Ohio
Ohio lawmakers seek millions for Pro Football Hall of Fame, other Stark projects
The Pro Football Hall of Fame, Akron-Canton Airport, downtown Minerva and some Stark County higher education projects are in line to receive a funding boost from state lawmakers.
Ohio House legislators on Wednesday released their list — House Bill 2 — of how they want to spend their half of $700 million allocated for the One Time Strategic Community Investments Fund, which is what lawmakers have set aside from federal pandemic relief funds to spend on local community projects. The Ohio Senate is expected to decide this spring how it will spend its $350 million.
Under House Bill 2, nearly $13 million has been designated for regional projects, including $7 million for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s modernization project and $2.5 million for the Akron-Canton Airport’s West Side Development for Aeronautic Activity.
State Rep. Scott Oelslager, a Republican who serves as second-in-command in the Ohio House and who represents the 48th district that includes most communities northeast of Canton, said the proposed Hall of Fame and airport investments also will help boost the local economy as they bring in out-of-town visitors who will stay to shop in local stores, sleep in local hotels and eat at local restaurants.
“Both of these are transformational in the sense that they have an economic ripple effect for Stark County and the region,” he said.
House Bill 2, which totals $2 billion for the next two years, also includes $600 million for school building projects, $400 million for public works infrastructure projects and $250 million for local jail construction and renovations, all of which Oelslager noted could be used for eligible Stark County projects.
The House also designated nearly $398 million for higher education projects, with nearly $7.2 million slated for projects at Stark County institutions.
Lawmakers from both the House and Senate also are working through which projects to recommend for the state’s two-year capital bill, which has funded roughly $7 million in Stark County projects in each of the last two cycles.
Here’s what to know about the proposed local projects under House Bill 2:
Pro Football Hall of Fame plans multimillion-dollar upgrade
The Pro Football Hall of Fame and Museum is planning an $80 million modernization project that its leaders say will represent the most comprehensive renovation and expansion project since the museum opened in 1963.
“We believe this project will position the Hall to be the leader in economic development for the area that was envisioned when it opened 61 years ago,” said Hall of Fame President Jim Porter, who thanked Oelslager and the state legislators for sharing the Hall’s vision for how the project would benefit Canton and the entire Northeast Ohio region.
The museum at 2121 George Halas Drive NW, which is separate from the Hall of Fame Village entertainment complex that surrounds it, plans to renovate and modernize its existing 120,000-square-foot footprint, build a new 8,000-square-foot grand lobby featuring high-tech interactive exhibition gallery spaces, create additional office and storage space, and construct an 18,500-square-foot community event center complex that would be available to charity groups at reduced rates.
The Black College Football Hall of Fame is expected to make the Hall of Fame its permanent home as part of the project.
The first phase of the four-phase project is expected to begin in late spring. The project, which has been nearly two years in the making, is expected to take between three and five years to complete. SoL Harris/Day Architecture and Beaver Excavating Co. have been hired to complete the designs and preliminary work.
Minerva looks to revitalize its downtown
Minerva, which straddles Stark, Carroll and Columbiana counties, is in line to receive $200,000 to revitalize its downtown, which has been an ongoing goal for the past decade.
The village already has plans to create a downtown pocket park along High Street that will hold a music stage, seating areas, landscaping and interactive components such as permanent corn hole boards. The pocket park, which would be between Main and Market streets, would be located within the village’s existing designated outdoor drinking district, according to Village Administrator Benjamin W. Gunderson.
Other regional projects in line for funding include $2.9 million for Columbiana County’s Annex/Drug Task Force Building, $200,000 for Carroll County’s Agricultural Service Center and $2.5 million for the Akron-Canton Airport’s planned improvements to its west side to create additional space to accommodate the growth of its aircraft operations.
Upgrades planned for Stark State, Kent State Stark
Stark State College is in line to receive $6.5 million in state higher education funds. Among the projects proposed for the college, which has campuses in Stark and Summit counties, are $3.17 million for heating, ventilation and air conditioning upgrades and replacements; $1 million for roof replacements, $1.47 million for elevator restorations and $842,000 for fire alarm system upgrades.
As part of Kent State University’s $29 million in proposed funding, $652,392 is being recommended to replace Kent State Stark’s chiller plant.
Reach Canton Repository staff writer Kelli Weir at 330-580-8339 or kelli.weir@cantonrep.com.
Ohio
Last Call: Questions, Players to Watch and Predictions for Ohio State’s Top-Five Matchup with Penn State
Ohio State is about to play a top-five opponent on the road for the second time in four weeks.
#3 Penn State
Nittany Lions
7-0 (4-0)
NOV. 3, 2024 – NOON
BEAVER STADIUM
University Park, PA
Twenty-one days after suffering a one-point loss at Oregon, Ohio State looks to prove it can win a big game today as it faces No. 3 Penn State at Beaver Stadium. There are plenty of questions surrounding the Buckeyes entering the matchup, particularly whether its offensive line will perform better than last week against Nebraska and whether its defense will perform better than it did against Oregon, and the Buckeyes will need their biggest stars to be at their best to beat the Nittany Lions and remain in control of their own destiny in the Big Ten championship and College Football Playoff races.
With the high-stakes clash between the third-ranked Nittany Lions and the fourth-ranked Buckeyes set to kick off at noon on FOX, we discuss the biggest questions entering the game, highlight our top players to watch and make some predictions for what we’ll see in Happy Valley on Saturday.
Questions
Can the offensive line hold up against Penn State’s stout defensive line?
It’s the question everyone’s asking. With Ohio State down to its third-string left tackle (probably Donovan Jackson), can the Buckeyes possibly block Abdul Carter and the rest of that Nittany Lions defensive front?
OSU has to find a way to give Will Howard time under less-than-ideal circumstances to escape State College with a win. Not only does it need to hold up in pass protection, but if the Buckeyes run the ball like they did against Nebraska, it’s going to be lights out at Beaver Stadium. Hopefully, they’ll execute much better this time around.
– Garrick Hodge
Will the defense look elite?
Even if we assume Ohio State’s offense will have some struggles as it breaks in a new left tackle for the second game in a row, the Buckeyes can still beat Penn State if their defense plays like it’s supposed to. That’s how Ohio State beat Penn State last year, allowing only 12 points on 240 yards in a game where it scored only 20.
Ohio State’s defense failed its first big test of this season as it gave up 32 points on 496 yards against Oregon. But the Buckeyes are ostensibly even more talented on defense than they were last year; on paper, they should be the No. 1 defense in the country. To be that, however, they have to be able to lead Ohio State to victory in games of this magnitude.
– Dan Hope
Will the defense make stops in the fourth quarter?
The Ohio State defense hasn’t forced a fourth-quarter punt in the four games Jim Knowles has called against AP top-five teams: 2022 vs. Michigan, 2022 vs. Georgia, 2023 vs. Michigan and 2024 vs. Oregon. That’s correct. The 11 combined fourth-quarter drives ended like this: TD, Missed FG, TD, TD, FG, TD, TD, FG, FG, TD and FG. Whether the defense can break that trend on Saturday could be the difference between a win and a loss for the Buckeyes.
– Chase Brown
Are Chip Kelly and Ryan Day willing to lean on the passing game?
I’m not saying Ohio State should totally abandon its running game on Saturday, but it has a shuffled offensive line fresh off a game where the Buckeyes managed a meager 2.1 yards per carry. Though protecting Howard behind that line might be a challenge, he was still productive under pressure against Nebraska and the passing attack has been consistently prolific this season. Leaning toward the air might need to be the game plan if the ground fails to yield once again.
– Andy Anders
Players to Watch
Will Howard
Howard made it clear he wants to make a statement against his home-state team when he said Penn State “didn‘t think I was good enough” as a recruit, and that comment only increases the spotlight on Ohio State’s quarterback entering this game.
Howard has been one of the most efficient passers in the country this season, completing 74% of his passes for a quarterback rating of 183.9, which ranks second nationally. He’ll give the Buckeyes a chance if he continues to play at that level on Saturday, and Ohio State might need him to given the struggles its rushing offense has had over the past couple of weeks.
– Dan Hope
Donovan Jackson
Jackson has long been a standout offensive lineman for the Buckeyes, but they’re going to ask a lot out of him on Saturday. Assuming he plays left tackle, can Jackson hold his own playing out of position against one of the more talented pass rushers in the conference? How Jackson performs on this stage could determine what Ohio State’s lineup up front looks like for the rest of the season.
– Garrick Hodge
Denzel Burke
Burke is Ohio State’s top cornerback and supposed to be one of the best in the country, but he allowed eight receptions for 179 yards and two touchdowns in Ohio State’s last big game against Oregon. He and the rest of the Buckeyes’ touted cornerbacks need to show up on Saturday, especially since Penn State has no receivers that average more than 50 yards per game.
– Andy Anders
JT Tuimoloau
Thanks, Dan, Garrick and Andy. Here’s the last and best pick: JT Tuimoloau. The senior defensive end was a game-wrecker in Ohio State’s wins over Penn State in 2022 and 2023. On Saturday, I’ll pick him to be a game-wrecker for a third consecutive season. It may not be the six-tackle, three-tackle-for-loss, two-sack, two-interception performance we witnessed in State College two years ago, but if he can contribute even half those numbers in the top-five matchup, the Buckeyes will be more than pleased.
– Chase Brown–
Predictions
Jeremiah Smith will break all the freshman records
Jeremiah Smith enters today’s game needing just seven receptions, 26 receiving yards and one touchdown catch to break Cris Carter’s single-season records for an Ohio State freshman in all three of those categories. I expect Smith to hit all of those numbers, which would also mean tying TreVeyon Henderson’s record for the most consecutive games with a touchdown by an Ohio State freshman to start his career, with a standout performance in the national spotlight.
– Dan Hope
Big Game James pulls a Big Game James move
It’s like that famous congressional line: You know it when you see it. I can’t predict what exact mishap James Franklin is going to commit in this top-five matchup, whether it’s a botched substitution, chasing points too early or running a draw on 4th-and-5, but whenever he makes an egregious, potential game-changing mistake, you’ll move to the edge of your couch, point at the TV, and shout, there’s Big Game James!
– Garrick Hodge
Two sacks for JT Tuimoloau
Ohio State’s defensive end posted perhaps the best defensive performance in school history the last time the Buckeyes played at Beaver Stadium, with six tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, a forced fumble he recovered, two interceptions with a pick-six and a pass deflection that turned into another interception. His outing in the Shoe against the Nittany Lions was excellent as well; he got a sack, batted down a pass and put Penn State quarterback Drew Allar under consistent pressure.
Tuimoloau’s season gained some steam against the Huskers too, with five tackles, two TFLs and a sack. The Buckeyes need him, Jack Sawyer and the rest of the defensive line to get after Allar in the pass rush, and I think he delivers.
– Andy Anders
Caleb Downs gets his first interception of the season
Ryan Day and Jim Knowles both commented on the weapon Tyler Warren is and can be for Penn State’s offense. Who will those coaches call upon to cover Warren? More often than not, I think that answer will be Downs. The Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist has been one of Ohio State’s best defenders this season. However, he’s yet to record his first interception seven games into the year. I think that changes on Saturday while he flies around the field to cover Warren.
– Chase Brown
Ohio
Five-Star Guard Chooses Kansas Over Ohio State, Several Other Schools
The wait is officially over.
Darryn Peterson was one of the most coveted prospects in the 2025 recruiting class and the Ohio State Buckeyes were among his top four choices. Joining the Buckeyes as finalists were the Kansas Jayhawks, Kansas State Wildcats and the USC Trojans.
In a battle of Big Ten versus Big 12, the Ohio native chose the Kansas Jayhawks on Friday night.
The Jayhawks are getting the the No. 3 player in the nation according to 247 Sports. He is also considered the No. 1 combo guard in his class.
Peterson is officially the first commitment for Bill Self’s Kansas squad in the 2025 class.
This spring and summer, he averaged an impressive 23.8 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. In three of his team’s games, he posted over 30 points.
As the prolific 6’6″ scorer becomes Kansas’ highest-rated recruit since Josh Jackson in 2016, the Ohio State Buckeyes can move on to other targets.
The Buckeyes already hold commitments from two players in the 2025 class and two in the 2026 class as well. Four-star shooting guard Dorian Jones (2025) announced his commitment to Ohio State in July and four-star power forward A’mare Bynum (2025) committed on October 22nd.
As for other potential commitments on the horizon, four-star power forward Niko Bundalo is down to four finalists and so is four-star shooting guard Davion Hannah (Bynum’s high school teammate).
Both players are expected to announce their commitments in November, which means the Buckeyes have more chances at getting some excellent news.
Ohio
Cincinnati’s Daniel Carter Beard Bridge fire recalls other fires, disasters on Ohio bridges
A massive fire engulfing the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge and Interstate 471 over the Ohio River might have Cincinnati residents recalling another major blaze that cut a major route between Ohio and Kentucky.
In 2020, the Brent Spence Bridge that carries interstates 71 and 75 across the Ohio River was closed for weeks following a crash that sparked a huge fire.
Here’s a look back at that disaster and other bridge fires and collapses around Ohio.
Fiery crash closes Brent Spence Bridge, I-71/75, over Ohio River for six weeks in 2020
Brent Spence Bridge on I-75 closed after fire, crash
A boat sprays water on a semi on fire on the Brent Spence Bridge early Wednesday. The fire followed a crash involving 2 semis. One truck was carrying potassium hydroxide. The bridge will be closed until it can be inspected.
Emily Rowekamp, Provided
On Nov. 11, 2020, a truck carrying potassium hydroxide crashed into a jackknifed truck on the Brent Spence Bridge, causing a major fire that ended up closing the Ohio River span for six weeks.
According to 911 calls, the Old Dominion semi driver who crashed into a jackknifed truck didn’t have time to grab Hazmat paperwork before fleeing the truck, the Enquirer reported previously.
“It started on fire, and I just jumped out,” he said, telling a dispatcher that he couldn’t grab the paperwork in time.
Neither he nor the driver of the jackknifed rig were injured.
Repairs to the bridge included new steel support beams and new sections of concrete on the upper and lower decks. The U.S. Department of Transportation made $12 million in federal funds available for emergency repairs.
The bridge, which carries more than 160,000 vehicles a day and is one of the busiest trucking routes in the United States, reopened on Dec. 22, 2020.
Tanker catches fire on state Route 8 in Macedonia Saturday
The crash closed the highway both ways.
Tanker crash kills driver, sparks fire on Route 8 ramp to I-271 in January 2024
On Jan. 27, the driver of a diesel tanker was killed after driving off a bridge at the Interstate 271 entrance ramp from state Route 8 north of Akron.
The truck, carrying 7,500 gallons of diesel fuel, exploded, causing a huge fire that closed the bridge for a few days, the Akron Beacon Journal reported. It reopened after inspections showed the damage didn’t affect the bridge’s structural integrity.
Miamitown Bridge collapses during flooding in Cincinnati on May 26, 1989
A temporary bridge over the Great Miami River collapsed during widespread flooding on May 16, 1989, according to media reports, sending four cars into the water. At least two people drowned, WCPO reported.
In November 1990, the National Transportation Safety Board issued a report blaming the Hamilton County Engineer’s Office for three factors that contributed to the bridge collapse, according to WCPO. Those included:
- Selection of a design by National Engineering, the company that built the bridge, that did not consider lateral loads
- Failure to submit the bridge design plans to the Ohio Department of Transportation for review as required by state law
- Failure to promptly close the bridge when it became subject to significant debris loading
Silver Bridge span from Gallipolis collapses into Ohio River on Dec. 15, 1967
The Silver Bridge spanned the Ohio River from Gallipolis to Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Opening to traffic in 1928, it was the first bridge in the nation to use an innovative eyebar-link suspension system rather than a traditional wire-cable suspension, according to West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
However, one of those eyebars had a small, unseen defect. The faulty eyebar eventually cracked and began to corrode, out of sight of the public or bridge inspectors. At about 5 p.m. on December 15—during rush hour—the eyebar failed, setting off a series of other failures that caused the bridge to collapse. Thirty-one vehicles plunged into the Ohio River, killing 46 people.
This story was updated to add a video.
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