Ohio
‘Above 1,500 degrees’: Fireworks laws in Ohio designed to protect children this July 4
Fourth of July fireworks safety tips
Have a fun and safe Fourth of July by following these tips
houmatoday.com and dailycomet.com
Thousands of children will be rushed to the emergency room this Independence Day because of fireworks injuries.
Fireworks are legal to launch in Ohio during July 4 celebrations, but only under specific guidelines and on certain days, according to the state fire marshal’s office.
This year, adults in the Buckeye State can discharge fireworks labeled as “1.4G consumer” 4-11 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, then again the same times July 3-7.
“Even sparklers can cause serious injuries if not handled correctly,” Anita Metheny of the fire marshal’s office said. “Always supervise their use or consider safer alternatives like glow sticks, especially for children.”
Fireworks caused $700,000 in damages last year
Statistics from the state fire marshal’s Fire Prevention Bureau show 128 fireworks incidents in Ohio in 2023 caused 22 residential building fires totaling nearly $700,000 in damages.
So far in 2024, there have been 10 incidents involving fireworks causing almost $10,000 in losses, the fire marshal’s office reported in a news release.
Fireworks were involved in more than 10,200 treated injuries nationwide in 2022, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
“Fireworks can bring joy to our celebrations, but it’s important to recognize the inherent risks that come with them as well,” Metheny said. “By being informed and following safety guidelines, we can reduce injuries and ensure a festive and safe Fourth of July for all.”
‘A sparkler can reach temperatures above 1,500 degrees’
Nearly half of all the fireworks injuries reported in Ohio last year were to bystanders, many of them children.
The ER trips mostly were caused by bottle rockets, sparklers and firecrackers, according to Dr. Anjay Khandelwal, director of the Adult and Pediatric Burn Institute at Akron Children’s.
“Many families believe sparklers are harmless and safe for young children to use,” Khandelwal said. “However, they are the most common cause of injury from fireworks in children. What families may not realize is a sparkler can reach temperatures above 1,500 degrees, which can cause serious burns or ignite clothing.”
Ohio law restricts who can launch fireworks and when
That’s why Ohio lawmakers set so many parameters when they started allowing consumers to shoot off fireworks in 2021.
Only residents over the age of 18 can launch fireworks, and they can’t be launched while in possession of or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, along with a slew of other restrictions, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
The National Safety Council provides the following tips for those who plan to set off fireworks:
- Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
- Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear.
- Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands.
- Never light fireworks indoors.
- Only use fireworks away from people, houses and flammable material.
- Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
- Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting.
- Never ignite devices in a container.
- Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks.
- Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in case of fire.
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Ohio
Ohio State has added a tight end as its first 2026 transfer portal addition
COLUMBUS, Ohio –Ohio State had added the first player to its 2026 transfer portal class.
Mason Williams is a former member of the 2023 recruiting class who spent his first three seasons as an Ohio Bobcat. After redshirting his freshman season, he’s spent the last two as a vital member of the Bobcats’ offense as both a blocker and a receiver.
In 1,133 snaps, Williams caught 48 passes for 565 yards and six touchdowns. As a blocker, he can be a reliable end-line tight end who can replace the loss of Will Kacmarek, who is out of eligibility. Kacmarek also came from Ohio in 2024 and spent the last two years as a major contributor, developing into one of the nation’s best blocking tight ends.
Williams will have two years of eligibility remaining in Columbus. His addition helps offset the loss of Kacmarek to graduation and Jelani Thurman to the transfer portal. He’ll join a room expected to feature Bennett Christian, Nate Roberts, Brody Lemon and Maxence LeBlanc. Nick Lautar will also join the room as an incoming freshman.
OSU is also waiting for the decision of Purdue transfer Max Klare, who has the option of declaring for the NFL Draft or returning in 2026.
Ohio
Ohio State Transfer QB Lincoln Kienholz Commits to Louisville
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Louisville football program, presumably, has their QB1 for the 2026 season.
Former Ohio State quarterback Lincoln Kienholz announced Saturday that he has committed to the Cardinals. He will join Louisville will two years of eligilbility.
Keinholz is Louisville’s second portal commitment of the cycle, joining Kentucky cornerback D.J. Waller. The duo are the first to offset 21 portal defections that UofL has seen so far. The 14-day transfer window officially opened up this past Friday, and is the only opportunity for players to enter following the removal of the spring window.
The 6-foot-2, 214-pound quarterback was involved in a highly competitive battle for the Buckeyes’ starting gig in the preseason, before ultimately losing out to eventual Heisman Trophy finalist Julian Sayin. He saw action in seven games this past season, going 11-of-14 through the air for 139 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 66 yards and two scores on 11 attempts.
“Just a tremendous athlete,” OSU head coach Ryan Day said of Kienholz at Big Ten Media Days this past summer. “You pick a sport, he can do it. He’s like a four handicap [in golf]. He can hit the [baseball] out of the park. He was a major league baseball prospect. He can windmill dunk. He can do a lot of things.”
The Pierre, S.D. native spent three seasons in Columbus. As a true freshman in 2023, he played in three games, going 10-of-22 for 111 yards, while also rushing for two yards on six attempts. He did not log any stats during Ohio State’s 2024 national championship season.
Kienholz was a highly-regarded recruit coming out of high school, ranking as No. 194 prospect in the Class of 2023. He chose Ohio State over Illinois, Kansas State, Pitt, Washington, Wisconsin and others.
He has the inside track to be Louisville’s starter next season given recent roster movement. Previously, incoming true freshman Briggs Cherry was the lone scholarship quarterback on the roster after Deuce Adams, Brady Allen and Mason Mims all hit the transfer portal.
In their third season under head coach Jeff Brohm, Louisville went 9-4 overall, including a 4-4 mark in ACC play and a 27-22 win over Toledo in the Boca Raton Bowl. The Cardinals have won at least nine games in all three seasons under Brohm, doing so for the first time since 2012-14.
More Cardinals Stories
(Photo of Lincoln Kienholz: Adam Cairns – Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Ohio
Ohio Lottery Pick 3 Midday, Pick 3 Evening winning numbers for Dec. 28, 2025
The Ohio Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 28, 2025, results for each game:
Pick 3
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.
Midday: 9-0-9
Evening: 2-4-1
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 4
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.
Midday: 6-4-5-8
Evening: 4-6-2-6
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 5
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.
Midday: 6-8-6-2-0
Evening: 2-4-5-7-9
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Rolling Cash 5
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 7:05 p.m.
10-11-15-19-34
Check Rolling Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Lucky For Life
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 10:35 p.m.
12-17-25-34-42, Lucky Ball: 09
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Enquirer digital news director. You can send feedback using this form.
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