Major Upgrades Coming to State Fair

Extensive renovations at the Ohio Expo Center are planned ahead of next year’s Ohio State Fair in Columbus, part of $460 million in fairground improvements that will include a new town square.

A highlight will be the new Ohio Showcase building, featuring a glass “jewel box” to display historic artifacts, potentially including a model of the Wright Flyer.

The new Ohio Agriculture Center building will offer more than 100,000 square feet of convention space for events such as livestock shows, science fairs, graduations, and more.

Additional improvements will include renovations to existing buildings, landscaping, and underground infrastructure upgrades.

Fairgoers Cash In On Unclaimed Funds

About 1,200 visitors to the Ohio State Fair discovered $633,873 in unclaimed funds during the 12-day event, which featured a booth from the state Division of Unclaimed Funds.

One attendee filed a claim worth more than $60,000, while the average claim was $527.

Unclaimed funds can include forgotten utility deposits, dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, and similar assets.

Ohio State No. 2 in Coaches Poll

Ohio State ranked No. 2 in the preseason NCAA College Football Coaches Poll released Monday, following last season’s national title win. The full rankings are available here.

The No. 1 ranking went to Texas, which will visit Columbus on Aug. 30 for a marquee matchup to open the season. Ohio State beat Texas in last year’s Cotton Bowl semifinal game.

Ohio State’s schedule features three other ranked opponents: No. 3 Penn State, No. 12 Illinois, and No. 14 Michigan. Washington and Minnesota received votes but did not make the top 25.

You can see Ohio State’s complete schedule here.

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Statewide: Longtime Perrysburg Schools Superintendent Tom Hosler was selected to serve as chief executive officer of the Ohio School Boards Association. (More)

➤ Vermilion: Police rescued two people after their sailboat ran aground on Lake Erie, about 500 yards offshore near Sherod Park. (See Photo)

➤ Medina County: Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery will host a “Spirit of ‘45” wreath-laying ceremony on Aug. 13, marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s unconditional surrender in World War II. (More)

➤ Statewide: The Columbus Dispatch was named Ohio’s best large newspaper for the second straight year in the Ohio Associated Press Managing Editors contest. (More)

➤ Hamilton County: The Mariemont branch of the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library closed for the year for a $2 million renovation project. (More)

➤ Saint Marys: The Saint Marys Opera House launched a summer concert series at its new outdoor pavilion, with shows scheduled for the first Sunday of each month through October. (More)

➤ Columbus: The city council approved a $6 million investment to expand pre-kindergarten access, funding tuition, teacher pay, classroom supplies, and meals. (More)

➤ The Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason hosted a ribbon-cutting celebration for its $260 million in upgrades ahead of this year’s Cincinnati Open. The additions include a 2,300-seat stadium, an indoor tennis center, and a 56,000-square-foot clubhouse. (See Photos)

➤ Ohio State star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith ranked No. 1 overall on The Athletic’s list of the top 101 athletic “freaks” in college football. OSU linebacker Sonny Styles placed No. 10. (More)

➤ Archbishop Moeller at St. Edward, Walsh Jesuit at Archbishop Hoban, and Marion Local at Minster are among On3’s top 10 most anticipated Ohio high school football games this season. (See List)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Tired of tossing and turning? ZenFluff’s cloud-like pillow provides perfect support and comfort for deeper, more restful sleep. Its breathable design keeps you cool all night, while cradling your head and neck for optimal alignment. Wake up refreshed and pain-free—sleep better every night with ZenFluff!

➤ Dick’s Sporting Goods will open Dick’s House of Sport at Polaris in Columbus on Aug. 15—a store concept that allows customers to test out baseball bats, golf clubs, and more before buying. (More)

➤ Academy Sports + Outdoors will open a store in Boardman this month, creating about 60 jobs. (More)

➤ The first phase of an $80 million Burnet Quarter mixed-use development in Cincinnati was approved, with housing and retail space near Uptown’s major hospitals planned. (See Drawing)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Beat the heat anywhere with CoolWave—the powerful, portable air conditioner that cools, humidifies, and purifies the air in seconds. Compact and cordless, it’s perfect for bedrooms, offices, or on the go. Stay cool and comfortable all summer long with CoolWave’s refreshing, energy-efficient cooling power!

Flying together with our sponsor

Delete your personal data.

Scams start with your personal data being sold. Data brokers are profiting from your home address, SSN, phone number, and other personal information that doesn’t belong to them. Incogni scrubs your personal info from the web. It takes three minutes to set up, tackles over 270 data brokers and people-search sites, and there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee. Protect your data, your time, and your sanity. Get Incogni today and never look back.

Use code FLYOVER today for a 55% discount on annual plans.

➤ A guest at Cedar Point spotted and snapped a photo with Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe, who visited the famed Sandusky amusement park last week. (See Photo)

➤ Actress Loni Anderson, best known for her role as receptionist Jennifer Marlowe on the sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati, died Sunday. She was 79. (More)

➤ The Cleveland Zoo invites the public to help name its newest Matschie’s tree kangaroo joey. Options are Pohon (tree), Renbo (rainbow), and Maragi (small child). (Details)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Struggling with glare and poor visibility at night? DriveBright night driving glasses enhance clarity, reduce headlight glare, and improve contrast for safer, more comfortable nighttime driving. Protect your eyes and boost your confidence on the road—day or night. Drive safer with DriveBright’s advanced anti-glare lens technology!

What should the Cleveland Zoo name its tree kangaroo joey?

1. Pohon (tree)
   
2. Renbo (rainbow)
   
3. Maragi (small child)
   

Yesterday’s Results:

Should the state create a registry of people who skip job interviews?

1. Yes: 40%
2. No: 30%
3. No opinion: 30%

Which Ohio city is known as the Queen City?

Show me the answer