KCCC Quarterly Newsletter
From the Superintendent’s Desk As we begin another exciting school year at Knox County Career Center, we are grateful for the continued support of our community and business partners. Your partnership helps our students develop the skills, confidence, and experiences they need to succeed. In this edition, we’re especially proud to highlight some of our alumni and the many ways they are putting their KCCC education to work. Their success is a wonderful reminder of what is possible when education,
HopeNow Future Bank searching for Board Member
HopeNow Future Bank (HNFB) has an open seat available for a new board member. HNFB is a 5013c Nonprofit in Knox County providing household goods to individuals and families struggling to furnish their own homes due to poverty or other challenging life experiences. HNFB is searching for an individual who has a background in either business, financial, law business, corporate or non-profit experience, or is interested in any of those areas. The position is for a person who would serve on the board,
Urban Gourmet Coming to Founders Food Hall
MOUNT VERNON, OH — Founders Food Hall is welcoming Urban Gourmet as its newest kitchen operator, bringing the Columbus-based restaurant’s proven menu of burgers, pasta bowls, sandwiches, and more to downtown Mount Vernon. Urban Gourmet will open its second location at Founders Food Hall, following the success of its original location at East Market Food Hall in Columbus. In October 2024, Urban Gourmet was ranked the highest-rated burger in the Columbus area in a list published by NBC4 based on Yelp
20,000 Coats and Counting: Kiwanis Launches 2026 Coats for Kids Drive
Mount Vernon, OH — For nearly four decades, Knox County residents have come together to make sure local children have something warm to wear when winter arrives. This October, the Kiwanis Club of Mount Vernon and Gault’s Plaza Cleaners & Laundromat are continuing that tradition with the annual Coats for Kids drive.From October 1 through October 31, community members are invited to donate new or gently used coats, with children’s sizes especially needed. Collection boxes will be placed at over 30 partner
COFFEE CUP WELCOMES RETIRED WILDLIFE OFFICER JERRY SCOTT
MOUNT VERNON, OHIO – The Coffee Cup returns to the historic Woodward Opera House on Tuesday, October 6, at 7:00 p.m., welcoming special guest Mr. Jerry Scott for an evening of conversation, stories, and a fascinating look behind the scenes of his career as a wildlife officer. Hosted by Joe and Marty Bell, Coffee Cup is designed to feel just like its name suggests: friends sitting down together over a cup of coffee and discovering a little more about the people who make our community interesting. This
Knox County Commissioners Announce Second Round of OneOhio Grant Funding
Mount Vernon, OH – The Knox County Commissioners, in partnership with the Knox OneOhio Advisory Workgroup, are pleased to announce that a second round of funding is now open through the Knox County OneOhio Grant Program. Supported by statewide opioid settlement dollars, the program funds efforts that prevent, treat, and promote recovery from addiction—including opioid use, co-occurring substance use, and mental health conditions.In this second round, the Commissioners continue to seek evidence-based or
Food For The Hungry Winter Grant Application Opens Oct. 1
MOUNT VERNON —The Food For The Hungry (FFTH) of Knox County’s grant application process for the 2025 campaign opens Thursday, Oct. 1, at 8 a.m. and will remain open until Saturday, Oct. 31, at 12 p.m. Applications submitted after 12 p.m. on Oct. 31 will not be accepted. Each year, a portion of the funds raised during the FFTH Winter Drive is allocated to the Winter Grant recipients. The 2025 FFTH Drive raised $394,301.89. The Winter Grant recipients are non-profit groups in Knox County that distribute
MVNU honors Ballenger and Layman
MOUNT VERNON, Ohio — Faculty and staff at Mount Vernon Nazarene University gathered Wednesday morning in Thorne Performance Hall of the R.R. Hodges Chapel/Fine Arts Center to honor their colleagues at the Excellence in the Call awards reception. Dr. Jennifer Ballenger, Assistant Professor of Youth and Family Ministries, and Amy Layman, Housekeeper/Custodian, were celebrated for their dedication to MVNU’s mission.The quarterly award includes recognition at the employee reception, a certificate, and $500.
MVNU enrollment reaches highest level in 15 years
MOUNT VERNON, Ohio — Mount Vernon Nazarene University is opening the fall semester with its highest enrollment in more than a decade. Total enrollment has reached 2,545 students, the university’s highest level since 2011, continuing a pattern of year-over-year growth since Dr. Carson Castleman became president in fall 2023.MVNU enrollment has grown each year, from 1,893 students in 2023 to 2,078 in 2024, 2,291 in 2025 and 2,545 in 2026 — an increase of 652 students in three years.“This year’s enrollment
New Providers Added to KCH
September 23, 2026—Mount Vernon, Ohio— Knox Community Hospital is excited to welcome three new providers to our healthcare team. Their addition expands access to compassionate, comprehensive primary care for patients and families in our community. From preventive care and routine checkups to managing ongoing health needs, our growing Family Medicine team is here to help you stay healthy at every stage. Jennifer Haase, MD, has joined the Department of Primary Care Pediatrics team. She received her
United Way of Knox County Names Brit Eaton Executive Director
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Brit Eaton, Executive Director United Way of Knox County Email: beaton@uwayknox.org | Phone: 614-560-3275 United Way of Knox County Names Brit Eaton Executive Director MOUNT VERNON, Ohio (Sept. 14, 2026): United Way of Knox County announced today that its Board of Directors has unanimously selected Brit Eaton as the organization's next Executive Director. Eaton will officially begin her role on September 28, as United Way of Knox County marks its 75th anniversary
Knox County Community Health Center Awarded Two HRSA Badges
Knox County Community Health Center Awarded Two HRSA Badges Knox County Community Health Center has achieved two Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) badges: Advancing Health Information Technology (HIT) for Quality and National Quality Leader-Behavioral Health. These achievements reflect the health center’s dedication to providing coordinated, accessible, and patient-centered care. The Advancing HIT for Quality Badge criteria include offering telehealth services, exchanging clinical
MVNU’s McNeal receives Ohio law enforcement’s Victoria Allen Civilian Leadership Award
PRESS RELEASE CONTACT: Joe Huddleston, Communications Specialistjoshuddleston@mvnu.edu740-397-9000, ext. 4344www.mvnu.edu/news SEPTEMBER 21, 2026 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEHEADLINE: MVNU’s McNeal receives Ohio law enforcement’s Victoria Allen Civilian Leadership AwardCUTLINE: 2026-9-14_McNeal.jpg — Mount Vernon Nazarene University assistant athletic director Paul McNeal, center, was honored with the Victoria Allen Civilian Leadership award by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy recently. Joining McNeal
Patsy Cline Tribute to Benefit Food for the Hungry at Woodward
PRESS RELEASEContact: Olivia Greenich Stern Food For The Hungry Digital Content & Marketing Director (330) 260-4059contact@foodforthehungrycares.org Tuesday, Sept 22, 2026FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEHEADLINE: Patsy Cline Tribute to Benefit Food For The Hungry at Woodward. MOUNT VERNON, Ohio — Food For The Hungry (FFTH) and Six Miles to Nellie are proud to present "The Patsy Show," a special three-performance musical tribute celebrating country music legend Patsy Cline. Hosted at the historic Woodward Opera
Junction Moto Show and Food Truck Festival
PRESS RELEASE September 22, 2026: For Immediate ReleaseKnox Foodies, LLC and Boxcar Creative Co. host the Junction Moto Show and Food Truck Festival. Motorcycles, food trucks, live music and family fun will converge on the Public Square in downtown Mount Vernon Sunday, Oct. 4, for the Junction Moto Show and Food Truck Festival, a free community event running 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Previously known as the Knox Foodies Food Truck Festival, the festival returns in 2026 with more food, more music, and more
