MONROE, Ohio — Monroe City Council voted
5-0 Tuesday to stop using Flock Safety license-plate cameras, end the city’s contract when it legally can, and bar new spending on the system. The Ordinance directs the city manager to send Flock written notice of non-renewal, deactivate cameras in Monroe as soon as practical, stop collecting new vehicle data, and cut off the city’s access to the Flock platform. The ordinance also forbids future appropriations for Flock cameras, software, leases, maintenance, or similar services. Council first approved 23 Flock cameras in April 2024. A July 2024 amendment added $2,200 for two stand-alone poles. The contract runs 24 months and renews automatically unless the city gives at least 30 days’ notice. The ordinance takes effect immediately. It says the city must not break the existing contract and must end the agreement at the earliest lawful date. Mayor Keith Funk and Vice Mayor Christina McElfresh were absent. Voting yes were Council members Michael Graves, Todd Hickman, Tom Hagedorn, Jordan Brown, and Molly Cloyd. Residents split over privacy and public safety. Deborah Ridenour, a 20-year military veteran, urged Council to shut the cameras off. She said she took an oath to defend the Fourth Amendment and called the cameras a “digital dragnet” residents never consented to. Another veteran, speaking for the first time at Council, asked members to keep the cameras. He said they help solve crimes around the clock, deter offenders, and cost less than hiring more officers. He argued there is no reasonable expectation of privacy for a license plate on a public road and asked Council to put the question on the ballot if members were unsure.

Brian Curlis, a Monroe resident since 1999 and also a veteran, said public safety is a core job of local government. He cited Ohio Attorney General comments that license-plate readers help find violent criminals and missing children, and he said Monroe’s police chief previously told Council the system helped intercept someone coming into the city with a weapon. Austin T. said about 40 people had signed a petition to end the contract and that more could not attend because of work and bills. He said the cameras log more than plates — color, dents, bumper stickers — and can reconstruct where people go. He cited U.S. Supreme Court cases on location privacy and asked Council to pass the ordinance. Before the vote, Brown said Ohio law allows residents seek a referendum within 30 days if they disagree with an ordinance. He said cameras were installed by Council without a public vote, so Council should decide whether to keep them. Graves called it the hardest issue he has faced on Council. He said he trusts Monroe police but worries about what larger government could do with the data. Cloyd said the I-75 corridor is known for human trafficking and that the cameras can help in missing-person cases. She also said residents were “opted into something that they did not have a choice for” and favored a pause so the city can review how the data is used. The city manager has 10 days to give Council the contract, key dates, invoices since April 2024, and confirmation that non-renewal notice was delivered.

 

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(Image Courtesy: AI Photo Illustration)

COLUMBUS, Ohio--The Ohio Department of Education has released the state report cards for public school districts. Ross Local Schools, Lakota Local Schools, and the Talawanda School District achieved the highest scores of the county with a 4.5 out of 5 rating. Monroe Local Schools and Fairfield City Schools achieved a 4.0 rating. Hamilton City Schools, Edgewood City Schools and Madison Local Schools received a 3.5 score. New Miami Schools had a 3.0 rating, meeting state standards. The only district to fall below state standards was Middletown City Schools, which received a 2.0 rating with a "Needs support to meet state standards" designation. The district received only 1/5 stars in the Early Literacy and College, Career, Workforce, and Military Readiness categories.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has signed legislation sponsored by Butler County State Rep. Thomas Hall that creates new protections for first responders working at emergency scenes. House Bill 20, sponsored by Hall, R-Madison Township, and Rep. Phil Plummer, R-Dayton, creates a new offense of harassing an emergency service responder. Under the law, a person can be charged if, after being warned, they remain within 15 feet of a first responder performing official duties and either interfere with the responder's work or threaten the responder with physical harm. The legislation also increases penalties for obstructing official business. A violation that previously was a second-degree misdemeanor becomes a first-degree misdemeanor. If the violation creates a risk of physical harm to a first responder, it can be charged as a fourth-degree felony. The bill also expands the definition of an emergency service responder to include probation officers. “I'm grateful to see this commonsense bill signed into law,” Hall said. “It will directly increase the safety and wellbeing of our communities and our first responders by making sure they are able to do their jobs.” Hall represents Butler County and is a volunteer firefighter with the Madison Township Fire Department.

FAIRFIELD, Ohio — Fairfield Mayor Steve Miller resigned abruptly Monday night, telling City Council it was the hardest thing he has ever done, but it was time to step aside. “I’ve been around since 1997, and next year will be 30 years I’ve been in or around council,” Miller said. “And tonight, I am submitting my resignation as mayor. My time has come to an end.” Miller said he still loves the city and the job, but that in recent months he had started to lose the passion he once brought to the office. He said he had a long-standing rule of returning every call, email, and text within 24 hours and had stopped meeting that standard. “It doesn’t matter what everybody else does. It matters what I do,” he said. “I can just feel now that this time, I really need to retire for good, and it breaks my heart.” Miller is a lifelong Fairfield resident. He graduated from Fairfield High School in 1983 and from Capital University in 1987. He was first elected to City Council in 1997 as the Fourth Ward representative and later served as vice mayor. He became acting mayor in 2005 after the late Dr. Erick Cook resigned, and he was elected mayor in 2014. He said he will keep his home in Fairfield, spend more time in Florida during the winter months, and leave the work to what he called a strong council and staff. “Not one person gets anything done. It takes a team,” Miller said. He pointed to recent projects such as Riegert Square and Symmes Road as examples of work the current council completed. Miller submitted a letter of resignation effective immediately. He tearfully handed over his office keys, badge, and pin, and said he would personally pay to change the nameplates so the city would not have that expense. He said he was turning the role over to “my very capable and hopefully next mayor, Tim Myers,” and wished the city well. “I’ve given everything I’ve had to this city, and I’m very proud of what was accomplished as a group,” Miller said. “Farewell. Good night.” as he walked out the side door of the city building.

 

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Image Credit: City of Fairfield

Hamilton Police were investigating a rollover crash with injuries on Fairgrove Avenue (Ohio-4) by the Butler County Fairgrounds Thursday evening. Three people were hospitalized, including two men and a child. The road was shut down for several hours after the crash between a GMC Yukon and a Toyota Scion. 

(Photo Courtesy: Steve Ricketts)

The Butler County Fire Chief's Association will mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks with a ceremony at the Fallen Firefighter's Memorial in downtown Hamilton, next to the Soldiers and Sailor's Monument. The event will begin at 7:00, and will feature public safety officials honoring those who lost their lives in New York, Washington, DC, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
ROTC cadets at Miami University planned to run the steps at Yager Stadium to mark the anniversary.

A 16-year-old Madison Township resident has been charged in connection with a fatal traffic incident in Trenton last month that claimed the life of 16-year-old Mason Young. The juvenile driver turned himself in to the Trenton Police Department Thursday, accompanied by his parents and an attorney, police said. The incident occurred shortly after 10:30 p.m. Aug. 14 at the intersection of Dartmouth Street and Brampton Place. According to the Trenton Police report, two juveniles were riding on the trunk of a vehicle as it traveled eastbound on Dartmouth Street. When the vehicle accelerated from a stop sign, both juveniles fell from the trunk. Young was transported by CareFlight to Miami Valley Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. The other juvenile who had been riding on the trunk suffered serious injuries, according to police. The Trenton Police Department investigated the incident with assistance from the Butler County Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team. Following the investigation, police charged the juvenile driver with aggravated vehicular homicide, a third-degree felony; two counts of vehicular assault, fourth-degree felonies; and operation in willful or wanton disregard of the safety of persons or property, a minor misdemeanor. Police said the juvenile driver was released to his parents and is scheduled to appear in Butler County Juvenile Court later this month. 

 

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HAMILTON--The West Side Little League All-Stars returned home Sunday evening after an inspirational run at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Manager Tim Nichting told WMOH the team arrived in town around 8:00pm Sunday. A celebration for the team, which finished 4th in the world and U.S. runners-up, will come at a later date. The west siders lost their first game to eventual U.S. champ Henderson, Nevada, then put together a string of five straight wins in the elimination bracket, earning a spot in the U.S. Championship game Saturday. Nevada run-ruled Hamilton 12-2, and Japan scored three runs in the bottom of the 6th to take Sunday's consolation game 3-2. Sports bars and restaurants were full of fans cheering the team on, and Nichting says they definitely felt the support.

Photo Courtesy: ©Little League Baseball and Softball

HAMILTON, Ohio — The Voices of America Country Music Festival will have a new home beginning in 2027 at the Butler County Fairgrounds, organizers and local officials announced Monday. Festival founder Tyler Wogenstahl said the move keeps the event in Butler County after four years at VOA MetroPark in West Chester Township. “I’m proud to announce in the beginning of 2027, the Voices of America Country Music Fest will have a new home at the Butler County Fairgrounds,” Wogenstahl said. “We are grateful to the West Chester community for welcoming us and helping make our first four years of this festival possible.” He said organizers are applying lessons from previous years to strengthen planning, communication, accountability, and public safety. The fairgrounds site will allow an improved fan experience and camping for the first time, along with new opportunities for local businesses, tourism, and jobs. “This festival is built in Butler County, and its future is in Butler County,” Wogenstahl said. West Chester Township previously confirmed 2026 as the final year for the festival at its current location, citing growing demands, public-safety costs, property restoration, and what officials said was insufficient local economic benefit. Butler County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser called Monday “a great day” for Hamilton, Fairfield Township, and the county. He said hotels filled during past festivals and credited Sheriff Richard K. Jones with surveying possible sites by helicopter and concluding the fairgrounds could work. “It is possible, and as a result of that, it did happen,” Gmoser said. Commissioner Don Dixon said the Fair Board, led by Doug Turner, put the deal together. Dixon said the new revenue stream could help renovate aging fairgrounds buildings over time. “The dollars need to stay in Butler County, and those dollars can be used to renovate the whole area,” Dixon said. Hamilton City Manager Craig Bucheit said the city is excited to welcome thousands of visitors. “We’re confident that those visitors are going to have a significant benefit to our hotels, to our restaurants, to our small businesses,” Bucheit said. “It’s an opportunity for us to showcase to a lot of new faces all the great things that are happening in the city of Hamilton.” Sheriff Jones said negotiations began several days ago and a contract was signed last week. He said neither the county nor the city is putting up money. The Fair Board will receive payment under the contract; exact figures were not released Monday. Jones said no renovations are required to host the festival next year. Parking and traffic will be handled jointly by area departments. He described the first year as “organized chaos” but said fans typically arrive several to a car. Part of the fairgrounds sits in Fairfield Township, and officials there have been notified, Jones said.

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Hamilton’s West Side Little League All-Stars take the field Saturday afternoon for the United States championship at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa. The 3:30 p.m. game against Paseo Verde Little League of Henderson, Nevada, airs on ABC. The winner advances to Sunday’s World Series championship game. The loser plays in the third-place consolation game. Manager Tim Nichting spoke with WMOH after Thursday’s 7-1 win over Davenport, Iowa — a game that came just hours after West Side eliminated Alabama. “The biggest thing I’m gonna say, my biggest feeling is just pride, just pride,” Nichting said. “Pride in Hamilton, pride in my baseball team, glad I can make all these people in Hamilton happy. Wow, how humbling too that we’re actually in the USA Championship game. I mean, wow, humbling as can be.” West Side is making its sixth trip to Williamsport, more than any other program. Nichting has coached at West Side for 43 years. “A lot of pride in my team in Hamilton,” he said. “Been doing this for 43 years at Westside and, wow, just a crazy feeling that my little league team, our little league team in Hamilton is gonna be playing for the best team in little league in the USA.” The Iowa game followed a short night. Kids were in bed around 11:30 p.m. after the Alabama win and up at 7 a.m. They still scored four runs in the first inning.

Walker Osborne threw a complete-game four-hitter. “Walker threw the game of his life,” Nichting said. “Iowa had two really good hitters at the top of the order. He gave up a double to one of them, but for the most part Walker battled. It’s pretty crazy to get a complete game out of a six-inning game.” West Side has a day off before Saturday. Nichting said pitching should be fine. “We should be alright. We got Josiah Infante. He had a little sore arm last night, that’s why he only threw two, but we’ll have him and Bob Frazier and Leo Feltner. It’ll be three kids, and we like all three and hopefully they can get it done.” If the team reaches Sunday, Boone Treadway is available. Two more wins would make West Side world champions. “Hard to believe, two more wins we’re world champs,” Nichting said. “And we got the pitching to do it. I like the guys going Saturday. … Let’s go Hamilton.” The U.S. championship is Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on ABC.

 

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Photo Courtesy: ©Little League Baseball and Softball

MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — Cleveland-Cliffs announced Friday a $1 billion optimization project at its Middletown Works steel plant, supported by a rescoped $500 million U.S. Department of Energy award. Vice President JD Vance marked the announcement with a noontime speech at the facility in his hometown.

The total investment will be shared equally between Cleveland-Cliffs and the Department of Energy. The multi-year project is expected to begin in the coming weeks and be deployed over the next four years while steel production continues without interruption. Completion of the blast furnace rebuild is planned for the first quarter of 2030. The investment includes state-of-the-art upgrades to the blast furnace, advanced material handling infrastructure, and artificial intelligence-enabled process control technologies. A key component is construction of an advanced cogeneration facility that will capture and utilize blast furnace gas to generate electricity and steam for on-site use. Company officials said the upgrades will improve energy efficiency, reduce reliance on external power, lower operating costs, and boost operational reliability, productivity, and cost competitiveness. Middletown Works is Cleveland-Cliffs’ flagship plant for producing automotive-grade steels, particularly for exposed parts of cars, trucks, and SUVs. It currently produces approximately 3 million tons of raw steel annually. The project will preserve the facility’s steelmaking capacity and 2,300 jobs. At peak construction, more than 1,500 workers—including local union building trades—are expected to be employed. “Cleveland-Cliffs is making a decisive investment in the future of American steelmaking and manufacturing, going above and beyond a standard blast furnace reline, to include the most advanced technology available,” said Lourenco Goncalves, Cliffs’ Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Through our cooperation with President Trump’s Administration and the U.S. Department of Energy, we developed a project reliant on proven technology that improves operational efficiency and competitiveness. The DOE’s support for this project is a testament to the importance of preserving the blast furnace route to produce automotive-exposed grade steels in the U.S., while advancing American energy dominance. We thank President Trump, Vice President Vance, and Secretary Wright for their partnership. This investment strengthens domestic steelmaking, preserves 2,300 jobs and ensures that Middletown Works remains one of the premier steelmaking facilities in North America for decades to come.” Vance, joined by U.S. Secretary of Energy Christopher Wright and other federal and state elected leaders, delivered remarks highlighting the investment and the Trump Administration’s America First economic agenda. The plant holds personal significance for the vice president—his grandfather worked there for nearly 40 years when it was known as Armco Steel, a story Vance detailed in his memoir Hillbilly Elegy.

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(Photo Courtesy: Cleveland-Cliff's Facebook)

The West Side Little League All-Stars lose a heart-breaker to Nevada, falling 6-to-5 on a walk-off single by Hudson Cowley in the bottom of the 6th inning. Hamilton will play New England tomorrow at 3pm in the elimination bracket. Leo Feltner drove in two runs for Hamilton with an RBI single and Sacrifice Fly. Starter Boone Treadway pitched 3 innings, giving up 2 runs on 2 hits, striking out five batters on 68 pitches. Finn Dykes, Jack McAdams, and Walker Osborne also drove in runs for West Side.

©Photo Courtesy of Little League Baseball and Softball

 

HAMILTON, Ohio — The body of a 47-year-old Dayton man was recovered from the Great Miami River near the dam in Hamilton on Thursday, according to the Butler County Sheriff’s Office and Coroner’s Office. Sheriff Richard K. Jones reported that the Butler County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received a 911 call at approximately 11:42 a.m. on August 20 from a person who reported seeing what appeared to be a body in the river. Members of the Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response Services (ERS) Team arrived and recovered the deceased individual. The body was turned over to the Butler County Coroner’s Office, who has identified the man as Eric Blakley, 47, of Dayton. The preliminary cause of death is drowning, and the preliminary manner of death is accidental. An autopsy was conducted. The official time of death is listed as 1:11 p.m. Sheriff Jones issued a safety reminder following the recovery: “Never underestimate the power of moving water. The river may look calm on the surface, but strong currents and undertows can quickly pull a person under and make it extremely difficult to recover. If you are going to be in or around the river, always wear a properly fitted life jacket. It can save your life.” The Butler County Sheriff’s Office ERS Team is specially trained for water-related emergencies, including swift-water operations and recovery in strong currents.

 

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(Photo Courtesy: Butler County Sheriff's Office)

 

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa — Hamilton's West Side Little League All-Stars will open play Thursday at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, carrying both the Great Lakes Regional championship and a record for the most World Series appearances by any team. Manager Tim Nichting’s squad faces the Mountain Region champion at 2 p.m. at Howard J. Lamade Stadium. West Side will make its sixth trip to the World Series, the most in Little League history. Nichting tells WMOH the team arrived early in Williamsport and has already experienced the full whirlwind that comes with the biggest stage in youth baseball. “It’s kinda crazy and hectic the first few days,” Nichting said. “Getting your uniforms, they get all new bats, shoes, batting gloves… and the crazy part that people don’t really know is they all get interviewed and some of them gotta do a commercial. It’s a crazy world up here.”

The players took part in the annual World Series parade Monday night and have been signing small souvenir balls tossed up by young fans, then throwing them back. “My kids are having a ball,” Nichting said. Former major leaguer Steve Garvey served as master of ceremonies at one event. Nichting introduced himself, though he noted most of the 12-year-olds on the roster weren’t around when Garvey was a star. He is also hoping the group runs into Todd Frazier, who has been spotted in the area. After the initial excitement of new gear and media attention, the focus has sharpened. “Everything seemed to get honed in here the last couple days, focused on what’s at hand,” Nichting said. The team got a good night’s sleep and went to bed early ahead of the opener. Nichting likes what he has seen from his pitching staff and expects Boone Treadway to get the start Thursday. “This team, when we watch them, seem to take a lot of strikes, so we think Boone pounds the strike zone better than anybody… and he’s kinda had the hot hand too, so we’ll probably ride that hot hand.” The Mountain Region club looks solid on video, but Nichting said every team in Williamsport is capable. “We think we can compete with anybody here and, let’s hope we throw strikes and we should be alright tomorrow.” Support from the Hamilton area has poured in. Former major leaguers with local ties, including Aaron Cook, Ricky Stone, and other one-time West Side players, have sent messages. Manager Jim Tracy, a Hamilton product, also reached out. “Hamilton has a great history of its own players,” Nichting said. “Just awesome… love it to death, and just wanna thank ’em all for all the love and support.” Security around the complex is tighter than in past years. “They’re just protecting everybody’s kids,” Nichting said. “Sometimes it seems a little much, but the bottom line is they’re protecting everybody’s kids, so you can’t argue that.” The players have been outfitted with new helmets, bats, shoes, batting gloves, gloves, headbands and arm bands. “They’re living large, no doubt about it,” the manager said with a laugh. Nichting closed with a message to the home community: “Thank you to all of Hamilton for all their love and support… we’re proud to represent Hamilton, Ohio.”

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© Photo Courtesy of Little League Baseball

FAIRFIELD — The City of Fairfield has been awarded $40 million in federal funding for a major infrastructure project aimed at improving safety, reducing traffic congestion and strengthening rail transportation through Butler County. U.S. Sen. Jon Husted announced Thursday that he secured the federal funding for Fairfield’s Symmes Road Grade Separation project. The project will eliminate two at-grade railroad crossings at Symmes Road and North Gilmore Road by constructing an overpass that will carry traffic over a major rail corridor used by CSX, Norfolk Southern and Amtrak. The rail line sees nearly 50 trains each day. Symmes Road is a major east-west route through Fairfield, carrying more than 12,000 vehicles daily. City officials say separating vehicle and rail traffic will improve emergency response times, reduce congestion and eliminate the possibility of collisions at the two crossings. Husted said the project also will help support economic growth in the area. “This project is about making Fairfield safer and keeping people, products and the economy moving forward,” Husted said. “Separating road and rail traffic will reduce congestion and the risk of collisions, improve emergency response times and make it more efficient for students, families and workers to get where they need to go.” Fairfield Mayor Steve Miller called the federal award a transformational moment for the city and the region. For decades, the railroad crossings have been viewed as a barrier to safety, mobility and economic development. Miller said the federal funding gives Fairfield the resources needed to finally address the problem. The Butler County Transportation Improvement District has also been pursuing the project for more than three decades. Executive Director Dan Corey said eliminating the crossings will enhance safety and connectivity and benefit the community for generations. The project is also expected to support the area's growing logistics and distribution industry, with millions of square feet of new development currently under construction nearby. In addition to improving roadway traffic, the project is expected to create more than four miles of uninterrupted rail track north of Cincinnati's congested rail terminals. Officials say that will improve the movement of both freight and passenger trains through the region. U.S. Rep. Warren Davidson said the project has long been a priority for Fairfield because the crossings affect daily traffic, emergency response and businesses that depend on the corridor. The $40 million comes through the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program, a federal program supporting major rail infrastructure projects. Husted said he advocated for the Fairfield project in a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. The project is expected to improve public safety, reduce traffic congestion, strengthen rail operations and support continued economic development in Fairfield and throughout Butler County.

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(Image Courtesy: City of Fairfield)

WHITESTOWN, INDIANA--The West Side Little League All-Stars punched their ticket to the Little League World Series with a 6-0 win over LaGrange, Kentucky in the Great Lakes Regional Final. Boone Treadway pitched a complete game one-hitter, striking out nine batters to pick up the win. Hamilton scored all six runs in the first inning, highlighted by Josiah Infante's two out, two run homer. Hamilton will begin play in Williamsport, Pennsylvania on Thursday August 20, 2:00pm against the Mountain regional champion. 

(Image Credit: Chris Vogt, The Report Ohio)

HAMILTON — The west side Kroger was evacuated yesterday after someone made a comment to a store employee that was percieved as a threat.  Police came with a full response, and found the person who made the statement, which was determined to be misinterpreted, according to Police Chief Trent Chenoweth at the scene. No weapons were found, and no charges have been filed. The store re-opened around 6pm.

HAMILTON — Hamilton-based vertical farming company 80 Acres Farms announced Monday that it is winding down operations after failing to secure the financing needed to continue the business. In a statement, the company said it had made "an exhaustive effort to find a way forward" but ultimately could not obtain the capital required to keep operating. "For a decade, our team has proven that vertical farming can work at scale—building and operating indoor farms that ultimately supplied more than 18,000 retail locations across the U.S.," the company said. "Unfortunately, under current circumstances, we could not secure the capital required to continue that work." 80 Acres Farms has been one of the nation's leading vertical farming companies, producing leafy greens, herbs, microgreens and salad products inside climate-controlled indoor facilities using hydroponic growing systems. The company said its technology uses 100 percent renewable electricity and up to 95 percent less water than traditional farming. The Hamilton-based company expanded rapidly over the past decade, with its products sold in more than 17,000 retail locations nationwide. Just weeks ago, the company highlighted the advantages of indoor farming during a nationwide Cyclospora outbreak, noting that its closed-loop growing system eliminates many of the contamination pathways associated with outdoor agriculture.

The company thanked its employees, retail partners and the communities that supported its growth. "We have seen vertical farming's potential up close, and we still believe that this industry is just getting started, and that we have helped plant the seeds for generations of future harvests," the statement said. The announcement did not specify how many employees will be affected or provide a timeline for winding down operations. The company's headquarters are located at One Renaissance Center in downtown Hamilton.

 

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WEST CHESTER TOWNSHIP — The Voices of America Country Music Festival will not return to VOA MetroPark after its 2026 event, according to West Chester Township officials. The township announced Wednesday that it informed festival organizer Further Concepts and Investors, LLC, doing business as Further Festivals, in early June that it would not renew the license agreement for use of township property beyond next year. Officials said the advance notice gives organizers time to secure a new location for future festivals.

The original agreement included automatic renewals for the 2025 and 2026 festivals, but any events in 2027 or 2028 required mutual agreement between the township and festival organizers. After reviewing the event's continued growth, township leaders determined the current site is no longer the right long-term fit.

Township officials said hosting an event of the festival's size requires significant commitments for public safety, traffic management, operational planning and restoring the property afterward. The release also states the festival "has not produced a measurable local economic benefit sufficient to offset these impacts."

Despite the decision, West Chester thanked festival organizers, first responders and community partners who have helped make the event possible over the years. Township officials said they remain committed to working with Further Festivals and regional partners to ensure the 2026 festival is held safely and in full compliance with the existing license agreement.

The township's announcement does not indicate where the festival may relocate after 2026, and organizers have not announced future plans.

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(Image Courtesy: Voices of America Festival)

FAIRFIELD — Law enforcement agencies across Butler County received a major boost in life saving equipment Wednesday as Project Heart ReStart donated 90 Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) valued at $175,500. The donation, part of Phase Six of the ongoing community initiative, was announced at a ceremony held at 10 a.m. at the Fairfield Community Arts Center, 411 Wessel Drive. Speakers included Steve King, chair of the Project Heart ReStart Committee, and Chief Pat Carr, president of the Butler County Chiefs of Police Association. The gift was made possible through a partnership that includes The Christ Hospital Health Network, Mercy Health, UC Health, TriHealth, Premier Health, the Medical Staff of Mercy Fairfield, Kettering Health, Cintas, Zoll Medical, and the Rotary Clubs of Cincinnati, Fairfield, Oxford, and Middletown. Project Heart ReStart launched in 2023 in the wake of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin’s high-profile cardiac arrest during a game in Cincinnati. The effort focuses on equipping first-responder vehicles with AEDs so defibrillation can begin as quickly as possible when someone suffers sudden cardiac arrest. In its first phase, the committee worked with the Rotary Club of Cincinnati, Zoll, Cintas, Hamilton County Commissioners, Cincinnati hospital systems, and community donors to raise $260,000 and place 130 AEDs in every Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office cruiser.

Across six phases, Project Heart ReStart has now raised more than $1 million and distributed nearly 634 AEDs. The devices are in service in Hamilton, Butler, and Clermont counties in Ohio; Boone, Kenton, Campbell, Pendleton, Grant, Mason, Robertson, and Gallatin counties in Kentucky; and Ripley and Franklin counties in Indiana. Organizers note that having an AED available at the scene of a cardiac emergency can raise the chance of survival from roughly 10 percent to as high as 40 percent. Wednesday’s donation expands that coverage deeper into Butler County, putting additional life-saving tools directly into the hands of local officers who are often the first to arrive when every minute counts.

HAMILTON — Standing amid hay bales, American flags, and the towering Ferris wheel of the Butler County Fair midway, Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy told supporters Tuesday that the heart of Ohio — and the country — runs through places like this.

Campaign signs reading “VIVEK FOR OHIO — LOWER COSTS. BIGGER PAYCHECKS.” lined the stage as Ramaswamy, in a blue button-down shirt and baseball cap, pointed into the crowd with a microphone in hand.

“It’s like coming back home,” Ramaswamy said. “I actually grew up in Butler County. I was born and raised off Tylersville Road.” He noted his father worked at the GE plant off I-75 and spotted his first-grade teacher, Mrs. Hendel, in the audience, recalling a recent visit with his own children to Evendale Elementary. Ramaswamy framed the November election as the most consequential governor’s race in state history and drew a direct contrast with his Democratic opponent, former Ohio Health Director Amy Acton. He called the choice one between “the most conservative governor we have ever seen” and “the first socialist governor Ohio has ever had,” referring to Acton as “the Anthony Fauci of Ohio.” He criticized Acton’s role during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying public schools were closed for nearly two years while private schools, including St. Xavier High School where he later attended, closed for only five days. “Those kids in the public schools… will never get those two years of their education back,” Ramaswamy said. “Now the Democrats preach about inequality — well, they caused that inequality.” Ramaswamy pledged to bring high-paying jobs to Ohio, end sanctuary city policies (including in Cincinnati), support law enforcement, lower electric bills through expanded energy production, aggressively fight Medicaid fraud, and deliver lower costs, bigger paychecks, and better schools.

Property Taxes, Income Taxes, and Government Spending

Answering questions from the crowd, Ramaswamy called property taxes “insanely high” and “unacceptable.” He blamed post-COVID federal spending for inflating home values on paper, leaving many residents — especially those on fixed incomes — with far higher tax bills. His plan, he said, would reset the property tax base to pre-pandemic levels within the first six months of 2027 and then cap growth, describing it as “the biggest property tax cut in the history of the state of Ohio.” He insisted the reduction could be achieved without cutting funding for police, fire, or schools by targeting waste, fraud, and abuse. Ramaswamy also restated his goal of making Ohio a zero state income tax state. “You get to keep what you earn. It is your money, not the government’s,” he said, arguing it would attract investment while cutting red tape for small businesses. He noted Ohio’s 88 counties and roughly 2,000 taxing authorities as examples of excessive government. On the state budget surplus and gas tax, he said any extra revenue should return to taxpayers through property tax relief or lower consumer taxes. He highlighted an estimated $4.7 billion that could come back to Ohioans by cracking down on Medicaid fraud, pointing to a Tennessee model and recent discussions with federal officials.

Schools, Crime, Abortion, and Election Integrity

On education, Ramaswamy argued the biggest problem is not funding but the erosion of standards. He proposed requiring every Ohio high school graduate to pass the same civics test given to legal immigrants and ending social promotion so third-graders who cannot read do not advance. “Passing a kid along like a widget on an assembly line isn’t compassion, that is cruelty,” he said. He told a retired educator that he supports rethinking Ohio’s school funding formula to include a stronger statewide component, which he said could ease local property tax pressure while raising performance standards. On public safety, Ramaswamy blamed activist judges and prosecutors for releasing repeat violent offenders on low bond. He pledged greater transparency and accountability, noted the recent endorsement of the Fraternal Order of Police, and said the state should rebuild psychiatric hospitals so county jails are no longer the primary form of mental health care. Ramaswamy described himself as “as pro-life as they come” and called Acton “the single most pro-abortion governor the state of Ohio has ever seen,” criticizing the use of state dollars to fund Planned Parenthood. He said he would instead support crisis pregnancy centers.

He also urged support for Issue 3 on the November ballot, which would require government-issued photo ID to vote and place the requirement in the state constitution. “There aren’t that many 80-20 issues in politics — this is one of them,” he said. An 18-year-old asked about Flock cameras. Ramaswamy expressed concern about the growth of a surveillance state in the AI era, saying America should not compete with China by becoming more like it. He again tied the issue to Acton, claiming she had overstated COVID risks and supported expanded government power. Throughout the appearance, Ramaswamy mixed personal stories with policy proposals and closed by urging Butler County residents to vote and bring others with them. “If you all come out and vote… I promise you that my family and I, we will do our part to make sure that Butler County’s best days, Ohio’s best days, and through Ohio, America’s best days are actually still ahead of us.” The fairgrounds setting — carnival rides, campaign signs, and local supporters in red shirts — underscored Ramaswamy’s effort to root his statewide campaign in the southwest Ohio community where he was raised while drawing a clear contrast with Acton’s record as the state’s former top health official.
 

(Editor's Note: AI-Assisted Copy)

 

Butler County commissioners are moving forward with an appeal of a Board of Zoning Appeals decision that favored Garver Family Farm Market, escalating a months-long dispute over whether the popular farm market and winery qualifies for Ohio's agricultural zoning exemption. Commissioners Don Dixon and T.C. Rogers voted Monday to authorize the Butler County Prosecutor's Office to challenge the March decision, while Commissioner Cindy Carpenter voted against the resolution.

The county argues Garver's new building is primarily used for commercial activities—including a deli, coffee shop, bar, retail sales and entertainment—and therefore should not qualify for an agricultural exemption under the county's rural zoning regulations.

The resolution also states county records show no zoning certificate, occupancy approval or permits were issued for a public assembly or entertainment venue and notes testimony from the local fire chief that the building lacked a certificate of occupancy and fire suppression system. Garver Family Farm Market strongly disputes those claims. Following Monday's vote, the farm posted on Facebook that two commissioners had voted to continue pursuing legal action despite previously expressing support for the business. The farm later accused county officials of "wrongful use of power and targeted harassment," calling the legal battle "a coordinated attack." The latest developments come four months after the Butler County Board of Zoning Appeals voted 4-1 to overturn the county's zoning violation. During that hearing, board members heard testimony from architects, agricultural experts, farmers and community members supporting Garver's position that the operation qualifies as an agricultural and viticultural business under Ohio law. In a Facebook post after that March ruling, the Garver family said county employees had reviewed its construction plans, attended its grand opening and knew of the farm's plans long before the zoning dispute began. The family maintains its farm market, winery, deli and other attractions are permitted components of a working agricultural operation. The appeal now moves into Butler County Common Pleas Court, where a judge will determine whether the Board of Zoning Appeals correctly interpreted Ohio law.
(Editor's Note: AI-Assisted Copy)
(Image Courtesy: Garver Family Farm Market)

MASON — Carter Lumber has confirmed that one of its employees was killed in a shooting today at the company's door manufacturing facility on Reading Road in Mason. In a statement, the company says law enforcement responded immediately and remains on the scene. Carter Lumber says it is fully cooperating with the investigation and is providing assistance to authorities. The company says it is not releasing additional details while the investigation remains active and out of respect for those affected. Carter Lumber extended its condolences to the employee's family, loved ones and coworkers, saying its focus is on supporting employees and everyone impacted by the tragedy. Police have not yet released additional information about the shooting or identified the victim.

(Editor's Note: AI-Assisted Copy)
(Image Courtesy: Google Maps)

FAIRFIELD — The Butler County OVI Task Force will conduct a sobriety checkpoint tonight in Fairfield. The checkpoint will operate from 7 until no later than 10 p.m. on northbound U.S. 127, or Pleasant Avenue, at Symmes Road. The checkpoint is part of the task force's ongoing effort to reduce alcohol- and drug-related crashes, injuries and fatalities. Motorists who suspect an impaired driver are encouraged to call 911 or pound-677. The Butler County OVI Task Force is funded through grants from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Ohio Department of Public Safety. 

(Editor's Note: AI-Assisted Copy

FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP — Fairfield Township police have identified the motorcyclist killed in an early Friday morning crash as 29-year-old Kenneth McConnell of Ross. Police say an officer found the motorcycle on its side in the median of State Route 4 near Headgates Road around 1:50 a.m. McConnell was located unconscious nearby and was taken to UC West Chester Hospital, where he later died. Investigators say the preliminary investigation indicates the motorcycle's tires entered the grass median before returning to the roadway. The motorcycle then went back into the median, where the rider lost control and was thrown from the bike. Police say McConnell was not wearing a helmet. The crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Fairfield Township Police Department Communications Center at 513-785-1300. 

(Editor's Note: AI-Assisted Copy)