Knox Public Health is reminding parents, caregivers and babysitters about the importance of safe infant sleep during October’s Safe Sleep and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), which includes sleep-related deaths and SIDS, is the leading cause of death for infants between one month and one year …

City crews are preparing for Mount Vernon’s annual fall leaf collection program, which officially begins Monday, November 2. Three dedicated leaf-collection machines will work across the city throughout November. Crews will start with main thoroughfares before moving into side streets and outlying neighborhoods. The city plans to make two full passes during the month, although collection schedules may vary depending …

Jerry Scott has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the Food For The Hungry Stroud Award for Community Service, recognizing nearly six decades of dedication to public safety, conservation and civic leadership in Knox County. Scott began his career of service in 1965 with the Ohio Division of Wildlife. In 1982, he became the first administrator of Ohio’s Turn …

Two employees with the Knox County Board of Developmental Disabilities have received statewide recognition for their leadership and service supporting people with developmental disabilities. The employees were honored at the 2026 Synergy Ohio Conference, which recognizes work across Ohio’s developmental disabilities service system. Andrew Taylor, shared director of service and support administration for Knox and Coshocton counties, received the Leadership …

Knox County residents will have an opportunity to get rid of unwanted household items during Mount Vernon’s 2026 Fall Clean Up Day this Saturday. The City of Mount Vernon, in partnership with Knox County Recycling and Litter Prevention, will host the event October 17 from 8 a.m. to noon at Ariel-Foundation Park, in front of the Schnormeier Events Center. Residents …

Mount Vernon City Council has approved a 12-month pause on automated license plate reader cameras on city property and confirmed three mayoral reappointments to local boards and commissions. Resolution 2026-96 directs the city’s Safety-Service Director to allow Mount Vernon’s existing contract with Flock Group, also known as Flock Safety, to expire under its current terms without renewal or extension. Under …

A 25-year-old Zanesville man was critically injured in a shooting outside a Newark bar early Sunday morning, October 11, and a suspect was taken into custody, according to the Newark Police Department. Officers responded to a report of a shooting at Tony’s Bar, located at 392 West Main Street, in the early morning hours. When officers arrived, they found the …

Mount Vernon Nazarene University will welcome alumni, families, friends and community members back to campus November 13 and 14 for Homecoming 2026, featuring two days of athletics, music, reunions and special events. The annual celebration will include Cougar basketball, a 5K race, a concert featuring the university’s choral and instrumental ensembles, an exhibition showcasing Knox County artists and a celebration …

The Brown Family Environmental Center at Kenyon College will welcome the community for an afternoon of fall activities, live music, food and family-friendly entertainment on Saturday, October 17. The annual Harvest Festival will run from noon to 4 p.m. at the center, located at 9781 Laymon Road in Gambier. Admission is free, and the event is open to the public. …

Early in-person voting is underway in Knox County, and local election officials reported a strong turnout on the first day ahead of Ohio’s November 3 general election. Knox County Board of Elections Director James Blazer said 384 voters cast ballots on Tuesday, October 6, the first day of early voting. Blazer described the turnout as strong for a gubernatorial election …