Ohio
Drone sightings lead to airspace shutdown at Ohio Air Force base, arrests near Boston airport
BOSTON (AP) — More suspected drone sightings in the eastern U.S. led to a temporary airspace shutdown at an Air Force base in Ohio and arrests near Boston’s Logan International Airport, as elected officials increased their push for action to identify and stop the mysterious unmanned flights.
Drones flying around Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, forced base officials to close the airspace for about four hours late Friday into early Saturday, said Robert Purtiman, a base spokesperson.
READ MORE: Schumer calls on U.S. agencies to use advanced technology to identify mysterious drones
It is the first time drones have been spotted at the base, one of the largest in the world, and no sightings have been reported since early Saturday, Purtiman said Monday. He would not say how many drones were flying in the area, adding that they ranged in size and that they did not impact any base facilities.
In Boston, city police arrested two men accused of operating a drone “dangerously close” to Logan Airport on Saturday night. Authorities said an officer using drone monitoring technology detected the aircraft and the location of the operators. A third man who fled police remains at large. Authorities said the two men face trespassing charges, and could face more charges and fines.
Boston police urged drone operators to adhere to federal safety guidelines.
“Even small drones pose significant risks, including the potential for catastrophic damage to airplanes and helicopters. Near-collisions can cause pilots to veer off course, putting lives and property at risk,” police said in social media posts.
National security officials have said the drones recently spotted in the eastern part of the country don’t appear to be signs of foreign interference or a public safety threat. But because they can’t say with certainty who is responsible for the sudden swarms of drones — or how they can be stopped — leaders of both political parties are demanding better technology and powers to deal with the drones.
“There’s a lot of us who are pretty frustrated right now,” Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said on “Fox News Sunday,” as drone sightings were being reported in his state. “‘We don’t know’ is not a good enough answer.”
Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer on Sunday called for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to deploy better drone-tracking technology to New York and New Jersey to identify the drones and their operators. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said federal officials had agreed to send a drone detection system to the state.
“New Yorkers have tremendous questions about it,” Schumer, the Senate majority leader, told reporters of the drone sightings. “We are going to get the answers for them.”
READ MORE: What we know about the mysterious drones flying over New Jersey
The federal government did little to answer those questions in its own media briefings over the weekend. “There’s no question that people are seeing drones,” U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos on Sunday. “But I want to assure the American public that we are on it. We are working in close coordination with state and local authorities.”
Some of the drones reported above parts of New York and New Jersey have turned out to be “manned aircraft that are commonly mistaken for drones,” Mayorkas said. “We know of no foreign involvement with respect to the sightings in the Northeast. And we are vigilant in investigating this matter.”
New Jersey Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy posted on X Sunday night that he had been out looking for drones with state police in West Trenton, New Jersey. “The public deserves clear answers — we will keep pushing the federal government for more information and resources,” he said, adding that the FBI had briefed him about the sightings in Colts Neck, New Jersey.
Federal aviation authorities have required certain drones to broadcast their remote identification since last year, including the location of their operators. It’s not clear whether that information has been used to determine who is behind the drones plaguing locations over New York and New Jersey. Mayorkas’ office didn’t respond to questions about whether they’ve been able to identify drones using this capability.
Dozens of mysterious nighttime flights started last month over parts of New Jersey, raising concerns among residents and officials. Part of the worry stems from the flying objects initially being spotted near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility, and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster.
“It didn’t concern me at first,” said Trisha Bushey, of Clinton Township, New Jersey, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) south of the Picatinny Arsenal. “I just didn’t think anything of it until it started becoming like every night, the same time, same places.”
Bushey said she thought it was military drills at first, but then officials said the military wasn’t involved.
“And then once they came out and said that they’re not and they don’t know what they are and they’re not foreign, but they’re not ours and they don’t pose a threat, that’s when it becomes concerning,” she told The Associated Press.
Drones are now being reported all along the northeastern U.S.
Some U.S. political leaders, including Trump, have called for much stronger action against the drones, including shooting them down.
Certain agencies within the Department of Homeland Security have the power to “incapacitate” drones, Mayorkas said Sunday. “But we need those authorities expanded,” he said.
Collins reported from Hartford, Connecticut. Associated Press writers John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio, Mike Catalini in Trenton, New Jersey, and Joseph B. Frederick in New York City contributed to this report.
Ohio
UC Bearcats baseball playing Ohio State, Vanderbilt in Nashville in 2027
UC Bearcats coach Jordan Bischel, Nathan Taylor, Derrick Pitts/NCAA
UC Bearcats coach Jordan Bischel, Nathan Taylor, Derrick Pitts/NCAA baseball tournament in Starkville
Another non-conference weekend has been announced for the University of Cincinnati baseball team, as it will participate in the 2027 Nashville College Baseball Series at First Horizon Park March 5-7, 2027.
The rest of the field includes Ohio State, Vanderbilt and Virginia Tech.
The UC Bearcats and Ohio State Buckeyes have met 99 times previously, with the last meeting coming in head coach Jordan Bischel’s first season in 2024. The Bearcats and Commodores have met 13 times, with the last meeting taking place in 2004. Next year’s game will also mark the 53rd all-time meeting between Cincinnati and Virginia Tech. The two teams met annually from 1979 to 1991 as Metro Conference foes.
Earlier in the week, it was announced that UC would face Georgia Tech, Illinois, and Tennessee at the 2027 Live Like Lou Jax College Baseball Classic in Jacksonville, Florida.
More on College Baseball Series, First Horizon Park
.The College Baseball Series is a premier collection of early-season Division I college baseball tournaments.
First Horizon Park opened in 2015 and is the home to the Nashville Sounds, the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. The stadium is located in the Germantown neighborhood just north of downtown Nashville. Elements that make First Horizon Park one of the best venues in Minor League Baseball include a spacious 360-degree walkable concourse for an enhanced viewing experience; unique group outing spaces; an expansive suite level; LED ribbon boards; a nine-hole miniature golf course; and of course, the iconic guitar scoreboard.
UC Bearcats outfielder Derrick Pitts Invited to USA Baseball Collegiate National Team Training Camp
UC outfielder Derrick Pitts has been invited to the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team Training Camp. Pitts is one of just four Big 12 players to receive an invite and one of 53 players total invited to camp.
Should Pitts make the team, he would be the first Cincinnati player ever to represent the program on the squad.
The St. Louis native appeared in 58 games in 2026 and hit .329 with six home runs, 42 RBI, 12 doubles, and 49 runs scored while swiping 17 bases.
Pitts appeared on ESPN’s SportsCenter Top 10 Plays twice this season and his infectious energy captured the attention of ESPN’s broadcast crew during UC’s NCAA Tournament games in Starkville.
Shortly after the end of the season, Pitts announced his intentions to return to UC for his junior season in 2027, along with All-Americans Quinton Coats and Enzo Infelise.
USA Baseball Collegiate National Team schedule
The summer schedule will kick off with three days of exhibition doubleheaders for a combined six games between June 27-29 in Burlington and Cary, North Carolina, and Danville, Virginia. Following the three days of exhibition games, the annual Stars vs. Stripes series will begin June 30 at Segra Stadium in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The next three games will be held at the National Training Complex in Cary from July 1-3, and the series will return to Segra Stadium July 4 for the finale.
The Collegiate National Team, which will be named on July 5 following the conclusion of Training Camp, will then compete in the inaugural World Collegiate Baseball Championship at Taichung City Intercontinental Baseball Stadium in Taichung City, Taiwan, from July 11-15.
Rack up more honors for UC Bearcats Quinton Coats, Enzo Infelise
The postseason accolades keep coming for UC as Quinton Coats and Enzo Infelise both earned more All-America accolades on Thursday, June 25.
Coats was named a Third Team All-American by D1Baseball and Infelise was placed on Baseball America’s Freshman All-America squad.
It’s yet another All-America honor for Coats, who has now received the accolade from six outlets: ABCA/Rawlings, Baseball America, College Baseball Foundation, D1Baseball, NCBWA, and Perfect Game.
In addition, Coats was also named the NCBWA District 5 Player of the Year and earned All-Region honors from ABCA/Rawlings as well. The Olathe, Kansas native turned in one of the best offensive seasons ever by a Bearcat, setting single-season school records in home runs (28) and total bases (183) while tying the single-season RBI record (79). Coats hit .339 and slugged .738 and ended his season ranking among the Top 10 nationally in home runs, total bases, and RBI.
For Infelise, it’s his third Freshman All-America honor after also earning recognition from the NCBWA and Perfect Game. He led the Bearcats with a .374 batting average, hitting 10 home runs while adding 48 RBI, 10 doubles, and 38 runs scored. Infelise collected 85 hits in his first college season, the most among all freshmen in the country as of the end of UC’s season. That figure also ranks tied for seventh in a season in school history and is the most hits by a Bearcat since Lance Durham’s record-setting 99-hit season in 2009.
Infelise was named the Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year and earned first-team all-conference honors last month.
Ohio
Prevent Blindness Ohio warns of firework dangers ahead of July 4 celebrations
COLUMBUS, Ohio — It’s almost America’s 250th birthday, and many Ohioans may already be planning their celebrations.
Many of those celebrations may include the use of fireworks. Prevent Blindness Ohio is warning about the potential dangers associated with the colorful explosives in light of its sixth annual Fireworks Safety Week, which runs from June 28 through July 4.
In a press release, the organization cites the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in noting that there were 15 fireworks-related deaths and 13,000 injuries reported in 2025.
Most of the injuries were to hands and fingers, followed by the head, face and ears, with burns being the most common of all the injuries.
“The American Academy of Ophthalmology states that in the most severe eye injury cases, firework accidents can rupture the globe of the eye, cause chemical and thermal burns, corneal abrasions and retinal detachment — all of which can cause permanent eye damage and vision loss,” the release reads. “Fireworks-related eye injuries can combine blunt force trauma, heat burns and chemical exposure.”
The organization said it supports a ban on fireworks for all except licensed operators during public displays.
“We are thrilled to celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary. We urge all Americans to celebrate safely by avoiding consumer fireworks,” said Amy Pulles, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness Ohio. “Accidents happen even during firework displays conducted by licensed professionals, so please use caution when attending those as well.”
For those who decide to use fireworks during their celebrations this year, the National Safety Council has the following safety tips:
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“Never allow young children to handle fireworks
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Older children should use them only under close adult supervision
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Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol
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Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear
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Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands
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Never light them indoors
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Only use them away from people, houses and flammable material
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Never point or throw fireworks at another person
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Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting
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Never ignite devices in a container
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Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks
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Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding
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Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in case of fire
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Never use illegal fireworks”
Unless prohibited by local laws, Ohioans can discharge legal fireworks from 4 to 11 p.m. on July 3, 4 and 5, as well as the weekends before and after.
For more information on firework rules in Ohio, click here.
Interested in finding a Fourth of July fireworks show near you? Check out our list here.
Ohio
Property transfers in Marion County, sales range from $40K to $415K
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These real estate transactions were recorded in Marion County between June 12 and June 17.
City of Marion
336 Silver St., Marion; Jeffery A. Hallie to Cassidy Manley and Jamal Tyre Manley; $100,000.
597 E. George St., Marion; Robert E. Edens Jr. and Kristin Edens to Clifford D. Hall and Judith K. Hall; $100,000.
395 Park St., Marion; Robin Hirsch to Christian Jaimes Mejia; $165,500.
1007 Fariwood Avenue, Marion; Sherry D. Smith, Jerry L. Winget and Vickie L. Pinyerd to Tami S. McCarty; $149,900.
302 Silver St., Marion; Heaven M. Daniel to US Bank National Association; $44,100.
358 Nye St., Marion; Trever Rinehart to Daniel Murfield and Athena Murfield; $199,000.
538 Cherry St., Marion; Marry On LLC to Tylere Shuster; $150,000.
618 Irey Avenue, Marion; Keith A. Radebaugh to Brittany Marie Crampton; $125,000.
1138 Independence Avenue, Marion; Marion County General Surgery LLC to Independence Avenue Medical LLC; $215,000.
1950 Linda St., Marion; Ralph W. Smith Jr. and Betty J. Smith to Dawn Comer; $116,000.
555 Avondale Avenue, Marion; Angela R. Rivers to Prospect Endeavors LLC; $75,000.
523 Mary St., Marion; Frank Hoffman and Robin Hoffman to Crystal A. Bonsel and John H. Thacker; $175,000.
436 Thompson St., Marion; Shovel City Investment LLC to Duel Patrick Davidson; $47,500.
661 Adams St., Marion; Hideaway Properties 4 LLC to Crystal Lynn Hall; $85,200.
288 Chicago Avenue, Marion; Jeffrey L. Young and Kimberly M. Young to OpenDoor Property Trust; $179,900.
691 Bennett St., Marion; Steven Higgins, Larry Higgins Jr. and Shawn Patrick Higgins to Kyle R. White; $200,000.
Richland Township
5544 Tittlebaugh Road, Marion; John E. Morgan, Rebecca Sue Morgan, Bridget Corcoran and Patrick Corcoran to John E. Morgan and Rebecca Sue Morgan; $87,340.
Pleasant Township
2.345 acres on Gooding Road, Marion; 533 Farm Holdings LLC to Thomas Savage and Lissa Savage; $250,000.
4714 Larue Prospect Road S., Prospect; Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance to Allyson Fitch and Brandon Fitch; $260,000.
1552 Marion County Club Drive, Marion; WY Corp II to ABI Development LLC; $40,000.
Prospect Township
8323 Hughes Road, Prospect; Cole A. Hess and Cheyenne Hess to Kamryn Miah Jean Sutherland and John Daniel Yersavich; $415,000.
608 Water St., Prospect; EyE Homes Inc. to Mary Elizabeth Machingo and Jeffrey Paul Machingo; $305,000.
Tully Township
2946 Martel Road, Caledonia; Vincent L. Cleveland and Jo D. Cleveland to Carly Rene Bailey-Stultz and Dennis Stultz; $375,000.
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