LANCASTER MAN IS HEADING TO PRISON

A 23-year-old Lancaster man is heading to prison for engaging in sex acts with a minor. Kurt Karns recently entered guilty pleas to four counts of gross sexual imposition involving a child less than thirteen years old. Karns was sentenced to 16 years behind bars and was ordered to register as a Tier II Sex Offender.

DAVID COLE JR. PLEADS GUILTY

David Cole Jr., the Zanesville man accused of helping his wife cover up the murder of his father, was recently back before a judge. Cole, 44, entered guilty pleas to several charges including abuse of corpse stemming from his father’s death on Christmas in 2024. He will be sentenced at a later date. His wife Brittany Cole was sentenced to life in prison after admitting to administering a lethal combination of medications to her father-in-law.

FREE SEAT CHECK

The Licking County Health Department is providing a free drive-thru child car seat check at the Licking County Library in downtown Newark parking lot from 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. on Saturday. For more information visit the Licking County Health Department's Facebook page.

ESTHER'S PLACE OF GRACE

A couple of years ago Mary Dow decided she wanted to dedicate her life to helping others so she turned to God for guidance and soon thereafter started Esther's Place of Grace.

Dow said they currently have two women living in a home and they have plans to bring two more women into the home. For more information visit www.esthersplaceofgrace.com.

STATE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE TURNS 125

This is a very special year for the Ohio Fire Marshal's Office.

Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon is Ohio’s 39th fire marshal.

PURPLE STAR DESIGNATION

Over 360 Ohio schools are receiving the Purple Star designation as part of the Class of 2025. The honor is given to schools that demonstrate a significant commitment to serving students and families connected to the nation's armed forces. Locally, Johnstown Monroe High School, Johnstown Middle School and Johnstown Intermediate School along with Everest Elementary in the Licking Heights School District earned the honor.