POWER OUTAGES 

Friday's strong winds knocked down trees and power lines and caused significant property damage across Central Ohio.  As of 8:30 am Saturday, American Electric Power was reporting nearly 16,000 power outages in Licking County.  Crews are working to restore the power but it could be a number of hours before everyone is brought back online.  

BUCKEYES FALL IN CHICAGO

Ohio State's run to a Big Ten Tournament title came to an end Friday with a 71-67 loss to Michigan in a quarterfinal game.  The Buckeyes finish the season 21-12.

FATAL CRASH IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY

A 33-year-old man was killed and a 66-year-old Buckeye Lake woman was injured in a head on crash in Fairfield County. According to the Lancaster Post of the State Patrol, the crash occurred shortly after 9:00 pm Thursday on Pleasantville Road near Ohio 158. Seth Peele, of Lancaster, was pronounced dead at the scene. The woman – whose name was not released – was flown to a Columbus hospital with serious injuries. The crash remains under investigation.

LEMLEY APPOINTED TO CITY COUNCIL

Thursday, the Licking County Republican Party Central Committee members appointed Jim Lemley to the Newark City Council 1^st Ward seat formerly held by Michael Houser, who resigned earlier this year after moving out of the 1^st Ward. Lemley will be sworn in prior to Monday night’s Newark City Council meeting.

ZANESVILLE MAN IS SENTENCED

A well-known Zanesville drug dealer is heading to prison. Darrin Wade recently pleaded guilty to a Bill of Information accusing him of trafficking in fentanyl and meth and having weapons under disability charges. Wade, who does have prior drug convictions, was immediately sentenced to 12 years behind bars.

JOBLESS CLAIMS

Ohioans filed a little over 5,600 initial unemployment claims last week, and that was roughly 710 more than the previous week, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.