http://xeniagazette.com en-us Fri, 24 May 2013 21:16:38 GMT Daily feed of articles http://xeniagazette.com/Main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=180376 http://xeniagazette.com/SiteImages/Article/Tnail/180376.jpg XENIA — Xenia Board of Education Member Lee Rose and Superintendent Dr. Deb Piotrowski recognize Xenia resident Phyllis Nickoson for her efforts in securing new flags for every classroom in the new elementary buildings. Nickoson made it possible for a new American Flag to be placed in every new classroom in the Xenia Community Schools. Xenia Fri, 24 May 2013 03:07:00 GMT http://xeniagazette.com/Main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=180375 http://xeniagazette.com/SiteImages/Article/Tnail/180375.jpg XENIA — Dr. Lee Esprit, who is retiring after an illustrious 41-year career in the Department of Education at Central State University, will be honored by his family at a private party at the Hope Hotel Saturday evening. Dr. Esprit served two concurrent terms on Xenia City Commission from January 1996 until Dec. 31, 2007. He helped lead our community through many major events including the recovery efforts following the September, 2000 tornado. During his tenure he diligently worked for the betterment of our City by serving the community and City Council through his active involvement on many commissions, boards and committees, as well as in many other ways. He served as president of City Council in 1998, 1999, 2004 and 2006, and as deputy mayor in 1997. Xenia Fri, 24 May 2013 03:06:00 GMT http://xeniagazette.com/Main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=180357 DAYTON — AAA projects 34.8 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the Memorial Day holiday weekend, a 0.9 percent decrease from the 35.1 million people who traveled last year. Eighty-nine percent of travelers (31.2 million) will travel by automobile, an increase from 31.1 million last year. The Memorial Day holiday travel period is defined as Thursday, May 23 to Monday, May 27. Xenia Thu, 23 May 2013 13:38:00 GMT http://xeniagazette.com/Main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=180370 http://xeniagazette.com/SiteImages/Article/Tnail/180370.jpg XENIA (WDTN) — Xenia Community Schools are on a two hour delay Thursday morning so that school administrators can make sure a bomb threat at Xenia High School is just that, a threat. District leaders posted a  statement on the school district's web site   Wednesday that says a threat was found scrawled on the back of a bathroom stall door in the girls' restroom. It made a specific threat about Thursday. Staff and police have been investigating since and say in the interests of the students, they will do a sweep of the high school before classes Thursday, causing the delay. All the schools in the district are forced to delay to accommodate transportation schedules. Extra patrols are already in place at the school overnight Wednesday and will be highly visible throughout the next couple of days.  Xenia Thu, 23 May 2013 12:01:00 GMT http://xeniagazette.com/Main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=180360 http://xeniagazette.com/SiteImages/Article/Tnail/180360.jpg XENIA — Geocache enthusiasts traveled to Greene County Parks & Trails’ first “Choose Your Own Adventure,” recently that was based at Caesar’s Ford Park, 520 S. Stringtown Road. The start of the geocache began at 11 a.m. and had participants traveling to caches within Caesar’s Ford Park, Karohl Park, Mill Bridge Launch, James Ranch Park, Creekside Trail, Narrows Reserve, Creekside Trail, Constitution Park, Crooked Creek Nature Preserve, Ohio to Erie Trail, Springs Lakes Park, Sara Lee Arnovitz Nature Preserve, Glenn Thompson Park, Little Miami Scenic Trail and Indian Mound Reserve. Xenia Thu, 23 May 2013 01:41:00 GMT http://xeniagazette.com/Main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=180359 http://xeniagazette.com/SiteImages/Article/Tnail/180359.jpg XENIA — The Xenia Police Division’s 22nd Annual Awards Ceremony were held Wednesday at the Greene County F.O.P. Lodge. Among those honored and receiving the department’s highest honor is 15 year veteran Officer Lon E. Etchison who received the Casey Elliott Memorial “City’s Finest” Award. This award is given each year in recognition for either an outstanding accomplishment in police work, bravery in the line of duty, or a humanitarian deed. Leadership Awards were presented to Sergeant Steve Lane, Sergeant Chris Stutes, Sergeant Gary Johnson, and Communications Technical Director Jason Sweney for displaying continued leadership within the organization throughout the year. The Meritorious Service Award was presented to Officer Jeff Moore, Officer Matt Cvitkovich, Officer Lon Etchison, Officer Brian Atkins, Officer Noah Sebastinas for acts which resulted in the attempt to save a life and were above and beyond the call of duty. Xenia Thu, 23 May 2013 01:40:00 GMT http://xeniagazette.com/Main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=180347 XENIA — The Greene County Ohio Historical Society is hosting a special “Evening on the Titanic” event 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 1. Hors d’oeuvres and desserts from the First Class menu will be served, and music of the time period will fill the air. The captain will mingle with guests, and there will be a short program about the ship and its people. Xenia Wed, 22 May 2013 16:26:00 GMT http://xeniagazette.com/Main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=180346 XENIA — After a year-and-a-half-long process of analysis and dialogue with Xenia citizens, the final draft of X-Plan is complete and will be presented to council on May 23 for formal adoption following a public hearing. The public hearing will be held 7 p.m. in the city council chambers, Second Floor, City Hall, 101 N. Detroit Street, to invite any final comments from citizens before the plan is adopted. Xenia Wed, 22 May 2013 09:25:00 GMT http://xeniagazette.com/Main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=180345 XENIA — In recognition of May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, Greene County Safe Communities reminds motorists and motorcyclists alike to “share the road” conscientiously and courteously to help prevent motorcycle crashes which remain one of the most prevalent causes of death and injury on Greene County roads. Xenia Wed, 22 May 2013 01:24:00 GMT http://xeniagazette.com/Main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=180330 XENIA — Safety should be everyone’s top priority and Laurie Fox, Greene County Safe Communities Coordinator, reminds all Greene County residents that saving a life is a snap. Buckle Up America encourages everyone on the road to use seat belts and restraints and to use them properly. “Seat belts are the most effective lifesaving feature in a vehicle,” said Fox Xenia Tue, 21 May 2013 17:46:00 GMT http://xeniagazette.com/Main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=180329 XENIA — Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greene County — The Schneider House of Hope — is holding its Third Annual 5Kwalk-run Saturday, June 1 at the Xenia Hub, 150 Miami Ave. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. and the run will start promptly at 9 a.m. proceeding south on the bike path towards Spring Valley. Prizes will be awarded for six categories and the top male and female. Registration before May 28 for adults is $25 and kids $10. Receive a free T-Shirt if pre-registered. Registration the day of is $30 and $15. Xenia Tue, 21 May 2013 13:45:00 GMT http://xeniagazette.com/Main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=180331 http://xeniagazette.com/SiteImages/Article/Tnail/180331.jpg XENIA — More than 60 percent of the Greene County Career Center’s graduating seniors have been selected for post-secondary education. The senior class will be recognized along with the valedictorian and salutatorian at the school’s senior recognition ceremony on 7 p.m. Thursday, May 23 at Wright State University’s Nutter Center. Xenia Tue, 21 May 2013 01:47:00 GMT http://xeniagazette.com/Main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=180332 http://xeniagazette.com/SiteImages/Article/Tnail/180332.jpg XENIA — Faces of strength, courage, hardship and loss joined forces to help The American Cancer Society Annual Relay for Life event at the Greene County Fairgrounds Saturday and Sunday. “Relay for Life brings communities together,” said Event Chair Carmen Huffman. “We honor each person who has been touched by this disease while raising money for much needed cancer research, education, and advocacy and patient service programs.” This 18-hour event raised money by walking or running a track to support a cancer patient or survivor. It was encouraged that the track has a walker or runner on the track for the whole 18-hours. The events of the event included a Cancer Survivor lap followed by a reception to celebrate life. Throughout the event, the Cincinnati Reds mascot made an appearance. They offered camping, movies for the kids, hula hoop contests, frozen t-shirts contests, music, and a luminaria ceremony. Throughout the night, the events continued and ended on Sunday morning with a delicious breakfast, Zumba and team awards. Xenia Tue, 21 May 2013 01:47:00 GMT http://xeniagazette.com/Main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=180328 XENIA — The Greene County Transit Board will hold public participation meetings to present proposed fare changes for both their Flex Route and Demand Responsive Services. The meeting will include a review of the proposal regarding fares recommended to the Transit Board for approval by the Greene County Transit Program and Services Committee at its April 16 meeting. Xenia Tue, 21 May 2013 01:45:00 GMT http://xeniagazette.com/Main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=180316 XENIA — Pastor James W. Day will be guest speaker at the annual Xenia Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast on Friday, May 24. The event is sponsored by the Christian Men’s Fellowship and will be held at the Schuster Center on the Legacy Ministries campus. Pastor Day was a a deputy sheriff for 11 years and currently serves on the Sulphur Grove Ministries pastoral team and is vocalist in the Promise & Praise Gospel Band. Xenia Sun, 19 May 2013 14:30:00 GMT http://xeniagazette.com/Main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=180319 XENIA — The Greene County Commissioners approved changes to the travel/training expense policy for county employees Thursday. County employees who must eat meals away from home will be entitled to a “reasonable” reimbursement of a maximum of $45 per day. “Reimbursement shall be for food, tips (maximum 15 percent) and non-alcoholic beverages and must be accompanied by the appropriate receipts supporting the expenditures,” the policy states. Xenia Sat, 18 May 2013 14:32:00 GMT http://xeniagazette.com/Main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=180317 SPRING VALLEY — The Tandana Foundation is proud to announce the successful completion of its March 2013 Health Care Volunteer Vacation in Ecuador. This was the 13th Health Care Volunteer Vacation sponsored by Tandana. A team of 18 volunteers and four Trip Coordinators helped provide medical care to 1,034 schoolchildren and adult community members in 10 different villages in the canton of Otavalo. Xenia Sat, 18 May 2013 14:31:00 GMT http://xeniagazette.com/Main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=180318 http://xeniagazette.com/SiteImages/Article/Tnail/180318.jpg XENIA — A Xenia resident battling pancreatic cancer will have 270 purple-clad family members, friends, and strangers run for him on Sunday. After Gary Welborn was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in August of 2012, his 25-year-old granddaughter, Desiree Vance, lost no time in acting. She organized a 5K to honor her grandfather and promote pancreatic cancer awareness, which is now known as the Purple Passion 5K. The idea came easily for Vance, who is a runner along with her father, the co-owner of Speedy Feet — a company that times 5Ks and other events. When Vance talks about her grandfather, she notes the closeness her grandparents have always had with their grandchildren, family memories centered at their house, and her grandfather’s dreams, like becoming a park ranger. She remembers camping trips, riding in his lap while he mowed the yard, and water gun fights — “even in the house.” “I always knew when I was going to grandpa and grandma’s house that he and I would probably get ourselves in trouble,” Vance said. Xenia Sat, 18 May 2013 02:32:00 GMT http://xeniagazette.com/Main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=180301 http://xeniagazette.com/SiteImages/Article/Tnail/180301.jpg XENIA — Rejuvenation of downtown Xenia continues through the restoration work done at an iconic business. Montgomery Insurance and Investments, 114 S. Detroit St., has recently completed a renovation, partially funded through the Xenia Downtown Façade Loan Program. “The Montgomery building improvement, while a beautifully done project, does not get the attention some of the other downtown properties have garnered, mostly because the Montgomery family has always done a great job of maintaining the looks of it over the years,” said Mary Crockett, Xenia’s Community and Downtown Development. “The work done on the building is significant and will continue the life of this iconic building for years more into the future.” Xenia Fri, 17 May 2013 12:35:00 GMT http://xeniagazette.com/Main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=180300 http://xeniagazette.com/SiteImages/Article/Tnail/180300.jpg XENIA — As the buildings at a former Xenia orphanage come down, efforts are underway to preserve the memories of what was a special place for more than 13,000 children. “There’s an extreme amount of history here,” said Wendy Niederlander, who was the second generation of her family raised at the home. “The public isn’t aware of it.” The Association of Ex-Pupils, or AXP, runs the home’s museum and has access to Collier Chapel, both of which are seeing the effects of time and Ohio’s often-extreme weather. The organization has a lease through 2020 with Legacy Ministries, the current landlord. That lease agreement, which at that time was between AXP and the state of Ohio, was acquired when Legacy Ministry purchased the property. Collier Chapel, which can be used by ex-pupils and their families for weddings and funerals, is also leased to AXP through 2020, according to Karen Duke, site manager for Athletes in Action. Xenia Fri, 17 May 2013 00:33:00 GMT http://xeniagazette.com/Main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=180287 http://xeniagazette.com/SiteImages/Article/Tnail/180287.jpg XENIA — For the last 22 years, the needy, the elderly and the just plain lonely could gather at The Caring Place for a free meal. Housed at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 287 W. Main St., The Caring Place feeds about approximately 100 people each Thursday night from 6-7 p.m. Those who attend “always leave with a smile on their face,” said former Mayor John Saraga. “We don’t judge. We just try our best to provide a good meal. That’s what this is about.” Xenia Thu, 16 May 2013 15:32:00 GMT http://xeniagazette.com/Main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=180275 http://xeniagazette.com/SiteImages/Article/Tnail/180275.jpg XENIA — Woodland Cemetery on Dayton Avenue will host a Civil War-themed walking tour 1 p.m. Saturday, May 18. Leading the tour will be Catherine Wilson, executive director of the Greene County Ohio Historical Society. Some of the more interesting Civil War veterans buried at Woodland include David T. Davidson. Xenia Wed, 15 May 2013 16:52:00 GMT http://xeniagazette.com/Main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=180270 XENIA —The Greene County Career Center and Kettering Health Network are teaming up to create support staff professionals. “When you think of hospitals, you think of physicians and nurses, however, it takes a team of support staff professionals to bring a hospital to maximum performance,” said Greene CountyGreene County Career Center Superintendent Dan Schroer. “Greene County Career Center and Kettering Health Network want to be part of that winning team.” Xenia Wed, 15 May 2013 13:04:00 GMT http://xeniagazette.com/Main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=180273 XENIA — City firefighters will be getting some new protective clothing, following action taken at the May 9 city council meeting. Council approved $25,810 to purchase 10 sets of turnout gear, which includes a coat and a pair of pants, through the Ohio Cooperative Purchasing Program. Xenia Wed, 15 May 2013 09:50:00 GMT http://xeniagazette.com/Main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=180274 http://xeniagazette.com/SiteImages/Article/Tnail/180274.jpg XENIA — Harworth Tire & Automotive is Xenia’s newest tire and automotive center. The family-owned business is one that staff pride themselves the same service and professionalism provided by the Harworth family for generations. Jim Harworth, who opened his new business at 1717 W. Second St. in April, has been in the tire business since 1974. When he was only 15 years old, while still in school, Jim started working with his father — the late Jack Harworth. Jack Harworth founded Detroit Tire in 1947. A grand opening is planned in June for Jim’s “new” store Harworth Tire & Automotive. Services offered include name brand tires for passenger cars, light trucks, riding mowers and bobcats; batteries, front end parts, brakes, oil changes and lubes. Xenia Wed, 15 May 2013 01:51:00 GMT