Good morning, this is Columbus Local Pulse for Friday, July eleventh. We’re waking up to fair skies and a warm start, with temperatures heading for a high of around ninety-one degrees. We’ll want to keep water handy and watch for muggy conditions that will stick around into tomorrow. There’s a slight chance of isolated storms mainly north of us late this afternoon, but nothing that should stop most plans in the city. The weekend stays warm, with just a bit of relief by Sunday.
On the crime front, city leaders are spotlighting a positive trend: Columbus is seeing its lowest homicide rate in over a decade, with forty-three homicides so far this year, down from fifty-eight at this time last year, according to city reports. Mayor Andrew Ginther calls it progress, but local advocates remind us that violence among youth and recent high-profile incidents, including last month’s shooting near the Scioto Mile and the Fourth of July party tragedy, show there’s more work ahead to keep our neighborhoods safe. Over half of suspects in serious assaults are just twenty-one or younger, a trend Columbus police say demands renewed community engagement.
In a related development, the city and Franklin County are joining forces with a new Nuisance Abatement Unit, targeting properties connected to crime and public safety risks. They’ve just filed a racketeering suit against Herbert’s Market on Sullivan Avenue, accusing the business of reselling stolen goods and creating a chronic nuisance in the neighborhood. The city attorney’s office says efforts like these are designed to keep our communities safe and hold property owners accountable.
Turning to public safety in other areas, nine Medicaid providers in Columbus have been indicted this week on charges of defrauding the state’s health care program for more than a million dollars. Most of the accused are home-health aides and a mental health specialist charged with billing for services never delivered.
On the jobs and business front, we’re seeing new activity with the re-opening of the California-based Grocery Outlet on Bethel Road, and the iconic Boat House re-opening on the Scioto riverfront. These openings mean dozens of new jobs for local residents, and both locations are quickly becoming popular weekend destinations. Real estate agents report that median home prices in the city are holding steady, with about one thousand homes for sale—great news for those still house hunting as summer hits its peak.
City Hall is in the news as Columbus joins a multi-city lawsuit challenging recent federal policies targeting sanctuary cities, underscoring our local commitment to supporting immigrant communities. City officials are also touting the rollout of new water meters as a success, despite a few reports of minor flooding in some neighborhoods. If you live in the Hilltop or Linden, the city is asking you to double-check your meter box and contact the utilities department if you spot pooling water.
For culture and entertainment, Bastille Day brings a burst of French flair to downtown this Saturday, with events and food trucks popping up near the Main Street bridge and Bicentennial Park. Local teens are launching an anti-violence campaign this weekend, planning rallies and art installations on Cleveland Avenue. And for music lovers, the All-Star Futures Game on Sunday at Huntington Park will feature two Columbus natives, C J Kayfus and Parker Messick—rising stars to watch.
In schools, several Columbus District high schoolers took top honors at the state robotics competition—congratulations to our young tech trailblazers. And speaking of winning, a Columbus couple on the south side just won over one and a half million dollars in the Queen of Hearts jackpot, sparking a wave of excitement for local lottery fans.
One last feel-good story as we head into the weekend: Community volunteers from Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children have been out every day, working to prevent youth violence. Their dedication reminds us of the power we have when we look out for one another.
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