MOUNT VERNON -- Belvederes perch atop some of the historic houses of Knox County, and the former Hannah Browning Home for the Aged -- now the Christian Star Academy -- on the corner of East Sugar and North Gay streets has a fine example.

MOUNT VERNON -- The Mount Vernon News filed two motions Friday to counter the Knox County Prosecutor's subpoenas of staff reporter Anton Hepler to testify in the trials of seven defendants accused of drug trafficking. The first case, that of defendant Mark Cline, is slated to begin Tuesday.

MOUNT VERNON -- This year's recipient of the chamber of commerce's lifetime achievement award received a standing ovation from the large crowd attending the annual awards ceremony. Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Mavis joined the ranks of past recipients Bill Burgett, William Stroud, Ron Staats and Walter Rudin when he accepted the award Saturday.

FREDERICKTOWN -- Because of an increased need for space for fire training, personnel workspace, and storage of equipment and paper work, the Fredericktown Community Fire District a meeting room at the back of the Fredericktown fire station will no longer be open to the public.

FREDERICKTOWN -- 15 seconds remaining on the clock, the crowd came to its feet and started clapping in unison in Fredericktown on Saturday afternoon. Allyn Blakely passed the ball to Marki Overholt, who dribbled, then passed to Whitney Levering. Levering passed to Emily Ruggles, who sent the ball back to Blakely. The clock expired, and the Fredericktown High School girls basketball team won the Mid-Buckeye Conference title outright, extending their record to 18-0.

MOUNT VERNON -- The Mount Vernon High School girls basketball team had one of its best nights of the season at the free-throw line, which led to a win over visiting Columbus East on Saturday night. A 19-of-24 performance at the charity stripe led the Yellow Jackets to a 47-38 victory.