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.

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

Van crashes into Taco Bell – The driver who plowed into the Taco Bell at 8126 Princeton-Glendale Road in West Chester Township last Tuesday afternoon is being charged with having an open container. However, police say they believe the accident was caused by a medical condition and not because of alcohol.

Baseball complex gets sponsor – Performance Automotive recently agreed to purchase the field naming rights at the West Chester Baseball Complex. The youth baseball facility’s management group was given permission by the township in April to seek a sponsor. The three-year deal will help offset the operating and maintenance costs of the four ball parks.

Prosecutor violates records act - Butler County Prosecutor Michael Gmoser violated the Ohio Public Records Act when he withheld a 911 tape involving a 2012 Father’s Day killing from The Enquirer and a judge was wrong when he sealed the tape, the Ohio 12th District Court of Appeals ruled last week. Now Gmoser has been ordered to pay the maximum allowable $1,000 in statutory damages to The Enquirer, as well as its court costs. Gmoser escaped having to pay The Enquirer’s attorney fees.

West gets new AD – The Lakota school district recently announced that Scott Kaufman, the athletic director at Wyoming High School, will join the administrative team at Lakota East serving as an assistant principal and also as athletic director. Last week, the school officials tweaked that announcement, saying Kaufman will serve at those positions at Lakota West instead of Lakota East.

VOA Park sports complex seeks funds – At 435 acres, Voice of America MetroPark off Cox Road is the flagship of the Butler County system and one of the newest parks in the region. Millions are being spent on it to build a $24 million athletic complex that is counted on to draw regional and national tournaments from the eastern United States and to pump an estimated $26 million a year into the local economy by five years after the full complex is up and running.

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Plan for athletic fields expansion relies on private money

Sheila McLaughlin reports:

At 435 acres, Voice of America MetroPark off Cox Road is the flagship of the Butler County system and one of the newest parks in the region.

Millions are being spent on it to build a $24 million athletic complex that is counted on to draw regional and national tournaments from the eastern United States and to pump an estimated $26 million a year into the local economy by five years after the full complex is up and running.

The $3 million first phase of expansion at Voice of America is under way, the construction of 22 natural-turf, multipurpose fields. Park officials expect them to be open for tournament play in fall 2014.

• Breaking ground on VOA Park’s athletic complex
• Coyotes brought in to guard VOA Park’s growing athletic fields

A problem remains, though. Namely money.

With park development grants nearly impossible to get, the future of the complex hangs in the balance as Butler County MetroParks and tourism officials try to drum up private money to make it more than just fields for soccer, lacrosse, field hockey or cricket.

A fieldhouse with concession and restrooms needs to be built, and eight or nine planned baseball and softball fields are on hold until more money comes through. So is an amphitheater that is expected to draw concerts and throngs of people.

Park officials want to install artificial turf on nine of the multipurpose fields to get more tournament play out of them. Estimates show it would cost $5 million for the artificial turf. That cost does not include lighting, scoreboards or other equipment. (more…)

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Tags: Tags: athletic complex, coyotes, coyotes in Ohio parks, coyotes West Chester Ohio, MetroParks, MetroParks of Butler County, VOA Park, VOA Park West Chester, Voice of America, Voice of America athletic complex, Voice of America Park, Voice of America Park athletic complex, Voice of America Park West Chester, West Chester top 12 stories of 2012, West Chester top stories of 2012

Sheila McLaughlin reports:

Enquirer reporters Rachel Richardson and Sheila McLaughlin became surrogate moms for 10 ducklings Friday afternoon after a gold SUV plowed down the mother duck and an 11th duckling crossing Cox Road.

Richardson witnessed the tragedy near the entrance of Voice of America Park, stopped her car in the middle of the dangerous high-speed road and herded the remaining ducklings safely to a grassy area across the road.

“He was doing at least 50 mph. Plowing down ducks has to be crime – if not a legal one, an ethical one,” said Richardson, who works with animal rescue groups for cats and rabbits.

The 11th duckling was found under the mother with what appeared to be a broken neck. The mother duck flew off. Her leg was broken in half and was bent sideways.

McLaughlin and Richardson rounded up the 10 ducklings after raiding their editor Bill Cieslewicz’s office for a box and searching for the mother in a marshy thicket along the side of Cox Road.

The mother duck could not be found.

The surviving ducklings will be turned over to Animal Hospital on Mount Lookout Square, which recommended rescuing the ducklings because their mother could not be found. They will be transferred to a wildlife rehabilitator.

Reporter Rachel Richardson contributed

Posted in: News |

Tags: Tags: VOA Park, VOA Park West Chester, Voice of America Park, Voice of America Park West Chester

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 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.

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.

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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’’.

“We initially felt that we were on a wild goose chase trying to obtain the correct employees for these newly created positions as we were looking for a very specialized skill set,” said Tony Montgomery, MetroParks supervisor of operations. “We needed a team that could work independently or as a unit to keep eyes on the fields at all times as they mature.”

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.

The fields, which border Butler-Warren and Tylersville roads, are expected to be available for use by September 2014. That’s if these coyotes can scare away the Canadian Geese from eating the grass seed.

“Right now is an important time for the grass to grow and the geese love the grass seed,” said Josh Torbeck, park manager of Voice of America. “We are having a problem with them eating the grass seed, so we are hoping this is the solution to the problem.”

Other solutions discussed by park officials included noise guns, dog trainers and border collies. But, in the end, they decided that the coyotes would be the most cost effective – at $99 a pup.

“This (coyote) team will work throughout the park, freeing existing staff to focus on other activities,” said Jason Shamblin, MetroParks deputy director. “Although they may be slow moving, they are very effective and they work cheap.”

The coyote crew began work this week. A release from the park system said that it would assess and share the performance of each new employee on its Facebook page.

There is a lot of pressure on these plastic coyotes. Based on a study conducted by AECOM Technical Services in Chicago, the 22 multipurpose fields are projected to bring in $20 million in indirect and direct spending, 200,000 new hotel room requests and 21,000 participants annually by 2019.

“The fields are very important to the park. It is going to be a focal point for the whole community,” Torbeck said. “Not only are we going to serve the community with practices and games, but we will also have tournaments that will have a regional and, hopefully, a national draw.

“Our goal is to make these the premier fields in the area.”

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Tags: Tags: coyotes, coyotes in Ohio parks, coyotes West Chester Ohio, VOA Park, VOA Park West Chester, Voice of America, Voice of America Park, Voice of America Park West Chester

The deadline to register for Saturday’s spring garden forum at Voice of America’s Ronald Reagan Lodge in West Chester Township is this Tuesday.

The event, which runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., is geared toward helping, both the experienced and beginner gardener, to include native plants in their landscape.

Local professionals who will be helping with the forum include Chris McCullough, president of the local chapter of Wild Ones; Brian Jorg, manager of horticulture at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens; John DeVore, president of DeVore’s Land and Water Gardens; and Sherri Berger, manager of Mary’s Plant Farm and Landscaping.

Participants will also be able to have their gardening questions answered by a panel of Ohio State University Butler County master gardener volunteers.

The cost to attend, which includes a box lunch, is $40.

To register, call 513-867-5835 or visit www.YourMetroParks.net.

Posted in: Events, News, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: Ronald Reagan Lodge, Ronald Reagan Lodge Voice of America Park, Ronald Reagan Lodge West Chester, spring garden forum, spring garden forum West Chester, VOA Park, VOA Park West Chester, Voice of America Park, Voice of America Park West Chester

Sue Kiesewetter reports:

Liberty Township’s Dudley Woods is the site of the Nov. 10 Walks on the Wild Side program offered by MetroParks of Butler County.

Join an outdoor educator in the park’s parking lot, 5591 Hankins Road, at 10 a.m. for an hour-long walk through the park. Learn how nature prepares for winter and maybe a few tips for your home and family.

The last walk for 2012 will be at 10 a.m., Dec. 8, at the Voice of America Park in West Chester Township. There, participants will learn about and scout for owls.

There is no cost for the walk but vehicle permits are needed and can be purchased at the park’s entrance. There is no cost for the permits for Butler County residents with proof of residence.

A one-day permit is $5 for non-residents or $10 for an annual hangtag.

For more information, call 513-867-5835 or visit www.yourmetroparks.net.

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Tags: Tags: Dudley Woods, Dudley Woods Liberty Township, MetroParks, MetroParks of Butler County, Voice of America Park, Voice of America Park West Chester

Triathletes from across the country ran, swam and biked at Voice of America Park in West Chester, Ohio, this past weekend at the 2012 USA Triathlon Youth Junior National Championships.

Overall, according to USA Triathlon officials, the event featured a record field with nearly 700 triathletes.

“West Chester is a great location for this event,” said Jeff Dyrek, USA Triathlon’s national events director. “We’ve had great support from the community and all of the groups we’ve been working with. The athletes, their parents, the spectators and coaches have helped us make this event a success.”

On Sunday, Matthew Marquardt of Cincinnati won the male 13-to-15-year-old division – finishing the 200-meter swim, 10k bike and 2k run in 29:03 minutes. Thomas Carney of Liberty Township finished 15th in the same competition with a time of 32:46 minutes.

On Saturday, the Youth Elite and Junior Elite races featured some of nation’s best triathletes. The 16-to-19-year-old Junior Elites covered a 750m swim, a 20k bike and a 5k run while the 13-15-year-old Youth Elites did a 375m swim, 10k bike and 2.5k run.

For complete results and additional information about the event, visit usatriathlon.org.

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Tags: Tags: 2012 USA Triathlon Junior and Youth National Championship, 2012 USA Triathlon Junior and Youth National Championship Aug. 11-12, 2012 USA Triathlon Junior and Youth National Championship Aug. 11-12 West Chester, 2012 USA Triathlon Junior and Youth National Championship West Chester, Butler County Visitor's Bureau, Jeff Dyrek, Judi Boyko, Judith Boyko, Mark Hecquet, USA Triathlon, USA Triathlon West Chester, VOA Park, VOA Park West Chester, Voice of America Park, Voice of America Park West Chester

Triathletes from across the country will convene on Voice of America Park in West Chester, Ohio, this weekend for the 2012 USA Triathlon Youth Junior National Championships. Some have been training in hopes to earn automatic nominations to the Junior Worlds team, while some beginners just hope to finish.

Among the event’s group of beginners are Maggie and Jonny Mize of Liberty Township. Both saw the event as interesting and challenging, as well as an opportunity to raise awareness for Kids Against Hunger, a charity they are both passionate about.

In the past, both Maggie, 14, and Jonny, 13, have participated in several local food-packaging efforts and recently they authored an e-book called “Mariella, the Cheerful, Helpful Hamster” from which they donate a portion of the proceeds to Kids Against Hunger.

Throughout their several months of training, Maggie and Jonny have become more fit and increased their stamina. The experience has also gotten their parents out to the park for runs and bike exercise.

You can cheer them on this weekend – they’ll be wearing “Kids Against Hunger” t-shirts – and the more than 700 triathletes, ages 7 to 19, competing in the Youth, Youth Elite and Junior Elite categories at the USA Triathlon Youth Junior National Championships. (more…)

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Tags: Tags: 2012 USA Triathlon Junior and Youth National Championship, 2012 USA Triathlon Junior and Youth National Championship Aug. 11-12, 2012 USA Triathlon Junior and Youth National Championship Aug. 11-12 West Chester, 2012 USA Triathlon Junior and Youth National Championship West Chester, Butler County Visitor's Bureau, Jeff Dyrek, Judi Boyko, Judith Boyko, Mark Hecquet, USA Triathlon, USA Triathlon West Chester, VOA Park, VOA Park West Chester, Voice of America Park, Voice of America Park West Chester

For the second straight weekend, West Chester’s Voice of America Park will host a national championship competition.

This past weekend it was the WWA Wakeboard National Championships and beginning this Saturday and concluding on Sunday, VOA Park will host the 2012 USA Triathlon Youth Junior National Championships.

More than 700 triathletes, ranging from beginners to potential future Olympians, will compete in the event. The athletes, ages 7 to 19, will compete in Youth, Youth Elite and Junior Elite categories.

According to the Butler County Visitors Bureau (BCVB), the event is expected to draw more than 1,600 visitors and bring in an estimated $500,000.

“We are excited to be a part of this prestigious youth sporting event,” said Mark Hecquet, executive director of the BCVB. “To have a sporting event of this magnitude come to our county will be a great boost for the local economy.”

The event runs from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday and from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Sunday. It is free and open to the public.

Due to the nature of the event, which includes running, swimming and cycling, there will be some road closures in the vicinity of VOA Park.

Cox Road between Liberty Way and the northern most entrance to the VOA Retail Centre will be closed from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on both days of the event. In addition, Liberty Way between Cox Road and Butler Warren Road will be closed from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on each day. Emergency traffic only will be permitted during these times.

Access to all businesses will be maintained from Tylersville and Cox Road (south of VOA Park Drive). Motorists are encouraged to follow all posted detours while driving and to allow extra time to reach their destinations.

USA Triathlon is seeking volunteers, who will receive a free USA Triathlon volunteer t-shirt, meals and beverages, to help with the event. To sign up, visit http://usatriathlon.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=958.

For more information about the event, visit usatriathlon.org.

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Tags: Tags: 2012 USA Triathlon Junior and Youth National Championship, 2012 USA Triathlon Junior and Youth National Championship Aug. 11-12, 2012 USA Triathlon Junior and Youth National Championship Aug. 11-12 West Chester, 2012 USA Triathlon Junior and Youth National Championship West Chester, Butler County Visitor's Bureau, Jeff Dyrek, Judi Boyko, Judith Boyko, Mark Hecquet, USA Triathlon, USA Triathlon West Chester, VOA Park, VOA Park West Chester, Voice of America Park, Voice of America Park West Chester