The Ohio Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause of a three-alarm fire at a commercial warehouse in West Chester Tuesday, November 25th. The flames were reported around 3:15pm at VisTech Manufacturing on 4274 Thunderbird Lane. First responders reported smoke coming from all sides of the building when they arrived on the scene. The township says 21 fire departments provided mutual aid at the scene, along with the Butler County Emergency Management agency. The plant makes flooring material for cars, and numerous rolls were on fire inside the building. Employees were able to get out of the building safely. There were no injuries reported.

(Photo Courtesy: West Chester Township-Government Facebook Page)

The Ohio Department of Transportation is teaming up with the Highway Patrol and the city of Monroe to handle what’s expected to be a major surge in traffic around the Cincinnati Premium Outlets on Friday. Drivers on I-75 will see message boards in both directions near the State Route 63 interchange, warning them about heavier traffic and reminding them not to stop on the interstate. ODOT crews will also place traffic cones on the northbound I-75 off-ramp to help guide drivers heading east and west on Route 63. And just in time for the holiday rush, ODOT says the newly widened, four-lane section of State Route 63 between Monroe and Lebanon opened to traffic Monday. The project is designed to reduce congestion, improve safety, and increase capacity in the fast-growing area. With coordinated efforts on I-75 through Monroe, ODOT says Black Friday travelers can expect smoother traffic flow — and hopefully save time on the road as well as in the stores.

The Butler County Sheriff’s Office says a 27-year-old man is facing multiple felony charges after a head-on crash in Liberty Township that seriously injured another driver. Deputies and Liberty Township Fire crews were called out early Wednesday morning to State Route 747, where investigators say a northbound Hyundai Elantra crossed the center line and struck a southbound Honda Civic. The driver of the Civic, a 28-year-old woman, suffered serious injuries and was taken to UC West Chester Hospital.

Deputies say the driver of the Hyundai showed signs of intoxication and had an open alcoholic beverage inside the vehicle. According to the Sheriff’s Office, he had no identification and initially gave deputies a false name and birthdate. He was taken to UC Medical Center for treatment, and deputies stayed with him until he was medically cleared. Before his release, investigators confirmed his identity as Yoan Perez Ventula. The Sheriff’s Office says he is not legally in the country and that federal immigration authorities have placed a detainer on him. Perez Ventula was booked into the Butler County Jail on charges including aggravated vehicular assault, obstruction of justice, OVI, operating without a license, and driving left of center. Sheriff Richard Jones said the traffic crash investigation is ongoing. The Butler County Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team is handling the case, and anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. Steven Poff at the Sheriff’s Office.

Ohio has officially joined most of the nation in allowing high school athletes to profit off their name, image, and likeness. The Ohio High School Athletic Association says its member schools have approved an emergency NIL bylaw, making Ohio the 45th state to permit student-athletes to sign endorsement and promotional deals. The referendum passed with 447 schools voting in favor, 121 against, and nearly 250 abstaining. The new rules take effect immediately. Under the bylaw, high school athletes can now be paid for things like social-media promotions, personal appearances, licensing, or endorsements tied to their public recognition. However, the OHSAA says strict limitations remain in place to protect amateur status and prevent recruiting violations. Students cannot use school logos or uniforms in their deals, cannot accept compensation based on athletic performance, and cannot receive NIL offers from booster clubs, school staff, or collectives — which are prohibited. The vote was triggered by a temporary restraining order issued by a Franklin County judge after a student-athlete sued the association in October. OHSAA leaders say approving the NIL bylaw gives schools a more stable framework as that legal case continues. Executive Director Doug Ute thanked schools for taking what he called “ownership” of the proposal, saying courts across the country have made it clear that high school associations cannot ban athletes from earning money on their NIL. The OHSAA says it will monitor NIL activity statewide and enforce existing recruiting and transfer rules. Any changes to the newly adopted bylaw would go through the regular referendum process next spring.

Funeral services are Tuesday for Hamilton Economic Development Director Jody Gunderson, who died suddenly Thursday at the age of 59. Gunderson's death left city leaders stunned, just hours after they saw Gunderson at Wednesday's city council meeting. "This is devastating, absolutely devastating news" said council member Michael Ryan, "my heart goes out to Jody's family." Ryan continued "he was absolutely instrumental in Hamilton's revitalization because of his intellegence, his philosophy on economic development, and his expertise on economic development." During his 14 years with the city, Gunderson's projects have brought thousands of jobs to the area, and have retained many more. Visitation will take place 4pm-6pm at Weigel Funeral Home, 980 NW Washington Boulevard. Services will follow at 6:00pm.

Butler County school leaders are warning families that high property taxes are a real problem — but say the blame is being placed in the wrong direction. In a letter sent this week to parents and residents countywide, all Butler County school superintendents and treasurers say they understand the financial strain families, seniors, and local businesses are feeling. But they argue that property taxes are “the symptom, not the cause.” According to the letter, the state has steadily reduced its share of school funding, shifting more of the burden onto homeowners and farmers. Ohio now ranks 45th in the nation for how much the state spends on public education, while homeowners are paying nearly 70 percent of school property taxes — up from 47 percent in the early ’90s. The superintendents warn that several bills moving through the Statehouse could take millions of dollars from Butler County schools, with no plan to replace the revenue. They also stress that property taxes support far more than schools — including police and fire services, roads, libraries, parks, and senior programs. Eliminating or deeply cutting those taxes, they say, would put essential community services at risk. School leaders maintain they are not overspending and have already cut costs and shared services for years. They’re calling for what they describe as “fair and responsible reform,” including more state support, targeted relief for seniors and low-income families, limits on sudden tax spikes, and greater transparency. The letter encourages residents to learn more about the causes of rising taxes and to urge state lawmakers to fix what it calls a “broken funding system.”

Here's the letter issued by all public school Superintendents and Treasurers in Butler

County:

Dear Butler County Families, Friends, and Neighbors,

We know property taxes feel high right now — because they are. Seniors on fixed incomes worry about staying in their homes. Families are stretching budgets. Local businesses are feeling the strain. We understand, and we feel it too. Like you, we want real solutions that help families and protect our community’s future.
As your local school superintendents and treasurers, we write not as politicians, but as parents, neighbors, and community members. We work hard to use your tax dollars wisely while ensuring our children receive the education they deserve. Property taxes are the symptom, not the cause. The real problem is that the state has changed how schools and local services are funded. Over time, the state has taken on less of the cost, pushing more of the burden onto homeowners and farmers. Now, several new bills in Columbus could take millions of dollars from Butler County schools with no plan to replace it. How We Got Here? For years, state leaders have made tax changes that shifted the load from businesses to families, leaving homeowners to fund more of our schools, safety, and services. Here are the facts:

• The State’s share of school funding has gone down over time.

• Ohio now ranks 45th in the nation for how much the State spends on public education.

• Homeowners and farmers now pay nearly 70% of school property taxes, up from 47% in 1991.

• Ohio is now 8th in the nation for property tax burden while ranking 42nd for per-person state taxes.

Families are paying more while the State pays less. Instead of fixing the broken system, some leaders want to cut school funding further — blaming schools instead of addressing the real problem. This Impacts More Than Schools Property taxes also fund the services that keep Butler County a safe and thriving place to live:

• Police, fire, and EMS

• Roads and bridges

• Libraries, parks, and senior services

• Local government operations If property taxes were cut or removed completely, these vital services would be at risk.

We agree taxes must be fair and affordable, but ending them would hurt every part of our community. Our Children and Communities Deserve Better Every child in Butler County deserves great teachers, safe schools, and learning opportunities that prepare them for the future. These are not extras — they are investments in our local economy and in our children’s success. Schools are not overspending. They have been cutting costs, sharing services, and doing more with less for years. When schools are underfunded, it hurts more than classrooms. It affects jobs, home values, and the strength of our local economy.
A Call for Real, Balanced Reform We are not asking anyone to accept the way things are. We are asking for fair and responsible reform that helps families without hurting schools and vital services. Real reform should include:

• Relief for those who need it most — like seniors, low-income families, and people with disabilities.

• Limits on rapid tax increases — so families can plan and afford their homes.

• More State support — to pay their fair share for schools and community services.

 • Transparency and accountability — so communities understand how their money is being used.

Moving Forward Together We all want a system that works for families, protects services, and keeps our communities strong. Butler County can help lead that effort. Here’s how you can help:

• Learn about what really causes property taxes to rise.

• Ask your state lawmakers to fix the funding system.

• Share the facts with friends and neighbors.

• Speak up for reform, not repeal. Our schools, services, homes, and children’s futures are too important to risk on short-term fixes.

Together, we can build a fair property tax system that works for everyone.

With Gratitude and Commitment,

Butler County School Superintendents and Treasurers