Dublin
A proposed senior-living development at 4178 Bright Road is drawing opposition from nearby homeowners concerned about its design and compatibility with surrounding neighborhoods.
The preliminary proposal calls for a continuum-of-care facility on 17.6 acres southwest of Bright Road and Emerald Parkway. Dublin’s Planning and Zoning Commission discussed the concept Aug. 20 but took no binding action.
Dublin Community Pool North reopened Sept. 5 for the Labor Day weekend. The pool was scheduled to operate from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Sept. 7, its final day of the season.
Genoa Township
Freeman’s Farm remained closed while authorities investigated an Aug. 24 fire that destroyed a township storage building at 6142 Lewis Center Road.
The building contained snowplow blades, tractor attachments, fencing and timber. No residents or firefighters were injured, and the farm’s historic barn was not damaged. Genoa Township acquired the property for use as a public park after the Freeman family owned it for five generations, since 1868.
Grove City
The proposed Community Consent Amendment will appear before Grove City voters in the Nov. 3 election.
The citizen-initiated charter amendment would require voter approval for developments occupying at least 50 contiguous acres, using more than 20 megawatts of electricity at peak demand or consuming more than 500,000 gallons of water daily. Certain expansions, ownership changes and changes in a property’s primary use also could require voter approval.
City Council considered the proposal during a special meeting Sept. 3.
Supporters say residents should vote on projects with substantial effects on the community. Opponents contend the amendment could delay schools, hospitals, churches, residential developments and other projects that meet its thresholds.
Hilliard
Soberfest Ohio was scheduled for Sept. 6 at the Franklin County Fairgrounds.
The free event includes live music, food trucks, children’s activities and representatives from treatment, wellness and recovery organizations. The program runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., with parking costing $10.
Hilliard Recreation and Parks also opened registration for fall programs that include yoga, mindfulness and fitness classes.
Johnstown
Residents along the U.S. Route 62 corridor between New Albany and Johnstown reported continued traffic congestion associated with road construction, construction vehicles and temporary changes to work-site entrances.
Residents said detours and closures have pushed trucks and other traffic onto smaller roads for approximately 18 months. New Albany officials said reconstruction work that temporarily reduced access to two entrances at a Green Chapel Road construction site contributed to one recent increase in traffic.
The city said it began working with the contractor after learning about the entrance work and resulting congestion.
New Albany
Traffic disruptions along U.S. Route 62 continued to affect residents between New Albany and Johnstown.
New Albany said a contractor temporarily reduced access to a Green Chapel Road construction site while reconstructing two of its three entrances. City officials said they began working with the contractor after learning that the work had contributed to increased traffic on U.S. Route 62.
The Ohio Department of Transportation is planning improvements along 6.2 miles of U.S. Route 62 between Smith’s Mill Road and Walton Parkway in New Albany and Clark Drive near Johnstown.
Obetz
The Obetz Zucchinifest opened Sept. 4 at Fortress Obetz for its four-day Labor Day weekend run.
The festival includes rides, food, vendors, a parade, a car and motorcycle show and free concerts. Saturday’s schedule included performances by North to Nashville, Easton Corbin and Kip Moore.
Little Texas and Lonestar were scheduled to perform Sunday. Festival activities continue through Sept. 7.
Reynoldsburg
A multiagency resource center operated at Reynoldsburg Community Church from Sept. 2 through Sept. 5 for residents recovering from the Aug. 20 flooding.
The center brought together the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Franklin County agencies, and other organizations providing cleanup supplies, food, mold-remediation assistance, and recovery services.
The city also provided bus transportation from the White Butterfly Lane and Briarcliff Road area. Residents were encouraged to report property damage to the city to help officials measure the extent of the flooding and identify continuing needs.
Sunbury
Beekist Honey was seeking temporary locations for more than 45 beehives after receiving a three-day notice to leave its property at 15910 E. State Route 37.
The apiary attributed the eviction to a family dispute and said it needed to relocate the colonies until they could be moved to Oklahoma in November. The account of the dispute came from the business and had not been independently confirmed.
Honey sales at the Route 37 farm stand were expected to end, with remaining products available at Amazing Grace Gifts and More at 62 E. Cherry St. in Sunbury.
West Jefferson
The West Jefferson Community Association opened the 75th annual Ox Roast on Sept. 5 at Garrette Park.
The three-day Labor Day festival continues through Sept. 7 with live entertainment, vendors, children’s activities, contests and pit-roasted beef sandwiches. This year’s celebration also recognizes the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Volunteers planned to cook approximately 5,000 pounds of beef overnight in a 140-foot pit. Sandwich sales begin at noon Monday after inspection by the Madison County Health Department.
The Running of the Ox begins at 8 a.m. Monday at West Jefferson High School. A cruise-in begins at 10 a.m., followed by children’s contests, music and other activities.
Worthington
Worthington Schools announced Sept. 1 that it will end its contract with Flock Safety and remove automated license-plate readers from the entrances and exits of Thomas Worthington and Worthington Kilbourne high schools.
Superintendent Trent Bowers said the cameras’ limited benefits did not outweigh the possible loss of public trust. The decision followed months of debate about privacy and surveillance, including a petition signed by more than 1,000 students calling for the cameras' removal.
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