TRAGEDY IN DELAWARE COUNTY

Tragedy in Delaware County. Sunday, around 9:00 pm, emergency crews responded to the 8200 block of Riverside Drive on reports of an emergency along the Scioto River.

Delaware County Sheriff Jeff Balzer said two adult women were pulled from the water and later died at a local hospital. The search continues for up to three men.

AIR QUALITY ALERT

The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission has issued an Air Quality Alert for today for the Columbus region which includes Licking County. The region is likely to experience ozone pollution levels that are unhealthy for sensitive groups.

NEWARK MAN FACES DRUG CHARGES

A 55-year-old Newark man with an extensive criminal history was recently arrested on drug charges. Ricky Hughes is being held on a single charge of aggravated trafficking. According to a police report, officers were responding to a welfare check on a man slumped over in a truck. Upon arrival they found Hughes and allegedly a large amount of meth in the truck. He is being held on $300,000 bond.

HONORING THE TUSKY VALLEY VICTIMS

Governor DeWine has signed Senate Bill 52 into law. The legislation – co-sponsored by Newark state Representative Kevin Miller - includes a provision to designate a portion of Interstate 70 in Etna Township, as the “Tuscarawas Valley Memorial Highway.” The designation honors John Mosley, Katelyn Owens, Jeffery Worrell, Dave Kennat, Kristy Gaynor, and Shannon Wigfield, students from Tuscarawas Valley High School who lost their lives in a tragic crash on November 14, 2023.

BRIDGE WORK

The Newark Engineer's Office has announced that Granville Road at the bridge over the Log Pond Run Diversion Channel will close today and will remain closed for four months for a bridge replacement project. The TJ Evans Trail under Granville Road will be closed as well.

REPORTING CHILD ABUSE

The troubling case of child abuse in Vinton County is prompting questions about missed signs, and if residents could have acted earlier to save the children. Lara Laroche, with the Public Children Services Organization of Ohio, says strong, interconnected communities are the most successful at preventing these kinds of crimes.

Four adults have been charged in the case that involves 16 children ranging in age from 17 months old to 18 years old.

MASTER GARDENERS

OSU Extension Licking County Master Gardener Volunteers program provides intensive training in horticulture.

Jean Backs, Volunteer Coordinator in Licking County, said volunteers are not required to have gardening skills or knowledge just a passion for learning about gardening and sharing this knowledge with others. For more information visit www.licking.osu.edu.

EARLY RELEASE

Kolten Hanby, the Nashport man, convicted in a 2024 fatal crash in Licking County, has been granted an early release from prison. In May 2025, Hanby was sentenced to three years behind bars after entering no contest pleas to several charges including aggravated vehicular homicide in the death of Randall Thomas. Hanby has served roughly 14 months in prison.

ODOT GRANTS

The Ohio Department of Transportation has awarded $72 million in grants for 33 transportation projects that will improve roadway safety in 23 counties across the state. In Licking County, the Village of Hebron is receiving $1.8 million for bike and lane crossings on main street. Licking County is receiving $3.6 million for a roundabout at Mink Street and Palmer Road and $1.6 million for a roundabout at State Routes 62 and 657.

ROMANCE SCAM HOTLINE

The Ohio Attorney General's Offices has unveiled an new initiative to help Ohioans identify romance scams, ward off financial losses, encourage people to report suspected cases to authorities, and support victims. The initiative establishes a dedicated hotline – 1-855-961-SCAM – for those who have been victimized or who believe a loved one may be the victim of a romance scam.

FRAZEYSBURG FIRE RECEIVES EMS GRANT

The Frazeysburg Fire Department has been awarded a $1,200 state EMS Grant. These funds will be used to purchase essential EMS supplies, helping the department provide high-quality emergency medical care to the community.

JOBLESS CLAIMS

Ohioans filed 4,452 initial unemployment claims last week, and that was roughly 1,300 fewer than the previous week, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.