Richland County

Solar panels cover less than 1% of Ohio’s prime farmland, but opposition groups and local officials continue to block or restrict utility-scale solar projects, citing farmland preservation concerns. A 2021 law allows Ohio counties to ban such projects, and similar restrictions exist in other U.S. states.

An ex-MMA fighter, who is a native of Richland County, was hailed as a hero for restraining a man who attempted to open an emergency exit door mid-flight on a Frontier flight bound for Chicago.

Rick Chow, a South Carolina store owner, was acquitted of murder after shooting and killing 14-year-old Cyrus Cormack-Belton outside his store in 2023. The jury found Chow not guilty, with the defense claiming self-defense due to the teen's armed actions, while the prosecution argued the weapon posed no immediate threat.

A South Carolina jury found store owner Chikei Rick Chow not guilty of murder in the 2023 shooting of 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton. The verdict followed a trial where Chow claimed self-defense, asserting the teen pointed a gun at his son, while prosecutors argued the teen posed no threat. Carmack-Belton’s family and community expressed distress over the outcome.

A South Carolina jury found store owner Chikei Rick Chow not guilty of murder in the 2023 shooting of 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton. The shooting occurred after Chow chased the teen from his convenience store, with Chow claiming self-defense for his son, while prosecutors argued the teen posed no threat. The verdict sparked emotional reactions from Carmack-Belton’s family and community.

A South Carolina jury found store owner Chikei Rick Chow not guilty of murder in the 2023 shooting of 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton. The incident occurred after Chow chased Carmack-Belton from his convenience store, claiming self-defense to protect his son, while prosecutors argued the teen was shot in the back without posing a threat.

A South Carolina jury is deliberating in the trial of Chikei Rick Chow, a store owner charged with murder after fatally shooting 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton during a foot chase. Prosecutors claim the shooting was unprovoked, while defense lawyers argue Chow fired to defend his son, who allegedly faced a gun threat from the teen.

A South Carolina jury heard closing arguments in the trial of Chikei Rick Chow, a 61-year-old store owner charged with murder after fatally shooting 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton during a foot chase. Prosecutors allege the shooting was unprovoked, while the defense claims Chow fired to protect his son, who they say was threatened with a gun. The incident sparked community grief and protests over racial tensions.

A South Carolina jury is hearing closing arguments in the trial of 61-year-old store owner Chikei Rick Chow, who shot and killed 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton during a foot chase. Prosecutors allege the shooting was unprovoked, while defense lawyers claim Chow fired to protect his son, who they say was threatened with a gun. The incident sparked community grief in Richland County, where nearly half the population is Black.

Confusing ballot wording in Ohio may have influenced voters to uphold a ban on renewable energy projects. Exit polls suggest most voters likely intended to oppose the ban on solar and wind projects in Richland County's 11 townships, but the ballot's phrasing may have led to unintended outcomes.

Residents in Richland County, Ohio, voted 53% to 47% to maintain a ban on utility-scale solar and wind projects, marking a setback for efforts to challenge local restrictions on renewable energy. The referendum was seen as a potential model for overcoming similar bans elsewhere.

A group opposing an Ohio county's renewable energy ban has financial ties to fossil fuel promoters, as revealed by a campaign finance report. Richland County is among over 30 Ohio counties that have such bans.