County Engineer Jeremy Evans on July 14 brought the Board of County Commissioners up to date on 2020-21 road and bridge projects.

Evans pointed out that his office invested more than $4.9 million in capital improvement projects in 2020. The office also put in more than 52,000 hours maintaining 400 roadway miles and more than 400 bridges and 2,800 culverts.

In 2020, a comprehensive resurfacing program addressed 17.6 miles on six different county roads at a cost of $2.6 million. Four landslides were managed for $499,000. Fifty-five culverts were repaired for $389,000.

Revenue sources included: vehicle license fees ($8.08 million), fuel tax ($3.61 million), project reimbursement ($2 million), and miscellaneous such as inspection fees ($690,000). The office does not receive revenue from income, property or sales taxes.

Expenses included: payroll ($4.4 million), road program ($2.9 million), bridge program ($1.4 million), CCTID ($1 million), materials and purchased services ($858,000), fleet ($631,000), administrative services ($585,000), and equipment ($469,000).

Evans also went over 2021 proposed capital improvements that address about 47 roadway miles, costing $3.1 million and paving the way for safer travel on 20 county roads.

Clermont County is proud to announce a new resource for Clermont County residents who have the next big idea or want to be an entrepreneur. The Clermont County Starting a Business Guide provides concise, step-by-step instructions on starting a business in the county.

The county’s Department of Community and Economic Development saw a need as inquiries about starting a business have increased in recent months as the region returns to normal in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

From market research and drafting a business plan, to marketing and maintaining your business, this guide provides the roadmap to opening a business in the county, while also providing all the resources needed to get your business up and running.

Ever wondered about adopting a dog from the Clermont County Animal Shelter?

We've created a brief video that walks you through the process at the county's no-kill shelter. Dogs available for adoption appear on the Animal Shelter's Facebook page.

To view the video, please click here: Adopt a Dog

Claire Corcoran, President of the Board of County Commissioners, on July 12 announced the selection of Stephanie Hemmer-Haight by the Clermont County Board of Elections as their new director effective today. She will replace Director Julia Carney, who has accepted a position as Assistant Clermont County Prosecutor.

After considering several impressive candidates, the selection committee recommended Hemmer-Haight to the full board, which unanimously approved her as the new director.

“We wish Stephanie Hemmer-Haight the best in this very important role,” Corcoran said. “We feel fortunate to have such an experienced and well-rounded selection for this position.”

Director Hemmer-Haight received her Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Wilmington College and her Master’s Degree as an Intervention Specialist from Antioch University. She has been a county election official for nine years, and has organized and led training for many of the county’s poll workers. She resides in Milford with her husband Michael Haight and their dog Pistol.

Currently secretary of the Milford Fire Department Board, she also serves the community through her involvement with veteran’s organizations, American Legion Fish Fries, and the Republican Executive Committee. Director Hemmer-Haight’s election experience, success in private business management, community leadership, and history of collaboration with BOE, county, community and party personnel will ensure a smooth transition as she assumes the director role.

The number of overdose deaths in Clermont County increased for the first time since 2015.

In 2020 there were 29 overdose fatalities during the first half of the year, identical to 2019. However, there were nine more fatalities during the second half of the year. Three of four of the deaths occurred at residences.

This report only includes deaths that occurred in Clermont County, regardless of a person's county of residence.

Monday, Aug. 31, is Ohio Overdose Awareness Day. In June 2021, Gov. Mike DeWine signed a bill recognizing the day to help raise awareness and remember the lives lost to the opioid epidemic. The Clermont County Opiate Task Force encourages county residents to pause for a moment of silence at noon on Aug. 31 to remember those who have lost their lives to drug overdose and addiction. Gov. DeWine’s bill states that state flags displayed at state buildings or public institutions will be flown at half-staff from sunrise until sunset.

Each year, we lose thousands of individuals to drug overdose in the United States. The Ohio Overdose Awareness Day provides an opportunity to not only honor those we have lost, but to reflect on practical ways to prevent overdose in Clermont County. Overdose is preventable! Knowing the facts about drugs and what to do when you see someone experiencing an overdose can save lives. One fact is that any illegal drug could contain fentanyl which greatly increases the chance for overdose.  

Naloxone is available for free, after a brief training, to anyone in Clermont County. Naloxone can be obtained at Clermont Recovery Center at 1088 Wasserman Way, Batavia Ohio 45103. The phone number is 735-8100.  

Clermont Senior Services adapted throughout the pandemic, shifting resources to new areas and temporarily halting some programs.

Cindy Gramke, the agency’s executive director/CEO, shared highlights in an annual report to the Board of County Commissioners on July 7.

Senior Services served 5,091 individuals in 2020, compared to 6,361 the previous year. The state ordered that Adult Day Services and senior centers close in March 2020, contributing heavily to the change.

To help individuals from those programs, Senior Services offered programs via Zoom. Most in Adult Day Services live with family members, so they could use Zoom.

An empty Adult Day Services Center facility was converted to an emergency food pantry. The community donated financial gifts of about $13,600 and in-kind gifts of $26,700. Just under 500 older adults were served.

Meantime, the number of home-delivered meals increased to about 97,600 in 2020, up from 81,100 in 2019.

Clermont Senior Services’ typical customer is a female (68%), age 76, who lives alone on $1,200 per month.

Seventy-three percent of the agency’s revenue comes directly from a levy. When used as matching funds, the levy carries a real impact of 89 percent of the agency’s total budget.

For more information on Clermont Senior Services, see: https://clermontseniors.com/

Local officials on June 30 joined Clermont County Board of Developmental Disabilities representatives and Empowered Community Services leaders to break ground on Empowered of Eastgate.

The facility on Old State Route 74 in Union Township will offer day services to citizens with developmental disabilities later this year.

It will also provide transportation that may not be handled by CTC.

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.”

Clermont County is hiring for a variety of positions in areas such as Water Resources, Economic Development, 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

Desmond Maaytah is Clermont County’s new Community Development Administrator. He comes to Clermont County having been named Community Development Professional of the Year in Ohio. (See story.)

Among Maaytah’s duties is to oversee the administration of the county’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program which distributes about $1 million of federal funds each year to projects in our low-to-moderate income areas.

The Community Development Division is in the Department of Community and Economic Development. As the division evolves, it will begin seeking new grant opportunities to leverage on behalf of our communities.

Nathan Little was sworn in by Judge Mary Lynne Birck as the newest magistrate of the Clermont County Court of Common Pleas Division of Domestic Relations on June 24. He joins magistrates Penny Gates, Carrie Waide and Heather Cady in hearing civil protection orders, dissolutions and other domestic relations matters.

Witnesses to the swearing-in included Magistrate Little’s wife, Becky, and children Jacob, Aubrey and Luke. Several other county officials were in attendance as well. After the ceremony guests were treated to a reception.

Reflecting on the importance of his new role, Magistrate Little said: “I am excited to start this new direction in my career. I will use my core principles of neutrality, respect, trust and understanding to render fair and just decisions for the people of Clermont County. This will ensure that the citizens feel that they have a voice and that the Court is as helpful as it can be within the boundaries of the law.”

Please join the Domestic Relations Court in welcoming Magistrate Little to his new role. He will be working part-time as a magistrate while continuing to work for Combs, Schaefer, Ball & Little, where he is a partner.

Clermont Senior Services is excited to welcome supporters back to its annual fundraiser in September. In order to make this fundraiser a success, they need your help.

Senior Services has had many donors in the past who have contributed gift cards or items that served as prizes for attendees. This year, due to the unexpected economic impact many donors suffered in 2020, they were unable to contribute to the fundraiser this year. This is where you can help!

Senior Services is requesting gift cards valued at $20 or more. Donations of wine or bourbon are also being accepted for our spirit pull.

Donations may be mailed or delivered to 2085 James E Sauls Sr. Drive, Batavia, OH 45103 If you are able to donate a bottle of wine or bourbon, you may drop those off at the address below, or call Jennifer at 513-536-4022 to arrange pick up.

Your donations will allow Senior Services to raise additional funds to serve seniors in our community. Your attendance at the event is another great way you can help. Tickets may be purchased here: https://clermontseniors.com/gala/

Ohio’s Child Support Program provides services to over 1 million children in our state. County Child Support agencies work diligently to ensure that these children receive financial support for a better future.

Child Support Month is a national initiative that helps inform families about the services child support agencies can provide in our communities.

"It is such an honor to serve the families of our county and to help protect children from the impact divorce and other types of separation can cause," said Theresa Ellison, Deputy Director for the Clermont County CSEA.

Tim Rudd, Clerk of the Clermont County Municipal Court, announced on July 19 that his office is now accepting credit cards for over-the-counter payments of fines and costs on traffic and criminal cases.

Working in collaboration with the credit card processing company MSB, Rudd is the first Clerk of Court to accept credit card payments in the Clermont County court system. MSB does charge the customer a convenience fee (2.19% credit card; 1.79% debit card) for the use of their credit card processing system. MSB provided the processing equipment at no charge and the convenience fee to the customer is the only cost.

Rudd said he was excited to offer credit card services for the citizen’s convenience at no cost to the county. Rudd also stated that MSB and equivant, his case management vendor, are working on an online credit card payment solution that should be coming soon.

The Ohio Justice Bus visited the Clermont County Domestic Relations Court on July 14. The mobile legal aid office is free to the Court, as well as the Clermont County community.

Jack Maib has run and operated the bus by setting up clinics and meeting various clients throughout Ohio since about August of 2019 as his first job out of law school. Maib is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and Case Western Reserve School of Law. He has a strong interest in public and health law which has helped spark interest in providing legal services to clients in the rural areas of Ohio. Maib is one of the many attorneys that volunteer to provide legal aid at no cost to clients. The main goal of the Ohio Justice Bus is to provide legal services to rural and underserved clients throughout Ohio.

The Justice Bus will return to Clermont County Domestic Relations Court on Aug. 11, and Sept. 8, 9 a.m.-noon. Additionally, the Domestic Relations Court holds a monthly law clinic at the Public Library Administrative Building that also offers legal aid at no cost to clients. The next law clinic will be held Aug. 7, and Sept. 4, 9 a.m.-noon.

Clermont County Public Library Library is returning to in-person programming starting Sept. 7, including Storytimes. Also, library lockers have been installed at each branch so patrons can pick up holds when the branch is closed.

Watch the library’s website and social media pages for dates they will be available. The Batavia Branch Library will be closed on Aug.16 and Aug. 17 for the installation of a new computer table and comfortable seating. Please visit Aug. 18 to see the updated branch.

STEAM kits will be available starting in August for children and the parents to borrow. Each kit includes books about Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, or Mathematics along with the toy to experience a hands-on understanding of each topic.

The library has many services and resources and any of the knowledgeable staff can help. Enjoy the rest of your summer and we hope you spend some time in the library.

Every other year, The Adams-Clermont Solid Waste District applies for funding for tire amnesty days through the Ohio EPA's Recycle Ohio Community & Litter Grant -- and the grant was awarded for the 2021-2022 grant cycle. This year's tire amnesty day will be Sept. 24-25, 8 a.m-1 p.m. in Jackson Twp, 3341 US Highway 50, Williamsburg, OH.

We will be accepting up to 10 tires per person/household for $1 per tire. Tires with rims will also be accepted, just keep them separated from the tires off rims in your vehicle for ease of sorting at the drop-off.

If you have more than 10 tires, please fill out this form at the bottom of this website prior to the event for assistance.

Because you pay a disposal fee when purchasing new tires, we encourage residents to dispose of their old tires at the point of sale. Tires can also be disposed of year-round at any tire retailer near you. Most retailers charge around $3.50/tire.

For a list of other places to take your tires year-round, see our Recycling Tree.

The Kiwanis Club of East Fork Region installed a small children’s library at Domestic Relations Court as part of its mission to enrich the lives of children.

The lending library box is stocked with children’s reading materials for use by the families the court serves. The Kiwanis Club has installed several other lending library box locations in the community, including local area laundromats where you can browse the available books and take one home to read. Children are welcome to return the book, trade the book with a replacement. or if they really enjoy the book, keep it. For more information on your local Kiwanis club please visit www.eastforkkiwanis.com.

Judge Mary Lynne Birck is excited about offering new community resources to the citizens of Clermont County. The Domestic Relations Court now has sections on its website for Fun/Free Events to do with your Children as well as additional Community-Based Support Services under its Resources tab.