Chemical Leak Prompts Evacuations in Vinton County

A nitric acid leak at the Austin Powder Plant in Vinton County triggered evacuations Wednesday after 3,000 gallons began leaking from a 5,000-gallon tank.

Officials reported the leak caused a chemical reaction that produced nitric oxide, which can irritate the eyes and nose or cause drowsiness and unconsciousness.

Residents in Zaleski and surrounding areas were evacuated to Vinton County High School as hazmat teams responded to the incident.

The leak produced a visible orange haze, which can be seen here.

Ohio Democratic Party Elects New Chair

Kathleen Clyde was elected chair of the Ohio Democratic Party, replacing Liz Walters, who is stepping down to lead a Democratic data firm.

State Democrats currently hold just one statewide office—a state supreme court seat. Clyde’s election comes as the party prepares for the 2026 governor’s race.

Clyde said she aims to strengthen county-level party infrastructure and boost outreach to black and working-class Ohioans.

A former state representative and Portage County commissioner, Clyde was backed for party chair by former U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown.

List:  Ohio Cities Among Most Bed Bug Infested 

Five Ohio cities, including Cleveland-Akron at No. 3, are among the 50 most bed bug-infested cities in the U.S., according to Terminix’s latest report.

Dayton is ranked No. 11, Columbus No. 12, Cincinnati No. 14, and Toledo No. 40. The list is compiled from service data across Terminix’s more than 300 branches nationwide. 

The company advises travelers to inspect lodging for bed bugs, keep luggage closed, and unpack carefully outside to avoid bringing the pests into your home. You can see the full ranking here.

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

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 are enough reasons to fork over the $14.99 per month to get Prime. But if those reasons haven’t been enough to entice you to join Prime, maybe some of these lesser-known incentives will tempt you to sign up.

Here are nine of those perks.

➤ Columbus: More than 1,000 protesters rallied in downtown Columbus on Tuesday, chanting and holding signs denouncing the Trump administration’s immigration policies and criticizing Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (See Photos)

➤ Holmes County: The National Weather Service has confirmed an EF-1 tornado that touched down Monday evening near Lake Buckhorn. (More)

➤ Dayton: Authorities have proposed to use controversial gunshot-detection technology, drones, and license plate readers to try to reduce crime in several hotspot neighborhoods in west and northwest Dayton. (More)

➤ Lucas County: County commissioners heard proposals Tuesday at the first of three scheduled public hearings to raise water and wastewater rates by 4% annually over the next four years. (More)

➤ Youngstown: District officials named Dawn Walton as co-principal at Harding Elementary School and Moris Jadue as principal of Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School. (More)

➤ Steubenville: Franciscan University received $300,000 from the Air Force Research Laboratory to fund its Baron Crow project, which develops secure software-defined radio technologies and related systems. (More)

➤ Cincinnati Reds pitcher Andrew Abbott threw his first career complete game Tuesday, the first nine-inning shutout by a Reds pitcher since 2021. (More)

➤ Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski was runner up for the NHL’s Norris Trophy, awarded annually to the league’s best defenseman. (More)

➤ Cincinnati Bengals first-round draft pick Shemar Stewart is not participating in mandatory minicamp and remains unsigned. He has publicly criticized the team over unresolved issues with his rookie contract. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: MLB | NBA | WNBA | Soccer

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➤ Cincinnati-based Procter & Gamble announced Colin Walsh will step down as CEO of its Specialty Beauty division, with John Brownlee, senior vice president of North America hair care, named as his successor. (More)

➤ Grocery Outlet, a California-based discount grocery store, will open its first central Ohio location on July 10, featuring everything from organic meats to fresh produce. (More)

➤ Fabcon Precast, a Columbus concrete company, was fined $500,000 and placed on probation for willfully violating OSHA rules after a worker died at its southwest Columbus plant in 2020. (More)

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Here are all nine perks you should be using!

➤ The Department of the Interior designated the Ohio River Way and Cuyahoga River Water Trail as national water trails, highlighting their importance for conservation and outdoor recreation. (More)

➤ The Asian needle ant has been spotted four times in Ohio, with officials warning the invasive species is not aggressive but can deliver painful stings that may cause severe allergic reactions. (More)

➤ The Columbus Symphony named Maureen O’Brien as CEO and tasked the former New World Symphony executive in Miami, Florida, with leading artistic planning, fundraising, and a campaign to build a new performing arts hall. (More)

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Which of these technologies do you think would be most effective in reducing crime?

1. Gunshot detection
   
2. Drones
   
3. License plate readers
   
4. None of the above
   
5. All of the above
6. Not sure

Yesterday’s Results:

Did you ride a bus to school as a child?

1. Yes: 40%
2. No: 32%
3. Sometimes: 28%

Which actor, known as the “King of Hollywood,” was born in Ohio?

Show me the answer