Mayor Andrew Ginther | The Ohio Star

Governor Mike DeWine Unveils New Crime Gun Intelligence Center in Columbus

September 21, 2023September 21, 2023 Hannah Poling

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (R) joined state, local, and federal leaders in Columbus on Tuesday to unveil the new Central Ohio Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC).

According to the press release, the center is located within the Ohio Department of Public Safety and operates in partnership with the Columbus Division of Police, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center, Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

This new centralized law enforcement

Ohio GOP Calls on Mayor Bibb to Stop Deflecting Responsibility for Cleveland Violence

July 12, 2023July 11, 2023 Hannah Poling

The Ohio Republican Party called on Mayor Justin Bibb to stop deflecting responsibility for the violence occurring in Cleveland and to instead fix the problem by supporting law enforcement.

On Sunday, an early morning shooting in a nightclub area of downtown Cleveland sent nine people to MetroHealth Medical Center with injuries. According to authorities, no fatalities were reported.

GOP Lawmakers Introduce Legislation to Prohibit Curfews Imposed by Ohio Municipalities

May 28, 2023May 27, 2023 Hannah Poling

Two Ohio House Representatives have introduced legislation prohibiting municipalities from implementing curfews with certain exceptions.

House Bill (HB) 180, sponsored by State Representatives Jeff LaRe (R-Violet Twp.) and D.J. Swearingen (R-Huron), is a direct result of a recent city curfew approved by Columbus City Council earlier this week.

Columbus City Council Tightens Gun Control on Gun Owners

March 1, 2023February 28, 2023 Hannah Poling

The Columbus City Council approved legislation on Monday giving owners of gun magazines with 30 rounds or more until July 1st to move them out of the city, sell them to a licensed arms dealer outside of Columbus, or turn them over to the city Division of Police.

Although new legislation, Monday’s ordinance amends the gun control legislation passed by City Council on December 5th despite a judge’s order to cease any such action.

Columbus Civilian Police Review Board Member Asked to Resign After Anti-Police Comments

December 21, 2022December 20, 2022 Hannah Poling

In an 8-1 vote on Monday night, the Columbus Civilian Police Review Board recommended the removal of one of its members due to the member posting anti-police rhetoric on social media.

The decision comes in response to board member Gambit Aragon making anti-police social media posts after the cancellation of a controversial holiday story time event at a Clintonville church featuring drag queens.

Columbus City Council Unanimously Approves Ban on Sale of Flavored Tobacco Products

December 14, 2022December 13, 2022 Hannah Poling

The Columbus City Council unanimously passed a ban on the sale of flavored tobacco products such as menthol cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and flavored vaping products on Monday.

City health officials say tobacco company marketing has historically targeted minorities and young people and most people who begin smoking do so before they’re adults or in early adulthood.

Controversial Ohio Holiday Children’s Story Time with Drag Queens Cancelled

December 6, 2022December 5, 2022 Hannah Poling

LGBTQ rights activists canceled their controversial Holi-drag Storytime, a faction of Drag Queen Story Hour geared towards small children as young as two years old mere hours before the event was set to begin.

On Saturday, the Red Oak Community School, part of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbus scheduled to have a holiday drag queen event where three local drag queens would be in attendance to read books “highlighting inclusion and acceptance” to the children and would perform a few holiday numbers.

Off-Duty Officer Killed in Cleveland Carjacking Ends Another Violent Year

January 2, 2022January 1, 2022 Peter D'Abrosca

Cleveland’s last homicide in a record-setting 2021 occurred when an off-duty police officer was shot and killed during a carjacking on New Year’s Eve.

“Preliminary investigation indicates that a suspect approached the victim in the parking lot of the apartment building with a gun, a struggle ensued and the victim was shot twice by the suspect,” Cleveland police said in a statement. “The suspect then fled in the victim’s vehicle. The victim was conveyed to Fairview Hospital by Cleveland EMS where he was pronounced deceased.”

Ohio’s Largest City Will Require Masks Indoors

September 14, 2021September 13, 2021 The Center Square

Masks are returning in Ohio’s largest city as Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther has announced a new mandate for indoor spaces regardless of vaccination status.

Ginther said the rapid rise of COVID-19 numbers in the city requires city government to take action. He said he will issue an executive order requiring masks in all indoor spaces as of Friday.