MOUNT VERNON -- Hundreds of students, joined by some parents and community members, gathered at the Spirit Rock outside of Mount Vernon High School in a show of support for middle school teacher John Freshwater.

MOUNT VERNON -- Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater refused to move his Bible from his classroom desk after school officials requested that he do so. At a rally on Public Square on Wednesday, he defended his right to display his personal Bible as a constitutional right. If he's looking for the American Civil Liberties Union to defend him, he could be disappointed.

MOUNT VERNON -- Local motorists will feel a slight bump when they drive over the small tubes positioned in the streets at several spots in the downtown area. Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Mavis said the tubes are connected to traffic-counting equipment. Richland Engineering of Mansfield is gathering data for a traffic study related to a proposed bridge project.

Taking it to the street

BELLVILLE -- Five wins in the last five games is just what the doctor order for the Mount Vernon High School baseball team.

UTICA -- They pounded away at each other for seven innings, but in the end, the visiting Danville Blue Devils got out of Utica with an important Mid-Buckeye Conference softball win, dropping the Redskins, 9-8.

MOUNT VERNON -- Mount Vernon resident Todd Hawkins is currently in Boston getting ready to participate in the biggest race of his life.