PHOTOS OF THE VOICE OF AMERICA MUSEUM
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.
However, due to a busy holiday season, the Buzz decided to recap some of the bigger stories in the month of December as many of us prepare for 2013.
MetroParks announces new motor vehicle permit plan – MetroParks motor vehicle permit hang tags will again be available free to all Butler County residents. According to a release from the park system, MetroParks of Butler County will be issuing hang tags that are valid for two years versus the current one-year tag due to suggestions from park customers for increased convenience.
Voice of America Museum Board gets key go ahead – The “last piece” to make West Chester Township’s Voice of America Bethany Relay Station a museum may finally be in place. During its Dec. 4 meeting, township trustees unanimously agreed to enter a five-year lease with the Board of the National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting, which will put the museum’s board in charge of maintaining the landmark and will allow them to raise funds as a non-profit corporation.
Township approves ‘No Parking Zones’ near local schools – The West Chester Board of Trustees approved last week the establishment of “No Parking Zones” near several of the community’s schools on Dec. 4. The schools affected by the new “No Parking Zones” are Hopewell Junior and Hopewell Elementary, as well as Endeavor Elementary and Adena Elementary.

John Boehner of West Chester became the 61st Speaker of the House Jan. 5, 2011. In December of 2012, Boehner found himself on the hot seat. Photo taken by Michael E. Keating.
Wish List: West Chester mom wants to hear books- Dorothy Jones of West Chester is a mother of three who lost her vision in 2001 following an operation to reduce pressure on her brain. This was life-altering for Dorothy, her husband and children, who were infants and toddlers at the time, Leigh Taylor reported last month.
Enquirer poll: Should John Boehner keep his job?- House Speaker John Boehner of West Chester was on the hot seat in December from those worried that he will give in to President Barack Obama’s demands for higher tax rates in their negotiations to reduce the deficit.
On this birthday, a special number is the one-two know – John Johnston shared the story of Jack Greenlee of West Chester Township, who turned 12 on 12/12/12. Twelve-year-old birthday boys and girls everywhere have extra reason to whoop it up last week. After all, the calendar won’t show this kind of confluence of numbers again until Jan. 1, 2101, or 01/01/01.
West Chester parks to accept trees for recycling in Jan. – There will be two areas in West Chester where the community can recycle their Christmas trees this January, the Township announced in December. Those recycling areas will be located at Keehner Park and Beckett Park. Christmas trees will be accepted at both locations through the end of January.
Lakota West grad John Conner signed by Cincinnati Bengals – When Chris Pressley suffered a season-ending knee injury on Thursday night, the Bengals did not have to look far to find someone to come in. The team signed West Chester native and former Jet John Conner to a two-year deal after a morning workout on Dec. 15 involving three players. Conner moves into Pressley’s roster spot after the Bengals placed him on injured reserve. Pressley suffered the injury during the first quarter of the 34-13 win over the Eagles.
Lakota community dealing with questions after elementary school shooting in Newtown, Conn. – Many schools across the nation opened their doors on Dec. 17 after a weekend where parents, students, teachers and other school staff questioned what could be done to prevent a school shooting like the one that took the lives of 20 children and six adults in Newtown, Conn., on Friday, Dec. 14.

Coney Island, the way it was in 1965, is being built at West Chester’s EnterTRAINment Junction. The replica is expected to be finished in the spring of 2013 and could cost more than $100,000 to finish. Currently, the exhibit already features the Shooting Star roller coaster, which is almost 40 feet long. Photo by Adam Kiefaber Dec. 18, 2012.
Coney Island being built in West Chester- Replica of the Cincinnati amusement park in 1965 to be completed in spring of 2013 at West Chester’s EnterTRAINment Junction. The new Coney Island exhibit, which is expected to open this spring, is expected to cost more than $100,000 to build.
Two families who refuse to let tragedy divide them – In March, Lakota West student Zeke Stepaniak was killed in an automobile accident when he turned in front of James Moore, who was heading home from work. Within a few days of the accident, James had reached out to Zeke’s parents and Zeke’s grandmother had reached out to James. Story written by The Cincinnati Enquirer’s Krista Ramsey.
Butler County deputy delivers baby on Christmas Eve – Sheila McLaughlin reported Dave Runnells’ full-time job is as a Butler County sheriff’s deputy running the graveyard shift. His part-time job is deputy chief of the Madison Township Fire Department, where he’s also an EMT. That’s why Runnells didn’t hesitate to deliver a baby in the back seat of a couple’s car in Trenton early on Christmas Eve.
Lady Liberty battle continues – Kyle Garth isn’t giving up his fight to put a costumed Lady Liberty on Tylersville Road to wave customers into his Liberty Tax Service, Sheila McLaughlin reports. After losing a decision in Ohio’s 12th District Court of Appeals, Garth is taking the case to the state’s highest court in a legal battle that’s already cost township taxpayers $60,000 in legal fees, according to records obtained by The Enquirer.
Pipe bomb explosion still rings in West Chester - Five years ago, Robby Moser couldn’t sound taps on his trumpet at his best friend’s funeral. On Jan. 2, Moser will have a chance to perform in memory of his best friend when the now-Yale graduate student leads a concert at Center Pointe Christian Church in Liberty Township to benefit the Daniel Ferraro Memorial Fund.
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