West Chester Township is transferring more than 70 acres of land to MetroParks of Butler County for long-term conservation and public use. Under an agreement approved by the township trustees on April 14th, about 71 acres along Mill Creek and the Miami-Erie Canal Path will be preserved as permanent greenspace.

Township officials say the land will remain open to the public for passive recreation, including walking and birdwatching, while being protected as a natural habitat. Township Administrator Lisa Brown says MetroParks has a strong track record of balancing conservation with public access, and the partnership will help ensure the property is both preserved and accessible.
MetroParks of Butler County will take over maintenance of the site and oversee any future improvements. The agency has already secured grant funding and is working with the City of Fairfield and private partners to build a parking area to improve access. MetroParks officials say the project reflects a shared effort to protect natural spaces while expanding outdoor opportunities for the community.

(Editor's Note: AI-Assisted Copy)

Authorities say potentially dangerous explosive materials were safely removed from a Ross Township home Monday evening. Police were called to the residence just after 5:00pm for a public assist, after a family member reported finding several ammunition cans while going through a deceased relative’s belongings. Officers say the cans contained detonating cord and blasting caps. The Butler County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Unit was called in as a precaution. Specialists responded to the scene, safely secured the materials, and removed them for proper disposal. Officials say the items will be destroyed using controlled procedures. Authorities emphasize there was no threat to the surrounding community at any time. They also remind the public not to handle unknown or potentially dangerous materials, and to contact law enforcement instead.

(AI assisted story)

Ohio Senator Jon Husted is joining a bipartisan effort in Washington aimed at combating antisemitism. Husted has signed on to the Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, which includes more than 50 senators from both parties. The group is focused on working with federal agencies, law enforcement, and community organizations to address rising incidents through education, prevention, and public awareness. In a statement, Husted said antisemitism has no place in the country and called for unity in protecting Jewish communities. According to his office, Ohio is home to roughly 177-thousand Jewish residents. The announcement comes as reports show an increase in antisemitic incidents both nationwide and in Ohio, including more than 200 reported cases in the state last year. Task force leaders say their priorities include strengthening Holocaust education and ensuring Jewish communities have the resources and protection they need.

(AI-assisted copy)

Middletown Police say a suspect was injured after an officer-involved shooting late Friday night. Officers attempted to arrest 22-year-old Donald Madden around 10:30pm near the intersection of Charles Street and Columbia Avenue on several outstanding felony warrants, including weapons under disability, aggravated menacing, and resisting arrest. Police say those warrants stem from an incident earlier in the week, when Madden allegedly pointed a gun at an officer and fled. When officers tried to take him into custody, investigators say Madden ran again and fired shots at police. Officers returned fire, striking him. Madden was taken into custody at the scene, given first aid, and transported to a Atrium Medical Center with serious injuries. He was later Care Flighted to Miami Valley Hospital. No officers were hurt. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is now handling the case.

(The copy for this story was assisted with AI)