(Ross Township)--Ross High School has once again been named the number one public high school in Butler County, according  to the latest rankings in U.S. News & World Report. The Rams are ranked 91st in Ohio, the only Butler County school to crack the Top 100. Nationally, it is ranked 2,557th, with an enrollment of 933 students. That means out of nearly 25,000 high schools reviewed in the country, Ross is in the top 10% in Ohio, and top 11% nationally. The magazine says schools are ranked on their performance on state-required tests, graduation, and how well they prepare students for college.

Ross is followed by:

(Hamilton)--A special meeting between the Miami Conservancy District and Hamilton City Council concerning assessment hikes for capital improvements turned into a flood of criticism for the agency for what many believe is taxation without representation. MCD Board Member Mark C. Rentschler (pictured, left)  told the overflow crowd that the improvements must be made to keep Hamilton and the region safe from events like the Great Miami River Flood of 1913 that killed 428 people, and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses. City council members and business owners who spoke say flood control is needed, but the assessments are way more than they can afford, and will put them out of business. Spooky Nook founder Sam Beiler (pictured, right) says he won't be able to afford the jump in assessment from $9,000 to $477,000 per year. He called the increases "absolute foolhardiness." Some of the solutions proposed include asking for state and federal grants, or turning flood control over to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

(Images courtesy of TV Hamilton)

TV Hamilton:
Special City Council Meeting 4-18-24
 

An elderly Hamilton woman is in the Butler County Jail, charged with robbing a Fairfield Township bank at gunpoint Friday. 74 year old Ann Mayers was arrested at her home on the 1200 block of Parrish Avenue hours after she allegedly held up a teller at the AurGroup Credit Union branch on Creekside Drive around 1:29pm. Police say they located the 2014 silver Hyundai Elantra getaway car, as well as a handgun, which was found in the vehicle. Police say Mayers apparently had no criminal history before the incident. She is charged with Aggravated Robbery with a Firearm, and Tampering with Evidence. Police say Mayers has admitted to the crime.

(Middletown)--The victim from Wednesday's fatal road rage shooting in Middletown has been identified as 26yo Brandon Gunstanson of Middletown. The Butler County Coroner's Office says Gunstanson died of gunshot wounds and his death has officially been ruled a homicide. Police were called to the 1300 block of First Avenue on a report of a pickup truck into a utility pole just after midnight Wednesday. When police arrived, they found the victim had a gunshot wound to the neck. Gustanson succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Moments before the crash, police were called to a report of a road rage incident with shots fired. Detectives say they have found the driver of the other vehicle, and know who fired the weapon involved. They say an arrest should come soon.

Butler County's top rated school district is
looking for a new leader. The Ross school board accepted the resignation of Superintendent Chad Konkle during their April 19th meeting. Konkle has been superintendent the last three years, coming from the Hamilton City School District in 2020, after serving 14 years in various positions, including assistant superintendent. Konkle's last day on the job will be June 30th. He has agreed to become business manager for the Little Miami School District. The Ross school district has already contracted with the Butler County Educational Service Center to find potential candidates for the job. They hope to have someone hired by the end of the school year in order to ensure a smooth transition.

65 year old Pamela Sue Harville was due to make her first appearance in Butler County Common Pleas Court Thursday morning. She was indicted on five counts, including aggravated murder, two counts of murder, and two counts of felonious assault in the shooting death of her husband, 65yo David Harville, at the couple's Reily Township home last week. Detectives say Mr. Harville had been shot several times, including at least once in the head. Harville's attorney, Assistant Public Defender Daniel Allnutt, filed a written plea of Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity late Wednesday morning. Allnutt also filed a suggestion of incompetency with the court, asking Judge Daniel Haughey for a competency exam and hearing.

(Photo: Pamela Sue Harville, Butler County Jail)

Thousands of people crowded parks and other public areas throughout Butler County to witness the Great Eclipse of 2024 Monday. The weather cooperated as skies cleared hours before the celestial event. Families and individuals from all walks of life came together at venues like Marcum Park in Hamilton, Heroes Park in Fairfield Township, and Memorial Park in Oxford to take in the historic sight, sitting on blankets and lawn chairs, and wearing eclipse glasses. Starting at 3:08pm, the skies darkened, and the sun dimmed until it became totally obscured by the moon, as the crowds gasped and cheered at the eerie, yet beautiful scene. Depending on the location, the sun stayed behind the moon for a few seconds, or close to three minutes before coming out with a "diamond ring" effect. In Trenton, more than 20 couples exchanged wedding vows prior to the eclipse. The next total eclipse in Ohio will take place on September 14, 2099.

(Eclipse Photo Courtesy of Shay Smith)

Eclipse Day has arrived in Butler County, with the celestial event expected to happen in our skies shortly after 3:00 this afternoon. All but the southwest part of Butler County is in the zone of totality. Hamilton's Marcum Park, Oxford's Memorial Park, and Trenton Community Park are expected to draw the largest crowds in the county. Downtown Hamilton will see 1:43 of totality, while the moon will throw complete shade on the sun for 2:52 in Uptown Oxford. Trenton Park will see 1:55 of totality, as well as a mass wedding, officiated by Mayor Ryan Perry. The National Weather Service is predicting mostly sunny skies to arrive by eclipse time, with a chance of some high-level clouds that may or may not impede viewing. Traffic is expected to be heavy on local highways as hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world visit the region. Make sure your phones are charged and you fill up your gas tank before you begin your travels to that perfect location.