The Mansfield Playhouse is using its latest production to tackle difficult conversations about mental health, loneliness and the desire to belong. The theater is presenting Dear Evan Hansen, the Tony Award-winning musical that follows a high school student struggling with anxiety and social isolation after becoming caught up in a lie surrounding a classmate’s death. The production is being presented …

Richland County commissioners are backing efforts to preserve a wetland in Weller Township, supporting conservation work aimed at protecting the area’s natural resources. Commissioners discussed the preservation effort this week as local officials continue looking at ways to protect environmentally significant land while balancing development and other community needs. Wetlands can provide important environmental benefits, including absorbing stormwater, helping reduce …

A developer has withdrawn a controversial proposal to build three multi-car garages near the Overlook housing development in Newark. Trailhead Vista had requested zoning approval from the Newark Board of Zoning Appeals to construct the garages with a 50-foot setback from nearby single-family homes. The proposal had drawn attention because of the potential impact on neighboring residents. The withdrawal means …

New water-well testing near Alexandria and Granville has identified potential water sources that could produce millions of gallons per day for the region. Test wells were drilled at three sites — two near Alexandria and one near Granville — as officials look for possible water sources to support the Intel computer-chip manufacturing campus in New Albany. Testing indicates the sites …

A new network of housing navigators is beginning work across Licking County, with the goal of helping people experiencing homelessness find permanent housing and, just as importantly, remain housed once they get there. Five local social-service organizations have hired housing navigators with funding from the Licking County Foundation. The organizations include Licking County Coalition of Care, Newark Homeless Outreach, Licking …

\The Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging is partnering with Gorman-Rupp on a new pilot program designed to support employees who are balancing their jobs with caregiving responsibilities for an older family member or friend. The Working Caregiver pilot uses a caregiver-support toolkit developed with funding from the Administration for Community Living and the University of Southern California Center …

Mount Vernon High School has restructured its HIVE period into a four-tier intervention system designed to provide students with academic support based on their grades, attendance and discipline records. The new system places students into one of four tiers during three-week cycles, with placements reviewed at the beginning of each cycle using current academic, attendance and discipline information. School officials …

The Knox County Foundation is once again partnering with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office to bring Charitable University to Knox County, offering free training for nonprofit board members and leaders. The training is scheduled for Thursday, November 12, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Ramser 4-H Center at the Knox County Fairgrounds. Charitable University is designed to give nonprofit …

The night sky over Mohican State Park will become part of a statewide celebration Saturday as Mohican Lodge joins eight other Ohio state park lodges for a synchronized drone show. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Great Ohio Lodges are presenting “Remember, Lights in the Sky” at 9 p.m. Saturday, September 12. The event will combine a celebration of …

The U.S. Marshals Service says 79 missing and endangered children have been located across Ohio during what officials describe as the largest missing-child operation in the state’s history. Operation Meridian was conducted throughout August in coordination with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The children ranged in age from 6 to 17 and were reported missing under a variety …