Johnstown
Rapid data-center construction around Johnstown is increasingly affecting residential areas. Recent reporting has highlighted heavier construction traffic and the expanding presence of major developments, including the Cologix campus and Intel project.
New Albany
New Albany reported hazardous high water after the Aug. 19–20 storm, including closures along Thompson Road and flooding near Beech Road, Reynoldsburg-New Albany Road and the Jug/Harrison area. New Albany-Plain Local Schools operated on a two-hour delay. Thompson Road was later reopened.
Genoa Township
Genoa Township police said a suspect sought in connection with a reported sexual assault died by suicide Aug. 15 at Sharon Woods Metro Park as officers attempted to take him into custody. Police said the suspect was believed to be armed. Dash-camera footage showed a Genoa officer fired one shot that apparently did not strike the suspect, while another officer deployed a Taser before the suspect fatally shot himself. No officers were reported injured.
Galena
Galena and neighboring Harlem Township have scheduled an Aug. 24 joint public hearing on a proposed Cooperative Economic Development Agreement. The hearing will allow residents to comment on the proposed agreement before officials consider further action.
Sunbury
Sunbury City Council will consider revisions to the city’s zoning fee schedule and related zoning-code language at a Sept. 2 public hearing. The proposal comes amid continued growth and development pressures in the city.
Harlem Township
Harlem Township and Galena officials will take public testimony Aug. 24 on a proposed Cooperative Economic Development Agreement. The joint hearing will give residents an opportunity to comment before officials consider further action on the agreement.
Gahanna
Gahanna said parts of the city received about six inches of rain in less than 24 hours during the Aug. 19–20 storm, with some residents sustaining significant property damage. The city directed affected property owners to Franklin County’s process for requesting temporary reductions in appraised value and said officials were monitoring potential disaster-assistance options.
Reynoldsburg
Reynoldsburg placed dumpsters at Huber Park to help residents dispose of flood debris and yard waste after recent heavy rains. Civic, Huber, JFK and Pine Quarry parks were among facilities closed because of extreme flooding while crews assessed conditions.
Worthington
Worthington Schools has opened applications for a roughly 50-member community task force that will spend about two years considering the future of the district’s 11 elementary schools and Sutter Park Preschool. Recommendations are expected in spring 2028 and could eventually lead to a ballot request for construction or renovation funding.
Powell
Powell has completed improvements at the Seldom Seen Road railroad crossing. The city also recently approved a comprehensive rewrite of its zoning code following an approximately 18-month review aimed at modernizing regulations, making the code easier to use and streamlining development review.
Hilliard
Hilliard urged residents and businesses to report damage from the Aug. 11 severe storm to Franklin County Emergency Management. Officials said documenting losses is important for determining the extent of storm damage and potential eligibility for assistance.
Groveport
Construction and maintenance work is affecting the Hamilton Road corridor, including a waterline repair and turn-lane and traffic-signal improvements at Hamilton and Williams roads. Portions of Hamilton Road have been reduced to one lane in each direction during the work.
Grove City
Grove City has presented plans for the Quail Creek Boulevard Extension, which would include a new roundabout at Hoover Road, a westward roadway extension and additional pedestrian facilities. The city is seeking Ohio Public Works Commission funding for the project.
Obetz
Obetz City Council has scheduled Sept. 28 public hearings on proposed zoning changes involving several properties, including land proposed to move from Suburban Office and Institution zoning to Planned Commercial District. The hearings come amid continued development activity in the city.
Lockbourne
Lockbourne held an Aug. 7 community open house to gather public input on its Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The plan is intended to help guide future development and land-use decisions in the village.
West Jefferson
West Jefferson announced preventive waterline maintenance near Middle Drive, including installation of a new valve. The work was expected to cause a short water outage affecting portions of Madison Drive, Middle Drive, Short Street and Merriman Drive, with no boil advisory anticipated.
Mifflin Township
A Franklin County judge sentenced Daveonte Dixon to 67 to 72½ years in prison for the May 28, 2025 shooting of two Mifflin Township police officers and firing at Franklin County sheriff’s deputies. Dixon also received a consecutive sentence of 11 to 16½ years in a separate case, bringing his combined prison term to 78 to 89 years.
Sharon Township
Linworth Road is scheduled to close beginning Aug. 24 for about 30 days between Linworth Village Drive and Postlewaite Road for gas-line work, with traffic detoured through Olentangy River and Dublin-Granville roads. Separately, township trustees voted to place a 2.46-mill road-department levy on the November 2026 ballot.
Dublin
Dublin is beginning a pilot project in the Deer Run area to investigate groundwater and stormwater entering the sanitary-sewer system. Crews will inspect mains and laterals and test strategies intended to reduce sewer overflows and basement backups. The city has also announced pavement crack-sealing work on several residential streets.
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