Latest news with #ButlerCounty
Wall Street Journal
10 hours ago
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
Private Equity Gets Bullish on Natural Gas-Fired Power Plants
Private-equity firms that invest in power assets are pouring billions of dollars into natural gas-fired plants as the renewable-energy sector faces headwinds. Many bet that surging demand for electricity and a shortage of equipment to build new gas-fired plants will boost the value of existing ones. Earlier this month, ArcLight Capital Partners agreed to acquire the Middletown Energy Center natural gas-fired power plant in Ohio's Butler County. The 484-megawatt plant benefits from a proliferation of data centers in the state that need a lot of electricity to power artificial-intelligence systems, said Angelo Acconcia, a partner at Boston-based ArcLight.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
16-Year-Old Boy Dies in Freak Boating Accident After Hitting Partially Submerged Log: 'He Loved Big'
NEED TO KNOW A 16-year-old boy died after he hit a partially submerged log while riding a tube on a private pond in Missouri Truston Alexander was remembered after the freak accident as having "that country boy charm" "He never met a stranger, and if you were lucky enough for him to let you in … he loved big," his family saidA 16-year-old boy died in a freak boating accident in Missouri. Truston Alexander was riding a tube on a private pond in Butler County at around 9:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday, July 15, when he was thrown and hit a partially submerged log in the water, local outlets KFVS and the Daily American Republic reported. Alexander was taken to Poplar Bluff Hospital with serious injuries and later airlifted to another hospital in Memphis, Tenn., where he died on Wednesday, July 16. A report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) that was obtained by KFVS said another 16-year-old boy was driving the boat at the time of the incident. Troopers with the Highway Patrol told the outlet that neither of the teens were wearing a life jacket while on the boat. Alexander's funeral service was held on Saturday, July 19, according to an online obituary. The teen was remembered as an active member of his community, for working at a local restaurant, attending youth group at his church and for being an avid golfer, both at school and at his country club. Alexander, a hunter, ATV rider and traveler, "enjoyed music, but only the first 30 seconds of a song," the obituary added. "Above all else, Truston was ... respectful, witty, knowledgeable, adventurous, duck hunt lovin', golf playin', and has that country boy charm," it continued. "He never met a stranger, and if you were lucky enough for him to let you in ... he loved big." Alexander is survived by his parents, a brother and sister, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, as well as "golf buddies, hunting buddies and friends."Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. According to data from Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop E, the incident marks the first boating fatality in the area. Read the original article on People
CBS News
16-07-2025
- CBS News
Man says Pittsburgh-area emergency vet euthanized his son's lost dog without trying to contact him
A Butler County family is blaming a local emergency vet for killing their lost dog over the Fourth of July holiday. Roy Meyerl said his son Brandon has owned Rowdy, a 7-year-old American bully, with his wife Michele since he was a pup, and like most dogs, he is scared of fireworks. "They were having their picnic, and the neighbors next door started really blowing off some big stuff," Roy Meyerl said. "So at that time, my son went upstairs to check on the dog and check on the house and so on and the dog got out the front door." Meyerl said Rowdy got loose around 9:30 p.m. on July 4. "He ran across the street. It's happened before, so my son figured he'd come back, so he gave it a little bit. No dog, no dog, no dog," Meyerl said. Within an hour, Meyerl said a neighbor called his son about a lost dog. "A neighbor called and said, 'Hey, any Blue America bullies up there at all?' And this, again, this is a pit bull, but this dog will lick you to death," Meyerl said. "And at that point they said, 'Oh man,' he says, 'My neighbors, who are elderly, found the dog on their doorstep and sent it off to a vet. They drove it to a vet.'" By 11:30, Brandon was on the phone with BluePearl in hopes of picking up Rowdy when he said he got unexpected and shocking news. "They said, 'We're sorry, sir, we've euthanized your dog," Meyerl said. "What is the reason the vet gave for doing that?" KDKA investigative reporter Erika Stanish asked. "They said he was panting and he was in distress. He was panting and hot in distress," Meyerl said. Now, the Meyerls want answers to why the vet euthanized their dog without attempting to contact them first. "He had a collar on. He was chipped. He had a tag on, the whole nine yards," Meyerl said. "He was here for less than three hours, and they put a needle in my dog, in our dog, and they killed our dog." The Meyerls said Rowdy was healthy and had no prior medical issues. "This dog will lick you to death. In my opinion, with pit bulls, it's how you raise a dog. The dog is a loving, great dog," Meyerl said. According to paperwork provided to KDKA-TV by the family, BluePearl stated that Rowdy was brought in "after being found outside of a good Samaritan's house and panting." A vet at BluePearl then diagnosed Rowdy, who is referred to as "Blackberry" in the paperwork, with "heat stroke" and "upper respiratory obstruction." In a summary of treatment and procedures, the paperwork states, "No microchip was found and no collar was found for identification. Due to severely guarded to grave prognosis Blackberry was humanely euthanized." "This is a butcher shop behind me. That's what it is. They kill dogs, and they killed our dog. That's what I want the public to know," Meyerl said. "If this dog's leg would have been hanging off, hit by a car, sure, we would have never been here. Thank you very much for putting my dog out of misery. This dog was panting from the Fourth of July for God's sakes!" The Meryels said when they went to pick up Rowdy's remains, the vet refused to release him until they paid $320 for his "cremation/dignity package." Meanwhile, the Meyerls said Rowdy was never cremated at all as they received and carried out his body after paying, later taking him to their own vet to be cremated. "Yeah, so that was for putting a needle in and killing our dog. They charge us 400 bucks. Yep. Never a call. Never, 'Hey, man, I think we might have screwed up here.' What happened?" Meyerl said. KDKA-TV reached out to BluePearl for comment. A spokesperson said they can't comment on individual cases. KDKA-TV then asked BluePearl what their standard policy is when a lost or stray dog shows up at the vet office. A spokesperson sent this statement: "Whenever a good Samaritan brings an animal or stray into any one of our hospitals, we make a concerted effort to locate the owner. Our routine protocol is to scan for a microchip in the first instance." KDKA-TV then asked what steps, if any, are taken to locate an animal's owner. "Once the patient is deemed in stable and healthy condition, if we are unable to detect a microchip, we partner with local rescue organizations to provide care until the owner is located, or a loving home is established," a BluePearl spokesperson said. KDKA-TV asked in what case an animal would be euthanized and how quickly those decisions are made. A spokesperson said, "In scenarios where the patient presents in advanced critical condition or with catastrophic injury, we must prioritize the welfare of the animal and make decisions that are most humane. This is in line with the commitment made by all veterinarians to ensure the prevention and relief of animal suffering."
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Yahoo
Two people killed in Middletown shooting involving police officers identified
Jul. 14—The two people who died Sunday following a Middletown officer-involved shooting on Mohawk Street have been identified, according to the Butler County Coroner's Office. Ronald Hazen Kerr, 60, and Consuelo D. Kerr, 53, died from gun shot wounds, according to the coroner's office. Around 4:42 p.m. Sunday, Middletown police responded to a residence in the 3000 block of Mohawk Street following reports of a woman suffering from a gunshot wound allegedly inflicted by her husband, according to a press release from the city. Upon arrival, the city said officers announced their presence and identified themselves as police officers. While negotiating with the male suspect, the suspect allegedly discharged his weapon at the officers. In response, the city release said officers returned fire, striking the suspect. Upon entering the residence, officers found both the man and woman dead. Parallel investigations are underway regarding their deaths, according to Butler County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations will conduct an independent investigation into the officer-involved shooting, and Gmoser will present evidence to a Butler County grand jury. Middletown police are investigating the homicide that led to the call, which resulted in the death of the homicide suspect and his alleged victim. "The fellow who was shot obviously did not heed the warning that I gave in my last press release," Gmoser told Journal-News. "You point a gun at a police officer, you're going to be dead." In late May, there was an officer-involved shooting in Middletown, which resulted in the death of Michael Anthony Baker, 47, of Middletown. Police were cleared of wrongdoing in this case by a Butler County grand jury. "This case should serve as fair warning to all offenders involved in criminal activities that pointing a firearm at a police officer in the performance of his duties will be met with lethal and justified use of force to eliminate the threat," Gmoser said of the ruling. Though this is the second Middletown officer-involved shooting in about two months, Gmoser said the incidents are "random." "There is no systemic problem in Middletown with respect to officer-involved shooting cases," he said. Gmoser praised Middletown Police Chief Earl Nelson for calling in BCI to handle the officer-involved part of the investigation. "Chief Nelson acted very, very swiftly. He heeds that advice, always," Gmoser said. Investigators were on the scene after 9 p.m., collecting evidence from the Mohawk Street home.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Yahoo
Deaths of 2 following Middletown shooting involving police officers under investigation
Jul. 14—Parallel investigations are underway regarding the two people who are dead following a Sunday shooting at a Middletown home on Mohawk Street that involved police officers, according to Butler County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations will conduct an independent investigation into the officer-involved shooting, and Gmoser will present evidence to a Butler County grand jury. Middletown police are investigating the homicide that led to the call, which resulted in the death of the homicide suspect and his alleged victim. "The fellow who was shot obviously did not heed the warning that I gave in my last press release," Gmoser told Journal-News. "You point a gun at a police officer, you're going to be dead." In late May, there was an officer-involved shooting in Middletown, which resulted in the death of Michael Anthony Baker, 47, of Middletown. Police were cleared of wrongdoing in this case by a Butler County grand jury. "This case should serve as fair warning to all offenders involved in criminal activities that pointing a firearm at a police officer in the performance of his duties will be met with lethal and justified use of force to eliminate the threat," Gmoser said of the ruling. Though this is the second Middletown officer-involved shooting in about two months, Gmoser said the incidents are "random." "There is no systemic problem in Middletown with respect to officer-involved shooting cases," he said. Around 4:42 p.m. Sunday, Middletown police responded to a residence in the 3000 block of Mohawk Street following reports of a woman suffering from a gunshot wound allegedly inflicted by her husband, according to a press release from the city. Upon arrival, the city said officers announced their presence and identified themselves as police officers. While negotiating with the male suspect, the suspect allegedly discharged his weapon at the officers. In response, the city release said officers returned fire, striking the suspect. Upon entering the residence, officers found both the man and woman dead. The identities of the man and woman have not yet been released by the Butler County Coroner's Office. Gmoser praised Middletown Police Chief Earl Nelson for calling in BCI to handle the officer-involved part of the investigation. "Chief Nelson acted very, very swiftly. He heeds that advice, always," Gmoser said. Investigators were on the scene after 9 p.m., collecting evidence from the Mohawk Street home.
