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.

Beckett Park opens its west side after $2 million upgrade – The west side portion of Beckett Park officially reopened June 29 after a $2.09 million upgrade that included the construction of a new shelter, a “natural” playground, a small pond that can used as an ice skating rink in the winter and a 1.25-mile trail that loops around two newly enlarged lakes. Beckett Park is 150 acres and straddles Beckett Road near the Union Centre Boulevard intersection. WestChesterBuzz.com got its first look at the upgrade to the park last week.

Brad Lovell. Photo provided.

Lakota names four new principals- Lakota officials recently announced that the school district will be adding new principals to four different schools following approval by the board of education. New principals include Brad Lovell (Creekside Early Childhood), Christina French (Hopewell Elementary), Stacy Millburg (Lakota East Freshman – associate principal) and Jason Jackson (Lakota West Freshman – associate principal).

AK Steel to cut 2013 pension contribution – Bloomberg News reported last week that West Chester-based AK Steel Holding Corp., will cut its estimated 2013 pension expense by one-third, or $100 million, after passage of a transportation bill extension lowered some required contributions. The bill stabilizes the minimum annual contributions to fund defined-benefit pension plans, while raising premiums paid to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp., AK said.

Brennan Ryan. Photo provided.

Lakota West hires Brennan Ryan to lead wrestling program- The Lakota school district’s high school athletic department announced last Monday that it hired Brennan Ryan as its new head coach of the Lakota West wrestling program. Ryan, who has experience as a wrestling head coach at Roger Bacon and Madeira high schools, was hired to replace Tim Kessler.

Battelle for Kids honors 18 Lakota teachers – A total of 18 Lakota educators were recognized in late June for teaching excellence at the Ohio Educators Connect for Success Conference in Columbus, Lakota officials announced last Wednesday. Battelle for Kids honored the local educators as part of its “Celebrate Teaching” initiative that is used to find out what makes a teacher highly effective and how to best learn from their practices.

VOA Museum. Tony Jones/photo.

National VOA Museum gears up for tours – With the recent completion of some significant construction work, the National VOA Museum of Broadcasting announced that it will open for tours on the third Saturday of each month from 1 to 4 p.m. starting July 21.

West Chester Library breaks checkout record – The West Chester location of the MidPointe Library System broke its previous record for checkouts in a month this past June. The local library announced last week that it had 136,512 items checked out last month, trumping its old record set in July of 2008 by more than 4,000 checkouts.

List: Reach Out Lakota back-to-school supply needs – Reach Out Lakota released its supply list for its annual Back to School program last Wednesday. Currently, only a small percent of the needed supplies have been donated for the more than 450 registered children in the Lakota school district.

Jay Bruce. Adam Kiefaber/photo.

Photos: Jay Bruce signing in West Chester – Less than a week from the Major League All-Star game, Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jay Bruce took time for an autograph session at the Sports Gallery in West Chester Sunday. Hundreds of fans packed the local sports memorabilia shop to get a glimpse and have their photo taken with the two-time MLB All-Star.

Photos: Crazy Cardboard Boat Regatta in West Chester – Tony Jones of The Cincinnati Enquirer photographed one of West Chester Township’s largest outdoor events this past weekend. Additional photos from the community will be posted on WestChesterBuzz.com later this week.

Posted in: Board of Education, Business, Events, Government, News, Schools, Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: AK Steel, AK Steel West Chester, Beckett Park, Beckett Park project, Beckett Park West Chester, Brad Lovell, Brennan Ryan, Christina French, Cincinnati Reds player signings, Crazy Cardboard Regatta, Crazy Cardboard Regatta photos, Crazy Cardboard Regatta West Chester, Creekside Early Childhood School, Hopewell Elementary School, Jason Jackson, Jay Bruce, Jay Bruce Cincinnati Reds, Jay Bruce photos, Jay Bruce signing, Lakota, Lakota East Freshman Campus, Lakota Local Schools, Lakota schools, Lakota West, Lakota West Brennan Ryan, Lakota West Freshman Campus, Lakota West sports, Lakota West wrestling, National VOA Museum of Broadcasting, National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting, Stacy Millburg, VOA Museum, VOA Museum of Broadcasting, Voice of America Museum, West Chester business news, West Chester photos

Less than a week from the Major League All-Star game, Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jay Bruce took time for an autograph session at the Sports Gallery in West Chester Sunday.

Hundreds of fans packed the local sports memorabilia shop to get a glimpse and have their photo taken with the two-time MLB All-Star.

“It is cool to come out to a place like West Chester and interact with the fans,” Bruce said.

During the event, Bruce talked about the All-Star game, the second half of the season and about recent the trade that sent Paul Janish to the Atlanta Braves for pitching prospect Todd Redmond.

“Paul is one of my best friends even out of baseball. We are from the same area and he is such a great guy. I am happy for him that he gets the opportunity to play in the big leagues,” Bruce said. “I believe he belongs in the big leagues. I am glad the Reds front office made him available for that opportunity.”

This upcoming Thursday, July 19, Bruce’s teammate, rookie Todd Frazier, will also be signing autographs at the Sports Gallery from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tickets for Frazier’s autograph are $20 for any item.

In early August, Reds legends Joe Morgan, Dave Concepcion and George Foster will visit the West Chester store.

Morgan will sign autographs from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 2. Autograph tickets range from $85 to $100.

Meanwhile, Concepcion and Foster will both be signing autographs Tuesday, Aug. 7, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Autograph tickets are $45 for Concepcion, $30 for Foster and $65 for both autographs together.

The Sports Gallery will have baseballs, bats, photos, cards, helmets and other Reds collectibles available for purchase during the signings. Items can also be dropped off or mailed in to be signed.

For information about mail order items or to buy tickets, which are limited, call 513-759-4256.

For more West Chester and Liberty Township photos, there are many other events captured on our Flickr photostream and more West Chester and Liberty Township related photo galleries on our Photos page.

Also, remember to share your photos through the Photos page.

Posted in: News, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati Reds player signings, Jay Bruce, Jay Bruce Cincinnati Reds, Jay Bruce signing, Joe Morgan, Joe Morgan Cincinnati Reds, Joe Morgan signing, signing, Sports Gallery, Sports Gallery West Chester, Todd Frazier, Todd Frazier Cincinnati Reds, Todd Frazier signing

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jay Bruce, who played in the 83rd Major League All-Star game in Kansas City Tuesday, will have a public signing session at the Sports Gallery in West Chester from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

Jay Bruce will be signing autographs at the Sports Gallery July 15. Photo by Joseph Fuqua II on April 26, 2012.

Entering the second half of the season Friday, Bruce leads the Reds in home runs with 18 and in runs batted in with 56.

“We are thrilled to have Jay in the shop. As a leader in the National League and one of the Red’s top players we expect a huge crowd Sunday afternoon,” said Mark Fugate, co-owner of the Sports Gallery. “Being named to the All-Star team also shows what kind of player he is and it is nice to know this guy is going to a Cincinnati Red for many years to come.”

Autograph tickets for Bruce’s signature are $45 for flat items or baseballs and $65 for any bats, jerseys and equipment.

This upcoming Thursday, July 19, Bruce’s teammate, rookie Todd Frazier, will also be signing autographs at the West Chester sports memorabilia shop from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tickets for Frazier’s autograph are $20 for any item.

In early August, Reds legends Joe Morgan, Dave Concepcion and George Foster will visit the Sports Gallery.

Morgan will sign autographs from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 2. Autograph tickets range from $85 to $100.

Meanwhile, Concepcion and Foster will both be signing autographs Tuesday, Aug. 7, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Autograph tickets are $45 for Concepcion, $30 for Foster and $65 for both autographs together.

The Sports Gallery will have baseballs, bats, photos, cards, helmets and other Reds collectibles available for purchase during the signings. Items can also be dropped off or mailed in to be signed.

For information about mail order items or to buy tickets, which are limited, call 513-759-4256.

Posted in: Sports |

Tags: Tags: Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati Reds player appearances, Cincinnati Reds player signings, Dave Concepcion, Dave Concepcion Cincinnati Reds, Dave Concepcion signing, George Foster, George Foster Cincinnati Reds, George Foster signing, Jay Bruce, Jay Bruce Cincinnati Reds, Jay Bruce signing, Joe Morgan, Joe Morgan Cincinnati Reds, Joe Morgan signing, signing, Sports Gallery, Sports Gallery West Chester, Todd Frazier, Todd Frazier Cincinnati Reds, Todd Frazier signing

Baseball fans packed the Sports Gallery in West Chester in late June to get an autograph from Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman. During the next two weeks, the local sports memorabilia shop will host three more signings who all have strong ties to the Reds organization.

Jay Bruce, who will be signing autographs at the Sports Gallery July 15, will participating in his second straight MLB All-Star game Tuesday. Photo by Joseph Fuqua II.

The first of the three signings will take place Wednesday, July 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. and will feature Don Gullett, former starting pitcher of the Big Red Machine and member of the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame. Autograph tickets for Gullett’s signing are available for $20 for any item.

The following Sunday, July 15, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. the Sports Gallery will host Jay Bruce, who will play in the 83rd Major League All-Star game in Kansas City Tuesday, July 10. Autograph tickets for Bruce’s signature are $45 for flat items or baseballs and $65 for any bats, jerseys and equipment.

That following Thursday, July 19, Reds rookie Todd Frazier will be signing autographs at the Sports Gallery from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tickets for Frazier’s autograph are $20 for any item.

Tickets are also available for a signing event with Joe Morgan, who is a member of the MLB Hall of Fame. That event is scheduled to take place Thursday, Aug. 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. Autograph tickets range from $85 to $100.

The Sports Gallery will have baseballs, bats, photos, cards, helmets and other Reds collectibles available for purchase during the signings. Items can also be dropped off or mailed in to be signed.

For information about mail order items or to buy tickets, which are limited, call 513-759-4256.

Posted in: Sports |

Tags: Tags: Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati Reds player appearances, Cincinnati Reds player signings, Don Gullett, Don Gullett Cincinnati Reds, Don Gullett signing, Jay Bruce, Jay Bruce Cincinnati Reds, Jay Bruce signing, signing, Sports Gallery, Sports Gallery West Chester, Todd Frazier, Todd Frazier Cincinnati Reds, Todd Frazier signing

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Mat Latos felt the pressure to perform early this season after his current ballclub traded away four players to acquire his services this offseason.

In his first start for the Reds, Latos gave up four runs, seven hits and walked two in what turned out to be an 8-3 loss to the Miami Marlins April 7. The Reds went on to lose his next two starts, 3-2 at Washington and 11-1 at St. Louis.

“If there isn’t enough pressure as is (in Major League Baseball), you were also traded for four different guys,” said Latos at a signing event in West Chester Thursday. “It was difficult to put into words, how much pressure there was going into the season. The main thing is to just get on task and perform.”

After those first three loses, Latos and the Reds have won the three games he has started since. The latest win, a 5-0 victory at Pittsburgh, Latos struck out 11 batters and gave up only two hits in 6 and 1/3rd innings despite being sick.

Besides the pregame vomiting, Latos said he finally felt like himself on the mound.

Reds fan Corey Skurow talks to pitcher Mat Latos during a signing event at the Sports Gallery in West Chester May 10, 2012. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber.

“A lot of people showed their appreciation. It took a little bit of weight off my shoulders from the trade and everything,” Latos said. “It was really fun to get out and sign a bunch of autographs for people that support me.”

Latos will start this Saturday when the Reds host the Washington Nationals at Great American Ball Park at 7:10 p.m.

Earlier on Saturday, fellow starting pitcher Johnny Cueto will host a signing session at the Sports Gallery, 7967 Cincinnati-Dayton Road, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. At the event, Cueto will sign any item for $35.

In addition to Latos and Cueto, Sports Gallery co-owner Mark Fugate recently announced that the store would also host rookie catcher Devin Mesoraco and slugging outfielder Jay Bruce for additional signing sessions this summer.

Mesoraco is currently scheduled to host a signing from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, June 6. Bruce will host his signing session from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 14.

The Sports Gallery will have baseballs, bats, photos, cards, helmets and other Reds collectibles available for purchase during the signings.

For information about mail order items or to buy tickets, which are limited, call 513-759-4256.

Posted in: Business, Events, News |

Tags: Tags: Cincinnati Reds player appearances, Cincinnati Reds player signings, Devin Mesoraco, Devin Mesoraco Cincinnati Reds, Devin Mesoraco signing, Jay Bruce, Jay Bruce Cincinnati Reds, Jay Bruce signing, Johnny Cueto, Johnny Cueto Cincinnati Reds, Johnny Cueto signing, Mat Latos, Mat Latos Cincinnati Reds, Mat Latos signing, Sports Gallery, Sports Gallery West Chester

The Cincinnati Reds No. 1 and No. 2 starting pitchers in their rotation, Johnny Cueto and Mat Latos, will be in West Chester this week for signing sessions at the Sports Gallery, 7967 Cincinnati-Dayton Road.

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Mat Latos during a game against the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park. Photo taken by Jeff Swinger.

Latos, who was acquired by the Reds through a trade with the San Diego Padres this offseason, will be signing autographs from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday. During the event, Latos will sign any item for $30.

Meanwhile, Cueto is scheduled to host a signing session at the Sports Gallery from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Cueto will sign any item for $35.

The Sports Gallery will have baseballs, bats, photos, cards, helmets and other Reds collectibles available for purchase during the signings.

In addition to Latos and Cueto, Sports Gallery co-owner Mark Fugate recently announced that the store would also host rookie catcher Devin Mesoraco and slugging outfielder Jay Bruce for additional signing sessions this summer.

Mesoraco is currently scheduled to host a signing from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, June 6. Bruce will host his signing session from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 14.

For information about mail order items or to buy tickets, which are limited, call 513-759-4256.

Posted in: Business, Events, News, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Cincinnati Reds player appearances, Cincinnati Reds player signings, Devin Mesoraco, Devin Mesoraco Cincinnati Reds, Devin Mesoraco signing, Jay Bruce, Jay Bruce Cincinnati Reds, Jay Bruce signing, Johnny Cueto, Johnny Cueto Cincinnati Reds, Johnny Cueto signing, Mat Latos, Mat Latos Cincinnati Reds, Mat Latos signing, Sports Gallery, Sports Gallery West Chester