WestChesterBuzz.com

There will be two areas in West Chester where the community can recycle their Christmas trees this January. 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.

Trees will be need to be cleared of all decorations and should not be wrapped in plastic. Artificial trees will not be accepted at the recycling locations.

Mulch from the trees, after chipping, will be used throughout the year in West Chester parks.

The drop-off area at Keehner Park, 7211 Barrett Road, will be located near the tennis courts.

Beckett Park’s drop-off area will be located in the parking area just before the gate. Beckett Park, 8558 Beckett Road, is located off Union Centre Boulevard.

Both locations will have signs designating the correct drop-off spot.

The recycling collection is available until Jan. 31 and is only for live Christmas trees. Other yard debris will not be accepted.

Trees will be chipped and mulch will be used throughout the year in West Chester parks.

Both parks are open from dawn to dusk, seven days a week.

Posted in: News |

Tags: Tags: Beckett Park, Beckett Park West Chester, Christmas tree, Christmas tree recycling, Keehner Park, Keehner Park West Chester, Liberty Township Christmas, recycle Christmas trees, West Chester Christmas

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.

Speaker of the House John Boehner of West Chester became the 61st Speaker of the House Jan. 5, 2011. Photo taken by Michael E. Keating.

Enquirer poll: Should John Boehner keep his job?- House Speaker John Boehner of West Chester was on the hot seat last week 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.

Butler County ready to approve 2013 budget – After at least three years of slashing expenses, layoffs and stagnant pay, Butler County’s budget woes seem to be easing up, Sheila McLaughlin reported last week. Commissioners are expected to approve a 2013 general fund budget of just more than $79 million, about the same as 2012. They’ll vote Dec. 27.

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 last week. 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 East defeated school district rival, 77-73, Lakota West on Saturday, Dec. 15. Photo taken by Barb Trimble of TrimPhotoAndVideo.com. For more photos from this game, visit http://proofs.trimphotoandvideo.com/g/121512east_west

Lakota East edges Lakota West 77-73 in classic – Lakota East held off school district rival Lakota West, 77-73, Saturday night in a game that went down to the final seconds. The Thunderhawks, No. 3 in the latest Cincinnati Enquirer Division I coaches’ poll, led Lakota West, No. 2 in the same poll, by 10 points with 2:48 left in the fourth quarter. The Firebirds, however, closed the gap to one and trailed 74-73 with a minute remaining.

EnterTRAINment Junction extends hours – Due to popular demand, EnterTRAINment Junction extended its hours starting this past Saturday through Dec. 30. The West Chester model train destination will now close at 9 p.m. instead of 6 p.m. Bill Balfour, who was the venue’s general manager before it opened in 2008, says more than 20,000 people will visit the EnterTRAINment’s free holiday train display and its Journey to the North Pole attraction before the new year.

Speaker John Boehner on the shooting in Newtown, Conn. – House Speaker John Boehner of West Chester ordered flags over the United States Capitol to be lowered to half-staff in honor of the victims of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., on Friday. He also issued a statement.

Posted in: Business, Government, News, Schools, Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: 12/12/12, Adena Elementary, Adena Elementary School, Beckett Park, Beckett Park West Chester, Christmas tree, Christmas tree recycling, EnterTrainment Junction, EnterTrainment Junction train display, EnterTrainment Junction West Chester, Jack Anthony Greenlee, Jack Greenlee, John Boehner, John Boehner Cincinnati, John Boehner West Chester, Journey to the North Pole, Keehner Park, Keehner Park West Chester, Lakota East basketball, Lakota West basketball, Liberty Township Christmas, recycle Christmas trees, turning 12 on 12/12/12, West Chester Christmas

There will be two areas in West Chester where the community can recycle their Christmas trees this January. 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.

Trees will be need to be cleared of all decorations and should not be wrapped in plastic. Artificial trees will not be accepted at the recycling locations.

Mulch from the trees, after chipping, will be used throughout the year in West Chester parks.

The drop-off area at Keehner Park, 7211 Barrett Road, will be located near the tennis courts.

Beckett Park’s drop-off area will be located in the parking area just before the gate. Beckett Park, 8558 Beckett Road, is located off Union Centre Boulevard.

Both locations will have signs designating the correct drop-off spot.

The recycling collection is available until Jan. 31 and is only for live Christmas trees. Other yard debris will not be accepted.

Trees will be chipped and mulch will be used throughout the year in West Chester parks.

Both parks are open from dawn to dusk, seven days a week.

Posted in: News |

Tags: Tags: Beckett Park, Beckett Park West Chester, Christmas tree, Christmas tree recycling, Keehner Park, Keehner Park West Chester, Liberty Township Christmas, recycle Christmas trees, West Chester Christmas

Brandon Underwood intercepts a Sam Bradford pass in the first half during the college football game between Oklahoma and Cincinnati Sept. 6, 2008. Photo taken by Steve Sisney.

The Cincinnati leg of the Greater Amazing Race will follow a football and cheer camp led by a professional football player with local ties at Hopewell Junior School, 8200 Cox Road, Thursday, July 12.

Oakland Raiders defensive back Brandon Underwood is hosting the free football and cheer camp, which begins at 3 p.m. The football and cheer camp is for children in grades 1-8.

Underwood starred at Hamilton High School and played at Ohio State University before transferring to the University of Cincinnati.

To register, visit www.brandonunderwood.info.

After the football camp, another running of the Great Amazing Race will take place at 7 p.m.

According to the release, the event will take place in all NFL cities and is committed to providing opportunities for youth to get active while experiencing the thrill of running in a fun and exciting environment.

The top 25 teams from each city qualify for the national championship race and a chance to win $2,000.

Patterned after the show, “The Amazing Race,” teams of two individuals will run a one-mile cross country race that includes up to eight challenge stations. At each station, teams will be provided clues that will direct them to perform a task before proceeding to the next station.

Teams can choose recreation pace (those who prefer to walk or jog at a leisure pace) or competitive pace (those who prefer to jog or run).

To register or for more information, visit www.GreatAmazingRace.com.

Posted in: Events, Recreational events, Sports, Youth sports |

Tags: Tags: Brandon Underwood, Brandon Underwood Oakland Raiders, Cincinnati leg of the Great Amazing Race for Youth, Great Amazing Race, Great Amazing Race for Youth, Great Amazing Race for Youth West Chester, Great Amazing Race West Chester, Great Sports Race, Hopewell Jr. School, Keehner Park, Keehner Park West Chester, The Amazing Race

A Father’s Day version of Great Amazing Race will take place at Keehner Park in West Chester beginning at 4 p.m. Sunday.

According to the release, the event will take place in all NFL cities and is committed to providing opportunities for youth to get active while experiencing the thrill of running in a fun and exciting environment.

The top 25 teams from each city qualify for the national championship race and a chance to win $2,000.

Patterned after the show, “The Amazing Race,” teams of two individuals will run a 2K (1 mile) cross country race that includes up to eight challenge stations. At each station, teams will be provided clues that will direct them to perform a task before proceeding to the next station.

Teams can choose recreation pace (those who prefer to walk or jog at a leisure pace) or competitive pace (those who prefer to jog or run).

The team entry fee is $40. One or both participants must be a student in grades 1-12. Kindergarten and Pre-K children are allowed only if paired with an adult. Participants can pair up with a parent, grandparent, sibling or mentor. There is a 50 percent off discount per team for active duty military members, as well as reserves and retirees (including spouses).

To register or for more information, visit www.GreatAmazingRace.com.’’

Posted in: Events, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: Cincinnati leg of the Great Amazing Race for Youth, Great Amazing Race, Great Amazing Race for Youth, Great Amazing Race for Youth West Chester, Great Amazing Race West Chester, Great Sports Race, Keehner Park, Keehner Park West Chester, The Amazing Race

The next session of the West Chester Nature Basket program will take place at the Keehner Park owl shelter at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The program is for children, ages 3-to-5, and their adult companions. The Nature Basket session includes a story, a talk about seasonal nature and a craft. Adults with children will be needed to help with the craft activity.

Supplies need to be prepared beforehand, so registration is required for each session.

To register, call 513-759-7312 or e-mail lgroff@westchesteroh.org and leave your name, home phone number and the number of children who will attend.

There is no charge to attend the program. The program will not be canceled due to rain.

The Keehner Park owl shelter is located at 7211 Barret Road in West Chester Township.

Posted in: Events, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: Keehner Park, Keehner Park owl shelter, Keehner Park West Chester, Nature Basket, West Chester Nature Basket program

The next session of the West Chester Nature Basket program will take place at the Keehner Park owl shelter at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The program is for children, ages 3-to-5, and their adult companions. The Nature Basket session includes a story, a talk about seasonal nature and a craft. Adults with children will be needed to help with the craft activity.

Supplies need to be prepared beforehand, so registration is required for each session.

To register, call 513-759-7312 or e-mail lgroff@westchesteroh.org and leave your name, home phone number and the number of children who will attend.

There is no charge to attend the program. The program will not be canceled due to rain.

The Keehner Park owl shelter is located at 7211 Barret Road in West Chester Township.

Posted in: Events, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: Keehner Park, Keehner Park owl shelter, Keehner Park West Chester, Nature Basket, West Chester Nature Basket program

Jenny Haynes, a second grade teacher at Woodland Elementary, and Tim Shaffer, assistant principal at Lakota West High School, each received the Lakota Educator of Excellence Award this April. Photo provided by ElitePhotography.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.

Lakota educators honored – The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty recently honored two educators awarding each of them its Lakota Educator of Excellence Award. Jenny Haynes, a second grade teacher at Woodland Elementary, and Tim Shaffer, assistant principal at Lakota West High School, received the awards and were selected from nominations received from peers, parents and students in the community.

• Video: Lakota Educator of Excellence Jenny Haynes
• Video: Lakota Educator of Excellence Tim Shaffer

AK Steel posts $11.8 million first-quarter loss – West-Chester based AK Steel posted an $11.8 million first-quarter loss last Tuesday with lower shipments cutting into sales. The loss amounted to 11 cents per share. During the same period last year, the company had a profit of $8.7 million, or 8 cents per share. The company said that it expects to post a profit for the second quarter, but didn’t release specifics.

Butler County judge faces sexual harassment complaint – A court reporter has filed a complaint against a Butler County common pleas judge saying he retaliated against her after their 9-year extra-marital affair ended when his wife found out in December, according to The Enquirer’s Sheila McLaughlin. Jennifer Olivier said Judge Michael Sage, who has been on the bench since 1991, “abused his judicial authority” by directing his staff and others at the courthouse to treat her harshly and intimidate her, according to a complaint she filed with Court Administrator Gary Yates this April.

Jack in the Box breaks ground and names second location – A spokesperson with Jack in the Box said that it has started construction on its first Ohio location last week. Furthermore, the spokesperson also announced a second Cincinnati location for the fast food chain. Brian Luscomb of Jack in the Box said the company began construction in West Chester at 7425 Tylersville Road, which is off I-75 in an old gas station lot that is directly next to a Long John Silver’s.

Kyle Meadows thinking FSU – Lakota West offensive tackle Kyle Meadows has more than 15 offers and is leaning towards going to Florida State to continue his football career. The junior suffered an injury this fall, but has worked hard to get healthy and has been awarded with a lot of attention from college football coaches.

West Chester announces dates for nature programs – West Chester Township recently announced the dates for 2012 sessions of its Nature Basket and the WOLF programs. Each program is geared to teaching children about nature and the environment. All nature programs are offered free to the community, but class size may be limited.

Posted in: Business, Crime, Events, Fall sports, News, School events, Sports |

Tags: Tags: AK Steel, AK Steel financial results, AK Steel financials, AK Steel West Chester, brian luscomb, brian luscomb Jack in the Box, Butler County common pleas, Butler County Common Pleas Court, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, Deer Shelter at Keehner Park, jack in the box, Jack in the Box Cincinnati, Jack in the Box midwest, Jack in the Box Ohio, Jack in the Box West Chester, jobs, Judge Michael Sage, Keehner Park, Keehner Park log cabin, Keehner Park owl shelter, Keehner Park West Chester, Kyle Meadows, Kyle Meadows Florida State, Kyle Meadows football recruiting, Kyle Meadows Lakota West, Lakota Educator of Excellence Award, Lakota Local Schools, Lakota West football, Lakota West sports, Michael Sage, Nature Basket, Station Road Schoolhouse, WCL Community Foundation, West Chester business news, West Chester jobs, West Chester Nature Basket program, West Chester restaurant opening, West Chester restaurants, WOLF, WOLF program

West Chester Township recently announced the dates for 2012 sessions of its Nature Basket and the WOLF programs. Each program is geared to teaching children about nature and the environment.

Gillian Wirtz, 4, and her sister Laura Wirtz, 6, of Liberty Township enjoy a session of the WOLF program last summer. Photo taken by Tony Jones.

The West Chester Nature Basket program is for children, ages 3-to-5, and their adult companions. Each Nature Basket session, which begins at 10:30 a.m., includes a story, a talk about seasonal nature and a craft.

Upcoming dates for the Nature Basket program are May 9, June 6, Aug. 15, Sept. 12 and Oct. 15 at the Keehner Park owl shelter; Nov. 14 at the Keehner Park log cabin; and Dec. 12 at the Station Road Schoolhouse.

Meanwhile, the WOLF (World of Land, Forest and Friends) program is offered each summer for children ages 4-to-14 and focuses attention on a specific topic related to nature and the environment.

Session dates for this summer are June 13, June 20, June 27, July 11 and July 18 in the deer shelter at Keehner Park.

Registration is required for all nature programs. To register, call 513-759-7312 or e-mail lgroff@westchesteroh.org and leave your name, home phone number and the number of children who will attend.

All nature programs are offered free to the community, but class size may be limited.

Posted in: Events, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: Deer Shelter at Keehner Park, Keehner Park, Keehner Park log cabin, Keehner Park owl shelter, Keehner Park West Chester, Nature Basket, Station Road Schoolhouse, West Chester Nature Basket program, WOLF, WOLF program

The Cincinnati leg of the Great Amazing Race for Youth will be held at Keehner Park in West Chester Sunday.

According to the release, the event will take place in all NFL cities and is committed to providing opportunities for youth to get active while experiencing the thrill of running in a fun and exciting environment.

Patterned after the show, “The Amazing Race,” teams of two individuals will run a 2K (1 mile) cross country race that includes up to eight challenge stations. At each station, teams will be provided clues that will direct them to perform a task before proceeding to the next station.

The event will kickoff at 1 p.m. with the first race and again at 3 p.m. with the second race.

Teams can choose recreation pace (those who prefer to walk or jog at a leisure pace) or
competitive pace (those who prefer to jog or run).

The race is open to runners, joggers and walkers of all ages and skill levels.

The top 25 teams qualify for the national championship race and a chance to win $2,000.

Participants, who cross the finish line, will receive an official time card to recognize their accomplishment. Special awards are given to the winners of each grade division (determined by grade of youngest team member): grades K-4 division, grades 5-12 division and adult division.

The team entry fee is $40 until April 14. The cost is $50 on day of the race. Souvenir t-shirts are $15 before the race and $20 at the race. There is a $5 discount per team when you register five or more teams.

To register or for more information, visit www.GreatAmazingRace.com.

Posted in: Events, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: Cincinnati leg of the Great Amazing Race for Youth, Great Amazing Race, Great Amazing Race for Youth, Great Amazing Race for Youth West Chester, Great Amazing Race West Chester, Great Sports Race, Keehner Park, Keehner Park West Chester, The Amazing Race