HAMILTON, Ohio — Three men were arrested following a fight Saturday afternoon during a youth football championship event at Virgil Schwarm Stadium in Hamilton. Hamilton Police Sergeant Brian Ungerbuehler confirmed the arrests to WMOH Monday and provided redacted arrest reports detailing the incident. Those arrested were Davonte Dylon McCleskey, 34, of Dayton; Donyae Desmund Turner, 28, of Cincinnati; and Deshawn Marchal Pickett, 31, of Cincinnati. All three face disorderly conduct charges involving fighting or threatening behavior. According to police reports, officers responded to a large fight in the parking lot near the football field. One officer reported seeing Turner on the ground fighting with another individual. Police say Turner continued fighting as officers attempted to separate the two, prompting officers to use pepper spray. Turner was detained and later evaluated by Hamilton Fire Department medics following the use of the spray. Police also reported witnessing McCleskey actively fighting with others. He was detained and transported to police headquarters for booking. Pickett's arrest report lists a disorderly conduct charge but does not include a narrative describing his alleged involvement. The altercation occurred during the 2026 Youth Football Super Bowl, hosted by the Hamilton Saints Youth Football and Cheer Organization. In a statement posted on Facebook, the Saints condemned the behavior of adults involved in the incident, saying those individuals were not affiliated with their organization. The Saints said the event should have been a celebration of the accomplishments of young athletes who worked throughout the season to reach the championship games. “It's extremely disappointing when the actions of adults take attention away from the children who have worked tirelessly all season,” the organization said. The Saints emphasized that youth sports should teach discipline, teamwork, respect and integrity, and that adults have a responsibility to set a positive example. The organization also thanked Hamilton Police and Hamilton City Schools for their response and cooperation. Hamilton City Schools previously confirmed the event was privately organized and was not affiliated with Hamilton High School or its athletic department. No Hamilton athletes or school personnel were involved. The remaining championship games were canceled because of safety concerns. McCleskey and Turner are scheduled to appear in Hamilton Municipal Court Tuesday, November 10, at 8 a.m., according to their arrest reports. No court date was listed for Pickett.

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MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — The Butler County Coroner's Office has identified the woman found dead inside a vehicle Thursday afternoon in Middletown. The victim is 43-year-old Samantha Victoria Kelly of Middletown. According to the coroner's office, Kelly died from a gunshot wound. Her death has been ruled a homicide. Middletown Police responded to the 4000 block of Tytus Avenue around 4:35 p.m. Thursday, November 5, to conduct a welfare check. Officers discovered Kelly inside a vehicle with fatal injuries. Following an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death, police arrested 51-year-old Darwin Malcolm. Malcolm is charged with murder, tampering with evidence and gross abuse of a corpse. Police have not released a possible motive or disclosed the relationship, if any, between Malcolm and Kelly. The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective T. Ballinger at 513-425-7741, Middletown Police dispatch at 513-425-7701, or terry.ballinger@cityofmiddletown.org.

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FAIRFIELD, Ohio — Fairfield City Schools Superintendent Billy Smith says difficult decisions lie ahead after voters narrowly rejected the district's proposed earned income tax for the second time this year. Unofficial results from Tuesday's election show approximately 52 percent of voters opposed the levy, while 48 percent supported it. The district sought a 1.25 percent earned income tax for five years. A similar proposal rejected in May had no sunset provision. In a statement following Tuesday's election, Smith acknowledged the disappointment felt throughout the district. “I know this morning brings disappointment, worry, and broken hearts among staff, students, and community members across our District,” Smith wrote to employees. Smith said the district's financial challenges remain unchanged despite the election outcome. Fairfield Schools has already implemented approximately $5.7 million in reductions for the current school year. Without additional revenue by the end of this school year, the district faces approximately $11 million in further reductions beginning with the 2027–2028 school year. Those potential cuts would affect staffing, student services, academic programs and other opportunities.

In a message to families, Smith acknowledged the uncertainty facing students, parents and employees. “We will continue to communicate openly about our financial circumstances and the decisions ahead,” he said. The superintendent and district Treasurer Jay Phillips plan to discuss the next steps during the November 12 Board of Education meeting. Options under consideration include the possibility of another ballot issue in May.

The defeated proposal would have taxed earned income, including wages, salaries and self-employment income, but not Social Security benefits, most retirement income or investment earnings. District officials had argued that the five-year expiration date would give voters an opportunity to reconsider the tax rather than approve a permanent levy. The district has not secured voter approval for a new operating levy since 2011. Tuesday's results remain unofficial pending certification by the Butler County Board of Elections.
 

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OXFORD, Ohio — Miami University has announced the largest philanthropic commitment in its 217-year history, with the Farmer Family Foundation pledging up to $100 million to the Farmer School of Business over the next decade. University President Gregory Crawford announced the commitment Thursday, saying the foundation plans to contribute $55 million during the next three years. The gift is also among the three largest donations to a public undergraduate business school in the United States, according to Miami. The announcement comes as the university reaches the $1 billion fundraising goal of its *For love. For honor. For those who will.* campaign. “We are incredibly grateful to the Farmer family and the foundation for their unwavering dedication to our university,” Crawford said. The investment will support student success, career preparation, emerging technologies and experiential learning. It also includes a $25 million matching gift intended to encourage additional contributions to the business school. Farmer School of Business Dean Jenny Darroch said the funding will help students develop skills that meet changing workplace demands, including artificial intelligence and data technology. The school plans to expand opportunities for professional certifications, mentorship, global learning experiences and individualized career preparation. The Farmer family's relationship with Miami dates back decades. Richard T. “Dick” Farmer, a 1956 Miami graduate who founded what became Cintas Corporation, and his wife Joyce, a 1957 graduate, made a cornerstone gift to the business school in 1992.

The foundation later helped finance construction of the Farmer School of Business building in 2005. A subsequent $40 million gift was, at the time, the largest in Miami's history.

Scott Farmer, executive chairman of Cintas and the son of Dick and Joyce Farmer, said the latest investment continues his family's commitment to the university. “Our parents were shaped by their time at Miami, and a love of the university was passed down to their three children,” Farmer said. The Farmer School of Business serves more than 5,000 students and ranked 14th among public institutions in the 2026 *Poets&Quants* undergraduate business school rankings. Miami says the new commitment will help prepare future business leaders while expanding opportunities for generations of students.
 

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BUTLER COUNTY, Ohio — Butler County Administrator Judy Boyko will retire at the end of November, only to return to the same position the following day under a new employment agreement. The Butler County Board of Commissioners approved Boyko's retirement and re-employment Tuesday, November 3, with both measures passing by 2–1 votes. Commissioners T.C. Rogers and Don Dixon supported both resolutions. Commissioner Cindy Carpenter voted against them. Boyko, who was hired March 6, 2019, will officially retire November 30 and return to work December 1. According to county documents, her retirement includes an estimated $76,153.82 in accumulated leave payouts. That includes $42,307.68 in vacation pay and $33,846.14 in sick leave. Under the proposed re-employment agreement, Boyko will initially retain an annual salary of $220,000. That salary will decrease to $198,000 following the first full pay period in February 2027. The agreement also provides 200 hours of paid personal time annually, continued employee benefits and participation in the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System's Money Purchase Plan for re-employed retirees. Boyko will retain broad administrative authority over county personnel, including hiring, firing, discipline and reassignment of employees, subject to county policies, budgets and applicable laws. The agreement does not specify a fixed expiration date. It states that Boyko will remain administrator as long as the county requires or desires her services and allows the county to terminate her employment at any time. Boyko has served as Butler County Administrator since 2019. The resolutions approving her retirement and re-employment were adopted during the commissioners' regular meeting Tuesday.

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MONROE, Ohio — Monroe City Council has voted to have the city's Flock Safety license plate cameras covered by November 6, reversing an earlier decision to leave the equipment untouched while awaiting removal by the company. Council voted 4-2 Tuesday night in favor of a motion by Councilman Todd Hickman to have the cameras “bagged.” Vice Mayor Christina McElfresh and Councilman Michael Graves opposed the measure, raising concerns about potential liability if the equipment is damaged. The latest action follows a September vote to discontinue Monroe's use of the automated license plate reader system amid concerns about privacy and the collection of vehicle information.

The issue also came up during Council's October 13 meeting, when Councilman Tom Hagedorn questioned whether the cameras were still operating. City Manager Larry Lester told Council that Monroe had sent Flock Safety a termination letter on October 7 and was awaiting further instructions from the company. Lester said Monroe Police were no longer using the system, but he could not confirm at that time whether the cameras were still collecting data. The cameras are solar-powered and remain supplied with electricity.

During that meeting, Hagedorn proposed covering the cameras until Flock Safety could remove them. Council members discussed using black trash bags, canvas bags or heavier contractor-grade bags. Acting Law Director John Roach warned that covering the cameras could expose the city to liability if the equipment were damaged. He also noted that he had not reviewed the city's contract with Flock Safety.

That motion failed 3-2, with McElfresh, Graves and Councilwoman Molly Cloyd voting against it.

At Tuesday's meeting, Lester said the cameras remain powered but have been decommissioned and are no longer collecting or storing data. The October 27 vote establishes a November 6 deadline for bagging the cameras. While the motion used the term “bagged,” the earlier Council discussion specifically involved placing coverings over the cameras while they remained mounted.

The equipment belongs to Flock Safety, which city officials have said is responsible for its eventual removal.

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Hamilton Police say two shootings reported Monday evening were unrelated, with investigators determining that one was a targeted incident and the other was an accidental, self-inflicted gunshot wound. The first shooting was reported around 6:22 p.m. Monday, October 26, when officers responded to reports of gunfire in the area of South Front Street and Pershing Avenue. Officers located an adult man suffering from a serious gunshot wound in an alley near the 100 block of Walnut Street. The victim was transported to a hospital, where he was reported to be in stable condition. Detectives spent Monday night and much of Tuesday canvassing the neighborhood, collecting evidence and interviewing potential witnesses. Police say a search warrant was served in connection with the investigation, and firearms were recovered. Investigators believe the people involved are young adults, although police say those identified so far have been less than cooperative. "Investigators are still working to connect the dots with the information they are receiving. This was not a random act, it was a purposeful and contained incident," said Hamilton Police Investigations Lt. Patrick Erb II. The investigation remains active. In a separate incident around 9:13 p.m. Monday, officers responded to the 1400 block of Shuler Avenue, where they found an adult woman suffering from a gunshot wound to her leg. She was taken to a local hospital and was also reported to be in stable condition. Following interviews and an investigation, detectives determined the woman's injury was accidental and self-inflicted.

Police say the Shuler Avenue incident is not believed to be criminal, and no charges are pending. Anyone with information about the Walnut Street shooting is asked to contact Hamilton Police Detective David Patterson at 513-868-5811, extension 1258.
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Miami University President Gregory Crawford is looking back on a decade of changes at the university, highlighting major investments in academic programs, research, campus facilities and workforce development as the institution marks 10 years since his inauguration. In a retrospective titled "A Decade of Distinction," Crawford credits Miami's students, faculty and staff with helping transform the university while maintaining its commitment to undergraduate education. "Reflecting on the past decade at Miami University, I am awed by the extraordinary dedication of our students, faculty, and staff," Crawford said. Among the most significant developments for Butler County is Miami's expanding presence on its Hamilton campus. The 375,000-square-foot Advanced Manufacturing Workforce and Innovation Hub opened earlier this year, bringing together Miami University, Butler Tech and OhioMeansJobs Butler County to provide training and workforce development opportunities. The university is also preparing to launch Miami University Polytechnic on the Hamilton campus. Approved by Miami's Board of Trustees in June, the new initiative is expected to welcome its first students in fall 2027. Miami estimates its annual economic contribution to Ohio at $2.3 billion. On the Oxford campus, major construction projects have included the $96 million Clinical Health Sciences and Wellness building, completed in 2023, and the McVey Data Science building, dedicated in 2024. The 85,000-square-foot McVey facility supports studies in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum computing and data science. The university also recently completed a $72 million renovation of Bachelor Hall, bringing several humanities departments together in a modernized academic facility. Healthcare education has become another major area of growth. Miami reports receiving nearly 4,000 applications for just 180 available spots in its nursing program for the 2026-2027 academic year. The university has also expanded its partnership with Cleveland Clinic and established new pathways for students pursuing medical careers through Northeast Ohio Medical University and The Christ Hospital.

The partnership with NEOMED includes an agreement to accept 20 Miami graduates annually into its Early Assurance Program. Crawford also highlighted the university's expanding Honors College, which has grown to nearly 2,000 students, far exceeding its original enrollment projection of 500. Environmental sustainability has been another priority. Miami reports reducing utility-related carbon emissions by more than 50 percent through building improvements, geothermal energy and conservation initiatives. The university has adopted a plan to reach carbon neutrality by 2040 for specified campus and transportation-related emissions. Earlier this year, Miami completed a major expansion of its geothermal energy system and dedicated the Mitchell Sustainability Park, featuring solar arrays installed above existing geothermal wellfields. The retrospective also recognizes Miami's relationship with the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, including the Myaamia Center's work to preserve and revitalize the tribe's language and culture. Looking ahead, Crawford points to the university's largest fundraising campaign in history. The "For love. For honor. For those who will." campaign has a goal of raising $1 billion by June 30, 2027. As of October 7, the university reported $877 million raised, including a $46 million bequest designated entirely for student scholarships. Crawford says the university's accomplishments over the past decade provide a foundation for continued growth. "The outpouring of support given to this campaign emphasizes the spirit of Love and Honor in our community," Crawford said. "Miami is grateful to our dedicated alumni and supporters who continue to demonstrate their support and commitment to the university, our faculty and staff, and students."

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FAIRFIELD, Ohio — Fairfield Police are investigating a suspected robbery-homicide after a man was found dead inside a jewelry store on Dixie Highway Tuesday afternoon. Officers were dispatched to Everest Jewelers at 6679 Dixie Highway around 12:54 p.m. Tuesday, October 20, following a report of a disturbance involving gunshots. When officers arrived, they discovered a deceased man inside the business. Police say the incident is being investigated as a robbery-homicide. Authorities have not released the victim's identity or provided information about possible suspects. The business describes itself as offering "traditional, cultural and modern Nepalese/Asian jewelries, gifts & household" items. Police have not disclosed whether any merchandise was taken or the circumstances surrounding the reported gunfire. The investigation remains active. Anyone with information is asked to contact Fairfield Police Sgt. Bryan Carnes at 513-867-6005.
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Three companies are seeking to open Hamilton's first marijuana dispensary, proposing locations on the city's west side that could bring new jobs, investment and hundreds of customers daily. But there's a catch: All three proposed locations are within a mile of one another, and Hamilton's recently adopted zoning regulations prohibit cannabis dispensaries from operating within that distance. That means only one of the three businesses is likely to receive the city's final zoning certification. The applicants are UpLift Dispensaries, RISE Dispensary Hamilton and BEYOND HELLO, all established operators in Ohio's cannabis industry. Hamilton City Council is scheduled to hold public hearings on all three applications Wednesday, October 28, at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers at 345 High Street. The proposals follow City Council's July decision to permit medical and adult-use marijuana dispensaries as conditional uses in certain commercial zoning districts, ending the city's longstanding prohibition on the businesses.

UpLift Dispensaries — 877 NW Washington Boulevard

Cascade Southern Ohio LLC proposes opening an UpLift dispensary in an existing commercial building at 877 NW Washington Boulevard, Suite C, immediately west of Shooters Bar & Grill. The company plans to renovate approximately 5,809 square feet of space formerly associated with the property's movie theater operation. UpLift describes itself as a locally owned, family-operated cannabis business that began operating in 2021. The company says it already operates two dispensaries in Ohio, with two additional locations under development. The proposed Hamilton location would become its fifth store.

Of the three proposals, UpLift projects the largest workforce, with 35 to 45 employees. The company estimates between 350 and 400 customers daily. Proposed operating hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week. The plans include 46 parking spaces, surveillance cameras throughout the building, armed third-party security during operating hours, silent alarms and secure vaults for cash and cannabis products. A fenced delivery area would be established at the rear of the building.

The company says its existing state dispensary license and experience operating other locations would allow it to move forward quickly if approved.
 

RISE Dispensary Hamilton — 845 NW Washington Boulevard

GTI Ohio LLC is proposing a new dispensary at 845 NW Washington Boulevard, on property behind the veterinary hospital and near El Mariachi restaurant. The company operates under the RISE Dispensary brand and already has six licensed dispensaries in Ohio, according to its application. Unlike UpLift, which would renovate existing space, RISE proposes constructing a new retail building on the approximately 2.41-acre property. The Hamilton location would employ approximately 20 people and could attract between 200 and 300 customers on busy days. Proposed operating hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. The company's plans call for extensive security measures, including around-the-clock video surveillance, restricted-access areas, covered windows and state-required tracking of cannabis products. The property currently shares driveway access with neighboring businesses, including the veterinary hospital, Legacy Martial Arts and El Mariachi. Traffic circulation and access arrangements would be subject to city review. The RISE proposal is especially close to UpLift's proposed location, putting the two companies in direct competition under Hamilton's one-mile separation requirement.
 

BEYOND HELLO — 1520 Main Street

Jushi RJK OH LLC, a subsidiary of Jushi Holdings Inc., proposes constructing a BEYOND HELLO dispensary at 1520 Main Street, immediately north of the intersection with Northwest Washington Boulevard. The property is currently an overflow parking area associated with the nearby Applebee's restaurant. Jushi proposes investing approximately $2.5 million to construct a new, single-story, 2,400-square-foot retail building with 33 parking spaces.

The company operates cannabis businesses in several states and says it already has seven dispensaries in Ohio. Its Hamilton location would serve both medical marijuana patients and adult-use customers. The project would employ approximately nine to 14 people, with an estimated 200 to 300 customers daily.

Recommended operating hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Jushi describes the development as an opportunity to transform an underused paved parking area into a new commercial business without displacing existing buildings or businesses.

How Hamilton will choose

All three proposals received recommendations for approval from the Hamilton Planning Commission following its September 17 meeting. However, those recommendations do not guarantee that any applicant will be permitted to open. Under Hamilton's zoning ordinance, cannabis dispensaries must be separated by at least one mile, measured in a straight line between the nearest points of the properties involved. When multiple applications fall within that distance, the city will certify only one location as complying with local zoning requirements. Priority generally goes to the first applicant receiving City Council conditional-use approval. If multiple applicants receive approval at the same Council meeting, priority goes to the application that was first submitted and accepted as complete by the city's Planning Department. The city also makes clear that Council is not required to approve any particular application. Even if multiple conditional-use requests are approved, only one applicant within the restricted area can receive the city's required zoning certification for state licensing. Hamilton's regulations also prohibit dispensaries within 1,000 feet of schools, licensed child-care facilities, youth centers or preschools, and within 500 feet of churches, public playgrounds, libraries and opioid treatment programs. On-site consumption is prohibited, and cannabis products cannot be visible from public streets or sidewalks.

Decision approaching

The applications represent three different approaches to entering Hamilton's newly permitted cannabis market: renovating an existing commercial space, developing vacant commercial property, or replacing an underused parking area with a new retail building. Together, the applicants project dozens of potential jobs and hundreds of daily customer visits, although those estimates are contingent on approval and operation. Council's first readings and public hearings are scheduled for October 28, with second readings scheduled for November 11. The outcome will determine which, if any, of the three companies gets the opportunity to establish a dispensary in Hamilton.
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Longtime Reily Township Trustee C. Nicholas “Nick” Schwab, whose public service in Butler County spanned more than four decades, died Oct. 1. Schwab, 83, served as a Reily Township trustee for 43 years and remained in office until his death. His service extended well beyond township government, including decades as a volunteer emergency medical responder and leadership positions in agricultural, township and community organizations at both the county and state levels. For Schwab, his attachment to Reily Township was also personal. In his township biography, he said his favorite part of living in Reily was its people. He also enjoyed the township’s open spaces and fresh air. Schwab spent 38 years as a volunteer National Registered EMT with the Reily Fire Department and served 27 years as a lieutenant with the Reily Township Volunteer Life Squad before retiring in December 2025. He was also an EMS continuing education instructor for the state of Ohio and a member of the Society of Fire Service Instructors. Schwab's involvement in township government extended to the state level. He was active in the Ohio Township Association and graduated from its Leadership Academy. He was also one of four township officials from across Ohio elected to the Ohio Township Association Risk Management Authority Board. Schwab was elected to a fifth term on the OTARMA board in 2025 and served at various times as chair, vice-chair and secretary. Locally, Schwab was a member of the Butler County Trustee and Fiscal Officer Association, where he had served as vice president, president and executive committeeman. Agriculture was another major part of Schwab's life. After earning a bachelor's degree in agriculture from The Ohio State University and taking postgraduate classes at Miami University, Schwab operated his family's Reily Township farm, raising beef cattle and hogs and growing crops. His township biography also noted his enjoyment of attending cattle shows around the country.

Schwab served as president of the Butler County Farm Bureau and the Extension Support Committee and was a past member of the Butler County Emergency Management Association Executive Committee. His agricultural and community work brought several honors, including the Butler County Farm Bureau's Golden Tractor Award, the Butler County Soil and Water Conservation District's Cooperator of the Year award and recognition as a Friend of Agriculture by the Butler County Farm Bureau. Schwab and his late wife, Carol, were also longtime supporters of Butler County 4-H and the Butler County Junior Fair. They received the Ed Zorn Memorial Family Extension Award in 2008 for their involvement with 4-H. Born Oct. 18, 1942, in Cincinnati, Schwab grew up in Colerain Township and graduated from Roger Bacon High School. He met Carol while attending Ohio State, and the couple married in 1965 before settling in Reily Township more than 50 years ago. They were married for 51 years before Carol's death in 2016. Schwab is survived by four sons, 12 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and a great-great-granddaughter, along with his siblings and extended family. A longtime member of St. Mary Church in Oxford, Schwab's Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Burial will follow at St. Aloysius Church Cemetery in Shandon. His family has requested memorial contributions be made to the Reily Township Fire and Life Squad or Shared Harvest Foodbank.

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Nearly 1,500 Butler County voters had already cast ballots by early Tuesday evening as voting began for the Nov. 3 general election. According to unofficial turnout figures from the Butler County Board of Elections, 1,485 ballots had been cast as of 6:10 p.m. Tuesday, representing 0.60% of the county’s 248,787 eligible voters. The Board of Elections’ party-turnout figures showed 550 Republican voters, 530 Democrats, 403 unaffiliated voters and two Libertarians had cast ballots. Early in-person voting opened Tuesday morning at the Board of Elections office at 1802 Princeton Road in Hamilton and continues through Sunday, Nov. 1.  Election officials are already preparing for heavier traffic as Election Day approaches. Beginning Monday, Oct. 19, northbound Hampshire Drive between State Route 129 and Princeton Road will be closed during early-voting hours because of expected high turnout.  Board of Elections Director Nicole Unzicker said the traffic plan was developed with the Butler County Sheriff's Office, Butler County Engineer's Office, City of Hamilton, Ohio Department of Transportation and county commissioners.During the closure, motorists traveling either direction on State Route 129 are being directed to Exit 18 at Bypass 4 and then to Princeton Road. Hampshire Drive will remain open southbound for motorists leaving the Board of Elections and returning to State Route 129.  Early voting hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through Oct. 23, with Saturday voting from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on October 24th. Hours expand during the final week, including evening hours and weekend voting. The final day of early in-person voting is Sunday, Nov. 1, from 1 to 5 p.m. There will be no in-person voting Monday, Nov. 2.  Voters can also cast absentee ballots by mail. Applications must be received by 8:30 p.m. Oct. 27. Mailed ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 2 and received by the Board of Elections no later than 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. Completed absentee ballots may also be returned directly to the Board of Elections or its secure drop box by 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3, Election Day.
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Two newly rebuilt rest areas along Interstate 75 in Butler County are now open following a $16 million investment in the facilities. The northbound and southbound rest areas are located just south of the Monroe exit. The former buildings were demolished and replaced at a cost of approximately $8 million each. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine joined state and local officials Monday to mark the opening of the new facilities, part of a statewide effort to replace aging rest areas while also using the stops to promote Ohio destinations. DeWine visited the southbound Butler County facility, where displays highlight attractions including the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Harriet Beecher Stowe House, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Findlay Market and Caesar Creek State Park. The facility also prominently features Cincinnati's American Sign Museum, with displays highlighting nearly a century of American signage. “In Ohio, the Heart of it All, our rest areas are not only a place for travelers to stop and stretch their legs, but also provide an opportunity to tell Ohio’s amazing stories,” DeWine said. The new Butler County facilities include amenities that go well beyond the traditional highway rest stop, including native Ohio plants, dog trails, rocking chairs and Storybook Trails where children can read a Dolly Parton Imagination Library book while walking a short trail with their families. Accessibility was also incorporated into the design. Family restrooms include universal changing stations with adjustable tables designed for people with disabilities or medical conditions and their caregivers. ODOT Director Pam Boratyn said the redesigned facilities are intended to serve as both safe stopping places and gateways to surrounding communities. “By providing cleaner, more accessible facilities with expanded truck parking, updated amenities, and features that highlight local attractions, we’re creating gateways that invite travelers to stop, explore, and support our communities and businesses,” Boratyn said. The Butler County project is part of a much larger overhaul of Ohio's highway rest areas. DeWine's plan calls for 36 new rest areas and upgrades to more than 40 others by the end of 2026. Two additional rebuilt I-75 rest areas have opened in Auglaize County near Wapakoneta. State officials say the redesigned facilities are also intended to promote tourism. Ohio recorded $58 billion in visitor spending in 2025, supporting more than 447,000 jobs. For Butler County, the $16 million project replaces both aging I-75 rest-area buildings along one of Southwest Ohio's busiest transportation corridors while giving travelers a new introduction to attractions throughout the region.
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Ohio motorists are being urged to keep a closer watch for deer as the state enters the months when the animals are most active — and collisions with them are becoming considerably more expensive. AAA Club Alliance says deer activity increases during the fall mating season from October through December, putting more animals on and near Ohio roadways. Chelsea Sick, spokesperson for AAA Club Alliance in Ohio, said drivers need to be particularly cautious around dawn and dusk. “Right now is fall mating season for deer,” Sick said. “We’re going to see more of those animals out on our roadways, crossing roads unexpectedly.” Sick said deer are particularly active between 5 and 8 a.m. and again between 5 and 8 p.m., times that coincide with morning and evening travel for many motorists. AAA recommends drivers reduce their speed and continually scan both sides of the road, particularly near wooded areas, ponds, streams, golf courses and locations marked by deer-crossing signs. Drivers should also remember that seeing one deer may mean more are nearby. “Deer often travel in groups, so if you see one crossing or standing near the road, others may be close behind,” Sick said. When there is no approaching traffic, high beams can give motorists additional time to spot an animal. Sick said the additional illumination can also reflect from a deer's eyes, making it easier to see. AAA advises motorists not to swerve if a deer suddenly enters their path. Leaving the lane can result in a more serious collision with another vehicle or roadside object. Beyond the safety risk, the financial consequences of hitting a deer have risen sharply. AAA data shows the average animal-strike insurance claim among its Ohio policyholders reached $7,424 in 2025 — approximately 45% higher than in 2020. Sick said much of that increase can be traced to technology now built into vehicles. Cameras, radar and driver-assistance equipment are increasingly located in areas frequently damaged in deer collisions, including bumpers, grilles, mirrors and windshields. “A lot of that technology is in the front of our cars,” Sick said. “Those are the areas most impacted by an animal strike, and so that's what's driving these costs up here in Ohio.” While most animal collisions result primarily in property damage, some have deadly consequences. According to figures cited by AAA from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, nearly 2,000 people were killed nationwide in crashes involving animals from 2015 through 2024, an average of 196 deaths annually. Seventy-three people were killed in animal-related crashes in Ohio during that period. If a collision with a deer does occur, AAA recommends motorists move their vehicle to a safe location when possible, turn on their hazard lights and contact law enforcement. Drivers should not approach an injured animal because it may behave unpredictably. Sick said motorists should also understand their auto insurance coverage. Damage caused by striking an animal is generally handled through comprehensive coverage rather than collision coverage. For the next several months, however, prevention begins with recognizing when and where motorists are most likely to encounter deer. “It's not just property damage that could really cost you. It could even cost a life,” Sick said. “Slowing your speed during those peak times, really keeping your eye on both sides of the roadways, is a really important step to keep your family safe.”

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Walmart is planning a more than $300 million investment in a new fulfillment center in Turtlecreek Township that is expected to create more than 300 jobs. REDI Cincinnati and JobsOhio announced the project Monday following Walmart’s purchase of nearly 100 acres in Warren County. The facility will be located at 760 Encore Drive and will specialize in larger, non-sortable merchandise such as televisions, furniture and other oversized items. The new center will expand Walmart’s fulfillment capacity in the region and place more inventory closer to customers, helping the company expand its next-day delivery network. “Greater Cincinnati has been an important part of Walmart’s operations for years, and this investment represents the next chapter in our commitment to the region,” said Karisa Sprague, Walmart’s senior vice president of Fulfillment Operations. “This new facility will complement our existing network, create hundreds of new jobs in Warren County and help us serve customers even faster by bringing more products closer to where they live.” The Turtlecreek Township facility will complement Walmart’s existing fulfillment operation at 650 Gateway Boulevard in Monroe. That facility employs more than 200 associates and will continue operating. Together, the two facilities will expand Walmart’s fulfillment operations in the region and create additional jobs in Warren County. “Warren County has established itself as a premier location for distribution and logistics, and Walmart’s investments in Monroe and Turtlecreek Township reinforce the strength of the I-75 corridor,” said Kimm Lauterbach, president and CEO of REDI Cincinnati. Turtlecreek Township Trustee Jonathan D. Sams said the project will bring new jobs and strengthen the local economy. “We’re proud to welcome Walmart to Encore Park and Turtlecreek Township,” Sams said. Warren County Commissioner Dave Young credited cooperation among the township, county, state, REDI Cincinnati and Core5 Industrial Partners for helping bring the project to Warren County. Walmart said it has nearly 60,000 associates and more than 175 stores, clubs and supply chain facilities across Ohio. The announcement adds another major logistics project to the growing I-75 corridor in Warren County.

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(Image Courtesy: REDI Cincinnnati)

MONROE — Garver Family Farm Market says Butler County is not finished with a yearlong zoning fight that a judge threw out last month. In a video released Wednesday, fifth-generation family member Alayna Taylor said they learned the Butler County prosecutor is appealing Common Pleas Judge Greg Stephens’ August 27 ruling. That order dismissed the county’s challenge of a March decision by the Board of Zoning Appeals, which voted 4-1 to let the market keep its agricultural designation. The farm at 6790 Hamilton-Lebanon Road (State Route 63) has been in the Garver family since 1926. A seasonal roadside stand that began in 1991 became a year-round market and Coldwater Creek Winery in 2024, with a commercial kitchen, deli, coffee service and wines from grapes grown on the property. County building and zoning staff issued a violation in 2025, arguing the building goes beyond a roadside farm stand and that much of the space is used for commercial food service and entertainment. The family says more than half of its income comes from produce, pumpkins, flowers, wine and agritourism — the threshold Ohio law uses to treat a farm market as agriculture-exempt. Taylor said county officials originally told the family the project was agriculture-exempt, that a commissioner attended the grand opening, and that problems did not surface until the market had been open about a year. A packed Board of Zoning Appeals hearing on March 17 lasted more than five hours. Opposition included the local fire chief and an attorney speaking for unnamed nearby property owners. After the farm won at the BZA, Zoning Administrator Dennis Dickard appealed. Commissioners voted 2-1 in late July to keep the case alive. Commissioner Cindy Carpenter dissented and has said family farms need room to adapt as development takes farmland. Judge Stephens did not rule on whether the market is agricultural. He found Dickard lacked legal standing to appeal a decision that went against the zoning office. Prosecutor Mike Gmoser has said the August ruling did not address what he calls public-safety merits and that the county is not pursuing a personal campaign against the business. A notice of appeal to the 12th District Court of Appeals was filed this week. Taylor said the first round of litigation already strained a farm with about 80 employees and that another appeal could end the business even if the family wins again. She asked customers to buy local produce instead of grocery-store substitutes, contact the prosecutor’s office and county commissioners, and attend Tuesday morning commission meetings at the Government Services Center in Hamilton. The farm’s annual Harvest Fest is Saturday, October 3. The prosecutor’s office and commissioners have not issued a new public statement beyond the court filing and Gmoser’s earlier comments that the dispute is about applying zoning and safety rules.

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(Image Courtesy: Garver Family Farms)

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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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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