Central Ohio News Briefs - February 22, 2026
Sunbury
• Big Walnut girls’ basketball dominates — Big Walnut defeated Dublin Scioto 95–20 on Feb. 19 in one of the week’s most decisive tournament performances.
• Braille Trail earns statewide honor — Preservation Parks of Delaware County received the 2025 OPRA Governor’s Award for the Braille Trail at Hogback Ridge Park, a half-mile multi-sensory trail recognized for accessibility innovation.
Harlem Township
• Committees outline 2026 plans — Communications and Parks committees reported quarterly newsletter production, a Jan. 26 strategic plan draft, and discussions about future parkland acquisition and expanded community programming.
• Zoning case partially modified — The Board of Zoning Appeals upheld a zoning violation tied to a dump truck operation on residential property, then voted 4–1 to permit limited truck storage and indoor work under strict conditions through a substitution of non-conforming use.
Powell
• Facilities Master Plan approved — City Council adopted the 2026 Facilities Master Plan, setting priorities for municipal building upgrades and infrastructure investment.
• Summer attraction proposal discussed — A vendor presented a concept for a new seasonal attraction at a regional ski lodge. Separate reporting noted adjustments to the school board public comment rules and a failed legislative bill.
• Pink Friday set for Feb. 20 — Community retail event scheduled later this week.
Grove City
• GroveCity2050 update projects growth — The revised land use plan anticipates population growth of 10,500–15,000 residents by 2050. Emphasis includes infill development, higher-wage job creation, and zoning updates to manage expansion while maintaining community character.
• Recreation center sites reviewed — Council examined six finalist locations Feb. 17. No site was selected. Construction is projected to begin in 2027, with Pizzuti Solutions serving as the contractor. Sites under review:
– Hirth Property, 1636 Holton Road
– MW Hoover LLC Property, Hoover and London Groveport roads
– Murfin Fields, 4570 Haugh Road
– Pinnacle Park
– Henceroth Park
– Fryer Park
• Law enforcement resolution tabled — Council postponed action until May 2026 following extended debate.
• New manufacturing facility announced — SICCET USA plans a $2 million, 20,000-square-foot operation producing temperature monitoring cables. The project is expected to create 15 jobs.
• Winter Movie Series — Free family event held Feb. 15.
Dublin
• Human shamrock attempt planned — The city will attempt a Guinness World Record for the largest human shamrock on March 14 at Riverside Crossing Park following the St. Patrick’s Day parade, targeting 1,200 participants dressed in green.
• The local business community is celebrating milestones, with One Source Advisors marking 25 years of operations in the city. In development news, nationally recognized architecture and engineering firm ISG recently expanded its Ohio footprint by opening a new full-service office on Longshore Street.
• Wendy’s announces closures — The Dublin-headquartered chain plans to close 298–358 U.S. restaurants in the first half of 2026 amid declining same-store sales.
• Dublin Scioto girls fall to Big Walnut — Feb. 19 loss, 75–36. Lyla Magnussen scored 14 points.
• Valentine’s Day boost for retailers — Warmer Feb. 14 weather increased foot traffic for local small businesses.
Reynoldsburg
• Quarantine zone expanded — The Ohio Department of Agriculture expanded the Box Tree Moth quarantine effective Jan. 30 to limit the spread of the invasive pest.
Worthington
• National home builders chair elected — Worthington remodeler Bill Owens was named 2026 chairman of the National Association of Home Builders during the International Builders’ Show.
• Barrel & Bloom opens second location — Endeavor Brewing & Spirits unveiled its full bar experience at 2365 W. Dublin-Granville Road on Jan. 23.
• Presidents’ Day operations — City offices remained open Feb. 16. Council met at 7 p.m. Trash and recycling collection continued as scheduled.
Hilliard
• Fatal pedestrian crash on I-270 — A pedestrian was struck and killed around 6:25 a.m. Feb. 18 near the Cemetery Road/Fishinger Road exit. Northbound lanes from I-70 to Tuttle Crossing were closed for investigation.
• Athlete of the Week — Carmela Biedenbach of Hilliard Darby received Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center recognition.
• CPR training advocacy — A local couple is urging mandatory CPR training for 911 dispatchers, citing dispatcher-assisted CPR as life-saving in their case.
Gahanna
• Chocolate Walk held Feb. 15 — Seasonal downtown event drew participants for tastings and retail visits.
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Genoa Township
• The township is preparing for a joint meeting on February 23 to discuss the results of the Genoa Township Master Plan survey. Additionally, the township is partnering with the local Sheriff's office to host a "Stop the Bleed" tactical medical training class for residents.
Central Ohio News Briefs
Dublin: The local business community is celebrating milestones, with One Source Advisors marking 25 years of operations in the city. In development news, nationally recognized architecture and engineering firm ISG recently expanded its Ohio footprint by opening a new full-service office on Longshore Street.
Gahanna: City officials announced plans to relocate City Hall, the police headquarters, and the senior center into a newly renovated $59 million facility on Tech Center Drive. The transition process is expected to be completed by early April.
Genoa Township: The township is preparing for a joint meeting on February 23 to discuss the results of the Genoa Township Master Plan survey. Additionally, the township is partnering with the local Sheriff’s office to host a “Stop the Bleed” tactical medical training class for residents.
Grove City: City officials are reviewing a draft 2026 appropriation ordinance, which forecasts a 2.4% revenue increase against rising municipal health insurance and personnel costs. In community news, applications for the 2026 Citizen’s Police Academy wrapped up this week.
Hilliard: Hilliard City Schools was awarded a $175,000 grant from the Ohio Energy Efficiency Program to upgrade lighting at Davidson High School to energy-efficient LEDs, which is projected to save the district over $52,000 annually. The district also recently celebrated the official groundbreaking for the new Beacon Elementary School.
Obetz: Fortress Obetz is gearing up to host the 2026 Columbus Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Ohio on March 7. This year’s event is changing things up with a brand-new, custom plunge tank dubbed the “Plungester.”
Powell: Public works crews have been actively preparing the local stormwater system for seasonal winter thawing conditions. The city is also rolling out a new data-driven fleet management program designed to deliver long-term taxpayer savings.
Sunbury & Galena: The BST&G Fire District continues to monitor site safety after a major structural roof collapse at the Atlas Insurance building on E. Granville Street in Sunbury earlier this month. Last week, crews also successfully contained a local garage fire on CR605 without any injuries.
Worthington: A major legal victory for the city recently made headlines as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled in favor of Worthington’s denial of a rezoning application by Lifestyle Communities for the former United Methodist Children’s Home (UMCH) site.
West Jefferson: Local government updates have focused heavily on administrative transitions, with the Mayor recently honoring the dedicated service and safety initiatives of outgoing Village Council members Linda Hall and Howard Wade.
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