Good morning. Here's what's happening across Ohio this week.
Breaking news out of Indiana affects Ohioans this morning. The Starke County Sheriff's Office issued a statewide amber alert for two-year-old Saxon Clemens, last seen yesterday afternoon in North Judson wearing a blue and gray sweatshirt[1]. Authorities say the child may be in Ohio, and anyone with information is urged to contact local law enforcement immediately.
In Butler County, a deputy remains hospitalized after a confrontation Saturday morning. According to WLWT News, Deputy Mike Farthing was stabbed while responding to a car fire[1]. The suspect, also hospitalized, is facing charges. Farthing was wearing a bulletproof vest at the time of the attack.
On the legislative front, Ohio's state legislature continues working on significant property tax reform. Governor DeWine signed multiple bills in December addressing ad valorem property tax changes, effective March 20, 2026[6]. These include House Bill 186, which caps property tax growth related to the 20-mill floor to inflation and provides credits for recent reappraisals. The reforms aim to ensure school districts maintain consistent revenue levels while protecting taxpayers.
Another bill gaining traction this session is House Bill 671, introduced by Representative Jamie Callender[10]. The proposal would allow the state to withhold funding from school districts engaged in legal action over state education funding, a move supported by Senator Jerry Cirino. This comes as more than half of Ohio's 600 school districts are currently suing over the expansion of EdChoice vouchers.
In education infrastructure, significant projects are underway across the state. Franklin City Schools recently received word that construction on new elementary buildings should begin within three to five years[4]. The district, which passed a bond issue in November 2020, expects the project to represent more than 130 million dollars in investment. Meanwhile, Olentangy Local School District is advancing its Facilities Master Plan to address enrollment growth, with plans for additional elementary schools and a fifth high school to manage rising student populations[8].
Downtown Cleveland is experiencing a market reset, according to the nonprofit development corporation Downtown Cleveland Inc.[7]. While office markets face challenges from remote work trends, Class A office space remains in demand, with employers like PNC and Sherwin-Williams bringing workers back full-time. The district saw 22 new retail openings against 10 closings in 2025, and serious crimes in the police district declined 26 percent.
Congressional funding is flowing into Central Ohio as well. U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty announced 7.9 million dollars in federal funding for housing, infrastructure, and transportation projects across Ohio's Third Congressional District[12].
Looking ahead, listeners should watch for updates on the property tax reform implementation and ongoing school fun
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.