New technology allows Clermont County to take emergency calls and dispatch help with speed and precision undreamed of just a few years ago.

“It has revolutionized 911,” said Dominick Daulton, program administrator, Department of Public Safety Services. “It’s truly impressive.”

The department implemented RapidSOS in 2018 to provide more accurate location of 911 callers. The free technology uses GPS from cell phones.

“It’s a huge game-changer for dispatchers in being able to locate callers more quickly,” Daulton said. The location is available on dispatchers’ computer screens before they even answer the phone.”

The department’s 911 Center is the primary public safety answering point for Clermont County. Twelve emergency resource technicians/dispatchers and four supervisors handle calls and dispatch services for all townships and villages in Clermont County, except for Milford, Loveland and Union Township. The center receives 13,000 calls per month on average, about 5,300 for 911 emergencies. Dispatchers enter information in sophisticated Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems. They strive to have help dispatched within 62 seconds of receiving a call.

Township trustees and members of zoning commissions, board of zoning appeals and the Clermont County Planning Commission participated in the annual Planning & Zoning Workshop presented by the Clermont County Department of Community & Economic Development on Nov. 30.

Speakers included Taylor Corbett, planner, Clermont County Community & Economic Development, Harry Holbrook Jr., Goshen Township planning and zoning director, Brian Elliff, Miami Township planning and zoning administrator, Edward McCarthy, Pierce Township planning and zoning administrator, and Desmond Maaytah, county community development administrator.

A variety of planning and zoning topics were discussed, with an open Q&A session following the presentations.

To watch a video of the speakers, click here:

Commissioner David Painter was in attendance on Dec. 8 when the County Commissioners Association of Ohio (CCAO) dedicated an interactive display in the Ohio Statehouse that showcases the state's 88 counties.

The display, located in the Map Room, allows visitors to learn fun facts about Ohio’s counties as they enjoy the county floor map provided by CCAO some 25 years ago. Counties are the State’s partner in delivering critical services such as the justice system and law enforcement, infrastructures such as roads and bridges, broadband and connectivity, social services, fair elections, and more.

Nathan Little’s journey led him from a family farm to the University of Cincinnati Clermont College to Washington, D.C. — and back again, to help the community he calls home.

Little lives in Milford, Ohio, and recently was appointed magistrate for the Clermont County Domestic Relations Court. He is also a partner in the Middletown, Ohio, law offices of Combs, Schaefer, Ball & Little, providing legal representation for clients throughout southwestern Ohio.

“My goal is to be the best citizen I can be because there are a lot of people who need help out there,” said Little. “Leaders have to try to make things better.”

The Clermont County Board of Developmental Disabilities held its annual Good Fortune Awards Ceremony on Oct. 26 to recognize those who do great things in the community. Award winners included county employees who make a difference in the lives of people with developmental disabilities each day.

Public Health Commissioner Julianne Nesbit and Communications Coordinator Keith Robinson (pictured above with Dan Ottke, Clermont DD Superintendent) accepted the Community Leader of the Year Award on behalf of the 40+ employees at Clermont County Public Health. This county department was recognized for its undying efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep Clermont DD up to date as guidelines changed on regular basis in 2020 and 2021. Meeting with Clermont DD administrators to discuss protocols, making suggestions to keep those living in residential settings as safe as possible, and administering two vaccine clinics for individuals with developmental disabilities are just a few of the reasons this department and its staff were recognized with this award. They continue to be a constant resource to the Clermont DD agency, helping address immediate needs for those who are very vulnerable to COVID-19.

Chris Curtin from the Clermont County Educational Service Center (pictured with Beth Martin, Clermont DD Early Childhood Director) received the Friends of DD Award for his collaboration with all departments at Clermont DD. He is known as a consistent advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities and makes sure the lines of communication are open between all agencies serving these individuals and their families. He is always available to answer questions and listens to those questions that may get lost in the shuffle.

Additional awards given during the Good Fortune Awards:

• Self Advocate of the Year: John Hicks

• Employer of the Year: Chipotle Eastgate

• Families Connected Advocacy Award: Kasey Eten, Dean Swartz, Sarah Buffie, and Marta Getz

• Volunteer of the Year: Laura Vanegas

• Provider of the Year: CARH, Inc.

• Independent Provider of the Year: Jennifer Grossman

• Triumph Award (Clermont DD Staff Award): Heather Wright.

For more information about the Clermont DD Good Fortune Awards or services provided by Clermont DD, visit their website at www.clermontdd.org.

Clermont County Public Health reports that:

COVID-19 boosters are available: If you’re already fully vaccinated against COVID-19, getting a booster shot can increase your protection against the virus. Anyone 16 and older is now eligible for a booster shot. For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine, including where you can get vaccinated, visit https://ccphohio.org/covid-19-vaccine-info/

It’s not too late to get your flu shot: January and February are usually the peak of flu season. It’s not too late to get your flu shot. To see where you can get a flu shot, visit www.vaccines.gov

Clermont County is hiring for a variety of positions in areas such as Water Resources, the 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 U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced fiscal year 2022 assistance opportunities for agricultural producers and private landowners for key programs, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), and Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). While NRCS accepts applications for these programs year-round, producers and landowners in Ohio should apply by Jan. 14 to be considered for this year’s funding.

Christina Gates, the NRCS District Conservationist for Brown and Clermont Counties, says, “Through these programs, NRCS is able to provide technical and financial assistance to help producers and landowners make conservation improvements on their land that lead to healthier soils, cleaner water and improved agricultural operations.”

Under EQIP, producers may receive financial help with 170-plus conservation practices such as cover crops, nutrient management, conservation tillage, filter strips and more. CSP helps producers take their conservation activities to the next level through comprehensive conservation and advanced conservation activities. Additionally, through RCPP, producers and landowners can work with partners such as local Soil and Water Conservation Districts who are co-investing with NRCS on targeted projects.

Farmers in Clermont and Brown Counties interested in applying should contact Christina Gates at (513) 732-2181 or christina.gates@usda.gov.

Every year Clermont County Children’s Protective Services strives to ensure that children in their care have a wonderful Christmas. This year, the holiday was made brighter with gifts for about 325 children due to wonderful sponsors like you.

Photos: Sanna Gast of the Community Toy Chest through Children's Protective Services goes over a gift list with Ollie Wever, who has coordinated GE corporate's giving for 28 years.

While decorating for the holiday season, you may encounter the dreaded wad of lights that is impossible to untangle, or a few strings of lights that mysteriously decided to quit working.

The Adams-Clermont Solid Waste District and Cohen have teamed up again this year to provide convenient opportunities to recycle those unwanted or non-working decorative lights.

From Dec.1 to Feb. 1 residents can recycle their traditional or LED-style string lights by dropping them into a specially marked outdoor container at the following locations:

- Shor Park: 4659 Tealtown Road Milford, OH 45150

- Clermont County Soil & Water Conservation District: 1000 Locust St. Owensville, OH 45160

- Clermont County Water Resources: 4400 Haskell Lane Batavia, OH 45103

- Cincinnati Nature Center: 4949 Tealtown Road Milford, OH 45150

It is important to remember that holiday lights cannot be placed in your curbside recycling bin or in the public recycling drop-off container you typically use because they will tangle around the machinery and automated equipment at the recycling processing center. Holiday lights require special handling and processing that Cohen is happy to provide.

For more information on holiday light recycling, visit www.cohenusa.com/lights or www.OEQ.net

Christmas tree recycling is a great gift to the environment after the holiday season ends.

“Treecycling” not only keeps cut trees out of the landfill, but it helps support other ecosystems. Best of all, it’s FREE and easy! There are several locations in Clermont County for you to dispose of your cut Christmas tree and have it chipped:

• Village of Batavia: Village residents can place your tree (cleared of all decorations) at the curb for pick-up throughout the month of January for chipping.

• City of Loveland: City residents can place trees (cleared of all decorations) at the curb for pick-up Jan. 4-14 for chipping.

• Miami Township: Residents can bring Christmas trees (cleared of all decorations) to either Paxton Ramsey Park or Miami Meadows for chipping. Trees can be dropped off seven days a week during daylight hours from Dec. 26-Jan. 31 for chipping.

• Pierce Township: Pierce Township residents can bring trees (cleared of all decorations) to the Pierce Township Service Garage at 950 Locust Corner Road Dec. 26-Jan. 8 for chipping. The drop-off area is located near the baseball fields and will be clearly marked.

• Pattison Park (Stonelick Twp/Owensville area): trees (cleared of all decorations) can be dropped off at the lakeside part of Pattison Park, near the playground, from Dec. 26-Jan. 12 for chipping. The drop-off area will be clearly marked.

• Union Township: Union Township residents can drop off trees (cleared of all decorations) behind the Police Department at 4312 Glen Este-Withamsville Road for chipping from Jan. 1-31. The drop-off area will be clearly marked.

• All other residents: BZAK landscaping, located at 931 Round Bottom Road, will allow any Clermont County resident to dispose of trees (cleared of all decorations) for chipping during regular business hours. Please call (513) 831-0907 for information.

Please note, this Treecycling program is only for live cut trees. Artificial trees cannot be recycled and must be disposed of as household trash. Before you take your cut tree to a collection site or haul it to the curb for pick-up, please be sure to remove all lights, tinsel, and decorations. Your old or broken strings of holiday lights can also be recycled at several locations around Clermont County: visit www.oeq.net/holidaylights for a complete list of holiday light drop-off locations.

For more information regarding Christmas tree recycling, holiday light recycling, or any other service provided by the Solid Waste District, call (513) 732-7744 or email dsnyder@ClermontCountyOhio.gov