Bethel Township accident-prone intersection may get roundabout

A Bethel Township intersection where several traffic collisions have occurred in the past is being considered for installation of a roundabout. After a complete study of the intersection of St. Rt. 571 and St. Rt. 201, the Ohio Department of Transportation notified resident Jamie Fisher that an application for funding for a one-lane roundabout would be filed with the state. Fisher was inside the nearby residence when a semi ran through it on March 30, 2023.

Troy Strawberry Festival organizers warn of scammers

Organizers of the Troy Strawberry Festival posted a warning on social media, saying scammers have posted fake 2024 festival applications.

The warning says the scammers are pretending to work with the festival and have shared a non-authentic link to a festival application, asking for credit card information.

“The festival does not use generic Gmail accounts,” the post says. “If you are receiving correspondence from allvendorscreativeinfo@gmail.com or other generic accounts, they are fake and a scam to get your credit card information.”

Troy Strawberry Festival organizers said the real application for the 2024 festival will be available soon, and only on the festival website at troystrawberryfest.com. They said the real festival will not collect any money from applicants until they are notified by festival organizers and an official invoice is sent.

The Strawberry Festival is a huge annual event in Troy, and the 2024 version is scheduled for June 1-2.

Any questions should be sent via email to manager@gostrawberries.com.

County employees fill food boxes

On Saturday, December 9, scores of county employees volunteered to fill boxes of food to be distributed to the county’s most vulnerable residents. This is the second year for Miami County Cares Restock the Pantries Drive. The county employees, local service clubs, and the community combined to fill 348 boxes of food that were distributed to the Bethany Center in Piqua, First Place Food Pantry in Troy, and both New Path and Needy Basket located in Tipp City. Each box contained fifteen food items creating nutritionally balanced meals for recipients. These boxes contain over 5,000 items with a total retail value of over $12,000. 

Judge Wall Receives Geraldine B. Nelson Advocacy Award

The Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services recently recognized Judge Stacy M. Wall for instituting the Miami County Common Pleas Mental Health Court. Judge Wall received this award on October 18, during Tri-County’s annual community recognition event. The award was given “in recognition of her support for the Miami County Court of Common Pleas Mental Health Specialty Docket; her inclusion and collaboration with law enforcement, courts, behavioral health, and other support services on behalf of her court-involved individuals; and for her efforts to promote the spectrum of mental health services and supports available to residents of Miami County.”

Commerce Center Opens to the Public

After nearly a year of construction, the Board of Miami County Commissioners hosted the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Commerce Center on November 9. Commissioners Wade Westfall and Gregory Simmons spoke during the ceremony, along with Secretary of State Frank Larose, and Shawn Peoples, Miami County Clerk of Courts. After the conclusion of the ceremony, tours of the new facility were given to those in attendance.

The Miami County Commerce Center houses Miami County’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Troy Driver’s Exam Station, Miami County Department of Development, Troy Deputy Registrar License Agency, Ohio State Highway Patrol – Blue Title/Salvage Facility, and Clerk of Court Title Agency.

First Female Bailiff Hired in Miami County Municipal Court

When Kendra Hudgins accepted her new position as a bailiff for Miami County Municipal Courts in July, she had no idea that in doing so she would be making Miami County history.

After 22 years as a pod leader and acting lieutenant at West Central Juvenile Detention, Hudgins noticed the job posting from another Miami County agency and decided to step out of her comfort zone and apply for it. “It is an honor to serve the Municipal Court judges,” she said.

Her advice for other women considering roles in traditionally male-dominated fields is simple: “don’t be intimidated.” Her successful career within Miami County shows that she has lived her advice. She was the only female on her shift over the course of her time with West Central.

Dog licenses now on sale

The 2024 dog licenses are now own sale. Order the licenses before January 31, 2024 at https://www.miamicountyohio.gov/223/Dog-Licenses.