Good morning, Dublin. Nearly $2.8 million vanished from pandemic relief funds into one woman's pockets, and now Westerville resident Lorie Schaefer will spend the next six years behind bars for her elaborate fraud scheme. The 63-year-old's shopping spree—which included liposuction, home renovations, and fast food—came to a crashing halt after investigators uncovered her web of fake documents and nonexistent employees at a business she had just registered.
Sweet news is swirling as Whit's Frozen Custard continues its Central Ohio expansion with a new Circleville location, joining other local food concepts growing their regional footprint. Meanwhile, a Franklin County grand jury has cleared a Columbus SWAT officer in the fatal shooting of Benjamin Wheeler during an August domestic incident that escalated into a 4.5-hour standoff. The confrontation, which began with an active felony warrant, left three officers injured before its tragic conclusion.
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66%☕️ What's Brewing Locally
💰 Ohio woman sentenced for massive pandemic relief fraud scheme. Lorie Schaefer, 63, will serve nearly six years in prison after fraudulently obtaining $2.8 million in COVID relief funds. The Westerville resident falsely claimed affiliation with Flying Pizza restaurants and submitted fake documents showing 98 employees for a business she had just registered. Schaefer spent the stolen money on liposuction, a home renovation, fast food, and possibly assets in Australia. Despite pleading guilty in July 2024, she violated pre-trial release conditions multiple times and twice attempted to withdraw her plea.
🍦 Whit's Frozen Custard expands with new Circleville location. The Central Ohio-founded frozen treat brand continues to grow its local footprint with this latest addition to the region. While details about the new shop are limited, Whit's joins other food businesses expanding in the area, including a burger chain also offering frozen custard. The company's growth reflects a trend of popular local food concepts, such as City Barbeque, ice cream shops, and pizzerias, expanding throughout Central Ohio.
🚔 Grand jury clears Columbus SWAT officer in fatal shooting. Benjamin Wheeler was killed during an August domestic incident after allegedly attacking officers with knives. The confrontation began when police discovered Wheeler had an active felony warrant, escalating into a 4.5-hour standoff. Three officers were injured as Wheeler barricaded himself and threw household items at them. The Franklin County Prosecutor's Office emphasized that citizen grand juries have independently reviewed such incidents since 1980.
🎤 Featured Event of the Week
2025 Columbus Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show
Where: Makoy Event Center, 5462 Center St. Hilliard, OH 43026
When: $3 for adults, free for kids 12 and under
🎨 Summer shopping gets an artistic upgrade at the 2025 Columbus Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show! This large-scale event at the beautiful Makoy Event Center in Hilliard showcases original handmade creations from talented local artists and crafters. Admission is just $3 for adults (children under 12 enter free), with a portion of proceeds benefiting Pets Without Parents, a local non-profit. Vendors interested in participating can email becki@ag-shows.com for more information about this popular annual summer tradition.
🏡 Real Estate Reveals
Modern ranch community perks ready: This move-in ready 3-bedroom, 2-bath ranch home from 2016 is listed at $349,900 and offers open-concept living with community amenities including a pool and fitness center, all with low-maintenance HOA benefits.
Golf Views Ultimate Luxury Home: Priced at $1,249,900, this renovated golf course home offers unobstructed views from the Muirfield Village Championship Course, featuring a great room with stone fireplace, updated kitchen, first-floor bedroom suite, and spacious entertaining spaces.
Coming Soon Mid-range Home: A new listing priced at $809,900 is coming soon to the market. Stay tuned for more details about this forthcoming property opportunity.🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla
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