Good morning, Franklin County. While some folks count down to New Year's, Barbara Hardesty has been counting up - to an astounding 727 Christmas trees in her home-turned-holiday-wonderland. After battling cancer in 2011, she transformed her recovery into a dazzling display that's drawn visitors from as far as Hawaii and Spain, proving that sometimes the most magical forests aren't found in nature, but in the heart of Ohio.
Meanwhile, Columbus is serving up its own kind of magic, with Terita's and Rubino's pizzerias earning national acclaim for their legendary pies. These beloved "hole-in-the-wall" institutions have been perfecting their craft for over 60 years - long enough to master the physics-defying art of loading mountains of toppings onto impossibly thin crusts. It's a delicious reminder that some of our city's greatest treasures are hiding in plain sight.
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0% ☕️ What's Brewing Locally
🚔 Armed man shot by police during tense domestic violence standoff. Columbus officers responding to a late-night domestic violence call encountered Richard Tatum, 40, who threatened them with a firearm from his basement. The situation escalated when Tatum charged up the stairs pointing his weapon at officers, prompting them to open fire. Though wounded, Tatum initially retreated to the basement before eventually surrendering and being transported to Grant Medical Center in stable condition. The incident, which included Tatum allegedly biting an officer during arrest, is now under investigation by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
🎄 Ohio woman transforms home into magical forest with 727 Christmas trees. Barbara Hardesty's record-breaking holiday display has attracted 900 visitors from around the world, including guests from Hawaii and Spain. After battling endometrial cancer in 2011, her Christmas spirit flourished, leading to this extraordinary collection featuring over 20,000 twinkling lights. She opens her festive home to the public on weekends during the holiday season, using the opportunity to raise funds for local charities. Last year alone, her holiday wonderland generated $2,700 for Faith Missions homeless shelter and The Refuge rehabilitation center.
🍕 Two legendary Columbus pizzerias earn national spotlight for mind-blowing pies. Family Destinations Guide has named Terita's Pizza and Rubino's among Ohio's top nine "hole-in-the-wall" pizzerias worth discovering. Terita's, founded in 1959, earns praise for its homemade Italian sausage and Columbus-style crispy crust loaded with fresh toppings. Rubino's, a 60-year Bexley institution, gets recognized for its physics-defying cracker-thin crust that somehow supports mountains of toppings. Both establishments showcase Columbus's unique pizza heritage, with Terita's ranking 9th and Rubino's securing the impressive 3rd spot on the national list.
🏀 Basketball Schedule Slam (Boys)
| Team | Opponent | Date/Time |
|---|---|---|
 Beechcroft Cougars | ||
| @ Northridge | 1/4 @ 7:15pm | |
| vs Columbus International | 1/7 @ 7:00pm | |
 Briggs Bruins | ||
| vs Columbus Academy | 1/4 @ 5:30pm | |
| vs Marion-Franklin | 1/7 @ 7:00pm | |
| Centennial Stars | ||
| vs Whetstone | 1/7 @ 7:00pm | |
 Independence 76ers | ||
| vs New Albany | 1/3 @ 7:00pm | |
| @ Walnut Ridge | 1/7 @ 7:00pm | |
 East Tigers | ||
| @ Northland | 1/7 @ 7:00pm | |
 Linden-McKinley Panthers | ||
| vs Mifflin | 1/7 @ 7:00pm | |
 Mifflin Punchers | ||
| @ Linden-McKinley | 1/7 @ 7:00pm | |
 Marion-Franklin Red Devils | ||
| @ Granville | 1/4 @ 6:00pm | |
| @ Briggs | 1/7 @ 7:00pm | |
 South Bulldogs | ||
| @ Africentric Early College | 1/7 @ 7:00pm | |
 Walnut Ridge Scots | ||
| vs Independence | 1/7 @ 7:00pm | |
 Northland Vikings | ||
| vs Westerville North | 1/2 @ 7:45pm | |
| vs East | 1/7 @ 7:00pm | |
 West Cowboys | ||
| @ Eastmoor Academy | 1/7 @ 7:00pm | |
 Whetstone Braves | ||
| @ Centennial | 1/7 @ 7:00pm | |
 Upper Arlington Golden Bears | ||
| vs Tri-Valley | 1/3 @ 7:30pm | |
| @ Gilmour Academy | 1/5 @ 2:00pm | |
| vs Grove City | 1/7 @ 6:45pm | |
 Africentric Early College Nubians | ||
| vs Woodward | 1/4 @ 5:30pm | |
| vs South | 1/7 @ 7:00pm | |
 Thomas Worthington CARDINALS | ||
| vs Olentangy Liberty | 1/4 @ 6:00pm | |
 Worthington Kilbourne Wolves | ||
| vs St. Francis DeSales | 1/4 @ 6:00pm | |
| vs Marysville | 1/6 @ 7:30pm | |
| @ Marion Harding | 1/7 @ 7:30pm | |
 Hilliard Bradley Jaguars | ||
| vs Hilliard Darby | 1/3 @ 4:00pm | |
 Hilliard Davidson Wildcats | ||
| vs Chillicothe | 1/3 @ 7:30pm | |
 Hilliard Darby Panthers | ||
| @ Hilliard Bradley | 1/3 @ 4:00pm | |
| vs Westerville Central | 1/7 @ 7:30pm | |
 Dublin Coffman Shamrocks | ||
| vs St. Francis DeSales | 1/3 @ 7:30pm | |
| vs Westland | 1/4 @ 5:45pm | |
| vs Olentangy Liberty | 1/7 @ 7:30pm | |
 Dublin Jerome Celtics | ||
| @ Harvest Prep | 1/7 @ 7:30pm | |
 Dublin Scioto Irish | ||
| @ Watkins Memorial | 1/4 @ 4:30pm | |
| vs Olentangy Berlin | 1/7 @ 7:30pm | |
 Lincoln Lions | ||
| vs Licking Heights | 1/4 @ 6:00pm | |
| vs St. Francis DeSales | 1/7 @ 7:30pm | |
 Westerville Central Warhawks | ||
| vs Westerville North | 1/4 @ 5:00pm | |
| @ Hilliard Darby | 1/7 @ 7:30pm | |
 Westerville North Warriors | ||
| vs Northland | 1/2 @ 7:45pm | |
| @ Westerville Central | 1/4 @ 5:00pm | |
| vs Garfield Heights | 1/7 @ 8:15pm | |
 Westerville South Wildcats | ||
| @ Grove City | 1/4 @ 7:00pm | |
 Grove City Greyhounds | ||
| vs Westerville South | 1/4 @ 7:00pm | |
| vs Upper Arlington | 1/7 @ 6:45pm | |
 Central Crossing Comets | ||
| vs Watkins Memorial | 1/3 @ 7:30pm | |
| @ Canal Winchester | 1/7 @ 7:30pm | |
 Franklin Heights Falcons | ||
| @ Bishop Ready | 1/3 @ 7:30pm | |
| vs KIPP Columbus | 1/6 @ 7:30pm | |
 New Albany Eagles | ||
| @ Independence | 1/3 @ 7:00pm | |
| vs Groveport-Madison | 1/7 @ 7:30pm | |
 Bexley Lions | ||
| @ Grandview Heights | 1/3 @ 7:30pm | |
| @ Worthington Christian | 1/7 @ 7:30pm | |
 Grandview Heights Bobcats | ||
| vs Bexley | 1/3 @ 7:30pm | |
| @ Mechanicsburg | 1/4 @ 7:30pm | |
| @ Buckeye Valley | 1/7 @ 7:00pm | |
 Reynoldsburg Raiders | ||
| vs Richmond Heights | 1/5 @ 7:30pm | |
 Whitehall-Yearling Rams | ||
| @ Johnstown-Monroe | 1/3 @ 7:15pm | |
 Canal Winchester Indians | ||
| @ St. Charles | 1/3 @ 7:30pm | |
| vs Central Crossing | 1/7 @ 7:30pm | |
 Graham Local Falcons | ||
| @ Northwestern | 1/3 @ 7:30pm | |
| vs Miami East | 1/4 @ 7:00pm | |
 Columbus International Lions | ||
| @ Shekinah Christian | 1/4 @ 2:30pm | |
| @ Beechcroft | 1/7 @ 7:00pm |
🏡 Real Estate Reveals
This charming 3 bed, 1.5 bath home is listed at $249,900 and features numerous upgrades, including new carpet and a tile backsplash in the kitchen. The open concept living and dining area flows seamlessly, while the lower level offers a cozy family room with a wood-burning stove and a reading nook, perfect for unwinding after a long day.
Spacious upgraded home in Gahanna
This charming home, listed at $325,000, features three bedrooms and two and a half baths, providing ample space with a family room, living room, dining room, and eat-in kitchen. Recent upgrades include a new furnace and central air system, fresh paint throughout, and new carpet, all while offering a cozy wood-burning fireplace, a back deck overlooking a small ravine, and a two-car garage, all within the desirable Gahanna school district.
Investment opportunity in promising neighborhood
This foreclosure property, available for auction with no listed price, presents an enticing investment opportunity in a promising neighborhood. Interested buyers can save the listing on Auction.com to stay informed about updates on property status, auction details, and potential winning bids.
🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla
🍞 Daily Bread Crumb
Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
-Psalm 55:22