The Westerville News

EMWTTSFM: Three Tomatoes at a Time

Gary Gardiner — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 10:30:23 GMT

Place a supermarket tomato beside one from the Saturday Farmers Market, and they may look much the same: round, red and ready to slice. Cut them open, however, and the differences often become clear.

The supermarket tomato is built for a long trip.

Commercial tomatoes may move from fields to packing facilities, warehouses, distribution centers and stores great distances away. Many are harvested at the mature-green stage, when they are developed enough to ripen but still firm enough to withstand sorting, packing and transportation. Some complete the ripening process in temperature-controlled rooms where ethylene encourages color change.

Those methods serve a practical purpose. A tomato sold through a national supply chain must survive days in transit without bruising or collapsing.

The grocery store tomato, at left, might survive a long trip with little effect, but the Scratch Farm tomato better serves a refined palate.

Sliced open, a grocery store tomato may have a firm, pale core and thick internal ribs. That helps it hold its shape, but at the table it can seem stiff, watery, or bland.

A tomato from Scratch Farm travels from a nearby field to the Saturday Farmers Market and then to my kitchen. Because it does not have to endure a long distribution chain, it can be picked closer to ripeness.

I tried thick slices from the market on two sandwiches.

The first was a hamburger with cheese, lettuce, horseradish pickles, jalapeños, mayonnaise and mustard. Despite the strong flavors, the tomato remained distinct. Its acidity cut through the beef and cheese, while its sweetness tempered the heat. The slice yielded cleanly with every bite instead of slipping from the bun.

The second went onto a roasted chicken sandwich with Monterey Jack, chipotle mayonnaise, mustard, and lettuce. Again, the tomato was more than decoration. It added freshness and acidity to an otherwise rich sandwich.

That is the difference between the tomatoes I ate. The supermarket tomato had been selected so it could arrive intact. The farm tomato had traveled from Johnstown to reach my plate.

But during local tomato season, durability is not the only quality worth paying for. Flavor and texture matter, too, because they determine whether the tomato is merely sturdy or truly worth eating.

That is why I buy three tomatoes at a time from Scratch Farm. They cost more per tomato than a bulk purchase, but three is enough to eat while they are still ripe.

By the following Saturday, I am ready to buy three more, because the best tomatoes are the ones I can finish while they still taste their best.

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Codger’s Closest Relative Removed From Otterbein Cemetery - East College Closed Friday - Middlefield Bank Canopy Set For Removal

Gary Gardiner — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 10:30:33 GMT

The elm, estimated to be more than 200 years old, was considered dangerous because of its age and previous storm damage

The nearly 400-year-old white oak known as Codger, believed to be Westerville’s oldest tree, stood for centuries as a landmark in Otterbein Cemetery before falling in a June storm. On Thursday, its closest relative met a similar fate when arborists removed the elm beside it after the city determined the aging, storm-damaged tree posed a danger.

The elm stood immediately east of Codger and was estimated by the crew leader to be slightly more than 200 years old. Codger fell June 8 when storm winds swept through Westerville and was removed the next day, with its largest sections placed in storage for possible future use.

Removal began early in the morning as arborists cut away the tree’s limbs and trunk. By midafternoon, the tree was gone, and all that remained was the stump, which a grinder reduced to mulch.

Although younger than Codger, the elm had grown beside the white oak for generations. Together, the two trees towered over the headstones and cemetery roads as Westerville developed around them.

Codger had become a familiar landmark and a source of comfort for generations of cemetery visitors. Residents gathered at the site Sunday evening, June 28, to share personal stories, music and reflections about the tree. One speaker described the oak as a close friend, while others recalled the quiet companionship it offered during visits to the cemetery.

The elm tree removed Thursday grew just east of where Codger fell.

As the ceremony ended, those attending were encouraged to remember the remarkable trees in their own lives and offer a personal farewell to Codger.

The elm never received the same attention or affectionate nickname as its older neighbor. But its removal leaves another opening in the Otterbein Cemetery canopy and ends the long relationship between two trees that stood within steps of each other for more than two centuries.

A Columbia Gas crew searches for older gas line connections at East College Avenue and Vine Street ahead of paving scheduled for Friday. East College Avenue from State to Summit will be closed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the work.

The damaged drive-through canopy behind the former Middlefield Bank at 17 N. State St. is scheduled for removal Monday. The city plans to renovate the rear lot with additional parking and a single traffic lane.

Old Bank Drive-Through Coming Down as Uptown Lot Renovation Planned

Removal of the canopy Monday will make room for additional future parking and a simpler, single-lane traffic pattern behind the city-owned former Middlefield Bank.

The drive-through canopy behind the former Middlefield Bank in Uptown Westerville is scheduled for demolition Monday, beginning the first visible changes to the city-owned property.

After the overhang is removed, the rear lot will be renovated next year to provide additional parking and replace the two former drive-through lanes with a single traffic lane.

The canopy has been partially damaged since September 2025, when a rented box truck struck the low-clearance structure. No injuries were reported in the crash.

Its removal also closes a chapter in the property’s long history as a banking center.

The Bank of Westerville built the original building at the site in 1911. After the bank failed during the Depression in November 1931, local businessmen organized Citizens Bank, which opened there in April 1932. The property was expanded and modernized in 1951, when a two-story addition and a drive-in banking window were added.

Middlefield Bank eventually operated the branch after acquiring Emerald Bank. It announced plans in 2024 to move from Uptown following its acquisition of Liberty National Bank, which also operated a Westerville branch at Cleveland Avenue and West Main Street.

Westerville City Council approved an exchange in which Middlefield transferred the Uptown property to the city and received about one acre of city-owned land in Westar. The properties in the no-cash transaction were valued at $1.45 million.

Middlefield constructed a new banking center at 450 Altair Parkway, with the land-swap agreement finalized in April 2025. The branch opened that October, completing the city’s acquisition of the Uptown building.

When the new branch opened, Westerville Economic Development Director Rachel Ray said the former bank property could become a new business or amenity that adds to Uptown’s activity. The city has not publicly announced a buyer or a final long-term use for the building.

Westerville has previously transferred city-owned Uptown buildings for private redevelopment. The former post office and police detective bureau at 28 S. State St., for example, was sold through a partnership with a developer and reopened in 2024 as High Bank Distillery. City officials have also said they will explore sale and redevelopment opportunities for municipal property at 64 E. Walnut St. after city departments move into the renovated City Hall.

For now, the work behind the former bank is focused on removing the damaged canopy and reshaping a lot designed for an earlier era of banking into additional Uptown parking.

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Thirty years after Rob Mohney vanished, his family is still searching for answers

Gary Gardiner — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 10:30:38 GMT

Robert “Rob” Mohney, left, sits with his mother, Jackie Zapert, and his sister, Sue, in an undated family photograph. Jackie and Sue died without learning what happened after Mohney disappeared from his Westerville home on July 16, 1996. Photo courtesy of the Mohney family.

A renewed Westerville police appeal has brought old memories, unresolved grief and cautious hope back to the family he left behind.

In an old family photograph, Robert “Rob” Mohney sits beside his mother, Jackie Zapert, and his sister, Sue. All three are young, and the disappearance that would shape the rest of the family’s life is still years away.

Rob vanished from his Westerville home on July 16, 1996. Jackie and Sue both died without learning what happened to him, leaving his niece Brittany and nephew Jacob to carry the search for answers into another generation.

Brittany Mohney was 10 when her uncle disappeared, and Jacob was 8. Both remember him, but after three decades, those memories have begun to fade.

“I thought my whole life that I would solve this,” Brittany said. “Is that a crazy thing to say?”

She still searches news reports, Facebook posts, property records and county maps for anything that might explain what happened.

“You wouldn’t believe how much searching and looking up and on the county auditor’s maps and stuff,” she said. “I’ve driven myself crazy with this.”

For Jacob, the renewed attention surrounding the 30th anniversary brought a different realization.

“I’m starting to lose all my memory of him,” he said. “I just realized since this all came back up that I can’t remember the sound of his voice anymore. And that sucks.”

Rob Mohney with his niece Brittany in an undated file photo.

Family photographs preserve some of what time has taken. They show fishing trips, motorcycles, motocross trophies and children gathered in living rooms and around kitchen tables.

Before Rob became the subject of police files, property searches and anniversary appeals, he was a son, brother and uncle who shared in the ordinary moments of family life.

Jacob grew up in Nelsonville while Rob lived in the Westerville area, so they did not see each other regularly. Motocross was one of the things that connected them, and Jacob said Rob sometimes came to watch family members race.

Brittany remembers visiting Rob and his wife, Angie, spending time near the river and seeing their dog, Sprocket.

“I only have memories of Rob until I was 10,” she said. “It’s not enough.”

Those childhood memories became intertwined with the grief that followed his disappearance.

After graduating from high school, Brittany lived with Jackie. She remembers a ritual that unfolded almost every night as Jackie drank wine, talked about Rob and eventually asked to watch his wedding video.

“We’d have to go over it all,” Brittany said. “It was a nightly thing, and she just, she never came back from that.”

Jacob recalled that his great-grandmother, Helen, also spoke about Rob constantly. When the telephone rang and no one spoke, or when an unfamiliar out-of-state number appeared, she sometimes wondered whether it was him.

“She thought it was Rob trying to get ahold of her and that he just couldn’t talk,” Jacob said. “Maybe he just wanted to hear her voice.”

The uncertainty changed the family, Brittany and Jacob said. Relatives died without answers, while others gradually drifted apart.

“It’s destroyed my family,” Jacob said. “It really has.”

The questions that consumed Rob’s relatives are the same ones Westerville police are still trying to answer.

His final day had appeared routine. Detective Steve Grubbs said Mohney went to work, stopped at Kroger to buy food for dinner and returned home. He met briefly with friends before they left.

While preparing a steak dinner, Mohney received several telephone calls. He had sat down and begun eating when he abruptly got up and left, leaving his wallet and other belongings behind.

Neighbors saw him get into his red 1995 Pontiac Firebird and drive away alone along Central College Road. It was the last known sighting of him alive.

Columbus Watershed officers found the Firebird abandoned later that evening in the upper west parking lot at Hoover Dam, according to the Westerville Division of Police. Mohney was not found.

Investigators obtained the telephone records, identified the callers and conducted interviews and follow-up inquiries, Grubbs said.

“We do have the call logs and everything like that,” he said. “Those calls have been definitely looked into.”

Because the case remains open, Grubbs declined to identify the callers or discuss what was said. Asked whether the calls explained why Mohney left his dinner and drove away, he said they had produced “nothing definitive.”

During the past three decades, police have conducted ground and underwater searches using bloodhounds, cadaver dogs, drones, dive teams and sonar. They also have issued subpoenas, searched properties and interviewed witnesses.

In November 2010, officers used cadaver dogs and excavation equipment to search farmland off Hartford Road in Delaware County. Police did not publicly disclose whether the search produced evidence.

Grubbs has handled the renewed investigation since 2020, when he was asked to inspect Mohney’s former home before it was demolished.

Investigators wanted to be certain there was nothing more to examine before the property changed forever.

“They just wanted to make sure there wasn’t anything else related to the house itself that we needed to do before it was gone forever,” Grubbs said.

The inspection produced no new evidence, and the house was torn down. The case is unusually difficult because investigators have neither Mohney’s remains nor a confirmed crime scene, Grubbs said.

“We don’t have a specific crime scene,” he said. “We don’t have a body. We’re trying to piece this together when we don’t have a great starting point.”

The detectives who conducted the original investigation are no longer with the Westerville Division of Police. Some have retired, while others have died.

Grubbs has reviewed their reports and re-interviewed people who previously spoke with investigators, looking for details that may have been overlooked, omitted or remembered differently decades later.

“I don’t want to just go off of information from 1996 that was written down and forgotten about,” he said. “I want to go back and verify and make sure that we have the information as accurate as possible.”

He said the absence of public developments does not mean the investigation has stopped.

“Just because there’s no news doesn’t mean that we’re not doing anything about it,” Grubbs said.

The renewed public appeal has already prompted at least one person to come forward. Two days after Westerville police again asked for information, Grubbs interviewed a woman about something that had remained in the back of her mind for 30 years.

She had never previously reported it, and investigators do not yet know whether the information will advance the case.

“I feel like every person that we talk to is going to bring us one step closer,” Grubbs said, “and hopefully they have that little bit of information that’s just that one missing piece that we need to fully break it open.”

Hillary Bates, Westerville’s community affairs director, said that possibility is why the city again turned to the media and asked residents to revisit the case.

Someone may have seen or heard something in 1996 that did not seem important at the time, she said, but could matter when considered with the rest of the investigation.

“The whole reason we do this is the hope that someone will be moved to come forward,” Bates said. “We’re not bothered by a tip that doesn’t work out. Come forward if you have something to share.”

For Brittany, the renewed attention has brought back hope, disappointment and the familiar urge to keep searching. She has heard years of rumors and theories, making it difficult to separate what is known from what has merely been repeated.

“There’s been so many stories and ideas,” she said. “You don’t know. I don’t know what’s real.”

The family photographs offer a different kind of record. They do not show what happened on the night Rob disappeared, but they show what existed before it: a family together, children growing up and people who expected to have more time with one another.

Thirty years later, Brittany hopes the latest appeal reaches someone who can finally explain why that life changed.

“I hope this sparks something,” she said.

Anyone with information about the disappearance or death of Robert S. Mohney may call the Westerville Division of Police’s dedicated tip line at 614-901-6866 or email tipline@westerville.org. Tips may be submitted anonymously.

Editor’s Note-Correction: Rob Hohney’s niece's name is Brittany, not Megan as published. The Westerville News apologizes for the editing error.

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Vine Street reconstruction moves into full-depth road rebuild

Gary Gardiner — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 10:31:13 GMT

Fresh concrete curbs now line much of Vine Street as crews begin digging out the old roadway for its complete replacement.

The contractor is removing about 16 inches of asphalt, gravel and soil, clearing the way for a new road foundation and pavement between Park and Home streets, with the section between East College and Home to be the first section completed.

Heavy equipment filled the construction zone this week. An excavator loaded broken material into dump trucks while a bulldozer pushed and leveled the exposed roadbed. Workers also cut concrete and completed details along the newly poured curbs.

The excavation marks another major step in a project that has already included months of utility, drainage and concrete work.

Unlike a routine resurfacing project, where crews replace only the upper layer of asphalt, the city is rebuilding the full pavement structure. Once the old material is removed, crews will install and compact a new aggregate foundation before placing the asphalt and concrete layers that will form the finished street.

Vine Street has been closed between Park and Home streets since late May. The city has said it expects the street to reopen in early August, although weather and the pace of the remaining work could affect that schedule.

Much of the earlier construction took place underground.

The construction has been especially visible near Emerson Elementary School, where excavators, skid-steers, rollers and dump trucks now occupy much of the closed street as the rebuilding work advances.

The large red-brick school overlooking the project opened as the Vine Street School in 1896. Its castle-like towers remain a familiar Uptown landmark while the street and utilities around it undergo a major update.

A separate Columbia Gas project has also affected Vine Street. Earlier in the closure, sanitary-sewer work was underway south of College Avenue while gas crews installed new lines north of College, turning much of the Uptown street into a continuous utility and construction zone.

With the underground work largely finished, the curbs poured and excavation of the old road underway, the project has entered its final major phase, with paving expected to begin Friday.

Crews still must build the new road foundation, place and compact the pavement, add markings and signs, pour new sidewalks, and complete other finishing work before the full length of Vine Street can reopen to traffic.

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Westerville police renew appeal in Robert Mohney disappearance 30 years later

Gary Gardiner — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 12:46:22 GMT

Thirty years after Robert “Rob” S. Mohney disappeared from his Westerville home, police are renewing their call for information in hopes that a new tip could help solve the cold case.

Mohney was last seen July 16, 1996, after making dinner at his residence. He reportedly left the home abruptly in the middle of the meal, leaving his wallet behind.

Neighbors later told investigators they saw Mohney driving alone along Central College Road in his red 1995 Pontiac Firebird.

Later that evening, Columbus Watershed officers found the vehicle abandoned in the upper west parking lot at Hoover Dam. Mohney was not located.

Over the next three decades, investigators conducted dozens of interviews and searched multiple properties, but Mohney’s remains have never been found.

On March 7, 2006, the Franklin County Probate Court issued a death certificate for Mohney. His disappearance and death remain under investigation.

“Even 30 years later, a single piece of information could be the missing link needed to solve this case,” Westerville Police Chief Holly Murchland said.

The Westerville Division of Police is asking anyone who may have information about Mohney’s disappearance or death to contact investigators, even if the detail appears minor.

Tips may be submitted anonymously by calling the department’s dedicated tip line at 614-901-6866 or emailing tipline@westerville.org.

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Trader Joe's In Westerville's Future

Gary Gardiner — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 10:30:55 GMT

Trader Joe’s plans new Polaris-area store near Westerville

The specialty grocer’s third Central Ohio location will join a growing cluster of retail and grocery development near Polaris Parkway.

Trader Joe’s is planning its first new Central Ohio store in more than two decades, bringing the popular grocery chain to the Polaris area just outside Westerville.

Construction is already underway, transforming what was once farmland into a growing grocery retail hub near Westerville.

Plans filed with the city of Columbus show the store will be built at 2109 Ikea Way, across from Topgolf and the Galaxy at Polaris development. The site is a short distance from Westerville and near Polaris Parkway, where Aldi is also developing a new store.

The project adds another major name to the growing retail corridor between Polaris and Westerville. The area already draws shoppers from northern Columbus, Delaware County and several nearby suburbs, and continued residential and commercial development has increased demand for grocery options.

Trader Joe’s currently operates two Central Ohio stores. Its Dublin location opened in 2002, followed by a store at Easton Town Center in 2004. The Easton store is undergoing a small expansion.

The company had previously acknowledged that it was exploring a third Columbus-area store, but no project moved forward until the Ikea Way plans were filed.

Although Trader Joe’s holds a smaller share of the local grocery market than chains such as Kroger, Giant Eagle, Meijer, and Aldi, it has developed a loyal customer base around its private-label products, smaller store format, and relatively limited product selection.

About 80% of the products sold by Trader Joe’s carry one of the company’s own brands. Its stores are also known for frequently changing seasonal offerings and specialty foods that are not available at traditional supermarkets.

The Polaris-area announcement comes as the grocery market around Westerville and northern Columbus faces significant change.

Aldi is preparing a new store along Polaris Parkway, adding another discount grocery option near the planned Trader Joe’s. At the same time, uncertainty remains around some Giant Eagle locations following the company’s proposed sale to Kroger.

That includes questions about the future of the Giant Eagle store near Maxtown Road and North State Street in Westerville. Because Kroger and Giant Eagle operate stores in many of the same Central Ohio communities, some locations could close, change operators or be sold as part of the regulatory approval process.

Kroger is acquiring Giant Eagle in a proposed $1.65 billion transaction. The deal could reshape the region’s grocery landscape, particularly in areas where the two companies have nearby stores.

Other grocery chains are also expanding across Central Ohio. Kroger is opening two new regional stores, while Sprouts Farmers Market plans to enter Ohio with a Grandview-area location in 2028. Meijer is considering additional stores, and Grocery Outlet recently opened its first Columbus location.

The arrival of Trader Joe’s could make the Polaris-Westerville corridor one of the region’s most competitive grocery areas. In addition to the planned Trader Joe’s and Aldi stores, shoppers have access to Kroger, Giant Eagle, Meijer, Fresh Thyme, Costco, Carfagna’s, and several specialty retailers within a relatively short drive.

Trader Joe’s was founded in Pasadena, California, in 1967. The company now operates more than 660 stores nationwide and continues to expand, including another planned Ohio location in University Heights near Cleveland.

The chain is owned by the same German family associated with Aldi, although Trader Joe’s and Aldi operate as separate businesses.

No opening date has been announced for the Ikea Way store.

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Library Upgrades Disrupt Patterns - Hempstead Road Bridge Repairs Continue

Gary Gardiner — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 10:30:46 GMT

Grading the renovated lawn at the library.

Construction projects change how visitors access Westerville Public Library

A trip to the Westerville Public Library may take a little extra planning this summer as construction closes entrances, reduces parking, and brings equipment and noise to the property.

The library remains open, but visitors must use the parking lot entrance on the east side of the building while work continues on the front lawn. The State Street entrance is closed.

Library Road has also temporarily become a one-way street. Drivers should enter the parking lot from East Walnut Street and use Library Road only when leaving.

Parking is more limited because a large section of the rear lot is closed for roof repairs. Accessible spaces may be moved temporarily, and additional parking is available at Whittier Elementary School through Aug. 12, according to the library.

Officials are asking visitors to follow posted signs and allow extra time to park and enter the building.

The work on the front lawn goes well beyond repairing the entrance. The library is redesigning the entire area, which was developed about 20 years ago.

Construction began April 15 and is expected to continue through Sept. 30, although that schedule could change.

Plans include permanent seating, shade structures, colorful murals and a space for library performances and other events. Visitors will also find interactive features such as giant cattail wind chimes, a log tunnel and a stepping-stone path.

The project is designed to make the area easier and safer to navigate. Improvements include a step-free entrance, wider sidewalks, a ramp to the performance area and illuminated handrails. Crews will also add lighting, improve walking surfaces and address stormwater runoff.

The design will use salvaged ash wood, recycled glass, native plants and additional trees. Library officials say the changes will make better use of the property, help reduce street noise and make the State Street entrance easier to see.

Roof repairs are creating another round of disruptions. That work began July 6 and is also expected to continue through Sept. 30.

The project is the second part of a four-phase roof repair program. The section now being repaired dates to about 1980 and was roughly 45 years old when the work was planned.

Library officials say the repairs should help prevent water damage, strengthen the building, lower energy costs and make the children’s area more comfortable.

The project follows roof replacement work completed in 2023. At the time, the library said that phase focused on some of the building’s oldest roof sections and was expected to improve energy efficiency and protect the building from leaks.

Visitors may hear construction noise or notice odors inside the library while the work continues. Earplugs are available at service desks, and events or room reservations may be moved when space allows. Some services, collections or areas of the building may also close temporarily.

The entrance and roofing projects are part of a broader list of library improvements planned for 2026.

Carpet replacement in the media and children’s areas is scheduled for Aug. 4 through Aug. 17. A remodel of the first-floor restrooms is expected to begin later in the year and take about three months.

Roof repairs with a view of State Street and the front lawn.

Hempstead Road culvert repairs close route near Schrock Road

Drivers heading to Inniswood Metro Gardens will need to take a different route while crews repair a concrete culvert beneath South Hempstead Road.

The road is closed at East Schrock Road, preventing drivers from entering Hempstead Road from the north. The closure began July 13 and is expected to continue through the end of August, weather permitting.

South Hempstead Road is closed to through traffic between Schrock Road and 825 S. Hempstead Road.

Inniswood remains open and accessible, but visitors must approach from the south using South Spring Road and the connector to Hempstead Road. Residents who live south of the construction area must use the same route.

The posted southbound detour takes drivers west on Schrock Road, south on Spring Road, and then back to Hempstead Road. Northbound drivers should take Spring Road north and turn east onto Schrock Road.

The project focuses on a concrete culvert that carries Hempstead Road over a small drainage channel. Sections of the original structure have deteriorated after years of exposure to road salt and brine.

Salt and liquid brine used during winter weather can seep into cracked or exposed concrete, causing corrosion and further damage. Rather than covering the problem with a new layer of pavement, crews are removing and replacing the damaged sections.

Once the structural repairs are complete, crews will rebuild and resurface the road above the culvert. Hempstead Road will remain closed while crews finish the concrete work and rebuild the roadway. Drivers should follow posted detour signs and allow extra travel time, especially when approaching Inniswood from Schrock Road.

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Westerville Obituaries - July 26, 2026

Gary Gardiner — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 01:33:03 GMT

Carl Joseph “C.J.” Fetchero
March 19, 1944 – July 22, 2026

Carl Joseph “C.J.” Fetchero, 82, of Westerville, Ohio, passed away July 22, 2026. He was born in West Virginia to Carl and Argia “Jean” Fetchero.

C.J. spent more than 40 years in the insurance industry, most of them as owner of C.J. Fetchero Insurance, an independent agency in Westerville.

Proud of his Italian heritage, he was

a longtime member of the Columbus Italian Club and the Moose Lodge. He was known for his humor, his ability to connect with others, and his love of cooking, especially pizza, pepperoni rolls, and Italian bread.

He is survived by his partner, Kathleen Murchison; children Samuel Fetchero and Allison Fetchero, Shelley Noel and Jonathan Noel, and Carl “Kip” Fetchero II and Claire Fetchero; seven grandchildren; sister Marlene Kehoe; niece Kristie Kehoe and Bill Incatasciato; grandniece Marissa Incatasciato; and many cousins, relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law William Kehoe.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Westerville Special Olympics

.Donald “Don” Joseph Tucci
September 19, 1940 – July 13, 2026

Donald “Don” Joseph Tucci, 85, of Westerville, Ohio, passed away peacefully July 13, 2026, after a long battle with cancer. He was born in Columbus to James J. Tucci and Mary K. DeCenzo Tucci.

A graduate of St. Augustine School and St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Don earned bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and civil engineering from The Ohio State University. He was commissioned into the U.S. Navy in 1968 and served aboard the USS Kitty Hawk and USS Saratoga during the Vietnam War. He later earned master’s degrees in computer science and business administration from the Naval Postgraduate School and retired as a commander after 30 years of Navy service.

Don’s civilian career included 40 years with Department of Defense intelligence agencies and 17 years with NASA’s Johnson Space Center, where he contributed to the Space Shuttle program and International Space Station, specializing in computer systems and information security. He was a member of St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Sunbury.

He enjoyed motorsports, restoring and working on classic cars, cross-country motorcycle trips, and bowling.

He is survived by his son, Dominic Tucci and DeeDee Tucci; stepdaughters Jane Norris and Nathan Norris, Barbara Lee Peck and John Peck, Jacqueline Jordan and Gregg Jordan, Eileen Deskins and Jim Deskins, and Francie Grden and Bob Grden; 19 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; sister Deanna Flacche and Jim Flacche; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Bonnie Tucci; his wife, Barbara F. Tucci; and his twin sister, Donna Pangalangan.

Visitation and funeral services were held July 24 at Moreland Funeral Home in Westerville, followed by a celebration of life. Private interment was scheduled for July 25 at Pioneer Cemetery in Westerville.

William “Bill” Allen Roberts
December 27, 1946 – July 17, 2026

William “Bill” Allen Roberts, 79, of Westerville, Ohio, passed away July 17, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was born in Cincinnati to William and Aileen Roberts.

Bill graduated from Withrow High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in theology from Ambassador College in Big Sandy, Texas, where he met his wife, Cathy. They married the day after graduation and shared 56 years together.

He began his career as a minister, serving congregations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Kingsport, Tennessee. He later worked in the insurance industry with Western Reserve Lightning Rod until retirement. A lifelong student of the Bible, Bill and Cathy led local Bible studies for many years.

Bill also enjoyed genealogy, history, storytelling, and spending time with family.

He is survived by his wife, Cathy; sons Greg Roberts and Heather Roberts, and Scott Roberts; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister Mica Dulle and Jim Dulle; brother Steve Roberts; and numerous nieces, nephews, and in-laws.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his uncle, Bill Peyton.

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The Westerville News is a reader-supported publication by Gary Gardiner, a lifelong journalist who believes hyper-local reporting is the future of news. This publication focuses exclusively on Westerville—its local news, influence on Central Ohio, and how surrounding areas shape the community.

This Week in Westerville - July 27 to August 2, 2026

Gary Gardiner — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 01:32:55 GMT

Monday, July 27, 2026

• Family Storytime - 9:30–10 a.m. - Westerville Public Library
• Tummy Time for Infants and Caregivers - 11 a.m.–noon - Westerville Public Library
• Power Up. Open Play with Video Games - 2–4 p.m. - Westerville Public Library
• Design Your Own Hat - 4–5 p.m. - Westerville Public Library
• Board of Education Meeting - 6–8 p.m. - Early Learning Center, 936 Eastwind Dr.

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

• Morning Book Club - 10–11 a.m. - Westerville Public Library
• Pint-Sized Paint Party - 2–3 p.m. - Westerville Public Library
• Westerville Public Library Board Meeting - 6–8:45 p.m. - Westerville Public Library

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

• Lunchbox Concert. Steve Stanley - 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. - Java Central Café, 20 S. State St.
• Holiday Splash - Noon–3 p.m. - Highlands Park Aquatic Center, 245 S. Spring Road
• Giant Bubble Show - 2–3 p.m. - Westerville Public Library
• Giant Bubble Show - 4–5 p.m. - Westerville Public Library
• Giant Bubble Show - 6–7 p.m. - Westerville Public Library

Thursday, July 30, 2026

• Mermaid Crafts - 2–4 p.m. - Westerville Public Library

Friday, July 31, 2026

• Visit with a Fire Truck - 10–11 a.m. - Hanby Park
• Uptown Friday Nights - 6:30–8:30 p.m. - Uptown Westerville
• Frog Friday - 8–9 p.m. - Highlands Wetlands, 245 S. Spring Road

Saturday, August 1, 2026

• Costume Swap. Accepting Donations - All day - Westerville Public Library
• Westerville Saturday Farmers Market - 9 a.m.–noon - COhatch and North High Brewing parking lots, 240 S. State St.
• Animal Visit. Horse N Round Fun - 10 a.m.–noon - Hanby Park

Sunday, August 2, 2026

• Sounds of Summer Concert Series. Long Play - 6:30–8:30 p.m. - Alum Creek Park North Amphitheater, 221 W. Main St.

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Central Ohio Weekly News Brief - July 18-26, 2026

Gary Gardiner — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 01:31:41 GMT

Genoa Township

New Members Appointed to Zoning Boards

Genoa Township trustees appointed new members to two township zoning boards.

David Adler, previously an alternate, was appointed as a regular member of the Zoning Commission. Kristi Ludlow was appointed to the Board of Zoning Appeals. Michael Holleran was reappointed as an alternate member of the appeals board.

The Zoning Commission reviews rezoning and planned-development applications and makes recommendations to township trustees. The Board of Zoning Appeals considers variance requests and appeals involving township zoning regulations.

Sunbury

Final Plat Approved for Kintner Crossing

The Sunbury Planning and Zoning Commission approved the final plat for the second section of Kintner Crossing, a residential development planned for 63 townhomes and 42 single-family lots.

The project includes 12 townhome buildings and the realignment of New Cheshire Road near Hitachi Astemo. The road work is intended to improve traffic movement in the area.

During the same meeting, residents continued to voice opposition to a proposed data center. The commission also tabled a request for an in-home pet-sitting business while city officials review provisions in the zoning code governing home occupations.

Harlem Township

Pizza Restaurant Receives Sign Variance

The Harlem Township Board of Zoning Appeals voted 5-0 to approve a sign variance for Center Village Pizza, which is replacing Fracassos Pizza at 3699 S. State Route 605.

The variance permits two flush-mounted wall signs where township regulations generally allow one sign per property.

Before considering the request, the board received legal guidance concerning private deliberations by quasi-judicial bodies. The board was advised that members may deliberate privately under certain circumstances, but all votes and final actions must occur during a public meeting.

The board also heard an inquiry from a Fancher Road resident about operating an auto-repair business as a home occupation on agriculturally zoned property. No formal decision was reported.

Gahanna

Council Reviews Strategic Plan

Gahanna City Council held a special workshop July 20 to discuss the Our Gahanna Strategic Plan.

The plan is intended to establish long-term city priorities and guide future decisions involving services, facilities and public improvements.

During its regular meeting later that evening, council held a public hearing on special assessments connected to the 2025 Sidewalk Maintenance Program and its lookback program. The hearing allowed property owners to challenge factual errors in the allocation of the assessments.

Johnstown

Council Considers Zoning Map Amendment

Johnstown City Council held a public hearing July 21 on a proposed amendment to the city’s official zoning map.

The proposal was considered under Section 1165 of the Johnstown zoning code. Additional details about the property and requested zoning classification were not included in the published meeting notice.

The city also sought bids for its 2026 resurfacing project covering portions of Leafy Dell Road and Pershing Avenue.

Reynoldsburg

Students Gain Experience Through IT Internship

Reynoldsburg City Schools highlighted its summer student information-technology internship program, known as “Bytes and Bonds.”

The program has operated since 2018 and gives high school students experience working with the district’s technology department. Between 10 and 15 students typically submit applications and interview for five positions.

Interns help district employees prepare computers and other technology for the coming school year while learning about technical support and workplace operations. The district said the 2026 group is mostly female, a change from earlier groups that were predominantly male.

Powell

Council Approves 15-Year Parks Plan

Powell City Council approved the city’s first Parks and Recreation Master Plan during its July 21 meeting.

The 15-year plan identifies future needs involving parks, trails, recreation facilities and programs. It calls for consideration of a larger indoor community center, expanded activities for teenagers and older adults, replacement of aging playgrounds and additional connections between parks and neighborhoods.

Council also approved a separate master plan for Bennett Farm, the city’s newest park property. More than 1,000 people participated in meetings, surveys and other public discussions used to develop the two plans.

The plans identify possible projects but do not provide construction authorization or funding for individual improvements.

A pedestrian connection between Halverston and Rutherford roads remained closed while engineers evaluated damage from a recent windstorm.

Hilliard

Urban Market Sold to New Owners

Urban Market, a clothing and shoe boutique in downtown Hilliard, has been sold to two local business owners.

The store opened in 2017 and had been owned by Lauren McKinniss since 2020. The new owners are Juli Willbarger, owner of New Grounds Coffee House, and Lynn Johnson, a small-business owner associated with The Crazy Cucumber.

Willbarger and Johnson said they intend to retain the features customers already associate with Urban Market while introducing new merchandise and ideas.

The store is at 4055 Main St., Suite 200.

Groveport

School Board Approves Police Contracts

The Groveport Madison Board of Education approved three-year agreements providing four full-time school resource officers for the district.

The agreements provide two officers from the Madison Township Police Department and two from the Groveport Police Department.

The board initially delayed action July 14 after members failed to agree on the contracts. It approved the agreements during a subsequent special meeting.

The discussions included the cost of the program and the division of security responsibilities between the district and the two police agencies.

Grove City

Mixed-Use Project Proposed at Hoover and Holton Roads

A mixed-use development called The Ervin has been proposed at the corner of Hoover and Holton roads in Grove City.

The developer submitted a preliminary development plan, the first stage of the city’s three-step planned-unit development process. The proposal would require rezoning and reviews by the Grove City Planning Commission and City Council.

Much of the proposed development site is currently in Jackson Township and would have to be annexed into Grove City before the project could proceed.

In other city news, Grove City reported that its first book festival attracted more than 10,000 people to Town Center Park and the Southwest Public Libraries Grove City location.

The city closed Big Splash and the Fryer Park splash pad July 17 because air pollution reached levels considered unhealthy for all groups.

Obetz

City Warns About Fraudulent Zoning Invoices

The city of Obetz warned residents, businesses, property owners and developers about fraudulent emails seeking payment for planning, zoning, permit and development fees.

The city said scammers are impersonating government employees and sending invoices designed to resemble legitimate municipal bills.

Recipients were advised not to send money or provide financial information without confirming the invoice directly with the city through a known telephone number or official contact.

The city issued the warning July 22 as part of a nationwide alert involving similar fraudulent invoices.

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Westerville Sports - July 18-26, 2026

Gary Gardiner — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 01:28:57 GMT

Westerville North

• Westerville North posted new high school sports schedule updates, including its 2026–27 boys basketball season schedule running from Dec. 4 through Feb. 26. The schedule includes games against Westerville Central and Worthington Kilbourne.

• Westerville North’s 2026–27 football schedule includes new opponents Marysville and Olentangy Orange.

Westerville South

• Westerville South posted its 2026–27 football schedule, with games scheduled from Aug. 28 through Oct. 23.

Westerville Central

• Westerville Central’s 2026–27 football schedule includes Marion-Franklin as a new opponent.

Heritage Middle School

• Heritage Middle School posted girls volleyball games for Aug. 6 and Aug. 17. The schedule includes matches against Teays Valley East Middle School and Hilliard Memorial Middle School.

Genoa Middle School

• Genoa Middle School is listed as a location for i9 Sports baseball leagues. The fall 2026 baseball league is scheduled from Aug. 30 through Oct. 18, and the spring 2027 baseball league is scheduled from April 11 through May 16.

Community Sports

• Outlaws v Whipsnakes Lacrosse is scheduled for Aug. 1.

• WARM’s Hunger Heroes 5K is scheduled for Aug. 29 at the Westerville Sports Complex.

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A Forever Home for Hope: My Very Own Blanket Begins a New Chapter in Westerville

Gary Gardiner — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 10:30:21 GMT

A Spanish-language personalized tag to be stitched into a blanket.

For more than a quarter-century, My Very Own Blanket has worked to give children in foster care something they can always call their own.

Now, the Westerville nonprofit has something of its own, too.

My Very Own Blanket announced Friday that it has purchased the former Cord Camera building, creating a permanent headquarters for the organization, its volunteers and the thousands of handmade blankets at the heart of its mission.

The announcement marks a joyful turning point after months of uncertainty.

In March, the organization learned that the lease on its current location would not be renewed. The news left its future physical home suddenly unclear and began an urgent search for a space large enough to support its work.

Organization leaders said the experience offered a humbling glimpse into the instability faced by the children and teenagers they serve, whose lives and living arrangements can change without warning.

But uncertainty has always been where the My Very Own Blanket community goes to work.

“Finding a new home that fit our needs felt like a tall order, but if there’s one thing the My Very Own Blanket knows how to do, it’s turn uncertainty into hope,” the organization shared in its announcement.

After months of searching, that hope led to a familiar Westerville landmark.

The former Cord Camera building will become a dedicated hub where blankets and quilts can be created, organized, stored and distributed to children and youth in foster care. It will also offer a welcoming gathering place for the nonprofit’s volunteers, affectionately known as “Blanket Angels.”

For the organization, owning the building provides more than additional room. It brings permanence.

There will be no future lease renewal hanging over its work and no recurring concern about where the organization will go next. Instead, volunteers, donors and staff will have a stable place from which to strengthen and expand the mission they have built together.

It is a milestone rooted in a much smaller beginning.

My Very Own Blanket started in December 1999, when Westerville resident Jessica Rudolph was knitting and wondered who should receive her next blanket. She decided to make one for a child in foster care.

Rudolph invited friends and relatives to join her, setting an initial goal of collecting 12 blankets. The first drive produced 87.

Those blankets were given to children in Delaware and Seneca counties. Within about two years, the effort had expanded to nearly 30 Ohio counties, and local newspapers had begun referring to Rudolph as “The Blanket Lady.”

As the organization grew, so did its circle of volunteers. Blanket Angels began sewing, quilting, knitting, crocheting and making no-sew fleece blankets. Each blanket was created to be new and personal, something a child could carry from one home to another and know belonged entirely to them.

By 2018, volunteers provided more than 15,000 blankets in a single year. In 2020, the organization reported that its blankets had reached children in all 50 states.

Westerville recognized My Very Own Blanket’s 25th anniversary in 2024, celebrating a local idea that had grown into a nationwide network of care.

The purchase of a permanent home adds another milestone to that history.

The organization credited its board members, volunteers, donors and community supporters with helping make the purchase possible. Their encouragement, it said, kept the organization moving forward even when the path was uncertain.

“We could not have reached this massive milestone without the relentless love and support of our board members, volunteers, donors, and community,” the announcement said. “You kept our faith strong when the path wasn’t clear, and now we get to build the future together.”

Preparations for the move are still ahead, and the organization plans to share updates and behind-the-scenes looks as the new space takes shape.

For the volunteers who have spent years making sure children have something permanent during periods of change, the new building carries special meaning.

One blanket became dozens. Dozens became thousands. A small group of family members and friends became a network stretching across the country.

And now, after more than 25 years of wrapping children in comfort, My Very Own Blanket has found its forever home.

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Westar Park sign plan approved, raising questions about site-specific zoning rules | Arby's building demolition begins

Gary Gardiner — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 10:30:32 GMT

The Westerville Planning Commission approved a comprehensive sign program for Westar Park at its Wednesday meeting, establishing property-specific standards for entrance signs, tenant signs, directional signs and placemaking features within the 88-acre development east of Africa Road.

The commission approved the plan by a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Murp…

Meta Training Facility Approved for Brooksedge Plaza

Gary Gardiner — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 10:31:30 GMT

The Westerville Planning Commission unanimously approved plans Wednesday to convert part of a Brooksedge Plaza office building into a training center for workers who will install fiber-optic and digital infrastructure at Meta data centers.

CBRE, which Meta hired to establish and operate training centers for its LevelUp Fiber Technician Pathway, requested…

Altafiber Deal Promises Another Internet Choice for 15,000 Westerville Homes

Gary Gardiner — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 10:31:50 GMT

Fibeer cable being installed for AT&T in Uptown Westerville

Altafiber plans Westerville expansion, bringing new internet option — and neighborhood construction

Altafiber, a Cincinnati-based telecommunications company formerly known as Cincinnati Bell, plans to bring high-speed internet to about 15,000 Westerville homes, adding another provider to a market…

Westerville’s Hidden Harvest

Gary Gardiner — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 10:30:38 GMT

Black raspberries on a trail in Westerville.

The temptation is easy to understand. A family follows a park trail on a summer afternoon, and along the edge of the path, black raspberries hang low on thorny canes, dark and soft and ready to fall. A child notices first. Then everyone stops.

A few berries are picked, eaten on the spot, and the walk continues.…

WesterFlora Invites Visitors To Slow Down and Enjoy Westerville’s Gardens

Gary Gardiner — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 10:30:08 GMT

Where would you put your chair?

It’s a simple question, but one that became the theme of this year’s WesterFlora garden tour. In each of the 11 gardens, there was that one perfect spot where visitors could imagine settling in for an afternoon, taking in the colors, textures, and sounds that homeowners have spent years creating.

For some, it might have bee…

Westerville Sports - July 13-19, 2026

Gary Gardiner — Sun, 19 Jul 2026 19:30:21 GMT

Westerville Central wrestlers compete at USA Greco-Roman Nationals

Three Westerville Central wrestlers competed July 14 during the opening day of the 2026 USA Greco-Roman National Championships in Fargo, North Dakota.

Jasper White competed in the 16U Greco-Roman 100-pound division, advancing through the Round of 128 and Round of 64. Rylan Moran wrestled i…

This Week in Westerville - July 20-26, 2026

Gary Gardiner — Sun, 19 Jul 2026 19:30:18 GMT

Monday, July 20, 2026

• Arts Council of Westerville Meeting - 5:30 p.m. - Westerville Public Library, Meeting Room C
• Anime Club - 6:30–7:30 p.m. - Westerville Public Library

Tuesday, July 21, 2026

• Read Between the Wines, Group 2 - 7–9 p.m. - BRU Burger Bar Westerville

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

• Lunchbox Concert. Dave Hawkins - 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. - Java Cen…

Central Ohio Weekly News Brief — July 13-18, 2026

Gary Gardiner — Sun, 19 Jul 2026 19:30:17 GMT

Quick teaser: Sunbury’s citizen-led 25-megawatt data center cap officially heads to the November 3 ballot after Delaware County certified 351 signatures. Reynoldsburg unanimously passed a strict short-term rental ordinance July 13 ($225 permit, three-night minimum, owner-occupied). Gahanna police are investigating 50+ vehicle break-ins in Rose Run, wher…