POWER OUTAGES

American Electric Power crews continue to work around the clock to restore power to areas reeling from this week's storms. According to their website, roughly 29,000 customers are without power this morning with the vast majority of those in Franklin County.

GOV. TOURS HARDEST HIT COUNTIES

Wednesday, Governor DeWine visited displaced residents and toured areas in Perry and Muskingum counties hardest hit by the storms Monday and Tuesday. Rainfall measurements of six to seven inches caused widespread flooding and significant damage to infrastructure, homes, and businesses. Forty Ohio Army National Guard members based in North Canton and in Coshocton have been deployed to support emergency rescue operations in Perry and Muskingum counties.

PRICE GOUGING

Congressman Troy Balderson has been made aware of and his office is investigating claims of price gouging at gas stations in the areas hardest hit by the storms and flooding. Rep. Balderson urges anyone who has seen price gouging to report it to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.

LC FATALITIES

The Licking County Safe Communities Coalition reported one local crash fatality in July. Year-to-date there have been 9 crash fatalities in Licking County. At this time last year, there were twenty.

DRUG BUST

Six people were arrested following a drug bust in Coshocton County. According to the Coshocton County Sheriff’s Office, on Saturday, Aug. 8, deputies executed a search warrant at a home in the 500 block of South 8th Street and confiscated drugs, drug paraphernalia and cash. The investigation is ongoing.

SENDOFF PARTY

In late June, Lexie Miller, of Newark, was crowned Miss Ohio. Next up for Miller is the Miss America Pageant in West Palm Beach, Florida in early September. On Sunday, Aug. 16 a special sendoff party will be held at the Elks in downtown Newark.

Sunday's event gets underway at 2:00 p.m. Presale ticket is $15. At the door they will be $20.