WEST CHESTER TOWNSHIP — Firefighters battled a two-alarm fire Friday evening at Car Care & Wash on Cincinnati-Columbus Road after a vehicle fire spread into the business.

According to the West Chester Fire Department, crews were dispatched at approximately 5:28 p.m. for a reported vehicle fire at the car wash, located at 9743 Cincinnati-Columbus Road (U.S. 42). When firefighters arrived, they found the flames had extended from a vehicle into the structure. Crews launched an aggressive attack and were able to knock down the bulk of the fire, though suppression and overhaul operations continued into the evening. Several vehicles were involved in the fire, and heavy smoke was visible throughout the area as firefighters worked to extinguish remaining hot spots. Southbound U.S. 42 was closed near the scene while emergency crews conducted firefighting operations. Additional traffic restrictions were implemented as needed during the response. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

WEST CHESTER TOWNSHIP — Cleanup crews remained at the scene of a hazardous materials spill Friday after a truck released approximately 275 gallons of sulfuric acid near the intersection of West Chester and Barrett roads. West Chester Fire Department officials said a remediation contractor hired by the transportation company was on site conducting cleanup operations. Authorities said the spill was contained to the roadway and a nearby grassy area and had been successfully contained. Crews worked throughout the day to prevent the material from spreading and to safely remove contaminated material. Officials emphasized there was no danger to nearby homes, businesses, or the environment. The spill prompted road closures in the area while emergency responders and hazardous materials teams assessed the situation and began containment efforts. No injuries were reported. Motorists were urged to continue avoiding the area until cleanup operations were completed and roads could be safely reopened. The cause of the spill remains under investigation.

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Butler County property owners now have a new way to see exactly how their tax dollars are being distributed, thanks to an update to the county’s online property search system. The feature, announced by Butler County Auditor Nancy Nix, adds a detailed “Current Tax Distribution” tab to the county’s property search website at Butler County Auditor Property Search. The tool breaks down each individual levy within a taxing district, showing when it was passed, its gross and effective tax rates, and the total taxes tied to each levy. The feature is available for every property in Butler County. Nix called the update “a tremendous leap in public transparency,” noting that the information had previously been available but scattered across multiple reports that were difficult for residents to navigate. “While this information has been available, it was spread across multiple reports and was not easy to find. Now, it can be accessed with one click of a button,” Nix said in a statement. To use the feature, users can search their property through the auditor’s website, then select the “Current Tax Distribution” tab. From there, they can view a breakdown of levies tied to their property and taxing district. According to the auditor’s office, the tool may be especially helpful for residents trying to understand how many levies exist within a city, village, township, or school district, as well as how long those levies have been in place and what types of services they fund, including police, fire, roads, and schools. Officials caution that the totals shown in the new breakdown are calculated before any tax rollbacks or exemptions are applied, including owner-occupancy credits, non-business credits, or the Homestead exemption. As a result, the displayed totals may be higher than the final amount taxpayers see on their bill.

While the new tab provides expanded detail, residents will still find their traditional tax summary information and billing totals in other sections of the site. One piece of levy data—expiration dates—is not included in the new feature. That information remains available in the county’s DTE 27 Abstract of Tax Rates report, located under the “Reports & Publications” section of the auditor’s website. Nix said the goal of the update is to improve transparency and accessibility for taxpayers. “From the beginning, I have promised residents and taxpayers high-quality customer service along with honesty, transparency, and outreach,” she said. “This effort reflects those principles.”

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A man was fatally shot Thursday Night after West Chester Township police responded to an apartment complex following reports of a woman screaming for help inside a unit, according to a release from the West Chester Police Department. Officers were dispatched at approximately 9:50pm to an apartment on Zinnia Court at the Springs at West Chester after a neighboring resident called 911 reporting distress coming from inside the residence. Upon arrival, officers attempted to make contact with the occupants by knocking on the door and announcing their presence. Investigators said that based on information gathered at the scene and concerns for the welfare of potential occupants, officers forced entry into the apartment. During a protective sweep of the residence, officers encountered an adult male inside a bedroom. An officer-involved shooting occurred during that encounter. The male was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin. No officers were seriously injured in the incident. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation has been requested to conduct an independent review of the shooting, which officials said is standard procedure for officer-involved shooting cases. Butler County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser also has a policy that refers all police involved shooting cases to a grand jury for review. The investigation remains active and ongoing. Officials said additional details will be released when they can be disclosed without compromising the investigation.

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A Butler County man who stabbed a sheriff’s deputy after setting a vehicle on fire in Madison Township was sentenced Wednesday to prison. Butler County Common Pleas Judge Greg Howard sentenced 42-year-old Phillip Lovely to an indefinite prison term of eight to 12 years after he previously pleaded guilty to attempted aggravated murder and arson charges stemming from the February incident. According to court records, Lovely admitted to attempting to kill Butler County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Farthing and to setting his girlfriend’s vehicle on fire. Deputy Farthing, who has since recovered from his injuries, was in the courtroom for Wednesday’s sentencing. He was joined by fellow deputies, detectives and Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones in a show of support. Judge Howard imposed a mandatory prison term of eight years to a maximum of 12 years on the attempted aggravated murder conviction. Lovely also received a 12-month sentence on the arson charge, to be served concurrently. Court records show Lovely was given credit for 119 days already served in jail. He will also be subject to mandatory post-release control and must register as both a violent offender and an arson offender following his release from prison. 

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(Photo Courtesy: Butler County Jail)

A Cincinnati healthcare provider has been indicted on charges alleging he defrauded Ohio's Medicaid program out of more than $12 million. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced that a Butler County grand jury returned a 31-count indictment against 63-year-old Robert Haley of Cincinnati. Haley faces charges including engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, aggravated theft, Medicaid fraud, telecommunications fraud, tampering with evidence and 26 counts of forgery.

According to investigators, Haley owned and operated QIS LLC, a behavioral health clinic in Butler County. The Ohio Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit began investigating the business earlier this year after receiving a referral from the Ohio Department of Medicaid. Investigators allege that between January 2020 and May 2026, Haley was responsible for submitting more than 60,000 fraudulent Medicaid claims for services that were never provided, resulting in more than $12 million in improper payments. Authorities said the alleged scheme involved billing Medicaid for therapeutic behavioral services for children enrolled in after-school programs in Butler County. Family members told investigators they were unaware of the services and believed signatures on consent forms and service plans had been forged. Witnesses reportedly confirmed that no therapeutic behavioral services were provided. "This was complete fraud — top to bottom," Yost said. "I'm proud of our team of skilled investigators who put in the shoe-leather work needed to build and prosecute this criminal case."

Haley was arrested by Cincinnati police and transported to the Butler County Jail. He was scheduled to be arraigned Thursday afternoon in Butler County Common Pleas Court.

A 29-year-old woman was killed in a head-on crash Thursday morning in Hanover Township. Butler County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched around 6:52 a.m. to State Route 177 just south of Vizedom Road on reports of a serious injury crash. According to a preliminary investigation, a 2011 Kia Soul traveling northbound crossed the center line and collided head-on with a southbound 2011 Jeep Cherokee. Both vehicles sustained extensive front-end damage. The driver of the Kia, a 29-year-old woman, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her identity has not yet been released pending notification by the Butler County Coroner's Office. The driver of the Jeep, a 20-year-old man, transported himself to a local hospital for treatment of injuries. The Butler County Sheriff's Office Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team, known as S.T.A.R.T., responded to investigate the crash. The cause of the collision remains under investigation. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim's family during this tragic time," Sheriff Richard Jones said. "Traffic crashes like this are heartbreaking and serve as a reminder of how quickly lives can be changed forever."

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(Photo Courtesy: Butler County Sheriff's Office)

A man had to be Air Cared to University Hospital after a rollover crash into a fence at Greenwood Cemetery near the intersection of Fair and Fairgrove Avenue. The vehicle was suspended between a concrete wall and the fence, according to images from the scene. Hamilton Police and the Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team were on the scene. North Fair Avenue was closed for an extended period of time for an "active and evolving" situation, according to a news release issued by the Hamilton Police Department. Anyone with information related to the incident was being urged to call HPD Public Affairs at (513) 868-5811 ext. 2007.

(Photo Courtesy: Steve Ricketts)

The Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency has issued an Air Quality Alert for Thursday for Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren counties in Ohio, along with Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties in Kentucky and Dearborn County, Indiana. The alert takes effect at midnight Thursday and remains in effect through 11:59 p.m. Officials said ozone levels are expected to reach the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” category on the Air Quality Index. The agency is encouraging residents to take steps to help reduce ozone formation, including carpooling, walking, biking or using public transportation instead of driving. Drivers are also asked to avoid idling, refuel vehicles after 8 p.m., and avoid topping off gas tanks. Residents are also encouraged to avoid using gasoline-powered lawn equipment, oil-based paints and stains, fire pits, campfires and charcoal grills during the alert period. Officials also recommend conserving electricity by turning off lights and unplugging unused electronics and appliances.

More information is available at SouthwestOhioAir.org. 

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A months-long investigation by the Butler County Sheriff’s Office led to the arrest of a Kentucky man accused of sharing nude photographs of his ex-husband through social media. Sheriff Richard K. Jones said detectives first received the complaint on November 10th, 2025. Investigators alleged that 24-year-old Aric Martin disseminated private sexual images of his ex-husband during an ongoing divorce proceeding. According to the sheriff’s office, the images were sent to members of the victim’s family in Lemon Township. Detectives conducted what the sheriff described as an extensive investigation involving social media subpoenas and search warrants before presenting the case to a Butler County grand jury. Martin was later indicted on one count of nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images, a fifth-degree felony. Authorities said Martin was arrested May 29th in Falmouth, Kentucky, by Butler County Sheriff’s Office Warrants Division deputies and members of the U.S. Marshals Service Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team, also known as SOFAST. Martin was booked into the Grant County Detention Center and was awaiting extradition back to Butler County. “You can run, you can hide, and you can cross state lines, but sooner or later we're going to find you,” Sheriff Jones said in a statement. “This arrest proves that time and distance don't protect criminals from accountability.”

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(Image Courtesy: Butler County Sheriff's Office)

Two people were arrested following a shooting Monday morning in Liberty Township that left one man wounded. According to the Butler County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded around 5:30 a.m. to Lakota Pointe Lane on reports of a fight involving shots fired. When deputies arrived, they found an adult Hispanic man suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg. The victim was taken to West Chester Medical Center for treatment. Detectives said two suspects fled the area in separate vehicles following the shooting. Investigators later tracked both suspects to Miami Township in Montgomery County, where they were taken into custody. Authorities identified one suspect as 25-year-old Yeferson Perez, who was charged with felonious assault, improperly discharging a firearm into a habitation, and tampering with evidence. A second suspect, 24-year-old Marbella Robiero, was charged with tampering with evidence. The sheriff’s office said both suspects are also being held on ICE detainers. “It’s bad enough that we have to deal with homegrown criminals. We shouldn’t have to worry about these Hispanic suspects, in this country illegally, committing violent crimes in our neighborhoods,” Sheriff Richard K. Jones said in a statement. “Butler County is not going to be a safe haven for anyone who thinks they can come here, break the law, shoot people, and get away with it.” The investigation remains ongoing.

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(Photo Courtesy: Butler County Sheriff's Office)

Butler County Sheriff's detectives are investigating an early morning shooting in Liberty Township that left one man hospitalized. Sheriff Richard K. Jones says deputies were dispatched around 5:33am Monday June 1st to the 6800 block of Lakota Pointe Lane on reports of an active dispute taking place outside a residence. While deputies were responding, dispatchers were told a man had been shot in the leg. When deputies arrived, they found a 27-year-old man outside the home suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the leg. Authorities say the injuries appeared to be non-life-threatening. The victim was transported to UC West Chester Hospital for treatment. Investigators say the suspect fled the area in a vehicle before deputies arrived on scene. Detectives processed evidence at the location Monday morning and continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The victim’s name has not been released, and authorities say his current condition remains unknown. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the Butler County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division.

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Miami University has named longtime economics professor and administrator Melissa Thomasson as interim vice president of Miami Regionals and dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Applied Science. Thomasson most recently served as associate vice president for strategic initiatives and has played a major role in implementing MiamiTHRIVE initiatives over the past year. University President Gregory Crawford said Thomasson has helped position Miami’s strategic initiatives for long-term success and will continue building on efforts aimed at expanding enrollment and strengthening workforce-focused education programs at the regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown. As part of her new role, Thomasson will help lead Miami Regionals’ transition toward a polytechnic education model focused on hands-on workforce training in areas such as engineering technology, information technology, and construction management. Thomasson succeeds interim dean Moira Casey, who will return to teaching at Miami Regionals at the end of June. University officials credited Casey with helping oversee several major projects during her tenure, including the opening of the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce and Innovation Hub in Hamilton and securing 23-million dollars in capital appropriations for the Hamilton campus.

Thomasson said she is excited to continue building on the momentum already established at Miami Regionals and help shape the future of the university’s regional campuses. A Miami faculty member since 1998, Thomasson previously served as associate dean for faculty excellence in the Farmer School of Business and chaired the university’s Economics Department. Her research work has been featured nationally by organizations including NPR, NBC, and The Financial Times. Miami University operates regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, along with a learning center in West Chester.

A longtime Hamilton businessman, former mayor, and community leader was honored with a street naming ceremony this weekend in Marcum Park. A large crowd including city officials gathered Saturday morning to officially dedicate North Second Street as “Mayor Don Ryan Way” in recognition of Ryan’s decades of service and investment in the city. Ryan, a lifelong Hamilton resident, served on the Hamilton Vision Commission before later serving on City Council and as mayor from 2002 through 2009. City leaders say his work helped lay the foundation for many of Hamilton’s revitalization efforts, including downtown redevelopment, riverfront projects, and neighborhood restoration initiatives. During his time in office, Ryan also supported projects that eventually led to the creation of RiversEdge, the Miami Hamilton Downtown event center, Artspace Apartments, and the Meldahl Hydroelectric Power Plant. Beyond public service, Ryan became one of the early investors in downtown Hamilton’s resurgence when he opened Ryan’s Tavern on High Street in 2008. The restaurant became a gathering place in the city’s downtown district during a time when many businesses were leaving the area. Ryan was recognized by the Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce as Citizen of the Year for Economic Development in 2011. City officials say Ryan’s commitment to Hamilton extended beyond government and business through volunteer work with several local organizations, including the Greater Hamilton Civic Theater, Knights of Columbus, Junior Achievement, and St. Peter’s Church.

A suspected drug trafficker with alleged ties to the Sinaloa Cartel has been indicted following a lengthy investigation by the Butler County Undercover Regional Narcotics Task Force, or B.U.R.N. Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones says charges were filed Wednesday against 37-year-old Antonio Green of Cincinnati, after investigators seized more than 150 grams of fentanyl mixed with xylazine and other synthetic narcotics during the investigation. Authorities estimate the drugs amounted to roughly 75-thousand potentially lethal doses of fentanyl that could have been distributed throughout the region. Investigators also recovered a loaded firearm, a hydraulic kilogram press, digital scales, blenders, baggies, and other equipment commonly associated with drug trafficking operations. Green was indicted on multiple felony charges, including three counts of trafficking in fentanyl and four counts of possession of fentanyl, all first-degree felonies. He also faces additional second-degree felony charges for trafficking and possession of fentanyl. Investigators allege Green was connected to a drug trafficking organization with ties to the Sinaloa Cartel. Sheriff Jones says at least one additional co-conspirator has already been sentenced to prison in connection with the operation. "It's bad enough when we have local drug dealers poisoning our communities, but when someone comes into Butler County from out of town thinking they're going to set up shop and make money off addiction, they've got another thing coming," Sheriff Jones said. "They're about to find out we don't tolerate that here. Don't try that in a small town—especially Butler County." Sheriff Jones says Butler County authorities will continue aggressively targeting drug traffickers operating in the area. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional arrests or charges could still be filed.

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(Photo Courtesy: Butler County Sheriff's Office)

A small fire on the roof of the New Miami Middle School/High School caused smoke and water damage to the cafeteria area Thursday night, according to school officials and fire crews. Emergency crews were dispatched around 8:30 p.m. to the school at 600 Seven Mile Avenue for a reported structure fire. St. Clair Township Fire Chief Larry Anglin told WMOH the fire may have been caused by a possible electrical short, although the exact cause remains under investigation. Chief Anglin said crews arrived to find smoke coming from the roof. Firefighters laddered the building and discovered a small fire on the roof, which was extinguished using one handline. Additional crews entered the building to check for fire extension and assist with ventilation and access. Power to the building was shut off while crews remained on scene for overhaul operations and the continuing investigation. The district said the incident caused smoke and water damage in the middle school/high school cafeteria area. No students, staff members, or community members were inside the building at the time, and no injuries were reported. Superintendent Rhonda Parker said the district’s focus remains on the safety of students, staff, and the community while officials work to restore the building for continued operations. The district thanked responding fire departments and emergency personnel for their quick response. Mutual aid agencies assisting included the New Miami Fire Department, Trenton Fire Department, Hamilton Fire Department, and St. Clair Township-New Miami Life Squad.

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(Image Courtesy: New Miami Local School District on Facebook)

One person was killed in a four-vehicle crash Wednesday evening at the intersection of Tylersville Road and Princeton-Glendale Road in West Chester Township. According to the West Chester Police Department, the crash happened around 6:53 p.m. at the intersection of State Route 747 and Tylersville Road. Investigators say a Ford Maverick traveling southbound on Princeton-Glendale Road attempted to turn left onto eastbound Tylersville Road and failed to yield to an oncoming Jeep Cherokee traveling northbound through the intersection. Police say the Jeep struck the passenger side of the pickup truck. The impact caused the Jeep to rotate and hit a Butler County utility vehicle that was stopped in a right-turn lane. The pickup truck was then pushed into two other stopped vehicles. The driver of the Ford pickup, identified as 68-year-old Timothy Baltzell of West Chester, was taken to UC West Chester Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The driver of the Jeep, a 36-year-old man from Middletown, suffered minor injuries. Occupants in the other vehicles were not seriously hurt. The intersection remained closed for more than two hours while West Chester Police investigated the crash.
 

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(Image Courtesy: ODOT)

A man wanted on federal charges was arrested Thursday morning in Ross Township after authorities said he attempted to flee from officers. According to Ross Township Police, members of the U.S. Marshals Service Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team, known as SOFAST, attempted to arrest 57-year-old Michael Allen Fields around 6:10 a.m. at a residence in the 1100 block of James Road. Investigators said Fields drove away as officers approached, but he was later apprehended near the intersection of Kirchling Road and Layhigh Road in Ross Township. During a search of the vehicle, authorities reportedly found drug paraphernalia and approximately 28 grams of methamphetamine. Police said Fields was wanted on federal charges involving bank fraud, identity theft, and firearm possession. He was transported to the Butler County Jail and is also facing local charges of second-degree felony drug possession and misdemeanor drug paraphernalia possession. Additional charges could be presented to a grand jury.

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(Image Courtesy: Butler County Sheriff's Office)

A narcotics investigation in Middletown led to the arrest of a 56-year-old man on cocaine trafficking and possession charges Thursday morning. Sheriff Richard K. Jones said the Butler County Undercover Regional Narcotics Task Force, known as B.U.R.N., along with the Middletown Police Department, executed a search warrant around 8:30 a.m. at a home in the 3700 block of Greenview Drive. During the search, investigators reportedly recovered more than 20 grams of a substance that field-tested positive for cocaine, along with approximately 22-hundred dollars in cash. Andre Snow of Middletown was arrested and booked into the Middletown City Jail on charges of trafficking in cocaine and possession of cocaine, both third-degree felonies. Sheriff Jones said drug dealers are “poisoning our communities and destroying lives,” adding that those involved in drug trafficking in Butler County can expect to end up in jail. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges could be filed.

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(Image Courtesy: Butler County Sheriff's Office)

Hamilton City Council is preparing to consider changes to the city’s zoning ordinance that would allow medical and adult-use marijuana dispensaries in limited commercial areas under strict regulations. The proposal follows months of discussion by city officials, the Planning Commission, and the Ordinance Review Commission after Ohio voters approved Issue 2 legalizing recreational marijuana in November 2023. Hamilton previously enacted ordinances prohibiting adult-use cannabis cultivators, processors, and dispensaries within the city. City leaders later revisited the issue as state regulations evolved. Under the proposed zoning changes, marijuana dispensaries would only be permitted as conditional uses in Community Business and Business Planned Development districts. Any dispensary would require Planning Commission review and final approval by Hamilton City Council. The proposal includes several restrictions, including a requirement that dispensaries be located only on arterial roads and not within historic districts or directly adjacent to residential properties. Additional buffer requirements would prohibit dispensaries within 1,000 feet of schools, preschools, child care facilities, and youth centers, and within 500 feet of parks, churches, libraries, and opioid treatment programs. The proposal would also ban marijuana lounges, cultivation facilities, processing facilities, and testing facilities within the city. City officials are also proposing tighter regulations on tobacco, nicotine, and vaping retailers, including new buffer requirements, landscaping standards, and restrictions on operating near residential uses. Planning Director Lauren Nelson told City Council Wednesday, May 27 that only three dispensaries could operate city wide under the proposed rules. The Hamilton Planning Commission reviewed the proposal during a public meeting on May 7 and recommended approval. Hamilton City Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the proposal June 10, with a second reading planned for June 24.

Governor Mike DeWine announced a pause Wednesday on new data center tax exemption requests in Ohio while state lawmakers study the impact of rapid data center growth across the state. Under the directive, the Ohio Tax Credit Authority will stop accepting new requests for data center sales and use tax exemptions after its currently scheduled meeting Monday. The pause does not ban new data centers, but temporarily halts consideration of new tax incentive applications. DeWine said the move comes as the Ohio General Assembly’s Joint Data Center Committee continues reviewing the economic and community impacts of the industry. “Data centers are a critical component to today’s technology-driven economy,” DeWine said. “I fully support the Ohio General Assembly’s work to study the issue and bring forward facts about data centers, including the local benefits to communities when tax exemptions are granted.” The governor said previously approved data center projects in Ohio have reported a combined $27.2 billion in capital investment in 2025. The announcement drew criticism from the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. Ohio Chamber President and CEO Steve Stivers said the organization was disappointed by the pause, arguing Ohio risks losing major economic opportunities to neighboring states that continue offering incentives to attract data center development. Stivers cited an Ohio Chamber Research Foundation study that found the industry generates $26.4 billion annually in economic output, supports approximately 95,000 jobs statewide, and produces a net $1 billion each year in state and local tax revenue.

“We are committed to working with our partners in the industry, Gov. Mike DeWine, and the Ohio General Assembly to examine ways to modify the exemption that keep our state economically competitive while protecting ratepayers and complying with all local zoning regulations,” Stivers said. State lawmakers are expected to continue reviewing the issue in the coming months as Ohio weighs the economic benefits of data center growth against concerns involving infrastructure, utilities, and local community impacts.

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President Donald Trump has nominated a judge from Warren County to serve on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. In a post on Truth Social, Trump announced the nomination of Judge Matthew Byrne, who currently serves on Ohio’s 12th District Court of Appeals based in Middletown. “As Judge on the Ohio Twelfth District Court of Appeals, Matt has distinguished himself, and delivered strong results for The Buckeye State,” Trump wrote. “The Constitutional Rights of the incredible people of Ohio are in good hands with Matt on the Federal Bench.” Trump said Byrne was strongly recommended by Vice President JD Vance, a Middletown native, along with Ohio Senators Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted. Byrne was elected to the 12th District Court of Appeals in 2020 and took office in January 2021. He currently serves as the court’s administrative judge. The 12th District Court of Appeals hears civil, criminal, and administrative appeals from courts in Brown, Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Fayette, Madison, Preble, and Warren counties. The court has been headquartered in Middletown since it was established in 1981. Before joining the bench, Byrne practiced law at Jackson Lewis P.C. and Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, representing clients in state and federal litigation across multiple states. He earned his law degree, cum laude, from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and graduated magna cum laude from Xavier University with degrees in International Affairs and Political Science. Prior to law school, Byrne served on the White House staff during the administration of President George W. Bush in the Office of Presidential Personnel. Byrne also serves on the Ohio Supreme Court’s Commission on the Rules of Practice and Procedure and the Board of Commissioners on Character and Fitness. He lives in Deerfield Township in Warren County with his wife and three children.
 

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(Image Courtesy: 12th District Court of Appeals)

Miami University has signed head men’s basketball coach Travis Steele to a contract extension that will keep him with the RedHawks through the 2033-34 season. Athletic Director David Sayler announced the extension Wednesday following one of the most successful seasons in program history. “My family and I are extremely grateful for the contract extension,” Steele said in a statement. “Miami has created a lot of happiness for us, and we are excited to continue to build the Miami Men’s Basketball Program.” In his fourth season leading the RedHawks, Steele guided Miami to a historic 2025-26 campaign. The RedHawks finished the regular season undefeated, becoming just the fifth NCAA Division I program this century to accomplish the feat. Miami went on to set a school record with 32 wins, tying the Mid-American Conference single-season record. The RedHawks also captured their first outright MAC regular-season championship since 2005 and earned the conference’s first NCAA Tournament at-large bid since 1999. The team defeated SMU in the First Four for Miami’s first NCAA Tournament victory since 1999. The RedHawks climbed into the Associated Press Top 25 rankings for the first time since 1999 and reached as high as No. 19 nationally. Miami also set program records for consecutive home wins, road wins, total field goals, points scored, field goal percentage, and free throws made.

Steele earned several national and conference coaching honors following the season, including MAC Coach of the Year and NABC Division I East District Coach of the Year. “Coming off two consecutive record-breaking seasons for Miami Basketball, I am thrilled to announce that we have signed Coach Steele to an extended contract,” Sayler said. “Miami Basketball has a very bright future with Travis leading the way.”

Steele became Miami’s head coach in March 2022 and has compiled a 154-98 overall record and a 47-25 mark in MAC play.

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(Photo Courtesy: Jordan Phillips Photography)

Fairfield City Council unanimously approved a tax incentive agreement Tuesday night for a massive new industrial development planned at the Jacquemin Farm property near Seward and Tylersville roads. The agreement allows the city to enter into a Community Reinvestment Area agreement and a school compensation agreement with Missouri-based NorthPoint Development for the proposed Butler County Trade Center project. According to city documents, NorthPoint plans to acquire about 140 acres at 8105 Seward Road and 3603 Tylersville Road and develop five speculative industrial buildings totaling nearly 1.29 million square feet. The development is targeted toward e-commerce, distribution, and manufacturing companies. The project’s estimated construction cost exceeds $130 million, and developers estimate the site could eventually support about 520 jobs with more than $22 million in annual payroll. Under the approved CRA agreement, NorthPoint would receive a 10-year, 75% property tax abatement on the assessed value of the new buildings. City officials said the developer requested incentives to help offset higher development costs tied to floodplain challenges and needed roadway and utility improvements. The agreement also includes provisions requiring NorthPoint to make payments to the city if tenants in the speculative buildings fail to generate agreed-upon income tax revenue targets. In addition, the developer agreed to provide annual compensation payments to Fairfield City Schools and Butler Tech. Council suspended the normal three-reading requirement and adopted the ordinance as an emergency measure to keep the project on schedule.

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(Image Courtesy: City of Fairfield)