Clintonville Neighbors Watch the Olentangy Closely, Haunted by 2020 Flood That Drove Families From Their Homes

The Olentangy River flowing high near the Broad Meadows bridge in Clintonville.

COLUMBUS — Charles Hughes still remembers the call from his son. It was May 2020, and floodwater from the Olentangy River was rising fast on the dead-end street near Broad Meadows Boulevard in Clintonville. Neighbors were throwing what they could into their cars. His son’s family waded through the water just to reach the driveway. … Read more

Kokosing Offers $100,000 Reward After Construction Worker Jordan Thomas Killed in I-70 Hit-and-Run, Driver Still Missing

Police looking for a maroon Toyota sedan involved in a fatal I-70 hit-and-run in Columbus

COLUMBUS — Kokosing Construction is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the driver who struck and killed one of its workers in a downtown Columbus work zone last week and drove away. The victim, Jordan Thomas, 25, died at the scene at 2:12 a.m. on February 28. He had worked … Read more

Columbus Cop Arrested After Strangling Girlfriend Twice Taken Off the Job

Columbus Police officer Jacob A. Smith's court appearance for strangulation charges.

DELAWARE COUNTY — Jacob A. Smith, 50, a Columbus Division of Police officer, was arrested Saturday in Delaware County and charged with felony strangulation and illegal possession of a firearm in a liquor permit premises after he allegedly strangled his girlfriend twice outside a Polaris-area restaurant, according to court records.Smith was arraigned in Delaware County … Read more

DEVELOPING: Reports of Shooting at Tuttle Mall Near Scene 75 in Dublin

Multiple police units with flashing lights outside The Mall at Tuttle Crossing following reported shooting incident.

This is a developing story. Information is limited and unconfirmed at this time. ColumbusFrontline.com will update this article as official information becomes available. DUBLIN — Multiple police units and emergency vehicles responded to Tuttle Mall near the Scene 75 entertainment complex in Dublin on Saturday evening, according to multiple eyewitness reports shared on social media. … Read more

Woman Charged With Murder in Hilltop Shooting Death of James Pettigrew Jr.; $2M Bond Set, Second Suspect Still Sought

Police investigation at a Hilltop neighborhood home following the shooting of James Pettigrew Jr.

COLUMBUS — A Franklin County Municipal Court judge set a $2 million bond Saturday for Molly Jones, 35, after she was charged with murder in the January 27 shooting death of James C. Pettigrew Jr. in Columbus’s Hilltop neighborhood. Jones was arraigned Saturday and remains held at the Franklin County Jail. A second suspect, Marcellus … Read more

Columbus AEP Customers Report Electric Bills Doubling; Utility Points to Rate Increases

AEP Ohio electric bill showing doubled charges

COLUMBUS — Some AEP Ohio customers in Columbus say their electric bills have doubled over the past two months, and they want answers. Residents in the Columbus area took to social media Friday to share their frustration. Multiple customers reported seeing bills nearly twice as high as the same period last year, even accounting for … Read more

Construction Worker Killed in Hit-and-Run on I-70; Police Search for Maroon Toyota

Columbus Police investigating fatal hit-and-run crash on I-70 Westbound near SR-315 interchange.

COLUMBUS — A construction worker died early Saturday morning after a driver struck him inside an active work zone on Interstate 70 westbound near State Route 315 and fled the scene, according to the Columbus Division of Police. The crash happened at approximately 2:01 a.m. Police said a maroon Toyota sedan, believed to be an … Read more