NEWARK FOOTBALL COACH

Newark has a new high school football coach and they didn't have to look very far to find their man.  Friday, the school announced that 9th grade assistant coach Gregg Forsythe had been offered and accepted the position.  Earlier in the day Licking Valley coach Randy Baughman withdrew his name from consideration.  The third candidate was Mike Passerrello.  Forsythe, who replaces Jeff Buchanan, previously served as head coach at Lakewood and served as Newark's wrestling coach from 2006-2009.

OSU BEATS ILLINOIS

Ohio State advances to the Big Ten championship game thanks to a 88-81 win in double overtime over Illinois.  The Buckeyes will face Minnesota Sunday afternoon in the championship game.

ATV THEFTS

The Licking County Sheriff’s Office is warning owners of ATV’s that thieves are on the prowl.  

Licking County Sheriff Sergeant Chris Slayman 

Sergeant Chris Slayman says there is a couple of things owners can do to thwart the bad guys like keeping the ATV out of sight when you are not using it and making sure you have updated records and pictures of the ATV.

IT’S OFF TO CHINA

Licking County Chamber of Commerce President Cheri Hottinger is on her way to China for a nine-day visit.  

Licking County Chamber of Commerce President Cheri Hottinger

Hottinger, who left this morning, says that several chamber members do business and have plants in China and this will give her an opportunity to make some contacts and nurture some relationships that will benefit the county.  

MATHCOUNTS COMPETITION

Four Granville Middle School students will strut their stuff this Saturday in the state MATHCOUNTS competition at Columbus State Community College.  Coach Ellen Wilken says the team advanced to state tournament following a 5^th place finish in the regional competition in February.  

Granville Middle School MATHCOUNTS Coach Ellen Wilken

Approximately 210 students from 76 Ohio schools will take part in Saturday’s state tournament.  The top four individuals will then advance to the national competition in Orlando, Florida later this year.

PARK VOLUNTEERS

The Licking Park District is putting out a call for volunteers.  Docent volunteers are needed to fill one to four hour shifts at the William C. Kraner Nature Center on occasional weekdays and weekends.  Docents will greet visitors, answer phones, assist with daily care of animals, operate the gift shop and assist staff with a variety of other duties. Children eleven and over are welcome to volunteer with their parents permission.  For more information call 587-2535.