Ohio
Central Ohio car dealerships accused of withholding vehicle titles, altering odometers
Top headlines of the week, Jan. 24 2025
Here are some stories you may have missed on Dispatch.com and in the Columbus Dispatch newspaper.
Two central Ohio auto dealerships are facing civil lawsuits filed by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s office, accusing them of altering odometer readings, failing to turn over titles to dozens of customers who purchased vehicles, and several other consumer protection violations.
The lawsuits — one filed in Franklin County and the other in Delaware County — accuse each dealership of violating Ohio’s Consumer Sales Practices Act, the Certificate of Motor Vehicles Act, and the Odometer Rollback and Disclosure Act.
The suit filed in Delaware County Common Pleas Court accuses Johnathan Paul Kirkham, operator of Kirkham’s Starfleet Cars, 525 N Sandusky St. in Delaware city, of failing to properly transfer titles to consumers who bought vehicles from the dealership.
According to Yost, there are 32 title-related complaints in connection with Starfleet, and the state will use $138,135 from the state’s Title Defect Recission Fund to reimburse eligible consumers while the Attorney General’s Office pursues legal action against Kirkham’s.
Way 2 Go Auto Sales, 4660 Cleveland Ave. Columbus, operated by Kofi Bimpeh, is accused of failing to provide vehicle titles, altering odometer readings, and misrepresenting rebuilt salvage vehicles in a lawsuit filed in Franklin County Common Pleas Court. The Attorney General’s office reports they received 20 complaints related to title issues, misrepresentations about salvage vehicles, return policy issues and odometer discrepancies with vehicles.
Way 2 Go Auto Sales and Kirkham’s Starfleet Cars could not be reached for comment on Wednesday. Listed phone numbers for both dealerships appeared to be disconnected.
“Ohioans work hard and deserve to get what they pay for,” Yost said in a prepared release. “Whether it’s a deliberate title delay or outright fraud, my office will pump the breaks on dealership scams.”
smeighan@dispatch.com
@ShahidMeighan
Ohio
Former Ohio Mr. Basketball reportedly enters transfer portal
Looks like another Ohio State basketball player will be entering the transfer portal.
Colin White, a sophomore forward from Ottawa, Ohio, told 24/7 Sports that he is entering the transfer portal after two seasons with the Ohio State men’s basketball program. White played in 29 games for Ohio State, averaging 0.9 points-per game. Colin appeared in 48 games overall for the Buckeyes and will have two years of eligibility remaining for his college career.
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A former Ohio Mr. Basketball and top-125 recruit, White arrived in Columbus with significant expectations after a standout career at Ottawa-Glandorf, where he helped lead the Titans to consecutive state championship game appearances. His local ties and two-way skill set made him an intriguing developmental piece for the Buckeyes, especially on defense and as a versatile wing.
Colin is the second player so far this offseason to hit the transfer portal, Devin Royal being the first. Their teammate John Mobley has declared that he will go to the NBA draft but is keeping the door open to returning back to Columbus next season.
Ohio State finished the year with a 21-13 record overall and a 12-8 record within the Big Ten conference. Their season concluded in the first round of the NCAA tournament in a 66-64 loss to TCU.
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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Ohio State basketball forward all set to enter the transfer portal
Ohio
Ohio high school band instruments stolen while at Disney World
ASHLAND, Ohio (WJW) — An Ohio high school band got back into town Friday after a long week at Walt Disney World in Florida.
To get there, the 100 member band worked their tails off. So many fundraisers from car washes to coupon books. And don’t forget what probably seemed like a gazillion of hours of marching and practicing their music.
But all that hard work to get to the Magic Kingdom was almost wiped away after the first night.
“Well, if you picture all of our uniforms were shoved into there, they couldn’t really reach all the big stuff” band director Marty Kral said as he pointed at they partially empty band trailer.
The “they” in that sentence are the thief or thieves that ransacked the band’s parked and locked instrument trailer outside of their hotel near Disney.
Flutes, saxophones, trumpets, clarinets — about 20% of their instruments all gone.
“To have lost that, personally I feel that devastation for them we can replace that instrument but we can’t replace that emotion that story attached to it and that’s what breaks our heart the most.” said Brad Selan, who’s son is a drummer in the band.
The Ashland high band worked hard to get to Disney and Kral says there was no way they were going to perform without everyone.
“Our only consideration was not worrying about the vandalism or finding out who did it, the only concern was how was I going to get instruments in the hands of kids so they could have their moment the following morning,” Kral said.
Kral said their performance on Main Street USA was less than a day away. He said everyone on site and back in Ashland started working the phones. They found a music store that had happened to have an affiliate back home in Ashland that was open on a Sunday.
“We started there and within the next four hours through their stores in Orlando we had acquired everything we thought we needed for the kids to have a successful performance.” Kral said.
The next morning with unfamiliar rented instruments and no practice the day before, the Ashland High School Marching Band rose to the challenged and did its thing and didn’t miss a step or a note.
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Kral said they can’t thank their community enough for all their support. He said his kids are one of a kind and he’s so proud that they were able to rise to the occasion.
Meantime, the school district says it’s hoping that insurance will cover the cost of the bands instruments.
They’ve also started a GoFundMe page to help the students who lost instruments.
Ohio
‘Fresh brisket on the board’ | First Ohio Buc-ee’s opens Monday
HUBER HEIGHTS, Ohio — Want an overstuffed barbecue sandwich and a giant bag of Beaver Nuggets? Ohioans no longer have to drive hours to get their fix.
Ohio’s first-ever Buc-ee’s officially opens Monday morning.
The new travel center is located just north of Dayton off I-75, in Huber Heights, about an hour and 15-minute drive from Cincinnati.
Watch: Get a sneak peek at the new Ohio location here
First Buc-ee’s in Ohio opens Monday in Huber Heights
While it may look like a highway rest stop from the outside, the inside offers a different experience.
Spokesman — and showman — Randy Pauly showed what draws people from three states away.
“We don’t want to be just another gas station. We are a family travel center, and we focus on the details,” Pauly said.
Pauly said it’s all about attention to detail, from the souvenir cups to the stuffed beaver toys and freshly made fudge, roast almonds and brisket.
“You’ll notice the difference from that famous smile when you come through the front door, to the clean restrooms to the delicious brisket,” Pauly said.
WCPO
Fresh beef brisket and pork barbecue are carved and served all day long, in a giant “pit” in the center of the store.
When it is ready, employees yell out “fresh chopped brisket on the board” to alert visitors that it is time to grab a sandwich.
Don’t expect roadside gas station prices, however:
- Sandwiches cost $7 to $14, depending on size
- Sausage on a Stick is $7.49
- The famous Beaver Nuggets are $5 a bag
- Beef jerky is $14 for a half-pound
- Fudge is $3.99 for a square
Firefighter Brendan Cochran drove six hours from Georgia for Buc-ee’s preview day for first responders, where active military, firefighters, police and EMTs received free sandwiches for their service.
Cochran said the slightly higher prices are worth it.
“The bang for your buck … if you get a biscuit sandwich somewhere else, that’s a plate. You are going to spend $15 to $20 for a brisket sandwich anywhere else,” Cochran said.
WCPO
Police officer Jordan Alexander also attended the preview event and shared his thoughts on the theme-park atmosphere.
“It can be a little overwhelming — there is a lot going on,” he said. “But it can be a good experience.”
So if you want to get a Buc-ee’s fix or try it for the first time, you no longer need to plan a trip south. Just drive 70 miles up I-75 from Cincinnati, and you can see the excitement for yourself.
As always, don’t waste your money.
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