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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Supporters of a bill that would tighten Ohio's laws on public nudity and "adult cabaret performances" told lawmakers Wednesday the measure is needed to protect children from "obscene" drag queen shows and sexually explicit content in public spaces.

The Ohio House Judiciary Committee heard proponent testimony on House Bill 249, legislation that would prohibit nudity and sexual conduct in public and limit performances deemed "harmful to juveniles." The bill defines an adult cabaret performance as one featuring topless or go-go dancers, strippers, or "entertainers who exhibit a gender identity that is different from the performers' or entertainers' biological sex."

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H.B. 249 would ban these shows in all locations other than "adult cabarets," meaning "a nightclub, bar, juice bar, restaurant, bottle club or similar establishment." Named the "Indecent Exposure Modernization Act," the bill was introduced in May by Reps. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania) and Angela King (R-Celina), with majority Ohio House Republican support. Watch a previous NBC4 report on H.B. 249 in the video player above.

The bill has been condemned by local LGBTQ+ organizations, like Equality Ohio, which argued at the time of legislation's introduction that it would restrict any gender nonconforming performance in public. Dwayne Steward, the group's executive director, said the bill is "a blatant attempt by politicians to suppress cultural expression under the guise of protecting children."

"Across generations from immigrant families, Black communities to LGBTQ+ Ohioans, art has been more than expression; it has been a declaration of existence, resilience, and pride," Steward said. "Drag is a powerful embodiment of that spirit. It is vibrant, unapologetic, and deeply rooted in our cultural fabric. ... Drag isn't just performance, it's power. And it's here to stay."

Jason King, a Celina pastor and city council president, was among those who spoke in favor of the bill on Wednesday. King described drag performances at Celina's Pride event as "filled with obscene sexual gestures, provocative dancing, partial nudity, and obscene signs carried about by adults and children alike." He said one sign at the event contained a sexual reference and image, adding, "All of this was done in our public park with children present."

"Our public parks are specifically designed for individuals and families to congregate in freely and enjoy without the worry of feeling compromised or being violated," King said. "There's a time and a place for [adult-themed performances], if one should choose or prefer such, but not in the presence of children or unsuspecting families using the parks."

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David Mahan, policy director at the Center for Christian Virtue, said Wednesday that critics have misrepresented the bill's intent. "Despite all of the media spin designed to muddy the true intent of this legislation, the bill language could not be any more clear," Mahan said Wednesday.

"H.B. 249 does not ban strip clubs, drag shows or anything of the sort," he continued. "It simply prioritizes the fundamental needs of children over the superficial desires of adults, by applying the standards for 'pandering obscenity' and 'material harmful to minors' currently defined in code, to obscene public performances."

Lawmakers questioned Mahan about how the bill would apply to mainstream music concerts. Rep. Eric Synenberg (D-Beachwood) asked whether artists like Taylor Swift could face restrictions under the proposal.

"This particular piece of legislation is just dealing with performances that do rise to our current definition of obscenity," Mahan said. "If somebody would decide not to come to this state because they think they may be borderline pandering obscenity, then I don't know if that would be bad for our state. ... I don't think that the bill would prevent most acts from coming to the state of Ohio."

Rep. Brian Stewart (R-Ashville) noted that the measure exempts "a bona fide film, theatrical or other artistic endeavor" not considered obscene to minors. "Is it also fair to say then, we know there's not a harm for Beyoncé or Taylor Swift getting arrested in Ohio … is that a fair read?" Stewart asked. Mahan replied, "Yes."

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Kelly Lunneberg of Ashtabula told lawmakers her home overlooks Walnut Beach, where she said her young children have seen "adult entertainment from our own backyard" during Pride events.

"The drag performances held during Pride events at Walnut Beach have featured adult entertainers who engage in indecent and sexually suggestive dancing and attire, despite the events being promoted as 'family friendly,'" Lunneberg said. She added that she has seen children "encouraged to tip money to adult performers."

When asked by Synenberg whether she thinks dressing as a different gender is inherently harmful, Lunneberg replied, "No ... your presenting identity does not have to be different than that of your biological reality. … I think it covers across the spectrum, whether it's what's considered a drag queen, a drag king, or an adult entertainer of any sort -- it's not appropriate in public places, there's a reason we keep it behind closed doors."

Janell Holloway, a Xenia resident, recalled encountering a trans woman named Rachel Glines while changing inside a YMCA women's locker room in 2022. While Glines was charged with public indecency, she was found not guilty by a Xenia judge because her genitals were not directly visible. In a previous hearing, legislators said Glines would've been convicted under H.B. 249, which changes Ohio law from prosecuting exposure of "private parts" to "private area," meaning "the genitals ... where nude or covered by an undergarment."

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"In the weeks following this horrifying experience, I discovered that dozens of women and young girls had also seen [Glines] completely naked in the women's locker room at the YMCA," Holloway said Wednesday. "My life has been forever changed because of that one incident in the women's locker room. I was mocked by the responses I received from the YMCA. And then the justice system failed me."

Like Williams and King's previous proposal, H.B. 249 outlines the following penalties if Ohioans are found violating the legislation:

• A misdemeanor of the first degree if a performance occurs in the presence of a juvenile under the age of 18.
• A felony of the fifth degree if the performance is "obscene."
• A felony of the fourth degree if the performance is "obscene" and occurs in the presence of a juvenile under the age of 13.

H.B. 249 remains under consideration in the House Judiciary Committee. Lawmakers are expected to hear opponent testimony at a future hearing.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- On Tuesday, Columbus residents will select three new Columbus City Schools board members to lead after $50 million in budget cuts.

All three Columbus City Schools board members whose terms expire this year are not seeking reelection, so former board president Christina Vera, current board president Michael Cole and board member Ramona Reyes will all leave the board after this year. Voters will choose among six candidates, three of whom are running jointly.

Whoever is elected has a big undertaking ahead. The Board of Education is considering $50 million cuts, including possible closures of additional school buildings and sweeping transportation changes. Although the board will vote on changes before new members are sworn in in January, new board members may have to look at further cuts and handle the results of the current board's decisions. See previous coverage of cuts in the video player above.

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Even before major budget cuts, the district faced uncertainty on the board. Community members were heavily critical of school closures, with board members considering 10 closures and finalizing five. The state of Ohio also pursued legal action against the district over busing changes for private school students.

Below are the candidates hoping to join the board, many of whom are campaigning to improve relationships between the board and the community.

Janeece Keyes

Keyes is the director of provider experience for Ohio’s Bureau of Workers’ Compensation and the mother of four district graduates. She is endorsed by the Columbus Education Association, CCS’ teachers’ union. She also boasts endorsements from the Matriots PAC and The Columbus Dispatch. Keyes received 7.17% of the vote in the primary.

Keyes is campaigning for more community involvement, including increased support for parents and teachers. She envisions more professional development and recognition to reinvest in educators. She also suggests providing workshops for parents and increased opportunities for parental involvement.

Mounir Lynch

Lynch is a product of CCS and said he has taught in “nearly every CCS middle and high school” during his role as health educator for Planned Parenthood. His endorsements include former employer Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio, Asian American Midwest Progressives and Moms Demand Action Gun Sense, along with two individual state legislators. Lynch received 7.58% of the vote in the primary.

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Lynch attributed “many of the current school board’s failures” to a lack of community feedback and participation in key district issues. He said he wants to create a districtwide teacher and parent advisory board to help the board’s decision making. He also wants to expand arts programs and prioritize equity for all demographics of students. Lynch is also campaigning to stand with district unions, increase wages and reduce class sizes to support teachers and staff.

Kimberly Mason

Mason is a former PTO president and a higher education partnership manager with the Ohio Bankers League. She is endorsed by the Matriots PAC and Forward Ohio. Mason received 7.1% of the vote in the primary.

Mason is campaigning for stronger workforce development for students, hoping students will graduate with a clearer career path. She is also campaigning to end “corporate handouts” like tax breaks that she believes drain resources away from schools and communities. Mason also wants to make the board more transparent and increase partnerships with families, teachers and community groups.

Columbus Education PAC

Patrick Katzenmeyer, Jermaine Kennedy and Antionette Miranda are running jointly under the Columbus Education PAC, although voters can vote for individual candidates. The PAC is endorsed by the Franklin County Democratic Party, the Central Ohio Labor Council, the Equity Now Coalition and OAPSE/AFSCME, Ohio’s public school employees union. 

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Patrick Katzenmeyer: Katzenmeyer is a CCS parent and a public project planner. His interest in the board stemmed from a potential school closure in his neighborhood, and he said he is prioritizing planning, parent voices and transparency. He is one of two PAC members endorsed by the district teachers’ union, the Columbus Education Association. Katzenmeyer received 19.12% of the vote in the primary.

Jermaine Kennedy: Kennedy worked as a teacher and principal, and now serves as chief program officer at the Boys & Girls Club. A CCS parent, he wants to fight for families and for equity among students. Kennedy received 18.44% of the vote in the primary.

Antionette Miranda: Miranda is a nationally recognized school psychologist and Ohio State professor who formerly served on the state school board. She said she wants to ensure all students in Columbus get an equitable education. Miranda is the second PAC member endorsed by the CCS teachers’ union, the Columbus Education Association. Miranda received 21.94% of the vote in the primary.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- As clocks are turning back this weekend, Ohio lawmakers are urging the U.S. Congress to make daylight saving time permanent nationwide.

Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, closing the annual period when U.S. clocks "spring forward" in March and "fall back" in November. Yes, this means we get an extra hour of sleep when the clock remains in the secondhand position for another hour. This year's time change is one day earlier than last year's, and is the second-earliest possible date for the end of daylight saving.

The U.S. is once again turning back clocks as the movement to enact permanent daylight saving is growing. In April, a bipartisan group of Ohio lawmakers introduced House Concurrent Resolution 10, urging federal legislators to pass the "Sunshine Protection Act," a bill to establish daylight saving as the permanent standard time across the United States.

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Rep. Beryl Brown Piccolantonio (D-Gahanna), one of the resolution's primary sponsors, said during a May hearing that her interest in daylight saving began when her kids were younger and struggling to adapt to the clock change twice a year. The representative said she started researching and discovered the negative health impacts of the biannual tradition.

"Permanent daylight saving time would provide many benefits including increased evening daylight; more outdoor playtime for children; expanded economic opportunities; energy savings; improved traffic safety; reduced instances of stroke, heart attack and other serious health issues; and reductions in crime," Piccolantonio said.

However, during the resolution's most recent hearing on Oct. 21, some Ohioans argued against perpetual daylight saving. In his testimony, Chardon resident Joe Loyd called on the lawmakers to amend the resolution to instead advocate for permanent standard time, which Loyd said is "backed by science, history and public will."

"Ohioans demand an end to clock changes, favoring permanent Standard Time for its health benefits," Loyd said. "A 2023 American Academy of Sleep Medicine survey shows 63% national support, citing better sleep, lower heart disease risk, and safer mornings for children -- vital in Ohio, where permanent [daylight saving] could spike accidents by 6% per a 2020 JAMA Pediatrics study."

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Loyd emphasized that Ohio could act now to adopt permanent standard time. Under the Uniform Time Act of 1966, states can change to standard time but not daylight saving, which requires a change to federal law to transition to perpetual daylight saving. However, federal legislators may deliver on such a daylight saving law.

Earlier this year, President Donald Trump revived calls to "lock the clock" and observe daylight saving permanently. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) then gathered the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation in April for a hearing to examine whether the U.S. should abandon the twice-a-year change.

"The House and Senate should push hard for more daylight at the end of a day," Trump wrote on Truth Social in April. "Very popular and, most importantly, no more changing of the clocks, a big inconvenience and, for our government, a very costly event."

Cruz's hearing came after Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) reintroduced the Sunshine Protection Act, which would mean later sunsets in the winter but also later sunrises. For example, the sun rises around 7:15 a.m. and sets around 4:30 p.m. on the first day of winter in New York. The act would change sunrise to 8:15 a.m. and sunset to 5:30 p.m.

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The Ohio House previously passed a daylight saving resolution in 2023, also urging the U.S. Congress to pass a version of the Sunshine Protection Act. The measure was under consideration in Ohio's Senate, but only received one hearing and never passed out of the General Government Committee.

View H.C.R. 10 in full below.

House Concurrent Resolution 10Download

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Efforts to abolish capital punishment in Ohio are heating up with a bipartisan bill that has drawn the support of former lawmakers who helped enact the state's death penalty law decades ago.

Ohio Sens. Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) and Stephen Huffman (R-Tipp City) are championing Senate Bill 133, which would ban the death penalty in the state.

Under state law, aggravated murder is the only charge that can warrant the death penalty. Judges can also impose a sentence of life in prison without parole or grant parole eligibility after at least 20 years. The bill maintains the latter sentencing options. 

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Last week, 27 former lawmakers from the 114th General Assembly – the legislature that passed the state’s current death penalty statute – sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee in support of SB 133, which awaits its first hearing. The signers encompass both lawmakers who voted for and against the death penalty's enactment in 1981, the letter states. 

The letter was spearheaded by Marge Koosed, professor emerita at the University of Akron Law School, who interviewed 44 of the 57 surviving former legislators starting in 2021. Fifteen surviving members could not be reached, and a handful declined to sign, according to the document. 

"When those responsible for our current capital punishment system say it must go, our state lawmakers must listen,” said Sean McCann, policy strategist for the ACLU of Ohio. “Ohio’s death penalty is administered arbitrarily and unfairly, fails to deter crime and puts innocent lives at risk."

revised architects letter September 2025.docxDownload

The former lawmakers pointed to concerns about the death penalty contributing to racial and geographic inequalities, its cost, and the possibility of false convictions. 

The 114th General Assembly passed the state's current statute after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled a 1974-era Ohio law that mandated capital punishment for most aggravated murder convictions was unconstitutional.

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In a news release, Antonio and Huffman said the death penalty has failed as a deterrent for violent crime and prolonged the suffering of murder victims’ families by dragging them through lengthy appeals processes. The lawmakers additionally cited a 2014 study asserting that at least 4.1% of death row inmates are likely innocent, as well as a poll finding that a majority of Ohioans support ending the death penalty.

Antonio has introduced bills to abolish the death penalty every legislative session since 2011. Huffman also cosponsored a proposed death penalty ban alongside Antonio in the last General Assembly. See NBC4's previous coverage in the video player above.

Ohio has not seen an execution since 2018. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine first issued an execution postponement in January 2019 and has continued to do so in the following years, citing problems obtaining drugs for the procedure. 

While some lawmakers are trying to outlaw the death penalty, others are looking to revive the practice. Reps. Brian Stewart (R-Ashville) and Phil Plummer (R-Dayton) are backing House Bill 36, which would permit executions by nitrogen hypoxia, a method that kills inmates through nitrogen inhalation, leading to suffocation.

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Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is a staunch supporter of the effort, saying the state has failed to keep its promises to the families of murder victims and jurors who were tasked with the “difficult” decision. The “dishonorable” delay could and should be resolved through legislative approval of nitrogen hypoxia, Yost said. 

"Of the 114 people currently on Death Row, 42 of them have no further appeal – that’s more than a third," Yost testified. "All that prevents their sentences from being imposed is the failure of will of this state's government."

Five states have authorized the use of nitrogen hypoxia, which was first used in capital punishment in January 2024. If SB 133 were to pass, Ohio would join the 23 states that have abolished the death penalty. 

DUBLIN, Ohio (WCMH) -- Dublin City Schools leaders spoke to the community for the first time after pausing the high school redistricting process last week following negative community feedback.

At a school board meeting Wednesday night, Superintendent John Marschhausen said he realized the process was not on the right track after hearing from parents during listening sessions last week.

He said it’s more important to get this right than it is to just get it done.

“There were a lot of things at the beginning of this process that were done by a small number of people. I think we want to frontload the process with input and get that input into the process earlier,”  said Dr. Marschhausen.

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When the redistricting process restarts in the spring, Marschhausen said parent and student voices will be included.

Dublin community members were not shy about their disappointment in the process.

“I’ve been frustrated that it seems like there was an 11th hour disconnect between the school board and the superintendent that led to really a big mess at the final stages of this decision being made,” said Kristie Russ, a parent with two kids at Dublin Schools.

“They need to be more open in this process. We need to have a more collaborative approach to doing this right,” said Mike Skalak, who has two elementary-aged kids in the district.

Reaction to the pause was mixed. Some were relieved while others said they don’t want to prolong the inevitable.

Marschhausen said he also doesn’t want to make the process longer, but it’s clear community input needs to be prioritized.

“We want people to know we listened, that we heard their concerns and their concerns had an impact on what we did as a board and as a leadership team,” said the superintendent.

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Skalak said hearing directly from Marschhausen and board members helped restore his trust in the district.

“The district kind of was called out on some of the things that had happened. And they came back and they said, you know what? We made a mistake and we're ready to right this and do this correctly this time,” said Skalak.

Marschhausen said the school board will be more involved in the redistricting process this time around and that creating at least 20 diverse focus groups will be a priority.

Skalak and other parents are looking forward to being more involved.

“They did address the questions and the concerns that we had. So, yes, I think they're listening. I think they have the ear of the community,” said Skalak.

The superintendent said the winter will be a cooling off period before redistricting restarts in the spring. Elementary and middle school boundaries could be changed as well.

The current boundaries across Dublin will stay in place for the 2026-2027 school year.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Thousands of children in Ohio could soon lose access to early education and childcare as the federal shutdown drags on. 

"Every day the shutdown continues, it's Ohio families and children who are paying the price," Ohio Head Start Association Executive Director Julie Stone said. "And Head Start is not a political issue. It's a lifeline for the families we serve."

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Seven Ohio Head Start Programs will run out of funds on Saturday, forcing potential closures and furloughs across the state. 

"Our folks are very creative at making things work, but can't operate a program without money to operate it," Stone said. "And that money needs to be allocated as part of either an appropriations bill or a continuing resolution that will get the funding flowing again."

Head Start is a federally funded school readiness program that provides early learning, nutrition and family support services to low-income families in Ohio with children from prenatal to age five.

"We will have no money after the 31st, and that's scary," Coshocton County Head Start Executive Director Susan Craddock said. 

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"We cannot run our program on just donations," Craddock said. "It costs about $50,000 a week to keep ourselves open, and that's just paying staff."

The Coshocton County Head Start program currently has about 60 staff members and serves 140 children. According to leaders there, they were already operating in crisis mode due to inflation, and now the shutdown is pushing the program to a possible breaking point. 

"Some of our children, this is the food that they get for the day," Craddock said. "We feed breakfast, lunch and a snack before they go home."

Across Ohio, six other Head Start programs, which along with Coshocton County, collectively serve more than 3,700 children, are facing the same dilemma. Leaders say that for many families, there are no other affordable childcare options to consider.

"Disruption to services means kids are missing out on vital learning," Stone said. "It means that parents who rely on Head Start for childcare to be able to go to work would have to make decisions about whether they go to work or care for their child."

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No new federal funding could also put more than 900 Head Start staff members across the state out of jobs. 

"They've been showing up every day with dedication and professionalism even though they don't know what is in store," Coshocton County Early Head Start Education and Disability Manager Jamie Adkins-Darr said. "They don't know if their next paycheck is secure."

According to Head Start leaders, children can't pause their development for a political gridlock, so they need Congress to act now. 

"Children aren't pawns in the game that the government's playing right now," Craddock said. "Children are our future, and we're kind of playing with their lives right now."

Informal talks are still happening behind the scenes on Capitol Hill as lawmakers search for a way to end the government shutdown, but so far, there have been no formal negotiations between Republicans and Democrats. 

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Kids can eat free at the Westerville/Polaris location of Chicken Salad Chick.

Franchise owner Jen Crichfield said she was inspired to help out when an employee was talking about their family struggling amid the shutdown.

"We just wanted to help in a small way. We have access to food and so we chose children to support for that. And since we have the ability to serve them food, we thought that that would be a great idea, Crichfield said. "Find a need and fill it."

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Any child under 12 can get a free "Little Chick" meal until Nov. 16. Crichfield says there is a limit of one meal per child per day and that no purchase is necessary.

COLUMBUS, OHIO (WCMH) -- An organization that has been a staple in the community for more than 100 years had to furlough its employees amid funding delays. Luckily, the closure was short-lived largely in part to community support.

“It was tremendous. I didn't know how much we still had an influence or a connection with our community,” said Dr. Iyaad Hasan, President & CEO of the Breathing Association.

The nonprofit provides medical care and energy assistance to thousands of residents each year but Dr. Hasan tells NBC4 funds dried up and they had to shut their doors.

“I was looking outside and I was thinking about somebody who's at home right now who can't turn their electricity on because they need a nebulizer for their asthma treatment,” he said.

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Less than 24 hours later after announcing the closure, the community support poured in. He said people donated nearly $4,000 and it caught the attention of the Ohio Department of Development, which is now keeping them open throughout the shutdown.

“Sadly, in tough times like this it’s great to see when people get together and it was overwhelming, I have to tell you, and I was excited and I probably believe that's what kept me going during that time,” Dr. Hasan said.

Now the staff is back to work training for their winter crisis program and Home Energy Assistance Program, known as HEAP.

“We're back on. We're happy and we're excited and the lights are finally back,” he said.

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The Breathing Association still isn’t back to being 100% operational. Dr. Hasan said the clinic had to cut back on services in September and they’re still waiting on some grant funding.

“An individual who comes to see us for treatment for asthma, if we help them out about $150. But if we're not around to help them with management, they go to the emergency room, which is $1,500. So the costs go back to the community,” he said.

He said the community support is exactly what he needed to keep pushing and stay positive through the process.

“We pray that the solution from the federal side comes into play and helps out the communities that really desperately need it,” Dr. Hasan said.

He said their winter programs will resume Saturday, Nov. 1.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Wednesday, Central Ohio Crime Stoppers held its annual breakfast bringing together the men and women who serve our community every day. 

There were representatives from just about every law enforcement agency in Central Ohio as well as community leaders. They all have the same goal, honoring those who went the extra mile and slowing down crime in Central Ohio.

“Coming together is what makes it special because we're all here for the same reason,” said Napoleon Bell, the President of Central Ohio Crime Stoppers. “With all of the community and law enforcement and businesses working together, I truly believe that we can reduce crime greatly.”

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The event is also about celebrating some members of the law enforcement community who go above and beyond to keep the community safe. They rewarded business of the year and citizen of the year.

NBC4’s Crime and Safety Reporter Anna Hoffman had the honor of presenting the award for law enforcement officer of the year to Columbus Police Officer Douglas McClain.

“It's a great honor and privilege. It was a big surprise, but it means a lot to me. I didn't expect it,” said McClain.

Officer McClain has been with the division for 18 years. He spent his first 10 years patrolling the west side of the city. He said that time really stands out in his career. 

“My years on the west side, on the hilltop and working with those officers and going on challenging runs with them, rewarding full service with them,” McClain said.

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McClain said he is currently working with the zone 3 community response team and found his niche working theft cases with a focus on retail theft. 

“That's been my focus probably for the past seven years, working with retail partners throughout Central Ohio, asset protection, and just collaborating with them and helping solve their cases. And just being a, kind of, the liaison with the police department and the asset protection partners in Central Ohio," McClain said.

Bell said the board has a tough time each year choosing officer of the year, citizen of the year and business of the year because there are so many people doing great work. 

He said he loves this event because it brings all those people together.

“It's an event that inspires others to get involved. And if you're not involved, you say, hey, you know, we're all trying to make this happen. So it brings energy just to look out for the crowd,” Bell said.

Crimestoppers said they receive around 250 tips every month.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Families in central Ohio are donning costumes and getting candy ready as trick-or-treat will be held on Thursday.

Even with the spooky weather forecast, many communities will hold trick-or-treat one day before Halloween.

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The recommended trick-or-treat night comes from the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, which follows a schedule to come up with the recommended trick-or-treat day.

When Oct. 31 falls on a Monday through Thursday, MORPC recommends trick-or-treating happen on that day. When Halloween falls on a Friday through Sunday, MORPC calls for it to happen on the Thursday before.

According to the commission, its local government members have supported a unified recommended date for the region, and even though the forecast isn’t looking its best, many communities are sticking with Thursday.

Some parents wish the weather would cooperate with Thursday, but said they understand why, in most cases, trick or treat is not being changed.

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"I’ve actually seen two or three different children get hit during, like, just weekday trick or treating, so I can only imagine what it would be like during the weekend when people are being irresponsible,” Columbus resident Sarah Blackburn said.

"It would be nice if they could, but I’m not sure this big of an area, that you could do that,” Columbus resident Vickie Himmelman said. “I think it might be really hard. Some of the smaller areas sound like they’re doing it, but you’re looking at Columbus, that’s a lot of kids and families."

While MORPC’s recommended date does not change due to the weather, it said if weather isn’t great, families should use good judgment to decide what they do.

GROVE CITY, Ohio (WCMH) -- NBC4 Investigates has been hearing from residents in one central Ohio housing development who paid a premium for privacy. Now, they say that privacy is gone, and so is their money

The families picked their homes in the Beulah Park Grove City development because they wanted more privacy. They paid thousands of dollars extra for lots that had conservation land behind them, expecting privacy, but just months later, that's changed. 

“We were moving from a one-acre lot in the country to moving here in the suburbs, which we're not really accustomed to, so we wanted to pick a lot that would offer a lot of privacy,” homeowner Chelsey Burris said. 

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“We picked this specific lot over a different lot that we went to because we were told time and time again it's a conservation area, they're not going to put anything there, and that really sold it for us,” homeowner Ashley Lockwood said. 

Burris and Ashley and Emma Lockwood are neighbors. Each paid a lot premium to Pulte Homes of Ohio to live in front of land that Pulte labeled as a conservation area. 

“The lot across the street with the neighbors behind us, was $5,000 for the lot price and this lot price was $20,000 to be on the conservation area, but there's no difference in land size between the two,” Burris said. 

For them, the price tag was worth the privacy they thought came with it. 

”It honestly just looked like our own personal park,” Burris said. 

But that did not last for long.

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“The beginning of June was when I saw some people from Grove City and also some other people with clipboards back here, and I was inside, in the summer with my daughter, and so I came back here and asked like, ‘Hey, what's going on back here? What are you guys looking at?’ and they said, ‘We're looking back here to see our plans for the bike path,’” Burris said. 

“I was kind of furious because I was like, we picked it specifically for privacy,” Ashley Lockwood said. 

Grove City leaders said that there were always plans for a bike path in the conservation land. In fact, there was one before the homes were built, which can be seen in images from Google Earth.

“I was like, ‘Bike path? Like, what bike path?’ and that was the first time that I'd heard about it, and Grove City has really been the one who's communicated with me about it. I hadn't heard anything from Pulte about the bike path,” Burris said. 

In a statement, a Pulte spokesperson said: “The bike path installed behind Beulah Park homesites was planned and approved by Grove City after all homes were sold and closed. We understand the homeowners' concerns and encourage them to direct questions about this bike path to the municipality.”

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However, documents obtained by NBC4 Investigates say differently. 

Burris and the Lockwoods closed on their homes in April of this year. 

City documents show the conservation land, owned by the area developer, was gifted to Grove City for the bike path in April of 2024, one year earlier.  

“Just say it, own up to it,” Ashley Lockwood said. “I mean, we already bought the house. We're already here.”

The home contract states that the “Seller makes no representation or guarantee of the current or future value of Buyer's lot. Further development of the community or surrounding property, whether made by Seller, the developer or any other owner, may affect the lot’s value and Buyer’s use and enjoyment of the lot.” 

These neighbors are frustrated and want to know why they were not told about the plans from the beginning. 

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“We're unhappy because we can have people looking in our house all the time, which isn't fun, so we definitely would have looked in other developments or at least looked at a different lot in this specific development,” Ashley Lockwood said. 

“All of my neighbors that I've talked to down the street are very unhappy about the situation with Pulte,” Burris said. “I would like to see all of us get our lot premium difference back.”

NBC4 Investigates spoke with the Grove City councilmember who is spearheading the bike path and conservation land development project behind these homes. He has heard the neighbors' concerns and plans to install a line of trees to give the homeowners some of that privacy back.

Again, that is Grove City, not Pulte, putting in the trees. So if you are buying a home and paying extra for something, make sure what you pay for is under the control of the company doing the sale.