ETNA COUPLE FACES CHARGES

Nine children were removed from a home in Etna Township and two adults were arrested following allegations of child abuse and neglect. According to the Licking County Sheriff's Office, acting on a referral from Licking County Children Services, deputies executed a search warrant at a home in the 13000 block of National Road SW and found what they described as appalling and unsafe living conditions that raised serious concerns for the health, safety, and well-being of the children. Jonathan Parr, 37, and Jacqueline Coleman, 32, were arrested on charges of child endangerment. They are both being held on $150,000 bond. The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be forthcoming.

BALDWIN PLEADS GUILTY

Derek Baldwin, the Iowa man, accused of causing a fatal crash near Hebron and then fleeing the scene was back before a judge this week. Baldwin, 52, entered guilty pleas to one count each of aggravated vehicular homicide and failure to stop after an accident in the April 15 crash that claimed the life of Alan Kissell, 77, of Newark. Baldwin was sentenced to 8 years behind bars and his driver's license was suspended for life.

FATAL MOTORCYCLE CRASH

The Zanesville Post of the State Patrol is investigating a fatal motorcycle crash. According to Troopers, Tuesday around 6:00 p.m., Eestan Starkey was riding his motorcycle north on Adams Lane near Somers Street when he was struck by a car that apparently went left of center. Starkey, 21, was pronounced dead at the scene.

TRANSIT MOVING TO FIXED ROUTES

Starting in January 2027, Licking County Transit's Deviated Fixed Routes will transition to Traditional Fixed Route service.

Executive Director Matt Allison said the transition reflects the continued growth and evolution of Licking County Transit's route network since the launch of its first Deviated Fixed Route in 2023.

OHIO'S TOP COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES

The personal-finance company WalletHub has released its list of the Top Colleges & Universities in Ohio.

Analyst Chip Lupo said they compared colleges and universities across a number of metrics from student-faculty ratios to graduation rates to salaries after graduation.

HEISEY WIND ENSEMBLE

The Heisey Wind Ensemble will begin their 42nd Season with a concert titled A Salute to Ohio’s Heroes on Sunday, October 25, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. The concert will be held at the Reese Center on the campus of The Ohio State University at Newark and Central Ohio Technical College. The Heisey Wind Ensemble (HWE) will honor Olympian Jesse Owens, comedian Bob Hope, composer Henry Fillmore, aviators Wilbur & Orville Wright, astronaut Jim Lovell and film maker Steven Spielberg. Tickets for HWE concerts are available only at the door. Adults are $15, seniors (60+) are $10 and students are $5.