MOUNT VERNON — Doing a 2023 Year in Review story is always a bit dicey because there’s a chance you overlook a significant piece of news.
Our Knox Pages team reported on numerous stories this year. Stories range from bat boxes to a boarded-up drug house, from an overturned semi on Coshocton Avenue to Danville’s football playoff run.
We reported on a Mount Vernon man awaiting trial for a North Mulberry Street murder and how the county is preparing for the April 2024 solar eclipse.
Our Solutions stories included self-empowerment through community service, combating substance abuse and the drug epidemic, and a safety net for law enforcement.
Two significant topics in 2023 were Intel and solar.
The Area Development Foundation facilitated a growth strategy to help the county navigate Intel’s effect. Township, village, county, and city officials are looking at zoning and evaluating what businesses to recruit, if any, and where those businesses will locate.
We’ve already looked at lost business opportunities and farmland preservation. In 2024, we’ll tackle the topics of how Intel will affect housing, job training and skill sets, and roadways.
Knox Pages first reported on the Frasier Solar project in Miller and Clinton Townships in May 2022. The topic heated up in 2023 as the project winds its way through the permitting process.
The county commissioners banned wind projects in Knox County but agreed to look at future solar projects on a case-by-case basis. The community is divided on the issue, with residents voicing both pro and con perspectives.
There’s no doubt Intel and solar will continue to be top priorities in 2024.
Development came to Mount Vernon in a big way in 2023, especially on Upper Gilchrist Road. As developers move forward with their projects, residents anxiously await the intersection improvements at Upper Gilchrist and Coshocton Avenue.
Building up and tearing down
The Retreat at Mount Vernon on Upper Gilchrist Road moved from a groundbreaking ceremony in September to having the clubhouse, several apartment units, and garages framed. The plan calls for 496 units of phased construction by Rockford Construction.
Rockford’s southern neighbor, Knox DD, joined in with a 5,000-square-foot building expansion.
As we close out the year, northern neighbor Lemmon Development is working on plans for a 55+ community, and Schlabach Builders is starting Phase 2 of Gilchrist Estates.
Development is underway in other parts of the city, too. Ohio Eastern Star Home broke ground in March on Pine Hill, an independent senior living community. Rama Tika Management broke ground in October on a 103-room, 57,000-square-foot Hampton Inn at 1560 Venture Drive.
Also in the works is Liberty Crossing neighborhood development on south Newark Road.
While developers have been busy building up, the Knox County Land Reutilization Corp. (aka land bank) has been busy tearing down dilapidated buildings and cleaning up the landscape.
A demolished house at 303 N. Norton St. in Mount Vernon makes room for an eight-unit senior housing project. An attractive entrance to Heartland Commerce Park is slated for the lot at 401 N. Sandusky St.
The former Canterbury Villa nursing facility in Centerburg is also among the structures demolished in 2023.
Waiting for their stories yet to unfold is the former school at 301 N. Mulberry St., the former Mount Vernon News building at 18 E. Vine St., and a new municipal courthouse and Mount Vernon police station.
Developer Joel Mazza says the school-turned-into-apartments project should be ready for occupancy by May 1, 2024. Interior demolition at the News is complete, and the city rolled out preliminary designs for the courthouse and police station in September.
Business and economic development
Highlights in the business world include Planet Fitness moving into the former Staples building on Mount Vernon’s Coshocton Avenue.
Pizza Cottage announced its expansion to Mount Vernon, and Heartland Commerce Park welcomed tenants #3 (Markt Solutions) and #4 (American Isostatic Presses).
TJ and Jessica Franz took over Herald’s Appliances, a long-time staple in Mount Vernon’s downtown, when owner Phil Herald retired. Bo Lacey Construction opened its fourth location in the city.
Fredericktown’s UMD Automated Systems broke ground on a 9,000-square-foot expansion project in August. The Shoppe on Main and Helia Salon + Wellness opened at 167. N. Main St.
Education
The Knox Education Service Center board lost the experienced leadership of Dick McLarnan. McLarnan ended nearly five decades of service to public education when he adjourned the board’s Dec. 13 meeting.
Danville’s mock trial team narrowly missed a berth in the state semi-finals, Nationwide Children’s launched its school-based health center in Mount Vernon High School, and East Knox fourth-graders launched a mitten tree campaign.
Fredericktown boys finished 18th at state cross country; Centerburg’s Payton Tucker also landed a state berth. KMAC girls volleyball top honors went to Centerburg’s Stella Weisbrod (Player of the Year) and Abigail Boudinot (Coach of the Year.)
East Knox Superintendent Steve Larcomb moved on after nearly 11 years at East Knox, Superintendent John Morgan retired from Centerburg Local Schools after 34 years, and Carson Castleman succeeded Henry Spaulding as president of Mount Vernon Nazarene University.
Retirements and new positions
Lori Totman retired from the Knox County Park District after 10 years of service, turning over the reins to Dave Heithaus.
Kelly Brenneman and Diana Wetzel retired from their executive director positions at United Way and Starting Point, respectively.
New Directions got a new executive director in Lindsey Lamp as former director Lori Jones-Perkins moved into the director spot at United Way.
Long-time public servants Teresa Bemiller and Shelley Coon announced they would not run for re-election for their commissioner county treasurer seats. Jonette Curry retired in March after 38 years in the county auditor’s office.
Other retirements include David Chopson, 31 years, from the Knox County highway department; Teresa Sewall, 21 years with the Board of Elections; John Pyle, after six years as public defender; and long-time Mount Vernon City Councilman Mike Hillier.
Arts and Entertainment
2023 brought lots of variety in the world of arts and entertainment.
MTVarts increased its season offerings, adding an Evening of One Acts and an additional artsIQ show to their productions.
The group expanded its theater education program, completed a semester of K-12 workshops and classes, and began the search for an education coordinator.
The Woodward Opera House welcomed audiences for a variety of programs, including the popular Hometown Series. The venue also hosted multiple fundraisers for local nonprofits.
The Knox Memorial underwent HVAC renovation in the theater May through August but reopened for fall and winter dance recitals, Food for the Hungry Broadcast, Breakfast with Santa, and the holiday production “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play.”
Ariel-Foundation Park hosted the annual July 4th Celebration featuring Pirates of the Caribbean and a Jimmy Buffet tribute. Past events such as the United Way Power of the Purse, Praisestock, and the Knox Symphony Children’s Concert returned to the park.
New events included the A-FP Sunset Social and the CES Concert for the Community with North to Nashville. New park manager Jennifer Balcom DeWinter began her duties on Dec. 15.
The Mount Vernon Summer Front Porch Concert Series debuted in June. Held in June, July, and August, the series brings together local musicians performing on East High Street neighborhood front porches.
The Community Concert Association presented touring acts Don Gatlin and the Kenny Rogers Band, Divas3, the Starlets, and the Sounds of Silence tribute. Regional groups Winds of Ohio and the Dave Powers Trio also performed.
2023 saw the end of the Chautauqua Series and the retirement of organizers Mike and Chris Petee. However, MapCap Living History began presentations at the Knox Memorial, Mount Vernon Grand Hotel, and Woodward Opera House. They will continue presenting Living History Nights monthly at the Woodward Opera House in 2024.
The Mount Vernon Music & Arts Festival powered through stormy weather to present three days of local art, music, and more. The Festival Wood Challenge & Auction featured charcuterie boards created by local artisans using wood from the trees harvested from Mount Vernon Public Square.
Mount Vernon favorite McGuffey Lane and the 80s rock band Starship featuring Mickey Thomas headlined the entertainment.
The Mount Vernon Arts Consortium welcomed actor and comedian Paul Reiser, An Evening of Recovery with Addicts’ Comedy Tour featuring comedians Mark Lundholm and Kurtis Matthews, and country darling Pam Tillis to the stage of the Knox Memorial.
Country and bluegrass superstar Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives played a sold-out show at the Woodward Opera House.
The season concluded with the 2021 winners of NBC’s The Voice, sibling trio Girl Named Tom, who chose to begin their national Christmas tour in Mount Vernon.
Looking ahead
Mount Vernon moved forward in 2023 in its long-held quest to relocate State Route 13 through the city and will continue that project in the new year.
Knox Pages will be there to follow its progress as well as many other stories.
Whether it’s potholes or pickleball, fairs or food trucks, or geese or gas aggregation, we’ll keep tabs on what’s happening in Knox County.
