Public Information Statement from the National Weather Service, Wilmington OH 622 PM EDT Sat Aug 12 2023

EF1 TORNADO CONFIRMED IN KENTON...HARDIN COUNTY OHIO.

The National Weather Service in Wilmington, Ohio has confirmed an EF1 tornado occurred in Kenton, Hardin County, Ohio during the early afternoon hours of today, August 12, 2023.

This conclusion stems from a damage survey that is being conducted. Maximum winds have been estimated at 90 mph.

Additional information, including tornado track data, will be made available later this evening. A final assessment, including results of the survey, are expected to be completed and transmitted via a Public Information Statement.

The storm survey information will also be available at http://weather.gov/iln.

Issue 1 does not pass

The August 8 Special Election had a higher than expected turnout across the state of Ohio. The unofficial results, with a total of 3,059,440 votes cast, are a rejection of State Issue 1 “Elevating the Standards to Qualify for an Initiated Constitutional Amendment and to Pass a Constitutional Amendment.” Votes reported by the Ohio Secretary of State are:

YES - 1,315,346 - 42.99%
NO - 1,744,094 - 57.01%

Bluffton polling place manager Edna Conkling told the Icon that “it was very busy, very surprising. They did not expect us to have this many votes.” All Bluffton precincts had to have an additional supply of ballots provided.

After the polls closed at 7:30 p.m., Bluffton poll workers reported 1,069 in person votes plus 15 provisional votes.