Author: David Miller

  • Rich Road Closure

    Rich Road Closure

    Deerfield Township, Ohio – Weather permitting Rich Road between Fields Ertel Road and Ball Road will be closed for pavement repairs from June 6th through 8th, starting at 8 AM on June 6th until completion. Below is a map that shows the location of the roadwork.

  • Jean Schmidt’s newest ‘divisive concepts’ bill enters Ohio House

    Jean Schmidt’s newest ‘divisive concepts’ bill enters Ohio House

    Prohibits all Ohio schools from “teaching or providing training that promotes or endorses divisive or inherently racist concepts.”

    BY: SUSAN TEBBEN –  Ohio Capital Journal

    The newest bill to regulate school curriculums and keep out what legislators see as “divisive concepts” entered the Ohio House on Tuesday.

    State Reps. Jean Schmidt, R-Loveland, and Mike Loychik, R-Bazetta, brought House Bill 616 to the State and Local Committee, which prohibits all Ohio schools from “teaching or providing training that promotes or endorses divisive or inherently racist concepts.”

    Though the co-sponsors said they want to deputize the State Board of Education with making decisions about what those concepts would be, the bill includes “critical race theory,” a misnomer used by conservatives to refer to the teaching of race in American history, and name the “1619 Project,” a New York Times project that laid out the chronology of slavery and racism, as concepts that would be prohibited under the bill.

    “Diversity, equity and inclusion learning outcomes” (DEI) are also named as “divisive or inherently racist concepts” under the bill. When asked to explain DEI and why it’s being prohibited, Loychik connected DEI to “critical race theory,” saying the two are connected based on research he and Schmidt had made.

    “The word ‘critical race theory’ was not very well accepted at that point in time, so it was re-developed into DEI – diversity, equity and inclusion – and based off our research, like I said before, it’s very, very similar to the teachings under critical race theory,” Loychik told the committee.

    DEI trainings have been used in schools to train employees about learning disparities that can happen in education.

    The well-known conservative public policy think tank The Heritage Foundation connects CRT and DEI, saying diversity trainings “pressure employees to become activists or to discuss controversial topics in the workplace.”

    Part of the bill prohibits teaching kindergartners about topics related to gender.

    “It ensures that sexual orientation and gender ideology are not taught in kindergarten through third grade,” Loychik said. “Starting in fourth grade it must be age appropriate.”

    Loychik has made his feelings on gender in schools clear through posts on his Twitter, in which he said “the left thinks a 6-year-old should be able to change their gender but an 18-year-old shouldn’t be able to buy a firearm,” and asks for support not to allow “teaching transgenderism or allowing teachers to discuss their sex life with kindergarteners.”

    Under the newest bill, the State Board of Education would also be required to “establish a procedure by which individuals may file complaints against a teacher, school, administrator, or school district superintendent alleging a violation of the bill’s prohibitions and to adopt rules to govern the implementation of and monitor compliance with the bill’s provisions,” according to Legislative Service Commission analysis of the bill.

    Democratic committee members pushed back on the bill’s language, decrying it as “censorship” and questioning the vague language used, and the state board of education’s role in defining the off-limits topics in school curricula.

    “That’s the responsibility of legislators to define these terms,” said state Rep. Mike Skindell, D-Lakewood.

    The co-sponsors said they would be willing to consider amendments to the bill, but said the focus of the bill is on curriculum, not disciplinary regulations or hallway disagreements.

    Loychik said the school district’s role would be to address disciplinary problems, and “hall monitors” could deal with school-day disagreements regarding “divisive concepts.”

    Schmidt said “invited guests,” such as state legislators, would be allowed to “talk about what they want to talk about,” because it’s not a part of the curriculum, answering a question from state Rep. Tavia Galonski, D-Akron.

    “There is a lot to discuss in the schools, and by no means would any kind of prohibition or any type of censorship be the answer for it,” Galonski said.

    Education groups like Honesty for Ohio Education have criticized the bill as a “nationally coordinated educational gag order.”

    This is the third “divisive concepts” bill to come through the Ohio legislature, with the last bill receiving heavy criticism after one of the co-sponsors said equal time should be given on both sides of Holocaust lessons. Neither bill has passed through the General Assembly.

  • [2 Video Slide Shows] Loveland, Ohio’s Memorial Day in photos

    [2 Video Slide Shows] Loveland, Ohio’s Memorial Day in photos

    by David Miller

    Loveland, Ohio – Here are two video slide shows from the still photos I captured on Memorial Day. The first is of the parade and the second is photos from the ceremony. The photos were taken from West Loveland Avenue during the parade and at the Loveland Veterans’ Memorial at the corner of Riverside Drive and West Loveland Avenue in the West Loveland Historic District of Loveland.


  • Federal court implements Statehouse maps twice declared unconstitutional by Ohio Supreme Court

    Federal court implements Statehouse maps twice declared unconstitutional by Ohio Supreme Court

    U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Amul R. Thapar and U.S. Western District of Kentucky Judge Benjamin J. Beaton, both appointed by former President Donald Trump, formed the majority in the federal court’s decision to implement Statehouse district maps for the 2022 election twice declared unconstitutional by the Ohio Supreme Court. Official photos from Ballotpedia.

    BY: OHIO CAPITAL JOURNAL STAFF – MAY 27, 2022 5:40 PM

    A federal district court, in a 2-1 decision Friday, implemented Ohio state Senate and House district maps for the 2022 election that have twice been declared unconstitutional partisan gerrymanders by the Ohio Supreme Court.

    Also in a 2-1 decision, in April, the judges representing the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio Eastern Division had set May 28 as the deadline for the commission to come up with a viable plan before the federal court would intervene to implement Map 3, which passed along partisan lines by Republicans on the commission in February and has been rejected twice by the state supreme court as unconstitutional. The court issued their ruling May 27 with it taking effect at midnight Saturday.

    U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Amul R. Thapar and U.S. Western District of Kentucky Judge Benjamin J. Beaton, both appointed by former President Donald Trump, formed the majority. U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio Chief Judge Algenon L. Marbley, who was appointed by former President Bill Clinton, opposed the decision.

    The majority ruling said federal courts are instructed to give states maximal flexibility to craft their own solutions and that “federal district courts must wait to act until the last possible moment.”

    “We must presume state actors will work together to reach homegrown solutions,” the majority wrote. “And if they fail, then it is up to the voters to punish them if they so choose.”

    Between the standoff among state officials and the delay in getting the case, the court said their options were limited.

    “So we chose the best of our bad options. Given the factual record before us, two reasons justified our approach. First, no map had won the approval of both the Commission and the Ohio Supreme Court. And second, Map 3 gave the State the most time to fix its own problem. That broke the tie.”

     Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose. Official photo.

    In between Map 3’s original adoption by Republicans on the redistricting commission and the state supreme court’s first rejection of them as unconstitutional, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose ordered boards of elections to load the Statehouse district maps into their systems and prepare to use them.

    Republicans on the redistricting commission used the fact that elections officials were already ordered to use the maps as part of their decision to pass the maps a second time, and the federal court in April pointed to counties already using Map 3 as justification for its choosing it for implementation.

     Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine. Official photo.

    LaRose is among the four commissioners who voted for the maps both times. Others were Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Republican legislative leaders representing the Ohio House and Senate (originally Ohio House Speaker Bob Cupp and Senate President Matt Huffman, then their chosen replacements on the commission, state Rep. Jeff LaRe, and state Sen. Sen. Rob McColley).

    In his dissent, U.S. District Judge Marbley noted that his previous dissent warned the federal court about signaling it would adopt Map 3 on May 28 as it “set a strong, almost immovable default,” and “virtually ensure[d] that the third map will be used for an August 2 primary.”

     Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman and Ohio House Speaker Bob Cupp, both Lima Republicans. Official photos.

    “Following the majority’s April opinion, the Commission never attempted to craft a constitutionally compliant fifth plan. Two Commissioners, who had participated in all prior rounds of map-drawing, actually ceased their service and appointed substitutes,” Marbley wrote. “If there was any hope of the Commission fulfilling its constitutional duty, this federal panel quashed it.

    “The majority’s April opinion assured the Commission that if it simply waited another month, the panel would enable it to circumvent the Ohio Supreme Court and realize a map with the desired partisan favoritism. The Commission took the invitation,” he said.

     Republican Ohio House Majority Leader Bill Seitz. Official photo.

    Marbley quoted a tweet from Republican Ohio House Majority Leader Bill Seitz written just hours after the federal court’s April opinion which said, “Too bad so sad. We win again. . . . Now I know it’s been a tough night for all you libs. Pour yourself a glass of warm milk and you will sleep better. The game is over and you lost. . . . Turn out the lights. The party’s over. For this 2 year cycle at least.”

    Marbley said the consequences of the federal court’s actions were severe:

    “(In making this decision), the majority tables a watershed constitutional referendum, abrogates controlling decisions of the state Supreme Court, and unwittingly rewards the Commission’s brinksmanship over the rights of Ohio voters.”

    In 2015 and 2018, 71% and nearly 75% of voters amended the Ohio Constitution to enact redistricting reform against partisan gerrymandering.

    Ohio Supreme Court

    This past Wednesday, a 4-3 bipartisan majority of the Ohio Supreme Court rejected Map 3 again and set a new deadline of June 3 for the commission to produce an entirely new plan.

     Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor. Official photo.

    In her concurring opinion rejecting the map for the second time, Republican Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor wrote that with the federal court’s reassurance that continuing delays and inactions would be rewarded, the commission has “engaged in a stunning rebuke of the rule of law” by readopting Map 3.

    “This court has been placed in a remarkable position,” O’Connor wrote. “With the reassurance provided by a federal district court in (the federal case) that continuing delays and inaction would be rewarded with the implementation of a previously rejected map, respondent Ohio Redistricting Commission has, contrary to this court’s clear order, resubmitted an unconstitutional General Assembly district plan and, in doing so, has engaged in a stunning rebuke of the rule of law.”

    She said the federal court “did not stay its hand until May 28 as it stated it would,” but rather “provided the Republican commission members not only a roadmap of how to avoid discharging their duties but also a green light to further delay these proceedings by stating its intention to implement ‘Map 3’ … all the while acknowledging that this court had declared Map 3 to be invalid and unconstitutional.”

    Each of the federal court’s concerns about conducting the election, O’Connor said, were “created by the commission’s lack of action — which is in direct defiance of its constitutional duties and this court’s four prior judgments — and all those concerns were then, and are now, fully capable of resolution by the commission or the General Assembly.”

    “Lamentably, the federal court’s optimism that the commission members ‘are public servants who still view partisan advantage as subordinate to the rule of the law,’ proved to be unfounded,” she said.

  • [Video] The Loveland High School Graduation ceremony

    [Video] The Loveland High School Graduation ceremony

    Here is the Loveland High School Graduation ceremony that was held May 21 at Xavier University’s Cintas Center.


    Loveland High School Senior’s awards and scholarships

    David Miller –  May 22, 2022

    Loveland, Ohio – 366 Loveland High School Seniors are members of the Class of 2022 and they graduated yesterday, May, 21, at…

  • 5 years ago an early morning fire destroyed 2/3 block in Historic Downtown Loveland

    5 years ago an early morning fire destroyed 2/3 block in Historic Downtown Loveland

    Loveland, Ohio – It was Memorial Day Weekend, Sunday, May 28, 2017, when an 11-alarm fire in Downtown Loveland did extensive damage to two historic buildings and minor damage to a third. There were no injuries to occupants, and only one firefighter suffered a minor injury. One firefighter was treated for exhaustion.

    Here are “then and now” photos.

    NOW photos

    EDITOR’S NOTE:


    After reading this story today, firefighter Steve Pegram sent us the following message:

    “11 departments yes there is no such thing as an 11 alarm fire. A 1 alarm in Loveland brings 4 departments and 7 stations. For example, the initial dispatch to Tano’s was LSFD (60, 61, 62, 63), Goshen (19), Miami Township (27), and Deerfield (57). So 11 departments would be 2-3 alarms of course the only people that would know that are fire people like me.”

    Thank you Steve for helping us be more accurate!


    Below you can view all of the photos of the fire’s aftermath in this re-print of the first story we published that day.

    Early morning fire destroys 2/3 block in Historic Downtown Loveland

    Loveland, Ohio – An 11-alarm fire in Downtown Loveland early Sunday morning did extensive damage to two historic buildings, and minor damage to a third. There were no injuries to occupants, and only one firefighter suffered a minor injury. One firefighter was treated for exhaustion.

    West Loveland Avenue, Karl Brown Way, and Railroad Avenue remain closed to traffic. There are nearby businesses that remain closed until electrical service is restored.

    The former Julian’s Deli, now owned by Paxton Grill, which recently had sprinklers installed on both floors, has slight structural and water damage.

    The fire apparently started in the rear of Tanos Bistro at 1:20 AM. Four businesses lost almost everything. Firefighters remain on the scene, and inspectors are assessing damage and looking for cause.

    The buildings are close to the street so roadways may be closed for quite some time as inspectors evaluate possible danger to motorists traveling West Loveland Avenue and Karl Brown Way.

    EDITOR’S NOTE: A reader has brought to our attention that residents of five apartments lost “everything” in the fire, including damage to automobiles. There is a goFundme page already set up to help a photographer, Brad Uhrig and his son who lost their personal belongings, including Brad’s photo gear.

    Photos by David Miller/Loveland Magazine © 2017

    Click on a photo to enlarge and view as a slide show.


    Up-date on major fire in Historic Downtown Loveland

    By Loveland Magazine – May 29, 2017

    Loveland, Ohio – Loveland/Symmes Fire Chief Otto Huber told Loveland Magazine Sunday evening that the structural engineer the City brought in to inspect the buildings damaged by an overnight fire in Loveland’s Historic District said that after a preliminary look, the buildings could be restored. He also told Huber that he had seen building with more damage, brought back to life.

    Huber also said that they suspect the fire began because of an electrical problem, and there is one spot that will receive more attention in the coming days as they try to determine how the fire started.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-5466420906099875&output=html&h=280&adk=3608273107&adf=861100906&pi=t.aa~a.829776362~i.5~rp.4&w=640&fwrn=4&fwrnh=100&lmt=1653835819&num_ads=1&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=6519503178&psa=1&ad_type=text_image&format=640×280&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lovelandmagazine.com%2Fup-date-on-major-fire-in-historic-downtown-loveland%2F&host=ca-host-pub-2644536267352236&fwr=0&pra=3&rh=160&rw=640&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&wgl=1&fa=27&adsid=ChAI8LPMlAYQjbq74J6XuOpSEjkAVlULhMUZ-KBfG4ut-551NNObiVGl4gzYun23M2AwN1mprUxRkA8pldhSON69Z9vBHbybFRatluY&uach=WyJtYWNPUyIsIjEwLjEzLjYiLCJ4ODYiLCIiLCIxMDEuMC4xMjEwLjUzIixbXSxudWxsLG51bGwsIjY0IixbWyIgTm90IEE7QnJhbmQiLCI5OS4wLjAuMCJdLFsiQ2hyb21pdW0iLCIxMDEuMC4xMjEwLjUzIl0sWyJNaWNyb3NvZnQgRWRnZSIsIjEwMS4wLjEyMTAuNTMiXV0sZmFsc2Vd&dt=1653835819579&bpp=4&bdt=733&idt=-M&shv=r20220525&mjsv=m202205240101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D55acfa9313540311-22b78d0427d2007c%3AT%3D1649684162%3ART%3D1649684162%3AS%3DALNI_MbdGaiL61apm8KZ6Qgpxz9HlDC9qw&gpic=UID%3D000004535653105b%3AT%3D1649278188%3ART%3D1653833522%3AS%3DALNI_MbJ0mrFVpN2Wbw5Y_9INzMkwkCYhQ&prev_fmts=0x0%2C1034x280&nras=3&correlator=5928493865838&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=371103363.1615984224&ga_sid=1653835819&ga_hid=296308691&ga_fc=1&u_tz=-240&u_his=4&u_h=800&u_w=1280&u_ah=777&u_aw=1280&u_cd=24&u_sd=2&dmc=8&adx=27&ady=1437&biw=1034&bih=698&scr_x=0&scr_y=0&eid=44759875%2C44759926%2C44759837%2C44763505%2C31062931&oid=2&pvsid=2612451399889931&pem=491&tmod=431814633&uas=0&nvt=1&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lovelandmagazine.com%2F%3Fs%3Dhistoric%2Bfire&eae=0&fc=1408&brdim=93%2C23%2C93%2C23%2C1280%2C23%2C1049%2C777%2C1049%2C698&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&jar=2022-05-21-17&ifi=3&uci=a!3&btvi=1&fsb=1&xpc=p8So1WQZgB&p=https%3A//www.lovelandmagazine.com&dtd=69

    An 11-alarm fire in Downtown Loveland early Sunday morning did extensive damage to two historic buildings, and minor damage to three others. There were no injuries to residential occupants, and only one firefighter suffered a minor injury. One firefighter was treated for exhaustion.

    Residents of five apartments on the upper floors have lost everything, including damage to automobiles

    The building that housed Tano’s Bistro and the Bishop Building sustained substantial fire damage. Three businesses had extensive damage: Tano’s Bistro, Cincy Fashion Wheels, and Gina Dubell-Smith, a Comey & Shepherd Realtor.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-5466420906099875&output=html&h=280&adk=3608273107&adf=1403234929&pi=t.aa~a.829776362~i.11~rp.4&w=640&fwrn=4&fwrnh=100&lmt=1653835819&num_ads=1&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=6519503178&psa=1&ad_type=text_image&format=640×280&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lovelandmagazine.com%2Fup-date-on-major-fire-in-historic-downtown-loveland%2F&host=ca-host-pub-2644536267352236&fwr=0&pra=3&rh=160&rw=640&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&wgl=1&fa=27&adsid=ChAI8LPMlAYQjbq74J6XuOpSEjkAVlULhMUZ-KBfG4ut-551NNObiVGl4gzYun23M2AwN1mprUxRkA8pldhSON69Z9vBHbybFRatluY&uach=WyJtYWNPUyIsIjEwLjEzLjYiLCJ4ODYiLCIiLCIxMDEuMC4xMjEwLjUzIixbXSxudWxsLG51bGwsIjY0IixbWyIgTm90IEE7QnJhbmQiLCI5OS4wLjAuMCJdLFsiQ2hyb21pdW0iLCIxMDEuMC4xMjEwLjUzIl0sWyJNaWNyb3NvZnQgRWRnZSIsIjEwMS4wLjEyMTAuNTMiXV0sZmFsc2Vd&dt=1653835819579&bpp=3&bdt=732&idt=-M&shv=r20220525&mjsv=m202205240101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D55acfa9313540311-22b78d0427d2007c%3AT%3D1649684162%3ART%3D1649684162%3AS%3DALNI_MbdGaiL61apm8KZ6Qgpxz9HlDC9qw&gpic=UID%3D000004535653105b%3AT%3D1649278188%3ART%3D1653833522%3AS%3DALNI_MbJ0mrFVpN2Wbw5Y_9INzMkwkCYhQ&prev_fmts=0x0%2C1034x280%2C640x280&nras=4&correlator=5928493865838&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=371103363.1615984224&ga_sid=1653835819&ga_hid=296308691&ga_fc=1&u_tz=-240&u_his=4&u_h=800&u_w=1280&u_ah=777&u_aw=1280&u_cd=24&u_sd=2&dmc=8&adx=27&ady=2029&biw=1034&bih=698&scr_x=0&scr_y=0&eid=44759875%2C44759926%2C44759837%2C44763505%2C31062931&oid=2&pvsid=2612451399889931&pem=491&tmod=431814633&uas=0&nvt=1&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lovelandmagazine.com%2F%3Fs%3Dhistoric%2Bfire&eae=0&fc=1408&brdim=93%2C23%2C93%2C23%2C1280%2C23%2C1049%2C777%2C1049%2C698&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&jar=2022-05-21-17&ifi=4&uci=a!4&btvi=2&fsb=1&xpc=ARY9cT2lAF&p=https%3A//www.lovelandmagazine.com&dtd=174

    The former Julian’s Deli, now owned by Paxton’s Grill only suffered minor fire damage. The fire sprinklers in the building did not activate. Huber said the heat inside the building wasn’t great enough to activate the sprinklers, but the interior of the building has damage from the water used to keep the fire from spreading. Cleanup was already underway on what will be called, Bike Trail Junction. Co-owner, Kevin Egan said their opening was scheduled in the coming weeks, but the opening will have to be rescheduled. 

    Narrow Path Brewing Company on Karl Brown Way had roof damage that was being repaired Sunday evening. The business remained closed throughout the day. Another building, further north on Karl Brown Way had newly installed plastic siding, buckle from the heat.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-5466420906099875&output=html&h=280&adk=3608273107&adf=2317031084&pi=t.aa~a.829776362~i.15~rp.4&w=640&fwrn=4&fwrnh=100&lmt=1653835819&num_ads=1&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=6519503178&psa=1&ad_type=text_image&format=640×280&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lovelandmagazine.com%2Fup-date-on-major-fire-in-historic-downtown-loveland%2F&host=ca-host-pub-2644536267352236&fwr=0&pra=3&rh=160&rw=640&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&wgl=1&fa=27&adsid=ChAI8LPMlAYQjbq74J6XuOpSEjkAVlULhMUZ-KBfG4ut-551NNObiVGl4gzYun23M2AwN1mprUxRkA8pldhSON69Z9vBHbybFRatluY&uach=WyJtYWNPUyIsIjEwLjEzLjYiLCJ4ODYiLCIiLCIxMDEuMC4xMjEwLjUzIixbXSxudWxsLG51bGwsIjY0IixbWyIgTm90IEE7QnJhbmQiLCI5OS4wLjAuMCJdLFsiQ2hyb21pdW0iLCIxMDEuMC4xMjEwLjUzIl0sWyJNaWNyb3NvZnQgRWRnZSIsIjEwMS4wLjEyMTAuNTMiXV0sZmFsc2Vd&dt=1653835819579&bpp=3&bdt=732&idt=-M&shv=r20220525&mjsv=m202205240101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D55acfa9313540311-22b78d0427d2007c%3AT%3D1649684162%3ART%3D1649684162%3AS%3DALNI_MbdGaiL61apm8KZ6Qgpxz9HlDC9qw&gpic=UID%3D000004535653105b%3AT%3D1649278188%3ART%3D1653833522%3AS%3DALNI_MbJ0mrFVpN2Wbw5Y_9INzMkwkCYhQ&prev_fmts=0x0%2C1034x280%2C640x280%2C640x280&nras=5&correlator=5928493865838&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=371103363.1615984224&ga_sid=1653835819&ga_hid=296308691&ga_fc=1&u_tz=-240&u_his=4&u_h=800&u_w=1280&u_ah=777&u_aw=1280&u_cd=24&u_sd=2&dmc=8&adx=27&ady=2647&biw=1034&bih=698&scr_x=0&scr_y=0&eid=44759875%2C44759926%2C44759837%2C44763505%2C31062931&oid=2&pvsid=2612451399889931&pem=491&tmod=431814633&uas=0&nvt=1&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lovelandmagazine.com%2F%3Fs%3Dhistoric%2Bfire&eae=0&fc=1408&brdim=93%2C23%2C93%2C23%2C1280%2C23%2C1049%2C777%2C1049%2C698&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&jar=2022-05-21-17&ifi=5&uci=a!5&btvi=3&fsb=1&xpc=xqJK2oAOI5&p=https%3A//www.lovelandmagazine.com&dtd=182

    Huber also said that if possible, scaffolding will be erected on the west side of the Bishop Building on Monday. He said it will depend on whether they can get someone to do the work on the Memorial Day Holiday. The scaffolding will be erected to shore up the brick exterior, making it safe to be inside the building where crews could better assess the structural damage, and make it possible for rebuilding to begin.

    At 8:30 PM Sunday, a fire crew was still at the scene.

    In a press release issued this afternoon by Loveland City Manager, Dave Kennedy, he said, “It is the City’s desire to save these historic structures and will work with the building owners to make this happen. This is a tragic event but the City of Loveland is a very strong community and will work together to repair this part of our downtown. The City of Loveland is thankful that the fire caused no injuries or loss of life and salute the efforts of the City’s first responders.”

  • Clermont Library debuts School Readiness Kits

    Clermont Library debuts School Readiness Kits

    The Clermont County Public Library has introduced new School Readiness Kits for parents with children ages 0 to 5. The kits are designed to help children develop a love for reading. Each kit has five age-appropriate books, a toy, and instructions on how to use the toy to help children understand the importance of things like letter knowledge, sounds, shapes, and colors.

    Families can check out up to five kits at a time for 21 days. The library created these new kits with grant funds provided by the Scripps Howard Foundation.

    Clermont County Public Library (clermontlibrary.org)

  • Brown introduces Ohio native Steve Dettelback at his confirmation Hearing to be ATF Director

    Brown introduces Ohio native Steve Dettelback at his confirmation Hearing to be ATF Director

    There is so much we need to do – we must do – to prevent more tragedies. We can’t discuss it all here today, but one step I hope members of both parties take is to finally get a permanent ATF director on the job.” – U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown

    Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced Steve Dettelbach at his U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing to serve as the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Mr. Dettelbach is a Cleveland native and from 2009 until 2016, served as the Senate-confirmed U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

    “I have known Steve for years, and watched him tackle some of the Department of Justice’s most sensitive cases – cases at the intersection of law enforcement and civil rights,” said Brown. “I can think of no better way to support law enforcement, to reject hate, and to keep Americans safe from violent crime, than for this committee and the entire Senate to confirm Steve Dettelbach as ATF Director.”

    Dettelbach has earned the endorsement from numerous law enforcement groups including the National Sheriffs’ Association, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association, Women in Federal Law Enforcement, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Dettelbach has also been endorsed by more than 140 former federal prosecutors and eight former ATF Directors, and civil rights organizations, like the National Urban League and the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, and faith organizations like the Jewish Federation of North America.

  • Loveland High School students win conservation grants worth $4,000

    Loveland High School students win conservation grants worth $4,000

    Photo from Caring For Our Watersheds

    Loveland, Ohio – Students involved in Honors Biology, Green Team, and Environmental Science at Loveland High School have won thousands of dollars in grants to help local environmental concerns. They applied for the Caring For Our Watersheds program through the Hamilton County Conservation District. The contest awards grant money up to $1000 to implement a project that will benefit the local area and watershed. 

    Here are their winning programs:

    Clean up for Candy

    Roman Wilburn, Gavin Folzenlogen, Semi Ozarslan, and Busy Aiken will be recruiting clubs and other classmates to clean up recyclables after athletic events that would normally go into the trash. Volunteers get entered into a raffle for various prizes as well as a candy bar.

    Drug Take-Back Day

    Ashley Wheeler and Ollie Fisher are working with the Loveland Police Department to organize a day where parents can drop off medications that are expired or unused to be properly disposed of by LPD.

    Contact Lens Recycling

    Sonya Yurovski will be working with local Eye doctor offices to encourage the recycling of contact lenses and packaging.  LHS will also be a collection site for students to bring their contacts for recycling. 

    Honorable Mentions:


    Milkweed for Monarchs

    Sophia Choi and Reese Renock created a program to increase biodiversity and provide food for the declining Monarch butterfly population. Sophia and Reese will hand out milkweed seeds and germinated seedlings for people to plant at their homes. 

    Reducing Stream Bank Erosion and Harnessing the Power of Mushrooms

    Dharmin Patel and AJ Cook are creating erosion control barriers by stuffing burlap bags with a straw mixture that has mushroom spores that have been added. The mycelium that the mushrooms produce has been shown to have many positive environmental effects and will help reduce erosion.

    Loveland students won three of the 10 statewide awards and both of the available Honorable Mentions. They will present their ideas to judges during an event at the Cincinnati Zoo on April 30. In total, these students will be managing over $4,000 in grant funds and will all earn prizes.

  • Some earlier history about the restoration of the Ramsey Paxton Cemetery: An interview by Cassie Mattia

    Some earlier history about the restoration of the Ramsey Paxton Cemetery: An interview by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio – This is a story we first published in May of 2019. Cassie Mattia interviewed Steve Max, representing the Loveland Legace Foundation, and Rob Geiger the President of the Ramsey Paxton Cemetery Association as they were kicking off a new fundraising campaign for the cemetery’s restoration.

    Rob told Cassie some of the history of the burial site and its historic significance to Loveland, Clermont, County, and the State of Ohio.


    Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland Legacy Foundation has partnered with the Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery Association, Inc. and will offer a dollar-for-dollar match up to $1,500 to complete the funding needed to restore the historical cemetery located in White Pillars subdivision on Ramsey Court. With your help, and this matching grant, the restoration work will be completed this summer and this historically significant site can be restored to a level of care that it deserves.

    In this LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV video Cassie Mattia talks with Steve Max and Rob Geiger about the history of the cemetery, who is buried there, and the announcement of the matching grant.

    The first burial at the cemetery was Lt. Col. Thomas Paxton in 1813, a Revolutionary War patriot who dined with General George Washington as one of the officers of the day at Valley Forge on Christmas Day in 1777. Paxton also was chosen by General Anthony Wayne to lead the advance guard at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794.

    Paxton was credited as being the first permanent settler in Clermont County. Paxton and his sons-in-law carved out the wilderness to make a home for their families in 1795 and brought their wives and children here to Loveland in 1796. Paxton is the founder of Clermont County, Miami Township, the city of Loveland, and he helped with the Statehood of Ohio.

    Capt. John Ramsey, Paxtons’s son-in-law, also a Revolutionary War patriot, is buried in the cemetery along with other family members. 

    The Loveland Legacy Foundation, passionate about preserving our founding families’ place of rest, has partnered with the Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery Association to restore the historic Loveland landmark. Other partners include American Legion Post # 256, American Legion Auxiliary Post #256, Bond Home Furnishings, City of Loveland, Clough Valley Daughters of the Revolution, Eads Fence Company, Loveland Magazine, Paxton’s Grill, Ramsey’s Trailside, Loveland Sweets, and Rainey Tree Service. They have all united together to make this project a reality which will include the removal of the dead and decaying trees, the replacement of the chain link fence with a 4’ black aluminum industrial grade fence, and a 10’ antique wrought iron gate provided by Eads Fence that will be fully restored and installed.

    You now have an opportunity to help secure the final part of the funds needed with this generous match from the Loveland Legacy Foundation which doubles the value of your donations up to $3,000.

    Here are ways you can help:

    • Please go to https://lovelandlegacyfoundation.org/ and click on the DONATE NOW button to make your online contribution.
    • Visit these local downtown Loveland businesses to place your donation in the donation jars at: Bond Home Furnishings • Eads Fence Company • Paxton’s Grill • Ramsey’s Trailside • Loveland Sweets.
    • Make out a check, payable to Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery Association and mail it to Rob Geiger, PO Box 25 Loveland OH 45140.  Both Loveland Legacy Foundation and Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery Associations are 501-3C organizations so your contributions may be tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.

    The Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery is a hidden gem locally, statewide, and nationally. Jan Beller, Director of the Loveland Museum Center (Greater Loveland Historical Society) said: “We are fortunate to have such a historical site right in our own thriving town!”   

    Steve Max, Chairman of the Loveland Legacy Foundation, and Rob Geiger, President of the Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery Association both added: Thank you for joining us to see this project through and living up to our motto “Loveland Strong.”


    Read about the recent celebration on May 17, 2022:

    [Video and Slide Show] Ramsey-Paxton Cemetery Association holds ceremony for marking…


    Loveland Magazine is the proud Media Sponsor of the effort to restore this extraordinary local landmark.