Central Ohio News Briefs - January 25, 2026
What Is Happening In Westerville Neighbors?
Harlem Township
A woman identified as Linda Skinner died after a house fire on Woodtown Road around 5:45 a.m. Jan. 12, 2026. Fire officials reported hoarding conditions, floor holes that caused structural instability, and no working smoke alarms. The Ohio State Fire Marshal is investigating.
Galena
Galena will celebrate its 200th anniversary throughout 2026 with a series of community events. Upcoming meetings include Planning and Zoning on Jan. 21 and Village Council on Jan. 28.
Genoa Township
Township officials issued a fraud alert after residents received fake “Application Approval Fee” emails from addresses ending in “@usa.com.” Officials said legitimate township emails come from “@genoa.org,” and steps have been taken to shut down the fraudulent addresses.
The MHOG Sewer and Water Authority also lifted a precautionary boil water advisory for the Oakpointe and Northshore areas after testing confirmed no contamination. The advisory followed low water pressure during repair work.
Sunbury
Final plats were approved for the Price Ponds and Eagle Creek developments. Construction is underway on Sunbury Parkway, including ramp work and improvements to Wilson Road. Council also conditionally approved amendments to the Meadows at Sunbury Apartments and discussed potential uniform design standards.
Earlier actions included confirming the Wastewater Treatment Plant’s final cost at $31 million, approving a $1,366 tax refund, discussing a three-year phase-out of inside millage, and adopting a mandatory cybersecurity policy.
Gahanna
Gahanna Lincoln High School opened with enhanced security features, including a secure vestibule, expanded camera coverage, glass interior walls, and designated lockdown zones. Some students have raised concerns about increased visibility.
Following a carbon monoxide leak at Middle School West, the district is reviewing and upgrading ventilation systems across school buildings and adding enhanced monitoring protocols.
In a separate matter, Michael McKee was arraigned Jan. 23, 2026, in connection with a double homicide case in Ohio.
The district also retired and cremated a taxidermized male lion that had been displayed since 1983. The ashes will be preserved in an Alumni Association time capsule as students move into the new high school.
SGT. Coffee Co. opened its first brick-and-mortar location at 140 N. High St., with proceeds supporting veterans’ charities.
Reynoldsburg
The Ohio Department of Agriculture recognized nine individuals and groups with its Director’s Award for Innovation and Excellence at the Ohio Fair Managers Association annual convention.
Four dogs were euthanized after a Jan. 9 dog attack on Glacier Avenue. The city also reminded residents that holiday trash collection is delayed by one day when a holiday falls on or before a Wednesday or Thursday pickup, with materials set out by 6 a.m.
Reynoldsburg opened a no-cost food scrap drop-off site at Huber Park after completing a regional food waste expansion program.
In school sports, the Reynoldsburg High School bowling teams swept Logan in varsity matches at HP Lanes, with the boys winning 2,252–1,795 and the girls winning 1,318–1,280.
Worthington
A lawsuit challenging the city’s deer culling program was dropped, with the city reaffirming its authority to manage the deer population for public safety.
Students in Worthington participated in walkouts on Jan. 23, 2026, to protest reported Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity near schools.
Worthington Christian Schools named Andy Johnson as head football coach. A groundbreaking was also held for a new outdoor pool complex in partnership with Thomas Worthington Schools and Swim-Inc.
Powell
City Council approved final acceptance of public improvements for Smith Farm at Carpenter’s Mill, authorized the purchase of three police cruisers, approved demolition of 44 N. Liberty St., renewed ArcGIS services, and approved a data analytics contract with Placer Labs.
Hilliard
Regional partners endorsed a letter opposing proposed density increases in the Big Darby Accord update, which would allow up to 12 housing units per acre near Hilliard, compared with the city’s current limit of 1.5 units per acre.
Students in Hilliard participated in walkouts on Jan. 23 to protest reported ICE activity near schools. The Hilliard Education Association said the reports were harmful to the school environment.
Two new businesses — Cyclical Nature and Bakes by Lo — will open at 4045 Main St. with the help of a $70,000 Hilliard Development Corporation grant.
Hilliard City Schools officials said snow-day decisions are typically made by 10 p.m. or 5:30 a.m., based on real-time road conditions across the district’s 60 square miles, with safety as the priority.
Groveport
Students converted a retired school bus into a mobile library that is scheduled to launch next month at local elementary schools.
Grove City
About 250 students in grades 7–9 participated in the PMEA District 5 Junior High Chorus Fest hosted in Grove City.
A two-vehicle crash in Prairie Township on Jan. 20 resulted in the death of Jackie Knapp, 65, of Grove City. Authorities said he was ejected from the vehicle and was not wearing a seat belt. A 17-year-old driver was involved.
The city also announced a year-long America 250 celebration and upcoming Citizen’s Police Academy sessions running March 3–May 12. Police confirmed the use of a 32-camera Flock Safety license plate system that does not use facial recognition and retains data for 30 days.
Dublin
Dublin installed Ohio’s first AI-driven pedestrian lighting system at Brand Road near Coventry Woods Drive and earned the GFOA Triple Crown Award for the fourth consecutive year. City Council selected Amorose Groomes as mayor and Cathy De Rosa as vice mayor.
Ahead of Winter Storm Fern, shelves at a Kroger store in Dublin were nearly empty on Jan. 23 as residents stocked up on essentials.
Improvements are also underway at the Park Place stormwater basin north of Monticello Lane to address erosion, restore the aquatic bench, and stabilize the shoreline, with work expected to continue through early July.
Students in Dublin joined regional walkouts protesting reported ICE activity near schools. Legal Immigration Services said it observed no ICE detentions during school drop-off or pick-up times.
Joe Fox was named the 2026 Grand Leprechaun for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, recognizing his 17 years with the Miracle League of Central Ohio. The parade is scheduled for Saturday, March 14, 2026, with more than 90 participants expected and sponsorship from OhioHealth.
Dublin-based STG Logistics filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy under a pre-negotiated restructuring, while Cardinal Health provided an update on its fiscal 2026 outlook.
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