Ohio State Marion will highlight efforts to expand youth programming during the next Buckeye Talks on Tap event.

Ohio State Marion Director of Youth and Community Learning Tiffiny Rye-McCurdy will present “Growing Futures: Youth and Community Learning at Ohio State Marion” at 5:30 p.m. July 14, according to a community announcement. The free event is open to the public, with doors opening at 5 p.m. at Bucci’s Italian Scratch Kitchen inside Passenger & Rail Co., 320 W. Center St.

The discussion will focus on how a coordinated, multi-stage approach — from early curiosity through career exploration — can strengthen education and workforce pathways for students in the Marion region. The presentation will raise the question of how communities can intentionally connect experiences to support long-term student success, according to the announcement.

Event invites community input on youth program growth

The program will begin with a 20-to-30 minute overview of youth initiatives offered at Ohio State Marion, followed by an interactive discussion where attendees can share perspectives and suggest ways to expand programming.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohio health leaders are urging people to take extra precautions when handling produce as cases of a parasitic illness causing “explosive diarrhea” are rising in the state.

There are nearly 200 cases of cyclosporiasis in Ohio, with more than 20 in Franklin County. The state sits only behind Michigan, where cases have topped a thousand. 

Franklin County Medical Director Miller Sullivan said cases typically rise each summer because the parasite thrives in heat. 

“If the water becomes contaminated with this organism, that’s how it gets into the food supply,” Sullivan said. 

Officials have not identified the exact source of this outbreak, which is hitting states nationwide, but said the parasite is most commonly found in produce. They said simple steps when handling food can help prevent getting sick. 

To help prevent the illness, Ohio Health Director Bruce Vanderhoff said to thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables under running water and wash your hands with soap before and after preparing food. 

“Prepare your food properly,” Vanderhoff said. “If you do that, you’re going to dramatically reduce the likelihood that you might acquire this infection.”

Health officials don’t think it’s necessary to avoid fresh produce.

“Go ahead and buy them,” Sullivan said. “Especially if you buy them from a store or a local farmer’s market. It should be fine, but wash them well.”

The disease is typically not life-threatening but can cause watery and sometimes explosive diarrhea. If left untreated, symptoms could return multiple times.  

“You may begin to feel better, but then start getting sick again,” Vanderhoff said. “That’s really characteristic of this particular infection.”

Experts said to see a doctor as soon as you think you may be experiencing symptoms. It can be treated with antibiotics, which helps shorten the length of the illness, but added that prevention is the best way to stay healthy.  

• Columbus ranked eighth on Orkin’s 2026 list of U.S. cities with the most bed bug treatments.
• Ohio had more cities in the top 50 than any other state, with six making the list.
• Recent bed bug sightings were reported in downtown Columbus government offices.

Columbus remains one of the nation’s top cities for bed bug treatments, according to Orkin’s latest annual rankings, while Ohio continues to dominate the list more than any other state.

Orkin ranked Columbus eighth on its 2026 list of U.S. cities with the most bed bug treatments, the same position the city held last year. Cleveland ranked even higher at No. 4. Cincinnati came in at No. 15.

Overall, six Ohio cities made the Top 50, more than any other state: Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Youngstown, Dayton and Toledo. The rankings are based on residential and commercial bed bug treatments Orkin performed between May 2025 and May 2026.

Chicago claimed the top spot for the sixth consecutive year, followed by Los Angeles, Detroit, Cleveland and Indianapolis.

Ohio continues to rank high for bed bugs

Ohio’s strong showing on the list comes as the state has repeatedly appeared near the top of national pest rankings.

A recent USA TODAY report, citing an analysis by Casino.ca, estimated Ohio has the second-highest bed bug risk for travelers in the country, behind only Michigan.

The Orkin rankings do not measure the total number of bed bugs in a city. Instead, they reflect where the company performed the greatest number of residential and commercial treatments over the past year.

Columbus has dealt with bed bug sightings before

The rankings also follow several high-profile bed bug incidents in downtown Columbus government offices.

Last fall, The Dispatch reported a bed bug was discovered inside the Ohio Department of Medicaid’s downtown office, prompting treatment of the affected area.

The Dispatch also reported that employees at the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation had reported bed bug sightings, leading to inspections and pest-control efforts.

Those incidents highlighted the challenges large office buildings face when dealing with pests that can hitch rides on clothing, backpacks and luggage rather than originating inside the buildings themselves.

It’s not just bed bugs

Bed bugs aren’t the only pests putting Columbus on Orkin’s radar.

In October 2025, Orkin ranked Columbus No. 21 on its annual “Rattiest Cities” list, a slight improvement from previous years but still among the nation’s leading metro areas for rodent treatments.

Taken together, the rankings suggest central Ohio remains a busy market for pest-control companies as the city holds steady on this year’s bed bug list.

Which Ohio cities made Orkin’s 2026 list?

Among Ohio cities, the rankings were:

• Cleveland– No. 4
• Columbus– No. 8
• Cincinnati– No. 15
• Youngstown– No. 32
• Dayton– No. 38
• Toledo– No. 42

Trending reporter Amani Bayo can be reached at abayo@dispatch.com.