A lot has changed – both in Licking County and inside The Reporting Project newsroom – since I first clicked “send” on TRP’s first-ever email newsletter on Nov. 30, 2023.

In that original newsletter, I promised that TRP would not be the “he-said-she-said, THIS alligator broke into THIS Florida shop and you won’t believe what happened next, or the latest on Elon Musk,” type of news. Instead, I promised that you would learn about your neighbors, find out about cool events for you and your family to attend, and to better understand our shared community. 

That’s based on TRP’s original mission statement, which has guided virtually every decision we’ve made as an organization since 2020: Facts, Empathy, Place. I’m proud to say that has been our commitment to you in the past year – one that wouldn’t have happened without the support of this community. 

Every story we’ve written, photo we’ve published and interview we’ve conducted has been dedicated to that mission, and to help fill gaps in local coverage amid a nationwide news desert crisis. We hope that our coverage during the last year reflects our dedication to Licking County and every person who calls it home.

Presented here is a review of what our newsroom reporters, editors and photographers consider to be the most important and memorable happenings in our Licking County community in 2024.

– Julia Lerner, managing editor

NEWS

The fire at an Alexandria apartment building began in unit G, home to a woman, her three children and her boyfriend. Image courtesy of Brian Hammond.

Breaking news

This year, TRP reporters chased fires, floods, gunshots, tornadoes and the bitter, bitter cold as extreme weather gripped central Ohio. 

Fires at the Avalon Building in Newark – home to about 20 low-income seniors – in late March and at an apartment building in Alexandria in May left more than 30 people without homes this year in Licking County. Most of those families have resettled elsewhere in the county, but officials say emergencies like these are harming the community’s infrastructure – removing available, affordable housing from the market faster than new housing is being built. 

Floods, like those that swept through Alexandria, Buckeye Lake and Newark, left even more people temporarily displaced as several inches of rain fell in Licking County in March and April.  

And Licking County faced a number of tornadoes this year – Ohio saw a record-breaking 70 tornadoes between Jan. 1 and Sept. 10 this year – that ripped roofs off buildings, destroyed farms, uprooted trees and snapped power poles in half. 

A “drive-by shooting” rattled Granville residents in February, when the Licking County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a single gunshot on Lancaster Road, just outside the village.

And when the cold crept back into Licking County in December, volunteers were quick to respond, planning to open a warming center at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church on Dec. 3. With a forecast of a wind chill dipping toward zero, people were concerned about the safety of unhoused and unsheltered people who could be in danger if they stayed out in the cold. 

– Julia Lerner

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Longtime Wilson Middle School Principal John Davis II was placed on leave in April this year. Credit: Julia Lerner

Education

Licking County has seen growth and change in education in the past year. School districts across the county are attempting to manage enrollment growth as more families move into Licking County.

In late spring, a Newark middle school principal was placed on leave after reports of bullying and failure to report harassment. A parent of a seventh grader at Wilson Middle School reported that middle school officials – particularly Principal John Davis – did little to intervene and failed to inform anyone about an incident involving her child. This was not the first time parents had pulled their students from Wilson Middle School, with some saying it had become a pattern of administrative behavior. Whitney Bobo is serving as the interim principal for the 2024-2025 school year.

In this changing county, rapid population growth means new buildings. This was the reality for Licking Heights elementary students, with about 5,600 students enrolled this school year – more than double the district’s student population in 2003. Many see this change as positive, as having more space in schools allows for more opportunities to provide personalized support to students who might need it. This includes services ranging from language intervention to special education.

But more students and more buildings means educators and administrators have to get creative when it comes to transporting those students to and from school. Licking County is home to 10 school districts and parts of seven others – many of which do not have adequate bus-driver staffing.

Teachers make up the core of local schools, and this year a travel grant from the Licking County Foundation was awarded to local educators for travel at home and abroad. Since the grant was first awarded in 1999, it has provided more than $200,000 for more than 100 educator trips. Some of the destinations chosen by educators included Italy, Tanzania, Ireland, and Kenya.

– Daniela Gomez Vargas

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Mark Hoffhines tests the water in Buckeye Lake State Park every two weeks, monitoring the water for dangerous bacteria like E. coli. Credit: Andrew Theophilus

Environment

Over the course of the past year, The Reporting Project has produced a wide variety of stories about environmental issues in Licking County. From St. Albans Township deciding to ban solar farms to new developments in the park district, there has been plenty to write about. 

In February, TRP reporter Jack Wolf covered a story on St. Albans ban of small and large solar farms. Residents expressed concerns for the aesthetics it would bring to the grassy fields around Alexandria. While not all of the concerns were based on evidence, township leadership decided unanimously to ban them. And St. Albans Township wasn’t alone in that: In 2024, Licking County Commissioners approved a ban on large-scale solar and wind farms across five townships within the county.

Later in the spring, tornadoes touched down across Licking County. For many, this led to great despair and challenges that continued into the summer. Emma Baum, a TRP reporter, spent time with Sarah Caslow and Corey Roby after their home was decimated by one of the tornadoes in June. They were battling their way through insurance claims at the time of the interview, but were happy to have survived the incident. At the same time, others, including farmers at Morckel Meadows and the owners of Granville’s Lake Hudson, were working to recover and rebuild.

During more pleasant weather, reporter Sarah Sollinger set off on a project to track down the beekeepers of Licking County. What she found was a hive of people who gather each month at the East Central Ohio Beekeepers Association, or ECOBA. While there was a lot of buzz around Sollinger’s story this summer, you better bee-lieve that you can still read it now.

Excitement around the environment seemed to dry out this fall. Licking County experienced one of the worst droughts in recent years. Alan Miller was on the ground and running as he reported drought conditions, speaking with farmers and discussing the impact with experts. While the drought was worse further south and east, Licking County did not have an easy time as many farmers struggled to produce their typical number of crops or were forced to feed livestock hay prematurely. 

By year’s end, rain returned and the drought subsided but had not yet been erased by Thanksgiving.

TRP reporters also followed educators looking to increase awareness about the local environment, meeting with Granville Intermediate School students building a native plant garden and a monarch butterfly “way station,” the Ohio Department of Natural Resources manager who monitors Buckeye Lake’s water health and GIS educators engaging students in outdoor recreation.

The Licking County Park District has been looking to spice things up despite nature being quite dry recently. Infirmary Mound Park recently completed the final phase of its new nature playscape. The playscape added a new woodland adventure zone which included an ADA accessible treehouse and a zipline. The ribbon cutting ceremony gathered a decent sized crowd of children who were all beyond excited to play on the new features.

– Andrew Theophilus

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Owners of the former apartment building that was home to about 20 seniors had hoped to save the Avalon Building but determined it was not feasible to restore it again. The LEADS organization had saved it from the wrecking ball 20 years ago to create low-income housing there. Credit: Alan Miller

Housing

Licking Countians searched this year for solutions to combat the housing crisis in Licking County.

In January, Newark’s Look Up center announced plans to build a tiny home community, which they called Grace Landing. The potential community, not yet built, is to feature six tiny homes, a parking lot, playground and bike racks. 

New tiny home communities aren’t the only place Licking County residents are looking to increase housing. A $19 million renovation of the historic Arcade in downtown Newark aimed to restore its retail space and create 19 studio and one-bedroom apartments.

Affordable housing solutions remain elusive, even as that part of the market constricted. The lack of affordable housing was acute in the aftermath of the Avalon Building fire on March 23. The fire forced 24 people out of 20 apartments. Many of the affected residents lived temporarily with friends and family or in motels. Finding permanent affordable housing, the next step in the recovery process, proved difficult in Licking County due to the severity of the housing crisis. 

Offering one possible solution, Matt Hill, technical study director for the Licking County Area Transportation Study office, suggested that Licking County build up, not out to prevent sprawl, preserve farmland and decrease transportation costs. 

In September, the Licking County Foundation announced a $2.1 million investment in central Ohio’s Affordable Housing Trust Regional Impact Fund to increase affordable housing options for Licking Countians. The plan is to add 400 units of affordable workforce housing. 

Still, the community keeps looking for solutions. In October, about 200 community members gathered to address the housing crisis in Licking County. Deb Dingus, executive director of United Way of Licking County, said providing the community with the space to talk was the key to developing creative solutions. Those solutions are critical as 1 in 3 Licking County residents – 37% – live just one flat tire from financial disaster. 

– Ella Diehl

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League of Women Voters of Licking County president Mary Tuominen helps register voters at Newark Homeless Outreach. Credit: Ella Diehl

Homelessness

In 2024, The Reporting Project wrote myriad stories concerning homelessness in Licking County, starting early in the winter with coverage of The Licking County Emergency Warming Shelter run by the United Way and hosted by Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Volunteers discussed the ongoing struggle to operate the only warming shelter operated in the county, whose attendance has grown significantly in the last few years. The shelter was needed again in December when wind-chill temperatures plunged toward zero.

Coverage of the plight of unhoused people continued into the summer when the Licking County Coalition for Housing ran the Great Granville Garage Sale, a township-wide fundraiser. With over 60 locations across the township, this sale raised funds for unhoused residents of Licking County.

As the year went on and election coverage began, The Reporting Project spoke to the Licking County League of Women Voters, which registered unhoused people to vote in the county. At Newark Homeless Outreach’s Saturday morning breakfast on Sept. 21, the league helped interested unhoused people, encouraging them to list The Main Place, a mental health recovery service, as their residence or the address of drop-in shelters. 

And as cold weather approached in the fall, Newark City Council approved Ordinance 24-36, which made it a misdemeanor offense for people to sleep on public property. This ordinance drew crowds to city council meetings and stirred up fervor. Ultimately the ordinance was adopted 7-1, after dozens of public comments.

Noah Fishman

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Rand Wilson, of CHIPS Communities United, answers questions during a community meeting April 29 in Alexandria. Credit: Alan Miller

Intel on Intel

The past year was full of ups and downs for Intel, the computer-chip manufacturer that is building a $28 billion campus in western Licking County.

Among the ups in the past year is the unmistakable sign of construction progress – a dizzying number of construction cranes rising high above what had been about 1,000 acres of cornfields. Much has happened on that site in the two years since Intel announced the project – one that has been billed as both the largest economic development project in Ohio history and the largest computer-chip-making operation in the world.

As construction moves ahead on the New Albany campus, Intel’s downs in the past year include financial struggles, less federal funding than anticipated for its construction projects, the retirement in December of CEO Pat Gelsinger amid the financial difficulties, and the pushing back of its original production start date in Licking County by at least two years.

The ripple effects of the Intel project and related developments in Licking County in the past year were focused heavily on environmental issues – especially water use and potential pollution of water and air.

In February, Granville officials said they would fight a plan by the City of New Albany to drill test wells for potential water sources in the same aquifer used by Granville to provide drinking water to Granville and Alexandria residents. Within a week, New Albany officials said they were backing away from that plan to focus on building better relationships with its neighbors.

In March, an Ohio Environmental Protection Agency proposal to allow small, privately operated sewage-treatment plants to aid rapid development in rural Delaware and Licking counties raised concerns among local officials about potential pollution of waterways.

And within days, the EPA withdrew that plan and cancelled a public hearing. “Based on comments and stakeholder feedback from municipalities, county sewer districts, and residents, Ohio EPA is choosing to withdraw the draft permit,” the EPA said.

In April, the Southwest Licking Community Water and Sewer District, now known as the Licking Regional Water District, heightened environmental concerns in St. Albans and Granville townships when the utility filed a request with the Ohio EPA to discharge treated water into a stream known as Moots Run

The townships and villages of Alexandria and Granville are opposed to the proposed treatment plant because of potential negative effects on the environment and because they say it would diminish their ability to manage growth and development to local standards.

With growing environmental concerns about rapid growth in the western part of the county, more than 50 people attended a meeting near Alexandria on the evening of Monday, April 29, to hear about a coalition called CHIPS Communities United and learn how people living near existing and planned computer-chip factories being subsidized with federal and state funds are dealing with the manufacturers and concerns about how they operate.

By May, officials in the Johnstown-Alexandria-Granville area ramped up their opposition to the proposal for a Licking Regional Water District wastewater treatment plant in St. Albans Township.

In a strongly worded letter from a Columbus attorney on behalf of Granville and Johnstown, the two communities asked the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to deny requests by Southwest Licking Community Water and Sewer District for a permit to build a wastewater treatment plant near Granville and Alexandria.

And as the end of the year neared, those three communities took steps in November toward solidifying a relationship their leaders say is necessary to preserve their rural, small-town character in the face of a fast-moving wave of development in western Licking County.

They’re doing this through a coalition to control water and sewer service in their communities and the surrounding townships of Monroe (Johnstown), St. Albans (Alexandria) and Granville Township.

So they selected a name for the organization – the Municipal Utility Coalition of Licking County – and hired a consultant to develop a plan for providing water and sewer service to homes and businesses across those townships.

– Alan Miller

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Tyler McCallister, Dennis Combs and Wayne Gore are operators for the Licking County Transit bus routes. Credit: Emma Baum

Transportation

Connection between communities has become more critical than ever as Licking County grows and develops. And with several new bus lines connecting Granville, Newark and Heath, it’s easier than ever before to traverse Licking County without a car.

But not all bus routes are as easy to access: Just 7% of surveyed school districts in Ohio are fully staffed with an adequate number of substitute bus drivers, and in Licking County, schools had to close their doors this year because there weren’t enough drivers to bring students to class. Driver shortages are improving in the area as school districts like Lakewood, Granville and Heath get creative in hiring. 

And in August, after years of construction and renovation, the Newark-Heath Airport celebrated the opening of a brand-new terminal. The new building, which cost about $5 million, replaced a much-smaller terminal built nearly 50 years ago. 

Julia Lerner

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Dan Bunting, the sole police officer in Alexandria since 2018, is working to rebuild the department. Credit: Torria Catrone

Alexandria and St. Albans Township

Journalists at The Reporting Project have been following the happenings in Alexandria and St. Albans township closer than most communities in Licking County for a couple of reasons. Residents in those communities are among the most affected by the pursuit of construction materials for Intel-related development. And they have tirelessly fought against proposed concrete and asphalt plants for nearly two years. Despite their proximity to the Intel site, Alexandria and St. Albans Township – home to about 2,000 people – are struggling financially and environmentally. 

This spring, Alexandria reinstated its police department after a 12 year absence. Chief Dan Bunting took the lead in hiring and training part time officers. As the department was being rebuilt this year, it encountered some financial obstacles. In September, Bunting went to the village council to express concerns that the department could not provide bulletproof vests to all the officers.

And the police department wasn’t alone in facing financial challenges: Both the village and the St. Albans Township Fire Department faced levy failures in the November election. 

The village already struggled financially, and it will now experience an 18% reduction in funding. Alexandria is applying for grants and looking for other sources of operating funds. 

The November election was the second time this year the township fire department saw a levy rejected, and this time, the department will face service cuts. That comes after a two alarm fire at 14 W. Main St. in Alexandria displaced 11 people and two businesses on May 30. 

Last year, St. Albans Township residents fought a series of industrial plants proposed for their community, and those battles haven’t subsided in 2024. Over the summer, the Licking Regional Water District – formerly the Southwest Licking Community Water and Sewer District – proposed a wastewater treatment plant that would discharge 3 million gallons of water into Moots Run each day. Once again, community members packed the basement of the Church of Christ at Alexandria to oppose the wastewater treatment plant at the Ohio EPA hearing. 

Next year, the village of about 500 people – and the surrounding township of about 2,000 people – will explore alternative funding sources and ways to keep community members safe as nearby communities grow and develop.

– Caroline Zollinger

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The Granville Inn on the occasion of its 100th anniversary in 2024. Credit: Alan Miller

Granville

Managing growth and development was the name of the game in Granville this year, as the Granville Village Council and Granville Township Trustees brought in new businesses and managed a constant flow of development. 

In September, the two entities approved a new Joint Economic Development District to allow businesses in parts of the township to access water and sewer services from the village without being annexed. 

New businesses such as Chipotle are set to open soon, as construction on Granville’s Mill District draws to a close. Elsewhere on Main Street, a new bike shop and cafe opened, bringing to the village delicious Turkish coffee and baklava – along with community biking events. 

And 99 years from now, Granville residents of the future will be able to look back on the lives of Granvillians in 2023 after the Granville Chamber of Commerce and the Granville Historical Society sealed a time capsule under the historical society’s floorboards in May. 

The village sought public input this year on what to do with a 57-acre parcel of land on the eastern side of the village on Newark-Granville Road. In a series of meetings, more than three dozen residents haerd the committee’s report and shared their thoughts. The committee identified three top recommendations for the site: creating a nature preserve, developing a public park with playing fields, or establishing a community center that could include a pool.

Further advancing its initiatives, Granville joined the newly named Municipal Utility Coalition of Licking County to manage growth and preserve its rural character. As part of this effort, the coalition hired a consultant to develop a comprehensive facility plan. The plan will assess projected water and sewer needs for the next 20+ years and outline strategies to address these demands for homes and businesses across the region.

But other organizations in Granville faced challenges. In January, the Granville Rec District – which manages parks and events, summer camps and all sorts of fun in the village – discovered someone with a fraudulent account gained access to the district’s email last year, and eventually stole more than $713,000. That money isn’t recoverable, but insurance has helped cover some of the loss for the district. In the meantime, the GRD has offered free credit monitoring services to anyone who may have been impacted by the phishing scam.

Donna Chang

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ARTS AND CULTURE

Peter Schoenmann explains to Philip Atilano a painting paying homage to the arts. Credit: Alan Miller

Arts

From uncovering historical art to unveiling talented up-and-coming artists, reporters had a busy year covering arts and culture across Licking County.

After 10 years and $18.2 million in renovation costs, the final restoration phase of the Licking County Courthouse began. Dating back to the Civil War-era, the courthouse has been a central figure in the Newark community – literally. The final restoration project included removing years of grimy build-up to preserve the original murals in the West Courtroom and the installation of modern technology.

During the process, the art restoration team uncovered a surprise: a signature. The ceiling murals – which depict mythological figures as well as inventions like the first radio – were painted by Adèle Bassi in the 19th century, two decades after construction was complete. When renovation is completed in March 2025, Common Pleas Judge Thomas Marcelain will return to the bench under the gaze of goddesses.

Downtown Newark saw a range of events this year. From the fourth annual Arts & Music Festival to the Newark Book Fest to the Newark Pride Festival, there was a lot to celebrate.

Licking County is also home to many talented individuals. Land of Legend Barbershop Chorus, a group for men who like to sing, has been preparing to commemorate 75 years of harmony this coming May. 

In February, a documentary following Newark artist Emily Sekerak explored her passion for printmaking. She calls it the “most shareable art.”

A Newark theatrical group, Weathervane Playhouse, had another successful summer stock season. The professional theater completed five performances, each with only two weeks of preparation time. In the fall, Weathervane celebrated the completion of a two-year renovation of the Larry W. and Dawn Holt Anderson Children’s Theatre.

Coshocton County residents mourned the loss of a historic symbol with a theatrical performance in Columbus. Entitled “Calling Hours,” the performance eulogized AEP’s Conesville Power Plant, which was demolished in 2021. Its demolition meant a loss of jobs and a familiar landmark in the community, and the production was an act of closure: a way to reflect and to look forward.

– Mia Fischel

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For 25 years, Slaven’s professional animal company was the largest in the world. Now, he’s helping central Ohioans get in sync with their pets. Credit: Andrew Theophilus

People

This year, our reporters talked to your friends, coworkers, neighbors, and the people you may simply pass by on the street. The Reporting Project made efforts to depict the lives of Licking County residents with projects like Humans of Newark

Licking County residents are athletes. Students Emily Bilinski and Kasey Iden joined the Granville Middle School wrestling team to break down gender barriers on an otherwise all-male team. Newark resident James Avery has dominated the pro wrestling scene for 24 years. Granville resident Matthew Kretchmar was one of 200 bikers who pedaled 352 miles through the Flint Hills region of Kansas. 

Licking County residents are activists. Newark native Charles P. Henry continues his human rights work, which he began as one of a few Black students at Denison University in the 1960s. Newark resident Jerry Griffin wakes up early every Saturday morning to make bread pudding, which he then donates to the Newark Homeless Outreach Center. Mel Preston founded the nonprofit Diane’s Seeds for Hope in memory of his wife and in honor of her fight against pancreatic cancer. Vince Engel provided a shoulder to lean on during the HIV/AIDS crisis in the 1980s and ’90s. 

Henry’s story was published as part of a larger series – the people of Granville – written by TRP reporter Jack Nimesheim. His series was a sort of thank-you to the people who helped Jack do good storytelling throughout his four years of studies at Denison University – a project he called his “honest attempt to pay the community back, just a little bit.” 

Licking County residents are historians. Nekole Alligood, a Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) specialist, spends her days recovering history alongside her team at Ohio History Connection. Alaina Appleman, a Newark middle-schooler, earned recognition after creating a website about the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978. And Susan Reid recalls with pride her sister Jerrie Mock – the first woman in history to fly solo around the world. 

Licking County residents are animal lovers. Alexandria resident Joel Slaven spent 25 years running the largest professional animal company in the world, and now he’s helping central Ohioans get in sync with their pets. And several Licking Countians (or Licking County adjacent) wrote “bright spot” short stories about their four-legged family members, including Spirit and Marcky, Maya, Figgy and Maisy, and wild animals like a deer, a Cooper’s hawk and a bunch of ducks.  

Licking County residents are all of these things and so much more. The Reporting Project is excited to continue getting to know more residents in this upcoming year.

– Selah Griffin

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Watts Restaurant is an enduring fixture on Main Street in the heart of Utica, and the sixth oldest continuously operated restaurant in Ohio. Credit: Sarah Sollinger

Places

Licking County residents ate and drank well this year, enjoying the mornings at Early Birds in St. Louisville and Watts in the heart of Utica, and celebrated the April reopening of the Buxton Inn’s historic tavern — now for sale alongside three adjacent properties for just under $4.7 million — after a fire closed it nearly two years ago. And two Newark staples – Jolly Pirate Donuts and the Roll-A-Way Skating Center – celebrated major milestones, with 50 years of family-oriented donut slinging and 70 years of “skating paradise.”  

West Church Social, which opened in mid-December last year, brought an arcade, a sports bar, a vintage-feeling speakeasy and a live music venue to Newark. 

Years of work and millions of dollars have been invested back into Newark, bringing the historic Arcade – one of the first covered shopping centers in the United States – back to life. That building, which sat vacant for years, will be home to more than a dozen businesses, apartments and restaurants when it opens in a few week’s time. 

But the Arcade isn’t the only historic building in Licking County. One Granville-area home – known as the Manwaring House – was built in the late 1700s and once hosted the likes of Presidents James Madison and Andrew Jackson.

And the Newark Earthworks celebrated an anniversary: One year as a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

– Julia Lerner

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Two photos, captured just 20 minutes apart at a Centerburg farm, show the dramatic shift in the sky during the April 8 solar eclipse in Centerburg, Ohio. Credit: Brin Glass

Day in the life

A total eclipse in April faked out bullfrogs to croak in the early afternoon. A once-neglected park in Newark now hosts 500 visitors, most on two wheels. A street in Granville had thousands of little feet walking atop it on Halloween. The Year 2024 proved eventful, and the Reporting Project fanned out across Licking County to witness it all on the ground. 

The 2024 eclipse’s 124-mile path of totality passed through Centerburg, Mount Vernon, Mansfield, and other parts of central Ohio. On April 8, thousands of people flooded central Ohio. The total eclipse silenced families, watch parties, and whole communities. The Reporting Project’s reporters visited eclipse sites and interviewed community members on this once-in-a-lifetime experience. The last total eclipse in Ohio occurred in 1806, so this was a day for the books, as Ohioans experienced a period of darkness between 90 seconds and 3 minutes, all in the middle of the afternoon. 

In late September, TRP reporters Doug Swift and Jack Shuler moseyed about the streets of Newark, interviewing folks living in, working in and passing through the city. The reporters asked a handful of people about one optimistic feeling they have about their community and one issue of concern they think about most. The Reporting Project plans to visit additional Licking County communities in 2025, immersing themselves in everyday life and raising awareness of citizen concerns and opinions. 

Hundreds of people were covered in dirt, sweat, and even some blood to build and improve the Horns Hill Bike Park grounds. Teenagers and adults swarmed the grounds to experience the annual Trek Retreat. Newark natives Chase and Blake Cherubini, Roger Morgan, Bob Bevard, and Stephen Smith have dedicated hours and hours to transforming the Horns Hill landscape into the dream mountain-biking destination. TRP reporter Andrew Theophilus attended the Trek Retreat, interviewing attendees and soaking up the vibe in the new-found community. 

TRP Reporter Daniella Gomez Vargas explored Granville on one of the village’s busiest nights of the year: Halloween. On Granger Street, families dressed up in coordinated outfits, a clan of Waldos from Where’s Waldo, skeletons enjoying a campfire, Papa Smurf and Smurfette, six Jeremy Kings, and the spookiest homemade haunted house. Thousands of community members took part in Beggar’s Night, overtaking automobiles for the night. 

And on Election Day in November, TRP reporters fanned out across Licking County from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. to visit most of the nearly 30 polling locations in the county. Licking County had 128,665 registered voters to weigh in on contested local races and statewide issues, including two Licking County Commissioner seats, the Licking County Court of Common Pleas judge, and the state representatives in central Ohio districts were some of the most important races.

Reporters stationed themselves throughout the county on Nov. 5, conducting exit interviews with community members. We asked residents about their pressing issues, important policies, and opinions on voting. The Reporting Project interviewed Trump voters, Harris voters, and some third-party voters – voices that likely wouldn’t have been heard during many elections. 

– Brin Glass

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The Sparrow (right) and Draven Black Bird of the Modern Day Pirates traveled from Lake Erie in full pirate makeup, hair, and costume to the pirate festival. They say it takes hours for them to get completely ready including their makeup, hair, and accessories. Sparrow said he made his pirate wig himself with a base wig and synthetic dreadlocks. Credit: Andrew Theophilus

Funny business

This past year, we’ve written about some serious matters. So when our reporters get the opportunity to cover stories that bring smiles to all our faces, it just makes local news that much brighter. 

Back in May, Granville township road crew shockingly discovered a pair of legs sticking out of a trash bag when working on fixing a culvert. Of course, the Licking County Sheriff’s Office and the coroner’s office got involved, only to find out it was a discarded sex doll, according to the story by TRP Managing Editor Julia Lerner.

Hundreds in Buckeye Lake, including TRP reporters Caroline Zollinger and Andrew Theophilus, attended the inaugural Pirate Festival on Saturday, May 18, hosted by Kelly and Nina Collins, after a group of Buckeye Lake Pirates was formed. They also boast an impressive Guinness World Record breaking “ARRVEE,” the 41-foot-tall pirate ship on wheels. 

During the July 4 events in Granville, TRP reporter Andrew Theophilus wrote a profile on the famous ABDO-men of the Granville parade. With painted stomachs and plastic oversized hats, they once again met their goal of inducing laughter in those who lined the village streets for the parade.

In mid-October, news broke that a fugitive goat had been spotted running around southwest Licking County. The Licking County Sheriff’s Office’s Facebook page blew up with sightings of the four-legged outlaw. TRP reporter Owen Baker couldn’t turn down the opportunity to write about it.

Most recently, TRP reporter Ella Diehl covered a Granville favorite, Brecksville Manor haunted house, as it opened up its doors on Halloween night for its penultimate time. Reports from the scene included a description of a 5-year-old telling owner Jeff Breckenridge that it was “weak sauce,” and a group of high-schoolers running down the street, screaming.

While this past election accelerated our coverage of important community issues, the joys of Licking County shined through.

– Owen Baker

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SPORTS AND RECREATION

Tate Moore’s secret identity is out, and he’s using it to support Granville girls basketball. Credit: Tate Moore

It was a year of sports successes for Ohioans, from Columbus native Simone Biles’ three gold medals in the Paris Olympics to an ALCS appearance for the Cleveland Guardians, and an NCAA Women’s Ice Hockey Championship for the Buckeyes. Licking County enjoyed its fair share of sports successes as well, and The Reporting Project was there to cover it.

Granville High School Women’s Basketball Coach Tate Moore led the Blue Aces to the State Championship while maintaining a sports blog and social media presence that landed him a job with Barstool Sports. TRP’s Jack Nimesheim sat down with him during the team’s playoff run to hear about how Moore was able to keep up this double life. 

The Shumate sisters, Katie at Kent State and Emma at Ohio State, both competed in the Women’s NCAA Basketball Tournament in March. The Newark natives weren’t able to progress far – with Katie’s Golden Flashes falling to Notre Dame in the first round, and Emma’s Buckeyes falling to Duke in the second round – but it was a weekend to remember for the Shumate family TRP’s Emmet Anderson spoke to both sisters before the games, and attended the Buckeyes games for a follow-up piece.

Superhero Baseball, part of Reynoldsburg Parks and Recreation’s Superhero Sports program, gives children and adults with disabilities the chance to experience the joy of baseball. With no outs, rubber balls, and personalized cheers for every player, the league is all about fun and inclusion. Parents, often hands-on caregivers, cherish the rare opportunity to watch from the sidelines. TRP’s Sarah Sollinger spent a Monday evening at the diamond, capturing the spirit of this extraordinary league.

While attending HOT ROD Drag Week at Hebron’s National Trail Raceway, TRP journalists Andrew Theophilus and Owen Baker followed the “Running Rust” racing team from Toledo, Ohio. Competing for their second year, the team tackled courses in Indiana, Michigan, and back at Hebron’s track. Their documentary, “Rust and Rubber” highlights their challenges and triumphs along the way.

– Emmet Anderson

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