AGP Executive Report

Arts: Ohio University Chillicothe’s Patricia Scott Memorial Art Gallery opens “Dive In,” an exhibition of vibrant, abstract works by Pickaway County artist Michael Kirk, with a reception Oct. 22. Civic Action: No Kings rallies in Columbus and Cleveland drew hundreds Saturday, urging Ohioans to vote early and volunteer as election observers. Motorcycle Heritage: Pickerington’s AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum has opened an exhibit on Harley-Davidson’s revival and former CEO Rich Teerlink, inviting fans to contribute photos for a community mural. Books & Community: Chillicothe’s AAUW holds its annual used-book sale Oct. 23–31, with books for $1 or less and free selections for children, teachers, veterans and first responders.

Arts & Culture: Ohio University Chillicothe’s Patricia Scott Memorial Art Gallery opens “Dive In,” an exhibition of vivid, pattern-filled work by Pickaway County artist Michael Kirk, with a reception featuring live music on Oct. 22. The show runs through Nov. 30. Around Town: The Columbus Marathon debuts a new Parsons Avenue route Sunday. Outdoor Life: The Ohio River has earned its 18th water-trail designation, adding a fresh invitation to explore the river. Food & Community: Wellington’s Bakehouse at What the Farm offers classes in sourdough baking, canning, food preservation and gardening.

Arts: Ohio University Chillicothe’s gallery opens “Dive In,” an exhibition of vivid, abstract work by Pickaway County artist Michael Kirk, on Oct. 22. The show runs through Nov. 30, with a free opening reception featuring live music. Rural Health: Ohio will distribute $92 million to expand rural care, including $30.3 million for maternal health and $30.3 million for 22 hospitals. Columbus Marathon: More than 15,000 runners are expected Sunday, with a new Parsons Avenue stretch highlighting the South Side. Education: An Ohio appeals court ruled the state’s EdChoice voucher program unconstitutional, raising questions about the future of scholarships used by more than 100,000 families. Statehouse History: Ohio unveiled a monument honoring women on the Statehouse’s south plaza.

Arts & Culture: Ohio University Chillicothe opens “Dive In,” an exhibition of colorful, expressive work by Pickaway County artist Michael Kirk, on Oct. 22; it runs through Nov. 30. Community Traditions: Cincinnati’s Camp Washington hosts its inaugural state fair Oct. 17, celebrating the neighborhood’s history and local artists, makers and businesses. Performance: Cirque Kalabanté brought acrobatics, dance, music and storytelling to Ohio University in Athens, exploring cultural exchange and human connection. Education: An Ohio appeals court ruled the state’s EdChoice voucher program unconstitutional, raising questions about the future of scholarships used by families statewide. Heritage: Ohio unveiled a monument honoring women at the Statehouse in Columbus, adding a new public tribute to their contributions. Outdoors: The Ohio River received the state’s 18th water-trail designation, expanding recognition of places to enjoy the river.

Arts & Culture: Ohio University Chillicothe’s gallery opens “Dive In,” a colorful mixed-media show by Pickaway County artist Michael Kirk, on Oct. 22; it runs through Nov. 30. Education: An Ohio appeals court ruled the EdChoice voucher system unconstitutional. Youngstown’s Catholic Diocese says its scholarships remain active and funded. Ohio Heritage: A monument honoring Ohio women has been unveiled at the Statehouse. Champaign County’s historical society hosts a free Oct. 17 talk on a century of farming change, while Piatt Castle offers free autumn games on Oct. 24. Campus & Community: Ohio State has launched an undergraduate American Sign Language major.

Education: An Ohio appeals court has ruled the state’s expanded EdChoice voucher program unconstitutional, but it can continue while the case proceeds to the Ohio Supreme Court. Arts & Events: Ohio University Chillicothe’s “Dive In,” featuring Central Ohio artist Michael Kirk, opens Oct. 22 with live music and refreshments. Springfield-area listings include guided hikes, geology programs and a talk on haunted Ohio; Cincinnati and Columbus also have weekend event guides. Community & Outdoors: Cincinnati Parks received a $17,500 grant to assess cardiac-response plans, AED access and CPR training at six nature centers. Ohio History: A new exhibit at the Museum Showcases WPHS and Ohio County Schools history, while archaeologists uncovered 18,500 artifacts at a Troy tavern. Local Legacy: Dayton-area parks are remembering former MetroParks CEO Marvin Olinsky, who helped build greenways and RiverScape and expand the system during his 15-year tenure. Women’s Sports: Central State’s 1996-97 women’s basketball team reached the NAIA Elite Eight despite campus turmoil, lost funding and a postseason ban that was later reversed.

Women’s History: Ohio’s first Statehouse monument depicting real women was unveiled Wednesday in Columbus, honoring the women who helped shape the state. Arts & Heritage: Buckeye Hills Regional Council will celebrate Appalachian grant projects with ribbon cuttings for an amphitheater, riverfront improvements, a streetscape and two cultural heritage sites across Southeast Ohio. On Campus: Ohio University Chillicothe’s “Dive In,” an exhibition of vibrant, expressive work by Pickaway County artist Michael Kirk, opens Oct. 22 with live music and refreshments. Akron Giving: A custom Mercedes-Maybach designed by LeBron James will go to auction in November, with proceeds supporting his foundation’s I PROMISE program. Community: Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell visited Maple Heights students, sharing books and school supplies, shoes and backpacks through his family foundation.

Arts & Culture: Ohio University Chillicothe’s Patricia Scott Memorial Art Gallery opens “Dive In,” an exhibition of vibrant, abstract paintings by Central Ohio artist Michael Kirk, on Oct. 22; it runs through Nov. 30. On Stage in Cleveland: This weekend’s lineup includes Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, “Evil Dead: The Musical,” and comedian DeRay Davis. Community & Heritage: A mural honoring author and conservationist Louis Bromfield is unveiled at Malabar Farm State Park, while Sinclair Community College celebrates Toni Morrison with a writers’ workshop. Ohio Traditions: Columbus’s annual Italian festival brought food, music and culture to Italian Village, and Hocking Hills is marking fall color season with events. Education: Ohio State has launched a hip-hop studies minor, adding a new avenue for students to explore the music and its cultural roots.

Akron Roots: LeBron James reflected on growing up in Akron and how a difficult childhood shaped his drive to help the next generation. Student Spotlight: Marietta senior Jocinda “Josie” Jeffery pairs top grades with music, art and volunteering at a local history museum. Arts & Culture: Ohio University Chillicothe will open “Dive In,” an exhibition of vibrant, expressive work by Pickaway County artist Michael Kirk, on Oct. 22. Community Reads: A 10-year-old Solon girl created a Little Free Library at The Gathering Place in Beachwood, offering books and comfort to families affected by cancer.

Live Music: Akron jazz saxophonist Chris Coles brings his band Gleam’s new album to Cleveland’s BOP STOP, joined by an eight-piece lineup and hip-hop artist Floco Torres. Cincinnati Arts: BLINK turned more than 35 blocks across Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky into a free, four-night outdoor gallery, with projections, illuminated sculptures, murals and performances. Campus Arts: Ohio University Chillicothe opens “Dive In,” an exhibition of Central Ohio artist Michael Kirk’s vivid paintings and cut-paper work, on Oct. 22. Education: Tiffin Columbian science teacher Chris Monsour is among five educators selected for a national teaching award. Fall Outings: ODNR has announced fall color events in Hocking Hills.

Community & Identity: At a Youngstown rally, President Trump attacked Somali and Haitian communities as he campaigned for Ohio Republicans, putting immigrant communities in the spotlight. Arts & Culture: Ohio University Chillicothe’s “Dive In” exhibition opens Oct. 22 with a reception, live music and works by Central Ohio artist Michael Kirk; it runs through Nov. 30. Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble also brought the Grateful Dead’s “Blues for Allah” to Stuart’s Opera House in Nelsonville. Ohio History: New markers recount the Wyandots’ forced removal from Ohio, as communities continue to mark Indigenous Peoples’ Day alongside Columbus Day.

Land and Development: Anger over AI data centers is growing in Ohio, where a Grove City farm family says it won’t sell land for the project. The issue is also becoming a midterm flashpoint. Live Music: Beach Boys singer Mike Love, 85, performed seated at Cincinnati’s Riverbend Music Center despite serious health challenges. Historic Preservation: Cleveland’s Shiloh Baptist Church, where Martin Luther King Jr. preached in 1967, received a $750,000 grant for repairs and improved community access. Libraries and Heritage: Ohio voters will decide local library ballot proposals this November. For Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Columbus is hosting a free community meal, while the Myaamia Center works to preserve Native voices.

Schools: Mason High School tops Greater Cincinnati’s 2026 public college-prep rankings, with Walnut Hills and Indian Hill also among the region’s highest-rated. Public Health: Ohio’s measles cases have topped 230, with Medina County reporting its first case of the year. Community: The Ohio Bird Sanctuary released a juvenile bald eagle back into the wild. Arts & Culture: Columbus’ Italian Festival celebrated its 46th year, while Dayton welcomed anime-inspired Tsukicon; the Columbus Symphony also launched an interactive music-learning site for children. Lottery Update: Ohio is beginning its first major gaming-system overhaul in two decades, with new terminals, self-service kiosks and accessibility features rolling out over several months.

Ohio on Screen: The statewide “Ohio Goes to the Movies” project is wrapping up after free screenings in all 88 counties, with organizers saying it helped bring people back to theaters. Creative Community: Dayton’s Westside Makerspace marked its new home with a block party, while Fremont’s reportedly haunted Bihl Manor is getting a makeover for an HGTV show. Wildlife: A juvenile bald eagle, treated for a spinal fracture after being hit by a car, was released back into the wild near the Ohio Bird Sanctuary in Mansfield. Local Traditions: Canfield’s giant-pumpkin weigh-off crowned Carol and Dave Stelts, whose pumpkin tipped the scales at 2,565.5 pounds. Healthy Aging: More than 50 vendors offered screenings, information and activities at the Lake Community YMCA’s annual Senior Health Fair.

Arts & Events: Chillicothe’s Pump House Center for the Arts is preparing its Holiday Gift Show, opening Nov. 19, as director John Payne plans to retire at year’s end. The gallery is also hosting artist demonstrations and live music. Cultural Life: Columbus’s 46th Italian Festival brought food, music and dancing to Italian Village, with organizers and visitors celebrating the neighborhood’s community spirit. Community Voices: A Columbus exhibit pairs artwork by Epstein survivors with thousands of volumes of released records, creating space for survivors to share their stories and educate visitors about trafficking. LGBTQ+ Community: Akron activist Steve Arrington has spent three decades working to fill gaps in services for Black LGBTQ+ residents. Local Milestone: Cleveland emergency physician Stephen Biebelhausen set a world record by running a mile while pushing his young daughter in a stroller.

Parks & Play: Mill Creek MetroParks has opened a $3 million children’s garden at Fellows Riverside Gardens in Youngstown, with walking paths, hands-on learning and natural play features. Higher Education: Ohio State plans a new undergraduate nuclear engineering major, renovated labs and scholarships with support from a $4.5 million partnership with Oklo. Schools: Ohio’s chronic absenteeism rate fell to 23.7% in 2025–26, but remains well above its pre-pandemic level. Arts & Inclusion: Oberlin’s Queertober is putting drag center stage, while Cleveland State has announced free tuition for eligible Ohio students.