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Hilltop Tigers Youth Soccer Program Paused Amid Budget Cuts

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Hilltop Tigers Youth Soccer Program Paused Amid Budget Cuts
Hilltop Tigers Youth Soccer players during practice in Columbus, Ohio

Hilltop Tigers Youth Soccer Program Paused Amid Budget Cuts

Columbus, Ohio โ€” The future of the Hilltop Tigers Youth Soccer program is uncertain after budget cuts forced MY Project USA to temporarily suspend operations. The soccer initiative has served as a safe haven for more than 150 children in the Hilltop area, protecting them from street violence, drugs, and gang involvement.

Since its launch eight years ago, the program has become a beacon of hope for underserved youth, providing athletic training, leadership development, mentorship, and educational support. Some players have even progressed to the Columbus Crew Academy, earning opportunities to thrive both on and off the field.

โ€œThe Hilltop Tigers are more than just a soccer team, they are a family,โ€ said Zerqa Abid, Executive Director of MY Project USA. โ€œThis pause is heartbreaking, but necessary given the severe funding challenges we are facing.โ€

The nonprofit is now prioritizing basic needs such as food distribution, academic programs, and healthcare services which serve the same families whose children are part of the Tigers team. With limited funding from city, state, and federal levels, tough decisions had to be made.

The cost to run the program is approximately $230,000 annually, covering coaches’ salaries, indoor facility rentals, transportation, and meals. By comparison, Franklin County reportedly spends over $185,000 per year to incarcerate one youth a figure that underscores the preventative value of the Hilltop Tigers Youth Soccer initiative.

Coach Bashir Ahmed, who has been a mentor to many players, shared concerns about the ripple effects of halting the program. โ€œWithout the Tigers, we risk losing these kids to the streets. This team provides purpose, discipline, and a consistent support system.โ€

Despite the setback, MY Project USA is actively seeking new funding through grants and community donations to resume the program as soon as possible.

โ€œWe are not giving up,โ€ Abid said. โ€œWe are committed to bringing back Hilltop Tigers Youth Soccer and we need the communityโ€™s support to do it.โ€


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Dorothy Teater, Columbus Womenโ€™s Political Pioneer, Dies at 94

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Dorothy Teater, Columbus Womenโ€™s Political Pioneer, Dies at 94
Dorothy Teater, a trailblazer in Columbus politics, dies at 94.

Dorothy Teater, Columbus Womenโ€™s Political Pioneer, Dies at 94

COLUMBUS, OHIO โ€” July 30, 2025 โ€” Dorothy Teater dies at 94, leaving behind a legacy as one of Columbusโ€™s most influential political leaders and a trailblazer for women in public service.

Teater passed away on July 29 at Ohio State University Hospital due to heart failure, her family confirmed. Known for her integrity, bold leadership, and dedication to community service, Teater made history as the first woman elected Franklin County Commissioner in 1984 โ€” a groundbreaking moment in central Ohio politics.

Before that, she served on the Columbus City Council, where she was elected in 1979 and re-elected in 1983. In 1999, she became the first woman to run for Columbus mayor on a major party ticket, challenging Michael Coleman in a historic race that marked a pivotal point for diversity in city leadership.

โ€œDorothy was a true trailblazer,โ€ said Mike Curtin, former Ohio House Representative and Dispatch editor. โ€œShe opened the door for women in politics and never held back from speaking her mind.โ€

Her son, Andy Teater, currently a member of the Hilliard City Council, said his parents modeled a life of faith, honesty, and public service. โ€œWe were lucky to have such strong role models,โ€ he said.

Dorothyโ€™s late husband, Bob Teater, also served Ohio with distinction, including as director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. He helped establish The Wilds wildlife conservation center and served three terms on the Columbus Board of Education. Together, the couple was widely regarded as a โ€œdynamic duoโ€ in Ohioโ€™s civic life.

Though she and Coleman were political rivals, he remembered her with great respect. โ€œI admired her deeply,โ€ Coleman said, recalling a moment when Teater even beat him in a horse and buggy race at Scioto Downs. โ€œWe always laughed about that.โ€

As Columbus remembers Dorothy Teater, her lifeโ€™s work continues to inspire a new generation of leaders , especially women who see public service as a path to real and lasting change.


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Why Are So Many Roads Closed in West Columbus and Prairie Township This Week?

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Roads Closed in West Columbus and Prairie Township This Week?
Temporary detours in Prairie Township due to Norfolk Southern rail work โ€“ July 2025.

Why Are So Many Roads Closed in West Columbus and Prairie Township This Week?

If you have recently found yourself rerouting through unfamiliar neighborhoods in West Columbus or Prairie Township, you are not alone. Thousands of residents and commuters are facing major disruptions due to road closures caused by ongoing railroad maintenance by Norfolk Southern.

The affected areas span nearly 5 miles of track, with temporary closures at:

  • Phillipi Road
  • Hilliard Rome Road
  • Doherty Road
  • Alton Darby Creek Road
  • Cole Road
  • Amity Road

These closures, some of which were announced with little to no notice, have caused severe congestion on key corridors like West Broad Street, especially west of I-270โ€”currently the only viable route across the railroad line in some areas.

Local governments, including Franklin County and the City of Columbus, say they werenโ€™t given sufficient notice about the closures. Some officials only became aware after residents began reporting blocked roads.

Carla Marable from the Franklin County Engineerโ€™s Office noted that while their team usually gives one weekโ€™s notice, changes in the contractorโ€™s schedule made timely updates difficult. โ€œWe recognize the inconvenience and are working on better coordination in the future,โ€ she said.

Concerns have also been raised about the impact on first responders. Prairie Township leaders mentioned that residents’ safety could be compromised without clear communication and advanced planning.

Long-term solutions are being explored. A proposed bridge project over the railroad at Hilliard Rome Road, with an estimated cost of $30 million, is intended to improve traffic flow and emergency access. However, it did not receive federal funding in the latest grant cycle.

Meanwhile, Prairie Townshipโ€™s fire department has implemented new tech to monitor emergency response routes and minimize delays.


Road Closure Timeline:

  • July 28 โ€“ July 30:
    • Phillipi Road
    • Hilliard Rome Road
    • Doherty Road
  • July 29 โ€“ July 31:
    • Alton Darby Creek Road
    • Cole Road
    • Amity Road

Residents are encouraged to follow local government pages and news sources for real-time updates on roads closed in West Columbus and surrounding areas.


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Second Lady Usha Vance visits Ohio State Fair

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Second Lady Usha Vance visits Ohio State Fair
Usha Vance reads โ€œThe Very Hungry Caterpillarโ€ with Fran DeWine at the Ohio State Fair’s storytime event promoting childrenโ€™s literacy.

Second Lady Usha Vance visits Ohio State Fair

Columbus, Ohio – Second Lady Usha Vance visited the Ohio State Fair on Sunday for a joyful and educational mission to spark a love of reading among Ohioโ€™s children. Joined by Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine, the event took place at the ODNR Amphitheater and featured Storytime, a fireside chat, and the official launch of Vanceโ€™s Summer Reading Challenge.

Speaking to a lively audience of kids and their families, Vance shared how childhood reading programs once inspired her own passion for books. โ€œReading is a door,โ€ she said. โ€œIt can take you to a different country, a different time, even a different planet.โ€

The Summer Reading Challenge, open to Kโ€“8 students across Ohio, encourages children to read 12 books of their choice between June 1 and September 5. Participants log their progress and write brief reflections. Upon completion, kids can mail in their logs to receive a certificate, a small prize, and a chance to win a trip to Washington, D.C. with a guardian.

Vanceโ€™s initiative complements Fran DeWineโ€™s long-standing support for Dolly Partonโ€™s Imagination Library of Ohio, which delivers free books monthly to kids under five. Today, over 400,000 children in Ohio are enrolledโ€”the highest number nationwide.

DeWine and Vance also shared a delightful reading of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle. To mark the occasion, DeWine wore themed earrings and invited families to take part in a scavenger hunt around the fairgrounds. Winners received their own copy of the beloved childrenโ€™s book.

This memorable event highlighted the importance of literacy, imagination, and community engagement. Vanceโ€™s appearance coincided with Vice President JD Vanceโ€™s visit to Metallus, a Canton-based steel manufacturer, as part of the federal governmentโ€™s One Big Beautiful Bill Act initiative.

As the fair continues, so does the message: books have the power to change lives and Ohioโ€™s leaders are working to ensure every child gets that opportunity.


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Columbus approves $2.9 billion spending bill

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Columbus approves $2.9 billion spending bill
Downtown Columbus, Ohio โ€“ one of the key areas benefiting from the $2.9 billion spending bill.

Columbus approves $2.9 billion spending bill

Columbus, Ohio – In a historic decision, Columbus City Council approved a $2.9 billion spending bill, the largest operating budget in the cityโ€™s history. This substantial investment for 2025 focuses on key priorities such as public safety, affordable housing, and critical infrastructure development.

Among the major allocations:

  • $14 million for the construction of a new Easton Police Substation
  • $1 billion toward building the cityโ€™s fourth water treatment plant
  • $50 million to fund affordable housing projects
  • $9 million for the cityโ€™s first-ever participatory budgeting initiative, allowing residents to vote on local neighborhood projects

Councilmember Nick Bankston highlighted the importance of investing in roads, bridges, and neighborhood parks, calling them essential to improving quality of life for Columbus residents. Mayor Andrew Ginther emphasized the focus on ensuring every resident is safe, healthy, and housed whether they live on the east side, west side, or anywhere in between.

The spending bill also includes:

  • $1 million to upgrade the Milo-Grogan Youth Center at Star House
  • $450,000 for renovations at Freedom and Joan Parks

With council approval now in place, the city auditor is authorized to issue bonds to fund these long-term capital projects.

This bold budget reflects the growing needs of Columbus as it continues to expand and modernize. It represents not just a financial plan, but a commitment to the city’s people and future.


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Former Columbus Police Officer Adam Coy to Be Sentenced Monday for 2020 Shooting of Andre Hill

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Former Columbus Police Officer Adam Coy to Be Sentenced for 2020 Shooting of Andre Hill
Adam Coy appears in Franklin County Court for sentencing in the fatal 2020 shooting of Andre Hill.

Former Columbus Police Officer Adam Coy to Be Sentenced Monday for 2020 Shooting of Andre Hill

Columbus, Ohio โ€” Former Columbus police officer Adam Coy is set to receive his prison sentence nearly five years after the fatal shooting of Andre Hill, an unarmed Black man. The sentencing hearing will take place on Monday at 9:30 a.m. at the Franklin County Common Pleas Court.

Coy, now 48 years old, was convicted in November 2024 on charges of murder, reckless homicide, and felonious assault. These charges stem from the December 22, 2020, incident in which Coy shot Hill four times while responding to a non-emergency call in northwest Columbus.

Hill, 47, was holding a phone with its screen lit and had a set of keys in his other hand when Coy opened fire. Coy later claimed he believed Hill was holding a firearm. However, it was determined he was unarmed.

Significantly, Coy failed to activate his body-worn camera until after the shooting, capturing only 60 seconds of silent footage prior to the incident. Subsequent footage showed Coy failing to provide immediate medical assistance to Hill, who later died at a local hospital.

The trial had faced multiple delays โ€” initially scheduled for March 2022, postponed due to Coy’s Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis in 2023. After a two-week trial and 12 hours of jury deliberation, the conviction was handed down.

Adam Coy is facing a mandatory sentence of 15 years to life in prison. He had previously filed a motion for a new trial, but it was denied in June 2025 by Judge Stephen McIntosh.

Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.


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Flash Flooding Closes Groveport Golf Course, Central Ohio

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Flash Flooding Closes Groveport Golf Course, Central Ohio
lash flooding at The Links at Groveport submerged vehicles and forced closure

Flash Flooding Closes Groveport Golf Course, Central Ohio

Severe flash flooding on July 26 forced the closure of The Links at Groveport Golf Course in Central Ohio. One car was found submerged in a sand filtration pit, and at least three other vehicles were left stranded overnight as floodwaters quickly rose due to heavy rain from Little Walnut Creek.

Golf course director Tom Walker confirmed that nearly 4 inches of rain fell in under an hour, leading to the abrupt flooding. โ€œIt is not unusual for us to close for a day or two in early spring due to rain, but this was different,โ€ he said. โ€œOne vehicle was lifted into the sand pit by the rising water. Others couldnโ€™t start once water reached above their tailpipes.โ€

The National Weather Service lifted the flood warning on the morning of July 27, but a flood advisory remained in effect for Fairfield County. Roads were closed in the area, and additional rain is expected with an 80% chance of storms.

Meteorologist Toms Franks said rainfall totals varied dramatically across Central Ohio. While John Glenn International Airport reported 0.91 inches, Groveport recorded nearly four inches. โ€œStorm systems stalled over Groveport, dropping rain repeatedly in a short time,โ€ Franks explained. He also emphasized that climate change is contributing to more intense storms and higher flash flood risks.

Walker is now concerned about long-term damage to the course. If more rain falls, heat could scorch the already waterlogged turf, which would be devastating. โ€œWe lost the back nine fairways in 2017 under similar conditions,โ€ he said. โ€œWe will do what we can, but we donโ€™t want a long closure. This is a public course that served over 36,000 rounds last year, and weekends bring up to 250 golfers.โ€


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Gwyneth Paltrow Joins Astronomer After CEO KissCam Scandal

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Gwyneth Paltrow Joins Astronomer After CEO KissCam Scandal
Gwyneth Paltrow is now a temporary spokesperson for Astronomer following the resignation of two executives after a KissCam scandal.

Gwyneth Paltrow Joins Astronomer After CEO KissCam Scandal

In the wake of a viral moment that rocked the leadership of tech company Astronomer, the firm is taking an unexpected PR turn by bringing actress Gwyneth Paltrow onboard as a temporary spokesperson.

The move follows the resignation of CEO Andy Byron and HR executive Kristin Cabot, who were caught on a KissCam sharing an intimate embrace during a Coldplay concert โ€” a moment made awkward by frontman Chris Martin, who joked, “Either they are having an affair, or they are just very shy.” The incident rapidly circulated on social media, leading to countless memes and speculation.

In a light-hearted video shared on X (formerly Twitter), Paltrow, who was married to Coldplayโ€™s Chris Martin for 13 years appeared as the new face of the company. While steering clear of any mention of the controversy, she spoke enthusiastically about Astronomerโ€™s mission in data workflow automation, suggesting the company is ready to shift focus back to business.

โ€œWe have been thrilled that so many people have a newfound interest in data workflow automation,โ€ said Paltrow. โ€œWe will now be returning to what we do best โ€” delivering game-changing results for our customers.โ€


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Beloved Bonobo Max Passes Away at Columbus Zoo

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Beloved Bonobo Max Passes Away at Columbus Zoo
Max, the beloved 9-year-old bonobo, brought joy to visitors and caretakers at the Columbus Zoo.

Beloved Bonobo Max Passes Away at Columbus Zoo

Columbus, Ohio – The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is mourning the loss of Max, a beloved 9-year-old bonobo, who passed away on June 18 following an unexpected and complex medical condition.

Born on November 8, 2015, Max quickly became a favorite among staff and visitors alike due to his lively personality and deep social connections. He was known for his intelligence, curiosity, and the strong bonds he formed with both his bonobo family and the animal care team.

According to the Columbus Zooโ€™s official statement shared via Facebook on July 24, Max appeared healthy and active shortly before he was found unresponsive during a routine wellness check. Veterinary professionals acted swiftly, initiating intensive care and bringing in external specialists to provide continuous support over six days. Sadly, despite their efforts, Max did not recover.

A necropsy revealed that Max suffered from gastric ulcers and signs of heat-related illness. While the sequence of events remains unclear, zoo veterinarians believe the ulcers may have led to his rapid health decline. The zoo emphasized that Max had access to proper care, including water and shaded areas, to ensure his comfort.

Max was a vital member of the zooโ€™s bonobo troop, a group that reflects the zooโ€™s ongoing commitment to the conservation of endangered great apes. Bonobos, sharing over 98% of their DNA with humans, have been under the zoo’s care since 1990. The average life expectancy of a male bonobo in managed care is approximately 31 years.

Although Max’s life was cut short, his impact on the Columbus Zoo and its visitors remains profound. His legacy lives on through the continued conservation work and the remaining 13 bonobos who call the zoo home.

โ€œMax was deeply loved and will never be forgotten,โ€ the zoo shared. โ€œHis spirit brought joy and connection to everyone around him.โ€


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Somali Regionโ€™s Oil Wealth Sparks Tensions as Mustaf Omar Faces Accusations of Siding with Addis Ababa

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The discovery of vast oil reserves in Ethiopia's Somali Region has ignited fierce political tensions, with regional President Mustaf Omar now facing accusations of aligning too closely with federal authorities in Addis Ababa.
The discovery of vast oil reserves in Ethiopia’s Somali Region has ignited fierce political tensions, with regional President Mustaf Omar now facing accusations of aligning too closely with federal authorities in Addis Ababa.

BREAKING NEWS: Somali Regionโ€™s Oil Wealth Sparks Tensions as Mustaf Omar Faces Accusations of Siding with Addis Ababa

Dalmar TV Newsroom | July 26, 2025

The Somali Regional State (SRS) of Ethiopia, home to the resource-rich Ogaden Basin, is at the heart of growing controversy over the control and benefits of its vast oil and natural gas reserves. Despite containing over 7 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of natural gas and potentially hundreds of millions of barrels of oil, local communities accuse regional President Mustaf Mohamed Omar (Cagjar) of prioritizing the federal governmentโ€™s interests over those of the Somali people.



Mustafโ€™s Role Under Scrutiny

Since assuming office in 2018, Mustaf has been praised for bringing stability after years of conflict. However, opposition voices accuse him of supporting the federal governmentโ€™s opaque plans to exploit the regionโ€™s resources while dividing Somali communities.

Mustafโ€™s critics claim, โ€œHe is helping the regime lure local leaders with false promises to legitimize oil projects that will leave ordinary Somalis empty-handed.โ€ A spokesperson from the Somali diaspora added, โ€œMustafโ€™s actions risk splitting the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) and undermining our struggle for sovereignty and fair resource control.โ€

Voices from the Frontlines

An ONLF representative told Dalmar TV,
โ€œThe federal government and its regional collaborators are selling out our land and resources. This so-called peace is being used as a cover for resource plunder.โ€

Local community elder Abdirahman Yusuf said,
โ€œWe have seen no benefits from decades of drilling. Instead, we lose our homes, our farms, and our future while outsiders reap the profits.โ€

The Resource Divide

Despite the massive reserves, the Somali people receive less than 2% of revenues, with most oil jobs given to workers from Ethiopiaโ€™s central highlands. The Chinese firm Poly-GCL, expelled in 2022, reportedly owes $1.7 million in unpaid community fees, with no environmental assessments conducted in the Ogaden Basin.

Residents in Qorahay and Shabelle zones describe displacement and land destruction, while company compounds enjoy uninterrupted power and waterโ€”highlighting the stark inequality in the region.

A Critical Moment for Mustaf and the Somali Region

Analysts warn that unless Mustaf Mohamed Omar demands transparency, fair revenue sharing, and meaningful community consultation, the regionโ€™s fragile peace risks collapse. The Ogaden Basin holds the potential to generate billions annuallyโ€”but only if the Somali people are no longer sidelined.

Dalmar TV will continue to provide updates as this story develops.


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