MOUNT VERNON -- After an extended executive session Tuesday morning, the Mount Vernon City Schools Board of Education and administration decided to have an independent party investigate allegations made against eighth-grade science teacher John Freshwater.

MOUNT VERNON -- The Knox County Board of Commissioners heard reports from Emily Marth, risk management and human resources, and Roger Shooter, director of Jobs and Family Services, on Monday.

FREDERICKTOWN -- The installation of a new drop box outside the Fredericktown Municipal Building will make it easier for village residents to pay their water bills and submit income tax payments.

DANVILLE -- Dan Werner, director of the Knox County American Red Cross, visited Danville City Council on Monday to inform the members of services his organization can provide to the community.

The Brown Family Environmental Center at Kenyon College opened five new hiking trails last October. The trails are north of the Center across Ohio 229.

MOUNT VERNON -- Prosecutors have dismissed charges against two men accused of selling drugs to Jason Blubaugh, a confidential informant for the Mount Vernon Police Department. Knox County Prosecutor John Thatcher dismissed felony drug trafficking charges against Estaban A. Gonzalez Worley and Calib M. Lang.

MOUNT VERNON -- Workers began replacing a deteriorating section of fence at the old National Guard motor pool building on Greenwood Avenue on Monday. City officials plan to use the property as an impound lot for confiscated vehicles.

DANVILLE -- The Danville Board of Education on Monday issued formal commendations to bus driver David Workman and students Megan Iverson and Josh Beachy for helping to save another student's life. Transportation supervisor Chuck Rex said a bad situation which occurred in March could have been worse without their intervention.

GAMBIER -- Official observations of Earth Day began April 22, 1970, spearheaded by volunteers concerned about environmental conditions and sanctioned by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Today, groups around the world celebrate Earth Day in a variety of ways to raise awareness of the interdependence of the earth's organisms and to encourage citizens to help preserve our natural resources.

MOUNT VERNON -- Planting their own garden is something one local couple does to cut down on rising food costs.

MOUNT VERNON -- Those with an interest in alternative medicine can find like-minded folks meeting on the second Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. at Sips, 101 S. Main St.

GAMBIER -- The much-anticipated Earth Day Challenge took place Sunday, finishing in Gambier under excellent marathon running conditions.

PICKERINGTON -- Some days, you can do everything right and still not come away with a win. Monday was one of those days for the Mount Vernon High School varsity softball team.

PICKERINGTON -- The Mount Vernon High School baseball team lost an early lead as well as a starting pitcher on Monday evening in a 9-4 loss to Pickerington Central.