Wednesday, July 23

AIR QUALITY ALERT

The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission has issued an Air Quality Alert for today. The Columbus region – Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, and Licking counties – is likely to experience ozone pollution levels that are Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.

AN INCREASE IN THE COUNTY UNEMPLOYMENT

Licking County’s June unemployment rate was 4.8% up from 4.3% in May, according to figures released by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Across central Ohio, Delaware County had the lowest unemployment rate at 4.3%, while Coshocton County had the highest at 5.7 percent.

A NEW CONTRACT

Monday night, Newark City Council unanimously approved a new three-year contract with the firefighters union. Mayor Jeff Hall was impressed with the negotiations.

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The new contract goes into effect Aug. 1 and runs through July 2028.

WEST NILE VIRUS

The Fairfield County Health Department has identified the first pool of mosquitoes collected by the department this year that were carrying West Nile Virus. The mosquitoes were collected in traps set by the department in Carroll, Thurston and Stoutsville.

RIBBON CUTTING AT THE STATE FAIR

Governor DeWine, and Lt. Governor Tressel – along with other state officials - will take part in a ribbon cutting ceremony today at 10:00 a.m. at the new, state-of-the-art Cardinal entry gate to open the 170th Ohio State Fair.

BIG TEN MEDIA DAYS

Big Ten Media Days kicked off Tuesday in Las Vegas.

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Coach Ryan Day and the Buckeyes will host the Longhorns in the season opener at noon on Saturday, Aug. 30.