Report. Reflect. Respond.
Monday, September 14th, 2026
Welcome to Monday’s edition of The Pennant. To listen to this newsletter, click the “Listen Online” link in the top right corner of this email.
On this date in 1940, Congress passed the Selective Service Act, creating the first peacetime military draft in United States history.
The Ohio Supreme Court clarifies sex offender registration rules, and a new BGSU poll shows the economy and inflation top voter concerns — these stories are Top of the Fold today.
And Conserve Ohio reports 130,000 signatures in its push to ban large data centers, plus new witness accounts clarify what actually happened to Amy Acton at the Canfield Fair.
Top of The Fold
Ohio Supreme Court Clarifies Sex Offender Registration Rules
COLUMBUS — The Ohio Supreme Court unanimously ruled sex offenders must register in counties where they physically work, even for temporary assignments.
The court upheld the conviction of Christopher Smith Jr., a Tier III sex offender who worked at Camp Wise, a children's summer camp, through a janitorial service placement, without registering in that county.
Smith had argued the law's "place of employment" definition was unclear.
Economy, Inflation Top Voter Concerns Ahead of 2026 Midterms, BGSU Poll Finds
BOWLING GREEN — A new BGSU poll of 1,200 likely voters finds the economy tops midterm concerns at 38%, followed by inflation at 31% and government corruption at 30%.
Immigration, threats to democracy, and health care rounded out the top six issues named.
Middle East conflict and crime tied at 10%, while artificial intelligence and housing each drew 8%.
The poll also examined presidential approval ratings and early 2028 contenders.
Millions in Unclaimed Funds Await Central Ohio Residents
COLUMBUS — The Ohio Department of Commerce says Central Ohio residents could be owed millions in unclaimed funds.
The 43215 ZIP code alone is owed nearly $24 million, with more tied to Westerville, Dublin, and other Columbus ZIP codes.
Residents can search at unclaimedfunds.ohio.gov.
Page One
National
WASHINGTON — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the U.S. will sanction "a large bank" today, part of ongoing pressure on financial institutions accused of funneling money to Iran.
WASHINGTON — The Iran war entered a rare pause last week, with no coalition strikes reported for two consecutive days after a major Sept. 5 missile exchange.
WASHINGTON — Goldman Sachs warns oil could hit $120 a barrel as Persian Gulf attacks continue, following Brent crude's climb from $72 to nearly $100 last month.
Statewide
GROVER HILL — A commercial breeder surrendered more than 18 dogs to Justice Animal Rescue in Ohio, according to founder Justice Lee.
MIAMI TOWNSHIP — An armadillo struck by a vehicle was found just four miles from Miami University, offering evidence that the species is moving northward into Ohio.
FAIRFIELD — OSHA gave Koch Foods until mid-October to fix safety violations found after a Feb. 15 fire killed a worker and injured two others at its Fairfield poultry plant, citing repeated lapses.
BROOK PARK — City council is weighing a tax incentive deal that would redirect property tax growth to fund long-term maintenance of the new Browns stadium beyond its 30-year lease.
MARIETTA — Marietta College will host a free summit Sept. 24 exploring rural development and challenges facing Appalachian Ohio, featuring speakers on workforce growth, entrepreneurship, and community revitalization.
COLUMBUS — Construction is underway on what will be the world's largest indoor go-karting track, coming soon to Polaris in Columbus.
Data Centers
Conserve Ohio Reports 130,000 Signatures in Push to Ban Large Data Centers
By The Pennant Staff
COLUMBUS — Conserve Ohio, the campaign group seeking a constitutional ban on large data centers, reported that it has collected 130,000 signatures across all 88 counties, according to The Hannah Report and The Hannah News Service.
The figure marks progress from the 70,000 signatures reported in June, but it remains well below the 413,000 valid signatures the campaign would need to submit to make the ballot, according to prior reporting from the Ohio Capital Journal.
That threshold is expected to change after November's gubernatorial election, since constitutional amendment campaigns require signatures equal to 10 percent of the votes cast in the most recent governor's race.
The proposed amendment would prohibit construction of data centers that use more than 25 megawatts of electricity.
"Conserve Ohio wants everyone to get a chance to vote on the decision," the group said in a statement. "A signature on the petition means a voice for the people, and the group is not stopping until it gets the measure placed on the Nov. 2, 2027 ballot."
The organization also said it has helped push local data center bans onto the November ballot in 10 communities this year: Sunbury, Pataskala, Urbana, Oregon, Defiance, Upper Sandusky, Piqua, Granville, Conneaut and Trenton.
Politics
Canfield Fair Incident: A More Precise Account of What Happened
By The Pennant Staff
CANFIELD — New witness accounts add detail to the Sept. 6 incident involving Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton. Witnesses say Patrick Havas, 38, held up a phone or camera and pushed through the crowd while shouting Acton's name, knocking several people down as he moved toward her.
He never made physical contact with Acton. He was carrying two handguns, both still in their holsters throughout the incident, along with brass knuckles; no weapon was ever drawn or removed.
A Democratic candidate for state House, a military veteran, said he tackled Havas before he reached Acton. Havas was booked on two counts of assault and one count of disorderly conduct — charges consistent with an unarmed physical confrontation rather than an attempted armed attack.
The Back Page
Previous Poll Results
Do you believe a criminal defendant should be able to be found mentally incompetent to stand trial?
- Yes - 25%
- No - 25%
- Unsure - 50%
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