This Week in Westerville – July 13-19, 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.
Art and Corn and The Corndog
The Westerville Music & Arts Festival prompted a reflection on how local art festivals balance discovery, craft, sales, music, food, and family entertainment. A missing corn dog became the standard for what the best festival art can do: take familiar materials or subjects and turn them into something memorable.
Westerville Water-Line Letters Raise Questions Despite Low Lead Test Results
Westerville’s latest lead testing remained well below federal action levels, but letters sent to some residents raised questions about private water-service lines that remain unknown or are made of galvanized steel. The city said the notices were required because federal rules now require water systems to identify both public and private portions of each service connection.
New Owners at State and College – Marzetti Business Brief – Mayor’s Court Docket
The owner of Westerville Antiques purchased the Uptown building at State Street and East College Avenue, while My Cousin’s Cottage changed ownership and plans to remain open with existing employees. The brief also reported that Marzetti named Mark Carter chief supply chain officer, while an analyst issued an “Underperform” rating for Westerville-based Lancaster Colony’s stock.
Tax Cases Dominate Westerville Mayor’s Court Docket
A review of Westerville Mayor’s Court found that municipal income-tax cases made up most of the criminal filings on the docket. The review identified 56 criminal cases, including 44 alleging failure to file or pay city income taxes, along with cases involving criminal damage, theft, trespass, fireworks possession and moving violations. The charges are allegations.
Initial Restoration Work Completed at Westerville’s Historic Sharp House
Westerville completed its initial restoration work at the historic Sharp House on Africa Road, stabilizing the 19th-century structure while the city looks for an adaptive use tied to the East of Africa development. The work included tuckpointing brick walls, replacing deteriorated lintels, painting windows and the front door, removing a modern rear porch, and inspecting interior details connected to the house’s history.
Birthday Gift That Saved Hanby House Set The Stage For Westerville Historical Society’s 85 Years – Canada Fires Affect Westerville – DiCarlo’s Signs Removed
The Westerville Historical Society prepared to celebrate its 85th anniversary and the 100th anniversary of Dacia Custer Shoemaker’s birthday gift that saved Hanby House from demolition. The edition also reported smoke from Canadian wildfires settling over Central Ohio and the removal of DiCarlo’s Pizza signs as Fat Arnie’s Provecho and The Blind Pour moved closer to opening in Uptown Westerville.
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, its influence on Central Ohio, and how surrounding areas shape the community.
Reader funding, including subscribers, protects editorial independence, so coverage is guided by journalists rather than owners or corporate profit goals. It also reduces pressure to chase clicks, letting the newsroom focus on stories worth readers’ time. And it helps keep the site accessible to everyone, including people who can’t pay or live in places where a free press is under threat.
Subscribe to The Westerville News. Support local news.
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.
Reader funding, including subscribers, protects editorial independence, so coverage is guided by journalists rather than owners or corporate profit goals. It also reduces pressure to chase clicks, letting the newsroom focus on stories worth readers’ time. And it helps keep the site accessible to everyone, including people who can’t pay or live in places where a free press is under threat.
Subscribe to The Westerville News. Support local news.
