Ohio

What’s Up With That? Why isn’t trick or treating always on Halloween?

Published

3 months ago

October 20, 2025

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What’s Up With That? Why isn’t trick or treating always on Halloween?

Why do central Ohio communities trick or treat on nights other than Halloween?

This week’s What’s Up With That? is a personal one, as it’s a query I’ve had since I moved to Columbus nearly seven years ago. What’s the origin of central Ohio’s complex (to outsiders) tradition of holding trick or treating (or Beggars Night, as some call it) on nights other than Oct. 31?

It is a question that has been asked and answered by The Columbus Dispatch before. But to save you a journey through our archives, I’ll recap the history here.

Why does central Ohio schedule trick-or-treating on nights other than Halloween?

Up until 2005, when the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission adopted the current system for recommending when communities should hold trick-or-treating, Columbus hadn’t held the event on Halloween itself in 90 years, according to past Dispatch reporting.

Columbus historically held a raucous Downtown Halloween party on Oct. 31, according to our archives, prompting the preference for Oct. 30 as the day kids could collect candy. That party was discontinued in the 1950s over too much revelry, but Oct. 30 trick-or-treating persisted.

MORPC took on its role as trick-or-treat scheduler in 1993 and adopted the current system it uses to choose the date in 2005. MORPC’s recommendation is just that; communities are still free to set their own trick-or-treating days and times.

When is central Ohio trick-or-treating in 2025?

Here’s MORPC’s system: When Halloween falls on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, trick or treat typically takes place the Thursday before Oct. 31 in central Ohio. When Halloween falls on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, expect costumed kids on the day itself.

In 2015, a MORPC spokesman told the Dispatch the system was meant to increase convenience for families. Friday or Saturday night trick or treating could conflict with football (as could Sunday, for that matter, although in central Ohio it’s largely the first two putting a dent in people’s calendars).

Since Halloween falls on a Friday this year, the recommended trick-or-treat date is Oct. 30, and cities and towns have official candy-calling hours of 6-8 p.m.

But there are exceptions. Here’s a look at which Franklin County communities are going their own way:

Bexley: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 30
Grandview Heights: 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31
Groveport: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 30
Madison Township: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 30
Worthington: 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31

You can see other communities’ hours in this list we published in early October.

Have a question about Columbus? I’ll find your answer

What other weird central Ohio traditions would you like to have explained? I’m happy to track down the information. Or just curious what that development is, or why the traffic pattern you hate is the way it is?

Email ekennedy@dispatch.com and I will see what I can do.

Eleanor Kennedy is the senior digital director of the Columbus Dispatch. She can breached at ekennedy@dispatch.com.

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Ohio

Northeast Ohio Weather: High wind, very warm, showers, and storms today

Published

6 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Northeast Ohio Weather: High wind, very warm, showers, and storms today

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A powerful cold front will be tracking through today.

A second system impacts the area tomorrow.

It is very warm and very windy today. High temperatures forecast to be above 60 degrees in many towns before the cold front blows through.

Temperatures tumble through the 50s and into the 40s later this afternoon.

We have showers and a few thunderstorms in the area. The risk of rain will end behind the front. A south wind shifts west and could gust over 45 mph at times today.

Colder and much less wind tonight with a mostly cloudy sky. Early morning temperatures tomorrow will be in the 30s.

The system tomorrow will track across the Great Lakes and will be centered north of us Saturday night.

Moisture gets drawn up from the south. Showers develop by afternoon.

The rain isn’t expected to be heavy with less than .25″ in the forecast. High temperatures make it into the 40s.

Colder Saturday night and blustery. Southwest winds could gust to around 30 mph at times.

A window is there Sunday for snow showers and lake-effect.

It’ll be very windy on Sunday. West winds could gust over 45 mph at times. Afternoon temperatures around 30 degrees.

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Ex-Ohio State DB Marshon Lattimore arrested on possible weapons charge

Published

19 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Ex-Ohio State DB Marshon Lattimore arrested on possible weapons charge

Former Ohio State defensive back Marshon Lattimore was arrested on Jan. 7 in Lakewood, Ohio, and now awaits possible charges of carrying a concealed weapon and improperly handling firearms in a vehicle, according to multiple reports.

Lattimore, currently on the Washington Commanders, was booked into jail but later released. The police report lists a 9mm Glock as evidence, per ESPN.

Police say Lattimore was arrested because he failed to inform the investigating officer that he had a firearm in the vehicle when asked.

In a statement to 3News, the Commanders said, “We have been made aware of the arrest and are gathering more information. We have informed the NFL League office and have no further comment at this time.”

Lattimore played for the Buckeyes in 2015 and 2016. He was selected with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. He has made the Pro Bowl four times and was NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2017.

In 2021, Lattimore was arrested in Cleveland and initially charged with a felony for receiving a stolen firearm. The charge was dismissed, but Lattimore pleaded guilty to carrying a concealed weapon. He received one year of probation and a suspended 180-day jail sentence, according to ESPN.

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This rising sophomore has an important offseason ahead of him for Ohio State football

Published

1 day ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

This rising sophomore has an important offseason ahead of him for Ohio State football

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The conversation around Ohio State football’s championship aspirations often centers on offensive firepower, but a sophomore cornerback might play an important role in helping the Buckeyes accomplish their goals next season.

Devin Sanchez arrived in Columbus as the nation’s top cornerback recruit, and after a freshman season where he earned meaningful snaps in critical moments, the expectations have escalated.

No longer is it enough for Sanchez to be a reliable contributor. He must take a step toward becoming a true lockdown corner who can eliminate one side of the field.

“Is Devin Sanchez ready to be the dude because he’s going to have to be,” co-host Stefan Krajisnik said on Buckeye Talk. “I don’t mean is he ready to be a reliable starter — I mean it’s time… to be a dude. I don’t think it’s putting unrealistic expectations on a guy like Devin Sanchez to be an All-Big Ten first team caliber-type guy.”

The coaching staff has demonstrated their belief in Sanchez’s potential by giving him high-leverage opportunities against elite competition as a true freshman. Against Texas last season, while other freshmen barely saw the field, Sanchez was trusted in critical moments – a telling sign of the program’s expectations.

Next season’s rematch with Texas will provide an opportunity to see how much progress Sanchez has made since the last time he faced the Longhorns.

As co-host Andrew Gillis put it, “Is he ready to announce himself to the world as lock down?”

The transformation starts now. Co-host Stephen Means made it clear that spring practice represents a crucial development period.

“We should be walking away from spring practice thinking that’s the best cornerback in the Big Ten and his only competition is (Oregon’s) Brandon Finney,” Means said. “That should be the goal for Devin.”

What makes Sanchez’s development so critical is how it affects the entire defensive structure. If he can become that elite cornerback who eliminates one side of the field, it changes what Ohio State can do with their other 10 defenders. It allows for more aggressive pressure packages, more safety help to other areas, and ultimately, a more disruptive defense.

For Ohio State fans, Sanchez’s development represents one of the most fascinating storylines to follow this offseason. His progression from promising freshman to elite sophomore could be the difference between a playoff appearance and a national championship.

Here’s the podcast for this week: