Your monthly news & updates
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Celebrating the opening of Design Within Reach's distribution facility at South Afton Industrial Park with a ceremonial ribbon cutting.
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Distribution center at South Afton employs more than 100
Officials from all levels of government on Sept. 13 joined executives from Design Within Reach, Duke Realty Corporation and Clermont Chamber of Commerce to mark the opening of a huge distribution facility at the South Afton Industrial Park. Design Within Reach employs more than 100 people in the $17-million, 617,760-square foot distribution center. It’s second in size only to the former Ford plant, which was built almost 40 years ago.
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Old SR 74 road closure scheduled to allow for improvements
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Old SR 74 will be closed between Glen Este-Withamsville Road and English Creek Drive from Monday, Sept. 30, 2019, through Friday, Dec. 13, 2019. The intersection of Old SR 74 and Glen Este-Withamsville Road will remain open during the closure period and local access to the Glen Este Church of Christ will be maintained. The closure will extend about 1,000 feet and is needed to install storm sewer and water infrastructure, build retaining walls and widen the roadway. A detour using Eastgate Boulevard, Eastgate North Drive and Glen Este-Withamsville Road will be put into place and marked with signage.
“We have structured our agreement with the contractor in order to minimize the impact to traffic as much as possible,” Clermont County Engineer Jeremy Evans said. “Typically, the work being done on Old SR 74 would require a road closure that could extend up to six months. Our expectation is that crews will be able to complete the necessary improvements on this stretch of road and reopen the roadway within two-three months.” Construction on Old SR 74 began in July with utility relocation work, improvements to Paul Drive and bridge widening on Old SR 74 west of Glen Este-Withamsville Road. The project is expected to continue through August 2021.
The Old SR 74 Widening Project is part of a comprehensive program of projects to improve safety and connectivity along the SR 32 Corridor. Specifically, these improvements will provide better traffic flow north of SR 32, and along with the improvements being made on Clepper Lane, will help alleviate significant traffic pressure along SR 32 by providing drivers with an alternate east-west travel route.
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County replaces water mains
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There’s a lot of work going on behind the scenes to ensure Clermont County’s water keeps flowing efficiently. Here's a look at a large project in the county’s 2019-2023 Water and Sewer Capital Improvement plan: the Milford Hills Drive and Brooklyn Avenue Area Water Main Replacement Project.
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Adoption brings many rewards
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Jerica Estele-Grooms, 23, (front, center) received state honors in September for advocacy work on behalf of foster children. Bobbi and Chris Grooms adopted Jerica at 18 years old and Elizabeth “Lizzy,” also 23, at three months old. They also adopted Haven, 4, and have a birth daughter, Caley, 20.
“Our goal had been to be foster parents," Bobbi said. "You never know who will walk through your door and what their needs are. We were foster parents first to those we adopted. It was never my goal to adopt. Never say never.”
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New program helps strengthen families
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Courtney Rohr (left), director of the Family Healing Center – Clermont, and Sara Faison, foster care and visitation supervisor for Clermont County Children's Protective Services, say that a new process has helped speed reunification of once-troubled families.
The Central Clinic Family Healing Center – Clermont’s Therapeutic Visitation Program was started by Children’s Protective Services, a part of Clermont County Job and Family Services, in November 2018.
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SWCD honors long-time educator
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Meri Johnson (left) received 2019 Educator of the Year honors at the Clermont Soil and Water Conservation District (SWD) 76th annual meeting on Sept. 12 from Commissioners Claire Corcoran and David Painter.
Johnson, an educational consultant, has provided valuable services services to the district and local schools. She has taught both the college and high school levels.
Louise Gartner was honored as Cooperator of the Year.
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Dam removal restores river to natural state
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Thanks to efforts of Valley View Foundation, Clermont Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) and the Village of Batavia, the segment of the East Fork of the Little Miami River that flows through the heart of Batavia has been restored to a more natural state. A low-head dam, which has impeded the river since the 1940s, has been removed.
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Part of the project involved collecting and relocating mussels that were up stream from the dam that was removed in early September.
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Rigorous program helps parents overcome obstacles
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Childhood trauma. Criminal history. Homelessness. Unemployment. License issues. Family history of addiction.
It’s common for parents of kids 18 and younger to come to Clermont Family Recovery Court with all of these daunting challenges.
“The parents face much more than treatment alone,” Judge James A. Shriver said. ”There are many layers in recovery."
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Commissioners OK funds for suicide prevention
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County Commissioners recently approved about $20,000 in funding from Clermont County Family and Children First (FCF) for suicide prevention services for five school districts.
FCF has funded suicide prevention program for many years. Initially, FCF funded schools to implement the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, as it’s known that bullying can lead to suicide. Then, FCF switched to the schools asking for funding for specific programs that they would like to implement.
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Area attracts film productions
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Lights! Camera! Action! (And $ coming in!)
Clermont County Convention & Visitors Bureau and Film Cincinnati are partnering to bring movie production to Clermont County.
“We see this as a growing market for Clermont County," said Jeff Blom, president of the Clermont County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
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County gets another boat event
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The Clermont County Convention & Visitors Bureau is set to host the 2020 ACA Sprint National Championships in collaboration with the American Canoe Association (ACA). The canoe and kayak sprint event will take place on Harsha Lake at East Fork State Park. Event dates are set for July 28-31, 2020.
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At our parks in October
Hikes with Tykes – Everybody Needs a Home
10 to 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 11, Shor Park
Bring your preschoolers to the park to learn about where animals live and explore some of their habitats with our naturalists. Meet some of our animal ambassadors at the Park District.
Mysteries of Monarchs
12 to 1:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11
12:30 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23
Drop by Shor Park to learn about the mysteries of these charismatic butterflies and learn how and why we monitor them so closely. Naturalists will be demonstrating how to tag monarch butterflies.
Wildlife Wednesday – Hibernate or Migrate
10 to 11 a.m. Wed. Oct. 16, Little Miami Scenic River and Trail Center (211 Railroad Avenue, Loveland, OH 45140)
Animals have many methods for surviving harsh conditions, and winter is one season that requires a plan. Learn what the locals do when winter rolls around and meet some of our animals up close.
Halloween Campfire Night
8 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, Chilo Lock 34 Park
Roast some marshmallows by the fire and enjoy festive stories told by our friends, the Dreamweavers. RSVPs are welcome but not required to
adrooks@clermontcountyohio.gov
.
Discovery Days – Earth Science
10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, Sycamore Park
Join us to learn about the amazing world under our feet. We’ll explore the rocks and soils at the park to see what they can tell us about the land and what creatures used to live here. Program geared toward K – 5. RSVPs are welcome but not required to
adrooks@clermontcountyohio.gov
.
Wilderness Survival Skills
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Thursday, October 24, Sycamore Park
Compass? Check! Hiking boots? Check! Shelter? Check! Are you prepared for the wilderness? Students will put their skills to the test as they learn how to orienteer with a compass, build shelters, identify edible plants, and learn important first aid tips. Each element will include hands-on activities and challenges. Recommended for grades 2 to 7. Registration is required to
rgreen@clermontcountyohio.gov
.
Treats and Trails
6 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, Pattison Park Lakeside
Dress up and bring your little ones to Pattison Park for some Halloween and nature-themed fun. We’ll have treats and activities throughout the park to enjoy. RSVPs are welcome but not required to
adrooks@clermontcountyohio.gov
.
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At our libraries in October
When the weather keeps you indoors, visit one of the Clermont County Public Library’s 10 branches for lots of great fall activities.
• For teens who like to make their own costumes, visit our Costume Workshop, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 3 at the Amelia Library.
• Listen to the Hickory Robot band live at 6 p.m. Oct. 4 at Goshen.
• Met a local author and find out how he or she got published at the Writers Festival, 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at Miami Township.
• Visit with the Jungle Island Zoo, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 5 at New Richmond.
• Learn how to use essential oils, 6 p.m. Oct. 7 at Batavia.
• A financial advisor will discuss retirement planning at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at Miami Township.
• Bring your kids to investigate shapes made with glow sticks at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at Bethel.
• Tour the Odd Fellows’ Cemetery in Amelia at 2 p.m. Oct. 12.
• The Library will be closed Oct. 14 for Columbus Day.
• Meet Edgar Award winning author Mindy McGinnis at 6 p.m. Oct. 15 at New Richmond.
• Families can decorate pumpkins at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at Amelia.
• Visit the Fall Open House at 5 p.m. followed by a concert by the Whiskey Bent Valley Boys at 6 p.m. Oct. 19 at Union Township.
• Visit the Used Book Sale during library hours Oct. 24, Oct. 25 and Oct. 26 at the Goshen Library.
• Paint a barn sign at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. Oct. 26 at Bethel.
• The Mercy Health Mammography van will be at the Union Township Library from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 28.
• Learn more about the Holocaust from a survivor’s son at 1 p.m. Oct. 26 at Felicity.
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Online tool from Clermont County Recorder's Office helps prevent fraud
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FraudSleuth, an online tool to combat property fraud, is available for free through the Clermont County Recorder’s Office.
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Clermont County | 101 E. Main Street | Batavia OH 45103 | 513.732.7300 |
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