Clermont County will receive a record $1.55 million for community projects through the State of Ohio’s biennial Capital Budget. This marks the third straight two-year cycle that Clermont County has received increased capital funding.

The Clermont County Port Authority, in conjunction with the Clermont County Commissioners, two state representatives and a state senator, organizes the countywide effort to encourage local communities and nonprofits to submit projects worthy of capital funds.

At 6:45 a.m. on a sunny, 56-degree May morning, Michael Wolf greeted two visitors from the Clermont County Public Information Office. His red 1963 Piper Aztec sat outside a hangar at the Clermont County Airport, ready to take the three on a round-trip 100 miles north to Urbana, Ohio.

The trip would result in additional material for videos about Wolf’s thriving Sporty’s Pilot Shop and his passion for avionics. Sporty’s, based at the airport, provides flight training, headsets and a variety of products for pilots around the world. The 200-employee company also serves as the fixed-base operator for the county airport.

Wolf, president and CEO of Sportsman’s Market, Inc., started working for Sporty’s almost 50 years ago. While still a student at Amelia High School, he was hired by Sporty’s founder Hal Shevers to help with miscellaneous tasks. Shevers, a pilot, recently had brought the young company to the new county airport.

The videos tell the amazing story of Sporty’s and how Wolf worked his way up to president – as well as his journey into piloting. He has flown to locations all over North America, everywhere from the Super Bowl in Los Angeles to the Bahamas.

The Board of County Commissioners on June 1 recognized those who had practiced "if you see something, say something." Recognized were Katherine Troxell (third from right, back row), Pierce Township Police Officer Mark Weitzel, Detective Erica Haught (lead investigator on the case), the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office and the Union Township Police Department.

Home owners, business owners, and commercial property managers interested in storm water management practices can check out a rain garden at Bite Restaurant, 1279 State Route 131, Milford. Volunteers built the demonstration project on a beautiful Friday morning in June.

Rain gardens use native plants to manage storm water runoff, said Kat Zelak, Education Coordinator, Clermont Soil & Water Conservation District. They help water soak into soil faster, important because of the high clay content here.

“Having storm water more quickly infiltrate the soil through the garden instead of running into streams and rivers allows pollutants to be removed in a natural way,” Zelak said.

The Board of County Commissioners on June 15 welcomed new Department of Job and Family Services Director Susan Walther. She comes to Clermont County after serving as director of Warren County Children Services for five years.

Walther began her career as a caseworker at Hamilton County Children Services, 1992-2002. She served as a caseworker, supervisor and deputy director in Warren County Children Services before becoming director.

Walter holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Cincinnati and a Master of Science in Management and Leadership from Western Governors University in Salt Lake City.

"I feel very fortunate to be here to serve Clermont County," said Walther, who started her duties on June 13.

Thanks to a partnership with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, campground users at East Fork State Park and Stonelick State Park now have convenient access to recycling with the addition of two public drop-off recycling dumpsters.

The recycling dumpsters were delivered to both locations in May, and feature signage that clearly explains which items are acceptable. Acceptable items for recycling include aluminum cans, glass and plastic bottles, most plastic and paper cups, as well as mixed paper and cardboard. Plastic bags, Styrofoam, furniture, clothing and household trash are not accepted.

The new Stonelick State Park container is located near the camper check-in lot in Wayne Township, and the new East Fork State Park container is in the camper check-in lot in Williamsburg Township. Both containers complement the existing recycling drop-off containers located at the State Park Administrative Office in Tate Township. The addition of these two new recycling drop-off dumpsters brings the total number of public recycling drop-off locations in Clermont County to 28.

Visit www.OEQ.net for a complete list of all public recycling drop-off locations or for information on any other programs funded by the Adams Clermont Solid Waste District.

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 Clermont County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Clermont DD) celebrated the Class of 2022 at the Thomas A. Wildey School Graduation Ceremony on May 26.

Those graduating were: Victoria Denee George, Milford Exempted Village Schools; Nathan John Grossman, West Clermont Local School District; and David Alan Darby, Mason City Schools/Batavia Local School District.

Clermont County Commissioners Bonnie Batchler, Claire Corcoran and David Painter attended the event. After the students received recognition from the Wildey School teachers and their diplomas from their local school district representatives, Commissioner Batchler made a special presentation.

Darby was awarded the Donald A. Collins Achievement Award for overcoming challenges and making a wealth of progress in the short time he has been a student at the Wildey School. He used a TouchChat communication device and learned to get his intended message across in a positive manner.

When his friend Thomas Fairbanks collapsed after stepping out of a car at a home remodeling job in Miami Township on March 29, Steve Wettengel quickly called 911.

Clermont County 911 Center Dispatcher Jessie Bocks relayed CPR instructions to Wettengel, helping save his friend’s life.

“Steve made a comment that without the calm voice and step-by-step instructions he received from Jessie, it would have been very difficult to manage the situation,” Miami Township Fire & EMS Chief Steve Kelly said when presenting Wettengel and Brooks with Citizen Lifesaver awards on June 21. (Photo, right.)

Miami Township officers Kelsey Feverston and Daniel Stephan, along with Assistant Chief Daniel Mack from the township’s Fire & EMS, arrived at the same time. Feverston and Stephan grabbed their AED, while Mack brought a medical bag to the driveway where Wettengel was performing CPR on his friend. Medic 28 with Firefighter/Paramedics Mike Cooper and Jim Martin and Engine 29 with Lt. Jeff Moore and Firefighter Paramedics Jamie Williams and Michael Ramsey arrived about a minute behind with advanced life support equipment. Captain John Dold, who was running as District 26, arrived soon thereafter.

Officers Feverston and Stephan took over CPR while Assistant Chief Mack applied the police AED to Thomas. A shock was advised and Thomas was immediately defibrillated. After about a minute of CPR, a pulse was checked – and it was found that the AED had successfully converted Thomas back into a heart rhythm with a pulse. Thomas was then transported to Bethesda North Hospital and Advanced Life Support procedures were performed en route.

“Thanks to the performance of bystander CPR and the work of rescuers, including our communications center, police and fire and EMS personnel, Thomas is with us this evening,” Kelly said.

The Supreme Court of Ohio on June 22 announced the Clermont County Court of Common Pleas, General Division will receive a technology grant from the Supreme Court of Ohio.

“Technology, with all its fast-developing capabilities, can never replace the fair and impartial minds of the legal system,” said Chief Justice O’Connor. “But it can provide the capacity to improve the operation of the courts, thereby improving service to the public.”

Reducing paperwork and data entry removes barriers and makes it easier for Ohioans to interact with the justice system. Technology funding to local courts across the state has been a priority of Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor since 2015. A total of $35 million in technology grants has been provided to local courts.

Clermont County Common Pleas Court will use the $150,000 it receives this year to begin the implementation of a new county-wide case management system which will include e-filing and other electronic processes.

“These funds will significantly reduce the cost to Clermont County of implementing a state-of-the-art electronic case management system that will enhance access to the Court for both attorneys and the public,” said Administrative Judge Anthony W. Brock. “The time our legal professionals save through technology is time that can be dedicated to helping the people of Clermont County.”