Loveland, Ohio – The City of Loveland’s Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony was on Monday, May 27. The event started with a parade an ended with a ceremony at the Loveland Veterans’ Memorial in the West Loveland Historic District.
The ceremony featured a speech by Colonel J Scott Calder, a Loveland High School grad with a long career in the US Air Force Medical Services.
The things Col. Calder highlighted were:
• Not all combat injuries are readily apparent.
• Tales of his most rewarding military experiences.
• During his 2009 tour his unit cared for over 300 combat casualties a month.
• He honored the incredible strength of Gold Star and military families that have endured an unimaginable sacrifice and loss.
• When the injured he cared for were first able to speak, the first thing they asked was not about themselves, but of their friends. “Did anyone else get hurt?” Too often, he had to be the first one to tell the wounded soldier that their friend had died.
• Over 80% of the deaths are non-battlefield deaths.
• How to talk with the many current and former veterans that never openly speak about the pain and struggles that haunt them. Their injuries extend far beyond the battlefield. You must do the hard thing beyond just asking, “How are you? Persist! Your efforts will not be wasted and you may send them on a path to healing.
• We owe a special debt to the Gold Star Families. Thank the families who gave so much.
The photos in this slide show were taken by Intern Andrew Sichak and Loveland Magazine Managing Editor David Miller. Andrew produced this video.
Intern, photographer, and video editor Andrew Sichak is a Junior at Loveland High School
Loveland, Ohio – Democracy In Action (DIA), a local Democrat Club, is hosting a first of what they hope will be annual Veterans Resource Event, Saturday, June 15 from Noon until 4 PM. The event brings together several local and regional organizations and businesses that provide support to Veterans and their families from job placement to physical health, addiction recovery to emotional well-being, and education to homeownership.
The event is free and open to all Veterans and their families regardless of where they reside and will be held on the Loveland Primary School lawn at 550 Loveland-Madeira Road.
“Folks ask why DIA is hosting this event, and the answer is simple: this is our community, our friends, families, neighbors, and in some cases, this is us,” said Jane Gonzales, DIA President, and Loveland resident. “We believe that our role as a community club is to actively support the diverse members of the Greater Loveland area regardless of political leaning.”
The Veterans Resource Event will have information and representation from the following:
University of Cincinnati—Office of Veterans Programs & Services
Clermont County Veterans Service Commission
Hamilton County Veterans Service Commission
Cincinnati-Hamilton County Public Library (Loveland Branch)
Ohio Department of Jobs & Family Services
Joseph’s House
FCM Loans
Team Red, White & Blue
Erin Harper, Comey Shepherd
West Chester Dog Training—TADSAW (Train a Dog, Save a Warrior)
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 120 Camp Dennison
Cincinnati Veterans Center
Cincinnati VA Hospital
Greater Cincinnati Women’s American Legion Post 644
More participants are being added weekly according to the organizers.
“The idea sprang from a DIA member’s knowledge of the Stand Down program, begun in 1988 by two Vietnam Veterans to provide support specifically to Veterans experiencing homelessness in San Diego,” Gonzales said. “We were also concerned that the Veterans Administration (“VA”) estimates on average 17 Veterans die each day by suicide. Roughly seven percent of the City of Loveland residents are Veterans, which does not count the many Veterans living in the Greater Loveland area, which includes Miami, Symmes, and Deerfield Townships. To think that our neighbors might be at risk or struggling was a great concern to the members of our club. Together, we can ensure that our local Veterans continue to have the resources needed to remain a strong part of our community.”
The event—which DIA hopes will grow annually—pulls together the resources Veterans told the planning committee they would most like to see addressed based on what they are experiencing in their daily lives.
It’s a Matchup Full of Star Power and Intensity – Which Team Will Come Out On Top?
by Chris Ball
Loveland, Ohio – The 2024 NBA Finals have a little bit of everything. But it all starts with the pairs of superstars suiting up for each team. For the Dallas Mavericks it’s Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Doncic lead the NBA in scoring this year at 33.9 PPG and in the playoffs he’s averaging an unreal 28-9-8. In the playoffs, Irving continued to show why he’s one of the best closers in all of basketball while also a averaging over 22 per game. They’ve been dubbed by some as the best backcourt duo ever, and they’ve certain lived up to the hype. In the first round they defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 4-2 before dispatching a
Luka Dončić (Wikimedia Commons photo by Erik Drost)
very good Oklahoma City Thunder team by the same margin in the second round. Even the rising star Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves couldn’t slow down the Mavericks epic march towards the finals. While Dallas beat the Wolves in five games, it was the fire and trash talk from Doncic down the stretch that became one of the major storylines of the series. It wasn’t all hot air though as he backed them up on the court, scoring 36 points in a close out win.
Out of the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics have their own high powered guard combo in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Combined, the two averaged almost 50 PPG in the regular season and lead the Celtics to the best record in the East at 64-18. The Celtics took down the Heat, Cavaliers, and the upstart Indiana Pacers in their track towards the championship.
It’s clear that the stars are going to show out and light up the scoreboard in this iteration of the finals. The question then becomes a matter of which team has the stronger supporting cast.
For the Celtics:
Kristaps Porzingis (F/C 20-7-2)
Derrick White (G 15-4-5)
Jrue Holliday (G 12-5-4)
Al Horford (C 8-6-2)
For the Mavericks:
Tim Hardaway Jr. (G 14-3-1)
PJ Washington (F 12-5-1)
Daniel Gafford (F 11-7-1)
Dereck Lively (8-6-1)
Jayson Tatum (Wikimedia Commons photo by Erik Drost)
*The above are figures from the regular season (PPG-RPG-APG).
But perhaps the biggest x-factor could come from a player who has yet to take the court since the first round. Boston’s Kristaps Porzingis has missed the Celtics’ last 10 games due to a calf injury but seems primed to return for the finals. He would provide a massive boost to a team that went 9-1 without him. The Latvian big man shot a career-best 51.6% overall while hitting 37.5% beyond the arc. When you factor in the boost he can bring to Boston’s game on both ends of the court, it could be enough to make the Celtics the favorites in this series as they opened as -225 favorites Thursday night according to ESPN BET. But there’s no guarantee that Porzingis will be back to form immediately and Boston has been tight lipped about whether he is for sure good to go for game one.
But the Mavericks are adept at overcoming even the best of opponents. In the Western Conference Finals they dispatched a Timberwolves team with their own talented big man in Karl Anthony Towns. They should be in a good position to play tough against Porzingis should he return.
For his part, Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd knows plenty about the pressure a team can face in the finals. As a player he was on two squads that fell short of wining a title, the first with the Mavericks in 2002 and the second with the New Jersey Nets the very next year in 2003. On the other bench, the Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla is the youngest head coach to make the NBA Finals since Bill Russell in 1969 at just 35 years old. But coach Mazzulla has done an excellent job harnessing Boston’s talent and energy, guiding the team to their second finals appearance since 2022 where they fell to the Golden State Warriors.
These key stats lead to a few conclusions. First, that the Mavericks are never out of a game no matter how far behind they may be. Second, that the Celtics relentlessly attack the basket and draw fouls while limiting their opponents’ trips to the line.
In the end I honestly feel that this series will come down to whose non superstars play the best. If Kristaps Porzingis returns and plays to his full potential then it will be very difficult for the Mavericks. If Tim Hardaway Jr. can somehow find his shot and become an impact scorer for Dallas it could really even the field.
The way that Doncic and Irving are playing, even with the Celtics at full strength, my pick is the Mavericks in 7 thrilling games. The Celtics’ team is probably more complete for the starting 5, but Dallas also has a deeper bench, which outscored Boston 35-29 in terms of PPG in the regular season. And this is a hard series to predict given that any one of the marquee players on these teams could explode at any moment and change the dynamic of the series. But that is part of the reason why this matchup could be one of the most entertaining finals pairings.
But only time will tell and for now let’s buckle up and watch some excellent basketball.
Who is you pick to win it all this year? Let us know either in the comment section of this article or on our Facebook page!
The NBA Finals are presented by YouTube TV with ABC the exclusive provider.
Here is the television schedule for the 2024 NBA Finals:
Game 1: Mavericks vs. Celtics, Thursday, June 6 (8:30 ET)
Game 2: Mavericks vs. Celtics, Sunday, June 9 (8 ET)
Game 3: Celtics vs. Mavericks, Wednesday, June 12 (8:30 ET)
Game 4: Celtics vs. Mavericks, Friday, June 14 (8:30 ET)
Game 5: Mavericks vs. Celtics, Monday, June 17 (8:30 ET)*
Game 6: Celtics vs. Mavericks, Thursday, June 20 (8:30 ET)*
Game 7: Mavericks vs. Celtics, Sunday, June 23 (8 ET)*
* = if necessary
Christopher Ball is a longtime Loveland resident and an attorney. He graduated from Loveland High School in 2003 and was a member of the football team before going on to become a coach’s assistant at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He has been following and rooting for the Reds and Bengals since the early 1990s and has been through the many ups and downs that fandom has wrought over the years.
Loveland Magazine Managing Editor David Miller graduated from the Loveland Citizen’s Police Academy on November 15, 2023. Here he is during the graduation ceremony with Det. Jessee Moore and Lt. Amy Campbell who led the Loveland participants.
by David Miller
Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland Citizens Police Academy is a free, fun, hands-on learning experience. You will get to know your neighbors and your local officers.
Last year our first meeting was a meet and greet, dinner and tour of the Loveland Safety Center and we received an official shirt and many useful items in a swag bag. Our last meeting was a formal dinner where we each received diplomas and special gifts.
Some of the classes we participated in were a gun safety class and live range shooting at the Scarlett Oaks Public Safety Building. One week we participated in an active shooter situation that took place at a local church. We were hand cuffed and handcuffed our fellow classmates, and investigated a mock crime scene. We were given a course at a mock crash scene and used “extraction” tools and learned about an air-care rescue. The criminal justice system was explored as well as visiting the Clermont County Jail and criminal court. We saw a demonstration by a K-9 officer and his dog.
Since 1998, LPD has hosted the academy, “to increase positive community interaction, facilitate communication, and provide education to residents about law enforcement.”
The Academy will meet from September 4 until November 13 on Wednesday evenings.
Selections will be made in August. All applicants will receive confirmation on their acceptance or being placed on a wait list.
About the Academy
The academy is comprised of 10 sessions. Participants will meet on Wednesday evenings for approximately three hours. Each session will teach about a police topic such as
Use of Force & Media Portrayal
Investigations & Crime Scenes
Taser & Handcuffing with Defensive Tactics
Use of the Scenario “MILO” Training System
Narcotics Investigations
Gun Safety
Participants will also take a tour of the Clermont County Jail, interact with the fire department/air care, participate in a K9 officer demo and much more.
Eligibility & Cost
The program is free and open to Loveland residents at least 18 years old. If your application is selected, a background check and waiver of liability will be required.
The Loveland Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association is a group of community members who have graduated from the course. The LCPAAA hosts meetings every other month and plans for volunteers to help the Loveland Police Department at community events throughout the year.
At the recent Loveland Food Truck Rally on 5/11/24, the LPD and the LCPAAA collected 409 items to help stock the LIFE Food Pantry and collected $854 in monetary donations!
Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland Police Department (LPD) is searching for Brittany Moran.
Brittany Moran photo provided by Loveland Police
Moran was last seen in the Loveland area between May 15 and May 16, 2024. She is a 30-year-old, a white female. She is 5’2” and 140 pounds with dark hair. The Department says they have no clothing description at the time of her disappearance.
The Departments asks that if you see Moran or know where she is, “Please contact 911 or LPD Detective Jesse Moore at (513) 774-3009 or jmoore@lovelanmailtodoh.gov.“
(Loveland Magazine file photo when Andy Cruse was introduced to Tiger fans at a home basketball game on February 11, 2019)
Cruse will become Tight Ends Coach for the Miami RedHawks
by Chris Ball
Loveland, Ohio – This past Wednesday, Loveland leaned the bittersweet news that head football coach Andy Cruse would be departing to assume the role of tight ends coach for the Miami RedHawks in Oxford, Ohio. Cruse had been the head coach of the Tigers for five years after stints at Moeller and Turpin, which was his alma mater.
2023 was Loveland’s best year under Cruse. They finished 5-6 and there was a lot of hope that perhaps the team could improve on that going into 2024. It was their best record since going 6-4 in 2015. Overall, Cruse was 12-37 at the helm of the Tigers’ program, which ran from 2019-2024. After quite a few struggles following winning the state title in 2013, he lead the team to two straight postseason births.
Head Coach Andy Cruse leading the Tigers out of the “Tunnel” during a Pandemic game in August of 2020 (Loveland Magazine file photo)
Cruse will be returning to his former college team. He was a wide receiver for the RedHawks and a co-captain in his senior year. Coach Cruse also had a good amount of NFL experience, playing for the Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings.
All of Loveland wishes Coach Cruse the best and that he has success at Miami. But for now it is an exciting time for Loveland football as it searches for its next head coach. At the moment, defensive coordinator AJ Williams and special teams coordinator Brian Damewood are the interim co-coaches. This writer was honored enough to play for Coach Damewood during his brief but happy career with the Tigers from 1999-2003 and so the program is in the best of hands moving forward.
While coaching searches are never easy, the opportunity to take the reins at a solid program like Loveland will no doubt attract very qualified candidates. Loveland athletic director Jayson Bruce has a great opportunity for to secure the future of this program by making a great hire, and this city looks forward to a new chapter in Loveland football history.
Go Tigers!
________________
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Christopher Ball is a longtime Loveland resident and an attorney. He graduated from Loveland High School in 2003 and was a member of the football team before going on to become a coach’s assistant at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He has been following and rooting for the Reds and Bengals since the early 1990s and has been through the many ups and downs that fandom has wrought over the years.
Above is an updated photo of Brittany Moran that was provided today by the Loveland Police Department
Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland Police Department (LPD) is searching for Brittany Moran.
Brittany Moran photo provided by Loveland Police
Moran was last seen in the Loveland area between May 15 and May 16, 2024. She is a 30-year-old, a white female. She is 5’2” and 140 pounds with dark hair. The Department says they have no clothing description at the time of her disappearance.
The Departments asks that if you see Moran or know where she is, “Please contact 911 or LPD Detective Jesse Moore at (513) 774-3009 or jmoore@lovelanmailtodoh.gov.“
Saturday August 24th at Hickory Woods Golf Course will be the 4th annual golf event for Loveland’s own Ben Morrison Fund Golf Outing, benefiting Mental Health wellness, hope, and advocacy in our local young people!
by Tori Morrison
Gather your foursome and join the day of fun on the links for a great cause.
Interested in sponsoring a hole, game or part of the fun? We welcome you!
This is out biggest annual fundraiser – and last year our golf outing raised $18,000!
The Ben Morrison Fund is proud to have invested over $30,000 in our community through outreach programs and donations relevant to mental health wellness and advocacy.
• Our Ben’s Way initiative is already in 7 schools in 5 districts, reinforcing positivity
and building hope. • We have sponsored over 30 Ben’s TEAMS awareness events, impacting 52,000+ • We have given 33 scholarships, equal to $27,500 in 4 years. • Over 1390+ Loveland students and 300 teachers and staff have been impacted by our work with Hope Squad, My Fave 5, and the 988 Initiative
We reach out to children where they are and to our community where they can see us. We sponsor children who are in need. We shout out 988 everywhere we can, so that everyone knows what it is and how to find it in a crisis. We bring animals into the schools for all to connect with. We give coffee and breakfast to teachers and buy them books on mental health. We sponsor events to raise awareness and show up at
the Flying Pig marathon to cheer people on. We are on the radio, in print, at sporting events, local fairs, corporate functions,
inclusion events, mental health events, talking to law enforcement, talking to everyone we meet and encouraging one and all to “Cont;nue Your Story“.
We are passionate about mental health wellness for everyone.
Thank you to all who have supported the Ben Morrison Fund and we encourage all to join our day of fun on the greens to support our fight to shine a light on struggles with mental health – so that no one has to fight alone.
Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland City School District is partnering with the Loveland Police Department to conduct a safety drill tomorrow, Wednesday, May 29 at the Loveland Early Childhood Center.
During the drill, there will be a large number of police and fire vehicles at the school, and the building will be closed to visitors.
If you have any questions, contact the Loveland City School District Central Office at 513-683-5600.
Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland Police Department (LPD) is searching for Brittany Moran.
Moran was last seen in the Loveland area between May 15 and May 16, 2024. She is a 30-year-old, a white female. She is 5’2” and 140 pounds with dark hair. The Department says they have no clothing description at the time of her disappearance.
The Departments asks that if you see Moran or know where she is, “Please contact 911 or LPD Detective Jesse Moore at (513) 774-3009 or jmoore@lovelanmailtodoh.gov.“
Loveland, Ohio – Democracy In Action (DIA), a local Democrat Club, is hosting a first of what they hope will be annual Veterans Resource Event, Saturday, June 15 from Noon until 4 PM. The event brings together several local and regional organizations and businesses that provide support to Veterans and their families from job placement to physical health, addiction recovery to emotional well-being, and education to homeownership.
by Chris Ball
While coaching searches are never easy, the opportunity to take the reins at a solid program like Loveland will no doubt attract very qualified candidates. Loveland athletic director Jayson Bruce has a great opportunity for to secure the future of this program by making a great hire, and this city looks forward to a new chapter in Loveland football history.
