LABOR DAY

Happy Labor Day!  As a reminder all federal, state and local offices will be closed today in observance of the holiday.  

FATAL OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING

The investigation continues into a fatal shooting involving a law enforcement officer.  According to a press release from the Licking County Sheriff's Office, Friday around 9:30 a.m., deputies responded to a report of a man trying to stab and kill his sister at a home in the 4000 block of Northridge Road. Upon arrival they found the home on fire.  As they entered the home they encountered the man and one of the officers fired their weapon killing the man.  The sister sustained a cut to her hand.  No officers were injured.

18-YEAR-OLD CHARGED WITH MURDER

An 18-year-old man has been arrested in the shooting death of a 36-year-old man in Coshocton County. According to a press release, on Monday, Aug. 26, deputies were dispatched to the 42000 block of County Road 19 and upon arrival found the victim suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving measures, the man died at the scene. Kaylob Butcher has been charged with murder.

BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR SCAMS

Licking County Crime Stoppers, along with its partners, are asking everyone to be cautious when dealing with random phone calls and text messages. The same goes for social media. If someone unknown to you makes contact with you requesting money, crypto currency transfers, or gift cards, you should always be cautious of these types of requests. The people sending these requests have multiple stories that they use in order to steal from their victims. Unfortunately, these types of reports filed with local law enforcement have resulted in thousands, and in some cases, hundreds of thousands of dollars, being lost to unknown parties. If you are contacted by someone you do not know, or even by some one who claims to know you or your family, and they are asking for some sort of payment from you, please be extra vigilant. The scammers have nothing but time. If you feel you have been the victim of a scam, reach out to your local law enforcement agency.

JOBLESS CLAIMS

Ohioans filed a little less than 4,800 initial unemployment claims last week, which was 146 fewer than the previous week, According to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

POET LAURETE COMING TO OSU-NEWARK

Ohio Poet Laureate Kari Gunter-Seymour will stop by Hopewell Hall on the OSU-Newark campus at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 19. Gunter-Seymour is Ohio's third Poet Laureate and has held the position since 2020. This event is free and open to the public.

BUCKEYES HOST THE BRONCOS

Ohio State (1-0) and Western Michigan (0-1) hook up tonight at Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes are a 38.5 point favorite. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. The game is on the Big Ten Network.

FATAL CRASHES ARE UNDER INVESTIGATION

Two Lancaster men were killed in separate crashes in Fairfield County. The first crash occurred Thursday around 3:00 p.m., when Avon Stokes failed to negotiate a curve on Ohio 188, crossed the center lane and struck an embankment. Stokes, 41, was pronounced dead at the scene. The second crash took place Friday shortly before 1:00 a.m. Troopers said Brian Swank was riding his motorcycle on Lithopolis Road when he failed to negotiate a curve, struck a ditch and an embankment and overturned his motorcycle. Swank, 37, was pronounced dead at the scene. Both crashes are under investigation.

AUDITOR'S AWARD

The Licking County Land Bank has received the 'Excellence in Financial Reporting' award from the Ohio State Auditor once again. This recognition reflects the commitment to transparency and accuracy demonstrated by the Land Bank.

SEPTEMBER 11 COMMEMORATION

The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board will commemorate the 23rd anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001, with a memorial flag display on the west lawn of the Ohio Statehouse. A short program will begin Tuesday, September 10 at 5 p.m. on the west steps of the Ohio Statehouse. After the program, volunteers from across central Ohio will install the 2,977 flags that comprise the memorial that will be open to the public from 7 p.m. Tuesday, September 10 until noon on Monday, September 16.

NSB MEETING

The Newark School Board will meet in regular session Monday, Sept. 9. The board will discuss a number of items including an agreement with the Newark Division of Police to have two resource officers in the school district. Monday's meeting gets underway at 5:30 p.m. in the Administration Building on Mount Vernon Road.