WILSON PLEADS NOT GUILTY

Brian Wilson, the man accused of shooting and killing a Morrow County deputy, pleaded not guilty to all charges on Tuesday. Wilson, 53, has been indicted on 14 counts, including two counts of aggravated murder, in the May 26 death of Morrow County Deputy Daniel Sherrer. Sherrer was responding to a report of a domestic situation when Wilson allegedly shot him. Wilson is being held on $9 million bond.

ETNA MAN IS INDICTED

A 21-year-old Etna man, arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into the online exploitation of children, has been indicted. William Doran faces multiple charges including eight counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor or impaired person. Doran is due back in court in early July.

MISTRIAL IN MUSKINGUM COUNTY

A two-day trial for a 55-year-old Hopewell man accused of raping a child less than 13 years old has ended in a mistrial. According to the Muskingum County Prosecutor's Office, Michael France was facing two counts of rape and one count each of kidnapping and gross sexual imposition. The mistrial is a result of the jury being unable to reach a unanimous verdict. The case is currently scheduled for re-trial next month.

FREE RIDES

On Monday, July 7, Licking County Transit will add a 5th deviated fixed route this time in the Hebron/Buckeye Lake area. Licking County Commissioner Rick Black is thankful for the financial support that Licking County Transit has received.

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Currently, there is no charge to ride the deviated fixed routes.

FARMERS GIVE BACK TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES

Through the Ohio Agricultural Clearance Program, surplus produce from nearly 100 Ohio farms is delivered to foodbanks statewide. Alex Buck, president, Fruit Growers Marketing Association, says a funding boost is urgently needed from the state in order to buy from local farms and keep shelves stocked as the need has grown.

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Buck said cutting funding could make it unsustainable for farms to participate, especially as labor and production costs have risen.

BIG PHARMA SETTLEMENT

Ohio has joined other states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories in signing on to a $7.4 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma. The company manufactured and aggressively marketed opioid products for decades, contributing to the largest drug crisis in American history. In Ohio, the state and local governments will receive up to $198 million from the agreement.