Ohio News
- Ticket Sales Reform (HB 563): Ohio lawmakers are considering a bill to regulate platforms like Ticketmaster and StubHub. Key provisions include "all-in pricing" (upfront disclosure of total costs), banning "speculative" selling of tickets the seller doesn’t possess, and prohibiting lookalike sites that mimic official venues. Violations could result in $15,000 daily fines.
- Mail-in Ballot Deadline (SB 293): A bill eliminating the four-day grace period for mail-in ballots passed the House committee on Nov. 18. If enacted, ballots must be received by county boards by the time polls close on Election Day to be counted.
Dayton News
- Water Rates Rising: Montgomery County commissioners approved a 5% annual increase for water and sewer rates over the next five years. The hike funds $248 million in upgrades to aging infrastructure and covers rising wholesale costs from the City of Dayton.
- Speed Limit Reductions: Dayton adopted a policy to evaluate lowering speed limits from 35-45 mph to 25 mph in business districts like Wayne Ave, Salem Ave, and downtown to improve pedestrian safety.
- Mercy Health & Humana Deal: A contract agreement was reached, ensuring Humana Medicare Advantage and Managed Medicaid patients maintain in-network access to Mercy Health facilities effective Dec. 1.
- Downtown Hotels: The Convention Facilities Authority unveiled a $120 million plan for two new hotels near the Convention Center: a new $77M "HQ Hotel" and a redevelopment of the Fidelity Building into a 130-room hotel.
- New Library Café: The owners of The Ugly Duckling are opening The Book Worm Café inside the Dayton Metro Library Main Branch.
- Free Meals: Local businesses are offering free meals to combat food insecurity:
- Get Air (Huber Heights): Hot meals/desserts Nov. 23 (2pm-4pm).
- The Fairborn Phoenix: Turkey dinners (drive-thru) Nov. 26 (12pm-2pm).
- The Root Beer Stande: Free kids meals for SNAP cardholders through the weekend.
Centerville
- Sheetz Approved: The Second District Court of Appeals upheld a ruling requiring the city to accept the planning commission’s approval for a Sheetz at the current Elsa’s location on Far Hills Ave.
- Ditto Bar: Now open at 68 W. Franklin St. (formerly Crabshire’s Tavern), featuring a "Cheers"-like vibe and outdoor patios.
Fairborn
- WSU Lawsuit: Wright State is prepared to spend over $2.2 million in legal fees in its suit against former research arm Parallax. Trial is set for January; WSU seeks $9.5 million+ in damages.
Kettering
- School Levy: The School Board voted to place a 5.93-mill bond issue on the May 5 ballot. The $222 million generated would fund a new middle school and a rebuild of the Fairmont HS academic wing.
Piqua
- Mall Revitalization: The former Miami Valley Centre Mall food court has reopened as The Social at Piqua Center, featuring six food vendors, a bar, an arcade, and an adventure park.
Springboro
- Mail Theft Sentencing: A man was sentenced to 180 days in jail for using sticky mouse traps to fish mail out of USPS collection boxes. He pleaded guilty to felony tampering and theft.
