CRIME STOPPERS

Licking County Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in a theft from a business in Newark. The Newark Division of Police reports, during the overnight hours on Monday, Oct. 31, suspect(s) broke into Vipe City on Mount Vernon Rd. and stole an undisclosed amount of vapes and cartridges. Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call the Licking County Crime Stoppers at 740-349-6888.

WAGNER FOUND GUILTY

Guilty on all 22 counts – that was verdict handed down Wednesday by the jury in the aggravated murder trial of George Wagner IV. Wagner, 31, along with his parents and brother was accused of shooting and killing eight members of the Rhoden family in 2016 in Pike County. He will be sentenced at a later date. Wagner's brother Jake and mother Angela previously pleaded guilty to their roles in the murders. His father George Wagner III has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.

COVID-19 MEMORIAL

The state has unveiled a new memorial honoring the heroes, victims and survivors of the COVID-19 pandemic. After the Storm, a mixed-media sculpture is now on permanent display at the COVID-19 Pandemic Memorial Grove at Great Seal State Park in Chillicothe. The grove was designed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to provide a peaceful place of solitude for visitors to remember and reflect on the pandemic.

TROOPER OF THE YEAR

Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Brian Miller has been selected 2022 Trooper of the Year at the Granville post. Fellow troopers chose Miller, 26, for his leadership abilities, professional ethics and enthusiastic work attitude. Trooper Miller is now in contention for the District and State Trooper of the Year Award to be announced at a later date.

WORRIED ABOUT THE WATER

Fracking is a very water-intensive industry, and a new study looks at its impact on aquatic ecosystems in the Ohio River Basin. Ohio Northern Chemistry professor Christopher Spiese says examining water-flow reductions is important as it results in reduced depths and the total volume of the water source.

Ponds, streams and reservoirs typically supply the water for hydraulic fracturing, which is used to create fissures in rock from which oil and gas are extracted.

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS

A popular Newark event is on the schedule for tonight with the annual Sights and Sounds of Christmas Walking Tour of seven historic downtown churches.

Terry Mooney said the walking tour gets underway at 6:00 pm. Ticket is $5 and can be purchased this evening. All proceeds benefit the Food Pantry Network of Licking County.