Operation Buckeye Arrests, Pharmacist Prescriptions, Business Openings and Closures, Weather, Community Events - Columbus Local Pulse

Good morning, this is Columbus Local Pulse for Saturday, December 27. We start with breaking news from our city. ICE wrapped up Operation Buckeye yesterday, arresting gang members, murderers, and sex offenders in Columbus and across Ohio, targeting the worst of the worst among illegal immigrants. Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther voiced criticism, but federal agents pushed forward despite tense moments, like one suspect trying to run them over on Christmas Eve south of Baltimore near quiet neighborhoods. Our communities feel safer with these public safety wins. Shifting to city hall updates, a new bill in the Ohio House could let pharmacists at spots like those on High Street prescribe meds for minor issues, cutting doctor wait times and boosting rural access. Lawmakers return after the new year, so this might ease daily health hurdles for us soon. On the business front, we mourn closures of Hot Chicken Takeover and spots from Ray Rays and Local Cantina this year, but exciting openings balance it out. Chipotle plans a fresh spot near Sunbury Road and Sky View Lane, while Barrio Burrito Bar expands in Central Ohio. Acloche Staffing just relocated to Groveport with an open house tour coming up, and Exscape Group is growing here with three acquisitions for landscaping jobs. Job market looks strong too, with a new gas power plant in Licking County set to break ground soon, creating building trade roles to power booming data centers from one in 2017 to 105 now. Real estate heats up at Grandview Yard with new residences rising, and Nationwide Childrens expansion along Parsons Avenue promises more family-friendly growth, with home prices up about 5 percent year over year. Weather today brings chilly highs near 35 degrees with light flurries, so bundle up for outdoor errands around German Village or the Short North, but no major impacts on events. Outlook stays cold through Monday. Upcoming, swing by Land-Grant Brewing tomorrow for Cheers For Hope, rounding up change to support grieving families through Cornerstone of Hope. Created Conversations offers creative chats with coffee midweek. In sports, Ohio State student-athletes gear up after blood drives with Brutus sightings. Local schools report strong holiday tournament wins. For a feel-good lift, Meta Soul Yoga Studios otter therapy sessions at Westminster Farms near Shelby bring smiles and unique wellness. Crime in the last day stays low key, just routine patrols around Lane Avenue with no major alerts. 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.