LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor
Since 2004

Tag: loveland ohio

  • Ohio pensions have $38 mil in Russian-owned gas company; $147 mil more in region

    Ohio pensions have $38 mil in Russian-owned gas company; $147 mil more in region

    BY: JAKE ZUCKERMAN – Ohio Capital Journal

    Two Ohio public employee pension programs currently have a combined $38 million invested a Russian state-owned natural gas company, while another pension program has $147 million invested in the region.

    The Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) has about $25.1 million invested in Gazprom in a combination of stocks and bonds, according to a spokesman.

    The School Employees Retirement System (SERS) has about $13 million invested in the company, according to a spokesman.

    The School Teachers Retirement System (STRS) did not offer specifics on Gazprom, but a spokesman said it has about $147 million in Russia and Ukraine.

    Gazprom is a natural gas driller, shipper, and seller, controlled by the Russian government and among the largest companies in the world.

    Some investors have pulled out of the company in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has included attacks on civilians. For instance, Shell announced Monday it’s ending an “equity partnership” in multiple Gazprom ventures. BP announced it’s pulling out of investments with a different Russian state-owned gas company. The U.S. and other western countries have imposed sanctions on Gazprom’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline and other sweeping penalties aimed at Russia.

    Gazprom’s stock price, meanwhile, has plummeted.

    None of the Ohio pensions announced plans to divest, and they all emphasized that their Gazprom and Russian holdings are but a small percentage of their investments.

    For instance, OPERS spokesman Michael Pramik said its $25.1 million in Gazprom amounts to .02% of its $123.8 billion in investments. Pramik didn’t answer directly whether the pension plans to divest, but said it is in compliance with federal restrictions on foreign economic activity.

    “On a personal level, we are disturbed by the events taking place this week and hope for a peaceful resolution and the safety of the Ukrainian people,” he said.

    Spokesman Tim Barbour said SERS’ $13 million in Gazprom amounts to .0007% of its $18.2 billion in investments. He noted the pension’s stake in Gazprom has decreased from $26.5 million in 2014. He said the pension has “encouraged” portfolio managers to find alternate choices.

    “At this time, we have not determined if additional measures will be implemented in our investment strategies due to Russia’s unprovoked military attack on sovereign Ukraine,” he said.

    The Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund does not have any investments in Gazprom, per a spokesman. The Ohio Highway Patrol Retirement System said the same.

    In a letter Wednesday, Attorney General Dave Yost asked the pensions to divest from Russian investments.

    “I write today to request with exceptional urgency that you inventory your Russian equities and move to divest them with all deliberate speed, if you have not already done so,” he said. “This is a matter of moral imperative, for Russia’s aggression must not be supported with Ohio capital — particularly the retirement assets of Ohio public employees, some of whom are of Ukranian descent.”

  • Latin Jazz at LHS on March 11th

    Latin Jazz at LHS on March 11th

    Loveland, Ohio – On Friday, March 11 the Loveland Band Program is appearing live at Loveland High School for a night of Latin Jazz Music for a dinner concert. Tahona Kitchen + Bar is catering the dinner.

    The LHS Lab Jazz Band, LHS Jazz Orchestra, and the Middle School Stage Band will be performing Latin standards.

    Tickets can be purchased at: Lovelandshowchoirs.seatyourself.biz

    Seating and dinner begin at 6 PM and the concert starts at 7.

    Dinner and Concert is $20

    Concert Only is $10

  • An open letter to City Hall by the Mullins: Grailville decision will be a litmus test for council members

    An open letter to City Hall by the Mullins: Grailville decision will be a litmus test for council members

    My name is Jeff Mullins, my wife Nicole and I chose to buy a home in Loveland and raise our family here over 18 years ago. We chose Loveland because of its charm and quality of life.

    I was hoping you could share with me your thinking on the Grailville property. It is my understanding, the city has annexed the property for low-density residential with houses on one-acre plots. It is also my understanding, that barely two weeks later you are now considering a Special Planning District proposal from Drees to scrap the low-density requirement used to justify the annexation. Is this true? If so, I hope you can understand how bad this looks on many levels.

    Green spaces near city centers are vanishing at a rapid pace across this country. The communities that value green spaces and protect them, preserve the quality of life for all residents. As a result of this quality of life, property values increase and the community thrives. Communities that choose Quantity over Quality become cheapened versions of themselves and lose the charm that made them desirable in the first place.

    In my opinion, Council has already blown it, by annexing the property. Once this green space is gone, it is gone FOREVER. There is no getting it back. To make a bad decision worse by increasing density allowances after that fact, would be downright unforgivable. The council would be choosing Quantity over Quality. I don’t need to tell you how increasing density and traffic so close to downtown would be detrimental to the quality of life for all residents of Loveland. How does 209 cookie-cutter homes crammed into another sprawling development improve quality of life or protect the charm of Loveland? It doesn’t.

    This vote will be a litmus test for all council members who have a vote. Who is the council representing? Are they representing the financial interests of an out-of-state home builder or are they representing and protecting the quality of life of the residents of Loveland? It couldn’t be clearer.

    The result of this decision will have long-lasting effects on the quality of life in the City of Loveland. We are watching closely, please choose Quality over Quantity.

    Respectfully,

    Jeff and Nicole Mullins

  • GOP congressional maps revealed, vote expected today

    GOP congressional maps revealed, vote expected today

    Senate President Matt Huffman, left, and House Speaker Bob Cupp, right, speak before the Tuesday meeting of the Ohio Redistricting Commission. GOP leaders may move for a vote on new congressional maps as early as Wednesday morning. (Photo: Susan Tebben, OCJ)

    BY: SUSAN TEBBEN – Ohio Capital Journal

    Congressional maps could be voted on as early as Wednesday morning by the Ohio Redistricting Commission.

    Senate President Matt Huffman took the lead in presenting GOP congressional maps in a Tuesday meeting of the ORC. He said he plans to make a motion to adopt the maps at a Wednesday meeting, scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.

     Congressional maps proposed by GOP members of the Ohio Redistricting Commission on Tuesday.

    The maps were released to the public just before the Tuesday meeting, and Democratic members of the commission said they received the maps earlier that day.

    “The map looks pretty crisp and tight, what we have right now,” Huffman told reporters after the meeting.

    The senate president said the map “did not exist until sometime Monday afternoon or Monday night.”

    In terms of partisanship, something that’s been at the forefront of court challenges against legislative and congressional maps, the new maps have a 10-3 GOP advantage. Two districts – District 1 that covers Warren and part of Hamilton County, and District 9 that stretches from Williams and Defiance County, along the top of the state to Erie County – are both within the range considered by experts to be tossups with a slight Democratic advantage.

    District 1 carries a 51%-49% Dem advantage, and the 9th district has a narrow 50.25%-to 49.75% lean toward Democrats.

    Democrats continued to call out Republicans for keeping them out of the process, which Huffman took issue with during Tuesday’s meeting. But Huffman also said disagreement has been a bipartisan affair.

    “In this process, the Senate has a version of the world that they like, the House has their version, you’ve got three independent acting commissioners who all have their version,” Huffman said. “At some point (agreement) does become impossible.”

    Commission co-chair state Sen. Vernon Sykes, D-Akron, said Dems planned to send suggestions and recommendations to the GOP before they came together again on Wednesday, but he still didn’t see the need to rush the process.

    Republicans have said they’d like to get the congressional maps done by the end of the week to accommodate deadlines for the May primary. The Ohio Supreme Court gave the commission until March 14 to submit new congressional plans to them.

    “This time limit … is self-imposed, it can be changed,” Sykes said. “So, if we are seriously concerned with trying to be fair, then we need to take the time that’s necessary to have a good collaboration.”

    One matter that the commission attempted to put to rest on Tuesday was whether or not they needed bipartisan approval to adopt maps this time around. Democrats believe the constitution requires it since the maps have had to come back to the commission.

    House Speaker Bob Cupp said he reached out to state Attorney General Dave Yost for an opinion on the matter, and Yost said a simple majority is all that is needed. All other plans, constitutional and legislative alike, that have come out of the commission have been passed by a simple majority.

    Cupp said the fact that the commission is allowed to use a simple majority vote shouldn’t serve as indication that the ORC doesn’t plan to aim for bipartisan agreement, but the AG’s opinion is “certainly persuasive” in saying the GOP majority could move forward.

    As the congressional map consideration moves ahead, the commission is yet again awaiting a decision from the Supreme Court on its legislative plan. They submitted the plan a week after the Feb. 17 deadline, for which they could face contempt charges.

    A hearing to discuss the contempt charges was scheduled for Tuesday, but the court postponed the hearing without rescheduling it.

  • Loveland Schools Covid-19 Dashboard for February 27, 2022

    Loveland Schools Covid-19 Dashboard for February 27, 2022

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

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

  • Masks optional on Loveland school buses, volunteers to return

    Masks optional on Loveland school buses, volunteers to return

    by David Miller

    Loveland, Ohio – Masks are now optional on Loveland City School District buses. A federal transportation mandate required masks to be worn on school transportation and after-school activities, but that mandate was lifted late in the day last Friday. You can read the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control by following this link. 

    Effective Tuesday, March 1, 2022, the rules for buses will be the same as in school buildings – masks will be allowed, but not required. 

    Parent volunteers will also be allowed to return to school buildings after Spring Break, on April 4. The District is asking that parents reach out to their building principal if they are interested in volunteer opportunities.

    Spring break is Monday, March 28 – Saturday, April 3.

  • Loveland Magazine’s March Pet of the Month is Announced!

    Loveland Magazine’s March Pet of the Month is Announced!

    by Cassie Mattia

    Self-described “Dog Mom” Cassie Mattia lives in Historic Downtown Loveland with Nala, Dean, and her boyfriend Adam. Cassie is the Co-Owner and Associate Editor of Loveland Magazine.

    Loveland, Ohio – We are pleased to present Loveland Magazine’s Pet of the Month for March! The community of Loveland provided us with some excellent St. Patty’s Day Pet of the Month photos and we are beyond thrilled to celebrate these local pets with YOU the readers!

    Introducing Murphy Flanagan, an 11-year-old Goldendoodle, who was born on St. Patty’s Day! Murphy was adopted by Laurie Flanagan and her family who have a strong Irish background.

    Laurie Flanagan says Murphy has spent his entire life as a Loveland resident and his 2 human brothers and sister all went to Loveland schools.

    “He is a friendly fluff who enjoys exploring in the woods, going on car rides, stealing toys from his neighbor dog friend Bailey, stealing treats from his other neighbor dog friend Oscar, chewing on sticks, and swimming in the ocean,” Flanagan said, “He is affectionately called ‘peanut butter boy’ by his Loveland groomer, Pon of Top Dog Grooming given his lip-smacking joy eating the creamy stuff.”

    Murphy loves walking the trail between Symmes Park and Home of the Brave just so he can catch a glimpse of kids playing sports or practicing their instruments for band, according to Flanagan.

    “Murphy also likes going to the Loveland Farmers Market to sniff around for the dog treat booth and enjoys hanging on the patio at Ramsey’s Trailside on a nice summer day,” Flanagan added, “We received sad news back in October that Murphy was diagnosed with sarcoma and given 6-12 months to live. Even with a large mass on his right hip that continues to grow in size and is now impacting his walking, he still is a happy camper sharing his good nature and love with anyone he encounters; humans and dogs alike!”

    Meet Murphy Flanagan

    Photo Taken by David Long

    Congratulations to Murphy and The Flanagans for being selected to represent Loveland Magazine’s Pet of the Month for March! Murphy and The Flanagans will be rewarded with a Nothing Bundt Cakes Bundtlet Tower, a gift card to The Works Pizza, a gift certificate to Tara’s Pet Boutique and Doggy Daycare, and an 8X10 framable photo keepsake! Murphy will not only be featured in our publication but will also be included in our weekly newsletter for the month of March and our social media pages.

    We would like to thank everyone who sent in photos of their pets as it was an absolute joy to see how many beautiful animals there are in our community! For those who sent in photos but weren’t selected this time around, don’t worry, as your entries will be entered back into the competition for the following month’s selection! For those that missed the deadline for March’s Pet of the Month, we will be taking entries from March 5th-25th for April’s Pet of the Month. Don’t be afraid to dress up your pets in their best Spring wear!

    Check out the video below created by David Miller that features Murphy as well as some of our favorite Pet of the Month entries!

     

    To enter into Loveland’s Pet of the Month contest you must email me, Cassie Mattia, at cmattia12@gmail.com 2-5 of your favorite photos of your pet along with a short bio about your pet. Share with us and the community why your pet is so special to you along with any other unique facts that set your little buddy apart from other pets! When sending in your pet photos and bios please include your pet’s name, age, and breed as well as your contact info with a short description of each photo you provide us with. If you want to share where your pet’s favorite spots are in Loveland that would be great as well! Remember we DO NOT discriminate against any pets; all pets are welcome to enter into the contest!

    Join us in celebrating Murphy for the month of March!

    We can’t wait to see whose pet will be featured in April for Loveland Magazine’s Pet of the Month Spring Edition!

    Here at Loveland Magazine, we would like to send a personal shout-out to The Works Pizza, Tara’s Pet Boutique and Doggy Daycare, and Nothing Bundt Cakes Mason (nearby in Deerfield Township) for providing wonderful gifts to our winners!

    Want to see previous Pets of the Month? Click here!

  • The Loveland Dairy Whip Prepares for the 2022 Opening Weekend Celebration!

    The Loveland Dairy Whip Prepares for the 2022 Opening Weekend Celebration!

    by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio – Who’s ready to scream for some ice cream this Friday at the legendary Loveland Dairy Whip’s opening weekend?

    The Loveland Dairy Whip (LDW), a family-owned Loveland legacy that has been serving up high-quality soft serve ice cream since 1955, is holding its opening weekend celebration beginning this Friday, March 4th at 2 PM.

    What could be more exciting than a beautifully delicious soft-serve masterpiece? Well, a special “opening weekend” 2 dollars off coupon that you can get sent directly to your phone by scanning the QR code at the bottom of the page! This coupon is good from March 4th-March 6th and may be used on any soft-serve dessert menu item. One coupon can be used per family or per automobile if you so choose to use the LDW’s convenient drive-up window.

    The LDW is located at 611 W. Loveland Ave. and will be open daily from 2 PM-9 PM starting this Friday.

    Not familiar with The Loveland Dairy Whip? Well here’s the run-down on why you should stop by this weekend! The LDW not only uses a high-quality soft serve mix when creating the scrumptious desserts they also make it fresh right before your eyes. While this legendary ice cream shop offers go-to flavors for their ice cream cones such as vanilla, chocolate, and twist, they also offer specialty toppings for both cones and sundaes, like googly eyes for the kids, sprinkles, and chocolate, cherry, or cake batter dip top. Other popular ice cream flavors at the LDW include Blue Moon, Dreamsicle, and, Cake Batter. The LDW also offers specialty ice cream creations like their Parfay’s and Cyclones, which include fan-favorites, The Chocolate Mountain, Reeses, and Oreo. The Loveland Dairy Whip’s menu also features Kid’s Sundaes, Hot Fudge Brownie Sundaes, Strawberry Short Cake, Hot Caramel Cake, Shakes, and Banana Boats.

    Is your mouth watering yet? If so put the Loveland Dairy Whip’s opening weekend celebration on your agenda and come on by for a creation that is sure to sweeten up your weekend! 

    Be sure to stick to the classic method of paying for your dessert using cash when you stop by this weekend as LDW only takes cash so that they can continue to keep prices reasonable for all of their loyal guests!

    Want to learn more about The LDW? Click below to watch LDW Owner, Rick Morgan, talk to Cassie the Food Guru on Loveland Magazine TV about LDW’s history and why guests keep coming back for more!

    Cassie The Food Guru Visits Loveland Dairy Whip!
    Scan and Save Coupon to your Phone

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

  • Columbia Road, Davis Road, and Myrtle Ave. Roundabout Project

    Columbia Road, Davis Road, and Myrtle Ave. Roundabout Project

    Deerfield Township, Ohio – The Warren County Engineer’s Office is currently designing a roundabout for the intersection of Columbia Road, Davis Road, and Myrtle Avenue in Deerfield Township. The proposed project may also include a profile adjustment, drainage improvements, large culvert replacement, and a sidewalk along Columbia Road in the project area.  

    The purpose of this project is to improve traffic safety and congestion by constructing a roundabout at this intersection.

    An alternative evaluation report is being completed by Carpenter Marty Transportation to determine the best location and type of roundabout.

    Project Timing: 

    Plans are to be completed by summer 2022. Right of Way acquisition in 2022. Utility relocation in 2023. Construction is tentatively scheduled for 2024.

    Estimated Construction Cost: 

    The project cost estimate is $2,200,000 and the project construction will be funded by the Warren County Engineer and Deerfield Township.

  • Come along for a unique aerial tour across Ohio

    Come along for a unique aerial tour across Ohio

    Come along for a unique aerial tour across Ohio featuring some of the beautiful locations managed by the Ohio Division of Natural Resources. You might discover a weekend or day trip right here in Ohio.