Loveland Magazine

LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor

Since 2004

Tag: ohio

  • Loveland Schools names Brian Conatser interim athletic director

    Loveland Schools names Brian Conatser interim athletic director

    Brian Conatser has served the district in the role of assistant director of student athletics since 2016

    Additionally, the Board of Education approved Jake Elfers, a 2014 Loveland graduate, to work with Conatser as an assistant athletic director student intern.

    Loveland, Ohio – During the February 20, Business Meeting the Loveland Board of Education approved in a unanimous vote to name Brian Conatser as interim district director of student athletics for the remainder of the 2017-18 school year. This follows the announcement that District Director of Student Athletics Julie Renner accepted a position outside education with FinalForms, a national athletic management solution company.

    “We have full confidence in Mr. Conatser’s ability to manage the robust Loveland athletic program that is so well known in the ECC,” said Loveland High School Principal Peggy Johnson. “We appreciate Mr. Conatser stepping forward to serve in this interim capacity for the remainder of the school year.”

    Conatser has served the district in the role of assistant director of student athletics since 2016. He has a Bachelor of Education in Health Promotion from the University of Cincinnati, a Master of Education in Secondary Education from Xavier University, and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from American College of Education.

    Additionally, the Board of Education approved Jake Elfers, a 2014 Loveland graduate, to work with Conatser as an assistant athletic director student intern. Elfers is finishing his degree this spring at the University of Cincinnati in Sports Management.

    Renner’s final day will be March 2, and Conatser will assume the director responsibilities effective that date.

     

  • Attorney General DeWine files lawsuit against opioid distributors for practices fueling opioid diversion

    Attorney General DeWine files lawsuit against opioid distributors for practices fueling opioid diversion

    Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today filed a lawsuit against four major prescription opioid distributors in Madison County Court of Common Pleas. The lawsuit alleges that the drug companies engaged in unsafe distribution practices that ignored their responsibility under law to provide effective controls against opioid diversion.

    “We believe the evidence will show that these companies ignored their duties as drug distributors to ensure that opioids were not being diverted for improper use. They knew the amount of opioids allowed to flow into Ohio far exceeded what could be consumed for medically-necessary purposes, but they did nothing to stop it,” said Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine. “And much like the drug manufacturers who continue to fail to do the right thing, these distributors are doing precious little to take responsibility for their actions and help pay for the damage they have caused.”

    In 2016, the last year for which data is available, an average of more than 76 opioid doses was distributed for every man, woman, and child in Madison County.

    The four distributors which are listed as defendants include:

    • McKesson Corporation
    • Cardinal Health, Inc., and its subsidiaries
    • AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation
    • Miami-Luken, Inc.

    The lawsuit alleges, among several counts, that the drug companies were negligent and created a public nuisance by using unsafe distribution practices and by irresponsibly oversupplying the market in and around Ohio with highly-addictive prescription opioids. The companies are alleged to have failed to act upon their responsibilities under both federal and Ohio law to stop such orders that would result in oversupply and report these suspicious orders to the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the Ohio Board of Pharmacy. The lawsuit also alleges that the companies should have known that the volume of opioids supplied far exceeded what could be responsibly used in markets in Ohio and would likely have contributed to the opioids being illegally diverted and abused. This behavior directly fueled the opioid epidemic Ohio is currently facing.

    In the lawsuit, Attorney General DeWine is seeking a number of remedies including punitive damages as well as compensatory damages for costs incurred by Ohio for its increased spending for healthcare, criminal justice, social services, and education. The lawsuit also seeks to enjoin the defendants from further improper conduct by complying with reporting requirements for suspicious orders and to undertake more complete reporting of suspicious orders to the DEA and the Ohio Board of Pharmacy as well as the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.

    The lawsuit was filed in Madison County, which has consistently had a higher number of opioids distributed to it than the statewide average. In 2016, the last year for which data is available, an average of more than 76 opioid doses was distributed for every man, woman, and child in Madison County, a rate that was 39% higher than the Ohio statewide average for that year.

    A copy of the lawsuit is available on the Ohio Attorney General’s website.

     

  • Public invited for meet and greet with finalists for Loveland superintendent job

    Public invited for meet and greet with finalists for Loveland superintendent job

    Loveland Board of Education selects finalists for superintendent search

    Public invited to informal meet & greet with each candidate

    Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland Board of Education has announced three finalists for the position of superintendent, following the search timeline established and first communicated in November 2017. The finalists will meet the Loveland community on the following dates:

    Karen Naber

    Karen Naber,  (Assistant Superintendent Sycamore Schools)

    Tuesday February 27 at 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. – Loveland High School Media Center 

     

     

    Dr. Chad Konkle (Assistant Superintendent Hamilton City Schools) (No photo available)

    Thursday, March 1 at 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. – Loveland High School Media Center

     

    Dr. Amy Crouse
    Dr. Amy Crouse

    Dr. Amy Crouse (Interim Loveland Superintendent)

    Monday, March 5 at 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. – Loveland High School Media Center

     

    “The next leader of the Loveland City School District will shape the future for our children; the responsibility is great, and we feel we have found the best of the best to bring before our community,” said Loveland Board of Education President Art Jarvis. “It is a great time to be a Tiger.”

    The Board of Education plans to take official action to employ a new superintendent in March, with that person’s official duties to begin August 1, 2018. The vacancy is the result of the resignation of Chad Hilliker that was effective on July 31, 2017. At that time, Dr. Amy Crouse took over as interim superintendent for the district, and she continues to lead in that capacity.

    The Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) is assisting the Board with the search.

    RP Diamond Printing & Embroidery

      RP Diamond is the exclusive retailer of LOVELAND HIGH SCHOOL SPIRIT WEAR Welcome to  RP Diamond Printing & Embroidery located at 370 Loveland Madeira Road.

  • Drone video of Loveland flooding by Anthony Contini

    Drone video of Loveland flooding by Anthony Contini

    Loveland, Ohio – This drone video was taken this morning of the flooding of the Little Miami River by Anthony Contini around 9:45 AM.

    Video and Photo credits go to Campaign Hawks – Aerial Photography and Drone Inspections

     

     

  • Public invited for Q&A with finalists for Loveland superintendent job

    Public invited for Q&A with finalists for Loveland superintendent job

    Loveland Board of Education selects finalists for superintendent search

    Public invited to participate in meet & greet with each candidate

    Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland Board of Education has announced three finalists for the position of superintendent, following the search timeline established and first communicated in November 2017. The finalists will meet the Loveland community on the following dates:

    Karen Naber

    Karen Naber,  (Assistant Superintendent Sycamore Schools)

    Tuesday February 27 at 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. – Loveland High School Media Center 

     

     

    Dr. Chad Konkle (Assistant Superintendent Hamilton City Schools) (No photo available)

    Thursday, March 1 at 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. – Loveland High School Media Center

     

    Dr. Amy Crouse
    Dr. Amy Crouse

    Dr. Amy Crouse (Interim Loveland Superintendent)

    Monday, March 5 at 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. – Loveland High School Media Center

     

    “The next leader of the Loveland City School District will shape the future for our children; the responsibility is great, and we feel we have found the best of the best to bring before our community,” said Loveland Board of Education President Art Jarvis. “It is a great time to be a Tiger.”

    The Board of Education plans to take official action to employ a new superintendent in March, with that person’s official duties to begin August 1, 2018. The vacancy is the result of the resignation of Chad Hilliker that was effective on July 31, 2017. At that time, Dr. Amy Crouse took over as interim superintendent for the district, and she continues to lead in that capacity.

    The Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) is assisting the Board with the search.

    RP Diamond Printing & Embroidery

      RP Diamond is the exclusive retailer of LOVELAND HIGH SCHOOL SPIRIT WEAR Welcome to  RP Diamond Printing & Embroidery located at 370 Loveland Madeira Road.

  • Little Miami above flood stage in Milford and Kings Mills Friday evening

    Little Miami above flood stage in Milford and Kings Mills Friday evening

    The Little Miami River went above flood stage in Milford at 7:30 PM Friday evening. The National Weather Service reported the river at 17.8 feet. Flood level is 17 feet. The level is virtually the same at the Kings Mills recording station. There is no measuring gague in Loveland.

    Detailed Weather Forecast for Loveland from the National Weather Service

    Tonight
    Showers likely, mainly after 4am. Cloudy, with a low around 47. West wind around 6 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
    Saturday
    Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 5pm. High near 55. East wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
    Saturday Night
    Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 52. Breezy, with a southeast wind 8 to 13 mph becoming southwest 15 to 20 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
    Sunday
    A chance of showers before 7am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. West wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
    Sunday Night
    Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. West wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm in the evening.
    Monday
    Sunny, with a high near 56.
    Monday Night
    Mostly clear, with a low around 32.
    Tuesday
    Sunny, with a high near 60.
    Tuesday Night
    Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.
    Wednesday
    A chance of showers after 7am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
    Wednesday Night
    Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
    Thursday
    Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
    Thursday Night
    A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
    Friday
    Partly sunny, with a high near 47.
  • 2nd Loveland river crossing dead in the water – alternate plan moving forward

    2nd Loveland river crossing dead in the water – alternate plan moving forward

    EDITORS NOTE: Because the proposal goes into no detail or discussion of possible negative impact to private property, homeowners (the residential Main Street neighborhood), schools, the natural environment, street trees, or aesthetics, this is an important read for those affected property owners along the proposed route.

    City recommendation is for parking on west side of town and walking or bicycling into Historic District on new pathway and crossing river using existing bridge – Cost to be $1,623,000.

    by David Miller

    Loveland, Ohio – The City commissioned a study of how to alleviate parking congestion yet bring more customers into Historic Downtown by developing a new crossing over the Little Miami River. The report was released last Wednesday. The recommendation is to create “parking pods” in existing commercial and school parking lots or create new parking lots on existing City owned land in the Loveland Madeira Road business corridor and in the West Loveland Historic District. A new ten-foot shared pathways for pedestrians and bicycles along Loveland Madeira, West Loveland Avenue, and possibly Main Street would bring the customers into the Historic District via the existing roadway of the Col. Thomas Paxton Bridge.

    Talk of a new bridge over the State and National Little Miami Scenic River or expanding the existing bridge over the river have been abandoned in favor of using a shared lane for pedestrians and bicycles on the existing roadway over the bridge.

    The report says:

    While a stand-alone bridge, a modification to the existing bridge to create a cantilever type path were both examined, the most feasible and cost-effective crossing entails the modification of the existing lanes of traffic of the bridge to accommodate an expansion of the existing sidewalk.

    The cost estimate for the project is $1,623,215.

    Project Goals

    • Develop a safe, feasible crossing over the Little Miami River • Reduce downtown traffic congestion by encouraging riders to park and ride into downtown

    The preferred option according to a recommendation to City Council by City Manager Dave Kennedy is to modify the Col. Thomas Paxton Bridge to accommodate a 10 ft. wide separated path with three vehicle lanes across the bridge. The “collector pathway” is expected to encourage Loveland Bike Trail users to “park and walk or ride” into the Historic Downtown District.

    Description

    The Loveland Collector Trail will be a new, shared use, grade-separated facility connecting the Loveland Madeira Business Corridor to the Historic Downtown District. The intent of this facility is to provide visible, shared parking opportunities at strategic locations west of the river, along Loveland Madeira Rd, where Little Miami Scenic Trail users – or general visitors to Downtown Loveland – can park their vehicle and follow an easily-navigable shared-use trail along Loveland Madeira Rd, across the Little Miami Scenic River and into the Historic Downtown District to the Little Miami Scenic Trail trailhead.

    Preferred Alignment

    The eastern terminus of the proposed Loveland Connector Trail will begin at the proposed Deer Ridge II development (1401 Loveland Madeira Rd). The shared-use path will continue along Loveland Madeira Rd to W Loveland Rd, where users will turn right onto W Loveland Ave and cross the Little Miami Scenic River on the existing W Loveland Ave bridge into downtown Loveland.

    Alternative Alignments

    Similar to the preferred alignment, the shared-use path will continue along Loveland Madeira Rd to the south of Main Street where the City owns a vacant development parcel (referred to as the Chestnut St. Development) between Loveland Maderia Rd and the river. Users can turn right onto one of the three access points into the Chestnut St. development. From there they can either head north through the future development or the existing residential streets to access a river crossing.

    “Next step is to seek funding for construction.” – City Manager Dave Kennedy

    Kennedy is confident he will find 80% of the $1,623,000 cost from the Federal Government. The city was able to secure grant funding ($19,900) from the Hamilton County Planning and Development Department to conduct the feasibility study. At the council meeting, he said, “Next step is to seek funding for construction. We are still digesting it… looking for the funding.” He said councilman Ted Phelps is reaching out to the Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI) for funding.

    Also during the Council discussion, Phelps who is spearheading the project, inherited from former councilman Brent Zuck, said about the Loveland Connector Trail, “This serves two larger, important goals and it’s a big step towards getting those goals realized. Number one is to reduce traffic in downtown Loveland. Second thing it does… I think it’s an economic shot in the arm for the Loveland Madeira corridor which I think will have positive repercussions.”

    Phelps said that people who are using the bike trail are using too many of the downtown parking spots and using them for too long a period of time. “This is going to give them another place to get on the trail, better parking, easier on and off.”

    “In delivering it (the study) to Bob Koehler at last week at the regular OKI meeting, he was very positive in terms of its reception,” said Phelps. Koehler is Deputy Executive Director/Transportation Manager at OKI.

    Phelps said, “We will be moving forward on this and I think it will be another great feather in the cap of Loveland when it’s realized.”

    “We still need people to weigh in on it,” Phelps said. “We will be moving forward on this and I think it will be another great feather in the cap of Loveland when it’s realized.” He suggested the plan be put on the City’s website.

    The study does not contain any data on potential number of users, nor potential customers to Loveland Madeira Road businesses. The study also does not address any repercussions on the residential neighborhood of Main Street or the Business/Residential neighborhood on West Loveland Avenue.

    There has been no recommendation to forward the plan to the Planing and Zoning Commission, Tree and Environment Committee, Beautification Committee or Safety Service & Street Improvement Committee for review. No public hearings are scheduled.

    You can DOWNLOAD the full report HERE: Loveland Collector Trail Feasibility Study

     

  • A Letter to Rob Portman from the Grief-Stricken

    A Letter to Rob Portman from the Grief-Stricken

    Dear Senator Rob Portman:

     get to decide whether it is appropriate to play Bruno Mars at my daughter’s funeral.

     get to decide if I should bury my son in his soccer jersey.

    make the call about which organs my wife would want me to donate after she has been declared brain dead.

    tell my four-year-old niece why her beloved uncle won’t be coming to her birthday party.

    decide which meds are best to address the PTSD the librarian who held a dying child now suffers from.

    figure out what order the caskets should come into the shared church of the five victims whose funerals will be held there.

    decide if the cost of metal detectors at my child’s middle school is justified as it is now known there are none.

    donate blood to save my critically-injured grandson’s life.

    .

    Sincerely,
    Dianne Decker Bomar

     

     

     

    Dianne Decker Bomar is a resident of Miami Township, Clermont County, Ohio

     

  • Loveland Community leader Rev. A.J. Hamilton passes

    Loveland Community leader Rev. A.J. Hamilton passes

    A photo of Rev. Hamilton at the public event he organized in the Loveland area last July. Despite his failing health, he gathered community leaders and officials from all around the Cincinnati area. Hamilton’s “Loveland Movement” was subtitled – Love always seems to find a way to help.

    Rev. Allison Jonathan “A.J.” Hamilton of Loveland, Ohio

    Rev. Hamilton received the Superintendent’s Award from Dr. Amy Crouse in November of last year. [Rev. A.J. Hamilton will receive Superintendent’s Award on November 28]
     

    Loving husband of 61 years to Nancy Ann (nee Lewis) Hamilton.

    Beloved father of Dorothy (Morris) Scott, Pamela (Richard) Crutcher, Stewart “Bo” Hamilton, Connie Hamilton and Faith Hamilton. Proud grandfather of Leslie Hamilton, Constance Bowen, Kyle Hamilton, Allyson (Travis) Winston, Deidre (Byron) Barnes, Richard Crutcher II., Victoria (Michael) Brown, Megan Hamilton, Dana Jenkins and Leigh Jenkins. Great grandfather of Myah, Jayden, Anya, Madison and Noah. Dear brother of Rev. Ralph Hamilton,, Earl Hamilton, Lawrence Hamilton Sr., Donald Hamilton, Ann Osborne and Ethel Norman Combs.

    A.J. was preceded in death by his wife Nancy Ann; his parents Alvin and Esther; three brothers, Earl, Lawrence, and Donald; and two sisters, Ann and Ethel.

    A.J. read Bible scriptures daily, loved to golf, bake and cook, fish, play football and card games, and was a community activist. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in November 1952.

    A Loveland High School yearbook photo of Allison “A.J.” Hamilton (1947 or 1948)

    A.J. departed on February 10, 2018 at the age of 87. He leaves his loving memories to be cherished by his brother, five children, ten grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and a host of family and friends.

    Family and friends will be received from 9-11 AM on Saturday, February 17 at Tufts Schildmeyer Family Funeral Home, 129 N Riverside Ave, Loveland, OH 45140, where services will be held at 11 AM.

    Family suggests memorial contributions be directed to the American Cancer Society, Address: PO Box 22718 Oklahoma City, OK US 73123-1718.

  • [Exclusive Video] Class of 2017 LHS Athletic Hall of Fame Induction

    [Exclusive Video] Class of 2017 LHS Athletic Hall of Fame Induction

    Dennis Drinnen, Adam Engel, Jim Gruver and Sarah (Leeper) Lucas all part of the 2017 Hall of Fame Class

    Loveland, Ohio – This video was shot at half-time of the mens varsity game on February 2 when the Class of 2017 Loveland High School Athletic Hall of Fame inductees were recognized

    Members inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame included: Adam Engel, LHS Class of 2010; Dennis Drinnen, LHS Class of 1964; Jim Gruver, LHS Class of 1974; and, Sarah (Leeper) Lucas, LHS Class of 2007.

    Dennis Drinnen graduated from Loveland High School in 1964 where he played varsity football as team captain, was awarded District Athlete of the Year, played varsity baseball and earned a four-year scholarship to attend the University of Kentucky and play football.

    Adam Engel graduated from Loveland High School in 2010 where as a student-athlete he was a highly award baseball player, earning Player of the Year, and all-time career leader in batting average, and all-time season leader in doubles. Engel was the Edward Jones Student Athlete of the Month, LaRosa’s Male Athlete of the Year, and also played varsity football and varsity basketball. He attended the University of Louisville on a four-year baseball scholarship and transitioned into a professional-athlete for the Chicago White Sox Baseball Organization.

    Jim Gruver graduated from Loveland High School in 1974 after playing as a student-athlete in football, basketball and varsity track. He has continued to be an integral part of the Tiger Athletic Family through his service as a score keeper for basketball, a clock keeper for football, an announcer for basketball and a clock keeper and announcer for soccer.

    Sarah (Leeper) Lucas graduated from Loveland High School in 2007 where she was a student- athlete for varsity cross country – earning Team MVP, Division I State Champion (2003), and Enquirer Runner of the Year.  In track (2003), she earned first team all ECC, second in District, third place in Region, and fourth place at State in the 3200.

    Jarvis Global Investments, LLC

    Jarvis Global is an investment advisory firm in Symmes Township, Ohio which offers private portfolio management and retirement services to high net worth individuals.