Cheryl Splain

Correspondent at Knox Pages

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Articles

Former Faith Life Church members attend Keesee arraignment to support victims

15 hours ago | knoxpages.com | Cheryl Splain

MOUNT VERNON - Two former Faith Life Church members attended the arraignment of a former church official Wednesday to show support for the alleged victims. They came away comfortable with the $2 million bond set for Gary Thomas "Tom" Keesee Jr., who resigned in 2024 as the church's chief media officer. Knox County Common Pleas Judge Richard Wetzel set the cash bond for Keesee during an arraignment in front of a packed courtroom.
Knox County judge sets $2 million cash bond for former Faith Life Church official

1 day ago | knoxpages.com | Cheryl Splain

MOUNT VERNON - Bond was set at $2 million Wednesday for a former Faith Life Church official charged with 27 sexual abuse counts, including 11 rape allegations. Knox County Common Pleas Judge Richard Wetzel set the cash bond for Gary Thomas "Tom" Keesee Jr. during an arraignment in front of a packed courtroom, an audience that included his parents, Gary Sr. and Drenda Keesee, co-pastors of the church based in New Albany.
Knox Community Hospital physician takes leave of absence after allegations of sexual impropriety

1 day ago | knoxpages.com | Cheryl Splain

MOUNT VERNON - A Knox Community Hospital physician has taken a leave of absence while the State Medical Board of Ohio investigates sexual impropriety allegations. The SMBO notified Dr. Frederick C. Carroll on March 12 that it is investigating whether to limit, revoke, permanently revoke or suspend his license based on a patient's allegations of sexual misconduct. According to Alice Hutzel, director of marketing and development for KCH, the leave of absence is temporary and voluntary.
Knox County commissioner says Keesee must make own decision about 'ability to serve'

1 day ago | knoxpages.com | Cheryl Splain

MOUNT VERNON - A Knox County commissioner Tuesday said Drenda Keesee must make her own decision about her ability to continue serving on the Board of Commissioners. "The Board of Commissioners has been asked to comment on the pending proceedings against Commissioner [Drenda] Keesee's son," Bill Pursel said in a prepared statement during the board's meeting. "This situation is personal to her, and the board will refrain from making any statements," he said.
Danville seeks $470K in grant money for waterline project

1 day ago | knoxpages.com | Cheryl Splain

MOUNT VERNON - Danville officials explained plans Tuesday to apply for grant money that would continue to fund replacing water lines on South Market Street. The village will apply for a $470,000 critical infrastructure grant through the Community Development Block Grant program. "The reason we're applying for this is our system was put in in the late 1950s," Village Administrator Joel Stachler explained at a CDBG meeting. "We've had a lot of major breaks throughout the years.
Arraignment set for April 23 in case against Faith Life Church official

3 days ago | knoxpages.com | Cheryl Splain

NEWARK - The former chief media officer for Faith Life Church will remain in the Licking County jail until his bond hearing and arraignment in Knox County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday at 1 p.m.Licking County detectives arrested Gary Thomas Keesee Jr. at his Johnstown home without incident on Friday. He was taken into custody on a warrant with two, first-degree felony rape allegations. He spent the weekend in the Licking County Justice Center.
Former Faith Life Church official indicted on 27 sexual abuse charges

3 days ago | richlandsource.com | Cheryl Splain

MOUNT VERNON — A former Faith Life Church official was indicted Monday morning on 27 sexual abuse accounts. A Knox County grand jury handed down the indictments against Gary Thomas Keesee Jr., which included 11 charges of first-degree rape. The church’s former chief media officer was also indicted on 11 counts of sexual imposition, a third-degree felony, and five counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, fourth-degree felonies. Keesee resigned his church post in August 2024.
Fredericktown's Chase Bell named 2024 Knox County Dispatcher of the Year

4 days ago | knoxpages.com | Cheryl Splain

MOUNT VERNON-911 dispatchers are vital in delivering critical services to Knox County residents 24/7, 365 days a year. To honor the "voices behind the headsets," the Knox County Board of Commissioners declared April 13 to 19 National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. A highlight of the week is revealing the Dispatcher of the Year, chosen by the dispatchers. For 2024, that honor goes to Chase Bell. A Fredericktown native, Bell joined the 911 staff five years ago.
COJFD again asks voters to pass replacement levy for operations

5 days ago | knoxpages.com | Cheryl Splain

CENTERBURG - The Central Ohio Joint Fire District is again asking voters in Milford and Miller townships and Centerburg village to pass a replacement levy for operations. The four-year, 5.295-mill replacement levy would generate $1,468,000 annually. The cost to taxpayers is $207 for every $100,000 in residential property valuation, up $63.33 from the current $143.67 valuation. Voters rejected the levy in November 2024 by a 51.94% to 48.06% margin.
Gary Thomas Keesee Jr. arrested on two counts of rape

6 days ago | richlandsource.com | Cheryl Splain

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story may be updated if more details become available. NEWARK — The adult son of the two leaders of the Faith Life Church was arrested Friday on two rape charges involving a minor. Gary Thomas Keesee Jr., 36, was arrested by the Licking County Sheriff’s Office. According to a press release from the sheriff’s office, the arrest warrant was for two counts of rape, both first-degree felonies.