Local News

11/12/24 LICKING COUNTY, OHIO – The Licking County Health Department’s (LCHD) Safe Communities Coalition reported one crash fatality in the county during October 2024. In October 2023, there was one crash fatality reported. Year-to-date (October 31, 2024), there have been sixteen crash fatalities in Licking County. At this time last year, there were twelve crash fatalities year-to-date (October 31, 2023). Our …

Central Ohio – Wildlife District One A 2018 wildlife violation case recently concluded when State Wildlife Officer Antoinette Freet, assigned to Licking County, State Wildlife Officer Brady Stevens, assigned at-large in central Ohio, and Wildlife Officer Supervisor Tony Zerkle served a bench warrant to an individual charged with aiding a wildlife offender, illegal possession of deer parts, and game tagging violations. …

The City of Delaware received a boost to its financial standing as Moody’s Investor Services recently upgraded its credit rating from Aa2 to Aa1. This new rating, the second highest on Moody’s scale, signals a substantial improvement in the city’s creditworthiness, with an Aa1 rating indicating high quality and low credit risk. The Moody’s upgrade reflects several key factors including …

Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal’s (SFM’s) Ohio Fire Academy celebrated its most recent graduating class of firefighter students during a ceremony today at SFM’s campus in Reynoldsburg. The Firefighter Class 239 is comprised of 32 individuals representing communities across Ohio. To view a complete list of graduates and their hometowns, click here.  Graduates successfully completed the academically and …

Central Ohio Technical College (COTC) President John M. Berry, PhD, was one of two recipients of The Ohio State University’s Career Achievement Award, which honors alumni who have made outstanding contributions to their professions and a difference in the lives of others. The emphasis of this award is on teaching, mentoring, and sharing their skills and talents with others in …

MOUNT VERNON — Local service clubs in Knox County are gearing up for the annual Friendly Competition to support the 43rd Food For The Hungry (FFTH) Campaign, aiming to raise $330,000 to provide food assistance for families in need. Every dollar donated has added impact, leveraging $4.56 in food-buying power through the Mid-Ohio Food Collective. Funds can be collected now …

Ohio voters have turned down Issue 1, a proposed amendment that would have changed the state’s political redistricting process. The measure was rejected with approximately 53% voting “No” and 46% voting “Yes.” Issue 1 aimed to shift map-drawing responsibilities from a seven-member panel of elected officials to an independent commission, in a bipartisan effort led by the group Citizens Not …

The Ohio Rail Development Commission (Rail Commission) announced today that five Ohio rail projects will move forward thanks to a mix of federal, state, local, and private funding. The projects include upgrading infrastructure, improving safety at rail crossings, and expanding rail capacity in the state. “These projects would not have been possible without the additional resources provided to us from …

With Election Day just around the corner, Ohioans are gearing up to make important choices about the future of their state. As early voting continues, many residents have questions about voting requirements, assistance options, and what’s allowed at the polls. Here are some key reminders to ensure your Election Day experience goes smoothly. ID Requirements for Voting Ohio voters must …

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) –The Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO), a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, is reminding drivers about some driving hazards that can lead to crashes when Daylight Saving Time ends. For the last three years, Ohio saw an average 15.7% increase in total crashes from September to November. Drowsy Driving: The first full week in November after …