WMOH News has learned that a Middletown man, 21 year old Justin Pickron, has been arrested on a charge of Making Terroristic Threats. He allegedly talked to a co-worker at Cobb Theater in Liberty Center about bringing a gun to work and shooting people in the theater last Thursday. Pickron was arrested at his apartment on the 6300 block of Mount Vernon Street in Middletown around 12:30 this morning. He is being held without bond until his initial appearance in Area Two Court.

Hamilton Native Supports Critical Navy Mission in the Middle East

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Erica Gardner, Navy Office of Community Outreach 

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson G. Brown 

 

 

NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN – Petty Officer 1st Class Puma Franklin, a Hamilton, Ohio, native, wanted to join the Navy to challenge herself.
Now, eight years later and half a world away at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Franklin serves at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) / U.S. 5th fleet. 

“Every day there's something different, and I love that challenge,” said Franklin. “I love that variety, because it keeps me on my toes and I don't become complacent.” 

Franklin, a 2008 graduate of Hamilton High School, is a yeoman at U.S. 5th Fleet, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain. 

“I process administrative work for all aspects of U.S. 5th fleet, and I process travel for sailors' families,” said Franklin. “Without yeomans like me, nothing would get done in the Navy. We're there to take care of sailors' issues, and people depend on us when they're unsure of procedures.” 
Franklin credits success at U.S. 5th Fleet, and in the Navy, to many of the lessons learned in Hamilton.“The community I came from really prepared me mentally for the Navy,” said Franklin. “I really learned how to work and interact with all kinds of people, and that’s been big for me in the Navy.” 

U.S. 5th Fleet directs naval operations to ensure maritime security and stability in the Central Region, which connects the Mediterranean Sea and Pacific Ocean through the western Indian Ocean. They work with partner nations to ensure freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in international waterways. 

The Navy’s U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of ocean, and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. This expanse, comprised of 20 countries, includes three critical choke points; the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen. 

“The culture and the people here are like nothing I've ever been around before,” said Franklin. “The people are very welcoming of us and I really enjoy being stationed here.” 

Serving in the Navy means Franklin is part of a world that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy. 

A key element of the Navy is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea. 

“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.” 

Though there are many ways for Sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Franklin is most proud of becoming a sexual assault prevention advocate. 

“To be able to make an impact on people's lives in the Navy has been incredibly rewarding,” said Franklin. 

As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Franklin and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs. 

“I'm just here to do my part for people back home, and around the world, and the Navy gives me different opportunities to grow,” said Franklin. 

 

West Chester police continue to investigate the murders of four family members at an apartment complex on Wyndtree Drive late Sunday night. Police Chief Joel Herzog says officers were called to 4562 Wyndtree Drive, Apartment 154, on a report of four people down and bleeding. When officers arrived, they found three females and one male dead of gunshot wounds. The victims were discovered by a fifth family member who lived in the apartment, according to a frantic 911 call released by police. Herzog says they have not come up with a suspect in the case. The victims have not yet been identified, although they worshiped at a nearby Sikh temple.

A Reily Township man will appear in court later this week to face animal cruelty charges. 36 year old David Neanover allegedly let his 2 year old doberman pinscher "Lou" starve at his home on the 6500 block of Main Street. Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones says the dog was severely emaciated after being left without food or water. The dog was also covered in open sores all over his body, and he had an ulcer on his tounge which made it tough for him to eat. Lou was also so hungry, he resorted to eating rocks. The Animal Friends Humane Society valiantly tried to save the dog, but he passed away over the weekend. Animal rights activists plan to protest before Neanover's appearance in Area One Court in Oxford on Thursday at 10:00am.

Power is being restored to parts of Butler County after a severe thunderstorm moved through the area this morning. More than 1,400 Duke Energy customers were knocked off line when winds estimated at 60 mph snapped trees and power lines. Hamilton city leaders said nearly the entire west side was without power due to damage to transmission lines, but power was quickly restored by city crews. An injury crash involving a Hamilton school bus this morning was apparently storm related, because the traffic light was out at Eaton and Rhea Avenues. District spokesperson Joni Copas says 13 Wilson Middle School students were checked out by paramedics at the scene, and again by school nurses after they arrived at the Wilson. Both drivers were taken to Fort Hamilton Hospital.