Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How did Columbus’ “Snow Warriors” get their battle-ready nickname?

And check out Service Bar December Cocktail Class on the Columbus Patch calendar

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Monday December 15th Patch AM
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Good day Columbus! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How did Columbus’ “Snow Warriors” get their battle-ready nickname?
  • Will Columbus City Council rescue the threatened Columbus Promise funding?
  • Could Columbus data centers push Ohio’s power grid to a breaking point?

Also on today's calendar: Service Bar December Cocktail Class and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Columbusfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the stop sign say to the yield sign? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Columbusfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Monday: Mostly cloudy and very cold, with a high of 24 and low of 12 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Tuesday: Partly sunny and not as cold, temps: high: 36, low: 28.
  • Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 41 and low of 33 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. A look back as another winter approaches for Columbus 'Snow Warriors' (dispatch.com) — Columbus’ “Snow Warriors” — the city’s street maintenance crews — are gearing up once again to clear more than 4,000 lane miles when winter weather hits. This piece looks back at how the nickname emerged, the city’s biggest historic snowfalls, and tools like the Warrior Watch website that let residents track plow activity during storms.
   

2. Will Columbus keep its Promise? (dispatch.com) — City leaders are clashing over whether Columbus will keep funding the Columbus Promise program, which offers tuition-free associate degrees at Columbus State for Columbus City Schools graduates. Mayor Andrew Ginther’s proposed 2026 budget omits the money, while Council President Shannon Hardin insists council will restore it during upcoming budget hearings, leaving families watching closely as the debate unfolds.
   

3. Is our power grid falling behind data center growth? Ohio may soon find out (cleveland.com) — Columbus-based reporting highlights how Ohio’s electric grid may struggle to keep up with a surge of new data centers, potentially affecting both reliability and monthly bills. PJM’s latest capacity auction will signal whether there’s enough power lined up for 2027–28, with experts warning of higher costs, possible rolling blackouts, and legal fights over who pays for data center hookups.
   

4. Huge community response fills Norwich Township Fire's toy drive after plumbing issue (abc6onyourside.com) — A plumbing disaster nearly ruined Norwich Township Fire’s holiday toy drive, but an overwhelming response from the Columbus and Hilliard community quickly refilled — and likely doubled or tripled — the donations. With storage now almost maxed out, firefighters are still accepting toys but encourage neighbors to consider giving to Hilliard Food Pantry Plus or another local charity instead.
   

📸 Around Columbus

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Columbus

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • My Better Halfs mother is missing, we have filed a Missing Persons Report, but we think she may be in a Homeless Encampment.
    If you guys know of any encampment in Columbus please let us know below so we can try and look in these places as she is Homeless. Shelters are no… (Nextdoor Dexter Falls)
  • Lost 2 year old spayed Golden Retriever, red in color.
    Was in accident near Cleveland Ave and Blake Ave. Was on a pink rope leash. Name is Ruby and microchipped. She may have an injury from glass. … (Nextdoor Amercrest)
  • Shaner Hotel Group, Inc. posted a job opening for Night Auditor | Upper Arlington Homewood Suites in Columbus. Apply here.
  • YMCA of Central Ohio posted a job opening for Gym Monitor - North YMCA in Columbus. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Columbus here.

Ok Columbus! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know either. They were speaking in sign language.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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