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Home > Blogs > Greene County News > Archives > 2009 > June
June 2009
Driver ejected, lands on house
JAMESTOWN — When Joan Alfonso first saw the wreckage in her front yard she couldn’t imagine how anyone could have lived.
“That truck, it was an F-150, it was smashed,” said the resident of a split-level home on U.S. 35 east of Jamestown. “I don’t know how they survived.”
Alfonso was awakened about 1:30 a.m. Saturday, June 27, when a pickup truck driven by Brent Brown, 26, of Jamestown, went off the road, through several trees and after leaving a trail of debris came to rest on its top in her front yard.
Brown, who wasn’t wearing a seat belt, was ejected and flew more than 50 feet before he landed on Alfonso’s roof. A passenger Preston Boggs, 24, of Jamestown, was inside the cab of the overturned truck.
It wasn’t the crash that woke Alfonso, but the commotion afterwards. ” “I just heard a bunch of noise,” she said. ‘They said ma’am, don’t call 911, we just went off the road. We’re leaving.’ They didn’t know he was up there.”
Police are still unsure if another car was involved, but they do believe Brown was traveling well over the posted 55 mile per hour speed limit when he lost control, said Ohio Highway Patrol Lieutenant Marty Fellure of the Xenia post. “It’s a first in my career,” he said of the circumstances of the crash.
Medics didn’t find Brown right away. A deputy searching the area with a flashlight noticed a shoe up on the Alfonso’s roof, said Bob Olwin, Silvercreek Twp. fire chief. A ladder truck had to be brought in to get Brown down. “I’ve been doing this 22 years and I never seen anything like it,” Olwin said.
He was taken by CareFlight medical helicopter to Miami Valley Hospital where he remained in critical condition in the intensive care unit. Boggs, the passenger in the truck, was treated and released over the weekend.
Troopers are trying to determine exactly how fast the car was traveling when Brown lost control. Neither man was wearing a seat belt, and Lt. Fellure said if they had, their injuries would have likely been less serious. “Anytime you are involved in a wreck a safety belt will minimize injuries,” Fellure said.
Alfonso said the intersection of Old U.S. 35 and Ohio 734 has been the site of many accidents, but wrecks have fallen off since the four-lane highway was completed. She is left with a hole in their roof, destroyed shrubs and trees and an uneasy feeling. “I told my husband, after this, it’s time to move,” she said. “I hope they have insurance.”
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Bellbrook water bacteria may have been fluke
Two water samples collected from a Bellbrook tap in June tested over the allowable limit for coliform bacteria, but both Bellbrook and Ohio EPA officials say there doesn’t appear to be a systemic problem.
Ohio EPA spokeswoman Heather Lauer said the Bellbrook tests were positive for total coliform, but not for the dangerous E.coli bacteria.
Bellbrook City Manager Mark Schlagheck and Service Superintendent Dale Wilson both said they don’t think the bacteria was in the water, but rather on the outdoor spigot that the sample was drawn from.
Both samples that tested high for coliform were drawn from the same tap on Hillcrest Drive, and tests from other taps were negative.
“We spray a chlorine-and-water disinfectant solution on the test taps, and it was within a couple weeks of expiring,” Wilson said. “We went back and made a new batch of the solution and tested again, and those tests came back fine.”
EPA officials confirmed that Bellbrook’s current tests are coming back negative. Residents do not need to boil their water or take any other action.
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Bellbrook mailbox smashers charged
Three Centerville men face criminal damaging charges after dozens of Bellbrook residents found their mailboxes damaged or destroyed June 16.
Joshua A. Moberly, 18, John W. Moberly, 21 and Justin Robellard, 20, each face five counts of criminal damaging and two counts of possession of criminal tools in Xenia Municipal Court.
All three pleaded not guilty June 24.
Bellbrook detective Keith Salyers said the three admitted to bashing 30 to 50 Bellbrook mailboxes with baseball bats while driving around the city.
Most of the damage occurred in Bellbrook’s northwest plat, surrounding Kensington Drive and Possum Run Road.
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There’s still time to be in Beavercreek parade
BEAVERCREEK — If you ever wanted to march in a parade, city parks workers are offering a Independence Day chance to strut your stuff.
Residents have until 5 p.m. Thursday, July 2, to sign up to march or ride in the city’s Fourth of July Parade beginning 6 p.m. at Meadowbridge Drive. Anyone can participate. Kids can decorate their bikes, or their dog for that matter, said Jackie Dell, of the parks department. Have an old parade float taking up space in the back of the garage — perfect.
“We really want to get back to the old type community parades,” Dell said. “In these tough times we need to get together and celebrate.” About 60 groups have already signed up, but Dell hopes for a final wave of participants who want to celebrate Independence Day.
Applications to be in the parade are available the city web site here or by calling the parks department at (937) 427-5514.
Beavercreek’s July Fourth festivities start at 6 p.m. with the parade from Meadowbridge Drive down Dayton-Xenia Road to Beavercreek High School. Then crowds are invited to Rotary Park for food, music and games followed by fireworks.
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Police warn of scammers
Greene County Sheriff’s deputies are warning of itinerant workers who are scamming residents in rural parts of the county.
Several home owners in Greene and Clark counties as well as in Riverside have fell victim to workers offering to seal their driveways and then leaving without completing the job or over charging, said Captain Eric Spicer. Several groups are believed to be working the area scamming home owners, and many times the elderly, out of money, he said.
Greene County Prosecutor Stephen K. Haller said scams like this are commonplace in the summer months and after major storms. “People are desperate to get stuff done so they hire people they shouldn’t and they get ripped off,” Haller said.
Police recommend checking out anyone offering to do work before paying them and to make sure they are licensed and bonded. The scam has not hit Greene County cities yet, according to police officials. Anyone with information can contact the sheriff’s department at (937) 562-4800.
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Fairborn firefighters, police compete to give the most blood
FAIRBORN — Area public safety departments will again bring a little friendly competition to an annual blood drive.
The “Battle of the Badges” blood drive is set for 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, June 25, at the American Legion, 526 Legion Lane in Fairborn. Those donating blood can choose to give credit to the city fire or police departments or the Wright Patterson Air Force Base firefighters.
Each year the three safety services compete to get the most donors to give blood at the event. In 2008, the Fairborn Fire Department came out on top. Door prizes and t-shirts will be awarded during the blood drive. For more information call 754-3067.
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Lebanon, Springboro administrators finalists for Beavercreek job
BEAVERCREEK — Two Warren County administrators are finalists for the superintendent post here and board members hope to make a decision by June 30.
Mark North, superintendent of Lebanon City Schools, and Larry Hook, assistant superintendent in Springboro Community Schools, were picked as finalists from a pool of 11 applicants, said Richard Eckhardt, board president. Six of the 11 who applied were interviewed by teachers, parents and school support staff before board members quizzed candidates earlier this month.
Whoever board members pick will replace Dennis Morrison who is leaving the district after seven years as what many residents have described as “Beavercreek’s biggest cheerleader.” He will take an assistant principal job at Fairborn Primary School so he can again work closely with kids, Morrison said.
Richard Eckhardt, school board president, said both candidates to replace Morrison have first-hand knowledge of the difficulties facing Ohio school districts. “I think they are both well qualified and carry a lot of experience,” Eckhardt said. “They understand Ohio school funding and the challenges area schools face.”
Board members are expected to make an offer to their top choice in coming days and announce their decision after a contract is signed.
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Fairborn officer not charged in crash
A Fairborn police officer will face departmental discipline but no criminal charges stemming from a crash early June 13, Fairborn Sgt. Matt Ricketts said.
Officer Shane Hartwell was responding to a call of a man with a gun at 1:28 a.m. when he went through a red light at Central Avenue and Xenia Drive, striking an SUV, Ricketts said.
The SUV rolled over and landed on its top, but neither Hartwell nor any of the four people in the SUV suffered significant injuries, according to the incident report. The four 18- to 20-year-olds from Washington Court House were all wearing seat belts.
Hartwell, who was northbound on Central, had his lights flashing but was not using his sirens due to the type of call he was addressing, Ricketts said. The SUV was eastbound on Xenia Drive.
Both Hartwell and the people in the SUV said in statements that a house and large tree at the southwest corner of the intersection prevented them from seeing each other until the last second.
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Sugarcreek near deal with firefighters union
Sugarcreek Twp. firefighters, who have worked under an expired contract since April 1, have reached a tentative labor agreement with township officials.
Drue Kinney, a Sugarcreek firefighter and president of IAFF union local 4175, said Thursday, June 18 that he expected the union membership to vote on the contract in the next week.
If the union rejects the contract, the parties would head back to fact-finding. If the union approves it, the deal will go to the township trustees for their final vote.
Sugarcreek fire Chief Randy Pavlak said he thought negotiations took a while because the parties were waiting to see the results and fallout of the May levy, which passed.
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Man arrested in middle school break-in
Fairborn police arrested a man who allegedly broke into Baker Middle School early Wednesday morning.
Shane T. Marlow, 25, faces charges of breaking and entering and resisting arrest after the incident at 200 Lincoln Drive.
Police said they responded to an alarm at the school at 12:28 a.m. and saw Marlow running from the building. He was caught after a short foot chase.
Fairborn police said Marlow claimed a second individual was involved in the crime, but they now believe he was alone.
Marlow has previous misdemeanor convictions for attempted importuning and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. This week’s arrest came while Marlow is awaiting a plea hearing in a separate felony case of receiving stolen property.
Police say Marlow broke into the school hoping to steal something he could sell, but he did not have any school property with him when he was arrested.
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Sugarcreek to explain Clyo project
Sugarcreek Twp. will host two public meetings Thursday, June 18 to explain the details of the Clyo Road extension project, which is set to begin June 22.
The meetings will be held at 9 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the Sugarcreek Twp. administration building, 2090 Ferry Road.
Township Administrator Barry Tiffany encouraged business owners near Clyo and Wilmington, residents of Possum Run Road and anyone who frequently travels Possum Run up to Feedwire Road to attend one of the meetings.
The extension will connect Clyo Road — which currently dead-ends behind Cub Foods — to Possum Run Road, and then continue up to Feedwire.
A section of Possum Run just south of Five Season Sports Club might be closed at the start of the project. Tiffany said that issue should be decided at a pre-construction meeting on Wednesday.
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Superintendent Morrison to become Fairborn assistant principal
FAIRBORN — Beavercreek Superintendent Dennis Morrison won’t go far when he leaves his post July 31.
Beginning Aug. 1 Morrison will be an assistant principal at neighboring Fairborn Primary School. The soon-to-be-former superintendent says the move will accomplish his latest career objective, getting back to working closely with kids.
“It puts me back to my first love, which has always been working closely with kids,” Morrison said. “I believe where I did the most good is when I was a classroom teacher.”
Many in Beavercreek would likely say Morrison did the best at the helm of their district. He is seen as the district’s biggest cheerleader who helped them pass operating levies and a recent $84-million bond issue for a building and renovation campaign. School board members, staff and residents are currently interviewing applicants to replace Morrison. They expect to name a successor before his last day July 31.
Fairborn Superintendent Dave Scarberry said he’s glad to see his friend coming to work in the district where he’ll earn about $76,000 annually. “We’re excited to have him,” Scarberry said. “He’s definitely not doing it for the money.” Morrison interviewed with an appointed panel that quizzed several other applicants, Scarberry said. “He was by far the best of the best.”
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Road work on 725 in Bellbrook starts today
Traffic on Ohio 725 (Franklin Street) through the western side of Bellbrook will be slow for much of the next month, as construction crews will repave the road from Vemco Drive to Lakeman Drive.
Preliminary work, such as curbing and pavement preparation, is scheduled to begin Wednesday, June 10, according to Bellbrook City Manager Mark Schlagheck.
City officials said they believe the entire 1.2-mile project will take less than a month, with the actual paving lasting roughly a week, depending on weather conditions.
At times, one or two of the three lanes will be closed, but there is no plan to close the road completely during any part of the project, and therefore, no forced detour through residential neighborhoods.
“When they work on the outer lanes, two lanes of traffic will be maintained, one each way,” Bellbrook Service Superintendent Dale Wilson said. “When they do the center lane, they’ll have only one lane running, with (a flagman). They don’t want traffic on both sides of the workers.”
Wilson added that the road is only supposed to be down to one lane during non-rush hour times.
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Greene County to trim budget; layoffs likely
XENIA — More pink slips could be on the way as Greene County commissioners cut another 1.5 percent from 2009 spending as revenues continue to be lower than anticipated in a still struggling economy.
The cuts, made Tuesday, June 9, impact all offices under the commissioners’ budget control and are on top of 4 percent already slashed across the board at the beginning of the year.
Layoffs and voluntary furloughs are likely, said Howard Poston, county administrator.
“The first round of cuts brought a lot of departments to the edge,” he said.
The cuts have had the biggest impact on law enforcement and the court system. Ten corrections officers have already been laid off and hours have been cut at the courthouse and in other departments.
Sheriff Gene Fischer will again bare the brunt of the cuts because his more than $12 million budget is the largest under the commissioners’ control. Fischer said he is unsure what will have to be eliminated to make ends meet, but he urged the commissioners not to cut across the board again.
“They need to prioritize. At what point do you say the safety of the citizens is going to be in jeopardy,” he said. “They’re sitting over there making decisions without even asking other elected officials what they need.”
Poston anticipated the need to further trim the budget earlier this year and requested commissioners only approve a six-month spending plan at the beginning of the year.
“Several of our revenue streams are double digit decreases from last year,” Poston said, warning more difficult times could still be ahead. “If the economy keeps on the track that it is … This doesn’t guarantee it will get us through the end of the year.”
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Six-week detour in Sugarcreek ends
A section of Stewart Road in Sugarcreek Twp. is being reopened today after a six-week closure while a bridge was being replaced.
The Greene County engineer’s office said abutments were poured last week, and the work was finished this week.
Stewart Road had been closed between Washington Mill Road and Mead Road, causing detours to Upper Bellbrook Road and downtown Bellbrook.
The end of the bridgework also will make it easier to reach the Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Community Center.
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The Greene to offer pedicab service
BEAVERCREEK — Starting today shoppers can take a load off while perusing The Greene, help out a good cause and the environment all at the same time.
Non-profit HK Tryke, which works to expand access to accredited child care, will be offering pedicab rides around the 72-acre shopping center for tips. Pedicabs are three-seater carriages pulled by bicycles the nonprofit nicknamed “TrykeCabs.”
During June two pedicabs will operate seven days a week and hours of service could later be modified to reflect demand. “In addition to being fun, this will be an environmentally friendly way for our visitors to travel more quickly than walking,” said Kelli Kooken, The Greene marketing director, in a news release.
Sides of the cabs will be sold as advertising space and “pilots” will help recommend shops and eateries.
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Trustees tighten firefighter spending limits
BEAVERCREEK TWP., Greene County — Trustee Bob Glaser was able to convince his fellow board members to tighten limits on fire department spending after he says “spending got out of control.”
Trustees voted unanimously Tuesday, May 26, to lower the amount fire department employees can spend without trustee approval from $2,500 to $500 until a new fire chief is hired. Chief Mark Thomas retired in April and trustees are now considering applicants to replace him.
The spending problems emerged, Glaser said, when firefighters spent more than $40,000 to equip a vehicle the township doesn’t even own. The money was spent on multiple purchases to equip a communications vehicle owned by the Fairborn fire department and used in the two agencies joint operations at a station in the city north of the township.
“To me there appears to be a pattern of trying to circumvent the $2,500 limit and that bothers me,” said Glaser. “I’m concerned about the amount of money going into this without the trustees knowledge.”
Deputy Chief David VandenBos, who is one of several candidates for the chief spot, told trustees firefighters did not intentionally try to get around the spending limits, but were breaking work up on the vehicle into smaller projects. “We want to try to do the right thing,” VandenBos said of the lowered spending limit. “If this is what you want, will abide by it.”
Glaser has been critical of the fire department and its spending since being elected trustee in 2005. He said he plans to run for a second term as trustee in November. In the past Glaser has criticized the department’s spending on overtime. In 2008 the department paid $319,040 in overtime to full-time staffers with several employes earning more than $15,000 in overtime pay. The department has 37 full-time, non administrative staffers.
Glaser and rank and file firefighters in both Beavercreek and Fairborn have been critical of the two departments’ joint staffing agreement for Fairborn’s station two. Both departments’ unions have asked the agreement be done away with and at least one study by a fire staffer argued that Fairborn benefited much more from the agreement than Beavercreek.
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Trustees tighten firefighter spending limits
BEAVERCREEK TWP., Greene County — Trustee Bob Glaser was able to convince his fellow board members to tighten limits on fire department spending after he says “spending got out of control.”
Trustees voted unanimously Tuesday, May 26, to lower the amount fire department employees can spend without trustee approval from $2,500 to $500 until a new fire chief is hired. Chief Mark Thomas retired in April and trustees are now considering applicants to replace him.
The spending problems emerged, Glaser said, when firefighters spent more than $40,000 to equip a vehicle the township doesn’t even own. The money was spent on multiple purchases to equip a communications vehicle owned by the Fairborn fire department and used in the two agencies joint operations at a station in the city north of the township.
“To me there appears to be a pattern of trying to circumvent the $2,500 limit and that bothers me,” said Glaser. “I’m concerned about the amount of money going into this without the trustees knowledge.”
Deputy Chief David VandenBos, who is one of several candidates for the chief spot, told trustees firefighters did not intentionally try to get around the spending limits, but were breaking work up on the vehicle into smaller projects. “We want to try to do the right thing,” VandenBos said of the lowered spending limit. “If this is what you want, will abide by it.”
Glaser has been critical of the fire department and its spending since being elected trustee in 2005. He said he plans to run for a second term as trustee in November. In the past Glaser has criticized the department’s spending on overtime. In 2008 the department paid $319,040 in overtime to full-time staffers with several employes earning more than $15,000 in overtime pay. The department has 37 full-time, non administrative staffers.
Glaser and rank and file firefighters in both Beavercreek and Fairborn have been critical of the two departments’ joint staffing agreement for Fairborn’s station two. Both departments’ unions have asked the agreement be done away with and at least one study by a fire staffer argued that Fairborn benefited much more from the agreement than Beavercreek.
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County will not fill pool for splash and dash event
Budget cuts have kept the two pools operated by Greene County closed this summer, but the closures won’t impact the annual Doggie Dash ‘n Splash, which takes place in Xenia at the end of August.
Greene County Park District officials said the event will go on as planned Aug. 22 at the Fairground Recreation Center. The dash and splash is one of the largest fundraisers for the Scout Burnell-Garbrecht Dog Park.
What is still unclear is how the splash and dash will be operated considering the pools will not be operational. Andrea Malavich, park district spokeswoman, said they were considering using sprinklers and small hose-filled pools. “There will be a water aspect to the event,” she said.
County Administrator Howard Poston said Tuesday, June 2, the county pool would not be filled for the event although it was possible the wading pool could be used. “It will not impact the general fund,” he said.
Malavich added that the dash and splash doesn’t cost the county any money with proceeds deferring expenses and the rest benefiting the dog park.
Organizers of the dash and splash are accepting nominations for king and queen of the festival, Malavich said, more information can be found at www.dashsplash.com.
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Drug dealer pleas no contest to 13 felonies
XENIA — The manager of a popular downtown bar pleaded no contest to 13 felony drug charges Monday, June 1 that involved the largest cocaine bust in county history.
Sheldon Smith will be sentenced Sept. 2 by Judge Stephen A. Wolaver for charges including racketeering, drug trafficking, conspiracy, money laundering and drug possession.
Smith imported cocaine from Mexico and distributed it throughout Greene County with the help of his girlfriend Kelly Brown who is also facing charges. Police raided an East Main Street home in summer 2008 and uncovered about 121 pounds of cocaine, the largest haul in county history.
Police also arrested Ismael Gonzalez, of California, and Carlos A. Tartida-Villalba, of Mexico, members of a Mexican drug cartel who were hired by Smith to guard his drugs. Both men pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges in February and received eight year jail terms.
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