Just two weeks after transitioning away from a regional call center, Knox County Job and Family Services officials say the move is already improving customer service while reducing potential staffing costs. During the July 16 meeting of the Knox County Board of Commissioners, Job and Family Services Director Scott Boone and Public Assistance Administrator Carla Pullen updated commissioners on the …

What appeared to be a routine Fredericktown Village Council meeting Monday night quickly shifted focus after two residents raised concerns about dramatic increases in their monthly water bills, prompting village officials to launch an investigation. During the public comment portion of the meeting on July 20, two neighbors who live on Salem Avenue addressed council one after the other, each …

The Mount Vernon Police Department is providing new insight into how its network of automated license plate reader cameras is being used, following growing public interest and questions about privacy, surveillance and crime prevention. Police Chief Robert Morgan says there are currently 14 Flock Safety cameras operating in Knox County, all located within Mount Vernon. Eight of those cameras are …

A proposal before Newark City Council could reverse previously approved federal funding for one of Licking County’s primary resources serving people experiencing homelessness, setting up what is expected to be a closely watched debate over public safety, social services and the future of the Community Drop-In Center. Two newly elected city council members have introduced legislation that would rescind federal …

Health officials are urging residents in Knox and Licking counties to take extra precautions when handling fresh produce as cases of Cyclospora, a parasite that causes a foodborne illness known as cyclosporiasis, have been confirmed locally amid a growing nationwide outbreak. The Ohio Department of Health has reported a sharp increase in Cyclospora infections this summer, with more than 1,200 …

Mount Vernon Nazarene University is inviting members of the public to provide feedback as its Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program prepares for a national accreditation review later this year. The university announced the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) will conduct an on-site evaluation of the program Sept. 16-18, 2026, as part of the organization’s accreditation process. CCNE accreditation …

Kenyon College has appointed Dianna Shandy as its next provost, selecting the longtime higher education leader to serve as the College’s chief academic officer beginning Aug. 1. Shandy most recently served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, where she oversaw academic programs, faculty affairs and student success initiatives. Kenyon President Julie …

Motorcycles, live music and community support will come together Thursday evening as the Salvation Army hosts its annual Bike Night fundraiser. The event will take place Thursday, July 16, from 6 to 9 p.m., and is presented by Flappers Bar & Grille. Bike Night will feature a gathering of motorcycles along with live entertainment, food, drinks, ice cream and a …

A former Butler mayor and several village officials are facing a federal civil lawsuit stemming from a 2025 incident in which a fleeing suspect was allegedly struck multiple times by the mayor’s vehicle during an attempted arrest. The lawsuit was filed Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, on behalf of Anthony Ward …

Every month, volunteers at Covenant Christian Church transform fellowship into food assistance, helping more than 80 Knox County families put meals on the table. The ministry recently received a $2,500 summer grant from Food For The Hungry of Knox County, one of 12 grants awarded this year totaling $30,500 to local organizations working to combat hunger. For Pam Vanderpool, who …