Central Ohio News Briefs - May 3-10, 2026
Dublin
A three-alarm fire at the Asherton of Dublin apartments displaced more than a dozen families, with 16 units declared total losses. No injuries were reported, and investigators ruled the fire accidental.
City Council held a special meeting May 4 that included an executive session on personnel.
The city hosted a Mental Health Town Hall on May 7 at the Community Recreation Center.
The city announced plans for its 2026 Memorial Day service and America 250 community picnic.
A naturalization ceremony was held May 7 at the Abbey Theater, where 67 candidates from 35 countries were sworn in as U.S. citizens.
The city expanded plans for its Memorial Day ceremony and picnic on May 25 as part of America 250 programming.
Cardinal Health’s board approved an increase in its quarterly dividend to $0.5158 per share, payable July 15.
A Riverview Village infrastructure project in Historic Dublin is set to begin May 11, with work including street realignment, sidewalk expansion, a public plaza, added parking, decorative lighting and other streetscape changes.
A Community Wellness Navigator program launched through the Dublin Wellness Alliance to help residents connect with mental health, substance use and social-service resources.
Bristol Republic announced a June opening at Bridge Park alongside a second concept, The Saddle Club.
Powell
The Columbus Zoo in Powell was evacuated May 2 after a phoned-in bomb and active-shooter threat. The zoo remained closed for part of the day as law enforcement searched the property and found no suspicious items before reopening.
Powell City Council reportedly met April 27, though no recap had been published in the earlier weekly sweep.
The Powell Street Market and Business Expo was scheduled for May 3.
The city relaunched its S.A.F.E. Passage Initiative on Sawmill Parkway with increased patrols and education through Labor Day.
Powell resident Voicu Marian received the Brian Lonsway Memorial Award for Humor in Craft.
Grove City
At its May 4 meeting, council continued discussion of a proposed 0.5% income tax ballot measure.
Council approved the annual sidewalk program, a two-year electric aggregation rate and a $2,000 Beulah Park planting donation.
Council posted a public hearing notice for the proposed Chickens and Ducks ordinance and the Broadway Live project.
The city launched an e-bike and e-scooter safety campaign.
Touch-a-Truck was promoted for May 16.
New project pages went up for Broadway Live, the CARES Program, the Community Center and a future data center FAQ.
Police issued a scam alert about a caller impersonating Lt. Gallo.
A public hearing on backyard chickens and ducks is scheduled for May 18.
Summer Sizzle Concert Series dates were posted for June through September.
Obetz
Rohr Road closed May 4 for a widening project expected to last about 60 days, weather permitting.
Council is set to consider a Grand Communities rezoning tied to Fischer Homes at a May 26 public hearing after Planning and Zoning recommended approval on April 8.
Proposed OAC rate and policy changes were headed to a council vote May 11, with a June 1 effective date if approved.
Hilliard
The city released a draft Housing Study on May 7 for public review, ahead of a May 28 open house at City Hall and a June 4 steering committee recommendation to council.
Hilliard and Norwich Township were recognized as an AARP Age-Friendly Community, with a joint proclamation scheduled May 6.
Summer events highlighted by the city include Touch a Truck on May 14 and Celebration at the Station on June 4.
Public Safety Youth Academy registration opened for teens for June 15 to 19.
Worthington
A new Recycling Convenience Center opened, and council held a special May 8 meeting tied to its official opening.
Council passed Ordinances 09-2026 and 10-2026, advancing funding for Linworth, Snouffer and Godown arterial improvements and Service and Engineering Building concrete replacement, both effective May 13.
A May 6 public hearing notice was posted for May 18 bond ordinances covering a new outdoor swim facility plus sewer and water improvements.
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board meeting was reset to May 26 at Thomas Worthington School as an informal mobile ride.
A public hearing is scheduled May 18 at 7 p.m. on three bond ordinances totaling $4.7 million, including $2.5 million for a new outdoor swim facility, $1 million for sewer improvements and $1.2 million for water improvements.
Kittie’s Cakes expanded its Old Worthington location.
Aubrey Hale was appointed communications director, effective May 26.
West Jefferson
The May 4 council agenda included a proposal to create a building inspector position and another to set its pay, along with a measure transferring stale-dated check funds to the Unclaimed Monies Fund.
Committee and department reports from development, police and the chief of police were also on the agenda.
The village posted an AED/CPR lifesaving-efforts notice dated May 4.
The village posted a construction and maintenance update April 27.
Workers continued raising air-quality concerns after the earlier Amazon warehouse fire.
West Jefferson High School was ranked No. 16 statewide in the USA Today Ohio Super 25 baseball rankings.
Sunbury
Routine public works activity continued around the 2026 Street Improvement Program, with Decker Construction identified as the low bidder at $1.3 million.
A signal maintenance window was scheduled for May 4 at Cherry Street and State Route 3.
The city’s data center moratorium remained in effect through Jan. 31, 2027.
Earlier in the cycle, Sunbury’s moratorium continued drawing outside attention, including coverage emphasizing the pause through January 2027.
Renee Vaughan defeated Sunbury Mayor Joe St. John in the Republican primary for Delaware County commissioner on May 5.
Gahanna
Routine items dominated the week, including a May 9 Shred and E-Recycle event, traffic alerts, fire hydrant flushing and ongoing Creekside Reimagined coverage.
William Marshall III was sentenced May 8 after pleading guilty to charges tied to the Dec. 20, 2024 shooting of a random victim inside a Gahanna Subway.
The Planning Commission is scheduled to meet May 13 at 6:30 p.m. to consider a development plan for an addition at Middle School South, 349 Shady Spring Drive.
Lockbourne
No village-specific news surfaced in the weekly summary.
Nearby, a child was wounded in a Columbus shooting at Lockbourne Road and Whittier Street on May 4 and was expected to recover.
The COSI Science Festival included STEAM events at the Ohio and Erie Canal in Lockbourne from April 29 through May 2.
Reynoldsburg
H2Ohio and COSI hosted a fourth annual Earth Day celebration in Reynoldsburg.
Kroger’s remodeled Reynoldsburg store marked reopening promotions tied to fuel savings on May 7 as gas prices hovered near $5 per gallon.
Galena
The next council meeting is May 18 and Planning and Zoning is set for May 20.
Genoa Township
A paper shredding event was scheduled for May 2.
A Fire Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for May 5.
A 50th Anniversary Open House is set for May 9.
Renee Vaughan, a Genoa Township trustee, won the Republican primary for Delaware County commissioner on May 5.
Harlem Township
A zoning hearing on revisions to Article XXIV was set to reconvene May 4.
Mifflin Township
Trustees’ next meeting is May 19.
Mifflin High School graduation is scheduled for May 30 at 2:30 p.m.
Sharon Township
Voters approved a 2.34-mill tax levy for the fire department on the May 5 primary ballot.
A joint meeting between Worthington City Council and the Sharon Township Board of Trustees was held May 4.
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