Ohio

Willowick Police Department’s Donald Slapnicker named Ohio D.A.R.E. Officer of the Year

Published

2 years ago

June 22, 2024

Willowick Police Department’s Donald Slapnicker named Ohio D.A.R.E. Officer of the Year

When Donald Slapnicker was a fifth-grader at Longfellow Elementary in Eastlake, his future was basically impacted forever.

That is when Slapnicker was heavily influenced by D.A.R.E. officer Ralph Tanner, and essentially his career path was set.

So it was fitting that Tanner was on hand to present his former protege and current officer for the Willowick Police Department with the 2024 Ohio Larry Cox D.A.R.E. Officer of the Year earlier this month at Kalahari Resorts in Sandusky.

“I remembered my D.A.R.E. officer from fifth grade, Ralph Tanner, and the impact D.A.R.E. had on me,” Slapnicker said. “I was a D.A.R.E. role model in high school. When I was approached about (taking the position) I didn’t hesitate to put in for it.”

Slapnicker grew up in Eastlake and graduated from North High before going to Bowling Green State University. He then went to Cleveland Heights Police Academy and has been a police officer for 14 years, including 12 with Willowick, the last eight as a D.A.R.E. officer.

Slapnicker said when he is teaching D.A.R.E. he goes to the elementary school twice a week for 14 weeks. Then in the spring he plans an event for graduation, and throughout the year stops in to say hello to students and faculty.

“I was very honored that I was nominated (for the state award) by Royalview fifth grade teacher Joelle Geiger. It is a huge honor,” Slapnicker said.

Willowick Police Chief Rob Daubenmire said there was no more worthy candidate for the Ohio D.A.R.E. Officer of the Year.

“I had the honor of personally watching Patrolman Donald Slapnicker receive this award and I am extremely proud of him,” Daubenmire said. “His hard work and dedication to the children and staff at Royalview Elementary School makes him deserving of this prestigious award.”

Whether or not Slapnicker will have the same kind of impact on any of his students that Tanner had on him remains to be seen, but he does have a clear message that he tries to get across.

“To hang around the right people and to make good choices,” Slapnicker said. “One mistake can ruin your life.

“I believe the D.A.R.E. program works,” he added. “It’s up to the individual to make the right choices. But I think that the dangers of drugs, drinking, smoking and especially vaping needs to be talked about a lot more at home and in school.”

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Ohio

Ohio Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 Midday winning numbers for March 3, 2026

Published

9 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

The Ohio Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 3, 2026, results for each game:

Mega Millions

Mega Millions drawings take place every week on Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m.

07-21-53-54-62, Mega Ball: 16

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 3

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

Midday: 5-4-7

Evening: 5-5-9

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: 0-0-0-4

Evening: 9-4-6-2

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: 0-1-8-0-0

Evening: 8-6-0-3-3

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.

01-18-27-30-31

Check Rolling Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Millionaire for Life

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 11:15 p.m.

09-10-13-25-54, Bonus: 05

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

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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Ohio

Ryan Day explains Arthur Smith’s hiring as Ohio State coordinator

Published

22 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Ryan Day explains Arthur Smith’s hiring as Ohio State coordinator

Ryan Day explained the hiring process that led to former Falcons head coach and NFL assistant Arthur Smith becoming the offensive coordinator of Ohio State football.

Appearing as a guest on “The Jim Rome Show” March 3, Day emphasized the importance of hiring a someone with an extensive body of work to coach the Buckeyes’ offense.

“When Brian [Hartline] moved on to South Florida [we] wanted to go bring in somebody with great experience,” Day said.

Day said the Buckeyes first looked at coaches with collegiate coordinator experience, then the NFL. Smith’s three-year tenure as a head coach in the NFL, along with his extensive time with the Tennessee Titans as an assistant and offensive coordinator, made him stand out as a candidate, Day said.

“…[I] had a chance myself to sit down and talk with him. It was excellent,” Day said. “He’s a great communicator, very intelligent, and really loves the game of college football.  When you hear a story about growing up and how much time he spent around college football, you could just see it in his eyes.”

Day added that the new role has been almost “refreshing” to Smith when given the chance to work with college players and young talent.

Smith has spent the majority of his coaching career in the NFL. He served a year as a graduate assistant at North Carolina, his alma mater, and brief stint with Ole Miss as an administrative assistant.

Smith was then hired by his hometown Titans in 2011 and spent the the rest of the decade with them, rising from quality control coach to assistant offensive line coach to tight ends coach. Promoted to offensive coordinator in 2019, he led Mike Vrabel’s Titans to proficient offensive seasons with running back Derrick Henry.

Day said hiring Smith will allow him to take a back seat on the offense.

“It was great to have Matt [Patricia] on defense, and Brian [Hartline] did a great job as well, but I think this year will allow me to even step back even more and try to do as much as I can from the head coaching seat,” Day said.

After Hartline accepted the South Florida head coaching job, Day stepped in to call plays during the Cotton Bowl against Miami. Ohio State lost 24-14.

Smith joins Buckeyes defensive coordinator Matt Patricia as an Ohio State coordinator hire with previous NFL head coaching experience. Smith went 21-30 as the head coach of the Falcons for three years.

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Woman dies after saving grandchild playing in driveway from out-of-control car, Ohio officials say

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Woman dies after saving grandchild playing in driveway from out-of-control car, Ohio officials say

Updated on: March 2, 2026 / 9:50 PM EST
/ CBS Pittsburgh

A woman in Pickaway County, Ohio, died after moving a child out of the way of an out-of-control car, authorities said.

The Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office said in a post on Facebook that 52-year-old Laura J. Hammond of Mt. Sterling was fatally struck by the vehicle on Feb. 27 on Walnut Creek Pike in Circleville.

The sheriff’s office said officials were called to the area for a report of a crash around 10 a.m. At the scene, investigators learned that the driver of a Nissan Sentra was headed southbound on Walnut Creek Pike when they went off the west side of the road. The car then careened through two yards before hitting a Chevrolet Equinox parked in the driveway of a home, officials said.

The Nissan, at the same time that it smashed into the Chevrolet, hit Hammond, pinning her between the two vehicles. Before being hit, the sheriff’s office said Hammond moved a child out of the way, which “more than likely saved his life.” CBS affiliate WBNS reported that the young child Hammond saved was her grandson.

“Laura actually picked up the child and tossed him. At the end of the day, it saved his life,” Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office Capt. John Strawser told the news outlet. “And when Laura tossed him, very unfortunately, she took the brunt of the vehicle.”

Hammond was taken to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The young child was taken to a local hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the vehicle was also taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio State Highway Patrol are investigating the crash. The sheriff’s office did not release any additional information about the crash.

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