USA
Happy 45th birthday to Harry Potter (7/31). Time has been unkind, with new adventures like Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Alimony and Harry Potter and the Order of the New Balances. In other news, High Noon has voluntarily recalled its Beach Variety 12-packs after its supplier accidentally labeled some alcoholic seltzer cans as non-alcoholic Celsius energy drinks, creating a risk of "unintentional alcohol ingestion." After a decade of requests, Oreo and Reese’s have released a mashup product.
Ohio News
Sales Tax Holiday: Ohio's annual sales tax holiday has been expanded to 14 days, running from midnight on Friday, August 1, through 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, August 14. The holiday makes any single item of tangible personal property priced at $500 or less tax-free.
Guns at County Fairs: Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost issued a legal opinion stating that county fairs cannot ban firearms on their grounds, as they are "political subdivisions" subject to state law. However, fairs can still legally prohibit firearms inside their buildings.
Dayton & Montgomery County
Public Health: Dayton and Montgomery County will spray for mosquitoes after samples in Dayton and Vandalia tested positive for West Nile virus. Meanwhile, Dayton appeared on two top bed bug city lists, ranking 11th nationally by Terminix and 43rd by Orkin.
County Funding: The Montgomery County Commission has canceled the fall 2025 Economic Development/Government Equity (ED/GE) funding round, redirecting $1 million to The Foodbank, Inc. to address critical food insecurity.
New Developments: The Dayton Dragons will introduce "Deck the Diamond," an outdoor holiday lights experience running from Nov. 14 to Jan. 3, 2026. Dayton Christian School has begun construction on a $4 million multipurpose center to support a 75% enrollment increase over the past five years.
Regional News
Kettering: TJ Chumps is launching the region's first restaurant drone delivery service with a three-day trial (July 31-Aug. 2). All proceeds will be donated to a veteran charity.
West Carrollton: The city is moving forward with its $25-$30 million riverfront whitewater park, awarding a nearly $2.8 million design and engineering contract. The park will anchor a larger "River District."
Clayton: Following public opposition, the Clayton city council has repealed its approval for a 529-home development on Sweet Potato Ridge Road.
Centerville: A European-inspired beer spa, Hops and Harmony Spa, is planned for the Cross Pointe Centre, offering private spa rooms with self-serve local beer dispensers.
Yellow Springs: "The Twilight Zone" creator and Antioch College graduate Rod Serling will be honored with an Ohio Historical Marker on campus, with a dedication ceremony on Oct. 2.
Also Noted: The Blue Angels are confirmed as headliners for the 2026 Dayton Air Show. Fairborn will place police and fire renewal levies on the November ballot. New coffee shops are opening: Poppets in Kettering, Biggby Coffee in Troy, and a Dunkin' in Beavercreek. Ritter's in Beavercreek and Kettering will offer deals from Aug. 4-8 for National Frozen Custard Day.
