Ohio
Ohio State football starting left tackle Josh Simmons likely out for the season
Josh Simmons, the starting Ohio State left tackle, remains likely to miss the rest of the season after he was injured in the Buckeyes’ loss at Oregon on Saturday.
During his weekly appearance on the “Buckeye Roundtable” on 97.1 The Fan, coach Ryan Day said Simmons’ injury was “probably” season-ending, continuing to offer a pessimistic outlook.
Day had raised concerns in his postgame news conference that Simmons might not be able to return this year, noting it did not “look great.” He added Monday night that tight end Will Kacmarek, who did not appear to return after his 32-yard catch on the first drive, is also “probably going to be a little while.” Day did not specify Kacmarek’s issue.
Simmons went down in the second quarter while blocking defensive end Matayo Uiagalelei. As he dropped into pass protection, his left knee appeared to buckle, prompting him to drop to the ground.
Once he fell to the Autzen Stadium turf, Simmons grabbed his left knee, which later received attention from the Buckeyes’ medical staff around the 20-yard line.
After he was examined for several minutes, Simmons stood under his own power, but did not move much or put significant weight on his left leg before being carted off the field. He did not return to the game, and Zen Michalski, a redshirt junior, replacing him for the duration.
A San Diego State transfer, Simmons became an immediate starter last fall and developed into one of the Buckeyes’ best blockers.
Simmons had allowed only two pressures this year, the fewest among Ohio State’s starting offensive linemen, according to Pro Football Focus.
With him unavailable moving forward, Michalski could continue to fill in as the starting left tackle. The Buckeyes also could reshuffle their line. Tegra Tshabola, the starting right guard, has experience at tackle, and backup interior lineman Austin Siereveld has already started twice at left guard this year and split reps with Tshabola at guard.
This story was updated to add new information.
Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @joeyrkaufman or email him at jkaufman@dispatch.com.
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Ohio
NECIC to host community visioning session for Mansfield’s north end in partnership with Heritage Ohio
MANSFIELD — The North End Community Improvement Collaborative, Inc. (NECIC) will host a Community Visioning Session in partnership with Heritage Ohio, Inc. on Tuesday, July 28 at 6 p.m. at the United Steelworkers Hall, located at 376 West Longview Avenue in Mansfield.
The public is invited to attend and share input on the future of Mansfield’s North End, with a focus on strengthening neighborhood revitalization efforts and identifying opportunities for continued growth and investment.
The session is part of an upcoming visit from Heritage Ohio’s Downtown Assessment Resource Team, also known as D.A.R.T. The visit is designed to help communities explore next steps for revitalization and introduce the key building blocks of a successful long term revitalization effort: organization, promotion, design, and economic vitality.
NECIC reached out to Heritage Ohio as part of its ongoing work to support revitalization in the North End, especially near the corner of Springmill Street and Bowman Street, where NECIC has been focusing recent revitalization efforts.
Since joining the organization in early 2025, NECIC President & CEO Matthew Benko- Scruggs has placed a strong focus on revitalization near the corner of Springmill Street and Bowman Street.
This work has included the organization’s move back into the neighborhood, continued investment in the area, and community centered efforts such as the Springmill Spring Cleanup event.
During the Community Visioning Session, residents, business owners, stakeholders, and other community members will have the opportunity to learn more about Heritage Ohio, the revitalization process, and ways they can help shape the future of the North End.
“We want this process to be rooted in the voices of the people who live, work, and invest in the North End,” said Benko-Scruggs. “This session is an opportunity for the community to share ideas and help guide what revitalization can look like in our neighborhood.”
Heritage Ohio, Inc. is a statewide nonprofit organization that supports the development, redevelopment, and improvement of downtowns and neighborhood districts throughout Ohio through technical assistance, training, networking, and advocacy.
Community members are encouraged to attend and take part in the conversation.
For more information, contact Director of Community Organizing Emily Schwan at 419-
522-1611, ext. 109 or Emily@necic-ohio.org.
A grand jury in Franklin County, Ohio, indicted nine people suspected of being involved in a human trafficking ring, officials said.
Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson said in a news release on Monday that the nine people were indicted on a combined 42 felony charges in connection with the human trafficking investigation. Marcus Gant, Magon Smith, Raymond Valentine, Aimee Fabin, John W. Gibson II, Malik Jackson, Kayla Wheeler, Jeremy Lindsey, and Mackenzie Fitzpatrick face a variety of charges, including engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. All nine are in custody.
The news release said they are accused of using narcotics to coerce women into commercial sex work at the Econo Lodge on North Wilson Road. The suspects then laundered money through Valentine Floral on Eakin Road, officials said. The alleged crimes took place between April 2025 and January 2026.
Some of those charged face trafficking in persons, compelling prostitution and promoting prostitution charges. Of the nine, Gant faces the most charges. The 37-year-old from Columbus faces 11 different counts related to the human trafficking investigation.
The Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force led that investigation, the news release added.
According to Monday’s news release, the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office has taken previous legal action against the Econo Lodge. Officials said a lawsuit was filed earlier this year against the owner of a hotel, who was accused of “neglecting to address repeated drug and violent activity on the property.” A settlement was reached.
People can report human trafficking in Ohio by calling 844-END-OHHT, texting “ENDOHHT” to 847411, downloading the END OHHT app or submitting information online.
Matt Hardigree
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