The Dublin Bridge Courier
Top stories
- Dublin fundraiser puts faces to city's affordable-housing shortage
Rockford Construction matched every gift up to $50,000 at the event, doubling donations for permanent supportive housing for those with chronic homelessness.
- Dublin fundraiser spotlights residents' paths from homelessness to permanent housing
Rockford Construction matched donations up to $50,000 at the Oct. 8 event, doubling support for the wrap-around services that help residents stay housed.
- Cardinal Health extends CVS distribution deal through 2032, reaffirms outlook
Dublin’s largest employer as of 2023 did not say whether the six-year CVS extension will add jobs or investment at its Cardinal Place campus.
Latest news
- Dublin Coffman football's 1-5 slide puts playoff hopes in question entering Olentangy Orange week
A 31-3 loss to Olentangy Liberty in the OCC-Central opener leaves the Rocks needing a win over Olentangy Orange on Oct. 2 to keep their playoff path realistic.
- Muirfield Village Homes Sell in Four Days at $775K Median, New Data Shows
Year-to-date closings ranged from $511,000 to $1.5 million, leaving just 12 active listings as of mid-September.
- Dublin City Council's Sept. 28 meeting follows economic-development agreements with Northwest Bank, InnoSource and Wexner Medical Center
Northwest Bank plans about 300 Dublin jobs by 2034; InnoSource plans 30% job growth by 2031, and Wexner Medical Center is expanding its Dublin health campus.
- Ohio University Dublin campus honors body donors who train future physicians
The Sept. 18 ceremony drew families and students from Athens, Dublin and Cleveland to honor neighbors who gave their bodies to teach real human anatomy.
- Ohio lawmakers rush a 90-day gas-tax holiday before early voting — with a $600 million road-funding hole attached
The Sept. 30 vote could suspend Ohio’s 38.5-cent gas tax for 90 days and open a $600 million hole in road funding for Dublin commuter routes.
- New public artwork 'S/WING' planned near Muirfield Village Golf Club links bird flight and golf swing
The City of Dublin dedicated S/WING on Sept. 3, 2026, but public records list conflicting costs of $175,000 and $100,000.
- The Velocity of Autumn opens at Coffman Amphitheater as Abbey Theater's fall centerpiece
The Broadway drama about an 80-year-old woman resisting a nursing home runs seven performances Sept. 25–Oct. 4 at Coffman Amphitheater.
- Golf Heavyweights Commit to 50th Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village
Dublin hotels are already booked for the June 1–7 event, which brings the deepest field in tournament history to Muirfield Village.
- Wendy's franchisee Meritage Hospitality Group files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
The operator of 314 Wendy's restaurants sought bankruptcy protection, but none are in Dublin; the store by the chain's headquarters is corporate-owned.
- Dublin police expand Drone as First Responder program as department posts new public-safety tech details and 2026 activity data
Four city-owned drones now launch from rooftops at City Hall and three other sites, putting an eye over nearly any Dublin address within 90 seconds of a 911 call.
- Dublin council’s Sept. 21 budget work session sets stage for 2027 spending plan
The Sept. 21 work session begins shaping how income-tax dollars fund police, streets and recreation in Dublin’s 2027 budget, with public comment Oct. 12.
- Shier Rings Road shared-use path breaks ground as part of LinkUS multimodal investment
The 1,730-foot path will close a gap that forces walkers and cyclists into traffic, linking about 7,000 residents to COTA Route 73 stops by October 2026.
Most popular
- Dublin Jerome Golf Programs Dominate State Competition
- John W. Danforth Company to Nearly Double Dublin Workforce, Adding 80 Advanced Manufacturing Jobs
The 140-year-old union mechanical contractor will invest $850,000 in equipment and generate $8 million in new annual payroll under a city incentive deal capped at $353,000.
- Bristol Republic Brings Southern Dining and Live Music to Bridge Park Sept. 10 — But Evening Access Comes at a Price
The former Short North restaurant relocates to a 6,500-square-foot Bridge Park space with menus starting at $5, but its evening entertainment model raises affordability questions.
- Dublin Locks Data Centers Out of 370-Acre West Innovation District, Creates New Research Zone
The ban blocks facilities from one of the city's last major growth corridors, steering future development toward research, advanced manufacturing, and offices.
- Dublin's 2026 races: Who's seeking statehouse and congressional seats — and what's ahead for city council in 2027
Dublin's November 2025 city council races drew 11 candidates across four wards, with "smart growth" dominating the campaign even as candidates offered few specific policies to protect working
Local News
- Dublin fundraiser puts faces to city's affordable-housing shortage
Rockford Construction matched every gift up to $50,000 at the event, doubling donations for permanent supportive housing for those with chronic homelessness.
- Shier Rings Road shared-use path breaks ground as part of LinkUS multimodal investment
The 1,730-foot path will close a gap that forces walkers and cyclists into traffic, linking about 7,000 residents to COTA Route 73 stops by October 2026.
- The Workers Behind Dublin's Boom Can't Afford to Eat Here
The city's food pantry has seen visits surge nearly 200% since 2019, with nearly 70% of its shoppers being working families losing SNAP benefits.
- Dublin's Drinking Water and the Scioto: Who's Watching for Fracking Contamination?
City officials and Columbus' water division did not respond to questions about whether anyone tests the Scioto for fracking-related contaminants like methane or brine salts.
- State Expands PFAS Foam Destruction, Awards $8.8 Million for School-Route Safety — but Dublin Isn't on Either List Yet
Ohio has destroyed over 13,500 gallons of toxic PFAS foam and funded 17 school-safety projects, but Dublin's fire stations and schools aren't included yet.
- Ohio Awards $11.9 Million From $21.5 Million Demolition Fund. What Does Dublin Get?
Dublin-area residents see no local projects funded as nearby counties split $460,000 for demolitions elsewhere, and cleared sites face no rebuilding requirements.
State News
- Ohio lawmakers rush a 90-day gas-tax holiday before early voting — with a $600 million road-funding hole attached
The Sept. 30 vote could suspend Ohio’s 38.5-cent gas tax for 90 days and open a $600 million hole in road funding for Dublin commuter routes.
- Ohio’s new professional-employer law takes effect Sept. 17: What workers and businesses should know
PEOs may cover shared employees under their own unemployment accounts, so Dublin businesses should confirm who handles filings and claims.
- Ohio’s $20 million federal-funds audit: What went wrong at the Department of Development?
The audit is not a final repayment order; NIST must decide allowable costs and recover disallowed amounts as Dublin-area taxpayers and nonprofits watch.
- Two Bills on Workforce Partnerships, EV Charging Stall as Ohio House Returns
Both measures—one offering tax incentives for employer-college partnerships, the other banning free EV charging at state agencies—received no committee assignments after their Aug. 27 introduction.
- DeWine reverses course on income tax cuts after four rounds of reductions, warns against further cuts as Ohio rate hits 2.75%
After signing four straight budgets cutting Ohio's income tax, the governor now warns successors to stop — a shift that directly affects Dublin's high-earning households, who receive the vast…
- Ohio Legislature's Sprint Session: What Dublin Residents Need to Know About the Capital Budget, Voter ID Push, and Stalled Data-Center Rules
Government
- Dublin City Council's Sept. 28 meeting follows economic-development agreements with Northwest Bank, InnoSource and Wexner Medical Center
Northwest Bank plans about 300 Dublin jobs by 2034; InnoSource plans 30% job growth by 2031, and Wexner Medical Center is expanding its Dublin health campus.
- New public artwork 'S/WING' planned near Muirfield Village Golf Club links bird flight and golf swing
The City of Dublin dedicated S/WING on Sept. 3, 2026, but public records list conflicting costs of $175,000 and $100,000.
- Dublin council’s Sept. 21 budget work session sets stage for 2027 spending plan
The Sept. 21 work session begins shaping how income-tax dollars fund police, streets and recreation in Dublin’s 2027 budget, with public comment Oct. 12.
- Ohio Supreme Court ruling clears path for damages suits after administrative appeals
Dublin's council just tabled a 2,000-acre West Innovation District rezoning, and a new Ohio Supreme Court ruling means denials can bring damages claims.
- What Dublin voters need to know about mail-in and early voting after Supreme Court ruling
Despite the Supreme Court ruling, Dublin voters face no change to mail-in rules, but completed ballots must be received by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day to count.
- Metro Center redevelopment moves to Dublin planners: What the proposed zoning roadmap could mean
The 6:30 p.m. Sept. 17 discussion in Council Chambers could shape rules for 210 acres, but no rezoning decision is scheduled.
Schools & Education
- Ohio University Dublin campus honors body donors who train future physicians
The Sept. 18 ceremony drew families and students from Athens, Dublin and Cleveland to honor neighbors who gave their bodies to teach real human anatomy.
- What DeWine’s new regional education partnerships could mean for Dublin students and employers
Dublin City Schools’ full territory is covered, but the state has not named local participants, leaving students’ access to new opportunities unclear.
- Dublin school-boundary complaint puts equity concerns ahead of 2027 rollout
Most Thomas Elementary students would attend Scioto instead of Coffman; the district will review allegations filed by about 400 families.
- Dublin Property Taxpayers Fund Local Schools While State Voucher Spending Tops $1 Billion
Local property taxes cover 76% of Dublin City Schools' revenue as state foundation funding barely grows and Ohio's voucher budget surpasses $1 billion a year.
- Dublin Families Hit New Kindergarten Age Cutoff as 2026-27 Registration Opens
A new Ohio law ties kindergarten eligibility to the first day of school, pushing Dublin's cutoff from Sept. 30 to Aug. 20 and leaving some families scrambling.
- Dublin City Schools Welcomes Staff Back to All 25 Schools, Students Return August 20
New superintendent Dr. Jennifer Schwanke oversees her first opening day as the district completes major roof, HVAC and school expansion projects over the summer.
Public Safety & Courts
- Dublin police expand Drone as First Responder program as department posts new public-safety tech details and 2026 activity data
Four city-owned drones now launch from rooftops at City Hall and three other sites, putting an eye over nearly any Dublin address within 90 seconds of a 911 call.
- Franklin County Flock-camera scrutiny raises surveillance-accountability questions for Dublin residents
The sheriff ordered an audit after a review flagged a deputy’s searches and is developing routine checks as Dublin trips create searchable records.
- Dublin's 911 Dispatch Center Hiring Dispatchers Through Early 2027 — Raising Questions About Staffing Gaps
The center serving Dublin and five other communities was short six staff positions as of early 2025, and its latest hiring cycle won't place new dispatchers until at least December.
- Dublin Launches Elder Fraud Awareness Event and New Public Safety Education Program
Ohio elder-fraud losses hit $164 million in 2025, and Dublin is responding with a scam-awareness session and a free 10-week Public Safety U course starting the same week.
- Dublin Police Launch Summer Safety Outreach at Parks and Trails
Officers are handing out freeze pops and ice cream coupons to promote helmet use and micromobility safety as the city weighs staffing needs tied to projected growth.
- Five Dead in Scioto River Drowning Tragedy in Delaware County
Business
- Cardinal Health extends CVS distribution deal through 2032, reaffirms outlook
Dublin’s largest employer as of 2023 did not say whether the six-year CVS extension will add jobs or investment at its Cardinal Place campus.
- Muirfield Village Homes Sell in Four Days at $775K Median, New Data Shows
Year-to-date closings ranged from $511,000 to $1.5 million, leaving just 12 active listings as of mid-September.
- Wendy's franchisee Meritage Hospitality Group files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
The operator of 314 Wendy's restaurants sought bankruptcy protection, but none are in Dublin; the store by the chain's headquarters is corporate-owned.
- OCLC wins nearly $300,000 federal grant to reshape library-worker credentials
The 24-month project, led from OCLC’s Dublin headquarters, will involve small and rural libraries in designing credentials workers cannot yet earn.
- Bristol Republic Brings Southern Dining and Live Music to Bridge Park Sept. 10 — But Evening Access Comes at a Price
The former Short North restaurant relocates to a 6,500-square-foot Bridge Park space with menus starting at $5, but its evening entertainment model raises affordability questions.
- JobsOhio Offers $10,000 Per Worker for Technical Training — but Which Employers Actually Qualify?
The program is part of a $300 million, 10-year workforce initiative, but unclear baseline requirements leave Dublin-area businesses unsure if they can qualify.
Sports
- Dublin Coffman football's 1-5 slide puts playoff hopes in question entering Olentangy Orange week
A 31-3 loss to Olentangy Liberty in the OCC-Central opener leaves the Rocks needing a win over Olentangy Orange on Oct. 2 to keep their playoff path realistic.
- Golf Heavyweights Commit to 50th Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village
Dublin hotels are already booked for the June 1–7 event, which brings the deepest field in tournament history to Muirfield Village.
- Two major youth soccer tournaments are headed to Dublin in back-to-back weekends
Darree Fields is the shared site, where nearby families, residents and businesses can expect activity Sept. 18–20 and Sept. 25–27.
- Jerome’s 10th Celtic Clash Invitational brings youth and high-school runners to Dublin
Registration is closed, but spectators can watch racing from 3:30 to 10 p.m. Sept. 19, including high-school runs through rope-lit woods.
- Coffman, Scioto shut out in Sept. 11 road tests
Both Dublin programs fell to 1-3, leaving the Rocks and Irish searching for footing after three defeats in their first four games.
- Former Ohio State QB Joe Bauserman takes over as SportsOhio plans major expansion
He will oversee operations and maintenance at the 100-acre campus while helping shape its long-term direction for teams, families and recreation users.
Community & Events
- Dublin fundraiser spotlights residents' paths from homelessness to permanent housing
Rockford Construction matched donations up to $50,000 at the Oct. 8 event, doubling support for the wrap-around services that help residents stay housed.
- Dublin Justice Center to host Document Destruction Day and Drug Take Back on Oct. 24
Dublin's Oct. 24 Document Destruction Day is at the City Fleet Management Building, not the Justice Center; both events prevent identity theft and drug misuse.
- European-style Christkindlmarkt announced for Riverside Crossing Park this holiday season
Admission will be free Nov. 21-Dec. 24, 2026, with artisan vendors, German-inspired food, live entertainment and nearby garage parking.
- Japan FestOH! brings a full day of cultural programming to Riverside Crossing Park
The Sept. 12, 2026, festival runs from noon to 7 p.m. with free admission and suggested donations, though some activities and workshops cost extra.
- Dublin Scioto River Cleanup Adds Native-Tree Planting for First Time
Volunteers will remove litter and plant native trees where 4,000 pounds of invasive honeysuckle was cleared earlier this year along the Scioto.
- Dublin Historical Society Expands August Programming with Wyandot Removal Speaker Series, Walking Tours
The speaker series features a Wyandotte Nation scholar exploring the 1843 forced removal of the Wyandot, the last Native nation expelled from Ohio.
Obituaries
- Franklin County Deputy Rodney Rickman Dies After Medical Emergency at 56
The Gahanna resident and military veteran had served as a deputy for two years after eight years with Franklin County Fleet Management.
Arts & Culture
- The Velocity of Autumn opens at Coffman Amphitheater as Abbey Theater's fall centerpiece
The Broadway drama about an 80-year-old woman resisting a nursing home runs seven performances Sept. 25–Oct. 4 at Coffman Amphitheater.
- Abbey Theater and Dublin Coffman students join forces for Macbeth
The January 2025 run brought student acting and backstage work to the city’s 200-seat community venue on Post Road.
- Dublin's New Art Pass Wants to Turn You Into a Public Art Tourist in Your Own City. Will It Work?
The GPS-enabled pass guides residents to 12 installations across the city, launching alongside a new sculpture dedication and exhibition in September.
- Dublin Park Pass Returns with Local Artist Poster Rewards, Arts Council Hosts Open House
The revamped Park Pass rewards visitors with limited-edition posters by four central Ohio artists for every five park check-ins, blending recreation with paid creative work.
- Abbey Theater of Dublin Unveils Full 2026 Season with Youth Collaborations and World Premieres