Ohio News

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when the last enslaved Americans in Galveston, Texas, finally learned of their freedom, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.

In 2021, Juneteenth, observed on June 19, became a U.S. federal holiday. This year, communities across Columbus and central Ohio are hosting events that include poetry, music, drumming, family activities and local vendors. See a list of local Juneteenth events below.

Columbus Juneteenth celebrations and events

Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony
• Wednesday, June 18, 10 a.m.
• Ohio Statehouse, 1 Capitol Square, Columbus, Ohio 43215

The Juneteenth flag will be raised at the Ohio Statehouse to mark the start of Juneteenth celebrations. The event will be held on the West Lawn of the Statehouse and is organized by Juneteenth Ohio.

Juneteenth Commemoration
• Thursday, June 19, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• King Arts Complex, 835 Mt. Vernon Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43203

The King Arts Complex is hosting a community event featuring a full day of exciting activities, including a community yard sale, food, music, vendors, a Juneteenth poetry slam, and more.

Juneteenth Jubilee Day Festival
• Thursday, June 19, from noon to 4 p.m.
• Ohio History Connection, 800 East 17th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43211

An event for all ages, the Juneteenth Jubilee Day Festival features a variety of performances and activities, including historical reenactments, film screenings, dance and art projects. Admission is free, but registrations are strongly encouraged. Event tickets are valid for admission to the Ohio History Center all day during regular museum hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

FreedomWorks, a Juneteenth fireworks presentation
• Thursday, June 19, 8:45 p.m.
• View from or near Columbus State Community College, 550 E Spring St., Columbus, Ohio 43215

Hosted by the Maroon Arts Group and Artfluential, the 4th annual FreedomWorks, is a tribute to freedom, resilience and community. Parking is available at Columbus State.

Juneteenth On The Ave
• Saturday, June 21, from noon to 6 p.m.
• Bronzeville, Historic Mt. Vernon Avenue

Juneteenth on the Ave is a community celebration on the near east side of Columbus that features a vendor marketplace, live performances, food trucks, games, health screenings, higher education information sessions, dance, music, spoken word and art opportunities. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public.

28th Annual Juneteenth Ohio Festival
• Saturday, June 21 through Sunday, June 22, from noon to 11 p.m. 
• Genoa Park, 303 W. Broad St., Columbus, Ohio 43215

The Juneteenth Ohio Festival is a weekend full of fun family events that promote unity, enrichment, and ethnic diversity. Guests will enjoy activities such as a Juneteenth flag-raising ceremony, live music, local cuisine, a children's Underground Railroad journey, a classic car show, and much more. Admission is free from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Kelton House Juneteenth 2025
• Sunday, June 22, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Kelton House Museum and Garden, 586 E. Town St., 43215

The Kelton House Museum and Garden will host a special Juneteenth Event focusing on drumming and poetry to lift the spirit and soul. 

Schedule:
2 p.m.: Land Acknowledgement followed by reading of the Juneteenth Declaration|
2:15 p.m.: Poets and drummers
3 p.m.: Break and refreshments|
3:15 p.m.: Second session of poets and drummers
4 to 5 p.m.: Gathering with food and performance by Jordan Hartway

Juneteenth Author Bash!, Black Authors Spotlight on Heritage
• Sunday, June 22, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Columbus Metropolitan Library Martin Luther King Branch, 1467 E. Long St., Columbus, Ohio 43203

The event will feature more than 50 Black authors and include book signings and readings. Activities include face painting, health screenings, photo booth, children’s readings, food trucks, music and more. Free parking is available at MLK Branch Library and East High School. 

Community Juneteenth celebrations and events

Clintonville Books Juneteenth Line Dance & Shop
• Thursday, June 19, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Clintonville Books, 3286 North High St., Columbus, Ohio 43202

An all-ages event held during the store's after-hours at Clintonville Books. Attendees can shop and participate in line dancing hosted by Montë, a Black-affirming educator, scholar, writer, choreographer, filmmaker and artivist. Tickets are $15.

Dublin Brown-Harris Cemetery Open House in honor of Juneteenth
• Thursday, June 19, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Brown-Harris Cemetery, 6540 Shier Rings Rd., Dublin, Ohio 43016

The city's Heritage Interpreter volunteers are welcoming the community to visit the expertly restored Brown-Harris Cemetery on Thursday, June 19. They will answer questions about the discovery, history and significance of this historically Black cemetery. Parking is available at The Ohio State Outpatient Care Dublin Facility, which is located at 6700 University Blvd.

New Albany Juneteenth Celebration
• Thursday, June 19, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Hinson Amphitheater, 170 E. Dublin Granville Rd., New Albany, Ohio 43054

This free family-friendly event celebrates culture and community with performances by The Chuck Starr Band, GOREE, the Columbus Cultural Orchestra and more. Activities for kids include crafts and activities, a face painter, a balloon twister and more. Shop local vendors and enjoy a variety of food trucks. 

Scheduled artists and performers:
• 6 p.m.: DJ J Ditto
• 6:15 p.m.: City Proclamation (with IDEA Implementation Panel & Juneteenth Committee)
• 6:25 p.m.: Performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by Aeva Joyner
• 6:30 p.m.: Columbus Cultural Orchestra
• 7 p.m.: Lyn Ford
• 7:25 p.m.: GOREE Drum and Dance
• 8 p.m.: Chuck Starr Band

Upper Arlington Juneteenth Recognition Program
• Monday, June 16, at 6 p.m.
• Municipal Services Center, 3600 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington 43221

The community is invited to join members of Upper Arlington City Council, the Community Relations Committee, and the city’s administration on the plaza of the Municipal Services Center for a Juneteenth recognition program and the raising of the Juneteenth flag.

This year, the keynote speaker will be Ohio Senator Hearcel Craig, who currently serves in the 135th Ohio General Assembly, representing the 15th Senate District of Columbus, Ohio. Craig has an extensive career in the public and private sectors and is a U.S. Army veteran whose commitment to community service spans over 30 years.

The Upper Arlington Library will provide themed activities, and light refreshments will be available.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Columbus police announced that an 18-year-old man died after being shot early Saturday morning in a shooting downtown.

Jusiah Mason was one of six people shot Saturday at around 3:30 a.m. in the area of South Ludlow Street and West Town Street, near Bicentennial Park. He was the lone victim hospitalized in critical condition with police saying he was pronounced dead in the hospital on Sunday at 12:36 p.m.

Some local police departments opt to charge for body camera video in light of new law

Five of the victims of the shooting were adults while one was a juvenile. Two others, including another juvenile, faced injuries not related to gunfire in the incident, according to the department.

Detectives believe there was a large gathering of individuals who were around at the time of the shooting. Columbus police are asking that anyone who may have video, photographs or other digital evidence and information to reach out to the Homicide Unit at (614) 645-4730 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at (614) 461-8477.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Do you enjoy seeing deer in your neighborhood, or believe the animals are a nuisance? The City of Columbus wants to know residents' answers to that question and more in a new survey. 

Columbus City Council and the Department of Neighborhoods recently launched an anonymous questionnaire asking residents to share their experiences with white-tailed deer, gauging if people would support the city taking steps to reduce its population. 

Some local police departments opt to charge for body camera video in light of new law

The survey asks residents if deer have caused property damage, a car crash or an injury to a person or pet in their household within the past three years. It also asks participants if they believe the city should be responsible for managing its deer population, and if they would support using city dollars for such efforts. 

The form inquires about residents' thoughts on different lethal and nonlethal methods of controlling deer populations. Nonlethal methods mentioned in the survey include relocation, no-feeding ordinances, birth control and sterilization. Lethal methods include trained individuals killing the animals with a firearm or bow. 

Ohio has an estimated 670,000 deer in the state, and Columbus is not the only local city thinking about culling its population. In January, Worthington’s city council voted unanimously to implement a deer management program, which utilizes trained shooters to kill deer and is set to launch in 2026. 

LGBTQ-owned bar to replace Short North's Bristol Republic

The City of Worthington asserts on its website that deer can cause car accidents and landscape damage. In recent years, the state's deer population has grown due to local ordinances prohibiting hunting, a lack of natural predators and adaptive food habits, according to the municipality. 

Columbus' deer survey was unveiled at a council meeting earlier this month, and is accepting responses until Aug. 22. Residents can weigh in by filling out the form on the city’s website, which takes about five to 10 minutes to complete. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The owners behind a Columbus drag bar are expanding with a new Short North restaurant in the space most recently home to Bristol Republic.

Black Sheep Kitchen & Spirits is opening later this summer at 1124 N. High St., the former Bristol Republic spot before the bar announced in March it's relocating to Dublin's Bridge Park. Black Sheep is spearheaded by Misty Linn, the owner of District West, a Columbus bar at 145 N. Fifth St., in collaboration with the West family of drag performers.

1970s fish and chips chain Arthur Treacher’s to make central Ohio return

"Owned and operated by LGBTQIA+ voices and unapologetically rooted in community, the space is inclusive, design-forward and anything but typical," an announcement said.

The new restaurant and bar will feature a tavern-style menu, craft cocktails and live entertainment, including DJs and occasional appearances from the West family. The spot will be open seven days a week for happy hour, dinner, and brunch offerings on the weekend.

"Our vision for Black Sheep is to create a space that feels familiar but special -- somewhere people can come for great food, strong drinks and a real sense of community," Linn said. "It's a place where individuality is celebrated and everyone feels at home -- and where you never know what kind of unforgettable experience you'll walk into."

All you can eat sushi, hibachi restaurant to open in Carriage Place Plaza

Brian Swanson, the owner of Bristol Republic, is backing the new venture and will operate Black Sheep's kitchen through his restaurant group.

"I loved the energy behind their idea and immediately felt it was a great fit for the neighborhood," Swanson said in the announcement. "We're proud to support Misty and her team as they bring this next chapter to life."

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The Whitehall and Grove City police departments have opted to charge for body camera video in light of a recently implemented law, as multiple other central Ohio agencies consider doing the same. 

In January, Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 315 into law, which permits government agencies to charge the public and news media the “estimated cost” of processing videos for public records requests before releasing them. This could include video from body cameras, dash cameras and surveillance footage from jails. 

Abstinence, patriotism and monogamy all required curriculum under new Ohio bill

The statute officially took effect in April, allowing departments to charge up to $75 per hour of video, with fees capped at $750 per request. Before the law went into effect, the Ohio Revised Code allowed agencies to charge for public records, but only nominal fees associated with copying the content onto items such as paper or a flash drive, not labor costs.

NBC4 reached out to central Ohio law enforcement agencies, asking if they have changed their public records request policies given the law’s implementation. 

Whitehall has opted to charge the full amount as allowed by the law for body camera video – $75 per hour, or $1.25 per minute, with a cap of $750. The policy states that certain requests by victims or their representatives may be exempt from fees. 

“Fees are necessary to cover the costs associated with reviewing, redacting, processing, storing, and distributing public record requests,” the policy states.

Site of chemical leak offering compensation, set to reopen

The Grove City Police Department has also chosen to charge for police video, with its policy asserting the amount charged will be based on the hourly rates of employees involved in producing the record, but costs will not exceed $75 per hour of footage or $750 overall. For records of certain "critical incidents," the police chief may choose to produce the video at no cost to the requester to ensure public transparency, the policy states.

The chief of the Blendon Township Police Department, John Belford, said his agency has submitted a draft of a policy to its township attorney for review. Belford said he is recommending the department charge for body camera video, as the footage often requires “extensive review and redaction.”

“The time that is spent by our administrative staff redacting and producing copies of releasable video has a substantial impact on our staff workload and time management,” he said.

The Columbus Division of Police said it has not completed its policy and declined to share if the department plans to charge for video or not. The Hilliard Division of Police stated it is continuing to review the new law. 

The Pickerington Police Department said it had not yet changed its policy but will consider charging for body camera video under the new law during its budgeting process for 2026, which will likely begin in September. Both the Gahanna and Dublin police departments said they have not made any changes to their policies at this time. 

Progress made one year since SAFER program launched in Worthington

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office stated it is still working on determining its policy. A spokesperson said the department is currently working on a “significant backlog” of requests, and that it will not charge for those since they were received prior to the new law taking effect. 

Since the statute says law enforcement agencies may adopt a change to their policy, there is no deadline for them to make a decision, Capital University law professor Susan Gilles previously told NBC4. 

Multiple departments said they have become overwhelmed with video requests, specifically from people who request body camera content to post online, and that charging will help them manage their records department. 

DeWine previously stated the intention of the law is to help law enforcement officials cover the administrative costs associated with editing video. Police departments often have to redact the voices or faces of uncharged suspects or victims whose identities are protected under the law.

Five-story apartment building nears construction in Franklinton

However, the new statute has drawn criticism and concerns about police transparency. Families with loved ones who were killed by police held a news conference shortly after the bill was signed into law. Shawna Barnett, the sister of Andre Hill, who was fatally shot by a former Columbus police officer in 2020, said that the law damages public trust.

Gilles also told NBC4 earlier this year that the legislation was not “well thought through” and would make public records less accessible. DeWine said in a January news release that if the policy has “unforeseen consequences,” he will work with the legislature to amend the language. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – International conflicts are the source for a national spike in gasoline prices, including those in and around central Ohio, experts say.

According to GasBuddy’s survey of 500 stations in and around Columbus, the average price at the pump increased by 4.8 cents last week to reach $3.10 per gallon. The current price is identical to the price from four weeks ago and 39.3 cents lower than this time one year ago.

Columbus Gas Prices Tracker

The cheapest gas station in the Columbus area was priced at $2.54 a gallon on Sunday, while the most expensive was $3.22, a difference of 68 cents per gallon. In Ohio, the average price of gas also rose by 4.9 cents from $3.00 per gallon to $3.05 per gallon.

Nationally, gas prices rose by 1.1 cents per gallon to reach $3.08. The price of diesel followed suit with a bump of 4 cents, settling in at $3.49 per gallon.

What is price cycling?

While gas prices typically experience a drop after a price-cycling week, the conflict in the Middle East could potentially cause prices to increase even further, according to GasBuddy’s head of petroleum analysis Patrick De Haan.

"With Israel and Iran trading attacks, oil prices have surged to multi-month highs—setting the stage for additional price hikes at gas pumps across the country," said De Haan. "As long as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate, the risk of further impacts on oil prices remains high. Motorists should prepare for what will likely be modest price increases—for now—but the situation has the potential to worsen at any moment."

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio lawmakers proposed a bill that would require public schools to teach character education, including abstinence, patriotism and respect for religious faith.

House Bill 296 would require public schools to teach grades 7-12 about a success sequence for a good life, including 15 distinct morals like punctuality and respect for authority. Under the bill, dubbed the THRIVE Act, districts could also invite religious and political groups to provide after-school instruction about morality.

State, federal cannabis changes threaten Ohio festival's future

“The model curriculum shall consist of the value of finishing high school, working full-time, getting married before having children and instruction in the following character traits and fundamental values deeply rooted in the history and tradition of the United States," the bill reads.

The bill is co-sponsored by Reps. Kevin Ritter (R-Marietta) and Jonathan Newman (R-Troy). Ritter said the idea came after speaking with employers and colleges about a lack of soft skills in applicants, like interpersonal skills or emotional intelligence.

"When you talk about ‘soft skills,’ you are really talking about virtue," Ritter said. "Representative Newman and I thought it was important to bring attention to these long-time American values by reintroducing them to our schools in an intentional way."

The bill lists these 15 virtues as required education:

1. Trustworthiness, including honesty, reliability, punctuality and loyalty
2. Responsibility, including hard work, accountability, diligence, good judgment, perseverance and self-control
3. Care for family, including parents, siblings, and future spouses and children
4. Kindness and generosity toward others
5. Respect and care for human life
6. Respect for parental authority
7. Respect for parents’ obligations to children
8. Respect for the property of other people
9. Respect for legitimate authority and law
10. Respect for patriotism, service to the community and concern for the common good
11. Respect for religious faith, morality, wisdom and knowledge
12. Respect for lifelong marriage, sexual fidelity within marriage and sexual abstinence outside of marriage
13. Gratitude
14. Charity
15. Courage

The bill would also require districts to teach the success sequence: graduating high school, getting a job and getting married before having children.

"Of course, this isn’t the only pathway to a happy life," Ritter said via email. "Many people raised by single parents are successful. But the data shows that following this formula is the EASIEST way to be successful."

Fire engine shortage felt nationwide, not just Columbus

The same sequence was introduced as possible required curriculum in the Senate earlier this year, although it has not advanced out of committee.

As part of the character education program, school districts would be allowed to invite partisan groups into district instructional buildings after school for optional instruction. With parent consent, these programs would expand on the success sequence or character education through a philosophical, historical, traditional or religious lens.

Under H.B. 296, districts could deny groups if the subject matter is not relevant, but they cannot otherwise exclude groups because of their viewpoints, including religious or political groups. Newman said this would be optional at no extra cost for school districts, adding that "reinforcement is key."

Some of the character traits are already included in Ohio's learning standards. Ohio's sexual education standards emphasize abstinence, and the state's social emotional learning standards include things like responsibility and respect.

Columbus social media influencer pleads guilty to $20 million Ponzi scheme

When asked how some of the skills, like abstinence or fidelity, relate to building stronger interpersonal skills, Ritter reiterated that the bill does not outline the only path to success, just a strong one. Ritter said the bill is "pro-public-school" and "pro-teacher" in introducing concepts and skills that allow students to prosper.

The bill had its first hearing in the House Education Committee on June 3 but does not have a second hearing scheduled at the time of publication.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) - Airstrikes have rained down on Tel Aviv, Israel for the last three nights. The conflict between Iran and Israel has intensified after nuclear talks were called off.

Inside the city of Tel Aviv, former Columbus resident Jack Chomsky huddled inside the bomb shelter, or “miklat” in Hebrew.

"It is now Sunday evening at 10 and in the last hour and a half, we entered the room that I'm in now, which we call in Hebrew, a miklat, which means a shelter," he said via Zoom on Sunday afternoon around 3 p.m. Eastern Time.

The former Cantor at Congregation Tifereth Israel in Columbus now has a new home in Tel Aviv. 

"I'm in the room right now because this is the convenient place for me to talk to you,” he said to NBC4 reporter Kyle Beachy. “We were in this room because missiles were coming, from about, I think it may have been about, from, let's say, from 8:45 to 9:30 or something. People who are in their shelters are basically safe. There are some people who died, some people who were injured and from what I understand, it's people who were not in their shelters. Now, it may be that they had no way to get to shelter.”

Chomsky and wife Susan Gellman first spoke with NBC4 in October 2023, the day after the horrific Hamas attack in southern Israel. More than 600 days have passed since that attack, and while a new conflict has erupted, those impacted by the attacks over a year and a half ago are fresh on their minds.

"We have these people in our minds, in our hearts, every day," Chomsky said. "This is wrong. It's damaging. It's terrible what's happening to those people and it doesn't benefit my people.”

They have grown accustomed to alerts on their phones and sirens wailing outside warning of incoming missiles. This week, many of those missiles have evaded Israeli defenses.

"Our closest friends here live less than a kilometer away,” Chomsky said. “They lived in a, and a in a tall, set of apartment buildings, which took a hit on the 10th floor, and they live on the 29th floor and they had to evacuate their building. Now, I don't know when they're going to be able to get back into their building. It was a terrifying thing. On the other hand, there, OK, they were then able to get their car and drive into the country where their daughter lives and stay there, where there have also been missile alerts.”

Even between warnings of incoming attacks, Chomsky is glad to be where he is, a testament to the people of his country.

"Although these are hard times, you know, I've been in this shelter five times in the last two or three days, yet one of the things that we really feel is that we are so glad that we are here and not stuck outside the land of Israel,” he said. “We have a firmly established a military here that will save our place, save our people, and hopefully we can have the leaders, including from beyond our own government, who will work together to take us forward.”

He said he can see the care people have for one another on display when his good friends were forced from their home.

"When they got to the street, there were people there already with hotel rooms for the people who were coming out of the building," he said.

It's all part of a different culture that Chomsky said is largely absent from his experience in the United States.

"The idea that your problem is your problem is not something that really makes sense here,” he said. “We belong to each other.”

Chomsky recalled many trips to the park in Tel Aviv with his family and grandson. 

"I had a great life in Columbus, serving my congregation,” he said. “My community was fantastic, I loved it, I wasn't anxious to leave, but then I came here. I did that for almost 40 years, and it was really all to lead me right to this place and the way things are here. If there are toys around, any kid can play with anybody else's toy and, and if your kid wanders away from you a little bit and you're not sure where they are, that's not a cause for concern. Because everybody's kid is everybody's kid. And that's something that I never I never felt in the U.S.. So, it's pretty great.”

That sense of community is what drives Chomsky to continue to push for peace in Gaza, and a resolution to the conflict with Iran.

"Almost everyone has felt that this conflict would turn into a military encounter at some point,” Chomsky said. “It's one that we had a lot of fear about. I'm among many people who hope, not that we want to destroy Iran, but we would like there to be a better, opportune amnesty for the people of Iran to have a better, a better country with better leaders. I would like for there to be a Palestine. I work toward there being a Palestine. I have, in the last, four months, I've been involved in a group that does a lot of work listening to, Palestinians here. And there are people, there are the people who are here, to nurture the Palestine that they need and that we need. But there are people who don't want to see that happen. We both peoples have great stories about how we came to be here or how we've been here for a long time. And those stories can coexist beautifully. It's not easy, but that's the work we should be doing.”

Chomsky maintains a hopeful and positive outlook, despite the destruction around him. Having lived his life in the United States and in Israel, he has a unique and fresh perspective on the conflicts both nations are facing.

"I worry in some ways more about the old country, about what's going on in the United States than I do about what's happening here,” he said. “So, I appreciate that everyone should look at their neighbor. Put the newspaper down and see the person, and, and try and build together what is possible in a time of great shouting and anger. Just calm down somewhat and figure out what can I do right now to make things just a little bit better right here?"

He had a message for the folks of central Ohio as they watch this war from afar.

"I would just encourage people not to try and win an argument, but to figure out what can I do today to help people live together,” he said. “It is really much better to try to figure out how to make a positive contribution to what is here, what is right in front of us, what is within reach, rather than to try and win an argument. What happens and you see this also in the U.S. on issues is once you say certain magic words, now you're no longer having a conversation and you're just having an argument about the word that you just said.”

COLUMBUS (WCMH) -- Two years ago, 10-year-old Bo Bratschie experienced weight loss and high fevers, leading to many hospital visits before being diagnosed with Crohn's disease at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus.

Now a seventh-grade student at Columbus Gifted Academy, Bo recently attended the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation's Camp Oasis, a summer camp for children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which marked a turning point after two years of treatment, and he is now in remission.

Rebecca McCloskey, a Columbus resident, has been living with Crohn's disease since 1996, when she was diagnosed at the age of 17. Complications resulted in four surgeries and an ileostomy in 2022, a surgery when the intestine is severely diseased, to create an opening in the abdomen for waste elimination. In 2024, Rebecca became one of 25 adults in the U.S. to undergo a stem cell transplant, which brought remission after 28 years of fighting an incurable disease.

Bo Bratschie and Rebecca McCloskey have been recognized by the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation (CCFA) Southern Ohio Chapter as this year's Honored Heroes for helping raise awareness of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and the impact this incurable illness has on the daily lives of patients and their families.

Bo and Rebecca will be joined by their families on Saturday morning, June 21, at the annual Central Ohio Take Steps Walk that kicks off at 11 a.m. at Dublin Coffman Park, with registration starting at 9 a.m.

Abstinence, patriotism and monogamy all required curriculum under new Ohio bill

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis afflict more than 3 million Americans, including about 50,000 people in central Ohio. Symptoms vary in severity, which can range from stomach cramps, diminished appetite, frequent diarrhea and chronic fatigue to significant weight loss from malabsorption, anemia and related gastrointestinal bleeding, with profound effects on the quality of life.

In patients diagnosed with an autoimmune condition, the body's system is attacking itself, said Dr. Marty Meyer, a gastroenterologist with Ohio Gastroenterology in Columbus, Ohio, who is also one of this year's CCFA Honored Heroes because of his dedication in patient care.

Each year, he joins families at the annual Central Ohio Take Steps Walk, guided by an "overall passion of what I personally feel for these patients, the patient population. I need to get out there and find a way to help them even more."

Systemic steroids such as prednisone, which suppress the immune system but come with significant side effects, are being replaced by biologics that are highly targeted for very specific molecules.

"We're targeting the immune system but not shutting everything down," Meyer said. Biologics are designed to prevent immune cells from attaching to healthy tissue. "Genetics absolutely play a role. We think about 10 percent of those with Crohn's would have a risk of passing it along to their offspring."

Disruptive symptoms of IBD include chronic pain accompanied by altered bowel habits, rectal bleeding, nutritional deficiencies, excessive fatigue, symptoms that are often accompanied by abnormalities in bloodwork studies. IBD differs from Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which inflicts considerable pain but does not cause actual damage to the lining of the intestine, Meyer said.

About 70,000 new cases of IBD are diagnosed annually in the U.S., or about 1 in 100 people of all ages. Directed research suggests environmental factors (air pollution, allergies), and a typical Western diet (red or processed meat, sugary foods and beverages, high-fat dairy products), could initiate an overreactive autoimmune system response. Viruses have also been implicated as a trigger in individuals with a genetic predisposition to IBD.

The recent uptick in the number of IBD patients currently receiving treatment is also due to awareness by clinicians, who refer patients to a gastroenterologist. In pediatric patients, unexplained weight loss and slower growth rates sometimes precede gastrointestinal symptoms. More than 700 patients are currently under the care of physicians at Nationwide Children's Hospital.

More than half of those diagnosed with IBD eventually require one or more surgeries, usually resulting from scarring that can cause a bowel intestinal obstruction after prolonged and repeated bouts of inflammation. Extraintestinal manifestations in some cases affect the eyes, mouth, the joints and skin, and occasionally internal organs such as the liver.

The goal of newer medical treatments that tamp down the immune system is to improve the quality of life for people diagnosed with IBD, and ultimately reduce the number of surgeries that are required in up to 70 percent of hospitalized patients, usually resulting in a colon or small bowel resection or partial removal of the diseased intestine.

Bowel blockages due to strictures, adhesions, fistulas (channels that develop between the intestine and other organs) and abscesses sometimes occur with inflammation that extends through the intestinal wall.

Carmel Elmer, a manager with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation Southern Ohio Chapter, stressed the importance of “raising awareness and bringing the IBD community together.” The local CCFA serves central and southwestern Ohio, and Kentucky. Funds raised each year at the annual Take Steps Walk go toward “active research in Ohio” and professional IBD education and supportive resources.

WORTHINGTON, Ohio (WCMH) -- It’s been one year since Worthington’s Division of Fire and EMS started a new program called SAFER. It stands for Social Assistance for Emergency Reduction.

A small number of residents can often represent a large number of repeated emergency calls. The department said many of those calls could be prevented if residents got connected to needed services.

“So it was pretty obvious that a social worker would be a good link where the social worker could link the resident or the patient with the resources that are out there that we don’t know about,” Assistant Chief of EMS and Community Risk Reduction in Worthington Jennifer Cochran said.

That human link is Nate Hall, who specializes in connecting at-risk residents with community resources at no cost.

Five-story apartment building nears construction in Franklinton

“We'll go out a lot of times after EMS or police interactions and speak with residents, kind of find out what the emergency is, what's going on, and how we can help and prevent future emergencies,” Hall said.

He said one of the most common calls the department receives is for falls. Previously, crews could only help that person up and offer a ride to the hospital. Now, Hall is there to do follow-ups and prevent these emergencies from happening again.

“We can go out and look at ways to keep their home safe. Things like grab bars, medical equipment, and bringing in resources. We can get ERS devices, the buttons they press if they fall,” he said.

Cochran said after a year of the program, it is already paying off.

“Connecting them to those resources naturally decreased the 911 calls,” she said.

Hall typically does visits following 911 calls but he said you can also contact the program at safer@worthington.org.

MCARTHUR, Ohio (WCMH) – An explosives plant that was the scene of a chemical leak last week could resume production as early as Monday.

In a letter sent to the residents of Zaleski, a small Vinton County village located about three miles from the plant, Austin Power said it has completed “comprehensive inspections and safety evaluations,” and that it expected to resume operations this week, possibly Monday. Watch a previous report on the leak in the video player above.

Tips sought in 2019 fatal shooting of man found in car

“This will only occur once we receive final clearance from the appropriate regulatory agencies and are fully confident in the safety of the site for both our employees and the surrounding community,” the letter reads.

The company is also offering compensation for those who incurred costs due to the June 11 evacuation.

“If you incurred expenses due to the evacuation – such as hotel stays, gas, or other reasonable costs – we want to make that right,” the letter reads. Those who want to file a claim can reach out to the company by calling 216-839-5469 or email claims@austinpower.com.

The plant, located in McArthur, Ohio, experienced a nitrogen oxide (NO) leak on Wednesday at its Red Diamond Plant when a chemical reaction inside a nitric acid storage tank “led to the venting of nitrogen oxide gas,” the letter reads.

Five-story apartment building nears construction in Franklinton

“While the nitric acid remained fully contained, we fully recognize the seriousness of what occurred and the inconvenience it caused our neighbors,” the letter reads.

There were no injuries reported to plant employees or to residents, and the water and air in the surrounding area were safe to use.

Symptoms from exposure to nitrogen oxide include skin, eye, and throat irritation. Some drowsiness is possible, according to officials.

The evacuation lasted for approximately six hours, being lifted at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Tommy Boy Fest in Sandusky, Ohio, honors iconic buddy comedy

According to the Red Diamond facility’s website, it manufactures materials for blast powder and dynamite.

According to federal records, the Red Diamond facility was previously fined for numerous Clean Water Act violations and was also the site of a 2009 deadly explosion.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- One man is hospitalized after being pulled from an apartment fire in the North Linden section of Columbus Sunday afternoon.

According to Columbus Fire Battalion Chief Jeffrey Geitter, the fire was first reported just after 3:30 p.m. on the 3000 block of Azelda Street. Firefighters managed to contain the fire to one apartment of a four-unit building.

Six shot, including one in critical condition after shooting in downtown Columbus

The victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment; Geitter said the man was in critical condition.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

• Scene of an apartment fire on the 3000 block of Azelda Street on Sunday, June 15, 2025. One man was hospitalized in critical condition. (NBC4)
• Scene of an apartment fire on the 3000 block of Azelda Street on Sunday, June 15, 2025. One man was hospitalized in critical condition. (NBC4)
• Scene of an apartment fire on the 3000 block of Azelda Street on Sunday, June 15, 2025. One man was hospitalized in critical condition. (NBC4)
• Scene of an apartment fire on the 3000 block of Azelda Street on Sunday, June 15, 2025. One man was hospitalized in critical condition. (NBC4)

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

• One of the state's top Democrats is stepping down from leadership at the end of the month.

“It's time to pass the torch on to someone else,” House Minority Leader Allison Russo said.

Russo talks about the future of the party and her concerns as the Republican-controlled statehouse prepares to pass a budget she says will hurt Ohioans.

• A documentary detailing the Strauss sex abuse scandal at Ohio State University comes out in two days. Hear from some of the victims as well as the film’s director about what they hope viewers take from the movie.

• Will Ohio see Sherrod Brown on the ballot next year, and what’s next for your property taxes? Democratic strategist Morgan Harper and Republican strategist Bob Clegg tell us what they expect.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A 1995 buddy comedy starring David Spade and Chris Farley will be celebrated this summer in the Ohio town that served as its backdrop.

Shores & Islands Ohio has announced Tommy Boy Fest is coming to downtown Sandusky this August, marking the 30th anniversary of the iconic film.

The movie, which was primarily filmed in Canada but includes a few shots from Ohio, according to IMDb, follows the journey of Tom “Tommy Boy” Callahan III (Chris Farley) and Richard Hayden (David Spade) on a quest to save the fictional Callahan Auto Parts. Farley and Spade engage in epic shenanigans on their trip to keep the Callahan family business, a break pad manufacturer, afloat.

The weekend festival, which begins on Thursday, Aug. 7, will feature several activities and events related to the picture. The kickoff will take place at Destination Sandusky’s weekly Party at the Pier event at Jackson Street Pier. Ohio cover band, The Menus, is slated to perform at the outdoor venue.

Five-story apartment building nears construction in Franklinton

A highlight of the weekend will be the appearance of director Peter Segal, whose notable films include “50 First Dates” and 2005's “The Longest Yard.” Segal will participate in a Q&A session, as well as show off a major prop from the film — the actual car Farley and Spade used in the movie. Since Segal owns the vehicle, he will be bringing along his restored 1967 Plymouth Belvedere II GTX convertible. Fans named Tom, or Tommy, are invited to participate in a photo opportunity with the automobile.

Other “Tommy Boy” happenings on Friday, Aug. 8, and Saturday, Aug. 9 include a classic car show with movie- and TV-themed cars, outdoor movie screenings, something called a “Tommy Want Wingy Throwdown,” character look-alike contests and a scavenger hunt around Sandusky for “sights not seen in the movie.”

Full details and a schedule of events will be available at TommyBoyFest.com.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The fatal shooting more than six years ago of a man found inside a parked car remains unsolved.

Law enforcement is searching for a suspect in the death of Marquise Antwaun Lanier, 23. According to police, Lanier was found shot inside a car about 2:25 a.m. on May 8, 2019, in the 800 block of Fairwood Avenue. Lanier was taken to Grant Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.

Police have not said what led to the shooting.

According to his obituary, Lanier worked at restaurants in the Easton Town Center before getting a job as a car salesman. He attended Columbus City Schools and graduated from Whetstone High School.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477 (TIPS). Tips can be made anonymously, and there is a reward for information leading to the arrest and/or indictment of those responsible.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – In May, Columbus saw one of the largest year-over-year decreases in apartment asking rent prices compared with other large American cities, according to a recent report. 

The real estate company RedFin analyzed asking rent prices, or the initial advertised costs, in 44 of the country’s major metropolitan areas. The study found that the median price of asking rent fell in 28 cities – the most metros since 2023. 

“Apartment construction in America has been hovering near a 50-year high, and even though renter demand is strong, it’s not keeping pace with supply,” said Redfin Senior Economist Sheharyar Bokhari. 

The median asking rent price in the United States fell 1%, to $1,633, in May compared with the same time last year, the analysis found.

Columbus saw the third-highest asking rent price decrease of all the cities included in the report, at a 3.5% drop. The analysis found the median asking rent in Columbus was $1,427 last month.

The city that saw the largest year-over-year decrease was Austin, Texas, which saw a 8.8% drop and had a median asking price of $1,385. Austin was followed by Minneapolis, which boasted a decrease of 6.3%.

On the opposite end, Cincinnati saw the highest increase of year-over-year median asking rent price from May 2024 to May 2025, jumping 7.4%. The city’s median rent price sat at $1,460 in May. Tampa, Florida, saw the second-highest jump, with a 4.2% increase, and was followed by St. Louis, which had a 4% increase. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A vacant Columbus lot down the street from the Gravity development in Franklinton may soon be home to a new five-story apartment building.

Grateful Development Partners, a central Ohio-based development company, is advancing plans to build a mixed-use residential building at 550 W. Broad St. in Franklinton. Once completed, the complex will house 64 apartments on the top four floors, and a ground floor retail alongside a 42-space parking garage.

How a small town was revamped into ‘Ohio’s most loveable downtown’

"We are committed to addressing the affordable housing crisis by creating both accessible and desirable projects," Grateful states on its site. "We specialize in developing mixed-use properties that blend residential, commercial, and recreational spaces in a way that enhances the quality of life for our neighborhoods."

• Grateful is advancing plans to build a mixed-use residential building at 550 W. Broad St. in Franklinton. (Courtesy Photo/City of Columbus)
• Grateful is advancing plans to build a mixed-use residential building at 550 W. Broad St. in Franklinton. (Courtesy Photo/City of Columbus)

Chris Gump, partner at Grateful, confirmed to NBC4 the company is hoping to begin construction by end of the summer. The development company's project was reviewed one last time by the East Franklinton Review Board on May 28, which approved the landscaping and lighting proposed for the complex.

The five-story building was first presented in May last year to the review board, who applauded the proposal and said it "enhances the area's urban character." Grateful returned to the review board in July and then again in August for the building's approval.

More than 400,000 Ohioans see driver’s license suspensions lifted under new law

Before construction can begin on the new structure, crews will need to demolish a one-story building that has long sat vacant on the property.

The site is just a block away from Gravity, a sprawling residential complex that recently sold several buildings part of its second phase for a combined $78 million. Since then, these former Gravity properties have been rebranded to “Horizon West" and are now under the management of a Columbus-based investment firm named Coastal Ridge Real Estate.

WASHINGTON COURTHOUSE, Ohio (WCMH) - The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio (RMHC) along with many different partners host a 'Celebrity Steer Show' at the Ohio State Fair every summer. The show brings 4-H families, local media partners, and the RMHC together to raise money for the families who stay at the house each year.

NBC4's Kyle Beachy is teaming up with Dean Family Farm and NiSource this year. Their team 'Johnny's Charity Champions' will compete for 'Best in Show' with a goal of raising $15,000 for RHMC. The show "celebrates the values of agriculture, youth, and community" with all proceeds supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio and their mission to provide "comfort, care, and support to families in need".

"The work that the Ronald McDonald House does, not only for the Ohio region, but all across the world, is amazing. They have so many opportunities to meet other people and, get the treatment and be able to have the housing they need with the amenities around them." NiSource representative and current RHMC of Central Ohio Board of Trustees member Steve Sylvester said.

Pride weekend leads to boom for Short North businesses

Each family that stays with the Ronald McDonald house has a unique story. Each child whose lives are touched by the care they receive and having their family right by their side is special, and only possible through RMHC. Much like those children and their families, the Dean family nearly lost their Black Angus steer, 'Johnny', when he was born.

"He had a rough delivery. He got stuck in the birth canal. It was early in the morning. We didn't catch it in time. We noticed his tongue was very, very swollen in his face from about. His eyes were very swollen, and his tongue had a lot of little black dots on it. We tube fed him to get colostrum. And because you got to have it within the first four hours," Trevor Dean said.

'Johnny' was still having trouble feeding. He wouldn't latch on to his mom, and without that necessary connection and nutrition, Johnny wasn't going to make it.

"After two feedings for a couple days to keep him alive, he proceeded to ask if he could try a thing called a 'Madigan squeeze' on him. And, I'm not very technically how the wrapping goes, but there's a special wrapping technique of it that they lay the rope across the top of the body, and then they wrap it in a sequence, pull it tight, and it kind of simulates the animal coming back out of the birth canal. After 15 minutes of that you release the tension of it and the calf stands up and it goes right to its mom and starts sucking," Dean said.

That's when Johnny's story really began. 

"Whether it's Johnny or the families that come into the Ronald McDonald House, they all have a story, right? And when you think about how, the opportunities there to help people, it's just, it's just huge," Sylvester said.

"That's kind of where he got his name, Johnny. Because, if it wasn't for Johnny, he wouldn't be here," said Dean. Now, Dean's teenage son, Bryson, has the responsibility of caring for Johnny. The younger Dean has been showing Johnny in about a dozen competitions over the last year. The steer now weighs over 1400 pounds, and he's still growing.

Bryson likes to play baseball, basketball, and show his steer.

"My family did it when they were kids. I enjoy like taking care of the animals and washing them a lot," Bryson Dean said.

This year, he's adding charity work to his resume. The Deans are already a part of the Ohio Cattlemen's Association, one of the partners of the Celebrity Steer Show. Then they were asked to be a part of the show.

"Seeing how good it was for the kids and the community and what they all do for everything; they were willing to step up and help wherever we could. And we got offered to do the Ronald McDonald show and there was no hesitation between all of us here in the house to say yes," said Trevor Dean.

It's become a whole family affair for the Deans.

"It's actually kind of rewarding because it's something we do together as a family. It's also kind of nice to see your kids learn responsibility, learn how to take care of things, learn how this industry works," Amanda Dean said.

It's also been a great opportunity to show their kids how important it is to support others.

"We're doing this for other people. We're not just doing it for us and it's going to help these other families," she said.

The Celebrity Steer Show is scheduled for July 31, 2025 at 4:00 pm at the Voinovich Livestock & Trade Center at the Ohio State Fair. 

'Johnny's Charity Champions' team page can be found here. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Stonewall Columbus' vibrant Pride March and Festival officially wrapped up Saturday, bringing hundreds of thousands to Columbus. And for local businesses, it's a major money maker.

"Honestly the turnout today was phenomenal," Karar Bahar, who works for Parlay Sporting Club and Kitchen, said.

Businesses in the Short North have been busy this pride weekend.

Stonewall Columbus Pride March welcomes thousands Downtown

"The bar was full," Hubbard Grille manager Alli Sharp said. "Once a table got up, we sat another one right after that. We had to have some extra help in the kitchen to get all that food out, make sure customers and guests were still happy. Brought in some extra bar and extra servers this weekend. We definitely usually only run with one or two, but today we ran with up to five."

According to Stonewall Columbus executive director Densil Porteous, their pride march and festival significantly boosts central Ohio's economy. NBC4 is a proud sponsor of the event.

"It's about $16 million over the course of the weekend that people can see sort of expenditures, so that's hotel rooms, food, nightclubs, going out," Porteous said. "So it's really it's just a wonderful thing to bring community together but there's also a huge economic impact."

Area businesses said they spend a lot of time preparing beforehand. For Hubbard Grille, that meant looking at last year's sales to determine what they needed to order ahead of time. 

"We definitely did have to order more wine and beer and all that is expected," Sharp said. "We do a much busier lunch than we do normally as we are right at the end of the parade. So we do most of our business this weekend between noon and three."

Many businesses in the short north adjusted their hours in anticipation for big crowds.

"I love pride because it does bring everyone together and the way pride not only supports the LGBTQ+ community, but also our communities in the Columbus area, these businesses, it's just cultivating space for everybody to feel like they have the right to exist and belong," resident Laten Jordan, said. 

Businesses said while the boom in business is always nice, the best part of pride weekend was the peace, love and unity.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Stonewall Columbus hosted its 44th annual Pride March and Festival on Saturday to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. 

It’s known as one of the largest Pride month marches in the country bringing in around 700,000 people. This year’s theme was “United in Power,” aiming to remind people of the strength they hold when they come together.

“Be in community with each other. Be kind. Be happy with each other,” said Densil Porteous, Executive Director of Stonewall Columbus.

‘No Kings’ protest in Columbus highlights national concerns

The streets were flooded with the colors of the rainbow. Whether a member of the LGBTQ+ community or supporting those who are, all walks of life marched.

“As a drag performer, a lesbian, a transwoman, I feel that I represent so many different parts of the community that aren’t always given the time of day,” said Calli Coquette, a drag queen.

Jaron Terry is a part of the PFLAG Columbus and the Real Mama Bears, a group of mothers looking to support their LGBTQ+ children.

“Pride is so important to me as a member of the mama bears because we want to love and support all of our kids and the whole community,” she said.

While people came from all different places and situations, they all came together for the same reason.

“Pride is just a celebration of everything that is queer liberation. The first Pride was a protest and I think especially in this current time and age it is so important for us to not ever forget that and to just keep fighting,” said Coquette.

There were groups representing businesses, nonprofits and activists.

“I’m gay and it’s a gay owned business so I want to be a safe space for my community,” said Mark Boughton, Owner of Tasty Dawg.

Six injured, including one in critical condition after shooting in downtown Columbus

This year’s Leader of Pride was the local bar Slammers. The title recognizes an individual or group who use their voice to speak out in support of members of the LGBTQ+ community in central Ohio and beyond. The general manager, Bobbi Moore, said it is one of 21 remaining lesbian bars in the country.

“To me, it just means that we are creating a space where people feel comfortable and feel safe and feel community. So it was a huge honor,” said Moore.

NBC4 is a proud sponsor of the Stonewall Columbus Pride March and Festival.