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Thousands of visitors expected in Ohio for solar eclipse. How will it impact the economy?

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Thousands of visitors expected in Ohio for solar eclipse. How will it impact the economy?


Ohio is a hot ticket for the April 8 solar eclipse, with the state expected to attract anywhere from 139,000 to 556,000 visitors inside the line of totality, according to estimates from the website GreatAmericanEclipse.com.

As people arrive, there will be significant demand for lodging, food and entertainment.

“It’s a big event. There’s nothing bigger really,” said Brent Sohngen, professor of agricultural, environmental, and development economics at Ohio State University. “I don’t think you can overemphasize that.”

Hotels are already filling up with reservations, and businesses are looking to take advantage. Cedar Point is even opening up early for one day only to observe the eclipse.

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Those visiting the Buckeye State are in addition to the 7,275,000 people who live within the path of totality in Ohio.

“We are doing some tracking on this with hotels that are in the path of the eclipse and there definitely is increased demand, especially along the center line and in areas of bigger population,” said Joe Savarise, president and CEO of the Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association.

Ohio hotels are booking up fast for April’s solar eclipse

In Stark County, over 70% of hotel rooms tracked by Visit Canton are booked for the eclipse. Meanwhile, visitors bureaus in Summit and Cuyahoga County said hotels are experiencing high demand, particularly for the night before the eclipse.

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Savarise said there are 700 hotels in the state that are within the path of totality in Ohio. An additional 731 hotels are in areas of the partial solar eclipse. There are also a number of campgrounds and other rentals such as Airbnbs and VRBOs.

“What we encourage people to do is No. 1, search for and book your room as quickly as you can because every day availability gets tighter and tighter,” he said. “Also, there definitely are some parts of the state where there is higher demand right now, but not far away from there, still in really good viewing areas, there might be more availability in towns along the path.”

The Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association has been preparing for the eclipse since before 2023. Savarise said the event is an economic opportunity.

What’s the economic impact of the eclipse on Ohio?

In an email, a spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Development said the average visitor to Ohio spends $174 per visit. Considering visitation estimates from GreatAmericanEclipse.com, this could mean an economic boost of anywhere from $24 million to almost $100 million statewide.

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“I don’t think that’s a stretch at all. People will be coming in, staying overnight, taking advantage of local attractions, restaurants, buying gas, shopping while they’re here, it’s just exponential,” Savarise said.

If Ohio follows the trend of states impacted by the 2017 total eclipse, the impact could actually gross in the low billions, Sohngen said.

After the 2017 total solar eclipse, the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism estimated the state brought in $269 million in economic impact, about 0.1% of the state’s gross domestic product.

If Ohio were to have the same 0.1% impact, it would amount to $822 million, but Sohngen said it could be even more.

“[In 2017,] some states in the South had it up to 0.25% of total GDP,” he said. “You would expect a lot of people from Pennsylvania, Illinois, etc., to come over here, so my guess is $1 to $2 billion range potentially.”

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A total solar eclipse hasn’t occurred in Ohio in over 200 years, and factors like weather could change the outcome.

Barrel Room owner Keri Sullivan: ‘It’s a really big deal’

Many businesses in Northeast Ohio are planning for eclipse visitors by having events or selling limited edition products.

The Barrel Room on Canal, a restaurant in Canal Fulton, will be opening on an off day to host a solar eclipse watch party.

“We’re usually closed on Mondays but we’re opening up because it’s said that we’re going to have one of the best views,” owner Keri Sullivan said.

The restaurant will be open 2 to 9 p.m. and will offer eclipse-themed cocktail and food specials.

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“We’re trying to cash in on something pretty cool that isn’t going to happen again anytime soon,” Sullivan said.

She said the event has generated decent interest on Facebook, but she isn’t sure what to expect yet.

“This is kind of unprecedented territory for us,” Sullivan said.

Rubber City Clothing creates special eclipse T-shirt

For Kevin Friend, owner of Rubber City Clothing Co. in Akron, making and selling an eclipse design for T-shirts, hoodies and bags was a no-brainer.

“We had been talking about it and a lady came in and asked if we had a design. That was good enough for me to decide that we should take advantage of this,” he said. “Summit County is doing all kinds of stuff around it, the schools are closed, it’s a really big deal.”

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School’s out: Canton City Schools cancels classes, activities for solar eclipse

The design, created by Joëlle Zellman, features a sun and moon over the Akron skyline with the date of the eclipse. The graphic is glow-in-the-dark.

Friend said the eclipse design has been a hit so far and became the bestseller for several weeks.

“It’s an interesting opportunity and a once-in-a-lifetime thing,” he said. “I’m glad we can memorialize it and put designs on stuff that people can keep as souvenirs or wear on shirts.”

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Gervasi Vineyard hosting solar eclipse party

Gervasi Vineyard in Canton is hoping to attract visitors with its See + Sip The Solar Eclipse event.

It will be held at the vineyard’s Still House and will feature a signature cocktail, eclipse glasses and live music.

Director of Marketing Andrea Hartman said even though the vineyard is located outside of the path of totality in Canton, it still expects a full turnout for the event.

“From the local audience, we were only able to release a certain amount of tickets because we wanted to make sure we held back enough for our hotel guests,” she said. “The public tickets we have offered are already sold out, our hotel rooms are very close to that, as well.”

The event has a capacity of 125 people, but the vineyard is considering raising it to 150 to accommodate high demand.

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“People are looking for something different to do,” Hartman said. “A different wine pairing, a different experience, something fun to do.”

Reach Grace at 330-580-8364 or gspringer@gannett.com. Follow her on X @GraceSpringer16.



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Last Call: Questions, Players to Watch and Predictions for Ohio State’s Top-Five Matchup with Penn State

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Last Call: Questions, Players to Watch and Predictions for Ohio State’s Top-Five Matchup with Penn State


Ohio State is about to play a top-five opponent on the road for the second time in four weeks.

#3 Penn State

Nittany Lions

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7-0 (4-0)

NOV. 3, 2024 – NOON

BEAVER STADIUM

University Park, PA

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Twenty-one days after suffering a one-point loss at Oregon, Ohio State looks to prove it can win a big game today as it faces No. 3 Penn State at Beaver Stadium. There are plenty of questions surrounding the Buckeyes entering the matchup, particularly whether its offensive line will perform better than last week against Nebraska and whether its defense will perform better than it did against Oregon, and the Buckeyes will need their biggest stars to be at their best to beat the Nittany Lions and remain in control of their own destiny in the Big Ten championship and College Football Playoff races.

With the high-stakes clash between the third-ranked Nittany Lions and the fourth-ranked Buckeyes set to kick off at noon on FOX, we discuss the biggest questions entering the game, highlight our top players to watch and make some predictions for what we’ll see in Happy Valley on Saturday.

Questions

Can the offensive line hold up against Penn State’s stout defensive line?

It’s the question everyone’s asking. With Ohio State down to its third-string left tackle (probably Donovan Jackson), can the Buckeyes possibly block Abdul Carter and the rest of that Nittany Lions defensive front?

OSU has to find a way to give Will Howard time under less-than-ideal circumstances to escape State College with a win. Not only does it need to hold up in pass protection, but if the Buckeyes run the ball like they did against Nebraska, it’s going to be lights out at Beaver Stadium. Hopefully, they’ll execute much better this time around.

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– Garrick Hodge

Will the defense look elite?

Even if we assume Ohio State’s offense will have some struggles as it breaks in a new left tackle for the second game in a row, the Buckeyes can still beat Penn State if their defense plays like it’s supposed to. That’s how Ohio State beat Penn State last year, allowing only 12 points on 240 yards in a game where it scored only 20.

Ohio State’s defense failed its first big test of this season as it gave up 32 points on 496 yards against Oregon. But the Buckeyes are ostensibly even more talented on defense than they were last year; on paper, they should be the No. 1 defense in the country. To be that, however, they have to be able to lead Ohio State to victory in games of this magnitude.

– Dan Hope

Will the defense make stops in the fourth quarter?

The Ohio State defense hasn’t forced a fourth-quarter punt in the four games Jim Knowles has called against AP top-five teams: 2022 vs. Michigan, 2022 vs. Georgia, 2023 vs. Michigan and 2024 vs. Oregon. That’s correct. The 11 combined fourth-quarter drives ended like this: TD, Missed FG, TD, TD, FG, TD, TD, FG, FG, TD and FG. Whether the defense can break that trend on Saturday could be the difference between a win and a loss for the Buckeyes.

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– Chase Brown

Are Chip Kelly and Ryan Day willing to lean on the passing game?

I’m not saying Ohio State should totally abandon its running game on Saturday, but it has a shuffled offensive line fresh off a game where the Buckeyes managed a meager 2.1 yards per carry. Though protecting Howard behind that line might be a challenge, he was still productive under pressure against Nebraska and the passing attack has been consistently prolific this season. Leaning toward the air might need to be the game plan if the ground fails to yield once again.

– Andy Anders

Players to Watch

Will Howard

Howard made it clear he wants to make a statement against his home-state team when he said Penn State “didn‘t think I was good enough” as a recruit, and that comment only increases the spotlight on Ohio State’s quarterback entering this game.

Howard has been one of the most efficient passers in the country this season, completing 74% of his passes for a quarterback rating of 183.9, which ranks second nationally. He’ll give the Buckeyes a chance if he continues to play at that level on Saturday, and Ohio State might need him to given the struggles its rushing offense has had over the past couple of weeks.

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– Dan Hope

Donovan Jackson

Jackson has long been a standout offensive lineman for the Buckeyes, but they’re going to ask a lot out of him on Saturday. Assuming he plays left tackle, can Jackson hold his own playing out of position against one of the more talented pass rushers in the conference? How Jackson performs on this stage could determine what Ohio State’s lineup up front looks like for the rest of the season.

– Garrick Hodge

Denzel Burke

Burke is Ohio State’s top cornerback and supposed to be one of the best in the country, but he allowed eight receptions for 179 yards and two touchdowns in Ohio State’s last big game against Oregon. He and the rest of the Buckeyes’ touted cornerbacks need to show up on Saturday, especially since Penn State has no receivers that average more than 50 yards per game.

– Andy Anders

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JT Tuimoloau

Thanks, Dan, Garrick and Andy. Here’s the last and best pick: JT Tuimoloau. The senior defensive end was a game-wrecker in Ohio State’s wins over Penn State in 2022 and 2023. On Saturday, I’ll pick him to be a game-wrecker for a third consecutive season. It may not be the six-tackle, three-tackle-for-loss, two-sack, two-interception performance we witnessed in State College two years ago, but if he can contribute even half those numbers in the top-five matchup, the Buckeyes will be more than pleased.

 – Chase Brown

Predictions

Jeremiah Smith will break all the freshman records

Jeremiah Smith enters today’s game needing just seven receptions, 26 receiving yards and one touchdown catch to break Cris Carter’s single-season records for an Ohio State freshman in all three of those categories. I expect Smith to hit all of those numbers, which would also mean tying TreVeyon Henderson’s record for the most consecutive games with a touchdown by an Ohio State freshman to start his career, with a standout performance in the national spotlight.

– Dan Hope

Big Game James pulls a Big Game James move

It’s like that famous congressional line: You know it when you see it. I can’t predict what exact mishap James Franklin is going to commit in this top-five matchup, whether it’s a botched substitution, chasing points too early or running a draw on 4th-and-5, but whenever he makes an egregious, potential game-changing mistake, you’ll move to the edge of your couch, point at the TV, and shout, there’s Big Game James!

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– Garrick Hodge

Two sacks for JT Tuimoloau

Ohio State’s defensive end posted perhaps the best defensive performance in school history the last time the Buckeyes played at Beaver Stadium, with six tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, a forced fumble he recovered, two interceptions with a pick-six and a pass deflection that turned into another interception. His outing in the Shoe against the Nittany Lions was excellent as well; he got a sack, batted down a pass and put Penn State quarterback Drew Allar under consistent pressure.

Tuimoloau’s season gained some steam against the Huskers too, with five tackles, two TFLs and a sack. The Buckeyes need him, Jack Sawyer and the rest of the defensive line to get after Allar in the pass rush, and I think he delivers.

 Andy Anders

Caleb Downs gets his first interception of the season

Ryan Day and Jim Knowles both commented on the weapon Tyler Warren is and can be for Penn State’s offense. Who will those coaches call upon to cover Warren? More often than not, I think that answer will be Downs. The Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist has been one of Ohio State’s best defenders this season. However, he’s yet to record his first interception seven games into the year. I think that changes on Saturday while he flies around the field to cover Warren.

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– Chase Brown



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Five-Star Guard Chooses Kansas Over Ohio State, Several Other Schools

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Five-Star Guard Chooses Kansas Over Ohio State, Several Other Schools


The wait is officially over.

Darryn Peterson was one of the most coveted prospects in the 2025 recruiting class and the Ohio State Buckeyes were among his top four choices. Joining the Buckeyes as finalists were the Kansas Jayhawks, Kansas State Wildcats and the USC Trojans.

In a battle of Big Ten versus Big 12, the Ohio native chose the Kansas Jayhawks on Friday night.

The Jayhawks are getting the the No. 3 player in the nation according to 247 Sports. He is also considered the No. 1 combo guard in his class.

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Peterson is officially the first commitment for Bill Self’s Kansas squad in the 2025 class.

Recruit at Ohio State football game.

Aug 31, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Prolific Prep (Napa, California) combo guard and Ohio State basketball target Darryn Peterson watches OSU football warm up before the Buckeyes’ 52-6 win over Akron. / Lori Schmidt/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

This spring and summer, he averaged an impressive 23.8 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. In three of his team’s games, he posted over 30 points.

As the prolific 6’6″ scorer becomes Kansas’ highest-rated recruit since Josh Jackson in 2016, the Ohio State Buckeyes can move on to other targets.

The Buckeyes already hold commitments from two players in the 2025 class and two in the 2026 class as well. Four-star shooting guard Dorian Jones (2025) announced his commitment to Ohio State in July and four-star power forward A’mare Bynum (2025) committed on October 22nd.

As for other potential commitments on the horizon, four-star power forward Niko Bundalo is down to four finalists and so is four-star shooting guard Davion Hannah (Bynum’s high school teammate).

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Both players are expected to announce their commitments in November, which means the Buckeyes have more chances at getting some excellent news.



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Cincinnati’s Daniel Carter Beard Bridge fire recalls other fires, disasters on Ohio bridges

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Cincinnati’s Daniel Carter Beard Bridge fire recalls other fires, disasters on Ohio bridges


A massive fire engulfing the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge and Interstate 471 over the Ohio River might have Cincinnati residents recalling another major blaze that cut a major route between Ohio and Kentucky.

In 2020, the Brent Spence Bridge that carries interstates 71 and 75 across the Ohio River was closed for weeks following a crash that sparked a huge fire.

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Here’s a look back at that disaster and other bridge fires and collapses around Ohio.

Fiery crash closes Brent Spence Bridge, I-71/75, over Ohio River for six weeks in 2020

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Brent Spence Bridge on I-75 closed after fire, crash

A boat sprays water on a semi on fire on the Brent Spence Bridge early Wednesday. The fire followed a crash involving 2 semis. One truck was carrying potassium hydroxide. The bridge will be closed until it can be inspected.

Emily Rowekamp, Provided

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On Nov. 11, 2020, a truck carrying potassium hydroxide crashed into a jackknifed truck on the Brent Spence Bridge, causing a major fire that ended up closing the Ohio River span for six weeks.

According to 911 calls, the Old Dominion semi driver who crashed into a jackknifed truck didn’t have time to grab Hazmat paperwork before fleeing the truck, the Enquirer reported previously.

“It started on fire, and I just jumped out,” he said, telling a dispatcher that he couldn’t grab the paperwork in time.

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Neither he nor the driver of the jackknifed rig were injured.

Repairs to the bridge included new steel support beams and new sections of concrete on the upper and lower decks. The U.S. Department of Transportation made $12 million in federal funds available for emergency repairs.

The bridge, which carries more than 160,000 vehicles a day and is one of the busiest trucking routes in the United States, reopened on Dec. 22, 2020.

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Tanker catches fire on state Route 8 in Macedonia Saturday

The crash closed the highway both ways.

Tanker crash kills driver, sparks fire on Route 8 ramp to I-271 in January 2024

On Jan. 27, the driver of a diesel tanker was killed after driving off a bridge at the Interstate 271 entrance ramp from state Route 8 north of Akron.

The truck, carrying 7,500 gallons of diesel fuel, exploded, causing a huge fire that closed the bridge for a few days, the Akron Beacon Journal reported. It reopened after inspections showed the damage didn’t affect the bridge’s structural integrity.

Miamitown Bridge collapses during flooding in Cincinnati on May 26, 1989

A temporary bridge over the Great Miami River collapsed during widespread flooding on May 16, 1989, according to media reports, sending four cars into the water. At least two people drowned, WCPO reported.

In November 1990, the National Transportation Safety Board issued a report blaming the Hamilton County Engineer’s Office for three factors that contributed to the bridge collapse, according to WCPO. Those included:

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  • Selection of a design by National Engineering, the company that built the bridge, that did not consider lateral loads
  • Failure to submit the bridge design plans to the Ohio Department of Transportation for review as required by state law
  • Failure to promptly close the bridge when it became subject to significant debris loading

Silver Bridge span from Gallipolis collapses into Ohio River on Dec. 15, 1967

The Silver Bridge spanned the Ohio River from Gallipolis to Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Opening to traffic in 1928, it was the first bridge in the nation to use an innovative eyebar-link suspension system rather than a traditional wire-cable suspension, according to West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

However, one of those eyebars had a small, unseen defect. The faulty eyebar eventually cracked and began to corrode, out of sight of the public or bridge inspectors. At about 5 p.m. on December 15—during rush hour—the eyebar failed, setting off a series of other failures that caused the bridge to collapse. Thirty-one vehicles plunged into the Ohio River, killing 46 people.

This story was updated to add a video.



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