Local News

Central Ohio – Wildlife District One While on patrol in Pickaway County, State Wildlife Officer Brady Stevens, assigned at-large in central Ohio, contacted three waterfowl hunters at Elmon Richards Wildlife Area. Officer Stevens checked the group for valid hunting licenses, Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamps, and federal Duck Stamps. One hunter did not have a valid Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp. The hunter …

March 4, 2025 –Dorian Hight, a 21-year-old Columbus man, pleaded guilty on March 3, 2025 to Kidnapping (a felony of the first degree), Strangulation (a felony of the third degree), Domestic Violence (a felony of the third degree), Violating a Protection Order (a felony of the third degree), and 6 additional counts of Violating a Protection Order (all felonies of …

COLUMBUS – The Ohio State Highway Patrol will continue being highly visible on roadways across the state in an effort to reduce the number of fatal crashes. In addition, troopers are urging motorists to practice safe driving habits, such as using available safety belts, never driving while impaired and always following traffic laws. From 2020-2024 there were 5,804 fatal crashes on …

James Stevens, a 54-year-old Lewis Center man, was sentenced to 4 years of community control sanctions with 90 days in jail for Gross Sexual Imposition, a felony of the 4th degree. Stevens was also classified as a Tier I sex offender. Delaware County Common Pleas Court Judge James P. Schuck sentenced Stevens today following a 3-day jury trial in January …

Following a 3-day trial, a Delaware County jury found Christopher Watkins, a 39-year-old Columbus man, guilty of Felonious Assault and Robbery, both felonies of the 2nd degree. The Columbus Police Department initiated an investigation after responding to a scene in the Polaris area where 2 hotel employees had been assaulted. Watkins was ultimately identified as the suspect through eyewitness testimony, …

Taxpayers across the country are growing concerned that recent budget cuts to the IRS could lead to delays in processing their tax refunds. Experts warn that while most refunds should still be processed without issue, some individuals may experience longer wait times when seeking assistance over the phone and potential delays in refund processing. According to tax professionals, one of …

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio High School Athletic Association and the Schottenstein Center on the campus of The Ohio State University have announced a contract extension that will keep the OHSAA wrestling state tournament at the arena through 2027. This year’s state tournament dates are March 7-9. In 2026 the state tournament will be March 13-15 and in 2027 the dates …

The Ohio House of Representatives has unanimously approved House Bill 54, a comprehensive $11.5 billion transportation budget for fiscal years 2026-2027. The bill allocates $8 billion for statewide highway construction and maintenance, and $200 million for public transit initiatives. It also establishes a new road safety pilot program aimed at protecting construction workers. Additionally, the budget directs $2 million for …

A new study from the Ohio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN) reveals that domestic violence costs the state approximately $1.2 billion annually, the highest among Ohio and its five neighboring states. The findings highlight the profound financial burden that domestic violence imposes on health care, the workforce, and the economy as a whole. According to ODVN, an estimated 180,000 individuals in …