Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1920, the Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 837th Engineer Battalion was organized in Springfield as the 1st Separate Machine Gun Company. The company saw action in World War II, Kosovo, and the War on Terrorism.

If you’re in the southeast part of the Buckeye State, you may have felt the ground shake a bit Tuesday morning. Read about the minor earthquake in Top Stories.

Are you taking advantage of these nine deals from Amazon Prime? Be sure you are with today’s sponsor, Brad’s Deals.

Small Quake Shakes Southeast Ohio

A minor 3.1-magnitude earthquake shook parts of southeast Ohio early Tuesday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The quake struck at 4:12 a.m. near Pleasant City in Guernsey County. You can see the intensity map here.

Residents reported feeling tremors in South Zanesville, Byesville, Caldwell, Sarahsville, and other nearby towns. The earthquake occurred at a depth of about 3.1 miles.

Ohio has experienced more than 30 earthquakes this year and more than 300 quakes of magnitude 2.0 or higher since 1776, with none resulting in any deaths.

Water Quality and Mosquito Control Grants OK’d

The state Environmental Protection Agency awarded $2.7 million in grants to 58 counties, funding improvements at 116 public water systems to ensure safer drinking water access. The full list of recipients can be found here.

The agency also awarded $650,000 in grants for mosquito control to fight diseases like West Nile virus and La Crosse encephalitis through education and prevention efforts. The list of recipients can be found here.

Ohio has invested more than $9 million in mosquito prevention since 2016.

The water system funds will support water protection initiatives and the removal of inactive wells. The state EPA announced these grants in Newark, which will receive $39,000 to protect the North Fork of the Licking River.

Columbus Murder Rate Down

Columbus has recorded 16 homicides so far in 2025, the lowest in more than a decade and down from 24 at this time last year and 65 over the same period in 2021.

Assistant Chief Greg Bodker credited community efforts and the creation of homicide detective teams. Going forward, community groups are planning youth-focused programs and safety initiatives to sustain the momentum and prevent a seasonal spike in violence.

For all of last year, there were 124 reported homicides, with police solving about 75% of the cases. In 2021, the deadliest year in Columbus’ history, the city recorded 204 homicides, with shootings accounting for 90% of the killings.

Flying together with our sponsor

Once upon a time, we had to make lists and physically go to stores when we needed things.

Sometimes we’d have to go to several stores or even shopping malls for what we needed. Then one day, out of the heavens, came Amazon. For many of us, free shipping and access to exclusive shows and movies is enough reason to fork over the $14.99 per month to get Prime.

But if those reasons haven’t convinced you to join Prime, maybe some of these lesser-known incentives will tempt you to sign up.

Here are 9 of those perks.

➤ State: The teachers’ pension board voted to raise retirees’ cost-of-living adjustment to 1.5% and lower full retirement eligibility from 33 to 32 years. (More)

➤ Toledo: The University of Toledo will suspend admissions to multiple degree programs due to requirements under Ohio Senate Bill 1, which includes diversity initiative restrictions and other academic policy changes. (See Programs)

➤ Mason: James Phillips, 20, faces federal charges for allegedly making and detonating explosives. His mother claims he was trying to recreate an episode of Mythbusters. (More)

➤ Canfield: White House Fruit Farm’s Tulip Experience opens today, running through May 3 and showcasing 225,000 planted tulips. (Ticket Details)

➤ Dublin: Mount Carmel Dublin Hospital opened, with 60 beds, a 14-bed emergency department, and other specialty services. (More)

➤ Dayton: The Regional Transit Authority will expand Flyer hours and reroute downtown service during next month’s NATO Parliamentary Assembly. (Details)

➤ The Cincinnati Bengals and Hamilton County unveiled a proposal to share costs on $184.5 million in Paycor Stadium upgrades, part of an $830 million renovation plan. (More)

➤ University of Cincinnati freshman football player Jeremiah Kelly died unexpectedly. Kelly, an early enrollee at UC, was a state champion at Avon High School. (More)

➤ Ohio State men’s lacrosse defeated rival Michigan this past weekend, securing the Buckeyes’ first Big Ten Conference championship in program history. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Disasters can strike without warning—be ready. The Medical Go-Bag equips you with critical tools, medications, and guides to handle a wide range of crises. Whether it’s a natural disaster, power outage, or unexpected emergency, stay prepared and protect your family with the kit trusted by survival experts.

➤ Chick-fil-A opened a location in Westerville at 680 Polaris Parkway, its second store near Polaris Fashion Place. (More)

➤ Fox in the Snow Cafe in Columbus was named home of the state’s best breakfast sandwich by Love Food, which praised the souffléed egg sandwich. (More)

➤ J.Crew Factory will open a 5,384-square-foot fashion store at The Town Center at Levis Commons in Perrysburg later this year. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Car insurance costs to hit record highs in 2025. With car insurance premiums projected to hit $2,101 in 2025, overpaying isn’t an option. Switching providers could save you $1,300 yearly–don’t leave it on the table. View Money’s best car insurance list to see if you could save. SEE IF YOU COULD SAVE

Flying together with our sponsor

Are You Taking Advantage of Your Amazon Prime Perks?

Free music and podcasts, access to lightning deals, and Whole Foods discounts are just a few of the many lesser-known perks that Amazon Prime has to offer.

Don’t miss out—get the most out of your Prime membership with help from our deal-finding experts.

Whether you’re already a Prime member or considering signing up, here are nine Prime member benefits you should be using!

➤ The Cincinnati Zoo helped reintroduce Guam kingfishers—once extinct in the wild—to Palmyra Atoll, about 1,000 miles south of Hawaii, where the released birds are now laying eggs. (See Photos)

➤ Cincinnati’s 14th annual Asian Food Fest returns April 26-27 with more than 55 vendors offering food, entertainment, and cultural activities. (Details)

➤ OSU Wexner Medical Center will limit cash and check payments starting in May, accepting them only at Doan Hall. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Tired of the pressure to look younger? Skip surgery and discover the “3-month natural facelift” helping women look 9 years younger—no chemicals, needles, or gimmicks. Backed by science and real results, this all-natural solution is changing the way women over 40 fight aging. See the difference yourself!