Several counterfeit $100 bills were passed in Mount Vernon on Thursday, Jan. 8. According to Mount Vernon Police Sgt. Tyler Banister, individuals have been disguising $5 bills as $100 bills. They are not being discovered in a cursory inspection.

The suspect in the murder of Rabeca Kemp has been identified as Arsenio Desmond Petty. He is a 20-year-old black male and a warrant was issued for his arrest on Sunday, Jan. 11.

The Kick-off Rally for the Relay For Life of Franklin County is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 20, at the Harvest House. Dr. Don Huffstetler, cancer survivor, will be the featured speaker for the “Entertainment Tonight” theme. He will speak about his experiences during his battle with cancer to encourage others to “celebrate, remember, fight back, and hope” for a cancer-free world.

The Downtown Business Association conducted a drawing for two $50 Downtown Dollar gift certificates that can be utilized at participating downtown merchants. Chris Mars was the winner of one of the certificates and picked up his prize on Tuesday, Dec. 22. Mary Hicks was the winner of the other certificate.

The eighth annual “Unity March” in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is set for Monday, Jan. 19. Participants will gather at 9:30 a.m. at the Denton Baptist Church to begin their march to the downtown courthouse.