Columbus news

• Ohio University cancels classes for Monday due to potential flooding

  23-02-2018 23:42
  
  Ohio University has canceled classes at the Athens campus for Monday due to anticipated severe weather and potential flooding.A forecast of heavy rains have resulted in a flood warning for Athens County beginning this weekend into Monday.The university says specific areas on campus may be impacted by flooding Sunday evening into Monday morning.Classes have been canceled for Monday so students who choose to leave campus may do so.The university says they will make every effort to ensure students
  
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• Union: Inmate suspected in southern Ohio attack in wrong security level

  23-02-2018 23:35
  
  An Ohio inmate suspected of repeatedly stabbing a guard was at a lower security level than required when the assault happened, according to the head of the union representing state prison guards.Prisoner Casey Pigge was supposed to be held at the highest-security level but was in a lower security area when the attacked happened at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville, said Christopher Mabe president of the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association.Pigge is suspected of stabbing c
  
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• Columbus City Schools taking action after threats

  23-02-2018 23:05
  Threats forced some central Ohio schools to shut down Friday. But Columbus City Schools remained open, with extra security.More officers were placed at several schools in response to what the district is calling a “deluge” of threats this week.Police say they're thoroughly investigating, but urge people not to share posts they see on social media, instead report them.They say students responsible will be punished through the schools and with possible criminal charges.“We are pl
  
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• Heady SciFi + Fun Comedy in Theaters this Weekend

  23-02-2018 22:58
  What a remarkable February. In what is traditionally a dumping ground month we have been gifted with not only the best superhero film in years—perhaps ever—but a heady SciFi tale from a burgeoning master of the genre. Plus a pretty decent comedy and an absorbing German import. And if that’s not your bag, you can […]
  
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• New Albany police cruiser hit by vehicle during traffic stop

  23-02-2018 22:26
  
  NEW ALBANY, Ohio - A New Albany police officer is OK after his cruiser was hit by another vehicle during a traffic stop Friday afternoon.Police said the officer was on the side of SR-161 westbound just past US-62 when a vehicle rear-ended the officer's vehicle around 3:25 p.m.The officer was out of the cruiser at the time of the crash, according to police.One person was taken to a local hospital.Police said that person had non-life-threatening injuries.
  
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• National Guard raising more floodgates in southern Ohio

  23-02-2018 22:19
  For the second time this week the Ohio National Guard has activated soldiers from the 1191st Engineering Company to respond to rising water on the Ohio River.The unit was first activated Sunday, February 18 to build two floodgates at Portsmouth's lowest elevation.On Friday the 23rd, the unit was back at it, building a wooden wall 20 feet high near downtown. Nail by nail, board by board, 40 members of the Guard worked to protect the city."I feel very confident that we will be able to stop this if
  
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• White powder on envelope received at Sen. Portman's office not hazardous

  23-02-2018 22:03
  
  COLUMBUS, Ohio - Hazmat crews with the Columbus Division of Fire are testing white powder that was on an envelope received at Senator Rob Portman's office on Friday.Crews were called to 37 West Broad Street in downtown Columbus just before 4.p.m. Friday.Battalion Chief Steve Martin said “I still do not know what the white powder was but I do know there was no hazard associated with it.”At the time of the incident, Sen. Portman was scheduled to be in Zanesville for a tour to GKM Auto
  
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• Hazmat crews testing white powder on envelope received at Sen. Portman's office

  23-02-2018 22:03
  
  COLUMBUS, Ohio - Hazmat crews with the Columbus Division of Fire are testing white powder that was on an envelope received at Senator Rob Portman's office on Friday.Crews were called to 37 West Broad Street in downtown Columbus just before 4.p.m. Friday.Battalion Chief Steve Martin said “I still do not know what the white powder was but I do know there was no hazard associated with it.”At the time of the incident, Sen. Portman was scheduled to be in Zanesville for a tour to GKM Auto
  
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• White House locked down over after vehicle strikes barrier

  23-02-2018 21:42
  
  The White House was on lockdown for about an hour Friday after a passenger vehicle struck a security barrier.The U.S. Secret Service tweeted that the vehicle "did not breach the security barrier of the White House complex." No shots were fired during the incident, the Secret Service said.The agency added that the 35-year-old female driver was "immediately apprehended" after the incident on the southeast side of the complex, near the Old Executive Office Building. The driver was identified as a r
  
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• White House locked down after vehicle strikes security barrier

  23-02-2018 21:42
  
  WASHINGTON — The White House is on lockdown after a passenger vehicle struck a security barrier.The U.S. Secret Service tweets that the vehicle "did not breach the security barrier of the White House complex." No shots were fired during the incident, the Secret Service says.The agency adds that the female driver of the vehicle was "immediately apprehended."Witnesses saw a commotion on the White House grounds as security officers responded.President Donald Trump is hosting Australian Prime
  
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• Hilliard police searching for purse thieves

  23-02-2018 21:29
  
  The Hilliard Division of Police is asking for help to identify multiple suspects accused of stealing purses from vehicles as parents dropped off their kids at day cares.Police say the suspect stole the purses on February 6 and 9 between 6:45 and 8:05 a.m. at three day cares: Primrose on Trueman Blvd, Agape on Cemetery Road and City Kids on Scioto Darby Rd.The suspects used checks out of the purses to make fraudulent deposits, stealing thousands of dollars.Police provided images from surveillance
  
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• Ex-Trump campaign aide pleads guilty in Russia probe

  23-02-2018 21:04
  
  A former top adviser to President Donald Trump's election campaign pleaded guilty Friday to federal conspiracy and false-statements charges in the special counsel's Russia investigation.The plea by Rick Gates was a strong indication that he is planning to cooperate with special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation as it continues to probe the Trump campaign, Russian election interference and Gates' longtime business associate, Paul Manafort.Gates, 45, of Richmond, Virginia, made the plea at th
  
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• Columbus man indicted for killing wife in front of their 9-year-old son

  23-02-2018 20:54
  
  The Franklin County Grand Jury has returned a three-count indictment against a man accused of killing his wife in front of their 9-year-old son.Thirty-nine-year-old Keith McCauley was charged with one count aggravated murder and two counts of murder.“There are multiple murder charges regarding the one victim death because there are different methods to commit the crime of murder and the Prosecutor’s Office typically charges all methods,” Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’B
  
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• DNA tests of old rape kits identify up to 277 suspects locally

  23-02-2018 20:48
  State testing of old rape kits that once languished at police agencies have identified up to 277 potential sexual-assault suspects in Franklin and surrounding counties. Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine released the numbers Friday as the Bureau of Criminal Investigation completed an initiative to test the rape kits to see if any yield matches with DNA profiles of criminal in the state database and identify suspects for further investigation.
  
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• Florida governor: Ban gun sales to underage and mentally ill

  23-02-2018 20:05
  
  As teachers returned Friday to a high school where a shooter killed 17 people, Florida's governor proposed banning the sale of firearms to anyone younger than 21.Gov. Rick Scott announced the proposal as part of a plan to prevent gun violence.He also called for a trained law enforcement officer for every 1,000 students at every school in Florida by the time the 2018 school year begins. Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland had one armed resource officer, who never entered the school d
  
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• Face The State with Scott Light | February 25, 2018

  23-02-2018 19:58
  This week on Face The State with Scott Light:#WestervilleStrong - Our show debates the issues surrounding the crime in Westerville that ended in the murder of two police officers.Domestic Violence - The community's eyes were opened when a call for help ended in the deaths of two police officers. Now, our panel looks at what domestic violence is, how many people it impacts, and what Ohio lawmakers are doing to strengthen protection for victims.Ohio gun laws - A comprehensive look at what laws are
  
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• New Long Street Development Grows to Eight Stories with Architectural Update

  23-02-2018 19:33
  Last September, a six-story development proposal for 230 E. Long Street was presented at a Downtown Commission Meeting by Denver-based Charles Street Investment Partners. That proposal will go in front of the Commission again next week with a new plan for a slightly taller building, and an updated look from architectural firm NBBJ. The newest version of the […]
  
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• Rain expected to push Ohio River to highest level since '97

  23-02-2018 19:25
  
  CINCINNATI — Flooding swamped more roadways and basements Friday along the Ohio River and forecasters expected the river to reach levels not seen since the region's deadly 1997 floods.The National Weather Service said the river topped 56 feet early Friday in the Cincinnati area, 4 feet above flood stage. Forecasters expect it to reach 59.4 feet by Tuesday morning. That would be the highest since 64.7 feet during 1997 floods that claimed more than two dozen lives, most of them in Kentucky.F
  
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• Police: Man dies after fist fight leads to shooting inside Grove City Walgreens

  23-02-2018 19:16
  
  GROVE CITY, Ohio – Police say a fight broke out inside a Walgreens in Grove City on Friday, leading to one man being shot and killed.It happened around 11:30 a.m. at the Walgreens located at 2110 Stringtown Road.Grove City Police identified the victim as 46-year-old David A. Wells.Police said Wells and another man got into an altercation inside the store. The unidentified man pulled out a concealed gun and shot Wells.Wells was taken to Grant Medical Center where he later died.The suspect w
  
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• Police: Fist fight leads to shooting inside Grove City Walgreens

  23-02-2018 19:16
  
  GROVE CITY, Ohio – Police say a fight broke out inside a Walgreens in Grove City on Friday, leading to one man being shot in the abdomen.It happened around 11:30 a.m at the Walgreens located at 2110 Stringtown Road.Police said two men inside the store got into an altercation. One of the men pulled out a concealed gun and shot the other.The shooting victim was taken to the hospital in an unknown condition. The other man was taken in custody of Grove City Police.There were other people insid
  
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• Music Review: Starcrawler

  23-02-2018 18:30
  Every now and then, my network of spies informs me of bands that I just have to check out — bands sitting on the cusp of greatness but still flying slightly under the radar, yet somehow tasked with carrying the great weight as the new saviors of rock and roll. The hyperbole is always strong, […]
  
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• New 15-Story Building Proposed Downtown

  23-02-2018 18:14
  A proposal will be presented to the Downtown Commission next week for the construction of a new 15-story tower at the northeast intersection of Fourth and Rich Streets. Representatives from Berardi+Partners will present the project to the Commission for conceptual review, which is set to include two stories of ground-floor retail, five levels of structured […]
  
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• Report: FBI probe docs list range of payments to top players

  23-02-2018 18:11
  
  NEW YORK — Bank records and other expense reports that are part of a federal probe into college basketball list a wide range of impermissible payments from agents to at least two dozen players or their relatives, according to documents obtained by Yahoo Sports.Yahoo said Friday that the documents obtained in discovery during the investigation link current players including Michigan State's Miles Bridges, Duke's Wendell Carter and Alabama's Collin Sexton to potential benefits that would be
  
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• Forecast: Rounds of rain; much warmer today

  23-02-2018 17:42
  This Afternoon: Scattered showers, warmer.High 62.Winds: SSW 5-10 mph.
  Tonight: Cloudy with more rain developing late.Low 46.Winds: N 4-8 mph.
  Tomorrow: Off and on showers continue, steady rain at times.High 55.Winds: ENE 5-10 mph.
  Sunday: Rain moves out early.Clearing in the afternoon, breezy.High 59 (early).Winds: W 10-20 mph.Weather Resources: Interactive Radar | Weather Warnings | Live Radar | School closings, delaysSpecial Information: The bulk of the rain arrived earlier today but we&rsquo
  
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• State of Columbus Neighborhood Conversation #4: Diversity & Inclusion and Women's Commission

  23-02-2018 17:36 via youtube.com
  
  
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• Pres. Trump calls for arming many teachers, more guards at schools

  23-02-2018 17:21
  WASHINGTON — Urging the arming of many teachers and school security guards, President Donald Trump said Friday the armed officer who didn't stop the gunman who carried out last week's Florida massacre was either a "coward" or "didn't react properly under pressure."Departing the White House for the Conservative Political Action Conference, Trump told reporters that "when it came time to get in there and do something," Florida deputy Scot Peterson "didn't have the courage or something happen
  
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• Pres. Trump says he goes to great lengths to hide his bald spot

  23-02-2018 17:08
  
  WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump says he goes to great lengths to hide the bald spot revealed in a recent photo.Speaking before the Conservative Political Action Conference Friday, Trump turned around onstage and smoothed the back of his famous hair.He said, "I try like hell to hide that bald spot, folks." The crowd cheered as Trump glanced at a monitor and added, "Doesn't look bad. Hey, we're hanging in."During the 2016 campaign, Trump let a woman tug the hair on top of his head to pro
  
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• Jury selection underway for man accused of killing Ohio State student Reagan Tokes

  23-02-2018 16:43
  
  COLUMBUS (WBNS) -- Jury selection began Friday morning for the capital murder trial of Brian Golsby, the man charged with the 2017 rape, kidnapping and murder of Ohio State University student Reagan Tokes.Golsby appeared in court around 9 a.m. Friday morning wearing street clothes as part of a directive from Judge Mark Serrott. Shackles around his ankles have been taped to reduce any potential noise that prospective jurors might hear.Defense attorneys for Golsby have been concerned about pre-tri
  
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• Several central Ohio schools cancel classes, increase police presence amid threats

  23-02-2018 16:09
  
  Multiple school districts in central Ohio canceled classes Friday after reported threats. Other schools remained open but have increased police presence.This comes in the wake of shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida that left 17 people dead. Most of the threats to central Ohio schools took place over social media and several referenced shootings.Since Monday, there have been at least 13 threats to schools or districts in the area.Four districts closed at least one of their
  
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• Newark auction house hopes to revive interest in early Columbus circus performer

  23-02-2018 15:59
  In the early 1900s, Columbus native Conn Baker was thrilling circus audiences at home and abroad with his death-defying "loop-the-loop" bicycle act. As one poster from the time put it, Baker would "skirt the borderland of eternity" and shoot "dice with death."
  
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• Report of juvenile with gun near Westerville schools prompts lockdowns; 1 in custody

  23-02-2018 15:48
  
  WESTERVILLE, Ohio -- Westerville South High School was placed on lockdown Friday due to a police situation.According to the district, Westerville South is locked down while Blendon Middle School, Pointview Elementary and the Academic Enrichment Center are all locked out -- which means the district is closely monitoring who enters and leaves the building.According to dispatchers, it was reported that there was a juvenile with a gun in the area. Police say a Westerville South High School student i
  
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• 13 captive California siblings learning about everything from iPads to toothbrushes

  23-02-2018 15:13
  
  The California parents accused of torturing and starving their 13 children will be in court Friday for a procedural hearing. For the first time, lawyers representing their seven adult children are revealing how their recovery is going, and what their dreams are for the future.The children were rescued from a home in Perris, California, nearly six weeks ago. A source tells CBS News the younger six are split between two foster homes. The seven adult siblings are in a nearby medical center, where t
  
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• 13 captive California siblings leaning about everything from iPads to toothbrushes

  23-02-2018 15:13
  
  The California parents accused of torturing and starving their 13 children will be in court Friday for a procedural hearing. For the first time, lawyers representing their seven adult children are revealing how their recovery is going, and what their dreams are for the future.The children were rescued from a home in Perris, California, nearly six weeks ago. A source tells CBS News the younger six are split between two foster homes. The seven adult siblings are in a nearby medical center, where t
  
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• In The Forefront: Up-and-coming Artists

  23-02-2018 15:07
  In the Forefront: Ohio Craft Museum is now displaying contemporary works by 25 up-and-coming Ohio artists. Check it out in person or view the online gallery. Connect with Ohio Craft Museum in The Giving Store. The Columbus Foundation is working to capture The Spirit of Columbus through images that showcase the determination, dedication, and commitment of people […]
  
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• The Graham School shuttered due to threat against school

  23-02-2018 13:35
  
  COLUMBUS -- The Graham School will be closed on Friday due to a threat at the school.School officials would not release hot the threat came to the school, but a release on Facebook said there were threats made to the safety of the students and staff.The school plans to resume classes Monday.
  
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• Lakewood Local Schools closed Friday as precaution after students arrested

  23-02-2018 12:43
  
  Lakewood Local School District closed on Friday as a precautionary measure.Lakewood Superintendent Mary Kay Andrews confirmed the closure and said information would be passed on as it was obtained.According to Licking County Sheriff Randy Thorp, an investigation took place Thursday involving three students who made specific threats. The office also is investigating a snapchat message that was more general in nature that said there may be a shooting at the school.A facebook post from the district
  
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• Kylie Jenner: Snapchat is "so sad"

  23-02-2018 12:29
  
  Kylie Jenner just used Twitter (TWTR) to wipe $1.3 billion off the market value of Snapchat-parent Snap (SNAP).The social media company's shares fell as much as 7,2 percent Thursday after the reality TV star posted a tweet to her 24.5 million followers effectively declaring Snapchat over. "[S]ooo does anyone else not open Snapchat anymore? Or is it just me... ugh this is so sad," she wrote.sooo does anyone else not open Snapchat anymore? Or is it just me... ugh this is so sad.— Kylie Jenne
  
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• Ivanka Trump receives red-carpet welcome for Olympic visit

  23-02-2018 12:21
  
  Ivanka Trump received a red-carpet welcome in South Korea on Friday as head of the U.S. delegation to this weekend's closing ceremony for the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.The daughter of President Donald Trump made a brief statement, broadcast live on TV, at the airport before heading to a dinner with President Moon Jae-in in the presidential compound in Seoul.A high-level North Korean delegation will also attend the closing ceremony, but the South Korean government said it's unlikely that Iva
  
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• Proposed bill targets solicitation to help curb opioid epidemic

  23-02-2018 12:15
  
  COLUMBUS, Ohio — A bipartisan bill intended to help curb the state's opioid epidemic by increasing penalties for soliciting prostitutes has been introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives.Democratic Rep. Adam Miller and Republican Rep. Jim Hughes introduced the bill that would increase the penalty for solicitation from a third-degree to a first-degree misdemeanor. Potential jail time would increase from 60 to 180 days.The Columbus Dispatch reports Democrat Sen. Enda Brown and Republic
  
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• Car fleeing police strikes, badly injures 14-year-old boy

  23-02-2018 12:14
  
  CLEVELAND (AP) — Police say a car fleeing officers struck and seriously injured a teen in Cleveland.East Cleveland Sgt. Scott Gardner says officers tried to pull over the car around 9:45 p.m. Thursday after a license plate check revealed the vehicle was stolen.The driver refused to stop, and Gardner says police pursued the vehicle for a short time before calling off the chase.The car continued and struck a 14-year-old boy. Garnder says the car didn't stop after the collision.The teen has b
  
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• Memorial to fallen Westerville officers removed from City Hall

  23-02-2018 11:55
  
  WESTERVILLE, Ohio- A memorial to honor the fallen has been taken down. Volunteers helped remove the many touching tributes left on Westerville Police Officer Anthony Morelli's police cruiser outside Westerville City Hall courtyard.The memorial honored Officers Morelli and Eric Joering. They were shot and killed while responding to a 911 hangup call on Feb. 10."It has been hard. I just never thought it would happen in Westerville," Al Kolp, who worked with the officers before he retired, said. "I
  
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• Columbus is welcoming, but has gender pay and rising homeless issues, panelists say

  23-02-2018 11:18
  That was the picture presented by panelists at Mayor Andrew J. Ginther's fourth State of Columbus Neighborhood Conversations Thursday evening at The Kings Arts Complex on the Near East Side. About 150 people attended the latest installment of his community meetings replacing the traditional annual state of the city address.  The topics Thursday were diversity and inclusion and the Columbus Women's Commission.
  
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• Forecast: Mild with more rain on Friday

  23-02-2018 11:12
  Today: More steady rain in the morning with lingering afternoon showers.High 62.Winds: SSW 5-10 mph.
  Tonight: Cloudy with more rain developing late.Low 46.Winds: N 4-8 mph.
  Tomorrow: Off and on showers continue, steady rain at times.High 55.Winds: ENE 5-10 mph.
  Sunday: Rain moves out early.Clearing in the afternoon, breezy.High 59 (early).Winds: W 10-20 mph.Weather Resources: Interactive Radar | Weather Warnings | Live Radar | School closings, delaysSpecial Information: More rain is rolling in t
  
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• Florida man sentenced to 60 years in drunk-driving crash that killed 4 from central Ohio

  23-02-2018 06:49
  A Florida man was convicted and received a 60-year prison sentence Thursday for driving drunk and causing a crash that killed four softball players from a central Ohio softball team in September 2016. Cody Austin Shirah, 22, was convicted by a jury after a trial in Bay County Circuit Court in Panama City, Fla.
  
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• Greater police presence Friday at Columbus City Schools

  23-02-2018 06:05
  
  COLUMBUS, Ohio – Columbus City Schools will be open on Friday but there will be a greater police presence while there are reports of threats to schools on social media.Columbus police said in a statement on Facebook, “Columbus Police and Columbus City Schools are aware of several social media posts making threats against schools within the District. We investigate all threats and take them seriously. Parents, students, and followers should be reassured that their students will be saf
  
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• Logan-Hocking School District closed Friday because of threat

  23-02-2018 05:20
  
  HOCKING COUNTY, Ohio - The Logan-Hocking School District is closed on Friday after the district was made aware of a threat.The district says a threat was made against “LHS” but they are not sure which school that may be referencing so they closed out of precaution.A spokesperson said all schools in the district are closed Friday.
  
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• Forecast: Rain returns, warmer on Friday

  23-02-2018 04:43
  Overnight: Rain developing.Mild. Low 41(Early).Winds: E 5-8 mph.
  Tomorrow: Scattered showers, few rumbles of thunder.Warmer. High 62. Winds: SW 8-12 mph.
  Saturday: Occasional showers, heavy at times.High 58.Winds: NE 4-8 mph.
  Sunday: Rain early, clearing skies. Warm.High 60.Weather Resources: Interactive Radar | Weather Warnings | Live Radar | School closings, delaysSpecial Information: We’ve managed to stay dry for the second half of the day but more rain is on the way! Patchy drizzle wil
  
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• In honor of Rev. Billy Graham -

  23-02-2018 04:35
  "Billy Graham is dead." Those were the words that hit me in the face like slabs of electric guitar chords early Wednesday morning.
  
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• Lancaster High School closed on Friday due to student receiving threatening message

  23-02-2018 04:30
  LANCASTER, Ohio – Lancaster High School is closed on Friday due to a student receiving a threatening message from an unknown caller, according to the school district.Lancaster City Schools said all other schools in the district will be on their normal schedule but there will be more law enforcement officers present.The Lancaster Police Department is investigating.
  
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• Coshocton County Sheriff’s Office searching for ‘dangerous, wanted’ man

  23-02-2018 04:08
  
  Authorities in Coshocton County are searching for a wanted man who is described as dangerous.The sheriff’s office received information of a pursuit entering the country around 2:30 p.m. involving the US Marshal’s Office in Guernsey County.The pursuit ended just across the county line. Forty-one-year-old Stacie Bradford was taken into custody at the scene.The driver of the vehicle, 42-year-old William Hartman, fled on foot into a large wooded area. Multiple agencies have not been able
  
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