Latest news with #WCMH
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Progress made one year since SAFER program launched in Worthington
WORTHINGTON, Ohio (WCMH) — It's been one year since Worthington's Division of Fire and EMS started a new program called SAFER. It stands for Social Assistance for Emergency Reduction. A small number of residents can often represent a large number of repeated emergency calls. The department said many of those calls could be prevented if residents got connected to needed services. 'So it was pretty obvious that a social worker would be a good link where the social worker could link the resident or the patient with the resources that are out there that we don't know about,' Assistant Chief of EMS and Community Risk Reduction in Worthington Jennifer Cochran said. That human link is Nate Hall, who specializes in connecting at-risk residents with community resources at no cost. Five-story apartment building nears construction in Franklinton 'We'll go out a lot of times after EMS or police interactions and speak with residents, kind of find out what the emergency is, what's going on, and how we can help and prevent future emergencies,' Hall said. He said one of the most common calls the department receives is for falls. Previously, crews could only help that person up and offer a ride to the hospital. Now, Hall is there to do follow-ups and prevent these emergencies from happening again. 'We can go out and look at ways to keep their home safe. Things like grab bars, medical equipment, and bringing in resources. We can get ERS devices, the buttons they press if they fall,' he said. Cochran said after a year of the program, it is already paying off. 'Connecting them to those resources naturally decreased the 911 calls,' she said. Hall typically does visits following 911 calls but he said you can also contact the program at safer@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Five-story apartment building nears construction in Franklinton
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A vacant Columbus lot down the street from the Gravity development in Franklinton may soon be home to a new five-story apartment building. Grateful Development Partners, a central Ohio-based development company, is advancing plans to build a mixed-use residential building at 550 W. Broad St. in Franklinton. Once completed, the complex will house 64 apartments on the top four floors, and a ground floor retail alongside a 42-space parking garage. How a small town was revamped into 'Ohio's most loveable downtown' 'We are committed to addressing the affordable housing crisis by creating both accessible and desirable projects,' Grateful states on its site. 'We specialize in developing mixed-use properties that blend residential, commercial, and recreational spaces in a way that enhances the quality of life for our neighborhoods.' Chris Gump, partner at Grateful, confirmed to NBC4 the company is hoping to begin construction by end of the summer. The development company's project was reviewed one last time by the East Franklinton Review Board on May 28, which approved the landscaping and lighting proposed for the complex. The five-story building was first presented in May last year to the review board, who applauded the proposal and said it 'enhances the area's urban character.' Grateful returned to the review board in July and then again in August for the building's approval. More than 400,000 Ohioans see driver's license suspensions lifted under new law Before construction can begin on the new structure, crews will need to demolish a one-story building that has long sat vacant on the property. The site is just a block away from Gravity, a sprawling residential complex that recently sold several buildings part of its second phase for a combined $78 million. Since then, these former Gravity properties have been rebranded to 'Horizon West' and are now under the management of a Columbus-based investment firm named Coastal Ridge Real Estate. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Site of chemical leak offering compensation, set to reopen
MCARTHUR, Ohio (WCMH) – An explosives plant that was the scene of a chemical leak last week could resume production as early as Monday. In a letter sent to the residents of Zaleski, a small Vinton County village located about three miles from the plant, Austin Power said it has completed 'comprehensive inspections and safety evaluations,' and that it expected to resume operations this week, possibly Monday. Watch a previous report on the leak in the video player above. Tips sought in 2019 fatal shooting of man found in car 'This will only occur once we receive final clearance from the appropriate regulatory agencies and are fully confident in the safety of the site for both our employees and the surrounding community,' the letter reads. The company is also offering compensation for those who incurred costs due to the June 11 evacuation. 'If you incurred expenses due to the evacuation – such as hotel stays, gas, or other reasonable costs – we want to make that right,' the letter reads. Those who want to file a claim can reach out to the company by calling 216-839-5469 or email claims@ The plant, located in McArthur, Ohio, experienced a nitrogen oxide (NO) leak on Wednesday at its Red Diamond Plant when a chemical reaction inside a nitric acid storage tank 'led to the venting of nitrogen oxide gas,' the letter reads. Five-story apartment building nears construction in Franklinton 'While the nitric acid remained fully contained, we fully recognize the seriousness of what occurred and the inconvenience it caused our neighbors,' the letter reads. There were no injuries reported to plant employees or to residents, and the water and air in the surrounding area were safe to use. Symptoms from exposure to nitrogen oxide include skin, eye, and throat irritation. Some drowsiness is possible, according to officials. The evacuation lasted for approximately six hours, being lifted at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Tommy Boy Fest in Sandusky, Ohio, honors iconic buddy comedy According to the Red Diamond facility's website, it manufactures materials for blast powder and dynamite. According to federal records, the Red Diamond facility was previously fined for numerous Clean Water Act violations and was also the site of a 2009 deadly explosion. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Abstinence, patriotism and monogamy all required curriculum under new Ohio bill
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohio lawmakers proposed a bill that would require public schools to teach character education, including abstinence, patriotism and respect for religious faith. House Bill 269 would require public schools to teach grades 7-12 about a success sequence for a good life, including 15 distinct morals like punctuality and respect for authority. Under the bill, dubbed the THRIVE Act, districts could also invite religious and political groups to provide after-school instruction about morality. State, federal cannabis changes threaten Ohio festival's future 'The model curriculum shall consist of the value of finishing high school, working full-time, getting married before having children and instruction in the following character traits and fundamental values deeply rooted in the history and tradition of the United States,' the bill reads. The bill is co-sponsored by Reps. Kevin Ritter (R-Marietta) and Jonathan Newman (R-Troy). Ritter said the idea came after speaking with employers and colleges about a lack of soft skills in applicants, like interpersonal skills or emotional intelligence. 'When you talk about 'soft skills,' you are really talking about virtue,' Ritter said. 'Representative Newman and I thought it was important to bring attention to these long-time American values by reintroducing them to our schools in an intentional way.' The bill lists these 15 virtues as required education: Trustworthiness, including honesty, reliability, punctuality and loyalty Responsibility, including hard work, accountability, diligence, good judgment, perseverance and self-control Care for family, including parents, siblings, and future spouses and children Kindness and generosity toward others Respect and care for human life Respect for parental authority Respect for parents' obligations to children Respect for the property of other people Respect for legitimate authority and law Respect for patriotism, service to the community and concern for the common good Respect for religious faith, morality, wisdom and knowledge Respect for lifelong marriage, sexual fidelity within marriage and sexual abstinence outside of marriage Gratitude Charity Courage The bill would also require districts to teach the success sequence: graduating high school, getting a job and getting married before having children. 'Of course, this isn't the only pathway to a happy life,' Ritter said via email. 'Many people raised by single parents are successful. But the data shows that following this formula is the EASIEST way to be successful.' Fire engine shortage felt nationwide, not just Columbus The same sequence was introduced as possible required curriculum in the Senate earlier this year, although it has not advanced out of committee. As part of the character education program, school districts would be allowed to invite partisan groups into district instructional buildings after school for optional instruction. With parent consent, these programs would expand on the success sequence or character education through a philosophical, historical, traditional or religious lens. Under H.B. 269, districts could deny groups if the subject matter is not relevant, but they cannot otherwise exclude groups because of their viewpoints, including religious or political groups. Newman said this would be optional at no extra cost for school districts, adding that 'reinforcement is key.' Some of the character traits are already included in Ohio's learning standards. Ohio's sexual education standards emphasize abstinence, and the state's social emotional learning standards include things like responsibility and respect. Columbus social media influencer pleads guilty to $20 million Ponzi scheme When asked how some of the skills, like abstinence or fidelity, relate to building stronger interpersonal skills, Ritter reiterated that the bill does not outline the only path to success, just a strong one. Ritter said the bill is 'pro-public-school' and 'pro-teacher' in introducing concepts and skills that allow students to prosper. The bill had its first hearing in the House Education Committee on June 3 but does not have a second hearing scheduled at the time of publication. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Some local police departments opt to charge for body camera video in light of new law
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The Whitehall and Grove City police departments have opted to charge for body camera video in light of a recently implemented law, as multiple other central Ohio agencies consider doing the same. In January, Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 315 into law, which permits government agencies to charge the public and news media the 'estimated cost' of processing videos for public records requests before releasing them. This could include video from body cameras, dash cameras and surveillance footage from jails. Abstinence, patriotism and monogamy all required curriculum under new Ohio bill The statute officially took effect in April, allowing departments to charge up to $75 per hour of video, with fees capped at $750 per request. Before the law went into effect, the Ohio Revised Code allowed agencies to charge for public records, but only nominal fees associated with copying the content onto items such as paper or a flash drive, not labor costs. NBC4 reached out to central Ohio law enforcement agencies, asking if they have changed their public records request policies given the law's implementation. Whitehall has opted to charge the full amount as allowed by the law for body camera video – $75 per hour, or $1.25 per minute, with a cap of $750. The policy states that certain requests by victims or their representatives may be exempt from fees. 'Fees are necessary to cover the costs associated with reviewing, redacting, processing, storing, and distributing public record requests,' the policy states. Site of chemical leak offering compensation, set to reopen The Grove City Police Department has also chosen to charge for police video, with its policy asserting the amount charged will be based on the hourly rates of employees involved in producing the record, but costs will not exceed $75 per hour of footage or $750 overall. For records of certain 'critical incidents,' the police chief may choose to produce the video at no cost to the requester to ensure public transparency, the policy states. The chief of the Blendon Township Police Department, John Belford, said his agency has submitted a draft of a policy to its township attorney for review. Belford said he is recommending the department charge for body camera video, as the footage often requires 'extensive review and redaction.' 'The time that is spent by our administrative staff redacting and producing copies of releasable video has a substantial impact on our staff workload and time management,' he said. The Columbus Division of Police said it has not completed its policy and declined to share if the department plans to charge for video or not. The Hilliard Division of Police stated it is continuing to review the new law. The Pickerington Police Department said it had not yet changed its policy but will consider charging for body camera video under the new law during its budgeting process for 2026, which will likely begin in September. Both the Gahanna and Dublin police departments said they have not made any changes to their policies at this time. Progress made one year since SAFER program launched in Worthington The Delaware County Sheriff's Office stated it is still working on determining its policy. A spokesperson said the department is currently working on a 'significant backlog' of requests, and that it will not charge for those since they were received prior to the new law taking effect. Since the statute says law enforcement agencies may adopt a change to their policy, there is no deadline for them to make a decision, Capital University law professor Susan Gilles previously told NBC4. Multiple departments said they have become overwhelmed with video requests, specifically from people who request body camera content to post online, and that charging will help them manage their records department. DeWine previously stated the intention of the law is to help law enforcement officials cover the administrative costs associated with editing video. Police departments often have to redact the voices or faces of uncharged suspects or victims whose identities are protected under the law. Five-story apartment building nears construction in Franklinton However, the new statute has drawn criticism and concerns about police transparency. Families with loved ones who were killed by police held a news conference shortly after the bill was signed into law. Shawna Barnett, the sister of Andre Hill, who was fatally shot by a former Columbus police officer in 2020, said that the law damages public trust. Gilles also told NBC4 earlier this year that the legislation was not 'well thought through' and would make public records less accessible. DeWine said in a January news release that if the policy has 'unforeseen consequences,' he will work with the legislature to amend the language. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
