Clermont County's 9-year-old Opiate Task Force has changed its name to the Clermont County Addiction & Recovery Partnership and expanded its focus beyond just opiates. The partnership unveiled a new strategic plan on April 22.

Judi Adams, president, and Roma Ritchie, trustee and secretary, of the Bethel Historical Society and Museum proudly welcomed a visitor to the Grant Memorial building at 100 S. Main St. on a clear spring morning.

Bethel Historical Society celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The society purchased the building from the Village of Bethel on Feb. 5, 2019. Since then, the museum has expanded displays from one room into most of the two-story brick building in the heart of downtown.

“About six years ago, the Historical Society had two meetings with no quorum,” Adams said. “We were concerned if people would like this to continue. We had to decide if we were going to give back everything or make this bigger and better. We decided bigger and better.”

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, May 14.

Local volunteers, please report to:

-Moscow boat ramp

-New Richmond riverfront bandstand

Wear clothes that can get dirty and closed-toe shoes and bring a water bottle. Dress for the weather! Organizers will provide trash bags and a limited number of gloves. Each volunteer will receive a free T-shirt.

Contact Penny at Ohioriversweep@gmail.com to register or for more information.

Duke Energy Foundation has dedicated $20,000 in donations towards a feasibility study regarding a possible State Park Lodge at East Fork.

The study is being spearheaded by the Clermont County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Port Authority, Clermont Chamber of Commerce and County Commissioners with other donors including Holman Motors. Duke is the largest contributor as they see the lasting positive impact of a project like this for the county.

Pictured from left-to-right are Jeff Blom - CVB director, Joy Lytle – director of the Chamber of Commerce, Chad Shaffer – Duke Energy, Bonnie Batchler – County Commissioner, and Michael McNamara – executive director of the Clermont County Port Authority.

Thanks to a Community Development Block Grant and local funding, walkers along a busy stretch of State Routh 28 in Miami Township will benefit from a new sidewalk, curbs, driveway aprons and storm sewer between Orchard Lake Drive and Highview Drive. (Photo to left shows a portion of the area now.)

The Board of County Commissioners on April 6 approved $217,000 in 2021 CDBG funding for the Miami Township Business 28 Corridor Sidewalk Project. This additional project award was possible due to excess funds from previous projects.

Miami Township is matching these dollars with $122,835, which will increase pedestrian connectivity in the area along the south side of Business 28 which currently has no curb or sidewalks.

The new sidewalk will increase pedestrian safety in this heavily traveled area which includes a mobile home park with many residents.

This work is being coordinated along with Clermont County Water Resources Department, which will replace 3,950 feet of water main that was originally installed over 60 years ago.

The Clermont County Board of Commissioners receives and awards more than $1 million per year in CDBG funding from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development to assist low and moderate-income areas and persons.

Funding is awarded to local communities and non-profit agencies annually. The Clermont County Department of Community + Economic Development works year-round with local communities to help make their projects a success.

Bonnie Batchler, president of the Board of County Commissioners, traveled to Columbus on April 5 to meet with legislators regarding Capital Bill requests being made by organizations in Clermont County.

The bi-annual Capital Bill process is a competitive grant project in which the State of Ohio selects projects for funding from bond funds at the state level.

Some of Clermont County’s projects that are requesting funding include a YWCA domestic violence shelter, erosion mitigation at Camp Freelander, and many others.

Speaking on behalf of Clermont County and its projects are among the many duties that Commissioners have.

Bonnie Batchler shared her journey From Bethel to the Commissioner’s Office at the Bethel Business Association luncheon on April 4. The annual event took place in the Keith Boys Conference Center in the Grant Career Center.

Batchler went to school in Bethel and her parents lived there until they passed way. She moved to Pierce Township nearly four decades ago.

“I’ve always been proud of saying that I’m from Bethel,” Batchler said to a crowd that included several long-term friends such as Judi Adams of the Bethel Historical Society and Museum.

Judge Kevin T. Miles was sworn in as a new Common Pleas Court, General Division judge for Clermont County on March 25 by Administrative Judge Anthony Brock. The event took place before family, friends, elected officials, court staff and legal colleagues.

Judge Miles was appointed by Gov. DeWine to fill the vacancy of retired Judge Jerry McBride.

In a continuing effort to foster activities that promote positive mental health and prevent addiction, the Clermont County Mental Health and Recovery Board is pleased to announce that the opportunity for funding “mini grants” will again be available for the upcoming year.

The board is looking for innovative projects that will positively affect mental health and/or prevent addiction for any age group. A total of up to $30,000, from the board’s levy funds, is available for programs serving Clermont County residents. The maximum funding per project is $4,000. The grant period is July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023. Any organized group in Clermont County – with the exception of the contract agencies of the Mental Health and Recovery Board – can apply for funding. Previously funded applicants are eligible to reapply.

During Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month this March, Clermont DD’s self-advocacy group was invited to become an Aktion Club by the Kiwanis Club of the East Fork Region. Aktion clubs are sponsored by Kiwanis International and are the only service club for people who have disabilities. There are more than 10,000 members worldwide.

At the March 16 self-advocacy meeting, Aktion Club officers were established as part of the new charter. For the 2022 year, elected to serve were: John Hicks, president; Austin Porter, vice president; Scott Baker, secretary; Jake Jackson, treasurer; Ethan Stuempfle, reporter; Ellen Thompson, webmaster. A formal Kiwanis induction event for the entire group took place April 20.

For more information about the new Aktion Club or additional activities at Clermont DD, visit clermontdd.org or contact ldavis@clermontdd.org.

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

Congrats to Diane Seibert, assistant chief of Franklin Township Fire and EMS in Felicity. She was named Fire Official of the Year by the Southwestern Ohio Building Officials Association.

The award is presented to an individual for commitment and contributions to the building code enforcement profession, public safety, and the person’s organization.

The 2021 recipient has been involved with the Felicity Fire and Rescue services for about 38 years. She started her career in 1984 as a volunteer EMT. She is currently a firefighter/advanced EMT serving as an assistant Fire/EMS Chief. She has also taught CPR classes for more than 12 years.

One of many accomplishments involves helping to obtain grants for the fire department EMS facility’s remodeling and addition project. This included a consolidation to a central location in Felicity.

She and her husband have four children and 10 grandchildren, and reside near Felicity. She has also volunteered for many schools, churches and charitable and community activities over the years. Diane is serving as the vice president of Felicity Franklin Fire and EMS Association.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose (Green Beret, US Special Forces, Bronze Star Recipient) will deliver the keynote address at the Veteran Appreciation Luncheon 11 a.m.-1 p.m., May 17, at the Tri-State Warbird Museum at 4021 Borman Drive, Batavia.

Additional speakers include Jake Clark of Save a Warrior and Kenneth Huber of the Southwest Ohio VFW Memorial Team. The event benefits Save a Warrior of Hillsboro and the Southwest Ohio VFW Memorial Team.

Tickets are $50 per person. Register by May 1 at veteranslunch@bataviaohiorotrary.org.

Rotary Club of Batavia and the Wyler Family Foundation are presenting the event.

Spring is finally here and the Clermont County Public Library has some great programs to enjoy.

• Find a new plant for your garden at the Plant Exchange during library hours all month at the New Richmond Branch.

• Learn how to make soap with goat milk at 6:30 p.m. May 9 at the Union Township Branch.

• Discover the link between the Andy Griffith Show and Walt Disney Productions at 11 a.m. May 7 at the Miami Township Branch.

• Pick up some good used books during library hours May 6 through May 10 at the Amelia Branch.

• The kids will enjoy a virtual concert by Zak Morgan May 14. Sign up on the library's website for a Zoom link.

• Kids can read to adoptable cats at the League for Animal Welfare on Taylor Road at 9 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. May 14 and June 11.

• Kids can learn how to create cartoon characters with the help of Steve Harpster at 6 p.m. May 17 at the Miami Township Branch.

• Inter Parish Ministry and the library will host a Mobile Food Pantry from 10 a.m. to noon May 20 at the Goshen Branch.

Despite challenges such as the pandemic, supply chain issues and inflation, construction of the Purina pet food plant in Williamsburg Township has made impressive gains.

Officials from the Governor’s Office of Appalachia (GOA), Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission (OVRDC) and Clermont County got a look at the progress on April 21.

The plant’s leadership team is now on site – and employment will be up to 40 by the end of the year, en route to more than 300 once the facility is fully operational in 2024.

Sign up for job alerts at https://www.nestlejobs.com/locations/williamsburg-township.

Clermont County Prosecutor Mark J. Tekulve is pleased to announce the prosecutor’s office just kicked off implementation of Matrix Prosecutor, its new case management system. Having a digital CMS is something very new for the office. Matrix Prosecutor will bridge all divisions of the office for the first time in office history. Enhanced communication among staff, law enforcement and other community partners will increase efficiency of cases submitted, reviewed and prosecuted. Currently, the felony division utilizes COPS, a MD-DOS system from the 1990’s and the municipal division relies on paper files.

Tekulve offered sincere thanks to the Board of County Commissioners, Bonnie Batchler, Claire Corcoran and David Painter, for recognizing the need to modernize and providing the funding for this project, which will benefit all the citizens of Clermont County.

Matrix Prosecutor Suite will offer Matrix Crime, the law enforcement portal, and Matrix Exchange, the defense attorney portal, at no cost to police agencies and defense attorneys that work every day with our assistant prosecutors.

Through Matrix Crime, police officers will be able to submit cases via the portal to the Common Pleas and Municipal divisions. They will be able to view and track the status of their case, send and receive email notifications from our office, and submit supplemental reports. Paper copies of Rule case narratives, evidence, and rule 16’s will be a thing of the past. Officers can submit case information during any shift, on any day. Matrix Prosecutor and evidence.com will work together to allow our office to link case information to our digital file, providing a benefit to the six laws enforcement agencies already submitting cases to us through this digital platform.

Matrix Exchange will allow defense attorneys to submit demands and receive discovery responses through Matrix Prosecutor. It also provides an audit trail of between the prosecutor and defense bar.

As always, there is a learning curve. The goal for the office is to go live with Matrix Prosecutor on Aug. 1, and to have all law enforcement agencies trained and submitting cases via Matrix Crime by Dec. 1.

"Implementing Matrix is another step toward making the Clermont County Prosecutor's Office the gold standard for Ohio," Tekulve said. "The efficiencies in communication and case management will better our interactions with local agencies as well as other prosecutor's offices and the Attorney General's Office."

May with the Park District means it’s time for the Matt Maupin Memorial Fishing Derby! Join us at the Derby and throughout the month to get outside and explore your own backyard. We’re also looking for volunteers to help out with programs such as the Fishing Derby, Summer Camps, and Trail Fest. If you are interested, please email parkdistrict@clermontcountyohio.gov and let us know you would like to volunteer with our naturalist programs. Learn more about upcoming programs here: https://clermontparks.org/naturalist-programs/. 

Walk and Talk: Sycamore Park - Tuesday, May 3 at 11 a.m.

Little Miami Monday (frogs): Nisbet Park – Monday, May 9 from 4 p.m.

Second Saturday Museum Tour: Chilo Lock 34 Park - Saturday, April 9 at 11 a.m.

Migratory Bird Day Celebration: Chilo Lock 34 Park – Sunday, May 15 from 1-4 p.m.

Walk and Talk: Batavia to Williamsburg Hike-Bike Trail - Tuesday, May 17 at 11 a.m.

Tales of the Night (registration required): Pattison Park Lakeside – Tuesday, May 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Walk and Talk: Sycamore Park - Tuesday, May 31 at 11 a.m.

Matt Maupin Memorial Fishing Derby: Pattison Park Lakeside – Saturday, May 7 at 10 a.m.

Nature Play Days: Sycamore Park - Friday, May 13 at 1 p.m.

Knee-High Naturalists: Sycamore Park - Tuesday, May 3 at 10 a.m.

Nature Play Days: Sycamore Park - Friday, May 27 at 1 p.m.

Knee-High Naturalists: Shor Park - Tuesday, May 24 at 10 a.m.