Willie's in town tonight — plus fall festivals you didn't know you needed 🍂
Good morning, Delaware County. Ohio farmers are drawing a line in the soil — literally. A proposed 18-mile highway connector cutting through Morrow, Marion, and Delaware counties has neighbors planting "Farms Not Freeways" signs faster than ODOT can schedule meetings, with a price tag pushing $1.2 billion and plenty of unanswered questions about who ultimately foots the bill. On a quieter note, the county is also saying goodbye to a Dublin middle school football coach whose 34-year run shaped players all the way to the NFL — including one Brady Quinn.
Nationally, Nike stumbled, the job market didn't, and AI drama continues to write itself. Closer to home, Willie Nelson hits the stage tomorrow, the Stratford Harvest Fair rolls in Thursday, and Real Estate has fresh listings worth a look.
🌤 Sky Skoop
Delaware
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Powell
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Sunbury
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Galena
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Ashley
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Ostrander
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Shawnee Hills
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☕️ What's Brewing Locally
Powell woman killed in crash
🚗 A Powell woman died after her car struck a tree and overturned. Claire Heringer, 82, was driving south on Liberty Road in Liberty Township on Oct. 1 when her 2005 Toyota Camry veered off the left side of the road, hit a mailbox and a tree, and flipped over. She was transported to OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Investigators noted she was wearing her seatbelt, and drugs and alcohol are not considered contributing factors. The Ohio State Highway Patrol continues to investigate the crash. Read more
Sunbury residents express concerns about proposed highway between US 23 and I-71
🚜 Ohio farmers are fighting a billion-dollar highway through their land. A proposed 18-mile connector between US 23 and I-71 — cutting through Morrow, Marion, and Delaware counties — is moving forward after ODOT submitted its feasibility study to the Ohio Legislature on Oct. 1. Residents along the potential route worry about split farmland, plummeting property values, and a price tag ODOT estimates between $857 million and $1.2 billion if construction begins in 2035. Signs reading "Farms Not Freeways" have sprouted across affected communities, with neighbors questioning whether the project's promised safety and travel-time benefits justify the cost. ODOT says funding still needs to be secured and several regulatory hurdles cleared before any construction can proceed. Read more
Grizzell Middle School coach Chad Isaly reflects on 34-year legacy
🏈 A middle school coach's 34-year run shaped generations of Dublin athletes. Chad Isaly is retiring after building Grizzell Middle School's eighth-grade football program into a cornerstone of player development since the 1990s. Among his hundreds of former players is Brady Quinn, who went on to star at Notre Dame and play in the NFL. Quinn credits Isaly with making football both fun and competitive, saying the lessons from eighth grade are ones he can never fully repay — only pay forward. Isaly says he's leaving on his own terms, grateful for the memories and proud of the ride. Read more
🏆 SCOREBOARD
Date
Sport
Matchup
9/29
🏐 G. Volleyball
Big Walnut Golden Eagles 3vs Westerville South 2
10/1
⚽ B. Soccer
Olentangy Berlin Bears 2vs West 0
10/1
⚽ B. Soccer
Olentangy Orange Pioneers 5vs Worthington Christian 2
9/30
⚽ B. Soccer
Olentangy Liberty Patriots 0@ Tree of Life Christian 1
9/29
⚽ B. Soccer
Olentangy Berlin Bears 0@ Marysville 0
9/29
⚽ B. Soccer
Olentangy Liberty Patriots 1vs Hilliard Davidson 1
3 bed · Updated kitchen w/ quartz · New HVAC & vinyl-fenced yard
This charming 1901 classic on Lake Street blends timeless character with modern upgrades — just a short stroll from vibrant Downtown Delaware and featuring a brand-new kitchen, fresh finishes, and a cozy fenced backyard!
3 bed · 2.5 bath · Gas fireplace & finished basement
Nestled on a spacious corner lot in Delaware's popular Kensington Place neighborhood, this charming 3-bed, 3-bath two-story home offers a cozy gas fireplace, a private backyard retreat, and a neighborhood park just steps away!
This brand-new 2024-built Delaware gem offers four bedrooms, a finished lower level with bar, three-car garage, and neighborhood pool — all within the Olentangy Local School District!
🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla
🎸 Oct. 02 - Willie Nelson Mandela Concert
📍 Sand Bar Station, Delaware, OH · 🕒 7:00 PM
Rock out at Sand Bar Station in Delaware, OH on Oct. 2 as Willie Nelson Mandela brings classic rock vibes to the stage — a can't-miss night of legendary tunes and good times!
🍂 Oct. 03 - Stratford Harvest Fair
📍 Stratford Ecological Center, Delaware, OH · 🕒 10:00 AM
Celebrate the season's bounty at the Stratford Ecological Center Harvest Fair in Delaware, OH on October 3! Enjoy all the fun and festivities of a classic fall harvest festival at this beloved community gathering.
🎖️ Oct. 03 - Ohio Veteran Fall Festival
📍 Veterans Park, Delaware, OH · 🕒 12:00 PM
Honor our heroes at the Central Ohio Veteran Fall Festival – Vet Fest 2026! Join the community October 3rd at Veterans Park in Delaware, OH for a festive celebration saluting those who served.
🍂 Oct. 04 - In-A-Jam Fall Festival Live
📍 Miller's Country Gardens, Delaware, OH · 🕒 12:30 PM
Fall fun awaits at Miller's Country Gardens in Delaware, OH! Catch In-A-Jam LIVE on October 4th for a lively festival celebrating the season with great music and autumn vibes.
🐾 Oct. 04 - Pioneer Crafts & History
📍 The Barn at Stratford, Delaware, OH · 🕒 1:00 PM
Step back in time at The Barn at Stratford in Delaware, OH on October 4th! Explore pioneer history, try hands-on crafts, and bring the whole family for a day celebrating Delaware County's rich heritage.
📚 Oct. 04 - Banned Books Storytime
📍 Beanbag Books, Delaware, OH · 🕒 4:00 PM
Celebrate the freedom to read at Beanbag Books in Delaware, OH, on Oct. 4! This cozy children's storytime puts beloved banned books in little hands and big imaginations where they belong.
🐱 Oct. 10 - Pete the Cat Storytime
📍 Beanbag Books, Delaware, OH · 🕒 10:30 AM
Cool cats are welcome at Beanbag Books in Delaware, OH on October 10 for Second Saturday Storytime, featuring everyone's favorite groovy feline, Pete the Cat — a purr-fect morning adventure for little book lovers!
🥃 Oct. 21 - Bourbon at the Barn
📍 The Barn at Stratford, Delaware, OH · 🕒 6:00 PM
Sip, savor, and support a great cause at Bourbon at the Barn! Join fellow whiskey lovers at The Barn at Stratford in Delaware, OH on October 21 for a spirited tasting fundraiser.
🌎 What Else Is Brewing
Nike fell short of estimates and warned revenue should decline in fiscal 2027, because apparently even sneaker royalty gets hit with a reality check.
OpenAI fired three researchers over mishandling sensitive information, showing the AI drama is still very much a live stream.
U.S. labor market showed layoffs dropping to a four-year low as hiring plans ticked up, keeping the job market surprisingly sturdy.
Donald Trump drew blame from most Americans for persistently high prices, while voters keep grumbling about affordability like it’s a subscription fee.
G20 trade ministers failed to agree on curbing global overcapacity, leaving U.S. manufacturers without the handholding they wanted.
U.S. Senate stalled a bipartisan bill to ban Chinese vehicle sales, putting the brakes on a high-stakes auto showdown.
💰 Financial Friday
Try the 50/30/20 rule: allocate half of your after‑tax income to essentials, 30 % to discretionary spending, and the remaining 20 % to savings or debt repayment.
Wanda Lee (Sanft) Knippenberg, age 84, of Delaware, Ohio, passed away on September 25, 2026. Wanda was born on August 22, 1942, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Glenwood and Viola Sanft. Though life eventually brought her to Ohio, St. Paul remained an important part of her story and will be where she... Read full obituary
Kathryn Lee Fowles, 76, of Westerville, Ohio, laid down her earthly weight and set her soul to fly on September 20, 2026. She was born on September 5, 1950, in Cleveland, Ohio, and was the daughter of the late Walter Lee Fowles and Helen Marie (Takac) Fowles. Kathy was an advocate for all... Read full obituary
Richard Wayne Babin, 69, of Lewis Center, Ohio, passed away on October 1, 2026. He was born in DeRidder, Louisiana on September 15, 1957. Complete obituary will be published once available. To leave a special message or memory for the family, please visit the Guestbook. Read full obituary
Rosemarie “Paddy” (Snyder) Mills passed away peacefully on September 29, 2026, surrounded by those who loved her. Born in England during World War II, Paddy entered the world during an extraordinary time in history. She later made her home in both Pennsylvania and Ohio, building a... Read full obituary
Cynthia “Cindy” Dawn Martin, age 76, of Delaware, Ohio, passed away on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at the Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus. Cindy was born on November 14, 1949, in Cleveland, Ohio, to the late Anthony Caruso and Vera (Papp) Caruso. Cindy graduated from Valley Forge High... Read full obituary
In Loving Memory of Jennifer Lynn Gale: Jennifer Lynn Gale, of Marion, Ohio, passed away peacefully at her home on September 19, 2026, surrounded by her loving family, at the age of 68. Jennifer was born on March 10, 1958, in Delaware, Ohio. She was a loving mother, mother-in-law, grandmother,... Read full obituary
Norma Jeanne (Keeran) Hermann, age 85, of Galena, Ohio passed away Monday, September 28, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on December 2, 1940, in Columbus, Ohio to the late Chauncey Keeran and Nina Immagene (Nichols) Keeran. Norma worked in an administration role at The Ohio... Read full obituary
🍞 Daily Bread Crumb
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus."
— 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Staying joyful, talking to God, and thanking Him turn everyday moments into blessings, even when life gets busy.
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