WestChesterBuzz.com

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.

Ian Mellencamp, nephew of John Cougar Mellencamp, is making a name for himself in the modeling world. The Lakota West graduate has billboards all over the world. He also appeared in commercials and been featured in numerous ad campaigns. Photo provided by New View Management Group.

WestChesterBuzz.com also recently added a new video page last week. To view West Chester and Liberty Township related videos, visit westchesterbuzz.com/videos.

Cop rounds in Butler County now include schools – There are now frequent visitors at Lakota Schools who are armed but very welcome, Michael D. Clark reported last week for The Enquirer. Butler County Sheriff Deputy Mark Gilbert pulled his cruiser into the parking lot of Liberty Early Childhood School about 1 p.m. on a recent school day as part of his daily rounds in Butler County’s Liberty Township. It’s the latest strategy to strengthen school safety, say sheriff officials, who launched the new program last week for the county’s school districts and private schools.

PHOTO GALLERY: Mellencamp making a name for himself – In 2011, John Cougar Mellencamp called his brother in West Chester to let him know he had just seen his nephew on a billboard in Los Angeles. The billboard, which was also on display in New York City, Paris and China, was part of a Calvin Klein campaign that helped launch Ian Mellencamp’s modeling career that year.

Liberty trustee: It’s ‘immoral’ to accept federal funds – Liberty Township will apply for a federal grant to pay for construction and installation of a sidewalk, Sue Kiesewetter reported last week. But if the township is awarded the grant it is uncertain whether it would be accepted. Trustee David Kern voted this week against applying for a transportation alternative grant that would help pay for construction of sidewalks from the Liberty Junior School crosswalk at the Yankee Road/Dutchland Boulevard intersection to Cincinnati-Dayton Road, a distance of 3,250 feet.

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Zack Cozart signed autographs for fans at the Sports Gallery in West Chester Township Tuesday, April 2, 2013. Afterward, he spoke about the team in 2013 and Ryan Ludwick’s injury. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber.

VIDEOS: Zack Cozart visits West Chester – Immediately after Opening Day last season, rookie shortstop Zack Cozart admitted that he was exhausted. After the game, he went back to his apartment and crashed. This year, despite the longer day (game lasted 4 hours and 45 minutes), Cozart said he had more energy after Monday’s opener.

VIDEO: Coyotes welcome at VOA park – Six coyotes are roaming the fields of Voice of America Park. But these coyotes are there for the park’s protection. MetroParks officials are going as far to say, these coyotes are park “employees’’. These six employees are plastic and have to be moved by park staff. However, their job duties are to protecting the park’s $3 million project, which includes 22 new multipurpose natural grass athletic fields.

Posted in: Business, News |

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David Kern / Provided photo

Sue Kiesewetter reports:

Liberty Township will apply for a federal grant to pay for construction and installation of a sidewalk.

But if the township is awarded the grant it is uncertain whether it would be accepted.

Trustee David Kern voted this week against applying for a transportation alternative grant that would help pay for construction of sidewalks from the Liberty Junior School crosswalk at the Yankee Road/Dutchland Boulevard intersection to Cincinnati-Dayton Road, a distance of 3,250 feet.

He joined resident Kathy Dirr in opposing the use of federal dollars for such a project in light of the national debt.

“It is absolutely immoral to take money from the federal government. What we’re doing is taking borrowed money…and putting it on the backs of our children,” Kern said.   “Think of the children who will have to pay the bills. It’s shameful. It’s a disgrace.”

Trustee president Christine Matacic had a different take on the matter. She saw it as a safety issue.

“We already have people walking along Yankee Road and that area is so dangerous,’’ Matacic said. “As a township trustee one of my duties is to make sure we have safe infrastructure to get around on.”

Dirr called the sidewalks a luxury the federal government shouldn’t be paying for.

“We are flat-busted broke,” Dirr said of the federal government. “We should be prioritizing more – going for necessities rather than luxuries.”

Trustee Tom Farrell joined Matacic in voting in favor of applying for the grant but he said he wanted more time to collect data before deciding whether he would support acceptance of any grant money.

The project is expected to cost $300,000 to $500,000 with the grant paying 70 percent of the cost – if the township receives it – and the township paying 30 percent.

Officials expect to be notified whether they are getting the grant by late May or June. If they were awarded the grant, there would be a second vote to accept it.

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Posted in: Government, News |

Tags: Tags: construction, David Kern, federal grant, grant, kathy dirr, lakota junior school, liberty township, national debt, sidewalk, tom farell, transportation alternative grant, trustee

The Butler County Engineer’s Office reports that Millikin Road in Liberty Township is now open, after being closed between Liberty-Fairfield Road and Ohio 747 since Oct. 1 for a widening project.

Before the project began, Township trustees told The Cincinnati Enquirer’s Sue Kiesewetter that they were pleased that county officials were upgrading the road.

“It’s a well-needed improvement and addresses a safety issue,’’ Trustee Pat Hiltman told The Enquirer. “They’re taking an old farm road and bringing it up to current standards for safety.”

The project, which took place on a one-mile stretch of Millikin Road, included the widening of existing lanes from 10 to 12 feet. Furthermore, two-foot wide pave shoulders and a two-foot earth berm were added. Driveways and drainage features also had to be reconstructed to accommodate the widening.

In September, Kiesewetter also reported on other recent improvements to Millikin Road.

It is one of several projects – and the second improvement to Milllikin Road – completed in the last 12 months in the growing township. Last spring a section of the road between the north and south legs of LeSourdsville-West Chester Road was improved.

Other projects included adding a roundabout at Kyles Station and LeSourdsville-West Chester roads and the widening of Butler-Warren Road currently underway at the townships eastern edge.

“With recent and coming development in the area, Millikin Road is carrying more and more traffic,’’ said Greg Wilkens, Butler County engineer. “This project will make it much safer for cars, buses, and trucks which share the roadway.”

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

Posted in: News, Traffic |

Tags: Tags: Butler County Engineer's Office, commute, construction, liberty township, Liberty Township construction, Liberty Township road closures, liberty-fairfield, milikin road, ohio 747, traffic, West Chester construction, West Chester road closures

Sue Kiesewetter reports:

Work to widen a one-mile stretch of Millikin Road in Liberty Township begins Oct. 1 and will continue through mid-November.

While the work is being done the road will be closed between Liberty-Fairfield Road and Ohio 747.

Township trustees say they are pleased that county officials are upgrading the road.

“It’s a well-needed improvement and addresses a safety issue,’’ said Trustee Pat Hiltman. “They’re taking an old farm road and bringing it up to current standards for safety.”

It is one of several projects – and the second improvement to Milllikin Road – completed in the last 12 months in the growing township. Last spring a section of the road between the north and south legs of LeSourdsville-West Chester Road was improved.

Other projects included adding a roundabout at Kyles Station and LeSourdsville-West Chester roads and the widening of Butler-Warren Road currently underway at the townships eastern edge.

“With recent and coming development in the area, Millikin Road is carrying more and more traffic,’’ said Greg Wilkens, Butler County engineer. “This project will make it much safer for cars, buses, and trucks which share the roadway.”

The John R. Jurgensen Company was awarded the contract to do the work, after submitting the low bid of $645,008. It will be funded entirely from the Butler County Engineer’s Office budget.

Existing lanes in the one-mile stretch of roadway will be widened from 10 feet to 12 feet. Crews will also add two-foot wide pave shoulders and a two-foot earth berm. Driveways and drainage features will be reconstructed to accommodate the widening.

Although the road will be closed during construction, access will be maintained for residents, businesses, school buses and emergency vehicles. All others will have to use detours.

Eastbound Millikin Road traffic will detour south on Liberty-Fairfield Road, east on Princeton Road and north on Ohio 747. Westbound traffic would reverse the route.

The road is expected to reopen sometime during the week of Nov. 19, weather permitting.

Updates on the status of the work will be posted at www.bceo.org

Posted in: Traffic |

Tags: Tags: commute, construction, liberty township, liberty-fairfield, milikin road, ohio 747, traffic

Sue Kiesewetter reports:

Pavement repairs on Muhlhauser Road could cause traffic delays Sept. 27-28.

The work will be done on Muhlhauser between International Boulevard and Allen Road in West Chester Township. Crews will maintain one lane of traffic in each direction.

Motorists should be prepared for slow traffic or delays while the pavement is being repaired, pending weather conditions.

Updates will be posted at www.bceo.org/roadclosings

Posted in: Traffic |

Tags: Tags: commute, construction, delays, Muhlhauser Road, traffic

As part of the U.S. 42 widening project, culvert work will require the closure of a portion of U.S. 42 next week, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.

The closure will be in place between Cox Road and Tylersville Road, just north of the entrances to the Pisgah Youth Park baseball fields, 9116 Columbus-Cincinnati Road, and the West Chester Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 9117 Columbus-Cincinnati Road.

The closure will begin Monday, June 11 and is scheduled to be completed by 5 p.m., Friday, June 15 with U.S. 42 reopened to traffic at this time.

Northbound U.S. 42 traffic will be detoured north to Cox Road to east on Tylersville Road to U.S. 42. Southbound traffic will be detoured west to Tylersville Road to south on Cox Road to U.S. 42.

Access to all addresses will be maintained with addresses north of 9117 Cincinnati-Columbus Road accessible from Tylersville Road and addresses south of and including 9117 accessible from Cox Road.

Arrow boards and/or signs will be in place prior to the work zone to alert motorists of the upcoming road closure. To help ensure the safety of the construction workers as well as the traveling public, motorists should remain alert, reduce their speed and watch for stopped traffic.

The completion date for the entire U.S. 42 project is June 2013. The project includes widening U.S. 42 to three lanes. The widening area will provide a through lane in each direction and a middle two-way left-turn lane, from Fields-Ertel Road north to Butler-Warren Road. It also includes left turn lanes on both approaches of Dimmick Road.

Crews hope to have all major items completed by Dec. 2012 with the exception of surface course asphalt, final striping and final grade/landscaping.

West Chester Township offers a monthly construction update meeting for property owners in the impacted area. The meetings are held the first Wednesday of the month at 7:30 a.m. in Township Hall, 9113 Cincinnati-Dayton Road. Updates are also available on the township’s website www.WestChesterOH.org. The next meeting will be held July 11 due to Independence Day falling on the first Wednesday of July.

Posted in: News |

Tags: Tags: construction, delays, Ohio Department of Transportation, railroad crossing, traffic, U.S. 42, U.S. 42 project, U.S. 42 West Chester, West Chester construction, West Chester delays, West Chester Road, West Chester Traffic

Intelligrated Inc. officials break ground on a new office expansion in Mason on Monday, Jan. 30, 2012. The Enquirer/Rachel Richardson

Rachel Richardson of MasonBuzz.com reports:

A Mason-based business with a warehouse in West Chester broke ground on a new office expansion project Monday.

Intelligrated Inc., the fast-growing supplier of material handling systems to retailers and other companies, began construction on a new facility that is expected to bring 200 new jobs over the next three years.

• Photos: Intelligrated Inc. breaks ground on new office expansion

An artist's rendering of the planned office expansion for Intelligrated Inc. The building is expected to be completed in the fall of 2012. Photo provided

The new 60,000-90,000-square-foot facility located next to Intelligrated’s Mason headquarters on Innovation Way is expected to be completed in the fall and will allow the company to expand its engineering, customer service and research and development staffing and testing facilities.

“We aim to be the most technologically-advanced player in the material handling industry,” said Intelligrated CEO Chris Cole. “The new building will help us to expand our footprint, grow our technical staff and create advanced productivity solutions.”

Intelligrated, one of Greater Cincinnati’s largest privately held companies, saw growth of more than 38 percent in 2011, said Cole.

The company employs about 2,000 nationally, including 800 in Ohio. Besides its Mason headquarters and engineering facility, which employs 200, Intelligrated employs about 400 at a nearly 300,000 square-foot plant in West Chester.

Intelligrated received a $15 million expansion package from Ohio and Mason that included a combination of an extension of the company’s existing job creation tax credit, state and local government loans, property tax abatement and a grant from the State.

“It’s a substantial commitment and investment on (Intelligrated’s) part,” said Mason Mayor David Nichols.   ”Not only has this been an amazing accomplishment, this has been achieved in one of the worst economic slumps in modern history.

The company, which produces conveyor systems and other material handling equipment, was launched in 2001 by Cole, and president and COO Jim McCarthy. Intelligrated’s ownership includes Gryphon Investments in San Francisco and Tudor Capital of Boston.

Cole credits the company’s success to its strong commitment to customer service

“We’ve been very careful to keep our customers happy for the long run and we’ve gained a lot of share in the business in a bad economic environment,” he said.  “We’re not done growing… we expect this to be another record year.”

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: business. mason, construction, expansion, groundbreaking, intelligrated, intelligrated inc, warehouse, West Chester

The unloading of a 100-foot long lighting tower from a semi-tractor trailer on southbound Interstate 75 could slow down traffic Wednesday afternoon.

The tower will be offloaded on the shoulder of I-75 between the Liberty Way and Tylersville Road exits from 3 and 5 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Arrow boards and signs will be in place to alert motorists of the upcoming work.

To help ensure the safety of the construction workers as well as the traveling public, motorists should remain alert, reduce their speed and watch for stopped traffic while passing through the work zone.

Posted in: News |

Tags: Tags: construction, delays, I-75, I-75 work, Interstate 75, Ohio Department of Transportation

According to a press release from West Chester Township, the U.S. 42 widening project remains on schedule. The completion date for the entire project is June 2013.

Currently, all subcontractors are progressing northward with the curb placement and the asphalt placement between Dimmick Road and West Chester Road.

It is still the goal of Ohio Department of Transportation and the contractors to complete this part of the project before Dec. 1.

Over the winter months, crews will address drainage on the east side between Fields-Ertel and West Chester Road, and on the north end of the project from West Chester Road to Butler Warren.

A very tentative look ahead to 2012/2013 is to have all major items completed by Dec. 2012 with the exception of surface course asphalt, final striping and final grade/landscaping.

Weather conditions will impact schedule.

While the construction continues, businesses on U.S. 42 will remain open.

West Chester Township offers a monthly construction update meeting for property owners in the impacted area. The meetings are held the first Wednesday of the month at 7:30 a.m. in Township Hall, 9113 Cincinnati-Dayton Road. Updates are also available on the township’s website www.WestChesterOH.org.

Water main work on West Chester Road: Butler County has begun work to replace a water main on West Chester Road between John Road and Barret Road. Traffic on West Chester Road is being maintained throughout the project, with the exception of an anticipated one-day closure to complete the project. The replacement project will take approximately 90 days, weather permitting.

Accident cleared up: Allen Road between Union Centre and Muhlhauser road re-opened around noon Monday after a traffic accident caused damage to a utility pole.

Posted in: News, Traffic |

Tags: Tags: construction, delays, Ohio Department of Transportation, railroad crossing, traffic, U.S. 42, U.S. 42 project, U.S. 42 West Chester, West Chester construction, West Chester delays, West Chester Road, West Chester Traffic

The Butler County Engineer’s Office announced Thursday morning that Princeton Road in Liberty Township is now open. The road closed Oct. 17, while repairs were made to a Texas Gas transmission pipeline.

Originally, the repairs were scheduled to be completed and the road reopened the week of Nov. 14. The portion of Princeton Road that was under repairs was .3 miles east of Ohio 747 and .4 mile west of Van Gordon Road.

For more information about this closing and other projects in the area, visit www.bceo.org/roadclosings.

Posted in: News, Traffic |

Tags: Tags: Butler County Engineer's Office, construction, Princeton road, Princeton Road closure, traffic