LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor
Since 2004

Author: David Miller

  • Terri Rogers says thanks for supporting the Loveland Initiative’s 24th annual backpack program

    Terri Rogers says thanks for supporting the Loveland Initiative’s 24th annual backpack program

    by Terri Rogers

    On August 19th, The Loveland Initiative continued to push our mission forward to provide educational support and assistance to underserved children and their families. We held our 24th annual backpack program for the 2020-2021 school year providing students with new backpacks filled with school supplies. 

    Terri Rogers is the Executive Director of the Loveland Initiative

    Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, the backpack program functioned differently this year. We made several changes to ensure that we had a safe program for our donors, partners, and the families we serve. 

    This year we teamed up with an amazing group, The Care Center at Northstar Community Church. Their mission is to provide CARE for the whole person as we help people remove barriers for success and build the resources needed to get to the next place in life. 

    Over 180 families received personal hygiene, cleaning supplies, and paper goods at The Care Center, and more than 200 backpacks filled with school supplies provided to kids through The Loveland Initiative via a drive-thru format.

    A HUGE thank you to The Care Center for hosting the program and for the use of their facility. A HUGE thank you our donors who collected backpacks, monetary donations and/or supplies. A HUGE thank you to ALL our volunteers, YOU were invaluable! A HUGE thank you to Loveland Magazine for their publicity support. Without the support from our awesome community we could not do what we do. 

    Once again, thank you for making our 24th annual backpack program an enormous success!!

    The Loveland Initiative is a 501(c)(3) registered charity. For more information on The Loveland Initiative, please contact Terri Rogers at trogers7@fuse.net or www.lovelandinitiative.org and our Facebook page.

  • A Community Right to Know: Will Loveland District report their COVID 19 data to the public?

    A Community Right to Know: Will Loveland District report their COVID 19 data to the public?

    David Miller is the Publisher of Loveland Magazine

    by David Miller

    In August when Loveland High School athletes and possibly a band student were tested positive and quarantined after testing positive for COVID 19  rumors quickly spread through the community, however, there was never any official acknowledgment, only a very brief, casual mention of it at a recent Board meeting. 

    Now that fall sports are underway and in-person instruction has begun, Loveland Magazine posed the following question to the District’s Information Officer yesterday:

    Is there a plan or will there be a plan to update the media in a real-time way when positive COVID 19 cases are in the school population? 

    The District’s answer seems to be maybe they will. The Superintendent says they are waiting for orders from Governor Mike DeWine.*

    It will be our right to know data the District collects. It is “our” data as tax-paying citizens. Projecting light on vital community health information is the surest disinfectant against rumor, speculation, and fear.

    Outbreaks in our schools may be the deadliest setting for the pandemic within our community.

    The District does not need open records COVID advice from the statehouse when choosing to let residents know about COVID spread in the community. It’s common sense to allow citizen’s in on the data so they can also help stop the spread.

    The local departments of health already releases data daily on a dozen different aspects of coronavirus cases, including the home ZIP codes of people with positive tests. The District should and can do the same. 

    Perhaps there is a reluctance to report bad news as if it would be bad publicity or perceived as a failure of policy of their diligent hard work keeping COVID out of classrooms. Not so. COVID is here and the public needs to feel confidant that the District who has gathered so many into classrooms will report to the greater community of our vulnerable population if there is a community spread from the local petri dish.

    Disclosing real-time/point of entry data would help all families make informed decisions. Parents, guardians, and childcare providers have a right to know if cases are increasing rapidly in the school district. 

    It’s a simple choice, either be 100% transparent or not. No advice from DeWine can prevent the District from immediately disclosing data that doesn’t compromise the privacy of students or staff or adhering to privacy restrictions that FERPA and HIPAA require.

    We’d have wished the Superintend had made an unconditional and unequivocal commitment to release real-time communication to district residents when COVID CASES are discovered in the classrooms and offices.

    Loveland citizens and Tigers alike can handle the truth and as always won’t run from you… they have proven all Summer long they won’t run from you if you get COVID.

    * Superintendent Dr. Amy Crouse responded:

    When there is a positive case, our health team gathers the facts of the case, including the identifying information of those students and staff who have had close contact with the positive case (within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more). The district sends a notice of the positive case to the appropriate school/program based on the contact criteria. The district also works closely with the Hamilton County Department of Health to complete the requirements for contact tracing.

    Details of our health protocols are posted on our website and updated as needed.

    https://www.lovelandschools.org/NewHealthProtocols.aspx

    We are waiting on orders from the Governor for sharing our COVID data with the public. We have been discussing and planning for this COVID dashboard and will finalize our plan once we have the full details/order from the state.

    School Health Services Reopening Plans and Protocols

  • Labor Day COVID warnings abound

    The headline on the Ohio State University’s “Safe and Healthy Return” web page reads:

    The university remains under a state of emergency given the impacts of COVID-19.

    “As we return to campus, here’s what you need to know.”

    The message goes further to say,

    “With Labor Day weekend fast approaching, we ask students with travel plans to get tested before you leave campus. You can register to get tested on site at Jesse Owens North, on Thursday or Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. or on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Your results will be provided to you as soon as possible so that you can reduce the risk of exposing your friends and family at home, if your test comes back positive for COVID-19. In the meantime, you should also act as though you are positive and wear your mask, practice physical distancing and take all other safety precautions.”

    The Ohio State COVID 19 Dashboard this morning (Right click to see a larger view):

    The COVID-19 dashboard provides a regularly updated status on COVID-19 across Ohio and within the Columbus campus community. It also includes the availability of quarantine and isolation space, personal protective equipment and cleaning protocols at Ohio State. The Ohio State testing data in the dashboard will be updated on those days when complete testing data is available for a 24-hour period during which surveillance testing was conducted. The next update is planned for Wednesday, Sept. 2, depending on the availability of test results through Monday, Aug. 31. The university cautions against drawing broad conclusions from the initial data about the prevalence of COVID-19 on campus, particularly since the student data set includes symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals.

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  • In the ‘war’ against the coronavirus, this decorated WWII veteran encourages all Ohioans to wear a mask

    In the ‘war’ against the coronavirus, this decorated WWII veteran encourages all Ohioans to wear a mask

    Sugarcreek Township, Ohio – This PSA features 99-year-old Jim “Pee Wee” Martin who lives in Sugarcreek Township in Greene County.

    Jim volunteered to be a WWII Paratrooper, an original member of Company “G”, 3rdBattalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. His nickname “Pee Wee” was earned because he was 106 pounds, the smallest and lightest guy in the company. In 1944, Jim jumped into France over Utah Beach the night prior to D-Day and fought for 33 days in the Normandy campaign. He also fought in Holland, Belgium, and Germany.

    Among his many awards, Jim earned a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his great work.

    Learn more about Jim “Pee Wee” Martin

  • Ohio to receive an additional 9 million face masks from FEMA

    Ohio to receive an additional 9 million face masks from FEMA

    Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio Emergency Management Agency (Ohio EMA), in cooperation with the Governor’s Office, the Ohio Departments of Education, Health, and Job and Family Services, is receiving shipments of an additional 9 million face masks this week for public distribution.

    The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) donated these additional masks to the State of Ohio as part of a new FEMA Mask Program. FEMA provided an initial 2 million face masks for Ohio school districts early last month. The masks are being provided at no cost to Ohio.

    This new shipment of masks will be shared with the following Ohio stakeholders:

    • 4 million masks will go to the Ohio Dept. of Education for all Ohio schools (public, private, charter, parochial, and career centers);
    • 144,000 will go to Ohio Dept. of Job & Family Services for daycare providers;
    • 2 million will go to programs and organizations that serve vulnerable populations; and
    • 1 million will go to Ohio Dept. of Higher Education

    The remainder will be stored until needed.

    Just like the first shipment made in August, these masks are also KN-95s, non-medical grade face masks, according to FEMA and Ohio EMA.

    Ohio EMA Executive Director Sima Merick

    “I am pleased that Ohio is receiving the additional 9 million face masks,” said Ohio EMA Executive Director Sima Merick. “We’ll be able to provide needed masks to not only Ohio grade schools and colleges, but to so many more of our partners and stakeholders.”

    “Ohio schools are working hard to keep students and staff members as safe as possible during the transition back to school,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Paolo DeMaria. “In fact, some schools already have reopened and this infusion of masks will go a long way toward helping protect everyone involved in the process. These masks will help to ensure healthy practices and position schools to have a safe start to the new academic year.”

    State Superintendent of Public Instruction Paolo DeMaria

    “As we fight this pandemic, we must continue to focus on the most vulnerable and make sure they have the resources they need to prevent and respond to disease, said Interim Director of Lance Himes, Ohio Department of Health. “Masks have proven to be a lifesaving tool, one that must be made available to everyone, regardless of income, age, race, ethnicity, or background. I am grateful that both the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Ohio EMA recognize the importance of helping us protect each and every Ohioan from the devastating effects of COVID-19. Such priorities help make our communities stronger, ease hardship, and move us toward our goal of ensuring that no one is left behind.”

    “We are extremely grateful that these masks will be provided at no cost to Ohio child care providers,” said Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Director Kimberly Hall. “All Ohioans deserve equal access to the tools they need to keep themselves, their families and communities safe. Masks are one of the most important lines of defense that we have.”

    FEMA is delivering half of the mask shipment to Ohio this week. Identified partners to receive the masks will assist in distribution.

  • Broadway Street Stabilization Project underway

    Broadway Street Stabilization Project underway

    Loveland, Ohio – City Manager Dave Kennedy reported today that the City is preparing to start construction on the “long-awaited Broadway Street Stabilization Project”. Kennedy said that the $413,000 project will address the long-standing issue of hillside slippage along approximately 400 feet of Broadway Street near the intersection of Hanna Avenue.

    This is the steep, one-way street that borders the Eads Fence Company.

    To stabilize the hillside, a concrete pier wall will be installed. An existing 36” box culvert will also be replaced, and five new catch basins installed. Following the installation of the pier wall, box culvert and catch basins, new guard rails and concrete curbing will be installed.

    The project’s $413,000 cost include 50% from an Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) grant and 50% through a 0%, OPWC loan. Kennedy said that the City had submitted for funding for this project numerous times in the past, “so for it to finally be funded was excellent news as the problem was worsening.”

    Although the project was delayed as the City awaited formal release of state funding due to the COVID-19 pandemic, construction will begin as soon as possible according to the City Manager. He said, “The design of the project is a long-term solution that will not only address an important public infrastructure project, it will also protect adjacent private property.”

    Once the project commences, motorists should anticipate some road closures and corresponding detours, which will be reported in advance. For any questions on this project or future infrastructure projects, call City Manager, David Kennedy, at 513-707-1454 or by email at dkennedy@lovelandoh.gov

  • [POLL] Is it a good idea to post student’s home photos on School’s social pages?

    [POLL] Is it a good idea to post student’s home photos on School’s social pages?

    Loveland, Ohio – Today was the first day of school for the Loveland District and in a “Welcome Back, Tigers!” video on FaceBook, Superintendent Dr. Amy Crouse urged parents to send her photos of the children as they head back to school, whether in-person or remotely. Many parents already have and the photos have been posted on the District’s public FaceBook and Twitter pages.

    Many of these photos contain personal information about the child, whether standing at their front door, in their neighborhood or even photos of the child in their bedroom where they will be studying. Some of the photos give first names, some last names, what grade they are in, and their age. Many say the name of their teacher.

    On the District Twitter page, you can read the parent’s full name along with the child’s photo. Some of the posts disclose which day a child will be home and which day a child will be on the bus or at school, which reveals when a child may be waiting on their school bus or getting off one.

    Posting back to school photos on a personal FaceBook page is common practice and shared with personal friends and grandparents, however, posting children’s photos of them in their bedroom on a public page is infinite in the number of people around the globe who can now view the images along with the personal information.

    The invitation to parents said:

    We know that this school year is starting like no other, but we still want to still celebrate the first day of school on Monday.

    We hope that whether you are starting school in person or remotely that you share your official “first day of school” photos with us!

    Share using the hashtag #LCSFirstDay20 or email your photos to krsacome@lovelandschools.org. We will feature student photos on our social media channels all week! #TigersTogether #LCSFirstDay20.

    Dr. Crouse’s invitation is at the 38-second mark of this video.

    [poll id=”6″]

  • [Video Interviews] Witnesses to plane crash in Miami Township

    [Video Interviews] Witnesses to plane crash in Miami Township

    David Miller is the Editor and Publisher of Loveland Magazine

    by David Miller

    Miami Township, Ohio – “I knocked on the window and he was like still holding on…” Alex Salatin explained, holding out both arms stiff imitating the pilot. “He was still holding onto the controls to fly it.”

    Alex was talking about the airplane pilot, only a few years older than him who put a single-engine Cessna down safely about fifty feet away from him as he was mowing the front lawn of his home in Miami Trails. “He was like, ‘Yeah, I’m good. I’m good.” Alex is a Senior at Loveland High School.

    The pilot, Phillip Sullivan made the emergency landing while returning from Wadsworth, Ohio to Louisville. He was on a Pilots-N-Paws flight and had delivered puppies to the northern Ohio town that is South of Cleveland.

    No one was injured.

    Nick Early explains what it was like and what he did when he heard the crash from the upstairs of his home The plane ended up in his front yard. He said, “It was a pretty skilled job, him being able to land it on the street here.”

    The plane was headed into John Chevalier’s front yard when a wing clipped off a driveway lamp pole and spun it around preventing any damage to his home. John said that he had already, “Fired up the grill” so he treated the young pilot along with the pilot’s father who drove up from Louisville to check on his son to a steak dinner.

    You will hear from Alex, his father Ron, and their neighbors John Chevalier and Nick Early in these LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV interviews.

    Ron Salatin said about his son, “What a proud moment. He did all the right things.” He said he told his son, “He should be proud of himself.”

     

  • As we reopen Loveland Schools: CDC director blocked from appearing before Congress to testify about reopening schools

    As we reopen Loveland Schools: CDC director blocked from appearing before Congress to testify about reopening schools

    CDC Director Robert Redfield

    The Loveland Board of Education voted unanimously on Wednesday to fully re-open schools. During their discussion, we heard repeatedly how the devil’s daily details are not yet known because staff and administrators are waiting for advice and guidelines from various local, State, and Federal agencies that have yet to be released. (In unanimous vote Loveland Board of Education approves reopening plan)

    Chris Wallace asks Education Secretary Betsy DeVos if she has authority to pull funding from schools that don’t reopen and about safely re-opening schools

    Meanwhile, we find out today as Bianca Quilantan reports in Politico that the White House is blocking CDC officials from testifying next week at a hearing on reopening schools.

    Separately, the CDC confirmed that more guidance for opening schools won’t be released until later this month. The report was expected to already be available.

    House Education and Labor Committee Chair Bobby Scott (VA-03) had invited CDC Director Robert Redfield, or a designee, to testify before the Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education Subcommittee on July 23 at a hearing on safely reopening schools.

    CNN’s Dana Bash speaks to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos about whether or not she has a plan for schools to safely reopen for students as Covid-19 cases surge in the US.

    Scott asked Redfield to discuss the immediate needs of K-12 public schools as many districts, including Loveland, Ohio schools, prepare to reopen in a few weeks.

    “It is alarming that the Trump Administration is preventing the CDC from appearing before the Committee at a time when its expertise and guidance is so critical to the health and safety of students, parents, and educators,” Scott said in a statement to Politico. “This lack of transparency does a great disservice to the many communities across the country facing difficult decisions about reopening schools this fall.”

    Ohio’s COVID 19 DASHBOARD today at 7:48 AM

    Aides, speaking on background, said the committee was told that Redfield would not appear, at the direction of the White House according to Politico.

    Science and evidence-based resources and tools could provide additional information for administrators, teachers and staff, parents, caregivers and guardians in Loveland, as they work towards the public health-oriented goal of safely opening schools this fall.

    House Education and Labor Committee Chair Bobby Scott

    Scott released this statement on Friday:

    “School reopening plans must be guided by the advice of public health experts. For that reason, we asked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to testify in a public hearing to provide greater clarity on the steps we can take to help schools reopen safely.

    “It is alarming that the Trump administration is preventing the CDC from appearing before the Committee at a time when its expertise and guidance is so critical to the health and safety of students, parents, and educators. This lack of transparency does a great disservice to the many communities across the country facing difficult decisions about reopening schools this fall. 

    “The administration’s strategy of prioritizing politics over science has had a devastating impact on our country throughout this pandemic. It should not make that same mistake when it comes to reopening schools.”

    Hamilton County COVID 19 Dashboard today at 7:55 AM

     

    Ohio Public Health Advisory System The Public Health Advisory Alert System is a color-coded system designed to supplement existing statewide orders through a data-driven framework to assess the degree of the virus’ spread and to engage and empower individuals, businesses, communities, local governments, and others in their response and actions. (7-18-2020)

     

    Warren County COVID 19 Dashboard today at 8:02 AM

     

    Clermont County COVID 19 Dashboard today at 8:02 AM

     

     

  • Ohio Department of Health stresses that teens and young adults are crucial in fight against COVID-19

    Ohio Department of Health stresses that teens and young adults are crucial in fight against COVID-19

    Columbus, Ohio – Lance D. Himes, interim director of the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), is calling on Ohio teens and young adults to take precautions to protect themselves and others against the dangers of COVID-19.

    Himes said it is essential that young people stay home and away from others if they are sick, adhere to 6-foot social distancing, and wear facial coverings when they go out. Avoid gathering in large crowds, huddling in groups, and sharing hugs or drinks.

    “Young people have given up a great deal since this pandemic first hit and are eager to get back to normal,” Himes said. “I thank them for their sacrifices and urge them to create a new normal in which they find ways to safely socialize, wear masks, keep a safe distance, and look out for one another.”

    ODH has prepared guidelines for parents and others for talking with young people about COVID-19. The guidelines include tips for preventing the spread and navigating new social norms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also has produced a series of fact sheets for young adults:

    The average age of people with COVID-19 in Ohio has been steadily decreasing, showing that more and more young people are being exposed, and have become ill. Even those who don’t experience symptoms or only mild ones can unknowingly carry the disease and pass it to parents, grandparents, or other family and friends who may become seriously ill.

    “Teens and young people must do everything in their power to protect themselves, their families and friends, and all Ohioans against this very real and very serious threat,” Himes said.

    Taking steps to prevent COVID-19 also shows appreciation and offers protection for essential workers who provide healthcare and deliver food, packages, and other items. Further, reducing the spread of the pandemic is critical to prevent hospitals from becoming overcrowded. Overcrowded hospitals and overburdened healthcare workers make it more difficult to care for patients in critical need—a grandparent suffering from COVID-19, an aunt having complications delivering a baby, a father with chest pain, or a friend hurt in a car crash.

    “Teens and young people must do everything in their power to protect themselves, their families and friends, and all Ohioans against this very real and very serious threat,” Himes said. “You will save lives, prevent suffering, and help tame a pandemic that places all of us at risk.”