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Axios
5 days ago
- Health
- Axios
Why Lyme disease cases are rising in Ohio
Justin Timberlake's recent diagnosis is putting a spotlight on Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness with staggering growth in Ohio over the past 15 years. Why it matters: Awareness of early symptoms, such as a rash and fatigue, can help patients catch cases early and treat them with antibiotics. If left untreated, the bacterial infection can lead to long-term neurological problems and symptoms like heart palpitations, arthritis, facial palsy and body aches. By the numbers: There were nearly 1,800 cases reported in Ohio last year, and around 1,200 so far this year. That's up from 40 in 2010. A post-2022 spike is largely due to a change in U.S. reporting requirements — but cases here were climbing before the change, with 615 in 2021, Ohio Department of Health data shows. The disease remains hard to diagnose and likely significantly underreported. Between the lines: Climate change is helping ticks survive longer, find new hosts and spread into new habitats. Ohio's cases started climbing around the time the blacklegged tick that transmits Lyme disease started appearing here, state and OSU researchers found. One silver lining: Only 3% of Ohio's cases in recent years have been recorded in Franklin County, making the local risk lower than in other areas. To help curb severe cases, the OSU Extension opened a tick-testing laboratory this year that detects diseases for $50, with results in 72 hours. Stay safe: Perform a "tick check" and shower after being outdoors, especially in the wooded or brushy areas, per the lab.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Bagworm outbreak threat growing in Ohio, OSU warns
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WJW)— The Ohio State University Extension is warning people in the state to be on high alert for bagworms. The stealthy and destructive pest can severely damage trees and shrubs. More than 80 shots fired at Cleveland block party; 1 killed, 5 injured According to OSU Extension entomologists, bagworms — the larvae of Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis — are hatching now. These caterpillars live inside silk bags camouflaged with pieces of their host plant, which can make them hard to spot in early stages. 'Bagworms are one of the sneakiest general defoliators in Ohio landscapes,' the warning reads. 'By the time damage is visible, infestations may already be significant.' Bagworms are known to feed on a wide range of trees and shrubs, OSU extension said. Each female bagworm can produce between 500 and 1,000 eggs, creating the potential for sudden population booms and widespread outbreaks. The caterpillars often spread via wind. Lottery ticket sold at local Walmart hits top prize OSU recommends inspecting trees now, especially by looking for bags left from last season. Eggs overwinter in the female's bag and hatch in sync with the full bloom of northern catalpa trees (Catalpa speciosa), according to OSU. While insecticides can be effective in controlling young bagworms, the Extension cautions against indiscriminate spraying. Beneficial arthropods — including those that naturally control mites, scale insects and even bagworms — may also be harmed. 'Careful monitoring and early detection are key,' experts said. 'Targeted treatment is the best strategy to reduce impact and protect surrounding vegetation.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
From Tuscarawas Co. to statewide leadership: Chris Zoller takes on new OSU Extension role
COLUMBUS — Chris Zoller has been appointed assistant director of agriculture and natural resources for Ohio State University Extension. According to an announcement, Zoller has been serving as interim assistant director since December 2023 and has more than 32 years of experience with OSU Extension. He has been an extension educator in Tuscarawas County since 1992, focusing on areas such as farm management, succession planning, livestock production, farm financial management, forage and agronomic crop systems, and energy use on livestock farms. "I've certainly enjoyed the 33 years I was an extension educator in Tuscarawas County," Zoller said. "I appreciated the clientele I worked with. Now, I'm looking forward to a new challenge leading the agriculture and natural resources program on a statewide level." In his new role, Zoller will provide leadership, administration, guidance and vision for OSU Extension's agriculture and natural resources program. His responsibilities include managing the state office, overseeing financial and human resources, and serving as a member of the OSU Extension administrative leadership team. He will also collaborate with department chairs, deans, unit leaders and other organizations to support research-based outreach and engagement throughout Ohio. 'Chris has demonstrated strong, thoughtful leadership as interim assistant director and has a deep understanding of the agricultural challenges and opportunities facing our state,' David Civittolo, interim associate dean and director of OSU Extension, said in the announcement. 'His commitment to excellence, collaboration, and service will continue to benefit our stakeholders, both within Ohio State and throughout the agricultural community.' Zoller is a two-time graduate of Ohio State, earning a bachelor of science in agricultural education in 1991 and a master of science in 1997. He holds the rank of professor and has received several awards, including the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of County Agricultural Agents in 2019 and the Steve D. Ruhl Outstanding Agricultural and Natural Resources County Extension Educator Award in 2021. This story was created by Jane Imbody, jimbody@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at or share your thoughts at with our News Automation and AI team. This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Chris Zoller promoted to to assistant ag director for OSU Extension
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pollinators celebrated at Youngstown festival
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – Just in time for planting season, there's a festival happening in Youngstown on Saturday to celebrate pollinators and their role in the environment. The Pollinator Palooza Festival will be at the Mahoning County Soil and Water Conservation District at 850 Industrial Road from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. It's the first time for this festival, which organizers hope will become an annual event. The free, family-friendly event will feature plant sales, vendors, exhibits and food trucks. Festival-goers can learn about the role pollinators play in the environment. The festival is hosted by the Mahoning County Soil & Water Conservation District in partnership with Operation Pollination, the Mahoning County Land Bank and the OSU Extension Mahoning County. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Potluck grab: Mushroom grower survey, Plant by Numbers guide, arborist factsheet
For those of you who work with mushrooms as part of your specialty crop operations, Central State University and Ohio State University Extension are conducting a comprehensive needs assessment survey to better understand the challenges and opportunities of mushroom cultivators in the state of Ohio. Your insights are invaluable in helping us develop needed resources, training programs and support services for the mushroom growing community. The survey aims to gather information on various aspects of the operations, including production systems, marketing, quality control and areas where you feel additional support or knowledge would be beneficial. Your responses will be kept confidential and will be used solely to improve the services and assistance available to mushroom growers. The survey can be accessed at A printed, hard copy of the survey can also be requested by calling the OSU Extension office in Wayne County at 330-264-8722. We appreciate your time and expertise in completing this survey! Please have your responses submitted no later than April 30. Did you know that OSU Extension offers a free resource for planning and designing garden spaces? Thanks to a USDA IPM grant, the OSU Extension Pollinator Health Team (Denise Ellsworth and Mary Gardiner) launched the Plant by Numbers program in Ohio to educate gardeners about the use and importance of native perennials to pollinators. There are templates available for bumblebee gardens, specialist bee gardens, butterfly and moth gardens, gardens for the birds, gardens for good garden bugs and gardens for shady spaces. The guides can be accessed at Just in time for the upcoming season, Ohio State University Extension's FactSheet, How and Why to Hire an Arborist, has been updated and iposted on the Ohioline website. The updates include information about the different types of arborists and the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ). There also are links to additional references and resources on the subject. Frank Becker is the Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator with Ohio State University Extension – Wayne County, and a Certified Crop Adviser, and may be reached at 330-264-8722 or becker.587@ This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Mushroom survey, garden design tips and arborist factsheet from OSU
