LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor
Since 2004

Tag: local news

  • [Video] Lauren Enda on “Complicated environmental issues of proposed parking garage

    [Video] Lauren Enda on “Complicated environmental issues of proposed parking garage

    by David Miller

    Loveland, Ohio– Resident Lauren Enda went to the council meeting on Tuesday evening and addressed concerns about a proposed parking garage in Historic Downtown. She said that more rain, flooding, and extreme weather events, and other potentially detrimental environmental impacts should be discussed after an independent environmental study has been conducted.

    Enda offered sustainable construction methods as alternatives to concrete and asphalt in our urban environment that would be safer and less expensive.

    She also spoke about contaminants like oil, leaking brake fluid, and trash which would be deposited directly into the Little Miami River and O’bannon Creek.

    She spoke about the micro-climate of paved, concrete urban areas.

    Enda suggested that the City should conduct a study of how the Linda Cox Parking lot functions regarding storm run-off into the Little Miami River.

    Enda asked Council to allow residents to vote at the ballot box, “Yes” or “No” on whether it should be constructed.

  • Ohio senators mulling major revisions to medical marijuana system

    Ohio senators mulling major revisions to medical marijuana system

    BY: NICK EVANS – Ohio Capital News

    Ohio senators have filed legislation that represents a broad revision of the state’s medical marijuana system. Among the changes is language expanding access to the drug if a physician “reasonably” believes their patient’s symptoms would be relieved or they would otherwise benefit from marijuana.

    It’s a potentially massive expansion of eligibility for patients after years of piecemeal additions to the list of qualifying conditions. But for the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Steve Huffman, R-Tipp City, a streamlined regulatory structure is the measure’s primary aim.

    “The biggest example is the Department of Pharmacy regulates dispensaries, and the Department of Commerce regulates cultivators,” Huffman described. “So if you own one of each you have to go to each one to make business decisions.”

    He notes the Department of Pharmacy will still manage a database of prescriptions through the Ohio Automated Rx Reporting System, or OARRS, but most oversight will fall under the purview of a new Division of Marijuana Control housed in the Commerce Department. Huffman also believes the measure will encourage the department to offer more licenses as the market grows and put pressure on license holders to bring product to market rapidly.

    Senate Minority Leader Kenny Yuko has signed on as cosponsor of the bill. It doesn’t cover everything on his wish list — he notes it lacks employment protections for people prescribed the drug — but he sees it as an important step forward.

    “I know the need. I know what we did in 2016 was just the smallest of fractions of what was needed here in Ohio,” Yuko said. “What this bill does is trying to move us in the right direction. Is it all inclusive? Not even close. Does it cover all the issues I want covered? Not yet.”

    Meanwhile, the proposal is competing for attention with three recreational marijuana proposals — two in the Statehouse and the third at the ballot box. Huffman and Yuko both draw a distinction between medical and recreational pot, insisting that their measure and the other ideas are completely different conversations. But as the universe of qualifying patients expands, the distinction between recreational and medicinal gets blurry.

    One notable aspect left out of Huffman and Yuko’s measure are provisions for home cultivation. Both measures in the House make allowances for it. Democratic Reps. Casey Weinstein of Hudson and Terrence Upchurch of Cleveland would allow up to 12. Meanwhile Republican Reps. Jamie Callender of Concord and Ron Ferguson of Wintersville would allow six plants with up to two of them flowering. The ballot measure would allow home grown marijuana as well, capping the amount at six plants per person and no more than 12 per residence.

    Yuko doesn’t oppose giving Ohioans latitude to grow their own, noting some constituents have complained about long drives to a dispensary.

    “I think it’s fair,” Yuko said. “I think it’s fair.”

    As for a specific amount, Yuko said he’d leave that determination to “the experts.”

    But Huffman is skeptical of home cultivation. He worries it might support illicit sales or become a magnet for theft. He also contends restricting production to regulated growers is a consumer safety consideration.

    “I don’t know what other medicine you grow or make yourself at home,” Huffman says. “And so that’s why we’re staying away from home grown. It’s to keep the quality up.”

  • [Video] Lucy Krebs honors Vets

    [Video] Lucy Krebs honors Vets

    Loveland, Ohio – Today Lucy Krebs and her classmates at St. Columban Middle School walked from their school to the Loveland Veterans’ Memorial in the West Loveland Historic District. Krebs led off a program that honored local veterans. This is her speech.

  • [EXCLUSIVE] Video of LHS’s 2021 Fall National College Signing Day!

    [EXCLUSIVE] Video of LHS’s 2021 Fall National College Signing Day!

    by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio – The 2021 Fall National College Signing Day, a day that so many Senior student-athletes look forward to, finally took place Wednesday at Loveland High School’s Gymnasium!

    The yearly ceremony aims to not only celebrate the hard work and dedication that Loveland’s top student-athletes have put in the last 4 years but also brings together the student-athlete’s family members, coaches, teachers, staff, and peers to witness the big “signing” moment.

    Director of Student Athletics, Brian Conatser, introduced the student-athletes, as they sat down at the college signing table surrounded by their biggest supporters and loved ones. We of course couldn’t be prouder of these student-athletes and wish them the best of luck in their future collegiate athletic endeavors!

    The following LHS Senior student-athletes signed to play athletics collegiately in 2022:

    • Sarah Madix – University of Cincinnati, Cross Country, and Track and Field

    • Ryan Chevalier – Virginia Tech, Cross Country and Track and Field

    • Jesse Gibbins – Central Michigan University, Cross Country and Track and Field

    • Emmy Sager – University of Cincinnati, Cross Country, and Track and Field

    • Leiah Goedde – Ashland University, Soccer

    • Jackson Lux – University of the Pacific, Baseball

    Check out the exclusive video shot by David Miller on Loveland Magazine TV of the LHS Fall National College Signing Day Ceremony!

    Congratulations to these OUTSTANDING Tiger student-athletes for getting the opportunity to fine-tune their crafts at the collegiate level! It has been a joy watching each and every one of you thrive as students and excel as athletes. We will be cheering all of you on as you take the next step in your athletic and education journey! LONG LIVE THE LOVELAND TIGERS! GOOD LUCK SENIORS!

    For more Loveland sports updates stay tuned to the Sports 411 With ME, Cassie Mattia!

  • Paul Laufersweiler honors Veterans

    Paul Laufersweiler honors Veterans

    EDITOR’S NOTE:

    This story was originally published one year ago for the 2020 Veterans Day.

    by David Miller

    Symmes Township, Ohio – Paul Laufersweiler said he has skin in the game and mentions his grandfather and uncle. Paul recorded this message about what Veterans Day means to him last Sunday at the Veterans’ memorial plaza at the Home of the Brave Park in Symmes Township.

    Paul Laufersweiler is a ninth-grader at Loveland High School. He plays clarinet in their marching band and was recently cast in their radio play production of A Christmas Carol. His favorite classes are Honors Biology and AP Human Geography.

    Paul said that if we think about the struggles Veterans have faced, we can be brave enough to overcome those we face today. He encourages us to, take time to thank veterans, “And since they did all they could to protect us let’s do what we can to help protect each other.”

    David Miller, a combat veteran, is the Publisher of Loveland Magazine and served in Vietnam in 1969.
  • Public’s tears and fears come out before redistricting heads to joint committee

    Public’s tears and fears come out before redistricting heads to joint committee

    The Ohio Senate Local Government and Elections Committee hears from the public on two redistricting proposals, one from Senate Dems and the other from the Senate GOP on November 4.

    BY: SUSAN TEBBEN – Ohio Capital Journal

    The last of the General Assembly’s congressional redistricting public hearings in individual committees are this week, just as a joint committee starts work.

    In Senate Local Government and Elections Committee on Tuesday, the last scheduled hearings on GOP and Democratic bills to change the congressional district maps in the state occurred, with much of the same criticism for the GOP map that anti-gerrymandering groups and Ohioans in target areas say don’t focus on fairness.

     The Ohio Senate GOP’s congressional redistricting map proposal.

    On Tuesday, Bellbrook resident Wendy Dyer spoke through tears about the volunteering she did to promote the petition that would eventually change the state constitution and the redistricting process as a whole. She said at that time she felt a sense of achievement and change in the state, something that’s now changed with the map proposals from the GOP.

    “I thought Ohio had really accomplished something,” Dyer said. “Now I really just feel stupid that I honestly believed that my government would do the right thing.”

    Anne Light Hoke, of Columbus, said she disagrees with the Senate Republican map that moves her from District 3 to District 15, which is nestled in with three other districts in Franklin County, but then stretches due south into most of rural Southeastern Ohio.

    Hoke said as a resident of Columbus, she said she has “urban concerns” like public transportation, traffic congestion and police brutality.

    “Although I was born in a small town, I no longer have small town concerns like broadband access, access to sewer systems and water systems, burning trash regulations and fracking,” Hoke told the committee members on Tuesday.

    The public input is set to continue Wednesday morning in the House Government Oversight Committee on House Bill 479, the House GOP’s map proposal. As of Wednesday, the committee agenda had not changed to include a new map proposal from the House Democrats, introduced on Monday.

    Also on Wednesday, the new joint committee on congressional redistricting is scheduled to meet for the first time at 2:30 p.m. in the Ohio Statehouse’s south hearing room. The two chairs of the House and Senate committees that have been hearing individual map proposals, state Rep. Shane Wilkin, R-Hillsboro and state Sen. Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green, will be the co-chairs of the joint committee.

    The joint committee is also scheduled to meet on Friday at 10:30 a.m., in the House Finance Room (Room 313).

  • Veterans Services in Hamilton County

    Veterans Services in Hamilton County

    Veterans Crisis Line

    The Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text. Veterans and their loved ones can call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat online, or send a text message to 838255 to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Support for deaf and hard of hearing individuals is available.

    Fill out a financial assistance form without leaving home. It’s one of the ways your Veterans Service Commission is helping you stay safe and supported in response to COVID-19.

    VA Medical Center Transportation Program

    Hamilton County Veterans Service Commission is excited to announce the VA Medical Center Transportation Program. Metro passes are available at no cost for VAMC Cincinnati medical appointments. Eligibility: Honorably discharged veteran and Hamilton County resident. Requirements: One-time office visit to establish eligibility and appointment verification (available from VAMC). Ask about Metro Access. Call 513-946-3300.

    VA Benefits

    The Hamilton County Veterans Service Commission has Service Officers to assist in filing for VA benefits.

    County Veteran Service Officers (VSOs) are accredited through the Ohio Department of Veterans’ Services.  VSOs are also accredited through various congressionally chartered veteran service organizations.

    By appointment only, call 513-946-3300 to speak with a Service Officer and to schedule an appointment.

    FAQ

    Do you provide emergency financial assistance?

    Emergency funds for food, housing and utilities may be provided to veterans and/or their dependants. The following factors will be considered when determining financial need: proof of veteran status (DD-214 or other separation or discharge record), proof of household income, and current bills. Unemployed veterans are required to be actively seeking employment or must provide medical evidence of the inability to work.

    Where can I get information about my late father’s military career?

    Call our office at 513-946-3300 for details pertaining standard form 180.

    What can I do to upgrade my bad conduct discharge, if possible?

    Call our office at 513-946-3300 for details about an upgrade discharge packet.

    How does a veteran become enrolled in the “direct deposit” program for VA compensation or pension benefits?

    We can assist in completing this form and faxing it to VA Regional Office.

    I was on active military duty from 1959 through 1960. I recently became disabled, not from any service-connected cause, and may not be able to return to work. Am I eligible for nonservice-connected pension benefits from VA since I now have a limited income?

    Veterans’ entitlement to nonservice-connected disability pension is premised on three basic criteria: the individual must have a minimum of 90 days of active military service, one of which must have been during a designated wartime period; the veteran must be permanently and totally disabled or so disabled that it would be impossible for the average person to pursue substantially gainful employment; and the veteran’s countable income must be within limits defined by statute. Because your active service was entirely during peacetime, you do not meet the service eligibility requirement for pension benefits.

    My ex-spouse was a veteran.  Am I entitled to benefits?

    Generally, the answer is no.  The end of the marriage normally means the end of eligibility for benefits.

    I am a veteran. Will VA pay for my funeral and burial expenses?

    No.  Only veterans who are receiving monetary benefits at the time of death qualify for the payment of burial and/or funeral expense.  Even in those cases, VA payments will not come close to paying for the average funeral and burial expense.

    I got hurt when I was in the service.  Does that mean I am service connected?

    No – you are not service connected until the VA adjudicates your formal claim and grants service connection.  It is a formal, legal process.

    I was told I cannot file a claim for service connection because I have been out too long.

    Not true.  It may be harder to get your claim approved, but there is no time limit for filing a claim for service connection.  We recommend you file as soon as possible after release from active duty  because the effective date of your claim is determined by when you file.  The start payment date is the same.  If you got out in 1958 and your claim is approved in 2010, you will be paid only from the date you filed your claim – not back to your discharge.

    Do you have to serve in a war to be considered a Veteran?

    No. There are different requirements based on which benefit is sought. Generally a Veteran is a member of the Armed Forces that has served on Active duty for other than training purposes or who was disabled due to their military service. Please call for more information.

    Can I get a copy of my discharge paper?

    Yes. We can assist in obtaining a copy of your military discharge (DD-214). Please call for more information.

    My father/mother is now a patient in a nursing home. Medicaid says I have to apply for VA Pension, what do I do?

    You will need to file an application for VA Pension. You will need to bring in an original or certified copy of DD 214, Separation Paper, all monthly income received from all sources, amount of Assets, Marriages, Divorces, Death Certificates, Social Security Numbers of Veteran and Dependents.

  • [Video Interview] Thousands of Loveland Children will “Pass It On” and you can join them!

    [Video Interview] Thousands of Loveland Children will “Pass It On” and you can join them!

    Loveland Magazine Editor, David Miller

    by David Miller

    Loveland, Ohio – “So, for all of you who are grocery shopping this weekend, please keep us in mind and up the items you could donate to the Pass It On Food Drive,” said Libby Westerman on Monday evening.

    Loveland Magazine was invited to the LIFE Food Pantry on Monday so we could help spread the word about this year’s annual food collection that for the past 20-years has always been scheduled ahead of the holiday season.

    Every year, along with the assistance of Loveland City Schools, a food drive takes place to collect items to disburse as Thanksgiving boxes – to clients of the LIFE Food Pantry and other residents in the community as well as holiday bags for later in December.

    Westerman is in her third year of organizing the food drive throughout the Loveland schools and wanted to give parents and others in the community a heads-up about participating.

    In this LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV video, LIFE Executive Director Linda Bergholz explains how extremely important the event is for the pantry. She said, “As you all know, Thanksgiving is coming up and for us at the food pantry it is an extraordinarily important time of year. Food insecurity has always been important. Food insecurity during a Pandemic is enormous.”

    Bergholz introduces Westerman and Nancy Grant who founded Pass It On in 2001 as a way children could give to the community and heal after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

    Grant said twenty years ago, “Well, we can’t change the world, but we can change our little corner of it.” She had this idea to line up the kids down the street and pass the food donations one bag and box, hand-to-hand at a time to one another until it reached the church. A pay it forward so children could feel good about themselves. She thinks it worked after 9/11 and will now – during the Pandemic.

    Westerman tells you how you can participate and Grant tells you about the origin, and because of the Pandemic, why it is still so important for the children and our community.

    You don’t want to be that parent that opens up a backpack on the morning of the drive and discovers at the bottom an unread note and realizes there are no canned cranberry sauce or Mandarin oranges in the cupboard that your child is supposed to take to school that morning. Each classroom/grade K-8 will have specific items to collect, bring to school, and pass along to the food pantry.

    Students at the Loveland Intermediate and Middle schools will walk the food the several blocks to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church down the road from their school where it will be sorted and eventually given away.

    This year’s “Pass It On” will be on Friday, November 19th.

    This is a heads-up to grandparents and guardians as well because your child can probably only participate if you do some early shopping for them.

    Many students and volunteers deliver the donations from the food drive to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church where volunteers sort, date check, organize and assemble a Thanksgiving meal box to go out to area families. The huge effort is to ensure that all our Loveland families and singles will have the items they would need so they can sit down together and enjoy a traditional meal for the holiday.

    Each classroom/grade K-8 will have specific items to collect. When your child brings home information about the Pass It On Food Drive, please be generous when you send your donations with them to take to school.

    Here is the shopping list. You can also download and print this shopping list to take with you while grocery shopping.

    Pass-It-OnDownload

    (Right-Click to open in a new tab or window to view larger)

  • LHS Women’s Cross Country Team Brings Home the OHSAA Silver!

    LHS Women’s Cross Country Team Brings Home the OHSAA Silver!

    by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio – What a fantastic day it was to be a Loveland Tiger! On Saturday both the Loveland High School (LHS) Women’s and Men’s Cross Country Teams for the first time ever in LHS history competed together for the OHSAA Division 1 title at Fortress Obetz and Memorial Park in Columbus. Both Teams went into the race having record-breaking years so many die-hard Tiger fans knew that they would come back with some impressive accolades!

    The LHS Women’s Cross Country Team broke several school records this year but the most important one came in the form of a 2nd place OHSAA Division 1 Women’s Cross Country trophy on Saturday! The Tigers finished right behind Perrysburg (101) with a score of 109 and an impressive runners average of 18:59. Senior Jesse Gibbins was the top finisher for the Tigers crossing the line in 7th place with a time of 18:25.2, Senior Sarah Madix was next placing 19th at 18:55.2, Senior Emmy Sager finished in 26th place with a time of 19:09, Junior Madison Conatser finished in 28th with a time of 19:10.5, Junior Ally Colegate placed 29th with a time of 19:10.8, Sophomore Lauren Gard finished next in 82nd place with a time of 20:03 and rounding out the team score was Senior Maaike Snider in 102nd place with a time of 20:17.9. 

    The winning time for the Women’s Division 1 race (unscored) was 17:32.1 ran by Senior Alyssa Shope from Gahanna Lincoln. For the full OHSAA Division 1 Women’s Cross Country meet results click here.

    Shortly after the LHS Women’s Cross Country milestone win, the Eastern Cincinnati Conference (ECC) released the team conference awards naming LHS’s Steve Nester ECC Coach of the Year and Senior Emmy Sager ECC Runner of the Year! Seniors Jesse Gibbins, Sarah Madix, and Emmy Sager all received 1st Team All-ECC honors while Juniors Ally Colegate and Madison Conatser grabbed 2nd Team All-ECC honors. Senior Maaike Snider also received ECC honors with Honorable Mention.

    The LHS Men’s Cross Country Team had a season full of monumental moments including their trip to the OHSAA Division 1 Men’s Cross Country meet on Saturday! The Tigers placed 12th among a very talented field of athletes with a score of 313 and a runners average of 16:33. Senior Ryan Chevalier was the top finisher for the Tigers placing 6th with a time of 15:37.3, Junior Brady Steiner finished next in 48th place with a time of 16:23.2, Freshman Nick Huff finished in 84th place with a time of 16:51.7, Junior Cayden Dyer placed 85th with a time of 16:52, Senior Sam Neiger finished 90th with a time of 16:57.5, Junior Grant Hanson placed 98th with a time of 17:04.3, and Senior JP Tew rounded out the Tigers placing 134th with a time of 17:58.2.

    Mason took the OHSAA Division 1 Men’s Cross Country title with a score of 106 and the winning runner (unscored) was Senior William Zegarski from Little Miami with a time of 14:39.9. Zegarski broke the previous Ohio State All-Time Meet record. For the full OHSAA Division 1 Men’s Cross Country meet results click here.

    The ECC All-Conference awards were also announced for the Men’s Cross Country Teams post the State meet awarding Steve Nester with the ECC Coach of the Year! Senior Ryan Chevalier, and Juniors Cayden Dyer and Brady Steiner were awarded 1st Team All-ECC honors while Junior Grant Hanson and Freshman Nick Huff received 2nd Team All-ECC honors. Senior Sam Neiger also received ECC honors in the form of Honorable Mention.

    Check out the photo album from Saturday’s meet brought to you by Loveland Magazine Editor, David Miller!

    Congratulations to both the LHS Women’s and Men’s Cross Country Teams on an unbelievable season! It has been a joy watching school history happen right in front of our eyes! We can’t wait to see where the future takes all these wonderful Tiger student-athletes!

    For more sports updates stay tuned to the Loveland Salad With ME, Cassie Mattia!

  • Loveland School Covid 19 Dashboard for October 31, 2021

    Loveland School Covid 19 Dashboard for October 31, 2021

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

    On November 1st the District District implemented new Close Contact guidelines…

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