FEATURED STORIES

History-filled Hebron Elementary School building hits the auction block
The starting bid for the property, located at 709 Deacon St. in Hebron, sits at $650,000

“It still exists in my heart”
A family and a community remember the legacy of Spring Valley 16 years after local pool closed

The Shelly Company dealt another blow in its quest to operate concrete- and asphalt-mixing plants at Alexandria
Area residents who filled the meeting room cheered planning commission decision

Central Ohio Youth Ballet celebrates 28 years of ‘The Nutcracker’
Julia Lerner and Doug Swift work for TheReportingProject.org, the nonprofit news organization of Denison University’s Journalism program, which is funded by the Mellon Foundation and donations from readers.

New Albany’s search for water for Intel goes far beyond Granville
Village officials alarmed about possible drinking water contamination

Political newcomers spurred by asphalt plants and rapid development win elections in Alexandria
Dramatic increase in civic engagement in Alexandria inspired several first-time candidates

Community around the cliff: Developing rock climbing in Licking County
Two men set out to build a rock climbing area, and instead built a community

Overcoming the hangover from Ohio’s war on drugs: Ohio mulls potential repercussions of Issue 2
Ohio voters could opt to legalize recreational marijuana in November election

Granville Township residents call for trustee to resign after sale of his land to The New Albany Company; he says he will try to regain voters’ trust
“You sold all of us up the river,” said Chris Crader, the first township resident to speak. “You didn’t think about anyone in Granville but yourself.”

Ryan McGuire: Granville’s ‘greatest quitter (and starter) ever’
Local artist and entrepreneur sprinkles whimsical, uplifting artwork and poetry around village to bring joy to the community

Top secret jobs: These college students are studying what they love. Why can’t they tell their parents?
“I used to major in Cinema, which my parents never knew about. I once dreamed of becoming a dancer, which my parents advised me not to. And now I major in Journalism, which I told them ‘is just a small program of my Communication major.’ Being the first person ever in my family to study abroad, I am forever grateful for the enormous amount of time, money, trust, and love that my parents have given me.“

The Town Meeting
When huge forces of business and government make secret deals that affect your well being, where can you go? To the Town Meeting. The bees are depending on you.

Hope prevails even as poverty, homelessness and overdoses are on the rise in Licking County
Even as development booms and jobs pour into Licking County, Mike Young is among the rising number of people in Licking County who struggle to find housing due to substance use disorder, prolonged poverty cycles and the tight housing market. Young has lived all three. And even with his efforts to stay sober and out of trouble, he still might not be able to afford a home in a county where rental prices have gone up 25% in the past couple of years.

The Big Sit
Tom Bartlett raises money by counting migrating birds. Should we all be paying attention?

Julie Mulroy Sees the Connections
She has limited mobility, but she is watching. And she knows more than most of us.
LOCAL NEWS

‘Sights and Sounds of Christmas’ kicks off holiday season in Newark
Hundreds attend holiday event at downtown Newark churches

Granville resident honored for community service
With a new perspective on mortality and legacy, Susan King poured herself into improving quality of life in Licking County

Seniors find fitness, fun, fellowship in Licking County Aging Partners programs
The center for seniors on Newark’s east end provides in-home programs like Meals on Wheels and a space for the socialization that sometimes gets lost in retirement

Ohio quilters support community, each other through handmade projects
Heart of Ohio quilters guild now boasts 100 members
THINGS TO DO IN LICKING COUNTY
MORE LOCAL NEWS

Stolen tree returned; Christmas saved for Granville children who made its ornaments
Decorating downtown trees with ornaments made by Granville Elementary School students is a tradition stretching back decades. This is the first time one went missing.

Advocates, unhoused community battle dual housing and addiction crises in Licking County
Advocates say current approach is not enough to meet growing needs in Licking County

Denison University’s century-old secret: Swasey Chapel’s bell ringers
University’s “semi-secret society” entertains community three times each day

Mill District development closer to fruition in Granville
Proposed development could bring retail spaces, a rain garden and Chipotle to the village

‘Mass casualty’ crash kills at least 3, injures 15 near Etna
A 5-vehicle crash involving a semitruck and a commercial bus on Interstate 70 in Licking County has left multiple people dead and another 15 injured Tuesday, Nov. 14, Ohio State […]

Licking County harm reduction summit brings specialists to Granville for discussions on drug decriminalization, future
Harm reduction strategies are vital in Licking County, where more than 100 individuals died due to drug overdoses in 2021 and 2022

A rocky adventure along Marne Road
‘Falling is like 99% of what you’re gonna do when you’re climbing’

Carl Hart brings ‘Drug Use for Grown-Ups’ discussion to Denison
Drug use researcher argues for liberty and safety over prohibition

Volunteers give Old Colony Burying Ground a facelift during an annual cleanup
35 volunteers, ranging from 8 years old to 80, helped restore centuries-old tombstones

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour film brings concert to Licking County
Eras Tour film is a Love Story made in heaven, of which their idol is the Mastermind
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Vietnam vet celebrates turning 90 with first flight in 50 years
Bower flew nearly 500 missions with the Air Force before retiring in 1975


There’s Peace Here
The Newark Earthworks is designated a World Hertage Site

No Asphalt Plants
Residents of Alexandria spent the summer fighting to preserve their rural town. Industrial development has continued to press on. This documentary film shows the stakes.

Living, writing and thriving in Ohio
Authors Hanif Abdurraqib and Connie Schultz explode the myth that leaving home is the path to success