HAMILTON — Hamilton Police are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the identification and conviction of the person or people responsible for the death of a 65-year-old Hamilton man last month. Police announced Wednesday that the reward is being offered in the homicide investigation of Vincent Singletary, whose body was discovered June 5 in the 400 block of South 12th Street in Hamilton's Jefferson neighborhood. The Butler County Coroner's Office determined Singletary died from a gunshot wound and has ruled his death a homicide. According to Hamilton Police, detectives have spent the past month conducting numerous interviews, reviewing digital and video evidence, coordinating with other law enforcement agencies and following up on leads. The department says it remains committed to bringing those responsible to justice and expressed condolences to Singletary's family. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Robert Horton at 513-868-5811, extension 1236. Anonymous tips are also accepted. Police say the investigation remains active.

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MIDDLETOWN — A global leader in electrical transformer insulation is making a major investment in Middletown as part of a worldwide expansion aimed at strengthening the electric grid and meeting growing demand for power infrastructure. Weidmann Electrical Technology announced Wednesday it will invest $155 million to redevelop a vacant industrial site in Middletown into a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. The project is part of more than $500 million in worldwide investments the company is making to expand production across North America, Europe and Asia. The Ohio project is expected to create more than 100 new jobs between the new Middletown facility and Weidmann's existing operation in Urbana. Company officials say demand for transformer insulation materials continues to grow as utilities modernize aging electrical infrastructure, expand renewable energy, improve grid reliability and build the infrastructure needed to support the rapid growth of data centers. The Middletown project will transform a vacant 350,000-square-foot brownfield industrial property into a next-generation manufacturing facility producing Transformerboard, a critical insulation material used inside high-voltage power transformers.

"We are confident in Ohio, its workforce and its future," said Wally Mahoney, Weidmann's Vice President of Operations for the Americas. "This investment strengthens our manufacturing capabilities, supports our customers and creates new opportunities for growth."

Middletown City Manager Ashley Combs called the project another milestone in the city's economic development. "This reinvestment in a historic manufacturing facility strengthens our growing business-focused ecosystem while solidifying our industrial legacy across the region," Combs said. State Senator George Lang said the investment reinforces Ohio's growing reputation as a destination for advanced manufacturing. "By reinvigorating vacant land and creating dozens of good-paying jobs, Weidmann is making a major investment in the future of Middletown," Lang said. The project was supported through a partnership involving JobsOhio, REDI Cincinnati, the Dayton Development Coalition, the Butler County Land Bank, Duke Energy, and the cities of Middletown and Urbana. Construction will redevelop the long-vacant industrial property, with production at the Middletown facility expected to begin in 2028.

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(Image Courtesy: REDI Cincinnati)

A person is dead following a fire Monday night at a vacant commercial building in Hamilton's Lindenwald neighborhood. Hamilton Police and Fire crews were dispatched around 8:45 p.m. to the structure at 3999 Dixie Highway, where they found the rear addition of the building heavily involved in flames. After firefighters extinguished the blaze, crews discovered one deceased person under the rubble. Authorities are working to confirm the victim's identity.

Officials say there is no known threat to the public related to the incident. Because of the building's location near the Hamilton-Fairfield boundary, firefighters from the Fairfield Fire Department and Fairfield Township Fire Department also responded through mutual aid agreements. Hamilton Fire Chief Tom Eickelberger praised the coordinated response.

"Incidents like this demonstrate the importance of strong mutual aid partnerships and clear communication between neighboring departments," Eickelberger said. "All personnel involved did an outstanding job confining the fire to the section of the building where it originated and prevented it from spreading into the main portion of the structure." The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and officials say all information is preliminary. Anyone with information about the fire is asked to contact Hamilton Fire Arson Investigator Trevor Snider at 513-785-7510 or Hamilton Police Detective Mark Nichols at 513-868-5811, extension 1232.

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(Photo Courtesy: Nick Dadabo)

Eighteen people were killed in traffic crashes across Ohio during the July Fourth holiday travel period, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The reporting period began at midnight Thursday, July 2, and ended at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 5. Among the fatalities was a motorcyclist killed in neighboring Preble County. Troopers say 39-year-old Douglas Miller of Gettysburg was riding a 2003 Honda Silverwing north on State Route 726 in Washington Township Saturday afternoon when he lost control of the motorcycle. The bike traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck a ditch and then a utility pole. Miller was taken to Reid Health in Richmond, Indiana, with life-threatening injuries but later died Saturday evening. The crash remains under investigation.

Statewide, the Highway Patrol says safety belts were available in eight of the fatal crashes, but three of those victims were not wearing them. Five of the fatal crashes involved motorcycles, and three of those riders were not wearing helmets. During the four-day holiday enforcement period, troopers investigated 575 crashes, issued 1,722 distracted driving citations, cited 2,195 motorists for seat belt violations, and removed 387 impaired drivers from Ohio roadways. The Highway Patrol reminds motorists to report suspected impaired or reckless drivers by dialing #677.

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(Image Courtesy: AI-Enhanced)

A four decade old homicide investigation has resulted in murder charges against a Columbus man. Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell announced that a Warren County grand jury has indicted 62-year-old Randy McAllister on charges of aggravated murder and murder in connection with the 1985 death of John Warren. Investigators say Warren, a traveling salesman for an auto parts company, was staying at the former Holiday Inn near Interstate 75 in Middletown while attending sales meetings. He was found dead in his hotel room on the morning of October 17, 1985. Authorities say several of Warren's personal belongings, along with his 1985 Oldsmobile, were stolen after the killing. Within days, police in Dalton, Georgia, recovered some of Warren's property and other evidence behind a Cracker Barrel restaurant. His vehicle was later found in Redington Beach, Florida. Despite numerous leads, investigators at the time were unable to develop enough evidence to file charges. The case was reopened in 2019 by detectives with the Warren County Sheriff's Office. Evidence collected from the original crime scenes was resubmitted for modern forensic analysis. Investigators eventually identified McAllister and a now-deceased accomplice as potential suspects. Detectives continued working with the Warren County Prosecutor's Office for several years before presenting the case to a grand jury in late June. Prosecutor David Fornshell praised investigators for their persistence. "Cold case investigations are 'cold' for a reason. Many times there is some evidence that points to a suspect, but just not enough evidence to move forward," Fornshell said. "But particularly over the past five years, Warren County Sheriff's Office detectives have been tenacious in their investigation of this case... and the grand jury agreed." McAllister is now charged with aggravated murder and murder. The case will proceed through the Warren County court system.

The Middletown Division of Police is investigating a fatal shooting that happened early Thursday morning. Police say officers were dispatched around 2:10 a.m. to the 1300 block of Yankee Road on a report of a person who had been shot. When officers arrived, they found the victim suffering from gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to Atrium Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead. Authorities have not yet released the victim’s identity. Middletown police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Kristi Hughes at 513-425-7733 or by email at kristi.hughes@cityofmiddletown.org. Tips can also be reported through the police dispatch center at 513-425-7701.
 

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The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal single-vehicle crash that occurred early Thursday morning in Deerfield Township. Troopers from the Lebanon Post responded to the crash around 2:33 a.m. on northbound Interstate 71 near mile marker 23. Investigators say a 2026 Kia K4 driven by 25-year-old Isaias Zepeda of San Bernardino, California was traveling north when the vehicle went off the left side of the roadway and struck a concrete bridge overpass. After impact, the vehicle traveled over the concrete overpass and went airborne between the northbound and southbound bridge structures of I-71. While airborne, the vehicle struck a utility pole before landing on Western Row Road. Zepeda was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene from injuries sustained in the crash. A passenger, 30-year-old Edward Garcia of Corona, California was transported to UC West Chester Hospital with serious, life-threatening injuries. Authorities also reported a secondary two-vehicle crash on I-71 caused by debris from the original crash. The crash remains under investigation. The patrol was assisted by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, Mason Police Department, Mason Fire Department and EMS, the Warren County Coroner’s Office, and Jacob’s Towing.

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BUTLER COUNTY — Dangerous heat conditions continue in southwest Ohio this week, prompting local and state agencies to  extend  warnings into Friday, as heat index values climb as high as 108 degrees. The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Warning for Butler County and much of southwest Ohio through 8 p.m. Friday. While daytime highs are expected in the low to mid-90s, high humidity will make conditions feel significantly hotter. The Butler County Emergency Management Agency says the combination of extreme heat and muggy overnight temperatures in the 70s could increase the risk of heat-related illness, especially for vulnerable residents. Officials are urging residents to stay hydrated, avoid prolonged outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours, and spend time in air-conditioned spaces whenever possible.

“Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses,” BCEMA warned in its advisory.

Cooling Centers Available Across Butler County

To help residents stay safe, multiple cooling centers are available throughout Butler County, primarily at library locations.

Cooling centers include:

• Hamilton Lane Library, 300 North Third Street
• Lane Community Technology Center, 228 Court Street
• MidPointe Library branches in Liberty Township, Middletown, Monroe, Trenton, and West Chester
• Fairfield Lane Library
• Oxford Lane Library

Hamilton city officials are also reminding residents that seven city spraygrounds are open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for those looking to cool off outdoors.

Spraygrounds are open at:

• Benninghofen Park
• BTW Center
• Crawford Woods
• Jim Grimm Park
• L.J. Smith Park
• Marcum Park
• Millikin Woods

State Officials Issue Heat Warning

Mike DeWine and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency are also warning Ohioans to take the heat seriously.

Governor DeWine said extreme heat remains one of the deadliest weather hazards.

“No matter where you live in Ohio, you’ll be impacted by this week’s dangerously high temperatures,” DeWine said.

State officials say older adults, young children, people with chronic health conditions, outdoor workers, and anyone without access to air conditioning face the highest risk.

Recommended precautions include:

• Drink water regularly
• Avoid peak heat from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Wear loose, light-colored clothing
• Take frequent breaks in shade or air conditioning
• Check on elderly neighbors and relatives

Rumpke Adjusting Trash Collection Schedule

Rumpke says crews may begin collection routes earlier than usual this week to reduce heat exposure for workers.

Residents are asked to place trash and recycling at the curb the night before scheduled pickup to avoid missing collection.

Pet Safety Also a Major Concern

Animal Friends Humane Society is also warning pet owners to protect animals from dangerous heat.

Officials stress that pets should never be left in parked vehicles, even briefly.

Pet safety recommendations include:

• Keep pets indoors or in shaded areas
• Provide fresh, cool water
• Walk dogs early in the morning or later in the evening
• Avoid hot pavement that can burn paws

Animal experts say warning signs of heatstroke in pets include:

• Excessive panting
• Drooling
• Weakness
• Vomiting
• Bright red gums
• Collapse

Residents are encouraged to check on neighbors, relatives, pets, and anyone without reliable cooling as the dangerous heat continues through Thursday.

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The Kroger Co. has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Giant Eagle in a deal valued at $1.65 billion. The acquisition includes $1.25 billion in cash and the assumption of approximately $400 million in liabilities. Kroger says the deal will expand its footprint in key regional markets while strengthening its grocery and pharmacy operations. Giant Eagle operates 197 supermarkets and 11 standalone pharmacies across northern Ohio, western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, and Indiana, generating approximately $9 billion in annual sales. Kroger CEO Greg Foran called Giant Eagle a strong strategic fit. “Giant Eagle is a well-run, high-quality regional grocer with a strong reputation for fresh products, pharmacy, private label and customer loyalty,” Foran said. He says the acquisition will help Kroger expand into attractive adjacent markets while improving store operations, digital services, and customer experience. Giant Eagle CEO Bill Artman called the move an important next step for the company. The companies say they plan to combine Giant Eagle’s regional brand strength with Kroger’s e-commerce platform, data capabilities, and operational scale. The deal is expected to close sometime in 2027, pending regulatory approval and customary closing conditions. Kroger says some limited Giant Eagle store divestitures are expected as part of the regulatory review process. The acquisition comes after Kroger’s previously proposed merger with Albertsons failed to move forward, making this the company’s latest major expansion effort.