Local News

THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE CITY OF MANSFIELD: The City of Mansfield is pleased to announce the selection of Michael “Mike” Woogerd as the new Parks Superintendent. Chosen from a highly qualified pool of candidates, Mike officially began his role on Monday, November 3, 2025. Mike brings deep roots in the Mansfield area, having graduated from Lexington …

Food For The Hungry, Knox County Foundation, Interchurch Social Services, and Knox County community partners are organizing a “pop-up” food distribution to support our neighbors facing food insecurity. All Knox County families who are at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level are invited to receive a box of food on Saturday, November 1st, from 10:00am-12:00pm at Habitat for Humanity (405 W. Chestnut Street, …

COLUMBUS – In an effort to reduce serious and deadly crashes, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) will join several other state transportation departments to mark Buckle Up Phone Down Day on Wednesday, October 29. This national effort aims to bring attention to two of the most common factors in deadly crashes each year. “Drivers can protect themselves and those nearby …

The Ohio Department of Development and the Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging, Inc. want to remind older Ohioans that assistance is available to help with their home energy bills. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps Ohioans at or below 175% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for a household of up to eight members and 60% of State Median Income for a household of nine or more members to pay their heating bills. Applied directly to the customer’s utility or …

The booming cruise industry is expected to kick off another record year in 2026, following what is turning out to be a better-than-expected 2025. AAA projects 21.7 million Americans will go on ocean cruises in 2026 and 20.7 million this year, a higher number than AAA originally projected for 2025. AAA is forecasting that the year-over-year increase will be an …

JACKSONTOWN – The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) District 5 invites the public to an open house regarding a proposed project to develop transportation infrastructure improvements that will improve mobility and support economic growth along the State Route 161 / State Route 37 corridor in eastern Franklin County and western Licking County. As this is an open house meeting, you’re welcome to stop by whenever is convenient between 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. No formal presentation …

Newark, Ohio — October 15, 2025 — The Mental Health & Recovery Board of Licking and Knox Counties (MHR Board) today announced the launch of a comprehensive Behavioral Health Disaster Preparedness Project to strengthen how our communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from traumatic events due to a wide variety of disasters. The Board has retained Jim Adams, President of …

NEWARK, OH – October 14, 2025 — A Newark man will spend at least 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to the brutal killing of his girlfriend last year. On Monday, Andrew Hoskinson was sentenced to 15 years to life for the murder of 26-year-old Tala Smith. The sentencing comes just days after Hoskinson changed his plea to guilty, …

After a four day jury trial, a Delaware County jury found Tara Jones, age 40, guilty of one count of Involuntary Manslaughter (a felony of the first degree, one count of Involuntary Manslaughter (a felony of the third degree), one count of Improperly Furnishing Firearms to a Minor (a felony of the fifth degree), Permitting Drug Abuse (a felony of …

COLUMBUS – State Representatives Beth Lear (R-Galena) and Monica Robb Blasdel (R-New Waterford) this week introduced House Bill 498, the Ohio Self Defense Act, to ensure Ohioans are fully protected when exercising their right to self-defense. “Ohioans should never be placed in legal jeopardy simply for taking defensive action in the face of an imminent threat,” said Rep. Lear. “This …