Clermont County Ohio
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July 2015
Groundbreaking for Savor Seasonings

Savor Seasonings of Batavia Township celebrated its groundbreaking July 1 at the industrial park near the Clermont County Airport. Founded in 2002 by Jeff and Shelly Higgins, Savor Seasonings is a leading purveyor of flavoring for the snack food industry. Commissioners Ed Humphrey, Bob Proud and David Uible attended and participated in the event, as did U.S. Rep. Brad Wenstrup. The new plant will be 20,000 square feet; Savor Seasonings will add 10 new employees to its current 14-employee base.

Video:
Second-half taxes due July 8
Payment of second-half real estate tax bills for Clermont County is due July 8.

Taxes can be paid by mail or in person 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Treasurer's Office on the second floor of the County Administration Building, 101 E. Main Street. Taxes may also be paid by credit card or e-check at www.clermonttreasurer.org or by phone 1-800-272-9829.

A night deposit is located at the Main Street entrance of the Administration Building for payment of taxes after hours. Taxpayers with questions may call 513-732-7254: email us at [email protected].
Clermont County to join OhioCheckbook.com

Clermont County, furthering its commitment to transparency, has agreed to participate in the State Treasurer's OhioCheckbook.com project. On June 15, Commissioners approved the transfer of data to the treasurer; later this year, that information will be available on OhioCheckbook.com. "While our financial information has always been available to citizens, the OhioCheckbook.com website will make accessing that information much easier," said BCC President Ed Humphrey. "This is the right thing to do."  

Latest from Water Resources 
Water treatment plant keeps drinking water safe from HABs

This is the time of year when Harmful Algal Blooms -- known as HABs -- may appear on Harsha Lake (above). HABs are caused by nutrient runoff; they produce a toxin called microcystin that can be harmful even in minuscule quantities. The Bob McEwen Water Treatment Plant uses multiple systems to keep drinking water from Harsha safe.  


Water rates go up slightly

For the first time since 2011, the Clermont County Water Resources Department is raising its water rates effective July 1. The 3.4% increase will raise the average residential bi-monthly water bill by $1.23, from $35.74 to $36.97 for 12,000 gallons of water. The increase is necessary to cover the rising costs of water treatment. 


New operator for CASC
The Community Alternative Sentencing Center (CASC) -- an innovative approach to working with misdemeanor drug and/or alcohol offenders -- should be up and running with its first clients by Sept. 1. On June 3, Commissioners approved Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services (GCB) as the new operator of the CASC. The CASC, first established in August 2013, focuses on substance abuse and mental health treatment, and was launched in response to the heroin epidemic in Clermont County.

How to beat the heat
Welcome to summer! Here in Clermont County we have already seen temperatures reach over 90 degrees, and we're just getting started with the summer season. Heat is one of the top weather-related dangers, causing hundreds of deaths as well as heat-related illnesses each year nationwide. It's important to take adequate precautions during summer to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Heat safety tips
  • Reduce or reschedule strenuous activities until a cooler part of the day
  • Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing
  • Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
  • Minimize exposure to the sun
  • Take a cool bath or shower
Check on your older relatives and neighbors. They are more vulnerable to heat-related illness.
Know the symptoms for heat-related illnesses.

For other tips, visit the National Weather Service Heat Safety Resources page. Have a safe summer!
News from around the county
Judge hosts visitors from Africa for gender violence workshop

On June 17, Domestic Relations Court Judge Kathleen M. Rodenberg (sixth from right, above) and her staff hosted a program on "U.S. Approaches to Supporting Survivors of Gender-Based Violence." The participants were from 11 African countries, under the auspices of the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program. The program focused on the roles of courts, local organizations and law enforcement in Ohio in preventing domestic violence.  Also participating were YWCA Director Theresa Singleton, Lori Saylor of the Clermont County Sheriff's Office, and Jim Brown, retired police officer and professor.

CIVIL PROTECTION CARDS: Domestic Relations Court is now offering a wallet-size Civil Protection Order card that provides law enforcement agencies with a practical way to verify and enforce protection orders. The card includes the name and identifying characteristics of the person ordered to stay away, the names of protected people, and dates of issuance and expiration.

TRAVELING HELP DESK: U.S. Representative Brad Wenstrup's Traveling Help Desk will be held 10 a.m.-noon on Saturday, July 25, at the Union Township Civic Center, 4350 Aicholtz Road. The Traveling Help Desk is a monthly invitation to constituents to meet one-on-one with a member of Wenstrup's staff; no appointments are necessary. It's a good opportunity to share opinions on legislative issues or get assistance dealing with federal agencies, like the VA, IRS or Social Security. In addition to these monthly visits, constituents are invited to call Wenstrup's district office at 513-474-7777 or contact him at www.Wenstrup.House.gov to share their concerns.

FINAL CERTIFICATION: The Family Dependency Treatment Court of the Clermont County Juvenile Court has earned final certification from the Ohio Supreme Court's Commission on Specialized Dockets. Read more here

CASA AWARDED GRANT: Congratulations to CASA for Clermont Kids, which was one of the top vote-getters in State Farm's State Assist $25,000 grant competition, held through Facebook. CASA will use the grant funds to recruit and train community volunteers to serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates for the abused and neglected children of Clermont County. A big thank you to those who voted for CASA from Executive Director Nathan Bell. BLOOD DRIVE: A blood drive in support of CASA is being held 11 a.m.-5 p.m. July 9 at Union Township Civic Center, 4350 Aicholz Drive. To schedule, visit www.hoxworth.org/groups/casa or call 513-451-0910.

GOLF SCRAMBLE: The 19th Annual Invitation Golf Scramble, held to benefit abused and neglected children under the care of Clermont County's Children's Protective Services, will be held Aug. 3 at Elks Run Golf Club. For more information on this event, and how to donate to the Starfish Foundation, which was founded to help these children, please contact Wade (513-508-9302) or Susan Grabowski (513-509-7622), [email protected]

AT THE LIBRARY: Visit the Maker Festival 10 a.m.-3 p.m. July 25 at the Union Township Branch Library, 4450 Glen Este-Withamsville Road. See a 3D printer working, taste some homemade dips with fresh herbs, see how to turn bananas into a piano keyboard and lots more.

Attend a panel discussion about Harper Lee, the author of "To Kill a Mockingbird" and the new book "Go Set a Watchman." The program will be 6-7:30 p.m. July 28 at UC Clermont College, Room S142.

The Wave Foundation at the Newport Aquarium is bringing a penguin to the Amelia library at 10 a.m. Aug. 8; Williamsburg at 2 p.m. Aug. 8; Milford-Miami Township at 2 p.m. Aug. 15; and Goshen at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 17.
Clermont Public Library website

ELDER CARE LAW/FRAUD: Clermont Senior Services will hold an elder care law and elder care fraud workshop from 6-8 p.m. July 21 at Union Township Lifelong Learning Center, 4350 Aicholtz Road. Representatives from Pro Seniors will discuss Medicare, Medicaid, Medicaid estate recovers, living wills, durable powers of attorney and financial powers of attorney. RSVP to 513-947-7333.
The Clermont County newsletter is usually published the first Monday or Tuesday of the month. Please submit information for the newsletter by the 15th of each month. Email information to Kathleen Williams, Communications Coordinator for the county, [email protected]
Clermont County Ohio
CONTACT US
PHONES
OFFICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION
CHILD/ELDER ABUSE HOTLINE
NARCOTICS HOTLINE
BIRTH/DEATH CERTIFICATES
ANIMAL SHELTER
CRISIS HOTLINE
513-732-7597
513-732-STOP
513-625-2806
513-732-7499
513-732-8854
513-528-SAVE
Clermont County, Ohio | 101 East Main Street | Batavia | OH | 45103