Ohio
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine says Springfield bomb threats are ‘hoaxes’ coming from ‘overseas’
Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine revealed Monday that a recent spate of bomb threats targeting the town of Springfield have all been “hoaxes,” with some originating from “one particular country” overseas.
The 77-year-old governor told reporters Monday that law enforcement has responded to at least 33 separate bomb threats made against Springfield government offices, schools and medical centers since the town was thrust into the national spotlight over the influx of Haitian migrants.
“Thirty-three threats; Thirty-three hoaxes,” DeWine said during a press conference in Springfield. “I want to make that very, very clear. None of these had any validity at all.”
The governor indicated that the threats were being made by foreign actors.
“We have people unfortunately overseas who are taking these actions,” DeWine said. “Some of them are coming from one particular country.”
The governor declined to name the country, but Russia and Iran have both been accused by US officials of attempting to influence the outcome of the 2024 presidential election.
“We think that this is one more opportunity to mess with the United States,” DeWine said of the foreign actors making the threats. “And they’re continuing to do that.”
“We cannot let the bad guys win. Our schools must remain open,” he added, noting that additional law enforcement resources will be deployed in Springfield amid the flurry of threats.
“The people who are doing this are doing this to sow discord in our community,” Andy Wilson, director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, said. “We just can’t let them do that. We can’t let them do that. We have to keep providing the services that the citizens of Springfield and Clark County expect.”

Former President Donald Trump declared during last week’s presidential debate that Haitian migrants in Springfield had been abducting and eating pets, comments many have attributed to jump in threats against the town.
“In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs. The people that came in, they’re eating the cats. They’re eating — they’re eating the pets of the people that live there,” the Republican presidential nominee said, repeating unfounded claims circulating on social media.
Springfield city manager Bryan Heck has said there are “no credible reports of specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals within the immigrant community.”
The town canceled its upcoming annual celebration of diversity, arts and culture in response to the increase in threats, officials said Monday.
Ohio
Single-digit temps, below-zero wind chills hit central Ohio after snow
Snow hits downtown Columbus
Snow falls outside the Ohio Theatre as downtown Columbus turns into a winter wonderland.
Now comes the cold.
After nearly 5½ inches of snow fell Dec. 13 in some parts of central Ohio, the National Weather Service says bitterly cold temperatures moving into the region will mean highs in just the single digits.
A cold weather advisory is in affect across central Ohio through 11 a.m. Dec. 15. It was 4 degrees at John Glenn Columbus International Airport at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 14, with a wind chill of 16 degrees below zero.
Temperatures to the west and south are even colder: 1 degree in Springfield, minus-1 in Dayton and minus-3 in Indianapolis. Those temperatures are not expected in the Columbus area, though. The forecast calls for slightly warmer temperatures by evening and highs in the low 20s Dec. 15.
The record cold expected for Dec. 14 — until now, the coldest high temperature in Columbus for this date was 16 degrees in 1917 — follows a day of record snow. The weather service recorded 5.4 inches of snowfall on Dec. 13 at John Glenn Columbus International Airport, topping the prior Dec. 13 record, which was 3.6 inches in 1945.
Level 2 snow emergencies, which means roads are hazardous and people should drive only if they think it’s necessary, remained in effect in Fairfield and Licking counties.
Level 1 snow emergencies are in effect in Delaware, Franklin, Madison, Union and Pickaway counties.
Bob Vitale can be reached at rvitale@dispatch.com.
Ohio
Ohio State men’s basketball fights back in 89-88 double OT win over West Virginia
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Ohio State’s game-winning play over West Virginia in the second overtime period Saturday night was simple: give the ball to Bruce Thornton and get out of his way.
The result was an 89-88 double overtime win in the Cleveland Hoops Showdown at Rocket Arena.
It took so much to get to this moment.
The Buckeyes did all they could in regulation to overcome a 14-point deficit, while awaiting their top player in Thornton to come through.
His teammates did the dirty work to keep them in the game. From their defense creating transition points, matching the Mountaineers’ physical brand of ball.
Once extra time came after the first 40 minutes expired, Thornton took care of the rest in the two overtime periods.
He delivered bucket after another.
None more important than the final one.
A tightly covered Thornton took it down to the top of the key before finding a mismatch and looking to take it to the hole. A defender cut off his path, however, forcing Thornton to operate elsewhere in the paint.
Thornton used his pivot foot wisely before finding an opening for a fadeaway jumper and knocking it down.
Twelve of his 21 points came in the overtime periods.
Ohio State fought to the end and earned a win over a hard-nosed Big 12 opponent.
Center Christoph Tilly did his best to limit the Mountaineers’ big men, while adding 14 points and 11 boards of his own.
Freshman big man Amare Bynum was a pivotal spark off the bench with 17 points, eight rebounds and three blocks.
Point guard John Mobley Jr. finished with 17 points and delivered the 3-point shot in the final seconds of the second half to give them their first lead since the 9:00 mark of the first half.
This story will be updated.
Ohio
Is Ohio State football playing today? What’s next for Buckeyes in playoff schedule | Sporting News
It’s a college football Saturday, but Dec. 13 is just a little bit different.
Ohio State and all its other College Football Playoff competitors will be on the couch.
The Army-Navy game highlights the day.
There’s also the first bowl game, the LA Bowl between Boise State and Washington.
And the FCS Playoffs roll on, as well.
Is Ohio State playing today?
No, Ohio State isn’t playing on Saturday, Dec. 13.
The CFP isn’t underway, and the Buckeyes have a bye in that even when it gets started.
When is Ohio State’s next game?
Ohio State won’t play again until Dec. 31.
That’ll be the Cotton Bowl.
They don’t know their opponent yet, either. It’ll depend on the CFP opening round matchup between Miami and Texas A&M.
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