Storms Sweep Through Central Ohio, Residents Rally for Cleanup and Community Support

Good morning, this is Columbus Local Pulse for Thursday, June 19th. We wake up today to the aftermath of a powerful round of storms that swept through the city last night. Winds topping 60 miles per hour knocked out power for many across Central Ohio. Crews are out this morning working around the clock to restore electricity to thousands of homes in Columbus and beyond. If you’re planning to be out and about today, expect some traffic lights to still be dark and debris on a few roads, so take it slow and stay alert. The National Weather Service confirms there were tornado warnings in our area last night, but thankfully, as of now, there are no reported injuries in Franklin County. Today’s weather will turn calmer, but we may see lingering clouds and the chance of another pop-up shower later this afternoon.

Now let’s turn to City Hall, where there is a big sigh of relief for local public health workers. A federal judge has temporarily blocked a move to cut more than three million dollars from Columbus Public Health. This means crucial programs fighting infectious diseases and infant mortality keep their funding, at least for now. City leaders say this ruling is a win for community health, but the long-term outcome is still uncertain.

In neighborhood news, the North Linden community is reeling after a deadly shooting last night near Ontario Street and Oakland Park Avenue. Police have not released the victim’s name but assure us the investigation is moving quickly. There is an increased patrol presence in the area, and anyone with information is urged to call Columbus police. Meanwhile, another serious assault was reported on the 1600 block of Lockbourne Road. Officers remind us to report anything suspicious and to check in on neighbors.

As for brighter notes, the Ohio Statehouse made history yesterday by raising the Juneteenth flag for the first time. This symbolic gesture was followed by community celebrations across the city, including at the Scioto Mile.

On the economic front, the Columbus job market remains steady, with new postings in healthcare and tech still outpacing last year. Real estate has cooled slightly after last month’s busy season, but homes near Clintonville and Grandview Heights are still moving fast, with average prices hovering around 340 thousand.

School may be out for summer, but Columbus City Schools are getting national attention as Wellington School welcomed its first Black Head of School, marking a historic milestone for the district. In sports, the Ohio State Buckeyes are gearing up for their new season, with their focus on building size and experience. Local youth leagues, despite some rainouts, had strong showings over the weekend.

Looking ahead, don’t miss this weekend’s Ohio Marijuana Festival at Franklin County Fairgrounds, offering music, food, and a contest for best local grower. And if you spot any wildlife in your backyard, state officials remind us that bear sightings are up, so be extra careful with trash and bird feeders.

Wrapping up with a feel-good story, a Northland neighborhood teen organized a cleanup drive after the storms last night, inspiring dozens of residents to pitch in and clear fallen branches before city crews arrived.

This has been Columbus Local Pulse. We’ll see you tomorrow with more local updates.