Ohio News

• U.S. Senator Jon Husted has proposed a law to exempt income earned by students in career-tech programs from being counted against their family's eligibility for benefits like SNAP or school lunches. The goal is to encourage participation in paid internships without jeopardizing a family's benefits.
• The new "Passport of Terror Tour" features 10 haunted houses in southwest and central Ohio. For $5, participants can buy a passport and collect stickers at each location to earn a free hoodie. Locations include Blood Prison (Mansfield), Brimstone Haunt (Wilmington), Cincinnati Fear Fest (Williamsburg), Dayton Scream Park (Dayton), The Dent Schoolhouse (Cincinnati), The Final Resting Place (Sabina), Forsaken Forest (Richmond, IN), Haunted Hoochie (Pataskala), Land of Illusion (Middletown), and Mt. Healthy Haunted Hall (Cincinnati).

Dayton News

• Dayton's unemployment rate hit a four-year high of 5.6% in July, reflecting a statewide trend where there are now 1.1 unemployed individuals for every available job.
• According to FBI data, Dayton had the 7th highest homicide rate per capita in the U.S. last year, with a 47% increase in killings from 2023.
• WDTN’s annual Coats for Kids campaign is collecting new and gently used coats and winter accessories for Miami Valley families. Donation barrels are available at various locations through October.
• The Cozy Book Nook bookstore is relocating from Moraine to downtown Dayton, with a soft opening planned for Oct. 1.
• A Dayton man pleaded guilty to luring and robbing five people at gunpoint after connecting with them on Facebook Marketplace.

Community News

• Beavercreek: Developer Synergy has gained construction access to Wright-Patt's Area B for a $250 million office park. The "Convergence Research Center" will feature eight buildings, create 2,500 jobs, and aims to open its first building in late 2027.
• Bellbrook: The KFC on Clyo Road has permanently closed.
• Fairborn: The Ohio Defense & Aerospace Forum will be held at Wright State on Sept. 15, featuring top military and industry leaders.
• Huber Heights: Mexican restaurant Taquitos Uruapan has opened in the former Mr. Pollo Mexican Grill space.
• Kettering: Kettering City Schools will host a community forum on its school consolidation and building plan at 6 p.m. on Sept. 23 at Fairmont High School.
• Lebanon: After decades of silence, Lebanon City Hall’s historic 1914 bell and clock are working again following a $30,000 restoration. They now chime daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Springboro: Blue Dog Books, a new independent bookstore, has opened at 245 S. Main St. in historic Springboro, with a grand opening celebration on Sept. 21.
• Troy: Troy resident John J. Fisher celebrated his 100th birthday. Born Sept. 7, 1925, the centenarian was honored with local and state proclamations.
• West Carrollton: The city has secured EPA approval for an $8.8 million upgrade to its water treatment plant. Construction on the 30-year-old facility is set to begin this year.
• Xenia: Kettering Health has reversed its decision and will now keep Greene Memorial Hospital open, investing $10 million in renovations and building a new $26 million outpatient center nearby. Separately, the long-vacant Eavey Exchange Building is being renovated into a $3.7 million entrepreneurial hub.

• Ohio News
  • A new state law will force dozens of small villages to hold a vote on dissolving their government if they fail a state audit; at least 27 southwest Ohio villages already face this vote after 2030.
  • The number of Ohio schools allowing armed staff has grown to 97, which remains a small minority of schools statewide.
  • Chick-fil-A plans to open 25-30 new Ohio restaurants by the end of 2027.

  Dayton Business & Government

  PSA Airlines is laying off 157 Dayton employees as it relocates its HQ to Charlotte. The city continues to grapple with homeless encampments as advocates push for policy reforms. A court ruling allows Dayton Public Schools to buy RTA passes for students for the 2025-26 school year. In business, Dayton-based CareSource is expanding to New York, and the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) won a $43.9M contract for AI research.

  Local Community News

  • Kettering: The City of Dayton began a $14M renovation of Kettering Field; local manufacturer DRT Holdings is partnering to create a 99% recycled beverage can; and Creative Impressions printing is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
  • Miamisburg: The city completed a $10.3M renovation of Sycamore Trails Park, and Star City Brewing is for sale.
  • Oakwood: The school district is re-evaluating its $40M facilities plan after unexpectedly becoming eligible for state funds five years early.
  • Around the Area: In Troy, a Honda subsidiary is building a new warehouse that will create 168 jobs. West Carrollton has named a new police chief. A minor earthquake was reported in Springboro. A Waynesville restaurant is now available for lease. Wayne High in Huber Heights created a ‘Wall of Honor’ for military alumni.

World

• A mischievous male guinea pig named Randy escaped his enclosure at an English adventure park and impregnated nearly 100 females. Worn out from his adventure, Randy is expected to father up to 400 babies.

Ohio News

• The Ohio Supreme Court ruled against AES Ohio over $61 million in "overearnings." The case returns to regulators, where the Ohio Consumers' Counsel will push for refunds of about $125 per customer.

• Voting rights groups are suing Ohio over a new rule requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote at the BMV.

Dayton Area News

• Dayton: The city tied a 62-year-old record low temperature of 48 degrees. The Dayton International Airport received a $78M state grant to develop its aerospace campus, a project that could create 6,000 jobs. Be wary of scam texts from "Amazon" or "UPS"; report them by forwarding to 7726 (SPAM). A community group will offer free RTA passes to DPS students starting Sept. 23 at Mt. Enon Baptist Church. The nonprofit Learn to Earn launched a public data dashboard tracking poverty and well-being in Montgomery County. An IG report warns of "severe" staffing shortages at the Dayton VA, though the VA disputes the report. Dayton RTA is offering free rides on Labor Day. The city is expanding its traffic camera program, adding 64 speed and 17 red light cameras focused on school zones.

• Beavercreek: Warehouse 4 opens its third area coffee shop at 3210 Seajay Drive on Sept. 4, featuring a drive-thru and patio.

• Bellbrook: The high school library has reopened amid an ongoing review of books for sexual content and "gender ideology" per a new "Parents' Bill of Rights" policy. Identified books have been set aside.

• Centerville: Sgt. Adam Bennett was honored for rescuing a baby from a submerged SUV. A 272-unit housing development, Parkside Preserve, has broken ground.

• Clayton: The city manager and law director are resigning in September.

• Kettering: Voters will elect a new mayor and two council members this fall. W. Dorothy Lane has reopened after a water main repair. Troni’s Italian Restaurant is closed until Sept. 20 while it opens a second location.

• Springboro: Three people were accused of using sticky traps to steal mail, linked to a multi-state check fraud operation.

• Trotwood: After a large fight at a football game, the school district will now require minors to be accompanied by a paying adult at home games.

• Troy: Controversy surrounds the historic former Tavern building, now for sale for $1.791M by new owner Glass City Developers. Mayor Robin Oda’s critical social media post drew backlash from the developers and the Troy Historic Preservation Alliance, which previously saved the building from demolition. Miami County has scrapped plans to renovate the downtown jail, shifting focus back to building a new $100M facility.