Good morning, Franklin County. Move over, Silicon Valley - the Midwest is having its manufacturing renaissance moment. The announcement of Anduril Industries' massive drone facility isn't just bringing 4,000 jobs to our backyard; it's cementing central Ohio's transformation into America's next innovation corridor. Between this and Intel's chip factories, Columbus is starting to look less like Cowtown and more like the future.
And speaking of transformative forces, Columbus's own Anna Bishop was revolutionizing education and preserving Black history long before it was trending. While she was composing music and documenting African American experiences, Fresh Start Family Recovery Center is writing its own chapter of hope - proving that in Franklin County, whether we're building drones or rebuilding lives, innovation comes in many forms.
🌤 Sky Skoop | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
0%☕️ What's Brewing Locally
🏭 Ohio lands massive drone factory, bringing 4,000 new jobs to Columbus. Defense contractor Anduril Industries will build Arsenal-1 in Pickaway County, marking the state's largest-ever job creation project. While the facility joins Intel's chip factories in central Ohio's recent manufacturing boom, Northeast Ohio stands to benefit through supply chain opportunities. Regional leaders say the drone maker's success will create ripple effects for suppliers statewide. Though Northeast Ohio lacks the sprawling properties for such mega-projects, economic developers are focusing on creative solutions to capitalize on the growth.
📚 Columbus teacher Anna Bishop turned Black history into her life's mission. Born in 1916, she became a pioneering educator who graduated from Ohio State University at just 19 years old. Beyond her 35-year teaching career, Bishop was a renaissance woman - composing music, writing poetry, and performing in theatrical productions. She authored the influential four-part series "Beyond Poindexter Village" documenting Black life in Columbus, earning her the title "Mother of Black History in Columbus." Bishop's legacy of preserving African American experiences continued until her death in 2004.
🏥 New addiction center lets pregnant women recover without losing their children. Fresh Start Family Focused Recovery has opened its doors in downtown Columbus, offering a groundbreaking approach to treating substance abuse. The facility accepts pregnant women and mothers with children up to age 18, providing residential treatment, counseling, and on-site childcare. Located strategically near hospitals and public transportation, the 15,000-square-foot center can house 34 women in 26 rooms. Program leaders say keeping families together during recovery significantly increases the chances of successful treatment.
🏀 Basketball Scoreboard (Boys)
Upper Arlington flexed their muscles in an 82-50 rout of Patriot Prep Academy, serving up a reminder of why they're one of central Ohio's most feared squads. The Golden Bears (13-7) showed no mercy in this non-league clash, while handing the Eagles (16-6) a humbling reality check.DeSales continued their winning ways with a gritty 62-54 road victory over Westerville South, pushing their record to an impressive 15-7. The Stallions' stampede shows no signs of slowing down.New Albany's Eagles soared past Springfield 61-49, improving to a stellar 17-4 on the season. The Eagles' high-flying offense proved too much for the host Wildcats to handle in this non-league showdown.
| Team | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
 Northland (17-3) | ||
vs Africentric Early College | W 61-48 | |
 Africentric Early College (20-2) | ||
@ Northland | L 61-48 | |
 Upper Arlington (13-7) | ||
vs Patriot Prep Academy | W 82-50 | |
 Westerville South (7-13) | ||
vs St. Francis DeSales | L 62-54 | |
 New Albany (17-4) | ||
@ Springfield | W 61-49 |
🏀 Basketball Scoreboard (Girls)
A Saturday night basketball bonanza in Columbus saw Centennial (17-1) continue their stellar season with a 47-36 win over Bexley, setting up a heavyweight clash against 22-2 Granville next week. Meanwhile, Mt. Vernon showed no mercy in a 57-29 dismantling of Briggs, and Dublin Scioto found their shooting touch in a 74-35 rout of Walnut Ridge - proof that Irish eyes really do smile sometimes.
| Team | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
 Briggs (11-11) | ||
@ Mt. Vernon* | L 57-29 | |
 Centennial (17-1) | ||
vs Bexley* | W 47-36 | |
 Linden-McKinley (14-9) | ||
@ Granville* | L 49-29 | |
 Marion-Franklin (4-18) | ||
@ Buckeye Valley** | L 68-14 | |
 Walnut Ridge (9-14) | ||
vs Dublin Scioto* | L 74-35 | |
 Dublin Scioto (8-15) | ||
@ Walnut Ridge* | W 74-35 | |
 Westerville North (3-19) | ||
vs Bishop Watterson* | L 56-23 | |
| Westerville South (18-5) | ||
vs Logan* | W 64-26 | |
 Westerville Central (14-9) | ||
vs Watkins Memorial* | W 45-23 | |
 Whitehall-Yearling (19-5) | ||
vs Bloom-Carroll* | L 45-42 | |
 Bexley (9-15) | ||
@ Centennial* | L 47-36 |
🏡 Real Estate Reveals
Updated family home with versatility: This beautifully updated 4-5 bedroom home on a corner lot, listed at $248,900, boasts a fenced backyard, modern finishes, and a versatile office space, making it ideal for families and remote work. Enjoy easy access to shopping and schools, along with a spacious 2-car garage.
Stylish updated home opportunity: This fully remodeled home, listed at $210,000, features an open kitchen/dining area, a first floor bedroom and bathroom, and four total bedrooms. Updates include a new roof and central air in 2024, making it a solid choice for homeowners or investors.
Renovated ranch near Downtown Columbus: Renovated ranch home at 528 Bassett is listed for $266,900, featuring open-concept living, granite countertops, SS appliances, a spacious backyard, and a convenient location just six minutes from Downtown Columbus. Open houses are scheduled for February 21 and 23.🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla
|
|