LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor
Since 2004

Tag: batavia ohio

  • Veteran’s Village planned for Clermont County

    Veteran’s Village planned for Clermont County

    Batavia, Ohio – The Board Clermont County Board of Commissioners and Clermont Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) have announced plans for a Veteran’s Village in Clermont County to address gaps in housing and services for veterans.

    “We know of no other facility like this in the area,” said Bonnie Batchler, President, Board of County Commissioners. “We hope this will serve as an example for others around the county.”

    The facility is to include 28 cottages/houses and a community center offering wrap-around services from the Veteran’s Administration (VA) for county veterans who are homeless or living in substandard housing. There will be 22 one-bedroom units and six two-bedroom units for individuals and families. They will range from 700 to 1,100 square feet. They will be fully furnished, with a washer/dryer, broadband access, patio areas and parking spots.

    A community center will provide on-site clinical services to individuals who need them, on-site management to address issues that arise, a large gathering space, a kitchenette, and a computer/media area.

    Some units will be subsidized, depending on income. Others will be based on “fair market” rent.

    Plans call for the village to open in Franklin Township/Felicity in the spring of 2025.

    On May 17, the Board of County Commissioners gave their support to a proposed Veteran’s Village in Felicity or Franklin Township, reserving $1 million in federal HUD HOME funds for the $4-million project. Commissioners also expressed the board’s support for a Clermont Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) request for $400,000 from the 2024-2025 State of Ohio Budget for the project.

    In Clermont County alone, there are 12,000 veterans, with more than 900 facing significant housing instability. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) estimates that veterans account for more than eight percent of all adults experiencing homelessness throughout the country.

    There simply isn’t enough affordable housing – and, besides high costs, veterans can face barriers such as drug and alcohol history, PTSD, and inconsistent rental history. That’s on top of normal barriers to low-income families such as higher rents, a limited landlord pool, and inability to get utilities, transportation, and deposits.

    Plans are being made to address these barriers. The Clermont County Veteran’s Administration has agreed to provide van services to veterans. Twenty-five percent of the units will be wheelchair accessible. Veterans will have the support of nearby VFW membership.

    While the CMHA has an allotment of 40 HUD-VASH vouchers to offer veterans, it has been a struggle to fully utilize them. Nationwide the number of landlords willing to participate in the Housing Choice Voucher (HHCV) program is dwindling, and the number of landlords willing to accept an individual with a poor police background check or without consistent rental history is nearly impossible.

    CMHA Executive Director Alicia Morlatt said plans originated from the mutual frustration shared by staff of the Veteran’s Administration and CMHA.

    “Our veterans have served us,” Batchler said. “Now, it’s our turn to serve them.”

  • Clermont County set to Host the Vintage Baseball National Showcase in 2021!

    Clermont County set to Host the Vintage Baseball National Showcase in 2021!

    Cassie Mattia is the Associate Editor of Loveland Magazine and Lives in Historic Downtown Loveland

    by Cassie Mattia

    Batavia, Ohio – Clermont County will be bringing vintage baseball to a city near you! It was announced on October 26th in a press release from The Clermont County Convention and Visitors Bureau that they would be partnering with Olympic Fields to host the 2021 National Showcase of Vintage Baseball. The prestigious baseball event is scheduled for June 12th and 13th of 2021.

    The Vintage Baseball theme is meant to represent the rules and customs from baseball clubs and origins dating back to the 1800s. The National Showcase is played using rules and uniforms from the 1850s, 1860s, and 1880s.

    The respected event is set to bring in at least 40 teams from all across the United States with 15 players on each team. The baseball showcase, which will be managed by Oaks of Locust Corner BBC and Moscow Monarchs BBC, is expecting nearly 500 spectators in attendance with an estimated 650 Clermont County hotel rooms booked creating an estimated $300,000 for the county’s economy, according to Discover Clermont County’s press release. If the first year proves successful the vintage baseball event will be hosted annually in Clermont County.
    There will be some differences in the way the vintage baseball games will be played compared to today. There will only be underhand throws to the batter (striker), there will be no fences, no gloves will be used, and the ball will be allowed to be played off one bounce.
    In addition to all the baseball fun, those attending the baseball showcase will be able to get Cincinnati’s best food, and craft beer as well as shop at local baseball merchants and enjoy live music!
    To read the full press release from Discover Clermont Country about the 2021 National Vintage Baseball Showcase you can click the following link: https://discoverclermont.com/clermont-news/clermont-county-cvb-to-host-national-vintage-base-ball-tournament/.
    To learn more about Vintage Base Ball and the 2021 National Showcase visit-  www.vbba.org / www.locustcornerbbc.org
    Stay tuned for more the Sports 411 with me, Cassie Mattia!
  • Clermont Commissioners approve increase in poll worker pay

    Clermont Commissioners approve increase in poll worker pay

    Clermont County is seeking 30 Democratic poll workers for the Nov. 7 general election

    Batavia, Ohio – Clermont County Commissioners approved on Sept. 27 an increase in the pay of county local precinct officials, also known as poll workers.

    Beginning immediately, one-day pay for poll workers will go from $105 to $120. Pay for training, which typically lasts two to three hours, will increase from $25 to $35. And pay for mileage will increase, from a minimum of $10 a trip to a maximum of $55 a trip. Poll workers are paid mileage based on the distance from the Board of Elections in Batavia, where they pick up equipment and supplies, to the precinct polling place.

    “This is the first increase in pay for our poll workers since 2008,” said Judy Miller, Director of the Clermont County Board of Elections. “Our poll workers are dedicated to what they do, and they are responsible for making our elections a success. They work long days, and we are grateful that the Commissioners recognized that they were due a raise in pay.”

    Clermont County has 167 precincts, and four poll workers – two Democrats and two Republicans – are required by law to staff every precinct. Currently, Clermont County is seeking 30 Democratic poll workers for the Nov. 7 general election. Races for cities, villages, townships, and school boards will be on the ballot, along with a race for a Municipal Court judge, as well as two state issues.

    If you are interested in finding out more about being a poll worker, call the Board of Elections at 513.732.7275. You will also find information here: http://www.clermontelections.org/precinct-election-officials.

    Now Enrolling at All About Kids at Wards Corner today!