80 Acres Closing

Hamilton-based 80 Acres Farms is winding down after more than a decade in business, bringing an end to a vertical-farming company that employed more than 300 workers companywide.

A prospective buyer withdrew from an acquisition on Aug. 2, leaving the company without enough financing to continue. CEO and co-founder Mike Zelkind told state officials that 145 local employees will lose their jobs through Aug. 17.

The company grew produce indoors under controlled conditions and said it supplied more than 18,000 retail locations nationwide.

The shutdown follows a period of rapid expansion, including a merger with Soli Organic that was expected to push annual revenue to nearly $200 million.

Akron Announces Unusual Fan Promotion

The University of Akron will give one season-ticket holder a chance to help script the opening drive of the Zips’ Sept. 12 home opener against Robert Morris.

The “Offensive Coordinator of the Game” winner will work directly with head coach Joe Moorhead to design the opening sequence.

Current season-ticket holders are automatically entered and can earn additional entries by referring new buyers. Akron will select the winner Aug. 19 in a random drawing.

Last year, the Zips’ offense averaged 353.5 yards and 22.3 points per game, good for fifth- and eighth-best in the Mid-American Conference, respectively.

Jeep Fest Rolls Into Toledo

The ninth annual Toledo Jeep Fest begins today with a welcome party in Monroe, Michigan, before the celebration moves to downtown Toledo Friday through Sunday.

Saturday’s events begin with a patriotic flyover at 9:30 a.m., followed at 10 a.m. by an All-Jeep Parade featuring 1,400 vehicles. Nearly 100 historic Jeeps will be displayed inside the Glass City Center throughout the weekend.

Toledo has also announced parking restrictions and street closures around Friday’s Glass City Crawler Block Party and Saturday’s parade.

More details on the festival can be found here.

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➤ Statewide: The entire state of Ohio is now designated as meeting federal air quality standards for the first time in more than two decades, recognition that Gov. Mike DeWine called “another major environmental victory for Ohio.” (More)

➤ Huron: State Rep. D.J. Swearingen, R-Huron, withdrew from the 89th District race while he is being considered for an unspecified role he said would serve Ohio and the country. (More)

➤ Reynoldsburg: Two police officers resigned after internal audits raised allegations that they repeatedly used the department’s automated Flock Safety license plate reader system for searches unrelated to law enforcement. (More)

➤ Canton: Two men each face one count of breaking and entering and nine counts of aggravated arson after an explosion at a vacant home damaged at least five nearby houses and displaced 23 people. (More)

➤ Columbus: As of Aug. 4, Columbus City Schools planned to operate 419 bus routes this year, 75 fewer than last year, following budget cuts and transportation policy changes. (See Details)

➤ Dayton: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base will conduct a combat-readiness drill Aug. 10-14, bringing simulated gunfire, alert sirens, armed airmen, and possible gate delays. (More)

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➤ Ohio State football enters the season ranked No. 1 in the preseason Coaches Poll after receiving 38 of 72 first-place votes. It’s the program’s first preseason top ranking since 2015. (See Poll)

➤ Upper Arlington High School captured Ohio’s MaxPreps Cup after a strong 2025-26 athletic season that included state championships in girls lacrosse, girls swimming, and girls soccer. (See Rankings)

➤ Huber Heights Wayne wide receiver Jamier Brown returned to the school after spending the spring at Big Walnut, though the five-star Ohio State commit’s eligibility for the 2026 season remains unclear. (More)

➤ Lockland High School canceled its 2026 football season after only 15 players joined the Division VII program. Finneytown is seeking a replacement opponent for Week 1. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | WNBA | Tennis | Soccer | Little League Softball World Series

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➤ Cleveland Clinic pledged $1 million toward a teaching kitchen at West Side Market in Cleveland, with the goal of supporting nutrition education and community programming. (See Plans)

➤ A LeVeque Tower penthouse is being auctioned with a $580,000 reserve. The two-story residence spans the Columbus landmark’s 36th and 37th floors, and bidding closes tonight at 7 p.m. (See Penthouse)

➤ Agave & Rye plans to open a three-level Pleasant Ridge restaurant in September with a patio, open kitchen, private event space, and hidden bourbon speakeasy. (See Details)

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➤ Neil Armstrong’s boyhood home in Wapakoneta is on the market for the first time in nearly 40 years, with an asking price of $430,000. Owner Karen Mikesell has worked to preserve its ties to the Apollo 11 commander. (See Home)

➤ Miami University’s documentary Cradle of Coaches premieres Aug. 17 on Peacock. The 155-minute film features Ben Roethlisberger, Lou Holtz, John Harbaugh, and other prominent football figures who have shaped Miami’s football legacy. (More)

➤ A 1927 time capsule was uncovered as crews removed the original Gahanna Lincoln High School cornerstone for relocation. The capsule contained documents and newspaper clippings from the time of the school’s construction. (See Details)

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. Clicking the links will take you directly to these stories:

➤ Do you think adult children owe their aging parents care? Tune in to hear both sides of the debate. (Hear Debate)

➤ German authorities scrambled a bomb disposal robot after an explosive-laden drone was found beside a Ukrainian cargo plane. (Hear Episode)

➤ Investigators are searching for answers after a famous influencer was shot and killed in public while livestreaming. (Listen Now)

Would you want to help script a college football team’s opening drive?

1. Absolutely
   
2. Maybe with help
   
3. I’d rather watch
   
4. Not interested

Yesterday’s Results:

In August, where does most of your produce come from?

1. Grocery store: 27%
2. A little of each: 20%
3. Market/roadside stand: 19%
4. My own garden: 18%
5. I don’t buy produce: 16%

Which candidates took the stage for the Republican presidential debate in Cleveland on this day in 2015?

Show me the answer