Public forum on downtown development
The Groveport Community Improvement Corporation invites you to attend a public input gathering session on community identity and branding strategies on Aug. 21 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at The Links of Groveport on Richardson Road. The session is part of the downtown Groveport marketing and branding strategies process, part of a community-driven effort to market Groveport and its historic downtown to visitors, investors and entrepreneurs. The session will be lead by Ben Muldrow, a branding specialist who has worked in more than 400 communities across the United States to help communities and organizations develop their brand identity.
To RSVP for this event, email Jessica Reeves at jreeves@groveport.org. Appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages will be served.
Groveport Garden Club
The Groveport Garden Club meets the first Tuesday each month at Groveport Zion Lutheran Church, 6014 Groveport Road. Anyone interested in gardening welcome. Call Marylee Bendig at (614) 218-1097.
Special Olympics
A local chapter of Special Olympics Ohio has formed in the Groveport/Canal Winchester area.
The mission of Special Olympics Ohio is to provide year round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic type sports for intellectually disabled individuals.
For information contact local coordinators Penny and Cassandra Hilty at groveportspecialolympics@gmail.com or at (614) 395-8992 or 395-6640. Donations may be sent to Groveport Special Olympics, P.O. Box 296, Groveport, OH 43125.
GSO Bowling
Groveport Special Olympics team bowling will begin on Aug. 16 from 6-8 p.m. at Eastland Lanes, 3770 Refugee Road, and will be held every Thursday until the third week of October. Special Olympics is for those individuals age 8 and up with intellectual or physical disabilities. For information, contact local coordinator Penny Hilty at 614-395–8992 or email at groveportspecialolympics@gmail.com.
Griefshare support group
GriefShare grief recovery support group meets Thursdays at Groveport United Methodist Church, 512 Main St., Groveport, at 7 p.m. The group is open to anyone in our community or surrounding area who has experienced the loss of a spouse, child, family member, or friend. For information email groveportgriefsharegroup@gmail.com or call the church office at 614-836-5968. Registration now available on-line at https://www.griefshare.org/groups/90137.
Groveport Farmer’s Market
The Groveport Farmer’s Market will be open on Tuesdays through Sept. 25 from 5-8 p.m. on the green space located on Main Street between Ace Hardware and Groveport Town Hall. The market will have live music the third Tuesday of each month. It will also have a special event the first Tuesday of each month as follows: Sept. 4 – “Customer Appreciation Day” (free hot dogs, corn on the cob, bottled water). For information visit www.groveportmarket.
Opioid information series
The Groveport Madison Opiate Task Force will present information sessions to help those impacted by opioid addiction:
•Voices of Recovery–Aug. 28, 7 p.m. Franklin County Sheriff’s Office “HOPE Task Force,” Rick Minerd, deputy chief, Franklin Co. Sheriff’s Office. At First Baptist Church of Groveport, 5521 Groveport Road, Groveport.
•Voices of Hope–Oct. 23, 7 p.m. Maryhaven–family support, foster care, and counseling services. At Groveport Madison High School, 4475 S. Hamilton Road, Groveport.
•Voices of Faith–Jan. 22, 2019, 7 p.m. Faith & Outreach. At Groveport Madison High School, 4475 S. Hamilton Road, Groveport.
Man indicted
According to the Groveport Police, Johnathan Davis was indicted on one count of aggravated burglary, a felony of the first degree, and one count of felonious assault, a felony of the second degree, for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that took place in Groveport on April 3. The next court date is set for Aug. 2 for pre-trial.
“Maximum penalties on these charges are severe, but I hesitate to guess on what these could be as there are mitigating factors that apply to sentencing of these types of crimes,” said Groveport Detective Delbert Dalton.
According to the Groveport Police, a man was stabbed multiple times in the April 3 incident. Police said the dispute stemmed over a debt. Dalton said the victim did survive and is currently recovering.
“The actions of all of our officers who responded to the incident directly contributed to the injured man’s survival,” said Dalton.
Drug Drop Box
The Madison Township Police Department is providing an opiate prescription “Drug Drop Box” for the community. This drop box is located in the lobby of the Madison Township Police Department, 4567 Madison Lane, and will be accessible to the public during normal office hours Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Madison Township Police Chief Gary York said the officers and staff are committed to serving the community and believe in helping to fight the opiate epidemic. Any person can walk-in and dispose of new or old pills, including prescription medications, or any other illegal substances and place them into this box with no questions asked.
New GMHS dedication
The dedication ceremony for the new Groveport Madison High School will be held Aug. 29 from 7-9 p.m. The Groveport Madison School District extends a community-wide invitation to attend the dedication ceremony and tour the building.
Bricks from old high school
Bricks from the old Groveport Madison High School are available for alumni during demolition of the building this summer, according to school district officials. The demolition contractor is maintaining a pile of salvaged bricks in front of the school near the main entrance along the service road in front of the building so the public may have a keepsake item from the school. If you stop by to get a brick, be careful, as the bricks may have wire or other sharp objects attached to them.
Safety Town
Groveport Safety Town will be held Aug 13-17 from 6-8 p.m. at the Groveport Presbyterian Church, 275 College St. This is a national safety education program designed to address children’s safety issues. Safety Town is provided to local children who are entering kindergarten or first grade and covers home, school, fire, poisons, strangers, animal, school bus, water, bicycle and internet safety. On Aug 15, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Dept. will present a program for adults on keeping your children safe while using computers and the dangers they face on the internet. Safety Town is a free program presented in conjunction with the Madison Township Fire Department, Groveport Police Department, Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, Groveport Madison Schools Transportation and the Groveport Rec Center and is sponsored by the Groveport Presbyterian Women’s Association.
Robbery at service station
A suspect allegedly robbed the Marathon gas station, located at 2560 E. London-Groveport Road in Groveport, on the evening of July 14, according to the Groveport Police.
The police report indicates the suspect entered the store at the service station and allegedly pointed a handgun at the clerk and demanded cash and lottery tickets, which the clerk gave him. Police stated it is estimated more than $2,000 cash and several lottery tickets were missing from the store after the robbery. Police said the suspect also tried to rob a store customer, but the customer said he did not have a wallet.
The suspect was arrested a short time later after attempting to commit another robbery at the Sunoco gas station in Obetz.
