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What are the best theme parks within driving distance of Ohio? Our readers have chosen

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What are the best theme parks within driving distance of Ohio? Our readers have chosen


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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.



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Ohio

Ohio man in custody after pregnant woman killed in domestic incident

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5 hours ago

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June 17, 2024

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Ohio man in custody after pregnant woman killed in domestic incident


COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A 19-year-old pregnant woman is dead and a 23-year-old man is in custody after a domestic incident Sunday morning in southwest Columbus.

Columbus police said a text was received by 911 about a domestic violence attack at 7:30 a.m. near the 4600 block of Parkwick Drive. According to court records, the text was from a woman stating that her sister-in-law, Brooke Devinney, was being assaulted by Devinney’s boyfriend, who the texter identified as Devon Blair.

At that scene, officers found Devinney inside the home. She was taken to a hospital in critical condition, but pronounced dead at 8:45 a.m., police said. She was pregnant at the time of her death, with the unborn child being pronounced dead at 8:49 a.m.

“Ms. Devinney was pregnant at the time,” Columbus Police Sgt. Joe Albert said. “This morning, when she was pronounced deceased, found out that she was pregnant, so there might be additional charges stemming from that.”

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Police said when officers arrived, the suspect, identified by police as Blair, was seen leaving the home. Officers chased him on foot but lost him. He was taken into custody just before 12:30 p.m. near Cottrell Drive and Cottrell Court.

“Thanks to the alertness and just the overall sheer determination of locating Mr. Blair, one of the patrol officers who was the officer to perform CPR on Ms. Devinney located Mr. Blair about two and a half, little less than two miles away from where the incident took place,” Albert said.

Blair was arrested in December 2023 and charged with felonious assault, assault, domestic violence, and strangulation or suffocation, according to Franklin County Municipal Court records.

According to court records, Blair pleaded guilty to one domestic violence charge and one assault charge on May 16, resulting in strangulation and felonious assault charges being dropped. Court records show he was out on bond awaiting sentencing, but had that bond revoked on May 31 for violating the conditions of the bond.

Devinney also filed a report against Blair on June 13, the result of an incident where the couple was driving the day before when Blair allegedly punched and threatened Devinney, according to court documents. A warrant for his arrest was filed after the report was made. During this report, Devinney told police that she had been previously victimized by Blair, including that he “stabbed her in the past.”

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“We see it quite frequently where an offender will re-offend on domestic violence, whether with the same victim or with another victim later on in their life,” Albert said. 

Blair is being held at Franklin County Jail. According to the Franklin County Sheriff’s website, Blair is facing a murder charge for this incident as well as multiple assault and domestic violence charges from the incident on June 12. He is scheduled to appear in Franklin County Municipal Court on Monday.

“[Domestic violence is] an issue that we’re, you know, working with community partners, trying to, but we need cooperation from victims,” Albert said. “I know, I know it’s hard to reach out and, you know, believe that you are a victim. Some people don’t believe they are victims of domestic violence, but this is a tragic ending to a very volatile relationship, it appears.”

If you or a loved one is experiencing domestic violence, visit LSS Choices or call 614-224-4663 (HOME), or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, text BEGIN to 88788, or click here.

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Former Ohio State Linebacker Nigel Glover Returns to Northwestern

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12 hours ago

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June 16, 2024

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Former Ohio State Linebacker Nigel Glover Returns to Northwestern


Turns out Northwestern was always the place for Nigel Glover.

After coming to Ohio State from the Wildcats via the transfer portal ahead of the 2023 football season, the linebacker is back where he signed on to play college football out of high school.

He chose Northwestern during his recruiting process but entered the transfer portal following his first spring there, ultimately selecting Ohio State as his destination on Aug. 1, 2023.

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Glover didn’t play a single snap in a redshirt campaign as a freshman. With Cody Simon, C.J. Hicks, Sonny Styles, Arvell Reese and Gabe Powers all likely cemented in front of him in this year’s linebacker rotation, there was no clear path to the field for Glover in his potential second campaign as a Buckeye. OSU also brought in a talented group of linebackers for its 2024 recruiting class with four-stars Payton Pierce and Garrett Stover.

Glover will have four years of eligibility remaining for use at Northwestern. He is the last of Ohio State’s transfer portal departures to decide on a new school, joining Dallan Hayden (Colorado), Cedrick Hawkins (UCF), Ja’Had Carter (NC State), Enokk Vimahi (Washington) and Kyion Grayes (Cal) in the spring window. 





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Ohio florist celebrates Father's Day by delivering flowers

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19 hours ago

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June 16, 2024

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Ohio florist celebrates Father's Day by delivering flowers


COLUMBUS, Ohio — Father’s Day is a time to honor the dads in our lives, but sending flowers like you do on Mother’s Day may not be the first idea on your list. 

One florist in Ohio is trying to change the norm. 

What You Need To Know

  • Florists across the country team up with the Black Men Flower Project to send flowers to Black dads

  • Ayana Crump is the project’s florist in Ohio

  • The Black Men Flower Project is all about celebrating Black masculinity

Ayana Crump is the owner of Bloom Boutique 614 in Columbus. 

“I always arrange flowers weekly in my home,” she said, “and I would post them on social media and everybody was like, ‘oh, so beautiful. I love them. Can you make me some of them?’ And I’m like, ‘Wait, I can make money off of this, so let’s do it’.”

As a florist, she partners with the Black Men Flower Project, helping Black dads bloom one arrangement at a time. 

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“The CEO and owner of the nonprofit Robert Washington-Vaughns presented the idea to me of the Black Man Floral Project just to say, ‘give black man their flowers while they’re still alive. You know, so many times it’s not until a funeral or a sad occasion when you actually receive flowers,’” Crump said. “I thought it was like the best idea ever.”

Crump is one of the many florists across the country partnering with the project. She arranges and delivers them herself.

Each delivery is a surprise, and Black fathers can nominate one another for a free flower arrangement. Crump said it’s all about celebrating Black masculinity.

“With the history of Black men in America, it’s more depressing than them being celebrated,” Crump said. “So, I just think that just giving them a little something to brighten up their day or to say, ‘hey, you’re seen, we see you, we hear you, we feel for you,’ that just the disparities that you go through day to day, just being a Black man. I’m all for it!”

Meeting the dads she delivers to tops it all, especially on Father’s Day.

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To help donate toward the Black Men Flower Project or to nominate a dad for Father’s Day or any time of the year, go here. 



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