(Hamilton)--The Butler County Dog Warden has charged a 17 year old boy who admitted to abandoning two 3 month old puppies in a Lindenwald park on March 13th. A short time later, one of the dogs was hit by a train. The puppy survived the incident, but lost two back legs and a left eye. The puppy, which has been named Trooper, continues to undergo rehab, and is expected to be adopted soon. The boy is facing juvenile charges of animal cruelty and abandonment. Trooper's sibling has been located in Fairfield.

 

(Hamilton)--Hamilton police continue to investigate a shooting that occurred just before midnight Friday. 51 year old Anthony Carter was found in the parking lot of an apartment building at 511 South Front Street. He was lying down by the passenger door of a running SUV with a gunshot wound to the pelvic area.  Carter was taken to the Butler County Regional Airport where he was placed on Air Care and flown to University Hospital for treatment. No arrests have been announced yet.

The Trenton community is mourning the death of a well known restaurant owner. 39 year old Fai "Peter" Ni was killed when his SUV accidentally hit the rear end of a semi parked on the exit ramp to the Northbound Rest Area on I-75 Wednesday morning. Ni was pronounced dead at the scene. He owned the Dragon China restaurant on East State Streein Trenton. The driver of the semi involved, 36 year old Michael Vosburg of Lawrence, Michigan, was sleeping in the cab at the time of the crash. Vosburg was cited for parking in a no-parking zone.

 

Miami University Athletic Director Dave Sayler has announced that Hockey Coach Enrico Blasi has been fired after 20 seasons guiding the hockey program. "This is a difficult day for Miami Athletics and our hockey program," said Sayler. "The hockey program has had strong historical success under the guidance and leadership of Rico. In addition, Rico is an exceptional person of character and devotion. In recent years, Miami hockey has fallen short of expectations, both within our conference and nationally. The NCHC is the strongest conference in hockey and it's imperative that we become more competitive for conference championships and NCAA appearances. I want to thank Rico and his family for their service and commitment to Miami University and the broader Oxford community."
Blasi guided the RedHawks to a 398-311-76 record over 20 seasons, including the 2009 NCAA National Championship game, which the RedHawks lost in heart-wrenching fashion, and a Final Four appearance in 2010. A nationwide search for a new coach begins immediately.

The union representing the Hamilton Fire Department's rank and file members, IAFF Local 20, has issued a statement citing what they say are inaccuracies and issues with the internal report on the December 2015 death of Firefighter Patrick Wolterman during an arson fire on Pater Avenue. The union claims the report omits several factors, including cuts imposed on the department in 2013. 

Link: IAFF Statement on internal LODD Wolterman report.

The Miami University women's basketball team has been selected to play in the WNIT post season tournament, hosting a first round home game at Millett Hall. The RedHawks will play Western Kentucky University at 7:00pm Thursday. The winner of the first round game will play the winner of the Morehead State/Ohio State game being played Wednesday in Columbus. WMOH broadcast Time with Tim Bray will begin at 6:40pm Thursday.

Photo Courtesy: Miami University Athletics

The Hamilton Fire Department has released an internal report into the December 2015 death of Firefighter Patrick Wolterman. The report looks at several factors that played a role in Wolterman falling into the basement of the Pater Avenue home while battling the arson fire. Several changes have already been made in officer development and training, live drills, as well as fire ground communications.

The Hamilton City School District will be under new leadership soon. Superintendent Larry Knapp announced that he is stepping down on April 8th. Knapp took over after the controversial departure of Tony Orr last year, and agreed to stay on through the end of this school year, but Knapp says the district has already achieved the goals he outlined when he was promoted. Mike Holbrook will take over as superintendent when Knapp retires.
Knapp's tenure hasn't been without controversy. Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones has criticized the district for deciding not to arm teachers and staff members. The sheriff opposed a joint school safety levy in Hamilton and four other districts. The measure failed by a wide margin.

Link: Larry Knapp's letter to district employees

A West Chester businessman has been indicted by a Butler County grand jury. 51 year old Jeffery Couch is facing 2 counts of felonious assault, one count of attempted felonious assault, and a misdemeanor domestic violence charge for allegedly attacking his wife March 1st at the couple's home, causing serious injuries that resulted in a hospitalization. Couch is the owner of Couch's RV Nation in Trenton.

 

A Liberty Township man has admitted to murdering a West Chester woman he had been stalking last year. 29 year old Michael Strouse pleaded guilty to charges of murder, menacing by stalking, and gross abuse of a corpse. Strouse admitted to killing 23 year old Ellie Weik by suffocating her with a plastic bag, then dumping her nude body in a field near his house. He will receive anywhere from 17 and a half years to life in prison when he's sentenced on April 17th by Common Pleas Judge Gregory Howard.

 

(Hamilton)--A Hamilton couple appeared in Municipal Court Monday to face a laundry list of charges following a weekend standoff. 29 year old Patrick Finnigan and 34 year old Kelly Kamphaus were arrested after the incident at 1311 Park Avenue. They are charged with Felonious Assault, Inducing Panic, and Resisting Arrest. Both have been ordered held under $75,000 bond until their preliminary hearing, which was set for 8:00am Friday. 

 

(Hamilton)--Hamilton police have arrested a Wilson Middle School student after a gun was found during a search this morning. A student notified a staff member that another student may have brought a gun to the Eaton Avenue campus. A search turned up the gun inside a locker. The school district says no individual was in danger, and the student was taken into custody by the Hamilton Police Department.