Local
The Columbus Free Press celebrated our 55th anniversary last Saturday, November 8 and honored five community activists, plus one outstanding community organization.
The event was the November Salon and Annual Awards ceremony at the First Unitarian Universalist Church. Dan Dougan served as master of ceremonies.
Any time a public official makes an on-the-record pronouncement to the press, it represents an official statement. If a military man makes a false official statement, it represents a court martial offense under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The Fourth Commandant of The Marine Corps – Colonel Anthony Gale – was convicted by a court martial and cashiered for making just such a statement. The current commandant – General Eric Smith – should suffer similar censure for committing the same offense.
On January 15 of this year, General Smith looked members of the Pentagon press corps in the eye and told them that the Marine Corps had never signed on to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. This was a blatant falsehood. As he was speaking, his staff was frantically disestablishing the Corps' extensive DEI infrastructure and purging its websites of DEI related material. Including its personnel guidance contained in Talent Management 2030 which included the words "reinforcing diversity, promoting equity, and encouraging a culture of inclusion."
Editor's note: The election results from November 4th's Columbus City Council District 7 race between Tiara Ross and Jesse Vogel showed that Vogel won the most votes in District 7, but lost the election to Ross, who won the most votes outside the district. Under Columbus' odd district-based system, district candidates are voted on by the entire city.
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COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL PRESS RELEASE - 11/6/25
Congratulations to Tiara Ross who will be the next Columbus CounciI member from District 7!
TRANSLATION
Without the transfer of tens of thousands of dollars from members of City Council she would have lost. We tipped the scales of local democracy to get what we wanted. She owes her loyalty to City Hall and myself; not you. She will obey everything we tell her.
I look forward to working with her to move Columbus forward. Every neighborhood and every family will benefit from her passion and heart for service. Her victory is not just for her but for every community that needs a fighter.
TRANSLATION
Tuesday, November 11, 5-6:30pm
Goodale Park Gazebo
An informal but informative affair, a time when people may share their views on the theme: Peace IS Possible. People may want to bring a chair or a blanket to sit on in the gazebo. I will have a microphone for us to share our thoughts on how peace is, in fact, possible.
Sponsored by Veterans For Peace, Central Ohio sponsored event.
Saturday, November 8, 2025, 1:30 – 4:30 PM
First Unitarian Universalist Church, 93 West Weisheimer Rd. in Clintonville.
Large parking lot available.
This year is the Columbus Free Press' 55th anniversary!
We are celebrating by honoring five outstanding community activists and a community organization. We will honor: Bob Krasen, Healthcare for all Ohioans, Lezlie Combs - longtime community activist, Paul Becker - activist photographer, Julialynne Walker - Bronzeville Growers Market, Jawhara Qutiefan - Palestinian activist, Heer to Serve - Mutual Aid organization. There will be light refreshments.
This event is free, and all are welcome. Location:
Haga clic aquí para español
We need your help to fill food boxes for the homeless and marginally housed families we will serve.
We are in need of---
Turkeys
Boxed stuffing/mashed potatoes/Mac & Cheese
Rice
Gravy
RollsCanned yams
We accept donations Monday-Friday 9a-2p at 1037 Parsons Ave. 43206. Questions? Send us a return email or call us at 614-222-2885. Thank you.
www.TheOpenShelter.org 614-222-2885
Dr. Bob and Dan-o Dougan bring us songs about doctors, nurses and medicine, including Dear Doctor, many songs with the name "Doctor, Doctor," Doctor My Eyes, and more!
Listen live at 11pm Fridays, November 7 and 14 streaming at wgrn.org or on the radio at 91.9FM
and
Mondays at 2pm streaming November 10 and November 17 at wcrsfm.org or on the radio at 92.7 or 98.3FM
Friday, November 7, 12pm
Thompson Statue, OSU Oval
OSU students’ free speech rights are under attack, and they need your support! The Ted Carter administration and the Board of Trustees are capitulating to the demands in Trump’s authoritarian compact and over-complying to the disastrous Senate Bill 1, stripping students of their identity centers and avenues of expression. Activists have been silenced, students have been disenrolled, and the threat of politically-motivated University retaliation hangs over both students and faculty. This is why we need you!
On 11/7, an action will be held at the Thompson Statue on the Oval. Students call on the community to show their support for those targeted by administrative action, and to fight for students’ right to free speech on campus.
Tell OSU to reject Trump’s ultimatum and to stand up for all Buckeyes!
Thank you to the Franklin County Board of Elections for running a fair election on November 4th for the next member of Columbus City Council who will represent the citizens of District 7.
After the primary with three candidates, Jesse Vogel won the majority of votes in District 7. On November 4th he also won the majority of votes in District 7. The tax-paying citizens of District 7 made their voices heard and Jesse Vogel is the person they want to represent them in city government. Right or wrong, District 7 believes in Jesse Vogel.
So what happens now?
Tiara Ross will triumphantly take her chair on City Council and applause will ring throughout city hall: a victory Dick Cheney would be proud of because every step was coordinated to win. Every member of City Council voluntarily donated thousands of dollars to her campaign and knocked on doors to get out loyal members of the Franklin County Democratic Party.
Get over it.
Versión en español a continuación
Celebrating our 55th year, the Columbus Free Press will honor five outstanding community activists and a community organization at our November 2025 Salon and Awards event on Saturday, November 8 from 1:30-4:30pm at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, 93 W. Weisheimer Road. One honoree for the Free Press 2025 Outstanding Community Activist is Lezlie Combs. Facebook Event.
Lezlie started the local organization Central Ohio Rainforest Action Group in the late 80s, that provided free educational presentations at schools and other events, held numerous protests, letter writing parties and a benefit concert every year at Chelsea's during World Rainforest Week – among many other activities. The Rainforest Group helped co-found Community Shares of Mid-Ohio (COSMO)and Lezlie served as Vice President and President.