A TV crew from the NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt came to the Butler County Jail Wednesday to interview Sheriff Richard Jones about his stance on immigration. Jones will begin taking illegal migrants to house at county jail facilities for ICE on March 5th, the day a new agreement with the agency goes into effect. County Commissionmers on Tuesday approved the deal, which pays the county $68 per day for each inmate, and $36 for transport to court hearings. There is no word yet when the interview will air.
(Photo Courtesy: Butler County Sheriff's Office Facebook Page)

West Chester Trustees made it official Tuesday night, hiring Lisa Brown as the new township administrator. The move came two days after Larry Burks unexpectedly announced his resignation. Brown has served as Assistant Township Administrator since 2019, focusing on operations, project management, and execution of the township's mission. Brown thanked the trustees for putting their trust in her, and pledged "to do the best job that I possibly can to continue on the positive path that we have been going down so far." Under the employment agreement with the trustees, Brown will make a base salary of $165,000 a year.

The eyes of the political world turned to Butler County Monday evening as native Cincinnatian Vivek Ramaswamy announced his candidacy for Ohio Governor, almost immediately receiving an endorsement from President Trump a short time after the rally at CTL Areospace in West Chester. More than a thousand people cheered on the former GOP presidential candidate as he promised to make Ohio the top state in the country for education, innovation, jobs, and raising a family. Ramaswamy says he will push for a meritocracy in Ohio, especially for teachers. He later made a similar appearance in New Albany, near his Columbus home. Ramaswamy is a graduate of St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati. He earned a Bachelor's degree at Harvard, and a law degree from Yale.

West Chester is looking for a new township administrator after Larry Burks suddenly resigned on Monday. Burks spent seven years with the township, and there was no indication why he chose to leave.  WMOH News asked township spokesperson Barbara Wilson for a copy of the resignation letter, but she said there was no letter to provide. Trustees will meet in regular session Tuesday, and are expected to promote Lisa Brown to the township administrator's job. She has served as assistant administrator since 2019. Brown stated "It would be my honor to be promoted to such a position of trust, and to continue serving the West Chester community."

An auto repair shop in Madison Township was completely destroyed by fire Monday. Firefighters were called to the 6600 block of Georgetown Lane, where they arrived to find the structure fully involved in flames. Madison called for backup from several neighboring fire departments, and were on the scene for over six hours. No injuries were reported. The Butler County Fire Investigation Team was called to the scene. Damage is expected to top over a million dollars.

(Photos Courtesy of Madison Township Fire Department's Facebook Page and NAWS Club Facebook Page

 

 

Hamilton firefighters are investigating the cause of a house fire Monday morning. The blaze broke out at 240 Washington Street just before 10:30am. First responders reported smoke and flames coming from the second story of the frame home when they arrived on the scene. No injuries were reported. Damage appeared to be extensive, especially to the second story and roof of the home. 

The Butler County Sheriff's Emergency Response Services team has returned home from a five day deployment to Hazard, Kentucky. The five member team assisted with rescue and relief efforts after powerful storms produced record flooding in parts of the Bluegrass State. The team arrived home around 4:30pm Friday. Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones said "Glad to see our team return safely. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this horrific weather event."
(Photo Courtesy: Butler County Sheriff's Office)

A committee of alumni, faculty, and staff is recommending Cook Field as the site for a new sports arena on Miami University's Oxford campus. The report suggests moving the intramural field to the current site of Millett Hall, which has been home to Miami's basketball and volleyball teams since 1969. The committee suggests the existing Pulley Tower should be incorporated into the entrance of the facility. The recommendations will be presented to university trustees by President Gregory Crawford at next week's meeting.

 

(Photo Courtesy: Miami University)

Hamilton's new firehouse is officially in service. A group of firefighters ceremoniously pushed Engine 26 into the bay of its new home on South Erie Boulevard Monday morning, completing the transition from the firehouse on Laurel Avenue that had served as the home of Station 26 for the past 115 years. The new building cost $2.6 million to construct.

 

(Photo Courtesy: Vice Mayor Eric Pohlman's Facebook Page)

A consultant's study on Hamilton's bid for two Amtrak stops says up to 15,000 riders may take the train out of Hamilton each year. The study by AECOM says that would equate to around 100 riders a day. Senior Project Engineer David Wormald told city council last week that two sites have been recommended for stops, including the South Hamilton Crossing near Lindenwald and Knightsbridge, and the proposed North Hamilton Crossing, utilizing the overflow parking lot for Spooky Nook on North Third Street. City leaders are lobbying for a stop along the Cardinal line linking Washington DC with Chicago, and the proposed 3-C & D line linking Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, and Cleveland.

The Madison Local School District is paying tribute to a fifth grade student who died in an accident Thursday night. 11 year old Jaxsen Elkins was hit by a vehicle in the driveway of his home
on Cloister Cliffs Drive. He was taken to Miami Valley Hospital by Care Flight, where he was pronounced dead. Jaxsen is described by his principal as a bright light, who loved playing football and baseball, as well as riding his four-wheeler. A prayer gathering was held at the Elementary gym on Friday evening. A memorial has been set up at the flagpole. All schools were closed Friday in the school district because of the tragedy.

Two Miami University nursing students at the regional campus in Hamilton are being honored as life savers. Sophomore Brayden Osborne and Junior Reed Stewart took turns performing CPR on an adjunct faculty member who had collapsed outside Mosler Hall on December 11th during finals week. The instructor e-mailed Stewart a few weeks later, thanking the pair for helping save his life. Hamilton paramedics say the quick action from the students helped ensure a good outcome. Stewart is from Loveland, while Osborne is from Brookville, Indiana. Both say their training gave them the confidence and courage to step up in the situation.

(Photo Courtesy Of: Miami University)

(Hamilton)--A Hamilton man is facing a murder indictment in connection with the death of a man last year. 43 year old Robert Spottedhorse is charged with murder and two counts of felonious assault in the May 2024 death of 29 year old Roger Cole Junior, who was found in a stolen SUV after it had crashed on Ross Avenue. The Butler County Coroner's Office says Cole died as a result of a stabbing. Judge Jennifer Muench-McElfresh set bond at $1,000,000 and set a pre-trial hearing for February 25th.

 

(Photo Courtesy Of: Butler County Jail)

(Liberty Township)--A man was hospitalized after a shooting at a Liberty Township gun range Wednesday. The incident happened around 2:11pm at the Midwest Shooting Center, 5422 Liberty Square Drive. The victim, in his 30's was reportedly shot in his inner thigh. He was taken to UC Hospital-West Chester for treatment.

 

(Photo Courtesy Of: Kasey Lopez)