Ohio
Ohio boaters should pass on marijuana when they hit the water, state officials say
If you take the boat out this summer, make sure you do it sober.
As the weather warms up and Ohioans hit the water, state officials are reminding people not to operate a boat while drunk or high. This marks the first summer with recreational marijuana in Ohio after voters legalized it for adults 21 and older.
“We make safety a top priority so people can enjoy Ohio’s rivers and lakes,” said Mary Mertz, director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. “We urge every Ohioan and visitor to follow the law by boating sober and wearing a life jacket this summer. Those simple steps will help keep you, your loved ones and fellow boaters safe.”
It’s illegal to operate a boat under the influence of drugs, or with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% and higher. The adult-use marijuana law prohibits passengers on a boat from smoking or vaping cannabis. Open container laws for alcohol also apply on public waterways, according to the Division of Liquor Control.
Officials recommend that boaters designate a sober driver for the day. Patrols will monitor boats for impaired operators and remove them from the water if needed.
“With the legalization of non-medical cannabis use in Ohio following the passage of Issue 2 last November, it is critically important that individuals who choose to consume cannabis products fully understand the unique impact these products have on them,” said Jim Canepa, superintendent of the Division of Cannabis Control.
Recreational marijuana sales could start in the coming weeks. The state is currently processing license applications for businesses that want to grow, process and sell adult-use cannabis.
Haley BeMiller is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Severe thunderstorms rolled through Northeast Ohio on Wednesday night, bringing down trees and knocking out power to thousands.
The heaviest damage seemed to be in Lorain County in the city of Lorain and Amherst. The Amherst Fire Department said there are large trees down on Jackson Street and Cleveland Avenue.
Check FirstEnergy’s, AEP’s, and Cleveland Public Power’s websites for the latest outage numbers.
More storms will work through the area overnight, as another disturbance reaches the area after midnight.
These storms will be ordinary in nature, though they could contain heavy downpours.
These storms should last through the middle of the day tomorrow, before clearing later in the day.
Lightning strike in Brunswick.
West Park neighborhood lightning show in Cleveland.
Submit any photos and videos from storm below.
Check back with the 19 News First Alert Weather team for the latest weather forecast.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
Ohio State treated fans to a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Buckeye Stripes this week.
In a video released Wednesday that lasted more than six minutes, Ohio State pulled back the curtain on what it took to create Buckeye Stripes. The answer is more than 18 months of planning and countless hours of work behind the scenes.
Buckeye Stripes became a reality because of several Ohio State staffers whose contributions often go unnoticed, including assistant director of design Joe Gemma, director of creative and branding Ethan Miller, director of football equipment services Kevin Ries, assistant director of football equipment services Kevin Nerl, associate director of creative Danny Kraft, assistant director of creative Bryan Jay and assistant director of creative Domenick Guerrera.
Those staffers appeared throughout the behind-the-scenes feature alongside quarterback Julian Sayin, wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr., linebacker Payton Pierce and cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr., who modeled the alternate uniform concepts Ohio State could wear during the 2026 season.
The Buckeyes now have five uniform combinations in their arsenal: their core home and away sets plus three alternates — the all-black “Tunnel Visions,” all-white “Sub Zeroes” and all-scarlet “Scarlet Rush.” Ohio State will unveil one of the new looks when it opens the 2026 season against Ball State on Sept. 5 in Ohio Stadium.
LISBON, Ohio (WKBN)- We could find out as soon as Wednesday whether or not funding will be coming to help repair the Lisbon pool.
Mayor Pete Wilson says he spoke with State Representative Monica Robb Blasdel.
He says their $150,000 request was added into the state capital expenditures bill, which is expected to be voted on Wednesday. The Mayor says he was told the vote is a formality and that the funding will be approved.
He says with this funding, they hope to have the pool open next year.
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