Ohio News

LEWIS CENTER, Ohio (WCMH) -- A Lewis Center site once home to a Wendy's and Tim Hortons and then left abandoned has finally found a new tenant.

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen soft opened its new restaurant at 9037 Owenfield Drive earlier this month, and will officially welcome chicken sandwich enthusiasts with a grand-opening celebration on May 9. The site is operated by the Gilligan Company, a Cincinnati-based franchisee that owns an array of chain restaurants in Ohio.

Look inside: $6.9 million secluded Delaware estate with infinity saltwater pool

The Popeyes was built from scratch after the building housing a combination Wendy's and Tim Hortons was demolished. Wendy's and Tim Hortons had closed several years before the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving the structure abandoned for several years.

Wendy's and Tim Hortons had closed several years before the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving the structure abandoned for several years. (Delaware County Auditor's Office)

Gilligan's new Popeyes comes after the company opened another location last year at 9980 Johnstown Road in New Albany, with a third new restaurant planned for 7072 Sawmill Road near Dublin. The new locations add to Gilligan's other Popeyes near Cincinnati and in Indiana.

Gilligan also operates a series of Dunkin's locations in central Ohio, including the company's former Subway location at 1576 W. 5th Avenue near Grandview which was transformed into a Dunkin' several years ago. The company still owns a few central Ohio subway locations, along with several convenience stores and gas stations.

Popeyes is just one of several new food offerings to open in Lewis Center, including a shop boasted as Ohio's "biggest coffeehouse." Named Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co., the Michigan-based brand is now welcoming patrons to the new shop at 8911 S. Old State Road near Polaris Fashion Place.

Ohio Native Plant Month: What could grow in your garden this April

In addition, a Columbus restaurateur who owns a trio of Asian fusion eateries in central Ohio is expanding with a new create-your-own stir fry restaurant in Lewis Center. WY Mongolian Grill is opening this spring at 833 Columbus Pike, taking over a 6,000-square-foot building previously home to Asian Garden Buffet.

Lewis Center's new Popeyes is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

DELAWARE, Ohio (WCMH) – A Delaware County woman facing felony charges related to the abuse of children was indicted this week.

According to the Delaware Court of Common Pleas, Rhonda Coomes of Randor was arrested Jan. 26 and initially charged with one count of kidnaping. At the time, the sheriff’s office said the charge was a “placeholder” and that Coomes, who owned and operated her own in-home daycare, would likely “be charged with felonies related to her physical abuse of more than a half-dozen different kids.”

On Wednesday a grand jury returned an indictment of 17 charges. They include:

• Three counts of kidnaping
• 14 counts of endangering children

One dead after car with bullet holes found at Ohio State’s Wexner Medical Center

The charges encompass a timeframe between January 2021 through September 2023 and involve eight children under the age of 13.  Among the charges are accusations of torture, abuse, restraint, physical harm. The kidnaping charge is a first-degree felony, and the child endangerment charge constitutes a third-degree felony.

Coomes was originally issued a $500,000 bond for one kidnaping charge in February. She will next appear in court Monday for an arraignment hearing on all 17 charges.

Rhonda Coomes (Courtesy/Delaware County Jail)

According to court documents, in September, Coomes allegedly injured a 10-month-old girl by hitting her multiple times in the face with the palm of her hand and six times with a “hard plastic diaper wipe container.” The child suffered a black eye, court records state.

Coomes also allegedly threw the child onto her back into a playpen and then hit her, according to court records.

Newark residents continue dispute with cemetery over gravesite decoration policy

“The defendant had her restrained to the highchair or restrained to a chair, struck the child on a number of occasions with an open hand to the face, then used a hard plastic diaper wipe container to strike the infant again repeatedly in the face,” said Mark Sleeper, a Delaware County assistant prosecutor.

That same day, Coomes allegedly abused a 3-year-old for not eating fast enough. She is now accused of abusing six additional children.

If you believe child abuse and neglect is happening, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services has launched 855-OH-Child (855-642-4453), an automated telephone directory that will link callers to a child welfare of law enforcement office in their county.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Ohio State spring football game is set for Saturday and fans are expected to pack Ohio Stadium to see what the Buckeyes have been working on since March 5.

There are plenty of new faces (Will Howard, Caleb Downs, Seth McLaughlin) mixed in with some familiar, experienced players (TreVeyon Henderson, Devin Brown, Jack Sawyer). And as Ryan Day returns for his sixth season as head coach, there are new additions to the coaching staff, including former UCLA head coach Chip Kelly, who comes in as the Buckeyes offensive coordinator.

Kickoff for the annual spring game is set for noon. Here's a look at three things to watch for on Saturday.

Ohio State offensive line taking shape with Seth McLaughlin seeking a role The quarterback battle

With Kyle McCord gone, the quarterback room is crowded with returning players and fresh faces, including a transfer out of Kansas State, who's been considered to be the frontrunner for the starting position this entire spring.

Former Wildcats QB Will Howard has sounded poised and ready to be a leader since his arrival in Columbus. And after winning a Big 12 title with Kansas State, Howard has his sights set on winning a championship with the Buckeyes.

“I’ve got one more year. I didn’t come here to be nervous or to be timid or anything like that. I’m ready to go,” Howard said. “Nothing is too big for me, nothing is too big for this team — certainly not spring ball. It’s going to be a lot of learning across the board. But I’m excited for that. I want to embrace that.”

Challenging Howard for the starting spot is Lincoln Keinholz and Devin Brown. Both rotated with the first team during the "Student Appreciation Day" scrimmage and Brown, who started for Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, is as eager as anyone to compete for the title of QB1.

“I have all the confidence in the world. I’ll never doubt myself," Brown said. "I’ll never have any waivers or anything like that. I’m always going to think I’m the best quarterback in the room, I’m the best quarterback in the country. So I’m going to attack it like that.”

No matter who takes the first reps on Saturday, don't expect a concrete answer to who the starting quarterback will be this fall. But we should see significant action from at least Howard and Brown, with Keinholz expected to get in the mix as well.

A first look at Chip Kelly's offense with the Buckeyes

When Bill O'Brien left to become the head coach at Boston College, it didn't take long for Ryan Day to make the call to his old friend and former boss, Chip Kelly. Their relationship goes back decades to their time in New Hampshire and now the two are reunited with the goals of beating Michigan and winning a national championship.

Kelly is expected to take over play-calling duties but said that the decision-making will be very collaborative with Day.

“By that I mean if it’s a good play, I called it, and if it’s a bad play, [Day] called it,” Kelly said to a round of laughter from reporters.

Kelly will also be taking over as the quarterbacks coach, a task he got the itch to do again during bowl preparations at UCLA last year after his quarterbacks coach left for Oregon State.

“I just started to think, I hadn’t actually coached a position since 2008. And I think my wife remarked, ‘I haven’t seen you this happy in a long time.’ To me, the best part of football is football,” Kelly said.

His experience speaks for itself with success at both the professional and college levels. Whatever we see on Saturday on the offensive side of the ball, Kelly likely had a hand in creating it.

The starting five on the offensive line

One of the more competitive position battles in the spring, other than quarterback, has been with the unit designed to protect the QB. And among the players vying for a spot on the starting five is former Alabama center Seth McLaughlin.

“He just jumped right in. Unbelievable job both ways. Of him just coming in, shelving the ego. He really had none,” offensive line coach Justin Frye said. “There’s a learning curve there, it’s just circling back to what he had…. So you’re still learning new terminology and you’re learning a new skill set. But he just dove right in and wanted to be a sponge and wanted to learn and he’s improving every day.”

McLaughlin is eager to put his past mistakes as Alabama's center in the rearview mirror. But he hasn't viewed the past 14 spring practices as a competition.

“I think the best five guys are going to play whatever that may be and I’m thankful that’s not my decision to make, that’s the coaches. But it’s been good,” McLaughlin said. “We’re getting reps with each different group. Everybody. So that’s not just the centers. It’s every single position.”

Frye promised that he'll have a good picture of where the offensive line is headed after the spring. Saturday's game should illustrate that well.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- April is Native Plant Month in Ohio, and residents of the state can celebrate while also preserving native flora in their gardens and yards.

Chief Botanist for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Rick Gardner said that people often have the mindset that plants from Europe and Asia are better than ones from North America. He challenged this claim, and encouraged people to contribute to the continuation of the region's native plants.

"What we have here in North America is starting to go away," Gardner said. "Native plants provide just as much beauty and landscaping as our European and Asian plants."

In 2019, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed a bill into law designating April as Native Plant Month, making Ohio the first state in the country to recognize the importance of native plants for a whole month. On March 20, the U.S. Senate approved a resolution making April 2024 National Native Plant Month.

72 homes planned for south of Delaware’s 270-acre Addison Farms development

Gardner explained how native plants are crucial to the well-being of local habitats.

"Our native wildflowers are best for pollinators because they are the plants that the pollinators have evolved with and know them best, and provide the most nourishment," Gardner said. "So, it's important to have these plants since so much of our landscape is now urban and suburban landscapes."

Regardless of environmental reasons, Gardner said there are perks to native plants a beginning gardener may enjoy.

"It's also a joy to have them," Gardner said. "Because they're low maintenance. And then you get all these pollinators coming to your yard."

Multi-family housing development will bring four affordable units to Weinland Park

Native plants that Gardner said Ohio residents can plant in their gardens and yards include:

• Red osier dogwood
• Cardinal flower
• Ninebark
• Serviceberry
• Purple coneflower
• Virginia bluebell
• Butterfly weed
• Milkweed
• Poke milkweed
• Swamp milkweed
• Rattlesnake root
• Virginia mountain mint
• Tiger swallowtails
• Wood poppy
• Winterberry holly
• Tulip poplar
• Honeysuckle vine

To learn about Native Plant Month, where to buy native plants and more, visit ohionativeplantmonth.org.

DELAWARE, Ohio (WCMH) -- A southern Delaware County estate on more than nine acres is on the market for $6.9 million, complete with an infinity saltwater pool, a putting green and a historic 1880s barn housing the owner's car collection.

The 11,032-square-foot home was built in 2012. (Courtesy Photo/Amy Conley with Cutler Real Estate)

The 11,032-square-foot home was custom-built in 2012 with six bedrooms, seven full bathrooms, three half bathrooms and an elevator servicing all four floors. The property features a list of amenities, including a 3,400-square-foot putting green and a walk-out lower level opening to the infinity saltwater pool with an 18-foot sundeck.

Most expensive homes sold in Franklin, Delaware counties in March

"The abundance of natural wooded areas combines beautifully with the park-like landscaping, and the attention to details in the outdoor amenities is exceptional," said Amy Conley, the property's real estate salesperson and the team lead of Cutler Real Estate. "I've never seen anything like it."

• Inside the 11,032-square-foot Delaware home. (Courtesy Photo/Amy Conley with Cutler Real Estate)
• Inside the 11,032-square-foot Delaware home. (Courtesy Photo/Amy Conley with Cutler Real Estate)
• Inside the 11,032-square-foot Delaware home. (Courtesy Photo/Amy Conley with Cutler Real Estate)
• Inside the 11,032-square-foot Delaware home. (Courtesy Photo/Amy Conley with Cutler Real Estate)
• Inside the 11,032-square-foot Delaware home. (Courtesy Photo/Amy Conley with Cutler Real Estate)
• Inside the 11,032-square-foot Delaware home. (Courtesy Photo/Amy Conley with Cutler Real Estate)
• Inside the 11,032-square-foot Delaware home. (Courtesy Photo/Amy Conley with Cutler Real Estate)
• Inside the 11,032-square-foot Delaware home. (Courtesy Photo/Amy Conley with Cutler Real Estate)
• Inside the 11,032-square-foot Delaware home. (Courtesy Photo/Amy Conley with Cutler Real Estate)

Inside, the substantial great room features floor-to-ceiling windows that continue through the main dining space and lead to the home's premier kitchen with high-end appliances, four masonry fireplaces and walnut hardwood plank flooring. A phantom screened porch connects off the main living room, providing views of the Olentangy River.

How buying a central Ohio home could change this summer

Up the stairs, the primary bedroom includes an observation deck, fireplace, a butler's kitchen and a marble bathroom with a cupula and barreled ceiling over the walk-in shower. A fully equipped bar area, a home theatre, exercise room, billiard room and a large recreation room round out the home's features.

• The 11,032-square-foot home was built in 2012. (Courtesy Photo/Amy Conley with Cutler Real Estate)
• The 11,032-square-foot home was built in 2012. (Courtesy Photo/Amy Conley with Cutler Real Estate)
• The 11,032-square-foot home was built in 2012. (Courtesy Photo/Amy Conley with Cutler Real Estate)
• The 11,032-square-foot home was built in 2012. (Courtesy Photo/Amy Conley with Cutler Real Estate)
• Inside the 11,032-square-foot Delaware home. (Courtesy Photo/Amy Conley with Cutler Real Estate)
• The 11,032-square-foot home was built in 2012. (Courtesy Photo/Amy Conley with Cutler Real Estate)
• The 11,032-square-foot home was built in 2012. (Courtesy Photo/Amy Conley with Cutler Real Estate)
• Inside the 11,032-square-foot Delaware home. (Courtesy Photo/Amy Conley with Cutler Real Estate)
• Inside the 11,032-square-foot Delaware home. (Courtesy Photo/Amy Conley with Cutler Real Estate)

The estate is also home to a barn constructed in the 1880s that was relocated and repurposed into a "car barn," including the structure's original beams. The re-milled hardwood floors were placed on a new foundation with a walk-out lower level for easy access.

View a previous report on how sports betting can affect Ohioans' taxes in the video player above.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – For the first time in five years, taxes are actually due on Tax Day.

Federal and state taxes are due Monday. Between the COVID-19 pandemic, holidays and weekends, it’s the first time the IRS deadline has fallen on April 15 since 2019. 

Taxpayers have until Monday to file an extension. Individual tax filers, regardless of income, can request an automatic extension using IRS Free File. You’ll have until Oct. 15 to file returns – but your deadline to pay any taxes you might owe will still be April 15.

Federal tax filing

Although Ohio is not one of the states participating in the IRS Direct File pilot, some Ohioans can still file their federal taxes directly with the IRS. Taxpayers with a 2023 adjusted gross income of $79,000 or less can use IRS Free File. 

Other Ohioans may be able to qualify for free tax return preparation. If you earn $64,000 or less, are disabled or speak limited English, you’re eligible for the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, and taxpayers 60 and older or who have retirement-related issues are eligible for the Tax Counseling for Elderly program.

The IRS expects most online tax returns to be processed within 21 days and paper returns to be processed within a month. You can check your refund status using the IRS Where’s My Refund tool or on the IRS2Go mobile app. 

The IRS has a bevy of resources for filers on its website, including information about necessary documents, correcting a tax return, setting up a payment plan and reporting fraudulent tax return preparers. You can also visit an IRS taxpayer assistance center. The Columbus location is at 200 N. High St. Find the nearest one to you on the IRS website.

Those looking for a tax preparation service can check the Better Business Bureau’s database of tax preparation service providers, including BBB-accredited tax preparers.

State tax filing

Many Ohioans can file their state tax returns directly with the state using the OH|TAX eServices website. To access all tax forms, you’ll need to register with the state’s e-filing service using an individual or school district income tax form from the past five tax years or a driver’s license or state ID card issued after Dec. 31, 2021.

To register with and use OH|TAX eServices, you’ll need to do so from the U.S. or Canada. 

Some Ohio towns and cities use the Regional Income Tax Agency to collect their municipal income taxes. RITA has a list of municipalities – with corresponding tax rates – on its website.

The Ohio Department of Taxation has a self-help library for resources on filing returns, checking refund status, making and scheduling payments, and other tax-related tasks. The department’s income tax customer service line will have extended hours – 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. – Friday and Monday. You can reach them at 800-282-1780.

The Department of Taxation’s help center, located at 4485 Northland Ridge Blvd. in Columbus, is open for walk-in help from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Monday. It’ll also be open from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

Columbus and Central Ohio Weather QUICK WEATHER FORECAST:

• Today: Rain showers, windy, high 53
• Tonight: Decreasing clouds, windy, low 42
• Saturday: Sunshine, breezy, high 63
• Sunday: Partly sunny, isolated showers, high 74
• Monday: Partly cloudy, high 76
• Tuesday: Isolated showers, breezy, high 77

FORECAST DISCUSSION:

Happy Friday!

Rain will be much lighter today, but it will still linger. Expect showers to roll back in by about mid-morning, and last for much of the afternoon. In addition to the showers, we will be very windy, with gusts 40-50 MPH. Highs fall back to the lower 50s.

Rain tapers this evening, then clouds break overnight. We'll see more sunshine Saturday, with highs warming to the low to mid 60s. We will be less windy, but still breezy. A nice spring day for the Ohio State spring game!

On Sunday, we're looking at just a few isolated shower chances, but far from a washout. Still a bit breezy, with highs warming into the middle 70s and partly sunny skies.

By Monday, temperatures continue to warm, into the mid to upper 70s. We'll see mainly sunny to partly cloudy skies, with a mainly dry start to the workweek.

Going into Tuesday and lasting through the middle of the workweek, we'll see a few isolated, spotty shower chances at times, but lots of dry time in there, too. Temperatures warm into the upper 70s for a stretch.

-McKenna

NEWARK, Ohio (WCMH) - A group in Newark is battling with Cedar Hill Cemetery management over grave site decorations.

The group plans to take legal action against the cemetery and the City of Newark who owns and operates it.

Sunbury man gets 30 charges after warden seizes 40 dogs from home

"I have family here. I have a brother buried back there. Nephew. Grandmother. I spend a lot of time here," Karen Hunt-Mitchell said.

She's been a frequent visitor to the cemetery for a long time, but has cut back on her visits in the last year.

"This is a cemetery. This is where you come to grieve, you know, leave us alone. We just want to be left alone. We just want a little peace," Hunt-Mitchell said.

"At first it was every day, just a walk," Hunt-Mitchell said. "And I walk all through here. Sometimes I'll come and walk a couple of times a day. I was told I needed to go walk. So, this is a safe place to come along. Now I come every now and then. Not like I used to. It's not the same.

About one year ago this April is when the current superintendent of the cemetery, Chance Patznick, put up signs warning of removal of decorations that did not align with the cemetery standards. All across the cemetery you could see flowers, bird feeders, mementos, night lights for the headstones and all sorts of keepsakes. Those were all to be removed.

At one point, several frequent visitors of the cemetery said they found a trash can full of people's decorations.

"The wind blew them away," Hunt-Mitchell said. "Didn't you know that they. Yeah. The wind blown away. Now, in the summertime, when they were taken, I found them, and I came and got them. But when we came back out for Christmas, I. I leave my stuff out until after the epiphany. So, I came out and they were gone. And that's when they said it was a windstorm."

Some people removed decorations, others did not. Last month, grave sites in 'violation' of the rules received a letter from the superintendent in a zip lock bag pinned into the ground near the grave. It was a warning that decorations would be removed by staff if they weren't taken down by April 1st. Many complaints went out to cemetery staff and city staffers including Mayor Jeff Hall. 

"My brother passed away in 2015, and when my dad bought these plots, he bought it, obviously, under the impression that you could decorate," Bridget Fouty, who visits her brother and father who lay at rest beside one another in Cedar Hill, said. "And that was his whole life. I mean, we came up here, weed, eat and mow. We take care of it. And this is where he found peace. So, then when my dad passed away, I obviously have carried on that tradition."

Fouty has seen many people mourn their loved ones in Cedar Hill Cemetery. She understands the desire for staff to keep the cemetery clean and attractive for visitors.

Multi-family housing development will bring four affordable units to Weinland Park

"I want things to look nice here. But I think to say that you can't have a Winnie the Pooh bear on a baby's grave or a nightlight at someone's child's grave is just awful," Fouty said.

"A little wooden cross in front of a grave. What? A wooden cross. Now that's got to go. You know, enough's enough. We've all had enough," Hunt-Mitchell said.

There is a section of the cemetery devoted to newborns and babies that died. This area sits on a circle of grass, almost in the middle of everything else. Fouty got emotional when talking about the parents who come to mourn their child. Some of them can't afford a head stone.

"You have babies that are not even marked," Fouty said. "Their mom and dad are going to come up here and see a patch of grass. And where does their child lay? Where did you know? That's where that last part, the last place they saw their baby. And now they'll never know where that is. You know, you have parents fighting for a nightlight. You know, my dad had a nightlight up here for years and that was important to him. You don't want to leave your child out in the dark."

When NBC4 spoke with Patznick about the initial policy enforcement in April 2023, she said the decorations were creating a maintenance issue.

Fouty, who is helping spearhead legal action against the city and the cemetery, said she doesn't understand the "safety" issue as a reason for removing decorations.

"To weed around. [She said] it was, it was dangerous," Fouty said. "But we pulled the incident reports and there were actually none. There's never been an incident report for weed eating or mowing. I don't have an answer. And that's what people always ask. Why I have no idea. I can't imagine that. Why it's senseless."

Fouty and Hunt-Mitchell and a group of other concerned citizens just want to continue to mourn their loved ones the way they have for the last several decades.

"I think I would just a resolution of compromise, you know, trying to just work with people and not just go out and scatter white flags with Ziploc bags on everybody's grave," Fouty said

Hunt-Mitchell said she wants to be able to mourn, walk the grounds, feed the birds and squirrels, and find peace.

Ohio bill to ban cellphones in schools receives pushback

"Have some compassion," Hunt-Mitchell said. "If you have nothing, have compassion. I don't see that there's no compassion. I know they say let them dead, bury the dead. But some of us, we feel at peace here. We just want to have peace."

NBC4 reached out to Mayor Jeff Hall and Public Safety Director David Rhodes but did not hear back. Cedar Hill Cemetery Superintendent Chance Patznick responded Thursday evening and declined to comment.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is calling for a new law to ban cellphones in schools.

“A number of Ohio schools have made the decision to eliminate smartphone use during the school day and I believe clearly that is the right decision,” DeWine said.

Columbus vending machines offer free pregnancy tests, fentanyl test strips

House Bill 485 was introduced by Representatives Tom Young (R-Washington Twp.) and Phil Plummer (R-Dayton) to do that, but is already receiving pushback.

“I think it is a sledgehammer approach for the state to just come down with a mandate,” President of the Ohio Education Association Scott DiMauro said.

HB 485 would ban phones in schools, except for an emergency, medical situation, or instructional purposes.

“These phones are clearly detrimental to learning, they’re detrimental to our children’s mental health, and they clearly do need to be removed from or classrooms in Ohio,” DeWine said.

DiMauro said he hears complaints from his members about cellphones in classrooms often.

“There are serious frustrations about use of cell phones in schools. We know that cell phone use in classrooms can be very disruptive,” DiMauro said. “Even outside of classrooms cell phones can be distracting.”

But he said a one-size fits all approach to ban them may not be the best method. He suggested the state setting guidelines.

“In terms of best practices, in terms of some protections, in terms of liability,” DiMauro said.

Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima) said the proposal for a statewide ban a “great idea.”

Two former Circleville police chiefs to resign with nearly $70,000 payout after allegations

“I suppose at some point there’s an academic basis for the use of a smart phone, but I can’t think of one,” Huffman said. “All of us here, I think, learned to read without the use of smartphones when we were in third grade.”

Columbus City Schools is the largest district in the state, they, for example, have policy requiring that phones be stowed during the school day, unless students are specifically prompted to get them out for class.

Leadership on both sides of the aisle in the House said without much discussion of the proposal yet, they think leaving it up to schools may ultimately be what is best.

“The school districts, the teachers, the principles, they have the ability to do that and if they think that’s the best policy, I think that’s their decision to make,” Speaker of the Ohio House Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) said.

“My inclination, and I would guess probably our caucuses inclination, is to talk with our local school officials and leaders,” Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) said.

Russo said she is also worried about safety concerns if students do not have their cellphones, but DiMauro argued students can still get in touch with their parents either way.

Groveport Madison school board’s own members claim it violated open meeting laws

“I have never been to a school that doesn’t have regular telephones and doesn’t have the ability to call down to a classroom and notify the student that the parent has a message for them,” DiMauro said. “I think those kinds of concerns tend to be a little bit overblown. If anything, I think there’s a lot of evidence that cell phones introduce more problems when it comes to safety.”

HB 485 also includes guidelines for internet safety in schools. Because the bill was just introduced on Wednesday, it awaits a committee assignment and its first hearing.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- As the city works to ensure that every resident in Columbus has an affordable place to call home, the Central Ohio Community Land Trust (COCLT) reached a milestone. 

COCLT unveiled its first multi-family housing development, which is also the organization's 100th affordable home.

How have Ohio’s distracted driving rates changed with phone restriction law?

The COCLT, a subsidiary of COCIC: The Franklin County Land Bank, has completed the multi-family housing development, located on N. 5th St., it includes four duplex units. 

Years ago, N. 5th St. in Weinland Park looked much different than it does today. What is now four duplex units used to be vacant homes, boarded up and demolished. 

In November 2019, the Franklin County Land Bank acquired the four land parcels. They were all demolished by 2020, creating an opportunity to add new affordable housing units. The COCLT began working with Simmons Corporation in 2023 to develop these four duplexes. 

“This is a land trust project that is open to first time home buyers, homeowners, giving them an opportunity to be able to have affordable and stable housing for the first time in their lives maybe,” said Tanya Long, president of Weinland Park Community Civic Association. 

Columbus vending machines offer free pregnancy tests, fentanyl test strips

Weinland Park began its revitalization project around 2011 or 2012. The newly-built duplexes are continuing their goal to house people and families that want to purchase homes that are beautiful and affordable. 

“There's always room for one more and as this city, this community continues to grow into the future,” Mayor Andrew Ginther said. “That's how we need to think about it.”

City leaders said everybody who works in this region should be able to afford to live here. They said we need housing at every level to make sure that people are not overpaying whether they rent or buy. 

“It's critically important because the demand for housing is high. People need housing, period, but they need housing that they can afford,” said Curtiss Williams, president of the Franklin County Land Trust. 

Long said one of the biggest issues she sees is landlords asking that you have three times the rent in order to get housing. She said there aren’t a lot of people who can afford that. 

“A lot of people become homeless. They double up with family, they couch surf or they're in the streets or in homeless camps. It's heartbreaking and it's frustrating,” Long said. 

Columbus is growing much faster than its been building, leaders said a lot needs to change if we want to keep up with that growth. 

Groveport Madison school board’s own members claim it violated open meeting laws

“It's the cost of materials that have to change," Williams said. "There has to be an opportunity to build a higher density. There has to be mortgages available for folks who need mortgages. And there needs to be builders who can build and build affordably."

This is COCLT’s 100th new affordable home. Of these homes, 90% have been purchased by first-time homebuyers, 83% are minority heads of household and more than half are owned by individuals at 80% of Area Median Income or below. If you’d like to learn more about these homes and how to apply, click here.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A Columbus women killed in a hit and run late Wednesday night is being remembered as a "neighborhood mom."

The crash happened around 11:20 Wednesday night, according to the Columbus Division of Police (CPD). Investigators said 67-year-old Mildren Ann Kelly was hit by a vehicle as she tried to cross East Livingston Ave. in the area of Berkeley Road and Lilley Ave.

Sunbury man gets 30 charges after warden seizes 40 dogs from home

“She looked over her children but when I came out here she always pulled me aside like Pam what you need," Pamela Moseley-Smith said.

Moseley-Smith said Kelley was a good friend of hers. She and a relative of Kelley's who on Thursday stopped by the location of the incident said everyone knew Kelley as "Miss Ann." They said she was like a mother to many in the neighborhood.

“She would bless the neighborhood," Mosely-Smith said. "If it was something you wanted to eat, she would take you there. Even if it was a snack, even if it was a drink, whatever it was, she was there for you."

Franklinton murder suspect originally arrested for another crime

At this point, investigators do not have a description of the vehicle involved. Anyone with information is asked to call CPD at 614-645-4767 or Central Ohio Crimestoppers at 614-461-8477. Moseley-Smith said she hopes the driver turns themselves in.

"I believe you should stop and let the police know what happened, that it was you," Mosely-Smith said. "This family needs closure, they definitely do.”

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Columbus police and Ohio State officers set up crime scene tape Thursday evening at a hospital on the university's campus.

The pair of agencies are investigating a car with visible bullet holes, along with a victim with a gunshot wound, which both came around 5:41 p.m. to Ohio State's Wexner Medical Center. Police connected the victim to an earlier reported shooting in South Linden.

Neither agency provided details such as the severity of the victim's injuries or information about a possible suspect as of 6:30 p.m. However, they did clarify that the 5:17 p.m. shooting did not happen on Ohio State's campus, but rather in the 1100 block of East 21st Ave.

Photos taken at the scene showed both Ohio State University police and Columbus officers' cars parked at the hospital. The agencies had crime scene tape set up near guideposts for the campus. Another photo showed a car within the crime scene tape had its back window broken out, and visible bullet holes on the rear car door.

• (NBC4 Photo/Sen Li)
• (NBC4 Photo/Sen Li)
• (NBC4 Photo/Sen Li)
• (NBC4 Photo/Sen Li)
• (NBC4 Photo/Sen Li)

The victim that appeared at Wexner Medical Center is the second with gunshot wounds that police tied to the incident in South Linden. Another victim was taken separately to Grant Medical Center in stable condition, Columbus police said.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The City of Columbus is coming off several of the most violent years in the city’s history.

Columbus police data shows a surge in youth crime. Also, 2021 is known to be the deadliest year on record. But so far this year, police data shows a turn for the better with the city’s homicide rate dropping by nearly 40%.

Franklinton murder suspect originally arrested for another crime

Andrew Clayborn knows exactly what violence can do to a family.

“It forces you to deal with mental anguish and pain that you didn't know existed,” Clayborn said. 

His brother Andre was killed in October 2020. That year was the start of four of the most violent years in Columbus’ history. 

“I believe that we weren't attentive enough, you know, we weren't intentional enough about making sure that we get the relationships," Clayborn said.

He said he has worked hard since then to be a part of the change. Clayborn said he is finally starting to see the shift in mentality.

So far in 2024, there have been 19 homicides. This time last year there were at least 50, and in 2021, at least 58.

“To see the numbers decrease the way that they have is showing that because of intentionality, because we are serious about it,” Clayborn said.

Columbus Police Commander Mark Denner looks at these statistics every day. He said they are always looking at new measures to impact these numbers and try to change what they can control.

“We also just recognize that a lot of it is individual decision making. We try to have a role in that,” Denner said. “Last year we talked about domestic violence incidents. We talked about after hours clubs and we worked on ways to, you know, have an impact and address those.”

He said they are focusing on being proactive and reactive. Proactive by building relationships with the community, prosecutors and judges. Reactive by analyzing data and putting their attention to areas they are seeing violent spikes. 

Denner said what has really made the change is genuine partnerships.

“Relationships are key in life and I think when you have those positive relationships and you're building those foundations,” Denner said.

After his brother died, Clayborn founded The Son Son Foundation. It’s focused on mental health. He said one of the things they do is go into prisons to help parents become better role models to their children when they’re released.

“We, the people, have the power and we're seeing that now as we collaborate and we do things collectively. This isn't an individual problem. It's a community problem in the community. And the community now is coming together,” Clayborn said.

Commander Denner said it is important to recognize the number 19 is still 19 real people who lost lives.

Violence does tend to pick up in the summer. Denner said the Columbus Division of Police has plans to increase patrol through things like Operation Moonlight. They also have programs to engage with the youth.

Clayborn said he has plans for the summer too. A lot of that is keeping young people engaged and busy with sports and arts programs so they stay out of trouble.

View a previous report on the sezuire of 40 dogs from a Delaware County home in the video player above.

SUNBURY, Ohio (WCMH) -- A man whose Delaware County home went viral and led to the seizure of 40 dogs by the local dog warden has received multiple charges.

The Sunbury resident had a warrant put out for his arrest Thursday and was charged in Delaware County Municipal Court with 30 misdemeanor counts of prohibitions concerning companion animals. The Delaware County Dog Warden previously removed the dogs on Sunday from a property in the 7000 block of Kilbourne Road in the northeastern part of the county.

Franklinton murder suspect originally arrested for another crime

The 40 dogs were mostly believed to be pit bulls and pit bull mixes, and were removed from the suspect's property after a video on TikTok showing their living conditions went viral over the weekend. They are now being cared for by the Delaware County dog shelter and the county's humane society.

Despite rumors online, Delaware County Dog Warden Mitchell Garrett said Monday that there was "no evidence of dog fighting" at the property. He could not go into details due to the ongoing investigation, but said the outside of the property mirrored photos and videos posted to social media.

The suspect -- who online court records show was charged with animal cruelty in North Carolina in 2012 -- has a warrant out for his arrest with a $2,500 bond.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A portion of Interstate 71 southbound briefly closed on Thursday afternoon due to flooding, but the roadway is still partially affected.

All lanes closed on I-71 South at State Route 161 and Dublin Granville Road due to flooding on the roadway, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation. As of 2:40 p.m., however, only the left lane of I-71 south remained closed.

How have Ohio’s distracted driving rates changed with phone restriction law?

ODOT cameras do not show a clear image of the flooding, but cameras showed the closure caused a traffic backup on the interstate.

The department is also advising drivers to expect lane closures on on Interstate 70 West at Kelton Avenue and Miller Avenue due to flooding.

The closure comes as multiple central Ohio counties are under a flood watch through the night.

GROVEPORT, Ohio (WCMH) – The Groveport Madison school board has been accused of holding secret committee meetings, inadequately recording meeting minutes and unlawfully entering into executive session – by members of its own board.

The school board – save for board members Kathleen Walsh and John Kershner – voted Wednesday night to appoint counsel in a lawsuit against the board for violations of Ohio’s Open Meetings Act. Walsh and Kershner filed the lawsuit in late March, claiming the board has violated laws about public bodies multiple times over the past year.

The board voted to appoint counsel without comment, then immediately entered an executive session to discuss the complaint with attorneys. Walsh and Kershner were not invited to the executive session. The board declined to comment to NBC4.

Walsh and Kershner’s complaint points to multiple instances dating back to July 2023 in which, they claim, the board’s actions flout state requirements for meetings of public bodies. Many center around proper record-keeping of board meetings.

At a July 19 meeting, the board entered into executive session without providing a reason to do so, in apparent violation of the Open Meetings Act. A board meeting in August confirmed the board knew what it had done was wrong, the complaint argued, as the board approved a motion to amend the July 19 agenda to add a reason to enter executive session.

“It’s a technical point, but in the interest of fidelity and transparency, Mr. Bower would like to correct it,” the August meeting agenda reads, referring to the board’s vice president, Seth Bower. “Legal Council informed the board this would clear the procedural defect from the July 19th board meeting.”

At the time the lawsuit was filed, according to exhibits attached to the complaint, July 19 meeting minutes on the board’s school district webpage reflected this change. The meeting minutes available via BoardDocs – which many districts use to post agendas and minutes – did not. The BoardDocs agenda has been updated with the amendment as of Thursday.

The complaint argues the meeting minute amendment amounts to two violations of the Open Meetings Act – failing to state a reason to enter executive session, and then amending the minutes to make them “intentionally inaccurate.” But it’s not the only time the board improperly entered executive session, the complaint alleges; the board did so in October without calling a vote.

The lawsuit points to broader issues with how minutes reflect what happened in the meetings. At a July 7 meeting, for instance, Walsh came with a prepared statement objecting to a contract for the district’s treasurer. She requested her written complaint be attached to the minutes, the lawsuit claims, but it wasn’t. 

The board meeting minutes only say that she read a statement “regarding the proposed contract.” 

“This is the board’s practice of not always including all of Walsh’s dissenting statements in the Board’s record,” the complaint reads.

Walsh voiced her concerns about the board's recordkeeping practices at the July 19 meeting. According to meeting minutes, Walsh raised concerns about minutes prepared for the three previous board meetings, saying they lacked specific details about board deliberations.

Board President LaToya Dowdell-Burger replied that the board meetings were video-recorded.

Walsh and Kershner also claim that the board’s policy committee met secretly in 2023, then in July of that year, the board moved to reclassify the committee as a “superintendent’s committee” that isn’t held to the same public meeting requirements. The complaint contends the board did so “to willfully evade the OMA and transparency.”

On BoardDocs, there are no policy committee meeting agendas available – nor any evidence of the meetings – in 2023, or in any year dating back to 2010. The first policy committee meeting posted to the district BoardDocs happened on Tuesday.

More recently, the lawsuit argues the board failed to give proper notice of a Feb. 16 meeting. The meeting, which typically occurs on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month, happened that Friday. The lawsuit claims the date on the website was not corrected until a resident told the board during public comment that he came to the meeting venue that Wednesday and found an empty building.

At that Feb. 16 meeting, which the lawsuit claims should have been rescheduled due to the lack of a proper 24-hour notice, the board voted on the renewal of the superintendent’s contract. But several terms of the contract had changed since the last public discussion, the lawsuit argues.

When Kershner asked about the changes, the lawsuit claims that Dowdell-Burger said that she had surveyed several board members beforehand. That amounts to private deliberation on the contract, the lawsuit argues, deliberation that should have occurred in public.

The school board has retained Columbus firm Organ Law. According to Organ Law’s letter to the district, which was included in meeting materials, the representation will include defense in the lawsuit and “the prosecution of potential claims” against Walsh and Kershner.

The five attorneys of the firm will charge the district hourly rates between $295 and $495, according to meeting materials.

For an earlier report on this story, view the video player above.

COLUMBUS (WCMH) – A suspect charged in a fatal shooting from March was originally arrested and accused of an unrelated robbery.

Columbus police arrested Darrelle Howell Tuesday afternoon after officers responded to the 1700 block of East Livingston Avenue, where a man was banging on an apartment door. The victim called police and identified the man as Howell, who the victim accused of robbing him on April 6.

According to an incident report, the victim told police Howell was in the foyer of the East Livingston Avenue apartment building, where he asked the victim for money. The victim told Howell he did not have any before Howell allegedly displayed a gun.

The victim reportedly handed over $40 before Howell left the building. Three days later, Howell returned and the victim called police.

Columbus woman dies after hit-skip on East Livingston Road

Howell, 33, is also believed to be involved in the murder of 56-year-old John Lang, who was found dead in an alley near the intersection of Meek Avenue and Jones Avenue in Franklinton. Howell was arraigned for Lang’s murder and issued a $2 million bond, as was a second suspect, Derrick Brown.

Brown, 55, was arrested Monday for his role in the murder, in which police say the two suspects robbed Lang while in a 2010 Mercury Mariner near an apartment at West Broad Street and Hawkes Avenue. The report states that Howell left the car and whispered something to Brown, who got in the car with Lang.

Brown then allegedly robbed and shot Lang before police said Howell drove the vehicle near the 100 block of North Jones Ave. and dumped Lang’s body in the alley.

Howell is facing charges of aggravated robbery in addition to murder and abuse of a corpse. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on April 19 while Brown will appear in court on April 18.

Columbus and Central Ohio Weather

FLOOD WATCH THROUGH TONIGHT

Low pressure will track through the Ohio Valley, accompanied by showers and thunderstorms, some potentially strong to severe, with the threat of damaging winds and hail if there is sufficient afternoon heating.

Pockets of heavy rain could contribute to areas of flooding in low-lying areas through late tonight, with rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches.

A trailing cold front will cross the state early tonight, causing the rain to taper off to scattered showers.

Cooler and windy conditions will develop Friday behind the departing storm system, with a few lingering showers.

Sunny and mild weather is expected Saturday and much of Sunday. Showers could develop, with a possible storm, Sunday evening with a disturbance dropping southeast from the Great Lakes.

Early summer warmth will develop early next week, with another chance for showers on Tuesday.

Forecast

• Thursday: Showers, few storms. High 66
• Tonight: Showers, breezy. Low 47
• Friday: Showers, windy, cooler. High 51
• Saturday: Sunny, mild. High 63 (42)
• Sunday: Partly sunny, breezy, showers late. High 74 (48)
• Monday: Mostly sunny, warm. High 76 (55)
• Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, breezy, showers. High 77 (58)
• Wednesday: Partly sunny, few showers. High 78 (61)

LEWIS CENTER, Ohio (WCMH) -- A shop boasted as the state's "biggest coffeehouse," home to beans sourced from Yemen and a brew recipe dating back 500 years, has opened in central Ohio.

Named Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co., the Michigan-based brand is now welcoming patrons to the new shop at 8911 S. Old State Road in Lewis Center, near Polaris Fashion Place. The new location opened in March and marks the brand's second central Ohio shop after the first opened last year in Hilliard at 3221 Hilliard Rome Road.

Hummingbirds are migrating; when they will arrive in Ohio

Qamaria says its traditional coffee is brewed using "the world's first coffee recipe," given historians say monks in 14th-century Yemen were the first to cultivate coffee and brew the beverage the way coffee is known today. The brand also sources from farmers in Yemen who process the beans using century-old drying methods.

Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co. is now welcoming patrons to the new shop at 8911 S. Old State Road in Lewis Center. (Courtesy Photo/Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co.)

"We are proud to source conflict-free Yemeni coffee. We work with farmers who have continued their prideful harvest of coffee beans despite the difficult circumstances," the company states on its site, referring to Yemen's civil war raging since 2014. "Once successfully transported, we carefully profile our beans to craft complimentary roast that pays homage to its Yemeni roots."

The shop is one of several new coffeehouses to open in Delaware County, including Coastline Coffee Company now brewing in a historic market building dating to 1883. Operated by mother and daughter Kym and Elizabeth Hampton, the building has served several tenants throughout the past 141 years, including a convenience store and an ice cream shop.

Man struck when car crashes into Fox in the Snow Cafe

National coffeehouse Caribou Coffee also opened a new central Ohio shop in Delaware, as part of the company’s plan to launch 60 locations across Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati. The new coffeehouse will be the third operated by franchisee Mike Mariola Restaurants, who announced an agreement with Caribou in 2021 to open 60 shops in Ohio.

Along with cappuccinos, lattes and other hot and iced coffees, Qamaria is home to Yemeni teas and a selection of pastries. The Lewis Center shop has been open from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. to accommodate for Ramadan, and will soon be announcing new hours since the Islamic holiday has ended.

View a previous report from when Red Rabbit initially closed in the video player above.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A ramen spot near Grandview Heights that closed in early March will soon reopen, with new leadership stepping in to keep it alive.

Last month, the previous owners of Red Rabbit Ramen -- a ghost kitchen cart operating at Echo Spirits Distilling Co. -- announced they were closing it due to a change in their family situation. They also put out a public request for volunteers to step in to take over as franchisees. Blaine Carr and Xavy Perez answered the call for the ramen vendor, also keeping it at the same spot with Echo Spirits on 985 W. 6th Ave.

"We were big, big fans [of Red Rabbit]," Perez said. "It was actually one of our staples for date nights, we would go often. When we saw the opportunity to take over, we just couldn't pass it up."

Columbus ‘Zone In Gallery’ helps show city’s proposed changes

The ramen shop was originally started by Mike and Terry Ramsey, who had to step away from running it -- but will remain co-owners -- after moving to Seattle, Washington. Before they left, the Ramseys made sure to show the couple taking over their beloved business the ropes.

"Before they left, we did a whole training week with them and got to hands-on experience before we even started what it would look like," Perez said. "They really wanted to make sure we were in this and they wanted to be as helpful and transparent as possible."

Carr and Perez praised Red Rabbit's food as a big reason for their taking over the location. One of the shop's biggest strengths is its options for people with alternate diets, according to Carr.

"She's vegan, so it was the only place in town that we could get a vegan broth," Carr said.

Red Rabbit Ramen will soon return under the leadership of Blaine Carr and Xavy Perez. (Courtesy Photo/Xavy Perez)

Perez praised the previous owner for experimenting with flavors and presentation, too.

"I know that Mike plays around with just how different cultures celebrate ramen in their own ways," Perez said. "That's kind of incorporated into how he crafts."

Aside from Perez's experience as a hostess and server, neither her nor Carr had culinary experience prior to making the decision to take over Red Rabbit.

"I love food, I've kind of crafted different things and throwing down in the kitchen," Carr said. "I don't have official experience, but unofficially I'm strong."

72 homes planned for south of Delaware’s 270-acre Addison Farms development

There isn't currently a date set for Red Rabbit's reopening, but they said the hope is to be open before summer.

"We're eager to get started," Carr said. "We want to get cooking."