The Sound Stage is being prepared for the Hold On Talent Slam this Saturday Night
Hold On Talent Slam this Saturday
Total Awards now at $8,500 in Cash and Scholarships
Loveland, Oh. - Teens from several communities will compete for a total of $8,500 worth of prizes, including $3,500 in cash, in the “Hold On Talent Slam” on Saturday, February 2, in Loveland.
The event will take place at Loveland Artists Studios on Main, 529 Main Street. The doors open at 6 PM and the talent hits the stage at 7 PM.
Contestants were selected through an audition process, which was held earlier this month. Participants are coming from Loveland High School, Milford, Blanchester, Goshen, Scarlet Oaks, Sycamore High School, Amelia and Walnut Hills High School. One finalist is even coming from northern Ohio. Categories include singing, church drama team, trumpet, flute, piano, spoken word/poetry slam poetry, singing and guitar duet, French horn solo, country song, and original song.
The Hold On Talent Slam is sponsored by Loveland Magazine, A.S.A.P. (Andrew’s Suicide Awareness and Prevention), a ministry of Epiphany United Methodist Church, Loveland High School Active Minds, and Shawn and Chandra Custis, owners of Loveland Artists Studios on Main.
Back by very popular demand as MC from Loveland Magazine's Poetry Slam last year will be Loveland Magazine Sports Reporter, Ricky Mulvey.
The teens will perform in front of a large audience, bright stage lights, and five highly qualified judges selected for their varied expertise. Michael Oakley is one. He has opened shows for various national acts including George Thorogood, Robin Trowler, Pat Travers, Spencer Davis Group, Head East, Wish Bone Ash and Saigon Kick just to name a few.
Another judge is Sonja Hansen, a director, choreographer, and dance teacher. Her dance credits include Walt Disney World, MTV, the Cincinnati Ballet Company, and Butler Ballet Company. Hansen was awarded “Best Choreography 2011” from BroadwayWorld.com.
A Cincinnati BenGal Cheerleader will be a judge.
Phil Jones with MDAudio will be providing professional sound and stage lighting.
The Loveland Artists Studios on Main was chosen because of the eclectic nature of the historic, school building and its appeal to young contestants performing onstage in the main art gallery. MAP
Support of the sponsors makes this event FREE and open to the public.
Drinks, snacks and light food fare will be on hand.
Loveland-Symmes Fire Chief Otto Huber was sworn in as the
2013-2014 President of the Clermont County Fire Chief Association.
Common Court Judge Kathleen Rodenberg was on hand to officiate over the
ceremony. Pictured is Chief Steve Pegram Chief Kevin Riley Judge
Rodenberg Chief Owens and LSFD Chief Huber.
Lake Isabella Family Fishing Center will
get the first stocking of the year with 750 pounds of trout. So dust off
the ol' fishing gear and spend a few hours dropping a line at the lake.
Download the full 2013 Park District stocking schedule for more opportunities.
Do you know what it takes to survive in the great outdoors? When the
time comes, will you be prepared for anything? The Wilderness Skills
programs by the University of the Great Outdoors (UGO) will teach
everything you need to know about surviving in nature, from first aid
to fire. For a small fee, you can put your outdoor skills to the test!
Programs are geared for adults and children, ages 8 and up. Children
must have a registered adult. Registration is required for each program
and the fee is per person. Programs are held in Winton Woods.
Saturday and Sunday, February 23 and 24, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve, 3455 Poole Rd Cincinnati, OH 45251
Maple Sugar Days is a celebration of this great
Ohio heritage! Join us for guided hikes through the sugar bush to see
how maple trees are tapped and fun stories about the maple sugaring
tradition. A model Native American sugar camp, a pioneer sugar camp and
backyard evaporators will show how syrup is turned to sugar. Sample
foods prepared with maple will be available, including sundaes, maple
cotton candy, and maple syrup on waffles for a small fee.
Loveland, Oh. - The Loveland Symmes Fire Department (LSFD) is looking for volunteers to attend their Citizens Fire Academy, starting March 26. The Citizens Fire Academy offers adult citizens in and around the Loveland/Symmes community the opportunity to learn about their fire department. As an academy participant, you will get an introduction to the fire department and learn how firefighters and medics do their jobs. Seven classes will be held in the evening from 7 PM to approximately 9 PM every other week, ending in June.
Last year, there were nine graduates from the academy. All the participants reported that they truly enjoyed the training and developed a much better understanding of the level of training and dedication firefighters needed to perform their tasks” said Lieutenant Hellyer. “One participant said that she expected that most of the training would be in the classroom and was surprised that it was largely handling equipment and participating in firefighting activities.”
“The training is a fun and easy way to see demonstrations and participate in hands-on training at your own comfort level. You will meet some of the firefighters and have the opportunity to handle some of their equipment” saidHellyer, the academy volunteer coordinator. Examples include: hose and ladder operations, use of firefighting equipment, and the ability to see the vehicles and other equipment up close.
Although it is not expected, after completion of the fire academy, graduates are given the opportunity to assist the department in a variety of nonoperational activities such as administrative support, public relations and outreach, life safety education, website support and many others. You may also consider volunteering for the Emergency Services Unit (ESU).
The ESU provides supplemental operational assistance specifically in the area of fire, disaster, and related emergency services to the LSFD. The ESU is based upon the Federal Community Emergency Response Team and Fire Corps concept, but the LSFD took the program a step further. According to LSFD Chief Huber, ESU members may choose to be assigned to a duty crew at a firehouse and participate directly in emergency response activities along with the on-duty, regular firefighters. ESU members are also subject to "call out" to assist in specific situations as needed. ESU member duties have included assisting at fire and emergency calls, performing traffic control at events and incidents, providing disaster support services such as flood and wind storm response, and supporting community events. “Everyone can do something to support their local fire departments and it is a great way to serve your community,” said Hellyer.
Sign up for the LSFD Citizens Fire Academy and learn more about LSFD and how you might be able to help. To find out more about the LSFD Citizens Fire Corps or to sign up for the academy, go to http://www.lsfd.org/ .
Wants to know what was said about him during City Council Internet Broadcast
Loveland, Ohio - This LOVELAND MAGAZINE HD VIDEO is from the January 22 Loveland Council meeting when former council-member and business owner Paul Elliott made a public records request for video that was broadcast by the City on January 8 over the Internet.
Making the request he said, "In as much as it is rumored that the mayor of Loveland used my name and business location in relation to bullets coming from the proposed shooting range."
City Manager Thomas Carroll immediately responded that the City would not be turning over the record of the meeting to Elliott. He described the meeting as an "after meeting" and said it is not a public record the administration would have to turn over to Elliott.
After the council meeting of January 8, and most of the
public had gone home, the City Web Site continued to broadcast
live footage from inside the council room at City Hall. Earlier in the evening, the room was packed, standing
room only, even spilling into the hallways with citizens
expressing concern about a proposed shooting range near the
Loveland Elementary and Primary school campus. Elliott attended the meeting and sat in the audience. According to sources who contacted Loveland Magazine about the broadcast, several council members, a former
council member, and city staff were shown on the internet
broadcast discussing the meeting, the individuals who spoke
at the podium opposed to the shooting range, and other private
citizens who were in the audience.
Clerk of Council, Misty Chelshire told Loveland Magazine that she knew the video was being transmitted
over the internet. She explained that a software problem prevented
her from stopping the broadcast that is controlled from her seat
at the council table.
After he found out his name and business had been mentioned on the Internet broadcast, Elliott told Loveland Magazine on January 9, "Apparently,
I as a private citizen was talked about by government
officials when they thought their camera was no longer
running. I want to know what they said about me. All I did was
go to a council meeting."
9 on Their Side Talking Heads Report with Hook Caught in Mouth
Channel 9's Bryce Anslinger, Clyde Gray, and Tanya O'Rourke did a drive by report last Friday night on the proposed shooting range near the Loveland Primary and Elementary schools. It was a diservice to to residents and teachers of the Loveland and Sycamore school districts, as well as the hundreds of residents who live in the subdivisions surrounding the Loveland Industrial Park.
Channel 9 should do their homework before they drive into town, do a quick story that was nothing more than a city hall generated publicity stunt, and actually attend the meetings held since they were last here. Perhaps they could even read council minutes, memorandums, and agendas.
Perhaps they could have spent an extra ten minutes talking to residents.
Perhaps they could have interviewed those on council and the Planing Commission who are truly motivated to put in place new laws that would remove this threat to ALL of our schools and neighborhoods.
Why, only interview City Manager Thomas Carroll, and then repeat what he says to give it even more credibility?
This whole story, according to Carrol's account at the last council meeting (that Channel 9 did not attend) was dreamt up by Mayor Weisgerber. Listening to Council-member Brenton Zuch's explanation, it was apparent he had no small part to play in the concoction himself. Channel 9 got caught, hook line and sinker.
Channel 9's story was that the City Manager and City Council were doing everything possible to keep a shooting range away from the Loveland Schools, because they were going to have an special meeting to implement an "Emergency" 45-day moratorium on new shooting ranges. And, they are going to convince Symmes Township resident, Steven Ling to operate his shooting range in the Loveland Industrial Park or on Kemper Road, Carroll told the gullible, 9 on His Side.
It was revealed at the last council meeting that Mayor Weisgerber proposed the idea and had the law director draw up an emergency ordinance for him. But, not for a 180 day moratorium which had been discussed and pleaded for at earlier Council and Planing Commission meetings, which Weisgerber helped vote down. An emergency ordinance would need 6 of 7 votes for passage. Since Angie Settelll was not going to be at the last meeting because of a death in her family, and the Mayor took a business trip - the ordinance had no chance of passing.
It is supposed to take a majority vote of Council to direct the law department to draft a ordinance. The mayor alone had the ordinance drafted, something he is not legally allowed to do. Presto - the publicity stunt that Channel 9 was all too happy to broadcast.
9 News on Their Side was all too eager to tell Loveland residents that they could rest easy, pat, pat, pat on our backs, because City Hall was doing everything possible to keep our children safe.
Truth is, that when Ling first proposed the shooting range near the school campus he was told by the Carroll Administration, through then Assistant City Manager, Gary Vidmar, "Steve, Are you making any progress on signing a lease for the space on Loveland Madeira Rd.? Is there anything more I can do to help move the project along?" They offered Ling help getting the Small Business Administration loan he needed. Vidmar even expressed excitement over the chosen name, Sling N Guns, when in an e-mail he said, "By the way, I like the clever name you chose for your new business"
Council-member, Brenton Zuch chastises Loveland Magazine for breaking what has now become a national news story, insinuating that an un-named council-member leaked the story to Loveland Magazine and then Loveland Magazine held the story, waiting on the Sandy Hook massacre to happen. "Exploitation" and "politicize the situation," Zuch has charged. The overflow crowd at the January 8 council meeting turned on Zuch when he told residents they were being irrational, and were making a gun range near the school a "Second Amendment issue." Zuch said that a moratorium essentially "snuffs" the will of the people because voters have twice voted to allow gun ranges near the school campus.
The crowd grew angrier, moaned, and took it personally when he said about Loveland Magazine, "It pains me to think that we are exploiting the tragedy and deaths of those children for political gain." The groans from the crowd drowned out the rest of Zuch's indictment. Some residents could listen no more and stormed out of the room as Zuch, instead of voting to stop the shooting range near the schools, proposed expanding the areas in town where shooting ranges could be located. (Brenton Zuch's Speech About Shooting Range Angers Crowd)
Truth, that 9 News didn't report, is that Zuch himself knew long before Loveland Magazine discovered the story while digging for something else, and Zuch was among those at City Hall who knew there was a proposed gun range next to the schools, and said nothing. All of council and most city staff knew about the proposed gun range long before Loveland Magazine did. Contrary to Zuch's indictment of fellow council-members, none leaked the memo to Loveland Magazine.
"Hear's" the truth, 9 on Their Side... City Manager Thomas Carroll first reported about the gun range in a memo he wrote to council and staff on December 7, and his administration was doing everything possible to assist Ling. They began helping Ling open the range next to the schools as far back as September. As soon as Loveland Magazine accidentally discovered the Carroll memo while looking for something else (at 10:05 PM, the night of the Sandy Hook shootings), and after verifying the report, the story was immediately published. There was no delaying of the release of the story, other than to make a public records request to verify facts. Zuch is angry that the story was published and makes factually uninformed, ridiculous, and barbaric allegations.
Now, the Mayor with the help of Zuch, and an administration pledging to help Ling open a gun range in Loveland have been stung by public outcry.
They now propose expanding areas in the community where gun ranges can be located, without "conditions" on how they are constructed or operated, or how close they can be to schools or homes. Thus, the current threat to Sycamore School District's Symmes Elementary School and surrounding residential neighborhoods. I am waiting for one responsible elected or appointed official to say, "let's keep any gun range at least 1,000 yards from the Symmes Elementary School which shares their back yard with the Loveland Industrial Park.
Their publicity stunt reported by 9 on Their Side, even if successful, will put in place an almost meaningless 45-day moratorium, that in reality does not allow enough time for the Planning Commission to study and recommend meaningful changes. The Commission has called a public hearing for Tuesday, February 5 on proposed changes, yet the Carroll administration will not release information about what the proposed changes are. Loveland Magazine has made a public records request, however, they say the information about this meeting will be withheld, even from the Commission until the Friday afternoon before the Public Hearing. The words, "Shooting Range" are not in the Legal Notice for this public hearing.
Their 45-day publicity stunt will not allow adequate time for P&Z to study the issue. Council must then wait on the P&Z report, call their own required public hearing, and pass a new shooting range law, something that the City Manager admitted at the last council meeting when quizzed by Council-woman Linda Cox. A meeting that 9 on Their Side, bothered not drive into town and attend
No special meeting of council is planned as reported by Carroll, and repeated by 9 on Their Side, and none is likely in the near future. One council-member has been called out of town to attend to a family matter, and another has left for a two week vacation.
It has been 22 days since Weisgerber and Zuch voted against a gun range moratorium. Ling is still free to open his range near the Loveland schools by simply applying for a building permit, and no special conditions could be placed on its operation other than would be placed on the pizza parlor next door. Meanwhile the Mayor and City Manager are playing public relation games with 9 News, and making another school vulnerable.
This LOVELAND MAGAZINE HD VIDEO is from the last council meeting. Below are the two reports by 9 News.
Loveland Magazine is looking for an Advertising Account Manager (AM) who is proactive, motivated, and has a firm understanding of the on-line advertising industry and a tenacious desire to succeed in a start-up environment.
The AM will maintain the relationship with our current advertisers and generate new clients.
The AM will be the liaison to ensure the client's needs and goals are being met on every project. The AM also manages pitches to prospective clients.
The AM will contact each client at least once a month to discuss their current and upcoming projects, and review and present concepts/layouts/copy to the client for final approval. The AM will communicate the client's feedback.
Their job is to manage the client's account and act as the key contact to the client.
Job Fair Feb. 6 at the Crowne Plaza, 5901 Pfeiffer Road in Blue Ash
Catholic Health Partners and Mercy Health are seeking to fill more
than 30 information-technology help desk positions and more than 50
other job openings.
They’ll hold a job fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. on Feb. 6 at the Crowne Plaza, 5901 Pfeiffer Road in Blue Ash. Read on at the Business Courier...
This LOVELAND MAGAZINE HD VIDEO is game highlights and Ricky Mulvey's Post Game Rap from Loveland High School last Friday after the Tigers handed Milford a 53-46 loss.
The Tigers won at Little Miami last Tuesday 54-41. Reid Waddell had a game high 17, going 3-5 from beyond the circle an had 4 steals. Cole Cloud scored 14 and had 5 steals.
Second place Milford came to Loveland last Friday and took their second loss this season at Tiger hands. Loveland is now 5-4, 9-7 and 4th in the ECC.
Reid Waddell led all scorers with 19 and has 6 assists. Cole Cloud scored 16 going 4 for 6 from beyond the arc. Jake Elfers scored 10. Nine, 3-pointers in all for Loveland.
Loveland has won 5 of their last 6 games.
The Tigers host Northwest (6-4, 9-7) this Tuesday and ravel to Glen Este next Friday. (Schedule)
This video was edited by Loveland Magazine Intern, Mateo Rodriguez.
Loveland, Ohio - At the Loveland City School District Board of Education meeting on
January 8, board members approved of the tax budget for calendar year 2014,
elected new board leaders, announced board committee chairs, set a meeting
calendar for 2013 and adopted a Resolution of Concern.
New board
leaders and committee chairs established
During the organizational meeting, board members elected Christine
Olsen as president and Linda Pennington as vice president of the Loveland Board
of Education for 2013.
The Board of Education has appointed the following Board of
Education members as committee chairs with the intent to review these positions
on a quarterly basis during calendar year 2013.
Dr. Katie Bontrager - Levy,
Miami Township
Mr. Art Jarvis - Finance,
Athletics, Recognition
Dr. Kathryn Lorenz - Curriculum,
Certified Personnel, Communications
Mrs. Christine Olsen - Administrative,
Fine Arts, Symmes Township
Mrs. Linda Pennington - Facilities,
Classified Personnel, PAWS/FACET, City of Loveland, Policy
Loveland, Ohio - Seventh grader Matt Bryant has claimed the title of Loveland
Middle School (LMS) Spelling Bee Champion. Classmate Tommy Blair won runner up
in the Thursday, Jan. 10, competition.
“Matt and Tommy are both outstanding students, and I am proud of
what they each accomplished,” said Chris Burke, LMS principal. “I have no doubt
LMS will be well represented as the competition continues.”
The LMS Spelling Bee is part of the larger WCPO-TV Regional
Spelling Bee, which is part of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Bryant will
represent LMS in the next round, which involves completing a 50-word online
test.
“I’m excited and just hope I get to move forward,” said Bryant.
If selected to advance, Bryant will compete at the National
Underground Railroad Freedom Center February 23.
The Loveland City School District has announced the 2013-14
school calendar originally adopted by the Loveland Board of Education in April
2011 will remain the same with Monday, Aug. 26, 2013, as the first day of
school for students.
School administrators had considered a recommendation to
begin school a week earlier, but Loveland Superintendent Dr. John Marschhausen
advised the Board of Education at the Tuesday, Jan. 22, business meeting that
he would not be moving forward with that plan.
“In making this decision, the district took into consideration
feedback received from several parents who had already scheduled or who were
trying schedule vacations for their families,” said Dr. John Marschhausen,
Loveland superintendent. “We concluded that for this upcoming school year it
was better to maintain the original start date.”
Milford
Athletic and Band Boosters are having a Pancake Breakfast on Saturday,
February 2, from 8 a.m.-12 noon in the Milford High School Cafeteria. Cost is $5 for
adults and $3 for children and includes sausage, all you can eat
pancakes, and a beverage. The Milford Band will be providing musical
entertainment.
"Ten years ago, I joined the Milford Farmers market," Vivian Pfankuch said. "Jay and I planned and planted till our fingers almost bled."
They started out growing vegetables, cut flowers and a few herbs.
Every Wednesday and Saturday, everything was loaded up onto the pickup
truck and driven to Milford for the farmers market. Pfankuch said, "Each year, we
learned more and fine tuned our practices to provide
more of what the customers wanted - and what grew good for us." They
joined Loveland Farmers Market and have participated in other markets
and many craft shows.
Pfankuch and her husband, Jay added a lavender farm in 2007. They
host a pick your own lavender event on four Sunday afternoons in June.
It is located about 1 ½ miles north of Buford on St. Rt. 134. With all
that lavender, they make many products including
lavender blackberry jam, lavender blueberry jam, dream pillows, herbal
bath sachets, and other items. Herbal soaps and soy candles have also
been added to the list of wonderful items for sale. Most of the lavender
products are available online.
Pfankuch said that during the last ten years, there have been many trials and
tribulations. "We have survived all Mother Nature has sent
our way - too hot, too cold, too wet, too dry, hurricane force winds and
sweltering days when we said a breeze sure would be
nice." Medical issues have made them wonder if they could, or should go on,
but working the earth, raising your own food and sharing with customers
is a healing process in itself, ccording to Pfankuch. "So we go on."
Jaybird Farms has also raised fresh water shrimp, ring neck pheasants
and now has a thriving bee apiary. "We are always trying something new.
A flock of 100 laying hens provides lots of fresh eggs for customers
too." Pfankuch said.
Other family members have become involved and help during planting
time and also at the markets. Pfankuch said, "It is a great way to spend time with the
kids and grand kids, and now there are three." Son, Donny Alderman, has
set up at many events and shows, and is the
number one salesman for the business!
Jaybird Farms owner Pfankuch, is a former resident of Miami Township
and lived in Milford until 1991. "I grew up on a small family farm, so
farming is in my blood." She said that the Milford area had grown so
much and there was little farm land left. "I
needed to move farther out into the country to be able to continue
doing what I love," says Pfankuch. "Who knew that my obsession for
growing things would lead to such a great business and so many
opportunities. I’ve been invited to speak at many garden club
meetings and even at some schools for career day. We are honored to be
one of the growers for Granny's Garden School in Loveland."
"Retirement? What is that?" quipped Vivian.
Jaybird Farms is a member of the Loveland Farmers Market, and Milford
Farmers Market. Call 937-442-4800 for more information, or visit their
web site www.jaybirdfarms.com.
Send
your Valentines stamped with a romantic cachet and postmarked from
Loveland, Ohio. Prepare your Valentines, affixing proper postage,
addressee, and return address, and include them in a larger envelope
addressed to: The Valentine Lady, 123 S. Second Street, Loveland, OH 45140.
All of the Valentine Ladies, past and present, members of the Sweetheart Court, and Loveland Area Chamber of Commerce members, will affix the special cachet bearing our signature slogan, "There is nothing in this world so sweet as love." After the special cachet is stamped upon the Valentine envelopes, they will be hand-cancelled with the Loveland, OH, postmark and sent on their way. Please don't wait until the last minute to send your Valentines!
You can also have your Valentine's stamped at the Loveland post office. If you'd like to personally drop off your Valentine cards for stamping, we'll be set up at the Loveland Post Officeon Monday thru Friday, February 4 - 8, and Monday thru Thursday, February 11-14, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and 9:00 am to 2:00 pm on Saturday, February 9.
Loveland Valentine Breakfast
Thursday, February 14
8 am – 10 am
Oasis Conference Center
Come
and network with the Loveland community at their Valentine's Day
celebration! This event is a great way to meet your neighbors and to
celebrate our poetry contest winners, 2013 Valentine Card design winner Robin Morro and the 2013 Valentine Lady Marge Henderson.
TIckets are $20 and include a full hot breakfast. Register at www.lovelandchamber.org or by calling 513-683-1544.
211 is a simple, easy-to-remember number to call when you need help or access to human services.
2-1-1 provides free and confidential information and referral. Call
2-1-1 for help with food, housing, employment, health care, counseling
and more.
Learn more about your local 2-1-1 by looking it up here.
It is a free 24-hour service so you get the help you need when you need it. *
It will immediately forward you to the local 211 center, which will then direct your call to the appropriate agency when you need:
Information about human service agencies
Food and shelter providers
Child care resources
Special services for seniors
Volunteer opportunities
County and city information
… plus much more!
Why is 211 good for Ohio?
One number to call to get information about community services: no more guessing or unnecessary calls.
Reduces inappropriate 911 calls.
Ensures that callers are directed to the appropriate agency.
Reduces the frustration of making multiple calls.
24-hour service gets you the help you need when you need it.
*Some businesses and institutions
have chosen to "block" the dialing of three-digit (N11) numbers other than 9-1-1
by their employees/customers. As a result, people dialing 211 from some
businesses may not yet be able to gain access to the 211 service center.
Ohio AIRS/211 Ohio Collaborative are working to resolve these limitations as soon as
feasibly possible.
Loveland, Ohio - In this LOVELAND MAGAZINE HD VIDEO, Loveland artist Robin Moro talks about how she designed the card that won the 2013 Chamber of Commerce Valentine card design contest and how she feel about winning.
Ohio Elections Chief Orders Forums For Allegations
Ohio's elections chief has directed county boards of elections to set up
a process to review allegations of voter fraud and suppression in the
past election. Read on at Ohio Votes 2013...
Democrats want state school-board head out over Facebook post
The head of the Ohio Democratic Party yesterday called for the
resignation of Ohio Board of Education President Debe Terhar for a
Facebook posting that appeared to compare President Barack Obama’s call
for more gun control to Adolf Hitler, the Nazi leader responsible for
millions of deaths in World War II. Read on at Columbus Dispatch...
Kasich calls Terhar's Hitler post 'a mistake'
Gov. John Kasich said Ohio Board of Education President Debe Terhar’s
Hitler-referencing Facebook post was “a mistake,” and also said Terhar has “said she’s sorry.” Read on at Columbus Dispatch...
Feds asked to closely examine OSU animal labs
A watchdog group wants the U.S. Department of Agriculture to further investigate repeat
violations of the federal animal-welfare to ensure that lab animals at Ohio State University are
not in danger.
“Ohio State University has made it to the top as having one of the worst single inspection
reports in the entire nation. And they should pay the price,” said Michael A. Budkie, executive
director of Stop Animal Exploitation Now. Read on at Columbus Dispatch...
In
2011, Jeanne Brigner reached out to my office after her mortgage
servicer misapplied her monthly mortgage payment – an action which led
her into foreclosure. Unlike many Ohioans, Jeanne was able to keep her
home, but only after paying thousands of dollars
in unnecessary fees. Unfortunately, the state of mortgage servicing is
so bad that Jeanne is considered one of the lucky ones.
Last week,
in Columbus, Youngstown, and Toledo, I heard from Jeanne and other
homeowners who were unjustly foreclosed on – upending families and
economically depressing local communities. We all
know the devastation that foreclosures inflict on our communities,
homeowners, and families.
From fraudulent legal documents to
scheming mortgage servicers, U.S. homeowners have endured egregious
violations by big banks. Enough is enough.
In 2010,
America discovered that the same Wall Street banks that had brought our
economy to the brink of collapse were taking advantage of homeowners to
pad their own pockets.
While one
in 10 Ohioans was out-of-work, the nation’s largest banks were
generating billions in profits by ignoring the law and foreclosing on
homeowners who were trying their hardest to pay their
bills on time. And today, middle-class families are still suffering
from mortgage lenders’ malfeasance.
Earlier this month, 10 of our nation’s
largest banks reached an agreement to pay $8.5 billion to homeowners who
were affected by unlawful foreclosures. The settlement money will be
divided among all 4.4 million eligible homeowners—including
about 96,000 Ohioans. Resources will be split between mortgage relief
for borrowers, including loan modifications, and direct payments to
homeowners. While borrowers will be contacted by the end of March if
they are eligible, I also urge you to contact the
Ohio Housing Finance Agency, a housing counselor, or my office if you
believe you are eligible but have not been contacted.
Though
each borrower is eligible for up to $125,000 in relief, most will
receive much less than that. If every eligible borrower were provided
equal relief, each household would only receive about
$2,200. This would hardly compensate families who lost countless hours
in disputes and possibly their homes as a result of wrongful foreclosure
proceedings.
That’s why I’m calling for some common sense reforms that will make this a better deal for homeowners.
Last week,
I sent a letter to regulators demanding that every dollar distributed
gives homeowners the maximum benefit and prevents banks from avoiding
their responsibilities.
But while these payments will provide some relief to homeowners, we must
also stop these abuses before they start. That’s why I’m urging
regulators to use the lessons learned from the foreclosure review
process to fix a broken mortgage servicing model.
If we’re going to shore up our economy, we need reforms like those in my
Foreclosure Fraud and Homeowner Abuse Prevention Act. The reforms
I have proposed would require banks to provide meaningful protections
for borrowers before they near the point of defaulting; participate in
loan modifications; stop foreclosures when
borrowers are trying to work with banks to pay their bills on time; and
hire enough staff to work with homeowners instead of issuing default
judgments on foreclosures.
As the
recent bank settlement shows, this bill would have prevented bank abuses
if it had been in place in 2009 and 2010. Congress must pass this
important legislation.
The truth is that we all have a stake in
this fight. Even the most responsible homeowner can get caught up in the
web created by sloppy mortgage servicing practices. And entire
neighborhoods see their property values decline when
foreclosures increase. That’s why we all benefit when these big banks
take responsibility for their actions.
We must
provide relief to the millions of homeowners forced into foreclosure.
Now is the time to move forward and correct the problems in our housing
market to protect future borrowers.
Sample a homemade pie. Rock out to your favorite garage band. Meet up with neighbors and friends.
It all can be done at the 2013 Pantherfest on Saturday, Feb. 9 starting at 11 a.m. at Little Miami High School. The event is sponsored by the Little Miami Athletic Boosters.
Win a prize for your "famous" chili during the chili cook-off. Take home honors for the tastiest pie at the pie judging contest. Get a team together for the cornhole tournament. Pantherfest has something for everyone.
Booths for your business or organization are available for $15. The kids will enjoy games, face painting and different community groups demonstrating their talents.
Schedule for the day:
* 11 a.m. -- Concessions, vendor booths and community demonstrations open * 12 p.m. -- Chili and pie judging * 4 p.m. -- Battle of the Bands * 5:45 p.m. -- Awards ceremony for Battle of the Bands * 6 p.m. -- Basketball
For more information, to enter the contests or to purchase a booth, visit the Little Miami athletics site at www.lmpanthersports.com
Girls Basketball After a rocky start to the season the Lady Tigers won a pair of games in January, with one against Northwest, and conference victory over Turpin. Currently, Loveland is being led by freshman forward Julia Copfer who is averaging 10.7 points a game and 7.4 rebounds. The Lady Tigers next home game is Wed. January 23rd against rival Milford.
Wrestling Loveland wrestling is grappling strong as they are tops in the ECC and 10th in the state of Ohio. Out of the 14 weight classes in the ECC a Tiger is one of the top 2 wrestlers in 13 of them. Currently, the Tigers are led by Gunnar Lay who holds a record of 18-1 and is the number 2 wrestler in the state at the 182 pound weight division. Wed. January 23rd the Tigers will start their run at the OHSAA State Team Duals.
Swimming The Men are well into their season placing fourth in every medley and relay the ECC has to offer. Top performers include diver, Cameron Spicer, and swimmers Daniel McCarthy and Kyle Michelfelder. They will compete this Saturday at the Countryside YMCA.
The Lady Tigers are off on a strong season as well coming in 4th in every medley and relay the ECC has to offer, besides the 400 yard freestyle relay where they are third. Top performers for them include Kate Randall, Alexis Czulewicz, and Megan Day. Kate is 1st in the ECC in the 100 yard freestyle, and Megan is 3rd in the 100 yard backstroke. Alexis is the top female diver in the ECC.
Bowling The men tops in the ECC with a record of 7-2 in conference. They are riding a 4 game win streak with wins against Reading, Turpin, and two against Milford. Top performers are Kyle Schweer, and Danny Tringelhof who are in the ECC’s top 5.
The Lady Tigers are 3rd in the ECC with a conference record of 8-2. They have won 4 of their last 5 with victories over Reading, Milford, and two against Turpin. Top performers are Rachel Leever, and Kassie Knaughton.
Academic The studious Tigers are off to an even 2-2 record with both wins against Glen Este. Their next home match is Thursday, January 24th against 3-1 Turpin.
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