Thanks to quick action by the Clermont County Animal Shelter’s team, a pit bull mix named John Wick survived a gunshot wound.

The Animal Shelter became involved after receiving a call from a concerned citizen who had brought two stray pit bull mixes into her home due to inclement weather. The dogs, both over 2 years old, appeared to be siblings.

A neighbor had shot John Wick with a 45-caliber gun after he attacked her cat.

Clermont County residents who have fallen behind on rent and utility payments (except telephone, cable and Internet) due to the pandemic can get financial help through a new program.

The Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 10 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.

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.

Ongoing stress due to the pandemic has contributed to increased calls to the Clermont County 528-SAVE Crisis Hotline the past several months.

The Clermont County Crisis Hotline has seen a 21-percent increase in the number of calls in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2020, as compared to the previous 12 months. The hotline has also seen an increase in the number of suicidal/crisis calls.

“The long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is starting to take its toll,” said Lee Ann Watson, associate director, Clermont County Mental Health & Recovery Board. “This has been a challenging time for nearly everyone, especially those with possible underlying behavioral health concerns.”

Here’s a great opportunity for public service for individuals with interests in weather and communication: Take a free 2-hour virtual class led by a National Weather Service meteorologist to become a Skywarn Weather Spotter.

Skywarn spotters volunteer to become the “eyes and ears” of the National Weather Service. Spotters serve their community by acting as a valuable source of information when dangerous storms approach.

4-H enrollment season is here! Registration for the Clermont County 4-H program is due by March 15.

4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. 4-H is about having fun through experiential learning. In 4-H, young people make new friends, develop skills, become leaders and assist in shaping their communities.

4-H gives youth a chance to pursue their own interests – from photography to computers to cake decorating, from building rockets to raising sheep. 4-Hers go places – to camp, to fairs, to state and national conferences and competitions. They learn to be leaders and active citizens.

Clermont County has nearly forty 4-H clubs, specializing in home economics, leadership, shooting sports and animal science. Through individual and group projects, 4-H instills integrity, service, leadership and personal growth in youth. To view a list of projects and resources, please visit ohio4h.org/familyguide.

To be a 4-H member, a child must be age 8 and in the third grade. For younger children (age 5 and in Kindergarten), Clermont County offers a program called 4-H Cloverbuds. Cloverbuds participate in non-competitive activities exploring a variety of fun, hands on interest areas. Accommodations can be made for youth with disabilities through our Winning 4-H Plan.

To learn more about 4-H or to find a club in your area and advisor contact information, please visit our website, or contact Kelly Royalty, 4-H Youth Development Educator, at 513-732-7070 or email royalty.9@osu.edu.

Successful Co-Parenting Online is an online educational class that familiarizes parents with information, skills, and techniques to minimize the negative effects of separation and divorce on children to promote positive adjustment during the divorce process.

Backed by the online security of Ohio State University, SCP Online offers individuals a confidential, self-paced learning experience. A trained Extension professional will host each participant as he or she progresses through the program. These trained hosts will respond to questions as well as verify completion of the class.

Successful Co-Parenting is being offered in cooperation with the Clermont County Court of Domestic Relations and meets the co-parenting education requirement assigned by the court. Participants need 90 minutes – 2hrs to complete the course. A certificate of completion will be emailed to participants upon completion of the course. Registration is $35 per person and payable online by credit card through a secure registration site (Cvent). There are NO refunds issued for this course.

Registration: SIGN UP FOR THIS COURSE TODAY!

Clermont County Probate Judge James A. Shriver has appointed two new members to the Clermont County Board of Park Commissioners. John Stowell, a long-time resident of Miami Township, and Andrew McAfee, a lifetime resident of Union Township, have joined David Anspach, who has served on the board since 1997. This year, Anspach will serve as chairman and Stowell as vice chairman.

Stowell and McAfee fill the seats left open by long-time board members Ken Stewart and William Stearns, both of whom retired at the end of 2020.  All three commissioners serve three-year terms without pay and provide stewardship over Clermont County’s six parks, three nature preserves, the Williamsburg-Batavia bike trail and several green spaces.

Stowell (above) is retired from Duke Energy where he served in a number of executive positions, including leading the company’s government affairs, energy and environmental policy and international policy groups. In his 28 years with the company, he worked with Congress to help shape the Clean Air Act of 1990 and repeal the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935. He is originally from Buchanan, Mich., and is a 1975 graduate of Michigan State University, where he majored in journalism. He lives in Miami Township just outside of Loveland with his wife Marlene. They have two grown children, Maria and Stephen.

Stowell, who describes himself as an avid bicyclist and outdoors lover, said he was anxious, upon his retirement, to contribute toward improving the community. The opening on the park board, he said, provided that opportunity.

“My goal as a board member is to help and improve and grow our outstanding county park system,” he said. “I am particularly excited about our latest addition at Grailville, which will bring recreational and educational opportunities to residents in the northern part of our county.”

McAfee (left) is the Director of Government Affairs for the Clermont County Chamber of Commerce. Prior to joining the Chamber, he was Congressman Brad Wenstrup’s Field Representative in Clermont County and, during the recent election, took a leave of absence to serve as his campaign manager. Adopted as a baby from Honduras, McAfee is a lifelong resident of Clermont County and resides in Union Township. He is a graduate of Glen Este High School, the University of Cincinnati, and is currently working towards a Master’s in Public Administration at Eastern Kentucky University.

McAfee’s interest in Clermont County parks goes back to his childhood.

“Growing up, I was a frequent visitor of the parks throughout Clermont County," he said. "During the stay-at-home order early last year, I really got to know all of the parks even better as an alternative to the gym. When I saw the opportunity to join the board, I thought it would be a great way to protect and promote the parks that I have grown to love throughout my life.

“As a young professional in Clermont County, I’m really looking forward to working with the parks team on ways to promote and highlight all of the great things our parks have to offer, especially to millennials and young families. We have so much to offer here in Clermont County and I cannot wait to help showcase all of our great parks!”