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City of Columbus looking to seize property of old Eastland Mall
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — An iconic mall for decades could now be seized by the city of Columbus. The city attorney calls the old Eastland Mall unsafe for current renovations crews and school kids nearby. "I think it's concerning enough that there is no fire suppression system, and the...
Man accused of shouting anti-gay slurs, urinating on pride flag sentenced
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — A man accused of yelling slurs and urinating on a pride flag at a home in Weinland Park has been sentenced in court Wednesday. Trey Fetzer was arrested back in February for the incident that was caught on home surveillance video. He was originally charged with ethnic intimidation, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct and criminal trespass.
New passenger rail committee to help decide train stops, service details for central Ohio
Communities in and around Franklin County want their foot in the door — and a possible stop along the train tracks — should passenger rail come to central Ohio. That's a big reason the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission created an Ad Hoc Passenger Rail Committee that may help decide where and how future Amtrak lines will run through the region. The new committee is made up of mayors, city managers, city policy wonks and other stakeholders in Franklin County and its immediate neighbors.
Columbus residents voice concerns about possible zoning changes
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus City Council is set to vote next week on new zoning legislation, which city leaders say intends to keep up with the growth of the city. The city’s zoning codes have not been updated for 70 years, so the legislation means building higher-density areas in the city and increasing housing.
Community group seeks to dial down police, dial up federal mental health care
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — A Columbus-based community group is pushing for new efforts to address mental health crises in neighborhoods that do not include police interaction. "At the moment, a lot of community members don't feel safe calling the police," said Sha-Lemar Davis with the People's Justice Project. The...
School starting early for some Columbus students
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – For most central Ohio children, the first day of school is still a few weeks out, but students at Woodcrest Elementary started Wednesday and were welcomed back with a clap-in. Teachers, staff and the superintendent of Columbus City Schools all gathered outside the front doors, singing and cheering for their students as they begin the 2024-2025 school year.
As tick-borne diseases spread rapidly across Ohio, researchers call on the public for help
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WOUB) — Neal Sargeant drags a one-meter piece of cloth through the tall grass. After walking a few feet, he stops, kneels and flips over the fabric. “And just like that, he’s ours,” Sargeant says. Attached is an American dog tick. He drops the tick...
Central Ohio's newest food hall opens Aug. 16: Get a look inside
Central Ohio's seventh food hall — its sixth in four years — will open in August in a growing development that straddles Columbus and Grandview Heights. The Little Grand Market, with nine food vendors, two bars, a market, a coffee shop, an upstairs patio and outdoor seating, also will host farmers markets, live...
On Your Side: Hilltop nuisance property sees improvements after court fines owner
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Hilltop residents called our On Your Side Team with some good news about a property they said has been a nuisance for years. According to 311 records, the property at 571 South Harris Avenue had been vacant since 2014 and plagued by drug use, squatting, theft and trash.
Teachers union suing Columbus City Schools over substitute contracts
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The union representing Columbus City School teachers is suing the board of education, alleging that Ohio code was violated when contracts were not renewed for some substitute teachers. The Columbus Education Association filed the lawsuit last week, saying the district’s decision affected 28 substitute teachers. All were notified around June 25 […]
Gov. DeWine to sign bill putting AEDs in Ohio schools Tuesday
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine will sign a bill into law putting AEDs in schools. The governor will sign HB 47 at Worthington Kilbourne High School with a student present whose life was saved by an AED at soccer practice. Canen Dickman, an incoming sophomore, collapsed...
New aquatics center proposed for Northeast Side
Columbus Recreation and Parks and Columbus City Schools are working on a plan to build a new indoor aquatics center connected to a school on the Northeast Side.Why it matters: Just one of the city's eight pools is indoors — the Columbus Aquatics Center in the Short North — and it's "reaching the end of its usable life," per a 2023 city-commissioned report.Flashback: That Legat Architects report found Columbus has many "aquatic deserts" because its pool portfolio hasn't grown alongside its population.It recommended a school partnership as one solution and said a new indoor pool should be a "high priority."The...
Korean War veteran receives a free home upgrade
GROVE CITY, Ohio (WCMH) — A central Ohio veteran got a home upgrade, thanks to a home remodeling company. Since 2022, West Shore Home has been serving veterans, active duty and their families through its West Shore for Warriors initiative. Kenneth Kirk, of Grove City, is a Korean War veteran. At 94 years old, he said […]
Central Ohio Democratic delegates support Kamala Harris
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The Democratic National Convention (DNC) is four weeks from Monday and there are more questions going into it with President Joe Biden’s decision to drop out of the race. “I love Joe Biden, I was saddened that he dropped out, but again, he is so empathetic and so cares about the […]
Columbus unveils new fire response technology
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Four Columbus fire stations will be getting technology that is meant to help first responders get better rest during a 24-hour shift. A shift like that can be challenging. Firefighters are usually woken up several times throughout the night. “The thought of sleeping just isn’t a thing. It’s more just rest. […]
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