Utica News

It was a happy day Friday when Utica kicked off its Fourth of July celebration with an evening full of free entertainment, free admission and free parking.

NEWARK -- Lori L. Torrens, of Utica, recently received a master of business administration degree from Ohio University.

Utica graduate Sierra Fletcher is transferring to NAIA Mount Vernon Nazarene after completing her freshman season at NCAA Division I Longwood .

NEWARK -- Bond was set at $1 million Tuesday for a former Utica man accused of setting another man ablaze in January 2007.

Festivities begin at 5 p.m. with fireworks at 10 p.m. Granville Kiwanis Fourth of July in downtown Granville and Wildwood Park.

NEWARK -- The Energy Cooperative recently announced at its 73rd annual meeting that three new members were elected by mail ballot to its board of directors.

NEWARK - A former Utica man convicted in a Florida beating death has been brought back to Newark to face a 2008 indictment that alleges he set a man on fire.

NEWARK - Two Licking County administrators are on the list of 29 applicants for the soon-to-be open Newark City Schools superintendent position.

A fire completely destroyed an unoccupied house at 12700 Ward Road, south of Brandon, early this morning.

"This could have been horrible," said Utica Mayor Larry Friesel, standing in front of the Utica Care Center at 233 N. Main St.

Marshall and Edna Branstool began growing fruit in 1984 when they planted 1,500 peach trees on 11 acres.

Here's what's happening in Granville and Licking County this weekend: * BIKE RACES IN GRANVILLE - The 17th annual Granville Grand Prix is Saturday, featuring professional racers at 4 p.m. on a 40-mile ride including laps on the in-town race course.

The fifth annual Firecracker Jam basketball tournament will be July 4 at the Utica High School parking lot.

NEWARK -- A Utica Elementary School classroom was the winner of the 2008-09 wellness program sponsored by the Licking County Health Department to combat childhood obesity.

NEWARK - The Licking County United Way expects more than 300 volunteers to be out in the community June 19, working on various projects as part of the 15th annual Day of Caring.

NEWARK -- A 10-year-old boy remains in critical condition at Children's Hospital after a June 6 rollover crash.

COLUMBUS -- The 2008-09 Ohio Cattlemen's Association Beef Exhibitor Show Total Program wrapped up June 6 with its annual awards banquet at the Ohio Expo Center, where four Licking County youths were honored.

Once again, it's time for the school year to end. Students in the North Fork district will have their last day Friday.

"By the power invested in me as superintendent of North Fork Local Schools, I declare that the members of the class of 2009 are graduates of Utica High School." With those solemn words from Superintendent Scott Hartley, this year's UHS graduating class and their fans in the audience broke into loud cheers.

There will be a memorial service for Richard Gene Banks, 68 of Utica , at 7 p.m. Wednesday June 10 at the North Side Church of Christ Marion Road Newark, with Bruce Hissong officiating.