MOUNT VERNON -- Number 701056 is one lucky dog. The friendly male boxer-mix, about 4 years old, came to the Knox County Animal Shelter as a stray. But soon, he'll be leaving Ohio for a new home in an eastern state, where strays are rare and dog shelters don't have enough dogs.

MOUNT VERNON -- Municipal Court Judge Paul Spurgeon sentenced a Mount Vernon woman on Tuesday to 30 days in jail for her first conviction of operating a vehicle under the influence. In Knox County, the vast majority of first time offenders are ordered to attend a driver intervention program in lieu of a mandatory three-day jail sentence, according to court records.

MOUNT VERNON -- Officials from the Kokosing Construction Co. met with the Knox County Commissioners on Thursday to see if the county would have an interest in partnering with the Fredericktown company to pursue a special round of grants being offered by the Ohio Department of Transportation.

MOUNT VERNON -- Increased security concerns and new legislation mean school employees have to undergo a criminal background check more frequently.

MOUNT VERNON -- A 2007 report presented at the Knox County Regional Planning Commission meeting on Thursday reveals a 21 percent decline in the number of lot splits compared to 2006.

MOUNT VERNON -- Banks have been mailing monthly bank statements to customers as far back as the 1960s, when computers first began to play a role in the industry. Now, more and more banks are moving toward paperless bank statements, which some view as not only quick and convenient, but, in an age of identity theft, safer.

It was a night for the Mount Vernon High School wrestling team to show off some of its depth. The Yellow Jackets called up the reserves to whip Westerville South on the strength of four pins and a major decision.

Surprise, shock and a few other feelings filled the gym on Thursday night as the Utica High School girls basketball team made a statement on their home court, defeating Loudonville, 75-36.

The Ohio Capital Conference has a reputation of being one of the tougher basketball conferences in Central Ohio. The Mount Vernon High School boys basketball team is learning that lesson firsthand.

With the end of the regular season within sight, Mount Vernon High Schools girls basketball coach Doug Savage knows his team is running short on time to turn things around, but the good news is there are plenty of games left.