HAMILTON, Ohio — Three men were arrested following a fight Saturday afternoon during a youth football championship event at Virgil Schwarm Stadium in Hamilton. Hamilton Police Sergeant Brian Ungerbuehler confirmed the arrests to WMOH Monday and provided redacted arrest reports detailing the incident. Those arrested were Davonte Dylon McCleskey, 34, of Dayton; Donyae Desmund Turner, 28, of Cincinnati; and Deshawn Marchal Pickett, 31, of Cincinnati. All three face disorderly conduct charges involving fighting or threatening behavior. According to police reports, officers responded to a large fight in the parking lot near the football field. One officer reported seeing Turner on the ground fighting with another individual. Police say Turner continued fighting as officers attempted to separate the two, prompting officers to use pepper spray. Turner was detained and later evaluated by Hamilton Fire Department medics following the use of the spray. Police also reported witnessing McCleskey actively fighting with others. He was detained and transported to police headquarters for booking. Pickett's arrest report lists a disorderly conduct charge but does not include a narrative describing his alleged involvement. The altercation occurred during the 2026 Youth Football Super Bowl, hosted by the Hamilton Saints Youth Football and Cheer Organization. In a statement posted on Facebook, the Saints condemned the behavior of adults involved in the incident, saying those individuals were not affiliated with their organization. The Saints said the event should have been a celebration of the accomplishments of young athletes who worked throughout the season to reach the championship games. “It's extremely disappointing when the actions of adults take attention away from the children who have worked tirelessly all season,” the organization said. The Saints emphasized that youth sports should teach discipline, teamwork, respect and integrity, and that adults have a responsibility to set a positive example. The organization also thanked Hamilton Police and Hamilton City Schools for their response and cooperation. Hamilton City Schools previously confirmed the event was privately organized and was not affiliated with Hamilton High School or its athletic department. No Hamilton athletes or school personnel were involved. The remaining championship games were canceled because of safety concerns. McCleskey and Turner are scheduled to appear in Hamilton Municipal Court Tuesday, November 10, at 8 a.m., according to their arrest reports. No court date was listed for Pickett.

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MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — The Butler County Coroner's Office has identified the woman found dead inside a vehicle Thursday afternoon in Middletown. The victim is 43-year-old Samantha Victoria Kelly of Middletown. According to the coroner's office, Kelly died from a gunshot wound. Her death has been ruled a homicide. Middletown Police responded to the 4000 block of Tytus Avenue around 4:35 p.m. Thursday, November 5, to conduct a welfare check. Officers discovered Kelly inside a vehicle with fatal injuries. Following an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death, police arrested 51-year-old Darwin Malcolm. Malcolm is charged with murder, tampering with evidence and gross abuse of a corpse. Police have not released a possible motive or disclosed the relationship, if any, between Malcolm and Kelly. The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective T. Ballinger at 513-425-7741, Middletown Police dispatch at 513-425-7701, or terry.ballinger@cityofmiddletown.org.

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FAIRFIELD, Ohio — Fairfield City Schools Superintendent Billy Smith says difficult decisions lie ahead after voters narrowly rejected the district's proposed earned income tax for the second time this year. Unofficial results from Tuesday's election show approximately 52 percent of voters opposed the levy, while 48 percent supported it. The district sought a 1.25 percent earned income tax for five years. A similar proposal rejected in May had no sunset provision. In a statement following Tuesday's election, Smith acknowledged the disappointment felt throughout the district. “I know this morning brings disappointment, worry, and broken hearts among staff, students, and community members across our District,” Smith wrote to employees. Smith said the district's financial challenges remain unchanged despite the election outcome. Fairfield Schools has already implemented approximately $5.7 million in reductions for the current school year. Without additional revenue by the end of this school year, the district faces approximately $11 million in further reductions beginning with the 2027–2028 school year. Those potential cuts would affect staffing, student services, academic programs and other opportunities.

In a message to families, Smith acknowledged the uncertainty facing students, parents and employees. “We will continue to communicate openly about our financial circumstances and the decisions ahead,” he said. The superintendent and district Treasurer Jay Phillips plan to discuss the next steps during the November 12 Board of Education meeting. Options under consideration include the possibility of another ballot issue in May.

The defeated proposal would have taxed earned income, including wages, salaries and self-employment income, but not Social Security benefits, most retirement income or investment earnings. District officials had argued that the five-year expiration date would give voters an opportunity to reconsider the tax rather than approve a permanent levy. The district has not secured voter approval for a new operating levy since 2011. Tuesday's results remain unofficial pending certification by the Butler County Board of Elections.
 

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OXFORD, Ohio — Miami University has announced the largest philanthropic commitment in its 217-year history, with the Farmer Family Foundation pledging up to $100 million to the Farmer School of Business over the next decade. University President Gregory Crawford announced the commitment Thursday, saying the foundation plans to contribute $55 million during the next three years. The gift is also among the three largest donations to a public undergraduate business school in the United States, according to Miami. The announcement comes as the university reaches the $1 billion fundraising goal of its *For love. For honor. For those who will.* campaign. “We are incredibly grateful to the Farmer family and the foundation for their unwavering dedication to our university,” Crawford said. The investment will support student success, career preparation, emerging technologies and experiential learning. It also includes a $25 million matching gift intended to encourage additional contributions to the business school. Farmer School of Business Dean Jenny Darroch said the funding will help students develop skills that meet changing workplace demands, including artificial intelligence and data technology. The school plans to expand opportunities for professional certifications, mentorship, global learning experiences and individualized career preparation. The Farmer family's relationship with Miami dates back decades. Richard T. “Dick” Farmer, a 1956 Miami graduate who founded what became Cintas Corporation, and his wife Joyce, a 1957 graduate, made a cornerstone gift to the business school in 1992.

The foundation later helped finance construction of the Farmer School of Business building in 2005. A subsequent $40 million gift was, at the time, the largest in Miami's history.

Scott Farmer, executive chairman of Cintas and the son of Dick and Joyce Farmer, said the latest investment continues his family's commitment to the university. “Our parents were shaped by their time at Miami, and a love of the university was passed down to their three children,” Farmer said. The Farmer School of Business serves more than 5,000 students and ranked 14th among public institutions in the 2026 *Poets&Quants* undergraduate business school rankings. Miami says the new commitment will help prepare future business leaders while expanding opportunities for generations of students.
 

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BUTLER COUNTY, Ohio — Butler County Administrator Judy Boyko will retire at the end of November, only to return to the same position the following day under a new employment agreement. The Butler County Board of Commissioners approved Boyko's retirement and re-employment Tuesday, November 3, with both measures passing by 2–1 votes. Commissioners T.C. Rogers and Don Dixon supported both resolutions. Commissioner Cindy Carpenter voted against them. Boyko, who was hired March 6, 2019, will officially retire November 30 and return to work December 1. According to county documents, her retirement includes an estimated $76,153.82 in accumulated leave payouts. That includes $42,307.68 in vacation pay and $33,846.14 in sick leave. Under the proposed re-employment agreement, Boyko will initially retain an annual salary of $220,000. That salary will decrease to $198,000 following the first full pay period in February 2027. The agreement also provides 200 hours of paid personal time annually, continued employee benefits and participation in the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System's Money Purchase Plan for re-employed retirees. Boyko will retain broad administrative authority over county personnel, including hiring, firing, discipline and reassignment of employees, subject to county policies, budgets and applicable laws. The agreement does not specify a fixed expiration date. It states that Boyko will remain administrator as long as the county requires or desires her services and allows the county to terminate her employment at any time. Boyko has served as Butler County Administrator since 2019. The resolutions approving her retirement and re-employment were adopted during the commissioners' regular meeting Tuesday.

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