Featured News
Heath rejects petitions to put a data-center ban on the Nov. 3 ballot; Advocates say the city is making a mistake
A lawyer for the petitioners says that if Heath doesn’t put it on the November ballot, the city will have to hold a special election on the issue at taxpayer expense.
Newark pursuing possible water source north of Utica in Knox County
Looking toward the future water needs for Newark, the city is exploring the possibility of finding it just north of Utica in Knox County. “We continually evaluate long-term sources of […]
Substance use disorder community nurse Kari Franchini never gives up
A day in her job is filled with challenges and chaos, but also hope.
Pataskala residents cheer City Council vote to reject site plan for proposed large-scale data center
Cheers erupted in Pataskala City Hall and hugs abounded after the city council voted unanimously to reject a proposal for a large-scale data center in the city’s industrial park. “It’s […]
Local News
Newark zoning appeals board tables controversial proposal to build apartment complex garages near new single-family homes
The request by Trailhead Vista to build three multi-car parking garages about 50 feet from nearby Overlook homes is now set for a Sept. 24 hearing.
As Licking County recovers from historic flood, agencies look for ways to reduce the risk of future disaster
A week after a historic flash flood swept through Pataskala and washed over Hebron, Buckeye Lake Village and I-70, most folks in Licking County had moved on with their lives. […]
A flash food swept through Pataskala early Thursday, leaving a path of destruction and a muddy mess – and moving on to Hebron
Awakened at 4:30 a.m. by the heavy rain falling on Pataskala, Carla Thomas ventured outside the front door of her mobile home along the South Fork of the Licking River […]
Data-center ban among 22 issues on Nov. 3 ballot, including 3 money issues for Southwest Licking school district voters
It’s possible that more data-center ban issues could appear on some ballots because the deadline for charter amendments is Sept. 4
Things to Do in Licking County
Events
Kindness
TRP Docs: 2,000 Dresses
Jessica Tubbs has collected more than 2,000 formal dresses to loan out to people who need them for homecoming, prom or a princess party.
Boys & Girls Club members explore Newark during Day Downtown
More than 100 Boys & Girls Club members traded their usual summer routine for a movie, science activities and a downtown cookout one day this month as local organizations came […]
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 […]
A pink roadside box near Newark turns tiny treasures into a community exchange
Baylee Weimer’s love of trinkets inspired her family to build “Bay’s Trinket Box,” a handmade swap box spot where visitors can leave a small treasure and take one in return.
Arts & culture
What is art without culture, and can the two lead to unity amid threats of mass deportation for Haitian immigrants?
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling to terminate Temporary Protected Status for Haitian nationals has put the City of Springfield at the center of a new conversation: What […]
America 250 slideshow: Great Granville picnic celebrates semisesquicentennial and community
The Great Granville Picnic, which saw hundreds of people at tables lining both sides of the W. Broadway boulevard in Granville on Saturday, Aug. 15, premiered in the 1880s and […]
Fair photos! Take a look at all that goes into showing animals at the Hartford Fair
| Read more: Show time! Slideshow of Hartford Fair gives view of farm animals looking their best Jessica Phelps is a Columbus-based freelance photographer covering the Hartford Fair for TheReportingProject.org, the nonprofit […]
Hartford Fair competition reels in youthful fishers who hook bluegills, catfish and an occasional turtle
When Jett Hancock wasn’t showing his pig and rabbit at the Hartford Fair, he was hauling bluegills – and a turtle – out of a pond on the fairgrounds on […]
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 […]
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.
Eagle population grows in Licking County
A 2025 survey by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources shows 20 nests in the county and 1,009 statewide.
World, nation & state
JD and Usha Vance welcome a baby boy, the first child born to a sitting VP in more than 150 years
Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance have welcomed their fourth child.
DeWine vetoes bill requiring photo ID for mail voting in Ohio
The Republican governor issued an unusually lengthy statement explaining his decision. He said the requirement would pose an unwieldy challenge for voters without providing any real benefit.
The Supreme Court lets the Trump administration end legal protections for Haitians and Syrians
Immigration lawyers said the countries at issue remain unsafe for migrants to return and they argued that the administration ended the protections in an unlawfully hasty process tinged by racial animus.
Some host cities are aiming to house, not arrest, homeless people ahead of the World Cup
The World Cup is offering the 16 host cities a chance to take action against one of the biggest problems they face — homelessness.
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.
Events
-
-
-
-
Breakfast at the Main Place
-
Breakfast at the Community Drop-In Center
-
Free clinic of Licking County at the Community Drop-In Center
-
Lunch at the Main Place
-
Lunch at the Salvation Army
-
Free clinic of Licking County
-
Lunch at the Community Drop-In Center
-
Dinner at the Salvation Army
-
Dinner at the Champion’s Network
-
-
-