In a remarkable event that has captured hearts across Columbus, Betsy and Dan Santiso welcomed quintuplets, an occurrence so rare it happens in just 1 in every 60 million births.
The five newborns — Juniper, Cedar, Linden, Torrey, and Alder were delivered at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital on August 4. Following their arrival, the babies were transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Nationwide Children’s Hospital for specialized care.
According to OhioHealth, both mother and babies are in good condition, marking this as a joyful milestone for the family and the Columbus medical community. Quintuplet births are an extraordinary medical phenomenon, making this event not just a local story but a point of global fascination.
This remarkable birth highlights the exceptional expertise of Columbus hospitals and their dedication to maternal and newborn care.
Columbus police are asking for the public’s help to find missing woman Jessi Mae Chapman.
Columbus Police Seek Missing 67-Year-Old Woman Who Left Mount Carmel East Hospital
Columbus, Ohio – Columbus police are asking for the public’s help in locating Jessi Mae Chapman, a 67-year-old woman who went missing after leaving Mount Carmel East Hospital without being discharged.
According to authorities, Chapman walked out of the hospital, located at 6001 East Broad Street on the Far East Side of Columbus, around 1:20 p.m. on August 7. She was last seen wearing a puffy black coat, light gray sweatpants, and gray shoes.
Chapman is described as being 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighing approximately 160 pounds. Police have not released details about the direction she traveled or the reason for her departure.
Anyone with information about Jessi Mae Chapman’s location is urged to contact the Columbus Police Missing Persons Unit at 614-645-2358.
Alexis Fitzsimmons Steps Down from Grow Licking County leadership position
Grow Licking County Executive Director Alexis Fitzsimmons Steps Down
Grow Licking County Executive Director Alexis Fitzsimmons has officially announced her resignation, with her final day set for September 2. The organization, known for driving economic development across Licking County, will begin the search for a new leader this month.
Fitzsimmons, a Newark native and graduate of Newark Catholic High School, has served as Executive Director since July 2021. Her decision to step down comes as she relocates to Washington State, she confirmed in a recent interview.
“One of the things I have always valued about local economic development is seeing the real difference you can make right where you live,” said Fitzsimmons.
The Grow Licking County board is scheduled to meet on August 8 at 9 a.m. to discuss the leadership transition. Fitzsimmons will work with the board to finalize the job description and post the opening soon to ensure a smooth transition.
Her tenure included navigating challenges and opportunities brought by Intel’s $28 billion semiconductor plant near Johnstown. While Intel recently delayed the factory’s opening to 2030 or later, Fitzsimmons remains optimistic.
“There is still strong potential at the site. Regardless of delays, Intel’s presence sparked essential improvements in zoning, planning, and transit across Licking County,” she said.
From infrastructure upgrades to township-level framework planning, Fitzsimmons highlighted how Intel’s presence became a catalyst for long-term development.
“Even if Intel’s timeline has shifted, Licking County is more prepared and positioned for growth than it was in 2022,” she added.
As Grow Licking County prepares for new leadership, the region continues to move forward with momentum and a focus on sustainable growth.
Ohio job market 2025: Why Is Ohio’s Unemployment Rate Still So High Despite Job Growth?
Columbus, Ohio – Ohio continues to experience one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, ranking sixth nationwide, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. While the national unemployment rate is 4.1%, Ohio’s stands at 4.9%, raising questions about the strength and direction of the state’s job market.
But is this number the full story?
Rea Hederman, Executive Director of the Economic Research Center at the Buckeye Institute, explains that the rise may reflect more Ohioans re-entering the labor force. “The silver lining is that more people are actively looking for work, which temporarily increases the unemployment rate,” he said. In June alone, the state’s private sector added over 11,000 new jobs.
However, not all experts are optimistic. Policy Matters Ohio highlights a growing concern over job quality and availability. Researcher Molly Bryden notes that while participation in the workforce increased over the past year, growth has recently slowed, possibly due to doubts about finding stable, well-paying jobs with good benefits.
Looking ahead, Ohio State University economics professor Bruce Weinberg advocates for long-term investment in workforce education and manufacturing. As automation and AI reshape the job market, he emphasizes the need to reskill displaced workers and prepare the next generation for high-tech employment opportunities.
Ohio’s next unemployment update, based on national data, is due later this month. For continued coverage on Ohio’s economy and job trends
New rules in Ohio require teens and young adults to complete full driver training effective September 30, 2025.
New Rules Set for Teen Drivers in Ohio – Effective Sept. 30, 2025
Columbus, Ohio – A significant change is coming to Ohio roads. New rules set for teen drivers in Ohio will take effect on September 30, 2025, and will impact all individuals aged 18 to 20 seeking to obtain a driver’s license.
Previously, drivers 18 and older were not required to complete a full driver education course. But that is now changing.
What is Required Under the New Law?
Under the new state budget law, all drivers under 21 must now complete a full Ohio-approved driver training program, which includes:
24 hours of classroom instruction
8 hours of behind-the-wheel training with a certified instructor
50 hours of driving with a licensed adult (21+), including 10 hours at night
This move comes as state officials aim to reduce fatal crashes involving young and inexperienced drivers. According to the Ohio Traffic Safety Office, 58% of fatal crashes caused by teen drivers last year involved individuals aged 18–19.
“We know that proper driver training reduces the risk of serious crashes. This law is about saving lives,” said Kimberly Schwind, Assistant Director at the Ohio Traffic Safety Office.
Why This Matters for Young Drivers
Experts from local driving schools, including Faith Driving School in Columbus, support the updated requirements. Driving instructors emphasize the importance of professional training, noting that certified lessons offer deeper insight into road safety compared to casual parent-supervised practice.
“Even if a teen has practiced with their parents, professional training teaches critical observation and decision-making skills,” said instructor David Berk.
The new rules are designed to ensure that every young driver on Ohio roads is well-prepared, confident, and safety-conscious.
Need More Info?
To read more about the law and find an approved driver training school in Columbus or your area, visit the official Ohio BMV website.
Emergency crews respond to a collision at the CSX railroad crossing on Leap Road, Hilliard.
Hilliard Railroad Crossing Reopens After Collision Between Pickup Truck and Train
A major railroad crossing in Hilliard, Ohio, has reopened following a serious accident that disrupted local traffic for hours. The incident occurred on the morning of August 5, when a pickup truck was struck by a CSX freight train at the Leap Road railroad crossing, just north of Northwest Parkway in Columbus.
Emergency responders from Norwich Township Fire Department confirmed the crash happened around 7:35 a.m., resulting in one person being transported to a nearby hospital. The individual, identified as the driver of the pickup, was reportedly in stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery. Remarkably, bystanders assisted the driver out of the vehicle before emergency crews arrived.
The 4,500-foot-long freight train had blocked sections of Leap Road and Davidson Road, impacting traffic flow throughout the day. Authorities were able to clear the scene, and Leap Road was reopened around 5 p.m. on the same day. CSX confirmed that none of the train crew members were injured, and an investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the crash.
Former Buckeye Kirk Barton during his court appearance for charges in the June fatal crash
Former Ohio State Player Kirk Barton Faces Charges After Drunk Driving Crash That Killed Ethan Perry
Former Ohio State football player Kirk Barton has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges related to a fatal DUI crash in Dublin, Ohio, that claimed the life of 24-year-old Ethan Perry in June.
According to police reports, Barton was allegedly driving the wrong way on U.S. Route 33 when he attempted to correct his direction but collided with Perry’s vehicle. Perry was pronounced dead at the scene, while Barton suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Court records reveal Barton’s blood alcohol content (BAC) was measured at .17, more than twice Ohio’s legal limit. He now faces two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide and two counts of operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI).
Barton’s attorney, Sam Shamansky, expressed his client’s deep remorse during a court appearance:
“I don’t care what you call it, but a life was lost and Mr. Barton grieves with the rest of us and that is for sure.”
Barton is currently out on $500,000 bond, with an additional $10,000 recognizance bond added to ensure his presence at upcoming court dates. The case will soon be assigned to a judge for further proceedings.
Mathura Sridharan, a distinguished legal mind and Ohio native, now serving as the state’s 12th Solicitor General, known for her courtroom expertise and proud expression of her cultural heritage.
Ohio AG Dave Yost Defends Solicitor General Mathura Sridharan Against Xenophobic Backlash
Columbus, Ohio — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and local civil rights advocates are speaking out after a wave of xenophobic responses erupted following the appointment of Mathura Sridharan as the state’s 12th Solicitor General.
Promoted on July 31, Sridharan, a native of Ohio, is being recognized for her significant contributions to the attorney general’s office. Despite her qualifications and achievements, some social media users questioned her citizenship and criticized her for wearing a bindi, a traditional and spiritual symbol commonly worn by Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist women.
The backlash was swiftly condemned by the Ohio Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OH). Executive Director Khalid Turaani issued a strong statement supporting Sridharan’s right to express her religious and cultural identity, citing the importance of diversity in strengthening democracy.
“Symbols like the hijab, yarmulke, cross, or bindi reflect our nation’s cultural fabric,” said Turaani. “We stand in solidarity with Ms. Sridharan and reject any form of racism or xenophobia.”
Attorney General Yost defended Sridharan’s credentials, affirming her status as a U.S. citizen, and denouncing the criticism based on her name or appearance as unacceptable.
“If her name or complexion bothers you, the problem is not with her, it’s with you,” said Yost.
Yost also described Sridharan as a “genius” and highlighted her legal victories and leadership. Since joining the attorney general’s office, she has argued before the U.S. Supreme Court and led the Ohio Tenth Amendment Center, protecting state sovereignty and ensuring federal accountability.
The role of Solicitor General involves representing Ohio and its agencies in high-profile legal appeals, including cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Ohio Supreme Court.
Sridharan’s promotion has become a focal point in the ongoing dialogue about diversity, inclusion, and the role of cultural expression in public institutions across Ohio.
Coming soon: The 1922 Club, Ohio State’s new members-only venue under construction inside Ohio Stadium.
Ohio State University to Open Exclusive Members-Only Club at Ohio Stadium
Columbus, Ohio – Ohio State University is set to begin construction on a new luxury hospitality space within Ohio Stadium, the 1922 Club, an exclusive, members-only venue for Buckeyes fans. The renovation project will convert a vacant area on the stadium’s east side into a high-end club and reservation-only restaurant.
Construction is scheduled to start in October 2025, led by Columbus-based construction firm Elford, Inc., with architectural design managed by OSU’s internal planning team. Final design approvals are expected by September, with the goal of opening the club in time for the 2026 football season.
On game days, the 1922 Club will offer full members access to an all-inclusive lounge experience featuring food, beer, and wine, three hours before kickoff until an hour after the game ends. During non-game days, the space will transform into a members-only fine dining restaurant, open Tuesday through Saturday from 3 p.m. until close, with reservations required.
Membership Options:
Full Membership ($ 4,500/year): Includes restaurant access and game day lounge privileges.
Social Membership ($ 1,000/year): Offers access to the club on non-game days only.
While the club won’t have a direct view of the field, live games will be streamed on multiple TVs throughout the venue. Members can invite guests, transfer game-day access, or host private events when the team is not playing.
“This private club is a testament to our commitment to fostering community, camaraderie, and undying passion for the Buckeyes,” Ohio State shared.
Loni Anderson, the glamorous and intelligent Jennifer Marlowe on WKRP in Cincinnati.
Legendary TV Star Loni Anderson, ‘WKRP in Cincinnati’ Icon, Dies at 79
Legendary TV star Loni Anderson, best known for portraying Jennifer Marlowe on the Ohio-based sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati, passed away on Sunday at the age of 79. Her family confirmed that she died in a Los Angeles hospital after a prolonged illness.
Anderson rose to fame in the late 1970s playing the smart, stylish receptionist at the fictional WKRP radio station, set in Cincinnati, Ohio. The show, which aired from 1978 to 1982, remains one of the most iconic TV sitcoms of its era, especially beloved by Midwest viewers.
Her breakout role earned her two Emmy nominations and three Golden Globe nods, solidifying her legacy as a powerhouse in television comedy. With a mix of elegance, charm, and sharp wit, Anderson’s portrayal of Jennifer Marlowe broke stereotypes and left a lasting impact on the portrayal of women in media.
Beyond WKRP, Anderson appeared in movies like Stroker Ace (1983) with Burt Reynolds, whom she later married. Their highly publicized relationship, and eventual split, made headlines throughout the ’80s and ’90s. In her candid memoir My Life in High Heels (1995), Anderson detailed her life in the spotlight and her journey as a resilient woman navigating fame and adversity.
She continued to act through the decades, recently co-starring in Ladies of the 80s: A Divas Christmas in 2023 alongside Linda Gray, Morgan Fairchild, and others.
Born August 5, 1945, in St. Paul, Minnesota, Loni Anderson began her career with a small role in Nevada Smith (1966) and went on to appear in numerous hit shows including S.W.A.T., Police Woman, and Easy Street.
Anderson leaves behind her husband Bob Flick, her daughter Deidra, her son Quinton Reynolds, and grandchildren. A private memorial will be held at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
