Ohio
Ohio River expected to flood towns again for second time in a week
Dozens of water gauges along the Ohio River and its tributaries are expected to reach flood stage over the weekend due to heavy rainfall during the workweek.
MARIETTA, Ohio – Less than a week after the Ohio River reached major flood status along the Ohio-West Virginia border, municipalities are preparing again for additional flooding.
Widespread amounts of 2-5 inches of rainfall around the eastern Ohio River Valley are causing the river and tributaries to swell once again beyond their banks.
Marietta, Ohio, is one of the communities preparing for the renewed round of flooding, with sandbags now available for residents.
The town was in the clean-up stages of a major flood event that impacted the region last week, with now a moderate flood level expected to be reached over the next few days.
“I can’t name all of the volunteers and donors but all of them assisted with the flood preparations, support and clean up. The donations of supplies, food and other items were very much appreciated. This is the highest river crest since the 1979 flood excluding 2004 and 2005 floods. Many faces have changed since 2004 and 2005, but the mission of preparedness, during and after the flood, was carried out, and everyone did their part and their best,” Mayor of Marietta Josh Schlicher stated during the clean-up of the past event.
OHIO RIVER CRESTS AT MAJOR FLOOD STATUS SUBMERGING TOWNS IN APPALACHIA
Officials at the Wheeling – Ohio County Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency in West Virginia are also closely monitoring the river, which is expected to crest around 40 feet on Saturday.
NOAA’s National Weather Prediction Service expects nearly a dozen water level gauges to reach moderate status through the weekend, with levels in major metro areas such as Pittsburgh and Cincinnati only expected to reach minor flood stage.
Even at minor flood status, parks and recreational areas along the river’s banks are usually shut down, and river barge traffic can be impacted.
The Cincinnati Reds have been unable to host firework displays outside the Great American Ball Park due to barge safety, and it is unclear if the river will fall back to acceptable levels when Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Angels play the Reds on April 19.
HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER
Drone video from the Wheeling Fire Department around a community known as Wheeling Island in West Virginia. The Ohio River reached moderate to major flood stage in the region on Friday.
More heavy rainfall expected in April
The heavy precipitation that impacted communities around Pittsburgh and in West Virginia was not unanticipated, as NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center has long warned of above-average rainfall throughout the entire month.
A continued El Niño pattern has allowed an active storm track to impact the Ohio Valley, with several episodes of heavy rainfall.
The National Weather Service reports Pittsburgh is 6.11″ above normal and is on track to have its wettest April on record, with Wheeling, West Virginia, at 4.80″ above average.
A storm system that promises to produce severe thunderstorms over the heartland could be the next significant wet weather event to impact the Ohio Valley.
Forecast models show heavy precipitation could arrive in the eastern parts of the valley by Wednesday and produce at least an inch or two of new rainfall.
Any additional rainfall will keep levels of rivers and streams high and communities susceptible to flash flood events.
(FOX Weather)
Arthur Smith had only limited familiarity with Ryan Day before being hired as Ohio State’s offensive coordinator over the winter.
He had spent the past decade in the NFL. Their interactions were largely confined to the school’s annual pro day when Smith and other coaches and front office personnel from the league descended upon the Woody Hayes Athletic Center to scout prospects for the draft.
“I didn’t know him really well personally,” Smith said.
But Smith’s recent years offered a unique window into Day and his program, deepening a level of respect he held from afar. During his two seasons as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive coordinator, he coached Justin Fields and Will Howard, two former starting quarterbacks for Day at Ohio State.
The mutual connections extended to previous stops. When Smith was the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, they drafted defensive end Zach Harrison and traded for cornerback Jeff Okudah in 2023. Both played for Day as well.
“I’ve had such a good experience with some of the players that have come through,” Smith said, “so I was intrigued.”
Smith had not coached in college since 2010, when he was an administrative assistant and intern at Mississippi, and spent little time in recent years considering a return.
But Mike Tomlin’s sudden resignation as the Steelers coach in January left Smith exploring his options.
“We had just been in the playoffs,” Smith said. “It kind of hits you fast in these cycles.”
It allowed him time to give the opportunity at Ohio State a closer look.
“I weighed my options and talked to a lot of people,” Smith said. “It just made sense.”
His list also included Mike Vrabel, the former All-America defensive end for the Buckeyes in the 1990s who also vouched for Day. Smith was on Vrabel’s staffs with the Tennessee Titans from 2018-20, including two seasons as their offensive coordinator.
“He knows Ryan really well,” Smith said, “and gave me the whole picture. I know from afar, because I love the history of this game, and understand how important this place is in football.”
The hiring of Smith marked another offseason in which Day found a coordinator steeped with NFL experience.
It was last year when Day brought in Matt Patricia, a former Super Bowl-winning defensive coordinator with the New England Patriots and head coach of the Detroit Lions, and branded him as the head coach of the defense.
Smith arrives with a similar stature on the other side of the ball, enabling Day to continue delegating play-calling for the offense, a role he once held following his promotion from offensive coordinator to head coach in 2019.
“Arthur seemed like the right fit,” Day said.
His background is part of that, adding another coordinator with head-coaching experience in the NFL to the staff.
“You understand what happens in that office and comes across his desk,” Smith said. “You’re a little more empathetic, and you try to your job really well, so you can take that stress off and he doesn’t have to worry about the unit responsibility he gives you.
“It’s a big part of your job, because there’s a lot that goes into that job besides just coaching on the field.”
In his two months with the Buckeyes, Smith has taken to the program, seeing the immense pressure surrounding Ohio State as similar to his time in the NFL.
“You don’t go to Ohio State if you don’t welcome those expectations,” Smith said. “It’s the same thing in the NFL. You have an expectation to win every Sunday, and you love that challenge as a competitor. It kind of gets you going as a coach.”
Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Email him at jkaufman@dispatch.com and follow him on @joeyrkaufman on X.
Grand Opening party at new Kroger in Powell
Grand Opening party at new Kroger in Powell
Kroger is opening two more stores in central Ohio and renovating plenty more as part of a $112 million investment.
The “record breaking” funds are meant to “support shoppers and grow communities” in both central and northwest Ohio through 2026, according to a Kroger press release.
“These investments underscore Kroger’s confidence in the long-term growth of our communities and our ongoing commitment to meet customers where they live, work and shop,” said Jon Young, president of Kroger’s Columbus Division, which covers central Ohio, Toledo, Michigan and West Virginia. “By bringing new Kroger Marketplace locations and enhanced shopping experiences to our cities ranging from central Ohio to Toledo, we’re focused on creating convenient, modern stores that deliver fresh, affordable groceries for local families.”
On March 19, the company broke ground on its newest store in Canal Winchester. Construction is continuing at Kroger’s Delaware site at 1650 Sunbury Rd, and the 123,000-square-foot store is expected to open in early fall of 2026. According to Kroger, it will create more than 220 local jobs and brings a $33 million investment to Delaware County, one of the fastest growing counties in the state.
The Delaware location is “bringing the company’s most modern grocery experience to the community,” with “enhanced” produce, deli, meat and seafood offerings, a dedicated sushi counter, specialty cheese shop, as well as an expanded apparel section and on-site fuel center.
The Canal Winchester store will be 118,000 square feet and also feature a fuel center, and is slated to open in late fall of 2026. It’s a $30 million investment and will create around 250 jobs, according to Kroger.
Renovations are underway
Approximately $24 million will be spent on renovations for these 15 existing locations:
- Brewers Yard
- Dublin
- Gahanna
- Lambertville
- Lancaster
- New Albany
- Pataskala
- Reynoldsburg
- Sylvania
- Toledo
- Waterville
- Weirton
- Wheelersburg
- Wheeling
- Worthington
Renovations will differ by store needs and will likely include new product cases, improved restrooms and new decor, among other projects.
Currently, the Kroger Columbus Division employs nearly 18,000 people across the division’s stores in Ohio, Michigan and West Virginia.
Business and consumer issues reporter Samantha Hendrickson can be reached at shendrickson@dispatch.com
‘No Kings’ protests return to Ohio, condemning Trump’s policies
Nationwide “No Kings” protests took place on Oct. 18. Hundreds of demonstrators participated in protests in Columbus area.
A nationwide protest is set to return this weekend, with a “No Kings” demonstration planned at the Ohio Statehouse in downtown Columbus as well as in other area communities.
The Downtown event is part of a coordinated day of action expected to include hundreds, and potentially thousands, of gatherings across the country on March 28.
Mia Lewis, a volunteer with Indivisible Central Ohio and associate director of Common Cause Ohio, said the protest aims to bring together people concerned about federal policy and government overreach.
“We’re fed up with the Trump administration and their overreach,” Lewis said. “We’re taking a stand against illegal wars, injustice and power corruption.”
When and where is the Columbus protest?
The Columbus event is scheduled for 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. March 28 at the Ohio Statehouse, according to event organizers.
Participants are expected to gather near the William McKinley Monument before a rally and march through Downtown.
The protest is being organized locally by Indivisible Central Ohio, alongside partners including Common Cause Ohio, ACLU of Ohio and Columbus 50501.
Central Ohio events planned throughout the day
In addition to the Statehouse rally, there are three other rallies planned in Columbus, including at Easton, in German Village, and a senior-focused gathering scheduled from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. near Neil Avenue and Goodale Boulevard.
Other rallies are scheduled in more than 15 other cities throughout central Ohio. Those interested can visit nokings.org to view a map of events in their region.
What is the ‘No Kings’ movement?
The “No Kings” movement is a nationwide organizing effort that opposes what organizers describe as authoritarian actions by President Donald Trump and his administration.
According to organizers, more than 1,000 events have already been planned across the country for March 28, with thousands more expected.
“I have noticed that most people are unhappy with the Trump administration and they want to see change,” Lewis said.
Organizers say millions of people participated in similar protests last year.
What to expect from ‘No Kings’ events
Organizers say the demonstrations are intended to push back against federal policies and actions they oppose, while also encouraging civic engagement and nonviolent protest.
The coalition has hosted training sessions ahead of the March events aimed at educating participants about their rights and how to safely observe federal enforcement activity.
Organizers estimate attendance at the Statehouse event could exceed 15,000 people, potentially making it one of the largest protests in the city’s history.
The event is expected to include speakers such as state Rep. Munira Abdullahi, D-Columbus; retired Maj. Gen. Dennis Laich and representatives from advocacy groups. Organizers said attendees are encouraged to bring signs and messages important to them.
“Everyone is welcome,” Lewis said.
Trending reporter Amani Bayo can be reached at abayo@dispatch.com.
The Bumpboxx BB-777 is the ultimate in boombox nostalgia
US military sends drones, alongside 200 troops, to Nigeria amid fears of renewed Boko Haram insurgency
Chicago alderwoman apologizes for ‘wrong place at the wrong time’ comment on slain student
Greater weight loss promised by higher-dose Wegovy shot, now approved by FDA
Rams star Puka Nacua accused of biting woman, making antisemitic remarks: report
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Chicago alderwoman apologizes for ‘wrong place at the wrong time’ comment on slain student
Fake Euronews website targets Hungary election with false claims
An air traffic controller was juggling extra roles during the LaGuardia plane crash
Iran War: Pentagon set to send thousands of elite 82nd Airborne troops to region | BBC News
Video: Passengers Wait in Long Security Lines at LaGuardia After Deadly Crash
-
Detroit, MI6 days agoDrummer Brian Pastoria, longtime Detroit music advocate, dies at 68
-
Georgia1 week agoHow ICE plans for a detention warehouse pushed a Georgia town to fight back | CNN Politics
-
Movie Reviews6 days ago‘Youth’ Twitter review: Ken Karunaas impresses audiences; Suraj Venjaramoodu adds charm; music wins praise | – The Times of India
-
Alaska1 week agoPolice looking for man considered ‘armed and dangerous’
-
Education1 week agoVideo: Turning Point USA Clubs Expand to High Schools Across America
-
Sports4 days agoIOC addresses execution of 19-year-old Iranian wrestler Saleh Mohammadi
-
Science1 week agoIndustrial chemicals have reached the middle of the oceans, new study shows
-
New Mexico2 days agoClovis shooting leaves one dead, four injured