Westerville Year in Review - February 2025
Editor’s Note: This is part 2 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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Hotel Repairs, Black History Month, and Plastic Collection - February 1, 2025
Repairs are underway at the historic Holmes Hotel as its original leaded-glass entrance is being restored and temporarily relocated to the rear doors. The Westerville Public Library opened Black History Month programming with an interactive exhibit exploring notable Black Americans. Uptown’s plastic bag recycling program expanded with a new drop-off point behind Pure Roots, supporting efforts that have already produced composite benches for the community.
Abbey Rose Move Complete, A Sign For Ampersand, and Periodic Table View - February 4, 2025
Abbey Rose Boutique has relocated from Uptown to Hoover Gardens, continuing its mix of vintage home décor and accessories in a new setting. The Westerville Public Library kicked off Black History Month with an interactive “Periodic Table of Black History” exhibit and take-home materials. Uptown also saw progress on Ampersand Asian Supper Club as its new sign was installed ahead of the restaurant’s planned opening later this year.
New Dining Experience at Otterbein - February 5, 2025
Otterbein University has opened its renovated Campus Center dining area, featuring an open layout, new food stations, flexible seating, and an updated 1847 Dining Room designed for both meals and small events. The project is part of ongoing improvements to enhance campus life with a focus on accessibility and sustainability. Elsewhere, winter crews at Sharon Woods continue clearing leaves as part of their routine seasonal work.
DEIB Affirmation, Gender Therapy, and Marijuana at City Council - February 5, 2025
Westerville’s city manager reaffirmed the city’s DEIB program during a council meeting that also featured a second reading of legislation banning conversion therapy for minors, prompting emotional testimony both in support and in opposition. Council member David Grimes addressed state bills affecting marijuana taxes, immigration authority, foster youth support, and collective bargaining. Council also finalized regulations for marijuana dispensaries, approving operating hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and a 500-foot buffer from schools before passing the ordinance unanimously.
Coffee? Footloose Drama, New Firefighter, More Art - February 6, 2025
Espresso Air owner Talip Kucuker is keeping his coffee shop at Main and State and exploring a new food-related idea for the former Abbey Rose space. Heritage Middle School students take the stage with “Footloose” at Westerville North, offering three evening shows. The Westerville Division of Fire welcomed Kevin Conroy as its newest firefighter in a pinning ceremony at City Council. Java Central is featuring new watercolor work by longtime local artist John Cameron.
Blue Turtle Opens Saturday on East College - February 7, 2025
Blue Turtle Tea and Spice moves to East College Avenue this Saturday, bringing its familiar selection of teas and spices to a storefront closer to State Street. Nearby, concrete work for new fiber at City Hall has wrapped up as the larger renovation continues. A grape review notes that Aldi’s $2.19 per pound green grapes are firm, slightly sweet, and more securely attached to their stems than usual, though the size may require cutting for young children.
Another Evening’s Remembrance - February 8, 2025
A return visit to Jimmy V’s brought another satisfying bowl of lemon chicken soup, rich with bright citrus flavor, tender chicken, firm vegetables, and a thick broth. The experience carried both comfort and memory, recalling a previous meal shared with a friend and serving as welcome support during recovery from a recent illness.
In Memoriam - February 10, 2025
The community paused to remember Westerville Police Officers Eric Joering and Anthony Morelli, who died on this date in 2018. A fire on Panama Drive caused heavy damage but no injuries as firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze and check for hotspots. The Westerville Parents Council’s Uno Tournament crowned Blendon Middle School student Coen S. as champion, with students from several schools placing in the top six. At the library, Urban Strings Columbus brought music and art to a Black History Month program featuring a performance by JoeLuis Porter.
School Board Says Tax Education Is Key To Better Schools - Feb 11, 2025.
Westerville school leaders are pressing state lawmakers to fix Ohio’s funding system, saying outdated cost figures and unfunded mandates are shifting too much financial pressure onto local taxpayers and forcing repeated levy requests. At this week’s board meeting, Superintendent Angela Hamberg said current state support covers far less than what was once promised, while private school vouchers receive higher per-student amounts. Board member Tracy Davidson also announced she will step down in March to focus on her growing nonprofit, The Big Bus.
Council Work Session Addresses Development And Attainable Housing - February 12, 2025
Westerville City Council used a housing work session to review zoning changes, redevelopment priorities, and progress toward adding new homes. Council and staff discussed plans for South State Street and Brooksedge, infrastructure needs, and zoning updates to make it easier to build accessory dwelling units. Data presented showed that close to half of the long-term housing goal has been met, with about 1,600 new units built since 2016. Middle housing remains limited, though voucher use and tax-credit units help support affordability. The city’s Home Repair Program currently has dozens of applicants seeking grants to maintain older homes and preserve lower-cost options.
Fog and Rain Photo Gallery - February 13, 2025
A wet, foggy Wednesday created reflective streets, misty views at Hoover Reservoir, and quiet scenes around town as lights cut through low clouds. A food review followed, praising bright, sweet green grapes from Peru sold at $1.88 per pound at Kroger, noting they fall easily from the stem and come from a grower known for developing popular specialty varieties.
Signs Of Spring - February 14, 2025
Early hints of spring are appearing in Westerville, from fruit trees for sale at Kroger to the first signs of buds and bird activity, though freezing temperatures still lie ahead. The city hall renovation has reached a milestone with demolition work finished as the structure prepares for major upgrades and new green space. Music fans can look forward to a joint concert featuring the Westerville Jazz Orchestra and Arch City Big Band at Westerville North High School on February 15.
Weekend Weather Worries - February 15, 2025
Freezing rain and light snow end the week, followed by a sharp drop in temperatures that will push Westerville into single digits early next week with cloudy skies and persistent cold. Crews dug test holes at the historic Sharp house site, but found only everyday items as the city prepares for future development around the property. Uptown’s Talbott’s Flowers shows the remains of a busy Valentine’s rush, with rose trimmings scattered on the floor as a final sign of the day’s work.
Hannah Mayne Winter Morn - February 17, 2025
Fresh snow turned Hannah Mayne Park into a quiet retreat, where a small playground, twisting trees, and a bridge over a creek sat under a calm white cover. Footprints marked the trail while a lone deer stood near the woods before disappearing back into the stillness.
F.A.C.T. Tours Westerville Water Treatment Plant - February 18, 2025
A public tour gives residents a look behind the scenes at how Westerville supplies clean water. Staff describe operations and the investment needed to keep pace with growth.
Therapy Ban Passes, With Dissent - February 19, 2025
City Council approves a ban on conversion therapy. Some members express concern about the scope of the policy, showing differing views on how the city should enforce protections for residents.
Westerville Considers Community Entertainment Districts to Boost Development - February 20, 2025
City Council considers adding liquor permits in Uptown and Westar to attract restaurants and support business growth.
Orange Cone Season Begins - February 21, 2025
Street closures mark the beginning of major sewer and water line upgrades on East Broadway.
Cop Bingo! - February 22, 2025
A full house at Family Room Coffee and Bake Shop turned a routine Coffee with Cops event into a lively bingo night, with winners taking home treats and Westerville Police swag. Nearby, Maria Nguyen prepares to close The Sewing Shoppe after 27 years of clothing repairs and alterations in Westerville, retiring to travel with her husband and visit Vietnam, which she left as a teenager in 1975.
Cookies For Now and Later - February 24, 2025
Girl Scouts lined State Street on Saturday, making the most of mild weather as they worked toward cookie-sale goals ahead of next weekend’s Uptown Cookie Walk. In other local highlights, the Westerville South Marching Band performed in a parade at Walt Disney World, where student leaders described the experience as a joyful capstone to their season, supported by families, boosters, and staff
School Board Updating Policies - February 25, 2025
The Westerville school board introduced updated rules on student electronics, staff drug-free workplaces, medication access, mental health training, and facility use to comply with new state laws. A resolution was also approved to challenge commercial property valuations in the district. In community arts news, auditions are set for three youth-focused summer musicals through the Westerville Civic Theater: Elf Jr., CATS, and Chicago.
Uptown Westerville’s Annual Report - February 26, 2025
Uptown Westerville reported strong growth last year, drawing visitors from 70 Ohio cities and 13 states and showing high online engagement for major events like Fourth Friday and the Saturday Farmers Market. In Uptown updates, community regular “Uptown Dave” has returned after a health break, Westerville Jewelers is preparing a new shop beside Java Central, and the new cafe and bakery Begin is nearing its opening on East Main.
ADU Approved On East Walnut - February 27, 2025
Westerville approved its first Accessory Dwelling Unit under updated rules, allowing a new rear structure on East Walnut as long as the owner lives on the property. Uptown prepares for the March 1 Cookie Walk featuring 20 shops and chocolate treats for ticket holders. The latest grape review finds sweet Peruvian grapes at Meijer and Kroger priced under two dollars per pound and similar in quality.
Westerville Farmer’s Daughter Helps Modernize Army Systems - February 28, 2025
Now serving as a data analyst with the Army, 1st Lt. Karlee Harris draws on values shaped while growing up on local farms, including Yarnell and Braun. Her work improving personnel assignment systems has earned her a Meritorious Service Medal and Army support to pursue a doctorate. Her father continues farming in Westerville, reflecting the family’s ties to the community. In a separate update, Church of the Messiah shared revised renovation plans that keep the front greenspace, retain existing accessibility features, add new gathering spaces and technology upgrades, and improve interior access and safety.
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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