Delaware Gazette

Golden Eagles outlast Wolves in battle of unbeatens - Delaware Gazette The Big Walnut football team started fast and held on late, parlaying a huge night from Nolan Buirley into a thrilling 35-28 OCC-Capital Division win over visiting Worthington Kilbourne Friday night in Sunbury.

The Ohio Department of Transportation and the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission’s final report on the U.S. Route 23/Interstate 71 Connector Joint Plan was issued Thursday to the Ohio General Assembly.

The route, the report said, “is approximately 18.2 miles long and has an estimated planning-level project cost of approximately $890 million, assuming construction were to begin in 2035.”

The route would start southeast above Waldo, wind above Ashley and dip down to state Route 521 before reaching I-71.

“The recommended preferred route is estimated to impact eight residential structures, three agricultural structures, two other structures, 23 acres of floodplain, four acres of wetlands, 1,583 feet of ODNR mussel streams, 5,818 feet of other streams, and 91 acres of forested area,” the report said. “Of the estimated 1,050 acres of right-of-way required, approximately 871 acres are agricultural land. The recommended preferred route would also create approximately 246 acres of landlocked agricultural parcels and 118 acres of landlocked forested parcels.”

https://www.delgazette.com/2026/10/02/odot-issues-final-connector-report/

Roundup: Big 2nd half lifts Patriots over Pacers - Delaware Gazette Thursday’s non-league showdown between Delaware Hayes and host Olentangy Liberty wasn’t just a clash of Delaware County titans — it was a collision between two of the best girls soccer teams in the state.

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday that it’s investigating a hazing incident that took place over the summer and involved a girls soccer team.

The office issued a statement Thursday reporting it was notified on Sept. 18 of a “possible hazing incident” that occurred earlier in the summer involving members of a girls soccer team. The incident report from the Sheriff’s Office lists 12 victims ranging in age from 14 to 16 years old and lists six suspects ranging in age from 17 to 18 years old. The incident report lists the address of the offense as 2840 East Orange Road, which is where Olentangy Orange High School is located.

https://www.delgazette.com/2026/10/01/dcso-investigating-hazing-incident/

The Delaware Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a single-vehicle crash that killed a Powell woman Thursday afternoon in Liberty Township.

https://www.delgazette.com/2026/10/01/powell-woman-killed-in-crash/

Ninety-nine years ago on Sept. 17, 1927, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium opened in central Ohio. Now, the zoo is officially beginning the countdown to a milestone a century in the making.

The Columbus Zoo recently announced plans to celebrate its centennial throughout 2027. The yearlong celebration will recognize the people, wildlife, milestones, and memories that have shaped the zoo while celebrating its continued commitment to animal wellbeing, conservation, education, and connecting people with wildlife.

https://www.delgazette.com/2026/09/30/columbus-zoo-unveils-new-centennial-logo/

A Delaware artist is current displaying her art at a gallery in Columbus and plans to exhibit her work in downtown Delaware next year.

Dina Zaman is currently exhibiting “Lore: A journey of women’s stories, struggles and resilience” at the Priscilla R. Tyson Cultural Arts Center in Columbus.

https://www.delgazette.com/2026/09/29/telling-stories-through-art/

Smith’s greatness more than physical talent - Delaware Gazette From the day Jeremiah Smith arrived on campus at The Ohio State University in the winter of 2024, his advanced physical build for a freshman spoke directly to why the buzz and hype surrounding his recruitment had reached rare levels.

Denison holds off Ohio Wesleyan, 21-14 - Delaware Gazette Jordan Ghant turned a strike from Brady Morrell into a 27-yard touchdown to make it a one-score game with 1:55 left, but that’s as close as it would get as host Denison held off the Ohio Wesleyan football team for a 21-14 North Coast Athletic Conference win Saturday at Piper Stadium.

In just her first year of showing, Charleigh Link has made it one-for-one with grand champion ribbons after taking home the top honor in the Champion Meat Turkey Show.

Link, a fourth grade student at Buckeye Valley East Elementary School and a member of the Brown Bakers and Rakers 4-H club, showed a turkey weighing 38 pounds.

“I was really excited. I thought I didn’t even place because I didn’t hear my name,” Link told The Gazette.

Link’s mother, Ashley Thornton, said the winners were announced by their entry numbers, and Link didn’t realize her number had been called at first.

https://www.delgazette.com/2026/09/28/link-shows-champion-turkey/