Featured News
Ohio’s ‘wandering bears’ signal a possible comeback for the species
Researchers ask for help tracking black bears that appear to have moved into eastern Ohio from West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Critics say Ohio EPA ‘stretching the rules’ in permitting data-center power plants less efficient and more polluting than ‘best available technology’
The “Fairfield Energy Center” proposed for a data-center site on 450 acres upwind from Buckeye Lake would produce an estimated 2,164 tons of air pollutants annually, according to the applications […]
Developer proposal in Etna compared to ‘blackmail’ at Licking County Planning Commission meeting
Etna Township residents raise concerns about a new proposal – and say Scannell has not complied with the original promises it made when the plans for the building were first approved.
2026 General election results: Licking County communities overwhelmingly support large-scale data center bans
The final, official results will come after all absentee ballots have been counted and the vote certified by the board of elections.
Local News
City of Heath donates opioid settlement funds to HOME Court
Under the settlement agreements, at least 70% of the funds must support future opioid remediation efforts, including treatment, prevention and harm reduction.
Licking County residents pack meeting to hear Sheriff Thorp and staff explain use of Flock surveillance cameras
So many people showed up to a Licking County Commissioners’ meeting Monday afternoon to hear Sheriff Randy Thorp talk about how his staff uses Flock surveillance cameras that they had […]
Republican Mark Van Buren will be the next Licking County commissioner
Van Buren received 58.63% of the vote across the county against Democrat candidate Kathy McLeish, who received 40% of the vote. Write-in votes comprised another 1.37% of the vote.
River Road at Rt. 16 to close except for emergency responders as soon as summer 2027
With a unanimous vote on Monday morning, the Licking County Commissioners approved a request by state officials to close the intersection of Rt. 16 and River Road in Granville to […]
Things to Do in Licking County
Events
Kindness
Scrappy Soil lets Granville residents compost everyday food waste
The United States Department of Agriculture estimates that more than a third of all U.S. municipal waste – roughly 100 million tons – is organic material like food.
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.
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.
Arts & culture
Artist Marlena Myles creates with the land as her “relative”
Myles, a Spirit Lake Dakota multidisciplinary artist, recently shared pieces about womanhood, connection and “a mindset we have to change.”
Restoration of iconic downtown Newark buildings wins state preservation awards
One historic preservation project after another has led to a Cinderella-like transformation of downtown Newark into a gem among destinations for local residents and tourists alike. An acknowledgment of the […]
Visitors from around the country attended moonrise at the Newark Earthworks at peak of 18.6-year cycle
On Wednesday, Oct. 28, the Newark Earthworks hosted a gathering open to the public to witness the moonrise at its northernmost position in the sky, a cycle that repeats every 18.6 years.
See photos: 2026 Trick-or-Treat around Licking County
The sun brightened the sky on an unseasonably warm day for trick or treating in Granville this year. Starting at 5:30 p.m., trick or treaters had plenty of daylight to […]
Sports & recreation
‘Crazy is a really good word for it:’ Working Granville High School’s concession stands
Behind the hot dogs, popcorn and candy concession stand at athletic events is an operation that generated $107K last year for the district’s sports, arts and other student organizations.
Licking Park District breaks ground on new park, will provide improved river access and new trails
The new park is slated to be completed by the summer in 2027, and will feature additional walkways and two new boat launches into Licking River and a nearby pond.
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 […]
World, nation & state
Democrat Amy Acton defeats Vivek Ramaswamy in Ohio governor’s race
By JULIE CARR SMYTH | Associated Press COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Dr. Amy Acton delivered a stunning victory in the race for Ohio governor on Tuesday, overcoming more than $100 […]
Voters to decide Ohio governor’s race after Vivek Ramaswamy ran ad featuring Amy Acton’s mother
Republican biotech billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy will learn Tuesday whether a decision to double down on a widely criticized attack ad against his Democratic opponent, Dr. Amy Acton, in the race’s closing days saved or sunk his campaign for Ohio governor.
Democrats and Republicans make a final push one day before midterm elections
There’s plenty of angst among U.S. voters on the eve of Election Day.
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.
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
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Breakfast at the Main Place
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Breakfast at the Community Drop-In Center
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Free clinic of Licking County at the Community Drop-In Center
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Lunch at the Main Place
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Lunch at the Salvation Army
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Free clinic of Licking County
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Lunch at the Community Drop-In Center
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Dinner at the Salvation Army
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Dinner at the Champion’s Network
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