NEWARK MAN INDICTED ON SEX CHARGES

A 22-year-old Newark man accused of engaging in sex acts with a minor has been indicted. Dontez Dickerson faces one count each of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and illegal use of a minor in nudity oriented material. He remains held on $500,000 bond. In 2020, Dickerson was convicted on a similar charge and was sentenced to eighteen months in prison and was ordered to register as a Tier II sexual offender.

FATAL CRASH

A 33-year-old Pataskala man died in a weekend crash in Fairfield County. According to the Lancaster post of the State Patrol, Saturday around 2:30 am, Patrick White, was traveling on Woodsfield Circle when he went off the road, overturned and hit a tree. White was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash remains under investigation.

BARN FIRE

The investigation continues into a weekend fire that destroyed a barn in Perry County. Saturday around 4:30 am, Multiple fire departments responded to the scene in the area of Rushcreek and Zion roads and by the time they arrived the barn was engulfed in flames. Crews remained on the scene for a couple of hours. No injuries were reported.

BOWL FOR KIDS

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Licking and Perry Counties is getting ready for this year's Bowl for Kids fundraiser on Saturday, May 18 at Park Lanes in Heath.

Executive Director John Wilson said if you'd like to get involved with this year's Bowl for Kids fundraiser visit their website www.bbbslp.org.

HEALTH ISSUES LINGER IN EAST PALESTINE

Residents of East Palestine, Ohio, say they continue to live with health problems – including rashes, nosebleeds and respiratory issues – following last year’s massive train derailment and chemical spill. Jess Conard with the group Beyond Plastics says residents still don't have the resources needed to stay safe.

Norfolk Southern recently agreed to a $600 million settlement in an attempt to resolve a string of lawsuits involving thousands of people.

EARTH DAY

Today, is Earth Day a day widely recognized as the largest secular observance in the world, marked by more than a billion people every year as a day of action to change human behavior and create global, national and local policy changes.