Religious Education Program Expands

Hilliard-based LifeWise Academy has expanded its off-campus religious education programs to more than 100 Ohio school districts this year, bringing the total to 260 out of the state’s 607 districts.

The expansion follows the passage of a state law requiring school districts to allow students time to receive religious instruction during the school day if they choose.

Under the law, religious education must take place off school property, be privately funded, and require parental permission.

LifeWise said it expects to start programs in 40 more school districts by the end of the school year.

Counterfeit Watches Confiscated

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport seized 52 counterfeit watches shipped in from Colombia, South America.

If the watches were real, they would be worth an estimated $6.4 million. The shipment included counterfeit versions of watches by Richard Mille, Rolex, Hublot, Cartier, and Casio.

The shipment was headed to a home in the state of Washington when officers intercepted it for inspection on Nov. 28.

Mariah Carey Tune Tops Holiday Picks

With the Christmas music season in full swing, a FinanceBuzz analysis of online searches found that a 1994 hit from Mariah Carey ranks as Ohio’s favorite seasonal song.

All I Want For Christmas Is You topped the Buckeye State’s picks, based on five years of online search data.

Nationally, Santa Baby and Jingle Bells led the way as the most-searched songs in seven states. You can see the list of each state’s favorites here.

Several other states agreed with Ohio’s choice. However, opinions are sharply divided, as the Mariah Carey hit also topped FinanceBuzz’s list of the “most annoying” Christmas songs.

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➤ Miami Township: One person died and two others were injured in a trench collapse while workers were installing underground pipes on Friday. (More)

➤ Cleveland: Funding has been secured for a $64 million project to redevelop the historic Warner & Swasey Co. complex into 112 apartments, 40 years after its closure. (More)

➤ Cleveland: Several bars in the Flats East Bank district closed over the past week, with owners citing economic problems, parking issues, and safety concerns. (More)

➤ Dayton: School board member and restaurant owner Karen Wick died at 64. (More)

➤ Montgomery County: Clerk of Courts Mike Foley pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of soliciting political contributions from public employees. (More)

➤ Cincinnati will face Navy in the Liberty Bowl on Jan. 2; Ohio will play UNLV in the Frisco Bowl on Dec. 23; Toledo will play Louisville in the Boca Raton Bowl on Dec. 23; and Miami (Ohio) will take on Fresno State in the Arizona Bowl on Dec. 27. (See Bowls)

➤ Toledo quarterbacks coach Robert Weiner will serve as the Rockets’ interim head coach for the Boca Raton Bowl after head coach Jason Candle accepted the job at UConn. (More)

➤ Kerry Coombs accepted the special teams coordinator job with the University of Michigan. He is a former coach at Colerain High School, Ohio State, and the University of Cincinnati. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | Soccer

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➤ The average gas price in Ohio rose 7 cents over the past week to $2.79, with prices highest in Lawrence County and lowest in Lima. (See Prices)

➤ LHAGS Inc. filed a lawsuit against the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, alleging the railroad unlawfully kept two locomotives after ending a lease. (More)

➤ Mixed nuts made by an Ohio-based company have been recalled from Wegmans stores in nine U.S. states because of possible salmonella contamination. (More)

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➤ Toledo-area bakery Cake in a Cup will close in the spring after nearly 20 years in business. (More)

➤ Akron Mayor Shammas Malik unveiled the city’s new logo at the Bicentennial Closing Ceremony. The design features a nod to the Goodyear Blimp, a pair of buckeye trees, and the skyline. (See Logo)

➤ The Brass Band of the Western Reserve will perform its 13th annual Christmas concert at the Medina Performing Arts Center on Saturday, appearing with the Summit Bells and the Medina High School choirs. (More)

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Have you ever watched The Wizard of Oz (1939)?

1. I love it
   
2. It’s alright
   
3. Not a fan
   
4. Never seen it
   

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you visited a Christkindlmarkt in Europe?

1. No: 43%
2. Yes: 29%
3. I plan to: 28%

Ohio native Benjamin Hanby wrote which popular Christmas song?

Show me the answer