☄️ What Caused That Loud Boom in Ohio?

Plus: 🥒 Pickle Palooza Is Coming!

Author

Chelsea Wiley
March 18, 2026

Sponsored by Dublin Irish Festival ☘️
Already missing St. Patrick’s Day fun? Well, you can go ahead and start planning your next Irish adventure because tickets are on sale now for the Dublin Irish Festival, happening July 31- August 2, 2026. If you’ve never been, it’s one of the best festivals in Central Ohio, full of incredible music, performances, food, beer, and fun. To learn more about the festival or to snag your tickets, please click here. Slainte!

Hello, Wednesday! Chelsea, here.

A loud boom rattled parts of Ohio yesterday, and for a moment, a lot of people thought something had gone very wrong. Turns out, the explanation came from much higher up. Officials say the sound was likely caused by a meteor. The event was strong enough to shake homes and was even spotted as a fireball as far as Pennsylvania. Here’s what we know so far about the mysterious boom.

🪴 A 30-Foot-Tall Bloom Is Growing Right Now at Franklin Park Conservatory
A rare “death bloom” is underway at Franklin Park Conservatory, and it’s something you don’t see every day. The century plant only blooms once before it dies, and right now, it’s putting on a towering, unforgettable show.

🥒 Columbus Is Finally Getting A Pickle Festival And Yes, There’s A Mechanical Pickle
Pickle Palooza is coming to Columbus with pickle pizza, drinks, contests, and a mechanical pickle at Huntington Park this June. This is kind of a big dill

Headlines 📰 

🐓 Love him or hate him, D.J. Byrnes has become one of the most talked-about figures at the Ohio Statehouse. A new deep dive explores the man behind “The Rooster” and why he’s impossible to ignore. (Columbus Monthly)

🚏 Columbus streets are safer than many other major cities, but they’re far from perfect. A new report breaks down where the city ranks and where safety concerns still remain. (Axios Columbus)

👎 Ranked choice voting won’t be coming to Ohio anytime soon. Gov. Mike DeWine has signed a bill banning the system, despite divided opinions at the Statehouse. (Statehouse News)

🌥️ Weather: 42 and mostly cloudy

Sponsored by the Greater Columbus Arts Council 🖼️
Explore Columbus through a new lens by checking out the arts-focused event calendar from Art Makes Columbus. Discover the events that bring our community together and experience art made authentically. For more info, head over to columbusmakesart.com.

Coming Up This Week 📆

Coming Up This Month 📆

☘️ The Best Things To Do This March In Columbus

March is well underway, and it’s jam packed. You can cheer on the Crew and the Blue Jackets, catch a play, enjoy an evening at the symphony, and more. Get out there and make the most of March, my friends.

Today's Photo 🤳

Screenshot of Instagram p DV6QCpUjFvf

👏 Rosetta Zimmerman was one of Ohio’s first female game wardens, breaking barriers in the 1920s and paving the way for women in conservation and law enforcement. If you’d like to hear more about her, please click here.

Want your photo to be featured? Use #columbusnavigator or tag us!

Have a hot tip? Interested in advertising options? Hit that reply button - we love mail. 💌📭

- Chelsea