Loveland Magazine

State's budget billions short

At almost the same time yesterday that economists were declaring the national economy has been in recession for about a year, Gov. Ted Strickland was delivering his own bad economic news for Ohio: The Buckeye State faces a potential shortfall of $7.3 billion in the two-year budget that begins July 1, almost certainly the largest dollar amount in state history. That's about a quarter of the $28.5 billion in discretionary state spending. Read on... The Columbus Dispatch : State's budget billions short.

Ohio State Fair offers ticket packages for next year

The 2009 Ohio State Fair could be showing up under a Christmas tree near you.  Read on... The Columbus Dispatch : Ohio State Fair offers ticket packages for next year.

Santa Needs a Little Help This Holiday Season

CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO - Clara wants a doll and pink nail polish; Jeff would like a new watch.  Can you help fill the wish lists of these or other children, currently in the custody of the Clermont County Department of Job and Family Services (DJFS) this holiday season?  “Right now we have 350 children we are hoping to match with sponsors,” said Clermont DJFS Children’s Protective Services Director Anne Arbaugh.  “The economy is tight, and we are seeing a decline in businesses that have traditionally sponsored some of the children.”

The children, ranging in age from newborn to 18, are in foster homes, placed with relatives, or in a residential treatment facility.  “These children have been abused and neglected and we want to make sure they are not forgotten during the holidays,” said Arbaugh.  She said that the biggest need right now is for people to sponsor teenagers.

It’s easy to be matched with a child; call the DJFS Community Toy Chest at (513) 732-7173 or e-mail gasts@odjfs.state.oh.us and you will be given the wish list of a child.  Once the items are purchased, sponsors should wrap the gift and put the child’s first name and number on the box and deliver to DJFS by Monday, December 15.  The Clermont County Department of Job and Family Services is located at 2400 Clermont Center Drive in Batavia.

 “We can also accept cash or gift card donations to the Community Toy Chest,” added Arbaugh. “Many of these children have been through a lot in their short lives.  Our caseworkers have many stories about delivering the packages and seeing a child smile for the first time.”

Old Clermont Cell Phones Help Victims of Abuse

CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO - The statistics are difficult to fathom; one in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.  Over 21,000 domestic violence cases were filed across Ohio last year; tragically over 350 domestic violence cases in this country end in death.  Clermont County government offices work closely with the YWCA’s House of Peace to provide victims of domestic violence with cell phones they can use to call for assistance, if an abuser violates a protection order.

“The donation of old county phones helps us provide these victims with added security,” said Kirstin Eismin, shelter outreach coordinator for the YWCA House of Peace.  She recently picked up a box full of 94 old phones that are reprogrammed to dial only 9-1-1.

“Over 300 women and children turn to the House of Peace each year for shelter,” said Eismin.  “We are constantly over capacity at the emergency shelter that is designed to empower women to regain their own lives.”

She says the shelter is in need of clothes, blankets, and pillows for the many families who come through their doors with only the clothes on their backs.  “When they leave us, we want these survivors to have a few comforts to take with them,” Eismin adds.  “Any donations are welcome.”  Eismin can be reached at (513) 753-7282, extension 1.

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Community Sends Holiday Packages To Soldiers

MILFORD, OHIO - U.S. troops serving thousands of miles away will receive care packages this holiday season from the community of the Milford School District. Students, teachers, parents, administrators, staff, community members and military veterans worked together to coordinate a district wide effort to collect and fill 180 boxes.Read on... Milford Exempted Village Schools.

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Iraq's Parliament Approves Security Agreement With United States

BAGHDAD, Nov. 27 -- The Iraqi parliament on Thursday approved a security pact that requires the U.S. military to end its presence in Iraq in 2011, eight years after a U.S.-led invasion brought about the fall of Saddam Hussein.Read on... Iraq's Parliament Approves Security Agreement With United States - washingtonpost.com.

Milford School Levy Passes

Much time has passed since Election Day, but there is a new result in the vote on the Milford operating levy. The Clermont County Board of Elections completed its counting of the provisional ballots. The Milford levy passed by 46 votes! The final total for the Milford school levy is 11,291 for and 11,246 against. This reflects the final result including all valid provisional and absentee ballots. Milford Exempted Village Schools.

EPA, Interior Dept. Chiefs Will Be Busy Erasing Bush's Mark

Few federal agencies are expected to undergo as radical a transformation under President-elect Barack Obama as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Interior Department, which have been at the epicenter of many of the Bush administration's most intense scientific and environmental controversies.Read on... EPA, Interior Dept. Chiefs Will Be Busy Erasing Bush's Mark - washingtonpost.com.