This Week in Westerville – June 7-13, 2026
Here’s a day-by-day look at the stories published in The Westerville News over the past week. You’ll find local government, public safety, community updates, and other Westerville news below.
- Jason Bechtold Resigns After Public Backlash Over 64 E. Walnut Redevelopment Plan
Assistant City Manager Jason Bechtold resigned after 17 years with Westerville, following City Council’s rejection of the controversial 64 E. Walnut redevelopment proposal, though the city did not state whether his departure was connected to the project. - Westerville Saturday Farmers Market String Beans Bring Grandma’s Porch Back To The Table
Old-fashioned string beans from Rhoad’s Farm inspired memories of snapping beans with a grandmother on a Florida porch and showed how familiar foods can reconnect people with family, place, and tradition. - A Lost Link to Emerson Elementary’s Past
The removal of a damaged tree from Emerson Elementary’s lawn drew attention to a surviving oak reportedly planted by students in the mid-1930s, preserving a living connection to the school’s early history. - Westerville’s Lake Shore Cryotronics Acquired by DwyerOmega
Lake Shore Cryotronics, a family-owned scientific measurement company with decades of history in Westerville, was acquired by DwyerOmega, with no immediate changes to local operations or staffing announced. - Does White Count? Whit’s Sign Wins Approval After Uptown Color Debate
The Uptown Review Board approved a new sandwich board for Whit’s Frozen Custard after a lengthy discussion about interchangeable flavor magnets, historic-district guidelines, and whether white should count toward the sign’s color limit. - Kimberly Sharp Named Marysville City Manager
Former Westerville planning and development leader Kimberly Sharp was selected as Marysville’s next city manager, bringing experience in land use, transportation, redevelopment, and regional growth. - Heritage White Oak Removed After Storm
Crews removed Westerville’s centuries-old “Codger” oak from Otterbein Cemetery, placing its largest sections in storage while residents and historians investigated the name of a tree surgeon found inside an old concrete repair. - City’s Oldest Tree Falls During Storm
Storm winds brought down the estimated 350- to 400-year-old white oak at Otterbein Cemetery, damaging gravestones and prompting plans to preserve portions of the tree as keepsakes, artwork, or a public memorial. - This Meatloaf Needed a Knife, and That Was the First Problem
A restaurant review found Rusty Bucket’s meatloaf dinner dense, processed, and lacking the texture and care expected from comfort food, while the accompanying Green Grape Report noted lower prices as Mexican grapes entered stores.
Also included in each week’s Sunday edition is a roundup of news from cities around Westerville, recent obituaries, and a calendar for the upcoming week. Subscribers get this in their email each Sunday evening.
The Westerville News is a reader-supported publication by Gary Gardiner, a lifelong journalist who believes hyper-local reporting is the future of news. This publication focuses exclusively on Westerville—its local news, influence on Central Ohio, and how surrounding areas shape the community.
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