2024 Year in Review, February
Summary compiled by Pat Langley and Greg Enslen, based on original reporting from Pat Langley, Jim Dabbelt, Ashley Spring McCarroll, Samantha Enslen, Greg Enslen, Nancy Bowman, Cailey Petsch, Becky Gulden, Jaclyn Knapp, and the 2024 Gazette staff.
February
Coldwater restaurant celebrates milestone with a dining room glow-up and free tea cakes
After 30 years in business, owner and manager Nick Hoover isn’t resting on his laurels. Instead, he’s celebrating by tearing apart his dining room and putting it back together from scratch. The renovation involved tearing down a large divider wall, walling up a staircase, ripping out booth seating, adding banquette seating, and laying new carpet. The result will be an open floor plan, 100 square feet of new space, and two to three new tables.
Council reviews County Estates East request, approves sanitary sewer expansion project
At a February 5 study session, council discussed County Estates East, a Monroe Township residential area of 77 single-family lots and 12 multi-family lots located between Evanston and Shoop and just east of I-75. Monroe Township has asked Tipp City to take full responsibility for County Estates East’s water and sewer services, while Montgomery County has also offered to provide the services.
During their regular meeting, Council approved the Industrial Sanitary Sewer Expansion Project at a cost of $4,830,280. The large sewer will serve the Abbott plant and Meijer, then run south on 25A to 571 and turn east into Tipp City.
Chaffee’s Brewhouse adding specialty coffees, expanded hours to the menu
The future of the former Grounds for Pleasure coffee shop remains unknown. But one Tipp City entrepreneur isn’t sitting around waiting to see what happens. Instead, she’s opening an espresso bar in her own pub. Chaffee’s Brewhouse, located on Second Street in downtown Tipp City, will be bringing specialty coffees to Tipp as early as March 1.
Readers share their Valentine’s Day Stories
Susie Spitler Shared her Wedding Story: “The wedding doesn’t make the marriage.” Love often leads to marriage if the couple can withstand the wedding planning. Wayne and Susie Spitler are proof that regardless of the hurdles that arise during the planning of events and the wedding day, marriage can rise above them all.
Also sharing their stories were Marti and Red Newsom, Dee and Kelly Gillis, Jane and Fred Hofacker, Dee and Albert Enslen, Kristie and Shawn Bussan, Molly and Rex Spencer, Marilyn and John Richards and, Madison Peyton and Cody Kupp.
Bethel High School student earned Girl Scout Silver Award
Fifteen-year-old Evelyn Wilbern, Bethel High School freshman, recently earned the Silver Award. This is the highest award a Cadette can earn and the second highest a Girl Scout can achieve.
Troy Police continued search for missing girl
A search on February 8 continued into its third day in Troy for 14-year-old Ellie Carder. The search was a coordinated effort with multiple search and rescue teams. Law enforcement officials and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources continued searching the Great Miami River on Thursday, hoping for another clue. NOTE: Unfortunately, her body was discovered in March along the river in Troy.
Community honors Scott Downing
As a community and school district mourns the loss of a beloved teacher and former boys soccer coach, those who knew Scott Downing best reflect on his life and legacy. Scott Downing was only 50 when he died earlier this month following complications from diabetes. Downing was a former collegiate athlete, teacher, and boys soccer coach for more than 20 years. He even led the Tippecanoe boys soccer team to its first-ever state championship in 2019.
Barbara Bailey remembered with ‘Lives loved’ auction
A hundred and thirty photographs taken by the late Barbara Jo Bailey were available to bid on via an online auction benefiting Dayton’s The Contemporary Dayton.
Board of Education Reviewed School budget
Schools’ Treasurer David Stevens presented his financial report saying the district is pretty much “on budget.” However, the budget allowed for an ongoing operating deficit of over $2M, which Superintendent Moran had repeatedly said must be eliminated.
County Commissioners reluctantly approve Bethel annexation
The proposed annexation of 296.236 acres in Bethel Township to Huber Heights was approved “reluctantly” Feb. 22 by Miami County commissioners. The commissioners and township residents urged continued fights against this annexation and advocating with state legislators’ changes in Ohio annexation laws.
Special needs basketball team finishes another successful season
After a second successful year of practices, the special needs-oriented basketball team at the Ginghamsburg Church Avenue building has greatly increased its number of players and is closing out yet another great season of basketball fun. The small group began last year when mom Tasha Roberts and Occupational Therapist Denise Campbell joined forces to create a safe and less fast-paced community for kids with special needs interested in playing basketball. Since then, the club has grown tremendously.
Multiple agencies responded to Friday house fire
On Friday, Feb. 23 at 1:43 p.m., Tipp City fire and Emergency Services (TCFES) responded to the 700 block of Nelson Ct. on the report of a fire with flames and smoke showing from the front of the house.