Latest news with #CentralOhioans
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why the Short North may soon charge extra for dining, shopping
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Central Ohioans may soon have to pay an extra charge when visiting Short North restaurants and stores. Columbus City Council voted on May 19 to accept a petition from the Short North Alliance proposing the creation of a 'New Community Authority,' a group that could charge visitors a small fee when shopping, dining, and staying at hotels. Now open: New restaurant openings in central Ohio as of late May 2025 Betsy Pandora, executive director of the Short North Alliance, said the revenue from the fee will act as a 'reinvestment' supporting a wide range of the area's priorities, like cleaner sidewalks, more public art, expanded creative programming, and services for those in need. In turn, the NCA will yield 'a better overall experience for everyone who visits, lives, or works in the Short North,' Pandora said. 'The primary driver is growth,' she said. 'With more than 10 million visitors last year, the district is evolving, and it needs a forward-looking strategy to match. This community-led initiative uses a tool commonly implemented across central Ohio to invest in the neighborhood's long-term vitality.' The Short North's NCA would mimic several other central Ohio authorities that also charge visitors a small fee, like at Bridge Park in Dublin, which charges 0.5% on gross receipts at restaurants and retail businesses and 1% on hotels. Often, the fee is identified on receipts as 'NCA CHARGE.' Memorial Tournament 2025: What to know before you go to Muirfield Village The percentage for the Short North's proposed fee has yet to be decided and will be set based on community feedback, Pandora said. If approved, a board would be appointed by city council to manage the NCA. A Short North Alliance spokesperson said that the charge would not be classified as a tax under Ohio law, noting that individual property owners in the area would be able to decide whether they want their business to opt in or out of the NCA. Revenue from the fee could also support safety initiatives. Last year, the Short North was the site of a mass shooting that injured 10 people. Pandora said safety is 'one important component,' but that the NCA 'is not being proposed in response to any single issue.' Following deputy's death, Morrow County businesses pledge support A map submitted to city council shows that the Short North Alliance's proposal would implement the NCA along High Street, but also part of East Fifth Avenue and connecting to North Fourth Street. The area surrounding the Columbus Convention Center would also be included. Next, the Columbus Department of Development will set a date for a public hearing on the alliance's petition to gather resident feedback before city council votes on whether to create and implement the NCA. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Business Journals
09-05-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
COTA launches late-night service, delivering more options for a growing region
Central Ohio is stepping into a new era of growth, energy and possibility. With more businesses bringing employees back to the office and our region welcoming more residents each day, our transit system must evolve to not just keep pace but to lead the way. At the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), we believe public transit is more than a service. It's the infrastructure of opportunity. It connects people to jobs, supports thriving local economies and reduces the barriers that keep communities apart. That's why, this May, COTA is launching a wave of improvements designed to make our system more accessible, reliable and customer friendly. And we're inviting you — whether you're a long-time transit advocate or just rethinking your commute — to see what's new. Welcome back to work and back to better transit As downtown office buildings fill back up, so do highways and parking lots. The return to in-person work is changing how we move through our cities. For many Central Ohioans, that means reconsidering how they commute — and what their time is worth. We want you to know: COTA has changed, too. Since the start of the pandemic, we've invested in modern vehicles, built better infrastructure and launched new ways to plan trips and pay fares. Whether you're using the Transit app or a COTA Smartcard, getting on board has never been easier. We've also expanded programs like travel training to help companies and individuals navigate our system with confidence. And we've strengthened our team of expert Operators and mechanics, delivering the level of service this community deserves. expand On May 5, COTA officially launched midnight lineups, extending service hours for second- and third-shift workers. Because everyone deserves reliable access to opportunity, no matter the hour. What's new in May We're also extending Line 34 from Easton Transit Center to Meijer on Hamilton Road, expanding weekend service and nearing design completion of the first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line as part of the LinkUS initiative — our region's bold vision for connected, future-ready mobility. expand Summer service spotlight: Zoo Bus returns Just in time for summer, we're bringing back the beloved Zoo Bus: a $9 experience that includes a $4 round-trip ride on COTA and $5 admission to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. It's a simple way to connect families to one of the region's best attractions, affordably and sustainably. And when the temperatures heat up this summer, your Zoo Bus ride gets you $10 off a visit to Zoombezi Bay. The road ahead We're proud of how far we've come, and we're even more excited for what's next. Together with local leaders, employers and our customers, we're building a more connected Central Ohio. If you haven't ridden with us in a while, now's the time. Whether you're returning to work, exploring the city or supporting your team's commute, COTA is here to make every trip easier, faster and better. Let's move forward — together. Want to hear what's next for COTA — straight from the source? A Minute With Monica is a new video series featuring COTA President/CEO Monica Téllez-Fowler sharing quick, candid updates on the future of mobility in Central Ohio. From service improvements to major milestones, she is giving customers and community leaders a front-row seat to COTA's transformation. Follow COTA on social media to catch each new episode and stay informed on the changes coming to your streets, your commute and your region.
Axios
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
What we're watching in Columbus this May
As a new month begins, we're looking ahead to what Central Ohioans will be talking about in a new monthly feature. Driving the news: May brings a variety of major festivals and events, plus a potential court ruling with big implications. Here's what we're watching: 🗳️ Primary elections: Ohioans take to the polls Tuesday for a number of local races and a statewide bond issue. ⚖️ Adam Coy: A decision is expected this month on whether the first Columbus police officer convicted of murder during the line of duty will get a new trial. Coy's attorneys alleged the prosecution withheld evidence, delaying his sentencing. 🐺 Zoo renovations: We should be getting more information soon on the zoo's new North America Trek, set to open in " early summer." 🎸 Historic Crew Stadium festivals: The former home of the Crew hosts two big events this month. Sonic Temple, one of the country's biggest hard rock festivals and successor to the popular Rock on the Range, starts May 8. Then, EDM fest Breakaway starts May 30. ⭐️ " Star Wars": COSI gets a visit from a galaxy far, far away with Unofficial Galaxies, one of the largest fan collections in the world. May 10-Sept. 1. 🔥 Hell Is Real: The Crew host nemesis FC Cincinnati May 17 for this year's Hell Is Real rivalry match.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
The 11 biggest weather events in central Ohio history
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Reviewing major weather events that have affected central Ohio in the past 150 years, choosing the 11 most impactful in honor of Storm Team 4 being the 'Most Accurate' in central Ohio for the 11th straight year required evaluating both human and financial losses. Ohio sits in the path of weather systems tracking from the southwest, tapping ample Gulf moisture, while drawing cold air southward in a potentially volatile mix. In 2024, a record 74 tornadoes were confirmed in Ohio, establishing a new record (the old mark was 62 in 1992). Central Ohioans recovering from latest storms The clash of seasons, placing cold and warm air in proximity, is responsible for severe weather outbreaks of all kinds. The science factor is density: cold air is heavier and undercuts warm air. The overlap of strong winds aloft feeding off the temperature contrast often sets the stage for the development of a major storm system. There have certainly been many more that I considered for this list, but the primary focus was on the degree of impact on central Ohio. The top 11 weather events that I selected for a daylong look at extreme weather events in Ohio brought widespread property destruction and/or extreme hardship, and in most cases, loss of life. March 25-26, 1913: Great Ohio Flood June 29, 2012: Derecho January 26, 1978: Blizzard of 1978 April 3, 1974: Xenia Tornado Outbreak November 25, 1950: The Blizzard Bowl April 11-12, 1965: Palm Sunday Tornado Outbreak March 7-8, 2008: Greatest Columbus Snowstorm May 27-28, 2019: Memorial Day Tornado Outbreak February 28 and March 14, 2024: Late Winter Tornado Outbreak June 2019: Agricultural Floods It's official, Storm Team 4 continues to deliver the 'Most Accurate' forecast, now 11 years in a row. According to WeatheRate, an independent weather research company, NBC4's Storm Team 4 led central Ohio television stations in forecast accuracy. Powell police boosting traffic patrol WeatheRate uses patented software to compare the forecast of local stations with actual observed conditions. TV stations with the best daily, weekly and monthly accuracy are determined mathematically. Every March, a seal of approval is awarded to the TV station that provides the most accurate weather forecasts in each WeatheRate City. Viewers who want central Ohio's Most Accurate forecast in the palm of their hand can download the Storm Team 4 Weather App. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
04-04-2025
- Business
- Axios
How federal cuts to Medicaid and SNAP could affect Ohio
Proposed federal cuts could slash funding to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program relied upon by hundreds of thousands of Central Ohioans. Why it matters: Cuts could put the programs at risk while potentially costing Ohio tens of thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions in tax revenue. Driving the news: The U.S. House of Representatives' latest budget resolution calls for more than $1 trillion in combined cuts to programs overseen by the House commerce and agriculture committees, which include Medicaid and SNAP, known previously as "food stamps." Zoom in: Those programs are federally funded and administered locally via the Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services. Director Michelle Lindeboom says the agency works with 406,000 Franklin County residents on Medicaid and 178,000 on SNAP. Threat level: Lindeboom tells Axios her staff and the people they serve are feeling "very uneasy" about the funding uncertainty. "We are talking about the most vulnerable population at a certain poverty level," she says. "We're trying to deal with uncertainty and making people feel safe that they will still have benefits." Follow the money: Medicaid and SNAP cuts won't just put vulnerable populations at risk — they're projected to be economically detrimental. New analysis from the Commonwealth Fund and the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health sought to estimate the economic consequences of the cuts. What they found: The report found that cuts could lead to a loss of 43,000 jobs, $4.4 billion in economic output and $323 million in lost tax revenue for Ohio. What they're saying: "Some have argued that Medicaid or SNAP budgets can be cut harmlessly by eliminating 'waste or fraud,'" researchers write. "But as we've shown ... drastic reductions in federal funding will necessarily have major financial repercussions, because they shrink the flow of dollars into states' economies."
