Micha Brumbaugh, 12th grader at New Richmond HS, and winner of contest.
OWENSVILLE, Ohio (Nov. 4, 2015) – The Southern Ohio Association of Realtors (SOAR) and Clermont County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (CVB) are teaming up with the Clermont Soil & Water Conservation District and its partners to kick off the annual Spring Litter Clean-Up event with a T-shirt design contest for local K-12 students.
Any K-12 student attending a school located in Clermont County, or within the East Fork watershed, may register to compete. Home-schooled students living within the county and/or watershed are also invited to participate. T-shirt designs should emphasize litter clean-up and prevention. Students can review contest rules and register through the event website at: www.springlittercleanup.com. With sponsorship from SOAR and the CVB, the grand prize winner will be awarded $100, with an additional $100 going to the school’s art department of the winning student. There will also be 13 grade level awards given at $25 each.
“SOAR is excited to support this worthwhile community event and do its part to protect the natural resources that make our region unique,” says Carrie McIntosh-Owens, SOAR’s Board President. “Our local realtors take pride in the communities in which they work and live, and this allows them the opportunity to give back.”
The Spring Litter Clean-Up will be held 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, April 23, 2016, in various communities across the county and watershed. The clean-up is a combination of two events that have proved successful for more than 20 years in Clermont County – the East Fork River Sweep and Clermont Clean & Green events.
For more information about the Spring Litter Clean-Up or the T-shirt design contest, please contact the Clermont Soil & Water Conservation District/East Fork Watershed Collaborative at 513-732-7075.
(Photo: Micha Brumbaugh of New Richmond High School won the T-shirt design contest last year.)
BATAVIA, Ohio (Oct. 30, 2015) — The Log Cabin Herb Society of Clermont County donated a lavender log cabin quilt block to the Clermont County Park District on Oct. 19. Designed by Log Cabin Society member Lois Sandker and created by John Stadtmiller of Laurel Barn Quilts, the 6-by-6 wood block will be mounted on the barn at the Hartman Log Cabin on U.S. 50 just outside of Owensville, said Park District Director Chris Clingman.
The Clermont County Historical Society has worked for the past year to locate existing barn quilt blocks throughout the county, said President Ron Hill. The Historical Society hopes to identify and publicize all of the county quilt blocks and create a Barn Quilt Trail. Clermont County will be joining numerous counties in Ohio and throughout the United States and Canada where quilt trails are currently part of the landscape.
In 2001, in Adams County, Donna Sue Graves mounted an Ohio Star quilt block on her barn that she created in honor of her mother. Today, Adams County’s Quilt Barn Trail features 46 barn sites.
If you know of any existing quilt blocks on any building in Clermont County, please contact Hill at the Historical Society, P.O. Box 14, Batavia OH 45103 or call 513-753-8672. If you would like to create a block or otherwise become involved in any way with the Clermont County Quilt Block Trail, also please contact Hill.
BATAVIA, Ohio (Oct. 27, 2015) — Clermont County’s Veterans Day Parade will be held Wednesday, Nov. 11, in the Village of Batavia. Lineup begins at 6 p.m. at the U.S. Post Office, 575 West Main St., Batavia, and the parade starts at 7 p.m.
Commissioner Bob Proud will speak at the event, which will feature bands from six local high schools. Those who want to join the parade can look for a sign for their community at the post office, said parade organizer Steve Foster of the American Legion.
The parade is one of the highlights during Veterans Week, Nov. 8-14, in Clermont County. Other activities include:
Nov. 8, 2 p.m., Wayne Township holds a veterans program at the township building, 6320 State Route 133.
Nov. 10, 12-3:30 p.m., Veterans Job Fair hosted by OhioMeansJobs/Clermont County and Clermont County Veteran Services, at Union Township Civic Center, 4350 Aicholtz Road. A workshop is offered at 10:30 a.m.; 513-943-3000.
Nov. 11, Veterans Day programs at Bethel-Tate Elementary School and New Richmond High School. Check your local schools to see if there is a Veterans Day program.
Nov. 11, 5-7 p.m., Veterans Day dinner at Goshen United Methodist Church, 6710 Goshen Road; free; veterans and families invited.
Nov. 12, noon-4 p.m., VA Veterans Mobile Van will be at Clermont County Veterans Service Commission, 76 S. Riverside Drive, Batavia. Learn more about VA health care.
Nov. 13, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Veterans Day ceremony and reception at UC Clermont, 4200 Clermont College Drive, Batavia.
Nov. 14, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Remembrance at the Meadows, Miami Meadows Park, 1546 State Route 131, Milford; includes a memorial walk/run; art show; and ceremony; 513-248-3727.
Nov. 14, 2-4 p.m., Jay and Sabrina Schnarrenberg will hold a “welcome home” celebration for any veterans and their families at the old military base, 1133 Fruit Ridge Road, Moscow. RSVP to Sabrina, Sabrina@schnarrenberg.com. #######
BATAVIA, Ohio (Oct. 20, 2015) — OhioMeansJobs/Clermont County is hosting a Veterans Job Fair and Workshop 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, at the Union Township Civic Center, 4350 Aicholtz Road, Cincinnati, OH 45245. The workshop begins at 10:30 a.m. and the job fair at noon.
Representatives from 20 local companies will be on-site to meet with veterans, their families and the general public regarding full-time jobs.
A workshop from 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. is designed to help veterans improve their networking and interviewing skills. Veteran representatives will be on hand to discuss various resources available.
From 12-1 p.m., veterans and their families will be given priority opportunity to meet with employers before the general public enters at 1 p.m.
For more information, call OhioMeansJobs/Clermont County at 513-943-3000 or http://www.workforceoneclermont.com/Employment.aspx for more details. Remember to dress appropriately and bring your resumes — you may be shaking hands with your next employer.
BATAVIA, Ohio (Oct. 15, 2015) – Walkers and cyclists christened the newest segment of the Williamsburg to Batavia Hike/Bike Trail, which opened with a ribbon-cutting on Oct. 15. With this segment, the trail is now 6 miles long.
The trail, which will be 15 miles long when completed, is a combination of shared roadways and paved paths. It runs from Williamsburg to the East Fork State Park Campground and now to Zagar Road in Batavia Township. Chris Clingman, Director of the Clermont County Park District, welcomed guests including James Zehringer, Director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Health Commissioner Julianne Nesbit, State Sen. Joe Ueckerand State Rep. Doug Green.
Zehringer praised the partnerships that have helped to construct the bike trail. “This is a win-win for us,” he said. “Federal, state and local governments are working together in Clermont County. You know how to get things done.”
The newest segment of the trail was funded by a $50,000 grant to Clermont County Public Health from Interact for Health through its Physical Activities Environment Grant Program. Megan Folkerth, program officer at Interact for Health, said “active living” was an important component of the foundation’s programs. “We’re very excited to be part of it,” she said.
To date, approximately $1.18 million has been raised for the bike trail through grants and fund-raising. Funding has come from federal Transportation Enhancement Grants, state capital project grants, townships and villages, as well as the private sector.
Clingman praised the beauty of the trail. “This trail is like taking a ride down an old country road. It takes you past fields, through woods, up and down hills, across creeks to some of the most scenic spots in Clermont County. “Along the route there is an overlook of the East Fork River Valley, a wetland with observation deck, overlook of Harsha Lake, and a view of small waterfalls in Cain Run Creek, “ he added.
The trail is administered by the Clermont County Park District. Other partners include:
Village of Williamsburg, Village of Batavia, Williamsburg Township, Batavia Township; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Ohio Department of Natural Resources; Clermont County Engineer; Clermont County Public Health; Clermont County Water Resources Department; Clermont County Commissioners; OKI Regional Council of Governments; UC Clermont, and the Clermont Family YMCA.
(Photo above: UC Clermont students Evan Barge and Brookelynne Frizzell, both of Williamsburg, enjoy the newest segment of the trail.)
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WEST UNION, Ohio (Oct. 16, 2015) — The Adams County Commissioners and Clermont County Port Authority (CCPA) signed an agreement on Oct. 15 allowing the Clermont County Port Authority to serve as the Port Authority for Adams County. This agreement provides a great deal of flexibility between the organizations and allows the CCPA to exercise all of its powers in Adams County just as it can in Clermont County.
Port authorities are granted broad powers under Ohio Revised Code Section 4582, including: Acquire real and personal property; own, lease, sell, and construct improvements to real property; and issue revenue bonds for port authority facilities. Because of their tax-exempt status, port authorities have the advantage of passing savings on to economic development projects, thus making projects possible that might not otherwise happen.
The initial term of this agreement will be for three years and may be renewed for one-year terms after that. “This regional collaboration will provide an important tool for economic development in Adams County. This agreement will allow our county to utilize the expertise and resources of the Clermont County Port Authority,” said Adams County Commissioner Paul Worley.
“In three short years, the Clermont County Port Authority has helped facilitate $158 million in new capital investment,” said Andy Kuchta, Executive Director of the Port Authority. “We look forward to using the tools available to a port authority to help spur economic development in Adams County, and appreciate the partnership with the Adams County commissioners.”
Holly Johnson, Adams County Economic and Community Development Director, said, “This collaborative agreement between Adams County and Clermont County Port Authority should provide the stimulus in our county for initial financial business resources to be magnified. This positive program has my support by providing a specific tool to facilitate economic development.”
BATAVIA, Ohio (Oct. 9, 2015) — Last year, the Community Toy Chest made a difference in the lives of 350 children in foster care in Clermont County during the holidays.
This year, Clermont County Children’s Protective Services (CPS) hopes that generous sponsors will come forward again to make the holidays a little brighter for these kids, who have been removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect.
CPS plans to have holiday gifts for at least 300 children, some of whom could come into its custody as late as Christmas Eve, said Sanna Gast, coordinator of the Toy Chest. Ages of children range from birth to 18 years old.
CPS is looking for individuals, families, companies or organizations to sponsor a child, either by donating money to CPS or by buying gifts for a particular child or family. Each child puts together a wish list; sizes of clothing are noted.
If you are interested in sponsoring a child, email Gast at sanna.gast@jfs.ohio.gov, or call her at 513-732-7264. ################### #ClermontCares
BATAVIA, Ohio (Oct. 8, 2015) — The newest segment of the Williamsburg to Batavia Hike/Bike Trail will open with a ribbon-cutting at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15. With this segment, the trail is now 6 miles long.
The trail, which will be 15 miles long when completed, is a combination of shared roadways and paved paths. It runs from Williamsburg to the East Fork State Park Campground and now to Zagar Road in Batavia Township.
According to Chris Clingman, Director of the Clermont County Park District, “This newest segment of trail is reusing the roadbed of old Zagar Road, which was abandoned during the creation of Harsha Lake and East Fork State Park. Clermont County Engineer Pat Manger’s staff prepared the old roadbed for paving.” From Zagar Road, cyclists can connect to UC East and Clermont County YMCA via Curliss Lane and James E. Sauls Sr. Drive, he said.
The newest segment of the trail was funded by a $50,000 grant to Clermont County Public Health from Interact for Health through its Physical Activities Environment Grant Program. The grant was designed to help complete trail linkages and to provide opportunities for underserved portions of the Tristate population to have access to areas for physical activity. “This adds a location for no-cost physical activity, which is one of the main objectives of the county’s Community Health Improvement Plan,” said Clermont County Health Commissioner Julianne Nesbit.
To date, approximately $1.18 million has been raised for the bike trail through grants and fund-raising. Funding has come from federal Transportation Enhancement Grants, state capital project grants, townships and villages, as well as private sector donors including Peoples Bank (formerly National Bank & Trust), Dualite Corp., Duke Energy, and United Dairy Farmers. An annual winter fundraiser has contributed from $6,000 to $10,000 per year.
“As each section of the Williamsburg-Batavia Hike/Bike Trail is funded and built we celebrate the collaboration and cooperation that is moving along with this awesome project, “ said Mary Ann Lefker, Mayor of Williamsburg.
“The Village of Williamsburg has already seen the benefits of having this trail connected to our village. Our goal is to keep the trail moving forward towards Batavia and, as research has shown, that may only be the beginning of the connectivity to other trails throughout the region.”
Batavia Township trustees are also excited about progress on the bike trail.
“We realize the value to the residents of our community this trail provides as it connects the Villages of Batavia and Williamsburg to East Fork State Park,” said Randy Perry, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. “While benefits have already been realized, the completed trail will be well worth the efforts of the many partners that have thus far joined in the effort to create this trail.”
Park District Director Clingman noted that “where most trails are relatively flat, this trail is like taking a ride down an old country road. It takes you past fields, through woods, up and down hills, across creeks to some of the most scenic spots in Clermont County.
“Along the route there is an overlook of the East Fork River Valley, a wetland with observation deck, overlook of Harsha Lake, and a view of small waterfalls in Cain Run Creek, “ he added.
The trail is administered by the Clermont County Park District. Other partners include:
Village of Williamsburg, Village of Batavia, Williamsburg Township, Batavia Township; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Ohio Department of Natural Resources; Clermont County Engineer; Clermont County Public Health; Clermont County Water Resources Department; Clermont County Commissioners; OKI Regional Council of Governments; UC Clermont, and the Clermont Family YMCA.
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On the web:
http://www.clermontparks.org/wbbiketrail.aspx
BATAVIA, Ohio (Oct. 6, 2017)– Clermont County’s cable station (Channel 18 for Time Warner Cable customers) will be down due to a relocation of the TWC fiber line. Regular programming is expected to resume by 5 p.m. Oct. 9.
Programming will continue to be available on the county’s YouTube channel.
BATAVIA, Ohio (Sept. 11, 2015) – Local public health officials have issued a recreational public health advisory for the Ohio River as a result of microcystin levels tested in river water samples. Microcystin is a toxic chemical produced by cyanobacteria, often called blue-green algae. Some species of blue-green algae cause harmful algal blooms (HABs) which produce toxins like microcystin, which can make people and pets sick, depending upon the amount and type of exposure.
An advisory means toxin levels exceed the recommended threshold. Swimming or wading is not recommended for the elderly or very young and people with compromised immune systems.
Multiple state and local organizations including Clermont County Public Health, Cincinnati Health Department, Northern Kentucky Health Department,Hamilton County Public Health, Ohio EPA, Greater Cincinnati Water Works, Kentucky Division of Water, and Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission – are continuously monitoring and analyzing the presence of algae in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky portion of the Ohio River.
Last weekend, health officials urged residents to use caution when swimming or doing other recreational water activities as weather conditions were favorable for HABs to bloom in the Ohio River.
HAB toxins can cause a rash, hives, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and more severe symptoms at elevated levels of exposure. Seek immediate medical attention if you become sick after recreating on the Ohio River.
For tips to avoid becoming ill from contact with blue-green algae, visit the Clermont Public Health website at http://www.clermonthealthdistrict.org/.
