WestChesterBuzz.com

Did you see this? Alpacas invade West Chester last week

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. To view West Chester and Liberty Township related videos, visit westchesterbuzz.com/videos.

Lakota East head coach Nikki Drew gives instructions to her team during their girls basketball game against Lakota West Jan. 9, 2013. Photo taken by Tony Tribble.

Nikki Drew steps down from coaching job at Lakota East – The only coach to ever lead a Lakota East girls’ basketball team to a winning season is stepping down, so she can spend more time with her 8-year-old daughter. Drew posted a 55-40 overall record at Lakota East. In other words, Drew led East to more wins in 4 seasons than East had been able to win its previous 12.

Cincinnati Tea Party elects Ann Becker as president – The Board of Directors of the Cincinnati Tea Party announced last Thursday that it has elected Ann Becker, who is currently the president of the West Chester Tea Party, as its new president. Becker, 36, of West Chester, succeeds George Brunemann, who has served as the Cincinnati Tea Party’s since 2011. Becker said that she will also remain president of the West Chester branch.

Suspect has recently spent 12K from stolen credit cards – Police are looking for a man, who is accused of stealing credit cards from two different Greater Cincinnati LA Fitness locations this month and then using them to buy gifts worth thousands of dollars. In both incidents, the victims had used combination padlocks on their gym lockers. Each time, the suspect was able to open the lock, go through the locker and re-lock it before being seen.

Lakota West junior running back Mikel Horton has received four Division I offers to play college football last week. The latest coming from Miami (Ohio) on March 1. Photo taken by Joseph Fuqua II.

Lakota West RB Mikel Horton has big week – Miami (Ohio) was the fourth Division I football program to offer Lakota West junior running back Mikel Horton last week. Louisville, Cincinnati and Purdue offered on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. In addition, Horton has received interest from Penn State, Michigan State and Arkansas, as well as offers from Indiana, Minnesota, Kent State, Toledo, Bowling Green, Western Michigan and Kentucky.

O’Gara pays $10M for BAE armored vehicle division – The O’Gara Group Inc., a maker of armored vehicles and other security products, completed its purchase of BAE Systems’ Fairfield-based commercial armored vehicles division last Monday, the company announced. Fewer than 20 BAE employees were laid off prior to the $10 million sale, O’Gara Group CEO Bill O’Gara said; the remaining 110 employees will remain.

Liberty Township development takes on new look – A new plan for the Carriage Hill development will provide residents of all ages everything from an ice cream shop to hiking trails. The 400-acre project is located on the east side of Ohio 747, between Millikin and Princeton roads. It is also the site for this year’s Homearama custom home show, put on by the Homebuilder’s Association of Greater Cincinnati.

Lakota East and Lakota West fall in sectional finals – Lakota East came up just short, 57-56, against Withrow, while Walnut Hills defeated Lakota West, 60-46, in the sectional finals Friday night at the University of Cincinnati. Both losses ended the boys’ basketball seasons for each program.

Boehner tells Senate to get off their … – After making a famous comment about the Senate’s inactivity (watch video below) before the sequester took affect last week, House Speaker John Boehner didn’t resort to any foul language last Thursday when talking about his political opponents in the U.S. Senate. The West Chester Republican mostly avoided responding directly to reporters’ questions about the imminent across-the-board spending cuts.

Posted in: Crime, Fall sports, Government, News, Sports, Tea Party, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Ann Becker, Ann Becker Cincinnati Tea Party, Ann Becker West Chester Tea Party, Cincinnati Tea Party, Crime Stoppers, John Boehner, John Boehner Cincinnati, John Boehner State of the Union, John Boehner videos, John Boehner West Chester, Lakota East, Lakota East basketball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West sports, Mikel Horton, Mikel Horton football recruiting, Mikel Horton Lakota West, Nikki Drew, Nikki Drew Lakota East, Nikki Drew Xavier, Ohio football recruiting, Ohio High School sports recruiting, Ohio preps recruiting, Ohio sports recruiting, Ohio Tea Party, sequester, West Chester Ohio crime, West Chester Police, West Chester Police Department, West Chester Tea Party

Crime Stoppers photo of suspected credit card thief entering the Lowe’s in West Chester. The suspect tried to purchase $2,000 worth of gift cards at the store, but left without them after he was asked to provide identification. Photo provided.

Police are looking for a man, who is accused of stealing credit cards from two different Greater Cincinnati LA Fitness locations this month and then using them to buy gifts worth thousands of dollars.

After allegedly stealing credit cards from a Florence (Ky.) fitness club, this suspect went on a spending spree at many stores including this Best Buy in Florence, Ky. Photo provided.

According to Detective Patrick Cottingham of the Florence Police Department, a victim had his vehicle keys stolen from his locker at LA Fitness in Florence on Feb. 17. The suspect then stole the victim’s wallet and credit cards from the car.

The charges made on the credit cards total approximately $8,000 worth of gift cards and cell phones at Best Buy, Lowe’s and Meijer. Gift cards purchased with the stolen credit cards have been used as far away as Columbus, according to the report.

Two days prior to the theft in Florence, a similar incident where another credit card was stolen occurred at the LA Fitness in West Chester. Detective Doug Farris of the West Chester Police Department said the stolen credit card was used at the Meijer in West Chester and at Cincinnati Premium Outlets in Monroe.

The suspect also attempted to buy gift cards worth $2,000 at the Lowe’s in West Chester. However, when asked to provide identification, the suspect left without the gift cards. Including that transaction, which went through according to Farris, the suspect spent approximately $4,000 with the card he stole in West Chester.

In both incidents, the victims had used combination padlocks on their gym lockers. Each time, the suspect was able to open the lock, go through the locker and re-lock it before being seen.

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

People can also contact the West Chester Police Department at 513-777-2231 or 513-759-7266 or the Florence Police Department at 859-647-5420.

Posted in: Crime, News |

Tags: Tags: Crime Stoppers, West Chester Ohio crime, West Chester Police, West Chester Police Department

Alicia Lang participates in a walk in her honor during the Alicia’s Lungs benefit at Lakota West High School in May of 2011. It was one of many fundraisers the family had as Lang waited for new lungs. Photo taken by Amanda Davidson.

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. To view West Chester and Liberty Township related videos, visit westchesterbuzz.com/videos.

Lakota West grad wakes up after double-lung transplant – When Alicia Lang finally woke up Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Cleveland Clinic, she did so with a new pair of lungs. Lang, a 20-year-old Lakota West graduate who has cystic fibrosis, has been waiting for more than two years for a double-lung transplant. On Feb. 11, the long wait was over. Lang’s operation was a success. WestChesterBuzz.com reported the story last week.

Pat Hiltman is resigning effective immediately from his trustee post because a recent job change. Photo provided.

Liberty Township trustee Pat Hiltman steps down – After serving seven years as a Liberty Township trustee, Pat Hiltman is stepping down, 10 months shy of finishing his second term. Hiltman said he was resigning effective immediately because a recent job change requires extensive travel.

Justice doled out differently in Butler Co. courts – Sheila McLaughlin reported last week: The weekly cattle call at Butler County Area III Court swells with a mixed bag of people charged with minor crimes and traffic violations. They spend hours waiting for their cases to be called. Many plead guilty, get probation and make a stop at the clerk’s window to pay their fines. Most go on their way with a criminal record that anyone can see.

Gun rally in West Chester – There were times, on a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon in West Chester, when the Day of Resistance gathering felt like a heavily armed history class. Hundreds of people stood, many with pistols on their hips or semi-automatic rifles slung over their shoulders, and listened to speakers talk about the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions of 1798, about the Federalists versus the anti-Federalists debate, and the history of the legal theory of nullification.

Two different police departments say this suspect is responsible for stealing donations from a pair of local mosques on the same morning. Photo provided.

West Chester police looking for thief who stole from mosques – West Chester and Miamisburg police departments are trying to identify a man, who detectives say is responsible for stealing donations from a pair of local mosques on the same morning. Crime Stoppers released photos of the suspect last Wednesday.

Lakota West RB Mikel Horton adds offers – Minnesota and Western Michigan offered Lakota West junior running back Mikel Horton last Wednesday, according Lakota West head football coach Larry Cox. Horton, who has received interest from Louisville, Penn State and Michigan State, also has offers from Indiana, Kent State, Toledo, Bowling Green and Kentucky.

ASU offers Lakota East OL Jarrett LaRubbio – Arizona State offered Lakota East junior offensive lineman Jarrett LaRubbio last Tuesday, Lakota East coach Rick Haynes told Cincinnati Enquirer high school sports recruiting writer Mike Dyer. Haynes later told Dyer that Western Michigan is offering, as well. he 6-foot-5, 265-pound lineman received offers earlier this month from Duke, Kentucky and Nebraska. He also has offers from Akron, Pittsburgh, Bowling Green, Toledo, Kent State and Ohio.

Posted in: Board of Trustees, Crime, News |

Tags: Tags: Alicia Lang, Alicia's Lungs, Crime Stoppers, Cystic Fibrosis, Day of Resistance, Day of Resistance rally, Day of Resistance rally West Chester, Day of Resistance West Chester, fundraiser, gun control, Jim Lang, Judge Rob Lyons, Lakota West, Liberty Township Ohio, Liberty Township Trustee Pat Hiltman, Liberty Township trustees, Mary Kay Lang, Miami University, Miami University crime, Nick Lang, Pat Hiltman, Rob Lyons, West Chester Ohio crime, West Chester Police, West Chester Police Department

West Chester and Miamisburg police departments are trying to identify a man, who detectives say is responsible for stealing donations from a pair of local mosques on the same morning.

Crime Stoppers released photos of the suspect on Wednesday.

According to Miamisburg Detective Jason Threlkeld, the suspect participated in the 6:45 a.m. service at the Dayton Mercy Society/Islamic Center in Miamisburg on Sunday, Feb. 10, before stealing two donation boxes with an estimated $1,500 in each box.

According to Threlkeld, the suspect left the service halfway in and unlocked a door that led outside. He then returned to the service and left the mosque, but returned at 8:03 a.m. to steal the donation boxes.

Later that morning, at 9:38 a.m., the same suspect driving the same maroon Chevy Silverado (make 2005 to 2010), was seen stealing from the donation box at the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati in West Chester.

This time, the suspect didn’t take the donation box. Instead, video surveillance shows that he used what appeared to be a metal hanger “to fish out the money,” according to West Chester Sgt. John Kleinfeldt.

It is not known how much money was taken from the West Chester mosque.

Furthermore, the suspect is thought to have stolen from a vehicle in Blue Ash this month. According to Kleinfeldt, credit cards were among the items that were stolen.

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

People can also contact the West Chester Police Department, 9577 Beckett Road Suite 500, by calling 513-777-2231 or 513-759-7266; or contact the Miamisburg Police Department dispatch at 937-225-HELP or by calling Detective Threlkeld at 937-847-6620.

Posted in: Crime, News |

Tags: Tags: Crime Stoppers, West Chester Ohio crime, West Chester Police, West Chester Police Department

Suspect, seen above, allegedly followed a woman into West Chester gas station then grabbed her butt and left. Photo provided.

The West Chester Police Department is trying to identify a man who grabbed a woman’s butt at a local gas station.

Suspect’s vehicle. Provided.

According to the report, the woman told police that she was followed into the Sunoco located at 7424 Tylersville Road in West Chester. While there, she had her back turned towards the suspect as he walked past and grabbed her butt.

The suspect left in a gray or silver-colored SUV, most likely a Cadillac Escalade or Chevy Suburban with dark-colored custom wheels.

The suspect is wanted for sexual imposition.

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

People can also contact the West Chester Police Department, 9577 Beckett Road Suite 500, by calling 513-777-2231 or 513-759-7266. West Chester detective Dave Mize provided the report to Crime Stoppers.

Posted in: Crime, News |

Tags: Tags: Crime Stoppers, West Chester Ohio crime, West Chester Police, West Chester Police Department

Suspect, who may have stolen a credit card in West Chester, is seen here walking into Staples. Photo provided.

Another photo of the suspect. Provided.

According to Crime Stoppers, West Chester Township detectives said that a stolen credit card was used to purchase gifts on Jan. 27, 2013.

The credit card was initially taken from a vehicle at LA Fitness located at Tylersville and I-75.

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

People can also contact the West Chester Police Department, 9577 Beckett Road Suite 500, by calling 513-777-2231 or 513-759-7266. West Chester detective Tim Mintkenbaugh provided the report to Crime Stoppers.

Posted in: Crime, News |

Tags: Tags: Crime Stoppers, West Chester Ohio crime, West Chester Police, West Chester Police Department

The suspect police are looking for in connection to a theft at the Bob Evans on Dudley Drive in West Chester on Dec. 22.. Photo provided.

Crime Stoppers released information Wednesday that a victim had their wallet stolen from Bob Evans on Dudley Drive in West Chester on Dec. 22.

The victim’s credit cards were later used at Home Depot, Walgreens and Walmart to purchase gift cards.

The suspect also used the victim’s credit cards at Kohl’s in Florence, Ky., to purchase gift cards. Kohl’s Loss Prevention Department tracked the gift cards to Indiana and Illinois, towards Chicago.

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

People can also contact the West Chester Police Department, 9577 Beckett Road Suite 500, by calling 513-777-2231 or 513-759-7266. West Chester detective David Mize provided the report to Crime Stoppers.

Also in December, a victim had their wallet stolen at Kroger’s, 7855 Tylersville Road, in West Chester. The female’s credit cards were then used to buy gift cards at a nearby Walgreens. The Fairfield Police believe the same suspect (different than the Bob Evans case – photo of suspect) committed a similar offense on Nov. 21, 2012 at its Meijer.

Posted in: Crime, News |

Tags: Tags: Bob Evans, Bob Evans West Chester, Crime Stoppers, West Chester Police, West Chester Police Department

The suspect police are looking for in connection to a theft at the Kroger off Tylersville Road in West Chester. Photo provided.

Crime Stoppers released information Thursday that a person shopping at Kroger’s, 7855 Tylersville Road, in West Chester had their wallet stolen.

The suspect police are looking for in connection to a theft at the Kroger off Tylersville Road in West Chester. Photo provided.

The theft took place on Dec. 7, 2012.

The Fairfield Police believe the same suspect committed a similar offense on Nov. 21, 2012 at its Meijer.

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

People can also contact the West Chester Police Department, 9577 Beckett Road Suite 500, by calling 513-777-2231 or 513-759-7266. West Chester detective David Mize provided the report to Crime Stoppers.

Posted in: Crime, News |

Tags: Tags: Crime Stoppers, Kroger, Tylersville Road Kroger, West Chester Police, West Chester Police Department

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.

EnterTRAINment’s holiday attractions continue to grow – WestChesterBuzz.com visited one of the region’s biggest holiday attractions last week. More than 20,000 people will visit EnterTRAINment Junction’s free holiday train display and its Journey to the North Pole attraction before the new year, according to EnterTRAINment general manager Bill Balfour.

A female suspect is believed to have stolen a purse from the Splash N Dash in West Chester on Nov. 9. The suspect then used the victim’s credit cards at three locations, including Thorntons in West Chester. In photo, suspect is shown entering the gas station on Thornton’s security camera. Photo provided.

Police looking for West Chester laundromat thief- A female suspect is believed to have stolen a purse in early November from the Splash N Dash at 7770 Cincinnati-Dayton Road in West Chester, according to a police report that was shared by Crime Stoppers last week. Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers at 513-352-3040.

Nude protesters jam John Boehner’s D.C. office – Several AIDS protesters took off their clothes in House Speaker John Boehner‘s office last Tuesday. A reporter for Talking Points Memo witnessed the disrobing and chanting, in which they rhymed “budget cuts will make us sick” with a “Boehner don’t be a (word we can’t use here.)”

Exchange “Food For Fines” at West Chester Library – WestChesterBuzz.com announced last Monday that the MidPointe Library System is once again offering its “Food for Fines” promotion, which allows library goers a chance to eliminate their overdue fees when they donate food. The program, which runs through Dec. 31, will eliminate one dollar of outstanding fines for each non-perishable food item a patron donates.

IKEA debuts redesigned marketplace – IKEA has redesigned the accessories marketplace (lower level) of its West Chester store and now has updated displays, new products and a redesigned layout for its cookware, bedding, lighting, home organization and textiles departments, among others.

Basketball season tips off – The Lakota East and Lakota West varsity basketball teams began the 2012-2013 season this past week. Through Sunday, both the Lakota East (2-0) and Lakota West (1-0) boys’ teams are unbeaten, while the Lakota East (0-3, 0-1 in GMC) and Lakota West (2-1, 1-1 in GMC) girls’ teams are getting adjusted with young rosters.

Posted in: Business, Crime, News |

Tags: Tags: Crime Stoppers, EnterTrainment Junction, EnterTrainment Junction train display, EnterTrainment Junction West Chester, IKEA, IKEA Cincinnati, IKEA Ohio, IKEA West Chester, Journey to the North Pole, Liberty Township Christmas, Splash N Dash, Splash N Dash West Chester, Thorntons, Thorntons gas station, train display, Urban Active West Chester, West Chester business, West Chester business news, West Chester Christmas, West Chester laundromat thief, West Chester Police, West Chester Police Department

A female suspect is believed to have stolen a purse from the Splash N Dash in West Chester on Nov. 9. The suspect then used the victim’s credit cards at three locations, including Thorntons in West Chester. In photo, suspect is shown entering the gas station on Thornton’s security camera. Photo provided.

A female suspect is believed to have stolen a purse earlier this month from the Splash N Dash at 7770 Cincinnati-Dayton Road in West Chester, according to a police report.

The victim in the incident report told police that she believed a female around 40-to-45 years old, 5-foot-4 and 140 pounds, took her purse while she switched her laundry on Nov. 9.

Credit cards from the purse were then used within an hour at Thorntons and Kroger in West Chester and again at Drug Mart in Mason, according to information provided by Sergeant John Kleinfeldt of the West Chester Police Department.

According to Crime Stoppers, the female suspect arrived at Thorntons in an older vehicle driven by a white male.

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

People can also contact the West Chester Police Department, 9577 Beckett Road Suite 500, by calling 513-777-2231.

Posted in: Crime, News |

Tags: Tags: Crime Stoppers, Splash N Dash, Splash N Dash West Chester, Thorntons, Thorntons gas station, Urban Active West Chester, West Chester laundromat thief, West Chester Police, West Chester Police Department