Local News

COLUMBUS – Auditor of State Keith Faber released a special audit Tuesday on the investigation into the theft of $2.3 million in Columbus Zoo resources by former employees, leading to criminal convictions and prison sentences for the top executives involved. The final report, available online at ohioauditor.gov/auditsearch/search.aspx, details the findings of the Auditor of State’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) into five former …

Delaware County Common Pleas Court Judge James Schuck sentenced 32-year-old Powell resident, Brandon Toleque, to a mandatory sentence of 15 years-to-life in prison for Murder, plus an additional 6 years in prison for 2 firearm specifications. Toleque was also sentenced to 11 years in prison for Kidnapping, and 11 years in prison for Rape. Judge Schuck ordered that all sentences …

Area residents are invited to come out and enjoy the fine spring weatheron Saturday, May 17, 2025, for Kids to Parks Day at the Lakes at Ariel~Foundation Park. A full day ofexciting and fun outdoor activities is planned for the whole family to mark the event.Kids to Parks Day was created by the National Park Trust in 2000 to encourage …

Ontario OH – The Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging, Inc. will hold the Senior Spring Extravaganza on May 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at The Richland Mall (now known as the Ontario Center) located at 2209 Richland Mall, Ontario OH 44906. This free event, hosted by the Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging, is held …

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — Two members of a violent human trafficking ring in south Columbus were convicted today of numerous felonies, including aggravated murder and trafficking in persons, Attorney General Dave Yost and Franklin County Prosecutor Shayla Favor announced. “Today’s verdicts hold these violent men accountable for their murderous actions and unspeakable evil toward their victims,” Yost said. “The answer to …

📬🥫 Stamp Out Hunger – Saturday, May 10, 2025! 🥫📬 Join the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) for the largest one-day food drive in the nation! It’s easy to take part — just leave a bag of non-perishable food next to your mailbox on Saturday, May 10th, and your letter carrier will do the rest! Every donation goes to …

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 …