Governor Kasich has ordered that all flags be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout the state in honor of the victims of the tragedy in Santa Fe, Texas, effective immediately until sunset, May 22, 2018.  Ten people died in the shooting at Santa Fe High School. The Galveston County Sheriff's Office identified the shooter as Dimitrios Pagourtzis, 17, who is in jail.

FIRE DEPARTMENT COMING BACK TO MADISON TOWNSHIP

If all goes as planned, the shuttered Madison Township Fire Department will soon re-open. Earlier this week the Madison Township Board of Trustees voted to re-establish the fire department, which was disbanded in 2015 by the former trustees.

Madison Township Trustee Doug Barr

Trustee Doug Barr said they began accepting resumes about five weeks ago. They received 32 resumes and have conducted 18 interviews. The Hanover Volunteer Fire Department will continue to provide service to the township until the Madison Township Fire Department gets up and running.

A DROP IN THE STATE UNEMPLOYMENT

Ohio's unemployment rate was 4.3 percent in April, down from 4.4 percent in March, according to figures released Friday by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. The number of workers unemployed in Ohio in April was 249,000, down 4,000 from 253,000 in March. The U.S. unemployment rate for April was 3.9 percent, down from 4.1 percent in March.

DOG PARKS IN NEWARK

Newark City Council will meet in regular session Monday night and on the agenda is ordinance to create dog parks at Everett and Flory parks. The ordinance also spells out the responsibilities and requirements of dog owners. Monday's meeting gets underway at 7:00 p.m.

CENTRAL OHIO SENIOR CITIZENS HALL OF FAME

Licking County residents Bill and Pam Weaver were recently inducted into the Central Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame. The Weavers were recognized for their work with folks dealing with mental health challenges, victims of abuse and their involvement with many historical treasures across Licking County.

COTC TEACHING AWARD

Central Ohio Technical College Assistant Professor of Mathematics Nicholas Shay has been named the recipient of the 2017-18 Full-Time Teaching Excellence Award. Shay has been employed at COTC for six years and is a repeat nominee for the award.