Hurricane Florence: High winds in North Carolina dislodge birds transported by vehicle

Credit: Joe Raedle

Credit: Joe Raedle

The Carolina Waterfowl Rescue is desperate for help after officials said several birds being transported from Wilmington to Charlotte flew off a vehicle.

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The group said a strap broke because of strong winds while a volunteer was driving a truck with five birds in crates. The driver didn't notice the animals were missing until arriving in the Maxton area.

\r\n"},{"_id":"SEFOYZHJOBF2VE2HPWSNEV7IW4","additional_properties":{"inline_comments":[{"pos":222,"comment":"(nearly 600 in Montgomery County)"}],"comments":[],"_id":1713984752615},"type":"text","content":"While this assessment impacts more than 43,000 properties across the region, nearly 900 properties will see Miami Conservancy assessments on the annual tax bills exceeding $1,000, including more than 200 in Butler County. More than 83% of the people paying the maintenance and capital assessments would see their MCD assessment at less than $250."},{"_id":"35QM4CVOLJF5TGL7GFUEAYR7Z4","additional_properties":{"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1713984752616},"type":"text","content":"The Miami Conservancy District, which was created to establish flood protections in the years following the 1913 flood, has proposed a new 1% capital assessment and a 0.59% increase to the 2.19% maintenance assessment thousands of residents are already paying. The assessments will cover costs related to the upkeep and rehabilitation of the levee and dam system."},{"_id":"2QNISPVM4NHTNFSHJIRH2PILQI","additional_properties":{"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1713984752617},"type":"text","content":"The new assessment and increased rates are being applied to updated property values. Rates are currently based on values from 12 years ago. So combined with recent, historic increases in property values, the charge increase on some properties is substantial."},{"_id":"Y7AJP43S5REJJOJUI7SEBTXYYA","additional_properties":{"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1713984752618},"type":"text","content":"The issue has also grabbed the attention of Congressman Warren Davidson, R-Troy, who sent a letter Monday to Gov. Mike DeWine, Senate President Matt Huffman and House Speaker Jason Stephens, encouraging them to “review and update (Ohio’s) laws governing conservancy districts” as the recent assessment announcements “have highlighted substantial taxation authority lacking adequate public recourse that threatens taxpayers and the vitality of communities.”"},{"_id":"L2E3FYNSDRBCFLYE6DJNH6DVBE","additional_properties":{"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1713984752619},"type":"text","content":"Davidson applauded community and elected leaders rallying opposition to the new assessments, but he highlights there are thousands of assessed property owners who essentially “lack representation” in this matter."},{"_id":"TWPR7JGOVZFPZFSQWTEDNIPCS4","additional_properties":{"comments":[],"_id":"AN2P6QIA3VAB3HSVUDWPDT6MLI"},"type":"raw_html","content":"\r\n"},{"_id":"DJXWMCJ3KJC5JDQOH2JC5264KU","additional_properties":{"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1713984752620},"type":"text","content":"The nine Common Pleas Court judges who are involved in the review and approval of the reappraisal of benefits methodology are the only elected representation for taxpayers, Davidson said. However, the Ohio Code of Judicial Conduct says a judge “shall not be swayed by public clamor or fear of criticism” and “shall not convey or permit others to convey the impression that any person or organization is in a position to influence the judge.”"},{"_id":"YWR3JOIEMVBLPBCUJZHO3ZFLLI","additional_properties":{"inline_comments":[{"pos":84,"comment":", with 217 properties seeing at least a $1,000 increase in their MCD assessment being added to their property tax bill beginning in 2025"}],"comments":[],"_id":1713984752621},"type":"text","content":"When the assessments were made public, some in Butler County went into sticker shock. Spooky Nook Sports Champion Mill will see its assessments of its two properties increase more than 50 times, collectively jumping from just more than $8,800 a year to nearly $478,000."},{"_id":"AF7DKSXT6JGHHHTOXGEF4Q2SVA","additional_properties":{"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1713984752622},"type":"text","content":"Creech said “the timing couldn’t be worse” for the assessment announcements."},{"_id":"XD47NHNK4RHRVJAOFMZPANDLEA","additional_properties":{"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1713984752623},"type":"text","content":"“My thinking was we need to come together as legislatures and say, ‘Hey, we understand there’s a problem and we need to sit down and talk about it, and not rush into this,’” he said. “They need funding, and I can’t say enough great things about MCD and what they do, but we cannot just be wiping out people and businesses to accomplish the goal.”"},{"_id":"LOQ4Z2JZBZBD5NNG3IT52F3TMI","additional_properties":{"inline_comments":[],"comments":[],"_id":1713984752624},"type":"text","content":"Creech said nothing legislatively would be done until they sit down and talk with conservancy district officials."}],"display_date":"2024-04-24T20:50:39.642Z","credits":{"by":[{"image":{"version":"0.5.8","url":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/coxohio/d2f9ff61-623c-4f9f-a5ea-36065acbc3fd.png"},"socialLinks":[{"site":"email","deprecated":true,"deprecation_msg":"Please use social_links.","url":"Michael.Pitman@coxinc.com"},{"site":"facebook","deprecated":true,"deprecation_msg":"Please use social_links.","url":"https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDPitmanJN/"},{"site":"twitter","deprecated":true,"deprecation_msg":"Please use social_links.","url":"@MDPitmanJournal"},{"site":"instagram","deprecated":true,"deprecation_msg":"Please use social_links.","url":"m.d.pitman"}],"org":"Staff Writer","social_links":[{"site":"email","url":"Michael.Pitman@coxinc.com"},{"site":"facebook","url":"https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDPitmanJN/"},{"site":"twitter","url":"@MDPitmanJournal"},{"site":"instagram","url":"m.d.pitman"}],"name":"Michael D. 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Out-of-town drug dealers sell to a mixture of local and drive-in buyers."},{"_id":"SBYQXZSAIRFSXH4MDH6VL4JF6I","additional_properties":{"inline_comments":[],"comments":[]},"type":"text","content":"“It’s difficult to know for sure if (barricading the street is) going to have success. I think in this case we believe it’s worth trying because we know the severity of the problem,” said Capt. Matthew Hammer, who oversees Cincinnati Police District One."},{"_id":"PNIY5KLJ7ZGAJKEMNRQHEQFHC4","additional_properties":{"comments":[],"_id":"DLIBRPPTKRFY7KYGU2OAYCY7SY"},"type":"interstitial_link","content":"Police: 74-year-old suspect planned Butler County robbery; gun, cash recovered","url":"https://www.journal-news.com/crime/police-74-year-old-suspect-planned-butler-county-robbery-gun-cash-recovered/UUGDQBTNNNFRLJJVOUZ52L2GMM/"},{"_id":"FJLWFBKANJHXHNEHUQXXGWCMOI","additional_properties":{"inline_comments":[],"comments":[]},"type":"text","content":"The neighborhood is also littered with homeless camps, trash bags of loot from car break-ins, graffiti, and human feces on sidewalks and building ledges. People sleep on church steps, gather at a bus shelter, or push shopping carts of belongings."},{"_id":"JTL5H6XYGNDBDP2VJ5WF7DTGU4","additional_properties":{"inline_comments":[],"comments":[]},"type":"text","content":"A resident provided us with surveillance video of shootings, public defecation, a homeless man stabbing a planter with a large knife, and people openly smoking crack pipes."},{"_id":"IGI7OFEL7FDOBF4XEBKGRUGTNQ","additional_properties":{"inline_comments":[],"comments":[]},"type":"text","content":"Perhaps the most shocking video was of two people having daytime sex on a sidewalk at the corner of Hamer and Hubert streets. Police and fire officials arrived separately and do not appear to ticket, arrest, or cite them. The sexual behavior then continued after authorities left."},{"_id":"W3UNHL2MEFEQ7HYZJSCQI5S4LQ","additional_properties":{"inline_comments":[],"comments":[]},"type":"text","content":"“You can’t put investment dollars in a neighborhood that’s out of control,” said Chris Frutkin, owner of City Center Properties. “That behavior would never happen south of Liberty Street.”"},{"owner":{"sponsored":false,"id":"coxohio"},"address":{},"syndication":{},"auth":{"1":"3c9b4acfe19fc8520bfe35cfad741bde1077d020c78c3d314e37c68fe7213d1e"},"caption":"Chris Frutkin, CEO of City Center Properties, said police seemed to be more responsive to crime in north OTR a few years ago. 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Then at night, many people drive in for the outdoor sidewalk parties, especially during summer, usually at the corner of Vine and Liberty streets in front of St. Francis Seraph Church."},{"_id":"OV4ADQDO4BGP3MB4FJJ3DLMSJ4","additional_properties":{"inline_comments":[],"comments":[]},"type":"text","content":"“It’s tough to live down here. I mean, it’s third world,” said John Donaldson, a 25-year resident. “I cleaned up a 30- gallon trash can of human feces last fall. Just right here. Just in this (half block) strip.”"},{"_id":"G5W66NZESNBYNJASCYK6HLITQQ","additional_properties":{"inline_comments":[],"comments":[]},"type":"text","content":"Donaldson and Frutkin both said police were more responsive to crime in this neighborhood several years ago. Donaldson said he’s called the city numerous times over the past six-to-eight months to complain about a homeless encampment next to a playground."},{"owner":{"sponsored":false,"id":"coxohio"},"address":{},"syndication":{},"auth":{"1":"d93fff7f69fa9472ae8769f1613dad00ace89995c245468c72f81335def2549c"},"caption":"John Donaldson, a 25-year resident of north OTR, said the neighborhood is like a third world country with open sex, public toileting. 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Some residents blamed the church for drawing crowds, enabling bad behavior, and allowing trash to accumulate on church steps and sidewalks where people sit, sleep, and socialize."},{"_id":"RI23PSWSVRG5VOVCOE6OUBJZHM","additional_properties":{"inline_comments":[],"comments":[]},"type":"text","content":"For eight years the church welcomed the homeless inside to sleep in pews, eat, pray, and use bathrooms for up to eight hours each day. But in late March, the church locked its doors to the homeless and put up no trespassing signs, with surveillance cameras likely to be installed next."},{"_id":"FXBC2YFV65EFRKPLCDO4IDYIOY","additional_properties":{"inline_comments":[],"comments":[]},"type":"text","content":"Now the Franciscan Province wants to sell the adjoining St. Francis Seraph friary to the nonprofit Tender Mercies for a controversial new housing project for the homeless and mentally ill."},{"_id":"UY5NYN3UGZCP5L4ACQUMXLPDII","additional_properties":{"inline_comments":[],"comments":[]},"type":"text","content":"“We’re hoping that it could be a form of affordable housing with supportive services to get some of these people off the street into decent housing,” said Fr. Al Hirt, St. Francis Seraph pastor. “The Franciscans would love to see it used that way, more than some boutique hotel or something.”"},{"owner":{"sponsored":false,"id":"coxohio"},"address":{},"syndication":{},"auth":{"1":"5994ec0f3aaf547366a8b509fc943f80d69d8e0be6699e27c2dd59112ed655ca"},"caption":"Fr. Al Hirt, pastor of St. Francis Seraph Church, said the church had to shut its doors to the homeless because security guard costs got too high. RAY PFEFFER/WCPO","source":{"system":"photo center","edit_url":"","additional_properties":{"editor":"photo center"}},"taxonomy":{"associated_tasks":[]},"type":"image","version":"0.10.9","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/coxohio/JSQ5NWU5K5HBFKRDW4SCCOQFCQ.png","licensable":false,"credits":{"affiliation":[]},"subtitle":"OTR drugs 4","width":990,"_id":"JSQ5NWU5K5HBFKRDW4SCCOQFCQ","additional_properties":{"fullSizeResizeUrl":"/resizer/frTj9YGZeM4QAsHG9My8CLHC198=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-coxohio/public/JSQ5NWU5K5HBFKRDW4SCCOQFCQ.png","owner":"mandy.gambrell@coxinc.com","comments":[],"proxyUrl":"/resizer/frTj9YGZeM4QAsHG9My8CLHC198=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-coxohio/public/JSQ5NWU5K5HBFKRDW4SCCOQFCQ.png","originalUrl":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/coxohio/JSQ5NWU5K5HBFKRDW4SCCOQFCQ.png","published":true,"resizeUrl":"/resizer/frTj9YGZeM4QAsHG9My8CLHC198=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-coxohio/public/JSQ5NWU5K5HBFKRDW4SCCOQFCQ.png","ingestionMethod":"manual","thumbnailResizeUrl":"/resizer/DBAr-cA3baUApovIzssT0nQEdi0=/300x0/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-coxohio/public/JSQ5NWU5K5HBFKRDW4SCCOQFCQ.png","version":0,"originalName":"OHJN 042824 OTR drugs 4.png","mime_type":"image/png","restricted":false,"template_id":623,"galleries":[],"_id":"OFWP536SLNHMTOWG5PB2QY5BLM"},"created_date":"2024-04-24T12:23:34Z","last_updated_date":"2024-04-24T12:23:34Z","height":567,"image_type":"photograph"},{"_id":"ZCXSSVMWNBF37HWN7ISR7S5UNM","additional_properties":{"inline_comments":[],"comments":[]},"type":"text","content":"But many believe this housing project will worsen neighborhood violence and add to the over-concentration of poverty, homelessness, and crime."},{"_id":"GSFJWWCDIVFDJHMMCH2XNBTC6M","additional_properties":{"inline_comments":[],"comments":[]},"type":"text","content":"“It shocks the conscience,” Donaldson said. “I don’t think ... St. Francis even realizes the things sometimes that go on here.”"},{"_id":"L756AAZJ6VEXNEQYECGHVIHG2I","additional_properties":{"inline_comments":[],"comments":[]},"type":"text","content":"The Over-the-Rhine Community Council Board of Trustees voted to oppose the proposed housing project on April 9, citing its $21 million cost as an “inappropriate” use of public money because each efficiency apartment will cost near $500,000 to build. They also say the project could place the entire community and nearby elementary school at risk."},{"_id":"ECCRXEIBHFFYPJFCBMDIIONOJE","additional_properties":{"inline_comments":[],"comments":[]},"type":"text","content":"“They want to change the priest apartments into … units for the chronic homeless, addicts with no requirement to get sober. I think that is a recipe for disaster,” Donaldson said. “I lost two brothers to drug overdose. I would not put somebody I care about in this neighborhood.”"},{"_id":"PG3WCQ27SJCJHMQZYGVKYMKDYY","additional_properties":{"inline_comments":[],"comments":[]},"type":"text","content":"Noah O’Brien, vice president of the West End Community Council, said what is happening in his adjacent neighborhood – with the city cramming too much low-income housing into poor predominantly Black census tracts – is also happening in north Over-the-Rhine."},{"owner":{"sponsored":false,"id":"coxohio"},"address":{},"syndication":{},"auth":{"1":"2a7c335df38ef47c6372a61ea42764f9946879a59d94873c70d149b98628a88e"},"caption":"Noah O’Brien, vice president of West End Community Council, is part of a HUD complaint against the city of Cincinnati over low-income housing placement. LOT TAN/WCPO","source":{"system":"photo center","edit_url":"","additional_properties":{"editor":"photo center"}},"taxonomy":{"associated_tasks":[]},"type":"image","version":"0.10.9","url":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/coxohio/NSLZFCBG5NF2DNO2NA7AAE2L24.png","licensable":false,"credits":{"affiliation":[]},"subtitle":"OTR drugs 5","width":1046,"_id":"NSLZFCBG5NF2DNO2NA7AAE2L24","additional_properties":{"fullSizeResizeUrl":"/resizer/xVpkm-IJAzzXhdx0_oBIc88URWk=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-coxohio/public/NSLZFCBG5NF2DNO2NA7AAE2L24.png","owner":"mandy.gambrell@coxinc.com","comments":[],"proxyUrl":"/resizer/xVpkm-IJAzzXhdx0_oBIc88URWk=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-coxohio/public/NSLZFCBG5NF2DNO2NA7AAE2L24.png","originalUrl":"https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/coxohio/NSLZFCBG5NF2DNO2NA7AAE2L24.png","published":true,"resizeUrl":"/resizer/xVpkm-IJAzzXhdx0_oBIc88URWk=/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-coxohio/public/NSLZFCBG5NF2DNO2NA7AAE2L24.png","ingestionMethod":"manual","thumbnailResizeUrl":"/resizer/fVDF4afGU8v1JbnyY977dZH3cPU=/300x0/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-coxohio/public/NSLZFCBG5NF2DNO2NA7AAE2L24.png","version":0,"originalName":"OHJN 042824 OTR drugs 5.png","mime_type":"image/png","restricted":false,"template_id":623,"galleries":[],"_id":"6SSYD67RE5FNXJSN7NDIGE4LGU"},"created_date":"2024-04-24T12:24:37Z","last_updated_date":"2024-04-24T12:24:37Z","height":589,"image_type":"photograph"},{"_id":"OSK37XJN3NCSLP5WJJSMCYJR4Y","additional_properties":{"inline_comments":[],"comments":[]},"type":"text","content":"“When Tender Mercies takes the most vulnerable people – individuals with a history of mental illness, chronic homelessness, and they put them next to open air drug markets you’re guaranteed the negative outcomes,” O’Brien said. “If my sister was chronically homeless with a drug addiction problem, that’s not the census tract I want her in.”"},{"_id":"II3F4OY5KFHRRAWKYC7VQVDRTQ","additional_properties":{"inline_comments":[],"comments":[]},"type":"text","content":"O’Brien is one of several West End residents and advocates who filed a complaint against the city last month with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. They accuse city leaders of using federal money to over-concentrate low-income housing into the poorest, Black neighborhoods instead of spreading it out, as the Fair Housing Act requires."},{"_id":"CCQPK3YPZZB4FFBSIHRHECYQLM","additional_properties":{"inline_comments":[],"comments":[]},"type":"text","content":"“If you want me to give you a prediction (for the friary project) it’s very simple … Look at the Tender Mercies they just built in the West End with a similar open air drug market, similar issues in the area. Look at that police dispatch data. You can see what’s going to happen,” said O’Brien, who said 162 police dispatch calls were made to that new housing project in 2023, with many for disorderly conduct and weapons."},{"level":2,"_id":"WBOBNHQZC5EEVJUIRB6ZWKZY74","additional_properties":{"inline_comments":[],"comments":[]},"type":"header","content":"‘Outside, after 5 o’clock, that’s what became a problem’"},{"_id":"UXD6F3MDDZGJTPAVWOOTJ2QOIY","additional_properties":{"inline_comments":[],"comments":[]},"type":"text","content":"Violent crime in Over-the-Rhine and north of Liberty Street has declined in recent years. But overall crime in both neighborhoods is at its highest level in at least a decade, according to our analysis of police data."},{"_id":"V6TT5SF34FHIJCY7JZHQI5BO7U","additional_properties":{"comments":[],"_id":"HSFZDSOJRJEYPARMMM7QMA6XU4"},"type":"raw_html","content":"