Ohio

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

Published

3 months ago

October 20, 2025

Press Room

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

Police release video showing person of interest in killing of Ohio dentist and his wife

Published

8 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Police release video showing person of interest in killing of Ohio dentist and his wife

Authorities investigating the apparent shooting deaths of a dentist and his wife in Ohio released security video Monday of a person of interest in the case.

Columbus police said the video was recorded between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. Dec. 30 in an alley next to the Columbus home of Dr. Spencer Tepe, 37, and Monique Tepe, 39.

In a statement, the police department said investigators believe the couple were killed on the top floor of their home during that three-hour window.

The brief video shows a person walking in the alley wearing light-colored pants and a hooded dark jacket.

Security video shows a person of interest in the killings of Spencer and Monique Tepe in Columbus, Ohio.Columbus Police Department

The department asked the public for information about the identity of the person and said detectives are following up on numerous tips.

Authorities discovered the Tepes’ bodies after several 911 calls from colleagues and loved ones on the morning of Dec. 30. Among the callers was a friend who reported having found Spencer Tepe’s body next to his bed.

The couple appeared to have been shot, according to an incident report.

The Franklin County coroner’s office told NBC Chicago on Monday that the pair died in an apparent homicide by gunshot wounds, adding that the case is not finalized and that additional reports are pending.

Three 9 mm shell casings were found in the family’s home, a preliminary investigative report shows. The couple’s two young children were in the house unharmed.

Authorities have not identified a possible motive. The police department previously said it does not believe the killings were a murder-suicide.

Spencer Tepe worked at a dental practice in Athens, Ohio, where he focused on comprehensive dentistry and implant therapy, according to a company biography.

The Tepe family has described the pair as “extraordinary people whose lives were filled with love, joy, and deep connection to others.”

“Our family is devastated by the tragic and senseless loss of Spencer and Monique,” the family said in a statement.

Tim Stelloh is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital.

Selina Guevara contributed.

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Ohio State vs Nebraska live score updates, highlights, how to watch game

Published

20 hours ago

January 5, 2026

Press Room

Ohio State vs Nebraska live score updates, highlights, how to watch game

Ohio State’s men’s basketball players were on the bus to the airport after having won at Rutgers when they switched on the Nebraska-Michigan State game. The drive from Piscataway to Trenton allowed the Buckeyes to see the Cornhuskers prevail in the final seconds and improve to 14-0 with a 58-56 win against the Spartans.

Now, Nebraska brings the nation’s longest winning streak to the Jerome Schottenstein Center, presenting a challenge Ohio State coach Jake Diebler said is one his team is excited for.

“When they saw they won, (our players were) was excited about how big of an opportunity this is for us,” Diebler said Jan. 4. “It’s an early-season Big Ten game, but it’s one at home and it’s one against a team that’s established themselves. You have a top-10 team coming into your building, it’s a huge opportunity and our guys know that. We’ll be ready for it.”

Ohio State is 10-3 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten after the Jan. 2 win against Rutgers.

Follow along with all the action at our Dispatch live game blog below.

The Buckeyes will be wearing some new Nike shoes for the Nebraska game, as the team showed in a video posted to social media.

Neither team has any surprises on its official availability report. Ohio State is still without Josh Ojianwuna (knee surgery) and Myles Herro (redshirt), while Nebraska’s Henry Burt is out. None of the three have played in a game this season.

Ohio State vs Nebraska score updates

This section will be updated when the game begins.

Date: Monday, Jan. 5
Start time: 5:30 p.m. ET

The Ohio State vs Nebraska game starts at 6:30 p.m. from the Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio.

TV Channel: FS1
Livestream: Fox Sports App
Radio: WBNS-FM (97.1)

The Buckeyes’ 14th game of the 2025-26 men’s college basketball season will air nationally on FS1. Brandon Gaudin and Steve Smith will call the game from the Jerome Schottenstein Center. Streaming options for the game include Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Stream Ohio State vs. Nebraska

Series record: Ohio State leads 22-8
Ohio State’s last win: March 4, 2025 (116-114, 2OT, in Columbus)
Nebraska’s last win: Feb. 9, 2025 (79-71 in Lincoln)

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Sunday, Jan. 4

Spread: Ohio State by 2.5

Over/under: 154.5

Moneyline: Ohio State (-140) | Nebraska (+115)

Ohio State men’s basketball schedule

Oct. 26 – Ohio University (exhibition) W, 103-74 (takeaways)
Nov. 3 – IU Indy, W, 118-102 (takeaways)
Nov. 7 – Purdue Fort Wayne, W, 94-68 (takeaways)
Nov. 11 – Appalachian State, W 75-53 (takeaways)
Nov. 16 – Notre Dame, W 64-63 (takeaways)
Nov. 20 – Western Michigan W, 91-58 (takeaways)
Nov. 25 – Mount St. Mary’s W, 113-60 (takeaways)
Nov. 28 – at Pitt L, 67-66 (takeaways)
Dec. 6 – at Northwestern W, 86-82 (takeaways)
Dec. 9 – Illinois L, 88-80 (takeaways)
Dec. 13 – vs. West Virginia (Cleveland Hoops Showdown, Cleveland) W, 89-88, 2OT (takeaways)
Dec. 20 – vs. North Carolina (CBS Sports Classic, Atlanta) L, 71-70 (takeaways)
Dec. 23 – Grambling State W, 89-63 (takeaways)
Jan. 2 – at Rutgers W, 80-73 (takeaways)
Jan. 5 – Nebraska
Jan. 8 – at Oregon
Jan. 11 – at Washington
Jan. 17 – UCLA
Jan. 20 – Minnesota
Jan. 23 – at Michigan
Jan. 26 – Penn State
Jan. 31 – at Wisconsin
Feb. 5 – at Maryland
Feb. 8 – Michigan
Feb. 11 – USC
Feb. 14 – vs. Virginia (Nashville Hoops Showdown, Nashville)
Feb. 17 – Wisconsin
Feb. 22 – at Michigan State
Feb. 25 – at Iowa
March 1 – Purdue
March 4 – at Penn State
March 7 – Indiana

Buy Ohio State vs. Nebraska men’s basketball tickets

In ‘fascinating’ hoops era, Ohio State’s Jake Diebler wants clarity
At Rutgers, Jake Diebler, Ohio State celebrated another Big Ten road win
Could Ohio State men’s basketball add a player to its roster midseason?
After last year, Ohio State enjoying less chaotic locker room situation
Ohio State’s ‘loyal, humble’ Bruce Thornton to have prep jersey retired
How is Ohio State’s Devin Royal handling his position change so far?
Pointed talks with Jake Diebler fueled Brandon Noel’s breakout game
Ohio State’s Christoph Tilly, John Mobley battle injuries at Northwestern
What will happen to the naming rights to Ohio State’s Value City Arena?
Freshman Amare Bynum bringing dunks, scoring and ‘joy’ to Ohio State
Ohio State’s Devin Royal gifts new jerseys to Pickerington Central
On memorable evening, Ohio State pays tribute to Jerry Lucas with statue unveiling
Alex Smith celebrates reaching milestone, signing to play basketball for Ohio State
After signing for Ohio State, five-star forward Anthony Thompson has prolific game
BTN analyst Raphael Davis says Ohio State will earn double bye in conference tournament
Who is Ohio State’s best shooter? Dunker? Dresser? The Buckeyes sound off in annual poll
Ohio State’s Bruce Thornton talking trash, playing freer and ready for his senior year

Ohio State men’s basketball beat writer Adam Jardy can be reached at ajardy@dispatch.com, on Bluesky at @cdadamjardy.bsky.social or on Twitter at @AdamJardy.

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Ohio

Growing mystery as police search for Ohio couple’s killer

Published

1 day ago

January 5, 2026

Press Room

Growing mystery as police search for Ohio couple’s killer

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