Local News

NEWARK, OHIO, MAY 9, 2025 — Central Ohio Technical College (COTC) hosted commencement on May 2, celebrating 360 graduates who completed their degree and/or certificate requirements in the spring 2025 semester. “This is by far our largest class coming out of COVID,” said COTC President John M. Berry, PhD. COTC Provost Greg Ferenchak, EdD, and President Berry opened the ceremony by encouraging …

Wednesday Night more than 100 cruisers from multiple law enforcement agencies took part in the annual Memorial Cruiser Caravan. Family members of fallen officers also participated in the caravan that started in Westerville and went through Plain City, West Jefferson, Hilliard and Upper Arlington, before ending in Columbus. Prior to the memorial caravan, a ceremony was held honoring both Ohio’s …

A Powell man has been convicted on multiple felony charges, including murder, kidnapping, and rape, after a five-day trial in Delaware County. On Wednesday, a jury found Brandon Toleque, 32, guilty of two counts of murder with firearm specifications, one count of first-degree felony kidnapping, and one count of first-degree felony rape. The convictions stem from a violent incident that …

North Fork Local School District – Proposed Income TaxVote For 1ElectionDayAbsenteeOffice TOTAL AbsenteeMail VOTE % ProvisionalFor the Tax 646 53.04% 549 35 62 0Against the Tax 572 46.96% 491 28 53 0Total Votes Cast 1,218 100.00% 1,040 63 115 0Overvotes 0 0 0 0 0Undervotes 5 2 2 1 0 Southwest Licking Local School District – Proposed Bond IssueVote For …

The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS), together with Recovery Ohio, is encouraging Ohioans to recognize May as Mental Health Awareness Month by having conversations about mental health and showcasing supports available to those struggling with their mental health. Aligned with the national recognition, Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jim Tressel issued a proclamation designating May as Mental …

COLUMBUS — The month of May marks the beginning of riding season for many motorcyclists in Ohio. It is also National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month – a time to remind all drivers to share the road with motorcycles and look twice for riders on the highway and at intersections. The Ohio Department of Public Safety and the Ohio Department of Natural …

COLUMBUS – The Ohio Department of Transportation, Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (Ohio AAP), and the American Honda Motor Company are once again teaming up to distribute 13,000 bicycle helmets to 176 groups and organizations in 61 counties across Ohio. Bike helmets save lives and prevent injuries. However, it is estimated that only 10-20% of Ohio children wear …

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced LAST WEEK that nearly three dozen local drug task forces in Ohio are receiving state support to aid in their work to disrupt the drug trade and promote substance use awareness, prevention, and recovery. More than $2.2 million in grants from Governor DeWine’s RecoveryOhio Law Enforcement Fund will be awarded to 34 existing drug task …

Following a one day trial ending on April 25, 2025, a Delaware County jury found 42-year-old Bradley Hursey of Delaware guilty of Violating a Protection Order, a felony of the fifth degree. Contrary to a protection order, Hursey contacted the protected party via text message. Because Hursey had a previous conviction for the same conduct, this second contact was a …

(SHELBY, Ohio)— Ohio Lt. Governor Jim Tressel brought together business, education, and community leaders from the greater Mansfield area for a roundtable discussion on the region’s workforce strengths and its needs. Held at North Central State College’s Kehoe Center in Shelby, the roundtable marked the latest stop in the Lt. Governor’s ongoing series of community conversations to inform the development …