Tornadoes hit Goshen and Miami townships and surrounding areas on July 6, damaging dozens of homes and businesses. Thankfully, only four injuries were reported and there were no fatalities.

The Clermont County Emergency Management Agency is coordinating response to the disaster. A web page has been created to give updates, link people to resources, and guide donors and volunteers.

Read more here

Clermont Senior Services has received funding to assist with storm damage from the recent tornadoes, for those over age 60. Assistance is available in many forms, including food security, deductible payments, tree removal payments, etc. The funds were given by the Duke Energy Foundation, and the Fox19 telethon, sponsored by Altafiber, in partnership with Meals on Wheels of Southwest Ohio & Northern Kentucky. Individuals needing assistance should call 513-724-1255 and ask for the intake department.

A highlight of the year, the Clermont County Fair, runs July 24-30. Congratulations to those who put countless hours into making the annual event a success.

Clermont County's Department of Community and Economic Development debuted an interactive story map that highlights some of the area's rich history. 

Nearly $2 million in federal funds have been targeted for a variety of projects to benefit communities and non-profits throughout Clermont County, ranging from recreational facilities to storm response.

The Clermont County Board of Commissioners on July 20 selected the 2022 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Projects to be included in the Action Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). They also chose 2020 CDBG-CV projects from remaining Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) funds.

All projects were selected from 2022 CDBG applications as submitted from local jurisdictions and non-profits. Projects were awarded based on the overall benefit to low and moderate-income areas and persons.

Read more here

Despite challenges related to the pandemic and supply chain issues, the Clermont County Engineer’s Office replaced four bridges and 91 culverts in 2021.

The office also focused attention on preventative maintenance and repairs, Engineer Jeremy Evans said in an update to the Board of County Commissioners on July 13.

The office completed its largest single paving project in terms of mileage (35 miles) and dollars ($3.45 million).

Thanks in large part to grants funds from the Ohio Public Works Commission, Clermont County also caught up in 2021 on several landslide projects, completing eight repairs at a cost of more than $1 million.

Looking ahead, 2022 is shaping up to be another productive year, Evans said. He thanked the Commissioners for contributing $4 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to the road improvement program. This will allow the office to nearly triple resurfacing and repair of roads in 2022.

Commissioners were on hand on June 28 for a ceremony in the Appalachian Garden of the Ohio Governor's Residence and Heritage Garden when Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 377.

This makes a historic investment of $500 million to transform Appalachian communities in 32 Ohio counties (including Clermont County). The funding will help unite Appalachian communities on transformational local projects with three priorities:

• Infrastructure, including downtown development
• Health care, such as investments in school- or community-based services to address physical and behavioral health
• Workforce development, including public-private partnerships to build and coordinate job training

Read more here

Photos (above, from left): First Lady Fran DeWine, Gov. Mike DeWine, Commissioner Claire Corcoran, Commissioner Bonnie Batchler. (Right) Commissioner David Painter and Gov. DeWine.

Clermont County on July 18 received its first payment of $165,000 from the OneOhio settlement with national opioid distributors. Local governments throughout Ohio obtained initial funds via electronic transfer.

The settlement states that the distribution of funds will be over a period of 18 years.

These funds must be used for programs that address prevention, treatment and long-term recovery; criminal justice; and public awareness costs that promote the overall health and well-being of Ohioans. A share can also be used for past expenses related to the opioid epidemic.

The Board of County Commissioners will decide how to use these funds.

The Clermont County Land Bank had its first meeting on June 29. Members of the board are Treasurer Jeannie Zurmehly (chair), Commissioner David Painter (vice chair), Commissioner Bonnie Batchler, Jeff Baumgarth (representing townships) and Michael Doss (representing municipalities).

The Land Bank was created to address distressed properties, improve safety and elevate quality of life. 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.

Photo (from left): Commissioner Bonnie Batchler, Jeff Baumgarth of Miami Township, Treasurer Jeannie Zurmehly, Commissioner David Painter, Michael Doss of MIlford

Clermont County’s new Land Bank has been awarded $500,000 from the Ohio Department of Development for demolition of vacant and blighted structures across the county.

The Land Bank has worked with local jurisdictions to identify 28 vacant properties that are eligible for demolition. It sought to evenly distribute these funds across the county.  The $500,000 was awarded for counties, by the Ohio legislature, that apply for the funding and have eligible properties.

Read more here

Work has recently been completed at Shor Park, restoring the back section of the property into a new wetland that will provide habitat for years to come.

The Clermont Soil & Water Conservation District and Clermont County Park District worked together to complete the project, with the help of a Section 319 Grant from the Ohio EPA. 

Before the project, Avey’s Run Creek entered Shor Park through a large storm sewer that had become broken in several sections.

Those leaking splits caused sinkholes and significant erosion issues. There was additional erosion downstream of the sewer, where the creek migrated towards the existing trail. Most of the grant work centered on removing the broken pipe and replacing it with a natural stream channel, large boulders and a pooling area. Visitors will also notice large v-shaped wooden structures in the creeks that were added to direct stream flow to the center, decreasing erosion on the banks and increasing stability.

Shortly before 6:30 a.m. on a glorious July morning, Clermont Transportation Connection (CTC) bus driver Craig Gortemiller awaited riders at his first stop at Walmart parking lot behind Bob Evans on Ohio Pike in Amelia. A slight breeze blew as a full moon decorated the horizon.

Gortemiller, 58, has driven the 4X Express since the previous fall when he retired from the meat business.

“I’m too young to retire,” he said, noting that his wife still works. “I got my commercial driver’s license through the county. It’s great having days off, sick time, all the benefits. Being self-employed, I never had that. I worked seven days a week.”

Gortemiller works a split shift. He does two morning and two afternoon trips in his full-time job.

Route 4X runs to downtown Cincinnati. Pickups at the first stop at Walmart occur at 5:30, 6, 6:30, 6:45, 7, 7:15, 7:30 and 7:55 a.m. as well as 4 and 4:30 p.m. (CTS also offers Route 2X in New Richmond and Dial-A-Ride Transportation Service.) There are seven return times from downtown between 3:15 and 5:54 p.m.

Read more here

School is just around the corner. If you have a 7th or 12th grader, check with their pediatrician to ensure vaccines are up to date. If you need to schedule an appointment for a back-to-school vaccine, call Public Health at 513-735-8400. For more information, visit https://ccphohio.org/back-to-school-immunizations/

Also, everyone six months of age and older is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. To find a vaccine provider near you or to schedule an appointment with Public Health, visit https://ccphohio.org/back-to-school-immunizations/

Clermont County Veterans Services wants to make area golfers aware of two upcoming tournaments:

* Fabulous Fourth District Golf Scramble at Eagles Nest Golf Course, 1540 SR 28, Loveland, shotgun start at 9 a.m. Aug. 14.

* American Legion Department of Ohio Golf Tournament at Elks Run Golf Club, 200 Elklick Road, Batavia, July 30-31. Shotgun start: 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Contact Frank Morrow at 513-607-7948.

Clermont County Probate Judge James A. Shriver is seeking applicants willing to serve on the Board of the Clermont County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Clermont DD). The appointment will be for a four-year term beginning in January 2023.

The individual will be a part of a seven-member board for Clermont DD as outlined under Section 5126 of the Ohio Revised Code. All board members are volunteers.

Those interested in applying should be current Clermont County residents, a citizen of the United States, and be interested and knowledgeable in the field of intellectual disabilities and other allied fields.

Applicants should also have professional training and experience in business management, finance, law, health care practices, personnel administration or government services.

This appointment must be filled by a person who is eligible for services provided by Clermont DD or an immediate family member of a person eligible for services.

Individuals interested in serving on the board must submit a cover letter expressing their interest in the

seat and a resume along with the application. The applicant must agree to a background check. You can

download the application here. If you have questions, contact Dan Ottke at (513) 732-4930. Please mail your cover letter and application to the Probate Court, 2379 Clermont Center Drive, Batavia,

OH 45103, or email to probatejuvenile@clermontcountyohio.gov prior to Aug. 10, at 4 p.m.

The Clermont County Sheriff's Office will present the National Night Out 6-9 p.m., Aug. 3, at Batavia Township Community Center, 1535 Clough Pike.

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live.

The event features free food, drinks, kids games, music, basketball, raffle baskets, Sheriff's Office K9s, dive team, SRT Central-Joint Fire and EMS, bounce house and dunk tank.

Local businesses and community groups looking to participate through donations or volunteering are asked to contact Lisa Allen at (513) 732-7512 or lallen@clermontcountyohio.gov.

Clermont County Public Library's annual Summer Reading program continues through Aug. 13, so you and your family still have lots of time to read, earn prizes, and be entered to win a grand prize like a family season pass to the Cincinnati Zoo or the Cincinnati Museum Center.

There are lots of programs to enjoy yet this summer.

• The Curse of the Temple of Terror Escape Room, Union Township Library, Aug. 6, beginning at 10 a.m.

• Storytime with a Goat, Batavia Park, Aug. 8, 2 p.m.

• Personalize Your School Supplies, Union Township, Aug. 9, 6:30 p.m.

• Wrongfully Accused in the West: A Library Escape Room, Owensville, Aug. 10, starting at 12:30 p.m.

• Purrfect Tales: Kids Read to Cats, League for Animal Welfare, Aug. 13, 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.

• League for Animal Welfare: Pet Adoption Day, Amelia, Aug. 13, noon to 3 p.m.

• Used Book Sale, Union Township, week of Aug. 15 during regular library hours.

• Retire Early, Fully Insured, Felicity, Aug. 16, 6 p.m.

• League for Animal Welfare: Pet Adoption Day, Bethel, Aug. 20, noon to 3 p.m.

The Clermont County Suicide Prevention Coalition will host the 21st Annual Candlelight Vigil and Wellness Event at 7 p.m., Sept. 8, at Sycamore Park to remember, honor and cherish the lives of individuals lost to suicide.

Anyone who wishes to learn more about suicide prevention and general mental health wellness is welcome to attend to help stop the stigma against mental illness.

To send names to have a candle lit in honor of a loved one, email cknoblauch@ccmhrb.org.

The event also will be on Facebook Live at https://www.facebook.com/clermont.board/

Clermont County Child Support, a division of the county Department of Job and Family Services, invites everyone to wear green on Wednesday, Aug. 3 as part of Child Support Awareness Month.

Child Support has created this calendar to educate about the importance of paying and receiving support.

Clermont County Child Support is responsible for establishing and enforcing child support and medical insurance orders. The division collects about $36 million in child support on behalf of about 13,000 cases (46.000 individuals).

For more information, visit www.clermontsupportskids.org or call (513) 732-7246.