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Ohio Military Families Prepare for Deployments Amid Iran-Israel Tensions

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Ohio Military Families Prepare for Deployments Amid Iran-Israel Tensions
Veterans and families in Ohio face uncertainty as Iran-Israel conflict raises deployment risks

Ohio Military Families Prepare for Deployments Amid Iran-Israel Tensions

Columbus, Ohio – As tensions escalate between Iran and Israel, military families and reservists across Ohio are preparing for potential U.S. involvement and possible deployments. With uncertainty growing, the emotional toll is already being felt far from the battlefield.

In Central Ohio, Brian Galligher, a Navy veteran who served aboard nuclear submarines and at Guantanamo Bay, remains on standby as a reservist. Now 52 and director of the Delaware County Veterans Services Office, Galligher knows the call to serve could still come โ€” and he’s ready.

โ€œIf I am deployed, I will do whatโ€™s asked,โ€ Galligher said. โ€œItโ€™s not easy, but with my familyโ€™s support, itโ€™s manageable.โ€

The potential for U.S. military action has intensified after President Trump cut short a G7 summit to discuss national security options with his advisors. Analysts suggest any U.S. involvement could target Iranโ€™s underground nuclear facilities, which may draw the nation into a wider regional conflict.

In Worthington, Vietnam veteran John Karl Axthelm, 81, watches the news with concern. โ€œWe lost over 58,000 in Vietnam,โ€ he said. โ€œI would hate to see us dragged into another war.โ€

Evan Schumann, former Peace Corps volunteer and now Program Manager for Ohio Task Force One, fears domestic consequences. His team of nearly 200 first responders, typically deployed for natural disasters, may have to respond to threats at home โ€” including chemical or biological attacks.

โ€œThereโ€™s always the risk of retaliation on U.S. soil,โ€ Schumann said.

Military families are also on high alert. Buckeye Military Moms, a Worthington-based support group, is familiar with the stress that comes with uncertainty. Member Diana Evans Vance, 70, whose son serves in the U.S. Coast Guard, said parents have had to learn to accept what they canโ€™t control.

โ€œWhen war breaks out, the Coast Guard joins the Navy,โ€ she said. โ€œWe trust the system, but weโ€™re still worried every day.โ€

Despite the fear, these families and veterans remain resilient โ€” united by duty, honor, and the hope for peace.


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Grove City Looking into Building New Recreation Center to Serve Growing Population

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Grove City Looking into Building New Recreation Center to Serve Growing Population
Grove City officials discuss potential location for future recreation center

Grove City Looking into Building New Recreation Center to Serve Growing Population

As Columbus suburbs continue to expand community resources, Grove City, Ohio, is now considering the development of a state-of-the-art recreation center to serve its fast-growing population of over 40,000 residents.

Following in the footsteps of neighboring suburbs like Upper Arlington, Dublin, Hilliard, and Westerville, which have already established modern community centers, Grove City is actively evaluating options for its own central facility.

According to Jack Castle, Director of Parks and Recreation, dedicated committees have been working since May to identify suitable locations and explore financing strategies. Their recommendations are expected to be presented to the City Council by late June or early July.

A resident survey conducted by an independent consultant revealed strong support for a community center. Castle emphasized that public input will guide the next steps, as the city aims to ensure the final design aligns with local needs.

Currently, Grove City operates The Big Splash, an outdoor pool built over 25 years ago, and boasts nearly 30 public parks and 38 miles of recreational trails. However, the city lacks a centralized indoor facility for year-round programming.

Preliminary cost estimates for the project range between $78 million and $90 million, though updated projections may rise depending on building size and amenities.

โ€œThis isnโ€™t just a building project,โ€ Castle said. โ€œItโ€™s about creating a welcoming space where residents feel a sense of ownership and pride โ€” a true hub for the entire community.โ€


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Columbus Opens Cooling Centers as Heat Wave Hits Central Ohio

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Columbus Opens Cooling Centers as Heat Wave Hits Central Ohio
Columbus set to open five community cooling centers and waive pool fees starting June 24

Columbus Opens Cooling Centers as Heat Wave Hits Central Ohio

Columbus, Ohio – As Columbus, Ohio, braces for the first major heat wave of the summer, city officials have announced the opening of five regional cooling centers starting Tuesday, June 24. This move follows forecasts predicting dangerously high temperatures, exceeding 90ยฐF for multiple days.

The Columbus Recreation and Parks Department confirmed in a June 20 press release that cooling centers will be available at select community centers to help residents stay safe and cool during the upcoming extreme heat. Despite the National Weather Service issuing a heat watch from Sunday, June 22 to Wednesday, June 25, the cooling centers won’t open until June 24.

Temperatures are expected to reach highs of 95ยฐF or more, with a heat index up to 105ยฐF, affecting much of Central Ohio and the Eastern U.S., potentially impacting over 170 million Americans.

The following Columbus community centers will be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, starting June 24 until further notice:

  • Dodge Community Center โ€“ 667 Sullivant Ave.
  • Driving Park Community Center โ€“ 1100 Rhoads Ave.
  • Glenwood Community Center โ€“ 1880 Fairmont Ave.
  • Linden Community Center โ€“ 1350 Briarwood Ave.
  • Marion Franklin Community Center โ€“ 2801 Lockbourne Road

In addition, all Columbus public pools will waive the $1 entry fee starting June 24, with opening hours from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Spray grounds at Barnett, Linden, and Scioto Southland will also be open from noon to 8 p.m., free of charge, for as long as the extreme heat lasts.

Residents are encouraged to stay hydrated, avoid prolonged sun exposure, and make use of these free cooling resources to prevent heat-related illnesses.


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Blendon Township take Officer Charged with Murder off payroll, After Levy Failure

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Blendon Township take Officer Charged with Murder off payroll, After Levy Failure
Officer Connor Grubb fatally shot Taโ€™Kiya Young in August 2023; his pay was suspended in June 2025 following a failed police levy.

Blendon Township take Officer Charged with Murder off payroll, After Levy Failure

Columbus, Ohio โ€“ Budget fallout from Blendon Township’s failed police levy has led to the suspension of pay for Officer Connor Grubb, who remains under indictment in connection with the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Taโ€™Kiya Young and her unborn child in August 2023.

In a press release issued June 18, the Blendon Township Police Department announced that Officer Grubbโ€™s administrative leave status has changed to unpaid, following authorization by the Board of Trustees. The decision, formalized through a memorandum of understanding with the Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge No. 9, comes amid severe financial strain after residents rejected a proposed 4.48-mill police levy during the May 2025 primary.

โ€œThe recent failure of the police levy has put Blendon Township in a difficult financial position,โ€ said Police Chief John Belford, who warned earlier that up to 40% of police staff could face layoffs. โ€œThis decision is driven by the need to manage resources responsibly.โ€



Background: Shooting of Taโ€™Kiya Young

The shooting occurred on August 24, 2023, in a Kroger parking lot on Sunbury Road in Columbus, Ohio. Officers approached Young after a store employee reported a shoplifting incident. Surveillance and bodycam footage show Officer Grubb standing in front of Youngโ€™s vehicle. As the car moved forward, he discharged his weapon, firing a single shot through the windshield and striking Young in the chest.

Young, who was six months pregnant, died shortly after at Mount Carmel St. Annโ€™s Hospital, along with her unborn daughter. At the time of the shooting, officers reportedly did not know she was pregnant.

Grubb was placed on paid administrative leave until August 2024, when a Franklin County grand jury indicted him on multiple charges, including:

  • Four counts of murder
  • Four counts of felonious assault
  • Two counts of involuntary manslaughter

His trial, initially set for July 2025, has now been postponed to August 25.

Criticism and Civil Rights Reaction

Civil rights attorney Sean Walton, representing Youngโ€™s family, sharply criticized the townshipโ€™s narrative. In a statement, Walton called the move a โ€œpublic relations stunt disguised as fiscal responsibilityโ€, accusing officials of deflecting accountability for what he described as โ€œviolent, fatal misconduct.โ€

โ€œThe audacity to frame this as a budget issue, rather than an act of fatal police misconduct, is disgraceful,โ€ said Walton.

Financial Fallout: What the Levy Rejection Means

The failed levy vote, which saw 51% of residents in unincorporated Blendon Township reject the proposal, has created a ripple effect across the department. Chief Belford emphasized the need to make tough decisions, even while Grubb remains legally presumed innocent.

However, community advocates argue that continuing to employ โ€” even unpaid โ€” an officer facing serious felony charges raises questions about public trust and accountability.

Looking Ahead

As the township grapples with its budget crisis and the legal proceedings continue, the case remains a flashpoint in Ohio’s ongoing conversations around police reform, transparency, and the intersection of justice and local governance.


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Video of Columbus Woman Detained by ICE Agents Goes Viral on Social Media

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Video of Columbus Woman Detained by ICE Agents Goes Viral on Social Media
Sandra Esqueda, a Columbus resident of over 30 years, is detained by ICE while returning home.

Video of Columbus Woman Detained by ICE Agents Goes Viral on Social Media

Columbus, Ohio – A west side Columbus family is speaking out after 63-year-old Sandra Esqueda, a long-time resident of the city, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) outside her home last week.

Esqueda was returning from a grocery store when ICE agents reportedly surrounded her vehicle. She was later booked into Butler County Jail on June 10 and remains there under an โ€œICE holdโ€ pending a court appearance scheduled for June 24.



Her daughter, Merari Esqueda, captured video footage of the arrest and shared it on TikTok, where it quickly gained over 350,000 views. โ€œSheโ€™s our mother, our grandmother, the heart of our family,โ€ Merari said.

Sandra originally immigrated from Mexico in the late 1980s and has spent over 30 years in Columbus, raising seven children while working as a cleaner in homes and businesses across central Ohio. โ€œShe loved Ohio and wanted to make this city her permanent home,โ€ her daughter shared.

According to Merari, Sandra’s work visa expired in 2020, and she had been actively working with attorneys to renew it. The family insists they were unaware of any active deportation order at the time of her arrest.

Court records from Franklin County show Sandra has prior misdemeanor DUI convictions and traffic violations dating back to 2000. As of this publication, U.S. Department of Homeland Security has not issued an official statement regarding the arrest.

The arrest comes amid heightened immigration enforcement policies targeting non-citizens with criminal records. โ€œMy mother has always embraced being part of this country,โ€ Merari said. โ€œShe taught us American values and wanted nothing more than to stay here legally.โ€

The family is hopeful that bond will be granted during her upcoming court hearing. They continue to rally public support and raise awareness of her case through social media.


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Severe Thunderstorms leave thousands of AEP customers without power in Columbus area, Pataskala

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Severe Thunderstorms leave thousands of AEP customers without power in Columbus area, Pataskala
Severe thunderstorms on June 18, 2025, caused widespread power outages across Columbus, Ohio, and delayed the Hozier concert at Historic Crew Stadium.

Severe Thunderstorms leave thousands of AEP customers without power in Columbus area, Pataskala

On the evening of June 18, several thousand AEP customers across Columbus, Reynoldsburg, Gahanna, Pataskala, and Newark in Franklin and Licking counties experienced significant power outages following a line of severe thunderstorms sweeping through central and eastern Ohio.

The storms also disrupted the scheduled outdoor concert at Historic Crew Stadium featuring Irish singer Hozier and guest Gigi Perez during the Unreal Unearth 2025 Tour. The event was delayed for three hours due to lightning and severe weather warnings. Concertgoers were evacuated to their vehicles or the nearby Lausche Building for safety before the show resumed at 10:30 p.m.

The storm system extended from southern Michigan through Ohio and Kentucky, also causing delays in other events such as the FIFA Club World Cup game in Cincinnati. According to AEPโ€™s outage map, the hardest-hit areas included:

  • Over 2,250 customers in the Linden neighborhood
  • More than 2,000 in Worthington Highlands, Worthington Park, and Slate Hill
  • Nearly 2,000 in Taylor Station
  • Over 1,300 in Reynoldsburgโ€™s Glenmeadows area
  • 1,500+ in Newark and 1,200+ in Pataskala, Licking County
  • Around 850 near Apple Valley in Knox County
  • 500+ customers between West Berlin and Kilbourne along U.S. 36
  • 480+ in Liberty and Orange townships, Delaware County

Columbus Weather Forecast: Rain and Thunderstorms on Juneteenth, Clearing Skies Follow

The National Weather Service (NWS) Wilmington forecasts continued showers and thunderstorms through June 19, with clearing skies and warming temperatures expected later in the week:

  • June 18-19 (overnight): Showers and thunderstorms likely, low around 68ยฐF, southwest winds gusting up to 24 mph.
  • June 19 (Juneteenth): Showers and thunderstorms likely through afternoon, high near 78ยฐF, with a 60-70% chance of rain.
  • June 19 night: Mostly clear skies, low near 61ยฐF.
  • June 20-24: Sunny to partly cloudy days with highs rising from the mid-80s to mid-90s and mostly clear nights.

Residents across Columbus and neighboring communities are advised to stay updated on weather alerts and power restoration efforts as summer storms continue.


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Ohio Prepares for Possible U.S. Troop Deployment Amid Israel-Iran War Tensions

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Ohio Prepares for Possible U.S. Troop Deployment Amid Israel-Iran War Tensions
Ohio veterans and families respond to the growing threat of troop deployment as Israel-Iran tensions escalate.

Ohio Prepares for Possible U.S. Troop Deployment Amid Israel-Iran War Tensions

Columbus, Ohio – As the Israel-Iran conflict intensifies, sparking fears of wider war and U.S. intervention, military families and veterans across Ohio are preparing for a possible U.S. Army troop deployment. The situation has become especially urgent following ongoing missile attacks and speculation over U.S. bombing campaigns in response to Iranian nuclear threats.

Brian Galligher, a U.S. Navy reservist and director of the Delaware County Veteran Services Office, has a long history of service aboard submarines like the USS Seahorse and at Guantanamo Bay. Though now 52, he remains on standby for future missions.

โ€œItโ€™s always hard leaving your familyโ€”but when duty calls, I am ready,โ€ said Galligher, whose daughters support his service and sacrifice.

The concern escalated after President Donald Trump abruptly left a G7 summit on June 16 to meet with his National Security Council in Washington. The administration is weighing military options, which could involve U.S. bombing raids on Iranian facilities.

Veterans like John Karl Axthelm, 81, of Worthington, recall past wars and fear another costly conflict. Axthelm served during the Vietnam War and understands whatโ€™s at stake.

โ€œYou are always on edge. I would hate to see us repeat the same mistakes,โ€ he said.

First responders are also alert. Evan Schumann, a former Peace Corps member who now leads Ohio Task Force One, says national disaster teams are also preparing for threats beyond the battlefieldโ€”chemical or biological attacks on American soil.

Support groups like Buckeye Military Moms, based in Worthington, Ohio, are deeply affected. Diana Evans Vance, whose son serves in the U.S. Coast Guard, expressed a mixture of support and concern.

โ€œIf full-scale war breaks out, the Coast Guard becomes part of the Navy. We support our kids, but it doesnโ€™t mean we stop worrying,โ€ she said.
โ€œWe have learned to live with โ€˜no news is good news.โ€™โ€

As the Israel-Iran situation escalates and U.S. intervention looms, Ohioโ€™s military families and service members are responding with resilience and readiness. They know that the emotional cost of war is carried not just by those in uniform, but by the communities they leave behind.


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Columbus Protest Against ICE & Immigration Crackdown | June 18 Demonstration

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Columbus Protest Against ICE & Immigration Crackdown | June 18 Demonstration
June 18 protest at Columbus City Hall: demonstrators condemn ICE and U.S. intervention in Middle East conflicts.

Columbus Protest Against ICE & Immigration Crackdown | June 18 Demonstration

Columbus, Ohio – On the evening of June 18, roughly 200 individuals rallied at Columbus City Hall before marching through downtown Columbus, protesting the Trump administrationโ€™s immigration policies, including ICE enforcement, and warning against the U.S. entering a potential Israelโ€“Iran conflict.

Beginning just before 6โ€ฏp.m. on West Broad Street, demonstrators held signs against Trump and ICE. A few wore kaffiyehs in solidarity with Palestinians affected by Israelโ€™s Gaza operations, and others criticized the possibility of a dual U.S.-backed offensive in Iran. The rally was organized by the Columbus chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation and Columbus 50501, whose leaders kicked things off from the city hall steps, calling for an end to ICEโ€™s presence in Columbus.

A central demand was the release of Leonardo Fausto, a Brazilian asylum-seeker arrested by ICE on June 3 at Franklin County Municipal Court while paying a traffic ticket; he remains detained at Butler County Jail under federal contract.

From City Hall, protesters marched south on High Street, continued east on Mound Street, and returned north via 4th Street to Broad Street, concluding back at City Hall. Columbus Policeโ€™s dialogue team monitored from a distance, while regular patrols temporarily halted traffic, ensuring a safe route. Among the demonstrators was 22-year-old Logan R. of Columbus, who voiced opposition to both domestic and international policies under the Trump administration, stating:
โ€œI want a free Palestine, I want ICE abolished, and I don’t want a war in the Middle East.โ€


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Brazilian Man Detained by ICE After Pleading Guilty to Speeding Ticket in Franklin County Court

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Brazilian Man Detained by ICE After Pleading Guilty to Speeding Ticket in Franklin County Court
Leonardo Fausto was taken into ICE custody after a traffic court appearance in Butler County, Ohio.

Brazilian Man Detained by ICE After Pleading Guilty to Speeding Ticket in Franklin County Court

Columbus, Ohio – In a troubling case raising questions about immigration enforcement in Ohio, Leonardo Fausto was arrested by ICE agents immediately after pleading guilty to a speeding ticket in Butler County traffic court in early June. Fausto, a Brazilian immigrant who arrived in the U.S. in 2021 fleeing gang threats, was taken into custody at the courthouse and remains held at Butler County Jail on an ICE hold.

Despite having no criminal record and complying with immigration supervision ordersโ€”including regular check-ins with ICE in Westervilleโ€”Faustoโ€™s guilty plea to a local traffic violation triggered his detention. His attorneys emphasize that such arrests are becoming increasingly common under current immigration policies, which hold immigrants accountable for even minor local ordinance violations.

Fausto works construction by day and delivers pizza by night alongside his wife to support their three young children. The family is active in their local Brazilian church community. His lawyers are now fighting for a bond hearing to reunite him with his family, arguing that Fausto cannot be legally deported without a deportation order.

Meanwhile, Ohio Representative Gary Click has proposed the โ€œAmerica First Act,โ€ aiming to strengthen immigration enforcement by criminalizing unlawful entry into Ohio. However, the bill explicitly excludes asylum seekers actively working through the legal process, like Fausto.

Click expressed hope that justice will prevail, emphasizing the importance of following legal channels and offering temporary stays for immigrants navigating their cases.

As Faustoโ€™s attorneys await a bond hearing, his story highlights the complexities and challenges faced by immigrant families in Ohio amid evolving immigration policies.


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New Retail & Restaurant Spaces Coming to Gahannaโ€™s Crescent at Central Park Development

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New Retail & Restaurant Spaces Coming to Gahannaโ€™s Crescent at Central Park Development
Proposed restaurant and retail additions to Crescent at Central Park, Gahanna

New Retail & Restaurant Spaces Coming to Gahannaโ€™s Crescent at Central Park Development

Columbus, Ohio โ€“ The Crescent at Central Park development in Gahanna is expanding beyond its medical office roots with the addition of new retail and dining options. On June 11, the Gahanna Planning Commission approved plans for two new one-story commercial buildings โ€” a 10,500-square-foot restaurant and a 6,080-square-foot retail space โ€” along with a nearly 12,000-square-foot medical office building.

Located just south of I-270 and east of Hamilton Road, the growing 112-acre mixed-use community will connect the new buildings via Crescent Circle, a new interior road linking Tech Center Drive and Crescent Place. While the new structures wonโ€™t have direct access to Hamilton Road, they will complement existing medical facilities and apartments already on-site.

Developer Canini & Associates is leading the project, which aims to attract local businesses and healthcare providers. This development follows last year’s approval of a Sheetz gas station, now under construction on the site.

Crescent at Central Park continues to evolve into one of Gahannaโ€™s most dynamic destinations, blending residential, retail, and professional spaces just minutes from downtown Columbus.


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