All articles tagged with #franklin county
On October 7, 2026, seven educational facilities in Franklin County, Virginia, were placed on lockdown or hold-in-place status following a threat call targeting Franklin County High School. Local law enforcement and the FBI investigated the incident, which was ultimately deemed unsubstantiated. All students and staff were confirmed safe, and lockdowns were lifted by 1:00 PM.
Lora Wondolowski narrowly won the Democratic nomination for the 1st Franklin District, edging Corinne Coryat by 95 votes district-wide (4,355 to 4,260) with Colrain placing Wondolowski ahead. Coryat carried several towns, including Deerfield, Heath and Shelburne. Wondolowski, Greenfield City Council president and Peace Development Fund official, will face independent Amy Lavallee in November to fill the vacancy left by Natalie Blais. The race highlighted issues like climate, housing and rural equity, and fundraising favored Wondolowski (about $32,980) over Coryat (about $23,300).
A 16-year-old girl in Winchester, Tenn., was charged with assault and disorderly conduct after sprinting onto a field and tackling a middle school football player midgame during a Franklin County High School-area game. The tackle was filmed and the game was halted, with the field cleared and no injuries reported. She has been banned from Franklin County School properties and from attending Cornersville Middle School games for a year.
The Franklin County Health Department has confirmed several cases of Legionnaires’ disease. Legionella bacteria are present in water systems and do not spread person-to-person. Officials are collaborating with state health agencies to identify a common source, while advising the public to reduce risk by cleaning water-mist devices, keeping water heaters at 140°F, and flushing and maintaining water systems.
Columbus’ Franklin County grand jury indicted Michael David McKee, a 39-year-old vascular surgeon living in Chicago, on aggravated murder and aggravated burglary with a firearm for the December 30 killings of his ex-wife Monique Tepe and her husband Spencer Tepe in their Columbus home. McKee was arrested in Illinois; authorities say video linked him to the Tepes’ home and a firearm found at his Illinois residence matched evidence at the scene. He remains in custody with a next hearing in Winnebago County on January 23. The Tepes’ two young children and their dog were unharmed, there was no forced entry, and OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center is cooperating with the investigation.
Two Pennsylvania State Troopers and a suspect were shot during a chase in Franklin County after a theft at Dick's Sporting Goods; the suspect was killed, and the troopers are hospitalized in critical and serious condition. Authorities are investigating, and officials are praying for the injured officers.
Franklin County has confirmed its 10th rabies case of the year, doubling last year's total, prompting officials to urge pet owners to vaccinate their animals, avoid wildlife contact, and seek immediate medical attention if exposed. They are also offering a rabies vaccination event for pets to help prevent further cases.
A 15-year-old girl who was abducted by her 17-year-old boyfriend in Franklin County has been found safe, and the suspect has been arrested. The suspect, Jeffery Gimenez, had previously kidnapped the victim and was wanted for robbery in Pickaway County. Authorities canceled the AMBER Alert after confirming the victim's safety and the suspect's custody. The suspect may be armed and dangerous, and anyone with information is urged to contact the Grove City Police Department.
Two lucky Powerball tickets sold in Ohio, one in Franklin County worth $2 million and another in Belmont County worth $250,000. The winning $2 million ticket was purchased at a Circle K in Columbus, while the $250,000 ticket was sold at a Bell Store in Barnesville. The Powerball jackpot now climbs to an estimated $532 million for the next drawing on Monday night.
Former NHL player Mike Ribeiro has been found not guilty on two counts of sexual assault in Franklin County, with the jury deadlocked on a third charge. Ribeiro, who played for the Dallas Stars, had been on trial since January 23, and it is uncertain whether he will face a retrial for the unresolved charge.
The first case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been confirmed in Franklin County, North Carolina, in a 2.5-year-old female white-tailed deer. CWD is a contagious neurological disease that affects deer and other similar animals and is always fatal. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has set up surveillance programs and special regulations to monitor the disease, but experts warn that it could be infecting deer in other counties. While CWD has never been reported in humans, there are concerns about potential risks, and the World Health Organization recommends keeping meat from infected animals out of the human food chain.
A 26-year-old sheriff's deputy in Franklin County, Ohio, was relieved of duty and arrested on charges of aggravated menacing and assault. The deputy allegedly confronted a woman during a fight, struck her, and then pulled out a handgun, placing it to her head. He pleaded not guilty and was released on his own recognizance. The sheriff's office has initiated an internal investigation and stated that any breach of trust will not be tolerated.
A Franklin County Sheriff's deputy, Nathaniel Wolfe, was arrested and relieved of duty after being charged with aggravated menacing and assault by Columbus police. Wolfe was taken into custody without incident and will remain relieved of duty pending the outcome of the charges and an internal investigation.
Authorities in Florida are searching for state prisoner Robert Rutherford, who escaped from his crew work site in Franklin County. Rutherford, who is serving 20 years for armed burglaries and domestic violence, is considered dangerous and possibly armed. There have been sightings of him in Apalachicola, and residents are urged to be cautious and report any sightings to the authorities.
Three people were killed in a four-car crash on Interstate-44 in Franklin County, Missouri. The accident occurred when a 2020 Jeep Cherokee traveling in the wrong direction collided with a 2017 Nissan Rogue, a 2010 Toyota Corolla, and a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The driver of the wrong-way vehicle and the occupants of the Nissan were pronounced dead at the hospital.