LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor
Since 2004

Tag: latest stories

  • How to enroll in LECC Kindergarten for next school year

    How to enroll in LECC Kindergarten for next school year

    “YOU are cordially invited to the 2021 LECC Kindergarten Round Up!“

    Loveland, Ohio – Read below to learn more about the Loveland Early Childhood Center’s registration for the 2021-2022 school year. Here is their announcement:

    This year’s Round Up is going virtual!​ The Round Up will be an asynchronous event in the form of a slide show presentation with videos and information about LECC Kindergarten for the 2021-2022 school year. Within the presentation there will be an opportunity for you to share your thoughts and questions.

    You can work your way through the Round Up at your own pace and at your convenience. We are excited to welcome you to LECC and we are looking forward to walking alongside you throughout your child(ren)’s educational journey.

    Sit back, relax, grab some popcorn, and click on the link below to join the 2021 LECC Kindergarten Round Up Virtual Presentation!

    LECC 2021 Kindergarten Round Up (click here to participate)

    ~If you are planning to be part of the Full Day Kindergarten Lottery, registration must be completed and all documents received by noon on March 12th​~​ ​Click here to enroll

    The Loveland Early Childhood Center (© 2021 Loveland Magazine)
  • Loveland FIRST LEGO League Challenge teams are heading to the Ohio FLL State Championship!

    Loveland FIRST LEGO League Challenge teams are heading to the Ohio FLL State Championship!

    Team 4075 Striped Might members Aaron Frazier, Brennan Kosht, Grant Macura, Tucker Freve, Isabel Combs, Ethan Pachmeyer, and Lauren Skinner

    Team 4075 Striped Might won the Champion’s Award, which recognizes a team “that embodies the FIRST LEGO League experience, by fully embracing our Core Values while achieving excellence and innovation in both the Robot Game and Project.”

    Loveland, Ohio – Five Loveland FLL Challenge teams of students in grades 4-8 competed in January in tournaments across Ohio. The teams began their season in August, and have been working to design, build and program a LEGO robot to complete the missions of this year’s robot game.

    As part of Challenge, teams also participate in a research project to identify and solve a relevant real-world problem, helping people in their community be more active.

    All FLL Challenge tournaments were held remotely this year, and to compete, teams submitted 3 videos of their robot runs and presented to judges over Zoom about their Innovation Project, their robot design, and the Core Values they practiced throughout the season.

    All five Loveland FLL Challenge teams qualified to advance to the Championship based on their performance in their qualifying tournaments.  The Ohio FLL Challeng Championship will take place in March.

    Team 38182 Masked Mechanics won the Engineering Excellence Award, which celebrates a team with “an efficiently designed robot, an innovative project solution that effectively addresses the season challenge and great Core Values evident in all they do.”

    Team 38182 Masked Mechanics
    John Paul Galles, Elijah Eppley, Jacob Drown, A.J. Drown, Owen Helms, and Luke Varadachari

    Team 50712 Exploding Watermelonzz won the Innovation Project Award, which recognizes a team that “utilizes diverse resources for their Innovation Project to help them gain a comprehensive understanding of their problem, have a creative, well-researched solution and effectively communicate their findings to judges and the community.” 

    Team 50712 Exploding Watermelonzz
    Owen Ewald, J.T. Brinkman, Izzy Bisogni, Bryce Hemphill, Nolan Hicks, Cameron Dickey,  Eloise Young , and Charlotte Kady.

    Team 45562 The Growling Gears, which is sponsored by Girl Scouts of Western Ohio, and Team 51294 RobotActiveX each won the Robot Design Award, which celebrates a team that “uses outstanding programming principles and solid engineering practices to develop a robot that is mechanically sound, durable, efficient and highly capable of performing challenge missions.”

    Team 45662 Growling Gears
    Sarah Papsdorf, Caroline Chesar, Abigail Boyle, Mia Ireland, Ellie Livingston , Caitlin Ryan

    Team 51294 RobotActiveX also won the Robot Design Award at a separate tournament.  The Design Award is given to a team that “uses outstanding programming principles and solid engineering practices to develop a robot that is mechanically sound, durable, efficient and highly capable of performing challenge missions.”

    Team 51294 RobotActiveX

    Back row from left to right: Anderson Hunt, 4th grade at LES, Logan Pape, 5th grade at LIS, Sam Herber, 4th grade at LES

    Front row from left to right: Hunter Hodgson, 4th grade at LES Maddie Dougherty, 4th grade at LES Nicholas Gatsos, 4th grade at LES

  • Tigers Inc. “Back Our Businesses”

    Tigers Inc. “Back Our Businesses”

    Loveland, Ohio – “We see this as a great time for each one of us to make our own impact on these businesses and strengthening our Loveland bond as a whole,” explained Loveland High School 11th grader, Emily Ryan. “This will serve as not only an opportunity for the businesses to rally support, but also give back as a whole to our area while doing so.”

    Emily is part of the marketing cohort of Tigers Inc. is a nonprofit run by a selective group of business-orientated student leaders at Loveland High working to gain real-world experience in the local community.

    They have organized a “Back Our Businesses” event that will launch on March 1st and run until March 7. They want to get the community to gather and grow during the hardships of COVID, especially in collaboration with small businesses in Loveland such as the Loveland Sweet Shoppe, RP Diamond, and Paxton’s Grill.

    Emily said it is important to promote our local businesses during the weekdays, “as this is what has hit our Loveland shops and restaurants the hardest.” Back Our Businesses will be an opportunity to get the community to come out to eat, shop, and support Loveland. So far, the student-led team of six has individually met with thirty Loveland small businesses to involve them with the weeklong event and personally tailor marketing strategies for them. They will promote each business in a specific way and to their needs, in an attempt to boost their attendance and sales.

    In addition, Tigers Inc. has also begun partnering with some businesses and various nonprofits in the Cincinnati area. “This will serve as not only an opportunity for the businesses to rally support, but also give back as a whole to our area while doing so, said Emily. This partnership comes with a set donation or a percentage of their earnings from the week to be donated to their partnered nonprofit.

  • [Video] Loveland Middle School COVID 19 protocol explained

    [Video] Loveland Middle School COVID 19 protocol explained

    Loveland, Ohio – David Knapp, the Principal of the Loveland Middle school explains in this video the COVID 19 protocol in his building.

    Watch the video… (Look for the COVID Quarantine Update)

    The video was published by the Loveland MINT PTSA.

  • Education budget debate begins as Jan. budget shows declines in higher ed, K-12

    Education budget debate begins as Jan. budget shows declines in higher ed, K-12

    Getty Images.

    By Susan Tebben and Ohio Capital Journal

    Subcommittees on K-12 and higher education are beginning their discussions on the new operating budget this week, and they have plenty of budgetary information to look at, including declines shown in the January budget report.

    The Ohio House Finance subcommittee on higher education will take their first look at the pieces of the state operating budget that touch on higher education this week

    As they look to the future of funding colleges and universities in the state, the Office of Budget and Management gave a look at last month’s disbursements, and year-to-date funding disbursements that were below estimates.

    According to the most recent OBM monthly budget data report, January disbursements for higher education was 3.9% below estimates, a total of $7.2 million less than the month before.

    The state budget agency said declines came from below-estimate spending in the Ohio College Opportunity Grant, Choose Ohio First Scholarship and National Guard Scholarship programs. These programs had “lower-than expected requests for reimbursement from higher education institutions,” according to the OBM.

    In his executive budget proposal, Gov. Mike DeWine wants to raise the Ohio College Opportunity Grant award total by $500, and build award 2,000 more scholarships the Choose Ohio First program.

    On the year, higher education institutions received 1.2% less than the year before, and compared to January 2020, they received 11.5% less in disbursements last month.

    The executive budget proposal increases the state’s share of instruction, the main source of direct state aid colleges and universities receive, by 1.8% over the biennium “to maintain quality and provide support services.”

    The House Finance subcommittee on primary and secondary education has the operating budget as the only measure on the agenda for its meeting, scheduled for Thursday morning.

    They will look at the governor’s proposals to disburse more than $13 billion through fiscal years 2022 and 2023, including $1.1 billion in student wellness services.

    DeWine’s budget proposal adds $125 million in foundation funding that were taken away during pandemic budget cuts.

    In January, the OBM reported disbursements of $7.2 million to the Ohio Department of Education, nearly 1% below estimates for the month.

    The declines were credited to lower spending on EdChoice private school voucher program expansion, early childhood education and pupil transportation.

    The OBM report said early childhood education has been shifted away from the general revenue fund, and the EdChoice and transportation drops were due to offset payments and overspending on transportation in December.

    “The below-estimated spending was partially offset by the above-estimated disbursements for the Foundation Funding line item as the College Credit Plus payment to colleges for the summer and fall 2020 terms was above estimate,” the report stated.

    The primary and secondary education subcommittee also has a bill overhauling the funding formula for the state’s public school system on their desk to be considered during this General Assembly.

    An overhaul of that formula would change the sources and methods of disbursement to schools, releasing some of the burden on property taxes, and creating a payment system that goes more directly through the state.

    State aid to the schools through the foundation funding totaled $715.1 million in January, $8 million above estimates, according to the OBM. But disbursements were 6.2% less than January of last year, accounting for a $50 million loss.

  • Read Loveland’s Snow Emergency guide

    Read Loveland’s Snow Emergency guide

    Loveland’s salt storage as of 2 PM on Sunday. The storage dome is located on East Loveland Avenue as you leave the City

    Loveland, Ohio – There has been no snow emergency declared in Loveland, however, in case one is or you hear that one has been declared, below are the Loveland code sections that implement and guide City officials.

    Note, that this may be different than the Snow Emergency declarations issued by the counties, townships, or other government agencies. This only applies to the City of Loveland.

    City Manager Dave Kennedy said today at 2 PM that he has spoken with Scott Wisby, Loveland’s Director of Public Works, and he “does not feel that parked vehicles are deterring or will deter his ability for snow removal”.

    351.16  SNOW EMERGENCY; SPECIAL PARKING RESTRICTIONS.

       (a)   When snow, sleet, freezing rain, or other weather conditions cause or appear likely to cause, in the judgment of the City Manager, slippery or hazardous conditions which might lead to serious congestion or hazard, the City Manager may declare a snow emergency.  The City Manager shall also declare the termination of such snow emergency as soon as conditions permit.

       (b)   “Snow emergency routes” are through streets, or portions of through streets, designated by official signs on one or both sides thereof, installed by order of the City Manager.  The City Manager is authorized and directed to designate such streets as snow emergency routes which, for the safety or convenience of the public and the accommodation of traffic, should be kept open and clear in times of snow emergency.

       (c)   During the period of any snow emergency, no vehicle may be parked on any snow emergency route, provided special signs are erected designating such snow emergency route.

       (d)   A vehicle parked on any snow emergency route at the time a snow emergency is declared shall be removed by the owner within three hours if such emergency is declared between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., or prior to 9:00 a.m. of the following morning if the emergency is declared within the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.  Nothing in this section shall permit any vehicle to park in violation of any other parking restriction previously established by ordinance  or by erection of signs by order of the City Manager.

       (e)   Any vehicle parked on any snow emergency route during a declared snow emergency and after the times or periods designated for removal of such vehicle by (d) above, and any vehicle stalled or otherwise unable to move or operate on a snow emergency route during the time of a snow emergency, may be ordered by the City Manager or the Chief of Police to be towed from such snow emergency route.  Such vehicle shall be impounded and held by the order of the Police Department until the owner shall pay the reasonable expense of towing the vehicle.

       (f)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.

    (Ord. 1978-23.  Passed 4-25-78.)

  • [BREAKING) Hamilton County Public Health Postpones Vaccine Clinics

    [BREAKING) Hamilton County Public Health Postpones Vaccine Clinics

    Loveland and Hamilton County, Ohio – Hamilton County Public Health is postponing its vaccine clinics for TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16 because of the snow. 

    If you were scheduled to receive the vaccine at either the Hamilton County Board of Elections or the Anderson Center, HCPH has contacted you to reschedule. 

    If you were scheduled for vaccination Tuesday, February 16, your new appointment will be at the same location and the same time as originally scheduled on the following dates:

    • If you were scheduled for the 2nd Dose Clinic at the Anderson Center Tuesday, February 16, your new appointment will take place at the Anderson Center Monday, February 22;
    • If you were scheduled for the 1st Dose Clinic at the Hamilton County Board of Elections, your new appointment will take place at the Hamilton County Board of Elections Monday, February 22;
    • If you were scheduled for 2nd Dose Clinic at the Hamilton County Board of Elections, your new appointment will take place at the Hamilton County Board of Elections Tuesday, February 23.
  • Sen. Portman issues statement justifying “Not Guilty” impeachment vote

    Sen. Portman issues statement justifying “Not Guilty” impeachment vote

    The photo above was posted to U.S Senator Rob Portman’s Facebook page on February 3 with the following statement:

    “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” 

    This morning I had a chance to pay my respects to USCP officer Brian Sicknick who lost his life in defense of the U.S. Capitol on January 6th. We will never forget his service and sacrifice. May he Rest In Peace.

    Below is Portman’s statement issued 10-days later after voting to acquit former President Donald Trump on a charge of inciting the deadly January 6 insurrectionist attack on the U.S. Capitol, concluding his second impeachment trial with the same verdict as his first impeachment.

    In the 57-43 vote, seven Republicans joined every Senate Democrat and independent in support of convicting Trump. Ohio Republican U.S. Sen. Rob Portman voted to acquit Trump. Ohio Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown voted to convict.

    Portman has announced that he will not run for re-election in 2022.

    The siege of the U.S. Capitol on January 6 was an attack on democracy itself. That night, shortly after the rioters had been cleared from the Senate floor, I spoke to urge my colleagues to support the state certifications of the election results as our constitutional duty, and as a signal that ‘we will not be intimidated’ and that ‘mob rule is not going to prevail here.

    I have said that what President Trump did that day was inexcusable because in his speech he encouraged the mob, and that he bears some responsibility for the tragic violence that occurred. I have also criticized his slow response as the mob stormed the U.S. Capitol, putting at risk the safety of Vice President Pence, law enforcement officers, and others who work in the Capitol. Even after the attack, some of the language in his tweets and in a video showed sympathy for the violent mob. In response, I called on President Trump to ‘explicitly urge his supporters to remain peaceful and refrain from violence.

    But the question I must answer is not whether President Trump said and did things that were reckless and encouraged the mob. I believe that happened. The threshold question I must answer is whether a former president can be convicted by the Senate in the context of an impeachment. This would be unprecedented. Consistent with the two votes I have already taken in this process, I believe the Constitution reserves the narrow tool of impeachment and conviction for removal of current officeholders and current presidents, and does not apply to former officeholders or former presidents. Impeachment in the Constitution is fundamentally about removing someone from office.

    I think the Framers of the Constitution understood that it would be inappropriate to allow Congress – an inherently political body – to convict former presidents. Instead, the appropriate place to address former officials’ conduct is the criminal justice system. In fact, the Constitution makes clear that former presidents are subject to the criminal justice system. That is where the issues raised by the president’s inexcusable actions and words must be addressed. I have a duty to uphold my oath to the Constitution and that’s why I voted as I did, on the state certifications of the election on January 6, on the jurisdictional issue earlier this week, and on the final vote on conviction today. My decision today in no way condones the president’s conduct. On the contrary, it is keeping an oath to the Constitution, that I believe the president did not keep on January 6.

    Our country is already deeply divided. My decision was based on my reading of the Constitution, but I believe the Framers understood that convicting a former president and disqualifying him or her from running again pulls people further apart. Instead, our task should be to help bridge the growing gaps that separate us. President Biden said in his inaugural address, ‘This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge, and unity is the path forward.’ I agree, and will continue to do my part to try to find that common ground to bring our country together to address the many challenges we face.

    After he was acquitted, the former president issued a statement that said in part, “Our historic, patriotic and beautiful movement to Make America Great Again has only just begun.”

  • [VIDEO] Congrats to all the 2021 Loveland Valentine Poetry Winners!

    [VIDEO] Congrats to all the 2021 Loveland Valentine Poetry Winners!

    Loveland, Ohio – The Little Miami River Chamber Alliance usually celebrates the winners of the annual Valentine poetry contest at their annual Valentine breakfast, however, they can’t this year due to COVID 19.

    Below is their video of some of the winners reading their winning love poems!

    The winners are:

    Pre-K/Kindergarten: Roman Lyke

    1st grade: Lillyan True

    2nd Grade: Amalie Lyke

    3rd Grade: Jane Jeranek

    4th Grade: Theodor Lyke

    5/6th Grade: Claire Motylinksi

    7/8th grade: Caroline Lorio

    HS: Ava Schwan

    Adult: Lexi & Nancy Duff

    https://www.facebook.com/LMRChamberAlliance.org/posts/4458344297512505

    For more about the annual Loveland Valentine program:

    Introducing Loveland’s 2021 Valentine Art and Card Reveal!

    Meet the next Loveland Valentine Lady

  • Statewide Curfew Lifted

    Statewide Curfew Lifted

    Loveland, Ohio – Due to a sustained decrease in COVID-19 hospitalizations, the Ohio Department of Health has announced the statewide 11 PM – 5 AM curfew is no longer in effect. If hospitalizations begin to rise again, the curfew may be reinstated.