A Trenton man has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for child exploitation offenses.Thirty-four-year-old Jonathan Brown was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati after pleading guilty to producing and attempting to produce child pornography. Prosecutors say Brown secretly recorded young girls by hiding outside bedroom windows and placing cameras to capture images without their knowledge. Investigators say he also groomed a teenage girl, beginning when she was 15, and manipulated her into sending explicit images. Authorities say Brown was arrested in August of 2024 after being found with the teen at a Dayton hotel. He then led police on a multi-jurisdiction, high-speed chase that ended when he crashed into a moving train, followed by an hours-long standoff before he was taken into custody in Miamisburg. Federal officials say the case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative aimed at combating the sexual exploitation of children.

The Hamilton City School District is moving forward with plans for the future of Fairwood Elementary following its closure at the end of this school year. The district has approved a lease agreement with the Butler County Educational Service Center to house the Head Start program inside the building. Under the agreement, ten classrooms, along with office and shared space at Fairwood, will be used for early childhood education beginning August 1st. The Head Start program will operate five days a week and will have access to the school’s playground, gym, and kitchen, with scheduling coordinated with other preschool programs in the building. The Educational Service Center will pay twelve hundred dollars per classroom each month, totaling about twelve thousand dollars monthly, and will be responsible for furnishings, transportation, and food service. Superintendent Andrea Blevins says the district will make $144,000 a year under the deal. The move comes as part of nearly ten million dollars in cuts announced by the district to address a projected financial shortfall tied to state funding. Fairwood Elementary is one of the buildings being closed, with students reassigned to other schools in the district.

District leaders say repurposing the building for Head Start allows the space to continue serving local families while supporting early learning opportunities in the community.

West Chester Township has approved a new employment agreement for its Township Administrator, including a significant pay increase and expanded job protections.

Under the new contract, Lisa Brown’s salary will rise from 165-thousand dollars to 188-thousand dollars per year. That’s an increase of 23-thousand dollars, or just under 14-percent. When including benefits such as health insurance, retirement contributions, and a township-provided vehicle, the total compensation package is estimated to exceed 250-thousand dollars annually, according to an analysis of the agreement by the AI site ChatGPT. The new agreement also makes several key changes to job security and severance.

If terminated without cause, Brown would now receive 12 months of salary and benefits—double the six months provided in her previous contract. The agreement also requires a unanimous vote of trustees to terminate her employment, up from a simple majority.

Additionally, the contract expands eligibility for cashing out unused sick leave, allowing payment in more scenarios, including resignation or contract expiration.

In a statement, the Board of Township Trustees says Brown meets or exceeds expectations in all evaluated areas, including financial stewardship, leadership, and strategic development. Trustees credited her with advancing major projects, strengthening communication with the board, and improving organizational structure and fiscal oversight.

The board says those accomplishments support the updated contract and salary adjustment, citing market benchmarks and the township’s goal of remaining competitive in attracting and retaining leadership. Most other benefits, including fully paid health insurance and annual vacation time, remain unchanged. The contract runs through February of 2028.

The City of Fairfield is preparing to welcome thousands of soccer players and their families next month. The Mid-American Soccer Classic will celebrate its 40th year the weekend of April 10th through the 12th. John Harmon with the Fairfield Optimist Club told city council more than 400 teams from seven states are expected to take part. The tournament will be played on 54 local fields, including Joyce Park. More than 8,000 players, ages 8 to 18, will be in the area, along with their families. Travel Butler County says the event is expected to generate about three-and-a-half million dollars in economic impact. Harmon says last year’s tournament was hampered by heavy rain, but every game was still played—a fact that left a strong impression on visiting teams and their families.

A man killed in a head-on crash in Liberty Township Saturday has now been identified. The Butler County Sheriff’s Office says 34-year-old Joshua Back of Fairfield Township was driving southbound on Princeton-Glendale Road, State Route 747, when he collided with a northbound pickup truck. The truck was preparing to take the westbound ramp to State Route 129. Back had to be freed from the wreckage and was taken to UC West Chester, where he later died from his injuries. Investigators say alcohol is suspected to be a factor in the crash, and that Back was driving erratically prior to the collision.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCHOOL DELAYS

 

Badin HS---2 Hour

Cincinnati Christian---2 Hour

Colonial Schools---2 Hour

Edgewood City---2 Hour

Fairfield City---2 Hour. No AM KG,PS, Academy

Hamilton City---2 Hour

Madison Local---2 Hour

Middletown City---2 Hour

Monroe Local---2 Hour

New Miami---2 Hour

Richard Allen Academy---2 Hour

Ross Local Schools---2 Hour. No AM KG,PS

Talawanda City---2 Hour

Middletown police say one person is dead and another is seriously injured after a shooting late Sunday morning. Officers were called to the 2100 block of Roosevelt Boulevard just before noon on a report of a man and woman with gunshot wounds. One of the victims was pronounced dead at the scene, and the other was rushed to Atrium Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries. Police are asking the public for their assistance in the case. Anyone with information is being urged to call Detective Kristi Hughes at 513-425-7733 or email at kristi.hughes@cityofmiddletown.org. Residents who live in the area are being asked to check security footage for any suspicious persons or vehicles that may have been in the area near the time of the shooting.

 

(Image: AI by Grok)

The investigation is underway into what caused a morning fire at the Historic Butler County Courthouse Sunday. The blaze was reported around 6:30am. Butler County Administrator Judy Boyko says the fire was confined to one room in the basement, but smoke could be seen coming from other floors of the building. There's no word on the extent of damage, however, Butler County Area Two Court and Butler County Probate Court have suspended operations at the courthouse for at least the next week. Area Two Court will hear Wednesday's docket at the Area Three courtroom in West Chester. No injuries were reported in the fire. First responders from a number of communities came to Hamilton for mutual aid.

(Image Courtesy: David Stark Facebook)

Investigators are expected to be back on the scene of Sunday morning’s three alarm fire at the Koch Foods plant on Port Union Road in Fairfield. The blaze injured two people and left a worker unaccounted for. Concerns of a possible ammonia leak caused firefighters to issue a two-mile shelter-in-place order that was lifted after four hours. The fire was in Plant B, where there was a roof collapse during the inferno. More than a hundred firefighters from various departments were on the scene. No cause has been determined yet.

 

Photo Courtesy: Lockland Fire Department on Facebook

The Butler County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad was called to a Lindenwald home Sunday evening after a homeowner was concerned about materials left behind by a former renter. After Hamilton police responded to the scene around 5:30pm on Pleasant Avenue, they requested help from the Bomb Squad. The materials were determined not to be explosive, and everyone cleared the scene. A news release from the sheriff's office went on to say " The Butler County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Unit is specially trained and equipped to respond to suspicious devices, incendiary materials, and hazardous situations. Our technicians regularly assist agencies throughout Butler County and surrounding jurisdictions — recovering, rendering safe, and when necessary relocating explosive or incendiary devices to protect the public. We are proud of the professionalism, preparedness, and teamwork demonstrated during incidents like this. Their readiness ensures that whenever a community partner calls for help, the Butler County Sheriff’s Office stands ready to respond."

Photo Courtesy: Butler County Sheriff's
Office Facebook.

CANCELLATIONS

 

Fairfield City Schools--No PM Kdgt/Academy

Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones has announced he is opening up the lobby of the Butler County Sheriff's Office as an emergency warming center during the winter storm this weekend. The lobby opened to the public at 6:00pm Friday, and will stay open until further notice for those who need to come in out of the snow and frigid temperatures. The office is located at 705 Hanover Street in the city of Hamilton. Jones also announced the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will be opened and fully operational on Saturday January 24th at 4:00pm. If anybody is experiencing an emergency during the storm, they should call the Butler County Communications Center. Call 9-1-1 for emergencies, and (513) 785-1300 for non-emergency events. He says the Butler County Emergency Response Services team will be dispatched to assist those who need help during the storm.

The National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning for Butler County Friday for a massive system that was expected to cause havoc across over 30 states. Models have consistently been forecasting a foot of snow over the region, starting Saturday afternoon, and ending sometime Sunday evening or Monday morning. Road crews may encounter difficulty with snow removal due to the sub-freezing temperatures forecast to stay in the area through next week. Miami University has already decided to cancel classes for Monday, and most area schools will likely follow suit. Keep checking this account, as well as our Operation Snowflake Updates for local school closings.

(Photo AI Enhanced through Grok)

Hamilton City School District leaders are getting support from the community after last week's announcement of nearly $10 million in cuts. The City of Hamilton and 17 Strong Neighborhood Coalition are among those who released statements supporting the district's move to head off a financial crisis caused by the lack of state funding for public education. Among the cuts listed were the closing of Hamilton Freshman School (pictured) and Fairwood Elementary, which will become the site of a preschool operated by the Butler County Educational Services Center. There are also job cuts to teachers, administrators, and support staff district wide.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol says nine people were killed in nine separate crashes on Ohio roadways during the New Year’s holiday period.

According to provisional statistics released today, the five-day reporting period ran from midnight December 31st through late Sunday night, January 4th. Troopers say at least one of the fatalities involved a person who was not wearing a seat belt, even though one was available.

Among those killed was a Butler County woman. Authorities say 23-year-old Katie Lorenzo of Liberty Township died following a three-vehicle crash in Forest Park. The crash happened Friday at Winton Road and West Kemper Road. Lorenzo was taken to University Hospital, where she later died from her injuries. She was a career coach at Princeton High School.

During the holiday enforcement period, state troopers made more than 4,400 traffic stops, including 238 arrests for operating a vehicle while impaired, nearly 300 distracted driving citations, and 469 seat belt violations.

Franklin County recorded the highest number of incidents statewide, followed by Lorain, Mahoning, and Medina counties.

The Highway Patrol is reminding drivers to report dangerous or impaired driving by calling #677 and says a full statistical breakdown of holiday enforcement activity is now available.

A man accused of vandalizing Vice President JD Vance’s Cincinnati home is now facing multiple federal charges. Federal prosecutors say 26-year-old William D. DeFoor has been charged with damaging government property, engaging in physical violence on restricted grounds, and assaulting or impeding federal officers.

According to court documents, U.S. Secret Service agents spotted DeFoor around midnight running along the fence line outside the Vice President’s protected residence. Authorities say he crossed onto the property at the driveway and tried to break the window of an unmarked federal law enforcement vehicle while armed with a hammer. Investigators say DeFoor ignored repeated commands to stop and drop the weapon, then used the hammer to smash multiple windows at the residence. The damage included enhanced security equipment owned by the federal government, with losses estimated at more than 28-thousand dollars.

DeFoor allegedly tried to flee on foot but was taken into custody by Secret Service agents and Cincinnati police officers. Federal officials say the charges carry significant prison time, including up to ten years for damaging government property and up to twenty years for assaulting or interfering with federal officers. 

Hamilton is landing a major economic development win, with more than 250 new jobs coming to the city through investments by two global advanced manufacturing companies.

City leaders and REDI Cincinnati announced today that SencorpWhite will establish its U.S. headquarters in Hamilton, creating 230 new jobs and generating 20 million dollars in new payroll. The company specializes in automated storage and material-handling systems used in medical, retail, and manufacturing industries worldwide. SencorpWhite says Hamilton’s central location, Ohio’s strong manufacturing base, and access to engineering talent were key factors in the decision. The company will also move highly automated production from Sweden to Ohio, cutting shipping times and expanding global production capacity.

In addition, Salvagnini America is expanding its long-standing Hamilton operations. The company will add 28 new jobs, invest 2.8 million dollars in payroll, and retain more than 100 existing positions. Salvagnini’s Hamilton facility has served as its North American hub for nearly four decades, and the expansion will improve offices and customer experience space.

Altogether, the two projects bring 258 new jobs to Hamilton, with an average annual salary of nearly 90 thousand dollars. City, state, and regional leaders say the investments strengthen Hamilton’s role as a growing center for advanced manufacturing and industrial innovation.

Most local schools were either closed or on a delay Monday as a result of the snowstorm that moved through the region Saturday. According to the National Weather Service, Butler County saw anywhere from 4.8 inches in the Middletown area to 6.3 inches near Fairfield. A Level One Snow Emergency remains in effect. Some school districts tell WMOH the main roads are OK, but secondary streets remain in bad shape. Parts of I-75 iced over Sunday evening, causing accidents, and forcing highway crews back out on the roads.

 

(Photo Courtesy: Butler County Sheriffs Office)

 

 

 

 

 

CLOSED

Badin High School
Butler Tech-Remote Learning Day
Cincinnati Christian
Colonial Schools
Edgewood Schools
Fairfield City Schools
Hamilton City Schools
Immanuel Lutheran
Lakota Local Schools
Madison Local Schools
Middletown City Schools
Monroe Local Schools
New Miami Schools
Ross Local Schools
St. Ann School
St. Joseph Consolidated
St. Peter in Chains
Talawanda Schools

 

DELAY- 2 Hours

Butler County Educational Service Center
 

A Kentucky man charged with a shooting early Sunday morning in Lindenwald remains in the Butler County Jail. Police say 20 year old Michael Withrow of Williamstown, Kentucky fired into 990 Bishop Avenue around 4:00am, shooting a 37 year old man in the leg and foot. The victim was treated at the scene before he was taken to UC-West Chester. Withrow is charged with 2nd Degree Felonious Assault and Discharge of a Firearm on or near a Prohibited Premises. According to the arrest report, Withrow told police he was at the house with his four sisters when an argument broke out and he left with a couple of the sisters. He says someone shut and locked the door behind him, and he fired into the house when he heard his sister screaming inside. Withrow appeared in Hamilton Municipal Court Monday, where he was ordered held on $100,000 bond until his preliminary hearing next week.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory from 7:00pm Monday December 1st through 10:00am Tuesday December 2nd. Snow will move into the Butler County area tonight, dropping 3-4 inches before tapering off in the morning. The agency says the morning commute will be impacted by the snow, and roads could become slick and hazardous. The snow is expected to begin around 10:00pm in Butler County.

The Ohio Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause of a three-alarm fire at a commercial warehouse in West Chester Tuesday, November 25th. The flames were reported around 3:15pm at VisTech Manufacturing on 4274 Thunderbird Lane. First responders reported smoke coming from all sides of the building when they arrived on the scene. The township says 21 fire departments provided mutual aid at the scene, along with the Butler County Emergency Management agency. The plant makes flooring material for cars, and numerous rolls were on fire inside the building. Employees were able to get out of the building safely. There were no injuries reported.

(Photo Courtesy: West Chester Township-Government Facebook Page)

The Ohio Department of Transportation is teaming up with the Highway Patrol and the city of Monroe to handle what’s expected to be a major surge in traffic around the Cincinnati Premium Outlets on Friday. Drivers on I-75 will see message boards in both directions near the State Route 63 interchange, warning them about heavier traffic and reminding them not to stop on the interstate. ODOT crews will also place traffic cones on the northbound I-75 off-ramp to help guide drivers heading east and west on Route 63. And just in time for the holiday rush, ODOT says the newly widened, four-lane section of State Route 63 between Monroe and Lebanon opened to traffic Monday. The project is designed to reduce congestion, improve safety, and increase capacity in the fast-growing area. With coordinated efforts on I-75 through Monroe, ODOT says Black Friday travelers can expect smoother traffic flow — and hopefully save time on the road as well as in the stores.

(Image Courtesy: Google Maps)

The Butler County Sheriff’s Office says a 27-year-old man is facing multiple felony charges after a head-on crash in Liberty Township that seriously injured another driver. Deputies and Liberty Township Fire crews were called out early Wednesday morning to State Route 747, where investigators say a northbound Hyundai Elantra crossed the center line and struck a southbound Honda Civic. The driver of the Civic, a 28-year-old woman, suffered serious injuries and was taken to UC West Chester Hospital.

Deputies say the driver of the Hyundai showed signs of intoxication and had an open alcoholic beverage inside the vehicle. According to the Sheriff’s Office, he had no identification and initially gave deputies a false name and birthdate. He was taken to UC Medical Center for treatment, and deputies stayed with him until he was medically cleared. Before his release, investigators confirmed his identity as Yoan Perez Ventula. The Sheriff’s Office says he is not legally in the country and that federal immigration authorities have placed a detainer on him. Perez Ventula was booked into the Butler County Jail on charges including aggravated vehicular assault, obstruction of justice, OVI, operating without a license, and driving left of center. Sheriff Richard Jones said the traffic crash investigation is ongoing. The Butler County Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team is handling the case, and anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. Steven Poff at the Sheriff’s Office.