ONE DEAD FOLLOWING SHOOTING IN NEWARK

Newark police is investigating a multi-vehicle car crash and shooting that occurred around 10:45 a.m.  Sergeant Clint Eskins.

Sergeant Clint Eskins

Police has now identified the deceased man as Phillip Parker II, 29.  They believe Parker accidentally shot himself while in his own car.  The female victim has been identified as Sarah Bennett.  The 26-year-old Bennett's injuries were described as non-life threatening.  Chuck Vagt witnessed the entire incident

Chuck Vagt

Vagt said once the vehicles came to a stop Parker jumped out of his car and began shooting at Bennett. All lanes of North 21st Street are now open.

HOUSE FIRE

The Newark Fire Department battled a house fire over the weekend. A Licking County 911 Dispatcher tells KOOL 101.7 News that crews were called to the home on the first block of East Channel Street little before 6:30 a.m. Sunday and they had the blaze quickly contained. No injuries were reported and the cause is under investigation.

SEWER WORK

The 200 block of East Elm Street in Granville will be closed today until 5:00 p.m. for an emergency sewer lateral repair. Residents living in the section of East Elm will be able to enter and exit from the South Prospect Street side of the street. There will be no thru traffic.

NEW ALBANY MAN IS HEADING TO PRISON

A 32-year-old New Albany man has been sentenced to a little over 17 years in prison for conspiring with others to distribute more than 150 kilos of cocaine. Oscar Collado-Rivera was convicted in November 2016 of one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilos of cocaine which involved at least $4 million in drugs and cash. Evidence showed Collado-Rivera and others were responsible for arranging large shipments of cocaine from Mexico and Texas into the Columbus area.

PUBLIC HEALTH FORUM

Franklin County Public Health invites New Albany residents to participate in the Community Health Assessment by attending an upcoming community health forum.

Joe Mazzolla Health Commissioner Franklin County Public Health

Joe Mazzolla, health commissioner Franklin County Public Health said the New Albany health forum will be held from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, July 31 at the Heit Center on West Main Street.

SUMMER CRISIS PROGRAM

The recent sweltering heat in Ohio underscored the importance of cooling assistance for vulnerable populations. Low-income Ohioans with a documented medical condition or those 60 years of age and older can ask for help to stay cool through the Summer Crisis Program. Michele Lucas with HARCATUS Community Action Agency, explains that high temperatures and humidity can pose serious health risks.

Michele Lucas with HARCATUS Community Action Agency

The Ohio Development Agency has processed more than 5500 applications since the Summer Crisis Program started July 1. It runs through August 31.

NEW K9 UNITS

The State Patrol is getting some extra help in the form of new K9 units. Ten K9 units recently graduated from the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The new K9 units will assist troopers in a number of areas including the detection and removal of drugs from Ohio’s roads and neighborhoods.