Your monthly news & updates |
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Public Health offers new vaccination locations |
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Clermont County Public Health held its final mass vaccination at UC Clermont on May 21. Public Health had been holding vaccine clinics out of that site up to six days per week, and had vaccinated up to 750 people per day since March 13. As more people are getting vaccinated and Public Health sees fewer people at its clinics, the agency is moving its clinics back into 2400 Clermont Center Drive. Public Health will be vaccinating several days per week in its office.
In addition to vaccinating in its office, Public Health also partnered with many local high schools, fire departments, a mobile home park, RJ Cinema and Distillery, the Little Miami Brewing Company and the City of Milford to host off-site vaccine clinics.
Public Health's COVID-19 vaccine clinic schedule may be found at:
Who is eligible?
Anyone 12 years and older is eligible to be vaccinated.
What vaccine does Public Health have?
Public Health is currently administering the Pfizer vaccine to anyone 12 and older (minors must have a parent or guardian present). In addition to the Pfizer vaccine, Public Health has limited quantities of the Johnson and Johnson single-dose vaccine at each of its clinics.
Do I need an appointment?
You may schedule an appointment for any of Public Health's clinics using the ArmorVax mobile app or online at www.armorvax.com. They are also taking walk-ins at each of their vaccine clinics. |
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Walls go up at Purina plant; steel coming soon |
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With six months of construction in the rearview mirror, Purina has made considerable progress on its new $550-million factory in Williamsburg Township, where the company will make some of its most well-known high-quality and nutritious pet food brands.
Following mass earthwork at the beginning of 2021, foundation pouring began in March and the first precast wall was constructed in April. Expect steel to begin emerging this summer and building construction to ramp up this fall.
This factory will be one of Purina’s most technologically advanced, utilizing robotics and innovative digital tools to connect employees and produce its pet food recipes. To support employee training and career progression, the factory will feature one of the first Nestlé Purina Training Universities.
To receive alerts and updates on new positions when they become available, visit purinajobs.com/OH.
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State approves funding for rail service to plant |
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The Ohio Rail Development Commission on May 12 approved a $150,000 grant to the Cincinnati Eastern Railroad (CCET) to provide rail service to the new Purina facility in Batavia.
These funds will be used to help construct a 1,100-foot connecting track, the last piece of rail infrastructure needed to link CCET with the Purina facility and ensure timely, effective rail service. The track is estimated to cost about $910,000. This work is in support of the $550-million investment in the Purina facility which will have 300 employees when construction is completed. The company plans to be operational in early 2023.
Rail is an integral part of this facility's logistics chain. Served by the CCET, Purina will receive a significant amount of inbound grain via rail. The facility will have extensive on-site rail infrastructure. This CCET project is the access point to that on-site infrastructure connecting the Purina plant to CCET's network.
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Program assists those behind due to pandemic |
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Clermont County residents who have fallen behind on rent and utility payments due to the pandemic can get financial help. Email Support@CCCSI.org or go to Clermont County Community Services, 3003 Hospital Drive, Batavia, Ohio 45103. The program covers late rental and utility payments, including gas, electric, fuel oil, trash removal, internet service and water and sewer
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Buy dog licenses before July 1 to avoid penalty |
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The last day to purchase a dog license without a penalty is July 1. The license fee is $16 per dog.
You may purchase or renew your dog license online by going to the Clermont County Auditor website and selecting Dog License Information.
Dog licenses are also available at various locations throughout the county, including the Clermont County Animal Shelter.
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Summer Litter Clean-Up: New logo, new options |
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The 2021 Summer Litter Clean-Up (SLC) will be promoted with a new logo, created by Ms. Ellie Arkus, an 11th-grade student at New Richmond High School. Registration for the SLC is currently underway and volunteers are wanted to help with litter removal events and activities throughout the entire month of June.
Volunteers may register via the event website and have the option to join in-person events (space limited), or keep things virtual with Do-It-Yourself (DIY) activities in local communities. These options will help the communities have a successful clean-up and adhere to current Covid safety protocols.
The student design contest is sponsored by the Southern Ohio Association of Realtors (SOAR) to promote litter awareness and prevention in K-12th grade schools and to kick-start advertisement for the annual SLC event. Ellie’s design was selected from over 120 entries. “We’re always impressed with the creativity of our local students. Congratulations to Ellie and New Richmond High School,” says Carrie McIntosh-Owens, president of SOAR.
SLC is coordinated each year by the Clermont Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and the Valley View Foundation (VVF) and partially supported with a grant from Ohio EPA, Division of Recycling and Litter Prevention.
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County seeks input on storm water program |
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Over the next year, Clermont County will be updating its Storm Water Management Plan, which creates and implements programs that reduce water pollution caused by storm water runoff. As part of the revision process, Clermont County is seeking feedback from residents and business owners on how to improve the program.
Since 2003, the Ohio EPA has required Clermont County and 14 urbanized townships and municipalities within the county to obtain a storm water discharge permit, and to develop a management plan that addresses pollution caused by storm water runoff. The Board of County Commissioners adopted the first plan in 2003, with updates in 2010 and 2016. A new set of revisions are now necessary to reflect improvements made to the program over the years, and to address new Ohio EPA permit requirements that went into effect in April 2021.
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Volunteer for Ohio River litter cleanup, June 19 |
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Clermont County-area volunteers are needed to help with the region’s portion of the 3,000-mile Ohio River Sweep litter cleanup, 9 a.m.-noon, Saturday, June 19.
Local volunteers, please report to:
-Moscow boat ramp
-Neville boat ramp
-New Richmond riverfront bandstand
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Harmony Hill breaks ground for Land Office |
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Clermont County officials were on hand on May 10 for the groundbreaking for Major General William Lytle's Land Office at Harmony Hill Museum in Williamsburg.
The recent discovery of the remains of the west wall of Lytle's Land Office at Harmony Hill Museum was the catalyst for rebuilding this significant historic structure and preserving it for future generations as a living museum.
The stone Land Office was built on a bluff overlooking the East Fork of the Little Miami River, a few hundred yards southwest of the main part of town, some 220 years ago.
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Clermont County plans special event for 9/11 |
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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
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“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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Specialist joins Economic Development team |
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Welcome Development Specialist Scott Gafvert to Clermont County!
Scott recently graduated with a Master's in Urban Planning from the University of Cincinnati DAAP program. He has an undergraduate degree from Ohio University.
He recently finished a planning internship with Dearborn County, Indiana, and previously worked as a co-op for the City of Cincinnati Department of City Planning. He has also worked for the nonprofit Center for Great Neighborhoods. Before returning to school, he was a realtor for Lou Park Realty in Blue Ash.
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Mercy Health opens new outpatient office |
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Clermont County officials joined other leaders, business representatives and hospital staff at the May 14 ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate Mercy Health – Clermont Hospital's new Outpatient Office.
Mercy Health is expanding award-winning health care and services to Clermont County and adjacent counties. The opening of this office adds comprehensive ear, nose and throat care and audiology services for adults and pediatric patients right on Clermont Hospital's campus. The ENT and Audiology team will share new office space with Mercy's board-certified and fellowship-trained GI providers.
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Monthly Law Clinic reopens on Broadway Street, Batavia |
Judge Mary Lynne Birck is pleased to announce that the Domestic Relations Court's monthly Law Clinic is once again open to self-represented parties who wish to file a proceeding in the Clermont County Domestic Relations Court. The Law Clinic will still be held on the first Saturday of each month, except July, but is now located in the Clermont Library Administration building in Batavia at 326 Broadway Street.
The clinic was being held in the small meeting room in the Union Township Library in Eastgate until COVID restrictions caused all the libraries to close their meeting rooms. These rooms are still not open to the public. Upon learning of this situation, the director of the Clermont County Library, Christine Wick, suggested that the Court consider using the Clermont Library Administration building to hold the monthly clinic. Judge Birck and Ms. Wick were quick to make this suggestion a reality and both are glad to continue in a partnership that benefits the Court, the library, and most importantly, the self-represented parties of Clermont County.
“I am overjoyed to hear my staff tell a self-represented party that the Law Clinic is open and that a volunteer attorney will be on hand at the three-hour clinic to offer legal advice," Judge Birck said. "The clinic has enabled residents of Clermont County to obtain very much needed legal help with domestic relations court matters.”
There is additional information about the Domestic Court Law Clinic on the Court’s website, www.domesticcourt.org, under the Resources tab. |
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Library offers variety of fun virtual programs this summer |
Enjoy a good book this summer and win prizes at the same time. The Clermont County Public Library is again hosting the annual Summer Reading program, June 1-Aug. 1. Besides reading just for fun, the library also has some great virtual programs for the whole family to enjoy. Just visit the library’s website, clermontlibrary.org, to sign up and receive a link to each program.
• Madcap Puppets will present Pinocchio. Join Geppetto’s beloved puppet on a thrilling quest to become a real boy. Pinocchio is lured into every prank and scheme imaginable as giant puppets and audience participation are woven into this cherished classic tale. The show is Saturday, June 5, and Sunday, June 6.
• COSI will introduce teens to the world of coding video games at 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 15, on Zoom.
• Join the Cincinnati Zoo to learn more about Fiona through video and live conversations with those who know her best. You will get an insider's view into the world of this charismatic hippo at 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 22, on Zoom.
• Cincinnati Museum Center will present Incredible Insects at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 13, on Zoom. Get up close and personal with the creatures that make up Earth’s largest group of animals.
• The WAVE Foundation will present the Science of Sharks. In addition to live sharks, several animal bio-facts are used in this presentation including shark jaws, shark eggs, and more. The Zoom program is at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 31.
• Jaqueline and the Bean Stalk-Pick A Path will be presented by The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati Monday, Aug. 9 through Friday, Aug. 13. Learn how Jack’s sister is actually smarter and works to save her family.
• Learn all about the Owls that live where we live! What do they eat? How do they hunt? How big are their wings? Learn all this and more in our Virtual All about Owls Program at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 17.
These events are supported by the State Library of Ohio with federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
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Flight Night, Expo on tap for 2021 |
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Clermont Senior Services is excited to bring back two very popular events in 2021!
The agency’s signature fundraising event, The Touching Hearts Gala, is transforming into, “Flight Night”, for 2021. This event will take a more casual approach to raising funds with flights of bourbon and beer, food stations, and fun chances to win great prizes with auctions and the newly-popular, Punch a Prize board. Sponsorship packages and individual tickets are available here: https://clermontseniors.com/gala/
Flight Night will take place on Thursday, Sept. 9, at RJ Cinema & Distillery Taproom.
In addition to Flight Night, the agency is bringing back the Senior Living Expo and Fraud Forum. This event brings many senior living resources to the community all in one place. Crossroads East Side is serving as the host venue and entry is free and open to the community. The Fraud Forum will bring many local, trusted speakers to one stage, to alert attendees to potential scams and fraud that is being seen in the community. Exhibitor spaces are available and expected to sell out. Exhibitors can sign up here: https://clermontseniors.com/events/2021-senior-living-expo/
The Expo will take place Oct. 7, from 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
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Preservation group buys historic house |
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The Cincinnati Preservation Association (CPA) has purchased the historic Dennison House in Batavia, built circa 1833, and a rare surviving example of the Greek Revival style.
CPA will make repairs and sell the house later this year to a reservation-minded buyer for a thorough renovation. A historic conservation easement will be attached to the property to ensure the historic features are retained and maintained.
George W. Dennison and Eliza P. Dennison lived in the house from the time of its construction. George was an attorney and active in Batavia’s early development, even serving as mayor in 1845. George died in 1860 while Eliza lived until 1906. The property remained in the Dennison family until the 1974 death of Marie (Dennison) Young.
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4-H club creates packages for first-responders |
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A fantastic 4-H club called the Heritage Builder meets at the Clermont County fairgrounds the third Friday of every month. During its last meeting, club members assembled packages for first-responders to show appreciation for their dedication to our community. Members of the group, who range from 5-18 years old, decorated bags and wrote thank you notes before filling them with drinks and snacks. A few families delivered the packages to the Owensville and Milford Police Departments. The club also works during the year on projects that it presents at the Clermont County Fair, which is being held July 25-31 this year. |
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What to do if you encounter a bee hive |
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Honeybees tend to swarm around this time of year. Swarming is the reproduction of a honey bee colony. It is a normal and natural phenomenon, and rarely poses a danger to people or animals. When honey bees have good weather and plenty of food, their populations can increase dramatically.
When a colony becomes crowded inside their current home (a beehive, hollow tree, or another cavity) they will begin to raise a new queen bee. When this new queen is almost mature, the old queen will leave the hive, followed by about one-half or two-thirds of the worker bees and some of the drones. This queen bee will land nearby, on a tree, shrub, fence post or even a building.
While the sudden appearance of a large number of honey bees may appear frightening to some people, they are usually quite harmless. Because they do not have any brood or honey to protect, a new swarm is usually very gentle in temperament and they rarely sting. Unless the swarm poses a specific threat or inconvenience to people, they can be left alone and admired from a distance. The bees will likely remain for only a few days at most, and then suddenly fly away to establish their new home.
A swarm of bees can often be easily moved. If the queen bee can be collected, most of the other bees will follow her into a new hive. If you have a honey bee swarm on your property and would like to have it removed, OSU Extension Clermont County maintains a swarm list of beekeepers in and around the tristate area that may be able to assist you. Contact the office at 513-732-7070 for a list of beekeepers in your area.
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Extension Office offers pressure canner testing |
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It’s just about time to fetch canners out of the basement or garage. Fresh summer produce is on its way. When was the last time your dial gauge pressure canner was tested for accuracy? If it’s been more than one year, it’s time for a re-check. OSU Extension Clermont County will be testing dial gauge pressure canners throughout the summer at the OSU Extension Office located on the Clermont County Fairgrounds (1000 Locust St, Owensville, OH). Contact Margaret Jenkins at 513-732-7070 or jenkins.188@osu.edu to schedule an appointment. Appointments are 15-minutes and you only need to bring the pressure canner lid to be tested.
With good reason, most people have a healthy regard for the possible dangers of pressure canners. Usually, this respect is based on an old story of a pressure canner “blowing up” in someone’s grandmother’s kitchen. Regardless, it is important to realize that pressure canners are safe if the safety precautions are followed and the canner is used properly. Dangers arise when the unit isn’t maintained and/or used properly. To make sure your pressure canner is working properly, all dial-gauge pressure canners should be tested for accuracy each year.
Remember, home food preservation can be safe, simple and easy to learn!
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Free outdoor yoga sessions begin June 5 |
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Let your stresses wash away and enjoy the healing power of nature during community yoga sessions at Sycamore Park in Batavia every Saturday in June through August. This morning practice is a cross between a Slow Flow Gentle Yoga and a Beginning Yoga practice with modifications to suit different experience levels. Let's breathe and move together with certified yoga instructors from East Cincy Yoga as our guides.
Adults and teens from beginner to advanced are welcome! Practice runs from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and reservations are NOT required. Please bring a blanket, yoga mat, water and any other optional props you like to use (such as yoga blocks or straps). If you have any questions, contact Lori at East Cincy Yoga at 513-331-9525. Be sure to check clermontparks.org/naturalist-programs/ for weather-related cancellations and updates.
Come the first day of class, Saturday, June 5, for a special treat! To kick-off the program series, we’ll be giving out goodies to each attendant, doing prize drawings, and having a tea tasting. Then stay after practice to take a short (30-minute) hike with the naturalist.
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Clermont County | 101 E. Main Street | Batavia OH 45103 | 513.732.7300 |
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