Columbus Local Pulse: Honoring Tech Sergeant Simmons and Community Updates for March 15

Good morning, this is Columbus Local Pulse for Sunday, March 15. We start with heartbreaking news from overseas that hits close to home. The Pentagon has identified Tech Sergeant Tyler H. Simmons, 28, from right here in Columbus, as one of six Air Force airmen killed when their KC-135 refueling plane crashed in western Iraq on March 12. Simmons served with the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base off South Hamilton Road. Our thoughts go out to his family, fellow Guardsmen, and everyone at the base as they grieve this loss during Operation Epic Fury. The cause is still under investigation, but officials confirm no hostile fire was involved. Shifting to our local scene, City Hall approved a new traffic calming plan for High Street near Short North, aiming to slow speeds and boost pedestrian safety around Lane Avenue, directly easing daily commutes for us all. On the job front, we see over 64,000 openings across Columbus, with strong demand at Easton Town Center for part-time stockers and sales roles paying around 18 to 24 dollars an hour, plus flexible gigs like parking enforcement near Downtown at 25 to 60 dollars hourly. Real estate stays hot, with median home prices hovering near 325,000 dollars, up five percent from last year, especially in German Village. New business buzz includes a fresh art studio opening in Franklinton on West Broad Street, offering group workshops for artists without the private lesson price tag. Weather today brings partly cloudy skies with highs in the mid-50s and light winds, perfect for outdoor plans, though watch for scattered showers this afternoon, clearing by evening. Looking ahead, catch the Columbus Crews home opener tomorrow at Lower.com Field. Local schools shine too, with Worthington Kilbourne Highs basketball team clinching a district title Friday night. For a feel-good lift, community volunteers planted 200 trees along the Scioto Mile yesterday, greening our riverfront for generations. In public safety from the past 24 hours, police arrested two suspects after a non-violent car theft on Parsons Avenue, with no injuries reported; stay vigilant around parking lots. Upcoming, join the St. Patricks Day parade on Dublin Road this Saturday. Thanks for tuning in, listeners, and remember to subscribe for daily updates. This has been Columbus Local Pulse. Well see you tomorrow with more local updates. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai. For more http://www.quietplease.ai Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.