Ohio's unemployment rate was 7.0 percent in April, down from 7.1 percent in March, according to data released this morning by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.  The number of workers unemployed in Ohio in April was 400,000, down from 407,000 in March.   The April unemployment rate was down from 7.3 percent in April 2012.

BUCKEYE LAKE EXPLOSION

Buckeye Lake Police are investigating a loud explosion that rocked the Leisure Village Mobile Home Park Thursday night.  Police received a number of calls at around 9:00 p.m. from concerned residents, but so far they have not been able to determine the source of the explosion.  No injuries were reported.

WATSON INDICTED

A 25-year-old Heath man has been indicted for holding police at-bay for a number of hours earlier this month.  Shawn Watson has been charged with one count each of inducing panic, and using weapons while intoxicated.  On Tuesday May 7, Watson allegedly fired a gun in his Thornwood Drive home following an argument with his wife.  He barricaded himself in the home and surrendered a few hours later after officers fired tear gas into the home.  He remains held on $35,000 bond.

OHIO 16 RESURFACING

ODOT has announced that work will begin Monday, May 20, on a $4.2 million project to resurface almost six miles of Ohio 16 in Licking County between Newark and Granville from the 21^st Street exit to the Ohio 37 interchange.  The work will take place during the evening hours between approximately 7:00-7:00 a.m.  Traffic will be reduced to one lane during construction hours.     

LIONS SCHOLARSHIPS

The Newark Lions Club recently awarded $500 academic scholarships to four very deserving high school seniors.  

Gary Walters with the Newark Lions Club 

Gary Walters, who chaired the Scholarship Committee, said this year’s recipients are Nathan Noth of Newark Catholic, and Newark High School Seniors Shannon Loftus, Austin Mayabb and Alissa Wyatt. 

PANCAKES FOR PELOTONIA

Pancakes for Pelotonia will be held this Saturday at the Reese Center on the Ohio State University-Newark/Central Ohio Technical College campus. 

OSU-N Dean Director Dr. Bill MacDonald 

OSU-N Dean Director Dr. Bill MacDonald said Saturday’s fundraiser will run from 7:00a-1:00p with all donations going to support cancer research.

A SPECIAL BLOOD DRIVE

The American Red Cross of Licking County is hosting a very special blood drive this weekend.  Donating blood is truly donating the gift of life especially to Lane Sheets, Griffin Hayden and Shawn Bell, three young boys battling cancer in the Newark area.  The blood drive honoring the boys will take place Sunday, May 19 from 1:00p-7:00p at Crossroads Christian Church on Marne Road.  Walk-ins are welcome or you can register on line at www.redcrossblood.org.