Latest news with #LickingCounty
Yahoo
11-08-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
See who is running for city councils, school boards, township trustees in Licking County
This fall, Licking County voters will have their choice of candidates who will represent them on city and village councils, as township trustees and on school boards. Here are all the contested races voters will see in the Nov. 4 general election. While these are all the candidates who filed by the Aug. 6 deadline, according to the Licking County Board of Elections, the list is not final until the board certifies it Aug. 18. That means some candidates might not make the final ballot for various reasons, such as invalid signatures or paperwork errors. Who will be on the November 2025 ballot in Licking County? Licking County Municipal Court Judge Michael R. Dalsanto Matthew George (incumbent) Licking County Municipal Court Clerk Carrie Masterson Rick Williams Heath Mayor Mark D. Johns (incumbent) Kelly Spires Johnstown City Council Voters will pick up to four candidates. Kyle Cook Ryan Green Nicholas James Hubbell Matthew Huggins Wesley Kobel Nicole Shook Newark City Council Ward 2 Beth Bline (R) (incumbent) Daniel Crawford (D) Newark City Council Ward 3 Marci Fones (D) Molly Ingold (R) Newark City Council Ward 4 Mark Labutis (R) (incumbent) William Mooney (D) Newark City Council Ward 7 Travis Bralley (R) Michelle Newman (D) Reynoldsburg Auditor Stephen Cicak (R) Shanette Strickland (D) Reynoldsburg City Council At-Large Voters will pick up to three candidates. Angela Abram (D) Stacie Allen Baker (D) (incumbent) Barth R. Cotner (R) (incumbent) Mildred Johnson (D) (incumbent) Kamal Subedi (R) Granville Village Council Voters will pick up to three candidates. Melissa K. Hartfield (incumbent) Kim Keethler Ball (incumbent) Diane Marshall Matt McGowan Alex Morrow Hebron Village Council Voters will pick up to four candidates. Jerry Carpenter (incumbent) Franklin Joseph Giovannelli Kristin Hoskinson Thomas Marietta Stacy Z. Stoner (incumbent) Patrick Taylor II Burlington Township Trustee Voters will pick up to two candidates. Brad Kyle (incumbent) Jerry Owens Jeffrey L. Patton (incumbent) Eden Township Fiscal Officer - unexpired term ending March 31, 2028 Alison L. Mears Dawn M. Nelson (incumbent) Etna Township Trustee Voters will pick up to two candidates. Adrian Adams John Carlisle Mark Evans (incumbent) Ryan Davis Litichia McIntyre Rozland McKee (incumbent) Kenneth K. Starkey Robert Stewart Rachel Zelazny David B. Fulmer Granville Township Trustee Voters will pick up to two candidates. William E. Hoekstra Leonard J. Hubert Ben Barton Hanover Township Trustee Voters will pick up to two candidates. James Davis Patrick Simpson (incumbent) Heath D. Smith (incumbent) Hartford Township Trustee Voters will pick up to two candidates. Leanne S. Bishop Curt Booher (incumbent) Marc Dopp Licking Township Trustee Voters will pick up to two candidates. John H. Holman (incumbent) Dave Miller (incumbent) Rob Miller David Moraine Gregory Smith Write-in candidate: Michael C. Briggs McKean Township Trustee Voters will pick up to two candidates. Jared McLaughlin Derek Simon Jeff Wintermute (incumbent) Monroe Township Trustee Voters will pick up to two candidates. Scott Hendren (incumbent) Jonathon Merriman Mike Sileargy Joey Robertson (incumbent) St. Albans Township Trustee Voters will pick up to two candidates. Bruce Lane (incumbent) Tad Van Ness Mike Washington Heath City Schools Board of Education Voters will pick up to two candidates. Mark Grise (incumbent) Miranda Spicer Dianne Winter Johnstown-Monroe Local School District Board of Education Voters will pick up to two candidates. Ruth Ann Booher (incumbent) Jesse Coppel Steve Frazier Ryan Gilkey Tim Swauger (incumbent) Licking Heights Local School District Board of Education Voters will pick up to three candidates. Kevin Andrew Karlie Bishop Paul Johnson (incumbent) Mark Rader (incumbent) Licking Valley Local School District Board of Education Voters will pick up to three candidates. Luellen P. Deeds Craig Alan Nethers (incumbent) Julie A. Stedman (incumbent) Casey Williams (incumbent) North Fork Local School District Board of Education Voters will pick up to three candidates. Farrah Lynn Cooperider (incumbent) Rob Krueger (incumbent) Daniel Pargeon Clay Rowley Northridge Local School District Board of Education Voters will pick up to three candidates. Jessica Cermak Rachel Smith Andrew Williams Write-in candidate: Jeffrey Schrock (incumbent) Southwest Licking Local School District Board of Education Voters will pick up to three candidates. Michael L. Miller Tanya L. Moore Catherine Spindler (incumbent) John Y. Vincent (incumbent) Reynoldsburg City School District Board of Education Voters will pick up to three candidates. Teresa Alabi Tulasha Bhandari Bastola Shana French Tia Harrell-Ramey Kendra McKay (incumbent) Devasish Poudyel Eastern Columbus suburbs reporter Maria DeVito can be reached at mdevito@ and @ on Bluesky and @MariaDeVito13 on X. This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Here are all the contested Licking County races for the Nov. 4 election Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
01-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Without New Customers, Intel 'Likely' to Stop $28B Ohio Project
At the time of its announcement, it was dubbed 'the largest single private-sector investment in Ohio history' — but now its future is shrouded in uncertainty. In January of 2022, Intel unveiled plans to invest $28 billion in building two new chip factories in Licking County, Ohio, to boost production of its advanced semiconductors to serve both Intel projects and other end customers. Most Read on IEN: More Manufacturing Professionals Say Tariffs Will Hurt Industry 5 Million Pools Linked to Child Drownings Recalled 370-Million Mile Hail Mary Saves Camera Aboard NASA's Jupiter Orbiter PODCAST: Deadly Pools Recalled; Walt's Robot; Massive Panasonic Plant A lot has happened since – and for Intel, the past few years have brought sluggish sales, layoffs, and a new CEO. With that, the last several updates on Intel's Ohio project have pretty much centered on the same theme – delays. In February, the tech firm announced a slowing production timeline on the project, kicking the can down the road on the massive semiconductor compound to now open, partially, in 2030 or later. This past week, when reporting its earnings, Intel alluded to more delays, saying it would 'further slow the pace of construction in Ohio to ensure spending is aligned with market demand.' But things might get worse. Intel's new CEO Lip Bu Tan stressed the importance of finding external customers for the new plant's production capabilities, specifically a leading edge chip node called A14 that Intel has in the works. Tan has stressed the need for Intel to build trust with customers, asking for feedback from them on what the firm can do better. And with A14 still a few years to ready, let's hope that there's time to make some inroads because, without major customers for their operations, things look grim. In fact, one local NBC affiliate reported that Intel said it would 'likely' stop all work in Ohio. And if the Ohio plant gets canceled, it will be pricey for Intel – who will lose out on hundreds of millions in incentives from both the state of Ohio and the federal government, which put up some cash as part of the CHIPS Act. The other hefty cost will come down the road, when Intel will have to outsource chip production instead of using its own Foundry factories for it. According to the report, Intel claimed there are just 'two other semiconductor manufacturing companies that could develop the products they need, and relying on third parties would be pricey.' The state of Ohio, too, will lose out on 3,000 jobs that Intel estimated would come along with the project should it not come to fruition. Click here to subscribe to our daily newsletter featuring breaking engineering industry news. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Election academy' prepares potential candidates to run for office in Licking County
About two dozen people came to Bryn Du Mansion in Granville for a special event — not a concert or celebration, but so they could understand what it means to seek election to local office positions and how to do it right. Hosted by the Granville Area Chamber Alliance and the League of Women Voters of Licking County, the first-ever election academy on June 23, offered potential candidates words of wisdom from the Licking County Board of Elections, former and current Granville officeholders, a campaign treasurer, and a campaign manager. In Granville, five seats are up for election in November: two on the Granville Board of Education, three on the Granville Village Council, and two of three seats for Granville Township Trustees. The event gave potential candidates information they need to enter the election. Licking County Board of Elections, Director Brian Mead walked attendees through the packet they would eventually turn into the board if they decide to run. This includes petitions, and Mead and Deputy Director Tess Wigginton emphasized the importance of precision in this part of the process. Attendees were told to complete all dates and candidate statements before collecting signatures and were reminded that candidates cannot sign their own petitions. Common errors, such as filling out forms in the wrong order or submitting incomplete packets, have affected elections in the past, even stopping incumbents from getting on the ballot for reelection. Wigginton recommended using a checklist on the front of the packet. 'We even used a big font so you can't miss anything,' she said. The county Board of Elections staff cannot help candidates in filling out the forms to participate in the election process. As much as they might want to help, according to Mead and Wigginton, there are laws that bar them from aiding anyone in the process. 'We recommend you have a previously elected official review your packet before you hand it in,' Mead said. 'Once we know something isn't factual, we can't accept anything else.' The room was engaged, with attendees jotting down notes as they asked questions to learn more about the intricacies of the petition process. After candidates turn in their petitions and packets, they have a campaign to run. Jim Bidigare, a former campaign treasurer, and Regina Martin, a former campaign manager, shared advice about how to open specific bank accounts needed for campaigning, how to choose people to be in your inner-circle, and how to understand voters. Martin said that a strong support team is crucial when running for any position. 'You need to look past your close friends and family,' she said. 'They can be there and be a great help, but you should also look for people with specific skill sets and tasks they can excel at. You will need emotional and financial support, but also people to wear your T-shirts around town, or hand out flyers for you at community events.' Martin and current and previous officeholders emphasized the importance of being around people, knowing your voters, and making yourself accessible to them. Bidigare and Martin were followed by Kevin Bennett, a former Granville Township trustee and former Granville Village Council member; Aaron Olbur, a current Granville Village Council member; and Russ Ginise, a former member and a past president of the Granville Board of Education. Each shared their own stories, their reason for running for office, and the unexpected challenges they faced. 'For the village, door-to-door campaigning can actually work,' Bennett said. 'Meanwhile, the township is much more spread out, takes more time and people, plus more people in the township have dogs.' Bennett also emphasized the importance of having thick skin: 'People speak without filters,' he said. 'Online and in-person, people will take a sharp edge to you.' Granville Village Council Member Aaron Olbur first shared his reason for running: 'I have two young daughters, and when I looked at the council, I wasn't sure who was representing their interests. It is important for everyone in the community to have a voice.' Olbur ran through the logistics involved in managing the responsibilities of a position after winning it. 'There are two meetings a month, but on the Village Council, you have to serve on certain committees, which adds a few more meetings to your schedule.' Ginise also commented on the time commitment. 'Expect to add an extra 20-30 minutes to your trips to the IGA or post office,' he said. 'I even started grocery shopping just a few towns over.' But Ginise doesn't regret his decision to run for office in the slightest. 'I was asked to join a levy committee, and since then, I have been involved in some way,' he said. 'It is easy to get your foot in the door, work on a levy committee, speak at public comments, throw your hat in the ring, and get after it.' Attendees said the event was informative and helpful to them, and they were able to learn a lot more about the process and how it plays out. Alex Morrow attended the event as a prospective candidate for the Granville Village Council, a goal inspired by a close friend, Melissah Pawlikowski, who attended the event with him. 'Public participation and accessibility are important,' Morrow said. 'This event was great to learn the process, but also hear others' experiences and have a level set of expectations.' Melanie Kohlheim is the mother of two high school-aged students and one 3-year-old. Kohlheim wants to join the Granville Board of Education to ensure the quality of education for her youngest is the same as for her other children. She has served on the Granville Education Foundation for a number of years and now serves as its president. 'My biggest takeaway was: Do not mess up the petitions,' Kohlheim said with a laugh. 'But honestly, this event was great to understand pretty much everything about the packets and what I should start thinking about for campaigning.' A longtime Granville community member, Leonard Hubert, also attended the event and has expressed interest in running for Granville Township trustee. He has previous experience after serving on the Granville Township Board of Zoning Appeals, Licking County Tax Incentive Review Council, Ohio Cancer Research Associates and Par Excellence Academy boards, Granville Township Open Space Committee and as a former member of the Granville Education Foundation and Mental Health & Recovery for Licking and Knox counties. 'There are a lot of 'whys' for me, and this event just made it more clear to me that I want to continue my 20 years of service to the community,' Hubert said. 'I am also concerned with the current growth and state perception of Licking County, and I know a number of people are concerned for the future of Granville Township, and I want to play a role in shaping its future.' The deadline for candidates to file petitions to run for office in the Nov. 4 election is 4 p.m. on Aug. 6. Contact the Licking County Board of Elections for details. Delaney Brown writes for the nonprofit news organization of Denison University's Journalism program, which is supported by generous donations from readers. This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: 'Election academy' prepares potential candidates to run for office Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Yahoo
Ohio truck driver guilty of vehicular manslaughter in fiery I-70 crash sentenced
NEWARK, Ohio (WCMH) – A man who was found guilty of vehicular manslaughter after a fiery crash on Interstate 70 in 2023 learned his fate in court Monday morning. Jacob McDonald, who was found guilty on six counts of vehicular manslaughter, announced a sentence of 180 days in prison for each count, to be served consecutively, Monday morning for his role in a fatal chain reaction crash on I-70 in Licking County. The maximum aggregate sentencing for the six counts of vehicular manslaughter, however, is 18 months, which is what Judge David Branstool later clarified in his ruling. After receiving credit for time served, 323 days, McDonald's remaining sentence is just over seven months, or 217 days. Hit-skip victim recovers as police search for driver 'There is no sentence that I can impose today or in the event that he had been convicted of more serious offenses that would have satisfied the victims of this offense, I get that,' Branstool said. McDonald, 61, faced 26 total charges, including six third-degree felony counts of aggravated vehicular manslaughter, nine fourth-degree felony counts of vehicular assault and 11 first-degree misdemeanor counts of assault. He was found guilty of the lessor offenses on May 16. Judge David Branstool said that he felt the state did not prove McDonald acted recklessly beyond a reasonable doubt, thus reducing the aggravated vehicular homicide charges. The trial stemmed from a crash that occurred on Nov. 14, 2023, when McDonald was driving a semi-truck that collided with a charter bus carrying students and chaperones from Tuscarawas Valley Middle-High School in eastern Ohio. Six people connected to the school, including three high school students, died. Pronounced dead at the scene from the bus were students John Mosley, 18, of Mineral City; Jeffery Worrell, 18, of Bolivar; and Katelyn Owens, 15, of Mineral City. Occupants of the SUV that was driving in front of the semi — Dave Kennat, 56, of Navarre; Kristy Gaynor, 39, of Zoar; and Shannon Wigfield, 45, of Bolivar — were also pronounced dead. Kennat was a teacher, and Gaynor and Wigfield were parents serving as chaperones Eighteen witnesses testified for the state, including passengers on the bus at the time of the crash, first responders and a car crash reconstruction expert. McDonald's defense attorney Chris Brigdon called two witnesses: an engineer who works on collision reconstructions and a digital forensic analyst. Chief Felony Prosecutor Clifford Murphy stated there were no adverse weather conditions the day of the crash that could have impacted McDonald's driving and pointed out AT&T records show McDonald's cellphone was using data just before the crash, implying he could have been distracted by his device. Brigdon argued that actions such as automatic updates or streaming audio books are flagged as data usage, and AT&T could not determine whether the device was being actively used. Columbus gas prices on the decline heading into holiday weekend Data usage from McDonald's phone showed a peak usage of 39.8 megabytes per minute roughly 10 minutes before the crash, according to the NTSB investigation. The report compares this to someone streaming high-definition videos, which uses 41.7 megabytes per minute. It is unclear if this means he was actively manipulating his phone. Data usage from his phone at the time of the crash could not be retrieved because it was destroyed in the collision. The NTSB report revealed McDonald had nine prior traffic violations from 2003 to 2022, for offenses such as speeding or following too closely. In one incident in March 2022, he was pulled over in Indiana while driving 75 mph in a 60-mph zone. The law enforcement officer who pulled him over said at the time that McDonald's phone was open to a video game, but he was unable to prove McDonald had been using the game while driving. A report by the Ohio Department of Public Safety claimed McDonald was trailing too closely in traffic and failed to slow down before the crash. In an interview with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, McDonald told investigators that he did not remember the moments leading to the crash. Several family members of the victims read prepared statements for around an hour in court Monday morning before sentencing, many of which scolded Judge Branstool for what they deemed to be a light sentence. 'I'm here to tell you, Branstool, you're a disgrace, and this ruling is horrendous,' one man said during his statement. The law firm representing the family of Shannon Wigfield also released a statement, which read in part, 'While we respect the court's decision, today's sentence was difficult for Shannon Wigfield's family to accept. A total of 18 months in prison for a crash that took six lives, including a cherished mother and teacher, is inadequate. We are thankful, however, that the court acknowledged Mr. McDonald's responsibility. This tragedy was completely avoidable. Our pursuit of justice is far from over.' McDonald had been in jail on a $1 million bond since he was arrested in July 2024 and defense counsel asked that he be sentenced to time served and probation. McDonald also made a statement expressing his remorse and offered prayers to the victims families and their families. 'I pray every night for every single one of you and everyone involved you can't say I don't have remorse because i do,' McDonald said. 'Every day i live i have remorse.' Judge Brantstool also suspended McDonald's license for five years. He will be released from prison on January 9, 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Globe and Mail
27-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Pataskalafencecompany.com Launches to Support Growing Demand for Residential Fences and Decks in Central Ohio
Pataskala, OH - June 27, 2025 - As residential development accelerates across Central Ohio, Pataskala Fence Company has launched its new website to meet the region's rising demand for professionally installed fences and decks designed for suburban homes. Based in Licking County, the company is offering local homeowners access to timely and code-compliant outdoor construction services tailored to privacy, safety, and usability needs. Pataskala and surrounding communities — including Reynoldsburg, Pickerington, Newark, Granville, and New Albany — have seen continued growth in single-family home construction and neighborhood expansion. With that growth comes increased interest in functional outdoor improvements such as backyard fencing, pet enclosures, child-safe yards, and custom deck spaces for recreation. Focus on Practical, Durable Residential Installations Pataskala Fence Company specializes in building fences and decks using materials selected for longevity and local climate compatibility. Services include: Projects are carried out by experienced crews familiar with local zoning rules, HOA regulations, and site-specific challenges like soil grading and drainage. Each installation is customized to meet the property's layout and homeowner preferences while ensuring long-term safety and stability. 'We're seeing more families prioritize their backyards as extensions of their homes,' said Zack Leddingham. 'Whether for privacy, pets, or outdoor living, fences and decks are essential features in today's residential landscape.' Suburban Growth and Outdoor Living Trends Drive Local Demand According to planning data and housing reports, areas across Licking and Franklin Counties are experiencing increased residential activity. As subdivisions expand and families settle into new homes, many are investing in exterior improvements to make their spaces more livable and secure. These trends are reflected in the rising need for services such as: Pataskala Fence Company was established to address this gap in locally focused residential services, with an emphasis on community alignment and long-term homeowner value. Local Website Enhances Access to Outdoor Project Planning To help homeowners research and initiate projects, the owner Zack Leddingham launched a new company Pataskala Fence Company The site features information on fence styles, deck materials, estimated installation timelines, and a simple form for requesting quotes. The website informs readers of all types of information related to fences and decks, including: Emphasis on Community-Focused Construction The company aims to contribute to neighborhood development by offering well-built, code-compliant residential structures that support both function and aesthetics. This includes working with families in newer housing communities as well as residents looking to update older properties with modern materials and features. 'Our role is to support how people live — safely, comfortably, and with confidence in their outdoor spaces,' Zack Leddingham explained. 'We're committed to doing that with craftsmanship and care for each home.' About Pataskala Fence Company Founded in 2020, Pataskala Fence Company is a locally owned business serving homeowners in Pataskala and surrounding Central Ohio communities. The company provides professional installation of residential fences and decks with an emphasis on long-term durability, zoning compliance, and outdoor usability.
