Jennifer Smolajsmola@dispatch.comView CommentsThe 40-foot Christopher Columbus won’t be standing tall over the Columbus State Community College campus much longer.College officials announced plans Tuesday to move the 20-ton statue from its campus in the coming days.“The removal of the Christopher Columbus statue is a symbolic gesture of our commitment to our College community to continue and accelerate the fight against systemic racism,” Columbus State President David Harrison said in a written statement.“Recent events, including the senseless deaths of African-Americans and the resulting...…Jennifer Smolajsmola@dispatch.comView CommentsThe 40-foot Christopher Columbus won’t be standing tall over the Columbus State Community College campus much longer.College officials announced plans Tuesday to move the 20-ton statue from its campus in the coming days.“The removal of the Christopher Columbus statue is a symbolic gesture of our commitment to our College community to continue and accelerate the fight against systemic racism,” Columbus State President David Harrison said in a written statement.“Recent events, including the senseless deaths of African-Americans and the resulting...WW…

Max Filbymfilby@dispatch.comView CommentsIt took 112 days for the first 50,000 Ohioans to test positive for the coronavirus. But fewer than 45 days later, that number has nearly doubled, pushing the state toward a grim milestone of 100,000 total cases.The speed at which cases doubled in Ohio is a sign that the pandemic accelerated, propelling the state past the 100,000 mark quicker than had been thought possible, said Dr. Bill Miller, senior associate dean of research and professor of epidemiology at Ohio State University’s College of Public Health.“That’s a pretty significant escalation,”...…Max Filbymfilby@dispatch.comView CommentsIt took 112 days for the first 50,000 Ohioans to test positive for the coronavirus. But fewer than 45 days later, that number has nearly doubled, pushing the state toward a grim milestone of 100,000 total cases.The speed at which cases doubled in Ohio is a sign that the pandemic accelerated, propelling the state past the 100,000 mark quicker than had been thought possible, said Dr. Bill Miller, senior associate dean of research and professor of epidemiology at Ohio State University’s College of Public Health.“That’s a pretty significant escalation,”...WW…

 After a large crowd packed the patio of a Short North restaurant on Friday evening, the office of Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine warns the state will enforce its coronavirus precaution guidelines against "irresponsible" offenders.The gathering at Standard Hall, 1100 N. High St., prompted Columbus Public Health to issue a warning to the establishment, where most did not appear to be wearing masks or practicing six-foot social distancing.The governor’s office did not mention Standard Hall in issuing a statement Saturday afternoon. But, it noted, "anecdotes are being distributed across the state...… After a large crowd packed the patio of a Short North restaurant on Friday evening, the office of Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine warns the state will enforce its coronavirus precaution guidelines against "irresponsible" offenders.The gathering at Standard Hall, 1100 N. High St., prompted Columbus Public Health to issue a warning to the establishment, where most did not appear to be wearing masks or practicing six-foot social distancing.The governor’s office did not mention Standard Hall in issuing a statement Saturday afternoon. But, it noted, "anecdotes are being distributed across the state...WW…

The Columbus DispatchView CommentsCLEVELAND — La Trice Washington didn’t equivocate: “This was the most chaotic presidential debate in American history.”The associate political science professor at Otterbein University probably spoke for many voters when she said Tuesday night’s smackdown between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden “was like watching a train wreck and not being able to look away because it felt as though the nation had entered the twilight zone.”And she admitted she had a headache afterward.Doubling down on the steamroll tactics that helped him...…The Columbus DispatchView CommentsCLEVELAND — La Trice Washington didn’t equivocate: “This was the most chaotic presidential debate in American history.”The associate political science professor at Otterbein University probably spoke for many voters when she said Tuesday night’s smackdown between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden “was like watching a train wreck and not being able to look away because it felt as though the nation had entered the twilight zone.”And she admitted she had a headache afterward.Doubling down on the steamroll tactics that helped him...WW…

 Ohioans will be able to cast absentee ballots in drop boxes at their county boards of elections, but Secretary of State Frank LaRose warned voters against waiting to request their ballots.Ballots requested at the last minute are "highly unlikely" to be counted, LaRose said during a Wednesday news conference.LaRose previously has said he was unsure if he had the authority to mandate drop boxes, as the Ohio General Assembly did for the 2020 primary, conducted mostly by mail because of the COVID-19 pandemic.But he has not received a response to his request for a legal opinion from Ohio...… Ohioans will be able to cast absentee ballots in drop boxes at their county boards of elections, but Secretary of State Frank LaRose warned voters against waiting to request their ballots.Ballots requested at the last minute are "highly unlikely" to be counted, LaRose said during a Wednesday news conference.LaRose previously has said he was unsure if he had the authority to mandate drop boxes, as the Ohio General Assembly did for the 2020 primary, conducted mostly by mail because of the COVID-19 pandemic.But he has not received a response to his request for a legal opinion from Ohio...WW…

 As students and families continue to face coronavirus-related uncertainty about the fall, the Ohio Association of Community Colleges is encouraging them consider community colleges’ experience in online instruction, lower tuition, and general education credits that easily transfer.As the coronavirus pandemic and fears of a fall spike in cases continue to spark uncertainty about the upcoming school year, Ohio’s community colleges want students and families to know they’re here, they’re affordable and they’re a sure thing.The Ohio Association of Community Colleges announced its "Year 1...… As students and families continue to face coronavirus-related uncertainty about the fall, the Ohio Association of Community Colleges is encouraging them consider community colleges’ experience in online instruction, lower tuition, and general education credits that easily transfer.As the coronavirus pandemic and fears of a fall spike in cases continue to spark uncertainty about the upcoming school year, Ohio’s community colleges want students and families to know they’re here, they’re affordable and they’re a sure thing.The Ohio Association of Community Colleges announced its "Year 1...WW…

 "Regrettably, I asked a question in an unintentionally awkward way that was perceived as hurtful and was exactly the opposite of what I meant," Sen. Steve Huffman later said. "I was trying to focus on why COVID-19 affects people of color at a higher rate since we really do not know all the reasons."State Sen. Steve Huffman was fired from his job as a Dayton-area doctor for racist statements Tuesday during a legislative committee hearing."Dr. Huffman’s comments are wholly inconsistent with our values and commitment to creating a tolerant and diverse workplace," said a spokesman for...… "Regrettably, I asked a question in an unintentionally awkward way that was perceived as hurtful and was exactly the opposite of what I meant," Sen. Steve Huffman later said. "I was trying to focus on why COVID-19 affects people of color at a higher rate since we really do not know all the reasons."State Sen. Steve Huffman was fired from his job as a Dayton-area doctor for racist statements Tuesday during a legislative committee hearing."Dr. Huffman’s comments are wholly inconsistent with our values and commitment to creating a tolerant and diverse workplace," said a spokesman for...WW…

Jim Woodsjwoods@dispatch.comView CommentsOn May 24, Emily Noble spent the day with her husband celebrating her 52nd birthday.Matheau Moore said that when he awoke in their Westerville condo around 10 a.m. the next day, Memorial Day, his wife was not there. She had left behind her cellphone and wallet, and her car.Noble and Moore, 49, have been married about two years and live in a condo development off County Line Road north of Uptown Westerville.Her disappearance is being treated as “suspicious,“ Westerville police Lt. Doug Stephens said Thursday afternoon at a press conference. He said...…Jim Woodsjwoods@dispatch.comView CommentsOn May 24, Emily Noble spent the day with her husband celebrating her 52nd birthday.Matheau Moore said that when he awoke in their Westerville condo around 10 a.m. the next day, Memorial Day, his wife was not there. She had left behind her cellphone and wallet, and her car.Noble and Moore, 49, have been married about two years and live in a condo development off County Line Road north of Uptown Westerville.Her disappearance is being treated as “suspicious,“ Westerville police Lt. Doug Stephens said Thursday afternoon at a press conference. He said...WW…

The Columbus DispatchView CommentsCoal production levels are continuing to plummet each year in Ohio, a trajectory that has accelerated during the pandemic."The overall use of energy has decreased a great deal. It's just further depressed the market, which was already depressed by price," Mike Cope, president of the Ohio Coal Association, said during a recent Ohio Reclamation Forfeiture Fund Advisory Board meeting. As of Jan. 30, Ohio produced 301 short tons of coal so far this year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration....…The Columbus DispatchView CommentsCoal production levels are continuing to plummet each year in Ohio, a trajectory that has accelerated during the pandemic."The overall use of energy has decreased a great deal. It's just further depressed the market, which was already depressed by price," Mike Cope, president of the Ohio Coal Association, said during a recent Ohio Reclamation Forfeiture Fund Advisory Board meeting. As of Jan. 30, Ohio produced 301 short tons of coal so far this year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration....WW…

 The total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus rose to 11,602 cases on SundayCoronavirus has overtaken a vast majority of the prison population at the Marion Correctional Institution, state officials said Sunday.The Ohio Department of Health reported more than 1,000 newly confirmed cases of the coronavirus across the state Sunday, bringing the total of confirmed and probable cases to 11,602. With 20 additional deaths, there have been 471 confirmed and probable deaths from COVID-19, state officials said.The number of hospitalizations rose to 2,565. Franklin County now has 1,442...… The total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus rose to 11,602 cases on SundayCoronavirus has overtaken a vast majority of the prison population at the Marion Correctional Institution, state officials said Sunday.The Ohio Department of Health reported more than 1,000 newly confirmed cases of the coronavirus across the state Sunday, bringing the total of confirmed and probable cases to 11,602. With 20 additional deaths, there have been 471 confirmed and probable deaths from COVID-19, state officials said.The number of hospitalizations rose to 2,565. Franklin County now has 1,442...WW…