Community Corner

🌱 What the new COTA budget means for Hilliard commuters in 2026

You won't want to miss BHS Boys Volleyball on the Hilliard Patch calendar

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Thursday December 18th Patch AM
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Good morning to you Hilliard! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What the new COTA budget means for Hilliard commuters in 2026
  • How a Hilliard native became a Big Ten gymnast to watch
  • Do you recognize these suspects from the Hilliard Rome Road robbery?

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Cloudy and windy; p.m. rain, with a high of 51 and low of 23 degrees.
  • Friday: Windy and much colder, temps: high: 28, low: 21.
  • Saturday: Breezy in the afternoon, with a high of 46 and low of 29 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. COTA, WMATA introduce next year's budgets (masstransitmag.com) — Hilliard riders could soon get a direct new COTA Line 30 connection to Ohio State, thanks to a 2026 budget that also funds sidewalks, bikeways, and more buses across Central Ohio. The plan boosts service hours, adds operators, and advances a West Broad BRT line, while WMATA in D.C. pursues its own ridership-focused upgrades.
   

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

2. Coleman, Vetter Named B1G Gymnasts to Watch (ohiostatebuckeyes.com) — A standout Ohio State women’s gymnast from Hilliard has been named a Big Ten “Gymnast to Watch” after hitting 9.900 or better on every event last season and winning the 2024 conference beam title. Alongside a teammate also honored, she’ll help lead the Buckeyes, picked fifth in the Big Ten, when they open their 2026 season at home on January 10.
   

3. Four men storm Columbus shop in violent robbery (shorenewsnetwork.com) — A violent daytime robbery at a business on Hilliard Rome Road left two people assaulted and robbed, and Columbus police are now searching for four male suspects. The men stole a cellphone and tried to grab more items before fleeing. Investigators are asking anyone with tips or surveillance footage from the area to contact Central Ohio Crime Stoppers anonymously.
   

4. More charter schools in Columbus take action amid bus driver shortages (abc6onyourside.com) — Families in Hilliard should know that Hilliard City Schools denied transportation to 149 students last year amid a wider statewide bus driver shortage. New data show many districts, including nearby Columbus and Westerville, turned away thousands more. With more charter schools now arranging their own buses, lawmakers say they’ll tackle this transportation crunch by the end of the school year.
   

📸 Around Hilliard

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Hilliard

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

📣 Hilliard Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Thursday December 18
  • E and D Acoustic
    Grandview Heights Public Library Grandview Heights - Conference Room A
    6:30 pm
    • Monday December 22
  • Winter Reading Challenge
    Grandview Heights Public Library Grandview Heights -

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I’m on hold with my bank as someone has stolen my credit card # for the second time in a month.
    I just received this new card and got a fraud alert for a small amount from an unknown company out of Texas. I’m still waiting to get nearly $300… (Nextdoor Tremont Village & Estates)
  • Kroger posted a job opening for Courtesy Clerk/Grocery Bagger in Hilliard. Apply here.
  • College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving posted a job opening for Mover in Hilliard, OH in Hilliard. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Hilliard here.

Ok Hilliard! 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. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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