Groundhog Club Co-handler John Griffiths, left, holds the weather predicting groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, after he was taken from the stump before the club said Phil did not see his shadow and there will be an early spring on Groundhog Day, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013, in Punxsutawney, Pa. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Sheila McLaughlin reports:
Punxsutawney Phil is off the hook in Butler County.
He won’t be facing the death penalty for making a huge mistake predicting an early spring.
You might remember the indictment (see below) issued last week by County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser, which made national headlines, even in the Washington Post.
Gmoser has since changed his mind and dismissed the charge of “misrepresentation of early spring” against the groundhog.
Gmoser said Phil is a scapegoat for the misinterpretation of his handler. Phil’s handler has “stepped up to the burrow to take full responsibility for misrepresenting said Defendant’s prediction of an early spring,” he said in the official looking dismissal document.
Gmoser goes on to say: “And for all who took this case too seriously and were told this case was tongue-in-cheek, those are not body parts of a groundhog for a stew. In these serious times, I hope this case brought a light-hearted moment to all concerned with a warm welcome to Spring ahead.”
So when will that happen, Mr. Prosecutor? There’s still snow on the ground.
Grant Ingram of West Chester at a township zoning meeting holds a sign in favor of stopping a Kroger Marketplace from being built on the corner of Tylersville Road and Princeton-Glendale Road (State Route 747). Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber March 18, 2013.
To let West Chester and Liberty Township residents catch up with the news that they need to know, WestChesterBuzz.com will list and link to all of last week’s top local stories every Monday.
WestChesterBuzz.com also recently added a new video page last week. To view West Chester and Liberty Township related videos, visit westchesterbuzz.com/videos.
Developer withdraws plans for Kroger Marketplace – A Blue Ash developer has scrapped plans to bring a Kroger Marketplace to West Chester Township – at least, for now. West Chester Township officials received a notice of withdrawal Wednesday morning from Silverman and Company, which planned to build a shopping center that included a 133,000-square-foot Kroger Marketplace on the corner of Tylersville Road and Princeton-Glendale Road (Ohio 747).
Thomas P. Farrell. Photo provided.
Liberty Township names Thomas Farrell trustee – A small business owner has been tapped to join the Liberty Township Board of Trustees. Thomas P. Farrell was named trustee Tuesday to fill the unexpired term of Patrick Hiltman, who resigned his seat last month. Farrell was selected from a field of 13 who submitted letters of interest and resumes.
Deputies plan daily visits to Butler schools – Butler County sheriff’s deputies will be stopping by county schools every day beginning this week through a new initiative being launched this week to help make schools safer. Sheriff Richard K. Jones on Monday announced the start of Operation Safe School, which is designed to have a deputy stop by any school in his or her geographical patrol area every day that school is in session.
VIDEOS: Lakota students do the Harlem Shake - Last week WestChesterBuzz.com posted four videos of Lakota students doing the Harlem Shake. Tell us which one is your favorite and pass on any others that might be floating around the Web.
Butler County prosecutor wants Punxsutawney Phil executed – Death to Punxsutawney Phil! That’s what Butler County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser has suggested. Gmoser on Thursday issued a fake single-count direct indictment of the groundhog charging him with “misrepresentation of spring” for making people believe the season would arrive early.
Princess Paige lives on through foundation – Heather Alessandro, mother of Paige, created the Princess Paige Foundation in honor of her daughter, who passed away unexpectedly in May of 2010 at the age of 6. The foundation provides grants to pediatric patients who need therapeutic services and equipment that might not be covered by insurance.
Groundhog Club Co-handler John Griffiths, left, holds the weather predicting groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, after he was taken from the stump before the club said Phil did not see his shadow and there will be an early spring on Groundhog Day, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013, in Punxsutawney, Pa. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Death to Punxsutawney Phil!
That’s what Butler County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser has suggested.
Gmoser on Thursday issued a fake single-count direct indictment of the groundhog charging him with “misrepresentation of spring” for making people believe the season would arrive early.
In other related fake news, The Onion reported that Punxsutawney Phil was beheaded earlier this week for his inaccurate prediction.
Thanks to an Arctic air mass hanging over the area, there is a 60 percent chance we could see 3-6 inches of snow on Sunday.
Former Butler County Elections Director Tippi Slaughter tried to blame her ex-boyfriend when she was sentenced to five years of probation Wednesday for stealing $1,700 from the local Democratic Party when she was treasurer, according to a report on Cincinnati.com.
Cincinnati Enquirer reporter Sheila McLaughlin covered the story:
Slaughter’s arrest in June was related to an “extortion plot” against her by a former boyfriend, defense attorney Dennis Adams said.
“Whether he made her (steal the money) or not, he strongly influenced it,” Adams said.
Slaughter told Butler County Common Pleas Judge Craig Hedric that she made poor choices because of that relationship. She apologized for stealing the money, which Adams said she intended to pay back before anyone noticed it was missing.
“Once things got so out of control with this individual, I felt trapped and I did try to go to the authorities a couple of times and remove him from my life. But I didn’t pursue it aggressively enough,” Slaughter said.
That statement prompted some critical remarks from Hedric, who chastised Slaughter for taking only “partial” responsibility for her crime.
“You have owned up to it but you kind of tempered that by blaming your boyfriend, or an ex-boyfriend or whatever. So while you’re stepping up to the plate, you are still doing it with some reservation because you said that the relationship you had with someone forced you to do these things,” Hedric said. “In your mind you were forced. Well, I don’t always buy that.”
Besides probation, Hedric ordered Slaughter to perform 60 hours of community service and to pay court costs. He threatened to send her to prison for 18 months if she violates probation, which includes requirements that she get a job and be assessed for drug and alcohol addiction.
Crimes against the elderly will get special attention beginning Thursday when Butler County Prosecutor Michael Gmoser kicks off a special task force to investigate and prosecute people who scam senior citizens or abuse them, according to a report on Cincinnati.com.
Cincinnati Enquirer reporter Sheila McLaughlin covered the story:
With the prosecutor’s office as a clearinghouse, seniors can call a special hot line, 1-888-662-3673, to report problems that will be referred to local police departments for investigation.
Prosecutor’s staff also will track scams and raising awareness through programs aimed at places where seniors gather.
The announcement comes a day after contractor Kenneth Christian, 52, of Middletown was sentenced to 18 months in prison for bilking four seniors out of more than $2,000 in chimney repairs he claimed to have made.
In some cases, Christian would merely spray paint an old chimney cap and tell the property owner he replaced it with a new one.
“He’s not a contractor. He’s a con man,” Gmoser said.
Gmoser said he’s been noticing an uptick lately in elderly abuse cases and phone scams making their rounds in Butler County.
“They are susceptible to scams. They are also susceptible to physically assaultive behavior and they don’t have anywhere to go,” Gmoser said. “They are easy to prey upon because they are trusting people. Scammers know they have money.”
A West Chester man, who attempted to kill a gas station attendant, was sentenced to 13 years in prison Thursday.
John Ravencraft, 50, was sentenced by Judge Keith Spaeth on charges of attempted aggravated murder and aggravated robbery stemming from a March 8 robbery at the Shell Station at 9210 Cincinnati-Columbus Road.
He plead guilty to the charges in Butler County Court of Common Pleas July 22.
Police say that Ravencraft forced the clerk to the ground and attempted to shoot him. The Office of the Butler County Prosecutor reported that Ravencraft held the pistol to the head of the clerk, before it malfunctioned and the clerk was able to fight back.
“This victim is very lucky to be alive,” said Butler County Prosecutor Michael T. Gmoser. “My Assistant Prosecutor Dan Phillips, who worked this case with me, and I are very pleased to help put this violent criminal away. His next victim would not have been as fortunate.”
Ravencraft fled the scene on foot and was arrested the next day at his home located near the gas station.
Sheila McLaughlin of the Cincinnati Enquirer covered the story:
The 47-year-old Hamilton woman faces up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine when she returns to Butler County Common Pleas Court on Sept. 21 for sentencing. Judge Craig Hedric said he also could place her on probation.
Butler County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser said a second charge will be dismissed as part of the plea agreement.
“I’m very pleased that she stepped up and acknowledged her responsibility,” Gmoser said after the hearing.
“This is a case … that involved a very small amount of money but it involved a very large breach of trust. So those are considerations that the judge will no doubt take into consideration when Sept. 21 comes around and sentence is imposed.”
Slaughter’s attorney Dennis Adams had said that Slaughter’s abuse of prescription pain medication led her to commit the crime. But Wednesday he downplayed that angle, saying that the drug abuse was minor compared to the coercion of her ex-boyfriend.
Slaughter declined comment after the hearing and Adams said he would elaborate about her drug problems and other factors of the case at sentencing.
