MOUNT VERNON — As cleaup continues from the demolition of the former Kresge building at 201 S. Main St., residents were concerned when asbestos was recently found inside the walls of the building.

NEWARK — Licking County Probate Judge Robert Hoover on Nov. 23 approved a settlement agreement with regard to the civil lawsuit filed on behalf of Zachary Dennis against suspended Mount Vernon Middle School teacher John Freshwater.

MOUNT VERNON — The Knox County Commissioners met with three county department heads for 2011 budget hearings Monday.

MOUNT VERNON — It's fun. It's educational. It's a field trip at home. It's Dome Theater, and it recently showed up at the Alternative Center, thanks to a 21st-century grant.

MOUNT VERNON — There has been no progress in the search for Malcom Hunter, according to the Mount Vernon Police Department.

MOUNT VERNON — A Mount Vernon surveying firm filed a civil suit last week against a New Guilford Road couple, seeking $180,000 in damages, after Mount Vernon Police alleged approximately $46,000 was embezzled from the firm.

COLUMBUS — Five local junior golfers were honored recently on the All-Central District golf team.

MOUNT VERNON — The unofficial start to the high school wrestling season took place on Saturday with the annual Mount Vernon area wrestling preview.

MOUNT VERNON — It was packed with people along South Main Street in anticipation of the start of Sunday's Christmas Parade with Grand Marshal Chuck Strickler, news anchor for WBNS 10TV, and Santa Claus.

MOUNT VERNON — Combining this year's Christmas Walk with the annual Christmas parade seemed to be a big success.

COLUMBUS — For the first time, the Freddies didn't have the answers.

SPARTA — The Centerburg Trojans girls basketball team came roaring into Highland High School on Saturday night and came away with a 55-37 victory over the Fighting Scots in a matchup between backyard rivals to open the season.

HOWARD — The hole was just too big. The East Knox girls basketball team struggled in the second quarter, scoring just two points, and visiting Cardington took advantage en route to a 51-36 victory Saturday.

MOUNT VERNON — Monday's warm temperatures sent Knox County resident outside to finish hanging Christmas decorations before the temperatures drop today. The festive atmosphere will come just in the nick of time to prepare everyone for Sunday's Christmas Walk and Parade.

MOUNT VERNON — Currently charged with one count of kidnapping, murder suspect Matthew Hoffman, 30, waived his right to a preliminary hearing scheduled for this afternoon.

HOWARD — The Apple Valley home where Tina Herrmann, Kody Maynard, and Stephanie Sprang are believed to have been murdered on Nov. 10 was the scene of a porch fire Monday night.

MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon City Council members approved various resolutions when they met at City Hall on Monday evening following a full schedule of committee meetings.