Ohio residents living south of Columbus are under a Winter Storm Warning.

The forecast for areas like Chillicothe, Athens, Ironton and Cincinnati calls for up to a foot of snow later today and tomorrow.

Milder temperatures are expected to return this weekend and officials will be keeping tabs on the Vermilion River.

Vermilion residents have been warned to watch for flooding as snow melts and ice breaks downriver.  A thaw last winter caused the Vermilion River to rise over its banks flooding an entire neighborhood.

The city of Norwalk will soon add a new piece of equipment to its fleet.

Last night, city council approved a lease-purchase agreement for a new mini-Bobcat excavator. The cost: just over $80,000.

Embattled Put-in-Bay police chief Ric Lampela has been placed on paid leave.

Last week, after a lengthy investigation, Lampela was charged with four misdemeanors, all tied to allegations of misconduct. Among the allegations: Lampela held a gun to an employee’s head in 2012, and covered up allegations that a police cadet was raped in 2003. He’s also accused of lying to investigators. He’s due in court March 25^th. Put-in-Bay officials are searching for an acting police chief to oversee the department.

Cedar Point is set to hire more than 5,000 workers, for the park’s summer season.

The first interview session will be held between 9 and 3 this Saturday, at Breakers Express on Cedar Point Drive. More than 70 different types of jobs are available, including positions in rides, food and beverage, games, maintenance, security and more. To apply, fill out a job application online at cedarpoint.com/jobs, before going to the interview session. Cedar Point’s 2015 season begins May 9^th.

State Representative Steve Kraus has announced plans to hold district office hours this weekend in Ottawa and Erie counties.

Kraus will be at the Port Clinton Public Library between 10 and noon Saturday, and at the Huron Public Library from 1 until 3 Sunday. No appointments are necessary.

A reminder…Today’s statewide tornado drill has been moved to 9:50 Friday morning.

Ohio is getting a new area code.

The 380 area code will be introduced in Central Ohio.  That’s because phone numbers for the existing 614 area code are expected to run out next year.  Also making its debut…the 220 area code, which is being intertwined with the existing 740 area code.

Supporters of a constitutional amendment to legalize marijuana in Ohio are hoping their second draft meets the state’s approval.

ResponsibleOhio submitted new ballot language to Attorney General Mike DeWine yesterday after their initial writing was rejected for not being fair and truthful.  The group still needs to collect more than 300-thousand signatures to get the issue on the November ballot.

This is Spring Severe Weather Awareness week throughout Ohio.

This past February will be remembered as the coldest ever in northern Ohio.

The National Weather Service at Hopkins Airport says the month ended with an average daily temperature of 14-degrees, breaking the 140-year-old record.  Seven record low temperatures were recorded during February, including the coldest day of 2015 at 17-below-zero.

Snow days and spring break will be the topic of discussion, during tonight’s special meeting of the Western Reserve Board of Education.

A hearing will be held to gather input from residents, about this winter’s excessive calamity days. Western Reserve needs to make up five extra snow days, and school officials hope to do it during much of spring break, which is scheduled for April 7^th through the 10^th. Tonight’s public hearing will begin at 6, in the Western Reserve High School library.

A similar meeting will take place tonight in Castalia.

The Margaretta Board of Education will meet at the Board office at 6, to discuss modifying the school day.

The Norwalk Board of Education may meet again this week, to continue the search for a new superintendent.

The board met three times last week. During two of those meetings, the board conducted second round interviews. Board president John Lendrum declined to say if all six remaining applicants were interviewed a second time.

Lendrum did say the Board of Education hopes to hire a new superintendent at the board’s regular monthly meeting, scheduled for March 10^th.

Allegations of misconduct have led to criminal charges against Put-In-Bay’s top cop.

A press release from Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine says police chief Ric Lampela is charged with a single count of aggravated menacing, two counts of falsification, and one count of dereliction of duty. All of the charges are misdemeanors, and they date back to 2003. Lampela is accused of threatening an employee with a gun, impeding an investigation into an alleged sexual assault, and lying to investigators. He’s due in court March 25^th. There’s no word yet on Lampela’s current status.

Ready or not, this weekend is when we ‘Spring Ahead’ to Daylight Saving Time.

Clocks will move ahead one hour at 2am Sunday.

Ohio is doing big business in the global economy.

The U.S. Commerce Department reports Ohio set a record for exports last year, shipping more than 52-billion-dollars in products overseas.  The Buckeye State ranked sixth nationwide while Texas came in at number one.

This is Spring Severe Weather Awareness week throughout Ohio.

This past February will be remembered as the coldest ever in northern Ohio.

The National Weather Service at Hopkins Airport says the month ended with an average daily temperature of 14-degrees, breaking the 140-year-old record.  Seven record low temperatures were recorded during February, including the coldest day of 2015 at 17-below-zero.

Snow days and spring break will be the topic of discussion, during tonight’s special meeting of the Western Reserve Board of Education.

A hearing will be held to gather input from residents, about this winter’s excessive calamity days. Western Reserve needs to make up five extra snow days, and school officials hope to do it during much of spring break, which is scheduled for April 7^th through the 10^th. Tonight’s public hearing will begin at 6, in the Western Reserve High School library.

A similar meeting will take place tonight in Castalia.

The Margaretta Board of Education will meet at the Board office at 6, to discuss modifying the school day.

The Norwalk Board of Education may meet again this week, to continue the search for a new superintendent.

The board met three times last week. During two of those meetings, the board conducted second round interviews. Board president John Lendrum declined to say if all six remaining applicants were interviewed a second time.

Lendrum did say the Board of Education hopes to hire a new superintendent at the board’s regular monthly meeting, scheduled for March 10^th.

Allegations of misconduct have led to criminal charges against Put-In-Bay’s top cop.

A press release from Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine says police chief Ric Lampela is charged with a single count of aggravated menacing, two counts of falsification, and one count of dereliction of duty. All of the charges are misdemeanors, and they date back to 2003. Lampela is accused of threatening an employee with a gun, impeding an investigation into an alleged sexual assault, and lying to investigators. He’s due in court March 25^th. There’s no word yet on Lampela’s current status.

Ready or not, this weekend is when we ‘Spring Ahead’ to Daylight Saving Time.

Clocks will move ahead one hour at 2am Sunday.

Ohio is doing big business in the global economy.

The U.S. Commerce Department reports Ohio set a record for exports last year, shipping more than 52-billion-dollars in products overseas.  The Buckeye State ranked sixth nationwide while Texas came in at number one.

Two more nights of bitter cold conditions are in store.

Tonight’s projected low is eight-below zero, and tomorrow night, seven-below.

The Village of Greenwich’s water supply has a chlorine level currently above the EPA threshold.

Do NOT consume the water at this time.  The Village will have their system flushed by 4pm today.  After 4pm please run your faucets for 5 minutes before consuming the water.

A 14-year-old Norwalk boy escaped serious harm, after being hit by a car.

The accident occurred at 4:20 yesterday afternoon. According to reports, Kyle Burton ran in front of traffic on Whittelsey, near the intersection of League Street, when he was hit. The boy was alert and talking when emergency crews arrived on scene. As a precaution, he was taken to Fisher-Titus Medical Center. No charges are expected.

More interviews tonight, at Norwalk High School.

The Board of Education will meet behind closed doors at 7, for second-round interviews with superintendent applicants. Interviews were held last night as well.

At least one Sandusky teen may face charges, for sharing pictures of a nude underage girl.

Sandusky police are investigating the incident, involving a 13-year-old boy, and an 11-year-old girl. According to reports, after repeated requests, the girl recently sent the boy the illicit images. He then shared them with friends, and the pictures eventually wound up online. The girl and her mother went to police, after friends told her the pictures were being shared. The boy, and anyone else who shared the images could be charged with child pornography.

For the second time this week, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine has rejected proposed marijuana legislation.

The reason: the petition didn’t have enough valid signatures. It required 1,000 for a legal review…It had 883. A group called Responsible Ohioans for Cannabis wants to legalize growing, using and selling marijuana and related products in Ohio by individuals 18 and older. It’s a different proposal than one submitted by ResponsibleOhio. That group’s petition was rejected earlier this week, because of wording issues. ResponsibleOhio officials said they will make corrections and re-submit by tomorrow. If it’s approved, that issue could appear on the ballot this fall.

The Ohio Department of Transportation is borrowing some of Toledo’s road salt and giving it to District Two counties that are running low.

20,000 tons will be distributed among 8 counties, including Ottawa, Sandusky and Seneca Counties.

Scenes for the new Bruce Willis movie might NOT be shot in Marblehead after all.

“The Plain Dealer” reports crews have stopped shooting the independent film “Wake” in Cleveland after 10 days because they ran out of money.  No word yet whether filming will be completed…or whether crews will be in Marblehead in April.

In sports…

Girl’s tournament basketball continues tonight and we’ll be live at Mansfield Sr. High School for Division II action between Norwalk and Willard.  Pre-game coverage begins at 6 with the tipoff at 6:15.

Once again, extreme cold conditions caused a number of area schools to delay the start of classes today.

A handful of schools closed for the day.

A statewide Amber alert has been issued for a three-year-old Delaware girl who was abducted by her father.

Elinor Trotta was taken from her New Castle home late Sunday night. Authorities believe the girl is in imminent danger. She’s described as white, 60 pounds, with brown shoulder length hair. She was last seen wearing a purple puffy coat, pink pants and “Frozen” sneakers. Her father, 39-year-old Michael Trotta may be headed to Ohio. He’s considered armed and dangerous. He’s described as white, 5-8, 160 pounds, and balding with a scruffy beard and mustache. Trotta is believed to be driving a gray 1989 Mazda 626, with Delaware plates 247457. If you see the two or the car, call 911 immediately.

The Norwalk Board of Education will meet twice this week, for a second round of interviews with superintendent applicants.

The school board will meet behind closed doors at 7pm Wednesday and Thursday. Both meetings will take place at Norwalk High School.

As we first told you yesterday, the Perkins Board of Education will hire and introduce the school system’s new superintendent tonight.

Sources said Jodie Hausmann will replace Jim Gunner, who’s retiring this summer. Hausmann is currently Director of Teaching and Learning in the Parma City Schools. She was one of seven applicants recently interviewed by the Norwalk School Board.

A Norwalk man with a lengthy criminal history is facing more charges, for allegedly trying to set fire to a Bouscay Avenue residence.

38-year-old Quran Bowman was arrested and jailed Saturday on felony charges of aggravated arson and domestic violence. According to reports, Bowman tried to burn down the home, by setting fire to a towel, and spraying it with hair spray. No damage was done. Bowman’s bond is set at $65,000. He’s due in court next Tuesday.

Cedar Point fans braved icy cold conditions Saturday, to raise money for a worthy cause.

600 people bundled up, and enjoyed the park’s “Winter Chill Out” walking tour that helped raise $27,000 for Give Kids The World, a non-profit organization in Orlando, Florida, that provides free weeklong vacations to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Cedar Point will open to much warmer conditions May 9^th.

If you’re driving in Sandusky today, keep in mind that West Monroe Street, between Winnebago Avenue and Marquette Street will be closed between 7 and 4, for emergency water line repairs. Detour signs are posted.

Governor John Kasich’s annual ‘State of the State’ address will be delivered this evening in Wilmington.

A third state has legalized recreational marijuana.

Alaska joins Colorado and Washington state.

The group trying to legalize marijuana in Ohio is rewriting its proposal before going to the ballot in November.

Yesterday, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine rejected ResponsibleOhio’s proposed constitutional amendment.  DeWine citied a failure to fully explain the measure.  Leaders of the pro-pot campaign say they’ll have new language on DeWine’s desk by the end of the week.

In sports…

Girl’s tournament basketball tips off around the area tonight.  We’ll be live at Mansfield Sr. High School for Division II action featuring Norwalk and Edison.  Pregame coverage begins at 6, with tipoff at 6:15.

Frigid conditions led to a number of schools delays and a few closing today. 

A Wind Chill Advisory is in effect until noon tomorrow.

Wet and slippery roads may have led to a weekend crash that claimed a Fremont man.

21-year-old Jose Ramon Leal Jr. was killed Saturday afternoon on the Ohio Turnpike, near the Milan exit. According to the highway patrol, Leal was eastbound, when he lost control of his car and hit a guardrail, then was hit by two cars and a tractor-trailer. Troopers continue to investigate the crash.

Two Pennsylvania residents are in the Erie County Jail this morning, for allegedly running a theft and fraud operation.

Lynette Lucas and Eric Steighner were arrested Thursday, after using a stolen credit card to buy nearly $3,000 worth of items from Menard’s in Perkins Township. Store officials were tipped off by the corporate office, after the two did the same thing at Menard’s in Massillon. They used a U-Haul truck, to pick up almost $5,000 worth of goods there. Lucas and Steighner also hit at least three other Menards’ stores in Ohio, using the same stolen credit card, and a glitch in the system. Authorities believe the two, plus a possible third person sell the stolen merchandise online, or return it and receive store gift cards, then sell those online as well.

The 14^th annual Huron County Chamber of Commerce Home and Business Show is set for this Saturday.

More than 70 area businesses will be on hand between 10 and 4, at Norwalk Middle School. We’ll have more in news later this week, and we’ll broadcast live from the Home and Business Show between 10 and 1.

The Bellevue Board of Education has agreed to form a committee, to explore a proposal to build an arts galleria.

If it’s built, it would take about two years, and $1.5 million. The cost would be covered by private donations and grants.

The Norwalk Board of Education will meet twice this week for a second round of interviews with superintendent applicants.

The school board will meet behind closed doors at 7pm Wednesday and Thursday.  Both meetings will take place at Norwalk High School.

The Perkins Board of Education will meet in special session tomorrow night to hire and introduce the district’s new superintendent.

Sources said Jodie Hausmann will replace current superintendent Jim Gunner.  She’s currently director of teaching and learning in the Parma City Schools.  Tomorrow’s special meeting will begin at 6:30 at Perkins High School.

School officials in Elyria are planning visits to Huron and Columbus as part of their superintendent search.

According to the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram, the two finalists for the top job are Huron Schools Superintendent Dennis Muratori and Columbus School Deputy Superintendent John Stanford.  Current Elyria Schools Superintendent Paul Rigda is retiring at the end of the current school year.

The Wind Chill Warning has been changed to a Wind Chill Advisory.

It runs until noon.

It was a record-setting night in Norwalk.

Last night’s official low was 12-below zero.  That broke the previous record of 9-below set back in 1936.  Records were shattered around the state.  The official low at Hopkins International Airport was -17.  At Toledo Express Airport was -19.  The Village of Orwell in Ashtabula County reported a low of -35.

For the second straight day, all area schools were closed due to sub zero temperatures.

If your school district uses the ‘One Call’ for school closings and delays, and you’re not getting the information, keep in mind that we have the information on the air every ten minutes, plus online and on Facebook.

An inmate at the Erie County Jail is accused of plotting a possible escape.

36-year-old Randy Young of Memphis, Tennessee is behind bars, for allegedly robbing a gas station and an ATM. Late Wednesday night, corrections officers noticed Young had used the wooden end of a scrub brush to punch holes in the window of his cell. When questioned, Young denied wrongdoing. Officials said bars in the window would have prevented any type of escape.

A snowmobile fire in Norwalk did about $12,000 damage.

It happened early Wednesday evening, in the garage of an East Main Street home. According to a report, the resident was working on the snowmobile, when it caught fire. It was destroyed by the blaze, along with some siding on the garage.

Down Route 61, to Mt. Gilead, where a highway patrol trooper there recently resigned, after admitting to having sex in his cruiser, while on duty.

The encounter involving 23-year-old Cody Nevers and a woman occurred in December. She told his superiors, after learning he had a fiancée.

The Ohio Supreme Court is coming to Sandusky County.

The state’s high court will hear oral arguments in Fremont in September. During the session, select high school students will be able to attend, and ask questions.

Starting this April, 500,000 Wal-Mart employees will be getting a raise.

Starting pay at the nation’s leading retailer is being bumped to at least $9 an hour and according to the company, workers’ pay will go up to $10 an hour next year. 

Lake Erie is 98 percent covered by ice.

The Cleveland Office of the National Weather Service has issued a Wind Chill Advisory for the area, from 4 this afternoon, until noon Friday.

In case you missed it, we tied a record low in Norwalk Sunday night. The official low in the Maple City was 10-below zero, tying the mark set back in 1943.

We could set a new record tomorrow night. The projected low is 13-below zero.

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.

With extreme cold expected tomorrow, the city of Norwalk Utility Billing Department is reminding residents that there is a drive-thru drop-off box in front of the Norwalk Police Department for payment of water bills.

Residents can use the drop box to avoid having to leave their cars.

The Norwalk Police Department is investigating a weekend break-in, at the Huron County Humane Society.

Two people entered the building early Sunday morning, and stole a small amount of cash. Some of the crime was caught on tape, and officers have pictures of the suspects and their car. Anyone with more information should contact the Norwalk Police Department.

The $60 million building that will house Borgers USA in Norwalk is nearing completion.

Mayor Rob Duncan talked about that and more, during last night’s ‘State of the City’ address. The German-based automotive supplier broke ground last August, in the Firelands Industrial Park. Once it’s up and running, the factory will employ over 200 workers. Also mentioned during Duncan’s speech: the 2014 Norwalk Truckers Division II state basketball championship, Imagine Norwalk, waterline replacement, and the need for a new fire station.

A man charged in a triple homicide in Fremont will spend at least 44 years in prison.

34-year-old Igmidio “Roger” Mista was scheduled to stand trial yesterday, but instead, he agreed to plead guilty to three counts of murder. According to the Fremont News Messenger, he was immediately sentenced to life in prison, with no chance of parole until 2059. Last March, Mista opened fire at the Last Car Bar, killing three men, including an off-duty Elmore police officer. The motive remains unknown.

The search will begin soon, for a new school treasurer in New London.

Susan Gutherie is resigning, effective July 31^st. The Board of Education accepted her resignation Monday night.

A group pushing a ballot issue to legalize marijuana in the Buckeye State is changing its proposed constitutional amendment.

Revisions by ‘ResponsibleOhio’ include allowing Ohioans to grow up to four marijuana plants for personal use and reducing the tax rate from 15 to 5 percent.  If approved, marijuana grown at home would have to be raised indoors and in a secure location inaccessible to anyone 21 or under.  ‘ResponsibleOhio’ is gathering signatures on petitions in hopes of getting the issue on the ballot this November.  One or two other issues to legalize pot could be on the same ballot.

Students across Ohio will begin taking the new Common Core test today.

The exam replaces the former state proficiency tests in math and reading. In addition to increasing opposition from educators and parents, there are concerns about possible internet connection issues.

An Akron man is facing a handful of charges, after a weekend chase in southern Huron County.

19-year-old Damien Hester fled from a Greenwich police officer early Saturday morning. Speeds reached 100 miles per hour, and the pursuit was called off after four miles, because of dangerous conditions. However, Hester was involved in a crash a short time later, and was stopped by Plymouth police and Huron County deputies. After a blood alcohol test, Hester was jailed on charges of DUI, reckless operation, driving with a suspended license and failing to comply. He’s currently free on bond.

Tonight is when Norwalk City Council will hear the first reading of an ordinance that toughens the law against people with unpaid city income taxes.

According to the proposal, court costs, attorney fees, and fees paid to a collection agency could be passed along in tax cases three years old or older.

Today, the Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio will kick off its annual ‘Harvest for Hunger’ campaign.

The Food Bank serves Huron, Erie, Crawford and Lorain counties.

Tax season is underway, and the IRS has issued its annual list of most common tax scams, called the ‘Dirty Dozen’

Identity theft tops the list, followed by potential tax swindles pitched by phone and email. IRS spokesman Mike Dobzinski says scammers may even try to file taxes in your name, to claim your refund. Other tax deceptions on the ‘Dirty Dozen’ list include schemes to hide money offshore, and promises of ‘free money’ for inflated refunds.

The brutal cold has Lake Erie nearly covered in ice, and it’s putting a dent in fish supplies.

According to various reports, ice is blocking commercial fishing boats, leading to a shortage of yellow perch, at a time when they’re served up at Lenten fish fries that begin this week.

To southwest Ohio, where a convicted felon is running for mayor.

Steven Williams was released from prison in 2000, after serving three years for kidnapping. Now, he’s seeking the top spot in the city of Hillsboro, a town with about 6,600 people. He says he’s turned his life around, earned a college degree, and is now a logistics analyst. Nothing is preventing Williams from running. Ohio law states that felons can regain their voting rights after completing all terms of their sentence. The current mayor of Hillsboro, Drew Hastings, is seeking re-election. In addition to being mayor, he’s a professional comedian.

Today is President’s Day.

Government offices and most banks are closed for the holiday. No mail, but trash pickup is running on its normal schedule.

Road conditions, heavy snow and limited visibility are being blamed as factors in a crash that killed a Michigan woman and her unborn child.

Saturday’s crash on the Ohio Turnpike occurred about seven miles east of the Milan exit. According to the highway patrol, 32-year-old Beverly Smith was a passenger in a pickup truck that slid under a tractor-trailer. Smith was eight months pregnant. Her husband, 33-year-old Eric Smith suffered serious, but non-life threatening injuries. A total of eight vehicles, including five semis were involved in the accident. Six other people were injured. The crash shut down the westbound lanes of the turnpike for hours.

Snow and high winds caused dozens of other traffic mishaps around the area. Most were minor.

The U.S. Coast Guard led a man and his teenage daughter to safety, after they became disoriented while snowmobiling along the Lake Erie shoreline.

The two called 911 at 5:30pm Saturday, after becoming lost between South Bass Island and Catawba Island. Coast Guard personnel from Detroit used an airboat and a helicopter to find the pair by pinging a cell phone to locate them.

Norwalk mayor Rob Duncan will deliver his annual ‘State of the City Address, during tomorrow night’s meeting of Norwalk City Council.

Residents of Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati will soon be able to renew their vehicle registration at the grocery store.

Kiosks will be set up at select supermarkets in those cities by late March or early April. Kiosk users will be able to swipe their driver’s license and credit card to receive their vehicle registration stickers. If the pilot program is successful, the BMV will install more kiosks around the state.

In sports…

We’ll have girl’s high school basketball tonight on 95.3, WLKR and wlkrradio.com.  Live from Norwalk High School it’s the Lady Truckers and the Clyde Lady Fliers.  Coverage begins at 7:30.