Afternoon catchup: 5 Butler County stories you need to know today

Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones said more than $3 million in drugs and guns were seized Tuesday in Butler County. One man has been arrested and charged with two felonies. RICK McCRABB/STAFF

Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones said more than $3 million in drugs and guns were seized Tuesday in Butler County. One man has been arrested and charged with two felonies. RICK McCRABB/STAFF

Here’s a look at five big Butler County stories today to catch up on the news:


Butler County drug bust nets $3 million in weapons and narcotics, called one of region’s biggest

Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones said more than $3 million in drugs and guns were seized Tuesday in Butler County. One man has been arrested and charged with two felonies. RICK McCRABB/STAFF

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A Middletown man has been charged with two felonies for his alleged involvement in one of the biggest drug busts in the region, said Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones.

Michael S. Morales, of the 1800 block of Baltimore Street, was charged with trafficking in drugs and possession of drugs.

His bound was set at $30,000 in Hamilton Municipal Court on Thursday and he posted bond, the sheriff said this morning during a press conference.

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Spooky Nook reaches milestone by signing first event for 2022 in Hamilton

Sam Beiler, founder of Spooky Nook Sports, speaks during a media tour of Spooky Nook Sports Champion Mill complex under construction Friday, April 30, 2021 in Hamilton. The sports complex side and convention and hotel space combined will be over 1 million sq. feet when completed. Mill One will feature a fitness center, climbing and adventure center, hardwood courts, sports courts, turf fields and more. Mill Two by the river is the conference center and will feature 233 hotel rooms, 16 conference rooms and 60,000 sq. feet of tenant/ lease space. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

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Credit: Nick Graham

The first event has been scheduled for Spooky Nook Sports Champion Mill.

The large indoor sports facility and convention center under construction in Hamilton will host the 65th Model T Tour held by the Model T Ford Club International from July 17-22, 2022, officials said.

The event expected to draw more than 200 of the classic vehicles will feature a judged car show, driving tours, and a movie night at Holiday Auto Theatre, among other events. More than 600 attendees are expected to explore surrounding areas. Recent Model T Tour host destinations have included Auburn, New York, Whitefish, Montana, Cranberry, Pennsylvania and Prince Edward Island, Canada.

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Fairfield Community Foundation leader to retire after driving growth

Linda Yarger, president of the Fairfield Community Foundation, will retire when her replacement is found this year (2021) or until the end of September. PROVIDED

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When Linda Yarger steps down this year as the Fairfield Community Foundation’s president, she hopes her successor “will just take it to the next level and soar.”

Yarger announced her retirement this week, giving the Community Foundation’s board up to five months to find a replacement. She said she will stay on until a replacement is found, or until the end of September.

“I felt that everything in my past prepared me for this position,” she said.

After spending 35 years in the healthcare industry, she started with the foundation on May 27, 2017, and believes she’s leaving the foundation in a better position when she eventually steps down.

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Charm at the Farm: Lebanon open-air vintage market celebrates 5th anniversary this weekend

Charm at the Farm is kicking off its 5th anniversary year with its first market of 2021 the weekend of June 11-13. Charm at the Farm is an open-air vintage market located on a 56-acre former horse farm in Lebanon, OH. More than 115 of the best local artisans and shops come together exclusively at Charm at the Farm just three fabulous weekends a year each June, August and October. This innovative market features unique gifts, vintage furniture, clothing, jewelry, home décor, food, entertainment and more. Charm on the Farm is located at 4953 Bunnell Hill Road, Lebanon, Ohio 45036. CONTRIBUTED

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Lebanon’s popular Charm at the Farm Vintage Market will celebrate its fifth anniversary by raising funds for two Cincinnati charities geared toward helping women.

Charm at the Farm, founded in 2017 by friends Amy Doyle and Jayme Kuenkel, has become one of Lebanon’s most popular events. This year’s festivities will take place June 11-13, August 20-22 and October 15-17. The vintage market consists of over 100 primarily women-owned vendors selling vintage and handmade items, repurposed furniture, clothing, home décor and more on a 56-acre horse farm.

In honor of Charm at the Farm’s fifth anniversary, Doyle and Kuenkel are partnering with two charitable organizations — Eve Center and Sifa Collective — that work to promote the healing and growth of women in various ways.

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After ‘Communist country’ comment, Monroe council member says: ‘I didn’t mean to offend anybody’

Monroe Councilman Tom Callahan has been criticized for comments he made at the July 14 council meeting during a spirited discussion on an ordinance requiring people to wear masks. While most of the emails opposed his comments, he also received a number of comments praising him for speaking his opinion. FILE PHOTO

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After a Monroe resident said she was disappointed that a Monroe City Council member referred to not wanting to live in a Communist country when talking about an ordinance, he apologized for the comment during Tuesday’s meeting.

At last month’s meeting, when Monroe City Council members discussed adding “grass clippings” to an ordinance about disposing of items, Councilman Tom Callahan said he was against the measure because “we have too much government.”

Later in the conversation, Callahan told his fellow members, “I don’t want to live in a Communist country.”

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AND, for an extra sixth story of the day ...

Comics shop moves from Hamilton to Oxford, but the wrestling shows will continue

Brian LeVick, right, manning the cash register, the owner of Future Great Comics, opened his store in Oxford, after closing it in Hamilton, to a crowd. He has been pleased with the number of customers, even after most students have left for the summer. PROVIDED

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Future Great Comics has moved from its Main Street location in Hamilton to a new space in Oxford, and owner Brian LeVick said he is pleased with the number of customers visiting the store, even after most Miami University students have left for the summer.

“I was a little surprised when this became available, and I had to jump on it,” LeVick said about his new location, at 37 W. High St. “I’ve always looked at Oxford as a second location for the past few years, but nothing became available, and unfortunately I had to make a decision whether to stick with Hamilton or roll the dice and go for Oxford.”

“So far, the decision has worked out,” he said. Even since students left for the summer, “The foot traffic’s amazing up here, even with the time when the students have been gone,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of new faces, and some of my customers from Hamilton have made the trip up here. That’s always nice to see.”

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