Good morning, Franklin County. Mark your calendars and plan your routes carefully — the CBUS Soul Fest is expanding to a full weekend of music and celebration on August 15-16. The fourth annual event brings with it a cascade of road closures beginning Thursday morning when Washington Boulevard shuts down, followed by additional street closures on Friday. If you're heading downtown that weekend, you'll want to map an alternate path until all streets reopen Monday morning.
Sweet developments are brewing in Delaware as Graeter's Ice Cream prepares to expand its Central Ohio footprint with a new location in the city. Tim Hortons may also be joining the neighborhood, promising delicious competition for local dessert lovers. Meanwhile, despite national rhetoric suggesting otherwise, Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant points to encouraging data showing violent crime rates are actually trending downward across the city — a refreshing reality check amid heightened political discourse about urban safety.
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☕️ What's Brewing Locally
🎵 Columbus expands Soul Fest to two days, announces road closures. The fourth annual CBUS Soul Fest will run from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, August 15 and Saturday, August 16. Washington Boulevard will close first, shutting down from Broad Street to Town Street beginning Thursday morning. Additional closures will follow on Friday morning, affecting Rich/Main Street, Civic Center Drive, 2nd Street, and Jewett Street. All streets are expected to reopen by Monday morning, August 18.
🍦 Delaware's sweet tooth is in for a treat. Graeter's Ice Cream is planning to open a new shop in the city of Delaware, expanding its Central Ohio presence. Tim Hortons is also eyeing the location for a new doughnut shop. While details remain limited, this development would bring new dessert options to Delaware residents. The news comes as Graeter's moves forward with other expansion plans, including a major project backed by a $4 million loan.
🚓 Columbus crime rates drop despite political rhetoric about lawlessness. Police Chief Elaine Bryant discusses the gap between public perception and the reality of decreasing violent crime in Columbus. This comes after President Trump ordered National Guard deployment in DC and Vice President Vance made comments about Ohio cities. Bryant's interview addresses crime trends, police reforms, recruitment challenges, and the role of technology in modern policing. The conversation highlights how political narratives can diverge from actual crime statistics.
🎤 Featured Event of the Week
CBUS Soul® Fest
Where: 233 S Civic Center Dr Columbus, OH 43215
When: August 15, 2025 - August 16, 2025
🎵 CBUS Soul® Fest returns bigger than ever, expanding to a full two-day celebration of Columbus' vibrant Black culture in August 2025! This free festival at the Civic Center will feature live music performances, mouth-watering food vendors, and an abundance of soul-stirring experiences for the entire community to enjoy. Presented by Columbus Recreation and Parks Department in partnership with Experience Columbus, the event promises to be a highlight of the summer cultural calendar. Mark your calendars for August 15-16 to immerse yourself in this authentic celebration of Black excellence and community connection in the heart of Columbus.
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