Ohio
Ohio Supreme Court asked to force vote on elections board challenge
Columbus, Ohio top headlines of the week
Here are some stories you may have missed this week in central Ohio.
An attorney representing a woman challenging whether a Delaware County Board of Elections member lives in Ohio has asked the Ohio Supreme Court to force the remaining three elections board members to vote on the challenge.
The filing with the state’s high court came four days after the county elections board did not hold a hearing on the residency challenge against board member Melanie Leneghan, who is also the female District 19 representative for the Republican State Central Committee.
The elections board did not hold the residency hearing during its March 5 meeting or take any action on the challenge because the board’s two Democrats, Ed Helvey and Peg Watkins, recused themselves over concerns that any action they took could be seen as partisan.
Leneghan also recused herself, leaving only the board’s other Republican member, Steve Cuckler. As a result, the board didn’t have the required three members needed for a quorum.
Delaware County Republican Party Central Committee member Velva Dunn is challenging Leneghan’s right to vote in Ohio and her candidacy for reelection to the central committee in the May primary. In her challenge, Dunn alleges that Leneghan lives in South Carolina.
Leneghan, a former Liberty Township trustee, sold her home near Powell in January 2025. She is registered to vote in Galena, the elections board’s website shows.
Stay up to date with Delaware County news: Subscribe to The Dispatch’s free weekly Delaware County newsletter, The Delaware Dispatch.
Leneghan told The Dispatch on March 3 that she spends the majority of her time in Ohio, though she travels out of state for her sales job and owns property elsewhere, including in South Carolina, where she visits her daughter in college.
Dunn’s attorney, Curt Hartman, argued in the Supreme Court filing that Helvey and Watkins do not have a direct and personal interest in the challenge and their recusals, “while admirable in terms of seeking to put beyond reproach any perception of bias, is not sufficient to justify their recusal in this instance.”
Unlike when a judge or a prosecutor recuses themselves and appoints a visiting judge or special prosecutor, Hartman argued there is no mechanism or process outlined in Ohio law regarding recusals on boards of election, which are comprised of two Democrats and two Republicans. Hartman alleged that the Ohio Secretary of State does not have legal authority to consider such matters instead of the elections board.
Because there is no other remedy, Hartman argues in the filing that the other three board members have a clear legal duty to hold and conduct the hearing as required by Ohio law.
Hartman is also asking the Supreme Court to force the hearing because Leneghan is seeking reelection to the state central committee in the upcoming May 5 primary election.
In a March 11 response, the elections board’s special counsel, Frank J. Reed Jr., says that the legal concept Hartman is arguing doesn’t apply in these circumstances.
Reed also wrote that Helvey’s and Watkins’s actions were proper under the Ohio Secretary of State’s Ethics Policy for Ohio elections boards. The policy, in part, states: “Members and employees of the boards of elections should avoid actions and associations that create an appearance of impropriety, that undermine public confidence in Ohio elections officials, or that interfere with the performance of duties by Ohio elections officials.”
Now, the case is up to the justices to make a decision. The docket does not indicate when that would happen.
Delaware County and eastern Columbus suburbs reporter Maria DeVito can be reached at mdevito@dispatch.com and @mariadevito13.dispatch.com on Bluesky and @MariaDeVito13 on X.
CINCINNATI — Anyone who needs to go to their polling location for Ohio’s primary election will be able to ride all Metro services for free Tuesday, May 5.
Metro announced all fixed-route buses will run their regular weekday schedules fare-free on Election Day. For those who need door-to-door help, Metro’s Access paratransit will be available for eligible riders, while MetroNow! — the on-demand shuttle service — will also be free to anyone who needs it.
“Access to transportation should never be a barrier to voting,” Brandy Jones, Metro’s Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, said in a release. “By offering fare-free service on election day, we’re helping ensure that more people can take part in shaping their community.”
Metro has already announced that it will also offer fare-free rides for the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, as well.
To learn more about the different routes or transit options, download the Transit app or visit Metro’s website here.
After the Ohio Redistricting Commission passed new congressional maps last year, and some county board of elections announced polling consolidations this spring, there’s a chance your polling place has changed. If you are not sure where your polling location is, visit the Secretary of State’s website here.
The Ohio Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at April 27, 2026, results for each game:
Powerball
Powerball drawings are held Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m.
18-31-33-36-62, Powerball: 03, Power Play: 3
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 3
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.
Midday: 7-6-6
Evening: 5-6-2
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 4
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.
Midday: 9-2-8-2
Evening: 6-1-5-6
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 5
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.
Midday: 5-7-8-3-3
Evening: 7-6-8-3-5
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Rolling Cash 5
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 7:05 p.m.
09-10-24-30-39
Check Rolling Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Classic Lotto
Drawings are held Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, at approximately 7:05 p.m.
01-12-15-22-27-42, Kicker: 6-7-2-4-1-9
Check Classic Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.
Millionaire for Life
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 11:15 p.m.
04-15-19-21-31, Bonus: 04
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Enquirer digital news director. You can send feedback using this form.
NEGLEY, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Dr. Katelyn M. Williams, age 26, of Negley—our beloved daughter, granddaughter, fiancée and sister—passed away on Saturday, April 25, 2026, as the result of a tragic auto accident on Rt. 170. Her sudden passing has left a heartbreak that words can hardly touch.
Beautiful in both spirit and smile, “Katie” was the second oldest child of Patrick “Rick” and Kelly McCauley Williams of Negley, Ohio. She graduated from Beaver Local, Class of 2017, where she was a friend to many, sang in the choir and was a member of the girls’ golf team. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in biology from Youngstown State University in 2021 and following in her mother’s footsteps, attended Northeast Ohio Medical University, graduating with her PharmD in 2025.
Katie was an extraordinary young woman—driven, compassionate and deeply faithful. She was nearly finished with her one-year pharmacy residency at Aultman Community Hospital in Alliance and had just signed a three-year contract to serve as a clinical pharmacist with One Health Ohio in Youngstown. Even with a full schedule, Katie poured herself into others: she sang with the Praise Team and taught Sunday School at Point of Mercy Sanctuary. Her voice was absolutely gorgeous and when she sang for the Lord, it could move you to tears. Katie also loved bringing people together, often arranging youth get-togethers at her parents’ home, or at church on an occasional Friday or Saturday night.
Katie was engaged to be married on June 27th to Dustin Lane of Wellsville. She loved him dearly and spent much of her spare time at his home making plans for their big day – dreaming, laughing and building a future together. Katie was the kind of person who made the world feel gentler. She was truly one of the sweetest souls you could ever meet. She rarely had a negative word to say about anyone and she seemed to find something good in every person she met.
In addition to her parents, Katie is lovingly remembered by her three siblings, Garrett Williams and his wife, Cassandra, of Boardman, Blake Williams,and Emmalee Williams, both at home. She is also survived by her grandmothers, Patricia Williams of Lisbon and Marjorie McCauley of Negley; as well as her many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, who will miss her more than can be expressed.
Katie was preceded in death by her grandfathers, Gary McCauley and Gary Williams.
Friends may visit on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at the Dawson Funeral Home, where the family will be present from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Pastor Stephen Waddell of the church will conduct a funeral service at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, May 1, 2026, at the funeral home, where friends may visit two hours prior to the service. Burial will be at Columbiana County Memorial Park.
Following the service, friends and family will gather at the Point of Mercy Sanctuary for fellowship.
Arrangements of comfort are being made by Dawson Funeral Home.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Katelyn, please visit our floral store.
A television tribute will air Tuesday, April 28, at the following approximate times: 7:10 a.m. on FOX, 12:22 p.m. on WKBN, 5:08 p.m. on MyYTV and 7:27 p.m. on WYTV. Video will be posted here the day of airing.
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