Familiar face to fill vacancy on Hamilton City Council
Hamilton City Council voted 6-0 Wednesday to appoint recent Council Member Kathleen Klink to fill the final months of Robert Brown’s term, but said they weren’t positive she would take it.
She “definitely” will, Klink told the Journal-News. Brown recently retired, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family.
“I served with Bob for 10 years and so appreciated his insights, knowledge and sense of humor,” Klink said after the meeting, adding she “will do my best to serve the remaining months of his term.”
Ross Twp. man who was shot by deputy competent to stand trial on child porn charges
Credit: Nick Graham
Credit: Nick Graham
A Ross Twp. man facing multiple counts of child pornography and charges that resulted in his shooting when Butler County Sheriff’s deputies executed a search warrant at his residence has been found competent to stand trial.
Alex Michael Hoskins, 26, of the 4200 block of Jennifer Drive, was shot May 10 by Sheriff’s Detective Ricky Phillips in what the investigation reveals was an attempt to “commit suicide by cop.”
Detectives and officials with Homeland Security were serving the search warrant as part of an online child pornography investigation, when Hoskins allegedly came toward the deputy with a gun, raised it and pointed it. Phillips shot and wounded Hoskins.
Ugly unused Hamilton property becomes lovely pollinator park
What was unkempt land along Henry Street this time last year has been transformed into an attractive pollinator park and vegetable/fruit garden whose bounty neighbors and those eating hot meals at the nearby New Life Mission can enjoy.
“I have 15 varieties of nectar plants,” said Alfred Hall, who last year retired from HUGS (Hamilton Urban Garden Systems), with his wife, Patty Burbacher. HUGS grows fruits and vegetables at 545 S. Front St., in the city’s Second Ward, also known as Riverview, to share with the needy and provide people in the grocery-lacking neighborhood 545 S. Front St., in the city’s Second Ward.
Pollinators, which include bees, butterflies and other insects, are critical in carrying pollen from the male part of a flower to a female part of the same flower or another, in a different. Without pollination, a plant will not become fertilized and produce seeds, fruits and other plants.
Cliffs called ‘very responsible, smart’ after successful vaccination program at Middletown Works
After Cleveland-Cliffs implemented a COVID-19 vaccination incentive program, 75% of the Middletown Works employees were vaccinated, nearly 30% higher than the rest of Butler County.
In July, the company, formerly AK Steel, launched a vaccine incentive program that it developed in partnership with its labor unions, including the United Steelworkers, the United Autoworkers, and the International Association of Machinists, according to the company.
The intent of the program was to protect the workforce by providing employees with a positive incentive to get vaccinated, the company said. Under the program, Cliffs committed to pay an employee $1,500 to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
Butler County communities say they can use more money to bust blight
There is a $1.5 million pot of blight busting money coming to Butler County from the state but at this early juncture it appears the two big cities still have the greatest need, but the county land bank is preparing to help smaller jurisdictions, too.
When the state biennial budget passed, it allocated $150 million for commercial and residential demolitions and $350 million for brownfield remediation. Each of the 88 counties will automatically receive $500,000 for demolition and $1 million for brownfield remediation, which is the removal of hazardous materials left when industrial, or even commercial such as dry cleaners blight is downed.
The remaining $106 million in demolition and $262 million for brownfields will be disbursed “first come, first served.”
AND, for an extra sixth story of the day ...
Know Theatre partners with Pyramid Hill to bring ‘Mongrel’ to the outdoor stage
Know Theatre has partnered with Pyramid Hill to present the premiere solo performance of “Mongrel,” which will be featured on an outdoor stage at Pyramid Hill beginning today. There will be 14 live, outdoor shows offered through Sept. 12. The production will also be made available digitally.
Written and performed by Adam Tran, “Mongrel,” is a one-man premiere about the story of Genghis Khan. Tran is an Indianapolis-based actor and playwright. He has also starred in previous productions at Know Theatre, including “Whisper House” (2018) and “The Girl in the Red Corner” (2019). This is the second show in Know Theatre’s twenty-fourth Mainstage season, themed as “Myth-Breakers and Story-Makers.”
The 70-minute show is directed by Rebecca Wear. The design/production crew is comprised of Andrew Hungerford (scenic and lighting designer,) Noelle Wedig-Johnston (resident costume designer), Alix Frisch (costume designer), Douglas Borntrager (sound designer), Emi Suarez (stage manager), Henry Bateman (technical director), Kayla Williams (props), and Christopher Tin and Alex Williamson (composers).