LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor
Since 2004

Tag: local news

  • LIFE Food Pantry needs these items

    LIFE Food Pantry needs these items

    Ensure, potato sides, canned peaches, Hamburger Helper, muffin mixes (not corn muffins), cookies, crackers, pasta (not spaghetti), baked beans, refried beans, pinto beans, chili beans, paper towels, mac-n-cheese cups, and fruit cups.

    2021 Annual Thanksgiving Basket and Giving Shop Registration run from Wednesday, September 1st through Saturday, November 6th at the pantry during normal hours.

    Every year, along with the assistance of Loveland City Schools, a food drive takes place to collect food items to supply Thanksgiving baskets to our clients!

    The students and volunteers, deliver the food donations from the food drive to Prince of Peace (weather permitting). Upon receiving the food, volunteers organize the items donated and assemble a Thanksgiving meal for our clients in need. The family also receives a gift card to a local grocery store to pick out the meat of their choice. This allows families to sit down together and enjoy a traditional meal for the Holidays.

    To receive a basket, you must register in advance. If you live in the Loveland School District and have not registered please contact the Pantry at (513) 583.8222, lifefoodpantry@yahoo.com. or use our Contact Form. Let us know your full name, phone, and number of persons living in your household.

    FOOD PANTRY HOURS 
    SUNDAY: Closed
    MONDAY: Closed
    TUESDAY: 10–12, 4–6:30
    WEDNESDAY: 10–12
    THURSDAY 10–12, 4–6:30
    FRIDAY: 10–12
    SATURDAY: 10–12

    LIFE MISSION

    LIFE is a faith and community supported organization that provides food, financial assistance, and programs to those experiencing hardship.

    • Scheduling, set up, organizing the sorting and dating of donations. Stocking of pantry needs.
    • Communicating with donor organizations.
    • Inventory control of storage units and pantry.
    • Help organize the Pass It On Loveland School Drive for LIFE Holiday Food Baskets.
  • Loveland District rated #11 in the Cincinnati Area by Niche

    Loveland District rated #11 in the Cincinnati Area by Niche

    by David Miller

    Loveland, Ohio – Out of the top 25 Cincinnati area school districts Loveland is rated the #11 by Niche.

    Loveland received an overall A grade. An “A” in academics, “A+” for teachers, “B+” for clubs and activities, “C-” for diversity, “A” for college prep, “A-” for health and safety, “A” for administration, “B” for food, “A-” for sports, and a ‘B-” for their resources and facilities.

    Now in its eighth year, Niche describes itself as, the leading platform connecting students and families with colleges and schools. “We believe finding the right school shouldn’t be hard, so we’re committed to making it easy for our users to discover and connect with the best ones for them.”

    The K-12 school rankings include updated data for 94,491 public schools, 2,489 private schools, and 11,846 school districts nationwide. 

    Niche ranked schools and districts based on statistics and opinions from students and parents. Niche says that while traditional rankings rely almost exclusively on metrics like test scores and academic performance, Niche’s rankings provide a more personal view of a school. They combine user input — ratings from current students, alumni, and parents — with quantitative data from sources like the U.S. Department of Education to evaluate teachers, resources and facilities, extracurricular activity opportunities, and more. 

    According to Niche, “Loveland City School District is a highly rated, public school district. It has 4,583 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 21 to 1. According to state test scores, 84% of students are at least proficient in math and 83% in reading.”

    How Niche ranked Loveland

    Cincinnati Area

    1. Indian Hill
    2. Sycamore
    3. Mason
    4. Wyoming
    5. Mariemont
    6. Beechwood
    7. Fort Thomas
    8. Madeira
    9. Forest Hills
    10. Lakota
    11. Loveland
    12. Kings
    13. Ross
    14. Campbell
    15. Milford
    16. Walton Verona
    17. Boon County
    18. Goshen
    19. Lawrenceburg
    20. Oak Hills
    21. Monroe
    22. Little Miami
    23. Kenton County
    24. Three Rivers
    25. Ludlow

    Hamilton County

    Loveland is rated #7 out of 22 Hamilton County districts as the “Best”.

    Loveland is rated #7 out of 22 Hamilton County districts having the best teachers.

    Loveland is rated #3 of 22 districts in athletics.

    Loveland is rated the 7th safest school district in Hamilton County.

    Loveland is rated #8 out of the 22 districts in the county as the best place to teach.

    Ohio

    Loveland is ranked #49 out of 608 districts as the “Best”.

    Loveland is ranked #47 out of 608 districts in Ohio as having the best teachers.

    Loveland is ranked #53 out of 608 districts as the best place to teach in Ohio.

    National Ranking

    780 out of 10,772 as the “Best” district in America.

    558 out of 11,656 with the best teachers in America.

    632 out of 11,252 as the best place to teach in America.

    To read all of the ratings for Loveland go HERE. You will see the ratings and grade scores for academics, teachers, clubs and activities, diversity, college prep, and health and safety.

  • [DeWine] COVID-19 Update for Ohio: highest levels ever of hospitalizations among those under 50

    [DeWine] COVID-19 Update for Ohio: highest levels ever of hospitalizations among those under 50

    Around 97 percent of patients of all ages in Ohio hospitals today are unvaccinated.

    When you get COVID-19 without the protection of a vaccine, there is a very real risk you’ll end up in the hospital or the obituary pages.

    Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor DeWine today provided an update on the increased impact that COVID-19 is having on Ohio’s younger populations and the stress that the surge of cases is having on hospitals statewide.

    “The bottom line is that we’re seeing our highest levels ever of hospitalizations among those under 50 years old,” said Governor DeWine. “Those who are getting very sick, being hospitalized, and dying of COVID are getting younger and younger. And it is because they are not vaccinated.”

    • Today, there were 459 newly-reported hospitalizations, the highest number of new hospitalizations since January.
    • The number of new hospitalizations for COVID-19 of those under 50, was the highest during the entire pandemic during the week of Sept. 5th, when Ohio hospitals admitted 398 patients under the age of 50.
    • During the most recent completed reporting week (Sept. 5 — Sept. 11), 230 Ohioans 39 and younger were admitted to the hospital, which is the highest number of admissions for COVID in this age group during the entire pandemic, even higher than during the winter surge levels when no one was vaccinated.
    • Around 97 percent of patients of all ages in Ohio hospitals today are unvaccinated.

    • In July, 48 percent of COVID-19 deaths were among those 69 years old and younger. In August, preliminary data shows that an average of two people younger than 50 died of COVID-19 in Ohio every day.

    • Last month, preliminary numbers showed 18 Ohioans 39 and younger died from COVID-19. This is compared to five people in that age range who died in June and two people in that age range who died in July.

    Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, Director, Ohio Department of Health
    “If you are young and unvaccinated it’s now probably only a question of when, not if, you get COVID-19. When you get COVID-19 without the protection of a vaccine, there is a very real risk you’ll end up in the hospital or the obituary pages. The numbers really tell it all, COVID has changed and is now making younger Ohioans who are not vaccinated very sick. Don’t become a statistic when there is a simple, safe, and effective alternative. Go out today and get vaccinated.”

    Suzanne Bennett, M.D., Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Program Director, University of Cincinnati Health
    “These rising numbers of sick COVID patients places a significant burden on our hospital beds, our medical teams, and worse yet, it creates scenarios that no one wants to think about where we do not have the space for patients who would otherwise benefit from receiving their care at large academic medical centers. We now need the help of the people in our community more than ever so that no one else needs to die from this disease.”

    Alan Rivera, M.D., Hospitalist, Fulton County Health Center
    “We are in a crisis mode. As compared to last year, our nursing staff is down probably 50 percent. We have nurses leaving the field, retiring early, or finding jobs elsewhere because of the long hours and the emotional strain. On top of that, our COVID numbers are now going up. In June and July I didn’t see any COVID patients. Now, the majority of the census in our hospital are COVID patients, and they’re younger, anywhere from 30 to 50.”

    Joe Bates, R.N., B.S.N., Clinical Coordinator, Critical Care Unit, Genesis HealthCare System (Zanesville)
    “We’re seeing the younger population being hit hardest with this right now. Our average age right now that we’re seeing is around 59, with many of them being younger, as compared to last year when the average was about 78 years of age. Of the COVID positives that we currently have in the ICU, none of them are vaccinated who are on the ventilator.”

    Terri Alexander, R.N., P.C.C.N., Summa Health (Akron)
    “It’s just a sad, sad situation that we’re dealing with, and it’s tragic because it’s just so preventable. Please, please, please, get vaccinated. We live in a culture that has never experienced coming to the hospital and getting turned away, and I think people can’t fathom what that’s truly like until its them or their family members who are coming in and getting turned away.”

  • Loveland School COVID 19 Dashboard for 9/19/2021

    Loveland School COVID 19 Dashboard for 9/19/2021

    EDITOR’S NOTE:

    THIS STORY HAS NOW BEEN UPDATED TO SHOW THE DASHBOARD FOR SEPTEMBER 19. THE ORIGINAL VERSION HAD THE 9/12 DATA REPEATED TWICE.

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

  • Last scream for ice cream

    Last scream for ice cream

    Loveland, Ohio – Today Rick Morgan informed Loveland Magazine of the unbelievably sad news that the last day you can buy a whippy-dip at the Loveland Dairy Whip is this Sunday, September 26 when they will shutter for the season.

    Rick Morgan

    Haven’t heard about their history and such? Watch this interview Cassie Mattia did with Rick mid-Summer.

    (Read the Full Story) Cassie The Food Guru Visits Loveland Dairy Whip!

  • [Photos] Under the Friday Night Lights

    [Photos] Under the Friday Night Lights

    Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland Tigers hosted the Milford Eagles on Friday, 9-17-21. Here are highlight photos including a parachute landing, game action, and featuring the Marching Band and Color Guard. Milford defeated Loveland 48-34 and the Milford/Miami Victory Bell went home with the Eagles for another season.

    Game STATS.

    Photos by David MillerLoveland Magazine © 2021

  • What’s With All the Mulch at the Post Office?

    What’s With All the Mulch at the Post Office?

    by Cindy Kessler

    We’re laying the groundwork for pollinator gardens!  Next spring these mulched areas will be planted with native flower seedlings that will benefit pollinators and beautify the community. 

    In 2017, the U.S. Postal Service recognized the beauty and importance of pollinators with their Protect Pollinators stamps. Now, with the help of volunteers, the Loveland Post Office is putting that concept into action by turning swaths of grass, with their constant need for mowing, into flower gardens and reforested meadow areas. 

    Natural areas provide many benefits over mowed grass. The Loveland Post Office will see lower labor and fuel costs, while also reducing their carbon footprint. The gardens will provide food and habitat for pollinators (to whom we owe our very existence). And the community gets to enjoy the beauty of colorful flowers every time they drive past the Post Office. Now that’s an all-round Win-Win!


    Small pollinator gardens provide much-needed habitat islands.

    Did you know that insects pollinate 80% of the world’s plants, including 90 different food crops?  One out of every 3 or 4 bites of food we eat is pollinated by an assortment of bees, beetles, moths, wasps, and butterflies. WOW — These small creatures, so often taken for granted, are vitally important to human survival!  Unfortunately, many pollinators are threatened for a variety of reasons: habitat loss, fragmented habitat (with huge gaps between habitat ‘islands’), non-native plants that fail to serve pollinator needs, and (worst of all) the use of pesticides and herbicides on our lawns and landscapes. Pollinators need our help, and the Loveland Post Office is stepping up-to-the-plate.  

    What about those “Naturalized Area” signs you see?  They identify areas where young trees and shrubs will be planted this fall. Initially, those areas will resemble meadows, but once the plants mature they will become a natural woodland. Trees are crucial for pollinator survival because they bloom so early in the spring, long before summer flowers ‘break bud’. Have you ever noticed reddish clusters on the bare branches of a maple tree in early spring? Those are tiny flowers that are buzzing with bees — if only you could get close enough to see them. 

    Small pollinator gardens provide much-needed habitat islands.

    This pollinator garden project is a unique collaboration between the Post Office, community volunteers, and Loveland High School Transition Program students. Community volunteers are currently prepping the garden beds by spreading a thick layer of mulch over cardboard, to eliminate the grass without using herbicides. Seeds are being gathered from locally grown, native flowers, to ensure those seeds are pesticide-free. (Did you know commercially available seeds are often coated with pesticides that can make their way into the nectar which can sicken, or even kill, pollinators?) The high school students will grow the flowers from the seeds being collected now, and the flower seedlings will be planted at the Post Office next spring. This terrific partnership is a wonderful example of Loveland’s abundant community spirit!    

    Small pollinator gardens provide much-needed habitat islands.

    The Post Office gardens and naturalized areas will provide a much-needed pollinator habitat, but to survive and thrive pollinators require many such ‘habitat islands’ scattered widely across a community. So, why not create your own pollinator garden?  Whether large or small, every garden has a huge impact on the well-being of our pollinators. Just be sure to buy native plants that are organically grown, avoid the use of pesticides and herbicides, and include a few old logs, or attractive pieces of driftwood, for nesting purposes (yes, bees need nesting places, too). 

    If you have any questions, comments, or want to get involved, send an email to Cindy Kessler at ckessler@fuse.net.

    Happy (Pollinator) Gardening!

  • Margaret Sprigg-Dudley (Loveland) Semifinalist in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program

    Margaret Sprigg-Dudley (Loveland) Semifinalist in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program

    Computer science…engineering…policy…business…communications…chemistry.  These are the fields of study five Cincinnati Area National Merit Semifinalists hope to enter when they attend college next year.  
     
    “It’s no secret that Country Day is academically rigorous and that certainly helped me prepare for the test, but being such a small school we also get more individualized attention from our teachers and that is invaluable,” said Loveland resident Margaret Sprigg-Dudley ’22.  

    Cincinnati Country Day School seniors Christian Fitzpatrick (Kenwood), Pooja Kantemneni (Mason), Victor Nica (Anderson), Alistair Norwood (Coldstream), and Margaret Sprigg-Dudley (Loveland) were recently named among the approximately 16,000 Semifinalists in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program. 
     
    These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for approximately 7,600 National Merit scholarships worth more than $31 million that will be offered in the spring.  
     
    Christian Fitzpatrick ’22 added, “The quality of teachers is also really important. If you have quality teachers that go beyond the required material like we do here [at Country Day] I’m sure that increases the likelihood that you would be prepared for something like standardized testing.”  

    Over 1.5 million juniors in about 21,000 high schools entered the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. 

    To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. Over 90% of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and about half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.

  • Connor Espenshade, Will Rueter Ava Schwan, and Luke Sikkema named National Merit Semifinalists

    Connor Espenshade, Will Rueter Ava Schwan, and Luke Sikkema named National Merit Semifinalists

    Four CHCA Seniors Named 2022 National Merit Semifinalists

    Symmes Township, Ohio Heather Wilkowski, Upper School Principal of Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, has announced that Connor Espenshade (of Mason), Will Rueter (of Liberty Township), Ava Schwan (of Loveland), and Luke Sikkema (of Loveland) have been named National Merit Semifinalists. A certificate from the National Merit Scholarship Cooperation will be presented to these students at CHCA’s Academic Awards Night in April 2022.

    These academically talented high school seniors now have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $30 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 95 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and approximately half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.

    High school juniors entered the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2020 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest scoring entrants in each state. The number of Semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors.

    To become a Finalist, the Semifinalist and a high school official must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the Semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and rewards received. A Semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT or ACT scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.

    “I am thrilled to announce these students as National Merit Semifinalists,” shared Wilkowski. “Their commitment to excellence in all that they do, exemplifies the very essence of CHCA. I look forward to the incredible things they will accomplish now and in the future.”

  • Major economic development and infrastructure projects in Deerfield Township

    Major economic development and infrastructure projects in Deerfield Township

    by David Miller

    Deerfield Township, Ohio – Below is a map showing major economic development and infrastructure projects that have been recently completed, under construction, or planned.

    Click on the map below to go to an interactive map of each project…

    Click on this map to go to see the interactive map of each project