Enjoy Hundreds of Deals at Local Eateries During Taste of Cincinnati All Winter Long
Taste of Cincinnati All Winter Long is a recent program facilitated through the city and the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber Foundation that has provided $4 million in grants to Cincinnati bars and restaurants to help them through the winter months of the pandemic. Specifically geared to those food and drink establishments within city limits, the…
Did You Know Camp Washington Chili’s Menu Includes Something Called a Chili Melt?
A chili melt. It's a simple concept, but one that deserves some love. Camp Washington Chili has apparently been offering the Cincinnati chili-infused creation for about two years now, owner Maria Papakirk tells CityBeat. We admit we might be late to the game, but thanks to a tweet from the eatery on Jan. 29, we…
Transgender Military Members from Ohio Happy with Biden’s Rule Reversal But Still Await Policy Change
Second Lieutenant Kazper Lewis has known since the fifth grade that he wanted to serve in the military. The Kent native’s father is a chaplain in the Army, but it was through the national organization Young Marines that Lewis learned “about leadership and challenging myself and others.” He entered the U.S. Military Academy at West…
Two Ohio GOP Lawmakers Seek to Recognize ‘President Donald J. Trump Day’
Two Republican lawmakers are seeking to recognize June 14 in Ohio as “President Donald J. Trump Day.” State Reps. Reggie Stoltzfus of Paris Twp. and Jon Cross of Kenton are planning to introduce a bill in the Ohio House of Representatives making this designation. June 14 is Trump’s birthday. The date is already observed as…
Ohio ‘Militia’ Members Planned U.S. Capitol Violence in November, Prosecutors Say
Members of an unregulated Ohio militia began plotting a violent attempt to overturn the presidential election just days after cable networks first projected President Joe Biden had won, federal prosecutors say. A grand jury handed up indictments against three people Wednesday, including Jessica Watkins, 38, and Donovan Crowl, 50, two members of the self-described “Ohio State Regular…
La Soupe Rescues Perishables to Feed Cincinnati During Difficult COVID-19 Pandemic
A Cincinnati food-assistance organization has fed thousands of area residents both before and during the coronavirus pandemic. But it could use a little help to keep the meals flowing. In 2014, after 25 years as a restaurateur and caterer, Suzy DeYoung left her job as a chef and owner of La Petite Pierre and started…
Roebling Suspension Bridge to Close For Nine-Month Restoration Project
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet announced in a press release on Jan. 28 that the Roebling Suspension Bridge will close in February for nine months for restorations. The historic bridge, which connects Covington to Cincinnati and carries around 8,100 vehicles a day, will close one lane beginning Feb. 1, and then will close to traffic starting Feb.…
COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Still a Problem in Ohio
As COVID-19 vaccine distribution slowly but surely continues in the state, minority populations still represent a small percentage of those that have received the vaccine, and officials and advocates say more strides toward minority equity and access need to happen. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine hasn’t waivered in recent messages that vaccine doses coming to the…
Hallelujah! Hamilton County Moves from Purple to Red on Ohio’s COVID-19 Heat Map
The good news: Hamilton County's weeks-long reign as Ohio's most virus-ridden county mercifully has come to an end. The bad news: Things still are pretty terrible here and throughout the state. During an address on Jan. 28, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine revealed that Hamilton County had been downgraded from purple to red on the Ohio…
O’Bryonville’s Pampas Eatery Offers a Smoked Pork Donut Breakfast Sandwich During Brunch
Tired of the same old Sunday brunch? O'Bryonville's Pampas Argentinian Gastropub can serve you your fix of excitement. Pampas recently added a pork- and donut-centric item to its brunch menu: smoked pork shoulder, hot sauce, smoked maple syrup, and a 62-degree egg sandwiched between two Krispy Kreme donuts. If a combination of sweet, savory, and…
Cincinnati’s Cross-City $1,000-Tip Rivalry Strikes Again at Two Local Eateries
And the saga continues… It all started on Jan. 12 when a Xavier-loving patron and his two daughters stopped by Zip's Cafe in Mount Lookout and left a hefty $1,000 tip on their $54.95 bill. The strangers also left a note acknowledging the employees' hard work during these difficult pandemic-ridden times, and asked the waiter to share…
New Film ‘One Night in Miami’ is an Actors’ Showcase With Timely Relevance
One Night in Miami, the directorial debut from Oscar-winning actor Regina King, is a vivacious movie of ideas. Based on the stage play by Kemp Powers, it imagines a gathering of four of the 1960's most famous and controversial Black men. After Cassius Clay (Eli Goree) defeats Sonny Liston to claim the world heavyweight title…
COVID-19 Pandemic Has Made U.S. College Students’ Mental Health Even Worse
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has caused the mental health of U.S. college students to plummet, a new study shows. Students most at risk of mental health challenges stemming from the pandemic include women, Asians, students under age 25, those in poor health, those who knew somebody with COVID-19 and lower-income students, researchers report January 7 in PLOS ONE.…
Drunken Bento Owner Opens Korean & Sushi Eatery Kanji at Findlay Market
Local restaurateur Inho Cha recently opened his third Cincinnati restaurant with Kanji in Findlay Market. The restaurant's menu focuses on sushi and Korean cuisine and was inspired by Cha's desire to plant more of his South Korean roots to the Queen City, offering a glimpse into the culture and flavors of his home country. "I…
St. Louis Chef Adds Cincinnati-Style “Hotdog Slider” to His Menu
A burger joint in St. Louis is bringing a Queen City spin to its menu. Hi-Pointe Drive-In boasts a Cincinnati-style slider hotdog among its rotating collection of specials. Most recently offered on Jan. 25, the dog is a short Nathan’s frank smothered in chili and cheese. Adam Pritchett, Hi-Pointe’s executive chef, created the dog as…
Send a Free Pam Kravetz Valentine to a Patient at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
During this challenging and often-times isolating year, spreading a little extra love during Valentine's Day goes a long day — especially for kids spending time in hospitals. Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center has again teamed up with Kolar Design and RPI printing to offer free Valentine's Day cards delivered to its patients. It takes less…
3CDC Reveals Historic Architecture Behind Brick Façade While Redeveloping Downtown Building
An unassuming downtown building is in the spotlight this week, after a set of images revealing a glimpse of history hidden behind a brick façade from Greater Cincinnati-based photographer Scott Beseler went locally viral on Facebook. The building, formerly owned by Chong Inc., is being redeveloped by the Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC). Joe Rudemiller,…
DeWine Pushes Ohio Curfew Back to Begin at 11 p.m.
The Ohio Department of Health has shaved one hour from Ohio’s statewide curfew, Gov. Mike DeWine said on Jan. 27. Beginning today, Jan. 28, Ohio’s “Stay at Home Tonight” curfew, which halts non-essential evening activities in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus, will begin at 11 p.m. instead of 10 p.m. The curfew…
FotoFocus to Host Free Virtual Dinner and a Movie Series Featuring Local Chef Recipes Beginning Feb. 1
Local art nonprofit organization FotoFocus has whipped up a delicious event recipe sure to satisfy film aficionados and foodies alike. The free virtual event, SECOND SCREENS: Foodie Edition, is a four month-long “cinematic and culinary experience” that celebrates food in film, bringing dinner and a movie right to your home. From February to May, each…
Ohio Arts Council Recognizes Regional County Artists with Individual Excellence Awards
Artists in Hamilton and Butler counties are among those recognized by the Ohio Arts Council in the Individual Excellence Awards. Seventy-five artists in total were recognized through the program, including three from Hamilton County and two from Butler County. The artists will each receive a portion of the $300,000 grant funding that was recently approved…
Advocates for People with Disabilities Want Offensive Ohio Laws Rewritten
Advocacy groups are urging Ohio lawmakers to rewrite certain state laws to take out antiquated language now considered to be offensive against people with disabilities. There are around two-dozen such sections within the Ohio Revised Code as well as two sections of the Ohio Constitution that have been identified as needing to be edited, the…
Cincinnati Chefs to Launch Lil’ Bunz Pop-Up in February
After two friends found themselves laid off due to the coronavirus pandemic, they're now using their culinary creativity and entrepreneurship to bring a new pop-up to Cincinnati in February. Ethan Bartlett and Jordan Kuhn have been friends since high school, cooking together on and off for 15 years. Now they’re taking their friendship to another…
Rumpke Driver in Colerain Township Rescues Abandoned Puppy in Backpack
While on his daily rounds in Colerain Township, Rumpke Waste & Recyling truck driver Aaron Kinsel stumbled across an unlikely surprise. After noticing something moving inside a backpack, Kinsel investigated the discarded bag and found a puppy inside. The business posted about the discovery in a Facebook post on Jan. 27, stating that the 10-week-old…
Will Kroger’s Smart Cart Be Hitting Cincinnati Locations Soon?
Kroger is testing its first artificial intelligence-driven shopping cart in the Cincinnati area. The pilot program may determine whether the new technology will be implemented in stores across the country. The national grocery store chain partnered with Caper to create “KroGo,” a shopping cart with a built-in scanner and payment system for a no-contact shopping…
Cincinnati Art Museum’s ‘Art After Dark’ Event Celebrates Local Artist Frank Duveneck
This Friday, the Cincinnati Art Museum will host an at-home edition of “Art After Dark” that features cocktails, music and dance performances, as well as artwork from local artists of the past and present. The event, which will take place 5-9 p.m. on Jan. 29, is scheduled to honor local artist Frank Duveneck, whom the…
Cincinnati Opera to Host Three Productions for New Winter Festival
For the first time in its 100-year history, Cincinnati Opera is presenting a free winter festival, an all-digital series of three productions for audiences of all ages. The series provides insights into this unique art form through song and theater, featuring vocalists, instrumentalists and actors who are part of the Cincinnati Opera company and the…
Kentucky’s Vaccine Rollout with Kroger Ramps Up
Some residents will be able to get vaccinated for COVID-19 at regional drive-through locations beginning next week. Kroger is working with the state to set up pop-up sites. Gov. Andy Beshear created a tiered system for who is eligible, and said later this week a website, hotline number and more details will be announced about…
Cincinnati Lands on MovieMaker’s List of Top Film Locations. Yep, Again.
Cincinnati has become a bona fide place to see the stars — and we don’t just mean at Mount Lookout. Cincinnati came in at No. 13 on MovieMaker Magazine’s 2021 Best Places to Live & Work as a Filmmaker list, making it the fourth straight year the Queen City earns the honor. The city moves…
Sick of Ohio’s COVID-19 Curfew? It Could Scale Back Soon
Hospitality business owners in Cincinnati and throughout Ohio have been calling for an end to the state’s evening curfew, which halts non-essential activities 10 p.m.-5 a.m. in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus. But Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine now says that he may reduce curfew hours if the Buckeye State sustains a…
Covington’s Commonwealth Bistro Has Closed its Doors
A MainStrasse Village labor of love, Commonwealth Bistro has permanently closed its doors. The restaurant, owned by Chris and Tess Burns, was a project about a half-a-decade in the making when it opened in the fall of 2016. On Jan. 27, the Burnses announced via a Facebook post that they are closing. "We are devastated to…
Cincinnati Among Ohio’s Most Dangerous Cities, Study Says
Is Cincinnati really one of the most dangerous cities in Ohio? According to a study released earlier in January, it is. RoadSnacks, a North Carolina-based publisher of regional data tidbits, reports that Cincinnati is the No. 6 most dangerous city in Ohio for 2021. RoadSnacks writer Chris Kolmar says his list is based on the…
Cincinnati Summerfair Announces 2021’s Emerging College Artist Finalists
Cincinnati Summerfair has announced its winners and nominees for the 2021 Emerging Artist Exhibition and Awards. The annual showcase is available to view virtually in absence of the typical in-person event. Viewers can click on each finalist’s image to read their artist statement and view their nominated artwork. Cincinnati Summerfair is a non-profit organization that…
Design the Poster for the Return of the Cincinnati Coffee Festival
The Cincinnati Coffee Festival has been drawing crowds of coffee and tea connoisseurs since 2017 and has become the Midwest’s largest festival of its kind as well as a staple event in the city. Like most 2020 events, last year's fest was canceled due to the pandemic, but the festival is scheduled to return to Cincinnati’s…
Ohio Funeral Directors Seek Priority in COVID-19 Vaccine Line
Nearly 11,000 Ohioans have died from COVID-19. The funeral directors handling logistics of their earthly remains are asking for priority in the distribution of scarce vaccinations. In a Friday news release, Ohio Funeral Directors Association Executive Director Melissa Sullivan said funeral directors are exposed when they prepare bodies for “disposition” and greet those attending services…
Longtime Owner of Cincinnati’s Legendary Ice Cream Brand Aglamesis Bro’s Has Died
The longtime owner of Aglamesis Bro's Ice Cream and Candy, passed away on Jan. 23 at the age of 93. James Aglamesis, also known as "Jim" or "Mr. A," led the family ice cream parlor chain for more than 60 years and died from pneumonia that was unrelated to COVID-19, the business’s Facebook page announced. …
New Legislative Bid for $15 Minimum Wage in Ohio
There's a renewed bid to raise Ohio's minimum wage to $15 per hour. Rep. Brigid Kelly, D-Cincinnati, asked colleagues to co-sponsor a bill modeled after a recently passed ballot initiative in Florida. The Ohio measure calls for the current wage of $8.80 an hour to be raised to $10 in 2022. It would then increase…
Butler County Sheriff Clamors for COVID-19 Vaccine Despite Refusing to Enforce Mask Order
A Butler County sheriff is blasting Ohio’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution, just months after publicly refusing to slow the virus’s spread through mask enforcement. Sheriff Richard K. Jones took to the Butler County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page to say that officers have not been offered the vaccine yet. “Sheriff Richard K. Jones reports he is highly disgusted…
New University of Cincinnati Course Will Share the Science Behind COVID
A new University of Cincinnati course aims to inform the community on the science behind COVID-19. Students may enroll in the course, “MEDS3010: Science of the COVID-19 pandemic,” for official credit, or the course can be accessed online after the class is complete by community members without cost (without course credit or class discussion). The first…
For the First Time in 190 Years, Xavier University Will Have a Female President
The incoming president of Xavier University will bring a fresh perspective in more ways than one. At a Jan. 25 media event, Xavier introduced Colleen M. Hanycz, Ph.D., who will become the university’s highest-ranking official on July 1. When Hanycz begins her tenure, she will become Xavier’s first female president in the school’s 190-year history.…
O’Bryonville’s BonBonerie is Now Selling Limited-Edition Bernie Cookie Boxes
The Queen City has wholeheartedly jumped onto the Bernie Sanders meme train, but one local bakery has taken the fad one step beyond the photoshopped icon. If you're unfamiliar, the rapidly-spreading “sitting Bernie Sanders” meme has taken the country by storm after viewers of the Jan. 20 Biden-Harris inauguration noticed the United States senator and former…
Vax, Longtime Member of Hamilton County Sheriff’s K9 Unit, Passes
Vax, a longtime canine member of Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, has passed away. He was put to rest on Jan. 24 due to complications from an illness, Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey reports in a statement. Vax partnered with Corporal Dan Bemerer for 10 years on the K9 unit, and together, the pair conducted approximately 200 deployments…
State Rep. Brigid Kelly from Cincinnati Again Calls for Virtual Hearings, Testimony During Pandemic
When Ohio business owners were asked early on in the pandemic to share their concerns with lawmakers, they were given a chance to do so via Zoom video conference. And when lawmakers on the Ohio Controlling Board hold regular meetings, they discuss budgetary issues with agency officials on a similar digital platform. But ordinary Ohioans…
A New Procter & Gamble Nasal Swab Makes COVID-19 Testing Less Painful
A Cincinnati corporation may help make COVID-19 testing a little faster and easier. Procter & Gamble’s novel polypropylene nasal swab collects samples from the front of the nose rather than through the long cavity between the nose and the mouth. Rhinostics, a spin-out company from Harvard University that reduces inefficiencies in laboratory workflows, has licensed…
Kentucky Expands Suicide-Prevention Resources Amid Pandemic
To keep pace with the growing demand for mental-health resources, the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services has added another accredited agency to serve as National Suicide Prevention Lifeline call centers in the state. Calls to the Lifeline jumped by more than 3% last year, compared to the same period in 2019 – as Kentuckians struggle…
Cincinnati Public Library May Help Deliver COVID-19 Vaccines Soon
The Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library could deliver more than reading materials soon. Library system officials say that they're donating transportation resources to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine throughout Hamilton County to help bring relief to thousands of residents who are projected to receive the vaccination beginning this month. “We’re built for this,” Holbrook Sample,…
Snag a Fiona the Hippo (and Friends) Shirt from Cincy Shirts for $5 Right Now
Represent your favorite hippo and her pals — and raise a little money for the zoo while you’re at it. You can snag a Cincy Shirts’ fundraising “Fiona & Friends” t-shirt for only $5 right now. The original fundraiser was part of the Cincinnati Zoo’s effort to help Zoos Victoria's Bushfire Emergency Wildlife Fund during…
Ohio Sen. Rob Portman Will Not Run for Re-Election in 2022
Citing partisan gridlock and a desire to spend more time with his family, Sen. Rob Portman announced today that he will not seek re-election in 2022 when his term ends. "It has gotten harder and harder to break through the partisan gridlock and make progress on substantive policy, and that has contributed to my decision,"…
Cincinnati’s Inaugural Mittenfest Brings Brews, Bites and Tunes to Washington Park
Cincinnati will launch its inaugural Mittenfest at Washington Park this February. The two-day outdoor event will take place Feb. 20-21 and will feature craft beers, live entertainment and food vendors for locals to enjoy during the last cold snap before springtime. Mittenfest’s $25 ticket includes three 12-oz. draft beers from the beer booths, one Coca-Cola…
NFL says Cincinnati Bengals and Other Teams Will Give Health Care Workers Tickets to Super Bowl
Health care workers in the Cincinnati area may be heading to the Super Bowl on Feb. 7. National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell announced on Jan. 22 that the NFL would welcome approximately 7,500 vaccinated health care workers to the championship game in appreciation for their work during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In a statement,…
Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown and Others Call for Ethics Probe of Josh Hawley
Seven U.S. Senate Democrats on Thursday urged the chamber’s ethics panel to look into Sen. Josh Hawley’s unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud in connection with the deadly assault on the U.S. Capitol earlier this month. The Democrats also want a similar probe of Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz’s actions and the Jan. 6 mob attack.…
Trains Derail from the CSX Railroad Bridge in Queensgate on Sunday
A train accident in Cincinnati’s Queensgate area Sunday may continue to affect residents and business owners this week. Several train cars derailed on the CSX Railroad bridge and leaked about 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel during overnight hours on Jan. 24, the Associated Press reports. No injuries were reported, and crews were able to contain…
Their Roommates Had COVID-19. Their Ohio Nursing Home Kept Them There Anyway
It started Oct. 5 with a nurse feeling ill on her day off. By the time the COVID-19 outbreak at Crestview Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Services subsided late last year, 173 cases traced back to the Lancaster facility’s staff and occupants. State inspectors determined Crestview’s poor infection control practices allowed the virus to glide through the facility.…
Biden Inauguration Featured a Painting by Cincinnati Artist Robert S. Duncanson
A painting by a 19th Century artist who was based in Cincinnati was in the spotlight after this week's inauguration of U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. For the traditional Inaugural Luncheon on Jan. 20, First Lady Jill Biden chose to display “Landscape with a Rainbow” by Robert S. Duncanson, an African-American artist who…
Cincinnati Councilman Chris Seelbach to Hamilton County Auditor Dusty Rhodes: “Fuck Off”
There's nothing like a local Twitter brawl to kick off the weekend. Cincinnati Councilman Chris Seelbach stood up for the LGBTQ+ population after Hamilton County Auditor Dusty Rhodes tweeted anti-transgender remarks on Jan. 22. Rhodes' fuse was lit on Jan. 20, when new U.S. President Joe Biden signed an executive order expanding the definition of…
Visit the Zoo from Home with the New ‘Cincinnati Zoo Tales’ Podcast
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden has launched a podcast, "Cincinnati Zoo Tales," to bring animal lovers a slice of zoo life during a time when getting there is a little more difficult. The new podcast aims to entertain, educate and inspire. Episodes will feature stories about zoo life, interviews with zookeepers and zoo employees, nonprofits…
Cincinnati Meal-Kit Service MOXY Blends Local Ingredients and Luxury Cooking in Your Home
Last year, when the COVID-19 pandemic changed innumerable lives, the food-service industry was hit especially hard. Out of all of the jobs lost throughout the nation in March 2020, restaurant and bar positions accounted for more than half — about 417,000 jobs lost, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s March 2020 report. Gene and Lou Turner,…
Ohio Lost 11,500 Jobs in December
After being relatively stable since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ohio had its first major loss of jobs in December. Per Jan. 22 figures from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, the Buckeye State lost 11,500 jobs last month, from 5,253,200 in November to 5,241,700 in December. It is the first major…
Dead Low Brewing in Anderson Township Hosts Weekly Mario Kart 64 Nights
Anderson Township's Dead Low Brewing is offering an opportunity for Cincinnatians to ride the Rainbow Road to victory. Every Tuesday night starting at 4 p.m., the taproom welcomes guests to participate in free, nostalgia-inducing Mario Kart 64 open play — and beginning Feb. 2, the brewery will begin hosting free tournaments at 7:30 p.m. To…
COVID-19, Political Uprisings Highlight Inequities in the Nation’s Food System
The nation is at a turning point with a new push for unity, and some groups say changing our food system is one crucial step in addressing the divide. Executive Director of the HEAL Food Alliance, Navina Khanna, said the combination of COVID-19, the climate crisis and political unrest has illuminated the food system's vulnerability…
FC Cincinnati Adds Four in 2021 MLS SuperDraft
A stand-out forward from Wake Forest University leads FC Cincinnati’s pick-ups in the 2021 Major League Soccer SuperDraft. During the Jan. 22 draft, Cincinnati took Calvin Harris as its No. 2 overall pick. Harris, a rising junior at Wake Forest, signed a Generation Adidas contract with MLS earlier this month, which gave the underclassman draft…
Greater Cincinnati Pet Adoption Event My Furry Valentine Goes Virtual This Year
One of the silver linings of frequent video conference meetings is seeing your coworker’s cat meander across their keyboard or a cameo appearance from their dog. In fact, it is not uncommon for a meeting to begin with everyone showing off their pet. If you find yourself feeling left out of virtual pet show-and-tell or…
Biden’s Immigration Overhaul Would Open a Door to Citizenship for 11 Million People
President Joe Biden is poised to send a sweeping immigration reform bill to Congress Thursday that would lay out a path for nearly 11 million undocumented people to obtain citizenship within eight years. Immigration has been one of the toughest issues for Congress to tackle, and the legislation’s fate is unclear in a House in…
Biden Orders Tougher Mask Guidelines as Part of Overhauled COVID-19 Strategy
President Joe Biden’s first policy focus after being sworn in? Overhauling the disjointed federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which claimed another 4,400 American lives on his first day in office alone. “The brutal truth is, it’s going to take months before we can get the majority of Americans vaccinated,” Biden said Thursday. “So while…
Newport on the Levee Announces Opening Plans for Trade, a Revolving Retail Experience
North American Properties, the group behind the Newport on the Levee's ongoing $100 million redevelopment, announced its most recent plans for the space. In the fall, the mixed-use entertainment destination welcomed The Exchange, a rotating roster of local craftspeople, makers and indie merchants, plus a bar, inside of the former Barnes & Noble space. This summer,…
Ohio’s 10 p.m. Curfew Remains in Place, DeWine Says
Sorry, restaurant and bar owners. Ohio’s COVID-era curfew is sticking around for a while. Gov. Mike DeWine announced the news during an address on Jan. 21. To limit the spread of the coronavirus, the “Ohio Stay at Home Tonight” order prohibits Ohioans from non-essential activities outside the home between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. The…
DeWine: Ohio Investing $50 Million in Rapid Antigen Tests to Combat COVID-19
An influx of at-home rapid antigen tests is heading Ohio’s way to help combat the spread of COVID-19. In a Jan. 21 address, Gov. Mike DeWine announced a partnership with Abbott Laboratories and eMedApps to provide 2 million BinaxNOW rapid antigen tests and along with virtual guidance to Ohioans self-administering them at home. Results from…
KungFood Chu’s Amerasia Selling Bao Buns to Raise Funds for Family of Recently Passed Chef
A local restaurant will hold a fundraiser in honor of its recently deceased chef. Head chef Avelino Rojas Vargas of Covington's KungFood Chu's Amerasia passed away on Jan. 5 due to COVID-related complications, leaving behind his wife and five children. The restaurant will hold two fundraiser sales offering Chinese steamed buns, called bao. The events will be held…
Cincinnati Bengals Will Be Sporting Some New Stripes This Spring
The Cincinnati Bengals are hoping for a touchdown when it comes to their new look. In a Jan. 21 Twitter post, the team teases a new look coming in the spring of 2021. The team will be sporting some new stripes on its uniforms, according to a video posted on the social media channel. The…
It’s Safe to Travel to Ohio Again (For Now), ODH Declares
Ohio no longer is under its own COVID-19 travel advisory, according to the Ohio Department of Health. In a Jan. 20 update, ODH knocked Ohio off its list of states reporting positive COVID-19 testing rates of 15% or higher. Ohio previously had been one of those states for weeks but now sits at 13% in…
Lumberjack-Themed Breastaurant Twin Peaks is Coming to Florence
Dallas-based double-entendre sports bar and lounge chain Twin Peaks is opening its second Greater Cincinnati restaurant in Florence this March. Make no mistake: this is a restaurant that focuses on mammaries, not mysteries. "Twin Peaks is the ultimate sports lodge featuring made-from-scratch food, the coldest beer in the business, attractive servers and wall-to-wall TVs for sports from…
Hamilton County to Centralize COVID-19 Vaccine Administration at Board of Elections Early Vote Center
This week, Hamilton County will centralize its COVID-19 vaccine administration at the Hamilton County Board of Elections Early Vote Center, located at 2300 Wall Street in Norwood. Beginning Friday, Jan. 22, residents contacted by Hamilton County Public Health will make appointments to receive the vaccine. Vaccines are by appointment only. Sherry Poland, Director of Elections,…
That Grippo’s Grilled Cheese Sandwich at Frisch’s Is Melting Right into Cincinnati’s Heart
A new sandwich at Frisch’s Big Boy already is proving that Cincinnati has great taste. Earlier this month, Frisch’s announced a winter menu of brand-new items, including the Grippo’s BBQ Chip Grilled Cheese – melted American cheese and crunchy, tangy Grippo's chips sandwiched between two pieces of Texas toast. Alison, O’Keefe, vice president of marketing…
COVID-19 Vaccine Remains Distant for Most Ohioans
The first round of coronavirus vaccinations for the highest-priority Ohioans is wrapping up. But with supplies static and millions more in line behind them, as things stand now it will be well into the summer and possibly well beyond before non-priority Ohioans will have access to the vaccine. Amid setbacks in producing and delivering the…
Ohio Gets Green Light to Extend Food Assistance for Children
A key hunger-fighting program for Ohio children is being extended through the end of the school year. The Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program was created in March to help feed children who normally receive free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program but were learning from home. Congress extended the program Oct.…
Ohio Supreme Court to Decide on Law Limits Concerning Crime Victim Rights
A law establishing the rights of crime victims will go before the Ohio Supreme Court this month to decide whether those rights have limits, particularly in a court room. The state’s highest court will hear oral arguments in a case in which a man convicted of kidnapping and rape and sentenced to 10 years in…
Pies & Pints Location at The Banks Has Permanently Closed
Popular craft pizza restaurant chain Pies & Pints announced that it has permanently closed its Downtown location at The Banks. "Beginning today (1/18) the doors to our 'Banks' location in Cincinnati will remain closed," a Jan. 18 Facebook post from Pints & Pies reads. “To everyone involved in the journey at this location – thank…
Erlanger Launches $1.2M COVID-19 Relief Program
Erlanger officials have launched a $1.2 million COVID-19 relief effort to help small- and medium-sized businesses — the largest business assistance program in Northern Kentucky. Approved by Erlanger City Council this week, the Erlanger Business Relief Program will be funded through 2020 federal CARES Act dollars. Erlanger mayor Jessica Fette notes in an emailed statement…
Karrikin Spirits in Fairfax Releases New Rum & Cola Sparkling Cocktail
Karrikin Spirits Company has announced a new cocktail-in-a-can addition to their line-up of sparkling bevs. Rum & Cola will be available at local retail locations and select bars and restaurants starting this week — “the only locally canned Rum & Cola product around here,” suggests Karrikin’s director of marketing Matt Groves. The drink, as the name would suggest,…
Broadway in Cincinnati Announces Rescheduled Performances for 2021-2022 Season
All of the Broadway in Cincinnati touring productions initially announced for 2020-2021 and then postponed have been rescheduled for engagements at the Aronoff Center for the Arts, starting in September 2021. Added to the schedule of eight shows is a three-week run of the ever-popular Wizard of Oz musical, Wicked, slated for Nov. 17-Dec. 5,…
Kentucky Felony Theft Charges Have Lifelong Impact, Balloon Prison Population
Kentucky's felony theft threshold has remained unchanged for more than a decade, and critics say it's contributing to a rise in incarceration and prison overcrowding. The dollar amount of property damage or theft often determines whether a person is charged with a felony. For decades, Kentucky's felony theft threshold was $300. In 2009, lawmakers bumped…
Ohio’s Vaccine Rollout Continues to Hit Speed Bumps
A little more than a month ago, when Ohio administered its first coronavirus vaccine, hopes were high and Gov. Mike DeWine called it a “great day” in the history of the state. But on Tuesday, the pace of vaccinations continued to fall far short of projections and new hurdles continued to pop up. Most recently, drug distributing…
Need a Job? Ohio Wants More Cybersecurity Specialists, Husted Says
Coronavirus is a danger, but the list of things Ohioans should fear actually is endless — especially when it comes to cyberthreats. That was the theme of Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted’s portion of Governor Mike DeWine’s Jan. 19 COVID-19 update. Husted, who leads the InnovateOhio technology effort, says cybersecurity is something the entire country…
Ohio Marching Band to Play in Biden’s Virtual Inauguration Parade
A marching band from Springfield will be representing the Buckeye State in Wednesday’s inauguration proceedings for President-elect Joe Biden. The Kenton Ridge High School Marching Cougars, part of the Northeastern Local School District, was chosen to perform in a virtual “Parade Across America.” Under normal circumstances, the inauguration parade features a variety of bands, service…
Majority of Ohio’s K-12 Schools Agree to In-Person Schooling by March, DeWine Says
As plans form for the vaccination of school personnel, Gov. Mike DeWine said an overwhelming majority of districts have agreed to have at least partial in-person instruction in place by March 1. Public school districts were surveyed by the state asking whether they would be willing and able to conduct in-person classes by March 1…
Roller Skate Curbside Coneys and CBD Tiki Cocktails Return to Northside Yacht Club
If you missed a chance to get your hands on one of Northside Yacht Club's curbside coneys or cocktails last month, don't fret: The "Chronic Boys" are pulling on their lime green shorts and strapping on their skates for another round later this month. The pop-up will take place from 4-9 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 25, and…
Over 21,000 Guard Members Across 50 States Headed to D.C., and Numbers May Grow
Wednesday’s presidential inauguration ceremony may have a scaled-down audience due to the pandemic, but the security presence on hand to ensure it goes smoothly will be supersized. At least 21,000 National Guard men and women — from all 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia — will provide security support for the inauguration, according…
“Local Local Local” Beer, Food and Music Fest Happens This Weekend, Just in a Covid-Era Way
Downtown's Arnold’s Bar and Grill is celebrating its 12th-annual Local Local Local event this weekend, a three-day celebration of Cincinnati-based brews, musicians and beer-infused bites from Chef Kayla Robison. More than twelve local 16-oz. draft beers will be available on draft for $3.50 over the weekend from local breweries like Christian Moerlein, Listermann’s, 50 West, Braxton, Little…
Heads Up: Tonight’s Construction on I-74/I-75 May Cause Traffic Snarls
If you find yourself with an epic case of road rage tonight while driving I-74, ODOT construction is likely why. The Ohio Department of Transportation announced a single-lane closure on I-74 east from Colerain Avenue to the I-75 interchange as part of its Mill Creek Expressway project. According to an ODOT bulletin, the closure will…
Oath Keepers’ Leader Planned to ‘Storm the Capitol in Ohio,’ Feds Say
Authorities charged a leader of the Oath Keepers and two members from Ohio for their role in breaching the U.S. Capitol Jan. 6 as Congress was voting to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election. Jessica Watkins, 38, and Donovan Crowl, 49, both of Champaign County, are facing federal charges of entering restricted grounds,…
Cincinnati Police Department Sends 40 Officers to Aid Inauguration Day Security in Washington
A contingent of 40 Cincinnati police officers has arrived in Washington, D.C. to assist with Inauguration Day security as the nation continues to grapple with the aftermath of this month’s insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Officers from the Cincinnati Police Department — including a captain and a lieutenant — will join federal law enforcement groups in…
Downtown’s Metropole at 21c Hotel Museum Offering Virtual Weekly Cooking Series
The past year has made nearly all of us into wannabe chefs between the bread baking and endless pastry phases of quarantine. But if you want to get more skills under your belt beyond a good sourdough starter, you can check out Needs More Salt, a virtual cooking series from Metropole at 21c Museum Hotel…
Biden Pledges Massive Vaccine Uptick as States Struggle with Dosage Confusion
President-elect Joe Biden on Friday sketched out his proposal for overhauling the country’s slow and uneven effort to vaccinate Americans against COVID-19, pledging to open more centers for administering those shots, boost the public health workforce, and improve the information flow to states so they can better plan. Biden has called for administering 100 million vaccines…
Ohioans Can Order Free Kits to Reduce Opioid Overdoses
The public health spotlight is on COVID-19, but the opioid epidemic still is a major priority in Ohio with a continued tragically high number of drug-overdose deaths. Nearly 4,000 overdose deaths were reported in 2020, but the final number is expected to approach or exceed the 2017 record of 4,854. One strategy to reduce the…
Watch Fundraising Concert at Newport’s Southgate House Revival or Online to Benefit Teen Program
Mentoring Plus, a nonprofit program for at-risk teenagers in Northern Kentucky, hopes to strike a chord within the community by hosting a partially live concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, at Newport’s Southgate House Revival. The second-annual music festival, which was postponed from November, will feature live and virtual performances from nine Cincinnati-area artists.…
Thursdays Are For Vegetarian Popeye’s-Inspired “Chicken” Sandwiches From Arnold’s Bar & Grill
If you didn't get a chance to get your hands on the mouthwatering fried cauliflower creation at Arnold's Bar & Grill last weekend, we have good news… the sell-out sammy is here to stay. Chef Kayla Robison announced her vegetarian Popeye's-inspired "chicken" sandwich on Jan. 7 as the restaurant's weekend special. Little did she know that the offering…
Cincinnati’s Krohn Conservatory to Host Plant Sale This Week with Lillies and Hydrangeas
Eden Park's Krohn Conservatory is letting patrons take home a piece of their greenhouse this week. The conservatory is hosting a plant sale Jan. 19-22, with a variety of Asiatic/Oriental lilies and hydrangeas available. Both varieties of lilies are known for their generous size, vibrant colors and pleasant aroma. They typically grow to be about two feet…
Cincinnati Public Schools Announce Return to Blended Learning
Beginning Feb. 1, Cincinnati Public Schools will begin returning to a blended learning model through a phased approach. The Cincinnati Public Schools Board of Education shared its decision in a statement, noting that the anticipated return will begin with specialized classrooms and young students. CPS largely has conducted remote-only learning for its students since late…
Planned Parenthood Now Provides Specialized Healthcare for Transgender Ohio Residents
Planned Parenthood now provides specialized healthcare services for transgender residents of Ohio and could entice more patients from beyond state borders. Gender-affirming hormone therapy is now available at four local health centers, according to a recent release by Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio. The new services, which were implemented in late 2020, have since been utilized…
Ohio Celebrates Cleveland Browns’ Inspired, but Ultimately Doomed, AFC Run
The Cleveland Browns’ run for the AFC division title came to an end Sunday when the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Browns 22-17. But sports figures around Ohio and beyond are buzzing about the team’s efforts, which brought an 11-5 regular season — quite a turn from the losing seasons the Browns had posted for…
“What Are You Doing for Others?” Ohioans Answer Dr. King’s Call of Peace, Unity and Service
In the midst of challenging times, volunteers throughout Ohio are showing their commitment to improving their communities. For the Martin Luther King Day of Service today, hundreds of people are taking part in dozens of projects intended to honor the late civil rights leader. Rebecca Kerr, outreach and education officer for the group Serve Ohio…
Kentucky Counties Seek Local Control of Tobacco Marketing and Sales
Counties across Kentucky say smoking and vaping are hurting their local economies and people's health, and they're fighting for the ability to pass local laws about the marketing and sale of tobacco products. A dozen states, including Kentucky, have laws on the books preempting local tobacco ordinances. Betsy Clemons, executive director of the Hazard Perry…
Left, Right & In-Between: Groups Gather at Ohio State Capitol Sunday
Despite anxiety following the riot at the U.S. Capitol Jan. 6 and in the midst of massive law enforcement presence and boarded up windows, a protest at the Ohio State House on Sunday, Jan. 17, was relatively small and calm. [PHOTOS: Sunday's Protest at the Ohio Capitol] Most attendees were not there to support embattled…
New Downtown Billboard Urges Kroger to Drop Toxic Pesticides
A new billboard has downtown Cincinnati buzzing. The image: a dying bumblebee crumpled on its side, pleading “Help!” The words: “Kroger, say NO to toxic pesticides.” Friends of the Earth, an environmental organization with offices in Washington, D.C. and Berkeley, California, recently placed the striking billboard on Fort Washington Way to call attention to Kroger’s…
Voting for the 2021 Best Of Cincinnati Reader Poll is Live
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City of Covington Adds 124 New Free WiFi Hotspots
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to adapt in ways we could have never expected in 2020. One of the monumental changes to everyday life in America has been the “new normal” of remote learning and working from home. However, internet access, good WiFi connection and a reliable computer are not always accessible. So the…
Northern Kentucky Now Giving COVID Vaccine to Those 70 and Older
The Northern Kentucky Health Department has announced it is expanding its eligible vaccination population to Phase 1B — K-12 School personnel and individuals ages 70 and older. Previously, only those in Phase 1A, including residents of long-term care facilities and assisted living facilities, health care personnel and first responders were able to get the vaccine. Their…
Ohio’s Last Statehouse Protests Ended in Fistfights. Now Officials Worry for Inauguration Violence.
It was a peaceful protest outside the Ohio Statehouse. Then it was a crowd of Proud Boys wailing on Dejuan Sharp. The brawl came a few hours later. Sharp, a Black man, attended the Jan. 6 protest along with other Black Lives Matter activists when, by his account, a Proud Boy in a baseball helmet…
Art Academy of Cincinnati Students to Return to Campus
Students at Over-the-Rhine's Art Academy of Cincinnati are slated to return to in-person learning for their spring semester, starting Jan. 19. They spent the fall semester blending in-person and online options. A press release says, "The Art Academy is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace for all community members. The collective goal is…
Greater Cincinnati’s Rumpke Recycling Is Accepting Some New Items
Since its start in 1932, Rumpke has become one of America’s largest family-owned waste and recycling companies. Founder William Rumpke had no idea that the modest coal delivery service he operated during the start of the Great Depression would eventually employ over 2,000 people in 90 years. However, Rumpke is more than a Midwestern waste-removal…
Actor Dave Bautista Offers $20,000 Reward for ‘MAGATs’ Who Wrote ‘Trump’ on Florida Manatee’s Back
Dave Bautista, a former WWE wrestler and Guardian of the Galaxy cast member, has offered a $20,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of whoever wrote “TRUMP” on the back of a Florida manatee. Bautista took to Twitter this week to declare the reward, and promised bonuses for helping catch the “MAGATs.” "If there's not already…
Bearcats Fan Tips $1,001 at Keystone Bar & Grill Bill in Response to Recent Zip’s “Go Xavier!” Tipper
During times like these, the restaurant industry deserves all the good vibes and fat tips they can get. And it appears a sort of crosstown rivalry was just the spark that this little good-deed fire needed. Last week, a father and his daughters visited Mt. Lookout staple Zip's Cafe, and after their meal, tipped a…
New Website Lists Where to Find and Sign-Up for COVID Vaccine in Cincinnati and Hamilton County
"The spread of COVID-19 in Hamilton County is as bad as it has ever been," said Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus during a press conference today announcing the county's vaccination plan. "Yesterday, as you know, the governor moved Hamilton County to purple on the state's warning map." Driehaus said 59,783 people in Hamilton County have…
MainStrasse Village’s Dee Felice Cafe Announces New Restaurant Ownership
Owners of MainStrasse Village's historic Dee Felice Cafe recently announced their plans to transform a portion of the eatery into a neighborhood market via a Facebook post from the forthcoming shop. The plans for the actual restaurant portion's future were unclear — until Jan. 14, when the owners of Dee Felice Cafe notified their followers of their…
How Greater Cincinnati’s Incubator Kitchen Collective Supports the Local Food Community
Since 2013, the Incubator Kitchen Collective has been living its mission to help people start their small business dreams. With three locations, The Incubator and The Hatchery in Newport and the Coop in Loveland, the Incubator Kitchen Collective is Greater Cincinnati’s hub for food ideas. Over 60 food-based small businesses, including Grandola Granola and Harmony…
Breakfast Chain Another Broken Egg Cafe Hosts Hyde Park Grand Opening
Breakfast chain Another Broken Egg Cafe, known for its enticing twists on classic dishes, has arrived in Cincinnati and is set to officially open on Sunday, Jan. 25 at 7 a.m. Ahead of the franchise’s official grand opening, they'll be holding a fundraising soft opening celebration on the Friday and Saturday before. The Family and…
Groups Look to New Biden Administration to Clean Up Ohio River
Groups that advocate for water quality are urging the incoming Biden administration to meet the goals of the Clean Water Act, which means reducing what's known as nutrient pollution in the Ohio River. After the last four years of federal water regulation rollbacks, 10-plus groups filed a petition asking the Environmental Protection Agency and Ohio River…
Ohio Gov. DeWine Begins Working with Incoming Biden Administration on Coronavirus
As officials scramble to work out kinks in getting the covid vaccine into Ohioans’ arms, Gov. Mike DeWine on Thursday said he’s started talks with members of the incoming administration of President-elect Joe Biden. DeWine, a Republican, stressed that he’s had a good working relationship with the administration of outgoing President Donald Trump — and…
Ohio Congressmen Take Issue with U.S. Capitol Metal Detectors But Supported Them in Schools
Three Ohio congressmen have reportedly taken issue with new metal detectors installed outside the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, objecting to increased security measures put in place after insurrectionists stormed the U.S. Capitol building just a week ago. All three of them — Reps. Steve Stivers of Upper Arlington, Bob Gibbs of Lakeville and…
Well, Shit: Hamilton County Turns Purple — the Worst Level — on Ohio’s COVID Advisory Map
Hamilton County has turned purple — the worst level — on the Ohio Public Health Advisory Map, meaning the county has a severe exposure and spread of the COVID-19 virus and it is recommended that people only leave home for supplies and services. (The four levels on the map escalate in severity from yellow —…
COVID-19 Pandemic Has Increased Ohio’s Human Trafficking Vulnerability While Diminishing Response
January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and advocates in Ohio say COVID-19 has made awareness more important than ever. Amy LaGesse, project coordinator for FOCUS on Runaways, and a board member of Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence, has worked for years in the Toledo area on the issue, and said the pandemic has not…
10 Ways to Celebrate the Cincinnati Zoo’s Most Famous Resident, Fiona the Hippo’s, Fourth Birthday
The years are getting away from Cincinnatians as Fiona, our cult-favorite hippo, turns 4-years-old on Jan. 24. The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden has cooked up some ways to celebrate her birthday. The zoo will be hosting Float4Fiona, “a slow-paced race where thousands of numbered apples…will splash into Hippo Cove and float to the finish…
Clerk of Courts’ Aftab Pureval Announces He’s Running for Cincinnati Mayor
Hamilton County Clerk of Courts' Aftab Pureval has thrown his hat into the ring in the race for Cincinnati mayor. “I’m running for Mayor to lead us boldly into the new decade — starting with an aggressive economic recovery from COVID that benefits every neighborhood in Cincinnati, and a plan to restore the public’s trust…
Over-the-Rhine’s Taft’s Ale House to Host Night of Super Bowl Appetizers & Beer Pairings
Everyone’s favorite day of delicious appetizers, cold beer and football is coming quick. Even if you’re more interested in the commercials than the game, you can’t disagree that good food is exactly what a great Super Bowl Sunday needs. Taft’s Ale House has you covered. From 5-8 p.m. on Jan. 27, Taft’s will be hosting…
GOP Rep. Gonzalez Joins Ohio Democrats in Voting to Impeach Trump
One Ohio Republican joined four Democrats in voting to impeach President Donald Trump on Wednesday as part of an effort to remove the president from office with a week remaining in his term. U.S. Rep. Anthony Gonzalez (R-Rocky River) was one of 10 House Republicans in voting yes to impeach the president. The final vote…
Ohio Man Joins Raid on U.S. Capitol: ‘I Shouldn’t Have Kicked in the Window’
An Ohio man kicked in an enforced window shutter at the U.S. Capitol during a seditious mob raid on Congress last week, footage shows. Troy Faulkner can be clearly seen on the exterior of the Capitol in a “Faulkner Painting” sweatshirt bearing the company phone number. Footage shows him successfully kicking the shutter in after…
New Riff Distilling’s Maltster Bourbons Praised by Esquire Magazine
One Northern Kentucky distillery has been turning heads since they got their start in 2014, and if your New Year’s resolution had anything to do with drinking less whiskey and bourbon, then you may want to steer clear. Newport’s New Riff Distillery ups the ante with their commitment to traditional sour mash whiskey. In fact,…
Ohio Girds for Unrest as DeWine Says He Didn’t Anticipate Right-Wing Uprising
As he called up the National Guard Tuesday to prepare for a possible attack on the Statehouse, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Tuesday said he didn’t anticipate President Donald Trump’s unprecedented attack on a peaceful transition of power. DeWine said he was activating 500 members of the Ohio Guard to protect the Statehouse and the…
New Variant of COVID-19 Virus Discovered in Ohio
Researchers at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine have discovered a new strain of the COVID-19 virus. Headlines were made in December when a novel, much more transmittable form of COVID was discovered in the U.K., prompting many European nations to shut their borders to U.K. residents and those who had…
Northern Kentuckians Can Order Girl Scout Cookies Via Grubhub Delivery This Year
Buying Girl Scout Cookies will look a little different this year as Girl Scouts of Kentucky’s Wilderness Road is working to stay safe while delivering cookies and honing their technology skills. Starting Feb. 5, customers in Northern Kentucky and Lexington will be able to purchase cookies for pick-up or delivery through Grubhub on Fridays and…
Cincinnati’s Martin Luther King Jr. Coalition Celebrates 46th Annual MLK Day with March, Motorcade and Program
Martin Luther King Day, a day to honor the birthday of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. (who would have turned 92 this year) is Monday, Jan. 18. And while MLK's birthday wasn't declared a federal holiday until 1983, Cincinnati has been celebrating the event in one form or another for at least 46 years — and…
Sittenfeld’s Lawyers File Motion Claiming Feds ‘Cherry-Picked’ Quotes, ‘Misconstrued Essential Facts’ in Indictment
P.G. Sittenfeld and his lawyers are claiming unfair pre-trial prejudice in a new motion filed with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio on Wednesday. Sittenfeld's lawyers allege "U.S. Attorney David DeVillers and FBI Special Agent in Charge Chris Hoffman made unfairly prejudicial public statements while announcing the charges during the November…
Brunch-Centric Eatery ‘All Hail the Biscuit’ to Open in Miami Township This Summer
Biscuits are this new shop’s bread and butter. All Hail the Biscuit, owned by Josh and Nicole House, was once just an occasional pop-up that had customers lined up around the block, but it will now become its own brick-and-mortar shop thanks to a highly successful Kickstarter campaign. “We had a really strong core of…
Walnut Hills’ Weekly Friday Food + Fun Offers Prepared Meals, Food Pantry Boxes and Affordable Produce
The Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation, a nonprofit community development corporation working to enhance the quality of life in Walnut Hills, has partnered with the Walnut Hills Area Council to host a weekly Walnut Hills’ Friday Food + Fun event. Friday Food + Fun takes place from 1-3 p.m. Fridays at 954 E. McMillan St. in…
Camp Washington’s Mom ‘n ‘em Now Offering Coffee Subscription
Camp Washington's Mom ‘n ‘em Coffee is now offering a coffee subscription for those who prefer to have the scent of fresh-brewed coffee wafting through their kitchen in the morning, rather than running out in the cold to get it. The subscription is super customizable to fit any and every coffee drinker’s needs. Purchasers can…
DeWine Vetoes Bill Removing Ohio County Fair Restrictions
For the third time, Gov. Mike DeWine has vetoed a bill from the Ohio legislature targeting the state health department’s ability to respond to a pandemic. This latest veto rejected a bill approved last month which sought to void a health order limiting activity at Ohio county fairs. There are no county fairs scheduled until…
Ohio Bartender and Her ‘Militia’ Drove to D.C. to Join the Capitol Breach
A Champaign County bartender who runs a self-identified militia, joined by three others in her unit, drove to Washington D.C. last week to join what descended into a seditious mob invasion of the U.S. Capitol. Jessica Watkins, 38, a bartender, said she doesn’t consider herself as having committed a crime — she said she didn’t…
Customer Tips Zip’s Cafe Employees $1,000
As COVID-19 cases continue to climb, it is no secret that service workers and local businesses have it hard right now. And one generous patron (and Xavier fan) at Zip’s Cafe in Mount Lookout decided to help out the employees of the local burger spot. Zip’s Cafe posted a picture of a receipt on their…
Cincinnati’s Taft’s Brewpourium and Peace, Love & Little Donuts Host Beer + Donut Pairing
What better to push you through a mid-week slump than some friends, fresh brews and delicious breakfast pastries? Taft’s Brewing Company is collaborating with Peace, Love & Little Donuts to host a Beer + Donut Pairing Wednesday night event. Peace, Love & Little Donuts in Hyde Park opened early last year and offers "tennis ball-sized,"…
Anderson Township’s Big Ash Brewing Showcases Local Artisans at Monthly Winter Pop-Up Market
Anderson Township's Big Ash Brewing is hosting a monthly Winter Market from January until April. Every third Saturday of the month from noon to 5 p.m. the brewery will feature local artisans and their products, giving Cincinnati a chance to explore homemade jams and jellies, dog treats, plants, crafts and more. Entrance is free and…
An Ohio ‘Militia’ Group Joined the Invasion of the U.S. Capitol
A self-identified Ohio militia unit stormed the U.S. Capitol last week along with hundreds, if not thousands of others, part of a failed effort to overturn the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election. The group, which calls itself the “Ohio State Regular Militia,” strongly resembles a unit that appeared at the Ohio Statehouse under the same name…
Gov. Beshear: Kentucky Budget Ready to Tackle Pandemic Losses
In his State of the Commonwealth address — delayed by last week's insurrection at the U.S. Capitol — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear pledged to provide relief to the state' struggling small businesses and to those who've lost jobs amid the pandemic. Rep. Joni Jenkins (D-Shively), the House Minority Leader, said there are brighter days ahead for Kentuckians…
Riverside Food Tours Hosts Weekly Over-the-Rhine Walking Brunch and History Adventures
With the holidays over and people feeling the effects of being cooped up inside, Riverside Food Tours has the perfect Saturday morning adventure to get you outside and moving as they take you around Cincinnati, stopping at various brunch joints to get your morning food fix. The Cincy Brunch & Streetcar Tour is a weekly…
Indiana Stops Execution of First Woman in More than Six Decades
Late Monday night, a federal court in Indiana ruled to stay Lisa Montgomery's execution pending a hearing to determine whether she is competent to be executed. The decision was based on Montgomery's long history of severe mental illness, which expert witnesses concluded made Montgomery unable to understand the rationale for her execution. "The Court was…
Where’s the Beef? Ohio Sen. Rob Portman Won’t Provide Evidence of Claimed Voter Fraud
Ohio Sen. Rob Portman is continuing to raise doubts about the integrity of American elections — even after President Donald Trump’s lies about the 2020 election fueled a deadly insurrection at the Capitol while Congress was trying to certify that Joe Biden had beaten Trump. And while he continues to say we need to “restore confidence…
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Comes to Campbell County
It is no secret that Dolly Parton is an American treasure. Between her Bald Eagle reserve at Dollywood and $1 million donation to the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine research, Parton has held and maintained her spot as an angelic figure and philanthropist. If that wasn’t enough, Parton began her children’s literacy program, the Imagination Library, in 1995.…
Kentucky Bluegrass Band The Wooks to Perform at Cincinnati’s Riverfront Live This Month
With the COVID-19 pandemic having halted almost every concert, sporting event and festival, it’s been quite an adjustment period for those of us who enjoy people-packed events. For the ones itching to return to live music, there’s a light on the horizon of the Ohio River. The Wooks are coming to Riverfront Live at 7 p.m.…
Rhinegeist Teases New Seasonal Cider Releases — And a Fresh New Look
The team at Over-the-Rhine's Rhinegeist Brewery has been hard at work over the course of last year, preparing to introduce their seasonal cider releases for 2021. The brewery announced via a Facebook post that they are debuting a new can design in addition to some new flavors, which will be released throughout the year. There will…
This Ohio Speech Clinic Helps Trans People Find Their Voice, Literally
This article is provided by Eye on Ohio, the nonprofit, nonpartisan Ohio Center for Journalism in partnership with the Buckeye Flame. Please join their free mailing list or the mailing list for the Flame as this helps them provide more public service reporting. After beginning with some vocal stretches to warm up her voicebox, Ginger Williams hums and vocalizes to…
Ohio Board of Education Member Organized Bus Trip to D.C. for “Stop the Steal” Rally
A state Board of Education member organized a bus trip to Washington D.C. to participate in a “Stop the Steal” event, which descended into a chaotic, seditious mob raid on the U.S. Capitol as Congress voted to affirm the presidential election. Kirsten Hill, who was elected to a four-year term in 2018, organized for a bus…
Cincy Rocker Rob Fetters Made the Perfect Pandemic Album with ‘Ship Shake.’ But He Started a Decade Before Lockdown
Rob Fetters has rightly achieved iconic status within the Cincinnati music scene, as befits a master Pop/Rock craftsman whose resume boasts bands the Raisins, the Bears, psychodots and an impressive solo career. More importantly, his nationwide run of house concerts in 2018 and his series of streaming shows during the pandemic have conclusively revealed his…
Cincinnati Pianist Brianna Matzke’s Latest Response Project Blends Art, Music, Film and Meditation with Local Historical Sites
With the delicate skim of fingers over piano keys or the soft stroke of a paint brush, an artist creates an image or sound. For the creator and consumer, this cohesive bundle of notes or abstract mix of color might evoke emotion from which new ideas or conclusions are drawn. In an effort to explore…
Subito Serves Classic, Scratch-Made Italian Inside Downtown’s New Lytle Park Hotel
Downtown’s new Lytle Park Hotel opened to the public this June, along with their in-house, upscale Italian eatery Subito and sophisticated rooftop lounge, Vista at Lytle Park. Subito serves scratch-made Italian dishes in a white-tablecloth, jazzy environment where you can indulge in the rich flavors of Northern Italy and the warm hospitality of The Lytle’s…
Harm Reduction Ohio Working to Get Free Naloxone Kits to Those In Need
The public health spotlight is on COVID-19, but the opioid epidemic still is a major priority in Ohio with a continued tragically high number of drug-overdose deaths. Nearly 4,000 overdose deaths were reported in 2020, but the final number is expected to approach or exceed the 2017 record of 4,854. One strategy to reduce the…
Xavier University Names First Female President in School’s 190-Year History
For the first time in Xavier University’s 190-year history, a woman has been named the next president of this prominent Catholic school. On July 1, 2021, Colleen M. Hanycz, PhD (pronounced Han-ich), will become the 35th president of Xavier. She is succeeding Fr. Michael J. Graham, who has served as president since 2001. “Following a comprehensive…
Over-the-Rhine’s Elm Street Social Club Offers 1980s Vibes and Deli Sandwiches for Carry-Out
Imagine if a deli and a bodega were joined in holy matrimony to create a place that serves Italian subs wrapped in butcher paper and breakfast sandwiches after 11 a.m. Maybe you could grab a black coffee, too, and a scoop of ice cream for dessert. That place exists and it’s called Elm Street Social…
Immersive, Multi-Sensory Van Gogh Experience Taking Over Indianapolis Museum of Art This Summer
An Indianapolis art museum will soon have the honor of presenting the colorful world of Vincent van Gogh as never seen before. An immersive, multi-sensory exhibit named The LUME is being developed by an Australian company called Grande Experiences that will soon be enjoyed by art connoisseurs and novices alike. Although other exhibitions across the…
West Side Brewing Hosting Brunch & Bitches Dog-Friendly Cookbook Signing and Fundraiser
On the way back home from the dog park, cooks and canines alike are welcome to attend a dog cookbook signing (as in a cookbook with recipes for dogs; not a book instructing you how to prepare and eat a dog) from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan.13 at West Side Brewing. Melinda Kirk Stenger, author of Brunch & Bitches, will…
Trump Is Awarding U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan is being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Trump administration has announced. A statement from the White House press office states that Trump is awarding the country’s highest civilian honor to Jordan on Monday. Jordan, a Republican from Urbana, has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2007. He…
Sustainability-Driven Boutique Simply Zero Opens on Over-the-Rhine’s Vine Street
From reusable ear swabs to refillable deodorant, one shop in Over-the-Rhine plans to tackle Cincinnati’s environmental footprint through education and by example. “Our store is not only a place to shop, but a place to gather, learn, and inspire change,” says Rachel Felous, founder of Simply Zero, a store that promotes zero-waste living and sustainability…
Travel + Leisure Praises Cincinnati’s ‘Buzzy Homegrown Restaurants, Bars, and Bakeries’ in New Guide
The Queen City is again in the spotlight of travel magazine Travel + Leisure, this time with an in-depth guide to some of Cincinnati's best bakeries, eateries and drinking destinations. The magazine published "Your Guide to the Buzzy Homegrown Restaurants, Bars, and Bakeries of Cincinnati" on Jan. 11, touting Cincy as having the potential to…
Project Censored’s Top 10 Underreported Stories of 2020: Murder, Climate Change, Monsanto and More
Every year since 1976, Project Censored has performed an invaluable service — shedding light on the most significant news that’s somehow not fit to print. Censorship in an authoritarian society is obvious, from a distance, at least. There is a central agent or agency responsible for it, and the lines are clearly drawn. That’s not…
Cincinnati Pops’ Broadway Forever Features CCM-Trained Singers, Including Native Jessica Hendy
Cincinnati Pops conductor John Morris Russell appreciates musical theater talent trained at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music. “The road to Broadway comes through Cincinnati,” he says. “It’s totally cool. Sometimes when I’m guest conducting somewhere else, CCM comes up in conversation.” He’s tapping that impressive talent pool for Broadway Forever, a Cincinnati Pops…
Taft Museum of Art Sets Reopening Date
Starting Jan. 15, downtown's Taft Museum of Art will reopen to the public with reduced hours — and continued COVID precautions. Both the Taft and the Contemporary Arts Center decided to close their doors on Dec. 12 to adhere to Gov. Mike DeWine's COVID safety advice. In December, the museum wrote on Facebook: "As Ohio…
Cincinnati’s Bunbury Music Festival Postpones 2021 Event
Cincinnati's Bunbury Music Festival is postponing its summertime event for the second year in a row due to COVID-19. The 2020 fest, slated to run May 31-June 2 at Sawyer Point downtown, was canceled "out of concern for the safety and wellbeing of fans, artists and staff," say organizers. And with the uncertainty surrounding COVID…
Help is On the Way, but Hunger Still Confronts a Vast Swath of Ohio
When Congress passed a $900 million covid-relief package just before Christmas, it contained good news for legions of desperate Americans. But one of Ohio’s top advocates against hunger said it won’t be nearly enough. Among its provisions is a four-month, 15% increase in benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. But said Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, executive director of the…
Ohio Supreme Court Starts New Year with Armed Teacher Lawsuit
One of the first cases the Ohio Supreme Court will consider in 2021 will regard firearms policies authorized by school districts. The case comes from Butler County, and was also the subject of legislation that failed to pass in the waning hours of the last General Assembly. The state’s highest court plans to hear oral…
Biden Is Expected to Distribute All Available COVID Vaccine Doses to States
More COVID-19 vaccine doses will be available to states sooner under changes that the incoming Biden administration is expected to make to how the Trump administration has been allocating those shots. That’s according to comments a Biden transition spokesman made to CNN on Friday, indicating that President-elect Joe Biden will shift to “releasing available doses immediately.” News…
Ohio Arts Council Member Resigns After Calling Biden an ‘Illegitimate President’ and VP Kamala Harris a ‘Whore’
A member of the Ohio Arts Council — a state agency that funds the arts — has resigned after making inflammatory comments about the storming of the U.S. Capitol on social media. Donna S. Collins, executive director of the OAC, says Susan Allan Block resigned following public outcry over a Facebook statement claiming the election was stolen,…
Cincinnati Eclectic Soul Artist Lauren Eylise to Perform at Over-the-Rhine’s Nostalgia Wine & Jazz Lounge
Over-the-Rhine's Nostalgia Wine & Jazz Lounge is welcoming a local favorite this weekend. Cincinnati-based Singer/Songwriter Lauren Eylise is slated to play at the bar this Saturday, Jan. 9 from 7-9 p.m. The artist has performances planned monthly at the venue through March according to the Facebook event page. Eylise, who has received motivating words from Patti…
The Cincinnati Public Library Is Going Fine Free Through July 2021
At the start of the COVID pandemic and stay-at-home orders, the Cincinnati Public Library stopped collecting fines on overdue borrowed items. And as the pandemic continues, this service has been now been extended through July 2021. In a blog post over the summer, when the library declared they were going fine-free through the remainder of…
Make Your Own Fiona the Hippo Plate with Brazee Street Studio’s Zoom Glass Class and Kit
Oakley's Brazee Street Studios wants to celebrate Fiona the hippo's fourth birthday with a special DIY project. You can immortalize the Cincinnati Zoo's plump princess by making your very own fused glass Fiona plate. The team at the studios' GLASSROOM will be hosting a special Zoom birthday party where guests can use a take-home kit…
Downtown’s Moerlein Lager House Offers Cozy Fire Pit Seating Weekends in January
Downtown's Moerlein Lager House, located along The Banks, is giving guests a cozy space to sip and snack this winter, complete with a river view. The restaurant will have four fire pits on the lawn outside of the eatery, available on a first-come, first-served basis. The pits will be available Saturdays and Sundays throughout the…
Ohio SNAP Benefit Expansion Offers Grocery Deliveries Via Three Retailers
Low-income Ohioans now have another option for using their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to purchase groceries to be delivered to their homes. A new partnership between InstaCart and Aldi allows those living near one of the discount supermarkets to buy groceries online using their EBT card. Aldi joins two other major retailers, Walmart…
State to Send Vaccination Criteria to Ohio Schools, Teachers Union Has Concerns About Rollout
Gov. Mike DeWine explained more of the planned roll-out of COVID-19 vaccinations for schools on Thursday, and a state teachers union said the criteria involved has members concerned. DeWine said the plan as of now is to start vaccinating school personnel in the first week of February, with a goal for schools who receive vaccinations…
Cincinnati’s Arnold’s Bar & Grill to Offer Vegetarian Popeyes-Inspired “Chicken” Sandwich This Weekend
Chef Kayla Robison of downtown's Arnold's Bar & Grill is whipping up something extra special this weekend. On Friday and Saturday, the restaurant will be serving a Popeyes-inspired fried "chicken" sandwich that is vegetarian-friendly. The mammoth of a sammy is made with a thick slab of cauliflower, breaded and double-dipped in a Southern-style buttermilk batter — with…
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos Resigns as Talks of Removing Trump via the 25th Amendment Gain Serious Traction
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos was one of President Donald Trump's longest-serving cabinet members, but it looks like she's not making it to the final episode of this fucked up reality TV show. The Michigan native and GOP megadonor tendered her resignation Thursday night following the absolute shitshow on Wednesday, in which Trump incited a violent mob to…
Ohio Gov. DeWine Condemns Trump’s Riot Incitement, Praises His Judges
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Thursday offered what might be his toughest criticism yet of President Donald Trump, after Trump incited a violent mob to storm the U.S. Capitol and stop certification of a vote that would remove Trump from office. Yet the governor refused to withdraw his support from the president, for whom DeWine…
Despite Brawls, No OSHP Arrests at Clashing Protests at Ohio Statehouse
A pugilistic day of political demonstrations that included two brawls between far-right demonstrators insisting the presidential election was stolen and Black Lives Matter activists ended with no arrests Wednesday. At least two rounds of fisticuffed rumbles with an array of participants broke out at different points through the afternoon along with some more minor spats.…
Cincinnati FBI Seeking Info About Any Locals Who May Have Stormed the U.S. Capitol
It may have been a national incident when a mob of pro-Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol building on Wednesday — prompting violence, mayhem and at least one death — during the certification of the Electoral College results. But the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio David DeVillers and the Cincinnati FBI are more…
Biden Appoints Don Graves of Ohio’s KeyBank as Deputy Commerce Secretary
Don Graves, the former Joe Biden staffer and current KeyBank executive, will be appointed the Deputy Secretary of Commerce, NBC News reports. Graves served as the executive director of the President's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness during the Obama years and then worked as an economic policy adviser for Biden. He worked on Biden's presidential campaign…
The Satanic Temple Responds to Ohio’s New Burial Law for Aborted Fetal Remains
On Dec. 30, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 27 into law, which basically says fetal remains from a surgical abortion must be either cremated or buried (by the abortion facility, or, under certain circumstances, the woman). Prior to the signing of the bill, fetal remains were already required to be disposed of "humanely."…
U.S. Reps. Call for Trump’s Immediate Impeachment for Inciting Violence at the Capitol
U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Detroit is doubling down on her 2019 commitment to “impeach the motherfucker” — the motherfucker, of course, being none other than the 45th President of the United States, Donald Trump. Tlaib's most recent call for impeachment comes after Trump incited unprecedented violence at the U.S. Capitol building on Wednesday, which…
Enjoy Penguin Encounters and Parades During the Cincinnati Zoo’s Discounted Penguin Days
The temperature is dropping and so are Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden's admission prices. Cleverly dubbed ‘Penguin Days,’ the zoo is offering discounted tickets every day from Jan. 18 through March 12 during the wintertime promotion. Ticket prices vary from $7.50-$9. Even cooler? On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, visitors can participate penguin parades and daily penguin…
Over-the-Rhine’s Findlay Market to Host Chili Fest (Minus the Chili Cook-Off)
Chili lovers, rejoice! Over-the-Rhine's Findlay Market is hosting a festival devoted to all things chili this winter — both the hearty soup (stew? meat water?) and the variety of peppers. The Gold Star-sponsored fest will take place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 24, and will feature chili-centric bites from nearly two dozen vendors…
Frisch’s Introduces Grippo’s Barbecue Chip-Infused Grilled Cheese
Frisch's Big Boy has taken its grilled cheese offerings up a notch with the introduction of a Grippo's Bar-B-Q Chip-infused melted sandwich. Yes. That's melted American cheese sprinkled with crunchy, tangy Grippo's chips sandwiched between two pieces of Texas toast. But that's not the only new grilled cheese creation on the menu. They've also added…
5 Ohio Congressmen Object to Electoral College Count in Effort to Overturn Result
Five Republican members of Congress from Ohio voted Wednesday evening to reject an Electoral College certification, an action taken hours after a right-wing mob stormed the U.S. Capitol building in a violent show of support for overturning the presidential election results. Those objecting were U.S. Reps. Jim Jordan of Urbana, Bill Johnson of Marietta, Bob…
Ohio Political Officials React to Violence at U.S. Capitol
A number of Ohio officials have condemned the violent protests Wednesday at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Federal lawmakers were debating the certification of the Electoral College count when demonstrators made it past police barricades to storm the Capitol Building. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine called the events “an embarrassment to our country.” “This must stop immediately,”…
Here’s a Video of Mitt Romney Casually Getting Heckled by Trump Supporters
Who needs inflight entertainment when you have a conservative Senator being berated by delusional supporters of President Donald Trump? Pass the peanuts! On Tuesday, Senator Mitt Romney was confronted by a gaggle of Trump supporters who called the Utah politician a “traitor” and a “joke,” and it went better than you might think. While waiting…
Cincy’s Bill Seitz, Ohio Clean Energy Foe, at Forefront of HB6 Bailout Ratification and Defense
This article is provided by Eye on Ohio, the nonprofit, nonpartisan Ohio Center for Journalism in partnership with the nonprofit Energy News Network. Please join their free mailing list or the mailing list for the Energy New Network as this helps provide more public service reporting. Documents made available last week show how House Majority Floor Leader Bill Seitz, R-Cincinnati, championed gutting Ohio’s…
What the Pandemic Can Teach Us About Ways to Reduce Air Pollution
The COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t just a shock to the human immune system. It was also a shock to the Earth system, dramatically changing the air quality in cities around the globe. As countries around the globe struggled to contain the disease, they imposed temporary shutdowns. Scientists are now sifting through data collected by satellite and…
RIP Family Video: Last Stores in Cincinnati Closing as Video Rental Chain Shutters Nationwide
It is officially the end of an era. Family Video, the last bastion of brick-and-mortar DVD rentals, announced this week that it will close its remaining 250 shops around the country, including two in Greater Cincinnati (in Fairfield and Elsmere, Kentucky), due to financial fallout from the pandemic. With few new movie releases from Hollywood and various…
Esquire and Mariemont Theaters Offering BOGO Movie Tickets to Frontline Wokers
The Esquire and Mariemont theaters are saying thank you to local frontline workers with a special Frontline Flicks promotion. Essential workers will be able to purchase buy-one, get-one tickets throughout January. This includes health care workers and first responders, as well as grocery store employees, delivery drivers, transportation workers, janitors, public works employees, teachers and…
Rookwood Pottery Releases New Dessert Plate to Celebrate Fiona the Hippo’s Fourth Birthday
Cincinnati's Rookwood Pottery is celebrating our favorite hippo's fourth birthday with a limited-edition dessert plate in her honor. Fiona, the miracle hippo baby, was born six weeks premature at the Cincinnati Zoo in January of 2017. At the time of her birth, she weighed a meager 29 pounds — about a fifth of what most hippos…
Alice in Wonderland-Themed “Immersive” Cocktail Event Pops Up in Cincinnati
An immersive Alice in Wonderland-themed cocktail bar pop-up is now open in downtown's Sample Space. The concept offers intimate 90-minute "alternate reality experiences" capped at 25 people per session, where guests can enjoy two different themed cocktails — one pre-made and another interactive steaming teapot cocktail that they create themselves — as well as play…
Ohio Judge Who Ordered Men Not to Procreate for Failure to Pay Child Support: ‘It Seemed Like a Common Sense Approach’
London Chapman was convicted of multiple counts of failing to pay child support in Lorain County. In a separate case, Lee Anderson pleaded guilty to his own counts of nonsupport of dependents. The sentences included probation, alcohol and drug screenings, restitution and requirements to obtain employment. “In addition, the court ordered Chapman ‘to make all…
College Credit for Experience Could Help Displaced Kentucky Workers Post-COVID-19
Workers and students who've lost jobs during the pandemic and want to continue their education might be able to receive college credit for previous life or work experience. University of Louisville Professor Matt Bergman said most Kentucky colleges, technical schools and universities offer Prior Learning Assessments to determine which skills and experiences are credit-worthy. But…
Environmental, Economic Factors Drive Kentucky’s Racial Health Disparities
Black Americans are more than twice as likely to die from COVID-19 as Caucasians, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. Medical experts in the Commonwealth say longstanding health disparities contribute to the disproportionate number of deaths, and will require major policy changes to reverse. According to Dr. Wayne Tuckson, a colorectal surgical specialist…
State Won’t Force Nursing Home Workers to Be Vaccinated, But Nursing Homes Can, Says DeWine
Even though dismal rates of nursing home workers are accepting the coronavirus vaccine, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Tuesday said he would not force them to. He said, however, that nursing homes could implement such a requirement if they wanted to. The low rate of acceptance among nursing home staff has been getting a lot…
Covington’s Bouquet Restaurant Named on Esquire Magazine’s List of Eateries America Can’t Afford to Lose
Just before the turn of the new year, men’s lifestyle magazine Esquire released a list of 100 restaurants America can't afford to lose to the COVID-19 pandemic, including Covington's Bouquet Restaurant. “We also hope you’ll raise a toast to these spots around the country — old and new, scruffy and spiffy — that we consider restaurants that America…
Wonder Woman 1984 Is a Gift to Fans, But Features Some Clumsy Missteps
There’s a moment about midway through the ridiculously long Wonder Woman 1984 where director/co-writer Patty Jenkins introduces one of the most iconic props in DC Comics’ lore, the invisible jet flown by Diana Prince (Gal Gadot). As Diana sits and her reanimated soulmate Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) pilots the plane through a gorgeous kaleidoscope of bursting…
Investigation into $460M in FirstEnergy Charges Back On. But Why Was it Stopped in the First Place?
The Public Utility Commission of Ohio has restarted an audit of $465 million that Akron-based FirstEnergy collected from ratepayers in 2017 and 2018, supposedly to modernize the utility grid. The state’s official watchdog, the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, wants to know whether any of the money was used in a $61 million bribery scandal. That…
ArtsWave Offering $100,000 in Relief Grants to Artists Living in 15 Cincinnati Counties
Nonprofit ArtsWave is offering a new round of financial relief for local artists. The 2021 Regional Artist Relief Fund will offer $1,000 grants to up to 100 artists working in both the performing and visual arts. But, artists must live within 15 Greater Cincinnati counties to qualify: Brown, Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren Counties in Ohio;…
Portion of Covington’s Dee Felice Cafe Transforming into Neighborhood Market
MainStrasse Village will soon have its own neighborhood market, filling a much-needed void in the community. Long-standing Covington culinary staple, Dee Felice Cafe, is transforming a portion of their restaurant into a grocery store, pivoting their business model to offer market goods and grab-and-go menu favorites, according to a Facebook announcement from the newly minted…
Cincinnati’s 32nd Annual Jewish & Israeli Film Festival Moves Online
The 32nd Annual Mayerson JCC Jewish & Israeli Film Festival is going virtual this year, which means you don't need to leave your house to check out a "diverse, inspiring lineup of award-winning films and engaging, educational programming that connects the Jewish and Israeli stories," says the fest. Both feature-length and short films will be…
Pendleton’s U.K.-Based Brewery BrewDog Closed Indefinitely Due to Pandemic
Scotland-based brewery BrewDog expanded its U.S. operations with the addition of a massive taproom at 316 Reading Road in Pendleton in the fall of 2019. When it opened, it was the brand's second-largest location in America (the chain has additional breweries in Columbus and Indianapolis in addition to global spots in 60 countries including Germany, Spain, France and…
Head Chef of Covington’s KungFood Chu’s AmerAsia Has Died Due to COVID Complications
The Greater Cincinnati community has suffered a great loss with the death of Head Chef Avelino Rojas Vargas of Covington's KungFood Chu's Amerasia. The restaurant announced via a Facebook post that Vargas passed away on Sunday due to complications of COVID-19. Vargas was a talented chef and beloved member of the AmerAsia family, in addition…
Parlor Pizza Project to Open Carry-Out-Centric Brick and Mortar in Hyde Park
This past summer, our mouths and souls were graced by a tasty weekly pop-up at Cincinnati vino shop and bar Oakley Wines. Parlor Pizza Project, founded by Alex Plattner, kicked off its Sunday Slice pop-up in late August, featuring two or three different 10-inch pizza options weekly, which guest could either enjoy at the shop or…
‘Trust Issues’ Prompt Nursing Home Workers to Decline COVID-19 Vaccine, Says Union
Nursing home workers are passing on their chance at early access to the COVID-19 vaccine, officials say, blowing a crosswind against a scarce supply of doses and a pandemic in a tailspin. Gov. Mike DeWine first drew attention to the issue Wednesday, claiming during a televised press briefing that roughly 60% of staffers who were offered…
DeWine Signs Stand Your Ground Bill Into Law Despite Vowing to Fight Gun Violence After Dayton Mass Shooting
In his latest act of leadership, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has signed into law a so-called "stand your ground" bill, which will make Ohio the 36th state in the union where people won't be required to retreat before shooting and killing those they perceive to be threatening them. Stand your ground laws are recognized as…
CityBeat Is Hiring a Freelance News Writer and Reporter
Love local news? Want to write about it? CityBeat is looking for qualified investigative and short-form journalists to cover our news beat on a freelance basis. Compensation: Pay is per story and based on length and depth of research/interviews. Schedule: We are looking for someone to produce at least one impactful long-form piece a month, as well as various…
Bengals President Releases Statement On Decision to Keep Coach Zac Taylor
What began as a year of hope for the Cincinnati Bengals with the addition of star quarterback Joe Burrow ended with some heartbreak — and a serious knee injury. But Bengals President Mike Brown maintains an optimistic vision for the team and announced his decision to keep Head Coach Zac Taylor on board for next…
Ohio Sen. Rob Portman Will Reject Republican Effort in Congress to Overturn Presidential Election
Sen. Rob Portman is rejecting a Congressional effort from fellow Republicans to overturn the presidential election, saying on Monday he “cannot support allowing Congress to thwart the will of the voters.” Portman’s statement comes two days before members of Congress will meet on Wednesday to count the nation’s electoral votes, which were determined through last…
Avondale’s Waggle Eatery Rebrands as Build-Your-Own Brunch Concept Sleepy Bee on the Fly
Local breakfast and brunch chain Sleepy Bee Cafe — with locations in Oakley, Blue Ash and downtown — has opened a new fast-casual concept in Avondale on Cincinnati Children's Hospital's campus, across from the Ronald McDonald House. Taking over the former Waggle eatery space which opened in late 2019 — also owned by the brand…
Kentucky Girl Scouts Add Brand New Girl Scout Cookie Flavor and Online Purchasing This Year
The Girl Scouts of Kentucky's Wilderness Road (GSKWR) are making two novel innovations this Girl Scout Cookie season. First: There's a a new cookie. The Toast Yay! — apparently only available locally from the Kentucky Girl Scouts — is inspired by French toast and dipped in icing. (You can learn about this year's Kentucky cookies at…
Cincinnati’s Skyline Chili Finalizes Purchase Agreement with Local Business Leader
A Queen City staple over 70 years in the making recently completed a purchase agreement to secure their mission to "remain privately held by local ownership with deep Cincinnati roots, while simultaneously positioning itself for continued success and growth," a release reads. Skyline Chili announced on Monday, Jan. 4 that the restaurant chain finalized a…
Ohio Officials Are Not Tracking Rate of Vaccine Refusals
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine got a lot of attention Wednesday when he said that 60% of nursing home workers who were offered a coronavirus vaccine refused to take it. But state health officials on Thursday said there’s no organized effort to track refusals among people they consider so critical that they’ve been given first crack at…
2021 Brings Reforms to Ohio Congressional Redistricting Process
Ohio's 134th General Assembly opens today, and a key task for 2021 is congressional redistricting. Voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2018 that creates a multi-step, transparent process for drawing congressional districts. New maps are made every 10 years. Catherine Turcer, executive director for Common Cause Ohio, said the reforms were badly needed to prevent lines…
Zundo Ramen in Over-the-Rhine Closed Indefinitely; New Location Now Open in Mason
UPDATE: Zundo is reopen. You’ll have to travel to the ‘burbs to get a taste of this Over-the-Rhine ramen house’s noods — at least for foreseeable future. Zundo, which opened next to Queen City Radio in the fall of 2018, announced via a Facebook post on Jan. 2 that they have closed their OTR location…
Cincinnati Zoo Celebrating Fiona’s 4th Birthday with Fundraising Floating Apple Race in Hippo Cove
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden's fabulous Fiona is turning 4 years old on Jan. 24, and to celebrate, the zoo is hosting a one-of-a-kind fundraiser where the winner gets to meet the sassy hippo in person. Float4Fiona is a floating fruit race where people can purchase a numbered apple, which will then be placed…
Kings Island’s Orion Giga Coaster Named Best New Amusement Park Attraction of 2020 by USA Today
Kings Island has something new to brag about: The Mason amusement park just took home some national recognition from readers of USA Today for the Orion giga coaster. Orion won the title of Best New Amusement Park Attraction in the paper's 10Best.com readers poll, beating out two new Disney rides (and many others). During the…
CPD: Portion of the East End’s Riverside Drive Temporarily Closed Due to Water Main Break
Over the weekend, a 60-inch water main broke along Riverside Drive in the East End, resulting in a temporary closure of the road. According to the Cincinnati Police Department, the road will be closed between Delta and Collins avenues for a possible span of several weeks. The City of Cincinnati posted about the main break on…
