A number of central Ohio counties are under a severe thunderstorm watch issued by the National Weather Service on Sunday afternoon.

Franklin, Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Hocking, Licking, Madison, Pickaway and Union counties, along with 23 other Ohio counties, are in the watch area. It is set to expire at 8 p.m.

The storms are expected to start this afternoon and return overnight. The main threat is damaging winds, but large hail, tornadoes and flash flooding caused by rain are possible, according to a hazardous weather outlook issued by NWS Wilmington.

The chance of precipitation during the day is 80% and rises to 90% overnight. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is expected during the day, but rainfall between a quarter and a half of an inch is possible overnight, according to NWS Wilmington’s forecast.

The chance for a thunderstorm continues into Memorial Day on Monday.

Columbus forecast for the week of May 26

There is to be a stormy start to the week before clearing up.

• Memorial Day: Showers and thunderstorms are likely, primarily before 1 p.m. Otherwise, it’s to be partly sunny with a high near 78. Winds could gust up to 25 miles per hour. The chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch are possible, except it could be higher if it storms.
• Monday night: Partly cloudy with a low around 60.
• Tuesday: There is a chance of showers after 2 p.m. Though, it is to be sunny with a high near 75. The chance of precipitation is 40% and less than a tenth of an inch of rainfall is expected.
• Tuesday night: There’s a chance of showers before 8 p.m. It’s to be partly cloudy with a low around 55. Chance of precipitation is 30%, and less than a tenth of an inch is expected.
• Wednesday: There’s a chance of showers. Otherwise, it’s to be mostly sunny with a high near 71. The chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Wednesday night: Mostly clear with a low around 49.
• Thursday: Sunny with a high near 72.
• Thursday night: It’s to be clear with a low around 48.
• Friday: Sunny with a high near 76.
• Friday night It’s to be mostly clear with a low around 52.
• Saturday: It’s to be mostly sunny with a high near 81.

NHart@dispatch.com

@NathanRHart

Ohio has Cedar Point and Kings Island, two great amusement parks. But if you’re willing to drive, there’s more to be found, like Dollywood and Hersheypark, all among the 10Best as chosen by readers.

Cedar Point and Kings Island are among the top amusement parks in the country according to various USA TODAY 10Best lists, as chosen by readers. But if you’re looking for something new, there are other options within driving distance to consider.

Here’s a look at what’s new at the Ohio attractions and what’s ranked in the 10Best lists in nearby states.

What’s new at Kings Island, Cedar Point?

Cedar Point’s newest and biggest attraction this season is the Top Thrill 2 coaster. However, the amusement park was forced to close the ride barely a month after its debut for modifications to the vehicles.

On USA TODAY’s 10Best lists, Cedar Point came in at No. 10 for Best Theme Park and was No. 5 for Best Theme Park Hotel, Hotel Breakers at Cedar Point.

At Kings Island, Camp Snoopy, an extension of the Planet Snoopy kids’ area, will have a different look after construction. Existing rides in that part of the park will be open to start the season.

Likewise, a new outdoor bar next to Coconut Cove Cafe will debut when Soak City opens on Memorial Day weekend. On the 10Best lists, Kings Island and Kings Dominion Grand Carnivale earned a mention on the Theme Park Festivals You Can’t Miss list.

If you’re willing to travel, Indiana and Pennsylvania have amusement parks that the 10Best voters believe are worth checking out.

Here’s what to know about them.

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari — Santa Claus, Indiana

Splashin’ Safari came in at No. 6 for the 10Best Outdoor Water Parks. The article draws attention to Mammoth, a massive water coaster that takes up three acres and offers multiple drops with technology to plunge six passengers again and again.

At Holiday World, wooden coaster The Voyage was tagged No. 7 on the 10Best Roller Coasters. Riders of this wooden coaster experience total weightlessness for 24.3 seconds as well as one of the steepest drops of any wooden coaster in the world.

• Address: 452 E. Christmas Blvd., Santa Claus, IN 47579
• Website: HolidayWorld.com
• Distance from Akron: About 400 miles, or a six-hour drive
• Distance from Columbus: About 280 miles, or a four-hour drive
• Distance from Cincinnati: About 170 miles, or a 2.5-hour drive

Hersheypark — Hershey, Pennsylvania

Coming it at No. 4 on the Best Theme Parks list, Hersheypark features more than 70 rides, including more than a dozen roller coasters, shows, a water park and an 11-acre zoo, according to the article, all included with the admission.

One of its coasters, Wildcat’s Revenge, is No. 4 on the 10Best Roller Coasters ranking. It added steel to a wooden frame to create a new hybrid ride. It climbs to a height of 140 feet, hits 62 mph and drops at 82 degrees.

The Chocolatier at Hersheypark comes in at No. 2 for Best Theme Park Restaurant. It isn’t just about chocolate, according to the article, though cocoa is incorporated into many of its dishes. The Chocolatier is a full-service restaurant that offers views of the park from its second-story patio and bar.

And Hersheypark tops the list for Best Theme Park Hotel with The Hotel Hershey. A member of the Historic Hotels of America, the hotel is an “elegant retreat,” according to the article. It offers a wide range of facilities including a fitness center, golf, tennis, hiking and a pool with waterslides.

• Address: 100 Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, PA 17033
• Website: Hersheypark.com
• Distance from Akron: About 320 miles, or a five-hour drive
• Distance from Columbus: About 380 miles, or a six-hour drive
• Distance from Cincinnati: About 490 miles, or a 7.5-hour drive

Knoebels — Elysburg, Pennsylvania

Knoebels comes in at No. 2 for Best Theme Park, and claims the top spot in two categories — Best Roller Coaster and Best Theme Park Restaurant.

According to the articles, Knoebels is home to The Phoenix, one of the most popular wooden coasters in the country, and is practically a museum of classic rides that are still operating, like Whipper, Flying Turns, The Haunted Mansion dark ride and the Sky Slide. But don’t think it’s all vintage. The park has modern rides as well as a water park.

Its restaurant, The Alamo, still offers burgers and hot dogs priced at family friendly prices of $5 or less. But the menu includes so much more, like crab cakes, chicken and waffles, and spaghetti and meatballs.

• Address: 391 Knoebels Blvd., Elysburg, PA 17824
• Website: Knoebels.com
• Distance from Akron: About 300 miles, or a 4.5-hour drive
• Distance from Columbus: About 420 miles, or a 6.5-hour drive
• Distance from Cincinnati: About 530 miles, or an 8-hour drive

Kennywood — West Mifflin, Pennsylvania 

Just outside of Pittsburgh, Kennywood only hits the 2024 10Best lists once, but it’s a big one.

Coming in at No. 8 for Best Theme Park, Kennywood offers iconic rides and classic favorites, according to the article. These include wooden roller coasters such as the side-by-side Racer and the 1920s-era Jack Rabbit. Plus, there’s a collection of dark rides like the Old Mill and the last-of-its-kind Noah’s Ark, as well as modern rides like the Steel Curtain coaster.

• Address: 4800 Kennywood Blvd, West Mifflin, PA 15122
• Website: Kennywood.com
• Distance from Akron: About 120 miles, or just over a 2-hour drive.
• Distance from Columbus: Nearly 200 miles, or just over a 3-hour drive.
• Distance from Cincinnati: About 300 miles, or more than a 4.5-hour drive.

Dollywood — Pigeon Forge, Tennessee 

Dollywood seems to be a popular destination for USA TODAY readers — it landed on 10Best lists for Best Theme Park, Best Roller Coaster, Best Outdoor Water Park, Best Theme Park Hotel and Best Theme Park Restaurant.

Tucked in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, Dollywood has it all, according to the article — thrill rides, coasters, kiddie rides and everything in between.

It also features live demonstrations, lavish shows and special events all year long, landing Dollywood at No. 5 on the best theme parks list. Its Splash Country came in at No. 10 for outdoor water park.

At No. 5 for best roller coaster, Dollywood’s Lightning Rod lifts its riders more than 20 stories before sending them down a 165-foot drop. And that’s just at the start. The coaster, modeled after a 1950s hot rod, reaches speeds of 73 mph.

Aunt Granny’s, No. 3 for best theme park restaurant, is a sit-down dining experience offering comfort food such as fried chicken and macaroni and cheese served family-style. And the HeartSong Lodge & Resort, No. 3 for best theme park hotel, is rustic yet modern, according to the article, featuring two pools, restaurants and outdoor fire pits.

• Address: 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd., Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
• Website: Dollywood.com
• Distance from Akron: About 520 miles, or about an 8-hour drive.
• Distance from Columbus: About 390 miles, or a 6-hour drive
• Distance from Cincinnati: About 285 miles, or less than a 5-hour drive.

A 41-year-old mom in Ohio who mostly fed her daughter Mountain Dew through a baby bottle until her teeth rotted was sentenced to nine- to 13-and-a-half years in prison for involuntary manslaughter on Friday. 

Tamara Banks faced charges of murder, involuntary manslaughter and endangering children, but the murder and endangering children charges were dropped when she pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, according to FOX 19. 

The girl’s father, Christopher Hoeb, 53, faced the same charges and has also pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter. He will be sentenced next month. 

“This is one of the most tragic cases I have ever encountered,” Clermont County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Clay Tharp told The Cincinnati Enquirer.

ARIZONA MAN CONVICTED IN 6-YEAR-OLD SON’S STARVATION DEATH 

The 4-year-old, whose diabetes went undiagnosed for years, was found unresponsive in January 2022, Clermont County Prosecutor Mark Tekulve said in a news release at the time. 

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The girl was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced brain-dead and eventually taken off life support, FOX 19 reported. 

Her cause of death was ruled to be diabetic ketoacidosis, a complication of diabetes in which acid levels in a person’s blood become life-threatening, according to the Mayo Clinic. 

The girl’s diet mainly consisted of Mountain Dew, prosecutors said.  (Rey Lopez for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

“Due to the neglect and abuse by her parents, K.H. suffered for a majority of her short life,” Tekulve said, adding that her diabetes was “left undiagnosed and untreated over a long period of time.” 

Banks oldest son Jerry told FOX 19 in March that he never met his little sister because she was kept away from him, but he remembers his younger brother going into Diabetic ketoacidosis years before and had to force his mom, who he said was passed out, to take him to the hospital.

Banks remained in the Clermont County Jail as of Saturday night, according to the jail’s website. Clermont County is east of Cincinnati.   (Clermont County Sheriff’s Office)

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“One day, he just went lethargic and wouldn’t move and the only thing he would respond to was sugar and for 36 hours, she [Tamara Banks] passed out in the back room,” Jerry Banks told the station. “I had to wake her up and force her to take him to the hospital and that’s when he was found to be in DKA; The same thing that happened to [K.H.]. The doctors just so happened to catch it in time to save him.”

Banks remained in the Clermont County Jail as of Saturday night, according to the jail’s website. Clermont County is east of Cincinnati.