MOUNT VERNON -- The county commissioners had three meetings on Monday afternoon which varied in scope, with topics ranging from the Memorial Theater to grant funds for the county to a meeting with the Knox County dog warden.

MOUNT VERNON -- Fern Harvey received the East Elementary "Behind the Scenes"award when the Mount Vernon City Schools Board of Education met in regular session Monday.

CENTERBURG -- The Centerburg Board of Education on Monday commended outstanding achievement by two groups of students.

Keeping to a goal can be one of the hardest things to do, but the results are well worth it. After several months of exercising and dieting, Duane Hurlbert has lost 50 lbs. "I think it's a combination of being here [gym] and having someone watch over me that helps me keep to it,"Hurlbert said. He hopes to lose another 50 lbs. by the end of the year.

MOUNT VERNON -- Monday's meeting of the Mount Vernon City Board of Education was well attended, and a number of community members addressed the board during the public participation portion of the meeting.

MOUNT VERNON -- Investigators are still trying to determine the official cause of the explosion that destroyed a Grange Avenue home on Saturday, according to Mount Vernon Fire Chief Shawn Christy.

MOUNT VERNON -- The new city engineer introduced himself to City Council on Monday, and council members gave him a warm welcome.

MOUNT VERNON -- A new restaurant and a new auto parts store opened recently in the city.

MOUNT VERNON -- The Mount Vernon High School girls softball team muscled its way to win on Monday night in the first round of the Division I postseason tournament. The Yellow Jackets played in Mount Vernon, defeating Olentangy Liberty, 7-2.

MOUNT VERNON -- The Mount Vernon High School baseball team advanced to the Division I sectional finals with a victory Monday night over the visiting Franklin Heights Falcons.