News in Central Ohio: Early October 2025 Update
Central Ohio News
Central Ohio News
Columbus Opens Warming Centers Amid Single-Digit Wind Chills With temperatures plummeting and wind chills expected to drop into the single digits by Friday morning, Columbus officials have activated a network of warming centers. Columbus Recreation and Parks community centers and Columbus Metropolitan Library branches are now open to the public as safe havens from the dangerous cold. The Community Shelter Board is coordinating efforts to ensure homeless residents have access to these facilities, urging anyone in need to seek shelter immediately as the "extreme wind chill" advisory goes into effect.
COTA Hosts Public Meetings for January Service Changes The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) is holding the first of two public information meetings today to discuss upcoming service improvements. The changes, scheduled to take effect in January 2026, include route modifications designed to improve travel times and address construction-related detours. Today’s meeting is being held at the COTA Downtown Boardroom on North High Street, with a virtual option available for residents who cannot attend in person. COTA is seeking community feedback to refine the new schedules before the rollout.
Knox County Sheriff Collects Venison for Food Pantries In a unique community partnership, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office has announced it will serve as a collection point for harvested white-tailed deer. The initiative, in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), allows hunters to donate venison which is then processed and distributed to local food pantries. This program aims to support food-insecure families in North Central Ohio during the holiday season. Collections at the Sheriff’s Office are scheduled for this weekend, with ODNR staff on-site to assist.
Ohio PROMISE Initiative Expands Child Care Access A new report highlights the success of the Ohio PROMISE initiative in Central Ohio, which is helping child care providers better serve children with special needs. Local centers, such as the Madison Early Childhood Learning Center, are utilizing state-provided training to implement inclusive strategies, such as using sign language posters for non-verbal children. The program addresses a critical gap in the region’s care infrastructure, where parents of children with disabilities often struggle to find qualified and affordable early childhood education.