Ohio

Some small Ohio cities are banning camping in public places. Here is why

Published

1 year ago

October 2, 2024

Some small Ohio cities are banning camping in public places. Here is why

Several small cities across Ohio are considering bans on camping or sleeping in public − local ordinances that would impact homeless people who live in outdoor encampments.

The trend comes on the heels of a key decision from the U.S. Supreme Court in June that said banning camping isn’t cruel and unusual punishment.

Later this month, the Newark City Council may vote to ban camping in public parks − a proposal that has drawn support and criticism. Downtown business owners and city leaders are frustrated with the ongoing problem and low-income residents are upset with their limited options. Newark is 40 miles east of Columbus.

In September, New Philadelphia adopted a ban on camping in parks, cemeteries or city-owned properties. Campers would get notice to remove their items within 24-hours. After that, police can clear the camp and issue misdemeanor tickets. The city is about 30 miles south of Canton.

Mentor, a city along Lake Erie east of Cleveland, adopted an ordinance in August that bans using bedding, cooking food or doing other living activities on public properties. Mentor officials described it as a public safety measure.

“This is not an anti-anyone ordinance. I want to underscore that publicly. This is just to address specific behaviors where frankly they will do more harm than good and in fact, place persons in danger,” said Joseph Szeman, Mentor law director, at the council meeting.

Anti-public camping ordinances are also being discussed in Toledo, Wilmington, Marietta, Brunswick and Belpre, according to local news reports and the Coalition on Housing and Homelessness in Ohio.

What is sparking this trend? In June, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 6-3 ruling upholding the constitutionality of a local law in Grants Pass, Oregon, that bans camping on public properties. The majority decision said it wasn’t within the federal court’s purview to decide how local governments address people sleeping outside.

The decision cleared the way for other cities to adopt similar bans.

In Ohio, 11,386 people are homeless, according to 2023 data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Of those people, 79% live in shelters. Nationwide, HUD reported in 2023 that 653,100 people were experiencing homelessness on a single night in 2023 — a 12% increase, or 70,650 more people, from 2022.

Marcus Roth, spokesman for the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio, said during the pandemic, fewer people were willing to live in shelters and moved to outdoor encampments. That made the problem more visible.

But once someone is unsheltered and living outdoors, they need more help to find housing and support services, he said.

“This criminalization path is tempting for politicians who want to make it look like they’re doing something about homelessness without actually doing something. They’re actually making the problem a lot worse,” Roth said.

Cities should avoid such knee-jerk responses and instead focus on expanding supports for unsheltered people and address the affordable housing crisis, he said.

Laura Bischoff is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

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Ohio State has added a tight end as its first 2026 transfer portal addition

Published

7 hours ago

January 4, 2026

Press Room

Ohio State has added a tight end as its first 2026 transfer portal addition

COLUMBUS, Ohio –Ohio State had added the first player to its 2026 transfer portal class.

Mason Williams is a former member of the 2023 recruiting class who spent his first three seasons as an Ohio Bobcat. After redshirting his freshman season, he’s spent the last two as a vital member of the Bobcats’ offense as both a blocker and a receiver.

In 1,133 snaps, Williams caught 48 passes for 565 yards and six touchdowns. As a blocker, he can be a reliable end-line tight end who can replace the loss of Will Kacmarek, who is out of eligibility. Kacmarek also came from Ohio in 2024 and spent the last two years as a major contributor, developing into one of the nation’s best blocking tight ends.

Williams will have two years of eligibility remaining in Columbus. His addition helps offset the loss of Kacmarek to graduation and Jelani Thurman to the transfer portal. He’ll join a room expected to feature Bennett Christian, Nate Roberts, Brody Lemon and Maxence LeBlanc. Nick Lautar will also join the room as an incoming freshman.

OSU is also waiting for the decision of Purdue transfer Max Klare, who has the option of declaring for the NFL Draft or returning in 2026.

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Ohio State Transfer QB Lincoln Kienholz Commits to Louisville

Published

19 hours ago

January 4, 2026

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Ohio State Transfer QB Lincoln Kienholz Commits to Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Louisville football program, presumably, has their QB1 for the 2026 season.

Former Ohio State quarterback Lincoln Kienholz announced Saturday that he has committed to the Cardinals. He will join Louisville will two years of eligilbility.

Keinholz is Louisville’s second portal commitment of the cycle, joining Kentucky cornerback D.J. Waller. The duo are the first to offset 21 portal defections that UofL has seen so far. The 14-day transfer window officially opened up this past Friday, and is the only opportunity for players to enter following the removal of the spring window.

The 6-foot-2, 214-pound quarterback was involved in a highly competitive battle for the Buckeyes’ starting gig in the preseason, before ultimately losing out to eventual Heisman Trophy finalist Julian Sayin. He saw action in seven games this past season, going 11-of-14 through the air for 139 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 66 yards and two scores on 11 attempts.

“Just a tremendous athlete,” OSU head coach Ryan Day said of Kienholz at Big Ten Media Days this past summer. “You pick a sport, he can do it. He’s like a four handicap [in golf]. He can hit the [baseball] out of the park. He was a major league baseball prospect. He can windmill dunk. He can do a lot of things.”

The Pierre, S.D. native spent three seasons in Columbus. As a true freshman in 2023, he played in three games, going 10-of-22 for 111 yards, while also rushing for two yards on six attempts. He did not log any stats during Ohio State’s 2024 national championship season.

Kienholz was a highly-regarded recruit coming out of high school, ranking as No. 194 prospect in the Class of 2023. He chose Ohio State over Illinois, Kansas State, Pitt, Washington, Wisconsin and others.

He has the inside track to be Louisville’s starter next season given recent roster movement. Previously, incoming true freshman Briggs Cherry was the lone scholarship quarterback on the roster after Deuce Adams, Brady Allen and Mason Mims all hit the transfer portal.

In their third season under head coach Jeff Brohm, Louisville went 9-4 overall, including a 4-4 mark in ACC play and a 27-22 win over Toledo in the Boca Raton Bowl. The Cardinals have won at least nine games in all three seasons under Brohm, doing so for the first time since 2012-14.

Ohio

Ohio Lottery Pick 3 Midday, Pick 3 Evening winning numbers for Dec. 28, 2025

Published

7 days ago

December 29, 2025

Press Room

The Ohio Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 28, 2025, results for each game:

Pick 3

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.

Midday: 9-0-9

Evening: 2-4-1

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: 6-4-5-8

Evening: 4-6-2-6

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: 6-8-6-2-0

Evening: 2-4-5-7-9

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.

10-11-15-19-34

Check Rolling Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Lucky For Life

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 10:35 p.m.

12-17-25-34-42, Lucky Ball: 09

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.

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