Thursday, April 10, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1792, pioneers led by Simon Kenton fought the Shawnee at the Battle of Grassy Run, the largest frontier battle in Clermont County.

The Wood County Museum will open a World War II exhibit later this month, despite federal funding cuts. For details, check out today’s Around Ohio section.

We’re sponsored today by World Concern, a nonprofit offering an opportunity to help earthquake victims in Myanmar.

Meta Plans Wood County Data Center

Facebook parent Meta announced plans Wednesday to build an $800 million data center in Middleton Township.

The 715,000-square-foot complex will be Meta’s second data center in the state, joining an existing center in New Albany, and be powered by renewable energy. You can see drawings of the planned center here.

The center will employ about 100 full-time employees when completed in 2027, and create an additional 1,000 temporary jobs during construction.

Meta will also support the local community through grants, digital skills training, and $900,000 in annual contributions to Eastwood Schools for 15 years.

Village’s Police Force Resigns

All six officers in the Craig Beach Police Department, including Chief Kyle Pettus, resigned Tuesday, citing a hostile work environment and a lack of support from village council members.

The Mahoning County Sheriff’s Department will respond to emergency calls. Deputies already covered Craig Beach part-time when police officers were off-duty.

One of the officers who resigned, Sgt. Renatta Griffith, said, “Council has been very vocal about wanting our department to fail and refusing to support any efforts for us to improve.” Council members denied the claim.

The resignations follow Pettus’s brief layoff in December after he criticized the council on social media.

DeWine Pushes School Cellphone Ban

Gov. Mike DeWine threw his support behind state Senate Bill 158, which would prohibit student cellphone use during school hours across all Ohio public schools.

The bill would require schools to adopt policies banning phone use by Sept. 1, with exemptions for educational and medical needs.

Schools that have implemented bans have reported improvements in student attendance and academic performance, DeWine’s office said.

Parents opposed to a ban contend phones are crucial during school lockdowns, while DeWine maintains that phone use could disrupt emergency protocols.

Flying together with our sponsor

It’s fallen out of the news cycle, but we know you won’t forget these families.

A devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar and Southeast Asia, leaving behind devastation, death, and despair. Homes have crumbled, families are displaced, and critical infrastructure has collapsed. At this moment, there are more than three thousand reported dead, and aid groups have described the damage and needs as “staggering.”

Send Aid Now

➤ Athens: A boulder crashed into an Athens couple’s home during last weekend’s storms, and the damage may require the house to be demolished. (See Video Report)

➤ State: The Parents’ Bill of Rights law went into effect Wednesday, requiring Ohio schools to notify parents if their child requests to be identified as a different gender. (More)

➤ Wood County: The Wood County Museum lost a $16,000 grant due to federal cuts, but will proceed with its World War II exhibit after receiving a loan from the county commissioners. (More)

➤ Lima: Nearly 3 inches of rain helped replenish the city’s five reservoirs. The reservoirs hold a combined 15 billion gallons of water and are now nearly full. (More)

➤ Knox County: Health officials reported 14 confirmed measles cases since March. (More)

➤ Stark County: All Stark Library locations will reopen today after two days of closures due to threats allegedly made by an 11-year-old boy. (More)

➤ The Cleveland Cavaliers clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference with a 135-113 win over the Chicago Bulls. (More)

➤ The Columbus Crew will acquire midfielder Daniel Gazdag from the Philadelphia Union. Gazdag has scored at least 14 goals in each of the last three seasons. (More)

➤ The Columbus Blue Jackets beat Ottawa 5-2 on Tuesday, ending a 159-minute scoreless streak and snapping a three-game skid. (More)

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➤ Microsoft postponed its $1 billion plan to build three data centers in Licking County, though the company will proceed with funding infrastructure upgrades in the area. (More)

➤ Spirit Airlines began nonstop flights between John Glenn Columbus International Airport and Atlanta on Wednesday. (More)

➤ 7 Brew Coffee will open its fourth Miami Valley location in Huber Heights this fall, adding to existing shops in Beavercreek, Springfield, and Springboro. (More)

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Families in Myanmar are in need of emergency medical treatment, food, water, and vital services. World Concern has been working in Myanmar for decades, and is on the ground assessing needs, actively responding, and invested in the long-term rehabilitation of this place and people. Please give today!

Your gift today can help provide:
· Emergency medical care, medicines, and vaccinations
· Safe water, hygiene kits, and sanitation services
· Emergency shelter and essential supplies for displaced families

Every moment counts—and every gift helps. Thank you for standing with the people of Myanmar in this time of urgent need.

Send Aid Now

➤ Ohio House Republicans revised their budget proposal to increase library funding statewide, allocating $990 million over two years. (More)

➤ State election officials warned voters they must now sign a form in person when dropping off ballots for someone else. Early voting for the May primary continues through May 4. (More)

➤ Hercules Car Wash in Canfield will add a self-serve dog wash station with heated water, soaps, and a treat vending machine. (More)

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