Featured News
Thornwood Drive reconstruction at Faye Drive delayed by petroleum pipeline, more Newark road closures on horizon
The short stretch of dirt where Thornwood Drive pavement should be – between the new roundabout at Faye Drive and the railroad tracks to the south – has been sitting […]
8-year-old to officials considering 7th power plant for New Albany data centers: ‘Please think about our health, our family and our future’
The 8-year-old waited patiently during nearly two and a half hours of testimony by 37 people who spoke about another gas-fired power plant proposed for a New Albany data center. […]
Heath will hire six new firefighters with the help of federal grant funds
The increase in staffing comes after Heath Fire Chief Warren McCord increased the minimum number of on-duty firefighters necessary to deploy fire trucks in September.
Disaster recovery center opens in Reynoldsburg to support residents impacted by August floods
The Reynoldsburg location is operating out of Reynoldsburg Community Church, 1636 Graham Road. There is also a location in Roseville, operating out of the William H. Barker Community Center, 13047 Karl Brown Road.
Local News
Public hearing on Oct. 30 could help commissioners decide whether to OK an ODOT proposal to close River Road at Rt. 16
The Licking County Commissioners could vote as soon as Monday, Nov. 2, on whether to close the Rt. 16 intersection with River Road south of Granville to all traffic except […]
Developers park plans for apartments, considering whether to build shops and restaurants
The original plan for commercial buildings and 174 one- and two-bedroom apartments drew fire on social media and during a village council meeting.
Superintendent steps up to be the new teacher for Par Excellence’s sixth-grade class
Gisele James has had a lot of support from the administrative team for taking on the teacher role, and other teachers have helped her get into the swing of things.
New city manager in Johnstown wants to help the city plan for the future
For roughly 40 years, Terry Emery has worked in Ohio public service, and called the new role would be a “neat challenge.”
Things to Do in Licking County
Events
Kindness
Newark best friends have been singing the same song for over 50 years
Miriam Miller and Joyce Chaney both joined the Crystal City barbershop chorus in the 70s.
Newark’s medical loan closet works to reduce one-off medical equipment purchases
Community members can visit in person or call to borrow assorted medical equipment, like a book from a library.
Homeless resource center opens in Coshocton
Homeless Hearts of Coshocton, located at 616 Walnut Street, offers showers, spaces for preparing and eating food, laundry facilities and free Wi-Fi to people experiencing homelessness.
‘There’s a lot of Brocks around here’: The complicated life and death of a loved one on the streets
Brock Lewis, a 34-year-old, lifelong Newark resident with unforgettable blue eyes, represents a population often overlooked – or looked at with disdain – by society. He was among three unhoused people who died on the streets of Newark this summer.
Arts & culture
Ninja knitters: Annual “yarn bombing” hits Granville
For 15 years, a group of Granville residents has quietly transformed the village through an annual tradition known as yarn bombing. Knitted installations appear overnight, remain for only a few days and then disappear.
Granville turns out to celebrate the ‘reawakening’ of the 214-year-old Buxton Inn
The gala highlighting extensive renovation to one of Ohio’s oldest inns also served as a fundraiser for the Granville Historical Society.
Dawes Arboretum celebrates semiquincentennial with tree dedicated to the America 250-Ohio Commission
The arboretum has a long history of dedicating trees to historically significant people, including astronaut John Glenn, the Wright brothers, Jesse Owens and Jack Hanna.
Rain doesn’t stop Hebron celebration of community and pie
Hebron held its annual Pie Festival on Saturday, Sept. 12, and hosted pie eating competitions, baking contests and live music throughout the day.
Sports & recreation
What’s it like atop a bucking bull? The rodeo finale at the Hartford Fair was a wild ride
The final night at the Hartford Fair was a show of endurance, skill and speed. It was big bulls and brave riders, fast horses and skillful speed doing turns about […]
After bike crash sidelined him from Pelotonia, Granville cyclist returns for 100-mile ride
A year after a bicycle crash left him unconscious, erased about 10 minutes from his memory, and prevented him from riding in Pelotonia, Granville resident Mike Rossetti returned to the […]
Proposed indoor-outdoor ‘PickleVille’ opening delayed; owner hopes for play in late fall
The Newark pickleball facility planned for near Main Street and Thornwood Drive initially was expected to open in spring 2026.
‘Average Joe’ track meet draws first-timers, star athletes and marathon runners to community competition
Granville’s first “Average Joe Adult Track Night” turned Denison’s outdoor track into a community gathering for runners, families, and local fitness groups.
World, nation & state
Supreme Court agrees to review a Reconstruction-era ban on distilling spirits in private homes
A three-judge panel from the Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the federal ban in a case brought by John Ream, a brewpub owner from Newark, Ohio, who wants to distill whisky at home for his personal consumption.
Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak is the largest in decades in the US
Like in Pennsylvania, some of the hardest-hit Ohio counties have significant Amish populations, which tend to have lower vaccination rates.
Trump defends data centers in Ohio as he rallies to boost Jon Husted in a tight Senate race
Republican Sen. Jon Husted faces criticism for supporting data centers, which some blame for high energy costs.
Ohio Democrats’ path to the governor’s office runs through rural areas that had turned against them
Democrats say their nominee for governor in Ohio, Dr. Amy Acton, represents the party’s best chance in years to win that office. To do so, she will have to win over independents, some Republicans upset with the direction of their party and Democrats who have drifted away from the party in recent years.
Bright Spots
Community resources
The Reporting Project community resource calendar
This resource is filled with low- to no-barrier resources that community members can use to receive assistance with food, access to healthcare, veterans services and more.