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City of Hamilton set to layoff 6 firefighters

City of Hamilton set to layoff 6 firefighters

HAMILTON, OH (FOX19)- Six Hamilton firefighters learned they will lose their jobs, expected to take effect on June 5.

The notification came Wednesday that Hamilton City Council voted for the layoffs during an executive session on May 8.

According to a release sent by Hamilton
Firefighters IAFF Local 20, the announcement
came just days after Hamilton City Council and Local 20 both rejected a fact-finders
report over a new collective bargaining agreement. 

Local 20 President Eric Abney said the union anticipated to return to 'amicable' negotiations, but instead, the layoff decision was made without Local 20's consent.

Hamilton city officials began fire station brownouts in January, in an effort to offset a more than $3 million budget deficit.

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Butler County Sheriff's office honors fallen Peace Officers

Butler County Sheriff's office honors fallen Peace Officers

BUTLER COUNTY, OH (FOX19) - Law enforcement officers throughout Butler County are honoring their own as a part of National Peace Officers Memorial Day.

Presidential Orders dating back to 1962 declared May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day.

“This week (National Police Week), and specifically today, is a time for all of us to stop and remember all the brave men and women Peace Officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to communities throughout Butler County, the State of Ohio, and the nation,” said Sheriff Richard Jones.  “Paying this small tribute to them is the very least we can do to show our respect for all that they gave.”

A wreath and flowers have been placed at the Sheriff’s Office Police Officers Memorial at the Jail and Operational Headquarters building on Hanover Street, Hamilton, and flags have been lowered to half-staff, in honor of all fallen Peace Officers.

 

Butler county board of elections approves to reduce number of precincts

Butler county board of elections approves to reduce number of precincts

BUTLER COUNTY, OH (FOX19) - The Butler County Board of Elections have approved boundary changes in an effort to comply with state law requirements and to make elections more efficient.

The board came to the decision on Monday to make precinct changes in townships including; West Chester, Liberty, St. Clair, Madison, Wayne, Milford, Trenton and parts of Hamilton.

The changes reduce the total number of precincts in Butler County from 299 to 283 saving over $10,000 per election.

"Over the past two years, we have successfully reduced our election costs by over $100,000," said Deputy Director Jocelyn Bucaro.

The savings come from reduced numbers of election workers along with training and printing costs.

 

Building a complete loss following Hamilton fire

HAMILTON, OH (FOX19)- A Hamilton building is being called a total loss following a fire on Hamilton's East side.

Fire units were dispatched to the 400 block of South 4th Street on Saturday night around 12:15 a.m.

Upon arrival, crews found a two-story wood-framed apartment structure on fire. The fire had already caused a partial collapse of the roof.  Flames had consumed more than half of the building's first and second floors.

With the exception of one medic unit, the entire department's operating fire units were on the scene. Fire fighters were on the scene for over four hours.

Prior to the fire, the vacant building, owned by the City of Hamilton, was listed on the department's "Do Not Enter" list for hazardous structures.

Damage to the building has been estimated at $13,090. No injuries were reported. 

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Pilot injured in Butler County plane crash

Pilot injured in Butler County plane crash

BUTLER COUNTY, OH (FOX19)- A pilot is injured following a plane crash at Butler County Regional Airport.

Authorities say that the plane lost power after taking off from the airport just before 6:00 p.m. Saturday.  The aircraft nose-dived into the ground just off the runway, still on the airport's property.

The pilot, identified by the Ohio State Patrol as Steven Ankerstar, is said to have suffered non life -threatening injuries in the crash. He was taken to TriHealth Bethesda Butler County Hospital before being transferred to Bethesda North Hospital. An FCC database lists a pilot of that name from New Mexico.

The patrol says the plane is a homebuilt plane listed as a KR2, a small, sporty-looking single-seat homebuilt aircraft.

Federal Aviation Administration investigators were on the scene.

FOX19 will continue to update the story as more details emerge.   

Miami awards 3,678 degrees

OXFORD, OH (FOX19)- Miami University awarded more than 3,500 degrees at their commencement ceremony on Saturday.

The ceremony took place in Miami's Yager Stadium at 1:30 p.m. and featured acclaimed author and journalist Wil Haygood.

Haygood has been a Washington Post journalist since 2002. His front-page story for the Post in 2008 about long time White House butler Eugene Allen is the inspiration for "The Butler", a big-screen movie directed by Oscar-nominated Lee Daniels and is due to be released next fall.

Miami President David Hodge presided over the ceremony awarding 3,678 degrees.

Degrees awarded include 35 certificates, 127 associates, 3121 bachelor's, 376 master's and 19 doctorates of philosophy.

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Fairfield woman being recognized as Reds Honorary Bat Girl

Fairfield woman being recognized as Reds Honorary Bat Girl

CINCINNATI, OH (FOX19) - The MLB announced the 30 winners of the 2013 Honorary Bat Girl Contest that recognizes baseball fans who have been affected by breast cancer and demonstrate a commitment to eradicating the disease. 

The winner for the Cincinnati Reds is Josie Shuler of Fairfield Township, who will be recognized during on-field pregame ceremonies Sunday, May 12 (Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers, 1:10 p.m.) at Great American Ball Park.

Josie will receive complimentary game tickets for her and her family, a commemorative Reds jersey and pink wrist bands. Louisville Slugger will be sending her a personalized pink bat engraved with her name.

Here is an excerpt from Josie’s winning submission to HonoraryBatGirl.com: