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Brutus Strikes Back: Buckeye Icon Endures Amid Vandalism Incident
During the excitement of "Beat Michigan" week, Ohio State’s beloved Brutus the Buckeye mascot statue became the target of a senseless act of vandalism. Yet, even in the face of this disruption, the Buckeye community’s spirit proved as steadfast as ever.
Captured on surveillance footage from College Traditions, a local hub for Ohio State fans, the incident saw a hooded individual forcefully removing Brutus from his stand and dragging the statue down Lane Avenue. Despite the damage inflicted, the act galvanized the community rather than dampening its enthusiasm.
“This isn’t just about a statue it’s about what Brutus represents to so many of us,” said Kelly Dawes, co-owner of College Traditions.
Within hours, the Buckeye community rallied. Kroger’s Columbus Division stepped forward, lending their Brutus statue to the shop so fans could still enjoy this cherished tradition during one of the most spirited weeks of the year.
“Acts like this remind us of how much people care and how quickly they’ll step up to support one another,” Dawes added.
The timing of the incident, just days before Ohio State’s storied rivalry game against Michigan, underscored the intensity of the season. For many local businesses and fans, “The Game” is as much about tradition as it is about competition, and the outpouring of support for College Traditions exemplifies the values that unite Buckeye Nation.
As Brutus undergoes repairs, his eventual return will serve as a testament to the enduring connection between Ohio State and its community. In a week steeped in rivalry and pride, Brutus’s resilience is a reminder that the Buckeye spirit is as unshakable as ever at the forefront of this historic transformation in collegiate athletics.
Scarlet Letter Trivia
Question: Which Ohio city has reported the most UFO sightings since 1995, according to data from the National UFO Reporting Center?
A) Garettesville
B) Cleveland
C) Akron
D) Columbus
Ohio’s Pot Prices: A Not-So-High Relief
As Ohio stumbles along the green brick road of cannabis legalization, it appears many Buckeyes are still taking a highway detour to Michigan for their leafy bargains. Since Ohio opened its dispensary doors to recreational users, one might expect a booming business. Instead, the state finds itself tangled in a web of consumer confusion, quirky regulations, and a pricing puzzle that has locals crossing state lines for greener—and cheaper—pastures.
The Price of Going Green
The Ohio Division of Cannabis Control has been meticulously tracking the decline in cannabis costs from the highs of August to a more mellowed November. Initially, a one-tenth ounce of flower danced around the $26 mark, only to tip-toe down to just under $22 recently. The manufactured high think edibles and oils slid from an average of $31 to $28.70. But before you celebrate those dropping digits, remember: Ohio’s love for taxes turns those sticker prices into a financial facepalm at the register.
Taxed Out of Toke Town
Ohio isn’t just nickel-and-diming its green-thumbed residents. It’s throwing in a 10% excise tax plus the usual sales tax over 7% in some counties for good measure. Even as prices drop, the tax tag keeps the final cost from being truly wallet-friendly. And while Nikki Stanley from Terrasana Dispensaries voices that they're passing on vendor savings to consumers, the buck doesn't stop there or does it?
Confusion in Measurements
Here’s a quirky Ohio twist: selling pot by the one-tenth ounce a head scratcher when most places, including the black market and neighboring Michigan, opt for the one-eighth. This unusual choice leaves many Ohioans feeling short-changed, paying eighth prices for tenths. Stanley admits, "there's definitely some confusion," as consumers wrestle with the math, feeling a bit cheated in the exchange.
Michigan’s Marijuana Mecca
With Michigan rolling out the green carpet since 2019, their market is blossoming, with prices that make Ohioans' wallets weep with envy. The average price for that same one-eighth ounce? A mere $15.50 up north, even with their own 10% excise tax.
The Strain on Local Sellers
Back in Ohio, the strict regulations like the no go on pre-rolls are putting a damper on the cannabis carnival. Tracey McMillin from Pure Ohio Wellness hints at a sluggish start due to these limitations, saying, "It hasn’t been an explosion," as they await clearer rules.
A Budding Future?
As Ohio’s cannabis market tries to find its footing, residents may continue to vote with their feet and their wallets by heading to Michigan for better deals. Meanwhile, Ohio dispensaries are left hoping for a legislative light at the end of the tunnel that might bring both clarity and customers back home.
So, as Ohio watches its pot profits potentially go up in smoke, one has to wonder: when will the Buckeye State learn that sometimes, you have to inhale deeply and embrace the high life without all the legislative buzzkills?
Go See Santa at Polaris!
Jacob with Santa featured in front and his lady friend’s Christmas Tree
🎄Capture the magic of the season with a visit to Santa at Polaris Fashion Place! 🎄
Bring the kids to meet the big guy himself and enjoy a special treat every child who visits Santa receives a coupon for a BOGO gelato, courtesy of I Scream Gelato.
Skip the hassle and book your reservation in advance to make the day even more magical. While you're here, explore everything Polaris has to offer this holiday season, from festive events to incredible shopping deals.
Don't forget to enter for a chance to win a $500 holiday shopping spree!
Plan your visit and check out all the holiday happenings at Polaris
Columbus: Where Friendliness Comes Standard
Move over, Charleston and Savannah. Sure, you’ve got beaches and historic charm, but Columbus just proved that a warm welcome doesn’t need a coastline. According to Condé Nast Traveler, Columbus ranks as the 7th friendliest city in America, and we have no reason to disagree. Our secret weapon? A community that combines Midwest manners with big city energy because why settle for just one?
The magazine’s readers pointed to Columbus’s thriving food scene as a key ingredient in its charm. Whether you’re savoring Himalayan delicacies or diving into an innovative farm-to-table experience, one thing’s clear: in Columbus, you’ll never leave hungry—or without a few new friends who just have to tell you about their favorite hidden spots.
But Columbus’s friendliness extends far beyond the plate. It’s in the way neighbors rally around local causes, cheer loudly at Saturday tailgates, and genuinely want to know how your day is going (even if it’s just a quick chat in line for coffee). This is a city where people hold doors, share their favorite walking trails, and make even newcomers feel like they’ve always belonged.
Honestly, are we surprised? This is Columbus we’re talking about—a place where kindness is baked into the culture, whether it’s cheering on the Buckeyes or trading recipes at the North Market. So, congrats to us for making the list, but let’s not let it go to our heads. After all, it’s just another Tuesday in the friendliest city in the Midwest.
Columbus: Where Friendliness Comes Standard
Move over, Charleston and Savannah. Sure, you’ve got beaches and historic charm, but Columbus just proved that a warm welcome doesn’t need a coastline. According to Condé Nast Traveler, a magazine owned by the company that also publishes Vogue, The New Yorker and Vanity Fair, Columbus ranks as the 7th friendliest city in America, and we have no reason to disagree. Our secret weapon? A community that combines Midwest manners with big-city energy because why settle for just one?
The magazine’s readers pointed to Columbus’s thriving food scene as a key ingredient in its charm. Whether you’re savoring Himalayan delicacies or diving into an innovative farm-to-table experience, one thing’s clear: in Columbus, you’ll never leave hungry—or without a few new friends who just have to tell you about their favorite hidden spots.
But Columbus’s friendliness extends far beyond the plate. It’s in the way neighbors rally around local causes, cheer loudly at Saturday tailgates, and genuinely want to know how your day is going (even if it’s just a quick chat in line for coffee). This is a city where people hold doors, share their favorite walking trails, and make even newcomers feel like they’ve always belonged.
Honestly, are we surprised? This is Columbus we’re talking about—a place where kindness is baked into the culture, whether it’s cheering on the Buckeyes or trading recipes at the North Mar
ket. So, congrats to us for making the list, but let’s not let it go to our heads. After all, it’s just another Tuesday in the friendliest city in the Midwest.
Trivia Answer:
D: Columbus: With a very impressive number of UFO sightings totaling 274, and Garretesville having the least amount of sightings with just 44
Goodbye
