Ohio News

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Columbus police have closed off a road in the Central Hilltop Friday after a shooting left one person dead.

Dispatchers told NBC4 they originally received a report of a shooting at 3:39 p.m. near the intersection of Lechner Avenue and Sullivant Avenue. Emergency crews originally took the victim to a nearby hospital in critical condition, but Columbus police reported the victim was pronounced dead at 4:06 p.m.

Columbus police did not share any information on a possible suspect as of 5 p.m. Photos taken at the scene showed officers stationed cars and set up crime scene tape to close Lechner Avenue.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- As the calendar switches to October, we start to think about which schools we'll be talking about in November and who might have a shot at adding some hardware in December.

Several teams, including Bishop Watterson and Granville, own 6-0 records heading into week 7. Others are hoping to avoid a second loss, including the two schools matched up in our Game of the Week: Olentangy Liberty and Upper Arlington.

Below is a list of games that will be featured on Football Friday Nite at 11:15 p.m. A complete list of games in the state is at the bottom. Check back all evening for updated scores and highlights.

Week 7 Schedule

• Licking Heights (2-4) at Granville (6-0)
• Newark (4-2) at Pickerington Central (4-2)
• London (6-0) at Jonathan Alder (4-2)
• Westerville North (4-2) at Westland (5-1)
• Canal Winchester (4-2) at Teays Valley (5-1)
• Logan Elm (5-1) at Bloom-Carroll (5-1)
• Whetsone (1-5) at East (5-1)
• Hartley (3-3) at DeSales (5-1)
• Olentangy Liberty (5-1) at Upper Arlington (5-1) - Game of the Week
• Olentangy Orange (5-1) at Dublin Coffman (1-5)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio has extended its deadline for food assistance recipients to request replacement benefits after losing food in recent power outages.

Ohio Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients who lost food in power outages caused by the aftermath of Hurricane Helene hitting Ohio on Sept. 27 now have until Oct. 27 to request replacement benefits.

Lancaster locals, officials disputing drag queen

The announcement increases the window for reimbursement from 10 days to 30 days. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services said they secured a federal waiver to allow the extended help for SNAP recipients.

To qualify, families must have purchased food through participation in the SNAP assistance program that was damaged due to a power outage of at least four hours. Families who are eligible can then apply for replacement SNAP benefits for perishable items as long as it does not exceed their monthly allotment.

Families must fill out this form and file it with their county ODJFS office. Applicants will be asked to provide proof of their extended power outage, such as news reports, alerts from power companies or outage maps.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A former Buckeyes quarterback has joined a growing list of lawsuits from past student athletes who claimed major players in college football profited off their name, image and likeness while the players weren't allowed to do the same.

The lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio targets Ohio State University, the NCAA, the Big 10 Conference and Learfield Communications. Filed on behalf of Terrelle Pryor and "all former student athletes who competed on an Ohio State athletic team" before the changes to NIL rules, it argues that the four defendants violated antitrust laws by preventing the past players from profiting on NIL during their time at OSU.

Pryor's attorneys -- split between two firms -- are seeking class action status for the lawsuit as it is intended to encompass cases for multiple former OSU student athletes. The case's specific allegations include two counts of violating the Sherman Act, and a count of unjust enrichment. The attorneys also argued that the issue of missing compensation is ongoing.

"Although the plaintiff is no longer a student athlete, the defendants in this case
continue to derive revenue from their NIL," Pryor's attorneys wrote in their complaint. "For example, NCAA hosts videos on its own website as well as on YouTube that depict the plaintiff and the class, and which can only be viewed after watching a commercial advertisement from which the NCAA profits. The Big Ten Conference, Inc. has a joint venture with Fox Corporation that regularly replays games from the past and which generates substantial advertising revenue."

Pryor is seeking a "temporary and permanent" injunction that would block all of the defendants from continuing to inappropriately use his, or any other class members' names, images or likenesses. Additionally, he's seeking damages shown with "proof at trial," and attorneys' fees.

Pryor's lawsuit joins a growing list of past student athletes who want a slice of the money made during their college careers. In September, former football star Reggie Bush sued the University of Southern California, the NCAA and the Pac-12 on the same grounds of recouping revenue from his name, image and likeness two decades ago. Their filings come as the NCAA mulls over a massive, $2.78 billion settlement agreement for a host of antitrust claims, the very decision creating a potential revenue sharing model for college athletes.

View the complaint filed in Pryor's lawsuit below:

TERRELLE-PRYOR-LAWSUITDownload

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- One person died Friday morning in a fire at a Northeast Side townhome.

Columbus' fire division responded to a fire in the 4000 block of Meadowleigh Way, in the Trouville neighborhood between Gahanna and New Albany, in a four-unit townhome.

Four arrested in fatal shooting of man previously arrested in north Columbus revenge killing

Responders found damage to one of the units and contained the fire. One adult was found dead. Further information about the person was not immediately available.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A man driving a car with a distinctive license plate has been arrested after Whitehall police said he stabbed a man and a dog Friday morning.

According to Whitehall police, Justin Vinson broke into an ex-girlfriend’s apartment in the 3500 block of East Main Street and physically assaulted her. Police also said that Vinson stabbed another man and the victim’s dog that were both inside the residence.

Four arrested in fatal shooting of man previously arrested in north Columbus revenge killing

Vinson then reportedly fled the scene in a maroon 2006 Chevrolet Suburban. The Suburban’s license plate reads “CRUSHA” and the back window contains a large white sticker with the State of Ohio inside of a large letter “C”.

Columbus police later took Vinson into custody around 1:25 p.m., after he attempted to evade them and crashed his car. Whitehall police said Vinson was taken to a nearby hospital, but did not know his condition.

• The car Justin Vinson was seen leaving the scene of a stabbing in. (Courtesy/Whitehall Division of Police)
• Justin Vinson (Courtesy/Whitehall Division of Police)

The victims' injuries are not considered serious, and they are expected to survive the reported assault.

Vinson was charged with aggravated burglary and felonious assault as a result of the case, according to Whitehall police.

Central Ohio Weather and Radar

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Ohio Department of Natural Resources fall color update for early October takes into account the impact of the historic drought in the southeastern half of Ohio that caused some leaves to turn color early and drop off.

Rain from Helene's broad circulation late last week brightened the lawns and provided much-needed moisture for stressed trees, which, when coupled with cooler temperatures, will help will make conditions more favorable for colorful foliage in the coming weeks.

Early fall color around Ohio. (Courtesy ODNR)

Every year, ODNR puts out weekly updates on the changing leaves and where to look for the best fall colors. The map released by ODNR this weekend indicates colors are beginning to change statewide (yellow), with near peak conditions (orange) in the higher elevations of east-central Ohio.

Ohio Fall Color Progress Map. ODNR

ODNR Fall Color Forester David Parrott said that while the colors this season will be more patchy than usual, there will be areas of vivid color in October during mid-to-late October.

In central Ohio, fall colors generally peak around the third week of October (Oct. 17-20), with pockets of vibrant color in the southern part of the state in the last week of the month.

“The recent rainy weather should help some with fall color here in Ohio,” Parrott said. “For the best fall color, we need cooler nights and sunny days. The recent rain in Ohio, after a very dry summer, may benefit some of the late changers as they show their colorful displays within the next few weeks.”

Parrott said the strong winds last Friday associated with the remnants of Helene brought down some leaves prematurely. He added that drought resistant trees will follow their usual timeline. 

Central Ohio Weather and Radar

High pressure will keep skies mostly sunny. A light southerly flow will send temperatures into the upper 70s, nearly 10 degrees above normal for early October.

A weak cold front will come through this evening, but the lack of moisture will result only in some patchy clouds.

Skies will be mainly clear tonight for Football Friday Nite, with readings falling into the upper 60s and morning temperatures in 50s.

The weather for the OSU-Iowa game will be sunny and pleasant, in the 70s.

Sunday will be warmer, as winds turn southwesterly and gusty ahead of low pressure moving through the northern Great Lakes. A trailing cold front will bring some afternoon shower over the eastern half of the state.

In the wake of a stronger cold front, pleasantly cool weather will follow early next week.

Forecast

• Friday: Sunshine, few clouds. High 80
• Tonight: Partly cloudy, clearing. Low 54
• Saturday: Sunny. High 77 
• Sunday: Partly sunny, shower p.m. High 84 (54)
• Monday: Mostly sunny, cooler. High 69 (50)
• Tuesday: Sunny. High 68 (45)
• Wednesday: Sunny. High 69 (44)
• Thursday: Sunny. High 71 (45)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A former Republican governor of Ohio has said he will not vote for his party's presidential ticket in the upcoming election.

John Kasich, who served as Ohio's 69th governor from 2011 to 2019, explained his opposition to former President Donald Trump's campaign in an X post this week.

"Some people think that I hate Trump. I don't," Kasich said in the post. "I simply don't think America's president should be a person who fuels grievances to divide us and doesn't have a hopeful vision for our future. I'm a lifelong conservative Republican, but I will not be voting for Donald Trump."

That also means that one of Ohio's two senators, J.D. Vance, won't get Kasich's vote as Trump's running mate.

The former governor stopped short of endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris. However, Kasich made waves in the 2020 presidential election by endorsing President Joe Biden, even going so far as to speak in support of him at the Democratic National Convention.

In 2016, Kasich went head-to-head with Trump in the Republican primary for president. The former governor won his home state of Ohio, eventually becoming the last candidate to drop out before Trump secured the nomination.

Election Day is Nov. 5, and the voter registration deadline is on Monday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Columbus police have arrested three of four suspects in connection to the fatal shooting of a man who had previously been arrested for a 2022 revenge killing.

According to court documents, police arrested Sincere Langford, Terrell Felton and Kenrell Felton, who are all charged in the murder of Rayshawn Rogers. All three suspects are accused of fatally shooting Rogers on Sept. 19 in the 1100 block of East 12th Avenue in South Linden.

Viral videos lead to east Columbus police investigation

Rogers was shot in the face after four individuals riding in a Ford Escape allegedly fired at a residence. He was taken to the hospital, where he died two days later.

Investigators recovered the fingerprints of Langford, Terrell and Kenrell Felton from inside the car, which was reported stolen. Police also said that the three suspects were seen in the vehicle on video at multiple locations on the date of the shooting.

Langford and Terrell Felton were taken into custody on Thursday. Kenrell Felton turned himself in later that day. All three are charged with murder.

A Franklin County Municipal judge issued the three suspects $1 million bonds, and will next appear in court on Oct. 11 for their respective preliminary hearings.

The fourth individual reportedly in the vehicle with the other suspects was arrested Friday morning. Marcus Person Jr., 20, is also charged with murder. His arraignment hearing is set for Saturday morning.

Rogers, 33, was previously named a suspect in a 2022 revenge killing in which he and five others were accused of murdering 38-year-old Mario Copeland. Video surveillance showed that Devon Robinson and five individuals – Rogers, Christian Capers, Damon Capers and two others – surrounded Copeland in an alley near the 1200 block of East Hudson Street.

All parties involved were reportedly acting in revenge for an accidental, but fatal drug overdose involving Lithasha Streeter. The suspects believed Copeland sold the drugs to Streeter, who died after ingesting tainted fentanyl, according to a release by the Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney’s office.

A judge dismissed Rogers’ case out of municipal court, while Robinson was sentenced to 25 to 30 ½ years in prison. Christian and Damon Capers were arrested on October 14, 2022, but their charges were also dropped.

Police have not shared any indication that the two shootings are connected.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) - The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is celebrating the fall season with several festivals across Ohio at state parks.

Visitors can check out fall foliage while enjoying fun, family friendly activities from craft vendors, tractor pulls and entertainment, to food vendors, self guided tours and more. Below is a list of Ohio state parks hosting fall festivals.

Columbus park to be revamped based on public feedback

Fall Festival at Harrison Lake State Park: Oct. 5

Beach Shelter House from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Enjoy fall festival events, trick or treating, and a spooky evening movie. Patrons can also camp out and decorate their campsite.

Harvest Fest at Cowan Lake State Park: Oct. 11-13

Cowan Lake Campground: 1750 Osborn Road, Wilmington at 11 a.m.

• Festival includes naturalist led hikes, pet costume parade, scavenger hunts and more.

Fall Festival at Mt. Gilead State Park: Oct. 11-12

Mt. Gilead State Park Amphitheater from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

• Naturalist programs, trick-or-treat as well as trunk-or-treat, campsite decorating contest, Halloween themed contests.

Fall Festival at Barkcamp State Park: Oct. 19

Barkcamp State Park Barnyard, Belmont from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Craft and food vendors, hay wagon rides, pumpkin patch, pumpkin carving and music.

Halloween Spooktacular at Dillon State Park: Oct. 25-26

Dillon State Park Camp Store from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

• The annual celebration will feature several activities for all ages to enjoy.

Cortland Trunk or Treat Wildlife Show at Mosquito Lake State Park: Oct. 26

West Main Street, Cortland from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• Featuring live animal show for all ages and much more.

Snowflake Festival at Mt. Gilead State Park

Mt. Gilead State Park Amphitheater from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

• Fun kick off to winter and the Christmas season. Featuring campsite decorating contest, naturalist programs, lighting of the park and more.

OSTRANDER, Ohio (WCMH) — A secluded event venue featuring a castle, a barn and thick woods minutes from Columbus is celebrating a "re-grand opening."

Capriella Castle owner Annette Capriotti told NBC4 she purchased the sprawling property just before the pandemic, which impacted her budding event hosting business. Despite being less than a 35-minute drive outside of Columbus, the estate is tucked away within more than 47 acres of "ancient woodlands." Capriotti is now looking to increase the familiarity of the hidden location in the minds of engaged couples and event planners.

(Photo Courtesy/ Capriella Castle)

Bride Kim Blair shared in an email how she came upon the site at 6665 Eagle Creek Lane in Ostrander, which she chose for her Native American Commitment Ceremony.

"As we were out searching for the perfect location for our ceremony, we kept turning down random country roads and the last turn was a dead end," wrote Blair. "We edged closer to the water and noticed a gate with a sign. It’s a CASTLE! Right here is Ostrander!"

The Capriella Castel website notes that two indoor settings can host 125 to 500 people. A pair of main buildings, comprised of a castle based on a specific European style with 18-inch thick walls and a spacious, open white barn make up the sheltered locations. However, the possibilities for open-air events are numerous.

• (Photo Courtesy/ Capriella Castle)
• (Photo Courtesy/ Capriella Castle)
• (Photo Courtesy/ Capriella Castle)
• (Photo Courtesy/ Capriella Castle)
• (Photo Courtesy/ Capriella Castle)
• (Photo Courtesy/ Capriella Castle)
• (Photo Courtesy/ Capriella Castle)
• (Photo Courtesy/ Capriella Castle)
• (Photo Courtesy/ Capriella Castle)

"If getting back in touch with nature is more your style, we also offer several outdoor solutions," the website states. "Like any good castle, we take pride in our woodlands and offer clients the chance to celebrate with Mother Nature herself in our very own woodland glades."

Blair said her November service will be "creekside" with "live Native Drone Flute and Drum music," and include a falcon and Eurasian eagle owl.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Seen by many fans as the final dress rehearsal before a top-10 showdown, Saturday's game against Iowa is simply the next Big Ten test for Ohio State.

No. 3 Ohio State plays Iowa at Ohio Stadium with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m. as it looks to improve to 5-0 heading a game the following week at No. 6 Oregon. Coach Ryan Day said the Hawkeyes will be a huge challenge.

"We gotta win this game. This is going to take everything we've got to win this game," Day said. "And we gotta put the best players in there to win the game. Period. That's it. That's the focus right now."

Here are three things to watch.

Going for it on fourth down

Ohio State knows it will be tested by a rested team coming off a bye week that features a defense known for limiting teams on the ground. Iowa has allowed less than 100 yards in each of its first four games and has yet to allow a rushing touchdown.

That should raise alarm bells for a Buckeyes team whose strength has been on the ground thanks to Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson. The duo have combined for 666 yards and nine touchdowns, and each averages over 8 yards a carry.

And with the defense that is expected to be at the Shoe, they may be needed to deliver on fourth down. Last week against Michigan State, the Buckeyes were 3-for-4 in fourth down conversions, with two of those plays resulting in touchdowns. While they demonstrated that they have no fear going for it, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly knows that he has to make smart calls.

"There's an analytic aspect to it, but I don't think it's always analytics. I think you have to get the flow of the game," Kelly said. "You also have to factor in what does that do to our team if you don't get it."

Kelly compared it to a poker game. The players might be all in but that comes with a risk.

"If you only have a pair of twos, they may have a better hand than you. That's what the situation is," Kelly said. "It's easy to say, fourth down, you should go for it all the time. That's not necessarily the case."

Defense avoiding a slow start

It took until 1:47 of the second quarter for Ohio State to finally force a punt last week against Michigan State. That follows the first half against Marshall, when the Thundering Herd scored two touchdowns on the Buckeyes.

Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is the first to shoulder the blame when his unit is off to a slow start.

"We've started slow the past couple of weeks, and I blame myself for that," Knowles said. "There are thousands of permutations of what could happen."

Part of the frustration comes down to what Knowles sees on film leading up to the game and how it differs from what actually unfolds, forcing him to make adjustments at halftime. To his credit, the defense has done particularly well in the second half. After allowing 186 yards in the first 30 minutes against the Spartans, the Buckeyes limited them to just 60. And through four games, Ohio State leads the country in fewest points allowed, averaging 6.8.

A special homecoming for Luke Lachey

Saturday's game will see many former Ohio State athletes return to campus to get inducted into the OSU Athletics Hall of Fame. The list includes running back Jeff Logan, quarterback/receiver Braxton Miller, men's basketball player Greg Oden and Olympic wrestling champion Kyle Snyder. Former athletic director Gene Smith will also be enshrined.

There will also be a special homecoming for a player from the opposing team. Iowa senior tight end Luke Lachey hails from Marble Cliff and graduated from Grandview Heights High School. And the two-time team captain will have plenty of fans at Ohio Stadium, including his dad, Jim, a former Buckeye himself and in his 28th season as a radio analyst on football broadcasts.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The top house in Franklin County sold for $2.28 million, and the top home in Delaware County was a 2.9-acre property that sold for nearly $4 million. All top home sales in September were over $1 million.

NBC4 analyzed property sale records from the Franklin and Delaware county auditors’ offices, filtering for “one family dwellings” to avoid sales of apartments, duplexes or other unrelated land purchases.

However, two real estate owners with nearly identical names reported dozens of expensive sales in Franklin County, most around $12 million. Given the frequency of these sales, their shared ownership and the discrepancies between the sales and the home values, these home sales have not been included. NBC4 reached out to the auditor's office, but has not yet heard back.

Franklin County

10. This house at 7612 North Goodrich Square in New Albany sold for $1,320,000 on Sept. 3.

Courtesy photo / Franklin County Auditor

9. This house at 2357 Brandon Road in Upper Arlington sold for $1,350,000 on Sept 3.

Courtesy photo / Franklin County Auditor

8. This house at 737 S. Sixth St. in Columbus sold for $1,395,000 on Sept. 3.

Courtesy photo / Franklin County Auditor

7. This house at 3920 Lewis Link in New Albany sold for $1,400,000 on Sept. 13.

Courtesy photo / Franklin County Auditor

6. This house at 4289 Olmsted Road in New Albany sold for $1,500,000 on Sept. 4.

Courtesy photo / Franklin County Auditor

5. This house at 4661 Good Heart Court in New Albany sold for $1,800,000 on Sept. 16.

Courtesy photo / Franklin County Auditor

4. This house at 1641 Oxbow Drive in Blacklick sold for $2,200,000 on Sept. 26.

Courtesy photo / Franklin County Auditor

3. This house at 7528 Fenway Road in New Albany sold for $2,345,000 on Sept. 20.

Courtesy photo / Franklin County Auditor

2. This house at 8 South Ealy Crossing in New Albany sold for $2,750,000 on Sept. 23.

Courtesy photo / Franklin County Auditor

1. This house at 7153 Lambton Park Road in New Albany sold for $2,280,000 on Sept. 17.

Courtesy photo / Franklin County Auditor Columbus park to be revamped based on public feedback Delaware County

10. This house at 6570 Via Florenza Drive in Galena sold for $1,065,000 on Sept. 12.

Courtesy photo / Delaware County Auditor

9. This house at 1790 Jewett Road in Powell sold for $1,138,800 on Sept. 23.

Courtesy photo / Delaware County Auditor

8. This house at 1941 Liberty Bluff Drive in Delaware sold for $1,416,100 on Sept. 16.

Courtesy photo / Delaware County Auditor

7. This house at 5485 Berwanger Drive in Powell sold for $1,151,500 on Sept. 23.

Courtesy photo / Delaware County Auditor

6. This house at 2118 Woodland Hall Drive in Delaware sold for $1,153,300 on Sept. 11.

Courtesy photo / Delaware County Auditor

5. This house at 7663 Shepherd Drive in Powell sold for $1,156,900 on Sept. 13.

Courtesy photo / Delaware County Auditor

4. This house at 428 Lackey Old State Road in Delaware sold for $1,169,600 on Sept. 25.

Courtesy photo / Delaware County Auditor

3. This house at 2409 State Route 750 in Powell sold for $1,860,700 on Sept. 6.

Courtesy photo / Delaware County Auditor

2. This house at 5208 Schuette Drive in Powell sold for $1,226,100 on Sept. 5.

Courtesy photo / Delaware County Auditor

1. This house at 4310 Sunbury Road in Galena sold for $3,927,800 on Sept. 12.

Courtesy photo / Delaware County Auditor

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Ohio ranked among the top three states where mail carriers suffered from the most dog bites in 2023, according to the United States Postal Service. 

USPS compiled data on dog attacks on its mail carriers by state, finding there were more than 5,800 canine bites overall last year, rising from about 5,300 reported in 2022. 

Ohio ranked as the state where mail carriers suffered from the third-most dog bites in the country, with 359 incidents in 2023. The state with the most dog bites was California (727), followed by Texas (411). Completing the top 10 were Pennsylvania at (334), Illinois (316), New York (296), Florida (193), North Carolina (185), Michigan (183) and Missouri (180). 

Three Ohio municipalities also made the list of top 10 cities for dog bites, with Cleveland coming in at No. 5 with 44 incidents, Cincinnati at No. 8 (38) and Columbus at No. 10 (33). The city accounting for the most dog attacks on mail carriers was Los Angeles (65), followed by Houston (56) and Chicago (48). 

“Letter carriers are exposed to potential hazards every day, none more prevalent than a canine encounter. All it takes is one interaction for a letter carrier to possibly suffer an injury,” said Leeann Theriault, a USPS manager. “The U.S. Postal Service consistently encourages responsible pet ownership.”

For dog owners to help ensure their mail is delivered safely, USPS advises them to secure their dog before the carrier approaches their property. Dogs should be kept inside the house or behind a fence, away from the door in another room or on a leash. 

A canine attack on a mail carrier can impact owners, too. The average cost per insurance claim for a dog bite was $58,545 in 2023, according to the Insurance Information Institute. The company also found Ohio filed the fifth-most dog bite claims in the United States. 

Additionally, when a postal employee suffers an injury, the owner could be responsible for medical bills, lost wages and uniform replacement costs. If the carrier feels unsafe to make a delivery due to a dog, the owner may also have to pick up the mail themselves at their local post office. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- As October settles upon central Ohio, the vibrant orange banner popping up in strip malls and shopping centers can only mean one thing: Spirit Halloween has moved in.

Spirit Halloween set a new record by opening 1,525 stores this year, according to a company news release. The seasonal storefronts pop up, taking on the skeletons of former retailers and grocery stores before vanishing once more in early November.

Spirit Halloween has nine stores within 50 miles of Columbus, so NBC4 dug into the ghosts of storefronts past. Here's what they were before.

Columbus Zoo hosting yoga sessions with sloths this fall 1717 West Lane Ave.

This Upper Arlington Spirit Halloween location may hold costumes and props inside, but it used to offer a variety of home goods within its brick walls. The former Bed, Bath & Beyond closed alongside more than 150 stores in early 2023.

The Bed Bath & Beyond at 1717 W. Lane Ave. in Upper Arlington is now set to shut down. (Courtesy Photo/Franklin County Auditor's Office) 1871 W. Henderson Road

This Spirit Halloween, also in Upper Arlington, was formerly a TJ Maxx and HomeGoods. The location closed in September 2023. Now, the storefront offers décor for just one holiday: Halloween.

5053 Tuttle Crossing Blvd

Spirit Halloween's pop up store at The Mall at Tuttle Crossing took advantage of the vacancy left by a Sears. In 2019, Sears closed two local stores as part of over 200 closures across the country. As of January, 2024, Sears had only 12 stores remaining, including one in Puerto Rico.

Central Ohio businesses supporting Hurricane Helene victims 1320 Polaris Parkway

Mass store closures also cleared the way for this Spirit Halloween. The storefront's shelves are now filled with ghouls, bones and spiderwebs, but they used to hold much less eerie home decorations as a Pier 1 location. The vacancy opened in 2020, when Pier 1 Imports closed all of its storefronts and the retailer filed for bankruptcy.

Courtesy photo / Delaware County Auditor 921 Polaris Parkway

This Spirit Halloween took over the only local business on this list, moving into the space formerly occupied by Azia Rug Gallery. The carpet store was family-owned and sold ornate rugs, often hand made. The store closed in May 2023, according to its social media.

245 Deo Drive

East of Columbus, a Spirit Halloween location is filling shelves that used to hold produce, bread and meats. The Newark Spirit Halloween moved into Indian Valley Mall Shopping Center's former Kroger. The grocery store closed in early 2017.

LIST: Central Ohio Trick-or-Treat dates and times for 2024 1081 Mount Vernon Ave.

In Marion, a Spirit Halloween moved in down the street from Ohio State University's Marion campus. Just a few months ago, however, visitors could fill their prescriptions instead of their trick-or-treat baskets. The Rite Aid formerly situated on Mount Vernon Avenue closed just this past summer, one of 102 closures in Ohio alone as of July 6.

Courtesy photo / Marion County Auditor 979 North Bechtle Ave.

This Springfield Spirit Halloween shares its address with a current Furniture Express, but the Halloween store really sits adjacent to the furniture store where an Office Max once stood. According to YouTube videos by user Slacking Packing, which filmed the store in its final days, the office supply store closed in May 2022.

1853 N. Bridge St.

This Chillicothe location sits near the Hopeton Earthworks and the Scioto River, but it was once the site of an Aldi. According to the Scioto Post, the Aldi closed in 2021 when the international grocery store chain opened a new location, also on North Bridge Street. The Scioto Post reported Aldi invested $1.4 million into the new location, where they relocated the former grocery store and made way for Spirit Halloween.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Two lawmakers have introduced a bill that would regulate how imitation meat and egg products are branded in Ohio. 

House Bill 661, introduced by Reps. Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland) and Jack Daniels (R-New Franklin), would classify imitation meat or egg products as “misbranded” if the label includes an “identifying meat term,” such as beef, wing or cold cut. A product would not be considered misbranded if it had a word such as imitation, fake or vegan in a uniform size directly by the meat term. 

Along with plant-based products, the requirements in the bill also apply to cultured, or lab grown, meat. The United States approved the sale of lab-grown meat for the first time last year, but it is not yet available in grocery stores.

“If they want to lead with the plant-based logo or if they want to lead with 'cultured protein' on the label, that's fine,” Klopfenstein said. “The prominent thing on the label shouldn't be ‘chicken nugget,’ because that's what the consumer sees first and that's what we're after.”

As the development of cultured animal products continues to make strides and plant-based products grow in popularity, Daniels said he believes this bill would help the state “get ahead of the game.”

“I think it's really important that as these things are developed that we are ahead of the fact that they need to be clearly labeled,” Daniels said. 

Food processing facilities that sell products classified as misbranded under the bill would be required to pay a civil penalty of up to $10,000 for each day a violation occurs. The state attorney general, upon written request by the Director of Agriculture, would take action against entities who violate the guidelines, according to the lawmakers. 

The bill would prevent K-12 districts along with Ohio colleges and universities from purchasing misbranded imitation meat and egg products as well as all lab-grown meat. If a plant-based imitation product is served, schools must clearly label it as so, Klopfenstein said. 

Additionally, it would require the Ohio Department of Health to submit a waiver to the federal government excluding misbranded or lab-grown products from WIC coverage – a food assistance program for currently or recently pregnant women.

“This bill will not only protect farmers from losing business to lab-grown, manufactured products, but it will also help customers not be misled by false advertising,” Daniels said.

Klopfenstein said he expects the bill to gain bipartisan support. House Bill 661 currently awaits committee assignment and a first hearing. 

LANCASTER, Ohio (WCMH) -- Although conservative Lancaster residents want to restrict drag queens after they said a performance during a LGBTQ+ Pride event was "pornographic," the city's top prosecutor said the shows are legal and protected by the First Amendment.

Members of a group called "Fairfield County Conservatives" spoke during city council meetings last month in protest of LGBTQ+ events hosted in downtown Lancaster, specifically "Lite the Nite with Pride" hosted on Sept. 14 by The Rainbow Alliance of Fairfield County. In its seventh year, the family-friendly Pride event featured a series of speakers, street vendors, food trucks and an outdoor drag queen show that the conservative group said was "obscene."

"I think it's unfortunate that children were there to witness grown men in leotards and thongs, spread eagle in front of children," said Robert Knisley, a Lancaster parent and member of Fairfield County Conservatives, referring to the screenshot below taken from a video captured during Lite the Nite. "It's very unfortunate that those children were harmed in that way, to see that kind of behavior in public."

The screenshot of a drag queen performing during Lite the Nite, circulated among Lancaster residents on social media. (Courtesy Photo/Fairfield County Conservatives)

However, Stephanie Hall, Lancaster's city law director, said during a Sept. 23 council meeting that the photo "is tasteless, but it lacks context," and that drag shows are generally included in a broad spectrum of "legally permissible behavior that is protected by the First Amendment."

"The video from that night shows the performer in question was in that position for a split second while performing a dance routine. Dance, like speech, is an expression that is protected," said Hall. "This is not hardcore pornography. I have been a prosecutor for the past 18 years in Fairfield County, and I know hardcore pornography when I see it. This is not it."

Claims of a 'lewd and obscene' event

The conservative group first spoke out during a Sept. 9 city council meeting, arguing against Lite the Nite and a separate event called "Drag out your Pride" hosted on Sept. 13 at Faux Lounge and Arcade, which has since permanently closed. Chuck Burgoon, the executive director of the Fairfield Family Forum, said these events do "not meet the long-held community standard our citizens have enjoyed for many years as a strong Christian populous."

"The influx of this type of lewd and obscene behavior gives many in our community pause, to how safe we and our children are with the influx of this deviant behavior in our city," said Burgoon, asking city council to take action and "fault further lewd and obscene" events. "These types of pornographic events and parades are philosophical statements. It says there are no rules about sex, sex is trivial, and sex is for entertainment."

Amanda Everitt, executive director of Destination Downtown Lancaster, argued during the meeting that there are multiple Christian events that are hosted on an annual basis in the public square, and those who are not Christian can choose not to attend. The same can be said for LGBTQ+ events and those who are conservative, she said.

"As someone who has attended multiple Pride events, there are so many families there and not all families are like your families," she said. "From an economic development perspective, it is unwise and unloving to not be open, welcoming and affirming to all families, even if they don't look like yours."

When council didn't act to limit drag queens, member of the conservative group attended Lite the Nite and recorded videos of the performances, then posted them to social media. Knisley, one of the group's attendees, said the event was "totally fine" before the show. Problems only arose when a few of the drag queens came out in questionable clothing, he said.

Natalie Noyes, board president of The Rainbow Alliance, said those conservative group members who attended "did not seem to be addressing us." However, the debate intensified on social media when several community members noticed that the group's recordings of the drag queens included the filming of children without parental consent.

"We're upset that there were kiddos included in that video without their parent or caregivers consent," said Noyes. "People and their families deserve to feel safe at our event and deserve to not have some of that treatment, or have their child's face posted all over."

Knisley said he understands the concern, but argued the video and pictures "needed to be shared so that people know what's going on and being presented in front of children in the public square."

'A difference between inappropriate and illegal'

The influx of discourse on social media led to a second impassioned city council meeting on Sept. 23, where for more than an hour members of the conservative group and supporters of the LGBTQ+ community spoke before councilmembers.

The evening was encapsulated by Hall's speech at the end of the meeting, where she affirmed that Lancaster did have two police officers in attendance at Lite the Nite, but they did not make any arrests because they did not see any behavior that rose to the level of public indecency or obscenity.

"Saturday's show was a bit risqué, I never need to see anybody's butt in public. Never ever, regardless of who they are or what they look like," she said. "I think it's completely inappropriate, personally. But professionally, I know that there is a difference between inappropriate and illegal. They are two different things."

Hall explained that the videos and photos were also reviewed by a detective who did not find any instances of behavior that would require law enforcement to intervene or issue any kind of citation. Hall also had two assistant prosecutors, from different sides of the political spectrum, review the material.

"We all three watched the same video and looked at the same pictures and all came to the conclusion that nothing that happened was a chargeable, criminal offense. We did not see anything that amounted to visible genitalia," said Hall. "None of that was present. Didn't see any of it. It was all covered by the performer's actual costume. There was no sexual conduct or sexual contact."

A ban on 'adult cabaret performances'

While Knisley said Hall "made it very clear that there's nothing in the Ohio Revised Code or city ordinances that were violated" during Lite the Nite, he said the conservatives group is advocating for council to adopt a measure prohibiting "adult cabaret performances." The language is the same as a bill proposed at the Ohio Statehouse that seeks to limit drag queen performances in public or where children are present.

House Bill 245 was introduced in July 2023 and defines "adult cabaret performances" as a show "harmful to juveniles" that features "entertainers who exhibit a gender identity that is different from the performers’ or entertainers’ gender assigned at birth." The bill would prohibit these shows in all locations other than "adult cabarets," meaning "a nightclub, bar, juice bar, restaurant, bottle club or similar establishment."

Bellefontaine, a rural Ohio City, was originally supposed to be the first in the state to vote on whether to ban drag queen performances in public. However, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled last October that the proposed ordinance, which also used the "adult cabaret performance" wording, would not appear on the ballot given it was submitted fraudulently.

Knisley said the group would like Lancaster's ordinance to include ID requirements for performances "that could be considered obscene or harmful to juveniles." They are also asking shows to take place in spaces where the event can be ticketed, where age restrictions can be enforced and not in Lancaster's public square.

"When you see a picture of a man wearing a thong spread eagle in the public square, I think most people agree that that is in poor taste," said Knisley. "We're pursuing a legislative solution, and we're encouraging folks to contact their representatives and state senators to support House Bill 245."

Central Ohio Weather and Radar QUICK WEATHER FORECAST:

• Today: Few clouds, high 80
• Tonight: Partly cloudy, low 53
• Saturday: Mainly sunny, high 77
• Sunday: Breezy, sct'd showers later, high 83
• Monday: Mostly sunny, high 69
• Tuesday: Mainly sunny, high 68

FORECAST DISCUSSION:

Happy Friday!

We have another nice day on tap for Central Ohio, with a mainly nice weekend ahead as well. Expect highs to warm near 80 this afternoon, with lots of sunshine, and only a few clouds out this afternoon. Humidity remains comfortable. A mainly dry cold front arrives this evening, and drops our temperatures slightly for tomorrow.

Expect highs in the upper 70s for our Saturday, with lots of sunshine and a dry feel. A great day for the Ohio State game.

By Sunday, we've got another, stronger approaching cold front. Sunday will be breezy, with highs in the low to middle 80s. We'll then be tracking a few spotty showers late Sunday.

Showers are short-lived, but that cold front knocks our temps down quite a bit next week. Expect highs in the upper 60s to kick off the next workweek.

-McKenna

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The beginning of October officially marks the start of flu season and while there hasn't been a large number of cases reported in central Ohio this early in the season, doctors said that doesn’t mean the flu isn’t out there. 

According to medical experts, flu season can be unpredictable, but the one thing they can predict is that the flu, COVID and RSV are coming.  

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Dr. Ben Bring at OhioHealth said cases of the flu and respiratory viruses will start to increase over the next month or so.  

“I had patients yesterday in the afternoon and a majority of my afternoon was people asking about the flu shot, so it was very timely,” he said. 

Watch: Now is the time to get flu, COVID vaccines

If it’s been a while since you’ve last been sick, Bring said you may have the flu if you are achy, fatigued, feverish and have the chills. Symptoms for the common cold typically are a runny nose, congestion, and some coughing. For COVID, Bring said a sore or scratchy throat is the most common symptom he has seen. If you think you have the flu or COVID, Bring said to see a doctor. 

“The key with the flu is if we can diagnose it quickly and you can do it within a certain window, we can actually prescribe Tamiflu, which is safe and effective at reducing symptoms,” he said. “The same is true for COVID. You know, if you can test for COVID and you are over a certain age, there’s also antivirals called Paxlovid that can be safe and effective in keeping older patients out of the hospital.”  

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If you do think you’re sick, Bring said stay at home, cover your coughs and wash your hands frequently.  

In central Ohio, it’s unlikely many people have had the flu, COVID or RSV yet this fall. Dr. Miller Sullivan, the medical director at Franklin County Public Health, said that’s why now is the time to get the vaccines. 

“The best thing you can do, the most important thing you can do is be vaccinated against those illnesses that we can vaccinate you for: flu, COVID and for some people RSV,” Sullivan said.  

Both doctors said flu shots and COVID boosters really are the best bet for preventing illnesses or getting just a mild case.  

“Even though you can have mild illnesses, you can have very serious illnesses and every year, people die from flu, from COVID, from RSV and other things, so you want to do everything you can to prevent getting the disease or a serious case of it,” Sullivan said. 

Child information part of Columbus data leak

You can get up to date on your flu shot and COVID booster at your local pharmacy or at Franklin County Public Health’s vaccine clinics. For more information about when the clinics are or how to schedule an appointment, click here.   

If you are 75 years old and older or pregnant, you are also eligible for an RSV vaccine which are available at local pharmacies or Franklin County Public Health as well. Find out more information about the vaccine by clicking here.