The Board of County Commissioners on Oct. 6 strengthened Clermont County’s ability to address distressed properties, improve safety and elevate quality of life by voting to create the Clermont County Land Bank. The quasi-government entity will work to return derelict, abandoned and non-tax producing properties back to the market by remediating issues that make them undesirable.

“Numerous local municipalities, townships and community leaders have expressed enthusiastic support for a Land Bank in Clermont County,” said Michael McNamara, the county’s Economic Development Director. “A land bank helps reduce blight, improve the quality of life, reduce fire and police calls, and promote a safer and cleaner neighborhood.”

You may have heard of Kings Island’s Orion, Banshee and Diamondback roller coasters. Did you know they were made right here in Clermont County?

Batavia’s best-kept secret was revealed as we unveiled new videos highlighting Clermont Steel Fabricators.

You can watch on Clermont County’s Facebook page or our YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/clermontcountyohio or www.facebook.com/clermontcounty).

Big thanks to Dan Crumbaker, president of Clermont Steel Fabricators, for taking time to give an interview and allowing us to record within the facility.

As part of continuing efforts to bring improvements to the Clermont County Animal Shelter, those looking to pay dog adoption fees and other charges may now use credit cards at the facility.

Adoption fees are $120 for adults, $170 for puppies and $85 for seniors.

“We commend shelter staff for the great work they have been doing to provide excellent service to the animals and citizens of Clermont County,” said Claire Corcoran, President, Board of County Commissioners. “It will be extra convenient to pay fees now that credit card service has been added.”

“We’re very glad to bring the convenience of credit cards to the shelter,” Commissioner David Painter said. “Citizens have requested this service, and the shelter has responded. We have a great team at the shelter who display great care for the animals and work to provide excellent service.”

“Now that credit card service has been added at the shelter we have made the process of adoption even easier,” Commissioner Bonnie Batchler said. “I urge citizens to view the new page on the county website to learn more about dogs looking for new homes.”

Learn more about the shelter and adoptable dogs here: https://clermontcountyohio.gov/animalshelter/

Announcements, Events, Lost Pets and other information can be found on the shelter’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ClermontCountyAnimalShelter/

In an effort to boost dog license sales and expand services to pet owners, the Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 28 executed an agreement with DocuPet Corp. of Syracuse, N.Y. The agreement was recommend by Clermont County Auditor Linda L. Fraley.

“Technology has given us an opportunity to make licensing more streamlined for pet owners and will improve pet identification and administration, “ Fraley said.

Fraley noted that DocuPet will help increase licensing and associated revenue, get more pets home safely with better tags and service, make the licensing program easier and less costly and increase pet owner education and engagement.

Fraley also noted that DocuPet comes at no cost to Clermont County. DocuPet will collect the $16 licensing fee and forward to the County. It will also provide 20 percent of customized tag sales to the animal shelter as a part of DocuPet’s Safe & Happy Fund.

Pet owners will now have the option to choose a designer or personalized tag and each pet will be enrolled in the HomeSafe Lost Pet Services at no additional charge. Clermont County will be the first county in Ohio to implement such a system.

“Our main reason for partnering with DocuPet for our licensing process is that it’s pet-owner focused,” Fraley said. “The Commissioners have made great strides with the animal shelter and we want to continue to support that effort.”

You can now see photos of dogs available for adoption by visiting the Animal Control page on the county's website. The page takes visitors to the Clermont County Animal Shelter section on Petfinder. Click View Our Pets.

Announcements, Events, Lost Pets and other information can be found on the Animal Shelter's Facebook page.

The COVID-19 pandemic changed consumers' shopping habits, creating a boom for online retailers that hasn’t slowed down. Corrugated cardboard currently represents 80 percent of the packaging used for online orders, meaning the demand for cardboard is as high as it has ever been.

Cardboard can be placed in your recycling bin or in one of the many community recycling drop-off boxes. You can call your waste hauler to order curbside recycling or to see a list of drop-off recycling centers and a complete list of acceptable recyclables click here.

Every year, Clermont County Children’s Protective Services strives to ensure that our children in care have a wonderful Christmas. Last year, Christmas Day was made brighter with gifts for about 300 children due to wonderful sponsors like you.

As the holidays approach, please consider sponsoring one or more of our children. You can also sponsor one or more families. Children's Protective Services accepts sponsors of all types: individuals, company sponsors, groups, and organizations, etc. There is no limit on the number of gifts or cost; however, if there is a sibling group being sponsored the agency will indicate that so the sponsors can try and keep the gifts even in number.

HOW TO SPONSOR A CHILD: If you are interested in sponsoring a child or family, please e-mail Sanna Gast at sanna.gast@jfs.ohio.gov

The ages of children available for sponsorship range from birth to 21 years of age. A number is assigned to each child (only first names are given due to confidentiality) and their ages, sizes, what they want or need. After the list of sponsors is developed, the child and/or family wishes will be e-mailed to you so you can shop for the gifts.

GETTING THE GIFTS TO THE CHILDREN: In order to facilitate this, please wrap each gift and attach the child’s name along with the ID number.

Gifts need to be delivered to the agency by the due date indicated on the sponsor sheet.

If you need pickup, please inform the coordinator via sanna.gast@jfs.ohio.gov so that arrangements can be made.

When John and Susan Jones (not their real name) exchanged marriage vows 19 years ago, they had already decided to become foster parents.

“I had previously been a foster parent and John had friends whose families were foster parents,” said Susan, 54. Her husband is 52. “Prior to getting married, we both agreed that this was something we both wanted to do together. We both have great compassion for children and want to provide a safe, healthy environment for as long as they need.”

In total, they’ve had 26 children placed in their home. They have adopted five children and have legal custody of another child in their home.

They recently were named Family of the Year by the Public Children Services Association of Ohio (PCSAO).

On Sept. 1, the Honorable Jesse B. Kramig started a two-year term as presiding judge of the Clermont County Municipal Court OVI Court Specialized Docket. Judge Kramig is the fifth judge to preside over the docket.

The OVI Court Specialized Docket started in June of 2005. The OVI Court Specialized Docket is dedicated to rehabilitating high-risk OVI offenders through a combination of intensive community control supervision, frequent judicial monitoring, and specialized substance abuse treatment at the Clermont Recovery Center.

The Clermont County OVI Court is certified by the Specialized Docket section of the Supreme Court of Ohio. Anyone interested in learning more about the Clermont County OVI Court, please contact Brian Dixon at 732-8142.

Emergency Rental Assistance now is available for non-COVID-related reasons. Clermont County residents who have fallen behind on rent and utility payments for COVID-related and other reasons can get financial help.

The Board of County Commissioners approved a Clermont County Job and Family Services’ contact with Clermont County Community Services to administer the Emergency Rental Assistance Fund. Clermont County received $6.1 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds for renters through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. A second Emergency Rental Assistance program under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which does not require COVID-related reasons, runs through Sept. 30, 2025. (Community Services will determine which funding source they draw down from once they have all the information from the applicant.)

This program covers rental payments that are late and overdue as well as utility payments, including gas, electric, fuel oil, trash removal, and water and sewer.

Applicants must have filed their taxes this year, as their 1040 will be used to verify income eligibility.

Eligible renter households may receive up to 12 months of past-due payment assistance with direct payments made to the landlords and utility providers. Landlords may apply on behalf of the renter with their consent.

Clermont County residents may apply by emailing support@CCCSI.org and requesting an application.

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.

To see what's available, click here

The Board of County Commissioners and Community and Economic Development staff represented Clermont County at the full Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission (OVRDC) meeting Sept. 24 at Serpent Mound in Adams County.

Commissioner David Painter received the Outstanding OVRDC Executive Committee Member Award.

John Carey, director of the Governor's Office of Appalachia, spoke at the meeting.

OVRDC serves Adams, Brown, Clermont, Fayette, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto and Vinton counties.

Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI) Board President and Clermont County Commissioner David Painter on Oct. 14 announced the award of $53.8 million for 26 transportation projects in the region.

Among the projects: $750,000 for Main Street/Lila Avenue corridor improvements in Milford.

“Unanimously, the OKI board has delivered a nearly $54 million infrastructure package that will enhance a number of areas throughout our eight-county region,” Painter said. “Today’s awards are a major investment in our multi-modal transportation network. These projects will improve mobility and safety for drivers, transit riders, cyclists and pedestrians. And, they will raise the quality of life for our citizens.”

The funds were awarded to Ohio through the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG); the Transportation Alternatives (TA); and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) federal programs. They were awarded to Kentucky through the STBG and TA programs.

Commissioner Bonnie Batchler experienced the Virtra Training simulator used by the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office.

The training simulator is used throughout the year for scenario-based training.

She practiced with the shooting simulator and observed videos of real-world response to various call scenarios.

The simulator focuses on verbal commands, decision making and appropriate response to resistance and, at times, life saving measures.

The simulator also has Taser and OC pepper spray applications.

Pumpkins at the Courthouse? Pumpkins made from BOOKS have been popping up in the Clermont County Domestic Court thanks to court employee Sandy Carnahan.

Clermont County Domestic Court is partnering with the Clermont County Public Library’s efforts to encourage children to be enrolled to receive free books from The Imagination Library. The Imagination Library promotes adults reading to children by mailing a book once a month to children under five years living in Clermont County. This program is a result of a partnership with Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

“When I learned about The Imagination Library, I knew immediately that this was a win-win for Clermont County children. It is definitely in the best interest of young children to read and be read to. What better way than for a child to receive a new book once a month in the mail,” said Clermont County Domestic Court Judge Mary Lynne Birck.

Judge Birck said that she made the “wise decision” to ask employee Sandy Carnahan to head the Court’s literacy initiative. “A grandma who encourages her grandchildren to read! Picking Sandy to head 'all things reading at the Court' was a no-brainer.”

Sandy Carnahan has been using her creative skills to design displays made of books to grab the attention of those in the courtroom and lobby to bring awareness to The Imagination Library. “This is a great program and I am very proud to be a part of it,” said Sandy.

Children come to Domestic Court for various reasons which can be stressful for them. The Kiwanis East Fork Region approached Judge Birck and installed a small library in the courthouse lobby with additional donations from Clermont County Public Library and Huhtamaki. Now these children have access to books while they wait. Not only educational, choosing a book to read is a way to calm the anxiety these children may be experiencing. Judge Birck “can’t thank enough the Clermont County Public Library, Huhtamaki, and the Kiwanis East Fork Region for helping the Court and the families we serve.”

In addition to promoting reading, Judge Birck has asked court employees to learn about free things to do with children in Clermont County. “Many of our families in Clermont County are experiencing financial strain. I want an easy place for parents to find FREE ways to spend time with their children.”

The Court’s website now has a tab, https://domesticcourt.org/fun-free-things-to-do-with-children/, that has been added to the homepage where there is a wealth of information of free, fun and educational events and activities in our community for children. Also under this tab is the information on the Imagination Library and the link to enroll to receive the free books.

The Board of County Commissioners designated October as Disability Employment Awareness Month in Clermont County. The month is a time to celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities.

The theme for this year is America's Recovery POWERED BY INCLUSION.

Brent Harcourt accepted today's proclamation. Brent has worked at Kroger Mt. Carmel for 17 years. When he is not working, Brent enjoys spending time with his family and friends. Brent's mother, a former Clermont County employee, was on hand. She and the Harcourt family are very proud of Bent and his accomplishments at Kroger over the years.

Others accepting the proclamation:

-Dan Ottke, Clermont DD superintendent

-Amber Ramsey, Clermont DD Community Employment Department

What is September without an Oktoberfest? Taking the opportunity to enjoy each other’s company and the beautiful weather, Thomaston Woods and Meadows residents gathered for its own version of Oktoberfest with German music, storytelling, colorful hats, games, pickles, pretzels and games.

John Banner, a well-recognized accordion player and local German musician, arrived wearing his lederhosen as Meadows and some of the younger Thomaston residents listened and danced to German tunes. Says Banner,” I think it is very important to bring music to the people, including those who may have limited mobility and transportation. Everyone likes Oktoberfest, because it heralds the beginning of the fall season, and is perhaps the final outdoor event of the year. It is so gratifying to see residents of the Meadows sing along with the old favorites, or tap their feet to German Polkas. I am so glad to be included in their celebration of this seasonal event! Prost!”

Residents of all ages, but especially the children, were treated to German Grimm Tales told by Ashley and Lisa from the Dreamweaver program from the Clermont County Library. Luckily, no one was scared by the thrilling tales.

Instead of the traditional German sausages and sauerkraut, this Oktoberfest featured hamburgers provided by MercyWorks and because they are family-friendly, root beer. Residents continued game playing and talking after dinner. It was fun to see so many residents of all ages attend this event.