisers was stolen

Early that morning, Shuler veered left of center on Jackson Pike, near the Franklin County and Pickaway County lines, and struck Wright’s vehicle, which was traveling in the opposite direction. Wright, 22, of Circleville, died at the scene. Neither driver was wearing a seat belt, according to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.

Olivia Wright’s death was a driving force behind House Bill 37, now known as “Liv’s Law.”, which creates harsher penalties for those convicted of driving under the influence, particularly for repeat offenders. The bill unanimously passed the Statehouse on Dec. 18 and the incoming law will go into effect on April 9. 

Shuler was hospitalized in critical condition and was later arrested on Jan. 11, 2021, five days after he went to Washington D.C. on Jan. 6. For previous reports on Shuler and Liv's Law, view the video player above.

Federal felony charges from the Capitol riots included civil disorder and assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers, both felony offenses. He was also charged with misdemeanor crimes of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, and engaging in an act of physical violence on Capitol grounds.

Court documents said Shuler resisted a police line that was established to clear the area of protesters on the northwest stairs of the U.S. Capitol building. Shuler then reportedly began pushing a police officer’s riot shield several times and pressed his body into the shield several times with significant force.

  • Benjamin Shuler is charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors for his alleged involvement in the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riots (Courtesy/United States Department of Justice)
  • Benjamin Shuler is charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors for his alleged involvement in the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riots (Courtesy/United States Department of Justice)
  • Benjamin Shuler is charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors for his alleged involvement in the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riots (Courtesy/United States Department of Justice)
  • Benjamin Shuler is charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors for his alleged involvement in the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riots (Courtesy/United States Department of Justice)
  • Benjamin Shuler is charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors for his alleged involvement in the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riots (Courtesy/United States Department of Justice)
  • Liv's LawSince losing their daughter to a drunk driver in 2020, Bryan and Teresa Wright have been fighting desperately to reform impaired driving laws in Ohio.

A police officer’s body-worn camera footage depicted Shuler gesturing to others to meet him in front of the police line and again resisted by pushing back and swiping at an unidentified officer’s riot shield. Police verified Shuler’s identification based off photos he posted on his own Facebook account.

In a criminal complaint, Shuler initially denied going to the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, during an interview with authorities. When shown photographs of himself from the U.S. Capitol, he then acknowledged that he had gone to the Capitol and had interacted with law enforcement officers.

Shuler was granted clemency along with approximately 1,500 other defendants and dozens of Ohioans who were charged during the Capitol riots.

But Shuler remains in prison, where he continues to serve his five-year sentence on a charge of vehicular homicide in Ohio, with 1-3 years of post-release control to follow. The state charge cannot be pardoned on the federal level.

How Sen. Husted has backed Ohio school choice and religious education programs

“The President of the United States has the power to pardon federal sentences but has no jurisdiction over state charges,” said a spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office. “Mr. Shuler will have to serve his sentence for his charges here in Franklin County unless the governor, who has the power to pardon state charges, were to pardon him.

Bryan and Teresa Wright also told NBC4 that Shuler’s pardon only includes his involvement on Jan. 6, 2021, and does not impact his vehicular homicide sentence.

Categories: Ohio News

Hair salon coming to Hilliard's TruePointe development

News Channel 4 - Tue, 01/28/2025 - 09:00

HILLIARD, Ohio (WCMH) - A central Ohio hair salon is joining several other businesses at an upcoming development in Hilliard.

Kenneth's Hair Salon and Day Spas Hilliard location is moving to the TruePointe development from its location at 3610 Fishinger Blvd. in Mill Run. According to the city, the salon will join other tenants at the $200 million mixed-use space on Trueman Blvd.

The salon will take up 10,500 square feet within a 19,600-square-foot building and will be shared with another business. The new space at TruePointe will allow Kenneth’s to enhance its offerings from an equipment and atmosphere standpoint, providing the best experience for clients, according to the city.

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Kenneth's has nine locations across central Ohio, along with its academy on Reed Road. Kenneth's offers a variety of services from hair cuts, color, extensions and treatments to spa services from facials and waxing, to makeup and massages.

Hilliard-area developer Equity LLC broke ground July 19, 2023, on TruePointe. The development is the city’s “first true live-work-play community.” Since its announcement, several other businesses are joining the area including Home2 by Hilton, Drunch Eatery + Bar and coffee shop Qahwah House.

TruePointe is expected to open by the end of 2025, offering retail, lodging, office space and more off Hilliard's Interstate 270 and Cemetery Road interchange.

Categories: Ohio News

Gahanna's Wood Werks Supply finds new home after intersection reconstruction

News Channel 4 - Tue, 01/28/2025 - 08:30

GAHANNA, Ohio (WCMH) — Months after the construction of a roundabout cost a woodworking supply store a large part of its business, it has found a new home across the street at the reopened intersection.

Wood Werks Supply, now operated solely by the father-and-son team of Charlie Vangas Sr. and Charlie Vangas Jr., has moved to 1010 Taylor Station Rd. In an email to NBC4, the younger Vangas said the construction of a roundabout in front of its former location significantly hindered customer access. Vangas said this led to a 70% revenue loss over nine months, prompting the company to downsize and move.

“People were struggling to find a way there or giving up altogether,” Vangas wrote. “A rumor had then spread that we were going out of business or already were out of business for good. This was never the case. We remained open during the entire construction.”

The pair have downsized the store inside the new location and are committed to maintaining the quality and service clients have come to expect. To adapt to the smaller space, inventory has been reduced, and power tools or plywood are no longer being stocked. But other woodworking supplies remain available, and the new location features showrooms and a lumber warehouse.

  • Wood Werks Supply, Inc.,1010 Taylor Station Rd. Suite A Gahanna OH 43230 (Photo Courtesy/Charlie Vangas)Wood Werks Supply, Inc.,1010 Taylor Station Rd. Suite A Gahanna OH 43230 (Photo Courtesy/Charlie Vangas)
  • Wood Werks Supply, Inc.,1010 Taylor Station Rd. Suite A Gahanna OH 43230 (Photo Courtesy/Charlie Vangas)Wood Werks Supply, Inc.,1010 Taylor Station Rd. Suite A Gahanna OH 43230 (Photo Courtesy/Charlie Vangas)
  • Wood Werks Supply, Inc.,1010 Taylor Station Rd. Suite A Gahanna OH 43230 (Photo Courtesy/Charlie Vangas)Wood Werks Supply, Inc.,1010 Taylor Station Rd. Suite A Gahanna OH 43230 (Photo Courtesy/Charlie Vangas)
  • Wood Werks Supply, Inc.,1010 Taylor Station Rd. Suite A Gahanna OH 43230 (Photo Courtesy/Charlie Vangas)Wood Werks Supply, Inc.,1010 Taylor Station Rd. Suite A Gahanna OH 43230 (Photo Courtesy/Charlie Vangas)
  • Wood Werks Supply, Inc.,1010 Taylor Station Rd. Suite A Gahanna OH 43230 (Photo Courtesy/Charlie Vangas)Wood Werks Supply, Inc.,1010 Taylor Station Rd. Suite A Gahanna OH 43230 (Photo Courtesy/Charlie Vangas)

“We are the same store, smaller building,” Vangas said.

The Vangas family has deeply felt the impact of the relocation and downsizing.

“We never would have been able to do this without amazing support from some of our customers,” Vangas said. “We are beyond grateful, and the help we received from them and the Central Ohio Woodturners was unbelievable.”

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Although the rebuilding has been gradual, Wood Werks is optimistic about its future.

“We plan on staying in this location for some time and are already making it a home for Wood Werks,” Vangas said. “It will take us quite some time to really build back up, but for the two of us, we have made a lot of progress.”

Categories: Ohio News

Comedian Kevin Hart to perform in Columbus this spring

News Channel 4 - Tue, 01/28/2025 - 08:13

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- One of the world's most popular comedians will be flying to central Ohio to perform stand-up this spring.

Kevin Hart announced that he will stop in Columbus on May 16 as part of his "Acting My Age" stand-up tour. Tickets for the show at the Schottenstein Center go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. Follow this link to learn more about ticket information.

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The Philadelphia native is one of the highest-grossing comedians ever to go along with an over $4 billion gross for films he has starred in. Hart is also a fixture on American televisions every day with numerous brand partnerships and specials on streaming platforms.

His Columbus show will be the only one in Ohio but he will have other Midwest shows in Louisville, Kentucky (May 17), Grand Rapids, Michigan (June 7), Gary, Indiana (June 15), and Rockford, Illinois (June 21).

Categories: Ohio News

Ryan Day discusses Ohio State championship, golf cart crash on Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show

News Channel 4 - Tue, 01/28/2025 - 06:30

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Ryan Day’s appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon continued a week-long celebration and touched on Ohio State’s championship victory over Notre Dame, the rise of the team’s success after the Michigan loss, the golf-cart crash….

Day was a guest on NBC’s late-night talk show and Fallon didn’t let Day go without asking about a post-game crash that occurred with Day, quarterback Will Howard and linebacker Cody Simon as passengers.

The driver of the cart veered right into a concrete wall inside a tunnel at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans after the Buckeyes defeated the Fighting Irish 34-23 in the College Football Playoff National Championship.

“You’re stressed during the game, you finally take a deep breath, so we get on the golf cart to go to the press conference, and we are just gunning it. And then we took the corner and hit the wall,” Day said. “If you look back Will Howard is laughing his tail off and so is Cody Simon, and I’m looking at it like, ‘you gotta be kidding me right now’. It’s just amazing how you come right back down to earth like 20 minutes after.”

Day, with trophy in hand, also reflected on the path taken after the Buckeyes lost their last regular season game to rival Michigan.

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“I think there’s so many people that can learn from this team. … There was a point there where a lot of people doubted us, and the resilience of these guys to come back and win and finish, I think there’s a lot of life lessons to be learned there.” Day said.

“We get caught up in these things,” Day said as he pointed to the trophy. “But really at the end of the day, it’s about the lessons these guys are learning. And for people to watch this team overcome, to me that’s the story of the team.”

In college football's first 12-team College Football Playoff, the Buckeyes' run included a December home win over Tennesseerevenge against No. 1 Oregon, Jack Sawyer’s 83-yard touchdown return after a sack against Texas, and Jeremiah Smith’s 56-yard fourth-quarter catch against Notre Dame. It culminated on Jan. 20 when the Buckeyes became national champions for the first time since 2014.

Buckeyes fans celebrated en mass both in Atlanta and in Columbus, where fans gained access and stormed Ohio Stadium.

Students again lined up outside Ohio Stadium around on Sunday to get a chance to experience the Championship Rally on the field. Other celebrations included appearances by Howard and Sawyer, along with linebacker J.T. Tuimoloau at Raising Cane’s, trophy presentations at the Meijer on Polaris Parkway, Giant Eagle on campus and Kroger in Plain City.

Categories: Ohio News

Columbus chef, bakery, bar among James Beard Awards semifinalists

News Channel 4 - Tue, 01/28/2025 - 06:00

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A central Ohio chef, bakery and bar have been named among the semifinalists for this year's James Beard Awards, prestigious national honors that recognize talent in the culinary and food media industries.

Established in 1990, the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards celebrate excellence across all types of dining experiences, from fine dining to casual establishments. Ohio was recognized with 10 semifinalist nominations, including the following nods for Columbus:

  • Avishar Barua, chef and owner of Agni at 716 S. High St. in German Village, for "Best Chef: Great Lakes."
  • Dan the Baker at 1028 Ridge St. near Grandview Heights for "Outstanding Bakery."
  • Law Bird at 740 S. High St. in German Village for "Outstanding Bar."
  • Law Bird at 740 S. High St. in German Village. (Franklin County Auditor's Office)
  • Agni at 716 S. High St. in German Village. (Franklin County Auditor's Office)
  • Dan the Baker at 1028 Ridge St. near Grandview Heights. (Franklin County Auditor's Office)

Barua, who in addition owns Joya's at 657 High St. in Worthington, was also named a semifinalist for "Best Chef: Great Lakes" in 2024. This year, he's nominated alongside several other Ohio chefs, including Cleveland's Vinnie Cimino of Cordelia and Jeremy Umansky of Larder, and Cincinnati's David Jackman of Wildweed.

Former Resch’s employee opening bakery of his own in Grove City

"To be able to represent what Columbus means to those who have come before, continuing to grand it out today, and are preparing for a better tomorrow is an incomparable and frankly, a little frightening feeling," said Barua on social media. "Thanks [James Beard] for including us, Dan the Baker, Law Bird, and the hundreds of peers in our industry putting it out there all day every day for the future of hospitality."

Dan the Baker, run by Dan Riesenberger, is the sole Ohio nominee for the "Outstanding Bakery" category. Other nods include bakeries from New Hampshire to Hawaii that prepare "breads, pastries, or desserts that demonstrate consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations."

Law Bird was named to USA Today's nationwide Bars of the Year list in 2024, and is also the single Ohio representative in the "Outstanding Bar" category. Other semifinalists include wine, beer, cocktail and coffee bars from Brooklyn, New York, to Portland, Oregon.

"This is the type of thing we strive for, but honestly never quite believed would happen," Law Bird said on social media. "All of the Law Bird team, past and present deserves a huge congratulations. Our team gives it their all, and they deserve this recognition."

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The remaining Ohio semifinalists include Douglas Katz of Amba and Zhug in Cleveland for "Outstanding Restaurateur," Alexandra La Valle of Larder in Cleveland for "Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker," Jordan Anthony-Brown of The Aperture in Cincinnati for "Emerging Chef," and Mike Stankovich of Longfellow in Cincinnati for "Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service."

James Beard's nominees will be narrowed down to a list of finalists in April, followed by a presentation of the winners during a ceremony in June in Chicago.

"We congratulate the 2025 Restaurant and Chef Award semifinalists, each of whom displays a notable commitment to their craft and exemplifies leadership," said Lauren Saria and Erinn Tucker-Oluwole, Restaurant and Chef Awards Committee co-chairs. "It is an honor to recognize your distinctive talents that enrich America's culinary landscape."

Categories: Ohio News

Watch: Ohio troopers in police chase after one of their cruisers was stolen

News Channel 4 - Tue, 01/28/2025 - 05:00

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (WCMH) – A Chillicothe man accused of stealing a state patrol cruiser remains in jail on charges of theft and failure to comply with an officer after leading troopers on a high-speed chase in Ross County.

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, on Jan. 14, Tommy Cantrell Jr. jumped into the driver’s seat of an Ohio State Highway Patrol cruiser that was left running outside of a post just north of Chillicothe.

Troopers located the cruiser via GPS tracking and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. Cantrell fled on State Route 772 south of Chillicothe about 2:30 a.m., and a high-speed chase ensued.

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Dispatch communication heard over dash-camera footage noted that Cantrell, 44, reached speeds of up to 110 mph. Five minutes into the pursuit, Cantrell made a U-turn through a gas station at Valley Road and drove north back toward Chillicothe.

Troopers said the Chillicothe Police Department deployed stop sticks on Paint Street near Cooks Hill Road and, upon approaching a gas station near a railroad crossing, the cruiser came to a stop. The incident lasted about 30 minutes.

  • Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers arrest Tommy Cantrell after a police chase involving a stolen state cruiser (Courtesy/OSHP)
  • Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers arrest Tommy Cantrell after a police chase involving a stolen state cruiser (Courtesy/OSHP)
  • Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers arrest Tommy Cantrell after a police chase involving a stolen state cruiser (Courtesy/OSHP)
  • Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers arrest Tommy Cantrell after a police chase involving a stolen state cruiser (Courtesy/OSHP)
  • Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers arrest Tommy Cantrell after a police chase involving a stolen state cruiser (Courtesy/OSHP)
  • Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers arrest Tommy Cantrell after a police chase involving a stolen state cruiser (Courtesy/OSHP)

Troopers ordered Cantrell several times to show his hands and exit the vehicle. Cantrell, while leaning out the window with his hands up, replied multiple times, "I've got a seatbelt on, sir!"

He was then ordered to remove the seat belt and crawl out of the open window to the ground, before being detained.

"What are you doing?" one trooper asked.

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Cantrell replied that "something is going on at the (expletive) hospital, man," but followed the trooper's commands and was placed under arrest.

Charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle and failure to comply with a police officer, fourth- and third-degree felonies, respectively, Cantrell was issued a $25,000 bond in Ross County Municipal Court. No injuries were reported and the cruiser did not sustain any damage.

Cantrell remains in custody, according to the Ross County Sheriff's Office inmate roster, and he is expected to appear at a pretrial hearing Feb. 24.

Categories: Ohio News

How Sen. Jon Husted has backed Ohio school choice and religious education programs

News Channel 4 - Tue, 01/28/2025 - 04:30

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Within two minutes of Jon Husted accepting Gov. Mike DeWine's appointment to the U.S. Senate, he spoke of education.

"One of the first bills I introduced was a bill focused on school choice," said Husted, a former state legislator who served as DeWine's lieutenant governor. "And I remember thinking, ‘Who could possibly be against having the opportunity to give kids in failing schools a chance for a better education?’ And well, I quickly learned the hard truth that there were plenty of people and special interests that would fight against it.” 

Husted spoke of Ohio's EdChoice voucher program, which allows qualifying students to attend private school using state-funded scholarships. The voucher program is one of several educational programs Husted has supported that have received the pushback he mentioned while agreeing to serve out Vice President J.D. Vance's Senate term through 2026. Watch Husted agree to the term in the video player above.

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Ohio’s newest senator has been intertwined with multiple educational programs that opponents say defy the separation of church and state. Husted, and fellow proponents of EdChoice, charter schools and programs allowing religious education during the school day, argue these provide parents a choice in their students’ education and a chance to embrace religion. 

EdChoice was introduced to Ohio in 2005 under Husted, who was serving as Speaker of the Ohio House. The pilot EdChoice program was included in the 2005 General Assembly’s biennial budget bill and required first-time awardees to students at or below 200% of the poverty level or in a school that has been designated as being in a state of academic emergency for three years.

The voucher program has expanded dramatically after legislators introduced EdChoice-Exp, which allows any student, regardless of income or school district, to receive a state-sponsored voucher. After this expansion, the program became the subject of a lawsuit alleging the program harms public schools.

Husted, who lives in Upper Arlington, addressed Upper Arlington schools when they joined the lawsuit, writing that most families on the EdChoice scholarship were lower income families and said Upper Arlington’s involvement would waste taxpayer dollars. In 2024, more than 300 Upper Arlington students were on EdChoice-Exp but just 24 qualified as low income. According to the U.S. Census, the median income in Upper Arlington is $150,993, meaning many students may not be eligible for EdChoice.

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In Husted's advocacy for EdChoice and the charter schools that the program works with, he was connected to the Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow, the online charter school found to have taken more than $117 million in state dollars. ECOT students were reportedly paid to attend graduation and take state tests to get funding. In at least 2001 and 2002, the graduation ceremony took place at the Ohio Statehouse, an honor not bestowed to any other graduation.

Husted was ECOT’s commencement speaker in 2007 and 2003 and was its first and only “honorary graduate.” He was not the only noteworthy conservative speaker, along with current Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, former presidential candidate Jeb Bush, former Ohio Gov. John Kasich and television host Tucker Carlson. Husted also received at least $27,500 in political donations from ECOT from 2002 to 2007. According to the Ohio Association of Public School Employees, Husted and DeWine jointly received an additional $52,517 after 2010.

Husted is also closely associated with LifeWise, one of the largest religious release programs in the nation. In 2022 and 2023, Husted and the Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives hosted a series of roundtable meetings across the state featuring LifeWise Academy, which is based in Hilliard. Husted reached out to local districts and invited them to join him and LifeWise CEO and founder Joel Penton. NBC4 obtained a copy of one of these email invitations.

“I will be hosting a small, private, closed to press roundtable with local leaders in education and the non-profit community to discuss a growing movement to provide faith-based character development during school hours and off school property called ‘release time,’” the email, sent to educators in Lorain County, said. “I know how much educators and administrators have on their plates, so my intention is to create a forum for leaders to quickly learn more about this growing trend.”

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In recent years, LifeWise has become politicized. Opponents of LifeWise say the program takes away from the school day and pressures students to participate in teachings. Those in favor of LifeWise and release-time programs welcome it as an opportunity to incorporate religion into students' lives. Husted completed the statewide tour promoting LifeWise in his official capacity but said it wasn't political.

“When I do something publicly, it seems like it’s political. This isn’t political. This is about kids in the community," Husted said during a meeting promoted by LifeWise. "I am here as a lieutenant governor. Sure, the governor’s office of faith-based initiatives is behind us, but it’s not about me. It’s about the responsibility we have as Christians and as citizens to educate our children and to share the message of Jesus.”

Husted has repeatedly voiced support for LifeWise since, and he and Penton have maintained at least somewhat of a relationship. Penton and Husted were present for the signing of House Bill 8, known as the "Parents Bill of Rights."

Husted was sworn into the Senate last week, where he will serve until at least January 2027. In November 2026, he would have to run in a special election, with the winner serving out the rest of Vance's term, ending in 2028. It is unknown who will replace him as lieutenant governor.

Categories: Ohio News

Woman accuses Westerville police of intimidation, harassment in federal lawsuit

News Channel 4 - Tue, 01/28/2025 - 03:30

WESTERVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) – A central Ohio woman's lawsuit against the city of Westerville and members of its police department accuses officers of intimidation and harassment. 

The lawsuit, filed by Natasha Preece last week in U.S. District Court, claims police departments in Westerville and Seneca, South Carolina, conspired against her after she expressed concern about one of her sons moving in with a relative who previously abused her. 

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Along with Westerville, the legal action names the city of Seneca, and law enforcement officers with both cities' police departments, as defendants. 

The lawsuit states that Preece was sexually abused by a relative as a child, and that she has since generally avoided contact with that individual. The same relative and his spouse began showing a "disturbing amount of attention” to her two teenage sons in 2021, inviting them to travel and gifting them numerous items including iPhones, the filing says. 

Two years later, the couple began pushing for one of Preece’s sons, a senior in high school, to move to South Carolina to live with them. In October 2023, her son then withdrew from his local high school and moved states to live with the couple, according to the lawsuit. 

The legal filing says Preece's other son, who remained in Ohio with her, received a call the day after his brother’s move from the relative who tried to “convince him to manufacture false claims about his mother.” Preece then contacted West Virginia law enforcement to report the abuse she endured there as a child, and reported the circumstances surrounding her son’s move to the Westerville Police Department. 

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“Though Westerville officers were originally receptive to Plaintiff’s concerns, they quickly abandoned the investigation,” the lawsuit says.

The shift seemingly occurred immediately after Westerville police were contacted by a member of the Seneca Police Department, who is “familiar and friendly” with the relative, according to the lawsuit. The filing claims the Seneca officer and the couple actively conspired to silence Preece and prevent her from ensuring her son's safety. 

Preece claims when she contacted the Seneca Police Department to request a wellness check on her son, she was told that the request would be documented as harassment. In November 2023, Preece learned her son was in Tennessee and called a local department there to conduct a wellness check. 

A couple months later, in January 2024, the Seneca law enforcement official who was friends with the relative filed an arrest warrant for Preece for second-degree misdemeanor harassment. Preece said in her suit that the individual who filed the warrant knew the allegations within it were false, and that the warrant was intended to silence her.

Preece was arrested by Westerville police after they were made aware of the warrant by Seneca police, despite South Carolina officers knowing extradition was impossible on a misdemeanor charge, the filing claims.

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“Even had it been issued in good faith, the warrant only authorized [Preece’s] arrest by South Carolina law enforcement officials acting within their legal authority,” the lawsuit says. “As such, [Seneca police] were aware that they were soliciting Westerville officers to act in an unlawful and unconstitutional manner.”

Preece was held in the Franklin County jail for three days before a hearing, where a judge freed her on her own recognizance, meaning she did not have to pay bail. At a second hearing in February 2024, a Franklin County judge dismissed the case against Preece, according to the lawsuit. 

Over the past year, Preece alleges that Westerville law enforcement officers have regularly parked in front of her home, in a “calculated effort” to intimidate her into remaining silent about her “unlawful arrest.”

The lawsuit also states a Seneca police official has made comments about tracking Preece’s location. Conduct by both Westerville and Seneca officers were not related to any genuine law enforcement activity, and are an attempt to silence her about her past abuse as well as prevent her from having contact with her son, the filing says. 

The City of Westerville said it cannot comment on pending litigation. 

Categories: Ohio News

New member named to Columbus City Council

News Channel 4 - Mon, 01/27/2025 - 20:26

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Columbus City Council voted unanimously to appoint Otto Beatty III to the vacant District 7 seat as former councilmember Shayla Favor becomes Franklin County Prosecutor.  

"I take nothing for granted,” Beatty said moments after council voted him to the seat. “We had over 40 people that applied and then 30 were brought forward and then 10 finalists, some of them that I know well, some of them that I've worked with in the past, and it's exciting to me that we have so many dedicated citizens who are willing to, to step up. And so, I'm just excited.”

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City Council took applications for the open seat through early December. Then, 10 finalists were invited to a public hearing where they pitched themselves to the public.  

District 7 covers most of Downtown Columbus, German Village, Franklinton, Italian Village, Victorian Village and Short North neighborhoods.  

Council President Shannon Hardin addressed the appointment after the vote. 

"Congratulations, Councilmember Beatty,” he said. “We wanted a council member who would be ready to address the biggest issues facing our city on day one and in that view of this council, that is housing. Otto is someone who not just has strong ties to the neighborhood, he has used his background in real estate, business, and law to mentor others who similarly want to learn to be a part of the solution. Even though Otto is new to council, he is not new to service.” 

Beatty, stepson of Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), has served on the City of Columbus Downtown Commission, North East Area Commission, and as Commissioner of the City of Columbus Development Commission. 

"My predecessor, Shayla Favor, was the leader on council in that area, and we actually worked together to bring some housing to the Near East Side outside of a high school, all affordable units," said Beatty, an entrepreneur, attorney, and real estate investor according to his City Council application.  

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He is focused on making an immediate impact in area housing.  

“Thirty years ago, when I came back to Columbus, 1994, ‘93, and I got out of school, I was able to get my first apartment, and within a couple of years, I was able to get my first home,” he said. "Nowadays, many of our young professionals that want to be in Columbus, they've done all the right things. Nowadays, they can't do that type of thing. They might be living in the basement. They only aspire to get that first home as a young adult. 

"I'm hoping in the area of housing that we can open up opportunities for all the citizens and not just those, you know, young professionals, but older adults who may be struggling with those things, such as property taxes and changing neighborhoods, and then also the unhoused,” he added. 

Beatty had previously said he would not seek election for the District 7 seat this November, a position he reiterated after the appointment. 

"Public service is a gift but it's a temporary gift,” he said. “You're going to devote your energy, your time, and your effort to doing the best that you can for the constituents.” 

Beatty was sworn in shortly after the council meeting Monday night. 

Beatty's appointment comes the same day his predecessor Favor announced the members of her team to aid in her transition to the county's prosecutor's post.

Categories: Ohio News

Five Hilliard Darby students charged after classroom altercation

News Channel 4 - Mon, 01/27/2025 - 20:01

HILLIARD, Ohio (WCMH) -- Five students are facing charges after an altercation in a classroom at Hilliard Darby High School Monday. 

According to Hilliard police, officers responded to the school at approximately 8 a.m. A statement from school principal Matt Middleton said the students were then removed from the building. 

Police said four of the students have been charged with inciting a riot while the fifth is charged with disorderly conduct. 

The incident remains under investigation. 

There will be an increased police presence at the school on Tuesday. 

Middleton’s full statement sent to district parents on Monday is below. 

I want to address an incident that occurred today at school. There was an altercation involving several students, which required intervention by staff. The situation was over quickly. The involved students were removed from the building, and we are working with the Hilliard Police to investigate further. 

We are committed to providing a safe and respectful learning environment for every student, and incidents like this are taken very seriously. 

We ask for your help in reinforcing appropriate behavior with your child. Please remind them about the importance of showing respect to others and adhering to school expectations. Additionally, we urge you to discourage the spread of rumors, as it can create unnecessary fear or confusion. If your child has concerns or questions, please encourage them to reach out to a trusted teacher, counselor, or administrator—we are here to support them. 

As an added precaution, Hilliard Police will have an increased presence at Darby tomorrow.  Thank you for your partnership in keeping our school community safe and focused on learning. 

Categories: Ohio News

Law enforcement denies awareness of ICE raids in central Ohio

News Channel 4 - Mon, 01/27/2025 - 17:00

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- NBC4 has been digging into tips from viewers about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests in central Ohio.  

More than a dozen law enforcement sources, both federal and local, did not confirm that ICE is arresting people in central Ohio, with many of the agencies saying they are still waiting for guidance. 

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The special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Columbus District said that across the country, DEA agents have been called to assist with immigration arrests. 

The DEA spokesman said agents had been granted Title 8 authority, allowing DEA officers to perform arrests tied to immigration. However, he said that to his knowledge, no one in the Columbus office has been called to help and he is unaware of any raids in the area. 

Homeland Security and ICE are in charge of these missions; neither returned a request for comment. 

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office said six inmates in Franklin County jails have been on ICE detainers since Jan. 20. One of those inmates was arrested on ICE-related charges while the other five are being held on local charges. 

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“The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office follows all applicable laws and remains committed to serving and protecting our community,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. 

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office said it has not received information from federal enforcement agencies relating to deportation. The sheriff’s office said it has a partnership with the U.S. Marshals Service to hold charged suspects until they are sentence to prison, but at this point, none of those being held are ICE detainees. 

The Butler County Sheriff’s Office also said it is not holding ICE detainees. The U.S. Marshals Service in Columbus said it has not been made aware of any ICE arrests. 

Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther said on Friday that he has not been given any official word about ICE arrests and said he plans to keep Columbus as a welcoming city to all. Ginther cited an executive order he signed in 2017 that protects the rights of immigrants to be here; the order states, “It shall be the policy of the City of Columbus to vigorously oppose any effort to require the use of local taxpayer resources for the enforcement of federal immigration policy.”  

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“We're going to continue to focus on those things, look for opportunities to partner with the new administration, but also stand up and protect our values,” Ginther said. “We believe that one of the reasons this is one of the fastest growing economies in the Midwest, in the envy for much of the nation, is because we welcome everybody." 

Ginther’s office said on Monday that nothing had changed for the city over the weekend. 

Categories: Ohio News

Families of survivors urge education on Holocaust Remembrance Day

News Channel 4 - Mon, 01/27/2025 - 16:30

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Relatives of Holocaust survivors, state leaders, and other community members gathered at the Ohio Statehouse on Monday to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day.  

The day is commemorated on the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the deadliest concentration camp, with 2025 marking the 80th anniversary. 

“It’s a poignant memorable day for me and it's full of emotion and his whole family was murdered there, he was the only survivor. It's not an easy day," Debbi Sugarman said. 

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Sugarman’s father Morrish Dach survived the Holocaust after spending more than two years in Auschwitz. 

“We can't forget the 6 million Jews and almost 5 million other marginalized communities,” Sugarman said. “I'm not going to forget my family. I’m not going to let my father down so it's very important to me." 

Sugarman's father, who died about 20 years ago, would often speak to others about his experiences. Now, Sugarman does to make sure people never forget what happened. 

Monday's commemoration, organized by the Ohio Holocaust and Genocide Memorial and Education Commission (OHGMEC), started inside the statehouse, then ended at the Holocaust memorial outside.  

“I was thinking how we’re all complaining about the cold and how 80 years ago today, my dad was on a death march in the forest after surviving over two years in Auschwitz," Sugarman said. “I have an employee today that told me he didn't know what the holocaust was and he’s in his 20s and had never learned about it, so that makes it even more important to me.”

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As time passes, more and more survivors are not alive to tell their own stories, so there is a focus on keeping their stories alive. 

“The world must know and we gather to tell the stories like Debbi's father’s story and so many countless others that every time I hear one of the stories, I am in awe of the strength and the will that so many people were able to find to survive," Congregation Beth Tikvah Rabbi Rick Kellner said. 

OHGMEC is planning other events around the state for later this year. 

Categories: Ohio News

One name tops pundits' short list for Ohio lieutenant governor

News Channel 4 - Mon, 01/27/2025 - 16:00

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio is without a lieutenant governor now that Jon Husted is a U.S. Senator.    

Husted’s appointment to Washington came just two weeks ago, and now Gov. Mike DeWine needs to pick someone to fill the post.  

“[The lieutenant governor] just has to be ready at a moment's notice if the governor's incapacitated for any reason whatsoever,” Republican strategist Mike Gonidakis said. “It's a very important constitutional office. However, the direct impact it has on everyday Ohioans' lives is very limited. That's why they seek other opportunities in state government.”

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While the lieutenant governor does not have many direct constitutional requirements, Gonidakis said whoever is chosen for the job will be able to craft their position. 

“In the past, we've seen Lt. Gov. Husted, now senator, he was in charge of workforce development,” Gonidakis said. “We've seen former lieutenant governors have other cabinet agency positions.” 

Both Gonidakis and President and CEO of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce Derrick R. Clay said there is one person they think is the frontrunner for the job. 

“It makes sense if Director [of the Ohio Department of Development] Lydia Mihalik is selected for that role,” Clay said. “She has been particularly strong for the business community throughout Ohio. If there was anybody that I think could just jump into the job, understand the needs of the business community in Ohio, it would be Director Mihalik.” 

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“I really think it's going to come down to Miss Mihalik,” Gonidakis said. “The governor sees her as a strong leader, someone that we can all work with and would do a great job for the state of Ohio. I don't believe any current statewide office holder would be on any shortlist, nor do they want it because they have their own paths.” 

A spokesperson for Mihalik at the Department of Development said they are “unable to comment on unofficial matters and would refer any additional questions you may have to the Governor’s office.” DeWine’s office said there is no update about the pending appointment at this time.  

Clay said he would like to see whoever is appointed, even if it is not Mihalik, take on economic development from day one. 

“New initiatives are going to be a little bit more difficult to get off the ground,” he said. “So, I'm hoping that the lieutenant governor, whoever that person is, comes in and continues the good work that that this administration has been doing for the business community and sets the new administration up for even bigger and better things.” 

DeWine does get to appoint someone, but his pick will need to be approved by the Ohio House and Senate. 

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“[DeWine] is not going to put someone up for confirmation that wouldn't be able to get through the House and Senate,” Gonidakis said. “We have a budget that has to get to the governor's desk by July 1. I don't think [lawmakers] are going to spend a lot of time or capital on this as long as it's a good, solid, proven individual, male or female.” 

“We asked the governor, ‘Can you run the name or two by us before it gets announced,’” Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman (R-Lima) said.
“Starting off, we would certainly give deference to the governor. But I don't want my members to be surprised, and I ask my members, please don't hold a press conference and say you think you'd be a great lieutenant governor. That would perhaps disrupt the process.” 

Categories: Ohio News

Why Ohio State athletics revenue was down in the 2024 fiscal year and expenses were up

News Channel 4 - Mon, 01/27/2025 - 15:43

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- In the last fiscal year, Ohio State's athletics department made nearly $25 million less in revenue than in the 2023 fiscal year. And there is a simple explanation.

The university said the athletics department made just over $254 million in the 2024 fiscal year (July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024), compared with a record $279.5 million made in the 2023 fiscal year, according to the NCAA's annual financial report.

Every year, a resounding amount of Ohio State's athletics revenue comes from ticket sales for home football games, with almost 23% of the department's revenue last fiscal year coming from ticket sales for eight home football games. The Buckeyes had only six home games in the 2023 season, which counts towards the 2024 fiscal year.

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The decrease in home football games sent the ticket sales from $64.3 million in the 2023 fiscal year to $47.8 million in the 2024 fiscal year, a 25% reduction. Among the Buckeyes football games at Ohio Stadium during the fiscal year was a 20-12 victory over No. 7 Penn State on Oct. 21, 2023.

Football and baseball were the only Buckeyes sports who ticket revenue decreased while every other sport increased. After a 98% increase last fiscal year, women's basketball ticket sales jumped another 70% to close in on $1 million. Included in the women's basketball ticket sales is last January's sellout where the Buckeyes upset Iowa and star Caitlin Clark 100-92 in overtime.

Ohio State Buckeyes - Wikipedia SportOhio State Buckeyes - Wikipedia Ticket revenue in FY24Ohio State Buckeyes - Wikipedia Change from FY23Football$47,853,040-25.6%Men's Basketball$4,901,472+3.4%Not related to specific teams$3,218,768+39.6%Women's Basketball$953,149+70.2%Men's Ice Hockey$717,079+45%Men's Wrestling$414,687+13.4%Women's Volleyball$321,653+5.1%Women's Gymnastics$125,383+21.5%Baseball$75,758-15.7%Men's Lacrosse$123,328+52.9%Women's Ice Hockey$35,451Not reportedSoftball$48,883Not reportedData courtesy of the NCAA Membership Financial Reporting System

While revenue decreased, expenses increased. Buckeyes athletics spent $292 million last fiscal year compared with $274 million in 2023 fiscal year. The largest spending increase came in severance payments with a 5,570% increase from $162,000 to more than $9 million.

A majority of that increase likely comes from the firing of men's basketball coach Chris Holtmann on Feb. 14, who had a buyout of $12.8 million with the four years remaining on his contract. Other large spending increases include:

  • Athletic student aid ($3M increase)
  • Coaching salaries ($9M)
  • Support staff wages ($5M)
  • Direct overhead and administrative expenses ($4M)

During the fiscal year, Buckeyes football finished 11-2 for a third successive season with a road loss to Michigan ending the team's playoff hopes. The season ended with a 14-3 Cotton Bowl loss to Missouri.

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Ohio State men's basketball missed the NCAA Tournament for a second straight year while the women's team won the Big Ten regular season, but followed that up with a second-round exit in the NCAA Tournament. The women's ice hockey team won its second national championship in three seasons while men's tennis and men's fencing won conference titles.

Next year's revenue report should see a strong increase thanks to the Buckeyes 2024 football national championship that included a home playoff win over Tennessee, a Rose Bowl win over Oregon, a Cotton Bowl victory over Texas, and winning the title game in Atlanta over Notre Dame.

Categories: Ohio News

Initial rape charges against Marion councilmember dismissed, but more may come

News Channel 4 - Mon, 01/27/2025 - 11:30

MARION, Ohio (WCMH) – The case against a Marion City Council member, who was set to face trial on three felony rape charges, has been dismissed -- at least temporarily.

According to court documents, a motion was filed on behalf of the Marion County prosecutor’s office seeking an entry of nolle prosequi without prejudice of all counts of an indictment against Marion City Councilmember Ayers Ratliff.

The motion, filed Tuesday and heard Friday in the Marion Court of Common Pleas, seeks the dismissal due to additional and "substantial evidence" that will need to be reviewed, with the possibility that Ratliff may be reindicted. For previous coverage of Ratliff's indictment and charges view the video player above.

The motion states, “The evidence continues to amass. Surprisingly, Ratliff’s attorneys – by providing potential witnesses and hundreds of pages of new discovery material – have unwittingly given the prosecution team additional leads that will need to be reviewed by a Marion County grand jury.”

Prosecutors could ask the grand jury to determine if new felony charges are warranted, the motion said. Judge Matthew Frericks granted the motion, and Ratliff's bond was released.

The charges, three counts of felony rape, stem from allegations that he raped a 13-year-old. In August, Ratliff was indicted on rape, a first-degree felony; gross sexual imposition, a fourth-degree felony; and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, a third-degree felony.

According to a criminal complaint, Ratliff was arrested after the child texted a friend after the alleged assault. The friend then relayed the messages to a school guidance counselor, who called the police.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation was called to assist in the investigation, and the victim was taken to a hospital for a sexual assault examination. Police also executed a search warrant at the location of the reported rape, where several clothes described by the victim were collected, as well as other physical evidence and electronic devices. Ratliff was arrested May 20.

Ratliff is still listed as a Marion City Councilmember on the city’s website, and his term expires Dec. 31. He was present at the most recent council meeting on Jan. 21, according to the committee minutes. It was not immediately clear whether he would seek a new term.

Categories: Ohio News

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