Dublin
The City of Dublin announced on October 12 that City Manager Megan O’Callaghan has submitted her resignation, effective November 13, concluding nearly 13 years with the city as part of a 30-year public service career. O’Callaghan joined Dublin in 2014 as Public Service Director and became the city’s sixth City Manager in October 2022.
Dublin Jerome boys golf repeated as Division I state champions October 12–13 at NCR Country Club in Kettering, shooting 574 to beat Cincinnati St. Xavier by 25 strokes for the program’s 11th state title. Senior Brady Barnum repeated as individual champion (139) and his brother Blaise finished second (141).
At council’s October 12 meeting, staff gave the first reading of Ordinance 52-26, presenting a 10-year utility rate study recommending sanitary sewer increases of roughly 8% annually through 2030 and 10% in later years, plus more modest water increases; a second reading and public hearing are set for October 26, according to council meeting coverage.
Week 9 football was a sweep of losses for Dublin’s teams: Upper Arlington 42, Dublin Coffman 3; Olentangy 27, Dublin Jerome 21; Big Walnut 54, Dublin Scioto 0.
Sunbury
Sunbury voters will decide November 3 whether to amend the city charter to prohibit data centers with an aggregate monthly energy demand or peak load exceeding 25 megawatts — a citizen-initiated measure aimed at Amazon’s proposed $2 billion campus, described by the city as the largest single investment in Sunbury’s history. The campus carries a property-tax exemption of 87.5% for 15 years, then 75% for another 15; the Board of Elections certified 351 valid signatures from Big Walnut for Responsible Growth, more than double the 172 required, and because the Amazon development agreement has not been approved, a “yes” vote would likely block the project outright.
Big Walnut football stayed perfect at 9-0 with a 54-0 shutout of Dublin Scioto on October 16, scoring all 54 points in the first half — 33-0 after the first quarter — with no scoring by either team after halftime; the Golden Eagles are ranked No. 2 in the USA TODAY Network Ohio Super 25 poll.
Delaware Source detailed Sunbury’s new e-bike ordinance, approved by council October 7 after months of debate: Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes are permitted on roadways, and on sidewalks and shared-use paths only with motors disengaged; helmet requirements vary by age and e-bike class; high-powered electric dirt bikes are not authorized on sidewalks or paths.
Worthington
At its October 12 meeting, City Council reviewed the proposed 2027 operating budget, which would spend 4.72% more from the general fund than this year, including a $2.5 million transfer toward capital projects, according to the Worthington Pulse’s council recap. The city expects to spend more than it takes in over the next five years, drawing reserves down each year through 2031 while keeping them above target, and the budget funds a long-sought study of the city’s water and sewer surcharge, which hasn’t increased since the 1950s.
Council took no new action on the e-bike/e-scooter ordinance, which remains scheduled for a vote November 2, and a council member reiterated interest in revisiting the city’s Flock license-plate camera program, already set to return to council in December.
Parent advocates asked council to add city signage honoring Thomas Worthington’s four-time state champion field hockey team; council said the request should go to the school board first. Council members also toured the new outdoor pool under construction and reported it remains on track for next year’s swim season.
Week 9 football (October 16): Worthington Kilbourne beat Westerville North 22-12 to improve to 8-1, while Thomas Worthington lost to Hilliard Darby 27-20.
Powell
Delaware Source reported October 12 that the Delaware Public Health District is investigating a possible measles exposure at Kraft House No. 5, 5 S. Liberty St., after a suspected case traveled through Powell. The possible exposure occurred October 4 between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.; officials said there is no ongoing risk outside that window, and anyone present should monitor for symptoms for 21 days. The restaurant remains open, and management said its entire staff is fully vaccinated and no one who worked that day has symptoms.
Week 9 football (October 16): Hilliard Davidson edged Olentangy Liberty (Powell) 12-6, while Olentangy Orange rallied past Hilliard Bradley 37-28, outscoring the Jaguars 24-7 in the fourth quarter.
ODOT’s weekly project report listed overnight lane restrictions (11 p.m.–5 a.m.) at the SR 315/SR 750 (Powell Road) intersection on Thursday, October 15, for an intersection inspection.
Reynoldsburg
Garry A. Tucker, 72, of Reynoldsburg died after a crash on State Route 158 near Interstate 70 in Licking County on October 13, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Troopers said a truck driven by James A. Williams, 71, of Dallas hit Tucker at 3:22 p.m.; Tucker was taken to Mount Carmel East Hospital, where he died, and was not wearing a helmet.
At its October 12 meeting, council authorized staff to enter an intergovernmental agreement with ODOT for a traffic signal at E. Main Street (Route 40) and Summit Road, and voted to seek federal multimodal connectivity funds to complete the Taylor-to-Wagner sidewalk project; construction is planned for next year, according to council meeting coverage.
The Dispatch published candidate profiles October 15 for the November 3 race for Ohio’s 3rd Senate District, where incumbent Sen. Michele Reynolds (R-Canal Winchester) faces Reynoldsburg City Council member Stacie Baker (D); the district includes parts of Reynoldsburg, Groveport and Grove City and extends south to Circleville and west to London.
Week 9 football (October 16): Reynoldsburg beat Newark 33-6.
Gahanna
Gahanna voters will decide ten charter amendments, Issues 18–27, on the November 3 ballot, per the Dispatch’s October 13 Franklin County ballot roundup. The package covers eliminating the mayoral primary when two or fewer candidates file, ward boundaries based on census data, council-abstention removal procedures, folding the Board of Zoning and Building Appeals’ functions into the Planning Commission, charter review every 10 years instead of five, and updated nondiscrimination language.
Gahanna Lincoln football improved to 9-0, beating Grove City 31-7 at home on October 16 (senior night); the Lions are ranked No. 7 in the USA TODAY Network Ohio Super 25 poll and sit atop the Division I, Region 3 playoff computer ratings.
In an alert posted October 15, the city warned that scammers are emailing residents and businesses using real city employee names and permit details to demand fraudulent planning, zoning and permit fees; the city advises verifying any invoice by calling the department at the number on Gahanna.gov.
The Gahanna-Jefferson Board of Education honored Mike Shade and his wife Cathi at its October 15 meeting for more than 40 years with the Gahanna Lincoln baseball program; Shade, on staff since 1983 and head coach from 1992, resigned in July after 34 seasons, eight district titles, four OCC championships and state tournament trips in 2013 and 2014.
Grove City
Swig, the Utah-based dirty soda chain, has filed plans to take over the former Rally’s drive-thru at 1939 Stringtown Road, which closed in mid-August. It would be the first Ohio location for the chain, which has 183 shops; Councilmember Jodi Burroughs shared the plans publicly, and no opening date has been announced.
Issue 28 heads to voters November 3 with early voting underway; the Dispatch’s October 13 Franklin County ballot roundup recapped the citizen-initiated Community Consent Amendment, which would require a public referendum for large industrial developments — those on 50 or more acres, using more than 500,000 gallons of water daily, and/or at least 20 megawatts of electricity.
Week 9 football: Grove City fell to Gahanna Lincoln 31-7 on October 16, while Grove City Christian beat Fisher Catholic 35-14 on October 17.
The Town Center Food Truck Festival & Shop Hop ran Friday, October 16, 4–9 p.m., with the Ladies of Longford performing in Town Center Park.
West Jefferson
RaceTrac held the grand opening of its West Jefferson travel center on Thursday, October 15 — the Atlanta-based chain’s second Ohio store and its first in central Ohio, located at 2 Commerce Parkway. The larger-format travel center has 14 fueling lanes and serves both commuters and professional drivers; it is one of four Ohio stores opening in 2026 as part of a nearly $65 million state expansion, with typical new stores adding about 25 to 40 jobs.
West Jefferson football rolled to a 35-0 shutout at West Liberty-Salem on October 16, the Roughriders’ seventh straight win, improving them to 8-1 on the season.
West Jefferson Police Chief Smith read to young children at Hurt/Battelle Memorial Library during a storytime focused on perseverance and overcoming challenges, part of the department’s community-policing outreach.
The Jefferson Township Fire Department announced its fall Pancake Breakfast for October 24 (7–11 a.m., 745 W. Main St.), with donation-based admission benefiting the Good Samaritan Food Pantry’s holiday meals; the village’s annual Fall Festival follows that evening, October 24, 5–9 p.m.
Hilliard
By a 7–0 vote on October 13, Hilliard City Council approved Resolution 26-R-99, hiring Burgess and Noble Inc. for a bridge and culvert asset management program, according to council meeting coverage. The program puts $150,000 in the 2027 capital budget, with another $150,000 proposed for 2028, to inventory the city’s bridges and culverts, integrate them into GIS, conduct condition assessments, and build a prioritized maintenance, rehabilitation and replacement list.
City Manager Josh Rausch and finance staff presented a balanced 2027 operating budget to council’s Committee of the Whole on October 12, built on conservative revenue projections, with a net operating increase of about 5% in key departments driven mainly by personnel costs and contract adjustments.
Hilliard has been designated a Level 3 Premier Life Sciences Ready Community by Ohio Life Sciences (announced October 12), recognizing the city as prepared to support growth in biotechnology, healthcare and other life sciences fields.
Week 9 football (October 16): Hilliard Davidson edged Olentangy Liberty 12-6 and Hilliard Darby beat Thomas Worthington 27-20, while Olentangy Orange rallied past Hilliard Bradley 37-28.
Galena
Galena voters will decide November 3 on an additional 2-mill levy for current expenses for four years, which Delaware County Auditor George Kaitsa estimates would generate $192,942 annually and cost property owners $70 per $100,000 of market value. Mayor Jeff Kinnell describes the issue as a renewal of a levy in place for at least 30 years — “not an increase of any kind” — and said council has discussed directing funds toward ADA building upgrades, slowing speeds on Harrison and Walnut streets, and building a fund toward dedicated policing; the village is currently served by the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office.
Harlem Township
Delaware Source’s October 15 roundup of township levies reported Harlem Township is seeking a four-year renewal of its levy for fire protection and EMS at a rate not exceeding 4 mills, generating an estimated $956,658 annually and costing $97 per $100,000 of the county auditor’s market value, beginning in 2026 with taxes first due in 2027. Township Administrator John Pritchard stressed it is a renewal of existing funding, “not a new tax increase.”
The levy funds firefighter and EMS staffing, fire engines and ambulances, protective and communications equipment, training and station facilities, and keeps trained crews available for fires, medical emergencies and vehicle crashes.
If voters reject the renewal, Pritchard said trustees would need to evaluate how to operate with reduced funding, including potential effects on staffing, equipment and facilities.
Johnstown
Johnstown (7-2, 4-0) beat visiting Lakewood 54-11 on October 16 to clinch a share of the Licking County League-Cardinal title, highlighted by Preston Carey’s 76-yard punt-return touchdown and 75-yard kickoff-return touchdown and a blocked punt returned for a score by Cole Carey. Ryan Sager ran for 199 yards on just 10 attempts, scoring on runs of 1, 43, 24 and 2 yards, as the Johnnies stayed in contention for a first-round playoff bye in Division IV, Region 15.
Cross country: Sophomore Ella Hiebel repeated as Licking County League-Cardinal girls champion (20:39.7) at the league meet October 17 at Watkins Memorial, and the Johnstown girls finished second as a team (55 points) behind Utica (52); Beau Gillespie placed seventh (18:22.2) in the Cardinal boys race.
Volleyball: Johnstown-Monroe edged Heath 3-2 on October 13 in LCL play.
At its October 12 meeting, the Johnstown-Monroe Board of Education recognized elementary and intermediate students who earned perfect scores on the 2025-26 Ohio State Tests; middle and high school honorees will be recognized in November.
Obetz
The city and the OHSAA announced October 15 that Fortress Obetz will host the 7th & 8th Grade State Cross Country Championship on Sunday, October 25, and the high school state championships on Saturday, November 7, when titles will be crowned in four divisions for girls and boys. Mayor Angela Kirk said the events showcase the community and the Fortress to visitors from across Ohio. OHSAA
Boren Brothers Waste Services opened its new Obetz facility with a ribbon cutting on October 15; Mayor Kirk welcomed the family-owned company, which has provided waste collection and recycling services in central Ohio since 2011, with a proclamation.
The Franklin County Engineer’s annual Touch-And-Ride-A-Truck event was held Thursday, October 15, 4–8 p.m. at Fortress Obetz, with a Columbus Diaper Coalition diaper drive alongside.
The city announced October 16 that its annual hydrant flushing program begins Monday, October 19 and runs on scheduled days through October 30; residents may see temporarily discolored water or reduced pressure.
Hamilton Township football (Hamilton Local, which serves Obetz) beat Logan Elm 28-13 on October 16.
Groveport
Groveport Madison bounced back from its October 9 loss to Pickerington Central with a 51-24 rout of Logan on Friday, October 16. The win moved the Cruisers to 6-3 on the season. The city posted an Apple Butter Day recap video on October 12, celebrating the 53rd annual festival at Heritage Park and thanking staff, volunteers, and the Groveport Heritage Society.
Daily curbside leaf collection is underway in the city, running October 12 through December 11, weather permitting.
Quiet this week:
Genoa Township — No news coverage surfaced; the township Zoning Commission held a public hearing October 14 on a package of zoning text amendments (driveway-location rules, architectural-lighting restrictions and other revisions), and Fall Fest is set for Saturday, October 24 at Freeman Farm, which reopens that day.
Sharon Township — The Road Department held its open house October 14 at 5561 Milton Ave; the township has posted trick-or-treat for October 29 (6–8 p.m.) and a DEA prescription drug take-back day October 24 at the township police department, and the Linworth Road closure for gas line work continues.
Mifflin Township — The Dispatch’s October 13 ballot roundup listed Issue 45, the Mifflin Township Police District’s additional 6.96-mill levy ($244 per $100,000 of market value) on the November 3 ballot.
Lockbourne — No news coverage surfaced from village council’s regular October 12 meeting; the village’s posted business was committee-level, with a Planning Commission special meeting October 14 on the zoning code and a Code Review Committee meeting October 15 on code enforcement.
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