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WESTERVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) -- Wendell's Pub, a family-owned restaurant and bar that made history as one of the first to serve liquor in Westerville, permanently closed on Sunday after 24 years in business.

Located at 925 N. State St., Wendell's was home to classic pub fare including fish and chips, meatloaf, pork chop, sandwiches and wraps, salads, flatbread pizzas, tacos and burgers. In a social media post, owners of the Westerville restaurant cited a significant increase in rent as the reason for the closure.

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"This seems to be happening all around us lately and it's scary," the post said. "Many mom and pop type establishments are being forced to close and it's just not okay. This has been devastating to all of us, but no one as much as the family."

Wendell's opened in 2001, when Westerville began granting liquor licenses after decades of Prohibition-era dry laws. Founders Steve Wendell Hall, Kenny Deltedesco and Bob Moock secured one of the first licenses and set out to open a welcoming business, "a place where everyone knows your name," the announcement said.

"As most great things do, it started with a couple of guys, a couple of drinks, and an idea," Wendell's post said.

The pub remained family-run throughout its history. Rich Belding, hired early on as a manager, eventually became a partner and later the sole owner. He and his wife, Molli, worked alongside their children, each growing up at the restaurant and playing an important role on staff, the post said.

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"This is the magic of Wendell's Pub," the announcement said. "We've all watched this family grow up and they've watched us. Wendell's wasn't just another place to eat and drink. It was home away from home for staff and patrons alike. Laughter, tears, joy and sadness. Together we've shared in them all."

Over the years, the business endured multiple hardships, including the deaths of Deltedesco and Hall, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the passing of Belding's oldest daughter. Despite those challenges, the business remained open, until the recent rent increase made operations unsustainable.

While there are currently no plans to reopen Wendell's in a new location, the owners thanked patrons for their support and encouraged them to stay in touch, as "maybe the best is yet to come."

"For now it's not goodbye, it's see you later," the post said.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- In part due to Ohio's new anti-DEI higher education law, Senate Bill 1, Ohio State University dorm rooms have a much narrower theme this year.

In years past, resident advisers, or RAs, have decorated the residence hall floors they lead with creative themes, often featuring pop culture references and famous media. But spokesperson Dave Isaacs confirmed RAs were asked to stick to Ohio State spirit themes this year.

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"We are committed to providing an open and welcoming environment for all students, including in our residence halls, as we build community throughout our spaces and programming," Isaacs said. "To assist Resident Advisors in their welcoming programming and public area décor, we have advised them to focus on Ohio State spirit themes."

Isaacs said the goal was to create a welcoming environment, but Senate Bill 1 was "certainly a factor." Senate Bill 1 went into effect in late June, banning DEI programming and stopping public universities from endorsing "controversial policies."

"I think it's kind of silly, like some dorm themes are Mario Kart," Kimmara Yarbrough, a 2025 OSU alumna now getting her graduate degree at Ohio State, said. "You could regulate it better; you don't have to take a full thing away."

Christopher Cade, a sophomore, said one of his friends' dorms last year was recycling and climate change themed, but now that could be seen as taboo. He said his dorm last year was Bratz themed, something he said his floormates loved talking about.

"I think it sort of sucks," Cade said. "I think dorm decorations were a way to not only inspire students to explore their creativity, but it was also a unique way (for) RAs who put them up to express themselves to the students."

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Isaacs said the concept is also being implemented in residence hall activities. He said Ohio State has planned activities for students in dorms to make buckeye necklaces and decorate mugs. Each dorm will also have a photo booth set up for move-in with Buckeyes cutout signs and a scarlet background.

"I love OSU, I love Ohio State so much but I don't want to see football everywhere," Cade said.

The move comes as Ohio State also banned sidewalk chalk on campus, something Cade and Yarbrough felt was a further limitation of student expression. OSU cited "continued complaints" as the reason for updating the university signage standards to no longer permit chalking. See previous coverage in the video player above.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Kim Kardashian’s shapewear and clothing line will soon open at Easton Town Center, joining just a handful of the brand’s physical storefronts. 

Skims will open on The Strand, next to Peter Millar and across from Golden Goose, this fall, signage posted at the location indicates. The storefront most recently housed Louis Vuitton, which moved within the shopping center last year. 

In addition to its shapewear that comes in a variety of shades for different skin tones, Skims is best known for its loungewear and solid-colored staples. The company also sells pajamas, underwear, swimsuits and accessories. 

The new store will mark Skims’ first standalone brick-and-mortar in Ohio, and its 12th in the United States, according to its website. However, the brand has partnerships with some retailers including Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue, where its items are sold at select locations. 

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The Nordstrom at Easton launched a Skims section in December, which it will continue to stock even after the standalone spot opens, according to a store manager.

Kardashian founded the company alongside Swedish entrepreneur Jens Grede in 2019, originally as an online-only store catering to women. The company launched a menswear line in 2023, and opened its first freestanding store in Washington, D.C. last June.

NBC4 reached out to Easton for an opening date and further details, to which a spokesperson said the shopping center “doesn’t have any information to share at this time.”

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- President Donald Trump is reigniting controversy over election procedures with a recent announcement that he plans to eliminate mail-in ballots -- a voting tool that was used by more than 1 million Ohioans last November.

In an August social media post, Trump said he is pushing to end both mail-in ballots and the use of voting machines, citing unsubstantiated concerns about election integrity. While eliminating mail-in voting, a method that almost one third of Americans used in 2024, would require approval from Congress, the president argues it's "corrupt."

"We as a Republican Party are going to do everything possible that we get rid of mail-in ballots," Trump said while taking reporter questions on Aug. 18. "We're going to start with an executive order that's being written right now by the best lawyers in the country to end mail-in ballots because they're corrupt."

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Trump supported his argument by claiming the U.S. is the "only country" that uses mail-in voting, a statement that has been widely refuted. According to the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, at least 34 countries -- including Australia, Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom -- offer some form of voting by mail.

How many Ohioans vote by mail?

Ohioans have historically embraced early voting options, including both in-person and mail-in. According to data from Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, the November 2024 general election saw 1.1 million voters cast their ballots by mail. Among those, about 518,000 we're returned by voters aged 65 and older and another 205,000 came from voters aged 55 to 64.

Meanwhile, early in-person voting surged to a new state record in 2024, as 1.54 million voters cast ballots early in person at their county board of elections. Total early votes, including mail-in ballots, reached 2.53 million, the secretary of state's data shows.

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Those statistics demonstrate "the high level of confidence Ohioans have in the convenient and flexible voting options offered leading up to election day," said LaRose in a release announcing the certification of Ohio's 2024 results.

"Many states look to Ohio to see how it's done," LaRose said. "We delivered on our promise to report 100 percent of the unofficial results on election night, while others took days or weeks to do that. We're truly the gold standard of election administration."

Who would be affected?

Trump's proposed changes could significantly impact several groups in Ohio, including seniors and older adults. Voters 65 and older accounted for nearly half of all mail-in ballots in 2024, making them particularly vulnerable to disruptions in access. Disabled, rural and military voters also often rely on absentee voting due to accessibility or geographic limitations.

Election officials and resources would be heavily impacted, as eliminating mail-in ballots could strain early in-person voting infrastructure. Ohio already saw record-breaking in-person early voting in 2024, and absorbing an additional million voters into that system could increase costs and wait times.

A politically risky move?

Despite Trump's criticism of mail-in voting, data from the 2024 election suggests the issue may not cut cleanly along party lines. More Republicans than Democrats in Ohio cast absentee ballots by mail last November, the secretary of state's data shows. Eliminating that option could risk disenfranchising voters in Trump's own base, particularly older and rural voters who tend to favor mail voting for its convenience and accessibility.

The timing of Trump's proposal also overlaps with a critical moment in Ohio, as the state is preparing for a new round of redistricting ahead of the 2026 elections.

Ohio is unique in being the only state required to redraw its congressional map in 2025, a legal consequence of the 2022 map's adoption without bipartisan support under redistricting reform laws. Such maps last only four years; the new map will govern congressional elections through 2030 and likely shape the battleground for control of the U.S. House. 

Under Ohio's constitutional redistricting process, the legislature has until roughly Sept. 30 to pass a congressional map with a three‑fifths majority, including support from both parties. If that fails, the Ohio Redistricting Commission steps in with only a month to agree. If that also fails, the legislature makes a simple‑majority map, but it then lasts only four years.

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Restricting mail-in voting during a redistricting cycle could amplify its impact, particularly if newly drawn districts are more competitive. LaRose said in another release that the November 2024 election in Ohio saw several extremely close races, resulting in either a tie or a winner decided by three votes or fewer. In total, 23 local races triggered automatic recounts.

"Never let anyone tell you a single vote doesn't matter, which is why we continue to make sure it is both easy to vote and hard to cheat in the Buckeye State," said LaRose. "By doing our part to protect the vote, we are also protecting your voice to ensure the outcome accurately reflects the will of the community."

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Franklin County has paused $4 million of anticipated funding for the Greater Columbus Arts Council.

GCAC helps fund programs around the community and some are now in danger of being cut. The future of two youth art programs in Columbus is at risk and program leaders have already started to scale back.

“It’s not just about creating art,”  Central Community House Executive Director Tamar Forrest said. “It's about that process of developing social-emotional learning and soft skills to be successful in the world.”

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Central Community House, a neighborhood center on the Far East side, runs a program called Transit Arts for people ages 12 to 21. Participants try multiple art forms through workshops, performances, and exhibits.

“It really is about supporting youth during a period of time in their lives that can be challenging,” Forrest said.

The other program at risk, called Art in the House, is for elementary school kids. It’s in four settlement houses across Columbus, including Central Community House.

“We see when kids want to come to our after-school programs, they’re going to go to school, too, and we see that when they enjoy what they're doing, their attendance improves at school, and they look forward to being here,” Forrest said.

Between Transit Arts and Art in the House, kids of all ages are eligible.

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Teacher-artist Duarte Brown works with both programs and said they teach much more than art.

“Just how to reason, you know, how to navigate and survive,” Brown said. “You use maybe some art supplies to get those points across, but realistically, it's the relationship that happens.”

With funding cuts to GCAC, the plan is to scale back the number of teachers in the classroom and reduce the number of days the programs are offered.

“We are trying to hold on to pieces of it, but when you only hold on to pieces of it, you lose that model that's successful, and we're really worried about the impact on youth when you do that,” Forrest said.

“We hope a miracle comes through,” Brown said. “We always just hope.”

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GCAC’s funding is currently on pause, but the council’s Chief Creative Officer, Jami Goldstein, said there is a chance to get some of the money back.

“We’re going to go back to the county in the fall and hopefully be able to secure some of these funds,” Goldstein said. “You know, we're not sure what 2026 is going to bring. We're going to be budgeting very conservatively.”

Central Community House is trying to pull together some funding to keep the programs going. Forrest remains optimistic that Franklin County officials will want to help.

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (WCMH) -- A 58-year-old man was arrested in Reynoldsburg after a child living in his home told police she had been "sold" to the suspect "to have sex."

According to court records, Daniel L. Sisk is facing one charge of third-degree felony gross sexual imposition; Sisk was arrested on Aug. 22.

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Police were alerted to the case by an anonymous tip that reported a 7-year-old girl had been brought to Reynoldsburg from North Carolina and was being sexually abused by a man who "had possession of her -- but not any legal rights," court records state.

Detectives were able to make contact with the child, who told investigators that she had been "sold" and that her mother gave her to "Dan, my dad, to have sex," according to court records. The child told police about the sexual acts Sisk allegedly did daily for more than a month.

When investigators spoke with the child's legal guardian, the woman told police that the girl's mother -- who was her daughter -- visited with the girl on July 12 but had not returned with the child; court records state that on July 13, Sisk allegedly left with the girl.

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Sisk allegedly admitted to police that the child did sleep in the bed with him, but stopped when he "thought better of it." He also allegedly admitted that, despite the child being 7 years old, he bathed her.

Sisk remains in police custody after being given a $2 million bond, with additional charges possible, according to court records. He is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on Sept. 4.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Faith leaders from across Ohio gathered at the Statehouse on Monday to call for Gov. Mike DeWine to release a man being held in Butler County after he was arrested by ICE agents in July.

Imam Ayman Soliman, of Cincinnati, was granted asylum in 2018 and was serving as chaplain at Cincinnati Children's Hospital when he was detained during an immigration check-in.

"He does no belong with criminals," said Khalid Turaani with CAIR Ohio. "And most importantly, he does not belong in solitary confinement. Why would you put someone like Imam Ayman Soliman in solitary confinement unless it is punitive? And it is punitive. We're very concerned about it."

Soliman has been in the Butler County Jail since his arrest, and a temporary restraining order is keeping him in Ohio.

Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones said he would not comply if DeWine order's Soliman's release.

"I am elected Sheriff by the people of Butler County, chosen to serve six terms," he said in a statement. "It is my sworn duty to protect this community and to uphold the law -- including federal immigration law. I do not pick and choose which laws to enforce, I do not fear the Governor, I would fear compromising the safety of the citizens I serve."

Soliman's next hearing in front of a judge is set for Tuesday, according to WLWT in Cincinnati.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – For those making plans to head to Ohio Stadium this weekend for what some are calling the matchup of the season, Ohio State University Police are reminding fans of some traffic pattern changes for Saturday.

Due to construction, Woody Hayes Drive in front of the stadium will be closed to traffic about four hours before kickoff. Police said the Woody Hayes Bridge will be open for pedestrians.

Also new this year, police said, the West Campus shuttle will now drop off fans at the campus transit lot south of the stadium, off John Herrick Drive.

“Big game, as we all know, so when we say, ‘Hey, arrive early,’ this one, you really should arrive early,” Ohio State University Police Division Chief Dennis Jeffrey said. “I just think it can be a lot of folks there. We'll have College Game Day and Fox, you know, both broadcasting pre-game. So just a lot of folks on campus and a lot going on.”

Are you ready to once again immerse yourself in a medieval world of knights and queens, of exciting shows, beautiful costumes, and more fun than you know how to handle! The Ohio Renaissance Fair is back, and we have five family four packs of tickets to give away! This is one of the most lively festivals you'll ever attend! it runs every Saturday and Sunday through October 26th. They have nine themed weekends. From pirates and time travelers to romance and even the feast of fools! There are 169 daily performances like sword fighting and jousting, 24 stages, 112 shops, and of course plenty of food and drink!

To enter to win tickets, go to NBC4i.com and click on the contest tab. The tickets are valid for any weekend you choose. Please note, the renaissance festival is located in Waynesville Ohio, which is about an hour from Columbus.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A west side motel is shut down after Franklin County deputies cleared the property Monday.

The New Rome Motel on West Broad Street was shut down by the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office at noon.

The newly formed Nuisance Abatement Department at the prosecutor’s office is tasked with finding properties deemed a nuisance because of crime, disrepair, or both, and then shutting them down for the safety of the community.

The closure is an agreement between the county and the owners of the property after dozens of calls for service ended in arrests and even deaths.

"Over 80 runs in the past, you know, year and a half, 20 of which resulted in narcotics issues, six overdoses here that resulted in deaths, and so we filed a case last month to hold this business accountable, but also work with them to try and bring it into, you know, a safer place for this community,” Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office Deputy Director of Nuisance Abatement Sarah Pomeroy said.

Pomeroy said there were no people staying at the motel when they cleared it. The plan moving forward is to work with the owners to clean up the motel and change the operation so it can re-open as a productive piece of the community.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- For the first time ever, the top-ranked team is coming in as the underdog.

ESPN bet lines have the third-ranked Buckeyes as 2.5-point favorites over Texas ahead of Saturday's matchup.

Ohio State President Ted Carter spoke about that before Monday's convocation.

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"Now we know it's only 2.5 points, but it's going to be a great game," Carter said. "The weather looks even better. I anticipate it's just going to be a crazy atmosphere. Should be a great game."

The Buckeyes kick off the season at Noon on Saturday as they host Texas at Ohio Stadium in what is expected to be one of the most expensive Ohio State home openers ever, with the cheapest tickets costing more than $300.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) - Ohio State University football has long been the biggest show in town, drawing upwards of 100,000 fans to nearly every home game.

The price to get into Ohio Stadium has steadily risen, and there's no sign of slowing down.

Ticket prices for Saturday's season home opener against the University of Texas Longhorns is no exception. In fact, it may be the single most expensive home opener in the history of Ohio State football.

"When we seen 3-something a ticket, we were like, ‘Man, that's a lot of money just to spend to go to a ball game,’ Buckeyes fan Jamey Rose said. “We actually decided to opt out of going to the game and plan a little mini vacation, going down to Pigeon Forge for about the same price, and able to take the whole family versus just two of us going to a game.”

The last home opener with this kind of fanfare was against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Sept. 3, 2022. That game featured a pair of ranked teams, but not  No. 1 vs. No. 3 like Saturday's game. The lowest price you could find for that game three years ago was around $300. The cheapest ticket for Saturday's home opener will run you almost $400, including fees, on sites like Ticketmaster, StubHub, and SeatGeek.

For fans like Mike Penix, who grew up in Ohio and now lives in South Carolina, even calling friends and family to see if anyone has tickets for sale has been fruitless.

"It's been really tough,” he said. “So, outside of Ticketmaster, all the tickets are really high. Like, especially for this game, Penn State. They're upward of, you know, 5, 6, $700, and that's just, that's in the C-deck.”

Countless Facebook groups tout buying, selling, and trading Buckeyes tickets, but many people have been scammed buying tickets from people they don't know, with no recourse or assurance like using a third-party service.

"I'd rather pay a little extra and have the added security of going through somewhere like Ticketmaster," Rose said.

For Rose, he wanted to celebrate his wife's birthday at the Ohio State game. He thought it would be the perfect place.

"The nostalgia of the Horseshoe, all the history with our several national championships, and just the whole campus area, I mean, it's like just buzzing with the excitement as soon as you get there,” he said. “It's electric.”

Instead, it’s off to Tennessee for a family vacation.

Penix in South Carolina is still holding out hope he can make it to Columbus for the game. For people traveling from out of town, there are even more expenses to navigate. 

AirBnB rental units are mostly booked, and most of those available are shared rooms or will cost you almost $1,000 for two nights. Hotels around the city are also well booked; visitors have to look for a room outside the city to find anything under $400 a night.

"If you were to stay around Columbus or anything, I mean, you're looking at, you know, $2,500 for this game alone," Penix said.

He isn't surprised by the costly price tag.

"It's a huge game, there’s never been anything like this, so this is a one of a kind," Penix said.

Others said they were hoping to see if ticket prices dropped over the coming days.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Franklin Heights High School Golden Falcons and the West High School Cowboys finished the last eight minutes of their season-opening football game on Monday after a shots-fired call prompted law enforcement to evacuate the stadium on Friday night.

Law enforcement officers said no one was injured in the incident, which happened in a neighborhood south of the stadium.

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Yvonne Shepard, whose son is a junior and plays football for Franklin Heights, said he spent the summer looking forward to Friday's opening game against the West Cowboys.

“The boys were pumped, they were ready,” Shepherd said.

Shepherd said she was in the stands on Friday.

“They're in the middle of a play and next thing you know, mind you, my son is on the field, so we just hear a pop, pop, pop, pop,” she said. “It was like 15 shots and then next thing you know, like, we're in the stands and we're looking and then the boys just drop to the ground.”

The incident happened at approximately 10 p.m. Toya Moore lives behind the stadium and said she heard the shots loud and clear.

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“I do know they do not have a name on the bullets, so I made sure I stayed low and I didn't go to any windows,” Moore said. “The first game, you're going to hear gunshots. I mean, really, come on, people, put the guns down.”

The stadium was evacuated out of caution while law enforcement investigated. 

“All the parents were looking for their kids, trying to make sure they're okay,” Shepherd said.

Authorities said they didn’t find anything. 

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In a letter to parents, Franklin Heights Principal Tim Donahue wrote:

“The FHHS administration and South Western City Schools would like to commend our staff, coaches, and event personnel for their leadership and steady presence in guiding students, families, and fans through the evacuation process. Your professionalism and attentiveness played a critical role in ensuring safety and order during a difficult situation.

“We also appreciate the support of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office for their oversight and swift action to secure the area and mitigate potential risks.

“While such circumstances are never anticipated, tonight reflects the strength of our Franklin Heights High School team and the importance of preparedness in putting student and community safety first.”

Both Shepherd and Moore said they were glad no one was hurt.

"When I was growing up, we didn't have to deal with stuff like this, like we were able to enjoy our sports, go out and have fun,” Shepherd said.

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They both said people need to behave because children should not have to go through this.

“I've lived in this neighborhood for over 20 years, so the games are right here, you know?” Moore said. “Let's just have a quiet school year. No incidents. That's my prayer.”

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation. No arrests have been made as of Monday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A newly released interview with Ghislaine Maxwell, former associate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, gives more insight into Epstein’s ties to Ohio.

Maxwell was convicted in 2021 on sex trafficking charges tied to her involvement with Epstein.

Over the course of two days at the end of July, Maxwell spoke with the Department of Justice Deputy Attorney General.

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He questioned her about Epstein’s life.

Epstein had a financial relationship with L Brands founder Les Wexner from the mid-1980s up until 2007, when court documents show Wexner severed ties with Epstein.

The first time Wexner is mentioned in Maxwell’s interview is when she is asked about traveling with Epstein.

“He had the house in Ohio because of his business relationship with Mr. Wexner,” Maxwell said in the interview.  

Throughout the 1990s, Epstein owned two properties in New Albany, which also came up in Maxwell's interview.

“Epstein ran New Albany, which included a country club and a golf club and a -- I mean, gosh, your boss is one of the all-time great, you know, businessmen in this area. You know what that is and he certainly does,” Maxwell said. 

She spoke about what Epstein did for Wexner as his personal finance manager, including allegedly setting up trusts.  

“So with Les, for instance, it was really all encompassing. It could go from the structure of the business. So he would -- he structured or restructured the Limited,” Maxwell said. “I also traveled with him and Les, and I was in business meetings with them on the plane when they were there. So I could observe and I could hear some of this.” 

She also referred to Wexner as one of Epstein’s closest friends.

“I want also to clarify something for you or clarify or underline. Wexner was, in my opinion, his closest friend in this time period from when I met him in '91, right, all the way until-- well, 'til, I don't know,” Maxwell said. 

Throughout the interview, she emphasizes that she is relying on what she remembers seeing and hearing.

“I was not part of Epstein's business world, except tangentially and obviously. So what I'm talking about is I -- what I observed or what I overheard or what I saw within the business,” Maxwell said. 

In a 2019 email to L Brands employees, Wexner wrote: “When Mr. Epstein was my personal money manager, he was involved in many aspects of my financial life. But let me assure you that I was never aware of the illegal activity charged in the indictment.”

A spokesperson for the Wexner family did not provide comment about this story when NBC4 reached out.

We also reached out to the mayor of New Albany for his reaction on the city being mentioned but he did not respond.

Being mentioned in the Maxwell interview does not mean someone is connected to something illegal.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Travelers at John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) will be getting another daily flight to Texas.

Delta Air Lines announced a new nonstop route between CMH and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) beginning June 7, 2026. Watch previous coverage on John Glenn Columbus International Airport in the player above.

The flight will be operated once daily by SkyWest, the airline's Delta Connection partner. It will be flown on an Embraer 175 aircraft with Delta First, Delta Comfort, and Delta Main fare classes. One-way Main Cabin tickets range between $140 and $309 depending on the day, according to the airline's price calendar.

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The announcement comes as the airline expands its service -- and creates a flight attendant base -- in Austin, adding other routes from AUS to Denver and Kansas City, Missouri.

Southwest Airlines already offers daily nonstop flights between Columbus and Austin. Several other airlines temporarily added the route for Saturday's matchup between Ohio State and Texas at Ohio Stadium.

DUBLIN, Ohio (WCMH) -- Sweetgreen, the fast-casual health chain known for hearty salads and bowls, is opening another central Ohio restaurant.

The Los-Angeles-based chain is readying to open the new location in Dublin at 36 N. High St., according to building permits filed with the city. An opening date has yet to be announced, but the company's website lists the Dublin restaurant as "coming soon."

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The Dublin eatery will mark Sweetgreen's second central Ohio location after the first opened in the Short North at 700 N. High St. last fall. In a news release at the time, Sweetgreen CEO Jonathan Neman said Columbus was one of the brand's most requested areas for expansion. Watch a previous NBC4 report on Sweetgreen's first Ohio eatery in the video player above.

• The Los Angles-based chain is readying to open the new location at 36 N. High St. in Dublin. (Courtesy Photo/Sweetgreen)
• Sweetgreen's first Ohio location opened last fall at 700 N. High St. in the Short North. (Courtesy Photo/Sweetgreen)
• The Los Angles-based chain is readying to open the new location at 36 N. High St. in Dublin. (Courtesy Photo/Sweetgreen)
• Sweetgreen's first Ohio location opened last fall at 700 N. High St. in the Short North. (Courtesy Photo/Sweetgreen)

"With local ingredients sourced from across the Midwest, we're excited to bring the
Sweetgreen flavor to Columbus' iconic food scene," Neman said before the Short North location's opening. "It's been a long time coming, and we are so grateful to the Columbus community for embracing us with open arms."

Sweetgreen's menu includes an array of salads, warm bowls, protein plates, including long-time favorites like the Harvest Bowl, Crispy Rice Bowl, and the Caramelized Garlic Steak Protein Plate. The brand said its customizable menu features more than two billion flavor combinations with a variety of fresh ingredients and signature dressings.

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The chain's 3,605-square-foot Short North location accommodates up to 46 diners and features an open-kitchen concept. Founded in 2007, Sweetgreen has expanded to more than 250 restaurants nationwide and is also preparing to open a Cincinnati eatery in Liberty Township, according to the company's website.

Sweetgreen's Short North location is open 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Chick-fil-A announced on Monday it's planning to open 25 to 30 new Ohio locations by the end of 2027, including several slated for the Columbus area.

The new restaurants are expected to create up to 3,000 full- and part-time jobs across Ohio, the chain said in the announcement. In addition to a Westerville drive-thru that launched in April at 680 Polaris Parkway, the chain is readying to open a Groveport eatery at 4201 S. Hamilton Road alongside other new locations planned for Athens, Whitehall, Hilliard, Lancaster and Marysville. Watch a previous NBC4 report on Chick-fil-A in the video player above.

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"Ohio's mix of vibrant cities, close-knit suburban communities and deep-rooted traditions truly makes it the heart of it all," said Omar Dione, Chick-fil-A's area director for the Midwest. "This is a state with a rich history built on entrepreneurial spirit, heart, hard work and Midwestern hospitality. It's been an honor to serve Ohioans for the past 45 years and we look forward to building on our restaurant company's legacy in such a strong state."

Beyond central Ohio, Chick-fil-A is set to open restaurants this fall in Cincinnati's Madisonville, West Chester and Middletown neighborhoods, along with a location in the Miami University Armstrong Student Center. Growth will continue over the next few years with one location planned for Corryville and another in northern Kentucky, the chain said.

In the Cleveland and Akron area, openings in Alliance and North Canton are also slated for this fall. The chain said additional growth in the coming years includes locations planned for Downtown Cleveland, Broadview Heights, Aurora, Akron, Stow, Streetsboro and New Philadelphia.  

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A planned location in Dayton's Fairborn neighborhood is slated to open in the coming years, while two other northwest restaurants are planned for 2026 in Oregon and Findlay.

Like most other Chick-fil-A restaurants, these new locations will utilize the chain's franchising model. The company has more than 3,000 restaurants in 48 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and Canada, including about 80 eateries in Ohio.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Former Ohio State quarterback Art Schlichter’s court schedule, exasperated by delays and medical setbacks, resumed and concluded Monday morning with a plea agreement.

The trial for Schlichter, embattled with prior drug and gambling convictions, had long been scheduled for Aug. 25, but hearings over the past two months that reportedly could have involved a plea agreement, were delayed or postponed due to medical setbacks.

But after nearly a dozen continuances, the two sides agreed on a sentence - two years of probation. The sentence, which could include prison time of one year should any violations occur, require Schlichter to submit weekly urine screenings. Judge Chris Brown did grant him the ability to travel and visit family.

"I apologize for having us carry on this long," said Schlichter in court Monday. "I'm doing better, but I got a lot of health issues and I'm worried about them."

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Schlichter, who played for the Buckeyes from 1978 to ’81, was facing a fifth-degree felony drug possession charge stemming from a Feb. 2024 incident in North Linden involving an Ohio State Highway Patrol deputy.

He was found with two crack pipes during a traffic stop and was also found with small white rocks, which he reportedly said were “crack rocks.”  The arrest, which was captured on police body camera footage, occurred while he was serving a probation sentence from a 2022 arrest when he was found unresponsive outside of a Columbus-area hotel.

Online court records showed that if Schlichter violated his probation, he would be subject to as many as 11 months in prison. The court has also reserved the right to extend his probation by two years.

Last month, Schlichter was unable to change his plea last month due to medical issues, his attorney said. Two weeks ago, Schlichter, 65, did not appear in court again after he was hospitalized due to a fall, according to defense counsel. Documentation of Schlichter’s admittance to a skilled nursing rehabilitation center on Aug. 8 was provided to the court.

Judge Brown noted that the case should have been pleaded out on July 31 and that Schlichter’s attendance on Monday was expected.

The plea agreement follows years of turmoil for the ex-Buckeye, who previously spent 10 years in prison – twice. After his release from an Indiana prison in 2006, Schlichter wrote a book about his addiction, “Busted,” and became an anti-gambling advocate. Nevertheless, while he campaigned against casinos during church appearances, he continued to accumulate additional gambling debts.

Ryan Day carved into central Ohio corn maze

In 2021, Schlichter was released from the Trumbull Correctional Institution in Leavittsburg, Ohio, serving time for 2011 federal fraud charges related to a ticket scheme in which he swindled millions of dollars from his victims.

Schlichter became Ohio State’s all-time leader in offense and was drafted fourth overall by the Baltimore Colts in the 1982 NFL draft. He threw three touchdown passes and 11 interceptions over a four-year period in the NFL.

He eventually won the 1990 Arena Football League title with the Detroit Drive, then retired from football after the 1992 season, spending it with the Cincinnati Rockers.

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (WCMH) – The City of Reynoldsburg will soon hold its annual Blues and Brews Festival, featuring a variety of food trucks, live music and family-friendly activities. 

The event will take place on Sept. 12 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Huber Park, located at 1640 Davidson Drive. The annual festival, launched in 2021, is a “celebration of live blues music, craft beer, great food and fun family activities,” according to the city.

Bobby Floyd, a jazz pianist and organist, will perform at the event. Sean Carney, a blues singer and guitarist, and Austin and the Syd Experience, a band that describes itself as “blues soul funk rock,” will also take the stage.

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Five food trucks will be in attendance, including Liberty Kettle Corn and Fresh Fruit Smashers, a family-owned business specializing in popcorn and freshly squeezed fruit drinks. Little Italy Ristorante and Schmidt’s Sausage will also serve attendees, along with the burger-centric food truck Roasters and the Mexican eatery Truck Valle Verde. Eastside Brewing Co. will sell beer.

A variety of family-friendly activities, such as cornhole, Jenga and Connect Four, will be available, a spokesperson with the city said. Admission to the event is free, but attendees will have to purchase any food or beverages.

Reynoldsburg hosts a variety of other annual festivals, including its Pride Festival in June, Tomato Festival in August and Diwali-Tihar Festival in October. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The most a-maize-ing moment of Ohio State head coach Ryan Day's career has been carved into corn in central Ohio.

The MAiZE at Little Darby Creek revealed its fall design with Day with his hands held high after winning the College Football Playoff national championship in January. The Milford Center farm used an eight-acre area of corn that also includes the caption "A-Maize-Ing Day." The corn maze's opening day will be on Sept. 27 and is located at 8657 Axehandle Road.

Ryan Day's likeness is carved into the corn maize at Little Darby Creek. (Courtesy Photo / The MAiZE at Little Darby Creek) Hilliard Darby brings volleyball to the football field

This continues a year of plenty of tributes and celebrations for Day and the team which included a championship celebration at Ohio Stadium, appearing as a guest on "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon", and going to the White House to be recognized by President Trump and Vice President and avid Buckeyes fan J.D. Vance.

The tributes to last season are likely over as kick off approaches for Ohio State's title defense. The third-ranked Buckeyes host No. 1 Texas on Saturday at noon in a rematch of last year's playoff semifinal at the Cotton Bowl.

Ohio State has never won back-to-back national championships and aims to join Georgia as the second school to win two straight in the playoff era.