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Good morning, Franklin County. Seven percent. That's the mortgage rate crossing the threshold that's turning the Columbus housing dream into a math problem most families can't solve — with monthly payments cresting $3,000 and affordable inventory nearly impossible to find. On a brighter note, Ohio just became only the second state in the nation to dedicate a Statehouse monument to women, with nine bronze figures now standing tall on the South Plaza. And in sobering local news, a Catholic Foundation executive is facing serious felony charges following an investigation that began after a teenage girl came forward in April. On the lighter end of things, Date Night Under the Stars is Tuesday, and a free Scioto Mile workout rolls around Oct. 21 — fresh Real Estate listings, sports scores, and In Remembrance are all waiting inside. ☕️ What's Brewing Locally Columbus homeownership growing more expensive as mortgage rates climb 🏠 Columbus homebuyers face a brutal new reality in the housing market. Mortgage rates have surpassed 7% and are climbing toward 8%, the highest level since 2023, pushing average monthly payments to $3,000 or more. While inventory topped 6,000 homes in August — up 6.8% year-over-year — most available properties are concentrated in the luxury segment, leaving affordable options scarce. Rising sale prices compounding the rate surge means Central Ohio homeownership is increasingly out of reach for average buyers. Read more Former Catholic Foundation executive indicted in sex abuse case gets $750k bond ⚖️ A Catholic Foundation exec faces serious felony charges in Columbus. Scott Hartman, 49, was indicted on multiple felony counts and a misdemeanor grooming charge following an investigation launched in April after a teenage girl reported allegations to a school counselor. He was arrested on Oct. 1 and arraigned shortly after, with a $750,000 bond set. The Catholic Diocese of Ohio confirmed Hartman is no longer employed by the organization and is currently held in the Franklin County Jail. Read more Ohio Women’s Monument unveiled at Statehouse honoring generations of leaders 🏛️ Ohio's Statehouse now honors generations of women with a stunning monument. Gov. Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine unveiled the Ohio Women's Monument on Oct. 14, completing more than six years of planning. Sculptor Brenda Councill designed the landmark, which features nine bronze figures arranged in three columns on the Statehouse's South Plaza. A fourth column is intentionally left empty to represent future women leaders. Ohio is now only the second state in the nation to dedicate a monument on Statehouse grounds to women. Read more 🏆 SCOREBOARD | Date | Sport | Matchup |
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| 10/13 | 🏐 G. Volleyball | Marion-Franklin Red Devils 0@ Delaware Christian 3 | | 10/13 | 🏐 G. Volleyball | Mifflin Punchers 1@ West 3 | | 10/13 | 🏐 G. Volleyball | Walnut Ridge Scots 0@ Madison Christian 3 | | 10/13 | 🏐 G. Volleyball | Whitehall-Yearling Rams 0@ Columbus Academy 3 | | 10/12 | 🏐 G. Volleyball | Briggs Bruins 0vs Franklin Heights 3 | | 10/14 | ⚽ B. Soccer | Mifflin Punchers 2@ Centennial 1 | | 10/13 | ⚽ B. Soccer | South Bulldogs 1@ Marion Harding 4 | | 10/12 | ⚽ B. Soccer | Briggs Bruins 0@ Columbus International 7 | | 10/12 | ⚽ B. Soccer | Franklin Heights Falcons 1vs West 2 | | 10/12 | ⚽ B. Soccer | Mifflin Punchers 0@ Licking Heights 0 | | 10/14 | ⚽ G. Soccer | Centennial Stars 0@ Highland 7 | | 10/13 | ⚽ G. Soccer | Franklin Heights Falcons 0vs Westland 8 | | 10/13 | ⚽ G. Soccer | Whitehall-Yearling Rams 3@ Briggs 0 | | 10/12 | ⚽ G. Soccer | Briggs Bruins 0@ Marion Harding 7 | | 10/12 | ⚽ G. Soccer | Centennial Stars 0@ River Valley 7 | | 10/12 | ⚽ G. Soccer | Grandview Heights Bobcats 3vs Jonathan Alder 5 | | 10/12 | ⚽ G. Soccer | Northland Vikings 1@ Columbus Academy 6 |
🏡 Real Estate Reveals  Spacious Columbus lot with garage — 3210 V Ave — $49,999 10,890 sqft lot · 2.5-car garage · City sewer & electric available A rare Columbus find — this spacious 10,890 sq ft lot with a 2.5-car garage offers fantastic potential for a workshop, storage, or building your dream home from the ground up! 🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla 🌟 Oct. 15 - Date Night Under Stars 📍 Pinot's Palette, Columbus, OH · 🕒 7:00 PM Spark romance under a starlit canvas at Pinot's Palette in Columbus on October 15! This dreamy Date Night Under Star Fall lets you and your partner sip wine while painting a masterpiece together. 💪 Oct. 21 - Free Scioto Mile Workout 📍 Genoa Park, Columbus, OH · 🕒 6:00 AM Kick off your Monday the right way with a free community workout at Genoa Park on the Scioto Mile! Join November Project Columbus on Oct. 21 for an energizing sweat session that costs absolutely nothing. 💃 Oct. 22 - Stonewall Ballroom Dance Class 📍 Stonewall Columbus, Columbus, OH · 🕒 6:30 PM Dust off your dancing shoes and head to Stonewall Columbus on October 22 for a fabulous ballroom dance class! Whether you're a beginner or seasoned stepper, this welcoming community event promises fun and great moves. 👻 Oct. 29 - Spooky Stories River's Edge 📍 Columbus Historical Society, Columbus, OH · 🕒 7:30 PM Dare to be spooked just in time for Halloween! Join the Columbus Historical Society on Oct. 29 for a chilling evening of spooky stories that'll make your skin crawl at River's Edge. 🍸 Dec. 03 - Sleigh Bell Sips Night 2 📍 Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Columbus, OH · 🕒 5:30 PM Sip into the season at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens for Sleigh Bell Sips Night 2 on Dec. 3! Enjoy festive cocktails surrounded by stunning botanical beauty at this magical holiday evening. 🍹 Dec. 10 - Holly Jolly Cocktail Class 📍 Service Bar at Middle West Spirits Distillery, Columbus, OH Shake up your holiday spirit at Middle West Spirits Distillery's Holly Jolly Cocktail Class on Dec. 10! Head to Service Bar and learn to craft festive cocktails in Columbus's coolest distillery setting. 🍀 Dec. 11 - Shamrock Club Quiz Night 📍 Shamrock Club of Columbus, Columbus, OH · 🕒 7:00 PM Put your trivia skills to the test at the Shamrock Club of Columbus this December 11th! Join fellow knowledge-seekers for a lively Quiz Night packed with friendly competition and good craic. 🧠 Dec. 16 - Columbus Trivia Challenge! 📍 Lucky's Grille & Sports Pub, Hilliard, OH · 🕒 7:00 AM Put your Columbus knowledge to the test at Lucky's Grille & Sports Pub in Hilliard on Dec. 16! Gather your crew for a fun-filled trivia night where local bragging rights are on the line. 🌎 What Else Is Brewing Donald Trump announced a new Montana “Super Range” where the Pentagon will test advanced weapons and technologies, adding a flashy national-security twist to his campaign rally. Supreme Court blocked a lower-court order on discounted political advertising rates, handing Republicans a midterm-season win over the FCC. Federal judge extended a temporary block on Trump’s taxpayer-funded television ads through Nov. 8, keeping them off air past Election Day. U.S. Labor Department reported September inflation running hotter than expected, with consumer prices rising 3.7% annually as gasoline did much of the damage. Federal Reserve cooled October rate-hike expectations despite hot inflation, as officials signaled they can wait for clearer economic evidence. Secretaries of state received suspicious white-powder packages in Ohio, Louisiana, and Oklahoma just weeks before overseeing the midterm elections. 🙏 In Remembrance | | Deana L. Reed It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our mother, Deana L. Reed, Age 72, of Columbus, Ohio. Deana passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early morning hours of Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Mount Vernon Health and Rehabilitation Center in Mount Vernon, Ohio. Deana was born... Read full obituary |  |
| | Joanathan D. Harrison Family will receive friends on Tuesday, October 20th at 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Christ of the Apostolic Faith, 1200 Brentnell Avenue, Columbus, OH 43219. Jonathan David Harrison, born on December 5, 1971, in Columbus, Ohio, passed away peacefully on October... Read full obituary |  |
| Denise Thacker Denise Emily Thacker, age 64, passed away on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at Mount Carmel East. Private family arrangements have been completed with JERRY SPEARS FUNERAL HOME with CREMATORY, 2693 W. Broad St. Please check back later for complete obituary. To send flowers to the family, please visit... Read full obituary |  |
| Kelli Lee An obituary is not available at this time for Kelli Lee. We welcome you to provide your thoughts and memories on our Tribute Wall. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kelli Lee, please visit our floral store. Read full obituary |  |
| Joanne Theresa Eitel Joanne (Jodi) T. Eitel Joanne (Jodi) T. Eitel, 72, of Groveport, passed away peacefully on October 14, 2026. She was born on January 19, 1954, in Swindon, England, to Frank and Marie (McGuckin) Hawthorn. Jodi was a proud member of the Groveport Moose and retired from DSCC. She enjoyed riding... Read full obituary |  |
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🍞 Daily Bread Crumb "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 No matter what the day brings, a joyful heart, steady prayer, and gratitude keep us anchored in God’s love. |
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