Westerville in Review - December 2025
Leftovers Hold the Heart of the Holiday - December 1, 2025
A reflective food column paired memory and seasonality. One piece focused on the comfort of Thanksgiving leftovers, using an open-faced turkey plate with gravy, cranberries, and mac and cheese to show how reheated food can carry the warmth and quiet meaning of the holiday after it ends. The accompanying Green Grape Report marked the shift from domestic Autumn Crisp grapes to early-season imports from Peru, noting firmer texture, milder sweetness, and the annual reset that comes as the fall grape season gives way to winter fruit.
Scrooge Rehearses All His Christmases. East of Africa Update - Flooded Worksite Forces Crew to Halt Culvert Project. Business News Briefs. - December 2, 2025
Good Medicine Productions opened its holiday season with Uptown Scrooge. Abridged!, an interactive, one-hour take on A Christmas Carol running Sundays at Java Central, while business and development news included BTTS Holdings purchasing a $3 million site for a new Westerville headquarters, the announced Dec. 18 closure of the Polaris Parkway LA Fitness, and a temporary halt to culvert installation at the East of Africa project after overnight flooding filled the excavation and forced crews to postpone work until drier conditions return.
Heyeck’s Last Gavel. Coombs’ Promises. - December 3, 2025
A look at council farewells as longtime members Mike Heyeck and Coutanya Coombs conclude their service, with remarks about legacy and what comes next.
Aldi Project Postponed over Road Issues. Westerville Approves 2026 Utility Rate Hikes. – December 4, 2025
The city delays a rezoning request tied to the new Aldi store over traffic concerns. Council also votes on upcoming water and electric rate changes for 2026.
Christmas Star Damage Severe - Needs Extensive Repairs – December 5, 2025
The large illuminated star above State Street was badly damaged, prompting a new repair plan and uncertainty for its return to holiday skies.
Parking Lot Changes Approved. Santa Lights And Approves Tree. – December 6, 2025
Updates on planned upgrades to a key Uptown parking lot. A festive moment follows as Santa lights the community Christmas tree.
What Story Gets Told And By Whom? – December 8, 2025
Editorial framed around historical preservation and narrative power. It questions how communities choose what is remembered and displayed.
Westerville Students and Alumni Help Shape New Columbus Landmark – December 9, 2025
Tells how Westerville graduates helped create a major new mural in downtown Columbus. Shows the reach of local art programs.
East of Africa Winter Update – December 10, 2025
After flooding delays, work resumes on stormwater connections along Alkyre Run. Cold weather changes construction planning.
Search-Rescue Team Finds Missing Man - Sewer Repairs on County Line Road - Epcon Plans Homes Near Hoover – December 11, 2025
Emergency crews locate a missing Delaware County man. Infrastructure and housing updates follow on two fronts.
Friday’s Trinity Of Events – December 12, 2025
Three Friday events bring big crowds to Uptown: traditions around music, food, and seasonal celebration form the evening’s rhythm.
Uptown Friday Night Photos – December 13, 2025
A vivid photo gallery spotlighting holiday crowds and music during a popular Friday lineup.
Fruitcake Memories and Modern-Day Reviews – December 15, 2025
A food review compares classic holiday fruitcakes with modern bakery versions while using nostalgia as the measure.
Heckelman’s Last Board Meeting - Reorganizing Policy Statements – December 16, 2025
Dwight Heckelman concludes his service on the school board with a final vote and reflections on policy evolution.
Uptown Review Board Approves New Library Sign, Clears Northstar Café Signage Update – December 17, 2025
New signage is approved for the Westerville Public Library and Northstar Café following design adjustments to meet Uptown guidelines.
East of Africa Update - Officer Accidentally Shot – December 18, 2025
Work continued in limited fashion at Westerville’s East of Africa development as crews advanced construction on observation decks around the main holding pond, installing crossmembers and additional landings despite cold weather slowing most site activity, while elsewhere a Westerville police officer was injured in an accidental shooting during a training exercise in Whitehall, suffering non-life-threatening wounds to the hand and thigh, with the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office and the Westerville Division of Police reviewing the incident.
Ice Sculptures In Uptown This Weekend - Crash Investigation - Builder Moving to Westerville – December 19, 2025
Ice sculptures returned to Uptown Westerville on Friday with more than 30 illuminated, hand-carved pieces placed along State Street and nearby blocks for a free, self-guided holiday walk, while police continued investigating a serious Thursday afternoon crash at Cleveland Avenue and County Line Road as a Westerville officer mapped the scene and awaited a full report, and in business news, Rockford Homes announced plans to move its headquarters from the Polaris area of Columbus to the Westar business district in Westerville after purchasing the 144,000-square-foot Westar III building for $12.7 million, with renovations underway ahead of a May 2026 opening.
ICE Identified. Ice Arrives. Ice-Cold Penalty. And, the Rockettes. – December 20, 2025
A small group of about 20 protesters continued a weekly silent vigil Friday outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office on Brooksedge Boulevard, while 32 illuminated ice sculptures were installed across Uptown Westerville for the weekend, a Fantasy Football loser served a cold-weather penalty outside the Uptown Dairy Queen, and Westerville native Nadia Kolda marked the 100th anniversary season of the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall as she begins her eighth year with the iconic New York company.
Hundreds Rally in Westerville to Protest ICE Actions – December 22, 2025
Several hundred people rallied Sunday at the Westerville skate park to protest actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, delivering speeches, chanting slogans and marching a few blocks to the agency’s Brooksedge Boulevard office under police escort. Demonstrators criticized federal immigration enforcement policies, carried signs calling for ICE’s abolition and marched through nearby streets before returning to the park. Police managed traffic and reported no arrests or incidents as the crowd dispersed.
Uptown Westerville Inc. Annual Report Shows Success and Indicates Changes To Come – December 23, 2025
Uptown Westerville Inc.’s 2025 annual report showed strong attendance and economic impact from its event-focused strategy, with 62 festivals, markets and programs drawing nearly 175,000 visitors, about 40 percent from outside the city, and generating an estimated $6.14 million in economic activity. The nonprofit highlighted Fourth Friday events, the Saturday Farmers Market and Uptown Untapped as key drivers, noting $1.2 million in direct impact from the farmers market alone, continued city support through an extended partnership, and plans to refine and expand programming amid growing regional competition.
Westerville Drive-Thru Remains Open As Ray Ray’s Enters Chapter 11 Reorganization – December 24, 2025
Even as the restaurant files for restructuring, the Westerville location stays fully operational and continues service to customers.
One Day More For Shoppers In Westerville – December 24, 2025
Last-minute Christmas shopping in Westerville pointed to a familiar split. Big-box stores such as Walmart and Kroger were already busy, Uptown shops reported steady holiday traffic, and some department retailers showed little sign of a late surge. Observations Tuesday aligned with national trends showing modest overall growth, continued strength for in-person retail, and softer dining traffic, with many Uptown stores planning early closures on Christmas Eve.
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.
Explore more hyper-local reporting by subscribing to The Hilliard Beacon, Civic Capacity, Marysville Matters, The Ohio Roundtable, Shelby News Reporter, This Week in Toledo, and Into the Morning by Krista Steele.
