New owners, drag queens & a crime stat that'll stop you cold 😬
Good morning, Franklin County. October is living up to its reputation — and not in a good way. Columbus has already surpassed last year's homicide count with nearly three months still to go, and community groups are bracing for a harder stretch ahead as the weather turns. On a warmer note, the Short North's beloved Bodega has new owners bringing a Latin American flair to the craft beer scene, and Aladdin's Eatery is planting its sixth Columbus flag near Ohio State this month — the hummus alone is worth the trip.
Tonight's Drag Queen Bingo show is calling your name if you need a reason to step away from the news cycle, and Buckeye women's hockey faces Wisconsin tomorrow. Sports scores, fresh Real Estate listings, and In Remembrance are all waiting inside.
🌤 Sky Skoop
Columbus
56°72°
2%
Dublin
56°72°
2%
Gahanna
56°72°
2%
Hilliard
52°71°
3%
Reynoldsburg
56°72°
2%
Grove City
56°72°
2%
Westerville
49°69°
4%
Upper Arlington
56°72°
2%
Worthington
56°72°
2%
Whitehall
56°72°
2%
☕️ What's Brewing Locally
Longtime Short North bar Bodega sold, with rebrand planned
🍺 A beloved Columbus craft beer bar just changed hands. Bodega, a longtime fixture in the Short North neighborhood, has been sold to the family behind a Latin American restaurant in northwest Columbus. The new owners also run a Colombian and Venezuelan bakery near Polaris Fashion Place, and a rebrand is in the works. Read more
Columbus man killed in Hilltop shooting, as city sees a spike in deadly violence
🔫 Columbus is on a deadly October streak with no end in sight. A 53-year-old man, Cedric Cole, was shot and killed on Oct. 7 in the city's Hilltop neighborhood, becoming the 64th homicide of 2026 — surpassing last year's count for the same period. The weekend prior saw eight shootings and two stabbings, claiming at least five lives. Alarmingly, 38% of the 86 homicide suspects charged this year are 21 or younger. Community leaders are bracing for more bloodshed as temperatures drop, with one anti-violence group pledging to intensify street outreach targeting at-risk youth. Read more
Aladdin’s Eatery to Bring New Location to University District
🥙 A beloved Lebanese chain is planting roots near Ohio State. Aladdin's Eatery is set to open its sixth Columbus location this month at 1607 N. High St. in the University District. Founded in Cleveland in 1994, the family-owned chain now spans over 35 locations across four states. The expansive menu features award-winning hummus, Beef Shawarma, and more than 40 vegetarian options, plus fresh-pressed juices and baked goods. Read more
🏆 SCOREBOARD
Date
Sport
Matchup
10/5
🏈 Football
South Bulldogs 20@ Briggs 7
10/7
🏐 G. Volleyball
Worthington Kilbourne Wolves 3vs Thomas Worthington 2
10/6
🏐 G. Volleyball
Bexley Lions 3vs Bishop Ready 0
10/6
🏐 G. Volleyball
Briggs Bruins 2vs West 3
10/6
🏐 G. Volleyball
Canal Winchester Indians 2vs Teays Valley 3
10/6
🏐 G. Volleyball
Centennial Stars 3vs Linden-McKinley 0
10/6
🏐 G. Volleyball
Dublin Coffman Rocks 1@ Olentangy Orange 3
10/6
🏐 G. Volleyball
Dublin Jerome Celtics 3@ Hilliard Darby 1
10/6
🏐 G. Volleyball
Franklin Heights Falcons 0@ Buckeye Valley 3
10/6
🏐 G. Volleyball
Grandview Heights Bobcats 1vs Columbus Academy 3
10/6
🏐 G. Volleyball
Hilliard Davidson Wildcats 3@ Hilliard Bradley 2
10/6
🏐 G. Volleyball
Thomas Worthington CARDINALS 0vs Olentangy Berlin 3
10/6
🏐 G. Volleyball
Upper Arlington Golden Bears 0@ Olentangy Liberty 3
10/6
🏐 G. Volleyball
Westerville North Warriors 3vs Westland 0
10/6
🏐 G. Volleyball
Westerville South Wildcats 3vs Hayes 0
10/6
🏐 G. Volleyball
Worthington Kilbourne Wolves 1vs Big Walnut 3
10/5
🏐 G. Volleyball
Canal Winchester Indians 3vs Shekinah Christian 2
10/7
⚽ B. Soccer
Grandview Heights Bobcats 0@ Worthington Christian 4
10/7
⚽ B. Soccer
Whitehall-Yearling Rams 1vs Columbus Academy 3
10/6
⚽ B. Soccer
Briggs Bruins 2vs West Jefferson 1
10/6
⚽ B. Soccer
Canal Winchester Indians 4vs Groveport-Madison 0
10/6
⚽ B. Soccer
Central Crossing Comets 0@ Grove City 1
10/6
⚽ B. Soccer
Dublin Coffman Rocks 2vs Hilliard Bradley 1
10/6
⚽ B. Soccer
Dublin Jerome Celtics 1vs Thomas Worthington 0
10/6
⚽ B. Soccer
Dublin Scioto Irish 0@ Westerville North 4
10/6
⚽ B. Soccer
Hilliard Darby Panthers 3vs Marysville 0
10/6
⚽ B. Soccer
Hilliard Davidson Wildcats 3vs Upper Arlington 3
10/6
⚽ B. Soccer
Lincoln Lions 1@ Pickerington North 0
10/6
⚽ B. Soccer
Marion-Franklin Red Devils 3vs Cornerstone Academy 0
10/6
⚽ B. Soccer
Mifflin Punchers 1vs Marion Harding 3
10/6
⚽ B. Soccer
Reynoldsburg Raiders 8@ Pickerington Central 0
10/6
⚽ B. Soccer
Westerville Central Warhawks 0vs New Albany 0
10/6
⚽ B. Soccer
Whitehall-Yearling Rams 3@ Centennial 1
10/5
⚽ B. Soccer
Bexley Lions 3@ Hamilton Township 1
10/5
⚽ B. Soccer
Franklin Heights Falcons 6vs Walnut Ridge 2
10/5
⚽ B. Soccer
Mifflin Punchers 5vs Beechcroft 1
10/5
⚽ B. Soccer
South Bulldogs 4vs Heath 6
10/7
⚽ G. Soccer
Grandview Heights Bobcats 3vs Worthington Christian 3
This charming 1927-built Columbus home on Myrtle Ave boasts 1,584 sqft of character and serious potential — a fantastic value-add opportunity for savvy investors ready to make their mark!
4 bed · 2 bath · Updated kitchen w/ granite & new cabinets
This beautifully updated Grove City split-level is truly move-in ready, boasting a renovated kitchen, cozy fireplace, two screened seasonal rooms, and a fenced backyard — all nestled on a generous lot!
This beautifully maintained Columbus condo offers the best of easy living with a first-floor master suite, soaring vaulted ceilings, and an open floor plan — plus a flexible bonus room and move-in-ready charm!
🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla
🏀 Oct. 08 - Iowa vs Ohio State Basketball
📍 The Schottenstein Center, Columbus, OH · 🕒 1:00 PM
Buckeye Country comes alive on Oct. 8 as the Iowa Hawkeyes invade the Schottenstein Center in Columbus for a thrilling college basketball showdown you won't want to miss!
👑 Oct. 08 - Drag Queen Bingo Show
📍 Diva Royale Drag Queen Show Columbus - Dinner & Drag Brunch Shows, Italian Village · 🕒 7:00 PM
Get ready for a fabulous night out in Italian Village! Join Diva Royale on Oct. 8 for an unforgettable evening of glittering drag performances and bingo fun that's guaranteed to entertain.
🏒 Oct. 09 - Buckeyes vs Badgers Women's Hockey
📍 Ohio State Ice Rink, University District · 🕒 6:00 PM
Cheer on your Buckeyes as Ohio State's women's hockey team faces off against rival Wisconsin Badgers on Oct. 9 at the Ohio State Ice Rink in the University District — campus pride is on the line!
🎭 Oct. 09 - Hashtag Comedy Improv Show
📍 The Hashtag Comedy Club, University District · 🕒 7:00 PM
Get ready to laugh out loud at The Hashtag Comedy Club in the University District! Catch the Hashtag Comedy Improv Show on October 9 for a night of spontaneous, side-splitting fun with your community.
Get ready to dance the night away at Ohio Brewing Company Columbus on Oct. 10! This immersive EDM experience brings massive energy and unforgettable beats to Columbus's coolest brewing destination.
🎤 Oct. 10 - Jo Koy Live Columbus
📍 Palace Theatre, Downtown · 🕒 10:00 PM
Get ready to laugh until it hurts! Comedy superstar Jo Koy brings his hilarious stand-up to Downtown's iconic Palace Theatre on Oct 10 — don't miss your chance to see this fan-favorite live!
🎤 Oct. 10 - Jo Koy Live Comedy
📍 Palace Theatre, Downtown · 🕒 8:00 PM
Get ready to laugh until it hurts! Comedy superstar Jo Koy brings his hilarious stand-up to the Palace Theatre Downtown on Oct. 10 — grab your tickets before they're gone!
🎷 Oct. 10 - Whirlybirds Swing Music Live
📍 Natalie's Grandview, Fifth by Northwest
Get ready to jump, jive, and swing the night away! The Whirlybirds bring their electrifying live swing music to Natalie's Grandview and Fifth by Northwest on Oct. 10.
🌎 What Else Is Brewing
Christa Pike survived Tennessee’s failed execution attempt and is now “angry and confused,” while a judge ordered evidence from the death chamber preserved.
Wall Street slid from record highs as rising Treasury yields revived investor worries about inflation, government debt, and interest rates.
Donald Trump rallied Texas Republicans behind Ken Paxton but faced protests and clarified comments about the potential cost of war.
Department of Homeland Security proposed charging international students up to $70,000 for practical training, adding another pricey hurdle for foreign graduates.
Texas carried out the nation’s first execution since Tennessee’s botched lethal injection, keeping America’s capital-punishment debate grimly active.
Union Square vigil erupted when more than 200 pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted a Manhattan remembrance for victims of the October 7 Hamas attack.
Family will receive friends on Saturday, October 24th, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m. at Gospel Lighthouse Church, 600 Frebis Avenue, Columbus, OH 43206. Interment: Greenlawn Cemetery. Full obituary forthcoming. Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers. Read full obituary
It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Christine “Chris/Chrissy” Evans (Flanagan). Christine was promoted to grace on October 1st, 2026, at the age of 77 in the comfort of her home. Christine was born in Columbus, Ohio on March 29, 1949, to William and Minetta Flanagan. Christine... Read full obituary
Amanda Straight, 55, of Columbus, Ohio, passed away on October 5, 2026, at 7:52 a.m., leaving behind a family who loved her beyond what words could ever adequately express. Amanda was so much more than the dates that marked the beginning and end of her life. She was a wife, a mother, a Mimi, a... Read full obituary
Sharon K. Mapes August 30, 1943 – October 4, 2026 Sharon Kay Mapes, adored wife, sister, mother, Babylove, aunt, and wonderfully spirited soul, was welcomed into the loving arms of her Savior on October 4, 2026. Sharon joins in Heaven her parents, Oscar Ray Reiber and Lenora May (Bell)... Read full obituary
Mariano Iraheta Vides, age 80, passed away on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at Doctor's Hospital West. Private visitation will be held with interment to follow at Sunset Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled with JERRY SPEARS FUNERAL HOME, 2693 W. Broad St. To send flowers to the family, please... Read full obituary
Vincent F. Leonard, II, age 83, of Hilliard, passed away October 2, 2026. Preceded in death by loving wife Jeanne, parents Vincent and Leila Leonard. Survived by children, Vincent Leonard III, Cynthia (Dan) Wood, Stephen (Kim) Leonard, Darlene Wright, and Thomas (Kyung) Leonard; grandchildren,... Read full obituary
Joy P. Williams passed away on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. The family is being cared for by Legacy First Funeral Services - Columbus. Read full obituary
🍞 Daily Bread Crumb
"May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer."
— Psalm 19:14
This reminds us to let our thoughts and speech reflect gratitude and reverence, helping us live each day with a heart tuned to God's presence.
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