He had just completed his first week in college, and was just a couple of weeks away from suiting up for his first game. 2022 Lakota East High School graduate and football star Caleb VanHooser was one of three people who died in a fiery car crash near Terre Haute Indiana. VanHooser was a Freshman defensive back for the Indiana State Sycamores, who posted news of the crash on their website. He played defensive back and wide receiver for Lakota East, scoring six touchdowns last year. Grief counselors will be at the school today.

A Fairfield Township man is facing charges after a SWAT team served a search warrant in a Friday night raid. Several people were removed from the home on the 6700 block of Lester Avenue, including 41 year old Jason Yancey, who was arrested on multiple counts of having weapons under disability, and a charge of receiving stolen property. Police say they found numerous firearms, some of which were modified and stolen. Also arrested in the raid was 22 year old Diamond Cox, who was taken in on an active felony warrant.

Three people are facing drug charges after a joint operation by the Butler County BURN Taskforce, the Drug Abuse Reduction Taskforce, and Hamilton Police. Two homes were raided on Marlou Drive in Hamilton and Rutherford Court in Colerain Township. There was also a traffic stop on I-75.  Agents seized 84 pounds of marijuana and over $86,000 in cash. 21 year old Kameron Kenny of Hamilton, 19 year old Camryn Ditmyer of Fairfield, and 31 year old Chris Grebe of Middletown were arrested.

Cincinnati Bengals great Ken Riley is one of three finalists being considered by the Pro Football Hall of Fame Seniors Committee for induction into next year's Hall of Fame class in Canton. Riley, Chuck Howley, and Joe Klecko emerged from a group of 12 finalists that also included former Bengals Quarterback Ken Anderson. The full selection committee will meet in January to choose the 2023 class among the three seniors and 15 modern era players and coaches. Riley played his entire career in Cincinnati from 1969-1983. The safety intercepted 65 passes during his 15 year career, the 5th highest in NFL history. Riley passed away in 2020 at the age of 72.

A Middletown man made his first court appearance Tuesday after his indictment on murder charges. 22 year old Denzel Fuller
is charged with the shooting death of his uncle, 42 year old Terry Fuller, on Grand Avenue last week. Fuller was ordered held on $850,000 bond until a pre-trial hearing September 20th.

A woman was flown to the hospital after a crash on Northbound I-75 at the Ohio-129 overpass in Liberty Township. The victim rolled her vehicle which came to rest on a bridge support in the median. I-75 was shut down as Air Care landed and took the victim to UC Hospital in Clifton. There's no word on her condition.

A former volunteer with the Animal Friends Humane Society in Butler County will spend the next three years in jail after admitting he stole more than $730,000 from the shelter. Prosecutors say 48 year old Jeremy Taylor used the money to for pay for credit card debt, vacations, concert tickets, and farm expenses. He pleaded guilty to theft charges back in June, as was given the maximum sentence by Butler County Common Pleas Judge Greg Stephens.

Fairfield Fire Chief Don Bennett retired Friday, ending his 52 year firefighting career. Bennett spent 38 of those years as Fairfield's chief, and he was able to see his number one goal come to fruition; a full time fire department, which was recently approved by city voters. Bennett recently served as acting city manager during the search that eventually led to the hiring of current manager Scott Timmer.