Taking it to the Streets

UTICA — Friends old and new come out to downtown Utica each year at this time to take in the annual Utica Volunteer Fire Department and Auxiliary's Homecoming Fall Festival.

MOUNT VERNON — The Knox County Board of Commissioners approved the hiring of a new water/wastewater department superintendent last week.

The announcement Wednesday that Chesapeake Energy Corp.'s test wells in the Utica Shale formation "showed positive results" was not surprising, said geologist Bill Reinthal of Jelloway.

MOUNT VERNON — It's usually the third time that's a charm, but for Jerry Sherman, it's the fourth move for his business Opticare Eyewear that has special meaning.

MOUNT VERNON — Fredericktown coach Brian Baum likes the idea of challenging his team early in the season.

MOUNT VERNON — As the Mount Vernon Yellow Jackets prepare for the second half of the 2011 football season, they finally face a team that is truly stuggling.

Centerburg (4-1, 1-1) came back from Week 4's loss to Johnstown with a come-from-behind win over winless East Knox last week.

MOUNT VERNON — The following communities will have trick-or-treat nights as follows:

•Brinkhaven — Friday, from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

•Centerburg — Monday, Oct. 31, 5:30 to 7 p.m.

•Danville — Monday, Oct. 31, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

•Fredericktown — Monday, Oct. 31, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

•Gambier — Monday, Oct. 31, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., followed by community party from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Community Center.

•Howard — Monday, Oct. 31, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

•Mount Vernon — Monday, Oct. 31, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

•Utica — Beggars Night will be Monday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

•Boo-Tacular Night, Thursday, 6 p.m., Whispering Hills Care Center, 416 Wooster Road. Community trick-or-treat, refreshments and candy.

•Trunk-or-treat, Monday, Oct. 31, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at New Life Church of the Nazarene, 998 Newark Road, Mount Vernon.

•Fall Festival at Gambier, Friday, Oct. 28, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Kenyon College-South Quad. (Rain location Gund Commons, 101 E. Brooklyn St. Open to the Knox County community and geared toward schoolchildren.

MOUNT VERNON — The city of Mount Vernon will soon begin a project to rehab McKenzie Street between Sugar and Hamtramck streets.

CENTERBURG — One delectable feature of the annual Centerburg Oldtime Farming Festival is the cookie contest for youngsters.

MOUNT VERNON — Knox County is doing very well in the manufacturing and industrial sector, Steve Waers, president of the Area Development Foundation, told the Knox County Commissioners on Monday.

FREDERICKTOWN — Fredericktown High School senior Brant Bowers is the only Knox County resident to be named a semifinalist in the latest round in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship program.

MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon High School students held a traditional "See You at the Pole" event this morning.

MOUNT VERNON — After losing three straight games, the Mount Vernon boys soccer team was in need of a win to help its confidence.

CENTERBURG — The Centerburg Trojans remained on top of the Mid-Buckeye Conference with a decisive victory over the Loudonville Redbirds at home on Tuesday.

FREDERICKTOWN — Fredericktown's Emily Roberts grabbed the lead in the final kilometer to win the girls varsity race at the Denny Stevens Invitational at Kokosing Reservoir.

MOUNT VERNON — A vote to upgrade the intersection of North Norton and West Chestnut streets nearly stopped the project as some council members stood their ground to preserve the city's brick streets.

MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon City Council members were given a sneak peek at the city's newest fire truck Monday night.

MOUNT VERNON — The trial of Harley J. Hanna, 23, Utica, in the death of Glen D. Willey, 41, of Mount Vernon, was to have begun this morning, but was delayed with the request of a continuance by Hanna's attorney, James A. Giles.

MOUNT VERNON — A pre-bid meeting regarding upgrades at the Little Jelloway Wastewater Treatment Plant took place Monday morning at the Board of Knox County Commissioners' office.