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

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 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

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 former BrewDog bar in Columbus’ Franklinton neighborhood has been placed on the leasing market, opening the door for a new operator to take over the high-profile space weeks after the Scotland-based brewery closed the location as part of a broader pullback in the city. Roth Real Estate Group is marketing the freestanding property at 463 W. Town St. as a turnkey opportunity for a restaurant, cafe, brewery, bar or creative retail concept. The building offers more than 4,900 square

A major health care provider headquartered in Columbus has expanded its real estate footprint with the purchase of a newly constructed industrial facility in Hilliard, reflecting its continued growth across central Ohio. OhioHealth acquired the property known as the Mill Run Innovation Center for $23 million in a transaction completed in late December, according to records from the Franklin County Auditor’s Office. The property is located at 3401 Mill Run Drive and includes a 130,

Culver’s has officially opened a new restaurant in northeast Columbus, marking the latest expansion of the fast-casual chain in central Ohio after several delays pushed back its original launch timeline. The restaurant began welcoming customers on December 8 at 6000 Old Hamilton Road, located within the Hamilton Quarter shopping center near the Gahanna and New Albany communities. The opening follows months of anticipation after the company initially targeted an October debut. Whil

Jeff’s Donuts, a 24-hour donut shop known for its scratch-made menu, is preparing to launch its first Ohio location in the Columbus region. The company has confirmed that the new store will open at 5717 North Hamilton Road in the Trouville neighborhood, situated just north of Gahanna, with an anticipated debut in early 2026. The expansion marks a significant moment for the brand as it steps into the Ohio market with what will become its first franchised location. The upcoming stor

The trial of Blendon Township Police Officer Connor Grubb has begun in Franklin County, Ohio, drawing national attention as testimony unfolds in the case involving the fatal shooting of Ta’Kiya Young. The incident occurred in August 2023 outside a grocery store, sparking intense debate about law enforcement conduct, accountability, and public safety. Grubb faces multiple charges including murder, involuntary manslaughter, and felonious assault. The case has attracted widespread interest due to

Kroger shoppers in central Ohio will have something extra to look forward to this week as the grocery giant’s Columbus division rolls out a special one-day savings event designed exclusively for seniors. On Wednesday, September 3, 2025, customers aged 55 and older will be able to take advantage of an additional 5% discount on their in-store purchases, a move Kroger says is part of its commitment to helping seniors stretch their budgets in meaningful ways. The company explained

A new era of student housing has arrived in Columbus with the opening of Rambler Columbus, a large-scale residential development designed specifically for Ohio State University students. The modern complex officially opened its doors on July 31 and has already begun welcoming students into a dynamic living space that blends convenience, comfort and community. Located at 222 W. Lane Avenue, just steps away from the Ohio State campus, the 407,465-square-foot deve

Every year, Ohio crowns one representative to step onto the national Miss America stage, a tradition that blends talent, service, and leadership into a single prestigious honor. In 2025, that honor has gone to Olivia Fosson, a dedicated law student at The Ohio State University whose journey to the title of Miss Ohio 2025 reflects a balance of academic commitment, personal ambition, and a desire to inspire others. Fo

City officials in Columbus are disputing recent comments made by Vice President JD Vance, who suggested during a visit to Ohio that people may be reluctant to visit downtown Columbus due to concerns about lawlessness. Vance mentioned Columbus alongside other Ohio cities, questioning whether families and individuals feel safe going downtown for a meal or an outing. Speaking to an audience during his appearance, the Vice President said, “How many of you all have wanted to go t

A Columbus resident has spent the last eight years mowing and caring for a vacant lot next to his home, unaware that the property did not belong to him. The man, an 80-year-old U.S. Army veteran, believed the lot was part of his rental home in the Hilltop neighborhood. He paid $1,300 a month in rent and assumed the adjoining land was included in the space he was responsible for. Over the years, he took full responsibility for keeping the property in shape, cutting down weeds, trim

As home prices continue to climb and the dream of owning a house feels increasingly distant for many Americans, a special event in Columbus aimed to help residents bridge the gap between aspiration and action. The Homebuyer Resource Fair, a collaborative effort between Fifth Third Bank, Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA), and COCIC-Franklin County Land Bank, offered attendees a comprehensive introduction to the homebuying process, financial literacy, and the tools needed to take c

Cleanup efforts continue across parts of Columbus, Ohio following a significant kerosene spill that began on Tuesday night near Whitehall. Authorities have confirmed that approximately 2,500 gallons of kerosene leaked from railroad tankers located on East 5th Avenue, resulting in contamination of nearby waterways. The fuel made its way through storm drains and surface runoff, first affecting Robinwood Avenue and Etna Street before traveling downstream to Kimberly Parkway, just north of Refugee R