[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",5976359,"mediaKeyId","5854690-2d1abb7bee431ffb4cae0c21a920e45a","parentId",5854690,"title","Council hears report of vandalism and possible camera tampering at Hiawatha Park; photos to be circulated","audioSeconds",306,"startMs",2836000,"endMs",3142000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5854690-2d1abb7bee431ffb4cae0c21a920e45a&start=2836&end=3142","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5854690-2d1abb7bee431ffb4cae0c21a920e45a/thumbnail_2836000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5976359/Ohio/Council-hears-report-of-vandalism-and-possible-camera-tampering-at-Hiawatha-Park-photos-to-be-circulated","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976359-4627c00c88f0be53b13da16b43567f40/orig.mp4?Expires=1775158639&Signature=KJ5amctOiw3j45k2m95p35SoJjiqfCx68SBeXmBBs7l~GPxjpPOAcbM~QsFuyXFmtg0qFgyz4zs0x1myrU388COH~qhY9BZhzKjcifHKEtrWAG41WyWM4sH2TFBb7R4UV42LDmqnaTm3TLancc82f8rDCKNOExiCwMtjgW8SD0zkQluTIcW5NfsL7ieNDSVepPs62rVtzKK-WABqbm68ut~67IORqXoSW38bKwA7Kc8j2HXcYARg7yRDVIuIaHvLRNYmPZRh~CEE7q2QkEwOSvI3A4C5oRiKogqX4DQuNkWmYKDIt8UBhI9ByAimZX6OKzQn1n9YqB4KlY2KH35KzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Mount Vernon, OH ","date","2025-09-23T12:13:02Z","article","Council Member Brengman reported multiple incidents of vandalism at Hiawatha Park during the Sept. 22 Mount Vernon City Council meeting and asked the public for assistance identifying suspects.
Brengman described one incident involving juveniles who were “hurling things over the fence into the pool” and said the city is circulating photographs to identify them so juvenile court can be involved. He said the city wants to address the problem before it escalates.
He also reported a separate incident involving an adult male who has attempted to manipulate security cameras and who the city believes may have entered the women's restroom. “We also believe that he may have entered the women's restroom over there,” Brengman said, and added officials believe the man may have been carrying a weapon.
Brengman urged residents not to approach suspects and to provide information to law enforcement. “I'm not suggesting that you should go and, try and and speak with them or to, talk to them or to have any sort of contact with them. But if you know who they are, we would ask your help,” he said.
Discussion vs. decision: council members received the report and asked staff to circulate photos and pursue identification; no formal council action or vote was recorded. Officials said photos were being prepared for the city website and that the police may seek juvenile-court intervention for minors identified.
Clarifying details: incidents include juvenile vandalism (objects thrown into pool) and an adult suspected of manipulating cameras and possibly entering the women's restroom; officials believe the adult may have been carrying a weapon; the city is preparing and circulating photos to seek public help identifying suspects.
What’s next: the city will circulate photographs and continue attempts to identify suspects, and authorities may pursue juvenile-court proceedings or other legal action as appropriate.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Live Stream - City of Mount Vernon, Ohio","oneSentenceSummary","Council member reported juvenile and adult incidents at Hiawatha Park, including objects thrown into the pool and apparent camera manipulation; officials are circulating photos to seek identifications and may involve juvenile court.","taxTitle","Mount Vernon, Knox County, Ohio","taxId",71655,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5976364,"City says Safe Routes to School project will add sidewalk on Martinsburg Road; construction slated for FY2026",0,3141000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5854690-2d1abb7bee431ffb4cae0c21a920e45a&start=3141&end=3141","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5854690-2d1abb7bee431ffb4cae0c21a920e45a/thumbnail_3141000.jpg","/articles/5976364/Ohio/City-says-Safe-Routes-to-School-project-will-add-sidewalk-on-Martinsburg-Road-construction-slated-for-FY2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976364-5ea4d4dfe1b01140836e34ad0108b8cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1775158639&Signature=Fz-AtWV7TwV3DrOdrDSYL7~LbhpnxWAePSbv9dVuOCN~UY4QFJVPiGRi5tEhNvnR4aOxQVsALPi1xQJ-4ykte7eGUaRDvNuzhi5HkmuBLwwssI-PJDViXMeBdVOkvRvXv2Oh4uHrQuXRiS6KkqPF9yPhwq7rFe5PzN1BFZV5mIHmlULpKpm6pzvyxEb40MUGvPVupJAhvNSMHpSvZixc4C8EptmP~YUqBcIDsYsZ0VELsITyGC1KxRCEOGYL9jJAKqetVMeoQCcrFn5W4i-5BmtW0U9x3q2T4~jEgMytxSaJpOQ7e9p1aMRldeVSTHpuw68BOcKoVt4qEnulmX4qfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Mount Vernon City Council on Sept. 22 that the Safe Routes to School project that will add sidewalks on Martinsburg Road is funded and in design, with construction planned for fiscal year 2026.
A staff member identified as Quentin said the city was awarded “over $300,000 from the Ohio Department of Transportation for this project.” Quentin said the design is in its third submission stage to ODOT and that the project is under design: “We're on stage 3. We're we're getting pretty close to having the design wrapped up, and the construction is next year. So it's a fiscal year 2026 project, so we can't actually start construction until 07/01/2026.”
Council members and the mayor discussed pedestrian safety near schools and recent incidents of a student struck near Martinsburg Road to underscore the project's importance. A council member noted that the sidewalk on Division Street and other segments were part of the Safe Routes project.
Discussion vs. decision: the council received a briefing on the awarded ODOT grant and project timeline; no formal vote was required or taken on Sept. 22. The staff presentation clarified the grant amount, design stage and construction schedule.
Clarifying details: award amount stated as over $300,000; design is in stage 3 with the third submittal to ODOT; construction is scheduled as a fiscal year 2026 project with work not to begin before 07/01/2026; the project includes sidewalks from Martinsburg Road to Yellowjacket Drive and east-side sidewalk additions on Martinsburg Road.
What’s next: the city will continue design work with ODOT approvals and move to construction in FY2026 once design is complete and approvals are secured.","City staff told council the sidewalk project on Martinsburg Road is funded with over $300,000 from ODOT, is in final design stages, and is scheduled for construction in fiscal year 2026.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5976369,"Council adopts resolution to apply for OPWC funding for Crystal Avenue water main extension",174,1939000,2113000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5854690-2d1abb7bee431ffb4cae0c21a920e45a&start=1939&end=2113","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5854690-2d1abb7bee431ffb4cae0c21a920e45a/thumbnail_1939000.jpg","/articles/5976369/Ohio/Council-adopts-resolution-to-apply-for-OPWC-funding-for-Crystal-Avenue-water-main-extension","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976369-0abf897685b1152aca56b26af60391b3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775158639&Signature=LivAwnrtMDlIR60r6SP2YCgoccEV68qX2T1gzvchnNrqkeijVg9ESA6D4wDNRYXNfM6lYzKNZH1ZxU0Ze7ilzxynXVKEdoV1aE3hqTdNyAUzkGT-2mnjWCSnNi6bc9DsX-cpa46NzTcEzUOM6Ao1JsPdEsZ~Mk73G9T4d2UnBEdIZOrCqUUMbbtGywYde6EXTbWGAcQ2Mq15WxN3JH83cF7z16r290yNhuSSlg8bZOET1g1YCZcQNgavgbRJ5cF9MbgwskhqS~tEM3AUjXDT6sDXoDvU8rK0RS07O8G3MHhgdeAVf1sg-jwAEcz6lflqK0avr4Bxy9nyxbhZfjeltg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mount Vernon City Council on Sept. 22 adopted Resolution 2025-83 authorizing the safety-service director to prepare and submit a joint application with Clinton Township to the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) Capital Improvement Program for funding of the Crystal Avenue water main extension project.
“Mister Rechman. I move to adopt resolution number 2025Dash83,” the mover said during the meeting, and council members voted in favor. Council roll call recorded affirmative responses from members who were present, and the presiding officer declared the resolution adopted.
Council discussion clarified the project route: the extension will run from Columbus Avenue to Harcourts with cutoffs in places along the basic main line and is located near Bridal Foundation Park, the council said, providing local context for where construction would occur.
Discussion vs. decision: the item was a formal resolution and the council voted to adopt it on Sept. 22. The mover presented the motion for adoption; a second was recorded. The council did not provide a detailed budget breakdown or construction schedule during the meeting.
Clarifying details: the resolution authorizes the safety-service director to prepare and submit a joint OPWC application in partnership with Clinton Township for the Crystal Avenue water main extension. Specific funding amounts and project timeline were not provided at the meeting.
What’s next: the administration will prepare and submit the OPWC application as authorized by the adopted resolution; further steps, including grant award decisions by OPWC and project scheduling, will follow according to OPWC and local procedures.","The Mount Vernon City Council unanimously adopted a resolution authorizing a joint application with Clinton Township to the Ohio Public Works Commission for a Crystal Avenue water main extension project.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5976374,"Public and mayor clash over city's planned electric aggregation vendor; council advances related measures",1199,1671000,2870000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5854690-2d1abb7bee431ffb4cae0c21a920e45a&start=1671&end=2870","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5854690-2d1abb7bee431ffb4cae0c21a920e45a/thumbnail_1671000.jpg","/articles/5976374/Ohio/Public-and-mayor-clash-over-citys-planned-electric-aggregation-vendor-council-advances-related-measures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976374-35284900d7c26f909c76679b0d0251f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775158639&Signature=G3CHZ481B9U63OhTiSfkCmCOdkoo2ZhkV28~~ltdywAGU6gvAYQbGh6aO-AIKFRyx3wgqKWHLSohSNDWUNUz6u9rkFQxZYfGFLumdtgeUKyRYEIM3wG~FQ9g~LiwAHYOCRttVP2cuaDMa1qDCsV-gCxibLBSDyrfJAFB-wYsXbIJ4PKsbmUoCJAyV310NWsgtxqrLcsXG7p3Z9rza~tgHyKzl0N-XCs1~oempiWS9RsyAYmb7l~Ia6V~oiF-WumHryyKBwResnp-fp6b6TegXWYaOk9TzdJcI4Gi7nimsddCug9ow4amsKtbaEWJS-di4u6HJsyh~fyP6aQPUEkwCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tom Belish, president of Buckeye Energy Brokers, told the council on Sept. 22 he supports municipal aggregation but raised ethics and procurement concerns about the city’s proposed agreement and the lack of a named company in the packet.
“On the PUCO's website, every aggregator is required to be certified and that that group is not certified,” Belish said, and he criticized past practice in which one firm repeatedly won contracts without a request-for-proposal process.
Belish also raised concerns about Mark Fry, identified in his remarks as the mayor of Sylvania and a consultant tied to multiple long-term aggregation contracts, saying that Fry’s firm won repeated awards without competitive procurement while Fry served as a councilman. “He may not have voted on something, but he's not obviously can't completely recuse himself because he's the consultant,” Belish said.
Mayor Matthew T. Starr and other administrators responded in the meeting, defending the council’s choice of a municipal-focused aggregator. “There’s a reason that we chose to go with ... Palmer Energy,” Mayor Starr said, saying municipal aggregators specialize in serving the public sector and that the city is seeking price stability as a five-year contract ends.
Council actions: Resolution 2025-93, authorizing the safety-service director to enter into the city's governmental aggregation program participation agreement, received a second reading on Sept. 22. Resolution 2025-99, authorizing amendments to the city's electric aggregation plan of operation and governance, received its first reading. Neither measure was adopted at the meeting.
Clarifying details from the meeting: Belish said Mount Vernon residents were previously shielded from rising capacity rates under a 4.69¢ rate through December (no year specified), and he asserted Buckeye Energy was the first certified broker in Ohio for natural gas and electric markets. He provided the council documentation of prior contracts and requested the packet be reviewed for ethics concerns.
Discussion vs. decisions: The council advanced related items through required readings—one resolution received a second reading and one received a first reading—but took no final vote to adopt aggregation contracts or amend the plan on Sept. 22.
What’s next: The council scheduled follow-up action; one aggregation ordinance/resolution was noted for a potential special meeting the following week if quorum and timing requirements are met.","A broker raised concerns about the city's proposed electric aggregation arrangement and possible conflicts involving a longtime consultant; the council moved two aggregation-related resolutions forward but did not adopt them.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5976379,"Resident urges delay, stricter rules for Mount Vernon cybersecurity ordinance after 2022 ransomware",468,1370000,1838000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5854690-2d1abb7bee431ffb4cae0c21a920e45a&start=1370&end=1838","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5854690-2d1abb7bee431ffb4cae0c21a920e45a/thumbnail_1370000.jpg","/articles/5976379/Ohio/Resident-urges-delay-stricter-rules-for-Mount-Vernon-cybersecurity-ordinance-after-2022-ransomware","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976379-52a4e29c1480a2d409f9d70d83478ec9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775158639&Signature=NJr7yGD~e8TAw2bYf51yj-oGefzPnvDRaBl~N2yiscyb3DC7~RPvIjsA85TGjuKCcU5U5-zSESTa8H-G31fWrSTCWeBwKtDDvSWwraKvqq2iAvpsIgRyx3HkomptgAJ6yzrdGD58hnBhcoudzU7h1~lkDHJYtfwxpPe3oxOK1YgmCvefkGA41WAOVuYRgJ3B3DQKWTc99UVu9XCCC4YFCOlzgruo8ujoJnd7LUZfDm-GQYnFS6PWoSSXQvq2npQM3iDUxcNFr61E7VbYzkYp9BeK00pHxNczlqf1BIus05XayoTuCTzwDgSarTTVnEDieooYRKL6WneX8tnb91fvbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Joshua Morrison, a Third Ward resident, told the Mount Vernon City Council on Sept. 22 that the city’s proposed cybersecurity ordinance lacks clear timelines, enforcement and public-notification requirements and should be revised before taking effect.
Morrison said the city suffered a ransomware attack in December 2022 attributed to the LockBit group and criticized the city’s response and the proposed ordinance’s provisions. “Backups were attacked as well. Complete data was lost. Recovery was delayed,” he said, and added that a $24,000 bitcoin payment was authorized through a third party to retrieve city data but that “we don't know what we got for it.”
The ordinance under consideration is framed to comply with Ohio Revised Code section 9.64. At the meeting, Council Member Mahan gave the ordinance a second reading and indicated the council would be prepared to vote at the next meeting unless members request more work: “If you have questions, and wanna have an additional meeting, please let us know. But at this point, we'll be ready to vote at the next meeting,” he said.
Morrison urged tighter deadlines for incident reporting and stronger enforcement: the draft allows incidents to be reported up to seven days after an attack, he said, while the auditor of state must be notified within 30 days. “If you've ever had your identity stolen, that is way too long to start your cleanup efforts,” he said, and recommended notifying state and federal agencies within 24 hours and adding multi-factor authentication, patching, training and public communication plan requirements.
Morrison also raised concerns about the ordinance’s secrecy provisions and the ordinance’s emergency clause and effective date. He said the new ORC 9.64 goes into effect soon but that the city’s local ordinance “doesn’t have to go into effect until 07/01/2026” and that the council should “take the necessary time to get it right.”
Discussion vs. decision: the council completed a second reading of Ordinance 2025-28, “An ordinance adopting a cybersecurity policy for the city of Mount Vernon, Ohio in accordance with Ohio Revised Code 9.64 and declaring an emergency.” No vote to adopt the ordinance occurred at the Sept. 22 meeting; council members indicated they expect to take final action at the next meeting unless further questions are raised.
Clarifying details from the meeting: Morrison said the ransomware incident was officially listed as starting on Dec. 19, 2022, while some city employee emails suggest Dec. 15; he stated an outside contractor was the point of attack; he said a $24,000 bitcoin payment was made through a third party but said it was not clear who ultimately paid the ransom (city, vendor insurance, or other).
Why it matters: the ordinance sets the city’s procedural and reporting framework for cyber incidents and will affect how quickly residents and state authorities are notified and how the city enforces vendor and employee cybersecurity obligations.
What’s next: council members indicated the ordinance will be eligible for a final vote at the next meeting unless they request additional committee review. The ordinance remains under discussion; no formal adoption occurred Sept. 22.","A resident criticized the proposed cybersecurity ordinance, citing gaps in the city's response to a December 2022 ransomware incident and urging clearer deadlines, reporting requirements and enforcement before the ordinance takes effect.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council hears report of vandalism and possible camera tampering at Hiawatha Park; photos to be circulated

City says Safe Routes to School project will add sidewalk on Martinsburg Road; construction slated for FY2026

Council adopts resolution to apply for OPWC funding for Crystal Avenue water main extension

Public and mayor clash over city's planned electric aggregation vendor; council advances related measures

Resident urges delay, stricter rules for Mount Vernon cybersecurity ordinance after 2022 ransomware