ICE Identified. Ice Arrives. Ice-Cold Penalty. And, the Rockettes.
A small group of protesters has maintained a weekly silent demonstration outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office on Brooksedge Boulevard, highlighting immigration detention practices and enforcement policies.
The quiet protests happen every Friday and usually have about 20 people standing along the sidewalk with signs that say “Stop the Cruelty” and “This Is an I.C.E. Facility.” The protests do not involve chanting or marching and typically last around an hour. Some of the group gather at the Schrock Road and Brooksedge intersection as part of the protest.
Participants describe the event as a vigil-style demonstration aimed at maintaining a steady, visible presence rather than attracting large crowds. There have been no reported confrontations or arrests related to the weekly protests.
The Westerville Progressive Alliance has observed the weekly demonstrations and posted scheduling details on social media, while emphasizing that it is not the organizer of the Westerville protests.
The ICE facility in Westerville has occasionally hosted small demonstrations in recent years focused on immigration enforcement and detention conditions.
Ice sculptures arrived and were installed as planned in Uptown Westerville on Friday, marking the return of a popular holiday tradition.
Crews spent the afternoon positioning 32 hand-carved ice sculptures along State Street and nearby side streets, placing the pieces on lighted stanchions that illuminate the artwork after dark. The display creates a self-guided walking route through the historic district, with sculptures set outside local shops and restaurants.
This year’s collection includes a mix of traditional holiday imagery and character-themed designs. The Grinch sculpture is the only piece with a face cutout for photos, while the remaining carvings focus on detailed seasonal and winter scenes. Several sculptures echo popular movies and characters and display the logos and symbols of the businesses that purchased them.
Cold temperatures are expected to help preserve the sculptures, with forecasts calling for below-freezing conditions overnight and into Saturday, along with partly cloudy skies.
The display opened Friday evening and will remain on view through the weekend. The ice sculptures are free and open to the public and are part of the ongoing holiday celebrations in Uptown Westerville.
Josh Rohr, who finished last in his Fantasy Football league, stands in the cold and snow on Friday in front of the Dairy Queen on State Street as punishment for his poor finish.
Westerville native marks Rockettes’ 100th anniversary
Nadia Kolda from Westerville is helping celebrate a major milestone at Radio City Music Hall as the Rockettes mark their 100th anniversary season in New York City.
Kolda, who started dancing at age three at Generations Performing Arts Center in Westerville, is beginning her eighth season as a Rockette. She is returning to the anniversary cast alongside fellow Central Ohio native McKenzie McGrath of New Albany.
Kolda said her Ohio roots shaped her journey to the iconic stage, mentioning that she auditioned seven times before earning a spot with the Rockettes. This season’s Christmas Spectacular has added significance as dancers celebrate a century of traditions, from the famous kick line to timeless choreography.
Despite years on stage, Kolda said performing at Radio City still causes moments of disbelief as she lines up with fellow dancers, conscious of the generations who performed before her and those who will follow.
Between shows, Kolda and McGrath share a dressing room, exchange memories of home, discuss Ohio State football, and enjoy buckeye candy brought by visitors, a reminder that their journey started in Central Ohio.
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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