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Why the Short North may soon charge extra for dining, shopping

News Channel 4 - Wed, 05/28/2025 - 03:30

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Central Ohioans may soon have to pay an extra charge when visiting Short North restaurants and stores.

Columbus City Council voted on May 19 to accept a petition from the Short North Alliance proposing the creation of a "New Community Authority," a group that could charge visitors a small fee when shopping, dining, and staying at hotels.

Now open: New restaurant openings in central Ohio as of late May 2025

Betsy Pandora, executive director of the Short North Alliance, said the revenue from the fee will act as a "reinvestment" supporting a wide range of the area's priorities, like cleaner sidewalks, more public art, expanded creative programming, and services for those in need.

In turn, the NCA will yield "a better overall experience for everyone who visits, lives, or works in the Short North," Pandora said.

"The primary driver is growth," she said. "With more than 10 million visitors last year, the district is evolving, and it needs a forward-looking strategy to match. This community-led initiative uses a tool commonly implemented across central Ohio to invest in the neighborhood's long-term vitality."

The Short North's New Community Authority could charge visitors a small fee when shopping, dining and staying at hotels. (NBC4 Photo)

The Short North's NCA would mimic several other central Ohio authorities that also charge visitors a small fee, like at Bridge Park in Dublin, which charges 0.5% on gross receipts at restaurants and retail businesses and 1% on hotels. Often, the fee is identified on receipts as "NCA CHARGE."

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The percentage for the Short North's proposed fee has yet to be decided and will be set based on community feedback, Pandora said. If approved, a board would be appointed by city council to manage the NCA.

A Short North Alliance spokesperson said that the charge would not be classified as a tax under Ohio law, noting that individual property owners in the area would be able to decide whether they want their business to opt in or out of the NCA.

Revenue from the fee could also support safety initiatives. Last year, the Short North was the site of a mass shooting that injured 10 people. Pandora said safety is "one important component," but that the NCA "is not being proposed in response to any single issue."

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A map submitted to city council shows that the Short North Alliance's proposal would implement the NCA along High Street, but also part of East Fifth Avenue and connecting to North Fourth Street. The area surrounding the Columbus Convention Center would also be included.

Next, the Columbus Department of Development will set a date for a public hearing on the alliance's petition to gather resident feedback before city council votes on whether to create and implement the NCA.

Categories: Ohio News

Gahanna school to host bone marrow screening for girl, 8, in need of transplant

News Channel 4 - Tue, 05/27/2025 - 21:18

GAHANNA, Ohio (WCMH) – Columbus Academy is hosting a free screening event on Wednesday to help a third-grade student find a bone marrow donor match.

What started as mysterious bruising quickly took a turn for a local family after learning their 8-year-old daughter was diagnosed with a disorder in which her bone marrow no longer produces white blood cells.

Kaia Julka is a happy and active child who loves lacrosse, something she can’t wait to get back to doing. On Easter weekend, her parents Courtney and A.J. noticed bruising all over her body.

After a trip to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Kaia was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia, a condition that leaves patients tired and more prone to infection and uncontrollable bleeding. Kaia was taken to the hospital because she had bleeding from her gums.

Her parents say she’s at high risk for serious complications, so finding a match would mean everything to them.

“The one fortunate thing about aplastic anemia is that there is a cure, and that cure is bone marrow donation,” Kaia’s mother Courtney Kauh said. “So if she were to find a full match, that would just be, it would feel like a second chance at life, like literally.”

“To have that potential to save a life, which most of us will never have to be able to give that gift, that's huge, so we need somebody who's a match and we also need somebody who's willing to say, ‘Yes,’” Kaia’s father A.J. Julka said.

The best match for Kaia is likely someone of Indian or Korean descent and somebody between the ages of 18 and 40.

For more information on the event and how to register, click here.

KaiaDownload

The screening will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Columbus Academy, 4300 Cherry Bottom Road, Gahanna. The initial screening consists of a cheek swab, which will be conducted by the school's nurse.

If you are unable to make Wednesday's screening and still want to be screened, visit Kaia's Be The Match webpage by clicking here or text TeamKaia to 61474.

Categories: Ohio News

Volunteer celebrates 50 years at The Memorial

News Channel 4 - Tue, 05/27/2025 - 21:14

DUBLIN, Ohio (WCMH) – This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Memorial Tournament. It’s a huge milestone, one that couldn’t happen without hundreds of volunteers every year. 

As golfers and spectators make their way to the 18th hole at Muirfield this Thursday, that’s where you’ll see Shere Everett. She’s arguably got one of the best views in the house.

“I will be on the status board, on the Big Board on 18, which is where I always am on Thursday,” Evertt said.

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Like The Memorial, Evertt is also celebrating 50 years of going to Muirfield for the event as a volunteer.

Each year, more than 3,000 people donate their time to help out. They do it all, from greeting guests to tracking stats. 

“I considered it an honor when I was accepted as a volunteer in 1976, and now I have been part of this marvelous event for 50 years, and I wouldn't trade it for anything,” Everett said. 

Everett comes from a family of golfers; she got her first set of clubs when she was 12, but it was a personal story that led her to land the gig as a volunteer.

“My niece spent ten years in the Burn Ward Children's Hospital,” she said. “She celebrated her fourth birthday there.”

Nationwide Children’s Hospital is the tournament’s primary beneficiary. So, as a way to thank the staff that took care of her niece, Everett and her whole family signed up to volunteer at Muirfield the year the Memorial began.

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“My father was a marshal, my mother worked in souvenirs, Dale was a spotter for CBS for a long time, and of course, I started out in leader boards and ended up in status boards,” Everett said.

From the course to the evolution of the volunteer space, Everett said so much has changed over the years. Her hat is filled with pins, each of which holds a different memory. Even after all these years, it was something that happened in her first year that stuck with her, even 50 years later.

“Roger Maltbie hit his shot on the first hole of overtime, it hit one of these metal poles down because it was headed straight to the crowd, and it bounced back out onto the green,” she said. “So he was able to make the putt, which was necessary to go to the second hole of sudden death.”

Everett said her time has been 50 years of great success and she hopes the event will continue for at least another 50 years.

Categories: Ohio News

Domestic violence calls pose unique threat to law enforcement, community

News Channel 4 - Tue, 05/27/2025 - 17:00

This story describes a domestic violence situation. If you or a loved one is experiencing domestic violence, visit LSS Choices or call 614-224-4663 (HOME), or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, text BEGIN to 88788, or click here.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — As condolences for the loss of Morrow County Sheriff’s Deputy Daniel Sherrer come in from around the state, the community is also being reminded of the dangers that can come with domestic violence calls.

“It’s tough any time a law enforcement officer is killed,” Brian Steel, president of Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Capital City Lodge 9, said. “Morrow County did not just lose an officer, America lost an officer. No matter if it's California, New Jersey, when one officer or deputy dies, we all feel it.”

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Sherrer was shot and killed responding to a domestic violence call. Steel said those are often dangerous because of the unknowns and perpetrators feeling like they are losing control.

“They’re volatile, they’re hostile, you have a lot of emotions, you have people that have been together, sometimes the abuser has been abusing his spouse or her spouse for years, and now enters the officer coming in,” Steel said. “It's a very hostile, very tumultuous situation.”

Turning Point is also heartbroken by what happened. It supports domestic violence and survivors in several counties, including Morrow. One of its partners is the sheriff's office.

“It’s something we see all too often in the line of work in the service that we provide,” Turning Point President and CEO Amber Scott said. “I think it is disheartening always to see, for us to see an advocate of ours, which is our local law enforcement, be involved in such a volatile situation.”

Following deputy’s death, Morrow County businesses pledge support

Scott wants people to know help is available. The Ohio Domestic Violence Network can be reached here. Scott said that the time when a victim tries to leave can be most dangerous for them, others involved, and first responders.

“So our heartfelt condolences go out to the family, community members, and all of the police force in Morrow County at this point because it's devastating," Scott said.

Categories: Ohio News

How Ohio lawmakers seek to address medical debt

News Channel 4 - Tue, 05/27/2025 - 16:30

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Medical debt is the number one reason that people in the United States file for bankruptcy, and for many, like cancer survivor Olivia Hiltbrand, medical bills hit at the most unexpected times.

“I was unprepared for anything like that to happen,” she said. “I went through chemotherapy, brain radiation, all kinds of medications, pills, just anything you can think of for those three years.”

Hiltbrand said she got diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma in 2020, when she was 31 years old. She said she was otherwise healthy, so this came as a shock. Still, she and her husband had insurance, full-time jobs and health savings accounts.

Suspect before deputy fatally shot: ‘You better … go if you want your family to see you’

“Essentially, we were doing what we thought responsible adults who had income could do,” Hiltbrand said.

At the start of her treatment, Hiltbrand said she had a three-week hospital stay. After that, she got a bill for her insurance for $200,000.

“Sticker shock would be a good way to put it,” she said. “The cost of the treatment was incomprehensible. I didn’t understand how it could cost that much just to keep me alive.”

Hiltbrand said that when she was not going through chemotherapy, she was on the phone, making sure she had proper payment plans lined up. She said she still owes about $7,000, two years after being cancer-free. Even through that, Hiltbrand said she considers herself one of the lucky ones because her hospitals do not charge interest on her bills.

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“It would’ve been incredibly stressful to me, even more than it already was, to have interest piling up on these bills that I already couldn’t pay,” she said.

Now, a new bill, known as the Medical Debt Fairness Act, could help alleviate some of that burden.

If passed, the bill would do three things:

  • Cap interest rates on medical debt at 3%,
  • Prohibit reporting medical debt to credit agencies,
  • And ban wage garnishment for medical debt.

“This policy overreaches and so the consequence, it could harm some of the very people it's trying to help,” Vice President of Policy at the Buckeye Institute, a conservative-leaning think-tank, Rea Hederman said.

Hederman said the bill could result in higher prices for everyone else if interest rates on medical bills are so low that Ohioans feel they can move those payments to the back of the line.

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“You could see co-payments going up, your deductibles going up as companies and healthcare providers don't want to put themselves at financial risk for providing bad debt,” Hederman said.

He said this will also open the door for people who can’t afford it to get new loans.

“If you don't know if somebody has a large package of debt on their bills, then other areas of financing, from houses to car loans, may become less transparent, so people could be at greater risk of bankruptcy or default,” Hederman said.

Hederman added that if providers cannot go after someone’s income in order to recuperate costs, then it may have to become more extreme.

“A lot of times, where are you going to be looking? To repossess a car, trying to go to a court case to find out other assets they may have,” Hederman said. “That's going to make it a lot more expensive to make these loans.”

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Overall, Hederman agreed that something needs to be done, but said this is bad policy for the state.

“At the end of the day, the question can be, ‘How can we make healthcare more affordable for a lot of these people?’” he said.

“You shouldn’t have to be fighting for your life and also dealing with the effects of this debt,” Hiltbrand said.

As far as hospitals go, two answered a request for their stance on it.

The Cleveland Clinic said it has not taken a position “since it doesn’t impact our operations.”

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“Cleveland Clinic offers financial assistance to patients who qualify,” a spokesperson wrote. “If a patient does not qualify, we offer no-cost payment plans for up to four years. We do not garnish patients' wages, place liens on patients' homes, or report debt to credit agencies.”

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center said it is reviewing the bill and directed comments to the Central Ohio Hospital Association and the Ohio Hospital Association.

The bill did just have its first hearing, but sponsors said they have talked with leadership and are confident the bill will gain traction. Nearly one-third of Ohio House members, both Republicans and Democrats, are signed on in support.

Categories: Ohio News

Following deputy's death, Morrow County businesses pledge support

News Channel 4 - Tue, 05/27/2025 - 16:00

MOUNT GILEAD, Ohio (WCMH) -- After a Morrow County sheriff’s deputy was shot and killed on Monday night, community members shared their reaction to the tragedy.

Tuesday was a tough day for the people of Morrow County, and some said they are still in shock following Deputy Daniel Sherrer’s death.

Local business owners said they can’t believe it happened in their community.

Suspect before deputy fatally shot: ‘You better … go if you want your family to see you’

“It was pretty shocking,” Trevor Williams, co-owner of Hoof Hearted brewing company, said. “It’s usually pretty quiet around here.”

The brewery, located on County Road 26 in Marengo, is just blocks away from where Sherrer was killed.

“We use the deputies from time to time for some events,” Williams said. “It’s pretty confusing and terrible.”

Marengo is just south of Mount Gilead, where the sheriff’s office is located.

Mandy Honzo, the owner of diner and coffee shop Sames and Cook in Mount Gilead, said she couldn’t believe the news.

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“The whole community is really shocked and surprised,” Honzo said. “So, I mean, we're still just kind of trying to process it.”

Honzo said she would never have expected something like this to happen in Morrow County.

“We live in a tight knit, small community and everybody is extremely helpful and caring about each other,” Honzo said. “You always feel very safe. So it is scary to know that it can happen anywhere.”

Honzo said she is going to get together with other business owners in Mount Gilead to see what they can do to ease the burden on the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office and Sherrer’s loved ones.

“I think we're just trying to process it right now, so whatever we can do to kind of collaborate and do whatever we can to try to help,” Honzo said.

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Williams said that this weekend, Hoof Hearted will be donating a portion of the proceeds from its freshest IPA to the deputy’s family and customers can donate when they stop in the brewery. 

“We’re going to try and stay strong,” Williams said. “We’re trying to figure out something to over the weekend to try and raise money.”

Both Honzo and Williams said to stay tuned to both businesses’ social media accounts over the next few days for more information.

Categories: Ohio News

City of Columbus asks court to dismiss cyber lawsuits

News Channel 4 - Tue, 05/27/2025 - 15:30

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The city of Columbus is arguing that it is not responsible for the massive cyberattack against city systems last summer.

NBC4 Investigates revealed that the private, sensitive information of half a million people was leaked on the dark web as a result of the attack, despite the mayor's claim that the data lacked value. Now, lawyers for the city have filed a motion to dismiss two class action lawsuits.

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The two class action lawsuits represent both law enforcement and residents who were impacted. Right now, the court is deciding if the cases will move forward.

The city of Columbus is arguing it is not at fault for the cyberattack because the city is a political subdivision, meaning it is immune from legal claims where someone alleges harm caused by another's actions or negligence.

The city also argues that the parties suing have not shown any specific injury because of the attack and that they did not provide enough support to justify the claim of negligence.

Those suing the city strongly disagree.

They argue that there have been injuries; one example is an undercover officer who fears that if his identity is revealed, it will threaten an ongoing criminal investigation and his life. Court documents show he now sleeps with a gun under his pillow and has installed security cameras throughout his home.

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NBC4 Investigates found confidential information about undercover officers and criminal cases on the dark web after the cyberattack.

Plaintiffs also argue the city does owe a duty of care to protect personally identifiable information because it collected and stored it.

It is up to the court to decide on the motion to dismiss and as of now, the trial is scheduled for the end of August.

You can read the court documents below. 

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Categories: Ohio News

Arrested escapee from Columbus security facility issued bond in court

News Channel 4 - Tue, 05/27/2025 - 11:30

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – One of four escaped prisoners, who was re-arrested over the weekend, was in court on escape charges Tuesday morning.

According to court records, 30-year-old Jeremy Bowen was issued a $500,000 bond on third-degree felony charge of escape after he and three others fled the Franklin County Community Based Correctional Facility last Thursday.

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Bowen, the first and only to be re-arrested as of Tuesday, was serving time after three guilty pleas for burglaries committed in 2014, 2015, and 2016. His three-year prison sentence was followed by an undetermined amount of community control time.

Jeremy Bowen (top left), Nikko Burton (top right), Mark Long (bottom left), Michael Norton (bottom right) (Courtesy: Franklin County Sheriff's Office)

Bowen was charged on three separate occasions for stealing laundry detergent or Tide pods. He was accused three times of petty theft of those items with one incident in 2013 and two others in 2015. He has also been charged for petty theft of a package of t-shirts, burglary in 2014, and criminal trespassing at a Kroger in 2015.

The three other fugitives, Nikko Burton, Mark Long, and Michael Norton, remain at-large. Bowen’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 3.

Categories: Ohio News

Bojangles to open third central Ohio location this summer

News Channel 4 - Tue, 05/27/2025 - 10:00

DELAWARE, Ohio (WCMH) -- Central Ohio will soon be home to a third Bojangles, the fast-food chain known for its Southern-style chicken and biscuits.

The quick-service restaurant is opening a new location this summer at 39 Coughlin Lane in Delaware. The location will mark the chain's third central Ohio restaurant after the first launched in Hilliard in 2023 and the second opened in Heath later that year.

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Bojangles' expansion into Columbus is part of a recent deal with franchise owner Jeff Rigsby, who is opening around 45 locations throughout the next several years. The chain said restaurants will be developed in Rigsby's core markets, including Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, along with Columbus, which is slated for 15 locations.

The quick-service restaurant is opening a new location this summer at 39 Coughlin Lane in Delaware. (Courtesy Photo/Bojangles)

"Jeff has been a valued partner of the Bojangles brand for over 20 years, and we could not be more thrilled to extend this business relationship to 45 new locations, including expansion into a new market for our brand," said Jose Costa, Bojangles chief development officer, at the time of the announcement in 2021.

An exact opening date for the Coughlin Lane location has yet to be announced.

The North Carolina chain is following in the footsteps of several other chicken brands that have recently expanded in central Ohio, like Huey Magoo's, a fellow southern chain that opened a third central Ohio restaurant last fall. Dave's Hot Chicken, a national brand boasted as a "hot chicken sensation," also opened a third Columbus-area eatery last year.

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Chick-fil-A is also expanding by bulldozing several central Ohio restaurants to make room for new locations. The chain is planning on demolishing a Buca di Beppo in Worthington after the restaurant closed earlier this year.

Big Chicken, the brand founded by Hall of Fame basketball star Shaquille O'Neal, has yet to deliver on plans announced in 2023 to open several dozen Ohio locations. Similarly, Slim Chickens shared plans in early 2024 to open 25 restaurants in Ohio but has since only launched a few eateries.

Categories: Ohio News

Ohio lawmakers introduce bill that would allow counties to test gas station fuel quality

News Channel 4 - Tue, 05/27/2025 - 09:00

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – If an Ohio bill is signed into law, local counties may begin testing the quality of motor fuel at gas stations.

Senate Bill 80, sponsored by Sens. Catherine Ingram (D-Cincinnati) and Willis Blackshear Jr. (D-Dayton), would enable county auditors to implement programs for testing the quality of motor fuel at gas stations. The legislation would permit inspectors to test for octane levels, as well as sediment and water in fuel.

“This bill represents an essential step toward protecting Ohio's consumers, promoting environmental sustainability, and ensuring the integrity of the motor fuels used by our residents every day,” Ingram said at an introductory hearing for the bill in February. 

While Ohio law already presents the opportunity for the state Director of Agriculture to establish a statewide motor fuel quality testing program, one has not yet been created. Ohio is one of only three states that does not have a statewide program for fuel quality testing, according to the lawmakers. In other states, inspections are typically conducted annually, while some opt to test whenever there are customer complaints. 

Currently, Ohio law does not allow for a quality testing program at the county level. County auditors have inspectors who visit gas stations to test for the quantity of fuel, but not quality.

Low-quality fuel can lead to engine damage, reduced fuel efficiency and increased air pollution, Ingram said. Repairs needed after fueling with contaminated gas can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on the severity of the damage.

“When consumers are putting gas into their car, they want to be assured that the product they are putting into their vehicle is safe, and that they are not being ‘sold short,’” Blackshear said at the February hearing. “By allowing our county auditors to implement this program they can give local consumers an enhanced peace of mind knowing that the fuel they are using has been checked and is accurate.”

The bill would require fuel inspectors to relay data collected from testing programs to the Director of Agriculture, who would then compile that information and make it accessible to the public online. It would also allow each county auditor to make their own decision on if implementing a program is feasible, Blackshear said. 

Multiple similar bills have been introduced in past general assemblies, but have not made it through a legislative session. The most recent was introduced by Ingram in May 2024, which did not progress to the point of receiving a hearing. 

Currently, only Summit County operates a motor fuel quality testing program in Ohio, as it is a charter county and has certain home rule powers most other counties do not. Cuyahoga is the only other charter county in Ohio. 

SB 80 was assigned to the Senate’s Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, where it awaits proponent and opponent testimony. Sen. Hearcel Craig (D-Columbus) is cosponsoring the bill. 

Categories: Ohio News

Now open: New restaurant openings in central Ohio as of late May 2025

News Channel 4 - Tue, 05/27/2025 - 08:30

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) - From ice cream and frozen custard, to steakburgers, beer and cocktails, here's a look at some newly opened restaurants in Columbus and the central Ohio area as of May 27, 2025.

Draft Day

1130 Dublin Rd.

  • A bar and grill described as a “one of a kind sports bar experience” officially opened for business in May. Draft Day offers food, drinks and more while featuring a "fun, lively spot" for all game day festivities. Hours are 3 p.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday through Sunday.
Freddy's Frozen Custard

1719 Hilliard Rome Rd. in Hilliard

  • The fast-casual restaurant known for its cooked-to-order steakburgers and freshly churned frozen custard is open in Hilliard. The new location joins 21 restaurants across Ohio and the eatery’s recent opening in Grove City in December. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
(Courtesy: Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers) Johnson’s Real Ice Cream

192 Hill Road N. in Pickerington

  • The new ice cream shop features a rooftop and covered patio, offering several different flavors of ice cream, treats and more. The new Pickerington shop marks the company’s ninth central Ohio location. 
Palm Valley Cocktails

6770 Riverside Drive in Dublin’s Bridge Park

  • The bar officially opened on May 2 in Bridge Park. Palm Valley’s menu features a selection of “retro-modern cocktails," appetizers and much more. Palm Valley is open 5 p.m. to midnight Monday through Wednesday, 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 3 p.m. to midnight Sunday.
Paris Baguette

1369 W. Lane Ave. in Upper Arlington

  • Paris Baguette began welcoming customers in April, offering a variety of cakes, breads, donuts, sandwiches, salads, smoothies and coffees. The company currently has two other central Ohio locations at Easton Town Center and Polaris Fashion Place. The café is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
(Photo courtesy/Ximena Tellez) Teriyaki Madness

7105 N. High St. in Worthington

  • A fast-casual Asian chain known for made-to-order Teriyaki bowls is open in Worthington. Teriyaki Madness features made-to-order teriyaki bowls with protein options like chicken, steak, salmon and orange chicken. Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Categories: Ohio News

Memorial Tournament 2025: What to know before you go to Muirfield Village

News Channel 4 - Tue, 05/27/2025 - 06:30

DUBLIN, Ohio (WCMH) -- Dublin's biggest annual event is back, and it is a special one as the Memorial Tournament celebrates its 50th birthday.

For a half-century, Muirfield Village Golf Club has hosted the PGA Tour event that has gotten bigger and better as the decades have gone by. It is set to be an incredible week with the best golfers in the world and multiple star athletes set to take the course with plenty of outside events for all ages.

Here is everything you need to know ahead of the Memorial and key information to keep in mind before you head out to the course.

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  • Tuesday morning: Practice round
  • Tuesday, 6 p.m.: Family Night at Safari Golf Club
  • Wednesday, 6:30 a.m.: Gates open (Salute to Service and Junior Golf days)
  • Wednesday, 7 a.m.: Golden Bear Pro-Am
  • Wednesday, 1 p.m.: Memorial Honoree Ceremony (Barbara Nicklaus)
  • Wednesday, 3:30 p.m.: Tournament Tailgate at Champions Pavilion
  • Thursday, 7 a.m.: First round
  • Friday, 7 a.m.: Second round
  • Friday, 7:30 a.m.: Folds of Honor Friday
  • Friday, 5 p.m.: Fore!Fest at Dublin Bridge Park
  • Saturday, 9 a.m.: Third round
  • Saturday, 5 p.m.: Fore!Fest at Dublin Bridge Park
  • Sunday, 8 a.m.: Final round and trophy ceremony
Tickets

Any tickets purchased must be shown to tournament personnel from your mobile phone. Screenshots are not valid. Save your ticket to your Apple Wallet or Google Wallet.

Traffic

Carnoustie Drive will be a one-way road going east from Muirfield Drive to Glick Road all week. From Thursday through Sunday, Glick Road will also be a one-way eastbound from Shawnee Trail to Riverside Drive from 3 p.m. until an hour after play concludes.

O'Shaughnessy Bridge will also have an identical schedule of one-way traffic going east to Glick Road but traffic going one-way will begin at 3:30 p.m.

Parking and rideshares

Parking is available for free at the 6th Tee Lot (Off State Route 745/Dublin Road at 10555 Dublin Road). You can also reserve spots, which are sold each day from Wednesday to Sunday. When leaving from the 6th Tee Lot, use the back gate behind the Bogey Inn. Reserved parking entrance is at 10567 Dublin Road.

The Columbus Zoo in Powell will also have parking availability from Wednesday to Sunday from 7 a.m. until one hour after tournament play. Shuttles are available from the main entrance gate of the tournament to take you back to the Zoo.

Disabled parking is located at 10555 Dublin Road with an additional lot at Ashbaugh Lot off Brand Road east of Muirfield Drive. Street parking is available but limited and parking on the north and south left-hand lanes of Muirfield Drive north of Whittingham Drive is available but not until 6:30 a.m. each day.

Anyone planning on taking a rideshare will need to use one of these two locations for drop-off and pick-up: 6th Tee Lot (10555 Dublin Road) or Entrance #15 (8668 Muirfield Drive).

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Acceptable to wear at the tournament is casual golf wear with comfortable walking shoes highly recommended. When at the tournament and watching the golfers, stand still and quiet as they are about to swing. Stay behind the rope at all times and you are not permitted to take pictures or videos of the golfers.

Items you can't bring

Cameras for still photos are only allowed Tuesday or Wednesday and video cameras are strictly prohibited. Notable items that are not allowed to be taken onto the course include:

  • Backpacks
  • Bags larger than a small purse
  • Tablet computers
  • Posters or signs
  • Coolers
  • Lawn or oversized chairs, seat cushions, or chair bags
  • Outside food or drinks except for infants
  • Picnic baskets
  • Cups or cans
  • Radios
  • Noise makers
Weather

Storm Team 4 is currently forecasting periods of rains Tuesday and Wednesday before sunset. Rain looks to taper off for when the tournament starts on Thursday morning but a few showers can't be ruled out Friday as a cold front moves through.

This will create a chance for isolated showers or thunderstorms for Friday and Saturday. Conditions look dry for Sunday.

Temperatures are expected to be ideal throughout the week with highs all in the 70s and moderately increasing as the tournament progresses.

Categories: Ohio News

New Columbus flights include Maine, Florida, bonuses for Buckeyes fans

News Channel 4 - Tue, 05/27/2025 - 06:00

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — East Coast lovers, Disney World enthusiasts and Ohio State football fans all have something to look forward to at John Glenn Columbus International Airport.

The airport has announced that Breeze Airways has launched seasonal nonstop service from Columbus to Portland, Maine. Now, twice a week, travelers can catch a flight to the charming New England town. The temporary schedule operates on Mondays and Fridays and runs through fall, ending on Dec. 1.

In its “FlyColumbus” newsletter, the organization noted that the flight is “perfect for a long weekend getaway or a laid-back Northeast adventure.” Known for its iconic lighthouses, historic waterfront and fresh coastal air, Portland is just one flight away from Columbus.

Looking ahead to winter, Delta Air Lines will launch Saturday-only nonstop service from CMH to Orlando (MCO) starting Dec. 20. Flights depart at 8 a.m. and run weekly through April 11. The schedule is designed for vacationers looking for a warm-weather break, whether they take a magical trip to Walt Disney World, a thrilling visit to Universal’s Epic Universe or simply want to soak up the Florida sunshine.

Buckeye Nation is also getting a bonus this fall. Delta is also adding 40 extra flights for select college football games this season, with two trips that make getting back to Ohio Stadium easier. According to the airline, most flights will operate on Fridays, returning on Sundays and “operate on a mix of both mainline Delta flights and Delta Connection flights.”

“College football is one of the great American traditions, and Delta is excited to help bring even more fans to the games that matter to them the most,” said Amy Martin, vice president North America Network Planning. “With these increases, Delta is adding about 8,000 additional seats for customers, making it easier and more convenient for fans to be there for every kickoff, touchdown and victory.” 

For those who bleed scarlet and gray and are looking to return to the Ohio Stadium, an Austin (AUS) to CMH schedule is available for the Aug. 30, 2025, Texas at Ohio State game. Additionally, a CMH to Los Angeles (LAX) is planned for Nov. 15, 2025, UCLA at Ohio State​ game.

See the full schedule of Delta's college football flights on its website.

Categories: Ohio News

Ohio State's Nisonger Center seeks public help to stop elimination of federal funding

News Channel 4 - Tue, 05/27/2025 - 05:00

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center's center for people with disabilities would lose all federal funding under the proposed national budget.

OSU's Nisonger Center helps families and individuals with developmental disabilities. Now, the center is asking for help in return, calling on anyone who has used the center's services to submit testimonies about how the Nisonger Center has helped them in an attempt to keep its federal funding.

According to the Nisonger Center, the proposed federal budget for fiscal year 2026, which would begin on Oct. 1, would eliminate all federal funding for the center. Nisonger Center is a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, or a UCEDD, which are facing dramatic cuts under the federal budget proposal.

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"We are closely monitoring federal budget proposals and the potential impact they may have on programs such as the Nisonger Center," Wexner Medical Center spokesperson Marti Leitch said. "We will be engaged with our representatives in Washington throughout the budget process."

NBC4 requested an interview with Nisonger Center staff, but Leitch said the hospital was only able to offer a statement. According to the center's 2024 summary, one-third of all of its funding came from federal grants, or around $4.8 million last year alone.

Founded in 1966, Nisonger Center was among the first federally funded UCEDDs. It staffs around 120 faculty and staff and serves more than 38,000 people each year, according to its website. The center offers programs and assistance for all ages, from early childhood education programs to smart home technology training for adults.

"The Ohio State University Nisonger Center provides outstanding, nationally recognized programs, patient care and research for individuals with developmental disabilities," Leitch said. "The center's work is vital to the entire Ohio community and, most importantly, to the families they serve."

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The center also found out this month that the National Science Foundation eliminated all funding for the Alliance of Students with Disabilities for Inclusion, Networking and Transition Opportunities in STEM. Nisonger Center workers posted on social media that the center had led the Northeast Hub of the alliance, uniting students with disabilities from Gallaudet University, Landmark College, Purdue University, the University of Cincinnati, the University of Connecticut and OSU.

Nisonger Center employees said Ohio State students in the alliance began an organization and a faculty training initiative, co-presenting at 14 conferences across three years. The alliance was funded by a federal grant which still had two years left when it was canceled.

Although the canceled alliance grant cannot be appealed, Nisonger Center is asking anyone who was worked with the center to submit their stories through a brief survey to help protect its funding. Anyone interested in submitting a testimony can do so online here.

Categories: Ohio News

Why Giant Eagle is bringing back plastic bags at most of its Columbus locations

News Channel 4 - Tue, 05/27/2025 - 04:30

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – About one year after debuting reusable fabric grocery bags, Giant Eagle is switching back to plastic at most of its Columbus stores. 

In May 2024, the Pennsylvania-based grocery giant rolled out free fabric grocery bags in the Columbus area and some other U.S. markets, eliminating plastic bags. However, Giant Eagle claims customers did not use the fabric bags as intended.

“Unfortunately, we have not seen strong customer adoption of these reusable bags, with most not being reused and many likely being discarded after a single use,” a Giant Eagle spokesperson told NBC4. “With this learning – and knowing that the fabric bags are not recyclable – we believe a change in approach is warranted.”

Now, Columbus stores are switching back to plastic, but with a twist. The grocery chain has introduced a new plastic grocery bag made of 75% recycled plastic. The company estimates the new bags will result in a reduction of nearly 4 million pounds of plastic. 

“This new single-use plastic bag is reminiscent of the traditional plastic grocery bag customers have become accustomed to over the years, but with a significantly better environmental impact,” the spokesperson said. 

Giant Eagle's fabric bags were launched in select markets across its five-state footprint, totaling nearly half of its approximately 200 supermarkets. Stores in the Erie, Pennsylvania, and Cuyahoga County, Ohio, markets are also switching back to plastic bags. Some areas Giant Eagle serves have city legislation prohibiting the use of single-use plastic, so the fabrics bags will remain in those areas.

The new plastic bags will be implemented in all Columbus-area stores except for Giant Eagle’s Bexley Market District Express, as the city has a plastic bag ban that took effect in 2022. The introduction of the new plastic bags at Columbus stores began this month, according to the company. 

Giant Eagle’s fabric bags were part of a larger initiative to reduce plastic waste -- a common effort among grocery stores. Whole Foods stopped offering plastic bags in 2008, becoming the first American grocer to do so, according to the company. Trader Joe’s followed suit in 2019 and Aldi in 2023. Seven years ago, Kroger pledged to eliminate plastic bags in its stores by 2025, but that goal seemingly fell flat

Categories: Ohio News

Passenger left for dead in east Columbus crash identified

News Channel 4 - Tue, 05/27/2025 - 04:00

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A man who died in in a crash in which the driver fled the scene has been identified.

According to Columbus police a crash occurred Saturday morning at around 2 a.m. in the Eastland area when two vehicles collided at the South Hamilton Road and Eastland 2 intersection.

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Police said a silver Toyota was traveling northbound on South Hamilton Road while a Ford was heading west on Eastland 2 when they crashed into each other. The driver of the Ford was hospitalized in an unknown condition.

The driver of the Toyota ran away from the scene, while the passenger, who was identified Tuesday morning as 43-year-old Adan Amaya, was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:13 a.m.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Columbus Division of Police or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS

Categories: Ohio News

Ohio bill would make Superman the state's official superhero, but not until 2033

News Channel 4 - Tue, 05/27/2025 - 03:30

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Superman! A bipartisan bill has flown into the Statehouse to make the character Ohio's official superhero, after the comic book hero's new movie filmed in the state last year.

House Bill 270 calls for Superman to be adopted as the official superhero of Ohio beginning on April 18, 2033, when the character enters the public domain. Rep. Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon), one of the bill's sponsors, said Superman is one of Ohio's most notable cultural exports, originating in Cleveland where writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster created the hero while attending Glenville High School in 1933.

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"Superman has become a cultural phenomenon, a testament to the impact of Ohio's creators and innovators, and the character has served to showcase Ohio's culture, art, and architecture on a global stage," said Mathews during H.B. 270's first hearing in the House General Government Committee on May 20.

Mathews argued now is the time to honor Superman given the DC Studios move titled simply "Superman" is flying into theaters this July after filming in Cincinnati and Cleveland last summer. Watch a previous NBC4 report on 'Superman' in Ohio in the video player above.

House Bill 270 calls for Superman to be adopted as the official superhero of Ohio beginning on April 18, 2033. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

The film, which was awarded $11 million in Ohio tax credits and hired several thousand locals, rolled cameras at Cleveland's Public Square, Progressive Field, Headlands Beach State Park and in Sandusky. Actor David Corenswet, cast as Superman, was seen donning the character's iconic costume while walking down the steps of City Hall.

Rep. Terrence Upchurch (D-Cleveland), the bill's other sponsor, said he hopes the movie will cause Cleveland to become a hub for talent recruitment throughout the film industry.

"I am extremely proud to be from a city with such rich history and achievement and am honored that the new 'Superman' movie is being filmed in our city, transforming our downtown into Metropolis," said Upchurch during the May hearing. "I may be biased, but I believe Cleveland has one of the most beautiful downtowns in the state and this film provides the opportunity to showcase it."

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Director James Gunn, who previously helmed Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy" trilogy, is relaunching DC's cinematic franchise with Corenswet as Clark Kent, replacing British actor Henry Cavill, who first starred as Superman in 2013's "Man of Steel." Gunn took to social media last July to thank Cleveland, writing that when he came to scout the city's filming locations in 2023, Terminal Tower was lit up with Superman's signature colors.

"Cleveland -- today we are leaving you after six amazing weeks of shooting," Gunn's post read. "I would walk down your streets and someone would stop me and tell me how grateful they were we were shooting in their city -- not once, not twice, but dozens of times."

Filming in Ohio kicked off on June 17 last year, with the last possible production date in the state marked for Aug. 23, according to the tax credit application. Broken down, the application said the production in Ohio accounted for 133 days for preparation, 37 for shooting and 31 for wrap. That means 25% of Gunn's movie was filmed in Ohio.

Gunn's Ohio-related expenses were projected to exceed $36 million, which makes up about 10% of the movie's total budget of more than $363 million. Gunn also briefly filmed in Cincinnati, where crews were spotted at Union Terminal, known to be the inspiration for the Justice League's headquarters in the 1970s animated "Super Friends" series.

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Just as people travel to New Zealand to see the rolling hills on the Shire, we want them
to travel to Cincinnati to see the Hall of Justice, Mathews said.

"Ohio is the birthplace of flight, both for airplanes and superheroes, and this bill honors one of our key cultural achievements with the recognition it has earned," said Mathews. "Highlighting the gift that Superman is, as a force for truth, justice, and the American way, could not be any more Ohio."

H.B. 270 could receive additional hearings in the House General Government Committee hearing. "Superman" is scheduled to be released in theaters on July 11.

Categories: Ohio News

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