House Explodes After Buyers’ Down Payment

A home exploded in Barberton Tuesday evening, just hours after new buyers made a down payment on the property. Firefighters confirmed the house was vacant.

The cause of the explosion is under investigation by state and federal authorities, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

“At this point we’re always thinking it could be intentional, it could be gas,” Barberton Fire Chief Stephen Ionno said. You can see photos here.

Barberton police have obtained surveillance footage of the explosion to determine if there was any suspicious activity beforehand.

Columbus Zoo Unveils North America Makeover

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has revealed details of the major upgrade coming to its North America region, set to open this summer.

The “North America Trek” received a $35 million investment and will feature immersive habitats designed with native plants.

Visitors can see river otters, black bears, bald eagles, Mexican wolves, trumpeter swans, and more in the new exhibits. You can see renderings of the new exhibits here.

Bengals Captain, Cincinnati Native Retires

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard announced his retirement from the NFL after seven seasons with the team, the longest tenure of any current Cincinnati player.

Hubbard was a four-time team captain who started in 88 consecutive games from 2019-24. He was born in Cincinnati, graduated from Archbishop Moeller High School, and was a third-round draft pick out of Ohio State.

Hubbard’s 2024 season ended in December when he suffered a torn PCL on a touchdown catch—the first of his career.

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➤ Miami Township: Adam Nielsen was named the township’s new police chief. He has over 20 years of law enforcement experience. (More)

➤ South Lebanon: An 18-year-old has become the youngest person in the city’s history to run for a council seat. (See Interview)

➤ Dublin: Scioto High School’s 60,000-square foot expansion project will break ground in May. (See Renderings)

➤ Cuyahoga County: The Sheriff’s Department will now release body camera footage within seven days of an incident to build trust with residents. (More)

➤ Columbus: A police officer was fired for allegedly downloading body camera footage and uploading it to his personal YouTube account. (More)

➤ Lucas County is upgrading its emergency alert system after reviewing its response to the 2023 Point Place EF-2 tornado. (More)

➤ Columbus Blue Jackets forward Mathieu Olivier has agreed to a six-year, $18 million contract extension. He has scored 25 goals and recorded 30 assists this NHL season. (More)

➤ Cleveland Soccer Group has proposed a $50 million, 10,000-seat soccer stadium in downtown Cleveland. (See Renderings)

➤ Comedian Dave Chappelle attended the Dayton men’s basketball game Tuesday and met the team after the Flyers’ win over Saint Louis. (See Video)

➤ Yesterday’s results: NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAAB | Soccer 

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➤ Worthington Steel is closing its Cleveland Worthington Samuel Coil Processing facility by the end of May. (More)

➤ Academy Sports + Outdoors, a Texas-based sporting goods retailer, will open a new location in Boardman—its third store in Ohio. (More)

➤ Winans Coffee & Chocolate was one of several Piqua businesses damaged in a fire that broke out late Tuesday night. (See Video Report)

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➤ Summit Metro Parks will turn an 87-acre land donation into its 17th metro park. The farmland, donated by the Boughton family, was in their family for nearly 200 years. (More)

➤ Cleveland’s University Hospitals has acquired new AI-powered adaptive radiation therapy, designed to target more challenging forms of cancer. (More)

➤ Skunk cabbage, Ohio’s first blooming wildflower that marks the first signs of spring, was spotted in Portage County. (See Photos)

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Which Ohio zoo do you like to visit?

1. Columbus Zoo
2. Cincinnati Zoo
3. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
4. Akron Zoo
5. Toledo Zoo

Yesterday’s Results:

Which of Ohio’s ‘3 Cs’ cities do you like best?

1. Columbus: 34%
2. Cleveland: 33%
3. Cincinnati: 33%

Which Ohio town is the state’s geographic center?

Show me the answer