Local News

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 …

COLUMBUS, OH — The Franklin County Board of Commissioners has announced the appointment of Andrena Austin as Director of Economic Engagement & Community Development (EECD), effective Monday, October 13. Ms. Austin previously served as the county’s Economic Opportunity Administrator within the EECD division, where she led initiatives to strengthen local business ecosystems and foster inclusive economic growth. With more than 25 …

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jim Tressel, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik today announced the approval of five projects that will create 218 new jobs and retain nearly 1,165 jobs statewide.   During its monthly meeting, the Ohio Tax Credit Authority (TCA) reviewed economic development proposals brought to the board by JobsOhio and its regional …

Ontario, OH – The Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging, Inc. invites you to join us for a Medicare Part D Information Session on Friday, October 10th , beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the Hawkins Conference Center, 2131 Park Avenue West, Ontario. This free session will provide clear, unbiased information about Medicare and Part D prescription drug benefits. Representatives from the …