Local News

Knox County residents have the rest of October to help local children stay warm this winter through the annual Coats for Kids drive. The Kiwanis Club of Mount Vernon and Gault’s Plaza Cleaners and Laundromat are partnering once again for the community-wide collection, which runs through October 31. Organizers are encouraging residents to donate new or gently used coats, with …

Residents raised concerns about air pollution, water quality and environmental impacts during a public hearing Tuesday on a proposed natural gas-fired power plant in western Licking County. The October 6 hearing, conducted by the Ohio Power Siting Board in New Albany, drew more than 50 attendees. About 25 people spoke, with most opposing the proposed project, according to The Reporting …

Bayer is investing $2.2 billion to build a new pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in New Albany, bringing hundreds of high-skilled jobs and a major new life-sciences investment to central Ohio. The company announced the project October 2, saying the new facility will be located in the New Albany International Business Park. Bayer expects the project to create approximately 600 high-value permanent …

Old Bag of Nails Pub, located at 66 North Sandusky Street, will serve its final customers Sunday, October 11. The restaurant announced the closure this week, saying it was unable to reach a long-term agreement with the property’s landlord that would allow the business to continue operating. The Delaware location opened in 2004 and has been a fixture of the …

Brice Hay has been sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole in connection with the stabbing death of his father, Kevin Hay, in Knox County. Hay was charged after his father was found dead at a residence on King Road in Howard in December 2025. Prosecutors initially filed the case in Knox County Juvenile Court but sought …

The Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging Foundation has awarded $3,500 in scholarships to five students and professionals pursuing careers focused on serving older adults and people with disabilities. The foundation says the scholarships were awarded to individuals studying or working in fields including health care, social work and related services. The awards are intended to help support the …

The Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center is working with area educators, employers and community leaders to strengthen the connection between students and the region’s workforce. The Mid-Ohio ESC Business Advisory Council recently brought together representatives from education, business and economic development for a discussion focused on workforce planning, career-connected learning and student training opportunities. The September 30 meeting in Mansfield included …

Downtown Mount Vernon is getting another dining option as Urban Gourmet prepares to open its second location inside Founders Food Hall. The Columbus-based restaurant will become the newest kitchen operator at Founders, bringing a menu centered around burgers, wings, pasta dishes, sandwiches and salads to the downtown food hall. Knox Pages first reported the new addition Wednesday. Urban Gourmet currently …

Danville FFA students are celebrating strong results in two recent agricultural competitions. The chapter’s Soils Team, along with its Urban and Rural Soils teams, finished in the top ten at the District Seven Career Development Event. Students were evaluated on their ability to identify soil horizons, determine soil texture and structure, calculate slope and assess other soil characteristics. The Danville …

The Richland County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board has named Aubrie Hall as its next executive director. Hall was appointed to the position in September and will officially take over on November 2, following the retirement of longtime executive director Sherry Branham-Fonner. A Richland County native, Hall brings 15 years of public service experience to the position. She most …