Here’s a look at five big Butler County stories today to catch up on the news:
Trial begins today for man charged in 2019 Middletown shooting
The trial is scheduled to begin today for a man accused in the 2019 fatal shooting of a man in his Middletown home.
Cameron Kyles, now 20, is charged with aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, felonious assault and having weapons under disability for the Oct. 12, 2019 death of Michael Stewart II.
Kyles has had four court-appointed attorneys, changes to which resulted in trial continuations, and two psychological evaluations before being declared competent to stand trial. He has also rejected a plea offer by the prosecution.
Hamilton’s Cunningham Sisters make it on The Voice
Credit: Nick Graham
Credit: Nick Graham
Credit: Nick Graham
Credit: Nick Graham
What do you say when you can finally tell the world you’ll appear on NBC’s The Voice, which gives singers a shot at a music career?
For the Cunningham Sisters, the first thing was, “OMG,” for Oh, my God.
“OMG,” they wrote on their Facebook page. “It has been so hard to keep this secret!!!! We are so thrilled and excited to finally be able to announce that we auditioned for The Voice! See what happens during the season premiere September 20th on NBC #TheVoice.”
2020 Census could mean $40 million to Butler County: How it works
Credit: NICK GRAHAM / STAFF
Credit: NICK GRAHAM / STAFF
Credit: NICK GRAHAM / STAFF
Credit: NICK GRAHAM / STAFF
The data from the 2020 U.S. Census were recently released, and with 22,227 new residents, Butler County could mean an additional $40 million in new state and federal funding to help social service programs, roads and local governments.
The rule of thumb is that every person counted equates to about $1,800 in state and federal funding for things like Medicaid, food stamps, roads and other programs supported by outside sources.
Butler County Development Director David Fehr said residents will reap the benefits because new funding levels for the next 10 years will be based on a population of 390,357. He said a $40 million funding bump “spread across all the different federal federal programs doesn’t sound unreasonable.”
$97 million in Butler County requests: What locals want to do with COVID-19 relief funds
Credit: Nick Graham
Credit: Nick Graham
Credit: Nick Graham
Credit: Nick Graham
The Butler County commissioners heard the first pitches for part of the $75 million federal American Rescue Plan Act funding last week, and the overarching theme was improving the physical and economic health of the county.
The county has received dozens of requests totaling about $97 million for spending the windfall cash that is coming as part of President Joe Biden’s rescue plan. Requests run the gamut from new educational and economic development opportunities to addressing social service needs of the county.
The commissioners have $74.5 million in funds to share. These are some of the proposals entities have submitted so far.
Plea hearing continued for man accused of abusing Middletown boy, abusing body
Credit: Nick Graham
Credit: Nick Graham
Credit: Nick Graham
Credit: Nick Graham
A Middletown man accused of abusing a 6-year-old boy and disposing of his body in the Ohio River after his mother killed him was in Butler County Common Pleas Court today for an expected plea hearing, but it was continued.
James Hamilton stood before Judge Noah Powers II and began the hearing in which he was scheduled to plead guilty to kidnapping, two counts of child endangering and gross abuse of a corpse.
After conferencing with Hamilton’s attorney Jeremy Evans and prosecutors, Powers paused the hearing for a few minutes. The hearing began again and again there was a bench conference. After the second adjournment, Powers said the hearing would be continued until Tuesday afternoon.
AND, for an extra sixth story of the day ...
Fairfield pauses city manager search after more than 8 months
Fairfield will continue without a permanent new city manager in the coming months.
City council announced this week that it would stop its search after applicants were discussed in an executive session meeting Wednesday.
“At this time, council has determined that the best interests of the city will be served by pausing our search to allow the unopposed candidates for city council to have input into the decision-making process,” according to a statement from Councilman Dale Paullus, who has been leading the search process.