Harvest Pizzeria plans to open restaurants in New Albany and Hilliard, adding two communities to its central Ohio network. The company has not provided a calendar year or exact opening dates for either location. Harvest Pizzeria expansion reaches New Albany first The New Albany restaurant is planned for 24 E. Main St., the former home of 24 Main, a bar and restaurant that closed in 2025. Harvest said the location is expected to open in the fall, although

Things to do in Columbus June 25-28 include ComFest, major concerts, collector-car auctions, free movies and family activities across the city. The four-day lineup runs from Thursday, June 25, through Sunday, June 28, 2026. Things to Do in Columbus June 25-28, 2026 Collector Cars, Movies and Soccer The Barrett-Jackson Columbus Auction brings collector cars and automobilia to the Ohio Expo Center from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM on Th

Mount Carmel’s Franklinton ER closure is scheduled for Aug. 22, followed by the opening of a walk-in primary and preventive care hub in Columbus on Aug. 24. The health system said the shift is intended to improve access to routine care while reducing avoidable emergency department visits. What the Franklinton ER closure means for patients The emergency room at the former Mount Carmel West campus will stop operating on Aug. 22. The nearest emergency dep

The Columbus gas prices summer outlook is improving as pump prices retreat from recent highs. Still, analysts say drivers may wait several months before prices return to levels seen before March. Columbus gas prices summer outlook points to gradual declines Gas prices in Columbus, Ohio, have fallen at several stations, giving motorists some relief after a sharp increase. Drivers said prices approached $5 per gallon during the surge. Zac Bruney

Columbus residents should expect Juneteenth 2026 closures and service changes on Friday, June 19, affecting mail, trash pickup, COTA buses, libraries, banks and city parking. Juneteenth National Independence Day commemorates June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned they were free. The holiday became a federal observance in 2021. Columbus Juneteenth 2026 Closures for Mail and Banks USPS post offices will

Westrich apartments in Franklinton are now welcoming residents at 509 W. Rich St., adding 235 rental units and 5,806 square feet of ground-floor retail space in Columbus. Monthly rents begin at $1,050 for a 520-square-foot studio, according to the property’s website. A 1,220-square-foot apartment with two bedrooms and two bathrooms starts at $2,295. Westrich apartments in Franklinton offer studios and larger units

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Powell, Ohio, has welcomed a rare echidna baby, known as a puggle, after a three-year breeding effort by its animal care team. The zoo said the baby echidna was born in December and is being monitored closely as it continues to grow. The puggle joins its mother, Edna, and adds to a small North American population of echidnas living in professional care. Rare Puggle at Columbus Zoo Draws Attention Senior Speciali

Hollywood Casino Columbus hotel has opened after a more than $100 million investment, giving the casino an on-site lodging option and adding new event space on the city’s West Side. The hotel project, first announced in October 2022, was completed after years of planning and construction. Casino officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the expansion, though the supplied information did not include the full calendar date for the ceremony or first guest check-ins.

Due Amici, a longtime Italian restaurant at 67 E. Gay Street in downtown Columbus, has closed after 22 years in business. The restaurant ended service after its final day on June 8, bringing an abrupt close to a downtown dining spot that had served residents, office workers, visitors, and private events since opening in 2004. Restaurant cites changing downtown conditions In a statement, Due Amici ownership called the closure a difficult decisio

Brassica Polaris restaurant plans are moving ahead for summer 2027, giving the Columbus-based Mediterranean fast-casual chain another location in Central Ohio. The planned restaurant is expected to open at 2170 Ikea Way in Polaris and occupy about 2,600 square feet on a property that was previously undeveloped, according to the provided development details. What Brassica Plans in Polaris The new Polaris location will follow Brassica’s familia

Columbus World Cup watch parties will give central Ohio soccer fans a full summer schedule of free USA celebrations, international match gatherings and major soccer events while the Crew’s MLS calendar pauses until mid-July. The Columbus Crew announced a summer watch party schedule tied to the FIFA tournament hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. All listed times are local to Columbus, Ohio, in Eastern Time. Columbus World Cup Watch Pa

Central Ohio population growth is moving fastest outside Franklin County, according to U.S. Census estimates covering communities in Franklin, Delaware, Licking, Pickaway, Fairfield, Union and Madison counties. The estimates show the Columbus region continued to expand from 2020 to 2025, but the strongest percentage gains were concentrated in nearby suburban and exurban areas rather than in Columbus’ home county. Central Ohio Population Growth Moves Beyond Frank

Columbus City Schools layoffs in 2026 will affect 299 positions after the Board of Education approved a major staffing reduction plan on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. District leaders said the cuts are part of an effort to reach more than $50 million in savings amid rising costs and state funding pressure. Why Columbus City Schools Is Cutting Jobs The Columbus City Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to eliminate 299 positions across the district. Offi

Columbus City Council changed part of a soccer facility land deal by removing 10 acres on Greenlawn Avenue from the agreement tied to the city’s push for a women’s professional soccer team. The change came after questions from residents and city leaders about how the land would be used, especially because the Greenlawn Avenue parcel had been connected to earlier expectations for a therapeutic center. The revised deal separates that parcel from the broader soccer facility plan.

Columbus Voters Approve Sunday Alcohol Sales for German Village Restaurant Columbus voters approved Sunday alcohol sales for the Sycamore restaurant in German Village during the Tuesday, May 5, 2026, election. The vote clears the way for the restaurant at 262 E. Sycamore St. to serve beer, wine and spirits on Sundays through Ohio’s D-6 liquor permit process. German Village Res

Best Columbus Mother’s Day Weekend Events in Ohio Looking for Columbus Mother’s Day weekend events? Central Ohio has live shows, sports, festivals, comedy, film screenings and family-friendly attractions from May 8–10. Whether you are planning a day out with mom, a family weekend or a last-minute night in the city, Columbus has several strong options. Live Shows and Theater Lead the Weekend Shadowbox Live brin

Thousands of participants gathered in downtown Columbus, Ohio, for the Capital City half marathon, a major annual event that brought together runners, volunteers, and supporters from across the United States. The race drew more than 11,000 runners and over 70 volunteers, with spectators lining the streets to cheer on participants who had spent months preparing. Months of preparation lead to race day success Many runners committed to rigorous training sch

Prologue Bookshop, an independent bookstore in Columbus, Ohio, is marking the opening of its new location with a community-driven event designed to highlight both its relocation and its connection to local readers. The celebration is scheduled for Thursday, April 9, 2026, with activities taking place from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM local time at the new storefront located at 787 N. High St. As part of the grand opening, organizers have arranged a “human book chain,” inviting community mem

A growing Ohio-based restaurant brand specializing in Southern-inspired cuisine has expanded its footprint with a new location in Gahanna, Ohio. Soul 2 Go began serving customers at its latest outlet, located at 134 N. Hamilton Road, on Friday, April 4, 2025, marking another step in the company’s regional growth strategy. The restaurant is currently operating in a soft opening phase, allowing staff to refine operations ahead of its official launch. The business has announced plans f

More than a dozen locally owned restaurants in Columbus, Ohio, are offering special discounts to diners as part of the annual Columbus Independents Weeks event, which runs from March 2 through March 14. The promotion is organized by Columbus Independents, an association representing independent restaurants that aims to encourage residents and visitors to support local food businesses while enjoying limited-time dining deals across the city. During the event, participating restaurant