Franklin County • December 26, 2024
Good morning, Franklin County. As temperatures dipped and Christmas Eve descended on Bridge Park, Dublin transformed into a scene straight out of a Hallmark movie. Families glided across the ice rink, last-minute shoppers darted between boutiques, and the Evans family demonstrated that sometimes the best gifts don't come wrapped in boxes at all. It's exactly the kind of heartwarming holiday spirit we needed after a challenging week of legal news.
Speaking of challenges, while a major court decision has blocked $650 million in pharmacy settlements related to the opioid crisis, local experts are sharing timelier wisdom about finding joy in uncertain times. From former CEOs turned happiness professors to community walking advocates, Columbus's brightest minds agree: lasting contentment often comes from the simplest sources - connection, movement, and service to others.
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🎄 Last-minute shoppers and skaters fill Dublin's Bridge Park on Christmas Eve. Families bustled between shops, restaurants, and a festive ice rink in this Columbus suburb, creating a vibrant holiday atmosphere. Some visitors, like Ethan Knutsen, rushed to grab final gifts including spa gift cards, while others simply enjoyed quality time with out-of-town relatives. The ice skating rink proved particularly popular, offering a budget-friendly alternative to shopping sprees. In a notable trend, some families like the Evans are choosing experiences over presents, planning future vacations instead of exchanging traditional gifts.
⚖️ Ohio court blocks $650 million pharmacy payout in major opioid case. The state's Supreme Court ruled that CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart cannot be sued for creating a "public nuisance" through opioid sales, threatening a massive settlement awarded to two Ohio counties. The decision hinges on a 2007 state law that limits product liability claims, effectively undermining a legal strategy that has secured nearly $60 billion in opioid settlements nationwide. While pharmacy chains celebrated the ruling, attorneys for Lake and Trumbull counties vowed to pursue other legal avenues to hold companies accountable. The counties had planned to use the funds - $306 million and $344 million respectively - over 15 years to combat the ongoing opioid crisis in their communities.
🧘 Five Columbus experts reveal surprising secrets to lasting happiness. Doug Smith, a former CEO turned happiness professor, teaches that love and forgiveness form the foundation of a fulfilled life. Executive coach Regan Walsh emphasizes redefining success and making time for play, while relationship counselor Meghna Mahambrey stresses the importance of choosing romantic partners wisely. Dr. Jaynine Vado promotes physical activity and social connections through community walking programs, while Pastor Julius Lancaster distinguishes between temporary happiness and lasting spiritual joy. The experts agree that service to others, continuous learning, and maintaining strong social bonds are crucial ingredients for a happy life.
| Team | Opponent | Date/Time |
|---|---|---|
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| vs SSA | 12/27 @ 3:30pm | |
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| vs Big Walnut | 12/27 @ 7:00pm | |
| Centennial Stars | ||
| vs Bexley | 12/30 @ 6:00pm | |
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| @ Canal Winchester | 12/27 @ 7:30pm | |
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| @ Dublin Scioto | 12/28 @ 6:00pm | |
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| vs Richmond Heights | 12/27 @ 8:15pm | |
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| vs Logan | 12/27 @ 1:15pm | |
| vs Whetstone | 12/28 @ 4:30pm | |
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| vs Villa Angela-St. Joseph | 12/27 @ 1:15pm | |
| @ Groveport-Madison | 12/28 @ 7:00pm | |
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| @ St. Francis DeSales | 12/27 @ 5:00pm | |
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| vs West | 12/28 @ 4:30pm | |
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| vs Lakota East | 12/27 @ 6:00pm | |
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| vs Bellbrook | 12/28 @ 6:15pm | |
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| vs St. Charles | 12/27 @ 3:00pm | |
| @ New Albany | 12/30 @ 7:30pm | |
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| vs Wilson Hall | 12/27 @ 2:30pm | |
| @ Ashley Ridge** | 12/28 @ 4:15pm | |
| vs South River | 12/30 @ 7:00pm | |
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| vs Tri-Valley | 12/27 @ 3:00pm | |
| vs Ursuline | 12/29 @ 3:00pm | |
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| vs Holy Name | 12/29 @ 1:15pm | |
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| vs Wayne | 12/28 @ 1:15pm | |
| vs Westerville South | 12/31 @ 1:00pm | |
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| vs Marion-Franklin | 12/28 @ 6:00pm | |
| vs Dublin Jerome | 12/30 @ 7:30pm | |
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| vs Archbishop Hoban | 12/28 @ 11:30am | |
| @ Dublin Scioto | 12/30 @ 7:30pm | |
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| vs Lakota East | 12/28 @ 6:30pm | |
| @ Bishop Watterson | 12/30 @ 7:30pm | |
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| vs Lutheran West | 12/28 @ Time TBA | |
| @ Dublin Coffman | 12/31 @ 1:00pm | |
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| vs St. Francis DeSales | 12/28 @ 5:00pm | |
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| vs Princeton | 12/29 @ 6:30pm | |
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| @ Solon | 12/28 @ 4:00pm | |
| vs Hilliard Darby | 12/30 @ 7:30pm | |
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| vs Johnstown-Monroe | 12/27 @ 7:30pm | |
| vs Hamilton Township | 12/28 @ 7:15pm | |
| @ Centennial | 12/30 @ 6:00pm | |
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| @ Granville | 12/30 @ 7:00pm | |
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| vs Independence | 12/27 @ 7:30pm |
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And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
-Romans 8:28