Central Ohio News Brief - April 21-26, 2026
Dublin
Signal upgrades are underway at the U.S. 33 westbound ramp to northbound Avery-Muirfield Drive, with work including a truck apron, sidewalk, signal pole, new pavement, and video detection. Completion is expected in May.
Dublin City Schools posted a bid notice for the plumbing improvement project at Wyandot Elementary.
Transportation Equipment Network, headquartered in Dublin, announced an enterprise lease agreement with Shabad Transport Inc. to expand logistics operations in Canada.
A hotel property at 5100 Upper Metro Place transferred for $25.9 million, according to Franklin County transfer records published April 22.
Gahanna
Gahanna’s April 20 council meeting was canceled ahead of the Civic Center move.
The city’s Spring Litter Clean-Up was set for April 25 at Friendship Park.
The Creekside Blues and Jazz Festival remained on the calendar for June 19 to 21.
Applications for Seat 1 on the Gahanna New Community Authority Board of Trustees closed April 24.
DHC Chicken is moving into the former Hot Chicken Takeover site at 109 N. Hamilton Road, with a soft opening expected the week of April 27.
Galena
Ohio’s attorney general filed a brief supporting Melanie Leneghan’s removal from the Delaware County election board, with her voter registration updated to a home in Galena.
Grove City
At a special April 20 meeting, the council debated putting a 0.5% income tax increase on the ballot, which would be the city’s first income tax change since 1985.
Finance officials said expenses have doubled as the city has grown.
The same meeting approved rezonings at 4910 Hoover Road for a Grove City Church of the Nazarene field house and a LaQuinta hotel rebrand on Marlane Drive, along with an annexation and a $75,000 health care reimbursement pilot.
Council denied a 135-home development.
Council approved $1.14 million for the 2026 Street Maintenance program, including work on McDowell Road.
Grove City Police are seeking suspects in an April 11 theft at Bath & Body Works, with the notice posted April 24.
Operation Medicine Drop was scheduled for April 25.
Police issued a scam alert about a caller impersonating Lt. Gallo.
The chamber scheduled a Business Impact Conference on April 22.
Groveport
Groveport’s council and Rules Committee were scheduled to meet April 27.
A City Council meeting notice was posted for Monday, April 27.
The annual Community Garage Sale was announced for households within city limits.
Hilliard
The Hilliard Ohio Historical Society held its 2026 season opener, “Planes, Trains & Automobiles,” on April 25.
City Council was set to meet April 27.
Hilliard City Schools held the 2026 Roadrunner Run on April 24.
Cava is set to open its first central Ohio restaurant in Hilliard during the week of April 28.
The Columbus Food Truck Festival is slated for Aug. 14 and 15 at the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Hilliard.
Obetz
The Big Walnut Area Community Improvement Corporation held a special meeting April 22.
Obetz City Council’s next meeting is scheduled for April 27.
Powell
Powell’s development pipeline continued to move, including the Kroger Marketplace project and Ohio State Wexner Medical Center expansions.
The city hosted an Earth Day Celebration on April 22.
In the Delaware County election-board dispute, records showed Melanie Leneghan’s prior residence in Powell before her registration was updated elsewhere.
Reynoldsburg
Spring fire hydrant flushing began April 20 and runs through May 1.
A state-approved Grain Grading School is scheduled in Reynoldsburg on Sept. 3 under the authority of the Ohio Department of Agriculture.
The American Jersey Cattle Association announced more than $47,000 in scholarships and educational awards for Jersey youth in 2026.
Sunbury
Sunbury’s data-center moratorium drew fresh industry attention during the week.
An April 24 report highlighted the city’s pause on data-center development through January 2027 following community pushback over Amazon Web Services’ proposed $2 billion project.
The Events and Commemorations Committee met April 21 to plan Arbor Day, fishing derbies and an October festival.
A bid opening for the 2026 Street Improvement Program was held April 22.
A Planning and Zoning public hearing is scheduled for April 27 for a conditional use at 82 E. Granville St.
West Jefferson
Finance Committee and Regular Council met April 20, though no minutes were posted in the first weekly sweep.
Jefferson Local Schools issued a request for proposals for a Norwood Elementary roof replacement project aimed at improving safety, durability and energy efficiency.
ARC Burger LLC, a large Hardee’s franchisee, filed for Chapter 7.
One of its Ohio locations is in West Jefferson and remained open.
Worthington
Severe storms on April 22 brought large hail across Worthington, including damage near Worthington Kilbourne.
Wolf’s Ridge at Worthington Inn drew a first-look story ahead of its April 29 opening.
The Charter Review Commission met April 21.
The Cherry Blossom Festival and Drug Take-Back Day were scheduled for April 25.
Worthington Schools held kindergarten welcome nights April 22 and 23.
A public hearing is set for May 4 on a proposed $4.7 million bond issue, including up to $2.5 million for a new outdoor swim facility at 400 W. Dublin-Granville Road.
Kittie’s Cakes expanded its Old Worthington location.
Aubrey Hale was appointed communications director effective May 26.
The city released its first report on the targeted deer removal program, saying 100 deer were removed over eight nights at a cost of $119,113.86, with 4,249.3 pounds of venison donated to the Worthington Resource Pantry.
A Maryland man pleaded guilty in the 2021 Worthington-area double murder case.
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