MOUNT VERNON -- The road from Brazil to Mount Vernon is a long one, but three Brazilian jiu jitsu black belts managed to find their way on Thursday. Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight contender Gabriel Gonzaga and Team Link fighters Marco Alvan and Gabriel Santos were at Body Basics Health and Fitness Club as a guest of David Lashley and Lashley's Jiu Jitsu Academy.

MOUNT VERNON -- The Mount Vernon City Schools Board of Education has no immediate plans to hire an additional person to fill the position of director of business, a position now vacant due to the sabbatical of Dr. Al Haschak.

MOUNT VERNON -- At its February meeting, the Ohio State Board of Education voted to modify the fee structure for all educator licenses in Ohio, effective today.

FREDERICKTOWN -- The deteriorating condition of the Montgomery Road bridge at the eastern edge of Fredericktown has caused concern about its ability to hold heavy vehicles, including firefighting equipment.

MOUNT VERNON -- At the end of January, Gov. Ted Strickland announced several cuts designed to help Ohio avoid a projected budget deficit of between $733 million and $1.9 billion. Part of these cuts were in the area of mental health, and included the closure of state mental hospitals in Cambridge and Dayton.

MOUNT VERNON -- According to Rita Yarman, director of the Knox County Board of Elections, there has been some confusion about voting in the upcoming primary on Tuesday.

Taking it to the street

COLUMBUS -- It was a day of triumph, disappointment and redemption. The 2008 OHSAA State Wrestling Tournament at the Jerome Scottenstein Center continued on Friday, with mixed results for area wrestlers.

FREDERICKTOWN -- When the Riverdale Falcons and the Fredericktown Freddies step onto the court this afternoon at Lexington High School, they both will be playing in the regional finals for the first time. Riverdale, however, is no stranger to regional competition.