CRIME STOPPERS
Licking County Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in a theft in Newark. The Newark Division of Police reports, the suspect entered the Avalon apartment complex on East Main Street and stole multiple items from rooms on the second floor. The thefts took place a couple of days after a March 23 fire at the Avalon. Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call the Licking County Crime Stoppers at 740-349-6888.
GRAND JURY HANDS DOWN INDICTMENT
A Licking County grand jury has indicted a 45-year-old man on multiple drug charges. Matthew Patterson faces three counts each of aggravated trafficking in meth and one count each of aggravated possession of meth and possession of cocaine. Patterson does have prior drug convictions. He remains held on $150,000 bond and is due back in court tomorrow.
PROTECTING THE WATERSHED
The state of Ohio in partnership with Intel has announced a new $1 million H2Ohio project at Dillon State Park to protect and improve water quality in the Licking Watershed.
Steve Gray, assistant director, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, said since 2019, ODNR has overseen 170 H2Ohio wetland projects that are either completed or in the works. These projects have led to 15,000 acres of habitat restoration.
SUPPORTING THE LOOK UP CENTER
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and the Look Up Center in Newark is holding a fundraiser to support its "Together We Can" campaign, which will benefit their preschool.
Executive Director Lori Hubble said the Glory Rising Preschool is a resource for families to have a safe, God-loving, educational environment to stimulate their child's growth.
SOFTENING BYPASS
Granville officials are advising residents that this week the Village will be on softening bypass, some residents may notice a slight change in water quality but it is safe. If you have any questions or concerns contact the Granville Water Department at 740.587.0165.
ROAD CLOSURE
The Newark Engineer's Office reminds motorists that beginning today - as part of the Sewer Separation Project - National Drive between South Fourth Street and South Second Street will close for four months. Detours are posted.
OVI CHECKPOINTS
The Licking County OVI Task Force will operate two OVI checkpoints this evening. The times and locations will be announced later today. Based on provisional data, there were 7 OVI- related fatal crashes in which 7 people were killed last year in Licking County.
NEWARK MAN FACES SEX CHARGES
A 37-year-old Newark man accused of engaging in sex acts with a minor has been indicted. Adam Saunders faces one count each of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and corrupting another with drug charges following his arrest in April. Saunders has entered not guilty pleas to both counts. He remains held on $100,000 bond. He is scheduled to go to trial in July.
JOBLESS CLAIMS
Another week and another slight increase in jobless claims as Ohioans filed a little over 5,000 unemployment claims last week. That was 333 more than the previous week, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
ROAD WORK
Heath officials have announced that on Monday, May 6 from 8:00am-3:00pm a section of Hebron Road near the Carvana site will be closed for repairs. The designated detour is the same as the one used for the previous road closure.
ENERGY CHOICE OPTION
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio is encouraging Ohioans to review their energy choice options ahead of electricity supply price changes taking place on June 1. Residents can use the "price-to-compare", or PTC, printed on their monthly utility bill when comparing electricity rates from competitive suppliers to know if switching suppliers will help them save money or not.