Ohio
Some Ohio tick species carry potentially fatal diseases. What to know
Tick Bite Prevention Guide
Essential steps to prevent tick bites and protect your family and pets while outdoors.
Although they’re silent and among nature’s stealthiest stalkers, ticks now seem to be creating considerable public buzz.
Certain ticks can operate year-round. Nonetheless, interest heightens during spring when intersections increase between reactivated ticks, people and people’s pets.
What happens post-encounter depends on how long a person takes to find and disengage from a tick that has found them. Infection can occur after two-hour attachments. In short, hunters, anglers, hikers, noodlers, birders and anyone else wandering woods and fields, especially during May and June, demand speedy self-inspection and precautionary repellent use.
Lyme disease, a malady that can leave sufferers with chronic malfunctions, draws much attention because of its inexorable and fairly rapid spread from New England into seemingly virgin territory, including Ohio.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS: More about Ohio hunting and fishing
Specific tick species carry different maladies, though some deal out more than one.
Blacklegged ticks, aka deer ticks, are the primary spreaders of Lyme disease. The bite from a lone star tick, another relative newcomer to Ohio, can trigger several illnesses, the most trumpeted being a potential killer known as alpha-gal syndrome that makes the bitten allergic to red meat and dairy.
A few years ago, former Columbus Dispatch nature columnist Jim Fry lay on a hospital bed while paralysis crept up his legs to his arms and neck. Spreading immobility made him unable to lift his head.
“I was terrified,” said Fry, then 79.
Fortunately, a healthcare attendant noticed an engorged tick on Fry’s upper left arm. Removal of the tick veered Fry away from a proximate path to eternity, though full recovery took time.
The would-be assassin turned out to be a dog tick, historically common in Ohio. Also known as a wood tick, the relative of spiders and scorpions can carry in its saliva a neurotoxin that triggers what is known as tick paralysis in susceptible people, dogs and cats. Tick paralysis – rare enough not to ratchet up public awareness, let alone mania – can kill.
Climate change has been popularly depicted as the reason deer ticks and lone star ticks have spread from the South into New England and the Midwest. Climate probably has an influence, but it’s not the primary cause, concluded the Entomological Society of America with findings shared in the publication Entomology Today.
Researchers found it highly probable that tick species currently viewed as newcomers were here spreading their diabolical wares before a wave of settlers mowed down trees for agriculture and virtually wiped out the deer through hunting and habitat destruction.
Deer are not themselves vulnerable to Lyme disease, but they are spreaders of ticks.
It was especially extreme in Ohio around 1900. By that time, the landscape had been transformed from 95% forested to about 5%. Deer went absent. When much marginal farmland reverted to native trees during the next 100-plus years, it stimulated the growth of a teeming deer population.
More deer have allowed more tag-along ticks to reoccupy lost territory, the study hypothesized.
Parting shots
Pro bass fisherman Charlie Hartley, who led the 2008 Bassmaster Classic for a day and who earned a paycheck in 78 of 296 Bassmaster tournaments in which he competed, has been named to the Ohio Bass Fishing Hall of Fame. Hartley resides in Grove City. … Turkey season ends May 24 at sunset in central Ohio and May 31 at sunset in five northeastern counties. Through May 17, the turkey take exceeded the three-year average at a comparable date by about 550.
Ohio
Ohio ramp closures set to begin in late June amid Brent Spence Corridor Project construction
CINCINNATI — Ohio drivers will soon see ramp closures take effect as part of construction on the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project.
Officials announced the schedule for closures on the Ohio side Tuesday, with the first closure tentatively set for late this month.
According to a post from the Brent Spence Corridor Project’s social media, drivers will see both long-term and permanent ramp closures as a result of the construction.
Here is the full list of closures announced Tuesday:
- Approximately 10 p.m. June 28: The exit ramp from eastbound U.S. 50/Sixth Street Viaduct to Second Street will permanently close.
- Approximately 11 p.m. June 29: The exit ramp from I-75 South to Second Street (Exit 1A) will permanently close. It will be replaced with a new ramp to Third Street that will provide access to Second Street. A temporary ramp to Third Street will be in place in the fall of 2026.
- Approximately 11 p.m. July 7: The ramp from westbound U.S. 50/Sixth Street Viaduct to Gest Street will permanently close and be replaced with a new ramp in “a future phase.”
- Approximately 11 p.m. July 8: The exit ramp from northbound I-71 to Second Street (Exit 1A) will close. It is slated to reopen in the fall of 2028.
- Approximately 10 p.m. July 9: Second Street will be reduced to one lane between the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge and Elm Street and traffic will be maintained in one lane through the spring of 2027.
The $4.05 billion project is expected to take crews until approximately 2031 to complete. That figure includes work on a double-decker companion bridge, two approaches and a re-striping of the existing Brent Spence Bridge. The cost does not include work to fully rehab the existing bridge, which will come at a later date. But the project extends well beyond the double-decker companion bridge and highway approach work.
Crews demolished the Linn Street overpass in April, reducing it from five lanes to two. The $46.7 million project will not only replace the bridge, but also reconstruct it. The new bridge will have two 10-foot driving lanes, as well as bike lanes and sidewalks on each side. A pedestrian bridge over Winchell Avenue will also be replaced. Closures for that work are already in place.
You can find more information on traffic impacts on the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor website here.
Ohio
Ohio unveils limited edition ‘I Voted’ sticker for America 250
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohioans will be able to get a limited edition “I Voted” sticker this November that commemorates America’s 250th birthday.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose unveiled the special design this week at the 2026 Ohio Secretary of State Annual Conference.
The new design is an effort to encourage more people to vote and highlight the importance of civic engagement. Watch the latest headlines from NBC4 in the player above.
“As our nation prepares to celebrate 250 years of freedom, self-government, and civic participation, this special edition sticker serves as a reminder that every vote helps write the next chapter of the American story,” LaRose said in a statement.
The new sticker features the familiar “I Voted” design but also includes a large blue border, a sunrise illustration in the background, and a large “250” with a gold banner that says “America” with the dates 1776 and 2026.
“You all know the most important thing to some people about Election Day is their ‘I Voted’ sticker,” LaRose said. “Well, it’s become iconic, people love their ‘I Voted’ sticker. So we decided, let’s maybe have some fun and celebrate America’s 250th birthday.”
All 88 county boards of elections will have a limited supply of the special sticker, which will be available to voters who cast early in-person ballots or vote on Election Day, while supplies last.
“We hope Ohio voters will wear this sticker proudly as we celebrate this historic milestone together,” LaRose said.
Early in-person voting for the November election starts on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
Ohio
Joseph J. Milano, Youngstown, Ohio
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Joseph J. Milano, age 63, of Youngstown, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, surrounded by loved ones.
Born on May 15, 1963 in Sharon, Pennsylvania, Joe lived a life marked by love, dedication, and kindness.
He was a devoted husband/father/grandfather/uncle/friend whose greatest joy came from spending time with family and supporting those he loved. Joe had a lot of amazing qualities, he was selfless, caring, loyal, and relentless, he never had a problem with putting other people’s needs before his own. His work ethic carried into retirement where he picked up new hobbies like whittling. He will be remembered by his wisdom, guidance, respectful, and humble spirit.
He is survived by his wife Jennifer Milano (Weingart), his two sons Joesph and Nicholas Milano, his sister Patricia Ivan (John), his Aunt Jean Morgan, his nephews Colton and Logan Ivan, and his grandson Asher Milano.
He was preceded in death by Joseph Milano (father) Dororthy Kilgore (mother) Walt Kilgore (uncle) Joe will be remembered for his wisdom, guidance, and unwavering support. His respectful and humble spirit earned the admiration of family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. He led by example, showing kindness, integrity, and perseverance in both words and actions. The lessons he shared and the love he gave will continue to live in the hearts of those he leaves behind.
The service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 17 at St Christines 3165 S Schenley Ave, Youngstown, OH 44511 “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.” He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.
Arrangements are being handled by the Vaschak-Kirila Funeral Home.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joseph, please visit our floral store.
A television tribute will air Tuesday, June 16 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.
-
New Jersey1 minute agoHow to Canoe to the World Cup in New Jersey
-
New Mexico4 minutes agoFire contained to 2 acres after prompting evacuations in San Juan County
-
North Carolina9 minutes agoNC lawmakers seek $5 million to study psychedelic medicines
-
North Dakota16 minutes ago
Nadine Bratz Obituary June 15, 2026 – Eastgate Funeral & Cremation Services
-
Ohio19 minutes ago
Ohio ramp closures set to begin in late June amid Brent Spence Corridor Project construction
-
Oklahoma24 minutes agoTeen facing multiple charges in Oklahoma City shooting death
-
Oregon31 minutes agoOregon lawmakers set to hear from climate advocates on heat death prevention
-
Pennsylvania34 minutes agoNokia announces major expansion of U.S. semiconductor advanced test and packaging in Pennsylvania to bolster AI growth