Featured News
Persistence and a thoughtful argument might save mature trees seemingly doomed by Intel-area road-widening project
Driving along Duncan Plains Road northwest of Rt. 62, it’s hard to miss two large maple trees set close to the road. They have stood sentinel there for 50 or […]
The land remembers
Licking County once possessed an abundance of natural resources. Now developed and ever-stressed, there is a growing community working to maintain, preserve and restore biodiversity.
In wake of ICE shootings, and on the eve of MLK Day, King’s cousin calls for unity in Newark speech
The Rev. Stephen Swisher stood at the front of his congregation like he does at the beginning of every Sunday morning service at Saint John’s United Church of Christ in […]
Dog warden and his hero, Avery Russell, 12, honored for strengthening vicious-dog law
Two people at the center of attention during the Licking County Commissioners’ first meeting of the year were a burly guy in a green-and-tan uniform and a wisp of a […]
Local News
ODOT open house on Jan. 29 offers options to widen, improve Rt. 62 between New Albany and Johnstown
The mostly two-lane stretch of Rt. 62 between New Albany and Johnstown could look more like New Albany’s five-lane boulevards in the coming years. That’s one of the design alternatives […]
Granville student organizes donation drive for baseball gloves
Everett Heckman initially started collecting donations for “No Limit Mitts” for a class project.
EPA hearing on Feb. 12 seeks more public input on wastewater plant that would discharge into Moots Run
Licking County residents will have yet another opportunity on Feb. 12 to tell the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency what they think of a Licking Regional Water District proposal to build a wastewater […]
Granville and Alexandria pledge to persevere after Johnstown council votes to leave utility coalition
Soon after Johnstown City Council elected member Tiffany Hollis as the new mayor on Jan. 6, she made a motion to give 30 days notice that the city would leave […]
Things to Do in Licking County
Kindness
Local LEADS centers preparing to distribute 50 Christmas dinners ahead of holiday
At the Buckeye Lake LEADS Center, a line stretches out the door of what looks like an ordinary house, but is actually a food pantry for residents of the lakeside […]
‘A real quiet phenomenon:’ 1 in 3 grandparents in Licking County are living with their grandchildren
An estimated 1 in 3 grandparents – 3,883 people – in Licking County are living with their grandchildren, and many of them are the sole caregivers for those grandchildren under the age of 18.
‘Free store’ and ‘Blessing Bags’ from downtown Newark church provide household goods and ready-to-eat food to those in need
A woman approaches the gray, stone church office on the northwest side of downtown Newark, stops at the door and asks what day it is. “I get lost knowing the […]
Big-hearted people working hard to find homes for furry friends in need
As the days grow shorter and the temperatures turn toward freezing, hundreds of stray animals throughout Licking County could find themselves without shelter. Some dogs, cats, and other animals will […]
Arts and Culture
The Reporting Project’s 2025 year in review
A review of what our newsroom reporters, editors and photographers consider to be the most important and memorable happenings around our community — a glimpse at a year in the life in a place we are proud to call home.
Wandering Licking County: Technology and the church
Historically, while churches have tended to be significant social structures in the United States, they have shown a high level of skepticism about technological changes and whether or not to take advantage of them.
See photos: Christmas Candlelight Walking Tour celebrates 40 years in Granville
Licking County residents bundled up nice and cozy for the 40th anniversary of the Christmas Candlelight Walking Tour in Granville on Saturday, Dec. 6.
Annual Nutcracker ballet returns to central Ohio for two weekends
Performances in Licking County will take place at the Midland Theatre Friday Nov. 28 – Sunday Nov. 30, with additional performances scheduled at the Woodward Opera House in Mount Vernon, Ohio on Saturday Dec. 6 – Sunday Dec. 7.
Sports and Recreation
See photos: Licking Valley-Steubenville Division III, Region 11 semifinal
Licking Valley fell to Steubenville in the last seconds of the game on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025.
Heath skate shop builds community through inclusive, all-ages music venue
Frogwood Boardshop has been a live music venue since 2022, and regularly brings local musicians to perform.
Playing like a girl
Two Licking County high school athletes, embraced and supported by their teammates, challenge gender stereotypes on and off the football field.
See photos: Newark Catholic Green Wave vs. Lakewood Lancers football
On Friday, Oct. 17, the Newark Catholic Green Wave football team faced the Lakewood Lancers under the lights. It was a Licking County first: The teams are the only two […]
World, nation and state
Health subsidies expire, launching millions of Americans into 2026 with steep insurance hikes
By ALI SWENSON Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Enhanced tax credits that have helped reduce the cost of health insurance for the vast majority of Affordable Care Act enrollees expired overnight, […]
In Finland, the battle against truly fake news starts with media and AI literacy in preschool
By JAMES BROOKS Associated Press HELSINKI (AP) — The battle against fake news in Finland starts in preschool classrooms. For decades, the Nordic nation has woven media literacy, including the ability to analyze different […]
Gen Z and millennials embrace sustainable alternatives to imported fresh flowers
By ISABELLA O’MALLEY and KIKI SIDERIS Associated Press Instead of hiring a florist for her October wedding, Emily Day decided to grow her own flowers in her front yard in […]
Unpacking Spotify Wrapped: Here’s how the music streamer compiled your 2025 recap
By WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS AP Business Writer NEW YORK (AP) — The end of 2025 is almost upon us. And it’s time to unpack Spotify Wrapped. On Wednesday, the music streaming giant delivered its […]
