Hanby's Week Of Giving and The Chicken Run Loses One
Hanby Fourth-Graders Launch Week of Giving to Honor Teacher’s Late Son
Fourth-grade students at Hanby Elementary aren’t just reading about having a “great heart” — they’re putting it into action.
Starting Monday, students launched a week-long campaign to honor Jackson Preston, the son of reading teacher Laurie Preston, who died of brain cancer two years ago. The effort connects to their first language arts unit and aims to raise awareness and funds during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
The front windows of the school are decorated with gold ribbons to support families affected by pediatric cancer. Students made posters that are now on display around the school. They will hand out ribbons, pencils, and bracelets while collecting donations for two childhood cancer organizations — the AngelWorks Foundation and The Cure Starts Now.
Each donation adds a paper goldfish to “Jackson’s Pond,” a tribute in the cafeteria recognizing his love of fishing. The week ends with a Go Gold Dress-Up Day on Friday, when staff and students will wear yellow or gold in support of cancer research.
“I am overwhelmed,” said Laurie Preston. “How can my heart be so broken but so full? These kids are making me happy that his story is not being forgotten. Good is going to come from his story. And that’s all I want as his mother. His name to be said and his story to bring good.”
The initiative was created by fourth-grade teachers Dawna Shroads, Miriam Herrick, Tenley Arrington, and Kelly Balaz, who aimed to connect classroom lessons about empathy and character to real-world experiences.
Principal Caley Baker said the goal is to show students they have the power to make a difference. “Even though they are young, they can make a big impact. We want them to feel part of something bigger than themselves,” she said.
Before the event, students learned about pediatric cancer and how it affects families. Laurie Preston shared Jackson’s story, including his favorite things like Curious George and racecars, to help students build a personal connection to the boy they’re honoring.
Teachers hope the project becomes a yearly tradition at Hanby each September.
Polaris "Chicken Run" Loses a Contender as HCT Closes Westerville Store
The Chicken Run along Polaris Parkway now has one less clucker. Hot Chicken Takeover permanently closed its Westerville store Tuesday night, the latest casualty in the rapid dismantling of the once-celebrated Columbus brand.
The store opened in December 2020 and was one of at least six major chicken-focused restaurants along the busy east-west corridor. It joined a group of competitors that now includes Chick-fil-A, Raising Cane's, Dave's Hot Chicken, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Chicken Salad Chick. Its closure was confirmed by the Westerville store, where the only chicken on the menu Tuesday was tenders and thighs. The closing marks a significant turning point for the company, which now operates only its original location in the North Market.
The Westerville shutdown marked the end of a tough week for the chain. It came after the sudden and unannounced closures of its Grandview and Gahanna locations just days earlier. This signals a pattern of retreat throughout 2025, with the company also closing locations in Lewis Center, the University District's Gateway complex, and Clintonville.
The string of closures raises serious questions about the strategy of its new owner, Illinois-based Craveworthy Brands. Craveworthy, which operates concepts like BD's Mongolian Grill, acquired HCT's parent company in May 2024. At that time, CEO Gregg Majewski outlined ambitious plans to merge HCT with another chicken brand and to expand nationwide. He told reporters that while new out-of-state locations might be rebranded, "in Columbus it will stay Hot Chicken Takeover."
That promise now rings hollow as the brand's presence in its hometown has been systematically reduced to a single food stall. Craveworthy Brands has yet to issue a public statement regarding the closures.
The decline sharply contrasts with the company's fiery rise. Founded by Joe DeLoss as a pop-up in Olde Towne East in 2014, Hot Chicken Takeover quickly became a local sensation. It was praised not only for its Nashville-style hot chicken but also for its social mission as a "fair chance employer," offering jobs to people facing barriers to employment. This community-oriented approach helped it grow from a food stall to a multi-city chain.
Since its sale to Untamed Brands in 2021 and the subsequent acquisition by Craveworthy, many long-time customers on social media have complained about declining food quality and rising prices, suggesting these changes contributed to the brand's decline.
For now, loyal fans wanting a taste of the chicken that once captivated Columbus will need to visit its original and final remaining location at the North Market. Alternatively, they can choose from the remainder of The Chicken Run.
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.
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