Loveland, Ohio – In his weekly Superintendent’s Message, Mike Broadwater described the importance of a planned town hall meeting to discuss, “…our ongoing funding challenges”. He said, “The district is currently in deficit spending, which means that we are spending more money to pay for staff and services than the federal, state, and local tax revenue that is coming in. Our Five Year Forecast shows deficit spending for the current fiscal year of $3.7 million and projects a $3.8 million deficit in the following fiscal year.”
To that end, at the Board of Education meeting on December 10, it was decided that the District will hold a Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, January 5, at 6 PM in the Media Center at the Loveland Intermediate School.
“The purpose of this Town Hall is for district leaders to hear from our Loveland City Schools community about issues facing the school district, including the financial future of Loveland City Schools.”
Two members of the Board of Education and the Superintendent will attend.
If you cannot attend, you can watch the live stream by following this link. Only in-person attendees can participate with questions or comments. A recording of the meeting will be available to watch for those who are interested.
Loveland, Ohio – Have you Googled your business recently?
Did you know that 93% of people start their initial search for anything on a search engine? Did you know that Google holds 78% of the search engine market? Want to know how to take advantage of this?
Google My Business has rebranded to the Google Business Profile. While much remains the same for gaining online visibility, some significant changes have happened.
Join the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance with former Google City Ambassador, Rusty Allison for a special “Lunch & Learn” about what you might have missed with the new Google Business Profile listings.
Fees/Admission
Fees/Admission
$35 Members $45 Non-Members
The Historic Location
The 1859 is a boutique event space located in the heart of historic Loveland.
Loveland, Ohio – The Little Miami River Chamber Alliance urges you to join them for the State of the Region 2023 Address. Hear from city and township leaders: David Kennedy (Loveland City Manager), Jeff Wright (Miami Township Administrator), and Kim Lapensee (Symmes Township Administrator) on their 2023 plans. Learn more about your community, economic development plans and stay informed for the upcoming year.
Agencies that wish to receive a grant must submit their proposals before Jan. 21
Loveland, Ohio – There are expanded access to teen driver training for low-income Ohio families through the new “Drive to Succeed” scholarship program.
Loveland area residents can urge their police departments, council members, or trustees to apply for a grant by forwarding this story to them. Whether you have a teen driver or not, all residents will benefit from safer teen drivers.
Administered by the Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) and available via grants to local governmental agencies, teens selected for a scholarship by grantee agencies would attend an eligible Ohio-approved driving school in their area at little to no cost.
Funding to establish these community-based scholarships will be awarded by OTSO to local agencies through a competitive grant process. Local government agencies, such as police departments, sheriffs’ offices, health departments, and others may apply for funding. The proposing agency must be in an area with a population of 5,000 or more.
“The importance of driver training cannot be overstated, especially for our young drivers,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “This new program aims to remove the financial barrier that may prevent some teens from enrolling in driver education.”
Data shows that young drivers under age 24 are involved in 31% of all crashes in Ohio. Youth-related fatal crashes have been steadily rising over the past three years with 296 fatalities in 2021 accounting for almost 24% of all fatal crashes.
For the first time in Ohio, recent research has shown that new drivers under age 18 who complete the mandatory driver education under Ohio’s Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) restrictions were less likely to crash than drivers licensed at age 18 who are exempt from these requirements. Ohio is one of only 15 states with comprehensive licensing requirements that include behind-the-wheel training at a licensed driving school, in addition to classroom or online instruction, parent-supervised practice driving, and learner permit holding periods.
Loveland, Colorado – In Loveland, Colorado., the nation’s Sweetheart City, Valentine season starts now. The Loveland Chamber of Commerce and partners unveiled details and plans for the 77th annual Valentine season this morning, including the Valentine Re-Mailing Program, Sweetheart Festival, exclusive Valentine wine and coffee, the Loveland Sweetheart Classic 4-mile race, and the Valentine Group Wedding being held on the ice (NEW) at the Budweiser Event Center prior to the Feb. 14 Sweetheart Game featuring AHL hockey’s Colorado Eagles vs. Bakersfield Condors. The event, including the Valentine-themed game takeover, is part of the Colorado Eagles’ 20th anniversary celebration. All Valentine season activities and events take place during the first two weeks of February.
“We are very excited to be celebrating our 77th year of sending LOVE around the world. These last couple of years have been a challenge with the pandemic, but Valentine season is magical in Loveland and there is no better way to help spread love, joy and hope than through a special Valentine mailed from the Sweetheart City,” said Mindy McCloughan, president of the Loveland Chamber of Commerce. “Our designs and verses this year reflect Loveland’s desire to spread a little love and kindness. It is even more important to share this time-honored tradition with the world and show that LOVE is the greatest gift we can give or receive.”
Loveland’s Valentine Re-Mailing Program The 2023 official Loveland Valentine card, collector’s stamp (also known as a cachet) and postmark have been announced. The collector’s stamp and postmark will be stamped on every piece of mail that comes through the program. Loveland receives around 100,000 Valentines annually from all 50 states and 110 countries across the world through its Valentine Re-mailing Program, the largest program of its kind. Sponsors and volunteers handstamp the collector’s stamp and postmark onto each individual Valentine that comes through the city’s post office.
2023 collector’s envelope artwork, re-mailing program deadlines announced
The 2023 collector’s envelope artwork was designed by Corry McDowell and includes the following verse written by Amy Huckaby:
Travel by train, by letter or card,
My Love note will find you, wherever you are.
Via Sweetheart City my message departs
And speeds on its journey straight to your heart.
McDowell also crafted the 77th-anniversary postmark.
To get this special 2023 collector’s envelope artwork and postmark, package pre-addressed, pre-stamped Valentines in a larger First Class envelope. Send the envelope to Postmaster – Attention Valentines, 446 E. 29th St., Loveland, CO 80538-9998. Once received, Valentines will be removed from the larger envelope and hand-stamped before being re-mailed to intended recipients.
All international-destined mail must be received in Loveland by Feb. 2. All U.S.-destined mail to states outside of Colorado must be received by Feb. 7, and all Colorado-destined mail must be received by Feb. 9 to ensure delivery by Valentine’s Day. Northern Colorado residents can drop off their Valentines now through Feb. 9 at the following Loveland locations during normal business hours:
Our official Valentine drop location sponsors include Independent Financial and Elevations Credit Union. Drop off self-addressed, stamped Valentine envelopes at any of these locations, as well as the Chamber of Commerce, Visitor’s Center and the Post Office.
Participants are encouraged to send their Valentines to Loveland as soon as possible.
2023 Valentine card on sale
The 2023 Valentine card was designed by Corry McDowell. The card design features a row of black and white mailboxes with one box open revealing a red heart. The Valentine card verse written by Sybil Psuik is:
“From the City of Loveland,
Right to your door,
A card full of love, And a little bit more.
To you and your loved ones,
Good wishes and smiles,
From the Sweetheart City,
Across the miles.”
Valentine cards can be purchased online at Loveland.org for $10 (which includes the card, printing, processing and postage) from Jan. 18 through Feb. 9, and for $5 at the Loveland Chamber of Commerce, Loveland Visitors Center, and through many retail outlets in Loveland, including Safeway, Walmart, Rowes, Columbine Drug, and B Sweet Cupcakes, beginning Jan. 5. A complete list of retail outlets is available on the chamber’s website, www.Loveland.org. All cards purchased through Loveland.org will automatically go through the re-mailing program.
Celebrate all things LOVE in the Sweetheart City at the annual Loveland Sweetheart Festival, returning February 10-11, 2023. During this free celebration in Downtown Loveland, enjoy live music, art installations, local beer, and interactive activities at four venues in the center of town. As you stroll between venues, explore the Valentine Flea Art Market and the community plaza with local performances, food trucks, and kids’ activities, and experience the Arts Alive block featuring interactive raku firing and ice carving demonstrations, or paint a tile for the Loveland community mural. Don’t miss the 3rd Annual Little Miss Valentine and Mr. Cupid contests and be sure to catch the Projection Mapping light show on the Historic Feed and Grain Building. Enjoy live music at the Rialto Theater with 14-time Grammy Award winning musician Dan Tyminski, featuring Gavin Largent, on Feb. 11. Stay tuned for an announcement about the Feb. 10 headliner.
Loveland Lights at Chapungu
Feb. 1-14, 2023
Chapungu Sculpture Park in Centerra will be adorned in red and pink lights and sweetheart-themed decor. Similar to Loveland Winter Wonderlights, the lighting displays will be free and open to the public from 5-9 p.m. every evening.
Colorado Eagles Hockey Sweetheart Game
The Colorado Eagles and Visit Loveland are excited to team up for the Sweetheart Game on Tuesday, Feb. 14. For the first time in seven seasons, the Eagles will host a game on Valentine’s Day featuring fun for all at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland. Festivities include:
Enter to win one of 150 “Sweetheart Packs” via Eagles social media beginning the last week in January, including two (2) tickets to the game and a gift bag from Visit Loveland.
Pregame group wedding on the Ice.
First 2,000 attendees receive red and pink light-up foam batons provided by the City of Loveland at the entrance of the game.
Pick up an “I Love ______” sign at the Visit Loveland booth and fill in the blank to show your LOVE.
Take part in Northern Colorado’s Biggest Valentines Kiss on the Kiss Cam during a stoppage in play.
Many other special surprises.
Valentine Group Wedding
Feb. 14, 2023
Loveland’s seventh annual ode to vows of the marriage variety is back and even better for 2023. If you’re in search of a unique wedding experience and a memorable venue, read on.
Lovely Valentine Libations
In partnership with the Colorado Eagles, the AHL Avalanche affiliate hockey team, couples can exchange or renew vows in a group setting on the ice prior to the February 14 Visit Loveland/Colorado Eagles Sweetheart hockey game at Loveland’s Budweiser Events Center. The ceremony includes music you vote on, a customized ceremony, keepsake photos, gift bags, signature wedding cupcakes, a lock couples can use to “lock their love” on Loveland’s famous LOVE or HEART sculptures, plus the chance to win a giant gift basket. The package also includes tickets to the evening’s Eagles game when the home team takes on the Bakersfield Condors. Cost is $140 per couple and registration is limited. Loveland’s Valentine’s Day Group Wedding is hosted by MBD Marketing & Events, in partnership with the Colorado Eagles, Visit Loveland and the Loveland Chamber.
2023 Sweetheart Classic Race
Feb. 11, 2023
The Sweetheart Classic is a staple race in the Loveland community taking place from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11, in Downtown Loveland on 4th Street. While on the four-mile course, participants will enjoy diverse terrain and views, from downtown to River’s Edge Natural Area. Runners can bring a sweetheart and participate together or single runners can be on the lookout for that future running partner.
2023 Loveland Valentine Wine
Sweet Heart Winery in Loveland has produced the Loveland Valentine wine for 2023, a 2019 Merlot from Lodi, Calif. that includes label art entitled “Sensuous” by Sheldon James. A limited release of 180 gallons, or 1,200 bottles, will be available for purchase online and at the winery after Feb. 1.
2023 Loveland Valentine Coffee
The Loveland Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Top of the Lake Coffee to produce the 2023 official Loveland Valentine coffee. The Sweetheart Blend for 2023 is a beautifully roasted Butter Toffee coffee. It will be sold at the Loveland Visitors Center.
Reuters has announced that President Joe Biden will join Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in a Wednesday event in Kentucky aimed at highlighting the effects of the $1 trillion 2021 infrastructure bill, a White House official said Sunday.
Bidenr, along with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, are to appear at a ceremony highlighting the $1.64 billion in funding awarded to for the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project connecting the two states across the Ohio River.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced last week the awarding of federal funding grants worth $1.635 billion for the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project – giving the landmark bridge and corridor project the green light to move toward construction.
“Ohio and Kentucky have been discussing the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project for almost two decades, and now, we can finally move beyond the talk and get to work,” said Governor DeWine. “This project will not only ease the traffic nightmare that drivers have suffered through for years, but it will also help ensure that the movement of the supply chain doesn’t stall on this nationally significant corridor. My administration vowed to press the federal government to fund this project, and we’re glad that they have recognized its significance. I’m grateful to the teams in both states who have worked so hard to make this project a reality.”
With funding secured, groundbreaking on the project is anticipated for late 2023, with substantial completion slated for 2029.
“I’m thrilled the time has finally come for us to get the companion bridge built,” Gov. Beshear said. “Funding and constructing the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project is more than the fulfillment of my administration’s promise – it’s a dream-fulfilled for the thousands of travelers who pass through the bustling region every day waiting eagerly for traffic relief to come on this nationally significant corridor. It also shows what’s possible when we prioritize people over politics. Once complete, drivers will have a more enjoyable and efficient drive and we’ll have the infrastructure in place to support the booming economy in this part of the state. Hats off to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Ohio Department of Transportation, and countless partners and advocates who played a role in today’s monumental achievement including the General Assembly for the last budget allocation. We greatly appreciate President Biden and Secretary Buttigieg for this historic investment.”
The Brent Spence Bridge was constructed in the 1960s to carry around 80,000 vehicles a day, but the daily I-75 and I-71 traffic load has reached 160,000 vehicles in recent years. Because I-75 is a key freight corridor stretching from Canada to Florida, the congestion impacts commerce and commuters who travel the corridor in the eastern United States.
Project plans call for the construction of a companion bridge to the west of the existing Brent Spence Bridge, as well as improvements to the current bridge and the roadway network that ties into each river crossing. There will be enhanced pedestrian access across I-75 in Cincinnati to reconnect downtown with western neighborhoods and the City of Cincinnati will regain nearly 10 acres of land to develop in the downtown area. In Kentucky, the project will include a new storm sewer system to reduce flooding and improve local roads, including enhanced pedestrian and bicycle facilities, in the area of the existing and new bridge.
The project team – consisting of representatives from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) – applied jointly for funding and have outlined terms to move the project to construction.
The funding was made available through the passage of the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that invested billions of dollars to revitalize infrastructure and spur the economy.
In July, Governors DeWine and Beshear announced revised plans based on community engagement and technical analysis to shrink the project footprint.
“Nothing great is achieved alone and I’m proud of all the people who’ve come to the table over the years to ensure that we’ll deliver a project with huge benefits and minimal impacts to the communities that live in and around the project area,” KYTC Secretary Jim Gray said.
“This project doesn’t just move vehicles, it moves people. We’re able to reconnect neighborhoods to downtown Cincinnati, improve safety, and reduce congestion on this route, all while only adding a single lane to the interstate with this project,” said ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks.
With funding secured, groundbreaking on the project is anticipated in late 2023 with larger construction activities in 2024. Substantial completion on the project is slated for 2029. The immediate next step will be the selection process to determine the Progressive Design Build contractor team to complete the project. That effort will begin in January when the Request for Proposals (RFP) is released to the contractor community.
The Federal Highway Administration recently required the project team to complete an analysis to better identify project cost estimates. Through this process, the project team determined the project is likely to cost about $3.6 billion. The increase from previous estimates was not unexpected due to the recent impact of inflation in construction prices. As a result, the project team is updating the project’s financial plan to account for the change.
The Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project will invest in local communities panning eight miles between the Western Hills Viaduct in Ohio and Dixie Highway in Kentucky, the project will address the second-worst truck bottleneck in the nation by improving safety and travel on the interstate connection that carries more than $700 billion worth of freight every year.
The new year could include many different developments in the redistricting arena, but one thing is for sure: new maps have to be on the agenda.
But this time around, majority leaders may not have as much trouble getting maps through the current approving authority: The Ohio Supreme Court.
With the departure of Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor due to age limits, Justice Sharon Kennedy was elected to take the top spot, and Kennedy made clear how she felt about redistricting in the past, accusing the court majority of judicial overreach in rejecting maps as unconstitutional.
The maps have gone through the ringer: Statehouse district maps have been rejected by the state’s highest court five times, and congressional maps have been turned down twice.
After the last round of rejection, GOP members of the Ohio Redistricting Commission turned to a federal U.S. District Court for an answer, which came in the form of the temporary approval of a map passed in February, but still deemed unconstitutional by the state supreme court.
The three-judge panel in federal court said they did not intend for the map to last ten years, or even the four years laid out in the constitutional amendment that reformed the process. The ORC could pass a map without bipartisan support, but the map would only last four years.
The GOP took another step around the Ohio Supreme Court, by appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court on congressional redistricting, and the power of the state legislature over the state supreme court.
The nation’s highest court has not yet decided whether it will take up the case, and is still deciding a different redistricting-related case, Moore v. Harper, which also addresses the role of the state legislature in elections.
U.S Sen. Sherrod Brown pointed to ousted Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder’s corruption scandal as part of the problem the state is having in attempting to resolve the redistricting issue.
“This state government is the most corrupt in the country,” Brown said on a press call. “I think there’s no question about that.”
Householder wasn’t a part of redistricting, but his predecessor as Speaker, Bob Cupp was, along with Senate President Matt Huffman.
“Of course, (GOP members of the legislature) know they’re losing elections all over the country based on the fact that they are out of step with the majority of voters, so they believe the only way to win is change the rules,” Brown said.
Legislative leaders have not made any indication for sure as to when the process will start again, though the need to pass a new state budget may slow the process down.
Voting advocates have said they are pulling together a new ballot measure, that could change redistricting yet again. Outgoing Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor has said she plans to help anti-gerrymandering efforts.
Deerfield, Township, Ohio – Deerfield Township will have 3 Christmas Tree Drop Off locations setup in the Township. These locations will be at Cottell, Fleckenstein, and Landen-Deerfield Parks.
Deerfield Township Parks are open daily from dawn until dusk. Areas will be sectioned off and posted with signs for township residents to drop off their Christmas trees. Christmas trees will be accepted for recycling during park hours from January 3rd, 2023 through January 20, 2023.
Loveland, Ohio – The City of Loveland provides residents with an annual Christmas tree removal service. The 2023 collection will take place from January 3-16, 2023. City Hall asks that you please remove all decorations, lights, tree stands, and tree bags before placing your Christmas trees at the curb.
For questions about the Christmas tree recycling program, call City Hall at 513-707-1442.
Holiday Light Recycling
City of Loveland, Miami Township, and Symmes Township residents can recycle their used holiday lights Nov. 26-Jan. 20 at the following locations:
City of Loveland residents: City Hall (120 W. Loveland Ave.)
Miami Township residents: Move2Loveland/Keller Williams (6377 Branch Hill Guinea Pike)
Symmes Township residents: Symmes Administration Building (9323 Union Cemetery Road)
