Issue 2: 11-19-24

Today’s Featured Partner:

Unplug Press invites you to bring the magic of Christmas into your home with this engaging activity book for the whole family. Create Your Own Christmas Storybook offers a screen-free way for families to bond and create lasting memories during the holidays. Children and parents collaborate to fill in imaginative story prompts and illustrate their own festive scenes, crafting a one-of-a-kind storybook they’ll treasure for years to come! Grab your family’s copy here.

Top Stories

• Olentangy Orange High School principal, Monica Asher, returns after district policy violation.

• Federal court to rehear Olentangy anti-bullying policy case, examining free speech and gender rights.

Weather

• High 63°, Low 52°

• Rain, 65% chance of precipitation

Events & Deadlines

• 9:00 AM: Powell RecSchool; Adventure Park Recreation Facility  

• 11:00 AM: Powell Area Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting for Wings and Rings; 8661 Columbus Pike

• 12:00 PM: Olentangy Schools Classified Interview Day; Olentangy Administrative Office

• 5:30 PM: Powell Area Chamber of Commerce After Hours Connection Keystone Pub; 6477 Pullman Drive

• 6:00 PM: Handprint Calendar Keepsake Craft; Adventure Park Recreation Facility

• 6:00 PM: Powell Operations Committee Meeting—Agenda packet can be accessed here; Powell Municipal Building

• 6:30 PM: BV East Elementary Grades 4 and 5 Music Concert; BV High School

• 7:30 PM: Powell City Council Meeting—Agenda packet can be accessed here; Powell Municipal Building

Daily Deals

• Your business’s offer here.

• Your business’s offer here.

Crime & Safety

• Theft reported on the 1700 block of Sherborne Ln. on 11-15-24.

• Powell Police handled 2,155 calls for service in October 2024, responding to emergencies with an average dispatch-to-arrival time of 4.61 minutes. Officers conducted 146 traffic stops, issued 21 citations, and managed 18 traffic crashes. The full monthly report for October 2024 can be accessed here.

• The Powell Police Department needs your input to help shape their future priorities. This quick survey gives you a chance to share your thoughts on safety and the services provided by Powell Police. Your responses will guide future training and focus areas for the department. The survey is still open and takes just a few minutes to complete. Take the survey here.

Government

• The City of Powell is looking for two new members to join its Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z). This seven-member group, appointed by City Council, plays a key role in shaping Powell’s future by making recommendations on development projects and Zoning Code amendments. Commission members serve four-year terms and meet on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. If you’re passionate about contributing to Powell’s growth, apply here or send your resume to [email protected].

• Delaware County officials have renamed the Home Road Bridge over the Scioto River as the Fred L. Stults Bridge, honoring the former County Engineer who served for 27 years before retiring in 1996. Stults, who lives nearby in Concord Township, played a key role in securing funding for the bridge's 2003 replacement through strategic planning and collaboration with Columbus. During the dedication ceremony, Stults received a standing ovation as he reflected on the negotiations that led to the modernized bridge, now more than five times the length of the original structure.

People Helping People

• Powell resident Jenn Flanagan launched a GoFundMe campaign to support the Mathy family, also of Powell, with unexpected funeral expenses and related costs. So far, 308 donations have been made. If you'd like to contribute, you can visit the GoFundMe page here.

Buzzworthy

• Kroger is investing $35 million to build a 123,000-square-foot Marketplace store at Home Road and Sawmill Parkway in Powell, set to open in late 2025. This new location will offer groceries, general merchandise, apparel, and home goods, enhancing shopping convenience for residents. This initiative is part of Kroger's broader commitment to central Ohio, where the company has invested $164 million over the past five years in new stores and upgrades.

• In October 2024, Powell welcomed nine new businesses, creating 146 jobs, $4.9 million in payroll, and $4.1 million in capital investment. Additionally, efforts to retain and expand existing businesses resulted in $5.55 million in payroll growth, 21 new jobs, and $115,000 in grants generating $182,000 in local investment. Powell continues to support a thriving business community with impactful initiatives.

Real Estate

• 3697 Echo Pl.; 4 beds, 4 baths; 2064 sqft; $507,900; 1 day on Zillow

• 8533 Gosling Way; 4 beds, 5 baths; 4634 sqft; $899,000; 1 day on Zillow

Rave Reviews and Red Flags

• Chris Hall, an electrician, has been favorited by over 500 people on Nextdoor and has been listed as a “Neighborhood Fave” in 2022, 2023, and 2024. You can view Chris’ Nextdoor profile here and contact him via email at [email protected].

• No red flags to report today. Share your standout business experiences—whether awesome or sketchy—by emailing [email protected] or texting 614.210.3589.

District Updates

• Olentangy Orange High School Principal Monica Asher will resume her role today following a district investigation into a staff newsletter she issued on November 10. The district determined that the message violated policies requiring neutrality on political issues, as staff must use discretion and avoid expressing personal opinions in their professional roles. While acknowledging the policy breach, Superintendent Todd Meyer affirmed Asher’s commitment to unity and inclusivity, noting she has taken responsibility and issued an apology. Asher, who has served as principal since 2022, remains a valued leader, with the district confident in her growth from this experience.

• The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has agreed to rehear a case involving the Olentangy Local School District's anti-bullying policies, which include measures against the misgendering of transgender students. This decision follows a previous ruling that upheld the district's policies. The rehearing is scheduled for March 19, 2025, and will involve all 16 active judges of the court. The lawsuit, filed by Parents Defending Education, argues that the district's policies infringe upon First Amendment rights. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for how schools address issues related to gender identity and free speech.

Sports Corner

• This Friday’s Division 1 Region 3 football final between Liberty and Pickerington North can be watched online at OHSAA.TV. The game starts at 7:00 PM.

Off The Field

• Scioto Ridge and Tyler Run Elementary Schools were recently ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 20th and 23rd best elementary schools in the state of Ohio.

Random Stuff

• Tardigrades, tiny creatures also called water bears, are some of the toughest animals on Earth. They can survive in the vacuum of space and even fix their DNA after being exposed to deadly radiation. Their superpower comes from a special protein called Dsup, which protects their DNA from damage. In 2007, they became the first animals to survive unprotected in space, enduring extreme cold, intense UV rays, and no air. Scientists are studying them to learn more about DNA repair and radiation resistance, which could help with cancer treatments and even space travel.

  

  Water bears looking for the latest issue of Morning Bubble.