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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(Photo Courtesy: Governor DeWine's Office)

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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