HOUSE FIRE

Multiple fire departments are busy this morning battling a house fire in Perry Township. According to the Licking County 911 Center, crews were dispatched to the 5900 block of Reform Road NE around 4:20 am, and upon arrival saw smoke coming from the home. We will have more information as it becomes available.

JUVENILES ARRESTED

The Licking County Sheriff's Office has arrested two juveniles in connection with the recent break-in and vandalism at Lakewood's Jackson Intermediate School.  According to a press release, the School Resource Officer and detectives received numerous tips which led to the arrest of the suspects who are students in the Lakewood School District.  During the interviews, detectives also solved other recent crimes in the area and neighboring jurisdictions. The juveniles are being held at a juvenile detention facility.  The investigation is ongoing.

INTEL WILL NEED WORKERS

Central Ohio Technical College is keeping a close eye on the future Intel project and what it means for enrollment.

COTC President Doctor John Berry said Intel plans to hire 70% of their Ohio workforce at the associate degree level.

SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING

Heath City Council has called a special meeting for this evening. Council members will discuss a number of items including an ordinance to spend over $1.5 million on the city’s street paving project. The meeting gets underway at 5:30 pm in City Council Chambers.

WAGE REPORT

A new report finds that dishonest employers steal from some 213,000 people in Ohio each year just by paying them less than the minimum wage. U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown introduced the Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act, which he says will crack down on wage-theft practices and empower Ohioans to fight back.

The report, from Policy Matters Ohio, found that the average victim loses $55 dollars per week, which equals about one-fourth of their pay based on the minimum wage.

LMHS EVENT

The community is invited to a free Active•Fit Youth Wellness Event and Family Drive-in Movie Night on Friday, May 27, on the grounds of the Licking Memorial Health Systems (LMHS) Pataskala Health Campus, located at One Healthy Place off Broad Street in Pataskala. The Active•Fit Youth Wellness Event, which includes inflatable fun areas and games, will take place from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. The Disney/Pixar animated film, Luca, will begin at dusk. Free snacks and beverages will be provided during both events. If inclement weather causes the need to reschedule, the event will take place on Friday, June 3. The event is free to the public; however, registration is required. Please contact the Licking Memorial Public Relations Department at (220) 564-1560 to register.