WestChesterBuzz.com

In order to replace a large culvert under the roadway, a portion of U.S. 42 in West Chester Township will be closed beginning Feb. 18. The work is scheduled to take 14 days, but could be completed sooner, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.

The closure will take place near the 8700 block of U.S. Route 42, between Butler-Warren and Cox roads. Access to all businesses and properties will be maintained throughout the closure.

An approved detour route will be posted that directs traffic north on Cox Road, east on Tylersville Road and southwest on U.S. Route 42. The route is reversed for those headed southwest on U.S. Route 42. The detour is an additional 1.29 miles.

The closure is part of ODOT’s $9.1 million project, which includes the widening of U.S. Route 42 to three lanes providing a through lane in each direction and a middle two-way left-turn lane from Fields-Ertel Road north to Butler-Warren Road.

The project, which is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2012, also includes the addition of left turn lanes on both approaches of Dimmick Road

The upcoming closure has presented challenges for businesses in the corridor, according to a press release from West Chester Township. However, the township does not have direct control over the construction process and will continue to work closely with ODOT.

Posted in: News, Traffic |

Tags: Tags: Cox Road, Cox Road West Chester, Tylersville Road, Tylersville Road West Chester, U.S. 42, U.S. 42 project, U.S. 42 West Chester, West Chester Traffic, West Chester traffic delays

Work on two light towers Wednesday will require lane closures on southbound Interstate 75, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.

The first job, which will involve crews erecting a light tower, will take place between Hamilton-Mason Road and Tylersville Road (mile marker 23) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday. During the job, the left lane will be closed.

That night, while workers repair a different light tower, the right lane just before the ramp to Galbraith Road (mile marker 11) will be closed from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Law enforcement officers will be used for traffic control during each closure. Lighting contractor American Lighting & Signalization will be performing the work.

Arrow boards and signs will be in place prior to the work zone to alert motorists of the upcoming road closure.

To help ensure the safety of the construction workers as well as the traveling public, motorists should remain alert, reduce their speed and watch for stopped traffic while passing through the work zone.

For additional information on lane and road closures caused by construction, accidents or other related traffic events, visit www.BuckeyeTraffic.org.

U.S. 42 closure: Culvert replacement will require closing U.S. 42 between Cox Road and Tylersville Road from Feb. 18 to March 2, according to ODOT. The closure will be approximately 475 feet north of Manors Drive.

The posted detour for northbound U.S. 42 traffic will be north (left) on Cox Road to east (right) on Tylersville Road, back to U.S. 42. The detour for southbound U.S. 42 traffic will be the same in reverse. The detour is an additional 1.29 miles.

Posted in: News |

Tags: Tags: Cox Road, Cox Road West Chester, I-75, I-75 construction, I-75 lane closures, I-75 work, Interstate 75, Ohio Department of Transportation, Tylersville Road, Tylersville Road at I-75, Tylersville Road West Chester, U.S. 42, U.S. 42 project, U.S. 42 West Chester, West Chester Traffic, West Chester traffic delays

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

Culvert replacement will require closing U.S. 42 between Cox Road and Tylersville Road from Feb. 18 to March 2, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation. The closure will be approximately 475 feet north of Manors Drive.

The posted detour for northbound U.S. 42 traffic will be north (left) on Cox Road to east (right) on Tylersville Road, back to U.S. 42. The detour for southbound U.S. 42 traffic will be the same in reverse. The detour is an additional 1.29 miles.

Arrow boards and signs will be in place prior to the work zone to alert motorists of the upcoming road closure.

To help ensure the safety of the construction workers as well as the traveling public, motorists should remain alert, reduce their speed and watch for stopped traffic while passing through the work zone.

For additional information on lane and road closures caused by construction, accidents or other related traffic events, visit www.BuckeyeTraffic.org.

Posted in: News, Traffic |

Tags: Tags: Cox Road, Cox Road West Chester, Tylersville Road, Tylersville Road West Chester, U.S. 42, U.S. 42 project, U.S. 42 West Chester, West Chester Traffic, West Chester traffic delays

Some more snow could fall Friday, but the biggest issue could be the wind chill.

According to the National Weather Service, wind chill values in West Chester could be as low as -2 degrees.

The forecast is also calling for a chance of snow showers after 10 a.m. The chance of precipitation is 30 percent and half inch of daytime snow accumulation is possible.

• National Weather Service: West Chester 7-day forecast
• AccuWeather.com: West Chester extended forecast

Tonight, there will also be a chance of snow showers mainly before 11 p.m. Another half inch of new snow accumulation is possible.

As of right now, the National Weather Service is forecasting a slight chance of snow Saturday night.

Cincinnati Enquirer’s Carrie Whitaker reports:

Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky didn’t wake to snow-covered front yards and streets this morning but were greeted with a wind chill near zero degrees.

The actual temperature will be in the high teens and by mid-day reach the upper 20s.

Overnight the region got a dusting of snow.

Officially a little more than half an inch was recorded at the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky International Airport over the last 12 hours, but it hasn’t stuck around, as less than a quarter inch is now measured there.

By 8 a.m. the temperature at CVG was 17 degrees, but wind chill made it feel more like 1 degree.
The winter weather advisory issued yesterday by the National Weather Service remains in affect until noon, with intermittent snow showers expected.

Some areas may still see an inch of snow accumulate today, according to the most recent forecast released by National Weather Service’s Wilmington office at 4 a.m.

Cincinnati and most areas are expected to get less than a quarter inch. (more…)

Posted in: News, Traffic, Weather |

Tags: Tags: Butler County weather, Liberty Township weather, National Weather Service, snow, West Chester freezing rain, West Chester road closures, West Chester snow, West Chester Traffic, West Chester traffic delays, West Chester weather

Update: 11:33 a.m. - The National Weather Service in Wilmington has recently issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Butler County and Southern Ohio.

The advisory is in effect from 2 p.m. Thursday until noon Friday.

Accumulations of 1-to-2 inches of snow is possible through Friday morning.

Rain will change over to snow from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Cincinnati metro area.

Winds will be between 15-and-25 mph. Gusts could reach as high 35 mph.

Water main break update: Cox Road at Kingsgate to re-open Thursday afternoon after water main break closed the West Chester intersection Wednesday morning. The road, however, will be closed again Friday after 9 a.m. for asphalt. Motorists are advised to detour around the area by taking Tylersville Road.

Amanda Seitz reported Wednesday afternoon for the Cincinnati Enquirer:

Rain showers Thursday morning will give way to snow showers, just in time for afternoon rush hour in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, the National Weather Service predicts.

Although the snow may accumulate only an inch or two on the ground, “it may be the most snow we’ve seen” this winter, said Myron Padgett, meteorologist at the Weather Service in Wilmington.

The region’s northern counties could see more snow than the southern ones, the Weather Service said.

• National Weather Service: West Chester 7-day forecast
• AccuWeather.com: West Chester extended forecast

Snow will continue to cascade through the weekend. Another half-inch should accumulate Friday, with temperatures in the 20s. Wind gusts up to 25 mph are expected today and Friday. Another half-inch of snow is expected Saturday night.

The snow is likely to turn into slush by early next week when temperatures climb back into the 40s. January, typically one of the coldest months for Ohio, is expected to remain relatively mild, the Weather Service said.

Additional notes for West Chester residents: The National Weather has most recently reported (9 a.m. Thursday) that there will be a chance of rain and show showers between 3 and 4 p.m. then a chance of snow showers after 4 p.m. Snow showers are likely to continue throughout the night. However, little or no snow accumulation is expected.

Potentially snow could melt on contact with roads and then refreeze, causing icy conditions on untreated roads

Furthermore, snow showers are likely before 7 a.m. Friday. Again, little to no snow accumulation is expected.

Late on Saturday, there will be a slight chance of snow showers before 1 a.m.

Posted in: News, Traffic, Weather |

Tags: Tags: Butler County weather, Liberty Township weather, National Weather Service, snow, West Chester freezing rain, West Chester road closures, West Chester snow, West Chester Traffic, West Chester traffic delays, West Chester weather

Cincinnati Enquirer’s Jennifer Edwards Baker reports:

A large water main break has shut down Kingsgate Way at Cox Road until Thursday morning, according to West Chester Township police.

The break was reported at 7:38 a.m. Wednesday.

Motorists are advised to detour around the area by taking Tylersville Road.

Note from the township: West Chester police are working with Lakota Schools to address traffic issues associated with Hopewell Elementary and Hopewell Junior schools.

Icy weather through Friday – (more from Baker Wednesday morning)

Morning commuters should watch for ice that could form on roads early Wednesday.

The National Weather Service in Wilmington has issued a special weather statement cautioning isolated, minor freezing rain is possible through 8 a.m.

The advisory covers all of southeastern Ohio, Northern Kentucky and southwestern Indiana. Significant ice accumulations are not expected.

Rain is expected to blanket the entire region this morning ahead of an advancing low pressure system that will bring much colder air through the weekend. A half inch to nearly an inch could fall. The high temperature will be 48 degrees.

• National Weather Service: West Chester 7-day forecast
• AccuWeather.com: West Chester extended forecast

It will be partly cloudy Wednesday night with a low of 40.

Cold air from Canada will blast down Thursday, bringing a noticeable change to the weather. Periods of rain will continue throughout the day, with a high temperature in the low 40s until mid-day.

Then the rain will switch to snow as the mercury plummets into the 30s.

Little to no snow accumulation is expected Thursday, but early Friday could be a messy commute for motorists. The overnight low will plunge to 20 with a chance for snow showers before 10 a.m.

Most of the region could see a half-inch to an inch of snow accumulate.

The high temperature Friday will only be 28. The overnight low will slip to 18.

This weekend looks dry but cold with highs in the 20s and lows in the teens.

Next week, temperatures will warm into the mid-40s with a mix of sun and rain.

Posted in: News, Traffic, Weather |

Tags: Tags: Butler County weather, Liberty Township weather, National Weather Service, snow, West Chester freezing rain, West Chester road closures, West Chester snow, West Chester Traffic, West Chester traffic delays, West Chester weather