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Buckeyes to Browns: Luke Wypler, Dawand Jones excited to continue football careers in Ohio

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Buckeyes to Browns: Luke Wypler, Dawand Jones excited to continue football careers in Ohio


BEREA, Ohio — For years there’s been a perception within the fan base that the Browns just don’t draft players from the Ohio State Buckeyes. It’s something that Ohio State players have even talked about.

This year, however, general manager Andrew Berry and his front office made it clear they do—drafting two players from the Buckeyes—offensive tackle Dawand Jones and center Luke Wypler—and signing two more as undrafted free agents—defensive backs Ronnie Hickman and Tanner McCalister.

While they aren’t Northeast Ohio natives, this state has become a home for them over the years they played for Ohio State. Wypler said it felt like it was meant to be.

“I’ve been telling people this great state just didn’t want to give me up yet. So I’m really happy to be here and still be here, so can’t complain,” he said.

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Wypler, originally from right outside of New York City, spent three seasons in Columbus. For him, his favorite part of Ohio has been the lack of New York traffic.

“I got really used to 15 miles being 15 minutes. Growing up, being right outside New York City, three miles usually may take an hour, if you’re lucky,” Wypler said. “It took me a little while to kind of change the way I thought about rush hour. So just those little things I got really used to and I love about Ohio.”

The center’s family was thrilled to see Wypler land in Cleveland, and it was even a few hours closer to New Jersey where they’re located. Keeping his roots in Ohio allows the family to keep planning which games they’ll be able to come out and support Wypler at this season.

But his extended family—the scarlet and gray fanbase—may be more excited. A large crossover of Buckeye and Browns fans now get to watch the offensive lineman they cheered for over three seasons in Columbus earn a spot on their NFL team in Cleveland.

“I already felt a lot of love coming from those Buckeye-Browns fans, especially when I’ve been out in Columbus the last couple of weeks after the draft. Everyone just coming up saying congratulations,” Wypler said. “I already knew that the Buckeye fan base, how big it is, and now seeing how big the Browns fan base is, it’s just one great program to another.”

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Wypler isn’t alone in his love for Ohio.

Jones, the Browns’ new 6-feet-8-inch, 375-pound tackle, has been drawn to Northeast Ohio for years. In fact, before he went a bit south to play football for the Buckeyes, he nearly played basketball in this area.

“I almost went to Kent State. Coach [Rob Senderoff], he really wanted me bad. It came to last week and he said, ‘Either you’re going to commit or I’ve got to snatch your offer.’ I told him, ‘You’re going to have to snatch it. I just want to take this chance on football.’”

It wasn’t just Kent State that Jones visited and nearly attended—he also visited Cleveland State, scouted out by their basketball program.

In the end, all worked out and Jones ended up in Ohio anyway, playing a different sport in a city further south. Still, getting to remain in the state he made a home in college was something Jones is grateful for and almost couldn’t believe when he got the call on draft day.

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“Surreal. Got the call and I’d seen a 216 number. I said, ‘I know where I’m going.’ And so it was cool to just tell my buddy, ‘You see the 216 number,’ and it was just cool to tell them I’m going to the Browns,” Jones said.

Jones and Wypler, as well as Hickman and McCalister, join cornerback Denzel Ward and defensive tackle Tommy Togiai as Buckeyes turned Browns. It’s a growing squad with familiar ties—and it’s a trend they’re looking to continue by impressing on the field.

“We’re just excited to be together. It’s just that familiarity. We all have our brotherhood that we’ve had for years. Now, playing two years together, coming here,” Wypler said.

Prompted by the response ‘A scarlet and gray takeover,’ Wypler laughed and said “Yeah seriously, a hostile takeover.”

The new Browns, former Buckeyes, are looking forward to proving themselves on the field during rookie minicamp, OTAs, and into training camp, hoping to make the fans of orange and brown just as happy as when they were playing in Columbus.

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“Ohio just goes hard. You know, they love football,” Jones said.

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Body of missing Northeast Ohio woman found; boyfriend in custody

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Body of missing Northeast Ohio woman found; boyfriend in custody


PLAIN TOWNSHIP, Ohio — The boyfriend of a woman who was reported missing earlier this week is being held in jail on a $1 million bond after the woman’s body was found in a park near Canton.

Sean Goe, 26, of Plain Township, has yet to be charged with the murder of Raychel Sheridan, 24, also of Plain Township. He is being held on active warrants for burglary, grand theft of a firearm, and domestic violence, according to the Stark County Sheriff’s Office. The domestic violence charge involved Sheridan, the sheriff’s office says.

Goe was arrested Wednesday morning by Canton police at a homeless shelter. It ended a nearly multi-hour search for Goe after Sheridan was reported missing just after 12:30 p.m. Tuesday from a residence on the 4100 block of Orchard Dale Drive NW.

While deputies were searching the home and the surrounding area for Sheridan, deputies spotted a maroon Jeep Liberty registered to her driving on Guilford Avenue NW. Deputies pulled the Jeep over and found Goe was driving, but fled on foot.

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The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force and the State Highway Patrol were called in to help search the area for Goe, who was found in the early-morning hours Wednesday at the homeless shelter.

The sheriff’s office says detectives searched the apartment shared by Sheridan and Goe determined Sheridan was killed in the residence. The sheriff’s office says unspecified evidence was recovered “indicating foul play.”

Canton sanitation workers found what it believed to be Sheridan’s body just before 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in a park in a southwest section of Canton, the sheriff’s office says.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of Raychel’s loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” Stark County Sheriff George Maier said in a statement.

The sheriff’s office released no other details Wednesday and says the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information can contact the Stark County Sheriff’s Office at 330-430-3800.

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Will Howard Sets Blunt Expectations For Ohio State Buckeyes

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Will Howard Sets Blunt Expectations For Ohio State Buckeyes


The Ohio State Buckeyes boast arguably the most talented roster in the country heading into the 2024 season. While it’s certainly exciting, it also puts a whole lot of pressure on the team.

Really, anything short of a championship this year will be a disappointment, and new Ohio State quarterback Will Howard has doubled down on those expectations.

“For us, it’s natty or bust,” Howard said, via Zach Barnett of Football Scoop. “I mean, there’s no doubt in my mind.”

That goes for pretty much everyone, but it definitely hits different when the projected starting quarterback vocalizes it.

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Howard is transferring over from Kansas State and is expected to be under center when the Buckeyes open their regular season agains Akron on Aug. 31.

Funny enough, as stacked as Ohio State’s roster is, the one area of potential concern is the quarterback position.

While the Buckeyes certainly have a talented group of signal-callers, there are questions as to whether or not any of the quarterbacks on the squad are truly capable of leading the team to a national title.

Howard was good—not great—in his final season at Kansas State, throwing for 2,643 yards, 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while completing 61.3 percent of his passes in 2023. He also rushed for 351 yards and nine scores.

“We have all the talent. We have all the intangibles,” added Howard. “Now, we’ve just got to go do it. I’m tired of hearing how talented we are and how good our team is. It’s about the work ethic and how we go to work every single day, and I think we’re doing the things that we need to to put ourselves in that position to be there at the end of the year and now we’ve just got to go do it.”

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Clearly, Howard knows what needs to be done. You get the feeling that the rest of the ballclub understands, as well.

But until Ohio State actually gets on the field in 2024, we won’t actually know how dominant the team really is…although you have to admit that the Buckeyes look pretty scary.



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Ohio officials looking for feedback on energy savings programs

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Ohio officials looking for feedback on energy savings programs


COLUMBUS, Ohio (WTVG) – The Ohio Department of Development wants to give Ohioans a voice in the creation of programs aimed at helping families save on their electric bills and improve the energy efficiency of their homes.

They’re seeking stakeholder engagement that will support the planning, design, and implementation of the new Ohio Home Energy Savings Program. The State of Ohio was allocated $249 million through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to provide qualifying Ohioans discounts for high-efficiency appliances and equipment, as well as funding for energy efficiency improvements to single- and multi-family homes.

“High energy bills are a concern for many Ohio families, and we want them to know relief is on the horizon,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Department of Development. “This effort will ensure the Home Energy Savings Program is crafted with direct input from the people it aims to help, allowing us to deliver meaningful solutions while also empowering residents to contribute to its success.”

This outreach effort, which kicks off July 11, will include a series of informal, in-person sessions in communities across the state, as well as two live webinars for interested Ohioans to learn more about the program and provide valuable insight on how it can best serve their needs.

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All Ohio residents, businesses, utilities, contractors, government entities, and nonprofit/community-based organizations are encouraged to participate.

Dates and locations for each event are, as follows:

Webinar 1 July 11 | 6-7 p.m. Register for the webinar here

In-Person Session 1 – Bowling Green July 24 | 6-8 p.m. Bowling Green Simpson Banquet Room1291 Conneaut Avenue Bowling Green, Ohio 43402Register here

In-Person Session 2 – Toledo July 25 | 6-8 p.m. Toledo Public Library – Mott Branch1010 Dorr Street Toledo, Ohio 43607Register here

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In-Person Session 3 – Cleveland Aug. 6 | 6-8 p.m. Cleveland Public Library – MLK Branch962 Stokes Boulevard Cleveland, Ohio 44106Register here

In-Person Session 4 – Youngstown Aug. 7 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. Youngstown Public Library – Main Branch305 Wick Avenue Youngstown, Ohio 44503Register here

In-Person Session 5 – Columbus Aug. 13 | 6-8 p.m. Columbus Public Library96 S. Grant Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43215Register here

In-Person Session 6 – Athens Aug. 14 | 6-8 p.m. Athens Community Center701 E. State Street Athens, Ohio 45701Register here

In-Person Session 7 – Cincinnati Aug. 27 | 6-8 p.m. Price Hill Branch Library970 Percell Avenue Cincinnati, Ohio 45205Register here

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In-Person Session 8 – Dayton Aug. 28 | 6-8 p.m. Greater Dayton Recreation Center2021 West Third Street Dayton, Ohio 45417Register here

Webinar 2 Sept. 4 | 6-7 p.m. Register for the webinar here

Press planning to attend any of these events should RVSP to clowrie@werthpr.com.

For more information, visit the Home Energy Savings Program webpage or the U.S. Department of Energy website.

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