Loveland Magazine

LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor

Since 2004

Tag: Cincinnati

New Episode: The Queen City Sports Podcast by Chris Ball & Mark Raines

by Chris Ball

Loveland, Ohio – Don’t look now, but the Bearcats have some life! They’ve won 3 straight games, and scored 84 or more points in each of them. Jizzle James is dominating on offense, and the Cats are getting back to their dominance on the glass. Their offense is playing to its strengths once again, and what seemed like a program on the brink just a short few weeks ago has a pulse, and a realistic chance to make the NCAA Tournament. Mark and Chris talk you through exactly what the numbers look like, and just how Cincinnati has pulled itself back into the hunt. They are still behind the eight ball with very tough tests upcoming against Iowa State, Baylor, and Houston, but there is still hope in the Queen City.

The guys next talk about the Michigan Wolverine’s big home win against the top 10 Purdue Boilermakers, avenging a huge blowout lost a few weeks ago in West Lafayette. Dusty May has transformed a program that won just 8 games last year into one that now sits atop the Big 10. Although the Wolverines turn the ball over far too much, Mark and Chris explain why some of these turnovers are the result of the offense the Wolverines run, and just how efficient they can be if they are cleaned up. Ahead of a big matchup with Ohio State this weekend, Michigan looks to keep the momentum rolling as they climb in the polls.

Finally, the guys bring you a recap of the Super Bowl and a tough loss for the Kansas City Chiefs. Jaylen Hurts answered the call and led the Eagles to victory as Saquon Barkley was relatively quiet. Though Patrick Mahomes had an uncharacteristically poor performance, he surely had no help from his line, running backs, or receivers. In the wake of this loss, Kansas City has plenty of holes to fill, and we will see if they can return to the title game in 2026.

Have a listen and don’t forget to leave your comments and feedback!

In addition, here is the article that Chris and Mark referenced when discussing the Wolverines and their efficient offense, despite having one of the worst turnover rates in college basketball.

_______________________

Hey readers… have an opinion about sports? How about a topic you’d like to see written about in Loveland Magazine or a thought about one of our articles?

Just need to vent and get out your frustration about the Reds, Bengals, or any other sports issues?

Feel free to share with an email to lovelandmagazinesports@gmail.com!

We would love to hear from our readers, and we thank you for your support and engagement.

Also, don’t forget to follow us at The Loveland Sports Desk at the below links:

For Facebook, click here.

For X, click here.

For Instagram, click here.

Christopher Ball is a longtime Loveland resident and an attorney. He graduated from Loveland High School in 2003 and was a member of the football team before going on to become a coach’s assistant at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He has been following and rooting for the Reds and Bengals since the early 1990s and has been through the many ups and downs that fandom has wrought over the years.

Feb 13, 2025
Southbound I-471 to Reopen Sunday evening

Cincinnati, Ohio – Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Pamela Boratyn has announced that the southbound lanes of Interstate 471 approaching the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge will reopen on Sunday evening, exactly 100 days after the roadway was severely damaged by fire.

Through Sunday evening, crews will put finishing touches on the bridge, including grinding and grooving the deck, final welding below the expansion joint seal, and pavement striping.

ODOT will announce an exact reopening time on social media about an hour before the final barricades are removed.

Feb 9, 2025
New Episode: The Queen City Sports Podcast by Chris Ball & Mark Raines

by Chris Ball

Loveland, Ohio – Our Super Bowl preview episode is here! Chris and Mark touch on whether Jalen Hurts can win this game on his own if the Chiefs’ run defense shuts down Saquon Barkley. It’s ultimately going to come down to the game’s biggest players, and that means, of course, Patrick Mahomes. The combination of Mahomes and Andy Reed are creating quite a dynasty, and a third straight Super Bowl win will cement them among football’s best franchises.

The guys also get to the week in Bearcats basketball. They skip over a bad loss against West Virginia to recap a much more positive 93-83 win on the road against UCF. The Cats played their game on offense and got some better looks at the basket, which resulted in shooting nearly 60 percent from the field. It was a win the program desperately needed, but it remains to be seen if they can stay on track.

Mark and Chris briefly talk about the Wolverines’ tough win over Oregon, and the difficulty their guards have in creating offense without such high turnover rates. The guys break down the Cavaliers’ huge acquisition of Atlanta Hawks forward De’Andre Hunter and it’s a move both the guys really like. And Joe Burrow has been making the rounds doing media events prior to the Super Bowl, and Chris and Mark bring you just how his comments may impact the Bengals’ offseason plans.

Have a listen and don’t forget to leave your comments and feedback!

And don’t forget, it’s almost time for Reds’ Spring Training! In just a few short weeks the Cincinnati Reds will be taking the field on February 22 for some split squad action. The first broadcast game will be on February 26, so catch it if you can! The Reds open the regular season against the San Francisco Giants on March 27th!

_______________________

Hey readers… have an opinion about sports? How about a topic you’d like to see written about in Loveland Magazine or a thought about one of our articles?

Just need to vent and get out your frustration about the Reds, Bengals, or any other sports issues?

Feel free to share with an email to lovelandmagazinesports@gmail.com!

We would love to hear from our readers, and we thank you for your support and engagement.

Also, don’t forget to follow us at The Loveland Sports Desk at the below links:

For Facebook, click here.

For X, click here.

For Instagram, click here.

Christopher Ball is a longtime Loveland resident and an attorney. He graduated from Loveland High School in 2003 and was a member of the football team before going on to become a coach’s assistant at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He has been following and rooting for the Reds and Bengals since the early 1990s and has been through the many ups and downs that fandom has wrought over the years.

Feb 7, 2025
An exhibition to shake the conscience of the world coming to Union Terminal
Cincinnati, Ohio – Through this daunting selection of more than 500 original artifacts from the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in Poland, as well as more than 20 institutions and museums all over the world, Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away. portrays the complex reality of the notorious camp while sharing firsthand stories from those who survived, and those who perished.

Opens October 2025

These remarkable artifacts range from:
- Concrete posts that were part of the fence of the Auschwitz II-Birkenau camp
- Fragments of an original prisoners’ barrack from the Auschwitz III-Monowitz camp
- A gas mask used by the concentration camp officers
- Personal items including shoes, clothing, children’s dolls, eyeglasses and suitcases
When guests enter the exhibition, they will confront one of history’s darkest periods… but they will also be part of an ongoing remembrance and will leave bearing the weight of society’s responsibility to combat hate and evil everywhere.

Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away. is hosted at Union Terminal by Cincinnati Museum Center and the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center. The exhibition was created by Musealia in cooperation with the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum.

The opportunity to bring this impactful exhibition to Cincinnati has been generously supported by Rhonda and Larry Sheakley, the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, the Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati and the Ohio Holocaust and Genocide Memorial and Education Commission.

Be the first to know when tickets go on sale for Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away.

Join the Waitlist
Feb 6, 2025
Brent Spence Bridge Project Faces Uncertainty as Federal Funding Stalls

Photo by Construction Today

The Brent Spence Bridge serves as a major artery for commerce and daily travel between Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati. As part of the heavily trafficked I-71/I-75 corridor, the bridge facilitates the movement of approximately $2 billion in goods each day, making it one of the most vital transportation links in the Midwest.

However, its outdated design and increasing congestion have long been a concern. Originally built in 1963 to accommodate about 80,000 vehicles per day, the bridge now carries nearly double that number, leading to frequent bottlenecks and safety issues. Planned improvements – including the construction of a new companion bridge and upgrades to surrounding roadways – are expected to alleviate congestion and modernize the infrastructure.

The $3.6 billion Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project secured a significant win in early 2023 with $1.6 billion in federal funding. However, recent developments have thrown the project’s future into uncertainty.

Read on in Construction Today…

Feb 4, 2025
New Episode: The Queen City Sports Podcast by Chris Ball & Mark Raines

by Chris Ball

Loveland, Ohio – The Cincinnati Bearcats are struggling mightily and are now 2-7 in the Big 12 after a very good start to the season. Mark and Chris do a deep dive on what has gone wrong during this last stretch of very winnable games for the Cats. The problems stem from what we all thought was going to be a huge strength for this team, namely rebounding and hustle. Cincinnati has been outrebounded in their last several games, and it is making it nearly impossible to win, especially when the offense has also struggled. Mark and Chris disucss just what has gone wrong and what it means for the rest of this Bearcats season, and even the prospects for the team going into next year. The guys also get into the NFC and AFC Championship games, and the impact that both Saquon Barkley and Patrick Mahomes had on their teams’ victories. And don’t forget to tune in next week when we preview the Super Bowl matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.

Have a listen and don’t forget to leave your comments and feedback!

_______________________

Hey readers… have an opinion about sports? How about a topic you’d like to see written about in Loveland Magazine or a thought about one of our articles?

Just need to vent and get out your frustration about the Reds, Bengals, or any other sports issues?

Feel free to share with an email to lovelandmagazinesports@gmail.com!

We would love to hear from our readers, and we thank you for your support and engagement.

Also, don’t forget to follow us at The Loveland Sports Desk at the below links:

For Facebook, click here.

For X, click here.

For Instagram, click here.

Christopher Ball is a longtime Loveland resident and an attorney. He graduated from Loveland High School in 2003 and was a member of the football team before going on to become a coach’s assistant at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He has been following and rooting for the Reds and Bengals since the early 1990s and has been through the many ups and downs that fandom has wrought over the years.

Jan 30, 2025
New Episode: The Queen City Sports Podcast by Chris Ball & Mark Raines

by Chris Ball

Loveland, Ohio – Is it time to panic for Bearcat basketball fans? After the loss against Texas Tech this past week, Mark explains exactly why there is still plenty to be positive about for Cincinnati. Make no mistake though, this next stretch of winnable games for the team could very well could decide whether they end up becoming a promising NCAA Tournament team, or whether their season is effectively over. Chris and Mark also give their reactions to Ohio State winning the National Championship and the reflection the Irish defense’s performance had on Bengals fans perceptions of their new hire in defensive coordinator Al Golden. Chris also discusses the Wolverine basketball team’s grueling overtime win against Northwestern and their big matchup with top 15 Purdue on Friday.

Have a listen and don’t forget to leave your comments and feedback!

_______________________

Hey readers… have an opinion about sports? How about a topic you’d like to see written about in Loveland Magazine or a thought about one of our articles?

Just need to vent and get out your frustration about the Reds, Bengals, or any other sports issues?

Feel free to share with an email to lovelandmagazinesports@gmail.com!

We would love to hear from our readers, and we thank you for your support and engagement.

Also, don’t forget to follow us at The Loveland Sports Desk at the below links:

For Facebook, click here.

For X, click here.

For Instagram, click here.

Christopher Ball is a longtime Loveland resident and an attorney. He graduated from Loveland High School in 2003 and was a member of the football team before going on to become a coach’s assistant at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He has been following and rooting for the Reds and Bengals since the early 1990s and has been through the many ups and downs that fandom has wrought over the years.

Jan 23, 2025
New Episode: The Queen City Sports Podcast by Chris Ball & Mark Raines

by Chris Ball

Loveland, Ohio – The Bearcats got their first conference win on Wednesday night and Mark is here to break down how they did it. The Bearcats’ offensive struggles are still an issue and he and Chris discuss which Bearcat player is the catalyst for turning it all around. It’s also going to be a crucial stretch for Cincinnati in their next run of winnable games, in Mark’s opinion they have to take advantage in order to improve their resume before the NCAA Tournament field is announced in the coming weeks. For his part, it was a rough Thursday night sports-wise for Chris, as the Thunder blew out the Cavaliers and Michigan had an ugly loss on the road to a determined Minesota team. But Mark was able to talk him off of the ledge and the guys discuss how both teams can learn from these losses and how they don’t mean the sky is falling for either team. The guys also touch on the upcoming championship matchup between Ohio State and Notre Dame, and why they feel the game will be closer than most of the pundits are predicting.

Have a listen and don’t forget to leave your comments and feedback!

_______________________

Hey readers… have an opinion about sports? How about a topic you’d like to see written about in Loveland Magazine or a thought about one of our articles?

Just need to vent and get out your frustration about the Reds, Bengals, or any other sports issues?

Feel free to share with an email to lovelandmagazinesports@gmail.com!

We would love to hear from our readers, and we thank you for your support and engagement.

Also, don’t forget to follow us at The Loveland Sports Desk at the below links:

For Facebook, click here.

For X, click here.

For Instagram, click here.

Christopher Ball is a longtime Loveland resident and an attorney. He graduated from Loveland High School in 2003 and was a member of the football team before going on to become a coach’s assistant at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He has been following and rooting for the Reds and Bengals since the early 1990s and has been through the many ups and downs that fandom has wrought over the years.

Jan 16, 2025
Loveland Bike Trail could become part of National Scenic Trail
National Park Service considering making the The Buckeye Trail (including Loveland Bike Trail) a National Scenic Trail

David Miller is the Editor in Chief of Loveland Magazine

Loveland, Ohio – Loveland certainly, and rightfully so, brags of having the National and State Scenic Little Miami River flowing through our Historic Downtown. Recent and ongoing efforts to protect the integrity of its water quality and shores demonstrate how entirely virtuous these bragging rights are. (Planning and Zoning Commission reverses course on SPD for 12 homes on Riverside Drive)

Now comes the opportunity to have a National Scenic Trail running, walking, and jogging through our renowned, resort-like community.

A a group ride in Historic Downtown at Nisbet Park on the Loveland Bike Trail.

The National Park Service is conducting a feasability study to determine the status of the Buckeye Trail to become a National Scenic Trail. Community members and stakeholders can share their support for the Buckeye Trail through an opportunity to review the feasibility study process and share feedback regarding the study. You are invited you to review the project and provide input. Visit https://parkplanning.nps.gov/buckeyetrailfs for details and to share comments. The public comment period will be open until February 19th, 2025.

National Park Service Public Meetings

The National Park Service is conducting meetings around Ohio the week of January 13‐17 as part of the feasibility study to determine National Scenic Trail status for the Buckeye Trail. There is an additional virtual meeting scheduled for January 23.

Meeting Information:

In these public meetings, NPS staff will share information about the study process, including the criteria used to evaluate the trail for inclusion in the National Trails System, and answer questions.
- Thursday, January 16, 2024 from 4:00 until 7:00 P.M.
  Cincinnati, Ohio – Digital Futures Building
  Level 1 Conference Room, Room 140
  3080 Exploration Avenue
  Cincinnati, Ohio 45206
- Thursday, January 23, 2025 from 5:30 to 6:30 P.M.
  This will be a Virtual Meeting using Microsoft Teams.
  Login information will be available in a few weeks.
The 1,454-mile Buckeye Trail, spans Ohio’s diverse landscapes, connecting 47 counties and more than 100 communities.

The study was approved with bipartisan support Congress 2022. Congress directed the Secretary of the Interior to study the feasibility and suitability of designating the Buckeye Trail as a National Scenic Trail.

According to the Buckeye Trail Association, “National Scenic Trail designation would see the Buckeye Trail join an elite group of 11 existing trails, making the Buckeye Trail the 5th largest in the nation, the only circumferential trail, and the first trail to receive this designation since 2009. This recognition would unlock significant benefits, including increased federal support, enhanced visibility, and expanded opportunities for community and economic development across Ohio.”

The trail was built from 1959 to 1980 by the Buckeye Trail Association, a non-profit organization that still administers it. More than half of the Buckeye Trail route overlaps the North County National Scenic Trail route as it passes through Ohio.

The Little Miami State Park, (What Lovelander’s refer to as the Loveland Bike Trail) is a unique recreational asset in the state park system: a trail corridor. This scenic, riverside trail offers numerous recreational pursuits — bicycling, hiking, cross-country skiing, rollerblading, backpacking and horseback riding. The corridor also provides access to boating on the Little Miami River.

The park contains 50 miles of paved trail from Terrace Park in Hamilton County to Hedges Road in Greene County. The remainder of the trail to Springfield is also paved and operated by Greene County Parks and Trails. (For information on the trail north of Hedges Road, visit gcparkstrails.com or call 937-376-7440.)

A staging area in Corwin has parking, flush restrooms (seasonally), and picnic tables. Other facilities have been developed along the trail in Oregonia, Morrow, South Lebanon, Fosters, Loveland, Miamiville, and Milford. These trailside stops may include parking, restrooms or portable toilets, benches, picnic tables, restaurants and trail access points. These facilities are wheelchair accessible.

____________________

About the Buckeye Trail
Since its establishment in 1959, the Buckeye Trail has grown from a 500-mile route into the nation’s largest loop trail, closing the loop in Cuyahoga Valley National Park in 1980. Free and open to all, 1,454 miles of the Buckeye Trail pass through 21 designated Buckeye Trail Towns and landmarks such as Wayne National Forest, Serpent Mound, and Fort Ancient, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Buckeye Trail is within 90 minutes of every Ohioan, providing an accessible connection to Ohio’s Great Outdoors and showcasing the state’s scenic and historical diversity. buckeyetrail.org

About the Buckeye Trail Association
Established in 1959, the Buckeye Trail Association builds, maintains, preserves, and promotes Ohio’s Buckeye Trail as a sustainable resource connecting people to the state’s scenic and historical diversity. The BTA inspires conservation and outdoor recreation across the state. buckeyetrail.org
Jan 15, 2025
New Episode: The Queen City Sports Podcast by Chris Ball & Mark Raines

by Chris Ball

Loveland, Ohio – Chris and Mark survived the Snowmageddon to bring you this weeks’ podcast. We discuss how the Bengals season has come to a close and reflect on just how they got here. There were plenty of missed opportunities along the way which really dampened amazing the numbers put up by Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Trey Hendrickson. But at the end of the day the Bengals ended the year on a very nice winning streak. Zac Taylor improved his play calling, and the defense played much better. And while the season may have ended in disappointment, there is plenty to be positive about.

This offseason is perhaps the most crucial in Bengals’ history, and Chris and Mark delve into the opening moves Cincinnati has made to start that offseason, and how the firing of defensives coordinator Lou Anarumo and other assistant coaches impact the plan for next year. Then, Mark breaks down just what has gone wrong with the Bearcats basketball team and their 0-3 start to conference play, and how they can bounce back with a big game looming against the Kansas Jayhawks at home this Saturday.

The guys also touch on whether the Michigan Wolverines are legitimate Final Four contenders, and just what the Cleveland Cavaliers’ big win over the Western Conference heavyweights, the Oklahoma City Thunder, might mean for Cleveland’s chances to make it to the NBA Finals.

Have a listen and don’t forget to leave your comments and feedback!

_______________________

Hey readers… have an opinion about sports? How about a topic you’d like to see written about in Loveland Magazine or a thought about one of our articles?

Just need to vent and get out your frustration about the Reds, Bengals, or any other sports issues?

Feel free to share with an email to lovelandmagazinesports@gmail.com!

We would love to hear from our readers, and we thank you for your support and engagement.

Also, don’t forget to follow us at The Loveland Sports Desk at the below links:

For Facebook, click here.

For X, click here.

For Instagram, click here.

Christopher Ball is a longtime Loveland resident and an attorney. He graduated from Loveland High School in 2003 and was a member of the football team before going on to become a coach’s assistant at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He has been following and rooting for the Reds and Bengals since the early 1990s and has been through the many ups and downs that fandom has wrought over the years.

Jan 9, 2025