The Butler County Veterans Service Commission has announced some service changes due to the coronavirus pandemic, including no face-to-face office visits.
Executive Director Caroline Dineen said the Middletown satellite office will temporarily close effective today, but veterans can drop off documents through the mail slot in the door. Veterans service officers will continue to work in the Hamilton office but will do all business via phone.
The only reason veterans should visit the office is to pick up assistance checks/food vouchers or to drop off documents, officials said.
The transportation service will continue.
For questions call 513-887-3600 or email Dineen at dineenca@butlercountyohio.org.
Board to hold emergency meeting today
An emergency board meeting of the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities will be called to order at noon today to deal with the board’s unique needs while supporting the community through the COVID-19 pandemic.
In keeping with Governor DeWine’s stay-at-home order, all participants will join via phone. Public can listen to the conversation via live-stream through the Board’s facebook page @ButlerCountyDD.
City council to hold meeting
The council of the City of Hamilton will meet at 6 p.m. today in council chambers, first floor, 345 High St.
For the time being only those who wish to speak regarding a specific agenda item will be permitted to give their comments in person. If citizens wish to have an issue addressed by city council or city administration they should email those questions or comments to the city clerk at nick.garuckas@hamilton-oh.gov. The city clerk may read the comments into the record during the appropriate council meeting. If comments are submitted far enough in advance of an upcoming meeting, an official city response may also be read into the record. A person must still provide their name and address for the record. Be concise with potential comments.
Residents and other interested parties are highly encouraged to watch the live stream on TvHamilton’s Facebook or when TvHamilton posts the recording to their website or Facebook. Additionally, the meeting will air in its entirety also on TvHamilton.
Hospital locations closed
Out of an abundance of caution and significantly decreasing volumes, the following Cincinnati Children’s locations closed on March 24:
• Mason
• Eastgate
• Northern Kentucky
All services for these locations stopped March 24, with Urgent Care at Mason closing March 23. All other locations will remain open at this time; however, Children’s will reassess volume, patient needs, and staff needs in the coming week.
The operating room at the Liberty Campus is temporarily closed for surgeries, including add-on cases. Any necessary procedures scheduled will take place in the Burnet Campus operating room and urgent add-on cases will be transferred.
For more information, visit cincinnatichildrens.org for the latest information on COVID-19. CONTRIBUTED
Election office closed
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, and Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton’s Stay at Home Order, the Board of Elections office will be closed except to those who have made an appointment. To set up an appointment call the Board of Elections office at 513-887-3700.
The Board will continue essential functions during regular business hours Monday through Friday, including answering phone calls and electronic communications from the public.
Need for blood donations
Community Blood Center (CBC) is sending an urgent reminder to the public that blood donors are exempt from the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Stay at Home Order and are free to leave their homes to donate.
ODH and the Department of Homeland Security identify blood collection as essential work and donating blood as an essential activity. The CBC Donation Center is operating on its normal schedule and all CBC blood drives will take place on schedule.
CBC is urging donors to make an appointment to donate to maintain a safe environment at blood drives. Spacing donors through appointments maintains social distancing by reducing wait time and congregating. Make an appointment online at www.DonorTime.com or by calling 937-461-3220.
Historical society closed but accepting comments, messages and emails
The Butler County Historical Society will remain closed during this “Stay at Home” time period. Staff will be working at home, so comment, private message, or email the society with any questions or research requests a person may have.
The society will also be adding some history lessons on the website for those who are doing remote education.
For more information, go to https://bchistoricalsociety.com/.
Hamilpalooza rescheduled
In light of the health and safety guidelines that are currently in place and in an effort to make sure that there is the best event possible, Greater Hamilton Chamber has made the decision to postpone Hamilpalooza. The event has been rescheduled for Aug. 29. It will still be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Butler County Fairgrounds.
The chamber is currently seeking vendors and sponsors for Hamilpalooza. This event will feature over 100 indoor and outdoor vendors, plus food trucks.
For more information, go to www.hamilton-ohio.com.
Acute care hospital visitor restrictions
The safety of patients, visitors, staff and clinicians is of utmost important to UC Health. The visitor restrictions are set in compliance with public health agency guidelines and best practices as well as those of the Ohio Hospital Association and with consideration of the Ohio Governor’s “stay at home” guidelines:
Effective immediately, UC Medical Center and West Chester Hospital will not allow visitors on their campuses.
There are two exceptions to this rule:
• In cases where visitor restriction will produce an undue hardship for the patient or family.
• In cases where the restriction is detrimental to the care of the patient.
In cases where a visitor is permitted with the permission of the nurse manager and/or medical director, they will be screened upon entrance. Only one visitor will be permitted.
Township board canceled meeting
The Fairfield Twp. Board of Trustees meeting to be held today at 6:30 p.m. has been cancelled. The meeting will be held at the Fairfield Township Administration Building, 6032 Morris Road.
Park closed to public during statewide order mandate
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum is closed through April 7 in order to comply with the statwide Stay-at-Home order mandated by Gov. DeWine’s office and the Ohio Dept. of Health.
For more information, go to www.pyramidhill.org.
To let the Journal-News know about a news item regarding helping the community, volunteering, donating, etc., email information to ButlerCountyNews@coxohio.com.
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