Ohio
When it comes to ‘Most Hospitable’ in Ohio, WorldAtlas picks these three nearby towns
Tis The Season
A visit to Ohio’s largest year round Christmas store, located in Berlin, OH.
WorldAtlas.com has ranked the nine Most Hospitable Towns in Ohio, and three of them are just around the corner.
Making the list are Millersburg (Holmes County), Sugarcreek and Mansfield.
Millersburg (Holmes County) was chosen for its Amish heritage and close-knit community ties, according to WorldAtlas.com. Mansfield was picked for its family-friendly attractions and Kingwood Center Gardens and Sugarcreek’s lure is its Swiss heritage and unique culture.
WorldAtlas.com is an online educational website the specializes in geography and related topics. It offers content including maps, articles and data, covering areas such as geography, sociology, demography, environment, economics, politics and travel. The site, which offers fact-checking, aims to provide accurate information, serving as a resource for educators and students.
Millersburg (Holmes County) noted for ‘practical activities’
The Millersburg and Holmes County community hosts friendly residents who lead a simple life, according to WorldAtlas, which notes Yoder’s Amish Home provides a feel for everyday Amish life through barn visits, buggy rides and other practical activities. Hershberg’s Farm and Bakery entices newcomers with delicious baked goods and similar Amish treats, including pies, jellies, and jams.
Visitors also can shop for antiques and handcrafts while interacting with receptive shopowners. The site also mentions the county’s festivals.
Mansfield highlighted for Kingwood Gardens, block party
Mansfield has an impressive spectrum of family-friendly attractions, according to WorldAtlas, which lists the 47-acre Kingwood Center Gardens as a notable greenspace with its colorful blend of flowers, herbs and shrubs The Renaissance Theatre treats guests to live performances in a 1,400-seater venue, known for hosting singing, acting, and dancing shows.
The town organizes several events throughout the year, with the Peace on My Block Party bringing families together. The fun festival aims to stop bullying and violence in the community through peaceful interactions and entertainment for kids of all ages, the website notes.
Sugarcreek, a gem in Amish Country
Sugarcreek is known for its Swiss heritage and neighborly residents, according to WorldAtlis. Tourist visit to explore its unique culture at the Alpine Hills Historical Museum and Information Center. The center showcases rare exhibits depicting a unique combination of Amish and Swiss heritage The Dutch Valley Restaurant welcomes guests to try its rich traditional cuisine, featuring Amish-style.
The annual Ohio Swiss Festival is a great time to join the community in celebrating its Swiss heritage through a variety of traditional activities, says the website.
Other areas listed in the Top 9 Most Hospital Towns in Ohio are Twinsburg, Circleville, Marietta, Geneva-On-The-Lake, Sandusky and Waynesburg.
Ohio
Remains of Ohio airmen killed in Iraq will be brought back March 29
Amanda-Clearcreek honors Ohio Air National Guard member Capt. Seth Koval
Amanda-Clearcreek honors Ohio Air National Guard member Capt. Seth Koval
The remains of three Ohio airmen who were killed in the crash of their KC-135 refueling plane in Iraq earlier this month will be returned this weekend, according to a family member of one of the deceased.
The airmen, identified as Master Sgt. Tyler Simmons, 28, of Columbus; Capt. Curtis Angst, 30, of Wilmington, and Capt. Seth Koval, 38, of Stoutsville, will be brought back March 29 to Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base near Columbus, said Charles Simmons, Tyler’s father.
“Tyler will have a hero’s welcome, because he is a hero,” said Charles.
The Columbus Division of Police will be involved in the funeral procession when the airmen’s remains are transferred from the airport to funeral homes, said Columbus police Sgt. James Fuqua. That will take place between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. March 29, said Fuqua.
The airmen’s remains first arrived back in the U.S. on March 18 with a dignified transfer taking place at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.
Curtis, Angst, and Simmons were members of the 166th Air Refueling Squadron connected to the 121st Air Refueling Wing based at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus.
The airmen, as well as three other servicemembers, died on March 12 when their KC-135 tanker crashed in western Iraq during a mission in support of Operation Epic Fury in Iran. The cause of the crash, which occurred in friendly airspace, has not been publicly identified. U.S. Central Command has said the incident did not involve hostile or friendly fire, and military experts have theorized the crash may have been the result of a collision with a second KC-135 that sustained heavy damage to its tail fin but landed safely at an airport in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Reporter Bethany Bruner can be reached at bbruner@dispatch.com.
Reporter Shahid Meighan can be reached at smeighan@dispatch.com, at ShahidMeighan on X, and at shahidthereporter.dispatch.com on Bluesky.
Ohio
Thousands head to Columbus for 23rd annual Home Improvement Show at Ohio Expo Center
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Thousands of people are expected to head to downtown Columbus for the 23rd annual Home Improvement Show this weekend.
Organizers say visitors can find ideas for everything from small interior design projects to major renovations.
The event is being held at the Ohio Expo Center and includes seminars, exhibits and demonstrations from local and national companies.
The show begins at noon Friday and runs until 6 p.m.
It continues Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Adult tickets cost $5 at the door.
Ohio
Matt Patricia sought stability in return as Ohio State football defensive coordinator
Matt Patricia’s contract extension earlier this offseason included a pay raise that figures to make him the highest-paid assistant coach in college football this year.
But Patricia, who will make $3.75 million in guaranteed compensation as Ohio State’s defensive coordinator in 2026, also held an appreciation for his situation.
“Ohio State is such a special place, not only just the history, the tradition, the football program, the school, but the people here,” Patricia said. “Having a chance to have a little stability with my family, it’s hard when you have to move your family around, your kids and the new school and all that.”
Before he joined Ryan Day’s staff last year, the 51-year-old Patricia had bounced around as an assistant in the NFL for much of the decade.
He spent 2021 and 2022 in a variety of roles with the New England Patriots, then a year as a defensive assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles. He took off from coaching in 2024. The frequent relocation gave him perspective.
“We had an unbelievable experience settling into Columbus,” Patricia said. “Everybody’s been so nice and welcoming. It feels like home. It’s a big deal for us to be in a place where everybody’s happy. That’s really important.”
Patricia had a significant impact on the Buckeyes in his first year replacing Jim Knowles. Despite heavy roster attrition following their national championship season, he kept the defense atop the Football Bowl Subdivision. For the second straight season, no one allowed fewer points than Ohio State.
The 9.3 points per game allowed by the Buckeyes were the fewest by any defense since Alabama in 2011.
The success made Patricia a hot commodity on the coaching market, rebuilding his reputation as a sharp and creative football mind only a decade removed from his tenure as a Super Bowl-winning defensive coordinator for the Patriots. He was a finalist for the Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant.
Patricia said he heard about opportunities in the NFL and elsewhere across the college football landscape, though none of them would pry him away from Ohio State.
“It wasn’t necessarily something where you’re looking to leave,” Patricia said, “but you do have to listen when those things come up. I’m just glad everything worked out.”
His challenge in his second season mirrors his previous one, as the Buckeyes are again managing the loss of eight starters on defense.
But unlike 2025, they have fewer returning pieces, relying on a larger class of transfers to help fill the holes on the depth chart.
“With as much coming into the program for the first time, not only are you trying to catch them up on the football scheme, but you’re also trying to catch them up on everything else,” Patricia said. “This is how we work, this is how we do things, this is the standard we’re looking for, this is how we practice, this is how we prepare, this is how we go to school. That has to be also taught. It becomes a lot, but that’s why you bring in the right guys that have the mental makeup to do all that.”
Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Email him at jkaufman@dispatch.com and follow him on @joeyrkaufman on X.
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