Your monthly news & updates
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Community invited to 9/11 event in Batavia
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Clermont County will commemorate the 20th anniversary of 9/11 with a solemn event in front of the Courthouse at 270 E. Main St., Batavia, starting at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 11.
The half-hour ceremony will include brief remarks from first responders and community leaders and patriotic songs by vocalists. The Clermont Northeastern Marching Rockets will perform the National Anthem and Boy Scouts will raise the flag and lead the Pledge of Allegiance
“Clermont County will come together to honor those who lost their lives and the first-responders who heroically came to the rescue on Sept. 11, 2001,” said Claire Corcoran, president of the Board of County Commissioners. “We invite the community to take some time from their busy lives to commemorate the 20th anniversary of that tragic day. May we never forget 9/11/01.”
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Commissioners OK Block Grant plan
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Proposed projects such as fire station improvements, sidewalk construction and septic/sewer remediation are included in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Action Plan for Fiscal Year 2021. The Board of County Commissioners on Aug. 11 adopted the $1.1-million program.
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides an annual grant on a formula basis to Clermont County to develop a viable urban community by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons. HUD awards the CDBG to Clermont County to carry out a wide range of community development activities directed toward revitalizing neighborhoods, economic development, and providing improved community facilities and services.
HUD is expected to approve the Action Plan within 45 days and a grant agreement will be executed with HUD before funds become available. Environmental reviews of the projects will be completed and agreements will be signed with the successful CDBG applicants.
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Annual luncheon comes to Clermont County
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Join us for an afternoon of incredible networking opportunities when the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI) hosts their Annual Luncheon at Norlyn Manor on Friday, Sept. 17.
United States Sen. Rob Portman, instrumental in developing the $1 trillion infrastructure bill that passed in the Senate on Aug. 11, will deliver the keynote address.
Individual tickets ($75) and table partnerships are available until Sept. 1. Please visit www.oki.org for additional information and registration options.
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Couple graduates from Family Recovery Court
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Sarah Duschl and Richard Wirmel admit to feeling a bit nervous when they entered Clermont County Family Recovery Court on Aug. 10, 2020.
“We were scared because we knew that this program was intense,” said Sarah during a graduation ceremony a year and nine days later. She and Richard held their boys, Jacob, 2, and Tyler 1.
Judge James A. Shriver said Sarah and Richard worked hard to build a stable home.
“Sarah maintained employment with the same employer and has advanced in her position at work,” Judge Shriver said. “Richard is a proud stay-at-home father and has shown patience and offers support to others in need. Richard and Sarah have dealt with many challenges and personal struggles during their journey, but through determination and the support for each other they are now living as a family in recovery.”
The specialized docket under Judge Shriver was one of the first of its kind in southwestern Ohio when it started in 2014. Family Recovery Court was based on the drug court model, which emphasizes treatment over punishment.
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Schools receive suicide prevention grants
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Clermont County Family & Children First has provided funding for suicide prevention in the community for many years. Its goal is to eliminate youth suicide in Clermont County. Youth suicides have remained at one per calendar year for the last three years.
"While there are many other programs and funding sources for suicide prevention in our community, we hope that FCF’s support of suicide prevention programs/activities has helped in the reduction of youth suicides in our county over the years," said Gretchen Behimer, program director.
For the 2021-2022 school year, Clermont County Family & Children First has approved $16,400 to support suicide prevention programs/activities for Clermont County youth. These schools received funding to implement/support suicide prevention efforts:
Milford 9th Grade Community
$4,500: $3,500 to support 2 Be the Difference Days plus lunch, $500 to support for lunch and giveaways for an Ending the Silence Day presentation, $500 to support Hope Week
Williamsburg High School
$2,500: $1,000 to support Freshman Kick-Off Day, $1.500 to support Be the Difference Day and food for the day
Goshen Middle & High Schools
$3,750 to support Hope Squad in the Middle and High School
Bethel-Tate Middle & High Schools
$3,750 to support Hope Squad in the Middle and High School
New Richmond High School
$900 to support Hope Week supplies, giveaways, incentives and snacks
Miami Valley Christian Academy
$1,000 to support Hope Squad for Clermont County youth
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Candlelight vigil for those lost to suicide, Sept. 8
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The Clermont County Suicide Prevention Coalition and the Ohio Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention will host the 20th annual candlelight vigil to remember, honor, and cherish the lives of those individuals lost to suicide over the past year.
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 8
Where: American Legion Post 450, 450 Victor Stier Drive, Milford
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Contact: To send names to have a candle lit: Lee Ann Watson: lwatson@ccmhrb.org or Michael Cotrell: cotrellm@gmail.com
Anyone whose life has been touched by suicide is welcome to attend and pay tribute to their loved one through a ceremonial lighting of candles. This year the event will be held in-person and via Facebook Live at https://www.facebook.com/clermont.board/
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Make sure school kids get routine immunizations
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If your child is headed back to school this year, check with their pediatrician to make sure their immunizations are up to date.
Clermont County Public Health offers the following routine immunizations for school-aged children:
Tdap – required for 7th and 12th grade
Meningococcal ACWY (required for 7th – 10th & 12th grades)
Meningococcal B (recommended for ages 16-18 years)
HPV (recommended)
To schedule an appointment for immunizations with Clermont County Public Health, call 513-735-8400.
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Westbound lane, interchange coming to SR 32
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At the recommendation of Clermont County Engineer Jeremy Evans, the Board of County Commissioners on July 28 authorized the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to proceed with construction of an interchange at State Route 32 and Bach Buxton Road. The agreement gives ODOT permission to work on Bach Buxton since it’s a county road.
The project also includes a third westbound lane on SR 32. Work is expected to begin in 2022. This is part of an extensive effort to improve traffic flow and safety in the SR 32 corridor.
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Funding approved for rehabilitation programs
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Programs designed to prevent convicted criminals from reoffending have received funding through mid-2023.
The Board of County Commissioners recently approved the Community Corrections Act 407 Non-Residential Felony Grant Agreement, which funds the Common Pleas Court Adult Probation Department’s Intensive Supervision Program (ISP) and Success Through Employment Program (STEP).
The department has received the CCA grant for more than 20 years. The funding allows it to continue to provide specialized services and programming. ISP officers offer intensive supervision and case management services with the goal of reducing recidivism and in an effort to divert some offenders from prison. The STEP program’s employment specialist works with offenders to increase their likelihood of obtaining and retaining employment, which also decreases their likelihood of recidivism.
The program will serve about 219 offenders throughout the two-year grant cycle, July 1, 2021-June 30, 2023.
Also, the Common Pleas Adult Probation Department recently renewed funding for a separate program aimed at curtailing repeat offenses: Justice Reinvestment and Incentive grant funds.
The department began receiving these funds from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Corrections, Division of Parole & Community Services, Bureau of Community Sanctions, in 2017. The grant was formerly known as the Probation Improvement and Incentive grant, which Adult Probation started receiving funds from in 2012.
The grant of $455,048 will be spread over a two-year period to cover some salaries, general operating expenses, and some programming expenses in an effort to reduce recidivism.
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Check out these great job opportunities
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Clermont County is hiring for a variety of positions in areas such as Water Resources, Animal Shelter, Job and Family Services and more.
These are great jobs in the public retirement systems with good benefits and the opportunity for growth.
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Child Support brings millions to families
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The Board of County Commissioners proclaimed August as Child Support Awareness Month in Clermont County.
Clermont County Child Support serves more than 11,800 Clermont County families and collects more than $36 million dollars annually.
Photo: (from left) Commissioner Claire Corcoran, Child Support Administrative Supervisor Christel Brown, Child Support Assistant Director Theresa Ellison, Commissioner Bonnie Batchler
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Learn more about addiction in free training
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You are invited to attend enCompass, comprehensive training on navigating addiction for Ohioans. The training is sponsored by Gov. DeWine’s RecoveryOhio Initiative, the Addiction Policy Forum and the Clermont County Mental Health and Recovery Board.
This 8-hour training session is virtual and open to all adults who want to learn more about addiction and have the skills to respond. Attendees often include families, friends, caregivers, clergy, law enforcement, first responders, healthcare providers, employers, educators, community-based service providers, and anyone interested in learning how to respond to substance use/co-occurring disorders.
Like CPR, the course is designed to build the skills to support and respond to someone who needs help. The training will also help participants navigate the resources available in your own community.
enCompass participants will learn:
· How to identify the signs and symptoms of addiction;
· How to help an individual in need of support;
· The effects of stigma on individuals and families; and
· How to set healthy boundaries and principles of self-care.
All participants receive a certificate at the completion of the course. Please register by Oct. 2 at https://bit.ly/3xweJav
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Mental Health & Recovery Board seeks board members
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Clermont County residents who have an interest in assisting with the direction of local addiction and mental health services in the county are invited to contact the Clermont County Mental Health and Recovery Board (CCMHRB) about a volunteer position on its Board of Directors.
There are five vacancies on CCMHRB’s Board of Directors.
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Municipal Court accepting online payments
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Tim Rudd, Clerk of the Clermont County Municipal Court, announced on Aug. 9 that his office is now accepting online credit card payments for fines and costs on traffic and criminal cases.
Rudd had previously announced on July 19 that his office had begun taking credit cards over the counter for payment of fines and costs.
Online payments may be made at clermontclerk.org. The convenience fees are: 2.19% Credit Card and 1.79% Debit Card.
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Celebrate conservation in Clermont County
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Join the Clermont Soil & Water Conservation District on Tuesday evening, Sept. 14, as it celebrates its 78th year of conservation activities in the county. This year, the district’s Annual Meeting is being held at Shor Park on Tealtown Road, beginning at 6 p.m.
Dinner tickets ($15 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under) must be purchased in advance. There is no cost to attend the meeting or to vote in the supervisor election. For more information, contact the District office at cmiller@clermontcountyohio.gov, or call (513) 732-7075 ext. 2.
Prior to the meeting, district staff will give a tour of a project to restore a stream that traverses the park. Dinner will be provided by 32Q from Batavia.
At the meeting, two members of the Board of Supervisors will be elected to serve a three-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2022. The three candidates for Supervisor are Joseph Glassmeyer, Christopher Smith and Todd Winemiller. Beginning Aug. 16, county residents and landowners can vote in person at the district office in the Clermont County Fairgrounds, request an absentee ballot by email, phone or mail, or in person during the annual meeting. For more information on the election and supervisor candidates, visit www.clermontswcd.org.
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Emergency Rental Assistance provides relief
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The Board of County Commissioners on Aug. 11 agreed to extend the Department of Job and Family Services' agreement with Clermont County Community Services to administer the Emergency Rental Assistance program that started in February. The agreement was extended through Sept. 30, 2022.
About $840,000 has been distributed to Clermont County residents who have fallen behind on rent and utility payments due to the pandemic.
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Library available any time of the day
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The Clermont County Public Library has been busy this summer. Library lockers were installed in July and guests now may pick up holds at their convenience. To use the lockers, guests just need to place a hold using the branch locker selection when asked where they want to pick up their items. The lockers make the library available to guests any time of the day, 24/7.
The library now offers STEAM kits for preschool and school-age children. STEAM education uses Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics to encourage student inquiry, dialogue and critical thinking. Each kit focuses on a different aspect of STEAM and includes three books along with an instrument, toy or game to further interest and promote hands-on exploration. The library has thousands of materials, including books, downloadable items, videos, and more that explore STEAM concepts. Please visit clermontlibrary.org to explore all the library has to offer.
The library will be open two extra hours each Monday starting Sept. 13. The extra hour is in response to guests asking for more hours and staff members are excited to offer them. Please stop in and visit.
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Domestic Law Clinic reopens in Batavia
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The Clermont County Domestic Law Clinic reopened in a new home in May to provide free legal services to self-represented parties – the former administrative building of the Clermont County Public Library in Batavia.
Chris Wick, director of the Clermont County Public Library, hopes that this partnership between the Court and the library will increase the number of county residents using the Batavia branch library and its many resources during clinic and library hours. “Our library staff is more than willing to help parties use our computers to access the court’s website, print forms, and make copies,” she said.
Clermont County Domestic Relations Judge Mary Lynne Birck is grateful for the public library’s continued support of the Law Clinic. “By law, the court cannot give legal advice which makes it particularly hard for people to represent themselves," she said. "The Law Clinic provides an important service to those people. I don’t want self-represented parties to feel overwhelmed by the process. The court’s Law Clinic helps to take some of the fear and uncertainty away.”
Court employees Kay Heile and Tonya Meece rotate staffing at the Law Clinic. They are quick to point out that the new building is more conducive to the needs of both the volunteer lawyers and clients.
“We now have separate offices and waiting room. There’s much more privacy than our former location,” Heile said. “We have WIFI, free and ample parking,” added Meece. “And Batavia is a central location.”
Birck said that without court staff, library staff and volunteer attorneys like Laura Thudium, Vivian Poe, Tresa Gossett, Mary Armacost, John Daggett, Kendra Daugherty and Tim Morris, the clinic would not have met with the success that it has.
"The volunteer attorneys offer the help and encouragement that many self-represented parties need to resolve their legal issues," Birck said. "The court is tremendously grateful to those attorneys who give a Saturday morning to help others.”
The free three-hour legal clinic is held on the first Saturday of each month (except July). Information regarding the Law Clinic may be found at the Domestic Court website, domesticcourt.org
Photo: (from left) Judge Mary Lynne Birck, Chris Wick, Kay Heile and Tonya Meece.
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Mental Health & Recovery awards mini-grants
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The Clermont County Mental Health and Recovery Board awarded 10 mini-grants to local organizations for the period of July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022. The Mental Health and Recovery Board plans, funds, and monitors mental health and addiction services locally. The grants will fund programs that enhance mental health and/or prevent addiction in Clermont County. The grant applications were initially reviewed by a three-member committee. A total of $30,000 was allocated, with maximum funding per project of $4,000.
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Portman tours nutrient reduction project
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U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) on Aug. 18 met with leadership from Clermont Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD), the Board of County Commissioners, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to see a nutrient reduction project on a tributary to Harsha Lake.
The Clermont SWCD received $54,843 in funding through a U.S. Department of Agriculture – National Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) Conservation Innovation Grant to implement an innovative practice to address nutrient loadings from farm runoff. The project is located in a small subwatershed that is tributary to Harsha Lake, which has experienced problems with harmful algal blooms since 2010.
Photo: (from left) Commissioners Bonnie Batchler, David Painter and Claire Corcoran with Sen. Rob Portman
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Clermont County | 101 E. Main Street | Batavia OH 45103 | 513.732.7300 |
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