Ohio
Local skating community mourns Ohio Air Guardsman killed in Iraq crash
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — For many people, there’s a place they return to again and again — a favorite restaurant, bar, or gym.
For Technical Sgt. Tyler Simmons, that place was the roller rink.
Simmons was a familiar face at Skate Zone 71, where friends say he spent countless nights gliding across the rink and building a tight-knit community around his love of skating.
Those who knew him say it wasn’t just his skating skills that stood out — it was his personality.
“He would be a light,” said friend James Breneman. “Just seeing him every few months, seeing him come back, it was really good.”
Friends say Simmons had a way of making everyone feel welcome whenever he walked through the door.
“He made it a point to show you love every time he was in a building or any space he was in,” said Rashon Streater, a DJ at Skate Zone 71.
For many at the rink, Simmons was more than a friend.
“That was my brother,” said Ty Carter. “His smile could literally light up a room. His laugh was beyond contagious.”
But skating wasn’t Simmons’ only passion.
He also served his country as a technical sergeant and boom operator with the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base.
On Thursday, March 12, Simmons was among six service members killed when an air tanker crashed during a mission in Iraq.
The news has left his skating community grieving the loss of someone many describe as irreplaceable.
“It’s super sad. It’s super unfortunate. It hurts,” Streater said.
Carter says he’s still struggling to process the loss.
“Still processing everything and now having to adjust life without my brother being here,” Carter said. “Honestly, I’m just still numb.”
Friends say Simmons’ impact will never fade.
“The impact he left can never be matched,” Carter added. “You only get one person like him. I’m going to miss my brother literally to the end of time.”
Those closest to Simmons will gather Saturday at 7 p.m. at Skate Zone 71 to honor his life and the memories he created on the rink.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — A Central Ohio family has filed a lawsuit against a Hilliard funeral home after their mother was accidentally cremated, despite plans for her to be buried.
According to court documents, Tidd Funeral Home cremated Nancy Anders in June of last year against the family’s wishes. The lawsuit states Anders died a week earlier in May.
The family says Anders had planned and prepaid for funeral arrangements two years before her death to be buried with her late husband. The arrangements did not include cremation because, the family says, she did not believe in the concept.
The lawsuit says the family was told a week after her death that she had been accidentally cremated. It also accuses Tidd Funeral Home of cremating her even though the proper authorization form was never signed.
The family says they have suffered physical illness and emotional trauma and are seeking $25,000 in damages. They are also asking for the case to be decided by a jury.
ABC 6 reached out to the funeral home for comment but had not heard back.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol arrested online political writer D.J. Byrnes, also known as The Rooster, at the statehouse on June 1 on a misdemeanor warrant.
A patrol spokesman said Byrnes, who posts his stories to his Substack subscribers, was arrested on an outstanding warrant. He was booked into the Franklin County Jail, records show. The patrol did not provide further details.
Byrnes’ colleague, Max Littman, said he believes the arrest is related to Byrnes texting photos of cartoon character Shrek’s penis to a state senator. “If that is in fact true, that he was arrested over that, then it’s blatant targeting a political opponent and journalist,” Littman said.
The arrest warrant for telecommunications harassment came from the city of Kirtland in Lake County. The warrant alleges that Byrnes sent two photos on May 6 to “J.C.” with the intent to harass.
State Sen. Jerry Cirino, R-Kirtland, did not return messages seeking comment.
Byrnes routinely works the halls power at Columbus City Hall, Ohio State University and the Ohio Statehouse, looking for tips and ambushing officeholders for his Substack reports. He can be both charming and confrontational.
Recently, he posted a story based on one anonymous source who told him that Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy tried to get into the New York Knicks locker room after the Knicks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA playoffs.
The story, and its spread, so bothered Ramaswamy that he posted a lengthy refute on X, calling it 100% fake.
State government reporter Laura Bischoff can be reached at lbischoff@usatodayco.com and @lbischoff on X.
-
San Diego, CA45 seconds ago15 Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend: June 3-7 | San Diego Magazine
-
Milwaukee, WI6 minutes ago
Celebrating 250 years of independence through Milwaukee’s immigrant narratives
-
Atlanta, GA13 minutes agoFalcons sign Drake London to four-year extension
-
Minneapolis, MN16 minutes agoMedicaid fraudster still owes $1.7M in restitution
-
Indianapolis, IN21 minutes agoIndianapolis artist merges forgiveness, healing and protecting water
-
Pittsburg, PA28 minutes agoLuke Bryan concert expected to bring thousands of fans to Pittsburgh-area farm
-
Augusta, GA31 minutes agoFinding Solutions: Augusta arts school offers summer music workshop for young students
-
Washington, D.C36 minutes ago‘We did not have the votes:’ DC Council does not take up expanded summer curfew
