Westerville In Review - January 2025
Part 1 of a 12-Part series
Editor’s Note: This is the first part of a 12-part series highlighting the major headlines from The Westerville News for 2025. The series will continue through next week. The staff of The Westerville News will be taking a few vacation days until January 1, 2026. Daily news coverage will resume then.
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2025 Westerville. Finding Perspective - January 2, 2025
Westerville faces limited land for growth. City leaders are focused on development rules. The mayor continues to press for affordable housing. The fate of Braun Farm remains uncertain. School leaders address levy failure and policy changes regarding religious release. Festival security increases and marijuana sales rules shift.
New Year. New Beginnings - January 3, 2025
Several Uptown shops shift locations as owners retire or reorganize. Morgan’s Treasures closes, and Stone & Sparrow moves into that space. Flavor & Fire ends retail service. Megan Lee & Friends returns to its studio, and Blue Turtle Tea moves in. Abbey Rose leaves Uptown for Hoover Gardens, and its future replacement is unknown.
100 Years of Westerville Changes - January 4, 2025
A new exhibit at the Westerville History Museum marks a century of women’s voting rights and features local trailblazers. Westerville Jewelers plans a move to a new Uptown location near Java Central.
Storm Prep - January 6, 2025
Crews applied brine and prepared roads ahead of a predicted snowstorm that dropped less than expected. A traffic change on West Main Street to westbound only was delayed by the weather.
Pleasures For Everyone - January 7, 2025
A snowfall brought families to Alum Creek Park North for sledding. Steeper runs at the amphitheater drew thrill-seekers while others chose slower slopes along the bike path.
Marijuana Special Use First Hearing - January 8, 2025
City Council met in temporary chambers and advanced major items. A bond issue and eminent domain for East of Africa moved forward. Council opened a first hearing on allowing marijuana sales through special use permits. A proposal to ban gender conversion therapy will return in future legislation.
Gender Conversion Therapy Legislation Asked - January 9, 2025
Council member David Grimes requested an ordinance to ban gender conversion therapy in Westerville. The motion passed 5-2, and legislation will be drafted for a January 21 reading.
Zoning Appeal Allows New Coffee Shop To Open - January 10, 2025
Qargo Coffee won a variance to install illuminated signs at its Polaris Parkway location, clearing the way for the shop to open. The decision passed 4-3 after noting prior tenants struggled without brighter signage.
Another Otterbein Winter Flood - January 11, 2025
A burst pipe at Hannah Mayne Hall forced Otterbein students to relocate for the spring semester while repairs continue. It follows other recent failures of water and steam systems on campus.
Chicken Soup For Westerville’s Soul - January 13, 2025
A personal column about recovering from illness and finding comfort in chicken soup. It introduces a plan to review local restaurants offering the dish.
School Operating Levy Likely - January 14, 2025
The school board plans to place a 4.9-mil operating levy on the May ballot after the 2024 levy failed. Leaders warn of budget shortfalls without new revenue and say spending cuts are already under review..
City Council Studies Electric Grid Possibilities Including Solar - January 15, 2025
Council reviewed plans to manage electricity costs through new power contracts and solar installations at city facilities. Work also began on extending fiber infrastructure behind City Hall.
News Briefs For Westerville - January 16, 2025
A light police call turned out to be a family removing Christmas lights. DHL Supply Chain expanded with a significant acquisition. Campfire Brewing opened with craft beer and s’mores. Local spots join Restaurant Week. A new column reviews green grapes from South Africa.
Saturday Market Moving South For 2025 - January 17, 2025
Renovations at City Hall will force the Saturday Farmers Market to shift south to the coHatch and North High Brewing lot for 2025. The location is smaller with reduced parking, but keeps the market operating during construction.
MLK Breakfast To Celebrate Teamwork - January 17, 2025
The annual Westerville MLK Breakfast will mark its 20th year with speaker Kenston Henderson Sr. The event will honor student essayists and present the Fouse and Alston awards to local leaders and students working toward equity. Seats remain available for the Jan. 20 breakfast at the Medallion Club.
Farmers Market Update. Three Legged Deer. Wetlands Grant - January 18, 2025
The Farmers Market will shift to South State Street for one season during City Hall construction. A three-legged deer reported injured is still roaming and appears healthy. The city received a $340,000 EPA grant to restore wetlands at Alkyre Run.
Bob’s Chicken Soup To Start Restaurant Week - January 20, 2025
A review of Bob Evans’ chicken noodle soup praises its rich broth, firm noodles, and well-cooked vegetables. Fewer chicken pieces than expected, but still a satisfying start to Restaurant Week.
Breakfast Challenge And Challenging Meal - January 21, 2025
The MLK Breakfast highlighted inclusive communication, with remarks from speaker Kenston Henderson Sr. The Restaurant Week review that followed praised Bru Burger’s execution but found the featured burger a bit too tidy to be memorable.
Museum Collection Returns After 50 Years In Storage - January 22, 2025
Historic Anti-Saloon League posters and records returned to the Westerville History Museum after 50 years in storage. A Restaurant Week review from High Bank Distillery centered on carb-heavy comfort dishes. Council advanced East of Africa land purchases, bond funding, and continued work on marijuana and gender conversion therapy legislation.
Comfort Food For Restaurant Week - January 23, 2025
A Restaurant Week review highlighted Bob Evans’ bacon and country-fried steak, while the apple pie fell short. Two new members joined the Planning Commission, which advanced several development proposals. The latest Green Grape Report found crisp but mildly flavored grapes from Peru.
Combined School And City Council Meeting Shares Goals And Plans - January 24, 2025
School and city leaders met to align priorities on finances, boundaries, and workforce partnerships. A Restaurant Week review of Rusty Bucket praised the fish and chips and, especially, the cheesecake.
The Larger World Of William Fouse - January 25, 2025
A presentation at the Westerville Historical Society highlighted the life and family roots of educator William Fouse. The Restaurant Week review at El Vaquero praised the hearty Azteca Soup and flavorful El Morro Chicken.
Restaurant Week Finale - January 27, 2025
A finale review praised 101 Beer Kitchen’s pecan-crusted chicken and creative dessert. Briefs included a federal lawsuit filed by a Westerville resident, new owners reviving Chef-O-Nette in Upper Arlington, and Ohio Cat opening a new facility on Westerville Road.
Westerville School Board Opts Out of May Levy - January 28, 2025
The school board chose not to seek a May levy, shifting attention to lobbying for better state funding while continuing budget cuts. Briefs noted Hot Chicken Takeover closing a Lewis Center site and major tax credits awarded for the Galaxy at Polaris development.
Uptown Coffee Transitions - January 29, 2025
Uptown’s coffee scene grows with ownership changes and new shops. Java Central joins Boston Stoker while keeping its familiar look. Espresso Air stays at Main and State. Begin Café installs equipment ahead of opening. Birdie’s Books and Blue Turtle Tea prepare new spaces.
Coffee In All The Corners - January 30, 2025
Family Room Coffee marks a strong first year. Biggby Coffee and Qargo Coffee prepare new Polaris locations. The Green Grape Report notes lower-priced but mildly flavored grapes.
City Hall Demolition Nears Completion - January 31, 2025
City Hall demolition is wrapping up, so renovation can begin, linking offices with the police station. Uptown restaurants primarily rely on coffee cocktails rather than full coffee menus. Westerville Jewelers is preparing to move next to Java Central.
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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