HOMER — An unoccupied house at 6626 Granville Road burned Tuesday night.

MOUNT VERNON — The Knox County Board of Health approved two contracts to promote smoking cessation at its meeting Monday night.

MOUNT VERNON — State budget woes and pending legislation were two of the topics discussed at Wednesday's meeting of the governing board of the Knox County Educational Service Center.

Country Club Retirement Campus resident Ray Frost was a host grandfather to the 30 Distinguished Young Women of Ohio for lunch Wednesday.

MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon Nazarene University students Nicolas Felizzola and Evan Walker have been honored by the intercollegiate branch of the National Religious Broadcasters by placing in the organization's 2011 Student Production Awards competition.

GAMBIER — The Governor's Ball for the Academy Awards Dinner in Los Angeles this Sunday will have a local flavor.

A fire of undetermined cause damaged a garage and auto at 405 N. West St., just north of the Rolls-Royce plant, Wednesday afternoon.

MOUNT VERNON — He already has years of experience as a motocross driver, but he only just got his driver's license.

Photo by Alan Reed

HOMER — An unoccupied house at 6626 Granville Road burned Tuesday night.

Homer Fire Chief Randy King said the department is not sure of the cause of the fire and called in the Ohio State Fire Marshal today to investigate.

King said his department received the call about 7 p.m. and when firefighters arrived on the scene, the house was destroyed.

They called for mutual aid from Mount Vernon, Utica, Central Ohio Joint Fire District and Hartford. Newton Township also responded to the scene to fill firefighters’ air bottles.

About 33 firefighters worked on the fire, according to King. No firefighters were injured.

The American Red Cross of Knox County was on the scene to aid firefighters.
The home was deeded to Citicorp Trust Bank in December following a sheriff’s sale.

Realtor Dave Culbertson told the News he showed the house on Tuesday morning and did not notice any gas smells. In fact, he said the home was winterized and the furnace was shut off.

He said neighbors to the property told him they saw a fireball 150 feet wide and 200 feet tall. Windows from the home were blown 100 feet away.

A call to the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office seeking information regarding the cause of the fire were unreturned.

MOUNT VERNON – Knox County Head Start pupils and staff at the New Hope Early Education Center were thrilled by a visit from some of Ohio's Distinguished Young Women, and the feeling was mutual.

MOUNT VERNON –– Knox County Head Start pupils and staff at the New Hope Early Education Center were thrilled by a visit from some of Ohio's Distinguished Young Women, and the feeling was mutual.

MOUNT VERNON – The Ohio Senate is currently in the process of considering approving Senate Bill 5, known as the "Collective Bargaining Bill." This proposed bill has been the topic of much controversy as the opinions of opponents and proponents have been strongly voiced.

MOUNT VERNON –– The Ohio Senate is currently in the process of considering approving Senate Bill 5, known as the "Collective Bargaining Bill." This proposed bill has been the topic of much controversy as the opinions of opponents and proponents have been strongly voiced.

MOUNT VERNON – Less than two months into his efforts to bring common sense back to the federal government, 18th District Congressman Bob Gibbs feels that Saturday's approval of major spending cuts is a step in the right direction.

MOUNT VERNON –– Less than two months into his efforts to bring common sense back to the federal government, 18th District Congressman Bob Gibbs feels that Saturday's approval of major spending cuts is a step in the right direction.

DANVILLE – Student accomplishments were highlighted when the Danville Board of Education met Monday.

DANVILLE –– Student accomplishments were highlighted when the Danville Board of Education met Monday.

MOUNT VERNON – The American Countryside was the focus of the 2011 Culinary Affair with Pork Cook-off.