News
Reds to host summer baseball, softball camp at Mason High School
2013 camp at Mason High School. Provided photo
Mason High School will be one of five Greater Cincinnati locations where the Cincinnati Reds will offer baseball and softball camps this summer.
Camps are being offered for the first time at Harrison High School and the soon-to-open Procter and Gamble Cincinnati MLB Urban Youth Academy in Roselawn.
Thirty hours of instruction are offered during the week-long camps are open to boys and girls of all ability levels between the ages of 6-14. Camp runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with provisions for early arrival and late pick-up for an extra fee.
“Our promise is to create a world class Reds baseball experience for all campers,’’ said Tim Rappe, executive director of the camps.
“It doesn’t matter if your athlete is six and picking up a bat for the first time or 14 and is the best shortstop on the local top traveling team. This camp will profoundly improve each player’s ability to play all facets of the game.”
Campers will receive instruction from a current Reds coach and a guest appearance by a player. The week includes a day trip to Great American Ball Park, a full Reds uniform, four tickets to a Reds game, and a skills competition.
Cost is $395 per camper with a $25 discount when two or more children sign up together.
Registration/information: 855-846-7337 or www.reds.com/camps
Dates/Camp Sites
- Beechwood High School, June 2-6
- Harrison High School, June 16-20
- Mason High School, June 30 through July 4
- P&G Cincinnati MLB Urban Youth Academy, Roselawn, July 21-25
- Summit Country Day, Aug. 4-8
Firebirds hold off Mason, advance to district finals
Mason’s Jenna Gunn drives to the basket during the Comets’ 45-39 overtime win at Lakota West on Dec. 4. The two teams will meet for the third time this year in a Division I sectional final Monday at Lakota East. Tony Tribble for the Enquirer
Mike Dyer reports:
Lakota West junior post player Arianne Whitaker was still shaking with emotion.
A few minutes after the Firebirds defeated Mason 44-39 on Monday night in a Division I girls’ basketball sectional final, Whitaker couldn’t stop smiling.
“We wanted to play them (Mason) so bad,” Whitaker said. “… I am so glad we won.”
The Firebirds will return to the district final for the first since 2010 season as Lakota West defeated Mason at Lakota East.
Whitaker had 14 points and 12 rebounds to help lead Lakota West (20-5).
“That is honestly the best game I ever played this year,” Whitaker said. “I was in the zone.”
Lakota West coach Andy Fishman couldn’t be more proud of his squad, including its strong defensive effort and composure late in the game.
“This is all about celebrating what we’ve accomplished tonight and this is going to be a steppingstone to the next level of the tournament,” Fishman said.
Junior guard Lauren Cannattelli added 10 points and she and Whitaker made some critical free throws with less than a minute left to help lift the Firebirds, who improved to 12-1 in posteason play at Lakota East, according to the Lakota West athletic department.
Sophomore guards Danielle Wells and Nia Staples added seven points each.
“Our girls never got rattled,” Fishman said. “I thought we did a good job of sticking to our game plan.”
Lakota West advances to play Springboro (20-5) in a Division I district final at 5 p.m. Saturday at Harrison. Lakota West defeated Springboro 53-27 on Dec. 16.
Monday night marked the third meeting between the Mason and Lakota West girls’ basketball teams this season.
The highly anticipated matchup between two highly respected programs did not disappoint.
Mason (22-2) was led by sophomore post player Lauren Van Kleunen with 14 points.
Senior Jenna Gunn had eight points and five rebounds.
Freshman Samari Mowbray added eight rebounds.
Mason coach Rob Matula was proud of the 22-2 season in which the Comets were ranked nationally by USA Today and held the No. 1 spot in the Associated Press poll during the season.
“It was two good teams going at each other,” Matula said. “… We just couldn’t get over the hump.”
Mason defeated host Lakota West 45-39 in overtime on Dec. 4. On Jan.11, the host Comets edged Lakota West 55-54.
Mason was ranked No.2 in the season’s final Associated Press Division I state poll and No.2 in The Enquirer area coaches’ poll.
Lakota West is ranked No.3 in The Enquirer area coaches’ poll. The Firebirds have won 11 consecutive games since Jan. 19.
no comments yetKings Island to hold job fair Saturday
A worker operates a game at Kings Island. The Mason theme park is hiring for its 2014 season. Provided
Job-seekers can get a head start on summer jobs at Kings Island’s job fair Saturday.
The event runs from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Mason amusement park, 6300 Kings Island Drive.
KI will need more than 4,000 seasonal workers when the park opens for its 43rd season April 18.
The park is hiring in areas of aquatics, food and beverage, park services and security and rides. Summer internships are also available in marketing and group sales.
Applicants, who must be at least 15 years of age, are asked to apply in advance online at www.visitkingsisland.com. Interviews will be conducted at the job fair.
For more information, call the park at 513-754-5748
no comments yetLight snow snarls morning commute
Snow falls along westbound I-275 in Milford. / Amanda Rossman / The Enquirer
Jennifer Edwards Baker reports:
A dusting of snow that left just a few tenths of an inch on area highways and roads earlier this morning has moved out.
The low was recorded at 22 degrees with a wind chill of 14 just before 7 a.m. at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. The mercury will remain in the 20s the rest of the morning, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington.
The high temperature will go up to around 30 under gradually sunny skies.
TONIGHT
An arctic cold front moves in after midnight.
The low temperature will tumble to 11 degrees with wind chills as cold as minus 4.
There’s another, slight chance for snow. Little to no accumulation is expected.
WEDNESDAY
It will be mostly sunny, but the mercury will struggle to reach 20 degrees by 5 p.m.
Temperatures on Wednesday night will fall back into the low teens. Wind chills will feel as low as zero.
Snow falls along westbound I-275 in Milford. / Amanda Rossman / The Enquirer
LOOKING AHEAD
Thursday will be sunny with a high near 25. Thursday night should be mostly clear but frigid with a low around 5.
Friday will be partly sunny with a high of 30 degrees.
Our next chance for snow showers could be Friday night. It will be cloudy with a low around 23. Accumulations should be minor.
This weekend looks dry as daytime temperatures remain in the 30s.
Overnight lows will fall to the teens and 20s.
More snow is the forecast late Sunday and early Monday. It’s not clear yet how much could pile up.
no comments yetKings football program sponsors mulch sale
The Kings High School football program is adding another way to order mulch for this year’s sale.
Football players will take orders for hardwood, black gold and black dyed mulch through March 7. Orders can also be placed online for the first time ever at www.kingsfootball.com
Cost is $4 for a two cubic foot bag. Payment is due when the order is placed.
Delivery is free with a 10-bag minimum order within a 5-mile radius of the district. Otherwise mulch can be picked up April 12-13 at Columbia Elementary School, 8263 Columbia Road. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday; and noon to 6 p.m., Sunday.
There will be a limited amount of mulch available for purchase at Columbia during pick-up hours. All proceeds benefit the district’s football programs.
Information: 513-459-2937 or kingsmulch@gmail.com
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Mason girl swimmers come in third in state competition
Mark Schmetzer, Enquirer contributor, reports:
CANTON – Mason finished third for the second consecutive season in the team standings at Saturday’s Division I finals of the 38th annual Ohio girls state swim meet.
The Lions won the first three events before Mason freshman Ashley Volpenhein slowed them down, edging Tomley to win the 50 freestyle championship.
“I guess I did,” she said when reminded that she snapped the Lions’ meet-opening win streak at three. “Temarie’s an awesome swimmer. It was an honor just to swim next her.
“I wasn’t expecting this at all. Going in, I didn’t think I had a chance. I felt like, ‘If it happened, it happened.’”
Sycamore senior Andrianna Dimasso finished 12th and Mason senior Sydney Carr 14th in the Division I girls diving finals Saturday morning. Dimasso improved from 14th in the three-dive final, while Carr moved up from 16th.
The top eight finishers in each event earn medals.
no comments yetRound 3 today for Mason, Lakota West girls basketball
Mason’s Jenna Gunn drives to the basket during the Comets’ 45-39 overtime win at Lakota West on Dec. 4. The two teams will meet for the third time this year in a Division I sectional final Monday at Lakota East. Tony Tribble for the Enquirer
Mike Dyer reports:
With district final berths at stake, Monday’s Division I girls’ basketball sectional finals at Lakota East are another significant step in the postseason for some of the area’s top teams.
The Mason (22-1) vs. Lakota West (19-5) game at 7:30 p.m. is definitely one of the top games to watch this postseason. Monday marks the third meeting between the teams this season.
Mason defeated host Lakota West 45-39 in overtime on Dec. 4. On Jan. 11, the host Comets edged Lakota West 55-54.
“The girls have heard us say that games like Monday are why being a contender is so much fun,” Lakota West coach Andy Fishman said. “The girls know I see both of Mason and Lakota West as two very strong, balanced teams with state championship aspirations.”
Mason is ranked No. 44 nationally by USA Today and ranked No. 2 in the season’s final Associated Press state poll. Lakota West is ranked No. 3 in The Enquirer Division I coaches’ poll.
“So far, Mason has proved better in both games when its mattered most,” Fishman said. “Our girls know that this game provides another opportunity to answer the bell.”
Princeton (22-2), ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press state poll and No. 1 in The Enquirer poll, plays Colerain (15-8) at 6 p.m.
The District 16 Senior East vs. West All-Star Games are March 19 at St. Bernard High School. The Divisions II-IV game will be at 6 p.m. The award presentation of District 16 all-stars and coach of the year is at 7:30 p.m. The Division I all-star game is at 8 p.m.
no comments yetSix Kings swimmers at state meet
Kings High School swimmers, from left, Ben Matheus, Kate Etter, Tara Fears, Megan Sichterman, Alex Allee, and Jimmy Koloseike are competing today and Saturday at the state swimming competition. Provided photo
Six Kings High School athletes will be in Canton today and Saturday competing in the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s state swimming finals.
Four students qualified in the following individual events:
- Ben Matheus, 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle
- Jimmy Koloseike, 100-yard backstroke
- Tara Fears, 100-meter butterfly
- Megan Sichterman, 100-yard butterfly, 500-yard freestyle
Alex Allee and Kate Etter will join Fears and Sichterman for the 200-yard freestyle relay. The team set a school record of 1:40.03 in the event at district competition.
Sichterman, set three individual school records at district competition:
- 50-yard freestyle, 25.92
- 100-yard butterfly, 55.21
- 500-yard freestyle, 5:00.00
Mason girls set up sectional final vs. Lakota West
Photo of senior guard Jenna Gunn/Enquirer photographer Leigh Taylor
The Enquirer reports:
Mason’s girls’ basketball team advanced to the Division I sectional finals by defeating Sycamore 65-31 Thursday night at Lakota East.
Ranked No. 44 in the nation by USA Today, Mason relied on the inside game against Sycamore as it scored all 65 points without making a 3-pointer.
Mason was led by senior guard Jenna Gunn with a game-high 21 points and seven rebounds. Sophomore guard Jailyn Mason flirted with a triple-double, scoring 16 points with nine rebounds and seven steals. Freshman forward Samari Mowbray came off the bench to add 10 points.
Mason (22-1) is the favorite to move into districts. First they have to face a 19-6 Lakota West team that is ranked No. 3 in The Enquirer Division I coaches’ poll. That game will be Monday at 7:30 p.m. at Lakota East. The previous matchup between these two teams went down to the wire as Mason eked out a 55-54 victory at home.
Division I sectional tournament At Lakota East Mason 65, Sycamore 31Mason (22-1) - Mason 8 0 16, Dixon 3 3 9, Gunn 9 3 21, Campbell 2 0 4, Mowbray 4 2 10, Wright 1 0 2, Brown 1 1 3. Totals: 28 9 65.
Sycamore (6-18) – Hunter 4 2 11, Kroell 0 1 1, Saxon 2 1 5, Goodyear 1 0 2, Miller 1 0 2, Hamm 5 0 10. Totals: 13 3 31.
Halftime: M 26-16. 3-pointers: M (none); S 2 (Hunter, Saxon).
no comments yetStrong winds continue after storm rumbles through
Beautiful sky in Greenhills on Friday morning. / Cara Owsley / The Enquirer
Jennifer Edwards Baker reports:
A wind advisory remains in effect today until 6 p.m. throughout Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky after strong thunderstorms rumbled through overnight.
Winds will blow 30 to 40 mph and increase from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. The highest gusts of up to 50 mph will hit in the afternoon as colder air continues to filter in, warns the National Weather Service in Wilmington.
It’s 39 degrees this morning at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. Today should be mostly sunny with a high of 46.
Winds howled up to 54 mph overnight at the airport.
Downed trees and power lines are possible today, along with minor property damage. Such high winds also can make driving difficult, especially in high profile vehicles such as sport utility vehicles.
Flood advisories also remain up in counties east of downtown Cincinnati such as Adams, Brown and Clermont.
A flood warning is in effect for the Great Miami River at Miamitown in western Hamilton County. The river was at 13.8 feet early today, just below flood stage of 16 feet.
Minor flooding is expected as the river continues to rise nearly 19 feet by tonight. Flooding begins downstream of Miamitown and Whitewater Township.
The river should fall back below flood stage by late Saturday.
Up in northeast Warren County, the Little Miami River area is under a flood warning until 10 a.m. Saturday. The river is approaching flood stage. Low lying areas in Corwin will flood, and water will approach Corwin Road in Spring Valley. Constitution Park nearby is flooded.
Motorists are advised against driving vehicles down water-covered roads.
THIS WEEKEND:
Our low tonight will fall to 35.
Saturday will be mostly sunny with a high of 54. There’s a slight chance of rain and then rain mixed with snow early Sunday. The overnight low will be 31.
More rain and snow could fall between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday before switching to all rain after 2 p.m. It will be mostly cloudy with a high of 41.
There’s another slight chance for snow before 10 p.m. Sunday. It will be mostly cloudy with a low around 20.
NEXT WEEK:
We stay dry Monday through Thursday with a mix of sun and clouds. Daytime highs will be in the 30s and upper 20s.
Overnight lows will be frigid and in the teens.
no comments yetLearn about Warren County through ambassador program
The Warren County Area Progress Council and Warren County Board of Realtors have jointly created an ambassadors program to familiarize realtors and others to the assets and amenities of Warren County.
The two-part program runs from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., March 13 and 20, at the Lebanon Conference and Banquet Center, 105 S. Broadway.
Participants may attend one or both half-day sessions. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. with a free continental breakfast for attendees.
There will be staffed booths set up by the county’s chambers of commerce, lenders, business groups and others. Representatives from each booth will be available before, after, and during breaks to talk with those attending the ambassadors program.
Topics that will be covered include the history of the county, economic development, commerce, culture and recreation.
Participants will be entered into a drawing for door prizes that will be awarded following class at each session.
Cost is $20 for one day, or $30 for both. Registration deadline is March 7.
Information/registration: 513-404-8954wcbrealtors.com or ambassador@wcbrealtor.com
Topics covered March 13 and presenters are:
- History, John Zimkus
- Chamber Alliance, Christye Leasure
- Sheriff’s office, Larry Sims
- Economic development, Martin Russell
- Interstates 71, 75 corridor development, Pat South and Matt Obringer
Topics and presenters, March 20:
- Parks, Benjamin Yoder
- Convention and visitor bureau, Bridget Kochersperger
- Quality of life, Dustin Baily
- Museum, Bill duning
- YMCA, Debra Phillips
- Camps Joy and Kern, Amy Thompson
- Workforce Development, Margaret Hess and Scott Markland
- Fort Ancient, Jack Blosser
- Emergency management, Jim Bolen
Beck to Enquirer: I’m staying
State Rep. Peter Beck, R-Mason, plans to serve his full term and run for re-election this spring, despite facing 69 felony counts for his alleged role in defrauding investors in a West Chester startup.
“Yes and yes. Yes, ma’am,” Beck said in response to an Enquirer reporter’s questions about his plans, as he rushed into an Ohio House committee meeting. He spread his arms, as if to say, “I’m here, aren’t I?”
Beck was first indicted on 16 counts last summer. That number expanded to 69 after fellow Republicans Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters on Thursday filed new charges of corruption, fraud and perjury against Beck. He has refused to resign in spite of calls for his resignation from Ohio Republican Party Chairman Matt Borges and Ohio House Speaker Bill Batchelder, R-Medina.
Beck is accused of helping to bilk investors of hundreds of thousands of dollars as chief financial officer of an insolvent West Chester software startup owned by the late Cincinnati money manager Thomas M. Lysaght. The charges say Beck also took some of the money intended for the startup, called Christopher Technologies, and diverted it to his campaign fund.
Much of the money from the fraud also went to Ark by the River Fellowship Ministry, a secretive Linwood church investigated by The Enquirer in September, according to the indictment issued Thursday. So the church and Pastor Janet Combs, who is Lysaght’s widow, also face felony charges for corruption, money laundering and receiving stolen property.
Beck has maintained his innocence. His attorneys have characterized him as a victim in the fraud, not a conspirator.
With the latest indictment, Beck agreed to step down as chairman of the House Ways and Means committee, which handles taxes. Rep. Jeff McClain, R-Upper Sandusky, will chair the committee instead.
Speaker Batchelder said he also believed Beck should resign his House seat. Beck’s current two-year term expires in December.
“While I do not have the sole authority to remove any member of House, it is still my belief that it is in the best interest of Representative Beck, his family, and the constituents of the 54th House District for him to resign,” Batchelder said Thursday in a statement. “While there is always a presumption of innocence until proven otherwise, it is my belief that these very serious allegations could cause a distraction to the good work of the Ohio House of Representatives.”
Batchelder had also called for Beck’s resignation last summer. When it became clear that Beck would not resign, the speaker said he had just been making a suggestion.
Beck’s trial currently is scheduled to start a month before the May 6 primary, but that could be postponed. He will face two other accountants, Mary Jo Kubicki, R-Deerfield Township, and Paul Zeltwanger, R-Mason, in the primary.
Kubicki has already far outraised Beck. At the end of 2013, Kubicki had $58,000 in her campaign account, while Beck had just $5,500. Zeltwanger said he had not started fundraising by the end of 2013 and did not file a financial report for that period. He declined to say how much money he has on hand, saying only that he’d have enough to run a successful campaign.
Kubicki has said Beck should resign, while Zeltwanger stopped short of calling for Beck’s resignation.
Beck is facing charges in part for allegedly convincing people to invest money in Christopher Technologies, or CTech, without telling them it was insolvent. Beck did so using his position as then-vice mayor of Mason and also stole money from his Milford accounting firm, then known as Donahoo, Cupp and Beck, Thursday’s indictment said.
Also named in the indictment is TML Consulting – a “shell company,” the charges say, run by Lysaght and Combs. A Mount Lookout mansion called “Crusade Castle,” owned by the church for Combs’ use, is eligible for forfeiture under the charges.
no comments yetPalmera Apts. on ‘Designing Spaces’ Thursday
Lifetime Television will air the “Designing Spaces” episode produced at the Palmera Apartments in Deerfield Township on Thursday.
Officials from Blue Ash-based Hills Properties and the National Apartment Association are featured in the episode talking about rental housing trends.
Hills completed construction on the $36 million, 360-unit apartment community in September 2012. In June, the National Apartment Association named the upscale development the Apartment Community of the Year.
Palmera has one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments with high-end finishes. Other amenities include a 7,000-square-foot clubhouse, swimming pool, health and wellness center, tennis courts, walking trails and an outdoor fireplace and lounge area.
National Apartment Association President and Chief Executive Doug Culkin will be joined by Jordanna Paciorek, asset manager for Edward Rose & Sons and Tessa Braun, property manager for the Palmera Apartments.
no comments yetMason wins gymnastics competition
Mason won its sixth consecutive Cincinnati City Championship Saturday at Cincinnati Country Day. The Comets scored a season-best 137.625, according to Mason coach Kelly Wones. Mason junior Gabby Sora nearly swept the meet, winning the All Around competition (35.825), vault (9.0), beam (9.2) and floor (9.1).
no comments yet
Tennis tournaments’ move to Mason may be approved in April
The likely move of the state boys and girls tennis tournaments to the Lindner Family Tennis Center in fall 2015 is a scenario that has been discussed for the past couple of years between the Ohio High School Athletic Association and the Warren County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The OHSAA announced in late January the verbal agreement was in place for the tennis tournaments – currently held at Ohio State University’s Stickney Tennis Center – to move to Mason. The move will likely be approved at the OHSAA Board of Directors meeting in April.
“It’s a beautiful facility,” OHSAA commissioner Dr. Dan Ross told The Enquirer in January. “They are very tickled to have us there.”
How long of an agreement for the tournament to be there in Mason is still being discussed. What impact it will have financially to the Mason area each fall and spring is also still being evaluated, said Ben Huffman, director of sports marketing at the Warren County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“The Lindner Center is we feel is the best tennis center in the state of Ohio,” Huffman said.
One aspect which helped the Mason site was three potential indoor tennis partners in The Club at Harper’s Point, Five Seasons and Queen City Racquet Club.
The OHSAA had been concerned in the past about the availability of indoor facilities in Greater Cincinnati.
The girls tennis tournament has been moved indoors because of rain the past three years in Columbus.
“The ATP (previous name) should be a great site for the state (tournament),” St. Xavier coach Russ King said. “…I have been selling the ATP for years.”
King said the annual state coaches’ association team tennis tournaments, which are unsanctioned by the OHSAA, are still expected to be held in Columbus for a few years.
no comments yetHome Depot seeks 600 local workers
Home Depot is hiring 600 people in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, gearing up for the busy spring gardening season.
The home improvement retailer says it will match veterans and reservists with skills learned in the military with those needed in the stores. Students and retirees also are invited to apply.
Home Depot has 14 stores in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area, including retails locations in Mason, West Chester Twp. and Lebanon.
Job seekers can apply online at http://careers.homedepot.com.
no comments yetMason’s Volpenhein doubles her excitement
Mason’s Maureen Sullivan at the start of the girls 100 yard freestyle at the girls southwest ohio D1 meet at Mason, Feb. 9,2013. (Tony Tribble)
By Tom Ramstetter, Enquirer contributor
Mason freshman Ashley Volpenhein crashed the party, so to speak, Saturday night at the girls’ Division I Southwest District meet by winning both the 50 freestyle and the 100 freestyle events at Miami University’s Corwin M. Nixon Natatorium as Mason won its second straight district team title.
Mason won with 380.5 points and defending state champion Ursuline was second with 304. The top two finishers in each event automatically qualify for next week’s state meet in Canton.
Volpenhein edged Ursuline senior Temarie Tomley in each of her wins by very narrow margins. The freshman sent a look of disbelief toward the crowd after coming off the podium with her second first-place medal. She had no idea how well the night would work out for her.
“Not at all,” the freshman said. “I was not expecting even one. The fact that I got two, it’s just indescribable how excited I am. I’m so glad that this season ended the way it did. I have state (still) but this is all I could ask for and more.”
Volpenhein won the 50 freestyle in 23.28, just ahead of Tomley’s 23.34.
“I was really excited going into it, so I think it was adrenaline the whole time,” Volpenhein said. “I usually take two breathes on the way back, but I just put my head down and was like whatever happens happens. I was lucky enough to get first and I’m super excited about it.”
The 100 was even closer. Volpenhein beat Tomley by one one-hundredth of a second, 50.39 to 50.40. Ursuline senior Alisabeth Marsteller was third at 50.47.
“I knew they were by me and I did not expect to be ahead of them,” Volpenhein said. “When I saw I was, I just gave it all had. I put my head down and screamed when I finished.”
Senior Zoe Thatcher was the other individual winner for Mason with a win in the 500 freestyle. Her time of 4:48.20 was just ahead of Ursuline junior Sydney Lofquist’s second-place time of 4:50.21.
Mason and Ursuline each had four first-place finishes. The Lions also had four second-place finishes and Mason was second three times. Mason and Ursuline were first and second in each of the three relays.
Ursuline won the 200 medley relay in 1:45.20, just ahead of Mason in 1:45.64. The Ursuline team was anchored by freshmen Rollie Grinder in the third leg and Julia Moran in the fourth leg. Senior Emily Slabe started the race with Lofquist in the second leg. The Mason team included Ashley Volpenhein and her junior sister, Julia, senior Maureen Sullivan, and sophomore Jordan Decker.
Both Volpenheins were part of the Mason 200 free relay team that won with a meet record time of 1:34.81, just ahead of Ursuline at 1:35.31. Ursuline’s previous mark of 1:35.69 was set last season and beaten by both teams Saturday.
Julia and Ashley Volpenhein joined sophomore Abbey Esler and Sullivan on the 200 free relay team.
“It’s cool,” Julia Volpenhein said of teaming with her sister. “Especially since I’m right after her in the medley. And we get to do it next year too.”
Ursuline broke its own meet record during the final event of the night – the 400 freestyle relay – in 3:26.12. The team of Lofquist, Slabe, Tomley and Marsteller bested the Lions’ 2013 mark of 2:28.08. Mason was second in 3:29.83 with junior Elizabeth Troy, Thatcher, Esler and Decker.
Marsteller set a new meet record in the 200 freestyle in 1:47.46 during her first season swimming the event.
“I was a little nervous because this is the first year that I’ve done the 200 free,” Marsteller said. “I felt like I was just going to go out there and go out fast and try to ride that feeling the rest of the way. I was happy with how it turned out.”
Marsteller bested Thatcher’s record of 1:47.59 set last season. Thatcher was second this year and got the second automatic state qualifier.
“It feels good because I don’t really get records,” Marsteller said. “I’m a senior and I have my name on the paper until whoever comes and breaks it. So it feels good to leave my mark as a senior.”
Lofquist, in her first season swimming for Ursuline, won the 200 individual medley by more than three seconds in 2:00.49.
“My worst stroke is backstroke so that’s mainly what I’ve been trying to work on,” Lofquist said. “My breaststroke is also not one of my best. Besides that, I really just go for it. I build the fly and then the rest is a sprint.”
Other winnersIn between Ashley Volpenhein’s wins, Kings freshman Megan Sichterman won the 100 butterfly in 55.21.
Sichterman was nearly speechless after besting Sycamore junior Cara Norris’s second-place time of 55.65. The Kings freshman set her personal best time, easily surpassing her previous mark of 56.10.
“I had a lot of adrenaline and I was really nervous,” Sichterman managed. “It’s cool to be here for my first time.
“I dropped a lot (on my time).”
Springboro sophomore Hannah Whiteley won the 100 backstroke for a second-straight season, this time in 53.84, just slower than her meet record of 53.74 last year. Her teammate, sophomore Marianna Kahmann, was second at 54.66.
Lakota West senior Casey Frazier won the 100 breaststroke in 1:04.73, beating Walnut Hills junior Brookley Garry’s second-place time of 1:06.41.
Extra Point: Mason coach Mark Sullivan was voted Division I Coach of the Year in the Southwest District.
no comments yetMason senior wins state service award
So it seemed natural for the Mason High School student to organize a 5K race to benefit research for a disease his younger sister was showing symptoms of.
That race the last two years raised more than $8,000 for the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research. Lund’s efforts in organizing and running the race allowed him to be named one of two students in Ohio to receive the 2014 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards for youth volunteerism.
Both he and co-winner Sydney Copeland, of Beavercreek, received a $1,000 award, an engraved medallion and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington D.C. May 3-6. There, two winners from each state and the District of Columbia will be honored, and learn whether they are a national winner.
“I was very surprised,’’ said Lund, now 17 and a senior. “This is pretty important to me.”
Lund’s efforts started when a younger sister began exhibiting symptoms of the genetic disease, including sleep apnea and poor coordination.
“She’s not been diagnosed with the disease but has many symptoms,” Lund said. “I run cross country and track for my school and I run a lot of 5Ks. I am pretty big into the running community so I decided to organize this.”
The Hungry for a Cure 5K made its debut in November 2012, with 150 participants. The second race last November drew a larger crowd.
“I am really grateful to everyone who (helped) me including my sponsors, my parents and my friends who volunteered to make the race a great success,’’ Lund said.
Lund was nominated for both the 2013 and 2014 award by Mason High School Principal Mindy McCarty-Stewart.
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“He is very active in the school community. For him to dedicate the time to the race on behalf of his sister is so inspiring,’’ said McCarty-Stewart. “That touches my heart.”
The contest is a partnership between Prudential Financial and the National Association of Secondary School Principals. It was open to middle and senior high school students.
One middle, and one senior high school student, along with distinguished finalists, is selected from each state by an independent judging panel. Criteria included personal initiative, effort, impact, and growth.
In Washington, five middle and five senior high school students will be selected national winners. Those students will receive a $5,000 award, gold medallions, crystal trophies and a charity of their choice will receive a $5,000 grant from the Prudential Foundation.
no comments yetEntire region now under winter storm warning; 3-6 inches expected
City of Newport worker Clell Gabbard pours beet juice into their salt pile for mixing. The juice is used as an additive to the salt so that it can be effective at lower temperatures. Once it’s mixed, the salt is brown in color and is often mistaken for sand. Newport, like many municipalities across the region, is experiencing a salt shortage. / The Enquirer/Carrie Cochran
Jennifer Edwards Baker and Adam Kiefaber report:
A winter storm warning has been issued for the entire region by the National Weather Service.
The warning, which will be in effect until 2 a.m. Saturday, means anywhere from 3 to 5 inches of snow is expected to fall across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, starting this afternoon and lasting through late tonight.
Previous forecasts predicted more snow to fall in Northern Kentucky and less would fall in areas north of the Ohio River. Morning forecasts called for 3 to 5 inches in Union, Ky., 2 to 4 inches in Downtown Cincinnati and 1 to 2 inches in Mason.
Recent forecasts are predicting that the heaviest snowfall will occur between 4 and 7 p.m. or just in time for the evening commute. In total, areas south of the river could get between 4 to 6 inches, areas in Hamilton County should expect around 4 to 5 inches and the northern suburbs in Butler and Warren counties will get 3 to 4 inches.
Timeline today
Andy Latto, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said snow could start falling around 1 or 1:30 p.m. His snowfall timeline:
- Snow will begin falling around 1 or 1:30 p.m. Friday
- First snowfall could come by way of a 20-minute snow burst
- Snowfall then become lighter until around 2:30 p.m.
- After 2:30 p.m. snowfall could become heavy at times
- The heaviest snowfall is expected to occur between 4 and 7 p.m.
- Snow could begin tapering off around 7 p.m.
- Light snow could linger tonight, but it should be east of the area by 10 p.m.
- 3-to-5 inches expected north of the Ohio River
- • 4-to-6 inches expected south of the Ohio River
Temperatures will hover in the mid- to low 30s today.
Some schools are dismissing students early or closing altogether.
Mount Healthy City Schools are ending classes two hours early this afternoon. Boone and Campbell schools are among several closed today in Northern Kentucky.
More early dismissals and closings are likely.
no comments yetValentine’s Day means independence for basket makers
Rachel Rice works on assembling a custom-made candy bouquet as part of a non-profit business called Candy Bouquet DesignsThe Enquirer/ Amanda Rossmann
In a brightly lit workshop in Lebanon, Rachel Rice carefully glues candy confections onto a bamboo skewer. She looks up, her face breaking into an easy smile as she proudly shows off her work.
Around her, a dozen others with disabilities chat as they fashion pink and red cellophane into flower-shaped “poofs” and artfully arrange skewers of chocolates in ruffled candy containers exploding with red and pink crinkle paper and ribbons.
- Photos: Candy Bouquet Designs
They’re not Cupid’s assistants, but paid employees of a nonprofit business venture that hires and trains people with developmental disabilities.
For the employees of Candy Bouquet Designs, Valentine’s Day is about more than love and romance; it’s about gaining independence and a sense of accomplishment.
“This is our own self-started microenterprise,” said Kathy Frantz, an adult services provider with the Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities. “Our goal here is to provide an opportunity for the people here to earn a paycheck.”
The operation launched five years ago as a program of Production Services Unlimited, a nonprofit organization that partners with the WCBDD to provide job opportunities to people with disabilities.
“The economy went down and a lot of our people were coming in from our other (work areas) because they were losing their jobs. We were trying to find other work they could do,” Frantz said.
Candy Bouquet Designs employs about 15 people with a range of disabilities who create custom-made gift baskets. Employees are paid minimum wage or on a piece rate, which varies with the assembly or package, Frantz said.
Last year, workers filled nearly $20,000 in orders. Most of those were for their signature candy gift baskets, which range from $6 to $75, but baskets containing energy and breakfast bars, beef jerky and trail mix, snack cakes and even jewelry and personal care items are also popular.
The nonprofit business is just one of many employment initiatives PSU offers to the 140 people on its payroll.
On a recent weekday, the warehouse floor at the organization’s Columbus Avenue location was bustling with workers assembling and packaging materials ranging from garage door kits to medical specimen bags.
Mark Strother, a procurement agent, said misconceptions about the contributions disabled people can make limit their options, but the work produced at PSU is top-notch.
“There’s nothing we can’t give them that they can’t do, nothing,” he said. “If we didn’t do the great work that we do now, we wouldn’t have this floor so busy.”
The idea, he said, is to offer people with disabilities the chance to lead active independent lives and build a sense of self-worth.
“Each of our people have some ability to do some kind of work,” Frantz said. “If we knock on enough doors, we can get the majority of our people placed somewhere where they can earn a paycheck.”
For Rice, who’s mildly disabled, the job at Candy Bouquet Designs is her first real work experience.
The 34-year-old Franklin resident said she tried to find work through several agencies but was told she tested too low-functioning for the positions offered. She began working on PSU’s production floor in August and moved into the candy room last fall.
“I go home and when my family asks, ‘How was your day?’ I can say, ‘It’s been great,’ ” she said. “I’ve never been able to say that to my parents or my sister.”
Paychecks for warehouse workers range from $2 to $200, Strother said.
“It’s more than just a paycheck,” he said. “It gives them a sense of worth and that’s huge.”
How to order
Candy Bouquet Designs ships orders locally and internationally year-round. To order, call 513-695-9231 or email Kathy.Frantz@warrencountydd.org. Baskets may also be purchased by cash or check between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday at PSU Inc., 575
Columbus Ave., Lebanon.
