Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1868, Milan native Thomas Edison applied for his first patent: an electric vote recorder for legislatures. A congressional committee turned it down, preferring the traditional method of voting.

A salt mine beneath Lake Erie that supplies winter road salt has shut down after water flooded its underground works, and you'll find the details in Top Stories.

Go-Go. Slow-Go. No-Go. Financial planners say retirement isn’t one long vacation. It’s three distinct chapters, and each one has its own price tag. When does each chapter begin? How big does the nest egg need to be? Which classic rule of thumb just got a haircut? And which bill keeps growing no matter what? Whether you’re retired, about to retire, or still planning, today’s Flyover Podcast is for you. One question surprises almost everyone. Could you need less money than you’ve been told? Listen here to find out.

When was the last time you compared your car insurance? If it’s been a year or longer, the rate you’re renewing may deserve a second look. Today’s sponsor, Insurify, makes it easy to compare quotes from more than 120 insurers in just a few minutes.

Water Shuts Down Fairport Salt Mine

Morton Salt announced Monday that it has stopped mining at its Fairport Harbor salt mine, with no timeline for reopening.

Water began pouring into the underground works on Oct. 22, and every miner got out safely. The company is treating the shutdown as a force majeure event.

Federal mine safety regulators are investigating. FOX 8 reported the company canceled a Tuesday meeting with employees, and workers leaving the mine said they're unsure about their future.

Morton hasn't said how many jobs are affected and has referred inquiries to its press release.

The Lake County mine sits beneath Lake Erie and mainly produces road salt. ODOT says it has 624,000 tons stockpiled, about 73% of capacity, and is in contact with Morton about potential impacts.

Oregon Votes on $1B Data Center

Oregon voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to block a $1 billion data center that Vantage Data Centers plans to build in the Lucas County city.

Issue 25 would amend the city charter to ban data centers drawing more than 25 megawatts. Some residents say the yes-means-ban wording is confusing.

Data center supporters at Monday's council meeting pointed to schools. Clay High teacher Ben Pfeiffer said the project would bring Oregon City Schools more than $100 million over 15 years and avoid a 2028 levy.

United Neighbors of Oregon, the group that petitioned the ban onto the ballot, says the district has no backup plan. "This planning strategy is like buying a car and hoping to make the payments when you win the lottery," said volunteer Laura Davis.

Residents have pressed Vantage on power rates and water use. The company says it will buy its own power and cover infrastructure costs.

Toledo Chemical Leak Sparks Class Action

A Toledo landscaper has sued the company behind last week's chemical leak, seeking class-action status for residents and businesses displaced by the release.

A tank at MC Tank Transport's Progress Avenue terminal began releasing glycidyl methacrylate on the night of Oct. 20. The chemical, used in coatings and adhesives, is classified as a carcinogen.

The release triggered a one-mile evacuation and a three-mile shelter-in-place order covering roughly 50,000 residents, according to the lawsuit.

Todd Hartford, owner of Hartford's Fencing & Landscaping, alleges the company failed to maintain the tank's stabilizer and safety systems. He's also suing parent company Kenan Advantage Group and the terminal's plant manager.

In a statement issued the day after the leak, MC Tank said it understood "the serious disruption" to neighbors and was "committed to assisting those affected."

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➤ Statewide: House Bill 1025 would make the Long Rifle of Early Ohio the state's official firearm. Rep. Johnathan Newman, R-Troy, introduced the bill Oct. 13. (More)

➤ Cincinnati: Nearly one in four city traffic crashes over three years happened within 1,000 feet of a school, so Cincinnati is asking students to flag the worst spots. Input gathered Monday in Westwood will shape a $1 million state grant application targeting safety for four West Side schools. (See Details)

➤ Ashland County: A twin-engine plane with engine trouble clipped a cornfield and struck a home in Montgomery Township Monday afternoon. The 74-year-old Pennsylvania pilot and his passenger suffered minor injuries, and the person inside the house wasn't hurt. (More)

➤ Toledo: Sara Shaw, a retired Oregon police officer whose husband, a Sylvania officer, died by suicide in 2020, has opened Ahava Mind, a downtown Toledo counseling practice focused on first responders and veterans. (Read Story)

➤ Cleveland: City Council voted 7-6 Monday against reimbursing the Browns $1.1 million for repairs at Huntington Bank Field, which the city owns and must maintain under its lease. Members cited frustration over the team's move to Brook Park, while Council President Blaine Griffin warned a lawsuit could cost more. (More)

➤ Also Cleveland: The Cleveland Metropolitan School District won't renew its roughly $600,000-a-year contract with Flock Safety and has told the company to shut off its 201 license plate cameras on school property. The district will rely on its nearly 5,000 district-owned cameras instead. (More)

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➤ The Cincinnati Bengals signed tight end Cam Grandy to its 53-man roster off the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad. Grandy, a blocking specialist, played 13 games with seven catches for 35 yards for the Bengals in 2024 and 2025 before Minnesota signed him in September. (More)

➤ Columbus Fury, the pro women's volleyball team, is adding elevated courtside riser seating and more concession stands at Nationwide Arena for 2027. (More)

➤ Ohio State coach Ryan Day still hasn’t named a starting quarterback for Saturday’s game at USC, with Julian Sayin out indefinitely after hurting his throwing arm against Indiana. Day said Luke Fahey and Tavien St. Clair both performed well splitting reps during the bye week. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | NBA | NHL | Soccer

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➤ Your Bladder Might Be Playing Tricks on You. Always looking for the nearest bathroom? Waking up at night to pee? Dehydration may be making things worse. When your body isn't properly hydrated, it can irritate your bladder, contributing to frequent urges and nighttime bathroom trips. Discover why essential minerals and amino acids matter for hydration — and the tasty morning drink worth knowing about. Learn more

➤ The Ohio Tax Credit Authority approved a 30-year, 2.157% Job Creation Tax Credit for Bayer's planned $2.2 billion drug plant in New Albany. The company expects to create 606 jobs and about $69 million in new annual payroll by 2034. (More)

➤ East Palestine and Unity Township held the first of two public hearings Monday on a joint economic development district along Route 14, built around an 85-acre small business park. Village Manager Antonio Diaz-Guy said the land couldn't support a data center even if one were proposed. (More)

➤ The Cheese Lady, a Michigan-based franchise, will open its first store outside that state next month in a 4,000-square-foot former Chase Bank in Loveland. Owner Kathryn Holcomb, a retired teacher and Loveland High School graduate, plans tastings of more than 100 cheeses sold by the pound. (Read Story)

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➤ The Not-So-Scary Haunted House in Miamisburg, designed for ages 4 to 10, opens tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. at Market Square on North Main Street. Admission is $5 at the door. (More)

➤ During A Weekend in Starz Hollow, more than 40 downtown Delaware businesses will stand in for Gilmore Girls landmarks like Luke’s Diner and Doose’s Market on Nov. 13-14. Organizers expect 10,000 to 15,000 visitors, and two actors who played members of the show’s band, Hep Alien, will host ticketed events. (See Details)

➤ The Ohio Local History Alliance gave the Bay Village Historical Society an Outstanding Achievement Award for its exhibits on the Revolutionary War and Native American history. (More)

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➤ This popular fruit marketed as healthy contains a toxic nutrient, triggering immune attacks that harm your body and joints. Dr. Brian Paris reveals this hidden threat (and 4 other dangerous foods) in a viral video helping Americans feel better. See which fruit (and 4 other foods) are feeding your joint pain, free