Worthington
The citizen referendum on the I Am Boundless housing project will go to voters in November 2027. The group Democracy Before Developers submitted 3,476 valid signatures (threshold: 3,017) to challenge council’s July 20 rezoning of 445 East Dublin Granville Road, the site of Elford Development’s planned $52.4 million, 248-unit apartment complex; the city announced the petition qualified on October 7.
City Council voted 7-0 at its October 5 meeting to postpone action on the proposed e-bike/e-scooter ordinance (helmet requirement under 18, ban on riders under 14, penalties) and send it back to staff for amendments; the next vote is November 2.
Worthington City Schools ranked 10th of 37 central Ohio districts in the Dispatch’s October 10 analysis of remediation-free ACT/SAT scores, with 33.7% of test-takers hitting the college-ready benchmarks. Dispatch, Oct. 10
Week 8 football: Thomas Worthington lost 20-14 to Marysville on October 9, while Worthington Kilbourne beat KIPP Columbus 42-6. Dispatch, Oct. 9
Reynoldsburg
Home day care operator Tammra Straughter was sentenced October 7 to life in prison without parole for at least 15 years for the shaking death of 5-month-old Kashan Crawford-Chatman. A jury convicted her August 20 of murder and endangering children; the boy was injured October 9, 2023, at her White Butterfly Lane home and died at Nationwide Children’s Hospital on October 13, 2023, of severe head trauma the deputy coroner attributed to violent shaking.
A state/federal disaster recovery center for August storm victims opened at Reynoldsburg Community Church, 1636 Graham Road, serving Franklin and Licking counties; it runs October 7–November 1 (Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–8 p.m., Sat 10–6, Sun 10–4) with recovery specialists on site.
Reynoldsburg football beat Lancaster 27-14 on October 9 at Fulton Field, sealed by a 70-yard kickoff-return touchdown just before halftime.
Reynoldsburg City Council member Stacie Baker (D) is challenging Republican incumbent Michele Reynolds in the November 3 general election for the 3rd Ohio Senate District, which includes Reynoldsburg, Grove City, and Circleville.
Powell
Powell’s new zoning code stands unchallenged after the city law director and council found a referendum petition seeking to repeal it invalid. The petition needed 409 valid signatures (10% of ballots cast at the last municipal election, per the city charter); the Delaware County Board of Elections certified only 405. The new code took effect September 3 after council approved it in early August, replacing a code that had lasted more than three decades.
At the same meeting, council approved Schubert Tennis LLC to repair the distressed tennis courts at Arbor Ridge Park ($71,240) and 76 Fence Columbus Northwest for Phase 1 fence removal/replacement at Bennett Farm ($107,580, new cedar fence along the south side abutting the Shalebrook neighborhood).
A Delaware Source feature reports Powell still has no dog park, and one won’t open at Bennett Farm anytime soon: the 2027–2031 CIP allocates $342,800 for Bennett Farm schematic design, with construction not estimated before 2028, though 30% of park-survey respondents named a dog park a top priority.
Gahanna
On October 6, Gahanna City Council voted 6–1 to adopt Ordinance 0037-2026, authorizing a Community Reinvestment Area tax-abatement agreement with Eastgate Flex LLC to build flexible commercial/industrial space on parcel 025-006522-00, according to council meeting coverage. Council Member Bowers cast the lone no vote, citing concerns about tax abatements and limited job creation; the ordinance had been introduced for first reading at the September 22 meeting.
Gahanna Lincoln football stayed unbeaten at 8-0, beating Westerville Central 34-14 on October 9 in Week 8 play.
The Lions jumped seven spots to No. 15 in the High School Football America Ohio Top 25 rankings released October 8.
Grove City
Grove City Council adopted Ordinance C51-26 on October 5, creating a codified section that prohibits unauthorized use or disclosure of automated license-plate reader (ALPR) system data and sets penalties for misuse, according to council meeting coverage. The safety director said audits will move from quarterly to monthly beginning in October; council members cited balancing public-safety tools against personal, political, or commercial misuse.
At an October 7 data-center task force meeting, city staff told members Grove City cannot set local emission thresholds (controlled by state and federal regulators) but participates in Ohio EPA air-permit reviews; the group discussed fire-code engagement and inviting outside experts on cumulative health risks.
Grove City football lost to Pickerington North 28–10 in Week 8 on October 9.
Boo off Broadway, the family-friendly Beggars’ Night alternative, is October 24, 12–3pm; city trick-or-treat is October 29, 6–8pm.
Dublin
Dublin police stopped an attempted vehicle theft and took six suspects into custody in the early morning hours of October 2 after a resident on Wyandotte Woods Boulevard reported two suspicious people, the city announced this week. The city credited the resident’s quick action, public-safety technology, and a coordinated regional response, saying the arrests may also have prevented additional thefts in Dublin and neighboring communities.
Dublin Jerome boys golf won its third consecutive district title October 6 at Apple Valley (8-under 280); the defending state champions advance to the state tournament October 12–13 at NCR Country Club in Kettering, led by medalist Harrison Young (67).
Dublin Parks and Recreation earned national reaccreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and the National Recreation and Park Association, announced October 9.
A second deer management public information session was held October 8 at 6 p.m., ahead of USDA Wildlife Services sharpshooting operations beginning November 1.
Hilliard
Hilliard started a pavement-preservation project October 9, treating about 28 local streets to extend asphalt life and delay costlier resurfacing or reconstruction. Work began on eight streets including Carrington Way, Edie Drive, and several courts off Dublin Road, with the schedule running through October 14 (weather permitting); the city says vehicles can typically return to treated roads within an hour.
Scam alert: the city warned residents and businesses about fraudulent invoices targeting people who applied for variances through the Planning Department — scammers use publicly posted hearing/case info and demand payment by wire transfer before a case can be heard; the city says it never asks for filing fees by wire transfer.
Week 8 football (October 9): all three Hilliard teams lost — Olentangy Liberty 28, Hilliard Bradley 14; Dublin Coffman 20, Hilliard Davidson 14; Olentangy 31, Hilliard Darby 28.
Sunbury
Big Walnut pitched a 31-0 shutout of Westerville North on October 9, moving to 8-0 on the season and 4-0 in the OCC-Capital. The Golden Eagles led 19-0 at halftime and blanked the Warriors the rest of the way, holding their No. 9 spot in USA Today’s Midwest Super 15 rankings.
Big Walnut girls volleyball is 18-0, the best start in program history and in the driver’s seat for another OCC-Capital title; Delaware Source published an October 5 feature on senior middle blocker Abi Swisher, who ranks seventh in the state with 66 blocks.
The Parks and Recreation Committee met October 7 at 5:30 p.m. to cover a JR Smith Park update, Christmas on the Square planning, and the Kinslow Glow League.
The Second Saturday Evening Market on the Square ran October 10, 5–9 p.m.
Johnstown
Johnstown scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to beat visiting Heath 28-17 on October 9 at Frank H. Chambers Stadium, taking sole possession of first place in the Licking County League-Cardinal Division (6-2, 3-0) and avenging a 14-7 loss to the Bulldogs in 2025. After Heath took a 17-7 halftime lead, Ryan Sager’s 18-yard TD run with 9:33 left put Johnstown ahead for good, and his 30-yard TD on fourth-and-1 with 3:08 left sealed it.
An October 6 Advocate feature credits the meshing offensive line for the ground game: 431 of the team’s 561 yards and seven of eight TDs came on the ground in the Week 7 win at Utica; Ryan Sager ran for 275 yards vs. Newark Catholic and 298 vs. Utica.
Week 8 Licking County finals: Johnstown 28, Heath 17; Granville 41, Watkins Memorial 7; Utica 48, Lakewood 7; Licking Valley 56, Licking Heights 20.
Groveport
Apple Butter Day took place Saturday, October 10 in Groveport. Wirt Road was closed from 4pm Friday, October 9 through 8pm Saturday, with a free shuttle running 10am–5pm from the Rec Center.
The annual Halloween Block Party & Trick-or-Treat is set for Thursday, October 29, 5:30–7pm on Front Street (Main to Elm), with free kid-friendly giveaways from local businesses lining the street.
Groveport Madison football fell to Pickerington Central 16–10 in Week 8 on October 9.
Obetz
The City of Obetz announced October 7 that Ohio Power Company approved $10,000 in funding to support the Obetz Food Pantry and senior lunch programs. It led the city’s General News page for the week.
Obetz trick-or-treat is set for Thursday, October 29, 6–8pm (residents asked to turn on porch lights); Fortress Fright Night follows Saturday, October 31, 6–9pm, with details still to come.
The city asks utility customers using automatic credit-card payments to review settings and select a new draft date after an autopay portal update, to avoid missed payments or service interruptions.
West Jefferson
West Jefferson won its sixth straight game, beating Mechanicsburg 27-13 on October 9 to move to 7-1; its only loss remains the 16-14 defeat at Newark Catholic on August 28.
Ongoing village notices: Altafiber fiber-optic line construction will continue for several months; a community Dumpster Week for fall cleaning, with dumpsters at the Community Center; and mosquito fogging in partnership with the City of London and the Village of Mt. Sterling.
Quiet this week:
Genoa Township — Trustees met October 1, and the Fire Prevention Open House was October 4.
Galena — The next council meeting is October 26 (with a public hearing on the council seat appointment), and the next Planning & Zoning meeting is October 21, both outside the window.
Harlem Township — Trustees meet on the third Wednesday of each month (next meeting October 21).
Mifflin Township — The township’s 6.96-mill additional police levy is on the November 3 ballot.
Sharon Township — The Road Department open house is October 14 (6–7:30 p.m.), the 2.46-mill road district levy is on the November 3 ballot, and the Linworth Road closure and Worthington Hills waterline work continue.
Lockbourne — The next village council meeting is October 12.
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