FAIRFIELD - The high school’s Interact Club will host the annual Teacher-Class Basketball Bash on at 6 p.m.

SPRINGDALE - The Council on Aging of Southwest Ohio will present its 2011-2015 Strategic Plan and Area Plan for Programs on Aging on March 25.

HAMILTON - The Image Committee of the Hamilton Vision Commission is seeking to increase pride in the city by improving the appearance of all the neighborhoods.

OXFORD - A public forum on upcoming legislative redistricting has been rescheduled for Wednesday, March 17.

Expect to pay more at the gas pumps in the near future. The government announced Tuesday that prices will likely exceed $3 per gallon at times this spring and summer as demand increases.

HAMILTON - Once one of the fastest growing counties in Ohio, Butler County now can’t find enough work to justify the size of its building department staff.

FAIRFIELD - Knowledge is power when it comes to knowing what prescription drugs are in a medicine cabinet, said Fairfield’s anti-drug activist.

FAIRFIELD TWP. - North Fairfield Baptist Church’s new 25,000-square-foot Family Life Center is very noticeable from Gilmore Road.

MIDDLETOWN - Long-time Middletown police officer Mike Davis remains in critical condition at Atrium Medical Center this morning, March 10, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

MIDDLETOWN - Representatives of Atrium Medical Center said today, March 10, they could provide no information regarding the condition of Councilman Jim Armbruster, although friends and family are maintaining a positive outlook on his recovery.

CARLISLE - Mayor Tim Humphries publicly addressed the discovery of sexually explicit images on his city-owned computer Tuesday at Carlisle’s City Council meeting. He cited a report that determined the allegations were unfounded.

HAMILTON - Bob Jacoby has been hired as varsity football coach at Hamilton High School. Jacoby, 53, was unanimously approved Tuesday night, March 9, at the Hamilton City School District Board of Education meeting.

HAMILTON - Name changes will be a theme of the Hamilton City Council meeting tonight, March 10.

NEW MIAMI - In celebration of New Miami’s STEM grant that allowed the district to outfit the entire building with the latest educational technology, performing arts teacher Ben Schneider chose “School House Rock Live” as their second annual musical.

HAMILTON - Four students from Linden Elementary School showed the Hamilton Board of Education a book their school created to discuss good character at the board’s regular meeting Tuesday, March 9.

The U.S. Supreme Court is getting involved in the legal fight over the anti-gay protesters who show up at military funerals with inflammatory messages. The court agreed Monday to consider whether the protesters’ message is protected by the First Amendment.

MIDDLETOWN - The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency will hold an information session and public meeting at 6:30 p.m.

FRANKLIN - Traffic will be slow-going this afternoon on northbound Interstate 75 as construction crews will be closing down a lane for striping work.

FRANKLIN TWP., Warren County - A 22-year-old Middletown man fled the scene after hitting a guardrail and flipping the car he was driving on northbound Interstate 75 just north of Ohio 73 this morning.

MADISON TWP., Butler County - A baby alpaca that was stolen and beaten to death was laid to rest Monday as impromptu memorials went up and sympathy cards came to its owners. Three people face felony charges in the animal's death.

LIBERTY TWP. - Despite protests from teachers, parents and even school board members, millions of dollars in cuts will go into effect next school year.

HAMILTON - Some portions of city streets will be closing this week, according to the city. Zimmerman Avenue between Hooven Avenue and Minor Avenue will be closed to through traffic beginning at 9 a.m.

MIDDLETOWN - A professional skydiver remains in critical condition after crashing to the ground during a jump. Justin Hammons, 29, of Lexington, Ky., is listed in critical condition at Miami Valley Hospital.

FRANKLIN - Northbound traffic on Interstate 75 is flowing normally after a slow down this afternoon, March 8, because two crashes shut down the right two lanes, according to the Ohio Highway Patrol.

A lane on northbound Interstate 75 will be closed until this afternoon to repair a guardrail. The left lane of northbound I-75 at the Pennyroyal overpass, which is one mile north of Ohio 73 at mile marker 38, is closed until 1 p.m.

SPRINGBORO - Butler County’s Lakota Local Schools district - Ohio’s seventh largest - contracts with the Warren County Educational Services Center for the supervisors overseeing its gifted programs.

MORGAN TWP. - Morgan Elementary School will present an original stage adaptation of Roald Dahl’s popular children’s book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” on Thursday, March 11.

HAMILTON - Accessorizing your home might be easier than it seems, according to a local designer.

OXFORD - Soprano Dana Lentini and guitarist/composer James Lentini, who is dean of Miami University’s School of Fine Arts, will perform a free concert at the Midday Music in Oxford series at noon Wednesday, March 10, at the Oxford Presbyterian Church, 101 N.

Within the first quarter of 2010 the local medical landscape has changed drastically, but so far the moves appear positive for residents.

Press release from the Council on Aging of Southwest Ohio: Public Hearing to be held by Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio (COA) Purpose: Present COA’s 2011-15 Strategic Plan and Area Plan for Programs on Aging When: 10 a.m. to...

Press release from the Cincinnati Tea Party (we reported on the “Precinct Project” in a weekend series): Dan Lillback, Director of Special Projects for the Cincinnati Tea Party, appeared on Fox News Special Report last Friday with a special message...

In case you missed it, here are links to a pretty thorough package we ran on Sunday about central committee races for both the local GOP and Democratic party. Here is the intro: With his campaign button, eager smile and...

Press release from Butler County Recycling and Solid Waste District: The Butler Soil and Water Conservation District (Butler SWCD) has added compost bins and rain barrels to their annual Tree and Groundcover Sale held this month. Butler SWCD will use...

Subbing for Sweigart today, and wanted to update you all regarding the federal trial of Mike Fox. The former state legislator, county commissioner and leader of the county’s children services was initially slated to stand trial June 1 in U.S....

Xavier University’s play-by-play basketball announcer Joe Sunderman will be the keynote speaker at Badin High School’s Winter Sports Fest March 24.

With basketball as its theme, the third annual fundraiser begins at 6 p.m., in the Pfirman Fa

Fairfield Township will become the third Butler County community to bring in an expert to talk to residents about wildlife in the community.

Brett Beatty, an assistant wildlife management supervisor for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Expired, unwanted and unneeded prescription and over-the-counter drugs will be accepted for disposal March 20 by the Fairfield Police Department.

Drugs will be destroyed in an ecologically safe manner by police from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bring m

The 19-year-old accused of murdering a 15-year-old student during a brawl in West Chester last year testified Wednesday that he was knocked to the ground in the fighting, was being kicked and swung a knife in self-defense.

A man accused of being an accomplice has been cleared, but the trial is proceeding against the man accused of killing a 15-year-old West Chester girl.

An alleged accomplice has been cleared, but the trial is proceeding against the man accused of killing a 15-year-old West Chester girl. A judge ruled there was insufficient evidence to show Rashon Martin was involved.

Opening this friday at noon and introducing 37 flavors of the best soft serve and sugar free-fat free yogurt is at General Custer's Entertainment Complex at 3325 Westbourne Dr.(next to Western Bowl. The fun and tasty new season will feature not only

Duke Energy Ohio is asking state regulators to exclude two private citizens as parties to its pending request to recover $31 million in costs from the 2008 wind storm in the wake of Hurricane Ike.

The West Chester Tea Party will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday, March 16th at EnterTrainment Junction 7379 Squire Court West Chester, Ohio 45069. Registration starts at 6:30, meeting begins at 7:00.

Our main topic this month is 'School Fu

Butler Tech Career Development Schools will offer an eight week course to women who might be interested in the construction trades.

Orientation to Non-Traditional Occupations for Women will be offered March 16 through May 7 and June 1 through

Butler County laid off three workers Monday, but not because of a budget crunch. Housing construction has declined so drastically in Butler County over the past two years that three employees of the Department of Development were laid off because of a lack of work.

Via text messages sent after he allegedly stabbed a 15-year-old girl to death, a Springfield Township man told friends: "Make sure nobody tell on me...I'm about to leave Cincinnati...Make sure nobody know what I did."

Butler County is applying for about $2 million in federal funding for a variety of community projects and for housing improvement programs. That's the amount the county received last year.

After 11 years of operations, Fairfield’s Laser Web will close its doors at the end of business March 14.

Owner Jerry Weber is opening an expanded operation, The Web Extreme Entertainment, March 26, at 7172 Cincinnati-Dayton Road, in Liberty

Nine (9) students from Bishop Fenwick High School took part in the Second Annual Southwestern Ohio Catholic Honor Band (SWOCHB) performance, February 12-13, 2010 at the University of Dayton. Selected instrumental musicians from Catholic high schools

Vice President Joe Biden said Wednesday the Palestinians deserve a "viable" independent state with contiguous territory.

A Catholic diocese in Germany will hold an investigation into allegations of physical and sexual abuse  swirling around a famed choir once led by Pope Benedict XVI's brother.

Haim had flulike symptoms before he died and was getting over-the-counter and prescription medications, Police Sgt. William Mann said.

New educational standards say 4th graders should know the difference between poetry and prose, 8th graders must be able to prove Pythagoras’ theorem.

Demographers say this year could be the "tipping point" when the number of babies born to minorities outnumbers that of babies born to whites.

By one new metric, Michelangelo has been bumped from his perch atop the Italian art charts by Caravaggio.

A day after former Rep. Eric Massa acknowledged tickling a colleague but denied the intent was sexual, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer accused "some people" of seeking to politicize the situation.

A high-ranking Toyota executive says the auto company's North American sales spiked around 50 percent the first eight days of March as incentives helped lure customers.

Another Toyota Prius is being blamed for out-of-control acceleration following an incident in Harrison, N.Y., as the besieged automaker dealt with a new high-profile new headache.

U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts said Tuesday the scene at President Barack Obama's first State of the Union address was "very troubling" and that the annual speech to Congress has "degenerated into a political pep rally."

The family of an American killed by an Israeli army bulldozer in Gaza will launch a damages case on Wednesday, stoking controversy over the treatment of pro-Palestinian protesters and angering Israelis frustrated by international criticism.

Although previous studies have demonstrated what scientists call “herd immunity,” none have been so incontrovertible as a study of farming colonies in Canada.

Millions of Americans have been forced to rely on unemployment payments for extended periods, and critics are taking aim.

The Dalai Lama blasted Chinese authorities Wednesday, accusing them of trying to "annihilate Buddhism" in Tibet as he commemorated a failed uprising against China's rule over the region.

At least three Swedish newspapers on Wednesday published a cartoon depicting the Prophet Muhammad with the body of a dog after an alleged plot to murder the artist who created it was uncovered in Ireland.

A terrified 7-year-old boy begged emergency dispatchers to send police to his Southern California home where three armed robbers threatened his parents, according to a recording of the call released Tuesday.

Marie Osmond told a Las Vegas Strip audience as she returned to the stage less than two weeks after her son's apparent suicide that she has relied on her spirituality to cope with his death

United States intelligence agencies misled key allies, including Britain, about its mistreatment of suspected terrorists, the former head of the country's domestic spy agency, MI5, said Tuesday.

As much as half the food aid sent to Somalia is diverted from needy people to a web of corrupt contractors, Islamist militants and local U.N. staff, according to a new report.

Celizic: Connecticut won its record 71st straight game on Monday. On Tuesday, the Huskies extended it to 72. No women’s team has ever won more consecutive games. Only UCLA’s 88-game winning streak that ran from 1971-74 is longer in D-I hoops. And America greeted this extraordinary achievement by erupting into a coast-to-coast yawn.

She was her usual strong self this week, nailing Tracy Chapman’s “Give Me One Reason,” and the judges noted that her big selling point was that she knows herself and who she is as an artist.

A federal indictment accuses a Pennsylvania woman of using the Internet to recruit jihadist fighters and promote terrorism overseas, NBC News reports.

Robert “Joe” Halderman has pleaded guilty to trying to shake down David Letterman over the comic’s sexual affairs.

With DeGeneres on board — and Simon Cowell on the way out — judges Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi seem to have decided it's time to start trying harder.

A ring accused of helping people from the Mideast obtain student visas by taking proficiency exams and classes for them has exposed a vulnerability in tracking foreign students.

The actress Lindsay Lohan has sued E*Trade Financial Corp for $100 million, saying a "milkaholic" baby girl who appeared in a recent commercial was modeled after her.

Chile is on the verge of a political transition. Outgoing President Michelle Bachelet is trying to preserve her reputation after the earthquake, while the president-elect, Sebastian Pinera, is trying to establish that he is reputation as a man who can rebuild the damaged country.

Inventories dropped 0.2 percent, while sales increased for a 10th consecutive month, up a solid 1.3 percent. Economists hope the steady rise in sales will prompt more inventory restocking, triggering increased factory production and providing support for the fledgling economic recovery.

As the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' point man on abortion, Richard Doerflinger has emerged as a major player in the health care debate, one likely to play a pivotal role in the outcome.

The president's party typically loses about a half-dozen seats in midterm elections. With 37 governorships at stake this year, that may mean bad news for the Democrats.

Customers who try to make debit card purchases without enough money in their accounts to cover the transaction will be denied at the cash register. For ATM transactions, those who try to withdraw more than their balance will first have to agree to pay a $35 overdraft fee.

A local police chief said 10 gunmen armed with grenades attacked the offices of the Christian aid group helping earthquake survivors in a small town in the country's northwest. Four people were wounded.

U.S. Marines are now trying to build relationships with local people after gaining ground in the southern Afghanistan area of Marjah. But after two years of Taliban control, the group's presence is still deeply felt — especially the threats sent in "night letters" to those who cooperate with foreigners.

Haiti's small business elite sees January's earthquake as an opportunity, but not just to make money. They say it's a chance to refashion the corrupt, inefficient way things are done in Haiti, while marshaling international support to boost the country's industries.

The U.S. relationship with Pakistan has been bolstered by successful intelligence operations. But skepticism persists over whether Pakistan really intends to pursue Afghan militants on its soil. U.S. officials cite a positive change in mood, but both sides are wary about over-promising what this new cooperation can deliver.

Some drivers admit to texting while driving despite the known dangers of distraction. And it isn't just young drivers. Some studies show the biggest growth in texting is among people ages 35 and older.

An antitrust lawsuit against the NCAA seeks a potential payday for athletes who have been merchandised. The case over the use of players' likenesses in video games and memorabilia may change the essence of the NCAA. What if college players were no longer seen as amateurs?

The lifestyle and business relationships of Julius Malema, an official of the ruling African National Congress, are coming under intense scrutiny. His dealings, among others, are prompting calls for "lifestyle audits" to help root out corruption.

At University of the People, students from across the globe have access to free online classes in business administration and computer science. The school has attracted about 380 students from 81 countries. But in order to survive, the university needs more to enroll, its founder says.

Taliban rule was a dark period for women in Afghanistan, and they want to make sure their fears are not forgotten as the new government in Kabul tries to find ways to make peace with the fighters.

Colleen R. LaRose is accused of using the Internet to recruit jihadist fighters and help terrorists overseas, even agreeing to move to Europe to try to kill a Swedish artist, prosecutors said Tuesday. She called herself JihadJane in a YouTube video in which she said she was "desperate" to ease the suffering of Muslims, the indictment said.

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 05:40:00 +0000...

the city comes to mind as i stare out at the snow covered lake, sno flakes starting to fall and a friends music playing through my earphones. the faces i know and remember in kolkata the life i know of kolkata. and i ask him how i live the things hes cultivating in my heart, knowing it is much be...(more)...

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 22:27:00 +0000...my fingers are cold but im sitting near the fire, much different than the heat of kolkata - this heat i enjoy. my hand is quickly fading to orange as the henna stain leaves my palm but my fingertips seem to b...(more)...

Sat, 13 Dec 2008 06:58:00 +0000...

So I'm coming home tomorrow ( for most of you it would actually in two days, but not for me ) I've been waiting for this for some time now, a little over six months minus weeks here and there and now that it's here, I've had trouble really deciding really what all to...(more)...

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 06:07:00 +0000...

I didnt really expect the time of closure to start a month before i was going home but what to do. my professor has come and gone and with his leave he set in some kind of closure of my time here. it was great to have him around, someone to walk the streets of kolkata...(more)...

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 06:54:00 +0000...It's easy to find myself lost in the busyness of life here; home never leaves my mind but I find myself separated from home in that I can never give enough of myself to stay present in life there. I have to tell myself it's okay as I'm not there and as I continue to pray for the ability to be presen...(more)...

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:48:00 +0000...i thought coming back to kolkata i would be refreshed for more than one day; i had hoped though i wasnt fully convinced this would be reality. But what a beautiful day Monday was, even though the evening was hard. What joy filled my heart to be back in my home, to be bac...(more)...

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:31:00 +0000...this nepal air is making my toes cold, all i would have to do is walk to the other room to get my socks but i havent done that, i keep thinking just a few more minutes and ill be done here. i am on a break here, just taking some time out of ktown and have been blessed to spend my time with the wmf c...(more)...

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 10:07:00 +0000...

Kind of funny, a few days after I wrote the last blog I had strong dreams of going home- you just never know what the next day is going to bring. One day you will love being in a foreign culture, working a language that you really dont know so well (and even laugh wit...(more)...

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 01:56:00 +0000...Me: “no, not really”
Friend: “really, youre not ready?”

I miss it but I’m not ready to be back yet, it’s not time. There’s so much learning to happen in the coming 3 months; and the things that I’ve learned so far, I’m not sure their full circle yet, meaning I know I’ve begun to unde...(more)...

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 15:48:00 +0000...I love little kids, little bundles of natural joy; whether it be the little one tapping his foot beside the pastor in worship this morning or the little one holding my hand as I return to the metro, walking barefoot beside me along with his two older sisters.

...(more)...

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:48:00 +0000...It is not just that I want to be, but I am. Sometimes the snow is cold and uncomfortable, but it sure is beautiful. Even though I lay now on the ground, one day I will be put back in the position I was created in; put there to sink my roots deep down in...(more)...

Sat, 09 Aug 2008 04:57:00 +0000...I have an awesome photo on my desktop of my sister and I baking in the sun… we tried to pose in such a way as to demonstrate the scorching heat of the noon sun. That last day in the States was amazingly warm, and I must say I really value the “tan factor” to the U.S. sun...(more)...

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 11:24:00 +0000...aj brishti hoyechi :: today rain happened. I tried to tiptoe my way back down the streets after I had finished lunch, I suppose hoping I might arrive with dry pants. As I was soon in the middle of the street dodging the puddles of water that had collected on my side of the road and cars were honking...(more)...

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:05:00 +0000...oh the sweet music you find in bangladeshi internet cafes...

i dont like writing here because i watch the clock, paying to use the computer even though its cheap... i prefer free with no self time restraints. and its always... what do i write?? so ...(more)...

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 12:41:00 +0000...Lots of rice, lots and lots of rice. And some tea. At least twice a day. But I learned today, that if you add a little instant coffe mix the tea drinking experience rises to a whole new level. It is a luxury that I have come to experience here in B-desh at the language classes I am attending. Today ...(more)...

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 05:12:00 +0000...Each time it rains a lot I notice a fear in my mind, I wonder if it is time for the monsoon flooding; and I wonder how I will react to the wading through water sometimes past my knees. Although I’m sure it is something you come accustomed to with some time and encouragement from those who’ve done it...(more)...

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:52:00 +0000...Today is a day for wash. Though some in Kolkata have washing machines, we do not. That is ok. I am learning what is important and necessary to wash and getting strengthening in my arm muscles as I squish and beat the soapy dirty water out of my clothes :) One new experience found in Kolkata.