250 Years of Freedom In Bloom

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – A local organization will be teaching residents how they can decorate their properties for America’s 250th birthday celebration.  Muskingum Valley Garden Society President Vicki Burke detailed how their 23rd Annual Spring Garden Symposium will offer indoor and outdoor gardening tips that are aimed to motivate and inspire.   “It’s a wonderful event that people can come to to…

Energy Affordability

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Ohio has multiple financial assistance programs aimed to keep energy affordable for low income residents. Muskingum County Community Action Outreach Specialist Emily Lichtner shared how Ohio’s Percentage of Income Payment Program works to better balance tight household budgets. “How the PIPP program works is if you’re gas and electric, it’s going to be five percent. If you’re…

Beat the Winter Blues at The Zanesville Museum of Art

ZANESVILLE, OH – If you’re dreaming of sunshine in the middle of winter, the Zanesville Museum of Art has just the thing. The ZMA will host “Sunday Funday: Fun in the Sun” from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, February 22nd. This free event is designed to create a cheerful atmosphere during the winter months, with hands-on activities for all…

Legislators address AI data center concerns at a Zanesville event

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The Zanesville-Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce held their annual Legislative Breakfast on Friday, and AI data centers were a popular topic of conversation. These data centers have become a controversial topic given their water demands, land usage, and strain on the electrical grid that they can produce. Legislators like U.S. Rep. Troy Balderson say that they’ve heard…

Auditing Electricity Usage

NEW CONCORD, Ohio – With January low temperatures hovering around Zero, February heating bills could reach record highs. Guernsey Muskingum Electric Cooperative Energy Advisor and Member Services Representative Ray Crock talked about a service that his company provides for free to its members called the Home Energy Audit. “It can range from a question answer session that I tell them…

The Legislative Breakfast featured discussions on energy independence, AI data centers, and property taxes

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The Zanesville-Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce held its annual Legislative Breakfast at the Muskingum County Conference and Welcome Center. The event hosted many chamber member organizations with guest speakers like U.S. Congressman Troy Balderson, Ohio Senator Al Landis, Ohio Representative Adam Holmes, and Matt Abbott from the Ohio Southeast Economic Development. The chamber bills the event as…

World-Famous Peking Acrobats to Perform at Secrest Auditorium

ZANESVILLE, OH – An unforgettable night of high-flying entertainment is coming to Zanesville. The Zanesville Concert Association says the world-famous Peking Acrobats will perform Wednesday, February 25th at 7 p.m. inside the Secrest Auditorium. These talented Chinese acrobats are known for breathtaking entertainment, performing daring maneuvers and showcasing incredible skill in trick cycling, precision tumbling, juggling, and gymnastics. “These are…

Recreational Renaissance

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Zanesville and Muskingum County are on a mission to broaden their appeal in hope of better capitalizing on the economic boom that is forecasted in the near future. Muskingum Valley Park District Executive Director Russell Edgington explains how his organization ties in with those plans and often plays a key role in getting them up and running….

Animal Shelter Society Pet of the Week: Meet Bella!

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – It’s time to check in with the Animal Shelter Society to meet the pet of the week. Bella is a 5-year-old husky who’s kid-friendly, cat-friendly, and just friendly in general. While huskies may have a reputation for being a handful, Executive Director April Gibson says Bella is an exception to the rule. “She’s very easy. She doesn’t…

Lieutenant Governor Jim Tressel visits Maysville Elementary

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Lieutenant Governor Jim Tressel visited Maysville Elementary on Wednesday afternoon to promote the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge. The 30-day fitness challenge aims to teach and inspire students from the 3rd to 8th grade with workbooks that promote creating healthy habits. The former Buckeye’s Football coach talked to the Panthers about how the program encourages different types of…

Home Energy Assistance Program

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Extreme temperatures can wreak major havoc on any budget.   Muskingum County Community Action Outreach Specialist Emily Lichtner explained how her agency assists low income residents with their excessive heating bills through a state initiative known as the Home Energy Assistance Program. “So what HEAP is, is it’s a one time credit from the state,” Lichtner said. “The…

Eastside Community Ministry is gearing up for their 11th Annual Chair-ity Auction

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Eastside Community Ministry is having its 11th annual Chair-ity Auction at the Colony Square Mall at the end of the month. The Zanesville-based nonprofit is holding its biggest fundraiser of the year from February 26th to the 28th and will help Eastside Community Ministry fund its daily operations, like its food pantry and clothing bank. “Basically, people…

BBBSAOH Prepares for 42nd Annual Bowl For Kids Sake

ZANESVILLE, OH – Get ready to strap on your boots and your cowboy hat for a night of fun, food, and drinks, all to support programs for local kids in our area. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Appalachian Ohio are getting ready for a rooting and tooting evening at the 42nd annual Bowl for Kids Sake Fundraiser happening on April…

Secrest Auditorium sees a major milestone for its renovation

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The Secrest Auditorium expansion hit a milestone on Tuesday as the final steel beam was installed, featuring signatures of community members who helped make the project a reality. Zanesville Mayor Don Mason was there to sign the symbolic milestone and says this expansion started back in 2020, during a conversation over coffee. Zanesville Mayor Don Mason joins…

MCLS Presents Birds of a Feather

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Birds play many roles within their ecosystems around the world.  Muskingum County Library System Youth Service Manager Katie Merritt pitched a program that parades raptors and portrays the particular parts they perform during their pursuits.   “Our Birds of a Feather program, we’ve teamed up with the Ohio School of Falconry, who are located in Columbus.” Merritt said….

St. James Prepared for Shrove Tuesday Tradition

ZANESVILLE, OH – Lent begins soon, and one local church is inviting the community to come together for a warm meal and a sweet tradition. St. James Episcopal Church is preparing to host its annual Shrove Tuesday dinner on Tuesday, February 17th, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The meal, which is a tradition that dates back to around the time…

Winter weather hinders blood drives and intensifies the blood shortage

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – A severe blood shortage has intensified after the extreme winter weather led to over 500 blood drives being cancelled. The American Red Cross originally announced a severe blood shortage on Jan. 20 after the national blood supply fell nearly 35% over the span of a month. Donations initially rose after the announcement until Winter Storm Fern swept…

Random Acts of Kindness for Zane State Students

ZANESVILLE, OH – Some Zane State College students experienced a random act of kindness today from some special visitors. Residents of Primrose Retirement Community made a stop at Zane State’s Advanced Science and Technology Center today, bringing with them goodie-bags and kind words for the students. Cassie Riffee, the Marketing & Admissions Director with Primrose, says they’ve now done this…

Live 2 Lead Returns to Welcome Center

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Leadership is a skillset that can prove advantageous even if you are the only one you lead.  Miles’ Mission President Michael Bullock talked about Live2Lead, an upcoming leader development minicourse aimed at sharpening the skillsets and broadening the mindsets of its attendees. “It’s not just for those who are business leaders, it’s anyone who desires to have…