DV8 will kick off the 2012 season of the First Financial Bank After-Hours on The Square concert series in West Chester next Thursday, May 24. The band will perform from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Square at Union Centre.

The concert series will then take place every Thursday night through Aug. 23.

The Square at Union Centre is located at 9285 Centre Pointe Drive, adjacent to the West Chester Library. No alcohol is permitted on The Square unless purchased at the event. Beer sales also help support the event and local non-profit groups.

Below is the 2012 After-Hours on The Square schedule:

• May 24 – DV8
• May 31 – Parti Gras
• June 7 – My Sister Sarah
• June 14 – Swimsuit Models
• June 21 – Cover Model
• June 28 – Naked Karate Girls
• July 5 – Frankly Speaking
• July 12 – Off the Hook
• July 19 – My Girl Friday
• July 26 – Stays in Vegas
• Aug. 2 – Naked Karate Girls
• Aug. 9 – Swimsuit Models
• Aug. 16 – Stays in Vegas
• Aug. 23 – Lt. Dan’s New Legs

Visit WestChesterOH.org and follow West Chester on Twitter for weekly reminders and special promotions.

Photo galleries will be posted on West Chester Facebook page every Friday.

The farmers’ market season in West Chester Township is officially underway.

The weekly market will take place every Saturday through October from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Square at Union Centre.

The forecast for this Saturday, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, is mostly sunny with a high around 85 and a low around 59.

The farmers’ market (picture above from market season) features all local vendors with produce and meats grown and raised locally and products made by hand. The availability of produce is dependent upon weather conditions, but shoppers can choose from a variety of foods including homemade breads and desserts, honey, jams and jellies.

Vendors listed on the farmers’ market website includes Adopt-a-Plant (hydroponic lettuces), Backyard Orchard (located in Rising Sun, Ind.), Blackbird Pond (soaps), Chesapeake Popcorn (gourmet seasonal popcorn), Chestnut Cakery (cakes, cookies, scones, whoopie pies, etc.), Crisenberry Baking Company (organic artisan breads and cookies), Chris’ Honey (local honey and bee wax products), Dienger Gardens at Double J Farm (greens, beets, leeks, onions, carrots, tomatoes, sweet corn, melons, pumpkins, potatoes, etc.), Gravel Knolls Farm (locally-grown produce), The Jam & Jelly Lady (homemade preserves), Millbranch Farm (produce, olive oil based soaps and lotions), Morning Sun Farm (organic beef, chicken, lamb, pork, lard, eggs and turkey; ground wheat and spelt flour; homemade cereals), Ohio Farm Direct (organic cheeses, yogurt, syrup, lettuce and tomatoes), Torta (bakery), True Nature Dog Treats (homemade treats for dogs), Webber’s Farm (vegetables) and Wooden Shoe Baked Goods (baked to order cookies and scones).

For information about the West Chester Farmers’ Market, visit www.westchestersfarmersmarket.com.

Yosselin Villatoro, 6, uses her walker and hops on one leg as she heads in her home after a prayer vigil for her. The Liberty Township girl was diagnosed in December with osteocarsonoma, an aggressive bone cancer that started in the femur of her left leg that has spread to her lungs. Yosselin lives with her grandparents whose home is in need of rebuilding because of water severe water damage. The home has structural damage and mold. Photo shot Monday May 7, 2012 by Cara Owsley.

Sue Kiesewetter reports

A new house and a new start for young cancer patient Yosselin Villatoro can only be described one way.

“Her guardian angels are working overtime,’’ said Tammy Randall, Yosselin’s grandmother, with whom she lives. “God works miracles. He’s working through her, through the community.”

Since an Enquirer story about Yosselin ran Feb. 22, more community members and businesses have stepped forward to help the family.

• Story: Support overwhelms young cancer victim’s family

Instead of improving the home as originally planned by members of Springdale’s Vineyard Community Church, a custom home builder has offered to tear down the water-damaged house with its narrow hallways and uneven floors, which doesn’t accommodate Yosselin’s walker.

With the help of other contractors, construction workers and suppliers, the builder, who wishes to remain anonymous, will replace it with a new home on the same lot, by October.

The news came May 10, two days before Yosselin went into Children’s Hospital Medical Center to have three tumors removed from her lungs. Testing showed two active cancer cells remain in one of the tumors, but Yosselin is home again, sitting up and using her walker.

“It’s not the news we were hoping for, but she’s still doing wonderfully,’’ Randall said. “We’ll continue with the chemotherapy as planned and they’ll do another scan and see what happens in the next 3-4 weeks.”

In December, Yosselin was diagnosed with osteosarcinoma, an aggressive bone cancer that started in her left thighbone and spread to her lungs. In March doctors successfully removed 8 inches of her femur, replacing it with an expandable metal rod.

Finding out about the new house gave the family hope they would be able to leave their deteriorating home worsened by water flowing into the crawl space during heavy rains due to drainage issues.

“I cried, Keith (her husband) cried,” Randall said. “They answered my prayers. It will be so much better for Yosselin’s health.”

Plans for “Yosselin’s House” show a one-story, 2,100-square-foot brick and stone home with a two-car garage and porch, to be built, said Ashley Chance, who founded A Chance Foundation with his wife, Beth.

The non-profit foundation is partnering with the church group to oversee the project – the first undertaken by the four-year-old organization. So far, about 70 percent of materials and labor have been secured, Chance said.

The house will have an open floor plan to make it easier for Yosselin to get around with her wheelchair and walker. Three bedrooms are planned – a master suite for the Randalls and two large bedrooms with a bathroom between them for Yosselin and her 5-year-old brother, Freddy.

Besides building the house, contractors plan on doing site work to correct drainage issues from a channel near the house.

“The goal is to have the house built by early fall,’’ Chance said. “We’re also trying to collect donations to help pay off the family’s mortgage.”

As plans move forward on the house – drawings to submit for building permits should be completed in the next two weeks – the Randalls continue to focus on Yosselin.

“If we go anywhere with Yosselin,’’ Randall said, “we call the doctors first, and have her tested first to make sure her (white blood) cell count is high enough.”

Yosselin is looking forward to a December trip to Disney World in Florida, being arranged by the Make A Wish Foundation.

“When all this is over, we get to go to Disney World,’’ she said. “I get to have lunch with the princesses.”

Millikin Road in Liberty Township had been closed since April 16 between the north and south legs of LeSourdsville West Chester Road for an improvement project.

According to the Engineer’s Office, the project involved crews modifying the vertical alignment by cutting down a knob between the north and south legs of LeSourdsville West Chester Road, improving sight distance for motorists on Millikin and at each of the intersections.

The road was tentatively scheduled to reopen the week of June 4.

The construction contract for the project was awarded to Rack & Ballauer Excavating Company, which submitted a low bid of $187,181. Funding will consist of 100 percent local BCEO money.

For more information on local road closures, visit www.bceo.org/roadclosings.

Lakota West students launched the redesign of lakotawesthigh.com May 16, 2012.

After five months of work, Lakota West students showed off their new design for its official high school website Wednesday in front of classmates, teachers and Lakota administrators in the high school’s theatre.

The redesigned lakotawesthigh.com launched after the presentation made by students from Lakota West’s web design 2 class. Improvements to the website include social media integration, introduction of a mobile platform, a featured news slider and a banner that includes outlines of both the high school and freshman campuses.

“Being able to work together as a big team and actually pull this together was a really great experience for myself and I am sure for everybody else,“ Lakota West senior Daniel Lewandowski said.

“Going from being able to find a template and start putting things together to now and to be finally finished, it feels really good.”

During the presentation, Lewandowski and his classmates commented that they wanted the redesign to have the feel of a college website. Their teacher, Todd Hummer, believed his students accomplished that goal among others.

“I think this site is a lot more visually appealing than the old site, it has a really modern touch to it,” Hummer said. “The featured content slider, which you see on a lot of the college sites these days, seems to be many of the kids favorite part. My personal favorite part is the banner and how it incorporates the main campus and the freshman campus. That was also one of our main goals.”

Besides those features, Lewandowski and his classmates agreed that the “simplified” new design makes it easier for online visitors to navigate through the website.

“A lot of work and a lot of time went into it and I am really proud of the final product,” Lakota West junior Scott Johnson said.

“This new website is a lot less cluttered and more simpler than the old website, making it much easier to find information. On the old site, you used to be able to click through six sections and find the same thing in two spots. It just wasn’t that easy to get around compared to the new one.”

For those interested, below is a screen shot of the old design.

The suspect is being described as a black male, light skinned, slender build and approximately 19 years old.

According to the release from Crime Stoppers, the suspect entered the Circle K, 5677 West Chester Road, and pulled down the front of this pants, exposing this genitals while standing in front of the counter.

The suspect was then seen leaving the parking lot in a tan colored older model vehicle, which could be an Oldsmobile.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 513-352-3040. All calls are anonymous and callers may be eligible for a cash reward.

Lakota East Brett Colburn is congratulated by Hayden Senger in a 5-2 win against Fairfield April 20, 2012. Photo taken by Joseph Fuqua II.

If Lakota East (15-12 overall, 10-8 in the Greater Miami Conference) and Lakota West (18-11 overall, 13-5 in the GMC) win their district semifinal games Thursday, they will then play each other in the district finals at 11 a.m. Saturday at Western Hills High School.

The Thunderhawks, who won its first Division I state championship last season, faces Harrison (20-4 overall, 14-0 in the Fort Ancient Valley Conference) at 5 p.m. Thursday at Kings High School.

Meanwhile, Lakota West will face Moeller (19-5 overall, 9-1 in the Greater Catholic League) at 4 p.m. Thursday at Milford High School.

The Firebirds swept the regular season series against Lakota East, winning at home by the score of 3-0 and on the road by the score of 7-0.

• OHSAA baseball Cincinnati regional tournament bracket

On the other side of the regional bracket, GMC opponents Mason (19-8 overall, 16-2 in the GMC) and Hamilton (12-13 overall, 8-10 in the GMC) will play each other in a district semifinal game at 5 p.m. Thursday at Lakota West High School. The winner will advance to the district finals to be played at 2 p.m. Saturday at Western Hills.

Thursday could be the most pleasant with a high near 73 degrees and low around 43.

• Cincinnati.com’s weather page with interactive radar, 7-day and hourly forecasts & more!
• National Weather Service: West Chester 7-day forecast
• AccuWeather.com: West Chester extended forecast

On Friday afternoon, the temperature is expected to climb to 82 degrees. Similar highs are expected Saturday through Tuesday, with lows around 60.

The next chance for rain appears to be Wednesday, when there will be a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms.

The West Chester Police Department is investigating the complaint reported by Sherry Faber on Sunday morning, despite not seeing the dog.

According to that report, the dog died as a result of the hanging.

“This crime stands out due to the heartless and cowardice nature of the crime, which appears to be a violent act against an innocent family pet,” West Chester Sgt. Matt Tombragel said.

“We have no reason to doubt what the pet owner has reported and we will conduct a thorough investigation as possible.”

Suspect(s) face cruelty to animal charges.

Lakota West safety Dawson Fletcher officially signed to play football at Indiana University Feb. 1, 2012 on National Signing Day. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber.

Unlike Lakota East, Lakota West High School hosts numerous signing ceremonies throughout the academic calendar. So far, there have been 32 seniors at Lakota West who have signed on to continue their athletic careers in college.

At Lakota East, there have been a total of 26 seniors recognized at two different signing day events in 2012.

Here is a list of all the Lakota West students who will be playing sports in college:

• Ali Zieverink – Shawnee State (basketball)
• Adrianna McNeal – Southwestern (basketball)
• Rachel Mills – Alderson Broddus Illinois College ((basketball)
• Summer Reeves – Morgan State University (basketball)
• Shabazz Reeves – Morgan State University (basketball)
• Jordan Darland – Olivet Nazarene (football)
• Blake Bell – California (PA.) (football)
• Dawson Fletcher – Indiana University (football)
• Cole Stalker – University of Findlay (football)
• Beau Odom – Georgetown College (football)
• Kayaune Ross – Fort Scott Community College (football)
• Bubba Williams – Lindsey Wilson (football)
• Evan Hodel – Wheeling Jesuit (lacrosse)
• Zach Crabtree – Wheeling Jesuit (lacrosse)
• Ali Green – Ashland (golf)
• Kim Love – Purdue University (soccer)
• Kelly Mack – Wright State (soccer)
• Lauren Pratt – Ohio Dominican (soccer)
• Malik Zuberi – Shawnee State (baseball)
• Zak Farmer – Walsh University (baseball)
• Davis Schafer – Bellarmine University (baseball)
• Mike Seaman – Trine University (baseball)
• Nick Billman – Mount St. Joseph (baseball)
• Jake Wagner – Miami-Hamilton (baseball)
• Amanda Lahti -  Ohio Northern (softball)
• Brooke Rowley – Lake Forest College (swimming)
• Brady Holmer – NKU (cross country)
• Amanda Shelby – Mount St. Joseph (cross country)
• Nathan Haynes – Navy (cross country)
• Mel Stewart – NKU (volleyball)
• Corri Muha – Georgetown College (volleyball)
• Nick Bloch – Lake Erie College (wrestling)

WestFirebirds.com, the school’s official athletic website, posts photos and details after signing ceremonies take place.

Nine Lakota East student athletes were honored during a signing day event at Lakota East High School May 16, 2012. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber of WestChesterBuzz.com.

Lakota East High School honored nine student athletes Wednesday during its spring signing day event. Among those recognized include Jacob Landers (Baldwin Wallace College, wrestling), Ivan Thomas (Kentucky Christian University, football), Tyler Overberg (College of Mount St. Joseph, golf), Morgan Weinheimer (University of Mississippi, volleyball), Jeff Mundy Jr. (Kentucky Christian University, football), Tanner Lyons (Centre College, track and field), Aleth Pashi (Otterbein University, basketball), Jacqui Tackett (Mount St. Joseph, lacrosse) and Molly Blomer (Nova Southeastern University, basketball).

“It was awesome. I was excited to see all my friends sign,” said Weinheimer, who was also considering Wright State University and Xavier University, among others. “It’s exciting because I want to see them do big things.”

The 5’4″ Weinheimer, who played the libero position for the Thunderhawks, was a first team All-GMC selection in 2011. She also led the GMC with 5.34 digs per game.

Her senior volleyball classmates, Hannah Berling (Tusculum College), Hannah Sigala (Morehead State University), Lauren Beitel (Otterbein) and Emily Bostian (Otterbein) were all honored at a signing day event Feb. 1. In addition to the seniors, junior teammates Ali Lake (Ohio University) and Ashley Evans (Purdue University) have verbally committed to programs.

Joining Weinheimer at Wednesday’s signing were basketball players Aleth Pashi and Molly Blomer. In February, their teammates Alyssa Grevenkamp (University of Findlay) and Whitney Wyckoff (Yale University) were also recognized.

Also on Wednesday, two senior football players, offensive lineman Ivan Thomas and defensive back Jeff Mundy Jr., signed on to play at the same college – Kentucky Christian University.

“They (KCU) are going to receive two good players, two good people and hopefully they will leave the program better than they left it,” Lakota East head football coach Rick Haynes said.

“It is always great to see guys forward their careers and move on to the next level. I think, both of them, as long as they put in the time and effort are going to have success.”

Other Lakota East senior student athletes, who were recognized for continuing their athletic careers in college in February, include Zach Mueck (Xavier, tennis) Michael Conrad (University of Cincinnati, baseball), Alex Corna (Ohio, baseball), Michaela Buczek (Mount St. Joseph, lacrosse), Ainsely Ellison (Hillsdale College, softball), Sofey Fugate (Heidelberg University, tennis), Jessika Hall (Michigan State University, swimming), Tori Meyer (Albright College, lacrosse), Mark Minch (Ohio Dominican University, basketball), Tony O’Connor (Northern Kentucky University, cross country/track) and Joe Postlewait (Walsh University, lacrosse)

f you drive in Ohio, get ready to put away your cell phones, iPads and other electronic devices, especially if you’re a teenager. There will be no texting on the state’s roads and highways when a text ban is signed by Gov. John R. Kasich.

But enforcing a ban is almost impossible for law enforcement agencies and similar local bans already in place haven’t been effective. Adults will still be able talk on the phone and the text ban allows a number of exceptions for using hand-held devices, even for teens.

The passage of the legislation comes in the shadow of the death of a Colerain High School student and her exchange student passenger on May 3. She may have been texting just before she ran a stop sign in rural Milford Township and slammed into a tractor trailer.

The Ohio House approved on a 82-12 vote Tuesday the Senate’s changes to House Bill 99, sending the legislation to the governor. Rob Nichols, a spokesman for Kasich, said the governor will sign the measure.

ENFORCEMENT OF BANS IS DIFFICULT

Cincinnati has had a texting ban since October 2010. It outlaws sending, reading or writing a text message or accessing the Internet while driving. A violation is a minor misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine up to $150.

As of Tuesday, 15 people had been charged with driving while texting in the city, according to Charlie Rubenstein, the city’s chief criminal solicitor. Columbus also has a texting ban and 100 people were ticketed in the past two years.

Since Jan. 1, Kentucky law enforcement handed out 144 citations, nine in Northern Kentucky, since the state’s new law went into effect.

The Ohio Fraternal Order of Police supported HB 99, but Jay McDonald, the group’s president, said the organization preferred that texting be a primary offense for all drivers, because that would have made the law easier to enforce.

A primary offense means police could stop all drivers for texting instead of trying distinguish who is a teen and who’s an adult. Texting while driving is a secondary offense for adults. That means some other violation must have occurred, such as running a red light, before police can stop the vehicle.

Still, McDonald called the law a good first step in cracking down on the problem of distracted driving among teens. “That’s who we think are the most vulnerable drivers,” he said.

GOAL IS TO CHANGE DRIVERS’ BEHAVIOR

According to the Ohio Highway Patrol, 31,231 crashes occurred across Ohio over the past three years because of distracted drivers. The distractions were not spelled out. Of the crashes, 74 were fatal and 7,825 caused injuries.

Police say it is difficult to charge drivers with texting unless they are seen using their hand-held device. That can be difficult when vehicles are moving at a pretty good clip. After a crash, police could subpoena phone records to see if a driver was using his or her cell phone at the time of the accident.

Lt. Anne Ralston, a spokeswoman for the Patrol, said enforcement of the text ban, when it becomes law, will rest on the discretion of officers.

She said troopers sometimes warn drivers and try to educate them about driving safely.

“Our goal is to change behavior,” she said.

Caleb Adler, an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at the University of Cincinnati, said the impact of law enforcement stopping a car is greater than a trooper educating the driver about dangerous behavior.

“People already know texting and driving is dangerous,” he said. “It’s just like smoking or not using seat belts. People know both are dangerous.”

According to a study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 94 percent of drivers see texting as a serious threat. The 2011 survey also found that 87 percent of drivers favor texting bans even though a third admitted to reading a text or emails while driving.

Adler said whether a person gets a $150 ticket or not, it’s the threat of the ticket that is a powerful reinforcement to change behavior.

BILL WAS A BIPARTISAN EFFORT

HB 99, which was co-introduced by a Fremont Republican and Columbus Democrat, received widespread bipartisan support including from House and Senate leaders.

Ohio joins 43 other states that have some form of texting ban, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. No state bans all cell phone use by all drivers.

In Kentucky, drivers can’t write, send or read text-based communication, including text messages, instant messages and email, using a personal communication device.

Enquirer reporter Kimball Perry, intern Laurence Baibak and the Associated Press contributed.

There’s a slight chance for showers and thunderstorms after 4 p.m. today as a weak cold front moves through Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

It’s 58 degrees this morning at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

The high temperature later will reach 79, under mostly sunny skies, and it will feel less humid than Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington.

The overnight low will fall to 49 degrees.

• Cincinnati.com’s weather page with interactive radar, 7-day and hourly forecasts & more!
• National Weather Service: West Chester 7-day forecast
• AccuWeather.com: West Chester extended forecast

Once the weak cold front passes through, warmer air will arrive Thursday and stick around over the next several days.

It will remain dry through the weekend with plenty of sun in the forecast through Monday.

Highs will be in the upper 70s and mid 80s. Overnight lows will hover in the 50s and 60s.

The next chance for rain will be Tuesday.

For the first time since December, the National VOA Museum of Broadcasting will be open for tours this Saturday and Sunday.

There were a few public tours in late 2011 before construction forced the budding museum to close its doors. Prior to those tours, the museum had been closed to the public for two years.

“We are just finishing some major construction work, so some items may not be redisplayed by those tour dates and some areas may not be as organized as they will be later,” said Ken Rieser, VOA museum board chairman. “We are opening to accommodate the many requests in association with the Dayton Hamvention and others.

“What you will be able to see is how wonderfully the building has been restored.”

The latest restoration work, which has forced the museum to be closed for tours so far in 2012, included installation of a new roof and block maintenance on the rear of the building.

In addition to a $500,000 grant from the Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission, which will reimburse the township for the latest restoration work, the township also received a $1 million grant in 2008 to repair the exterior facade, windows and entry doors, as well as some electrical. During the 2008 restoration, the township had to pay an additional $731,653. Overall, West Chester has spent around $1.68 million from its own budget on utilities and improvements since 2004.

If and when the museum is completed, it is expected to attract 25,000 visitors, bring in $475,000 in out of area direct spending and provide an overall economic impact in excess of $1.7 million annually, according to estimates by museum design firm Jack Rouse Associates.

“It would certainly be a real asset to West Chester and draw people all over the country and the world,” said Mark Hecquet, executive director of the Butler County Visitors Bureau.

“Hopefully it comes to fruition because it is a one of a kind thing and we should do all we can to make it a reality.”

Once construction is completed, it will be up to the museum’s board of directors to raise approximately $12 million to make it a revenue generating landmark.

The National VOA Museum of Broadcasting consists of exhibits featuring the Voice of America at the VOA-Bethany station; Media Heritage’s Greater Cincinnati Museum of Broadcast History; the Gray History of Wireless Museum; and the West Chester Amateur Radio Assn.

This weekend’s tours will take place from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. On Saturday, there will be a $5 per car parking fee for The West Chester Liberty Rotary Club and the Cincy Blues Society’s Backyard Bash to held at the museum. On Sunday, parking will be free, but there is a suggested $5 donation per adult and $1 donation per child to tour the museum.

Board members of the facility plan to set regular tour hours in the near future and are implementing a docent program for volunteers to learn about the museum and lead tours. Those wishing to volunteer can contact Dave Snyder at DavidSnyde@aol.com.

For more information about VOA museums, go to www.voamuseum.org.

The museum is located at 8070 Tylersville Road in West Chester.

Award-winning blues bands, including Chuck Brisbin and the Tuna Project, G. Miles and the Hitmen, Leo Clarks Band and Them Bones will perform throughout the Bash.

There will be activities for children, including inflatable rides, pony rides and face painting.

Furthermore, there will be K-9 demonstrations, little league hitting and pitching instruction, a petting zoo and balloon artists.

BBQ platters will be provided by City Barbeque, with proceeds going to charity. There will also be ice cream, kettle corn and local beer.

Admission is $5 per car or $2 for walk-ins. Visitors can bring chair and blankets, but cannot bring coolers or pets.

The VOA Museum is located in Voice of America Park at 8070 Tylersville Road.

For more information, visit www.backyardbbqbash.org.

Four gigantic metal boxes used in the production of industrial gases are being shipped to an AK Steel supplier in Middletown and could cause traffic delays along its route in Hamilton and Butler counties beginning Wednesday.

The equipment is so large that four Duke Energy bucket trucks will travel with the equipment so that utility lines can be raised when needed.

“This is too tall for interstate overpasses,’’ said Mike Moreland with the Ohio Department of Transportation. “Utility lines might have to be moved along the route.”

A caravan that includes Duke’s trucks and the trailer carrying the equipment will be escorted by four Ohio State Highway Patrol, one Ohio Department of Transportation and two private vehicles.

In Butler County, the caravan will be joined by a crew from the engineer’s office and, in Middletown, by the police department, officials said.

“We get involved to help plan the route to make sure the load doesn’t exceed the weight limits on any bridges, the roads aren’t too narrow and underpasses are high enough,’’ said Chris Petrocy, spokesman for the Butler County Engineer’s Office.

Crews from the engineer’s office will remove signs at intersections the caravan will travel through and then reinstall the signs when it passes. Extra gravel may also be placed on some roadways.

The first of the oversized cold boxes will leave from the Ohio River at the Anderson Ferry at 9 a.m. Wednesday and should arrive at Air Products and Chemicals Inc., on Yankee Road in Middletown, by 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

At 238,562 pounds – about 119 tons – it is the smallest of the four pieces of equipment. The equipment measures between 146 and 175 feet in length, 18.5 feet wide and 19.5 feet high. The larger pieces weigh between 256,728 and 425,800 pounds – or 128 to 213 tons.

The boxes are used by Air Products to produce industrial gases used by AK Steel along with food, chemical, metal process, electronic, medical and other clients.

It is part of the company’s plan to build, own and operate a new air separation unit, hydrogen production facility and make improvements to liquefier operations to produce industrial gases.

The trailer carrying the rectangular shaped boxes will move no faster than 5 miles per hour on its journey.

Each cold box will be shipped separately, with two-day shipments leaving Wednesday, Friday, May 21 and May 24.

Celeste Bronson

Autumn Heath

Kendra Thomas

Kelisa Mbah

Junior Celeste Bronson, sophomore Autum Heath, junior Kendra Thomas and junior Kellsa Mbah broke the longest standing running record in Lakota school district history when the Lakota East foursome finished the 4×100 meter relay event in 48.62 seconds at the 2012 Greater Miami Conference Track Championships in Mason Friday.

The group turned in a time of 48.62 seconds, which was just shy of the GMC championship record of 48.34 seconds set in 1995 by Mia Cunningham, Alex Delatour, Michelle Delatour and Devon Rogers of Princeton. The Lakota East group also finished in second at the 2012 GMC meet behind Sycamore by .02 hundredths of second.

The previous Lakota record was set in 1980, which was the first season where races were measured in meters instead of yards. After the change, the 4×100 meter relay event was the only Lakota running record to stand for 32 years.

The foursome that set the previous record of 49.0 seconds in 1980 was Tracy Long, Karen Rudolph, Becky Smith and Theresa Hawkins. Of the group, Long, Rudolph and Hawkins have been since inducted into the Lakota High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Hawkins is also in the LaRosa’s Cincinnati High School Hall of Fame.

Lakota East’s Brooke Dendler hits a sacrifice fly during a game against Lakota West this spring. Photo taken by Joseph Fuqua II.

GMC rivals Oak Hills (16-12 overall, 8-10 in the GMC), Colerain (14-11 overall, 9-9 in the GMC), Fairfield (18-8 overall, 14-4 in the GMC) and Mason (17-10 overall, 13-5 in the GMC) are all still in the playoffs. Oak Hills and Mason will play in district semifinal games Tuesday, while Colerain and Fairfield will play in district final matchups on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Lakota East and Lakota West baseball teams will each play in district semifinal games at 5 p.m. Thursday. The Firebirds (18-11 overall, 13-5 in the GMC) will face Moeller (19-5 overall, 9-1 in the Greater Catholic League) at Milford High School, while Lakota East (15-12 overall, 10-8 in the Greater Miami Conference) will face Harrison (20-4 overall, 14-0 in the Fort Ancient Valley Conference) at Kings High School.

If both teams win their district semifinal matchups, West will play East at Western Hills High School at 11 a.m Saturday.

Suzanna Davis, who has served as the associate principal at the Lakota East Freshman Campus since Aug. of 2007, will replace Lakota East Principal Keith Kline prior to the 2012-2013 school year. Photo provided.

Suzanna Davis, who has served as the associate principal at the Lakota East Freshman Campus since Aug. of 2007, will replace Keith Kline, who is leaving at the end of the school year to take the assistant superintendent job in the West Clermont Local School District.

Davis also served as the assistant principal at the Lakota East Freshman Campus during the 2006-2007 school year. Prior to that, Davis served as an assistant principal at Deer Park Junior/Senior High School from Aug. 2003 to Aug. 2006.

The school board approved the appointment of Davis after Lakota Superintendent Karen Mantia made the recommendation, calling Davis “a perfect fit,” during the school board meeting Monday.

“She has a lot of experience in secondary education, she has had a great mentor, she is extremely professional and she is great with secondary kids,” Mantia said. “She is firm, but fair and innovative, so she is definitely the right fit.”

In her new position, Davis will oversee 2,700 students and 140 teachers between the Lakota East high school and freshman campuses.

She will be under a two-year contract that will include a base salary of $100,000. Kline, who was the Lakota East principal since 2007, had a salary of $106,844 in 2011-2012.

“I have had the opportunity to watch Lakota East evolve into a world-class high school, with an outstanding staff, engaged parents, a supportive community and the best high school students in the nation,” Davis said. “I look forward to continuing to build on that strong foundation.”

In April, the school board also approved the promotion of Lakota West Freshman Campus Associate Principal Gary Elgin Card to the position of principal at Lakota West High School. Card will replace current Lakota West Principal Richard Hamilton, who is retiring at the end of this school year.

Card’s two-year contract, effective Aug. 1, 2012, includes a base salary of $100,000. Hamilton’s salary during the 2011-2012 school year is $110,370.

A Lakota East High School teacher has been charged with a misdemeanor count of theft in connection with missing money from the school’s prom fund.

Heather Schoell-Schroeder. Photo provided

Heather Schoell-Schroeder, 45, of Liberty Township was charged after she and her attorney met with sheriff’s investigators Monday. The Lakota Board of Education is expected to accept her resignation at its meeting tonight, retroactive to May 7.

“Our investigation has concluded,’’ said Sgt. Monte Mayer, spokesman for the Butler County Sheriff’s office. “No other charges are pending.”

Administrators first learned money may have been missing when students arrived at the April 28 prom and had trouble getting in, according to district officials. When students complained to the teacher at least two were asked not to report her, according to a statement from the district.

School officials said the amount missing is about $800 and involved payment for 20 tickets, according to the statement. It is believed that Schoell-Schroeder encouraged students to pay her directly for prom admission instead of waiting in line to buy tickets in the lunchroom.

Even if the students had purchased tickets in the lunchroom, no paper ticket would have been issued because it was credited electronically. Schoell-Schroeder may have told the students to see her at the prom to gain entrance instead of going through the check-in process.

After conducting an internal investigation that began April 30, school officials turned over their information to the sheriff’s office.

Schoell-Schroeder has not been in the classroom since the prom. A substitute teacher has taken over her classroom duties.

Since then, a relative of the teacher has returned $160 to the district, officials said.

School officials are reviewing prom ticket sales to see if changes need to be made.

Junior high and high school students saw their athletic fees increase prior to the 2011-2012 school year when the Lakota Board of Education approved $10.2 million in cuts.

Athletic fees ballooned to $350 for junior high athletes – up from $200 in 2010-2011 – and to $550 for high school students – up from $300 in 2010-2011.

Due to this increase, the Community Foundation established the Lakota Athletic Participation Fee Fund. Through this fund, private donations can be made to cover half of the athletic fee assessed to students participating in sports within the district.

More than $6,500 was awarded in scholarship during the 2011-12 school year.

Deadlines for consideration during the 2012-2013 school year:

• Fall Sports: Students in grades 7-8 must apply by May 15, Students in grades 9-12 must apply by Aug. 17
• Winter Sports: Students in grades 7-12 must apply by Nov. 16
• Spring Sports: Students in grades 7-12 must apply by Feb. 15

Families interested in submitting an application for consideration must submit a letter to The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty indicating their desire for assistance.

The letter should include the name of the student athlete, school and grade level. The letter should also include a rationalization and insight into the family’s hardship, the benefit the students will receive from athletic participation and insight into the family’s ability to cover half of the athletic fee charged to the student. Families should also include documentation of other financial assistance being provided.

Send letters to:

The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty
Attn: Lakota Athletic Participation Fee Fund
5641 Union Centre Drive
West Chester, OH 45069

Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee of West Chester and Liberty Township residents.

A limited number of scholarships are available. Only one scholarship per student will be awarded in a school year.

Community Members who wish to support the Lakota Athletic Participation Fee Fund can make a donation payable to the Lakota Athletic Participation Fee Fund c/o The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty. For more information, call Melissa Benedict at 513-874-5450.

Richard Hamilton is retiring after being principal at Lakota West for the past 13 years. Photo taken by Tony Jones.

Lakota to lose both high school principals- With the West Clermont school board’s recent approval of Keith Kline (current principal at Lakota East) as its new assistant superintendent, the Lakota school district will be entering the 2012-2013 school year with different principals at both high schools. Meanwhile, Richard Hamilton, who has served as the principal at Lakota West for the past 13 years, is retiring at the end of the school year in July.

Former Lakota East wrestler to compete in 2012 Olympics – About 10 years ago, Pliev had offers to wrestle at universities throughout the United States. He was coming off back-to-back state and national wrestling titles at Lakota East and seemed destined to accomplish his dream of becoming an Olympian. His journey, however, took a few unique turns.

Mandy Corrado, mother of twins Andrew and Luciana, found support after a miscarriage from the West Chester Mothers of Twins and More Club. Photo provided.

Mothers of twins grow special bond in West Chester– One of the largest mothers of multiples groups in the nation is right here in West Chester. The local twins club started in 1988 with six members. It has grown to more than 230 members today.

U.S. News ranks Lakota high schools among nation’s best – Lakota high schools made U.S. News & World Report’s list of top-ranked public high schools in the state and nation. Schools were awarded gold, silver or bronze medals based on a range of performance indicators, such as state proficiency standards and how well they prepare students for college. Both schools were among 93 Ohio public high schools to earn a silver medal.

West Chester firefighters have new pact – The West Chester Board of Trustees approved a three-year contract with the township’s fire lieutenants and firefighters last Tuesday. The contract affects 57 full-timers who are represented by the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 3518, and replaces a contract that expired at the end of last year.

AK Steel makes Fortune 500 list – AK Steel, which is headquartered in West Chester, was recently named to this year’s Fortune 500 list of America’s largest corporations. The company was ranked 381st on this year’s list and generated approximately $6.5 billion in revenue in 2011.

West Chester day care child abuser gets 80 years – Dan Horn reported that a Mason man will likely spend the rest of his life in prison for molesting boys at his mother’s in-home day care in West Chester and sharing photos of the abuse over the Internet. A federal judge sentenced Andrew Keith, 29, to 80 years in prison last Wednesday for producing and sharing child pornography.

Sectional tournament update: Lakota teams advance – The Lakota West baseball team, along with the Lakota East and Lakota West softball teams, won their postseason matchups in the sectional tournament last Wednesday. Both baseball teams also advanced to district semifinal games with wins last Thursday. All four teams will play in district semifinal games this week.

House Speaker John Boehner visited United Performance Metals in Hamilton May 11, 2012, to listen to the concerns of local small business owners. He also took a few jabs at President Obama. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber.

Boehner listens to small business owners in Hamilton- House Speaker John Boehner Friday accused President Obama of being “AWOL for about eight months” as he campaigns non-stop for re-election. Boehner’s remarks came during a visit to United Performance Metals here where he listened to the concerns of local small business owners.

Lakota East teacher investigated over prom funds – A Lakota East High School teacher is the focus of an investigation by police in connection with missing funds from the Butler County school’s prom fund. The teacher, who resigned earlier this week, was not named by Lakota school officials in their released statement last Friday.

Fallen West Chester Marine to receive Purple Heart – The body of Marine Sgt. John Patrick “J.P.” Huling will return to his Butler County hometown Sunday as the latest recipient of the prestigious Purple Heart Award, military officials said last Friday. The Moeller High School graduate and bomb disposal specialist, 25, was shot in the chest and killed Sunday by someone, possibly a Taliban member, wearing an Afghan National Army uniform – a person supposed to be an ally of U.S. forces.

Zack Mueck of Lakota East returns a shot from Miguel Cepeda of Mason High during action at the Coaches Classic tennis final April 21, 2012. Photo taken by Tony Jones.

Jeff Wallner reports

The individual star at Saturday’s sectional tournament was Lakota East senior Zach Mueck, a Xavier commit who’s hoping to overcome tendonitis in his right elbow and close out his career with a state singles title. Mueck said the elbow occasionally tightens up during competition, but that it’s nothing he can’t overcome.

On Saturday Mueck overcame some unforced errors in the first set to edge Mason’s Alexander Lebedev 7-6, 6-3 in the semifinals. “I kept double-faulting,” said Mueck, who repeatedly voiced his frustration to himself during the match. “Just a lack of effort and concentration on my part.”

In the sectional final, Mueck, a two-time state runner-up who posted his 100th career victory at the Coaches Classic Tournament on April 21, rolled to a 6-2, 6-1 win over Mason’s Jeremy Schneider.

Meanwhile, in the semifinals of Saturday’s D-I sectional tournament, Mason seniors Miguel Cepeda and Luke Tsai were challenged by Sycamore’s Yuri Karev and Nakul Narendran but emerged with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 victory.

“Our games complement each other,” Tsai said. “Miguel puts away shots. I can put him in good position. That’s our best attack.”

In the sectional final, Cepeda and Tsai faced their Mason teammates John Mostowy and Colin Heim, who defeated Sycamore’s Dylan Stern and Nikhil Gandhi in the semis. Cepeda and Tsai emerged with a 6-3, 6-0 victory.

Like Mueck, the Mason duo has the goal of capturing the state title.

“We play at the same club together, we carpool together, practice together,” Cepeda said. “Last year was our first year playing doubles together. We’re more experienced, stronger. Instead of just wanting to get to state, our goal this year is to win it.”

Hydrants will be flushed weekdays through June 4, with makeup days scheduled for Saturdays and Sundays.

The following locations are scheduled this week:

• Monday – Station, Walnut Ridge, Meadow Creek, Rose Mallow, Maple Ridge
• Tuesday – Cincinnati-Dayton (West Chester to Allen), Dimmick (Cincinnati-Dayton to R/R tracks), Lake, Aviation, Imagination
• Wednesday – West Chester (U.C.B. to Cincinnati-Dayton), Turfway, Gulfstream, Hialeah, Belmont Park, Steeplechase, Santa Anita, St. Leger
• Thursday – Eagleview
• Friday – Muhlhauser (West Chester to R/R Overpass), Schulze Drive, Floer Drive, Centre Pointe Drive (east of Muhlhauser)

On the day your street is due to have hydrants flushed, water from faucets may become cloudy or brownish. Should that occur, run cold water for 2-3 minutes from a faucet at the lowest area of your home – basement laundry tub, if possible.

Cloudy or milky water is usually caused by dissolved air bubbles coming out of the water, is harmless and should clear in a few minutes. Rusty or yellow water occurs when rust deposits are stirred up by flushing the hydrant. It will usually clear 2-3 hours after the fire hydrant is closed.

Rusty water can stain laundry. Residents are encouraged not to do laundry on the day hydrants are being flushed on their street. If clothes are stained keep them moist and use a rust remover or call 513-887-3066 for assistance.

Questions or concerns may also be directed to the West Chester Fire Department at 513-777-1133 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Hundreds of people are expected to pay their respects today to a West Chester native and United States Marine who was killed by a suspected Taliban militant dressed in an Afghan National Army uniform while on patrol in Afghanistan last week.

The Huling family has two sons who are Marines. Pictured left to right is Debbie Huling, her youngest son, Lance Cpl. Justin Huling, 22, who attends Miami University in Oxford, Sgt. J.P. Huling and their sister, Lauren, 30, of Cincinnati. Both of the men felt a calling to enter the military from the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks. Photo provided

The 25-year-old who graduated from the private Catholic school in 2004 will return to his alma mater one final time before a mass of Chrisian burial is held Tuesday morning at St. Michael Church in Sharonville.

• Story: Fallen Marine to receive Purple Heart
• Story: Marine John Patrick ‘J.P.’ Huling killed by Taliban

Sgt. Huilng will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C.

Last week, military officials announced he will receive the prestigious Purple Heart Award.

After more than an inch of rain fell Sunday, it should be drier today with just a slight chance of showers.

The forecast from the National Weather Service in Wilmington calls for cloudy skies with a high of 71 by 5 p.m. The clouds will stick around overnight with a low of 53.

• Cincinnati.com’s weather page with interactive radar, 7-day and hourly forecasts & more!
• National Weather Service: West Chester 7-day forecast
• AccuWeather.com: West Chester extended forecast

By Tuesday, a streak of dry, warm weather will arrive and stick around through week’s end.

Daytime highs will hover in the upper 70s and low 80s through next weekend. It will be mostly cloudy through Wednesday, when there will be a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms just before the evening rush hour.

The last half of the week through the weekend looks dry with plenty of sunshine. By Saturday, the mercury will soar to the mid-80s.

The body of Marine Sgt. John Patrick “J.P.” Huling will return to his Butler County hometown Sunday as the latest recipient of the prestigious Purple Heart Award, military officials said Friday.

U.S. Marine Sgt. John Patrick “J.P.” Huling. Photo provided.

Sgt. Huling became the latest victim in a series of attacks blamed on Afghan soldiers – or on assailants dressed in Afghan military uniforms. The attacks come as NATO is preparing to hand over security to local forces ahead of a 2014 deadline for withdrawing combat troops.

The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving our country.

“It is an unfortunate honor to make sure that J.P. Huling is given the proper respect he deserves,” said Major Dave Valentino of the U.S. Marines Communications Co. in Cincinnati. “That’s our duty here, to make sure that both he and his family get what they need through this troubling time.”

When Sgt. Huling’s American flag-draped casket lands about 3 p.m. Sunday at the Butler County Regional Airport in Fairfield Township, it will not be alone. Military veterans on motorcycles from the Patriot Guard Riders and local and federal law enforcement will accompany it to Hodapp Funeral Home off Tylersville Road in West Chester.

On Monday, there will be a visitation from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Moeller High School.

There also will be a service at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Michael’s Church in Sharonville before Sgt. Huling’s body is flown to Washington D.C., where he will be buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.

Valentino said Sgt. Huling wanted to be laid to rest at Arlington.

Even though Sgt. Huling questioned the purpose of the U.S. military’s continued presence in Afghanistan, he answered the call for service when he was sent to Afghanistan six months ahead of schedule last month, departing on Good Friday.

It was his second tour of duty. He had enlisted after serving in Iraq.

He was assigned to the 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Sgt. Huling grew up in West Chester and attended St. Michael School in Sharonville before continuing his private Catholic school education at Moeller.

After Moeller, he worked as a kitchen manager at Manor House in Mason and enrolled in Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, where he attended culinary school.

A year later, though, he still felt his life was missing something, so he joined the Marines.

Like his younger brother, Sgt. Huling was inspired to serve his country in light of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

He was stationed in Camp Pendleton and recently purchased a house with his wife in Temeculah, Calif.

The teacher, who resigned earlier this week, was not named by Lakota school officials in their released statement Friday.

According to Lakota officials, they “could not initially account for $800 in ticket sale proceeds from the Lakota East High School prom fund. The district has recovered $160 and officials “will continue to pursue the remainder.”

“We take all matters involving potential illegal activity very seriously,” said Lakota Superintendent Karen Mantia. “We acted with urgency to handle this situation appropriately. We are cooperating fully with the (Butler County) Sheriff’s office.”

House Speaker John Boehner Friday accused President Obama of being “AWOL for about eight months” as he campaigns non-stop for re-election.

Boehner’s remarks came during a visit to United Performance Metals here where he listened to the concerns of local small business owners.

During the open forum, business owners asked questions about the upcoming presidential election, President Obama’s health care law, and the uncertainty of the economy, among other items.

Before opening the forum for questions, Boehner began by slamming President Barack Obama for being “campaigning 24/7.” The West Chester Republican added that Obama is trying “to make this election about everything other than his policies,” which the Speaker said “have failed.”

The Ohio Democratic Party countered that thanks to Obama, Ohio has added 140,000 jobs over the last two years and the state’s unemployment rate has fallen from 8.6 percent when he took office to 7.5 percent today.

“While President Obama has helped our economy start to turn the corner, Speaker Boehner, Robert Portman and Mitt Romney want to bring back the failed policies that sparked the economic crisis,” Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern said in a statement.

Boehner told the group of business owners that the country had racked up more than $5 trillion in national debt in the last three and a half years and has a $1.3 trillion deficit for this year.

“While the president and I tried mightily to reduce this giant debt, it is continuing to build,” Boehner said. “In the year and a half that I have been Speaker, my biggest disappointment is that I couldn’t come to an agreement with the President to reduce our debt and our deficit so we could get America on a firmer fiscal path.”

During the forum itself, the upcoming presidential election was brought up. In response, Boehner shared his confidence in Romney.

“For Mitt Romney to be basically tied with the President of the United States today, after getting his rear end kicked from one end of the country to the other by his political opponents in the primary, is really pretty remarkable,” Boehner said.

“This election is going to be about the economy. It is going to be about jobs. The president’s policies have failed and have actually made things worse. I believe Mitt Romney has a great success story and a great economic plan that will stand in sharp contrast to the President. Watch it all unfold. I think it will unfold pretty well.”

House Speaker John Boehner visited United Performance Metals in Hamilton May 11, 2012, to listen to the concerns of local small business owners. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber.

“Under ‘Obamacare’ it would be more attractive to our company to violate federal law then pay a $340,000 a year fine to not provide healthcare to our employees than to face the rising costs and decreasing benefits that we see every single year,” said Laura Doerger-Roberts, president of Hamilton-based Vinylmax Windows, which employs around 170 workers.

“It eliminates choice for the employee and the employer about what type of health care is appropriate for an individual’s needs.”

Doerger-Roberts said her company currently pays $7,000 per employee to provide health insurance. Under the health care reform law, Doerger-Roberts claims that she could pay a $2,000 fine and remove that benefit.

Boehner agreed with the small business owner and wanted those healthcare decisions to be out of the government’s hands.

“In my opinion, it will the ruin the best health care delivery system the world has ever seen and it will bankrupt our country,” Boehner said.

“There are flaws in our current system, but we can fix those flaws without putting the government in charge of our healthcare.”

One of the last items brought up by the group of business owners was the uncertainty of the economy and its affect on their businesses.

“One of the things that is killing all of us is the uncertainty and our reluctance therefore to hire people because we don’t know what is around the corner,” said Trevor Stansbury, president and founder of Supply Dynamics in Loveland.

Lakota West's Monty Boykins. Photo taken by Mark Ferland of ferlandfotos.smugmug.com.

Lakota West junior Monty Boykins added offers to play college basketball from Bowling Green, Kent State and Robert Morris earlier this month, according Lakota West head coach Sean Van Winkle.

Boykins also has seven other offers including Lehigh, Duquesne, Miami University, Eastern Michigan, Toledo, Kennesaw State and James Madison.

• Cincinnati Enquirer’s recruiting blog with Mike Dyer
• Monty Boykins video highlights

Boykins was a Division I honorable mention all-state this past season. He averaged 16.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.4 steals. He was first-team all-GMC.

As a sophomore, during the 2010-2011 season, Boykins averaged 12.5 points and 3.9 rebounds.