Ohio News

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohioans are hoping that winter is behind them and spring is on its way. Part of the change of season means another chance to win rare bottles of bourbon from the Division of Liquor Control.

This year's spring lottery entrance opened early Monday and will run until 11:59 p.m. April 15. Anyone who is 21 or older is allowed to enter if they have a valid Ohio driver's license or state ID card. Entrants can only win one bottle of liquor.

While many Ohio residents can enter to win, restrictions for entry include "employees of the Ohio Division of Liquor Control and their families, employees of JobsOhio or companies in contract with the Ohio Division of Liquor Control's Agency Operations section and JobsOhio Beverage System, agency store owners and their employees/family members, or the product’s broker and supplier."

Among the spring bottles available to win for this season's lottery:

• The Last Drop Signature Blend by Drew Mayville - Whiskey - $4,000 value
• Michter's 25 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon - $1,499.99 value
• Michter's Single Barrel 20 Year - Whiskey - $1,149.99 value
• King of Kentucky - Bourbon - $299.99 value
• Mister Sam Tribute Whiskey - $299.99 value
• Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 2nd Edition - Whiskey - $289.99 value
• Old Fitzgerald 19 Year Bottled in Bond Decanter - Whiskey - $239.97 value
• Parker's Heritage Collection 17th Edition 10 Year Rye - Whiskey - $184.99 value
• Old Forester Birthday Bourbon - Bourbon - $179.98 value
• Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13 Year - Whiskey - $170 value
• Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond 10 Year Decanter - Whiskey - $139.99 value

Winners will be selected randomly and notified by email of their winning product, purchase location, and purchasing time period. The names of winners will also be announced on this site.

To enter or learn more about the lottery and bottles available to win, click here.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The City of Columbus has released an annual report detailing substances found in the three water plants that supply the metropolitan area.

The city's sources of drinking water include rivers, lakes, streams, reservoirs, springs and wells. Each home, school and business in the greater Columbus area receives water from one of the following three water plants:

• Dublin Road Water Plant
• Hap Cremean Water Plant
• Parsons Avenue Water Plant

In late March, the city released its annual City of Columbus Drinking Water Consumer Confidence Report. The report showed contaminants found in the water, an explanation of the city's water treatment process and more.

Gateway Film Center spring series to celebrate Studio Ghibli, Martin Scorsese and more

The report showed small amounts of multiple regulated contaminants in the water, including fluoride, barium, nitrate, atrazine, trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, organic carbon, chlorine, turbidity, lead and copper. Most of the contaminants were found in last year's report, but bromate was a new addition. Last year, coliform bacteria was found, but this year it was not listed.

Contaminant levels remained relatively similar. Nitrate, altrazine, trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, organic carbon and chlorine saw slight increases, though most only changed by less than a single unit. Overall, contaminants didn't see a relevant uptick in recorded levels.

Despite the contaminants, the report found that water delivered to the city's 1.4 million consumers met or exceeded national Safe Drinking Water Act requirements as well as all other state and federal standards. The report stated that drinking water, including bottled water, can be reasonably expected to contain at least a small amount of some contaminants, but that their presence does not necessarily pose a health risk.

Viral video leads to Delaware County dog seizure

“The City of Columbus is fortunate to have adequate water supplies and an ethic of proactive planning," Columbus Director of Public Utilities Kristen Atha said. "Throughout the decades, the engineers and planners of our water system made excellent decisions, including our three distinct water sources and an interconnected water distribution system. The Department of Public Utilities continues that tradition today with a focus on informed investment into our infrastructure, which has positioned the city well for continued growth in the region.”

DUBLIN, Ohio (WCMH) -- Dublin City Schools is weighing whether to transform a central Ohio healthcare provider's headquarters into a new high school for the district.

The school district signed a nonbinding letter of intent with Cardinal Health to assess the feasibility of buying the company's west campus headquarters at 7200 Cardinal Place. The letter allows the district more than a year to determine if the building can be effectively configured to serve as a school.

Max and Erma’s to be demolished for Sheetz gas station

"During this time, district leaders will also be implementing several community engagement initiatives to determine how the purchase of Cardinal Health West aligns with the district's long-term goals," Dublin City Schools said in a news release. "One possibility is its conversion into a fourth high school."

• Dublin City Schools signed a letter of intent with Cardinal Health to assess the feasibility of buying the company's west campus headquarters at 7200 Cardinal Place. (Franklin County Auditor's Office)
• Dublin City Schools signed a letter of intent with Cardinal Health to assess the feasibility of buying the company's west campus headquarters at 7200 Cardinal Place. (Franklin County Auditor's Office)

The three-story building sits on more than 31 acres and offers enough space to accommodate the addition of an athletic stadium and gym. With projected enrollment growth expected to necessitate additional secondary space by 2030, the school district said the acquisition of Cardinal Health's west campus could address this need. 

Enrollment projection reports show the district will grow by 2,000 students in the next five years. Jerome High School, which just opened a 58,000-square-foot addition in August, is already near capacity and will be more than 1,000 students over capacity by 2030 if nothing changes, Dublin City Schools said.

City of Dublin denies claims in lawsuit over shopping redevelopment near Bridge Park

The district noted that while Dublin voters approved a $145 million bond issue and a 7.9 mill operating levy last November providing the funding needed to build a 15th elementary school, that is not enough to also build a new high school. 

Due to the size and scope of a high school facility, Dublin City Schools estimates it could cost more than $150 million to build new. The school district said that's why exploring the acquisition of Cardinal Health's building makes sense.

"Converting office space leverages pre-existing infrastructure and amenities, reducing costs and providing significant savings for Dublin City Schools taxpayers," the district said.

Special livestreamed coverage of the eclipse from NBC4 will begin at 11 a.m. Monday and continue through 6:30 p.m. Watch live in the player above.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Marking the first time since 1806, Ohio will be in the direct path of the rare total solar eclipse on Monday afternoon.

What time does the solar eclipse start in Ohio?

Forecasters predict Monday's phenomenon will last for just up to four minutes and 28 seconds, possibly twice as long as the previous eclipse in 2017. The 124-mile-wide path of totality, where the sun will be 100% blocked by the moon, will span from the southwest to the northeast portion of Ohio. Everyone outside this coverage area will have a different view of the occurrence, but all of the state falls in at least a 95% coverage zone. 

How to view the eclipse

It is unsafe to look directly at the sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing, according to NASA. Viewing any part of the sun through a camera lens, binoculars or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause a severe eye injury.

"You must look through safe solar viewing glasses, 'eclipse glasses,' or a safe handheld solar viewer at all times," NASA states on its "Total Solar Eclipse Safety" site. "Eclipse glasses are not regular sunglasses; regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe for viewing the sun."

When and where traffic could be the worst on solar eclipse day

While NASA does not approve any particular brand of solar viewers, the agency does recommend those watching the eclipse purchase glasses that comply with the "ISO 12312-2 international standard."

Where traffic could be the worst

Matt Bruning, press secretary for the Ohio Department of Transportation, said the department expects to see the worst traffic immediately after the eclipse. He compared the event to a fireworks display. All morning, afternoon and evening, people trickle in to see the display, but when the grand finale goes off and the fireworks are done, everyone leaves at the same time. 

ODOT has created an interactive map to display an hour-by-hour look at four potential traffic scenarios based on the number of visitors the state sees: 150,000, 350,000, 575,000 and 625,000.

Bruning's overall advice to drivers is to “plan, prepare and be patient.” He advises drivers to top off their fuel tank before leaving the spot where they watched the eclipse in case they get stuck in hours of traffic. 

Could gas station run out of fuel?

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

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

Can’t catch the eclipse? The next one is sooner than you might think

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

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

Will cellphone signals be affected?

Don Stevens, director of the Perkins Observatory at Ohio Wesleyan University, speculated that because of the potential for congestion, major network providers may deploy mobile cellphone towers like the ones used during natural disasters where coverage has been impacted. But Verizon in particular told NBC4 that its network has become so advanced that it won’t need to do anything like that.

Another major carrier, AT&T, told NBC4 it doesn’t expect serious issues thanks to the widespread adoption of 5G cellular technology.

How has Ohio prepared for the eclipse?

Gov. Mike DeWine said during a press conference on Friday that he is not activating the Ohio National Guard for the eclipse, but asked Adjutant General John Harris to be on standby in case they are needed with situations like traffic congestion.

"He has worked it out so some training exercises are occurring this weekend, and they certainly will be prepared and will monitor the situation, and if we need the guard to come in, we certainly will be able to do that," DeWine said.

List: Solar eclipse viewing events, watch parties in central Ohio

Additionally, the governor said he would activate the Emergency Operations Center beginning on Sunday and running through Tuesday as part of the state's precautionary measures for the eclipse. Ohio Emergency Management Agency Director Sima Merick said the teams there would monitor highway traffic cameras, as well as weather radar to keep an eye on both of the state's main concerns for the event.

Columbus and Central Ohio Weather QUICK WEATHER FORECAST:

• Today: Partly cloudy, high 71
• Tonight: Mostly cloudy, low 52
• Tuesday: Afternoon showers, high 70
• Wednesday: Isolated showers, high 65
• Thursday: Rain & storms, high 66
• Friday: Early showers, high 56

FORECAST DISCUSSION:

Happy Monday!

We start the day off with clouds as a quick system works through the region, bringing a few showers with it. That rain clears very early, and then the clouds gradually break through the morning and into this afternoon. Expect highs to top out in the upper 60s and lower 70s this afternoon.

We will notice a quick temperature drop, by about 5-10°, as we enter totality of the solar eclipse, then we heat right back up afterward.

In addition, our greatest chances for clearer skies will be NW of I-71, which is great news, as that is right in the line of totality. Expect a few high clouds around, which are mainly more transparent clouds. If we have to have clouds, this is a better case scenario. I do think most of us will get a great view.

Clouds build back in Tuesday, and rain returns Tuesday afternoon. Expect scattered shower activity, with highs topping out near 70.

By Wednesday, we're looking at just isolated shower activity, with highs dropping back to the middle 60s.

Then for Thursday, that's our more widespread rain day. We'll also be watching thunderstorms moving through the region as a cold front tracks through. We hold steady in the middle 60s Thursday.

Temps drop Friday, back into the middle 50s. We start the day with a few showers, but those clear during the first half of the day.

-McKenna

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A new study from Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center looked at how prepared people are for Monday’s solar eclipse.

The survey of approximately 1,000 people found that 30% did not know that looking at the eclipse without proper eye protection could cause permanent damage. Another 10% also believe that the eclipse can cause natural disasters, sleep problems, and mental health issues. None of those are real dangers of an eclipse, the university said in a statement.

What time does the solar eclipse start in Ohio?

Some Ohio State students said the message has been clear and they have expectations for the event.

“I have no idea what to expect and I don’t want to be underwhelmed,” Ohio State student Kate Baldwin said.

One student doesn’t have class, another is driving with her family for the best view, and a third is still figuring out her plan.

“I’m hoping my class gets canceled,” Baldwin said. “If it doesn’t, I honestly might think about going to watch the eclipse because it’s the first time this is happening in 70 years, so I definitely want to see it.”

Solar eclipse inspires Columbus songwriter

“My class got canceled, so probably just, you know, putting on my glasses,” Ohio State student Addisynne Siefike said.

A doctor with the Wexner Medical Center said having the proper glasses is important.

“We may see patients come to the emergency department with a painful eye, much like a welder would get if they didn't use appropriate protection,” Dr. Nicholas Kman, an emergency physician with the medical center, said.

Kman said being aware of the potential traffic backup and having a plan is important.

“That might include a full tank of gas, it might include some supplies that I would advocate you always have in your car, but, you know, a cell phone charger, jumper cables, full tank of gas. Maybe if you're traveling, medications, anything your kids might need, snacks, you know, be prepared,” he said.

How is Ohio preparing for Monday’s total solar eclipse?

Kman said the event shouldn’t be doom and gloom – he wants to make sure everyone is prepared and has a plan.

“We saw after the 2017 eclipse that people were in traffic for up to 17 hours going from Kentucky back to Ohio,” he said. “So, you know, be ready for that. Are you prepared in your vehicle for a standstill traffic event like that?”

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Columbus police are investigating a hit-and-run crash that sent one motorcyclist to the hospital Sunday afternoon.

According to police, the crash happened on West Broad Street near Rhodes Park in the Highland West section of the city at approximately 5:34 p.m.

Four years later, east Columbus homicide remains unsolved

The motorcyclist was driving west on West Broad Street when it was hit by a car turning from Rhodes Park onto the street, police said. The car then fled from the scene.

The motorcyclist was taken to the hospital with serious injuries but is expected to survive.

Police did not describe the suspect vehicle.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Columbus Police Accident Investigation Unit at 614-645-4767.

UPPER ARLINGTON, Ohio (WCMH) -- A notice posted to the Upper Arlington Schools website says too many staffers are taking Monday off for the solar eclipse, requiring the district to cancel classes.

"Unfortunately, the uniqueness of the circumstances surrounding the eclipse have placed us with staffing challenges that impact our ability to safely supervise all students," the notice states. "At this point, we decided it was best to make the call now and give families time to arrange for any childcare needs."

What time does the solar eclipse start in Ohio?

The district was set to have an early dismissal so students and staffers could view the eclipse.

Nearly all other districts in central Ohio are either closed or offering an early dismissal Monday.

KINGSTON TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WCMH) -- Forty dogs have been removed from a Delaware County property after a video showing their living conditions went viral over the weekend.

On Sunday, the Delaware County Dog Warden removed the dogs -- most believed to be pit bulls or pit bull mixes -- from a property on the 7000 block of Kilbourne Road in the northeastern part of the county.

Clearing skies forecasted for some in central Ohio Monday during eclipse

According to a statement released by the county, the owner of the property was not at home at the time the dogs were removed and no charges have been filed at this point, but are anticipated.

The removal of the dogs started at approximately 11:30 a.m. Sunday and took about three hours. The dog warden had help from the Humane Society of Delaware County, the Marion County Dog Warden's Office, and the Humane Society of Morrow County.

The rescued dogs are being cared for by the Delaware County dog shelter and the county's humane society.

Delaware County Dog Warden Mitchell Garrett said his office was aware of the property owner for several years, but previous investigations only turned up six dogs, all of whom were in good health.

What time does the solar eclipse start in Ohio?

"Complaints continued to come in... but, in recent years, no one would complete a witness statement that would enable the Dog Shelter staff to act," the county's statement said. "A statement was received Friday night, alleging many more dogs on the property than were previously known and that they had been observed in abusive conditions."

A video posted to TikTok Saturday showed the dog's living conditions. In the video, nearly all the dogs are shown wearing heavy chains, living in mud or water with only an uninsulated blue bucket for shelter. One of the dogs in the video appears to be biting their chain and pulling against its stake.

Online court records show the property owner was charged with animal cruelty in North Carolina in 2012.

Organ transplant recipients and donors reunite at Ohio State hospital pinwheel planting

NBC4 is not naming the property owner because criminal charges have not been filed in Delaware County.

The dog warden is continuing an investigation into the living conditions of the dogs. A briefing with Garrett is scheduled for Monday morning.

Garrett's statement said the dogs at the shelter at the time of the seizure were being cared for by the nonprofit group Rico Pet Recovery.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The astronomical event decades in the making is here – the April 8 solar eclipse across North America is just hours away.

But when should you pop on your eclipse viewing glasses because, let’s be honest, they aren’t exactly the most flattering or practical everyday eyewear?

Clearing skies forecasted for some in central Ohio Monday during eclipse

According to experts, the event will begin with a partial solar eclipse becoming visible in central Ohio at 1:55 p.m. as the moon’s shadow begins to move across the sun.

About 75 minutes later, the parts of central Ohio south of the path of totality (which runs north of Columbus from Worthington on up to Lake Erie on a northeastern arc) will experience 99.6% coverage of the sun by the moon starting at 3:12 p.m., lasting for four minutes.

The moon will complete its path across the sun at 4:27 p.m. All told, the full eclipse should last 2 hours and 31 minutes – long enough (if you skip the credits) to finish watching Star Wars: The Last Jedi, but not long enough to finish Once Upon A Time…In Hollywood.

List: Solar eclipse viewing events, watch parties in central Ohio

View the map below to see where the sun will be fully covered in Ohio, or type in the name of a town to check its specific coverage level.

The eclipse will first be seen in the United States starting at 12:06 p.m. Central time (1:06 p.m. Eastern) as a partial eclipse near Eagle Pass, Texas, with totality starting at 1:27 p.m. CST (2:27 p.m. EST).

The last to see the eclipse in the U.S. will be Houlton in eastern Maine, with the partial eclipse starting there at 2:20 p.m., totality at 3:32 p.m., and the eclipse ending at 4:40 p.m.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – This week on The Spectrum:

• Columbus is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, and with that growth comes growing pains, from housing to transportation to workforce education.

“The growth that we’ll see over the next 20 years, 1 million more people into our region,” Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin said.

Ohio lawmakers lay out their spring priorities

Hear what city leaders are working to address to make sure the city is capable of supporting the predicted population boom.

• Two controversial bills at the Ohio Statehouse are poised to move forward this week. Hear how they could make the classroom the center of the culture wars.

• The expert the Trump campaign hired to investigate claims of voter fraud in the 2020 election has a new book out telling his side of the story.

“This was about it’s either there or it wasn’t,” said data specialist Ken Block, author of the book Disproven.

Criminal justice bills working through Ohio House

See what he found and what he said can make our elections better.

• As the war between Israel and Hamas drags on, can anything be done to prevent more civilian deaths in Gaza? Republican strategist Bob Clegg and Democratic strategist Lou Gentile join the roundtable to weigh in.

Columbus and Central Ohio Weather

Sunshine will give way to clouds later, as a disturbance develops in the central Plains and travel northeast to the Upper Midwest on Monday.

Moisture will spread northward tonight, with a round of showers that will end Monday morning. Clouds should gradually break in the afternoon, providing a filtered view of the total solar eclipse in the northwest half of Ohio and the partial eclipse statewide. Skies are likely to be clearer the farther northwest of Columbus that you travel.

Temperatures will warm up into the upper 60s and low 70s to start the week. More widespread rain is likely to develop Tuesday afternoon, with on and off showers and a few storms through Thursday, with an incoming storm system in the Plains midweek.

Cooler air will move in briefly on Friday, with a few lingering showers. Mild and dry conditions are expected next weekend

Forecast

• Sunday: Partly sunny. High 62
• Tonight: Showers late. Low 48
• Monday: Damp early, breaks of sun p.m. High 70
• Tuesday: Clouds thicken, showers p.m.. High 69 (52)
• Wednesday: Showers. High 66 (55)
• Thursday: Showers, storm. High 63 (54)
• Friday: Some sun, shower possible, cooler. High 56 (41)
• Saturday: Sunny. High 65 (39)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- April is Donate Life month, and Ohio State’s Wexner Medical Center celebrated the gift of organ donation Sunday morning with their 16th annual Buckeye Pinwheel Planting and Transplant Reunion.

The pinwheels have one stem and eight spokes, symbolizing how one person can save up to eight lives through organ donation.

The hospital's front lawn was filled with 12,500 pinwheels -- one for each organ transplant performed at the Wexner Medical Center since 1967. One of those pinwheels represented kidney recipient Steve Robison.

Steve and his brother Mike Robison spoke to NBC4 in November, right before the big Ohio State-Michigan game. Mike has always been a die-hard Buckeyes fan while Steve grew up cheering for the team up north.

Solar eclipse weather forecast

Mike made the selfless decision to donate one of his kidneys to his brother Steve, who had kidney disease.

“I’m so much better after receiving the kidney, and it’s just done wonders for my lifestyle,” said Steve, who received his new kidney from his brother in December. “I am functioning as well as I ever have been before.”

Steve said his operation went well and Mike, who traveled to Columbus from Arizona for the donation, is functioning great with one kidney.

“He just initially amazed me, you could’ve knocked me over with a feather, but that’s what brothers do for each other. That’s what family does for each other," Steve said. "It’s the unwritten rules of love."

This is the 16th year thousands of pinwheels have been on display in front of the hospital. Dr. Ken Washburn, the director of the Wexner Medical Center’s transplant center, said seeing the people his team saved is extremely rewarding.

“To the recipients I say, ‘Thank your donor.’ To the donors I say, ‘Thank you,’” said Dr. Washburn.

This was Steve’s first year at the pinwheel planting, and he said it is surreal to see how many lives organ donation has touched just here in central Ohio.

“It’s just an amazing showing of how many people not only receive organs on a yearly basis, but the number of donors who are willing to give the gift of life,” said Steve.

The pinwheels will stay planted in the ground throughout the rest of April.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Even if clouds cover the total solar eclipse Monday afternoon, you can see it in your own home -- with a little bit of water, food coloring and an effervescent tablet.

Eye safety during the solar eclipse

In this week's “Connecting with COSI,” Dr. Alyssa Cassabaum-Smith shows Monica Day how to make kid-friendly eclipse art at home. Tomorrow’s total solar eclipse will only last a few minutes, but this fun project can last a lifetime.

Learn more about COSI's solar eclipse programming at its website.

A previous report can be seen in the video player above.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- An east Columbus homicide that occurred nearly four years ago remains unsolved with law enforcement asking for public assistance in the case.

On Dec. 11, 2019, Columbus police sent a missing adult alert for 39-year-old Ricardo Vallejo-Truss, who hadn't been seen since Dec. 5, 2019 on the east side of the city. On Dec. 19 just before 9:45 a.m., a 911 caller reported a vehicle that was parked on the 2900 block of East Moreland Drive had not moved for some time.

Police arrived and found the body of Vallejo-Truss in the vehicle and ruled the case a homicide.

Central Ohio Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for anyone that has information that could lead to the arrest of a possible suspect in Vallejo-Truss' death. You can call Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477 or submit a tip at stopcrime.org.

All tips made to Crime Stoppers are anonymous.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The total solar eclipse is only a day away, which is a good time to focus on eye safety when experiencing the event in central Ohio Monday afternoon.

The last total solar eclipse visible in Ohio occurred in June 1806, and the next one will not happen until 2099 across the Buckeye State.

Graphic: National Weather Service/Wilmington

More than 30 million Americans will be in the path of totality that stretches from Texas to Maine, and slices through the northwest half of Ohio.

Solar eclipse inspires Columbus songwriter

In Columbus, the partial eclipse will begin at 1:55 p.m. Eastern time and end at 4:26 p.m., with peak totality (99.7 percent) occurring at 3:12 p.m. Areas just northwest of the city will witness darkness for seconds to up to several minutes. The longest viewing time will be about 3 minutes 50 seconds in a band from west-central Ohio to Upper Sandusky and Cleveland.

Protective eyewear is essential during the eclipse to avoid the risk of permanent eye damage. Youngsters, especially, should be reminded by parents not to even peek at the sun without their approved safety glasses.

Dr. David Rogers, chief of Ophthalmology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and chairman of the AAPOS solar eclipse task force, encourages families to take preventive steps prior to properly prepare for eclipse viewing.

Best places in central Ohio to see solar eclipse

"Only ISO-Certified solar eclipse glasses can protect your eyes from the damaging rays the solar eclipse will emit. Eclipse glasses are 100,000 times darker than regular sunglasses and block the damaging infrared and ultraviolet rays of the sun that will oxidize the retina leading to permanent vision loss."

Rogers explained the nature of the serious and potentially permanent eye damage that occurs if a person looks at the sun. "The damaging part about this whole event is that there's ultraviolet (UV) rays that we really can't see. Those UV rays enter the eye and they can damage that sensitive retina in the back of the eye."

The damage from the sun occurs through the process of photo oxidation, which Rogers said "causes free radicals to be released in the back of the eye in the photoreceptors. Those photoreceptors are permanently damaged; they cannot repair themselves."

Photographer gives tips to capture solar eclipse

He stressed that your certified eclipse glasses must be put on while looking down or away from the sun, to ensure proper fit, before looking up to observe the spectacular event.

NASA has information on how families can construct a box pinhole projector to ensure kids have another safe way to view the eclipse.

Parents are advised to discuss all the precautions before the celestial event of a lifetime and make sure that children are fully aware of the risk of severe eye damage if protective glasses are not worn at all times during the total solar eclipse.

For more information about eye safety for all ages during the eclipse, you can click here.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Three people were hospitalized after two shootings early Sunday morning in Columbus.

At about 1:40 a.m., a shooting was reported at the 2500 block of Kimberly Parkway East in Eastland. A male with a gunshot wound was taken to Mount Carmel East in stable condition, dispatchers said. Columbus police later said the victim is expected to survive.

Less than an hour later and about 10 miles northwest, Columbus police were called to a reported shooting on Interstate 71 southbound at East 11th Avenue. Medics took one victim to the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and another victim to Grant Medical Center, both in unknown condition, dispatchers said. Several hours later, police said both victims were expected to survive.

Police did not have suspect information as of Sunday morning, but they asked anyone with information on either case to call the Columbus Police Felony Assault Unit at 614-645-4141 or submit an anonymous tip to Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477.

As filmmaker and writer Nora Ephron said during a '96 commencement address at Wellesley College, "Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead." If that's the case, high school may be one of the greatest dress rehearsals of all.

It's a place where students explore their interests, dive into extracurricular activities, finally get the freedom to choose their own classes, and prepare for college or the workplace. For many of these students and their families, public education is key: 49.4 million students enrolled in public pre-K-12 schools in fall 2021, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Of those, about a third were in high school, enrolled across about 23,500 public secondary schools nationwide.

For many anxious parents, getting their kids into the best of these public high schools is of the utmost importance. Some families even move homes to get into better school districts. However, among all of these thousands of schools, a few stand out for their academic excellence, incredible track records, and the future success of their young students.

Stacker compiled a list of the 30 best public high schools in Ohio using 2023 rankings from Niche. Niche uses seven weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on academics, but other factors include culture and diversity; sports; clubs and activities; resources; and surveys of parents, teachers, and students. School districts are provided when available; otherwise, the city is listed instead.

1 / 30

Daniel Hoz // Shutterstock

#30. Grandview Heights High School

- Location: Grandview Heights City School District, OH
- Enrollment: 336 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

2 / 30

Achira22 // Shutterstock

#29. Orange High School

- Location: Orange City School District, OH
- Enrollment: 678 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

3 / 30

Ground Picture // Shutterstock

#28. Upper Arlington High School

- Location: Upper Arlington Schools, OH
- Enrollment: 1,880 (24:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

4 / 30

LightField Studios // Shutterstock

#27. Columbus Preparatory Academy

- Location: Columbus, OH
- Enrollment: 874 (16:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

5 / 30

Mircea Moira // Shutterstock

#26. Toledo Early College High School

- Location: Toledo City School District, OH
- Enrollment: 335 (19:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

6 / 30

LStockStudio // Shutterstock

#25. Oakwood High School

- Location: Oakwood Schools, OH
- Enrollment: 697 (21:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

7 / 30

panitanphoto // Shutterstock

#24. Orange High School

- Location: Olentangy Local School District, OH
- Enrollment: 1,935 (21:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

8 / 30

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#23. Chagrin Falls High School

- Location: Chagrin Falls Exempted Village School District, OH
- Enrollment: 656 (19:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

9 / 30

ImageFlow // Shutterstock

#22. Aurora High School

- Location: Aurora City School District, OH
- Enrollment: 972 (16:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

10 / 30

Ground Picture // Shutterstock

#21. Ottawa Hills High School

- Location: Ottawa Hills Local School District, OH
- Enrollment: 528 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

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#20. Olentangy Liberty High School

- Location: Olentangy Local School District, OH
- Enrollment: 1,934 (22:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

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#19. Metro Early College High School

- Location: Columbus, OH
- Enrollment: 892 (19:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

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#18. Centerville High School

- Location: Centerville City School District, OH
- Enrollment: 2,752 (20:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

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#17. Olentangy Berlin High School

- Location: Olentangy Local School District, OH
- Enrollment: 1,548 (20:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

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#16. Rocky River High School

- Location: Rocky River City School District, OH
- Enrollment: 873 (16:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

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#15. Olentangy High School

- Location: Olentangy Local School District, OH
- Enrollment: 1,649 (20:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#14. Beachwood High School

- Location: Beachwood City School District, OH
- Enrollment: 594 (15:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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Ground Picture // Shutterstock

#13. Hudson High School

- Location: Hudson City School District, OH
- Enrollment: 1,474 (16:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#12. New Albany High School

- Location: New Albany-Plain Local School District, OH
- Enrollment: 1,667 (17:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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LStockStudio // Shutterstock

#11. Dublin Coffman High School

- Location: Dublin City Schools, OH
- Enrollment: 1,871 (19:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#10. Bexley High School

- Location: Bexley City School District, OH
- Enrollment: 745 (16:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#9. Dayton Regional STEM School

- Location: Kettering, OH
- Enrollment: 726 (18:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#8. Mariemont High School

- Location: Mariemont City Schools, OH
- Enrollment: 458 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#7. Wyoming High School

- Location: Wyoming City Schools, OH
- Enrollment: 619 (15:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#6. Walnut Hills High School

- Location: Cincinnati City School District, OH
- Enrollment: 2,749 (21:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#5. Sycamore High School

- Location: Sycamore Community School District, OH
- Enrollment: 1,620 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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DenisProduction.com // Shutterstock

#4. William Mason High School

- Location: Mason City School District, OH
- Enrollment: 3,460 (23:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#3. Solon High School

- Location: Solon City School District, OH
- Enrollment: 1,515 (18:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#2. Dublin Jerome High School

- Location: Dublin City Schools, OH
- Enrollment: 1,953 (22:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#1. Indian Hill High School

- Location: Indian Hill Exempted Village School District, OH
- Enrollment: 648 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.

Columbus and Central Ohio Weather QUICK WEATHER FORECAST:

• Today: Partly cloudy, high 62
• Tonight: Scattered showers, low 47
• Monday: Some clearing, high 72 (51)
• Tuesday: Chance of showers, high 70 (54)
• Wednesday: Chance rain showers, high 67 (55)
• Thursday: Showers & t-storms, high 63 (39)

FORECAST DISCUSSION:

Sunday starts off chilly across Central Ohio. A Freeze Warning is in effect until 10am across most of the area, including Franklin County. Skies will start off mostly clear, then the afternoon will bring more clouds as our next system approaches. Daytime highs will will closer to normal for this time of year reaching the low 60s. Light rain chances start up late in the evening.

More chances for scattered rain arrive overnight into Monday morning. Most of these rain showers will fall between the hours of 1-5am. Tonight will also be noticeably warmer, with overnight lows only falling into the upper 40s. Winds will be fairly light moving from the east southeast at 5-10mph.

Monday’s Eclipsecast continues to show clouds starting to clear as we move into the afternoon. Better chances for those skies to clear faster will be north and west of Columbus. Temps will top off in the low 70s. Generally speaking, it’s going to be a beautiful day. That beauty won’t last long.

Rain chances and a few thunderstorms roll in as the week goes on. Tuesday will bring scattered showers. Even better chances of rain in a few thunderstorms will roll in between Wednesday and Thursday. By the end of the week, Central Ohio may see up to 1.5" of rain. This is on top of the 3.33" that Columbus has already seen so far this month. Temperatures through the work week are expected to stay above normal.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Saturday's Powerball drawing has been delayed.

Originally scheduled to be drawn at 10:59 p.m., by 11:35 p.m., there were still no winning numbers in Saturday's estimated $1.3 billion drawing.

In a statement released after the drawing post time, Powerball stated that the drawing was delayed due to one lottery needing time to process ticket sales.

The statement reads, in part:

Tonight, we have one participating lottery that needs additional time to complete required pre-draw procedures, which have been enacted to protect the security and integrity of the Powerball game.

Powerball game rules require that every single ticket sold nationwide be checked and verified against two different computer systems before the winning numbers are drawn. This is done to ensure that every ticket sold for the Powerball drawing has been accounted for and has an equal chance to win. Tonight, we have one jurisdiction that needs extra time to complete that pre-draw process.

The statement did not say which jurisdiction needed the extra time.

This is the second time since 2022 that a drawing worth more than $1 billion has been delayed; in November 2022, a jackpot drawing worth $1.9 billion was delayed by 10 hours due to a similar reason.

Should no players match Saturday's Powerball drawing, the next drawing will be Monday -- the same day a total solar eclipse rolls across the country.

Central Ohio forecast for the total solar eclipse

No players matched the correct numbers to win the jackpot Wednesday, making Saturday's drawing worth an estimated $1.3 billion.

Nine tickets sold for Wednesday's drawing -- two each in California and Massachusetts and one each in Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, South Carolina, and Washington -- matched the five white ball numbers, but missed the Powerball, netting the winners $1 million. Nearly 3 million tickets won a prize of at least $4 in Wednesday's drawing.

Wednesday’s estimated jackpot will be the fourth-highest in the game’s history if claimed and marks the 41st drawing since the game’s last winner – a $842.4 million jackpot won on Jan. 1. This marks a three-way tie for the number of drawings before a winner -- should the jackpot roll over into Monday, it will set the new record with 42 draws.

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It is also the fourth Powerball jackpot in less than two years to reach $1 billion.

The top ten Powerball jackpots are:

1. $2.04 billion – Nov. 7, 2022
2. $1.765 billion – Oct. 11, 2023
3. $1.586 billion – Jan. 13, 2016
4. $1.30 billion (estimated) -- April 6, 2024
5. $1.08 billion -- July 19, 2023
6. $842.4 million – January 1, 2024
7. $768.4 million – March 27, 2019
8. $758.7 million – Aug. 23, 2017
9. $754.6 million – Feb. 6, 2023
10. $731.1 million – Jan. 20, 2021

None of those top ten jackpots was won in Ohio.

Winners have the option of being paid the full jackpot amount in annual payments over 30 years, or taking a lesser, one-time payment (Saturday is an estimated $608.9 million). Lottery officials said most winners choose the one-time payment. All winnings are pre-federal tax, and most states also collect taxes on lottery winnings.

Players must match five balls numbered 1 to 69 plus a Powerball numbered between 1 through 26 to win the jackpot.

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Powerball tickets are $2 per play and are sold in 45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Players can opt to play the Power Play multiplier for an extra $1, which will multiply the player’s winnings by the drawn multiplier (this applies to all prizes except the jackpot and the $1 million prize, which tops out at $2 million).

The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million; the odds of winning any one of the nine different prizes available is 1 in 24.9. Odds are not affected by the number of tickets sold; instead, they are based on the chances of selecting the right combination of numbers. Prizes start at $4 for matching either the Powerball or the Powerball and one other number.

Drawings are every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.