FLAGS AT HALF-STAFF

In accordance with the orders issued by President Biden, and in remembrance of the victims of the shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Governor DeWine has ordered that the flags of the United States and the State of Ohio be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout the State of Ohio until sunset on May 28.

CRIME STOPPERS

Licking County Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in a theft from a gaming establishment in Newark. The Newark Division of Police reports, on Tuesday, April 5 between 5:30-9:30 pm, three men entered Goldies on South 5th Street and opened a cash door to one of the machines and removed the cash. The suspects used the money to play other games. The suspects stole an undisclosed amount of cash. Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call the Licking County Crime Stoppers at 740-349-6888.

TRANSIT IS TRANSITIONING

Licking County Transit is going through some transition.

Licking County Commissioner Rick Black said they've been looking to revamp transit services over the past couple of years.

DISASTER EXERCISE

On Wednesday, June 1, multiple Licking County agencies will be conducting a full scale, disaster exercise at the Newark Water plant on Waterworks Road. The exercise will begin 9:00 am and should conclude around 12:00 pm. The exercise will simulate a chlorine leak/spill and smoke will be utilized to mimic chlorine. Roads in the area will be closed during the exercise. June 8 is the rain date if needed.

WATER MAIN WORK

A major project to replace the main water service pipe to Licking Memorial Hospital is planned for June. While water service will be maintained throughout the process, traffic pattern changes to enter LMH are expected. The project will be completed in six phases over several weeks beginning Tuesday, May 31. Phase 1 of the project will begin at West Main Street.

TIME TO RIDE A BIKE

Ohio has more than three thousand miles of bike routes, but there are gaps in state, regional and local networks. The Walk.Bike.Ohio plan was launched in 2021 to improve connectivity and safety. Chuck Smith, chair of the Ohio Bicycle Federation, encourages Ohioans to consider cycling for both transportation and recreation.

At the federal level, there are efforts to reinstate a bicycle commuter tax benefit of up to $20 dollars a month that was eliminated in 2018.