Westerville in Review - October 2025
Annehurst School Safety Study Indicates Solutions Need To Be Found. Fox In The Snow Sets Opening Date. - Oct 1, 2025
A neighborhood-led study at Annehurst Elementary documented frequent red-light running and illegal turns during school drop-off and pickup, prompting residents to push for permanent traffic-calming measures as the city reviews safety legislation. Fox in the Snow announced it will open its fifth and largest café Oct. 11 on South State Street, offering free shirts to the first 150 customers.
Yarnell Soybean Harvest - Oct 2, 2025
The first soybean harvest at Yarnell Farm since development fully surrounded the property underscored its place as one of the last working farms in the city. Heavy equipment collected crops this week while new commercial construction rose on all sides, reflecting the rapid transformation that has reshaped the historic land.
Yarnell Farm Harvest In Photos - Oct 2, 2025
About 50 acres of soybeans were harvested at Yarnell Farm, a rare remaining piece of agricultural land surrounded by development. The harvest highlighted the site’s Underground Railroad history and its evolution as city growth closed in around it. Some crops near Africa Road could not be harvested because bright streetlights delayed their maturation.
No Soliciting Social Club Moves Toward Opening. South State Trees Getting Upgrades. East Main House Renovations Approved. - Oct 3, 2025
Renovation work advanced on the No Soliciting social club at 769 S. State St., with interior framing and plumbing completed as the private bar prepares for a late-year opening. Crews continued replacing trees and repairing sidewalks along South State Street in the second phase of a four-year corridor improvement plan. The Uptown Review Board approved new siding, windows, and doors for a house on East Main Street after determining the existing features were beyond repair.
Westerville Central Homecoming Parade. Antonio’s Coming To Campfire Brewing. - Oct 4, 2025
Westerville Central revived its neighborhood Homecoming parade, drawing families and students back to the streets for the first time since the pandemic paused the tradition. In business news, Antonio’s Pizza plans to reopen by partnering with Campfire Brewing early next year, serving from a food truck at the brewery after its recent closure over a lease dispute.
If It’s Fall It’s Time For Apple Pie - A Food Review. Children Rally For Schools At City Hall. And, The Green Grape Report. - Oct 6, 2025
A weekly food review praised an Ohio Pie Co. apple pie and launched a seasonal search for the city’s best slice. Students and families rallied outside City Hall urging voter support for a proposed school income tax. The Green Grape Report highlighted strong late-season quality and pricing for California grapes at local stores.
Going Round At East Of Africa. Fiber On The Farm. Harvesting Wetlands Lilies. - Oct 7, 2025
Contractors advanced work on the new roundabout in the East of Africa development, ecologists harvested water lilies from Highlands Park for transplant to a restored wetland near Mansfield and crews began replacing damaged conduit to extend fiber connectivity from the city’s WeConnect network to the project site.
City of Westerville — Open Bids and RFPs - Oct 8, 2025
Westerville issued October bid requests for fire station exhaust removal systems, 2026 water treatment chemicals, multi-year grounds maintenance, consulting for construction oversight and planning projects, design services for the Community Center roof and a new residential food-waste drop-off program.
Charter Amendment Opens City Council Discussion. Starkey Home Demolished as Westerville Expansion Moves Forward. - Oct 8, 2025
Reporting on council debate over a charter amendment that city leaders say could bring added costs and confusion, along with coverage of demolition at the Starkey property to make way for Westar expansion.
Cooper Road Repair Begins. Cleveland Avenue Bridge Night Moves. She Found The Ring, Lost the Owner. - Oct 9, 2025
Crews started repairing curbs on Cooper Road ahead of milling and paving that will run in tandem with Vine Street work, overnight concrete repairs continued on the Cleveland Avenue bridge to minimize traffic delays and a resident who found a lost ring along Hoover Reservoir is asking for help locating its owner by confirming the inscription.
Repair And Recycle On Saturday - Two Locations - Oct 10, 2025
Residents got two ways to reduce waste and protect personal information with a Repair Café at Otterbein offering help for damaged household items along with electronics and foam recycling, and a free drive-thru document shredding event at Hoff Woods Park allowing up to three boxes per vehicle.
South State Landscaping Upgrades. Fox in the Snow Ready To Open. Quiet Protest in Uptown. East Broadway Variances Delayed. - Oct 10, 2025
An update on landscaping improvements along South State, final touches before Fox in the Snow opens, a brief look at a low-key Uptown protest, and delayed action on variance requests for East Broadway.
Alleys Get Their Own Treatment Uptown. Council Approves Donuts, Banking, and Solicitation Rules. Distracted Driving’s First Reading. - Oct 11, 2025
Crews milled alleys and laid the first asphalt on Vine Street as part of Uptown’s fall road work while City Council approved a new Dunkin’ Donuts and Northwest Bank on Polaris Parkway, updated solicitation rules and introduced tougher penalties for distracted driving.
Second Visit To Remove Explosives. Apple Pie Reviews Not Fruitful, Yet. Green Grapes Good To Go. - Oct 13, 2025
Bomb technicians again removed a military explosive from a home on Illinois Avenue after a family member found the device while cleaning out a basement. An apple pie review found few worthy options at local restaurants and issued a call for residents to share homemade pies. Green grapes at Market District earned strong marks for size, sweetness, and value.
Fox In The Snow Opens With Large Crowd - Oct 13, 2025
Fox in the Snow opened its new Uptown Westerville location to a predawn crowd, with the first customer arriving at 5:30 a.m. The café’s largest shop to date drew steady lines throughout its first day as owners handed out free T-shirts and samples. The expansion builds on a growing Uptown coffee scene that now includes Begin Cafe, with West House expected to follow later this year.
East of Africa Report - Oct 14, 2025
Road paving continued Monday at the East of Africa development, connecting Polaris Parkway to Africa Road near the Sharp House. Work paused at the intersection due to an unexpected fiber line that must be relocated before the final connection can be paved. Crews are also clearing the route for the future Westar Boulevard extension, following last week’s demolition of the former Starkey home. The next work includes completing the roundabout and installing curbs and gutters through the southern section of the project.
Charlie Kirk Rally at Amphitheater - Oct 15, 2025
A crowd of about 200 people gathered Tuesday at Alum Creek North Amphitheater for a candlelight vigil honoring conservative activist Charlie Kirk on what would have been his birthday. The memorial featured prayers, tight security, and supporters wearing patriotic attire. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was assassinated Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University in Utah..
Historical Request For Hoover Photos. Last Day For Boards and Commissions Applications. Police Academy Graduation. - Oct 16, 2025
The Westerville Historical Society is seeking photographs, films, maps and personal memories from the construction of Hoover Dam and Hoover Reservoir for a presentation during its Nov. 9 annual meeting.
Uptown Traffic Gets New Signal Timing - Oct 17, 2025
Engineers adjusted signal timing along State Street in Uptown this week after months of traffic analysis. The changes include longer green lights for north–south traffic and new leading pedestrian intervals at major crossings. Crews will monitor performance and make refinements through the city’s connected signal network.
Finish Paving Brings Vine Street Project to a Close - Oct 18, 2025
Crews finished the top asphalt layer on Vine Street, completing a fall resurfacing project that also included upgrades to nearby Uptown alleys. Work briefly paused when a paving truck snagged a power line, but the street reopened after final rolling and sealing.
Photo Gallery In Video Format - Protesters Fill Uptown Westerville for Expansive ‘No Kings’ Rally - Oct 19, 2025
A short video cut from still photos shows the scale of the “No Kings” protest as demonstrators line both sides of State Street.
Protesters Fill Uptown Westerville for Expansive ‘No Kings’ Rally - Oct 19, 2025
Hundreds of people lined both sides of State Street on Oct. 19 as Westerville joined a nationwide “No Kings” protest aimed at President Donald Trump. The crowd filled sidewalks from the library to Amish Originals, holding homemade signs and cheering passing drivers who honked in support. Businesses reported mixed impacts from the disruption, but the demonstration remained peaceful and wrapped up after about 90 minutes with no issues other than a medical call for one older participant.
The Last Before The First Frost. Then, There Are Grapes. - Oct 20, 2025
Farmers’ market season ended with a final handful of cherry tomatoes as Westerville shifted toward colder days, closing a routine that brought fresh produce and weekly discoveries, while a new grape review pointed shoppers to strong deals at Kroger, where crisp green grapes led the pack in size, sweetness, and value.
East of Africa Update. Fiber Along Africa Road. - Oct 21, 2025
A progress check on East of Africa construction and details on new fiber lines following Africa Road, showing how utility work tracks with development.
Chamber Leader Applauded For Her Service. Fourquean Named Parks and Rec Director. - Oct 22, 2025
City council honors outgoing Chamber president Janet Tressler-Davis while confirming Jason Fourquean as the new parks and recreation director.
Westerville Planning Commission Approves Asking For Approval - Oct 23, 2025
A look at the commission’s recommendation to expand The Village at Central College with new multi-family housing, sending the plan on to council.
Burger and Beer Week In Westerville - Oct 23, 2025
Four in-depth burger reviews from local restaurants during Burger and Beer Week, using a day spent sampling as a way to talk about craft, comfort food, and ambition in local kitchens.
Look At Those Windows! - Oct 24, 2025
Contractors began installing new windows at City Hall as the renovation moves toward its final phase, while planners confirmed the Saturday Farmers Market will stay at its temporary Uptown location next summer due to limited parking. The final Fourth Friday of the year brought Midnight Madness to Uptown with costumes, candy, and late business hours. The Westerville Concert Band also announced the start of its 37th season with a free performance celebrating American composers.
Hanby House Restorations Begin. Fourth Friday’s Ghoulish End. - Oct 25, 2025
Restoration work began on the historic Hanby House, including repairs to its deteriorated chimneys and a roof replacement planned for winter, while Uptown’s Midnight Madness Fourth Friday wrapped the season with costumed crowds and Halloween festivities.
Woman Charged After Running Man Over Following Kroger Crash - Oct 26, 2025
A Columbus woman has been charged after police say she struck and killed a man with her car following a minor crash and confrontation Wednesday outside the Kroger on West Schrock Road, with court records stating 34-year-old Danielle Henry accelerated while Ibrahim Diakite was on the hood of her vehicle, dragging him several hundred feet before running him over; Henry is facing felony charges including aggravated vehicular homicide and is set to appear in court Monday.
Clearing Boyer Nature Preserve. Alum Creek Park 75-Year-Old Tree Felled. - Oct 27, 2025
Volunteers cleared invasive plants at Boyer Nature Preserve as part of an annual effort to protect native habitat, while crews at Alum Creek North Park removed a deteriorating honey locust tree believed to date back to the early 1950s, marking two recent maintenance projects in Westerville’s park system.
A City in Transition: Westerville Reconsiders Its Future and Its Leadership - Oct 28, 2025
Candidate responses and context piece that frame the city’s elections as a choice about growth, development, and how Westerville should be led in coming years. The Westerville News published full Q&A responses from nearly every City Council and School Board candidate, offering voters a deeper look at the people behind the campaign signs ahead of Election Day.
Tax Vote To Decide Future of Westerville Schools - Oct 28, 2025
Explainer on the school tax question, outlining what the measure would fund, what happens if it fails, and how it ties to recent report card results. Westerville voters weighed a 0.75 percent earned income tax after years of levy failures and budget cuts, with supporters citing strong academic results and rising costs while opponents questioned spending and warned the tax could strain working families.
Get to Know the People Behind the Campaign Signs - Oct 28, 2025
Westerville entered its November city council election amid demographic change and competing visions for growth, with candidates offering differing views on land use, housing, and the city’s evolving identity as new developments replace former farmland.
Westerville Podcasts To Hear Before Election Day. What “They” Say About The Tax. Scrooge Returns - Tickets On Sunday. - Oct 29, 2025
Local podcasts took on a bigger role ahead of the November school tax vote, with shows such as American Motherhood and Discovering Westerville offering discussions and interviews to help residents understand the 0.75 percent earned income tax issue, while a school district-produced podcast added historical context as debate intensified online.
Call to Artists: Westerville’s Agricultural Legacy in Focus. One of Twelve Murals Planned For Semi-Quincentennial. - Oct 30, 2025
Announcement for one of the America 250 public-art projects, inviting artists to propose a mural that tells the story of Westerville’s farm and food history.
Liquor Options On Ballot in Westerville. Neighboring Townships and Districts Have Levies On Their Ballots. - Oct 30, 2025
The city opened artist submissions for a mural celebrating Westerville’s farming and manufacturing heritage, one of 12 public artworks planned for America 250, with the chosen design to be installed at the Electric Division site and reflect industries such as the former creamery, Bennett Manufacturing, and the Farmers’ Exchange.
Westerville’s Crossroads: High Marks, Hard Choices, Challenging Costs - Oct 31, 2025
Part one of a three-part series on Westerville City Schools, pairing strong state report card results with rising costs and the financial strain behind the next tax request.
Call to Artists — Amalthea and Central College. Second of Twelve Murals Planned For Semi-Quincentennial. - Oct 31, 2025
A second America 250 mural call, this time seeking proposals that recognize the history of Amalthea and Central College as part of the community story.
From Bible to Bait to Barista: 1868 Westerville Building May Serve Coffee Next - Oct 31, 2025
Feature on a 157-year-old former church and schoolhouse at Sunbury and Central College that could become a new coffee shop, tracing its shift from sacred space to future café.
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