Mount Vernon News^{Image Gallery}

Corn crop avoids major problems

The corn field on Yauger Road that Brennan Durbin farms is getting very tall despite a dry spell early in the summer. (George Breithaupt)

Time to cuddle

A petting zoo is always popular with youngsters, so Sophia Oster, 10, right, brought her zoo pets to the August First Friday event held on West Vine Street. She holds a rabbit while Tristan Ray, also 10, cuddles a chicken. Also in her zoo is a sheep, a goat and a llama. (Virgil Shipley)

Practice makes perfect

Utica junior quarterback Jason Hoar (4) tosses a pitch to runningback Ryan Combs during a practice session on Thursday afternoon at Utica High School. The Redskins are busy preparing for the 2009 season, which begins on Friday, Aug. 28, at Grandview Heights. (Joe Huddleston)