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 morning. (Stories are listed in order of date)

Lakota preschool program could be merged: During last Monday’s school board meeting, Lakota officials discussed merging its preschool program with county programs. The proposed joint venture with Butler County Educational Service Center (ESC) would save about $1.2 million of the target $9 million in savings Lakota officials have said is needed for next school year. The merger would affect 288 preschool students and would eliminate 17 classroom jobs for the 2012-2013 school year.

AK Steel executive to retire: Last Monday, West Chester based AK Steel announced that its long-time spokesman Alan H. McCoy, vice president, government and public relations, has elected to retire effective January 31. McCoy was named general manager, public relations for AK Steel in 1994. He is currently a director of the Ohio Steel Council and also serves as a trustee of Ursuline Academy.

West Chester’s IKEA activates solar energy system: The IKEA in West Chester is now powering its lights, operating its cash registers and cooking its Swedish meatballs using a solar energy system that is located on the store’s rooftop. Heather Spatz, West Chester’s IKEA store manager, officially announced the activation of the solar energy system last Tuesday. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the amount of clean electricity produced by 4,186 solar panels atop the IKEA building is equivalent to eliminating the yearly emissions of 180 passenger cars.

Road projects to affect Cincinnati-Dayton Road, Ohio 129 and U.S. 42: Last Tuesday, The Butler County Engineer’s Office announced that it is planning to improve Cincinnati-Dayton Road at the Ohio 129 interchange in Liberty Township. The project, which is slated for construction in 2014, is currently in the preliminary engineering phase with environmental studies and early design plans under way. The $2.5 million project is geared to improving traffic safety and flow in the area. Meanwhile, the Ohio Department of Transportation announced last Tuesday that culvert replacement will require closing U.S. 42 between Cox Road and Tylersville Road from Feb. 18 to March 2.

Lakota West falls to Fairfield in battle for 2nd in GMC: After handing Middletown its first conference loss Jan. 20, Lakota West hosted Fairfield last Tuesday in a basketball game between two programs tied for second place in the Greater Miami Conference. The Firebirds jumped out to an early lead, but fell behind and eventually lost 70-59. Lakota West did rebound with a win last Friday when it defeated Colerain by the score 77-71 in overtime. The Firebirds are currently in a three-way tie for third in the GMC.

West Chester cop David Busemeyer pleads guilty to felonies, quits job: A police officer pleaded guilty to two felony charges, then resigned from his job last Wednesday. David Busemeyer, who was accused of alerting a drug dealer to an undercover bust, admitted to attempted tampering with evidence and obstructing official business. In exchange for his plea in Butler County Common Pleas Court, a charge of obstructing justice was dismissed. Busemeyer also was accused of revealing the identity of a confidential informant in the case. After the plea, Busemeyer tendered his resignation from the job he had held since August 2002. He faces a maximum prison term of two and a half years, but could be granted probation at sentencing March 8.

Two killed in West Chester crash: Police found two people dead Saturday morning in a car that crashed into two parked semi tractor-trailers at a distribution warehouse at 9842 International Blvd. Police determined that the victims were traveling northbound on International Boulevard in a Honda Civic when it veered off the road, passed through a parking lot, hit two trees, encountered a berm and became airborne. When the car landed, it went under one tractor-trailer, sheering off the car’s top. The car then became wedged under a second tractor-trailer. The names of the victims have not been released.

Posted in: Board of Education, Crime, Levy news, News, Schools, Sports, Traffic, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: AK Steel, AK Steel West Chester, Alan H. McCoy, Alan McCoy, Barbara Wilson, Butler County Engineer’s Office, Cincinnati-Dayton Road, Cincinnati-Dayton Road Liberty Township, Cox Road, Cox Road West Chester, David Busemeyer, IKEA, IKEA Cincinnati, IKEA photos, IKEA solar photos, IKEA solar power, IKEA solar power Cincinnati, IKEA solar power West Chester, IKEA West Chester, Lakota, Lakota cuts, Lakota Local Schools, Lakota preschool, Lakota preschool program, Lakota reductions, Lakota school levy, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Last week in West Chester, Liberty Township construction, Ohio 129, Ohio 129 Liberty Township, Tylersville Road, Tylersville Road West Chester, U.S. 42, U.S. 42 project, U.S. 42 West Chester, West Chester accident, West Chester Police Officer David Busemeyer, West Chester Traffic, West Chester traffic delays

The IKEA in West Chester is now powering its lights, operating its cash registers and cooking its Swedish meatballs using a solar energy system that is located on the store’s rooftop.

Heather Spatz, West Chester’s IKEA store manager, officially announced Tuesday the activation of the solar energy system that is expected to produce approximately 1,334,300 kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, that amount of clean electricity is equivalent to eliminating the yearly emissions of 180 passenger cars.

“We are excited to be the 14th IKEA store to do this project in the United States,” Spatz said. “This is the largest commercial rooftop (solar) operation in Ohio. On our roof we now have 128,000 square feet of solar program consisting of 4,186 panels that are generating approximately 1 million kilowatts (hours) of clean electricity annually.”

The 4,186 panels cover the store’s rooftop and could produce nearly 40 million kilowatt-hours of electricity in the next 30 years, according REC Solar senior project manager Fabian Kulynych.

“That’s equivalent to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by over 28,000 tons,” said Kulynych, whose company acted as the contractor for the project.

“In 40 years from now, IKEA will be producing its own electricity for free while electricity from fossil fuels is expected to cost five times more. These energy savings will allow IKEA to keep its operating costs down and continue to pass along competitive prices on its products to its consumers.”

The consumers shopping at IKEA Tuesday morning had no idea about the thousands of solar panels atop the store, but thought the project should be shared with the community.

“It is important to our community that our businesses are successful and if IKEA can find a way to do that then it should be communicated back to us,” Lynn Shank of Liberty Township said. “If things can be done more efficiently (with energy) I would definitely support it.”

Also, supporting the new solar energy system was West Chester Township Board of Trustees President Catherine Stoker.

“Today, we are celebrating IKEA taking another giant step forward in showing not only residents but also businesses on how they can make our environment cleaner and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels,” Stoker said. “This is important to our lifestyle and wellbeing because it allows to become more and more independent.”

An additional 23 IKEA locations in the United States have solar energy projects underway. Once completed, IKEA will have a U.S. solar presence of 85 percent.

Posted in: Board of Trustees, Business, News |

Tags: Tags: Catherine Stoker, Fabian Kulynych, Fabian Kulynych REC Solar, Heather Spatz, Heather Spatz IKEA, IKEA, IKEA Cincinnati, IKEA photos, IKEA solar photos, IKEA solar power, IKEA solar power Cincinnati, IKEA solar power West Chester, IKEA West Chester, West Chester Board of Trustees, West Chester photos, West Chester Township Board of Trustees

IKEA in West Chester will be offering its customers an all-you-can-eat holiday smorgasbord Friday. The buffet or Julbord will be offered in two sessions from 5 to 7 p.m. and from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Julbord is the standard Christmas dinner in Scandinavian countries.

During the annual IKEA holiday event, guests can enjoy an endless meal of traditional Swedish food offerings such as Swedish holiday ham, smoked salmon and Swedish style meatballs.

• IKEA’s annual soft toys for education campaign Nov. 1-Dec. 24

The Swedes in Greater Cincinnati adult and children’s choir will also provide entertainment, starting at 6 p.m.

Tickets for the buffet can be purchased in the IKEA restaurant. The cost is $9.99 for adults and $2.49 for children 12 and under.

The Julbord menu includes the following items, assorted herring, gravad lax with mustard sauce, smoked salmon with horseradish sauce, whole poached salmon, hard-boiled eggs with shrimp, Swedish cucumber salad, red beet salad, Swedish potato salad, Christmas ham, asssorted cheeses, meatballs and lingonberries, red cabbage, boiled potatoes with dill, crispbread, thin bread, dinner rolls, Swedish rice pudding with almonds, assorted desserts, glögg, coffee, tea and fountain beverages.

Seating is limited for both sessions. For more details, call 513-779-7100.

Posted in: Uncategorized |

Tags: Tags: charity, IKEA, IKEA soft toys, IKEA soft toys for education campaign, IKEA toys, IKEA West Chester, Liberty Township Christmas, Toys for Tots, West Chester Christmas

IKEA will be offering children 12 and under a free meal this weekend Friday through Sunday. The free meal is part of the store’s three-day sale for Black Friday weekend.

Children can choose one kid’s combo meal valued at $2.49 at the IKEA restaurant. Meals include macaroni and cheese, chicken tenders or meatballs. Each meal comes with a side (mixed vegetables, fries or mashed potatoes) and a drink (milk, lingonberry drink or fountain beverage).

Adults do not need to purchase any food items in order to get the kids’ deal. There is a limit of one meal per child per visit.

For more information, visit www.IKEA.com.

IKEA is located at 9500 IKEA Way and is open from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Posted in: Business, Events, News |

Tags: Tags: free food IKEA, IKEA, IKEA Black Friday, IKEA Ohio, IKEA West Chester, kids eat free IKEA

The West Chester ▪ Liberty Chamber Alliance will be celebrating the grand opening of their new location with a ribbon cutting and open house from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday.

The new office is located at 8922 Beckett Road in West Chester. The Chamber offices were previously located at 7617 Voice of America Drive.

“Our new office location offers more contiguous space to enhance work flow and member access,” said Joe Hinson, Chamber president & CEO.

“It’s more than just a fresh coat of paint, its three organizations – Butler Tech, SCORE and the West Chester ▪ Liberty Chamber Alliance collaborating to provide value added resources and strategic support to our growing business community. “

Food and beverages for the event will be provided by At Your Service Catering & Event Planning, G & J Pepsi Cola, IKEA, Jag’s Steak & Seafood, Noodles & Company, Qdoba Mexican Grill, RiverCity Grille at the Cincinnati Marriott North, Stone Creek Dining Company, UNO Chicago Grill, Taco Bell and Warsteiner Importers Agency, Inc.

No RSVP is necessary to attend.

For more information, visit TheChamberAlliance.com or call 513-777-3600.

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: At Your Service Catering & Event Planning, Chamber, G & J Pepsi Cola, grand opening, IKEA, Jag’s Steak & Seafood, Joe Hinson, Noodles & Company, Qdoba, RiverCity Grille at the Cincinnati Marriott North, Stone Creek Dining Company, Taco Bell, UNO, Uno Chicago Grill, Uno's Chicago Grill, Warsteiner Importers Agency, West Chester Liberty Chamber Alliance

For every soft toy, children’s book or kid’s meal IKEA customers purchase between Nov. 1 to Dec. 24, the IKEA Foundation will donate one Euro (approximately $1.35 U.S.) to UNICEF and Save the Children to help children receive a quality education.

Since it started in 2003, IKEA’s annual soft toys for education campaign, has raised a total of $48 million and has helped more than eight million children in forty countries.

IKEA Soft Toys range in price from $.49-to-$19.99 and are available at IKEA’s store in West Chester. This year, the range includes circus animals, vegetables and books, in addition to its regular extensive range of plush soft toys.

“IKEA strongly supports the rights of every child and understands that education is key to their growth and development,” said Mike Ward, IKEA US President.

“And this year, we are pleased to donate IKEA soft toys to Toys for Tots to help increase their holiday gift.”

According to a press release from IKEA, each IKEA US store will contribute hundreds of IKEA soft toys and children’s books to the Toys for Tots program in local IKEA store markets or Toys for Tots locations.

Posted in: Business, Events, News |

Tags: Tags: charity, IKEA, IKEA soft toys, IKEA soft toys for education campaign, IKEA toys, Toys for Tots

The Butler County Visitors Bureau (BCVB) is currently running a promotion to increase the amount of “likes” it has on its Facebook page. As part of the promotion, the BCVB is giving people the chance to enter its BC Shop & Stay Weekend Getaway.

The winner of the getaway will receive two nights accommodation at Wingate by Wyndham Cincinnati/West Chester and dinner for two at the M Café. The contest also includes a VIP tote from Cincinnati Premium Outlets, a Cincinnati Favorites gift basket, a gift card to IKEA and coupons from other shopping destinations in Butler County.

The Cincinnati Premium Outlets VIP tote includes a $100 centerwide gift card and a voucher for a free VIP coupon book worth hundreds of dollars in savings at participating stores. The prize also includes a $10 gift card to Jungle Jim’s International Market and a $100 gift card for shopping at IKEA.

The sweepstakes is open to any U.S. resident, who is 18 years old and older. The contest will end at midnight Aug. 31.

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: BC Shop & Stay Weekend Getaway, BCVB, Butler County Visitor's Bureau, Cincinnati Premium Outlets, IKEA, Jungle Jim's, Jungle Jim’s International Market, Wingate by Wyndham, Wingate Hotel

The Butler County Visitors Bureau (BCVB) is currently running a promotion to increase the amount of “likes” it has on its Facebook page. As part of the promotion, the BCVB is giving people the chance to enter its BC Shop & Stay Weekend Getaway.

The winner of the getaway will receive two nights accommodation at Wingate by Wyndham Cincinnati/West Chester and dinner for two at the M Café. The contest also includes a VIP tote from Cincinnati Premium Outlets, a Cincinnati Favorites gift basket, a gift card to IKEA and coupons from other shopping destinations in Butler County.

The Cincinnati Premium Outlets VIP tote includes a $100 centerwide gift card and a voucher for a free VIP coupon book worth hundreds of dollars in savings at participating stores. The prize also includes a $10 gift card to Jungle Jim’s International Market and a $100 gift card for shopping at IKEA.

The sweepstakes is open to any U.S. resident, who is 18 years old and older. The contest will end at midnight Aug. 31.

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: BC Shop & Stay Weekend Getaway, BCVB, Butler County Visitor's Bureau, Cincinnati Premium Outlets, IKEA, Jungle Jim's, Jungle Jim’s International Market, Wingate by Wyndham, Wingate Hotel

In a recent release by IKEA, the store has announced that it has stopped the sale of traditional, incandescent light bulbs. According to the release, IKEA is the first major retailer to stop the sale of the incandescent lights.

Other retailers will be forced to follow suit and phase out of all incandescent light blubs by 2012-2014 due to the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.

According to a recent article by the Cincinnati Enquirer, the new rules don’t start taking effect nationally until next year, but California began phasing out the sale of older, less efficient 100-watt bulbs on Jan. 1, and new federal labeling rules take effect this year. IKEA announced plans last spring to begin phasing out incandescent bulbs in favor of more energy-efficient ones.

For more information about energy-saving light blubs and IKEA’s decision to phase out incandescent lights, visit IKEA.com and the Enquirer’s story titled IKEA quits selling incandescent bulbs.

IKEA has one store in Ohio and it is located in West Chester. The store’s address is 9500 IKEA Way.

Posted in: Business, Government, News |

Tags: Tags: Energy Independence and Security Act, energy savings, IKEA, incandescent lights, light bulbs

The IKEA restaurant in West Chester is celebrating St. Lucia today, Dec. 10, from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with an all-you-can-eat Swedish Christmas smorgasbord. The event will also feature performances from the “Swedes in Greater Cincinnati.”

The children of “Swedes in Greater Cincinnati” will perform traditional St. Lucia processional around the store and sing songs at the end of the restaurant.

The holiday smorgasbord will cost $9.99 per person for adults and $2.49 for kids 12 and under.

The regular Friday kids eat free promotion and current pasta promotion will not be valid during this event. The pasta promotion will continue Dec. 12 and go to Dec. 17. The promotion gives customers a free hot entrée or equal or lesser value for free after they buy one pasta combo plate for $4.99.

IKEA is located at 9500 IKEA Way in West Chester.

Posted in: Business, Events, News, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: Christmas, food, Holiday, IKEA, St. Lucia, Swedish Christmas