News Channel 4

LOGAN, Ohio (WCMH) -- A missing 12-year-old from North Carolina was found with a registered sex offender after a crash in Hocking County. Deputies were called to a single-vehicle crash Sunday morning along U.S. 33. The driver was identified as Virgil E. Larson, Jr., 45, who is a registered sex offender in Fairfield County. A [...]

Ohio lawmakers have eliminated a program that would have created enhanced driver's licenses, which can be used for crossing into the U.S. by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean, and are generally cheaper and easier to obtain than a passport.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) –A self-serve cafe for instant ramen recently opened in north Columbus. Ramyun EZ began welcoming customers at 5025 Olentangy River Road on Friday, according to its website. The noodle shop took over the building that formerly housed Tea Zone Bakery and Cafe, which closed in December after about 20 years of business. [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A memorial will be held Friday morning for a central Ohio airman who was killed during a refueling crash in Iraq. Master Sgt. Tyler Simmons was one of six servicemembers who died last month in a KC-135 crash. Three of the six, including Simmons, were from Ohio. NBC4 plans to livestream [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Bipartisan legislation proposed in Ohio would require social media companies to display warning labels when users access platforms deemed "addictive." House Bill 808, introduced on April 1 by Reps. Christine Cockley (D-Columbus) and Jodi Salvo (R-Bolivar) along with 13 co-sponsors from both parties, seeks to regulate certain design features commonly used [...]

ATHENS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A state law is forcing Ohio University to shutter a program that alumni and faculty said has helped southeastern and central Ohioans for decades. "Not only is it strong, it's accessible," said Savanna Rion, an Ohio University music therapy graduate. "It is and has been hard for a lot of people [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Yes, it is possible to have Brutus Buckeye attend your wedding. Brutus will make a 30-minute appearance at a wedding or special event for a price of $700. For $500, members of the Ohio State Cheer or Ohio State Dance Team will make an appearance. For both to make an appearance [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – An Ohio bill named after a murder victim whose remains were never recovered aims to increase the penalties for abusing a corpse. House Bill 654, sponsored by Reps. Gayle Manning (R-Avon) and Kellie Deeter (R-Norwalk), would create a tiered penalty system for gross abuse of a corpse, ranging from a fifth-degree [...]

HILLIARD, Ohio (WCMH) -- Hilliard police are warning about a dangerous viral trend making its way through neighborhoods. It's called the 'door kick challenge'. According to police, individuals in masks, likely teens, approach homes and kick doors as hard as they can before running off. "What we're trying to avoid is someone in their home [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Gov. Mike DeWine has ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff in honor of the life and service of former Ohio House of Representatives member L. Helen Rankin. DeWine ordered that all U.S. and Ohio flags be lowered on all public buildings and grounds in Hamilton County on Friday, the day [...]

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (WCMH) -- Several local law enforcement agencies are warning it’s ‘senior tag’ season. In some cases, people are getting hurt or in trouble. It’s a game played by local area high schools' senior classes before graduation, where students eliminate others with water pistols or Nerf guns.   Pickerington Police Commander Greg Annis said what may be intended as harmless fun can quickly turn into an unsafe situation.  “We [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Millions of dollars in government funding is on its way to Ohio’s rural hospitals after some brief political hiccups in the state legislature. On Monday, the Ohio Controlling Board approved an emergency request from the state Department of Health allowing distribution of more than $200 million for improving rural hospitals. That [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Southwest Columbus residents have voiced concerns over plans that could get rid of their city park and now city leaders believe they have a solution. “There will be plenty of details to work out, but I am firm on this. No one, no one will be left behind,” said Columbus Mayor [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — To boost donations, a central Ohio food pantry created a bracket in March, but instead of being filled with basketball teams, it was filled with the pantry's most needed items. “Really emulate the crazy basketball madness here, pantry edition," said Hannah Matthews, Pantry Experience Coordinator at the Worthington Resource Pantry (WRP). [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Businesses were evacuated Thursday afternoon due to a gas leak in downtown Columbus. The gas leak was reported in the area of Park Street and Vine Street near North Market, officials said. In addition to evacuating nearby businesses, a construction crew was also evacuated. NBC4 has learned that between 800 and [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Prologue Bookshop is celebrating the opening of its relocated storefront Thursday with a "human book chain" in the Short North. The grand opening event is scheduled from 5 to 9 p.m. at the store's new location, 787 N. High St. Community members are invited to line up along North High Street [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) - Meet Rochelle! She is up for adoption at the Franklin County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center. Rochelle is a 6-year-old Pit Bull mix with a spunky and lovable personality. The shelter says she recently went on a sleepover and did a great job in a home setting. Rochelle is house-trained, she [...]

HILLIARD, Ohio (WCMH) — The Hilliard Division of Police is asking for the community’s help in quashing a growing nationwide trend – the Door Kick Challenge. According to a social media post, Hilliard PD has been receiving an uptick in calls related to individuals banging on doors and running away. The alleged culprits are often [...]

Central Ohio's mid-April lineup offers a variety of events, from the Science Behind Pixar exhibit to the Columbus Blue Jackets' 5th Line Celebration, providing something for everyone to enjoy.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A central Ohio organization has put a bounty on an invasive tree known for its fishy scent, offering to help residents pay to replace the plant with a native species.  The Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District, Franklin County’s natural resource agency, is collaborating with multiple local municipalities to encourage people [...]