UTICA -- Though temperatures were a touch cool, plenty of sunshine graced the Ice Cream Festival parade in Utica on Saturday morning, showing off all the participants in the hour-long procession.

As consumers try to deal with the continual increase in food and gas prices, being a smart shopper is more important than ever when trying to stay within the family's budget. Shopping at local neighborhood grocery stores is one way to save gas while promoting the hometown economy.

Camp Ohio took the opportunity Saturday to celebrate its 80th birthday as well as the bicentennial for both Knox and Licking counties. An open house of the facilities explored the campgrounds and included living history presentations.

A community, a brotherhood of firefighters, first responders and law enforcement, said goodbye on Thursday to Don Wilson.

Spectators watched as the Kelly Miller Circus set up today at the Knox County Fairgrounds

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.

FREDERICKTOWN -- Firefighters rally around each other in times of need, and the members of the Fredericktown and Mount Vernon fire departments banded together Friday night to support a fireman who is battling aggressive, terminal colon cancer.

Explosions, apparently more than one, followed by fire, heavily damages a Grange Avenue house on Saturday afternoon. Mount Vernon, Fredericktown and College Township firefighters fought the fire.

Team Ten is a group of 45 Mount Vernon High School sophomores which designed and painted signs and playground games on the asphalt at Pleasant Street School.

Two new dog runs in Mount Vernon and Gambier offer dog owners a chance to allow their dogs to run free off the leash, stretch their legs and socialize and play with other dogs. The Wolf Run area extends into the woods and provides a varied environment for dogs and owners. The Gambier run is located behind the Gambier Community Center on Meadow Lane near the softball fields and offers ample room to both dog and master.

Fire broke out early Sunday morning at Legend's At the Castle Restaurant on the grounds of Landohl's Mohican Castle, just north of the Knox County line.

Rocky the boxing kangaroo was the star performer at the Star Family Circus on Friday. Held at the Knox County Fairgrounds, the circus will perform two more shows today, at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

UTICA -- Youngsters Caleb and Micah Lumsden gazed through the large windows of new viewing gallery at Ye Olde Mill and watched workers making ice cream during a special event Thursday.

This weekend will serve as a free fishing weekend across the state of Ohio. On May 3 and 4, adults can fish without a fishing license. There are ample fishing spots across Knox County for an angler of any expertise including the Kokosing River, Foundation Park and Wolf Run Regional Park.