Whether singing to a crowd or jammin' at home, 9-year-old JJ Day was an entertainer."Whenever we had our friends over, he would always play along with us. He would always be making poses for the camera. He would always make us laugh," his sister, Morgan Day said. JJ's older sister, Madison said, "Potty humor, that was his favorite. He made jokes constantly ... He told me a few of his new year's resolutions, and one was to have more friends."The Mason third-grader, who wanted to be Mickey Mouse at Disney World one day, knew how to dominate a room. "His personality, it was explosive. It was so big," said his mother, Kristen Day. "He was our source of huge laughter." JJ's presence was always filled with love."He made sure that each of us knew that he loved us, and we loved him," Kristen Day said. JJ Day unexpectedly last Saturday. While his family still doesn't have answers about how he died, their focus is on how he lived. The term "Love like JJ" has spread through the community and on social media."I mean, he's everywhere," said his father, Jon Day. "He would want to be everywhere. He would want to be in everyone's face." Stories of JJ can fill a room with laughter, but words can't describe the pain in his family's hearts.The Days said they've found strength in their community and every person who has reached out to say they will try and love like JJ."We hear you. We see you and we feel you," Jon Day said."We feel the prayers. We feel the support. We absolutely feel it. I know my girls feel it too," Kristen Day said.The Days said they believe JJ was destined to change the world, and now, they will help him do so.A foundation, https://www.lovelikejj.org/ has been set up in his name. Services for JJ will be held Saturday. More information can be found here:https://www.muellerfunerals.com/obituary/jonathan-day?fbclid=IwAR3O4pWvceUTktN_0LfqJCr09vS9WeibptxuOQuief0fb4DtfrQdfWyKdbw

Extra security is in place at Ohio's Statehouse.Concerns of armed protests and potential violence are looming in the days leading up to the inauguration of President-Elect Joe Biden.On Sunday, people peacefully protested in Columbus, but the security plans will be just as stringent in the coming days.The FBI has warned of potential armed protests across the country.Officials said nationwide protests may start this weekend and go through the inauguration, and despite calm protests so far, leaders said they've prepared for much worse.Windows are boarded up and metal fencing is all around the statehouse.Peaceful protests served as a test run for safety measures put in place ahead of Inauguration Day."We are planning for the worst case scenario," Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther said last week.580 Ohio National Guard members have been activated to assist local law enforcement and Ohio state troopers are backing up Columbus police, officials said.The FBI has warned of armed protests at all 50 state capitols and in Washington, D.C. leading up to Jan. 20."In the coming days, we will not allow violence and destruction to be a part of our city," Ginther said.Sunday, supporters for President Donald Trump and President-Elect Joe Biden converged on capitol grounds.A man from our area, known as the "Dancing Trucker" made a call for peace."I love to dance. It helps me. It helps people that watch me dance. I usually dance for smiles, but today I'm dancing for peace," John Drury said.Armed protesters came to make a peaceful statement, with one man who said his gun was to ensure his First Amendment right.Some held a megaphone instead, but there were also signs, Black Lives Matter clothing, Biden-Harris flags and American flags.Officials hope this peace continues into the coming days."Police will be highly visible and we will be wearing body worn cameras. People caught on video or in photos who engage in illegal acts should expect to have their images released to identify law breakers to hold accountable," Columbus Police Chief Tom Quinlan said.This time, there were dozens of protesters, but officials are prepared for what may come next.Late last week, Gov. Mike DeWine said there have been direct threats on the Ohio Statehouse, but would not go into detail.The statehouse and all other state buildings in Columbus are closed through Wednesday.Officials are asking people to stay out of the downtown area during that time.DeWine has also authorized 1,000 members of the Ohio National Guard to help in Washington, D.C.He said the move comes after a request from the U.S. National Guard Bureau.

WITH SET-ASIDE FROM THE MASKS IT FEELS LIKE EVERYTHING IS GETTING BACK TO NORMAL. DAY ONE DONE. LAKOTA WEST STUDENTS PILED OUT OF THE HIGH SCHOOLS THIS AFTERNOON, SOME A TTLILE SLORWE THAN OTHERS TO REMOVE THEIR MASKS. SUMMER BREAK IS OVER BUT LAOT HIGH SCHOOLERS SAY THEY’RE HAPPY TO BE BACK IN SCHOOL WITH FRNDIE >> I’M FEELING EXCITED BUT A LITTLE NERVOUS BECAUSE I’VE BEEN ON VLO FOR OVER A YEAR. KARI BRYCE JONES HAS ASTHMA SO LAST YEAR VIRTUAL LEARNING WAS A BETTERPT OION FOR HIM. NOW HE’S VACCINATED WHICHET SS HIS FATHER’S MIND AT EASE. >> YOU KNOW, IT’S BEEN TOUGH BEING HOME SO WE FELT S MEIT FOR HIM TO INTEGRATE WITH STUDEN.TS >> I’M NOT AS WORRIED. KARI N: ADAM DOUGLAS ISN’T JUST A NEW LAKOTA EAST STUDENT, HE’S ALSO NEW TO THE COUNTRY. HE JUST MOVED HERE FROM JORDAN A FEW WEEKS AGO. >> FEELI GNGOOD, SOMETHING NEW IN MY .LIFE KARIN: WHAT’S NONEW,T LAKOTA’S MANDATORY MASK POLICY. >> WHEN THEY SAID WE WERE GOING TO HAVE MASKS MANDAOTRY, I’M LIKE, WELL, WE DID IT LAST YEAR AND YOU GET US TEDO IT, SO YOU CAN DO IT AGAIN. KARIN: LAKOTA DID SAY IF COVID NUMBERS STAY LOW DURING THE NEXT FE W WEEKS, THE MASK MANTEDA COULD BE REVERSED BUT STUDENTS AREN’T BANKING ON IT JUST YET. >> I FEEL LIKE WE’RE GOING TO. HAVE MASKS FOR AWHILE BCOV C -- BECAUSE COVID IS JUST GOING TO KEEP WRAPPING UP. THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE OUR STLA VARIANT AND I KIND OF WANT PEOPLE TO GET USED TO BEING CLOSE BUT STILL FAR AWAY ENOUGH THAT WE DON’T HAVE TO WOYRR KARIN: AND WHEN YOU GO TO THE SAME SCHOOL AS YOUR YOUNGER SISTER, MAYBE A LITTLE DISTANCE IS A GOOD THING. >> IT’S EXCITING BUT SOMETIMES SHGEE TS ON MY NERS.VE >> OH YOU DO TOO. YOU DO TOO. KARIN: GOTTA LOVE THAT SISTEYRL LOVE. ASIDE FROM SCHOOL ITSELF KIDS AND EVEN STAFF TELL ME THERE IS SO MUCH TO LOOK FORWD ,AR I CAN SEE BANDMEMBERS OUT, FOOTBALL, PEOPLE LOOKING FORWARD TO HOMECOMING. AND A LOT OF THE KIDS I’VE SPOKEN WITH SAY THEY WILL DO WHAT IT TAKES TO HAVE THO

Lakota students return to class, some for the first time in a year

Updated: 5:40 PM EDT Aug 18, 2021

Lakota students returned to school Tuesday. Despite having to wear masks, many kids said they were happy to be back in class with friends."I'm feeling excited but a little nervous because I've been in VLO for over a year," said Bryce Jones, a Lakota East student. Jones has asthma, so last year, virtual learning was a better option for him. Now, he's vaccinated which sets his father, Careem Jones' mind at ease."It's been tough being home, so we felt its time to integrate with students," Careem Jones said. Adam Douglas isn't just new to Lakota East, he's also new to the country. He just moved here from Jordan a few weeks ago."Feeling good, something new in my life," Douglas said. What's not new is Lakota's mandatory mask policy."When they said we were going to have masks mandatory, I'm like, 'Well, we did it last year and you get used to it, so you can do it again,'" said Lakota East student Kaitlin Dwomoh. Lakota superintendent Matt Miller told WLWT on Tuesday if COVID cases stay low during the next few weeks, the mask mandate could be reversed, but students aren't banking on it just yet."I feel like we're going to have masks for a while because COVID is just going to keep ramping up. This is not going to be our last variant, and I kind of want people to get used to being close but still far away enough that we don't have to worry," Dwomoh said.

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP, Ohio —

Lakota students returned to school Tuesday. Despite having to wear masks, many kids said they were happy to be back in class with friends.

"I'm feeling excited but a little nervous because I've been in VLO for over a year," said Bryce Jones, a Lakota East student.

Jones has asthma, so last year, virtual learning was a better option for him. Now, he's vaccinated which sets his father, Careem Jones' mind at ease.

"It's been tough being home, so we felt its time to integrate with students," Careem Jones said.

Adam Douglas isn't just new to Lakota East, he's also new to the country. He just moved here from Jordan a few weeks ago.

"Feeling good, something new in my life," Douglas said.

What's not new is Lakota's mandatory mask policy.

"When they said we were going to have masks mandatory, I'm like, 'Well, we did it last year and you get used to it, so you can do it again,'" said Lakota East student Kaitlin Dwomoh.

Lakota superintendent Matt Miller told WLWT on Tuesday if COVID cases stay low during the next few weeks, the mask mandate could be reversed, but students aren't banking on it just yet.

"I feel like we're going to have masks for a while because COVID is just going to keep ramping up. This is not going to be our last variant, and I kind of want people to get used to being close but still far away enough that we don't have to worry," Dwomoh said.

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