Middletown News

$In 2016 Lakota Schools was the first district to mobilize its summer, free lunch program using converted school buses to deliver food to low-income school families at various locations around the district. Middletown Schools soon followed with their own "Middie Meal Machine" food truck. The free meal program in Middletown is expected to be even busier this summer as school families are impacted by rising food prices brought on by cost inflation. (Contributed Photo\Journal-News)$

Middie Meal Machine food truck hits the road soon to battle hunger in Middletown

Credit: Butler County Jail

Ex-nurse aide sent to prison for Butler County sex crimes

Cleveland-Cliffs, which owns and operates Middletown's steel mill, was ranked No. 171 on the Fortune 500 list on Monday, according to company officials. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

Middletown steel plant owner Cleveland-Cliffs ranked 171 on Fortune 500 list

Scenes from the Spooky Nook Sports Play Ball VIP Grand Opening gala held at the Champion Mill Conference Center in Hamilton, Thursday, May 19. Spooky Nook Sports Champion Mill will be one of the largest convention centers and indoor sports facilities in the country once completed. GREG LYNCH / STAFF

Spooky Nook Sports ‘ushers in a new era in Hamilton’

$Officials at the Community-Building Institute of Middletown (CBIM) say more than $2.2 million in state grants – spread out over two to three years – will help fund existing summer learning programs and pay for creation of new after-school instruction in coordination with Middletown Schools. Programs, such as the learning class pictured at the Robert "Sonny" Hill Community Center, will be expanded and offered for free. (Contributed Photo\Journal-News)$

Historically large state grants to offset pandemic learning losses coming to Middletown

Monica Ann Pennington, 48, was charged with murder and felonious assault for the death of her sister, Pamela Pennington on Oct. 20 at their home in Middletown. Pennington appeared for a competency hearing in Butler County Common Pleas Court Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022 in Hamilton. NICK GRAHAM / FILE

Middletown woman charged with killing sister considered competent

The Middletown branch of the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, 3232 Roosevelt Blvd., reopened Monday morning after being closed for one month due to inadequate staffing. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

Middletown BMV reopens one month after closing due to low staffing

For the first time in two years, Middletown Schools put on their famed Middie Olympics for their special needs students.

Special Olympics day returns to Middletown with joyous tears, cheers

Former Fenwick High School Principal James J. O’Connor’s legacy of leading the Middletown high school during its boom years of the late 1960s and early 1970s helped lead to the school’s modern-day success. The Rev. O’Connor, who died May 4 at the St. Charles Center in Celina, Ohio, was instrumental in shepherding the Catholic Middletown school through some of its most transformational years, said Fenwick school officials. O'Connor pictured here in undated photo from the late 1960s making an announcement to Fenwick's students and staff. CONTRIBUTED

Former Fenwick HS Principal James J. O’Connor was leader during school’s boom years

7-year-old boy drives and crashes dad’s car on busy Middletown road

Workers are preparing the Ohio 122 bridge over the Great Miami River for construction set to begin Monday. The bridge that connects Middletown to Madison Twp. will be closed for 45 days, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

Middletown’s Ohio 122 bridge to close for several weeks

Fairfield Schools Lead Nurse Pam Buehler, seen here tending to a sick student, is among the many local school nurses now being lauded for their hard work during the initial school year - 2020 and beyond - after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. State and local school officials say the nurses were heroes in keeping thousands of students and school staffers safe during the deadlier days of the now fading pandemic. CONTRIBUTED

Front-line heroes: Area school nurses awarded, touted as pandemic warriors

The Butler County Government Services Center is shown here. The county's three largest cities are forming a collaboration in the form of two task forces. One between Fairfield and Hamilton, and one between Middletown and Hamilton. NICK GRAHAM/FILE

Credit: NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

Butler County’s three largest cities talk collaboration, communication

The DEA Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, April 30, and there are several locations in Butler County collecting unused or expired prescription medication for safe disposal. MICHAEL D. PITMAN/FILE

Multiple Butler Co. agencies to host DEA Drug Take Back Day on Saturday

State approves brownfield grant for Towne Mall redevelopment project

Middletown Economic Development Director Chris Xeil Lyons has resigned after being put on administrative leave. CONTRIBUTED

Middletown’s economic director resigns after being on administrative leave

Inflation has delayed the opening of Butler County Clerk of Courts Mary Swain's new title office in the Middletown area . NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

Inflation delays new title office for Middletown and Monroe

The Butler Tech West Chester Campus Bioscience Center in Butler County is seen here. Butler Tech has become a popular choice for education and is having to reject students due to limited classroom space. FILE

Lack of space pushes Butler Tech to turn away hundreds of students

Godbless E. Arinze Uwadiegwu. CONTRIBUTED

Credit: Warren County Jail

Ex-nurse aide sentenced for Butler County sex crimes

Kee Edwards, left, assistant human resources director for Middletown City Schools, and assistant superintendent Debbie Houser, right, help Jerrica Harris with the job portal process during a job fair for the school district Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at Middletown Middle School. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

Middletown City School District scramble to fill positions with rare job fair

Gracelyn Stitzel prepares a drink at the bar at Tano Bistro Thursday, April 21, 2022 in Hamilton. Tano is one of many restaurants that have limited days open due to staffing issues. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

Staffing shortages at local businesses lead some to reduce hours or close

The Southwestern Ohio Symphonic Band will present its final concert of the season on Sun., May 1, 2022, at 2:30 p.m. at Dave Finkelman Auditorium. CONTRIBUTED

Southwestern Ohio Symphonic Band to present ‘Folk Songs and Favorites’ at MUM

Madison Twp. voters will decide on May 3 whether to support a 3-mill, five-year levy that will cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $100 more a year. The levy would generate about $850,000 a year for the Madison Twp. Fire Department. NICK GRAHAM/FILE

Credit: Nick Graham

Chief: Madison fire levy would build new stations, replace aging equipment

"Motherhood Out Loud" will be presented later this month by Middletown Lyric Theater. The play is a series of scenes, monologues, and vignettes about the joys and moving moments that celebrate the female experience. Pictured, from left, are Karen Oehler, Pam Fugett and Betty Coulter. PROVIDED

Credit: Provided

‘Motherhood Out Loud’ hits the Middletown theater stage this month

A medical helicopter was called Friday night after a pedestrian was struck on Manchester Avenue in Middletown. The man was flown to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton and he's listed in ? condition. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

Police: Charges pending against pedestrian after he was struck in Middletown

City of Middletown employees recently set a rock at the Middletown Cemetery on First Avenue that will honor the 233 veterans buried there. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Rock donated at 195-year-old Middletown cemetery to honor 233 veterans

Micheala and Donovan Rennaker, and their son Caspian, survived what could have been a deadly car crash in February thanks to the use of safety belts and a properly secured infant car seat. The family was honored Saturday with the Ohio Department of Public Safety's "Saved by the Belt" award.

Middletown residents join ‘Saved by the Belt’ club after serious crash

A medical helicopter was called Friday night, April 8, 2022, after a pedestrian was struck on Manchester Avenue in Middletown. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

Pedestrian struck in Middletown near YMCA, victim in stable condition at Dayton hospital

Artist in Residence, William "Kip" Moore (CQ), sings "Let Them Hear You" from the musical "Ragtime" during Miami University Middletown's annual Opening Convocation Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at the Campus Community Center in Middletown, Ohio. Staff photo by Nick Graham

Credit: MIDDLETOWN JOURNAL

Moore’s death left ‘a big hole in our community’

Potter Stewart United States Courthouse, Cincinnati.

Middletown man defrauds IRS; owes $725K and is sentenced to prison

Chris Xeil Lyons, hired two years ago as Middletown economic development director, was placed on administrative leave on March 25, she said.

Middletown’s economic development director says she has been placed on administrative...

$Middletown Schools have received $26 million in federal COVID-19 funds to help offset the costs and challenges of the pandemic since its onset in March 2020. Among the upgrades paid for with the funds are the addition of school counselors in each of the 10 city school buildings. Among the new counselors is Lexie Stelnicki, seen her with students at Amanda Elementary. (Provided Photo\Journal-News)$

Millions in federal COVID-19 aid funds spur Middletown Schools upgrades