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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A vacant stretch of land next to a Columbus library may soon become home to new affordable housing.

The Columbus Metropolitan Library has agreed to sell property adjacent to its Shepard branch on North Nelson Road to Homeport, a nonprofit affordable housing developer. The sale price of $480,000 will go into the library's capital projects fund.

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"We believe this location is prime for redevelopment," Lauren Hagan, Columbus Metropolitan Library's CEO, said in a statement. "It presents a unique opportunity to meet a critical community need -- more affordable housing."

• The Columbus Metropolitan Library's Shepard Branch at 850 N. Nelson Rd. (Franklin County Auditor's Office)
• The Columbus Metropolitan Library's Shepard Branch at 850 N. Nelson Rd. (Franklin County Auditor's Office)

The project took shape after the library issued a public request for proposals in October 2024, inviting developers to submit affordable housing plans for two parcels at North Nelson Road and Ridgeway Avenue. In May, the library's seven-member board of trustees selected Homeport's bid, with the sale expected to be finalized in the coming months.

Homeport leaders said they intend to work with local organizations on the design and plan to offer both rental and for-sale homes on the site.

"We're excited to work on this project and provide more affordable housing," Homeport CEO Leah Evans said. "We credit Columbus Metropolitan Library for thinking broadly about the community's needs."

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The Shepard Branch opened in 2016 on land purchased three years earlier. Earlier this year, the library also announced a partnership with Columbus Recreation and Parks to create an interactive park along the Alum Creek Trail beside the branch, which aims to highlight its role in the Underground Railroad.

Homeport, founded in 1987, is central Ohio's leading nonprofit housing developer, with about 3,000 rental apartments and homes across 47 communities. The organization provides a range of resident services and focuses on families earning less than 60% of the area's median income.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Anduril has been building its Ohio weapons manufacturing plant for the past few months, a company spokesperson told NBC4.

Anduril announced in January that it will build drones and other aerial weapons near Rickenbacker Airport at its new facility, Arsenal-1. Anduril had hoped to break ground in July in order to begin weapons manufacturing in Pickaway County in July 2026.

An Anduril spokesperson told NBC4 the company has been doing construction for several months and recently began preparing construction and leveling dirt for a second building. Anduril did not clarify when construction began, or address NBC4's question as to whether the July 2026 target opening date had shifted.

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Arsenal-1 is the largest single job creation investment in Ohio's history, promising 4,000 jobs. Intel's Licking County project, the previous job creation title-holder, held a major groundbreaking ceremony in 2022 featuring then-President Joe Biden. Although Anduril's quiet start differs from Intel's precedent, JobsOhio said its not uncommon for businesses to begin construction without fanfare.

The manufacturing plant aims to help "America Rebuild the Arsenal" by producing tens of thousands of autonomous weapons for the U.S. military and its allies. Although the plant focuses on American military strength, Arsenal-1 will build weaponry for other countries, too.

In June, Anduril’s vice president said it is already supplying autonomous weapons to the U.S. and allies like Ukraine, with more to come once Ohio’s factory is operational. Australia also bought dozens of autonomous submarines from Anduril last week, although those are expected to be built in Australia and Arsenal-1 is poised to focus on aerial weaponry. See previous coverage in the video player above.

Anduril has begun hiring for its thousands of Arsenal-1 roles, with openings in Columbus for engineering, logistics, talent and communications. In August, Anduril's first hires in Ohio -- dubbed the Fury Launch Team -- arrived at Anduril headquarters for six months of training.

HILLIARD, Ohio (WCMH) – A “beloved” Dayton pizzeria and beer hall is preparing to launch its first central Ohio location in Hilliard. 

Old Scratch Pizza announced last week that it will open at Hilliard’s TruePointe development, located on Trueman Boulevard just off Interstate 270. The eatery will mark the pizzeria’s fifth Ohio restaurant, and first in the Columbus area. 

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“Columbus has incredible food culture, and we’re excited to bring something distinct to the west side: Midwesternly Neapolitan Pizza,” owner Eric Soller said in a news release. “Our approach blends authentic Neapolitan technique and premium ingredients with down-to-earth hospitality.”

Founded in 2016, Old Scratch Pizza currently has four locations in southwest Ohio, including restaurants in Dayton, Troy, Beavercreek and Centerville.

• Old Scratch's margherita pizza, featuring tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, basil and olive oil. (Photo courtesy/Old Scratch Pizza)
• The "Prosciutto Arugula" pie (bottom), pictured with the "Angry Beekeeper" pizza, featuring spicy salami and hot honey, and a "Greek-ish" salad. (Photo courtesy/Old Scratch Pizza)
• The "Angry Beekeeper" pizza. (Photo courtesy/Old Scratch Pizza)

Hilliard diners can expect open kitchens with multiple Neapolitan ovens on display, a “lively beer-hall vibe” and “the kind of service that makes you a regular,” Soller said. The restaurant will also feature a full-service bar, as well as a “spacious” patio.

The pizzeria is set to open in late summer or fall of 2026, alongside the initial launch of the TruePointe development. TruePointe is a $250 million project from the Hilliard-based developer Equity Commercial Real Estate Solutions that is currently under construction. 

Sitting on 27 acres, the development will also feature apartments, a hotel, retail stores, office space and other restaurants, including a concept by a former Cameron Mitchell chef. The City of Hilliard called the central Ohio debut of the “beloved” Dayton-based pizzeria an “exciting” milestone for TruePointe in a Sept. 12 Facebook post. 

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Old Scratch Pizza offers classic Neapolitan pizzas, including cheese, pepperoni and margherita, along with pies featuring toppings such as prosciutto, pesto, mushrooms, hot honey and arugula. The restaurant also serves vegan pizzas. Other menu items include shareables like oven roasted olives, roasted cauliflower and meatballs, as well as salads and wraps.  

Updates on Old Scratch Pizza’s Hilliard opening can be found on its Facebook page. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Sporting gray feathers, a long neck, and a distinctive patch of red on their forehead, sandhill cranes -- one of the oldest living bird species -- are reportedly seeing population growth in Ohio, despite once being locally extinct. 

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources conducted its annual sandhill crane count in April during nesting season. Volunteers spent two hours surveying designated areas in counties with ample wetlands to support the birds, according to the agency.

Hummingbirds leaving Ohio as they begin their migration south for winter

In the 2025 crane count, released this month, volunteers observed 428 cranes throughout 24 of the 31 counties surveyed. This shows a 4% increase compared with last year’s count, when 412 cranes were found in 26 out of 32 counties surveyed.

“We have a lot of great habitat in Ohio, and we've done a good job in recent years with restoring more wetlands and conserving the wetlands,” Will Babb, a publications editor with the ODNR's Division of Wildlife, said. “It's just really good to see this crane population continuing to grow.”

A sandhill crane flies at the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, in Decatur, Ala. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

The five counties with the most sandhill cranes reported in this year’s count were Wayne (101), Lucas (97), Ottawa (59), Geauga (51) and Sandusky (19). Wayne County features Killbuck Marsh and Funk Bottoms wildlife areas, while Lucas, Ottawa and Sandusky counties contain Lake Erie marshes, which offer prime breeding habitat for the animals, according to the ODNR.

While the birds are not as common in central Ohio compared with other areas of the state, some were spotted in Delaware (4), Franklin (10), Knox (4) and Pickaway (4) counties in this year’s count. 

“We don't have a ton of sandhill cranes that breed in central Ohio, but we certainly have a lot more that migrate through the area,” Babb said. “So fall, winter, and then very early spring, a lot of sandhill cranes from surrounding states and elsewhere in the state migrate through the central Ohio region.”

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There are not many places in central Ohio that have the proper habitat to support breeding sandhill cranes. However, Babb said they have been known to reside at Pickerington Ponds Metropark, which spans parts of Franklin and Fairfield counties; Big Island Wildlife Area in Marion County; and Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area, located in Wyandot and Marion counties.

Sandhill cranes, which are native to Ohio, breed and live in wet areas like marshes and bogs. They are among the oldest known living bird species on the planet, with the oldest definitive fossil dating back 2.5 million years, according to the ODNR. 

The omnivorous birds can grow up to about four feet in length, with wingspans up to seven feet and weights reaching 11 pounds. They are known for their distinctive rattling calls that can be heard for miles, and their unique mating dance, which features stretching, leaping and bowing, according to the National Park Service. 

Sandhill cranes disappeared from Ohio in the 1930s due to habitat loss and unregulated hunting. In 1987, a breeding pair was discovered in Wayne County, and the species' population has since continued to grow. The ODNR currently lists the cranes as a “threatened” species, meaning it’s not in immediate jeopardy but is at risk of becoming endangered. 

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The Ohio Division of Wildlife has conducted its annual sandhill crane count since 2021. More cranes have been observed each year since the count commenced, which is a trend Babb partially attributes to expanded surveying efforts, as the first one only included five counties. 

In 2021, 160 cranes were found across the five counties. In 2022, 311 cranes were found across the 26 counties surveyed, and in 2023, 357 cranes were found across the 30 counties surveyed.

To help support sandhill cranes in the state, Babb said residents can report sightings through the online platform eBird to help the division track the population, as well as buying the ODNR’s Wildlife Legacy Stamp, since purchases support conservation efforts. 

Alongside sandhill cranes, multiple other species are seeing population growth in Ohio, including black bears, bald eagles and bobcats, the state department's data indicates.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Two years after the Golden Bear Center was demolished, the land at the corner of Fishinger Road and Riverside Drive remains empty, surrounded by a large chain-link fence.

The midcentury shopping strip at 3700 Riverside Drive, which was once home to Figlio's restaurant, a U.S. post office, a coffee shop and several other small businesses, was set for redevelopment in 2019. Arcadia Development purchased the property and proposed a plan for luxury condominiums and commercial space, called Golden Bear at Riverside.

The project, which was once expected to be completed as early as late summer 2025, has encountered delays. Scott Patton, the managing partner of Arcadia, stated that work is currently on hold due to the company's acquisition of an adjacent lot, formerly an Arby's, that will be integrated into the overall development.

“The 0.78-acre parcel meaningfully expands the Golden Bear project footprint to roughly 5 acres, giving us the ability to increase density, improve efficiency, and create a more cohesive master plan,” Patton told NBC4.

Patton said the $1.2 million purchase of the additional site required a reworking of the original design. Franklin County records indicate that the property was transferred to Golden Bear Development, LLC on Aug. 25.

• Photo Courtesy/Arcadia Development
• Photo Courtesy/Arcadia Development

“Golden Bear will still include more than 200 residential units, retail/restaurant, and office space, though with updated size and scope to match the opportunity,” said Patton.

The City of Upper Arlington's website states that the building permit was extended by the State's Board of Building Appeals from March 3 to Oct. 1. Patton said that more updates regarding the city would be available soon.

“We anticipate submitting revised plans to the City of Upper Arlington in the coming months and look forward to sharing more details before year-end,” Patton said. “Combining these sites will allow us to deliver a stronger, more impactful project for the community — one that reflects the momentum of Upper Arlington and the broader Columbus market.”

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- When students spoke out against Senate Bill 1, Ohio's ban on DEI in higher education, many said they would consider transferring out of state if it became law.

"With only one year left in my education, I would seriously consider transferring if this bill becomes law,” University of Cincinnati law student Abby Hobbs said in testimony against the bill last February. “I am not alone—several of my out-of-state classmates have expressed similar concerns and would leave Ohio for states that do not stifle freedom of speech and expression.” 

But according to preliminary data, Ohio’s new anti-DEI in higher education law has not significantly affected public universities’ enrollment numbers. Not all universities have reported their fall enrollment numbers yet, but initial reports show minimal impact in student body size. However, Ohio's university enrollment trails where it was 10 years ago.

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Senate Bill 1 was signed into law in late March, going into effect June 27. The sweeping higher education bill prohibits public colleges from having DEI programs on campus, adjusts tenure reviews, bans faculty strikes and stops universities from endorsing any "controversial belief or policy."

Of Ohio's 15 traditional public universities, nine have reported unofficial enrollment data for 2025. Schools are reporting marginal changes from fall of 2024, but only Bowling Green and the University of Cincinnati have increased their enrollment in the past 10 years.

For example, Ohio University offers data for its enrollment numbers across campuses and the size of the freshman classes. Ohio University's enrollment has increased slightly over the past few years, but still sits lower than it was in the fall of 2016.

Ohio University's freshman class this year is the largest, but enrollment still trails the 2010s. Although COVID-19 was certainly a factor in declining enrollment, data show the student body size was decreasing before the pandemic.

Ohio University saw the lowest percentage decrease of reported data this year, with a 16% decline in enrollment. Akron saw the highest decrease, losing 34% of its student body between 2016 and 2025, followed by Wright State (32% decline), University of Toledo (31%) and Miami (23%).

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Of the two schools reporting higher enrollment, only one is reporting a significant increase. Cincinnati increased enrollment by 22% with a record-breaking 54,000 students this year. Bowling Green also increased, but by just 2.8%.

Fall 2025 may be too soon to track Senate Bill 1's effects, as it's only been law for a few months. The anti-DEI law is also just one of many factors affecting enrollment.

According to the Department of Education, the U.S. has been preparing for the "enrollment cliff" for some time, expecting it to hit in 2025. The "enrollment cliff" refers to a predicted sharp decline in university enrollment due to changes in demographics and the 18-year effects of the Great Recession from 2007 to 2009.

The Department of Education said Ohio is likely to be among the hardest hit, predicting enrollment in higher education to drop 15% between 2025 and 2029. This makes it harder to track Senate Bill 1's effects; even if there is a noticeable difference in headcount, it will be complicated by this looming "cliff."

Other changes are purposeful. Ohio State is projecting a freshman class of around 8,300 students, more than 1,200 fewer than last year. Ohio State spokesperson Ben Johnson said this decline was a purposeful admissions tactic to protect from overcrowding.

DELAWARE, Ohio (WCMH) — The recent dry weather has some water providers in central Ohio making adjustments to deal with increased demand.

DelCo Water Company is recommending that customers water their gardens only on Monday, and water their lawns every other day. It's the same recommendation Delo Water made earlier this year and in previous years, according to Jeffrey Kauffman, communications director for the company.

“This is a voluntary request, and the recommendations we have really help to even out that water demand, and so the only difference now is that we’re sitting in this two-week period where temperatures are expected to be 80 to 90 degrees and no rain," he said.

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Kauffman said supply is in a much better position right now than during last year's drought.

“Last year, if you were to look at our reservoirs, they were about 70% filled,” he said. “This year as we go into September and October, we’re at about 90 to 95% at capacity.”

He said customers' decisions to alternate watering days can make a big difference.

“Our average daily demand currently is about 23 million gallons a day,” Kauffman said. “About half of that is just going to the lawns, so as a customer, if you’re able to simply cut in half what you’re doing, well, that could lead to millions of gallons in a day that we are conserving.”

George Zonders, a public relations specialist with Columbus Water and Power (CWP), said it always encourage conservation, but no voluntary or mandatory water restrictions are needed. 

"We have a drought management plan; like this time last year, we are currently in the ‘watch’ phase, where we monitor not only current water levels and usage, but also extended precipitation and temperature outlooks," Zonders wrote in a statement.

He said the O'Shaugnessy and Griggs reservoirs are down a little compared to normal for this time of year. He also said that on Friday, CWP began releasing water from the Doutt Upground Reservoir to help the O'Shaugnessy.

"We’re keeping an eye on Hoover; it’s currently down just over eight feet," Zonders wrote. "If the drought continues, we could soon begin pumping water from Alum Creek Reservoir to supplement flow from Big Walnut Creek by early October."

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The housing crisis is a major concern for leaders in central Ohio, but now there’s a lot less money to address it.

That’s because the federal emergency rental assistance that started during the COVID-19 pandemic has run out. Now, Columbus must get creative to meet the demand for housing resources.

"We're growing at such a rapid rate and housing stock has not kept up with our rate of growth, so it's a critical issue, really, for any nonprofit," Jewish Family Services CEO Karen Mozenter said. 

Columbus City Council approved nearly $500,000 for seven nonprofits providing homeless prevention services as a part of the Resilient Housing Initiative. 

The seven non-profits part of this new program moving forward, providing support to those struggling to stay in their homes, are Columbus Literacy Council, The Broad Street Presbyterian Church Of Columbus, The Gladden Community House, The Homeless Families Foundation, Jewish Family Service, Saint Stephen Community Services and The Young Men's Christian Association Of Central Ohio.

They were selected through what the city said was a vigorous selection process. 

"Competencies and connections to communities matter and so having organizations that have already worked with us or already worked with emergency rental assistance in the past was a huge determining factor on who we were moving forward with," Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin said. 

NBC4 spoke with Jewish Family Services about this work, something it really dove into during the pandemic. 

"We really jumped into housing in a big way during the pandemic," Mozenter said. "We have people on staff who can counsel folks who are at risk of homelessness or need help with housing stability."

This money will be used for more than just rental assistance, because it’s city money, not federal, the guidelines are less strict. It could help with a utility bill that is driving someone to homelessness, but because there is less money available, qualifying for it will be more difficult.

"We're going to be pretty focused on who we can have the most impact and help with these limited dollars," Hardin said. "What we are saying in the city of Columbus is that we're not throwing our hands up and saying we can't do anything. We're going to bring together our finite resources, work with these organizations that have these relationships and work as hard as we can to make sure we can keep as many folks in their homes as possible."

Some community leaders have expressed concern that this is not enough because this initiative will serve about 600 households, which is a fraction of who could be helped through the federal funds.

"This is the city's best effort right now to make sure that we are able to support as many families with the very finite resources that we have in their time of need," Hardin said. 

This program is set to run for the next six months, then the city will evaluate what else needs to be done. Right now, the non-profits are going through training and meetings before those in need can start applying at the beginning of October.

HILLIARD, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Well is Hilliard’s new recreation and wellness center and on Thursday evening, the doors will open to the public.

“This has been such a long process, and it's been a labor of love for sure, but seeing people in this space is what makes it all worth it,” The Well Facility Manager Anastasia Maynard said.

The city started planning for the 105,000-square-foot campus in 2021. Maynard said it took a lot of community input.

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“As we went through this facility, the number one thing was that we wanted it to be somewhere that anybody of any ability could recreate,” she said.

The city has been hosting resident surveys and public forums from the beginning.

“One of the things that we heard a lot is that people wanted indoor aquatic space,” Maynard said.

There is a lap pool, leisure pool, slide, and sauna. Maynard said the center is tailored specifically to residents, including a wudu room -- a space dedicated to the ritual washing of hands, feet and face before prayer.

“We heard from our Muslim community that that was something that they needed,” she said.

Along with all of the fitness features from group classes to an indoor track and basketball courts, The Well is also a space for healthcare.

“For the city of Hilliard, this will be our largest undertaking in terms of providing services for the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center,” said Brendan Greisberge, program director of Health & Wellbeing at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

There will be physical therapy, urgent care, mental and behavioral health and integrative health like massage and nutrition counseling.

“The more access that we can provide to the community and as we continue to grow in the state of Ohio, that's really what our mission and goal was, is to have more reach and also to just ensure we're providing that accessibility,” he said.

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The Well was made possible after a .5% income tax increase was passed in 2021. Maynard said it’s the city’s mission to make membership as accessible for residents as possible.

“So the people that pay those income taxes, that help fund our operation, do get a little bit of a price cut, and then the nonresidents have a little bit of a higher rate,” she said.

The Well offers annual, monthly and daily memberships.

The grand opening is Thursday from 5:30 p.m. -8:30 p.m. It’s open to the public to check out the facilities and discuss memberships. Pricing can be found by clicking here.

ETNA, Ohio (WCMH) – A 3-year-old child reported missing in Licking County has died.

The Licking County Sheriff’s Office said the child was reported missing at approximately 1:35 p.m. in the area of the 100 block of Gala Avenue in Etna Township.

Deputies, fire and EMS personnel, and neighbors helped search for the boy, who was autistic and non-verbal, the sheriff's office said.

At 3:06 p.m., the child was located in a retention pond, which was the focus of the search for the boy. Deputies pulled the boy from the pond and started CPR.

The child was taken from the scene to Nationwide Children's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

A victim advocate is aiding the family.

Arrangements are being made for first responders to meet with a Critical Incident Response Team.

Licking County sheriff's detectives are investigating the incident.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The Central Ohio Transit Authority’s travel training program teaches people in the community about the public bus system and how to use it.  

The free travel training program provides access to everyone, but is beneficial to young people, teaching them to ride independently and confidently.   

“Through our program and through that hands-on experience, it gives them more confidence and allows them to get to get to where they're going,” COTA Travel Trainer John Barrett said.

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The courses can be taken in person or online and focus on learning how to plan a trip and reading COTA maps and schedules. Program leaders said many middle and high school students who don’t have access to transportation during the school year can be taught in one-on-one courses.   

“Recently, I helped a student who wanted to learn how to get to school from his house, and this person lives on the north end and goes to school on the west end,” Barrett said. “So we meet this individual at their home, we walked them to the bus stop, and explained how our bus stop signs worked.” 

Some students are also eligible for unlimited rides with a Student Success card or a Smart ID; children under 12 in the program must be accompanied by an adult. In 2024, there were more than 5,000 training trips and the hope is to continue growing that number.

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“My hope for the program is for us to expand is to reach more people,” Barrett said. “We are reaching a lot of people in their own community. But as more people are and come into our community, my hope is to be able to reach out to expand those individuals.”

To sign up for the free travel training program, click here.

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (WCMH) — A man accused of purchasing a 7-year-old child with the alleged intent of having sex with her is now facing additional charges.

Daniel Sisk, of Reynoldsburg, was in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Monday morning, three weeks after his arrest on one count of gross sexual imposition. That charge in municipal court, which stemmed from an incident in July, is now joined by three additional Franklin County charges of gross sexual imposition.

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Court records indicate that Sisk, 58, is being charged with four counts that allegedly took place on July 19, July 26, Aug. 2, and Aug. 8. For an earlier report on this story view the video player above.

Police were alerted to the case by an anonymous tip on Aug. 20 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 stated.

Detectives interviewed the child, who reportedly told investigators that she had been “sold” and that her mother gave her to “Dan, my dad, to have sex.” The child told police that the sexual acts occurred daily for more than a month.

When investigators spoke with the child’s legal guardian, the woman told police that the girl’s mother visited with the girl on July 12 but had not returned with the child; court records state that on July 13, Sisk allegedly left North Carolina with the child.

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

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Charges were also filed in September out of Licking County, and Sisk was issued a $2 million bond. The case was dismissed after a motion was filed in deference to the Franklin County charges. Sisk was then issued a $3 million bond out of Franklin County.

On Monday, the bond was reduced to $250,000 and Sisk was ordered to have no contact with minors.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio State's first Big Ten game of the season now has a kickoff time.

The top-ranked Buckeyes' game Sept. 27 at Washington in Week 5 is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. Eastern. Ohio State is on a bye this week before traveling to Seattle.

Next Saturday's game will be the 13th meeting between Ohio State and Washington. The last meeting was at the 2019 Rose Bowl, when the Buckeyes won 28-23 over the Huskies to improve its all-time record to 9-3 against the former Pac-12 program.

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The last regular season game between the two was also the last at Husky Stadium in Seattle, where Ohio State beat Washington 33-14 in 2007. The Huskies' last win against the Buckeyes was in 1994 at home 25-16.

This will be the first Big Ten game between the two since Washington's move to the conference in 2024. Ohio State's lone West Coast trip last season was a 32-31 loss to Oregon. It will travel to USC next season.

Remaining 2025 Ohio State football schedule

• Sept. 27: at Washington, 3:30 p.m.
• Oct. 4: Minnesota (homecoming)
• Oct. 11: at Illinois
• Oct. 18: at Wisconsin
• Nov. 1: Penn State
• Nov. 8: at Purdue
• Nov. 15: UCLA
• Nov. 22: Rutgers
• Nov. 29: at Michigan, noon

The Huskies are off to a fast start in their second Big Ten season and enter Week 4 with a 2-0 record. After wins over Colorado State (38-21) and UC Davis (70-10), Washington will play Saturday against Washington State in the 117th meeting of the Apple Cup.

The Big Ten has 11 teams without a loss after the opening three weeks, but that number will dwindle going into Week 5. Among the Week 4 games between undefeated Big Ten teams is No. 9 Illinois at No. 19 Indiana on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on NBC4.

Next Saturday's featured primetime game on NBC4 will be one of the games of the season as No. 6 Oregon takes on No. 2 Penn State in a rematch of last season's Big Ten championship game. The Ducks have yet to lose a Big Ten game since joining the conference last season.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- One person is dead after a crash involving at least two vehicles in south Columbus on Monday morning.

A police dispatcher said the crash occurred just after 9:30 a.m. on westbound lanes of State Route 104 near Haul Road. At least two vehicles, a semi-truck and a Jeep, were involved in the crash.

Current Traffic Conditions

One victim was pronounced dead at the scene at 9:41 a.m. A CPD spokesperson reports no other victims were hospitalized.

All lanes are closed on SR 104 West at US-33 with no estimated time of reopening.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — This October, Columbus is going all out to celebrate the works of “Goosebumps” creator and Bexley native R.L. Stine.

Several events inspired by the legendary horror author have been conjured up around town for Experience Columbus's spooky season campaign, “Get Goosebumps in Columbus.”

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Beginning Oct. 2, a free outdoor screening of the movie “Goosebumps” starring Jack Black will take place in the Columbus Commons at 7 p.m. The family-friendly night will include giveaways and activities. Plus, there will be a special appearance by the Columbus Crew. The team will showcase its new black “Goosebumps” kit featuring bright yellow slime that glows under ultraviolet light.

• Photo Courtesy Experience Columbus
• Photo Courtesy Experience Columbus
• R.L. Stine/ Photo Courtesy Experience Columbus
• Sunset Movie Series/ Courtesy Downtown Columbus Inc.
• Columbus Crew “The Goosebumps™ Kit” by adidas/ Photo by Drew Horton, Columbus Crew
• Columbus Crew “The Goosebumps™ Kit” by adidas/ Photo by Drew Horton, Columbus Crew
• Columbus Crew “The Goosebumps™ Kit” by adidas/ Photo by Drew Horton, Columbus Crew

Local restaurants and bars will also participate in the fun with creepy decor, drinks and food items. Land-Grant Brewing Company's taproom will transform its establishment into “Nightmare on Town Street” for the month by adding cobwebs, cauldrons and other spooky embellishments. It will also offer customers green lime slushies as a salute to the occasion. More cocktails inspired by the books will be available at Budd Dairy Food Hall, Lincoln Social and Stories on High. Additionally, beginning mid-October, Law Bird in the Brewery District will serve up a special “Goosebumps”-themed menu.

• Nightmare on Town Street at Land-Grant Brewing Co./ Photo Courtesy Experience Columbus
• Halloween Cocktail at Land-Grant Brewing Co./Photo Courtesy Experience Columbus
• Lawbird Cocktail/ Photo by David Powers
• The Beast Hilton Columbus Downtown/Photo Courtesy Experience Columbus
• Homage Bar Drink/ Photo Courtesy Experience Columbus

Other businesses around central Ohio will also share in the fun. Independent bookstore, Storyline Bookshop in Upper Arlington, will host a “Goosebumps” Reading Challenge. Thrill seekers can visit ZipZone Outdoor Adventures, just north of Interstate 270, for Goosebumps and Ghouls on Oct. 24 and 25, where visitors can wear zip line-friendly costumes as they fly through the night sky. Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens will display painted pumpkins decorated as “Goosebumps” book covers and host a scavenger hunt from Oct. 22 through 26.

• Storyline Bookshop/ Photo Courtesy Experience Columbus
• Storyline Bookshop/ Photo Courtesy Experience Columbus
• ZipZone Outdoor Adventures Night Flight / Photo Courtesy Experience Columbus

The city's signature Halloween party, HighBall Halloween, will even get a “Goosebumps” glow up. The Short North arches will light up in neon green as revelers enjoy the night.

On Oct. 23, the novelist himself, R.L. Stine, will be in Columbus for an author talk at the Columbus Metropolitan Library that will include a conversation and book signing.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The national coffee chain Dutch Bros is planning to launch its first central Ohio location in northeast Columbus. 

Dutch Bros is working toward opening at 5470 N. Hamilton Road, according to a preliminary site plan filed with the City of Columbus in August. The address is in the Preserve North neighborhood, which sits just west of New Albany and north of Gahanna.

Hummingbirds leaving Ohio as they begin their migration south for winter

The proposal for the 1.9-acre property calls for a 986-square-foot building with a drive-thru, as well as a handful of parking spaces. While the preliminary plan does not specify if there will be indoor seating, a majority of the brand’s locations only offer a drive-thru and walk-up window. 

Dutch Bros' preliminary site plan. (Photo courtesy/City of Columbus)

Dutch Bros recently expanded into Ohio and has been quickly opening locations. The brand's first Ohio shop debuted near Cincinnati on Sept. 2, according to a Springfield Township news release. On Sept. 10, the brand opened another location in the Dayton area, WDTN reported. An additional coffee shop is “coming soon” to the Cincinnati suburb of Milford, according to Dutch Bros’ website. 

The first Dutch Bros to open in Ohio, located at the corner of Winton Road and Reynard Avenue in Springfield Township. (Photo courtesy/Springfield Township)

The brand was founded by brothers Dane and Travis Boersma in Oregon in 1992. While the coffee chain was originally concentrated in the western U.S., it has since expanded as far east as South Carolina. As of June, the company reported having 1,043 locations across 19 states. 

The chain’s menu boasts a variety of hot, iced and frozen coffee creations. Other menu items include matcha, energy drinks, iced tea, lemonade, smoothies, milkshakes and hot cocoa, all featuring multiple flavors. 

Dutch Bros also serves snacks, such as muffin tops in the flavors chocolate chip, lemon poppyseed and orange cranberry, as well as granola bars.

NBC4 reached out to Dutch Bros to find out when the location may open and to obtain further information, to which a spokesperson said, in part: “We're in the very early stages, so we don't have anything to share at this time.” 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio's school districts received their grades from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, which released state report cards on Monday.

This is the fourth year Ohio is releasing scores on a scale of one to five stars, rather than letter grades. A three-star rating meets state standards, a five significantly exceeds them and a one "needs significant support."

In 2021, the state passed legislature overhauling the report card system after skipping the grades for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, the state removed overall ratings, but brought them back in 2023. See previous coverage of school report cards and Columbus City Schools in the video player above.

This is the first year Ohio will rate districts' College, Career, Workforce and Military Readiness. The Department said the change showcases "Ohio's prioritization of postsecondary readiness."

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Use the search bar below to check ratings by school district:

The components include achievement, progress, gap closing, graduation, early literacy and postsecondary readiness. The overall grades weigh some components more heavily, based 25% on achievement, which considers testing performance, and 25% on progress, which addresses how an institution has grown academically from past years. Graduation, early literacy, postsecondary readiness and gap closing are each weighted at 12.5%.

Columbus City Schools received a two-star rating overall, the same score as last year. Also like last year, Columbus received a one-star rating for graduation and early literacy. Columbus' best score came from the new category, College, Career, Workforce and Military Readiness, where the district got three stars.

Also like last year, Bexley, Upper Arlington, Grandview Heights, Olentangy and New Albany-Plain all received five stars. Dublin, Hilliard, Pickerington, South Western, Westerville, Whitehall and Worthington all saw their scores decrease by half of a star.

Use the search bar below to check ratings by public school:

Use the search bar below to check ratings by community school:

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (WCMH) — A Reynoldsburg family is safe, but at least one cat is dead after a house fire early Monday morning.

According to Truro Township fire department, three adults were able to escape a house fire in the 6500 block of Furth Drive in Reynoldsburg. Columbus Fire and Whitehall Fire departments were on scene to investigate the blaze, which showed visible damage to the roof of the cape-cod style home.

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No injuries were reported, though Truro Township FD said one cat was found dead, while another has not yet been found. The cause of the fire, which was reported at around 1:30 a.m., remains under investigation.

GROVEPORT, Ohio (WCMH) -- Groveport City Council unanimously approved rezoning 295 acres of farmland into a high-density residential area.

The approval paves the way for Cleveland-based real estate company Addison Properties to build its proposed Addison Groveport development at the southeast corner of Ebright and Sims roads. The development could bring 2,000 additional residents to Groveport, a city of around 6,000. See previous coverage of the development in the video player above.

Hummingbirds leaving Ohio as they begin their migration south for winter

The development will be built on land annexed by Groveport from Madison Township in August. The area is near Anduril's new manufacturing plant, which promises to bring 4,000 new jobs, Ohio's single-largest job creation project to date. However, at the council meeting, multiple concerned residents spoke out against the Addison Groveport development, citing overcrowding concerns in local schools and the loss of local farmland.

Groveport Madison Schools serves Groveport, Madison Township and portions of Columbus, Obetz, Canal Winchester and Reynoldsburg. With around 6,200 students, the district's population is similar to all of Groveport. The district projects to increase enrollment by about 10% over the next 10 years, but levy requests to fund a larger student body have failed.

Groveport Director of Development Michael Loges presented to Groveport Madison's Board of Education the day after the city approved the development. Board members Libby Gray and Kathleen Walsh said they were "disappointed" that the city did not reach out to them before giving the approval. Gray asked if the city would contribute to additional classroom space or transportation but were told the city cannot allocate funds for that.

"If we knew this was coming down the pipeline, we could've decided to go ahead and put the bond on for new buildings anticipating this, and now that has put us in a really bad situation of being able to do that," Gray said. "Now we've lost that opportunity."

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Loges said the city does not consult with the district in its typical development approval process, although they did connect with Superintendent James Grube. Grube was then asked why he did not share details with the board and answered "no reason." Board member John Kershner said it may also be on the board to reach out to the city.

Gray said it is "more than likely" that they will need to build a new school with this development. Loges also said this development is likely the first of several.

According to the Addison Groveport development statement, the land will be used for single-family homes, townhomes, apartments and a "small commercial component." Loges said the development is "mixed-use" so the city can attract investments like data centers.

Loges said the development will happen in stages due to costs and environmental concerns. It will still need to have utility work approved, but Loges said he expects construction to begin in mid-2027. He said the full build out will likely take around 10 years.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Residents in the Columbus area and central Ohio could see or hear fighter jets flying over their homes Monday morning.

According to the 180th Fighter Wing of the Ohio Air National Guard, it will conduct tests this week in and around the Columbus area. Those in central Ohio areas of Franklin County may see the fighter jets in close proximity to a Civil Air Patrol aircraft, which will be taking on the role of a Track of Interest (TOI), or an aircraft that has been identified as a threat.

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The tests will be conducted on Monday morning, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.

The exercise flights are always subject to change if inclement weather becomes a factor.