Ohio News

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- LifeWise Academy, a biblical education service that teaches public school students about Christianity during the school day off school property, more than doubled its profits in 2024, according to tax papers filed in November.

According to the documents, published by Pro Publica, LifeWise's revenue hit more than $35 million in the 2024 fiscal year, allowing the organization to rake in more than $17 million after expenses. In the 2023 fiscal year, LifeWise had under $14 million in revenue.

LifeWise operates under religious release time policies, which allow religious organizations to teach students during school off of school property. By June of 2024, LifeWise said it has served more than 30,000 students across 331 schools and 13 states.

Dr. Amy Acton, who helped lead Ohio's early pandemic response, joins 2026 governor's race

In its growth in 2024, LifeWise gathered support and criticism across multiple states. One critic, an Indiana parent and funder of the group Parents Against LifeWise, recently settled a copyright lawsuit with the religious programming organization. Ohioans both for and against LifeWise and similar religious release time programs clashed at Westerville and Worthington school board meetings. Both school districts voted to rescind their policies that allowed programs like LifeWise to operate.

However, House Bill 8, also known as the Parents Bill of Rights, passed in the Statehouse in December and would require school districts to implement policies allowing religious release time. HB8 is currently awaiting action from Gov. Mike DeWine, who has until Friday to veto or sign the legislation. If he does neither, the bill will become law by default.

"LifeWise has experienced significant growth because families and communities realize the tremendous benefits of Bible-based character education," LifeWise founder and CEO Joel Penton said.

LifeWise also more than tripled its total assets, from $7.7 million to nearly $25 million in assets at the end of fiscal year 2024, which concluded in June. More than 97% of this funding came from public support. According to tax documents, LifeWise has made $56,442,769 in public support and funding since its first tax filing in 2019.

Easton Town Center now charging for some parking

According to the tax documents, LifeWise doubled what it paid in salaries from fiscal year 2023's $5 million in compensation, paying employees a combined $10,443,794 in 2024. According to the tax documents, Penton received $111,824 in compensation and worked 60 hours each week. Vice President and CFO Steve Clifton received $183,532 and worked the same hours, and Vice President of Advancement Derek Stemen was also reported as making more than Penton, at just over $133,000.

Hilliard-based LifeWise reported $702,460 in revenue stemmed from conducting "high school and middle school assemblies throughout the Midwest and eastern U.S." It was also the first year the nonprofit reported zero liabilities or no financial obligations to outside parties.

"There's a real hunger for a program that benefits kids academically, mentally and spiritually, which LifeWise fulfills and we're grateful to have the support of thousands of donors across the country," Penton said. "The increase in revenue is commensurate with the exponential increase in the interest in our program nationwide."

Some portions of the tax documents were restricted from view, and the filing has not been made public on the IRS website to date. A representative for LifeWise confirmed fiscal documents and reports for LifeWise will be available on its website in early February.

NEWARK, Ohio (WCMH) — For the first time in more than a century, the Octagon Earthworks in Newark, part of Ohio’s first and only UNESCO World Heritage Site, is fully accessible to the public.

The Ohio History Connection recently announced that visitors can now enter and explore the landscape. Located at 125 N. 33rd St. in Newark, the area features mounds of earth constructed in geometric shapes by Native Americans between 1,600 and 2,000 years ago, according to the history organization.

Easton Town Center now charging for some parking

The opening is pivotal for the area, after the nonprofit's long legal struggle with the Moundbuilders Country Club, which leased the land for a golf course. Negotiations between the Ohio History Connection and Moundbuilders Country Club began in 2013 but reached an impasse, leading to a 2018 court case. In 2019, a Licking County Common Pleas Court ruled in favor of the Ohio History Connection, granting it the authority to acquire the land through eminent domain. After a series of appeals and delays, the Ohio Supreme Court upheld the ruling in 2022. The two parties finalized their settlement in August, bringing more than a decade of negotiations to a close.

• Octagon Earthworks of Newark (Courtesy Photo/Ohio History Connection)
• Octagon Earthworks of Newark (Courtesy Photo/Ohio History Connection)
• Octagon Earthworks of Newark (Courtesy Photo/Ohio History Connection)
• Octagon Earthworks of Newark (Courtesy Photo/Ohio History Connection)
• Octagon Earthworks of Newark (Courtesy Photo/Ohio History Connection)
• Octagon Earthworks of Newark (Courtesy Photo/Ohio History Connection)
• A rendering displays the Octagon Earthworks of Newark, a 50-acre geometrical embankment designed by American Indians to track the moon's orbital path. (Courtesy Photo/Ohio History Connection)
• The Octagon Earthworks and a circular mound are seen surrounding the fairways of Moundbuilders Country Club golf course in Newark, which has leased the land since 1910. (Ohio History Connection)
• The entrance to the private Moundbuilders Country Club, the site of the Octagon Earthworks, is seen in Newark, Ohio, on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

“Jan. 1 is the start of a new year, and it’s also the beginning of a new era for the Octagon Earthworks,” said Ohio History Connection Executive Director and CEO Megan Wood.

The site is a key component of the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks, which includes eight locations across Ohio recognized for their unparalleled scale, geometric precision, and astronomical alignments. Every 18.6 years, the moon rises directly through a passageway at the Octagon, which the Ohio History Connection said is “a testament to the genius, cooperation and devotion of the American Indian peoples who created them.”

The organization noted that the site is now open daily to visitors during daylight hours, and employees will be at the visitor center during posted hours.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio State is taking a winter trip to Dallas to play in the Cotton Bowl in consecutive seasons, facing Texas on Friday in a College Football Playoff semifinal.

While this is the first year the Buckeyes are playing in two bowl games in the same season, it is far from the first time the team has played in the same bowl two years in a row. Ohio State has had ample opportunities to play in major bowl games and more often then you would think, Buckeyes squads have made back-to-back trips to the same destination.

Here is every time Ohio State football has played in the same bowl game in back-to-back seasons.

Cotton Bowl (2023-24)

Ohio State's run in the inaugural 12-team playoff marks the eighth time the Buckeyes play in the same bowl two seasons running. Ohio State's regular-season finale loss to Michigan last season knocked it out of the playoff picture and sent it to the Cotton Bowl to take on Missouri.

No shortage of motivation for Ohio State players as playoff semifinal approaches

The Buckeyes came into that game shorthanded with starting quarterback Kyle McCord transferring, leading coach Ryan Day to play backup Devin Brown. The Tigers beat the Buckeyes 14-3 in a lackluster game.

The 2025 Cotton Bowl serves as a playoff semifinal between the Buckeyes and Longhorns. Ohio State is aiming to make its third championship game in the playoff era, and Texas seeks to make its first national final since 2009.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 29: Josh Proctor #41 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after a defensive stop during the second quarter against the Missouri Tigers in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) Fiesta Bowl (2002-03, 2015-16)

Ohio State has made nine trips to Arizona's Fiesta Bowl and made a habit of it during the 2000s, playing in the game in back-to-back seasons on two occasions.

The undefeated Buckeyes met the undefeated Miami Hurricanes for the national championship in 2002 at the Fiesta Bowl. This came during the Bowl Championship Series era when one of the four main bowl games (Fiesta, Rose, Sugar, or Orange) served as the championship.

Ohio State student’s cancer journey fuels passion to give back

Ohio State pulled off the upset 31-24 in double overtime in one of the most iconic games in college football. The Buckeyes returned the following season to face Big 12 champion Kansas State. They won again 35-28 behind four touchdown passes from Craig Krenzel.

2016 started and ended for the Buckeyes in Glendale, Arizona, playing in two Fiesta Bowls in the same calendar year. On New Year's Day 2016, the defending national champion Buckeyes beat Notre Dame 44-28 as running back Ezekiel Elliott scored four touchdowns. OSU returned on New Year's Eve and lost to Clemson 31-0 in a playoff semifinal.

3 JAN 2003: Tailback Maurice Clarett (13) of Ohio State University dives into the endzone for the winning touchdown against Miami University during the National Championship Fiesta Bowl held at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, AZ. Ohio State defeated Miami 31-24 in double overtime to win the national championship. Rich Clarkson/NCAA Photos via Getty Images National championship game (2006-07)

College football's national championship structure changed in 2006 when officials made a designated Bowl Championship Series final outside of the four major New Year's bowls. The Buckeyes made the first two iterations and lost both.

Behind Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Troy Smith, the Buckeyes rode into the national championship game in Glendale to face future Ohio State coach Urban Meyer and his Florida Gators. Star receiver Ted Ginn Jr. returned the opening kickoff for a TD. That would be half of the Buckeyes' scoring as the Gators cruised to the title 41-14.

Ohio State marching band prepares for Cotton Bowl

2007 is known as the "Year of the Upset," and the final regular-season week saw No. 1 Missouri and No. 2 West Virginia lose, giving Ohio State another chance at a national championship. The Buckeyes took on LSU in New Orleans, starting things off again with a long touchdown from Chris "Beanie" Wells in the first 90 seconds. But the winner was LSU, 38-24.

Jan 08, 2007; Glendale, AZ, USA; The Ohio State Buckeyes TED GINN JR. against the Florida Gators NICK BROOKS in the BCS National Championship Game at the University of Phoenix Stadium. The Gators defeated the Buckeyes 41-14. (Photo by Jay Drowns/Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images) Outback Bowl (2000-01)

Ohio State began the millennium with back-to-back trips to the Outback Bowl in Tampa, Florida. A disappointing 8-3 season in 2000 that included a home loss to Michigan left the Buckeyes in the New Year's Day game to play 7-4 South Carolina. The Gamecocks crushed the Buckeyes 24-7, leading to coach John Cooper being fired the following day.

Buckeye fans celebrate Rose Bowl win, anticipate national championship

New coach Jim Tressel's first bowl game was also the Outback Bowl against the same opponent, this time with the records reversed. It ended with the same result as South Carolina won 31-28 with a field goal from Daniel Weaver as time expired.

College Football: Outback Bowl: South Carolina Andrew Pinnock (4) in action, scoring touchdown vs Ohio State at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa, FL 1/1/2002 CREDIT: David Bergman (Photo by David Bergman /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (Set Number: X64580 TK3 R5 F9 ) Sugar Bowl (1997-98)

The Buckeyes have only played in six Sugar Bowls, with two of those coming in the late 1990s. The 1996 season ended with a loss to top-ranked Michigan to send them to New Orleans to play Florida State, which had lost to Florida in its finale to miss out on a national title game appearance. Coach Bobby Bowden's Seminoles took out their frustration with a 31-14 win over the Buckeyes.

Ohio State started 1997 at No. 1, but its national title chances ended with a loss to unranked Michigan State on Nov. 7. Once again, the bowl destination was the Sugar Bowl, this time taking on Texas A&M, the Big 12 champion. The Buckeyes got off to a 21-7 lead in the first quarter and held on to win 24-14. Receiver David Boston had 11 catches for 105 yards, earning MVP honors.

UNITED STATES - JANUARY 01: College Football: Sugar Bowl, Ohio State Joe Montgomery (33) in action, rushing vs Texas A&M Rich Coady (48), New Orleans, LA 1/1/1999 (Photo by Al Tielemans/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (SetNumber: X56989 TK1 F21 R3) Citrus Bowl (1994-95)

A few years before playing in back-to-back Sugar Bowls, the Buckeyes played in back-to-back Citrus Bowls in Orlando, Florida. A 9-3 regular season in 1994 ended with a matchup against 11-1 Alabama. OSU led 17-14 with 8 minutes to play but fell 24-17 after a 50-yard Sherman Williams touchdown reception with 42 seconds remaining.

The Buckeyes returned after an 11-1 season in 1995 and faced another Southeastern Conference team. Tennessee, which Ohio State had never played before, was the opponent, and the Vols won 20-14. Leading Tennessee was sophomore quarterback Peyton Manning.

1 Jan 1996: Wide receiver Joey Kent #11 of the Tennessee Volunteers glides into the endzone with his reception as centerback Anthony Gwinn of the Ohio State Buckeyes fails to stop him during the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida. Tennessee defeated Ohio St Four straight Rose Bowls (1972-75)

Ohio State has played in 57 bowl games dating to 1921. The first 10 were at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, but it wasn't until the 1970s that the Buckeyes made trips in consecutive seasons.

The four Rose Bowls between 1972 and 1975 featured the Buckeyes, with the first three including Southern California. The Trojans claimed a unanimous national title with a 42-17 victory in the 1972 game, with four touchdown runs from Sam Cunningham. The Buckeyes got revenge the following year with a 42-21 win, capped by a 47-yard TD run from Archie Griffin.

The third straight installment was the most exciting as the teams combined for 25 points in the fourth quarter. The Trojans won 18-17 on a touchdown pass from J.J. McKay to Pat Haden.

In 1975, coach Woody Hayes led the Buckeyes to an 11-0 season and a Rose Bowl trip to face UCLA. In an upset, the Bruins won 23-10 to end the Buckeyes' bid for a national championship.

UNITED STATES - JANUARY 01: College Football: Rose Bowl, Ohio State Archie Griffin (45) in action vs USC, Pasadena, CA 1/1/1974 (Photo by George Long/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (SetNumber: X18300 TK1 R27 F5)

LOGAN, Ohio (WCMH) -- The top of the Hocking County government's website awards Pat Hartman the role of county treasurer. A drop-down menu of officials on the same site lists Diane Sargent as the treasurer. The Ohio Board of Elections lists Janie Harris.

None is correct.

The Hocking County Treasurer is -- as of publication -- Blaine Davidson. With 65.5% of the vote, Davidson defeated Democrat incumbent Harris for the position. Soon after, Harris resigned as county treasurer, effective Dec. 6. Her unexpired term was set to end Aug. 31, 2025, and her resignation opened the doors for a political merry-go-round to fill the position.

Dr. Acton announces run for governor

Under Ohio law, if a county treasurer resigns, the county branch of the political party they represent is able to appoint a new treasurer. If the treasurer was an independent, the county board of commissioners can select the replacement.

On Nov. 27, the Hocking County Commissioners voted to approve Harris' resignation and to appoint Treasurer-elect Davidson to serve as interim Hocking County treasurer until his term began. However, county Democrats used their right to replace the treasurer, booting Davidson out in favor of Democrat Patricia Hartman.

All but one treasurer employee quit, and then Hartman resigned, effective Dec. 22. In tandem with a series of emergency commissioners meetings, the treasurer's office was closed for several days. The last remaining employee spoke out and thanked the commissioners for protecting her and closing the department.

During these meetings, Davidson was once more appointed interim treasurer, with the knowledge the Democratic Party could appoint a new prospect. On Dec. 30, Davidson accepted the appointment and was sworn in, acknowledging he could lose the appointment again but saying he wanted to bring stability to the office. At a Jan. 3 commissioners meeting, commissioners implored the Hocking County Democrats to keep him in the role.

High profile criminal trials expected this year

"Hopefully all parties, whether it's a D or an R, agree on the importance of having a treasurer's office that's open and functioning," Commissioner Michael Linton said.

As part of the concerns, commissioners discussed the struggle to get payroll done for that meeting because there had not been a working treasurer to certify payroll with the county auditor.

According to Commissioner Jason D'Onofrio, the employees who had resigned returned to their positions once Davidson accepted the appointment. Commissioners also said they were unsure if the resignations were ever completed, as there was no one in the seat of treasurer to accept them.

"Current employees of the treasurer's office have said if Blaine (Davidson) is not retained, they probably will not stay in the office," Linton said. "That can not happen. We need the treasurer's office to be open and functioning, period."

The third commissioner was Andrew Davidson, was sworn in on Jan. 3 before the meeting. Andrew and Blaine Davidson are brothers, although the commissioner was not sworn in for any meetings before the Jan. 3 gathering and was not part of the appointments to the treasury.

"This is not a political thing," Linton said. "It's not Democrats vs. Republicans. One of those employees whose appealed to the Democratic party is a Democrat."

A representative for the Hocking County Democratic Party declined to comment.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Seven parking lots at Easton Town Center now require payment. 

Easton began implementing paid parking for several lots on Sunday. The parking areas that now require a fee include the Barnes & Noble lot, the Crate & Barrel covered garage, the Piada lot, the Life Time Fitness lot, and the Apple lot. 

Columbus homicides and motor vehicle thefts dropped in 2024, police reveal

Two small lots on the west side of the shopping center – including one between Shake Shack and Victoria’s Secret and one between Anthropologie and Diamond Cellar – also now require a fee to park.

(Photo courtesy/Easton Town Center)

Payments are accepted through ParkMobile, a mobile app and website that allows people to pay for parking. Easton's rate for paid lots is $1 an hour, with a minimum time of 30 minutes, according to the shopping center's website. ParkMobile allows shoppers to increase their parking time in 30-minute increments.

"This will allow for more frequent car turnover and availability in key parking areas, making it easier for Easton guests to find convenient parking during peak hours," Easton management said in a statement.

Ohio State student’s cancer journey fuels passion to give back

Ninety percent of parking, or about 7,000 spots, will remain free, including both garages and surface lots, according to an Easton spokesperson. Fenlon Square Garage, with entrances on the south side of Macy’s, and the Nordstrom parking lot are both among the parking areas that will remain complimentary.

A spokesperson said that Easton began communicating the change to guests through on-site signage and its website in November.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – In 2024, Columbus saw its lowest number of homicides since 2019, city officials revealed at a Tuesday news conference. 

At an end-of-year presentation, the Columbus Division of Police and Mayor Andrew Ginther addressed reporters and broke down crime statistics for 2024, touting the year as a successful period for lowering crime. 

Pig may have contributed to Pataskala woman’s death, police say

In 2024, Columbus police investigated 124 homicides, compared with 149 in 2023 – a 17% decrease. Last year was Columbus' lowest for homicides since 2019, when the city recorded 105 killings. 

Columbus’ decline in homicides this year mirrors similar trends in cities across the country, as homicides have generally decreased in America since seeing a surge during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. 

While Ginther acknowledged the “progress” Columbus has made, he said he wants to see crime decrease more in the future. 

“While we are proud we know this is not the time to become complacent and over-confident,” Ginther said. “I want us to be the safest big city in America.”

Ginther stated $744 million set aside in the 2025 city budget for improving “neighborhood safety" -- which includes hiring 180 new Columbus police officers -- will help achieve this goal. 

Driver charged in deaths of Gaudreau brothers pleads not guilty

Columbus police solved 76% of homicides in 2024, 1% more than 2023, with Ginther giving credit to the public for calling law enforcement with information about local crimes. 

“We’ve had more tips and information shared with police from the community than ever before,” Ginther said.

Of the 124 homicides, approximately 31% of victims were under 21 years old, along with 50% of suspects. Other notable statistics police shared include that about 84% of homicides involved a gun and 18% were domestic violence-related.

Homicide was not the only crime officers saw a decrease of in 2024. Police said motor vehicle thefts “significantly” dwindled. In 2024, police saw 5,823 motor vehicle thefts, compared with 10,660, in 2023, representing a 45% drop. Police pointed to nontheft devices and software updates of Kias and Hyundais as potential reasons for the sharp decline. 

Additionally, the number of felonious assaults lessened in 2024, when police saw 1,188 incidents compared with 1,363 the previous year – a 25% decrease. Rape was another crime that decreased, dropping about 6%, from 1,223 recorded incidents in 2023 to 1,142 in 2024. 

An outlying crime that saw an increase in 2024 was robberies, with 1,503 incidents compared with 1,415 in 2023. Additionally, felony domestic violence incidents also rose to 825 in 2024 compared with 733 the previous year. However, police noted a new law passed in April 2023 that made strangulation a felony changed how the department counted these incidents, contributing to the increase. 

Ohio State student’s cancer journey fuels passion to give back

Police also said 3,248 illegal firearms were also taken off the streets last year, including ghost guns, or homemade firearms that can be made with a 3D printer. This marks a slight decrease from 3,693 in 2023. 

While Columbus police recently voluntarily revealed they underreported crime data for over a decade to the state and Federal Bureau of Investigation due to an unnoticed system error, the department said data pulled directly from its system was unaffected and remained accurate.

GROVEPORT, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Groveport Madison School Board held a special meeting Tuesday aimed at asking voters to once again consider a bond issue on the ballot after voters rejected one in November. 

Board members said if it is approved, the bond would raise millions of dollars to build several new schools. 

Even though Groveport Madison board members voted to move forward with the proposed bond levy, it won’t be on the May ballot just yet. Board members say more work still needs to be done.   

Issue 38 in Groveport Madison was just one of the many school levies and bond issues that ended up failing across central Ohio.  

In Groveport Madison, the funds would have been used to build three new middle schools and an addition to the high school. According to the district, two of the current middle schools have an open classroom concept, which has led to distracting learning environments and safety and security concerns.   

Since failing, the board has been looking for ways to move forward. During Tuesday night's meeting, only a few board members were in favor of moving forward with the proposed bond levy; others feel like it’s not ready to be back on the ballot.   

“I don't believe that what we're putting before the voters is a representation at all of our constituency, I know it's not of my constituency,” board member John Kershner said. 

“We need to go back to the drawing board, come up with a strategic plan and listen to our constituents, the taxpayers,” board member Kathy Walsh said. 

Some board members felt like the community didn’t have any input in what went on this levy. However, others say they were given multiple opportunities to voice their concerns.   

“They were given the opportunity to be there,” board member Libby Gray said. “There was multiple meetings and community members did put their input into this decision. So, I would just like to comment on that.” 

In November, Groveport Madison schools had a 2.44 mills bond issue on the ballot. If passed, it would cost taxpayers $85 dollars per $100,000 of their home’s appraisal value. If the latest version of the bond issue gets on the ballot again, it would now be 2.33 mills, costing taxpayers $81.55 per $100,000 of appraised value. 

Board members said Tuesday’s vote doesn’t mean the issue moves to the ballot; the board will hold another vote next week. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) - Surveillance footage from Ohio State University shows exactly how a statue of Brutus was vandalized in late November. Several angles of surveillance footage received through a public information request show a man walking in the middle of Lane Avenue around 3:20 AM on Nov. 24,  2024.  

The Ohio State Buckeyes beat the Indiana Hoosiers earlier that day in a matchup of top 5 teams. 

The man in the surveillance footage is seen banging on windows at The Varsity Club on the corner of Lane Avenue and Tuttle Park Place. From there, he walks next door to College Traditions, a popular Ohio State-themed merchandise store. He pushes over the fiberglass statue of Brutus, breaking it at the shins and leaving behind the boots fastened to the ground. 

The vandal then goes on a four-minute rampage kicking the statue up and down Lane Avenue in the middle of the road while seemingly recording on his phone. The footage then shows him pick up the statue and throw it against another statue of Woody Hayes. Brutus bounces back off the metal Hayes statue and hits the man.  The suspect then throws the statue twice more before dumping it down a stairwell situated between The Varsity Club and College Traditions. 

The surveillance footage then shows the man walking west on Lane Avenue in the middle of the four-lane road. Vehicles swerve to pass around him, and at one point, he runs directly at a car. Police catch up to the man near the Lane Avenue Bridge over the Olentangy River after two students walking home witnessed his attack on the statue and called police.  

Ohio State University Police body camera footage shows the officers engage the man, who was wearing sweatpants and a blue Notre Dame sweatshirt. 

"Why are you walking in the middle of the road?" one officer can be heard asking. The man responds, "I don't know."  

The officer responds, "Okay. Why would that mean that you need to walk in the middle of the road?"  

The man in the Notre Dame sweatshirt replies, "It's obvious."  

The officer, questioning the man, said, "What's obvious?"  

"Like the direction of the road is obvious," the man replied.  

The conversation then turns to why the man isn't using the sidewalk instead of walking in the middle of the road.  

"I'm looking at the road. I'm looking at the sidewalk. They're going the same exact way," said the officer. "They're not. Because they turn up there," said the man.  

At this point in the encounter, multiple officers are on scene as well as the two students who witnessed the attack.  

One witness said to an officer, "I was more concerned than anything. He was like, next to Varsity Club, like throwing the Brutus statue around."  

"Did you see him break it?" asked the officer. Both witnesses said, "Yes."  

One of the witnesses said the man kept talking to himself, and thought maybe he was talking to the two students.  

"I did the O-H thing. He just kept talking to himself, and he didn't say I-O back, so I kind of knew something was up," said one witness before adding, "He was right in the middle of the street. He's doing this right in the street."  

The two students then point the officers to where they can find the statue of Brutus.  

"At the bottom of the staircase, to the left of the Varsity Club you'll see it," one of them said.  

Officers are then approached by a man who claims to be the father of the alleged vandal. The officers take down information for both of the men, then allow them to leave.  

NBC4 reached out to Ohio State Police for an update on potential charges but has not received confirmation. Franklin County court records do not show any current charges for destruction of the statue. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The school board of Ohio's largest school district has new leadership.

On Tuesday, Christina Vera stepped down from her role as Columbus City School Board president, with the board electing longtime member Michael Cole as her replacement.

Vera made the announcement at Tuesday's board meeting, saying it was a "personal decision" but didn't provide any other details. She said she looks forward to continuing to serve as a board member.

Ohio State student’s cancer journey fuels passion to give back

Cole was named the new board president by a 4-2 vote with one member abstaining.

The board recently sparked controversy last summer over a leaked memo about how to deal with the public when it came to future school closings, then voted in December to close five schools.

Board member Jennifer Adair, who preceded Vera as board president, was elected vice president.

The board is scheduled to meet on Jan. 21.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children in the United States and a survivor who goes to Ohio State wants to help tackle the problem.

Morgan Loudon received devastating news at just 8. She was diagnosed with a rhabdoid tumor behind her left kidney, an aggressive childhood cancer and was given a 20% chance to live. "For about a year I went through ten rounds of chemotherapy and a month of radiation with various surgeries," Loudon said. 

During her cancer journey, Loudon got involved with St. Baldrick's Foundation, the largest charity funder of childhood cancer research grants. According to Jane Hoppen, Director of Family Relations, the charity supports the most promising child cancer research to give kids with cancer the best opportunity for cures and a life free of treatment side effects.

"For more than 25 years, St. Baldrick's grants have been part of the most promising breakthroughs in childhood cancer research," Hoppen said. "And since 2005, St Baldrick's volunteers and donors have enabled the foundation to fund more than $354 million in childhood cancer research."

According to the World Health Organization, more than 400,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year. It claims the lives of one in five children diagnosed in the U.S. Since 2006, St. Baldrick's has granted more than $16 million in childhood cancer research to institutions in Ohio with $4.4 million of that going to the Columbus area.

Columbus gyms brace for New Year’s rush

Since 2002, more than 24,000 people in Ohio have shaved their heads to raise money for cancer research at more than 570 events, raising over $15.8 million. "It's an issue that's not being addressed," Loudon said. "There's not enough funding and that's where St. Baldrick's comes in. They try to bridge that gap in funding."

Loudon was just named one of five ambassadors in the country for St. Baldrick's. Each ambassador represents the more than 13 main types of childhood cancers, helping to highlight the urgent need for funding research to advance childhood cancer treatments and save lives.

"Kids are so much more than just a cancer diagnosis," Hoppen said. "That doesn't define them. It is certainly part of who they are, but it is not all that they are. And so we want to have an opportunity for ambassadors to really talk about their full life and everything that they are doing to continue to improve the world in which they live."

Those who donate to St. Baldrick's aren't giving to just one institution, but more than 383 institutions that are treating kids in the U.S., several of which are in central Ohio. "Hard things happen," Loudon said. "They happen throughout your whole life. My dad always told me, things don't get easier, you just handle hard better and I would really say that cancer has taught me that if anything."

This new role will allow Loudon a platform to advocate for cancer research funding through making videos, writing blogs, and sharing her story. Next month, she has the opportunity to visit Washington D.C. to speak with members of Congress about the importance of childhood cancer research funding and other initiatives on the federal level. 

She is very involved both on and off campus at Ohio State and will graduate early in May with plans to teach science with Teach for America in Colorado before pursuing a career as a physician assistant. Through Loudon's journey with St. Baldrick's, her mom has also become more involved. She now works for them full-time.

The work is not done in the fight to conquer childhood cancers. Everyone has the opportunity to get involved and save lives. To learn more about St. Baldrick's and how you can help make a difference visit here.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio State is traveling to the Cotton Bowl to take on Texas Friday and The Best Damn Band In The Land is going, too.  

The 12-team College Football Playoff is new this year and it’s bringing new challenges to OSU Marching Band leaders and members.  

No shortage of motivation for Ohio State players as playoff semifinal approaches

“It’s so exciting to be, you know, a part of what they are doing,” Jordan Bechtol, a trumpeter in the band, said. “They’re obviously playing their best football right now and really putting together a magical postseason which is really cool for us to be a part of, to be there cheering them on." 

Ohio State band members take a class every day for two hours during the fall semester and that is when they rehearse. That class doesn’t carry over into the spring semester, so finding time to practice for bowl games is a challenge.  

“The marching band class no longer exists so these students are really on volunteer time and we’re asking them to come in for special rehearsals here in the evening after their normal classes,” band director Dr. Christopher Hoch said.  

Bechtol and sousaphone player Brody Hyre said they moved their schedules around to make sure they can be at rehearsals.  

Buckeyes move up one spot in women’s basketball poll after 14-0 start

“You just kind of make it work because band is important enough that you kind of fit your schedule around it,” Hyre said.  

“Obviously we’re hoping we’re going to get used to it over the coming years as an organization because we’re hoping the Buckeyes will be in a lot of national championships. For right now, we just practice when we can,” Bechtol said.  

There is a possibility of one more game if the Buckeyes win on Friday.  

“We are going to support our team and our Buckeyes no matter what, and if we are fortunate enough to win this upcoming game, we will be there in force in Atlanta cheering them on in the national championship game,” Hoch said.  

Devin Royal, Bruce Thornton rally Ohio State past Minnesota 89-88 in 2OT

“This one feels a little different, you know, because we can still win the Natty and that would be an amazing experience for my last year and a lot of the seniors this year,” Hyre said Hyre.  

The Ohio State Marching Band will travel to Dallas on Thursday, and they will have pregame and halftime performances during the Cotton Bowl. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- It’s a problem that addiction specialists don’t anticipate slowing anytime soon -- day trading, the quick buying and selling of stocks or securities.  

What was once reserved for brokers has been made accessible to everyday people with the help of trading apps and websites.  

“With online trading, you think you are investing,” Doug Royer, who once was addicted to day trading, said.  “You think you are doing smart things by trying to grow your money and all that.”  

Royer said it took years to realize he had a problem. At one point, he was on top – helping to lead a successful company, taking multiple trips a year and living in a dream home - but he said his habit of making risky moves with stocks or day trading cost him everything more than once. 

“I bought the dips -- as long as everything was going up, everything was great,” Roer said. 

Abdullah Mahmood is an addiction coordinator with the gambling intervention program at Columbus-based Maryhaven. He said that while sports betting continues to grow, the number of people seeking gambling treatment due to day trading is also seeing a surge. 

“The progression is usually what we see as an early big win,” Mahmood said.  

He said technology made it easier for the everyday person to jump in headfirst and apps have, in his words, “gamified” the process, essentially working to remove the risk factor of it all.  

“You are beginning to chase your loses, that’s the number one indicative sign of problem gambling,” Mahmood said.  

Mahmmod said other signs include lying to loved ones about the extent of losses.  

For Royer, it took multiple massive wins and bigger losses to seek treatment; he is now a regular at counseling through Maryhaven’s programs. His warning: trading isn’t a game and everyone should proceed with caution. 

WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE, Ohio (WCMH) -- School districts in central Ohio are still facing challenges caused by the snow that fell on Sunday and Monday.

"Lots of snow, a winter wonderland, I love snow, so this is a blessing and a curse because obviously we want our kids back in school, but we have some still a few safety concerns," said Tom Bailey, superintendent of Washington Court House City Schools (WCHCS).

Central Ohio school closings for January 8, 2025

The city received about eight inches of snow with crews on Tuesday loading some into a dump truck to get it out of the way. Monday was a previously scheduled workday for teachers in the district but it was canceled because of the weather. Teachers nor students were in class on Tuesday.

“It’s not an easy decision. And every superintendent goes through this," Bailey said.

Safety on the roads and what students will miss out on by not being in school are factors which go into a snow day decision, according to Bailey.

He said he talks with the district's transportation supervisors on days when weather impacts road conditions. He also drives the roads himself. Many side streets still had quite a bit of snow as of Tuesday afternoon.

“I see the struggles with when we get this much snow and it's hard to get around. As a bus driver because I do a lot of driving for our district as well, I have a pretty accurate understanding of how the buses will act and react in the snow," Bailey said.

What factors go into schools calling a snow day?

He also said at this point a remote learning day instead of a traditional snow day is not part of the equation.

“We will not make that decision until we get to five calamity days. So the first five we’re kind of going old school with the first five we take and don't worry about making up. We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. Obviously, in-person learning is where it's at," he said.

"If we get to that sixth day we will probably make it up at the end of the year or some other time during the year to make sure we’re getting in-person learning because we know that's most effective for our kids."

The district Tuesday afternoon announced teachers will have a workday Wednesday and the plan is for students to be back on Thursday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Winter has officially arrived in central Ohio and unfortunately, when we deal with the cold, snow and ice, it's not uncommon for problematic companies and outright scammers to see an opportunity. 

The Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio has heard plenty of horror stories from consumers who got burned when temperatures dropped.

Resolutions to avoid scams in 2025

"We see it time and time again, whether it's the winter season or other times a year," Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio President Judy Dollison said. "Scammers are going to key in on what's happening today and take advantage."  

That's why planning and preparation -- from snow removal to handling storm damage -- can make all the difference, she said. 

"The best way to defend yourself is, you know, to have the information in advance," Dollison said. 

That's especially true if you're planning to hire a person or company to help you remove all the snow and ice from your property, or repair any damage caused by the weather. 

“It's always good to do your research because knowledge is power," Dollison said. "So, we recommend that you check on www.bbb.org to vet your contractors that you're looking at using for the snow removal."

Scammers using utilities to target victims

Make sure the contractor or company you're looking to hire is licensed and insured, that you're aware of which services are included, and that you're clear on timelines for completion, as well as overall cost and additional fees.  

"Some charge a flat rate, some charge an hourly rate, and some charge a flat rate plus an hourly rate," Dollison said. "So, confirm all those details. Again, it's best to get all that in writing."  

No matter what, never pay the full cost up front.  

"Some contractors will ask for payment in full," Dollison said. "We always recommend against that, no matter what your service is." 

And if someone comes to your door, unsolicited, never agree to hire them on the spot. 

Need help? Contact Better Call 4

"Slow down," Dollison said. "Find ways to confirm if there's damage to an area you can't see. Do your research to make sure that you are working with an honest company that isn't going to take your money and run, and that does unfortunately happen."

If you don't know where to start with the cleanup, check with your insurance company first. If you're covered, they can provide suggestions for contractors and help when it comes to moving forward with a signed contract. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio’s adult-use marijuana program can change anytime at the whim of the Ohio Statehouse and now with new Republican leadership in each chamber, there is more alignment in what that might look like.

In December 2023, efforts to change the state’s adult-use program stalled in the House. The House introduced its own ideas during that time too. But after a lot of back-and-forth, and a call from the executive branch, nothing got through.

More attempts were made to reach a compromise before the end of the summer session, but at the time, the speaker said there were “just a lot of different opinions,” leading to any legislation in the area ultimately going nowhere.

Now, Ohio Senate President Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) said he wants to see that work resurface, in fact, he worked on that legislation back in 2023, as part of an amended House Bill 86. “That was legislation I worked on personally,” he said. “[Adult-use marijuana] has a ton of unintended consequences in it that are going to be particularly bad, particularly as it concerns public use. Driving while intoxicated, things of that nature.”

Dr. Amy Acton, who helped lead Ohio’s early pandemic response, joins 2026 governor’s race

That bill does things like cut back legal THC extract levels, for products like vapes, by 40%, half the number of plants someone can grow in their home (from 12 to six) and change the tax rate and how those profits are distributed.  

“We need to fill in some of those holes,” he said. “But at the same time, Ohioans voted for access to marijuana. That access, as in previous legislation that we've tried to offer and push, is going to be preserved going forward.”

Senate Democrats supported that legislation back in 2023, and Ohio House Minority Leader Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) stands by it. “It was a ballot initiative that was very broad sweeping. The devil is in the details about how good public policy gets over the finish line,” she said. “I think there’s some changes, small changes, we could make that would really benefit the people of Ohio.”

Antonio said she hopes a compromise can be made, but said some provisions are important to her caucus, like expunging certain marijuana records. “That, to us is incredibly important,” she said. “You changed the law, but then you're going to have we have people in prison right now who are serving a term for something that now today is not illegal anymore.”

Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) agreed, the expungement piece is important and members of her caucus worked on legislation to do that, but it also never crossed the finish line. Ohio House Speaker, and former Ohio Senate President, Matt Huffman (R-Lima) is also in favor of provisions in that bill from the last general assembly. In December 2024, he said home grow is still an issue.

“The amount of home grow that is happening is far beyond the use for one or two people who may be growing it in their home,” he said on December 4. “It supplies an illegal market."

“I think that there will be quite a bit of division even in the Republican caucus on many of the details of that,” Russo said in December. “Going against the will of voters is certainly, I think, something that many of that weigh.”

Last month, Huffman said home grow “has to be part of the consideration,” when looking at how to change the adult use laws. On January 6, Huffman said that is not the pinnacle of his focus. “It seems that folks are kind of talking a lot about the home grow thing. I don't think that's really that big a big deal in terms of this issue,” Huffman said. “A lot of this is really has to do with regulatory, especially in the part that's not regulated, that has to get taken care of.”

Huffman was talking about Delta 8 when he said that. Delta 8 is a low-level THC product, sometimes called “diet weed,” that is currently sold throughout out with no regulations or age restrictions. Governor Mike DeWine has called for its regulation by lawmakers several times in the past year, but the legislature failed to act.

Across the aisle, Russo agreed, something needs to be done, but said there is a line that needs to be drawn. “We need to do better than what we’re doing because it is too readily available, especially to minors,” she said. Do I think a full ban is necessary? No.”

Ohio revises Statehouse candidate forms after several nearly disqualified

How do dispensaries feel about all of this? Spokesperson for Sunnyside, Jason Erkes, said the law changes will not come as a shock. He said they have been anticipating more solid regulations. “Tight now we've been operating in cannabis medical program plus with a lot of the guardrails down of people needing a medical card to get in the store while they formulate the rules and regulations for the adult use program,” he said.

Erkes said it is not necessarily frustrating waiting for things to be set, and said whatever the regulations may be, they will follow. He said what he is keeping an eye on are the stores selling Delta 8, and where those regulations end up. “Across the street, you have these stores that are calling themselves a dispensary selling completely unregulated products. We have no idea what's in them, no idea where they came from. And, of course, no age restrictions and they're ending up in the hands of kids,” he said.

“The shadow industry is selling products that are unregulated untested, not made in Ohio, no age restrictions. So, unless those are willing to fold underneath the laws that already exist, I don't see a need for that shadow industry to exist.”

Like you just read, several of these bills failed, in some cases less than one year ago. But with new leadership sworn in, the odds of things getting through, on any topic, increased. “Probably there will be more alignment, that’s my anticipation, just given that the speaker came from the senate and was previously the leader of the senate,” Russo said.  “I suspect we will see things getting through, for better or worse, more quickly through both chambers.”

A bill has yet to be officially introduced this General Assembly on adult-use marijuana or Delta 8.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- For gym owners, January can serve as a business fitness test. 

"The first year I was here, I was expecting 50 to 100 (new) people," Jeff May, the owner of The Fitness Loft in Columbus, said. "We got seven or eight times that."

But oftentimes, those new year's fitness habits fall off. "By February, that number dies down pretty quickly," local gym owner Ryan Bickford said.

Gyms in Columbus and across the country struggle to navigate the influx of new customers and turn them into long-term clients.

"One of the reasons people quit is because they're not seeing results, right? And if you have a plan that's not efficient and effective, you won't see results," Dr. Shawn Bailey, owner of The Armory in Grandview, said. 

"It can be a little bit overwhelming seeing, you know, 700 different pieces of equipment. And where do I start?" Bickford said.

According to new data from the Centers for Disease Control, Ohio is in need of a new fitness plan. Ohio ranks among the ten most obese states in the nation, with nearly 37% of the population qualifying as obese. That's an increase of 8% since 2011. 

Columbus summer camp registration begins for 2025: What parents need to know

Former Ohio State and NFL linebacker Anthony Schlegel has trained elite college and professional athletes, and now trains clients at The Armory. He says one of the biggest problems in modern fitness is social media fitness.

"Instantaneous gratification and false narratives that are out there of social media that everybody sees," Schlegel said. "Don't fall into the trap of comparing yourself, your body image to anybody else. You are your own; you're beautifully and wonderfully made. Just go in there and put the work in."

Commitment to a gym typically includes a contact. In Ohio, state law requires gyms to allow customers to cancel their memberships under certain circumstances. Gym owners say to be careful about contracts with no exclusions for major injury or illness, or deals with large termination fees.

"Whoever is presenting you with that contract should be able to explain it clearly and briefly," Bickford said. "What is in that contract and what you're agreeing to? It shouldn't take a lawyer to read a contract for a gym."

No matter which gym you choose, success starts slowly.

"What we're looking for is 30 days, maybe 45 days, of doing something over and over again until that becomes your new habit," Bailey said. "We're looking for a new lifestyle." 

Fitness professionals suggest that before joining a gym, follow some simple guidelines for better outcomes:

• Before you start any new program, get a physical exam
• Start slow, do things you enjoy. For example, if you hate running, don't run.
• Build an eating plan with a dietician. In many cases, people actually eat too few calories to promote overall wellness.
• Have an accountability team. Work with a gym buddy or join a fitness class.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- With Monday's winter storm now in the rearview mirror, officials from the Ohio Department of Transportation are reflecting on the first significant snow fall in more than two years.

After a relatively safe 2024, the division said it is hoping a new campaign will help shift a growing and dangerous trend into reverse. So far this winter, 16 ODOT snow plows have been struck by Ohio drivers, including one crash that happened Sunday on State Route 35 in Ross County.

"This was obviously a statewide storm. I honestly would expect I'll probably hear about some additional plow strikes that we just haven't been told about yet," ODOT spokesperson Matt Bruning said.

Another crash involving a plow near Cleveland was among the seven plows in total that have been struck just since the start of the new year.

"We had over 1,300 plows out, I think, around the peak across the entire state of Ohio, so this particular storm was a very busy one for us," Bruning said. "And obviously, the more plows that are out, the higher the chances you're going to get hit, unfortunately."

Snow emergencies in central Ohio for January 7, 2025

But the division is hoping to put a stop to these avoidable crashes, through a safety campaign, "Give Us Room to Work."

"These plows are very large trucks, fully loaded with salt. We're talking several, several tons," Bruning said. "Your passenger vehicle is not going to stand a chance. So, that is why we get this message out about, 'Give Us Room to Work.'

The campaign features pictures and videos of crashes involving ODOT plows as examples of what they're asking drivers not to do.

"'Give Us Room to Work,' it's as much about keeping our crews safe as it is about keeping you as a motorist safe because these don't stop on a dime, they don't turn on a time, and they are very, very heavy pieces of equipment," Bruning said.

As they do after any winter storm, Bruning said that in the coming days, ODOT will review how the equipment held up, and if it had enough people and resources to combat Monday's storm. He says the department will also review the materials used to determine if it was the right approach based on temperatures and conditions.

In the meantime, with the road conditions improving, their plows will continue to be hard at work.

"We've been able to push the snow off the main driving lanes in most cases," Bruning said. "Now it's about maybe opening up additional lanes on our multi-lane highways, it's about pushing that now further off the shoulder, to make sure when it does melt, it doesn't create a water situation on the roadway that could re-freeze."

To get the latest snow and ice information during a storm, and to get updates on the conditions in your area, you can head to ODOT's website.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Former Ohio Health Director Amy Acton, who became a household name in the state in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, is running for governor.

Acton, 58, a physician and public health expert who stood alongside Republican Gov. Mike DeWine for months during his daily coronavirus briefings, said people still stop her in the grocery store or at a restaurant to share their struggles — and she doesn't want to look away.

“I feel like I have a bond with Ohioans and a connection,” she said in an Associated Press interview. “You don’t go through what we’ve been through ... and not have some special connection.”

Acton filed paperwork and launched her campaign Tuesday. She plans to run as a Democrat, which places her at an immediate disadvantage in a state that has turned solidly red in recent years.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost hints at run for governor

While she has said before that serving in DeWine’s cabinet taught her much about how the office operates, on Tuesday she said she believes that Ohio's Republican leaders — who control all three branches of state government — are spending too much time fighting the culture wars and they're taking the state in the wrong direction.

“It’s not OK with me that Ohioans don’t live as long as people do in other states," she said. "It’s not OK with me to watch what used to be a top education system, state-of-the-art education system, begin to fall year after year after year. It’s not OK with me that our GDP is like 45th and our biggest export is Ohioans, is young people.”

Acton's entry into the race comes as Republicans Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and Attorney General Dave Yost already are positioning to run for the seat, which the 78-year-old DeWine must vacate next year due to term limits. But the landscape of the race is far from settled.

DeWine has yet to appoint a replacement to U.S. Sen. JD Vance, who will be inaugurated as Donald Trump's vice president Jan. 20. Though DeWine has long endorsed Husted as his favored successor, the lieutenant governor is now considered a leading contender as his pick for the Senate. That's after Husted and DeWine met with Trump and Vance last month at Mar-a-Lago, a trip first reported by WEWS-TV.

Giving Husted the job would create a political opening for Trump insider Vivek Ramaswamy to possibly make a gubernatorial run against Yost in the 2026 primary. Ramaswamy has said he would not seek the Senate opening — Ohio's third in as many years — right now, because he's busy heading Trump's Department of Government Efficiency effort with Elon Musk. DOGE is not an actual government department, but a private effort.

DeWine plucked Acton from Ohio State University, where she was an associate professor of public health, to lead the Ohio Department of Health in 2019. As the pandemic ramped up in early 2020, she was thrown into the state and national spotlight — becoming a beloved source of comfort to many viewers of the governor's daily news conferences.

For her service as health director, Acton earned the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation’s Profile in COVID Courage Award, the Columbus Foundation’s Spirit of Columbus Award and Ohio State’s highest alumni honor, the Alumni Medalist Award.

But her position as the face of the DeWine administration's aggressive stance against the virus also earned Acton many enemies, among them Statehouse Republicans and average Ohioans who opposed pandemic restrictions.

During the crisis, Acton used the health director's broad emergency powers to halt the state's 2020 presidential primary, to temporarily close gyms and fitness centers around the state, and to impose stay-at-home orders as the administration tried to prevent COVID’s spread. Husted also took part in the administration's COVID response, but not to the extent that Acton did.

After a grueling period of public exposure, angry demonstrations, lawsuits and personal attacks, Acton resigned her state job in June 2020. DeWine sent her off fondly, describing her as a hero in a white coat. She stayed on as his chief health adviser until that August.

She said Tuesday that she recognizes she has not held elective office, but she feels she has the skills necessary to do the job.

“We know that I’m a doctor. I’m not a politician,” she said. “But I am a leader, and I tend to think of myself as more of a public servant and a problem solver.”

After leaving government, Acton joined the Columbus Foundation as a grants director with the title “vice president for Human:Kind.” She left that post after about six months to explore a run for U.S. Senate, ultimately deciding against joining the 2022 contest won by Vance. She later took on a job as director of the city of Columbus' Project L.O.V.E., an initiative aimed at encouraging early vaccinations in children.

Acton said she has spent all that time supporting candidates and causes that she believes in and carefully considering whether to enter politics.

“My challenge to whoever else wants to run in this race is it's time to put something bigger than ourselves at the top here,” she said. “So many of us have values in Ohio that we all hold dear. We have got to put the real problems, the day-to-day problems we all face on the table and put that first.”

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A 28-year-old man has been arrested and charged in the shooting death of a woman Tuesday morning in north Columbus.

Police said officers went to the 100 block of Chittenden Avenue in the University District just before 7:30 a.m. on a disturbance call. Officers found Gage Smith, who police said was in emotional distress, and then found 32-year-old Autumn Ward inside an apartment unresponsive with a gunshot wound to the head.

Pig may have contributed to Pataskala woman’s death, police say

Ward was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:49 a.m. Columbus police's preliminary investigation revealed that Smith allegedly shot Ward in a domestic violence-related incident. Court documents revealed he told police he was responsible for her death.

Smith was arrested and charged with murder. He is scheduled to appear in Franklin County municipal court for an arraignment hearing Wednesday morning.

PATASKALA, Ohio (WCMH) – Police are investigating the Christmas Day death of a woman who may have been injured by a pig.

According to Pataskala police, an officer responded to a request for a welfare check on Mink Street. The caller was concerned when a family member, Rebecca Ringey, did not show up for a holiday gathering and could not get in touch with her. The caller also told police that Ringey had recently undergone surgery and had other medical issues.

An officer arrived at 11:47 a.m. and found Ringey dead on the steps of her front porch. Ringey reportedly had suffered trauma injuries to her lower extremities.

National Blood Donor Month: where you can donate

The officer observed a large pig enter the property from around the corner of the home and was able to get the pig to leave. It was discovered that the pig belonged to a neighbor.

Police then noticed evidence of the pig’s presence around the scene. The officer and a sergeant determined the pig may have contributed Ringey's injuries, although they've yet to determine what led to the injuries. A second pig was discovered at the home and the owner was informed they would need to be quarantined until further notice.

The Licking County Coroner's Office confirmed the cause of her death was not by pigs eating her and did not specify the connection of the animals to Ringey's death.