Ohio Turns Up the Heat—Just in Time to Shop Tax-Free
By April Rodgers, Content Coordinator | FreeWire — Your News, Your Voice
If your May in Ohio felt more like November, you're not wrong. Memorial Day Weekend closed out with a high of 65 degrees and a hoodie count that rivaled the pumpkin patch crowd last fall. Buckle up, because June plans to skip the polite warm-up and dive straight into the sweaty handshake of summer—with temps flirting with 90 by Tuesday in Crawford County. Hope you remembered how to install that window AC.
Here’s a little something to smile about (besides the fact that it’s iced coffee season): Ohio has officially announced its 2025 Sales Tax Holiday, and it’s not just your typical weekend flash-in-the-pan. This year, it’s two full weeks of tax-free bliss, running from midnight on August 1 through 11:59 p.m. on August 14. That’s right—14 glorious days where you can buy what you need (or convince yourself you need) without giving the state its usual cut.
Gov. Mike DeWine issued a statement saying, “The timing of this year’s sales tax holiday not only supports families preparing for back-to-school, but also provides relief on other important household needs.”
Translation: Stock up on backpacks, sneakers, and whatever appliance just died during that last thunderstorm. Anything under $500 is fair game—clothes, laptops, microwaves, maybe even that air fryer you swore you didn’t need but secretly want. Or is that just me? Don’t try to slide your new boat or a six-pack of hard seltzer through the checkout and expect the tax fairy to foot the bill. Services, alcohol, tobacco, watercraft, and anything weed-related are excluded.
Ohio rolled out this broader version of the sales tax holiday last year, expanding beyond school supplies to include a wider range of purchases. Whether you’re shopping in-store or online (while pretending to be productive at work), you’ll be covered—as long as you stay under the $500 limit and out of the liquor aisle.
Not all the headlines in Ohio this week were sunshine and receipts.
In Ashland County, what could have been a tragic event ended peacefully Friday afternoon when law enforcement responded to reports of gunfire at a rural home along U.S. Route 250 North. A tree-trimming crew had the scare of their lives when they found themselves being shot at while working outside the property. Deputies, including Sheriff Kurt J. Schneider, responded quickly, set up a perimeter, and after a short 30-minute standoff involving bullhorns and sirens (and probably a few prayers), the man surrendered without incident.
“We’re grateful this ended without anyone getting hurt,” said Schneider. Charges are still pending, but for once, a tense situation didn’t end in tragedy.
Some stories didn’t end so peacefully. Plans are underway to lay to rest Deputy Daniel "Weston" Sherrer, who was shot and killed in the line of duty in Morrow County on Memorial Day. His funeral is scheduled for Wednesday, June 4, as the community prepares to honor a life lost far too soon.
Columbus offered a brighter note, bursting with life over Memorial Day weekend. The Asian Festival returned May 24–25 with its signature blend of food, performances, and more than 100,000 attendees. This high-energy celebration of heritage and community continues to grow and resonate more deeply each year.
The Ohio Black Expo brought the Riverfront Culture Fest to downtown, offering a dynamic weekend of workshops, networking, soul food, and powerful conversations. This annual gathering isn't just a party—it’s a platform for solutions and a showcase of strength in Ohio’s Black communities. If you missed it, you missed out.
It’s been a rollercoaster of a week in Ohio—figuratively and literally. Sirens Curse at Cedar Point has been making daily test runs and should open soon, ready to rattle some nerves and twist some stomachs. In the meantime, Top Thrill Dragster 2 is open and already launching brave souls into scream therapy at 120 mph. If life’s going to be wild, you might as well ride it like you mean it.
Opening Night this week in Bucyrus...
Get ready to sing, dance, and maybe even remember what a conjunction is.
Schoolhouse Rock Live! is hitting the stage at Bucyrus Little Theatre this summer, and it’s shaping up to be an absolute blast. This high-energy musical brings the iconic 1970s Saturday morning cartoon to life—with all the toe-tapping tunes that taught us about grammar, history, math, and more before our second bowl of cereal.
This local production is in excellent hands, too. Directed by the talented Martha Tidball, who brings heart to every show she touches. Music direction is by Rick Walker, .
Show Dates:
June 6–9 and June 13–15, 2025
Location: Bucyrus Little Theatre
Tickets are going fast—because word’s out that this one’s going to be unforgettable. Don’t wait. Visit bucyruslittletheatre.com, call 419.562.0731, or snag yours online while you still can. This is one show you won’t want to miss.
So whether you’re dodging raindrops, cranking up the AC, braving a rollercoaster at 120 mph, or humming “I’m Just a Bill” on your way to Bucyrus Little Theatre, Ohio is definitely not letting early summer slip by quietly. From tax breaks to theater seats, it’s all happening right here. Hold on tight—this season’s just getting started, and there’s no telling what next week will bring.
