HIGH BOND SET FOR ARSON SUSPECT

Bond has been set at $250,000 for a 24-year-old Pickerington man accused of setting fire to a church in Baltimore. Benjamin Ruckel is being held at the Fairfield County Jail on one count each of arson and desecration in connection with a weekend fire at Mount Zion Church on Blacklick Eastern Road. The fire destroyed church pews, bibles and other books in the sanctuary.

NEW BADGE

The Licking County Sheriff's Office, with the support of the Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association, has created its own patch to promote autism awareness and acceptance. You can get a patch by making a $10 donation. Proceeds will be donated to the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities to support people in the community who have autism or a related diagnosis.

ROUND UP FOUNDATION

In October, the Energy Cooperative Operation Round Up Foundation awarded over $51,000 to several community organizations. Among those to receive funding: Granville Township Fire Department, Hospice of Knox County, St. Vincent Haven and the South Zanesville Fire Department.

OHIOANS LOVE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

When it comes to decorating for the holidays Ohioans lead the way according to a new survey from Michigan-based Lombardo Homes.

Spokeswoman Megan Sanctorum said the the top decoration in Ohio is a snowman.

HELPING FOLKS WITH HIV

Health professionals are working to ensure people living with HIV have the services they need. Zach Levar with the Ryan White Program says one silver lining of the pandemic is, it's allowed providers to reach more people through telemedicine.

Wednesday was World Aids Day. In 2019, 973 Ohioans were diagnosed with HIV.

DEER NUMBERS

Hunters checked 21,754 deer on Monday's opening day of deer gun season, according to the Ohio Division of Wildlife. That's way up from last year's opening day harvest of 10,905. Licking County hunters bagged 572 deer up from 368 last year. Gun season is open until Sunday, Dec. 5 and again for two days on Saturday and Sunday, Dec.18-19.