Local News

The American Red Cross Central & Southern Ohio Region is issuing an urgent appeal for volunteers who are willing to travel this fall to support emergency shelters for major national disaster relief efforts. Interested volunteers are urged to sign up today at redcross.org/volunteer. All candidates must complete necessary training and be able to commit to a two-week deployment. Applicants who don’t have …

ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today that federal Economic InjuryDisaster Loans (EIDLs) are available in Ohio for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, smallbusinesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private nonprofit organizations with economic losses fromdrought that began on Sept. 10.The declaration includes the primary counties of Lawrence and Licking, and the adjacent counties ofCoshocton, Delaware, Fairfield, …

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio’s minimum wage is scheduled to increase Jan. 1, 2025, to $10.70 per hour for non-tipped employees and $5.35 per hour for tipped employees. The minimum wage will apply to employees of businesses with annual gross receipts of more than $394,000 per year. The current 2024 minimum wage is $10.45 per hour for non-tipped employees and $5.25 per hour …

Delaware County, OH — Delaware County, the fastest-growing county in Ohio, is set to expand its public transportation services, making it easier for residents to get around. Delaware County Transit has announced that, beginning October 14th, it will extend its services to the areas of Berkshire, Galena, and Sunbury. According to the Executive Director of Delaware County Transit, this expansion …

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) and the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS), have announced a significant milestone: over 2,000 license plates have been registered in the voluntary database for individuals with communication disabilities. This initiative allows individuals with a medically- diagnosed communication disability to voluntarily …

Ohio has officially broken its record for the most tornadoes in a single year, with 71 confirmed so far in 2024. The latest tornado touched down in Preble County, east of Eaton, during Tuesday’s severe weather, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). This weak tornado adds to what has already been a historic year for tornadoes across the state. …

 A Fairfield County man was sentenced this morning to 18 years to life in prison for an April 2023 murder in Sugar Grove, Attorney General Dave Yost announced today. The sentencing for Issac Pence, 21, of Carroll follows his conviction on Aug, 26 on one count of murder, two counts of felonious assault, and one count of tampering with evidence. A Hocking …

Sawmill Parkway Extension – The new roundabout at the intersection of Sawmill Pkwy. and S. Section Line Rd. is fully open and no longer detoured. Final work on incidentals within the project area will continue for several weeks but is not expected to impact traffic.W. William St. & Carson Farms Blvd. Traffic Signal – The new traffic signal went into full operation …

The Licking County Sheriff’s Office is investigating two separate deaths that occurred over the weekend during the Lost Lands Music Festival in Thornville, Ohio. According to authorities, the first incident took place on Saturday when 31-year-old James Phromphanh collapsed while dancing near the festival stage. He was taken to a nearby hospital but later died. In a second, unrelated incident, …

 Central Ohio Technical College (COTC) President John M. Berry, PhD, presented five Legends of Loyalty awards at the annual Legacy and Leadership Dinner on Sept. 20. The Office of the President established the Legends of Loyalty award in 2011 to identify and recognize individuals who have, over the years, made a significant impact on the history of the college and …