Local News

(WOOSTER, Ohio) — A Wayne County man accused of sexually assaulting six children over nine years has pleaded guilty, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced today. “Today’s plea is a product of the victims’ courage to confront their abuser – I am in awe of their strength,” Yost said. “This predator is facing life in prison without the victims having …

ollowing a Fourth of July holiday that saw a significant increase in fireworks-related incidents, the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal reminds Ohioans of the serious risks associated with handling and setting off consumer-grade fireworks.  Under Ohio state law, Ohioans are legally permitted to discharge 1.4G consumer fireworks on July 3-5, as well as the weekends immediately before and after, …

The Licking County Health Department’s (LCHD) Safe Communities Coalition reported ten county crash fatalities in June 2025. In June 2024, there were five reported crash fatalities. Year-to-date (June 30, 2025), there have been 17 crash fatalities in Licking County. At this time last year, there were nine crash fatalities year-to-date (June 30, 2024). Our sincere condolences to the families and …

The Knox Community Hospital Lab team received The Ohio State University’s Clinical Affiliate Award. This award is granted for participating in the OSU Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) program, which has up to 36 students who shadow and learn all aspects of the lab area for six weeks at multiple hospitals. The award winner is selected based on the students’ votes and …

 With the summer travel season in full swing, travelers need to be prepared for disruptions caused by fast moving summer storms.  Severe weather, packing lightning, hail, heavy rain and tornadoes, can significantly impact airline travel in and out of major hubs, like Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson, Chicago O’Hare, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Charlotte Douglas. When storms shut down these key airports, it creates …

s your kid ready to make their next big step after graduating high school? Are you a high school graduate from Licking County excited to start college this fall? Join the Licking County Health Department (LCHD) for our free Life Skills training starting on July 28th and get the chance to win a $50 Amazon GIFT CARD!  WHAT: The Licking County Health Department (LCHD) …

he American Red Cross urges all donors to give blood or platelets now to keep the blood supply strong this summer. Type O blood products are most needed on hospital shelves – especially in the face of summer challenges that can quickly cause blood and platelet reserves to drop.   In addition to summer fun and holidays, severe summer weather can have …

COLUMBUS – The Ohio State Highway Patrol is reporting 10 people lost their lives in 10 traffic crashes during the July Fourth reporting period, which began Thursday, July 3 at midnight and ended Sunday, July 6 at 11:59 p.m. In seven of the fatalities in which safety belts were available, six were unbelted (86%). Ohio’s safety belt law remains a secondary …

Columbus – Members of the 152nd Basic Peace Officer Class received training certificates during a graduation ceremony held Thursday afternoon at the Ohio State Highway Patrol Training Academy. The 37 graduates will now assume duties as peace officers for 21 Ohio agencies. The 21-week basic course began in February. The Ohio State Highway Patrol Training Academy’s Basic Peace Officer course meets and exceeds …

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Pamela Boratyn today announced $137.5 million in funding for 55 new traffic safety projects in 41 counties across the state.   The funding awards are part of Ohio’s Highway Safety Improvement Program, which invests more per capita on roadway safety than any other state. “Ensuring the safety of Ohio’s roadways is …