Ohio

How to grow ‘em into champions – Ohio Ag Net | Ohio's Country Journal

Published

1 year ago

October 17, 2024

How to grow ‘em into champions – Ohio Ag Net | Ohio's Country Journal

By Don “Doc” Sanders

In the late 1980s a farmer with a small swine operation in Champaign County occasionally called me with a health issue in one or more of his sows. To protect his identity, I am calling him Jack. Sometimes it was a gilt (young but mature female pig) delivering her first litter of pigs. Other times it might be to fix a prolapsed rectum in a grower pig or sometimes in an adult sow.

These swine prolapse cases occur primarily because of feeding moldy corn to the pigs. Other health issues may contribute to this condition, but moldy feed has to be considered the most likely cause.

I enjoyed providing vet service to this farm because the owner I would classify as a unique character. His swine operation consisted of a dozen or so sows and one boar. I might be called to provide veterinary care to the farm once or twice a year or so.

Jack also held a job in town to augment his swine operation’s income although I suspect the pork side of his business barely did more than break even. Jack planned to make his niche in local history by growing his boar to beat the national record for largest boar hog.

I first saw Chief in 1989 while this boar was being pampered at Jack’s farm. Jack was shooting for the appointed largest boar in the world recognized by Guinness World Records.

Jack had done his due diligence. He had purchased a large-framed Poland China boar a couple of years earlier. If readers are unfamiliar with the breed, these pigs have a black body with a white muzzle and forehead, four white feet with a blotch of white on their tail.

Jack recognized that Chief had the potential size to win the big boar contest. Chief weighed at just a little over 1,000 pounds.

Even though I have significant swine nutrition experience, Jack did not collaborate with me. This was not an issue for me because of the circumstances. Plus, Jack’s program was geared towards Chief getting heavier rather than more muscling.

I would classify Chief’s diet as not economically feasible for the average swine herd. He was not picky about his beer. He drank them all with gusto …Pabst Blue Ribbon, Bush, Budweiser, and Yuengling. The breweries provided the beer for free. Champaign Landmark feed mill supplied the feed.

Chief was the world champion in 1988, champion at the Indiana state fair and won the Buckeye Big Boar award at the Ohio State Fair in 1986, 1987, and 1989. Chief’s ultimate award was being a guest on late night television with David Letterman. It was quite an event with Letterman fawning over Chief. Chief ultimately made the Guinness record by being appointed as the largest boar the in world.

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3 thoughts on Ohio State hiring Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator

Published

11 hours ago

January 27, 2026

Press Room

3 thoughts on Ohio State hiring Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator

Ohio State is set to bring in Arthur Smith as its next offensive coordinator, replacing Brian Hartline, who was recently named the head coach at South Florida.

Here are three thoughts on Smith’s imminent hire:

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day values NFL experience

The hire follows a familiar pattern, as Smith is the latest coordinator to bring an NFL background to Ohio State.

Six of the eight offensive and defensive play-callers hired by Day over his tenure have spent previous years in the NFL.

Smith’s career arc most closely mirrors Matt Patricia, the Buckeyes’ current defensive coordinator. Both were rising stars during the 2010s and landed head-coaching jobs at the peak of their ascents before washing out and returning to roles as coordinators.

After Smith was fired by the Atlanta Falcons at the end of 2023, he spent two seasons as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive coordinator, helping them to twice reach the playoffs.

The approach worked well with Patricia, who elevated the Ohio State defense with NFL-style concepts that ranged from multiple fronts to coverage disguises as he replaced Jim Knowles last offseason. The Buckeyes finished 2025 with the best defense in the Football Bowl Subdivision, allowing the fewest points per game since Alabama 2011.

It figured to be worth repeating on the other side of the ball, especially after Day had relied on a first-time play-caller last year in Hartline, who had been the Buckeyes’ wide receivers coach before the promotion.

The experience of the 43-year-old Smith also allows Day to continue in a CEO-style role after remaining the primary play-caller for the offense in his first five seasons at the helm of the program. Day began delegating play-calling in 2024, though he briefly returned to the role for the College Football Playoff in December.

Arthur Smith adds a complementary strength

Smith’s best year as an offensive coordinator was with the Tennessee Titans in 2020.

The Titans were one of the highest-scoring offenses in league with an average of 30.7 points per game that ranked fourth out of 32 teams. They leaned on star running back Derrick Henry, who became only the eighth running back to rush for 2,000 yards in a season.

The Titans also finished drives during Smith’s two years as coordinator, ranking first in 2019 and second in 2020 for their red-zone touchdown percentage. They reached the end zone on three out of every four trips inside opponents’ 20-yard line.

If the success translates to Ohio State, it would pair well with the vertical passing that has long been the defining strength of Day’s offenses.

There were only five FBS quarterbacks in 2025 who completed more deep balls, as defined by Pro Football Focus as passes traveling at least 20 yards, than redshirt freshman Julian Sayin.

But the Buckeyes experienced a drop-off with both their running game, which went from 5 yards per carry in 2024 to 4.6 yards in 2025, and red-zone efficiency, where their touchdown percentage of 75.81% fell to 66.67%.

Smith should help in both areas, potential improvement that would enhance an offense that remains stacked with talent due to the return of Sayin and star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.

The absence of Chip Kelly, the former offensive coordinator who elevated the Buckeyes’ running game during their national championship season, was noticeable last fall.

The hope for the Buckeyes is that Smith can help them to rediscover the balance.

Scheme is the priority at Ohio State

Two assistants will replace Hartline.

Day made the first hire earlier in January with Cortez Hankton as receivers coach before finding Smith.

The addition of Smith will leave Ohio State with a staff of 11 primary on-field assistant coaches, one more than in recent seasons.

The expansion is the result of the NCAA’s removal of limit on staff sizes, a rule change introduced in 2024 allowing schools to hire an unlimited number of assistants to coach during practices and games.

The only restriction that remains in effect involves recruiting. FBS teams can send only 10 assistants off campus to recruit in addition to their head coach.

The current setup suggests Smith would not be out recruiting. It would be a rare arrangement for a coordinator, but not unprecedented, as Clemson coach Dabo Swinney has other assistants on the road in place of offensive coordinator Chad Morris and defensive coordinator Tom Allen.

As Ohio State moves in a similar direction, it would leave Smith largely focused on game planning and play-calling for their offense without having to travel for recruiting.

Smith would also be Day’s first offensive coordinator without being assigned to a position group.

Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Email him at jkaufman@dispatch.com and follow along on Bluesky, Instagram and X for more.

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Columbus City Council urges state to block AEP Ohio rate hikes

Published

23 hours ago

January 26, 2026

Press Room

Columbus City Council urges state to block AEP Ohio rate hikes

The Columbus City Council passed a resolution urging state regulators to block a proposed AEP Ohio rate increase.
AEP Ohio claims its proposal will save customers money, but the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel estimates it will increase bills by about $30 per month.
Councilmembers suggest large electricity users like data centers, not residents, should bear the cost of infrastructure investments.
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio is expected to make a final decision on the rate case later this winter or spring.

The Columbus City Council is encouraging state regulators to protect Columbus residents from rising electricity bills.

The council passed a ceremonial resolution 9-0 on Jan. 26 asking the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to block American Electric Power Ohio’s request to raise its distribution rates in 2026 for its 1.5 million Ohio customers.

Columbus City Councilmember Christopher Wyche, chair of the council’s Public Utilities & Sustainability committee, told The Dispatch ahead of the meeting that he was bringing the resolution forward because affordability is quickly becoming the number one issue for residents. He said council is concerned because PUCO has recently approved multiple AEP Ohio rate increases.

“It is clear that we are facing not only a rising cost of living crisis, but also an urgent energy affordability crisis that will have serious impacts on Ohio residents,” Wyche said at the meeting.

This symbolic vote comes ahead of state regulators meeting this week to hear evidence in AEP Ohio’s case. The electricity distributor proposed a settlement in the case on Jan. 7 that it says will save customers money. But the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, a state agency that advocates for consumers, says the proposal is riddled with “accounting gimmicks” to disguise a rate hike.

Customers’ electric bills will actually increase by about $30 more per month after tax credits and additional charges, or riders, are factored in, according to the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel.

AEP Ohio disputes the OCC’s assertions, saying its proposal will save customers $1.22 per month. But the electricity provider’s proposed rate decrease is only possible due to a credit it owes customers anyways, according to information the company sent to The Dispatch. Due to Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes, AEP Ohio owes customers $82 million. The credit is temporary and will run out in 18 months.

Wyche said the invited AEP Ohio representatives to speak at the City Council meeting but the utility declined. Speaking of its proposal, an AEP Ohio spokesperson previously told The Dispatch in an email:

“This is a good thing for AEP Ohio customers – it means all parties took concerns about affordability seriously. This settlement also allows AEP Ohio to invest in delivering reliable electricity safely, as well as make local infrastructure investments in local communities that drive economic development.”

Wyche told The Dispatch that increased strain on local electricity infrastructure is being driven by large users like data centers, adding that he’d like to see the burden placed on those businesses rather than residential customers. He said the state should require data centers to be built more sustainably so residents don’t foot the bill.

In the resolution, City Council urges PUCO to conduct a study on the impact of data centers on residential customers’ rates.

“A growing region needs to invest in its infrastructure, but longtime residents and working families shouldn’t shoulder that cost,” said Columbus City Council President Shannon G. Hardin in a statement released after the vote. “Runaway utility bills are pushing families to the brink, just to keep the lights on.”

The council’s action follows advocacy from the Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund and Columbus Stand Up. Columbus Stand Up has collected more than 2,500 signatures on its petition opposing rate hikes.

“AEP operates as an exploitive monopoly and without firm intervention, it will continue to extract resources from households, schools and public institutions across the state,” Columbus Stand Up co-founder Kwesi Low said at the meeting.

Because of the severe winter weather, the scheduled start of the PUCO evidentiary hearing was continued to Jan. 28, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Hearing Room 11-A at the offices of the commission, 180 E. Broad St., 11th Floor, Columbus. PUCO expects to make a decision in AEP Ohio’s case later this winter or spring, according to a spokesperson for PUCO.

Columbus Stand Up also moved its “Lights Out on AEP Rally” from Jan. 27 to Jan. 28 at noon at PUCO headquarters.

The city council meeting on Jan. 26 was held virtually due to winter storm Fern’s lingering impact. The budget hearing scheduled for Jan. 27 will also be held virtually due to the weather.

Government and politics reporter Jordan Laird can be reached at jlaird@dispatch.com. Follow her on X, Instagram and Bluesky at @LairdWrites.

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Snow emergency levels remain high in Ohio. What it means for travel

Published

1 day ago

January 26, 2026

Press Room

Snow emergency levels remain high in Ohio. What it means for travel

Hamilton County is under a level 3 snow emergency and several local counties remain under level 2 snow emergencies, meaning only those who consider it necessary should be out on the roads as cleanup from this weekend’s winter storm continues.

Clermont, Warren and Butler counties in Ohio and Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties in Northern Kentucky remain under level 2 snow emergencies.

Under a level 3, roads are closed to non-emergency personnel. “No one should be driving unless it is a personal emergency,” a sheriff’s office alert states.

Under a level 2, only drivers who consider it necessary to travel should be on the roads. Under level 1, no roads are closed but unnecessary travel is discouraged.

Snow emergency levels in Greater Cincinnati, NKY counties

Snow emergency levels in local counties as of 5:45 a.m. Monday, Jan. 26.

Butler County: Level 2
Clermont County: Level 2
Hamilton County: Level 3
Warren County: Level 2
Boone County: Level 2
Campbell County: Level 2
Kenton County: Level 2

Snow emergency level in cities

Bellevue: Level 1 snow emergency effective noon Saturday. Avoid parking on streets, especially cul-de-sacs. Park as close to the curb as possible.
Blue Ash: Snow emergency through Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 5 p.m. Vehicles will face fines or towing for parking on city streets and public right-of-ways.
Cincinnati: Snow emergency starting Saturday afternoon. Move vehicles parked in a “Snow Emergency Zone,” indicated on parking signs. Vehicles could be towed or ticketed if they are not moved. Here is a full list of the city’s snow emergency routes.
Crestview Hills: Snow emergency effective noon Saturday to 6 p.m. Monday All vehicles must be removed from city streets.
Falmouth: Snow emergency effective at 2 p.m. Saturday. Snow emergency routes may be enforced to allow for plowing and emergency access. Parking is prohibited on those routes. Residents are advised to travel only if necessary.
Florence: Level 2 snow emergency.
Fort Mitchell: Level 2 snow emergency.
Ft. Wright : Snow emergency. All on-street parking is prohibited on all public streets.
Independence: Level 2 snow emergency. Parking is not permitted on city streets in Independence while the city is in a snow emergency.
Mount Healthy: Snow emergency from 5 p.m. Saturday to 5 p.m. Monday. No level specified. Parking on snow emergency routes prohibited.
Oxford: Level 2 snow emergency. Parking is not allowed on city streets designated as snow routes until the emergency is canceled.
Reading: Snow Emergency until noon Monday, Jan. 26
Southgate: Snow emergency effective through noon Monday.
Springdale: Snow emergency for all roads in the city starting noon Saturday, according to a Facebook post. No level specified. No parking is permitted on city streets under an emergency.
Taylor Mill: Snow emergency.

What do snow emergency levels mean?

Definitions for snow emergencies can vary by state and county, but here are the basics:

What is a level 1 snow emergency?

Roadways are hazardous due to accumulated, blowing and drifting snow and roads may be icy.
Motorists are urged to drive very cautiously.
No roadways are closed but unnecessary travel is discouraged.

What is a level 2 snow emergency?

Roadways are hazardous due to accumulated, blowing and drifting snow and roads may be very icy.
Only drive if it is necessary to do so.
Employees should contact their employer to see if they should report to work.

What is a level 3 snow emergency?

Ice, blowing and drifting snow has created extremely hazardous road conditions. Low visibility, extremely low temperatures and worsening road conditions are also factors.
Some or all county roads have been closed to all but emergency and essential persons.
No one should be on roadways unless absolutely necessary and violators could be subject to arrest.
All employees should contact their employer to see if they should report to work.

Indiana travel advisories

All of southeast Indiana is under a “red” travel warning due to the snowy conditions.

Dearborn, Switzerland and Ohio counties just outside of Cincinnati have been issued travel warnings, according the Indiana government’s live travel advisory map.

The “red” warning is the highest level of local travel advisory, meaning that travel may be restricted to emergency management workers only. During a warning, individuals are directed to:

Refrain from all travel.
Comply with necessary emergency measures.
Cooperate with public officials and disaster services forces in executing emergency operations plans.
Obey and comply with the lawful directions of properly identified officers.

This report will be updated. Enquirer media partner Fox19 contributed.

We’ve made this story free for all readers in the interest of public safety. Please consider supporting local journalists covering the community through a subscription.

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