Florida Governor Ron DeSantis discussed his family's Ohio roots, his years in congress, and his time as Florida's governor during a well received speech at the Butler County Republican Party's Lincoln Day Dinner Thursday at the Savannah Event Center in West Chester. "I stand here representing Ohio values, because the two most important women in my life, my mother was from Youngstown, and my wife is from Troy, so our family reflects your family." he said to rousing applause. After the speech, DeSantis and his wife Casey sat down on stage where they discussed how they met over a bucket of balls at a golf range, their wedding at Disney World (before they went woke, DeSantis added) his first congressional campaign, and Casey DeSantis' recent battle with breast cancer. Party leaders tell WMOH there were close to 900 attendees.

(Photo Courtesy: Floyd Croucher)

Hamilton city leaders broke ground on the new $32 million justice center which will be located in an empty city owned lot at 8th and Walnut Streets. The Hamilton Police Department and Municipal Court will be located in the 64,000 square foot building. The project will be funded in part by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and is expected to be completed by late 2024. The property is across the street from the Butler County Sheriff's Office and county jail.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will be in Butler County Thursday night. He will be the keynote speaker during the GOP's Lincoln Day Dinner, the Republican Party's biggest fund raiser of the year, at the Savannah Center in West Chester. Seating was $15,000 a table closest to the stage, with the least expensive ticket going for $250. DeSantis is considering a run for the White House in 2024.

A large fire at an abondoned industrial property in Richmond, Indiana forced the evacuation of homes a half mile from the site. Firefighters battled the massive blaze into the night, and were expected to remain on the scene for several days, trying to get the upper hand on the inferno. Residents who did not have to evacuate were told to shelter indoors, and turn off HVAC units inside their homes. Schools were closed Wednesday. Smoke from the fire could be seen from West Chester. No serious injuries were reported from the fire, but one firefighter did suffer a minor injury.

(Photo Credit: Kevin Shook Global Media Enterprise)

Hamilton firefighters continue to investigate the cause of a house fire that broke out at 1665 See Avenue on the East End late Tuesday morning. Assistant Fire Chief Tom Eickelberger says first responders encountered heavy smoke and flames coming from the rear of the building when they arrived on the scene. Early reports had people possibly trapped inside the home, but Eickelberger says everyone had escaped to safety. One person was checked out by paramedics at the scene, and was determined to be OK. No cause of the fire has been determined yet, and no word on dollar damage. Mutual Aid was called in from Fairfield Township and Liberty Township fire departments. 

Groundbreaking ceremonies will be held Wednesday for the City of Hamilton's new
justice center. The 32 million dollar, 64-thousand  square foot building on 8th and Walnut Streets will include Hamilton Police Headquarters as well as Hamilton Municipal Court. The public is invited to the groundbreaking event at 4pm Wednesday. Remarks will be made by Mayor Pat Moeller, City Manager Joshua Smith, Judge Daniel Gattermeyer, Public Safety Director Scott Scrimizzi, and Police Chief Craig Bucheit. The project, which is being financed by American Rescue Plan Act funding, is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

It's now less than a year until a total solar eclipse will pass over the midwest, and Butler County will be in the path of totality. The sun will fully disappear at 3:09pm on April 8th, 2024 in the City of Hamilton, and totality will last one minute 41 seconds. Oxford will be in the totality zone for 2 minutes 51 seconds. 
Traffic is expected to be  backed up for miles in the totality zone, especially on the interstate highways, due to tourists and star gazers from around the world.

(Image Courtesy: NASA)

Eclipse 2024 Resources:

NASA 2024 Eclipse Page

Great American Eclipse Page

Google Maps Totality Zone