A reclusive resident of Franklin County was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head in the parking lot of the Franklin County Law Enforcement Center about 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4.  The name of the 58-year-old white male  is still being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The City of Mount Vernon′s First Quarter Clean-up will continue through Saturday, Jan. 10. The city will offer access to an open-top dumpster at its maintenance facility on Holbrook St. (Spur 423), between Andrews and Grady streets. The dumpster access will be available 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. See the Jan. 8 edition of the Optic-Herald for more information.

Elections, local banks and a passing of the baton to new leadership in both the public and private sectors topped the list of news headlines for 2008. Read about the top stories from last year in the Jan. 8 edition of the Optic-Herald.

The National Weather Service confirmed that a tornado with winds of approximately 65 mph occurred  in Franklin Co. along CR SE4315 near the Good Hope Cemetery about 11:37 a.m. Dec. 27.

City Police Officer Brian Alcorn kicks in the door of a residence during drug raids on Tuesday, Dec. 30. Eleven people were arrested during the conclusion of a three month long investigation. See the full story in the Jan. 8 edition of the Optic-Herald.