LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

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Rain closes Loveland roads

The Little Miami River at 9:15 PM at the Loveland Canoe and Kayak

Loveland, Ohio (9:14 PM) – Heavy rain has caused the Little Miami River to overflow onto Karl Brown Way, East Broadway, East Kemper Road, and Cones Road.

The National Weather Service is now reporting higher than the previously expected crest of the river, now at nearly 19′ in Milford, before the river level begins to fall tomorrow. The flood stage in Milford is 17′.

The other nearest measuring station is at Kings Mills and there it is predicted to reach 18.5′, also higher than previously predicted only a few hours ago.

February 17, 2022
Ohio House considers bill for students to use public school money on private schools

Stock photo from Getty Images.

BY SUSAN TEBBEN – Ohio Capital Journal

After what sponsors say was a year of work to “find the right approach,” a new version of a bill that would attach school funding to each student was introduced Tuesday in the Ohio House.

The Ohio House Finance Committee heard about House Bill 290, which would create an “opt-in” approach to private school scholarship funding, and allow students to take funding that would normally go to the public school districts with them as they opt for a private school option.

“The primary education option would remain the local assigned public school,” state Rep. Riordan McClain, R-Upper Sandusky, told the committee.

Under the bill, if a family chooses to go the private school route, an educational savings account would be created for the child, and the state’s share of educational funding would be deposited there “for the parents to find the right educational path for their child,” according to McClain.

The program would have an annual disbursement of $5,500 for K-8 students, and $7,500 for high school students, identical to the funding model of the EdChoice private school voucher program in the state.

Private school groups, along with the religious freedom lobby the Center for Christian Virtue, have put their support behind the bill saying it allows parents to choose the education they want for their children.

The so-called “backpack bill” has been criticized by public education officials as yet another siphoning of funds away from public schools, which they say does not create the “thorough and efficient” system of schooling required of the state by the constitution.

“HB 290 would force local communities to rely even more heavily on local property taxes to fund schools for the 90% of Ohio children who attend public schools,” said Ohio Education Association president Scott DiMauro.

Federal education dollars and individual school district levy dollars would not be attached to the child under the bill, only the state share of instruction, typically shelled out to districts as a blanket sum.

Bill sponsors McClain and state Rep. Marilyn John, R-Richland County, acknowledged financial analysis of the bill is still ongoing, but said the bill shouldn’t be considered anti-public schools legislation.

“Rather, it is a pro-child, pro-parent, pro-family bill which empowers parents and families to make a choice that is in the best interest of their child,” John said.

Representatives who led the most recent charge for the Fair School Funding plan, the new overhaul of the state educational funding system, wondered why the bill was introduced before the impact of the overhaul could be assessed.

“When we have not fully fixed our public school funding, and we’ve known that we’ve had over 26 years of not constitutionally funding it … to open up a process to take more money out of the public schools without even giving them a chance,” said state Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney, D-Cleveland. “Let’s get to that six-year phase-in, really see if that system works.”

McClain said they don’t expect a mass exodus to private schools if their funding plan is passed, and even see it as a plan that could work alongside the public school funding overhaul.

Still, having the option to move to private schools could “create a competitive market” for children and parents to make educational decisions.

The committee will hear opponent and proponent testimony in future hearings on the bill.

February 17, 2022
Little Miami expected to reach “Minor Flooding” stage
The graph above is from the National Weather Service depicting potential river levels around the Kings Mills area.

The National Weather Service predicts that today’s rain will cause the Little Miami River to reach “Minor Flooding” levels tonight.

At the Kings Mills monitoring location it is predicted there will be flooding of lowland areas occurring from South Lebanon to Foster. Portions of Mason-Morrow-Millgrove Road will also flood, as well as Stubbs Mills Road near the river, including Front Street in Morrow floods.

Lowland flooding is possible along the Little Miami River in Clermont and Hamilton Counties, with flooding of Karl Brown Way near Loveland.

The river is expected to crest near 17′ at Kings Mills and 16.5′ in Milford.
```
FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM EST FRIDAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for East Central Indiana,
Southeast Indiana, Central Ohio, Southwest Ohio and West Central
Ohio.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Flood Watch.

A rapid freeze-up is possible tonight as temperatures drop quickly
below freezing.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Lingering high water may cause flooding to persist Friday and into
this weekend, even after the heavy rain ends.
```
Weather Forecast

This Afternoon

Rain and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 60. South wind around 13 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tonight

Rain and thunderstorms likely before 11pm, then a slight chance of rain between 11pm and midnight. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Cloudy, with a low around 23. West wind 10 to 18 mph becoming north in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday

Mostly cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 35. Northwest wind 6 to 9 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.

Friday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 24. Southwest wind 6 to 11 mph.
February 17, 2022
Rally this Saturday at City Hall to ask for public engagement on proposed parking garage

“Make Your Voice Heard About the Garage Proposal“

by Lauren Enda

Everyone is invited to a rally this Saturday, February 19 at 1 PM in front of Loveland City Hall. Members of the community are asking the city council to engage with the public before building a parking garage in historic downtown Loveland. There are too many unanswered questions surrounding the garage proposal.

Before spending millions of taxpayer dollars, council should:

1. Determine the exact need

2. Look at less expensive options – cost to build, maintain and enforce

3. Look at the environmental consequences – water runoff, noise, light, and air pollution

4. Address other priorities of the city, like traffic and the antiquated water systems that won’t be addressed because of this spending

5. Balance parking issues with how the massive size (about the size of a football playing field) will detract from Loveland’s charm

6. Let the citizens vote by referendum if council decides to move ahead

Join us on Saturday if you believe the citizens of Loveland should have answers to these questions before moving forward. Sign the petition at the link below to let your voice be heard.

Petition · Stop the Loveland Garage · Change.org

by Lauren Enda,

Lauren Enda lives in Loveland at Hidden Creek

February 17, 2022
LIFE Food Pantry Encourages Food Drives due to Donation Shortages

by Cassie Mattia

Loveland, Ohio – Are you a local business, organization, church, or school that is looking for an opportunity to give back to the community? Well now is your chance as LIFE Food Pantry needs your help!

During this time of the year donations to food pantries tend to slow down while the need for donations either stays the same or increases. This issue is a constant battle every year. In order for LIFE Food Pantry to continue serving the 45140 zip code by providing food, financial assistance, and additional programs for those in need, they are asking for the community to rally around one another and host food drives!

Food Drives not only help stock LIFE Food Pantry’s shelves but also raise awareness in the community and encourage groups of people to come together for a great cause. Anyone can host a food drive and anyone can participate, you just have to be willing to organize it and make it happen! In the past businesses and organizations such as Loveland High School’s Tiger Inc, the Loveland Symmes Police Department, Loveland’s Kroger, Paxton’s Grill, the Loveland Athletic Boosters, and many more have hosted successful food drives. Doing good can be fun as you can be as creative as you want to be when organizing and hosting a food drive!

Ready for the challenge?! If you would like to host a food drive visit LIFE Food Pantry’s website, call the pantry at 513-583-8222, or shoot them an email. You can always stop by to discuss food drive possibilities as LIFE Food Pantry is located at 541 Loveland-Madeira Rd, Loveland Ohio 45140 and their hours are Tuesday 10 a.m.-12 p.m and 4-6:30 p.m, Wednesday 10 a.m.-12 p.m, Thursday 10 a.m.-12 p.m and 4-6:30 p.m, Friday 10 a.m.-12 p.m, and Saturday 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

For the latest local news and updates stay tuned to the Loveland Salad With ME, Cassie Mattia!

February 16, 2022
Loveland Schools Covid-19 Dashboard for February 13, 2022

Loveland, Ohio – At the beginning of each week, the Loveland City School District releases their latest Covid 19 Dashboard.

Note the correction to the 10/3/ report and that community cases increased from 51 to 62.

February 16, 2022
Dems: We’ll talk about primaries when fair maps are passed

State Sen. Vernon Sykes, D-Akron, speaks with press alongside House Minority Leader Allison Russo on Friday. The Dem caucuses pushed their maps and pushed for cooperation in the ongoing redistricting process. (Photo: Susan Tebben, OCJ)

BY: SUSAN TEBBEN – Ohio Capital Journal

After making technical fixes brought up by GOP members of the Ohio Redistricting Commission, Ohio’s Democratic caucuses in the legislature are again pushing for their maps to be a model for redistricting in the state.

Legislative leaders of the party also still believe a May primary is possible, but until maps are produced with bipartisan agreement, they say they can’t come to the table to talk about other election options.

House Minority Leader Allison Russo, state Sen. Vernon Sykes, and Democratic redistricting mapmaker Chris Glassburn met at a press conference on Friday to bring up their versions of legislative maps, but also to give Republicans an ultimatum on the process.

“It is not a lack of ability that is delaying the process, rather Republicans lack the will to do what is constitutionally required to deliver the fair maps that Ohioans overwhelmingly demanded not once, but twice,” Russo said.

As of Monday evening, spokespeople for Senate President Matt Huffman, Secretary of State Frank LaRose, Auditor Keith Faber and Governor Mike DeWine said they had no information about when the commission would be meeting.

“Check with the co-chairs,” said Huffman’s spokesperson when asked if Huffman had heard about the commission or provided his own schedule to the commission.

“Secretary LaRose is ready and willing to meet at the call of the co-chairs,” LaRose’s spokesman told the OCJ. “He is focused on explaining to the General Assembly the risks associated with trying to run a secure, accurate and accessible election on the current timeline without the finality of new districts.”

A spokesperson for House Speaker and commission co-chair Bob Cupp did not respond to requests for comment on Monday.

The maps presented on Friday were the same that were released on Tuesday, which Glassburn said didn’t hold major substantive changes. Mostly the maps contained corrections to precinct lines or single census blocks, some of which were requested by Senate President Matt Huffman asked for in the most recent meetings of the Ohio Redistricting Commission.

Sykes, D-Akron, is the co-chair of the Ohio Redistricting Commission with House Speaker Bob Cupp, R-Lima. The two previous times the ORC met on legislative redistricting, Sykes and the Democrats expressed their frustration with a lack of transparency and a lack of concessions they say the Republicans were willing to provide as the map-making process went on.

The two legislative redistricting plans that came from the ORC were passed on purely Republican majorities, and each time, Sykes left the process feeling as though Democrats weren’t heard and the GOP was unmovable.

Still, Sykes said he is “hopeful” about the newest process, now with a court-ordered deadline of February 17. He said staff members have been “exchanging some information.”

But despite only days until the deadline, Sykes acknowledged getting the commission together is still an uncertainty.

“Right now, the reason we’re not meeting is because (the Republican commission members) can’t get organized on a date and time and place to do that, so we have not received any indications of what they plan on doing,” Sykes said.

Gov. Mike DeWine, who convenes the Ohio Redistricting Commission and serves as a member, went to Los Angeles this past weekend to watch the Cincinnati Bengals compete in the Super Bowl.

He held a media availability in LA on Thursday, “to talk about Super Bowl LVI, all things Cincinnati Bengals, and all things Ohio ahead of the big game on Sunday,” according to his office.

A spokesperson for fellow ORC member and Senate President Matt Huffman, R-Lima, wasted no time in releasing a statement on behalf of the majority party regarding the Dem maps and criticism of the process.

“I’m sure at this point, Democrats believe they could draw House and Senate maps in crayon and watercolor and the same four members of the court would approve their unconstitutional maps,” Senate majority director of communications John Fortney wrote in a statement.

The only specific criticism Fortney gave of the Dem plan was the 1st Senate district, saying the new plan “shoved it into districts that will not have another Senate election until 2024.”

One thing Dems said they’d be willing to wait on is deciding whether or not a May primary is possible. Russo still believe a primary can be held on May 3 as scheduled “if we take the necessary steps to promptly pass fair, constitutional maps.”

Republicans, including Huffman, brought up the idea of holding two primaries to take the pressure off the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office and local boards of election should the redistricting process take them past filing deadlines and administrative timelines for the election.

In court filings with the Ohio Supreme Court asking them to uphold the previous maps, GOP members of the ORC asked the court to allow them to use the unconstitutional maps for the primary or wait to file a decision until after the 2022 general election.

The Ohio Supreme Court did not move the primary, but reiterated in their rejection of the revised legislative maps that the General Assembly “has the authority to ease the pressure that the commission’s failure to adopt a constitutional redistricting plan has placed on the secretary of state and on county boards of elections by moving the primary election, should that action become necessary.”

The secretary of state’s office, which both Republicans and Democrats say they’ve met with, has expressed hesitancy to postpone the May 3 election, or to have two separate primaries.

The nearest deadline for the election is March 19, when the Uniformed and Overseas Citizen Absentee Voting Act says absentee ballots for eligible Ohioans should be sent out. April 5 starts the early voting period for the state under the current election timeline.

Rob Nichols, spokesperson for Secretary of State Frank LaRose, said discussions on the election are “important, complex and ongoing.”

“We continue to engage in negotiations over redistricting with those involved,” Nichols told the OCJ.

The press conference ended a week that started with multiple committee meetings in the House and Senate to discuss congressional redistricting, all of which were canceled as House Speaker Bob Cupp said the GA didn’t have the support needed to pass new maps, as ordered by the Ohio Supreme Court. With the deadline for legislative approval set for Feb. 13, Cupp said the process will now move to the ORC. They will have another 30 days to come up with new maps.

February 15, 2022
Strategic Vision Process continues on February 23 for Loveland Schools

Promoted Post

2022 will be a pivotal year for Loveland City Schools. We are launching a strategic vision process to determine the future of the district, and we want you to be involved. I want to hear from all of our stakeholders in regards to the priorities they have for the education of our most valuable asset: Our kids!

The strategic vision process will gather input from across our Loveland City Schools community of parents, students, staff members, and anyone who lives within our district boundaries. We will be working to hear as many voices as possible and come up with a set of future goals for Loveland City Schools. When we have a shared vision of what it means for our students to be successful, we can work together to help our students achieve those goals.

A series of community meetings will be announced soon, and if you can’t attend a meeting, we will be using other tools to give you a chance to make your thoughts known. The work that went into building our Portrait of a Tiger will be used as a starting point for this discussion, and we will grow our vision from there. I encourage you to get involved and help us in this important mission.

A Community Input Sessions was held on Wednesday, February 9, at Loveland High School during our Showcase Night. A second Community Input Session will be held on Wednesday, February 23, 2022, at 6:00 pm at Loveland Middle School.

Our Portrait of a Tiger was created with community input during a series of meetings in 2019. This is our vision for what our students will get from a Loveland City School education beyond academic excellence. This will form the basis of our strategic vision.

Return to this PAGE in the coming weeks to see the latest as we begin this journey together.

February 15, 2022
Local Family Thanks the Loveland Community for Organizing Hearts Afire Weekend!

by Cassie Mattia

Loveland, Ohio – February’s weekend of love was a success, especially in the City of Loveland as it celebrated its first Hearts Afire Weekend!

After months of preparation and anticipation, Loveland’s first Hearts Afire Weekend kicked off last Friday with a heartfelt bang! From the unbelievable ice sculptures to the Valentine-themed drinks and desserts to the plethora of activities local businesses organized, the city of Loveland and the community couldn’t have been more pleased with weekends festivities.

Although we will be releasing a “Loveland Hearts Afire Weekend Full-Access” article, which will include photos and videos from the weekend’s events, we wanted to take the time to share what local family, the Stang’s, had to say about their experience at Loveland’s Hearts Afire Weekend.

“Thank you for organizing and putting on such a wonderful Hearts Afire weekend. Our family had such a great time! My husband and I moved here years ago before the children. We were drawn to Loveland for so many reasons, like so many people. We loved the trail, the downtown, the restaurants, and the sense of community that Loveland had to offer. Years and 3 children later, our love for this community has only grown. This weekend (like so many events here) really showed how our town comes together and what a strong sense of community Loveland has. Our oldest goes to Premier Tumbling and participated in the Flash Mob. All 3 of my kids loved painting clay hearts and making pinch pots at Whistle Stop Clay Works! We snuggled pets up for adoption at The Loveland Stage Company and my kids learned about Myles Ahead Pet Rescue and now want to volunteer. Paxton’s was amazing for dinner (as always), and we ran into Woody from the Loveland Farmers Market, who my kids adore! We ended with caramel popcorn from Trailside Provisions, after making valentines for residents at Loveland Healthcare which includes my father. This morning we joined fellow Loveland runners in the Cupid 5k at Jack Rabbit/Fleet Feet. All the events were so much fun, so thank you for putting in all the time, effort, and organization it takes to put on a weekend-long event! Thank you to all the shops, residents, volunteers, restaurants, and of course ice carvers who made so many amazing ice sculptures! We love living in the Sweetheart of Ohio.
Thanks,
Kristen, Aaron, Treva (8), Lucas (6) & Nora (3) Stang”

Thank you so much to the Stang family for sharing those kind words about the city we love so much! We are so glad the community enjoyed Loveland’s first Hearts Afire Weekend as that is what it truly is all about! We are looking forward to celebrating love in the Sweetheart of Ohio for years to come!

If you have something you would like to share with the community please email us your “Letter to the Editor” so that we can continue giving those who would like to speak the community an outlet!

February 15, 2022
Redistricting changes shifted state school board districts before being struck down

Melissa Cropper, executive director of the Ohio Federation of Teachers said the decisions DeWine made appear to be pushing out members and candidates who supporters of public education and topics like diversity and inclusion. The lines as established under the unconstitutional maps would impact candidates focused on topics important to the OFT, like diversity and inclusion in education.

BY: SUSAN TEBBEN – Ohio Capital Journal

Amid the chaos and uncertainty of the redistricting process, a deadline loomed that would decide representation on the Ohio State Board of Education. It depended on having district lines to reference.

Legislative and congressional maps are both in limbo after the Ohio Supreme Court rejected both maps, the legislative maps getting sent back for a second time last week.

Gov. Mike DeWine was forced to assign the Ohio State Board of Education districts himself because the deadline for establishing districts for the board was January 31. Using the state senate map adopted by the Ohio Redistricting Commission on Jan. 22, DeWine signed the letter notifying board members of their districts on the day of the deadline.

Ohio Revised Code states the board of education districts must be established by Jan. 31 in a redistricting year, and if the General Assembly doesn’t create those districts themselves, the governor must take on the job.

Each board district has to makeup three contiguous state senate districts.

“Each state board of education district shall be as compact as practicable,” the state law reads.

The Ohio State Board of Education districts as they have been prior to redistricting efforts this year.
Source: Ohio Department of Education

Many of those districts didn’t change, but the most significant changes seemed to be in four particular districts; the districts represented by Dr. Christina Collins, Dr. Antoinette Miranda, Michelle Newman and Meryl Johnson.

Collins’ new district would have stretched from Union County through Holmes County, and includes parts of Franklin County in between.

Being a resident of Medina County, this plan would push her out of her district, and though the board of education races are considered non-partisan, Collins said it put her in a district that voted “overwhelmingly for significantly right-leaning state board candidates,” namely District 1 board member Diana Fessler and two candidates who unsuccessfully ran against Miranda and Newman.

“The distance presents its own challenges given I do try to be involved in the counties I represent, but I also question my philosophical appeal as a representative to what appear to be this territory’s political preferences,” Collins wrote in an email to the OCJ.

Newman’s three senate districts would have included her Newark residence in the 31st District, along with the 33rd district that brings her representation all the way to the Pennsylvania border. She would also represent the rural 30th district, that rolls from Jefferson County down the state line to Meigs County.

Newman said she’s going to continue to serve kids and support public schools whatever her district lines.

“However, when I saw my new district jump from 13 to 18 counties, lost the compactness of its previous state and also shifted to nearly all rural vs the urban/rural mix I had before, my eyebrows definitely raised,” Newman told the OCJ. “The fact that the Ohio Supreme Court just ruled the new maps unconstitutional proves my wariness was correct.”

Miranda’s districts were set to go from the Columbus area near Ohio State University to Nelsonville near Ohio University.

State Senate districts in Northeast Ohio, as shown on the most recently struck down legislative map. State board of education member Meryl Johnson would have represented districts 22, 23 and 24 under this plan, districts separated by another board member’s area in Senate district 27.
Source: Dave’s Redistricting App

Johnson’s 11th district would be broken by a peninsula of the 27th Senate district, covered by board member Tim Miller. That break separates the 22nd Senate district, which includes Ashland, Wayne and Medina counties, from the 23rd and 24th, which include pieces of Cleveland proper and Cuyahoga County.

Only 11 members of the state board are elected, with the other eight appointed by the governor.

Education officials don’t see the changes as coincidental. They see a connection between the changes made to the districts, and the four board members choices on the board, most importantly, their decision to support (and refuse to rescind) a resolution that condemned racism in state schools.

“The governor certainly signaled an intent in terms of who they seem to be trying to protect on the board and who they seem to be drawing into competitive districts,” said Scott DiMauro, president of the Ohio Education Association.

A spokesperson for DeWine corroborated state law that said it was his job to assign districts if the legislature fails to do so, but did not answer questions as to how DeWine decided on the district lines or whether he contacted incumbent members about the changes before making them official.

Some incumbent members of the legislature were told as the map-drawing process went along what changes would be made to their districts, and were asked for input before the maps were officially presented to the public.

DiMauro said the state board of education is an important entity to watch because of the power they hold over curriculum decisions, licensure law enforcement and even the hiring/firing process for teachers.

The message the state board sends in Ohio is important, and curriculum messages some board members have made regarding education on race in schools have a “destructive” effect, according to DiMauro.

“There’s a sense that you want a state board that is above politics,” DiMauro said.

Melissa Cropper, executive director of the Ohio Federation of Teachers said the decisions DeWine made appear to be pushing out members and candidates who supporters of public education and topics like diversity and inclusion. The lines as established under the unconstitutional maps would impact candidates focused on topics important to the OFT, like diversity and inclusion in education.

“I think ideally we wouldn’t even be talking about what the school board lines are until we have fair districts drawn,” Cropper said.

With the senate maps among the three maps struck down by the Ohio Supreme Court, the education districts are at the mercy of the new redistricting plan, which the court has asked for by Feb. 17.

February 14, 2022