Latest news with #Cincinnatians
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Cincinnati police arrest father of toddler shot because of 'negligence by gun owner'
Cincinnati police arrested the father of a toddler that was shot this weekend in what Chief Teresa Theetge called "negligence by a gun owner" to secure their firearm. Officers say Carmelo Anderson's 2-year-old child was shot with a handgun around noon May 31, according to a department news release. Officers responded to the 2500 block of Nottingham Road in the Villages at Roll Hill after a call was made about the shooting. When they arrived, they found Anderson's toddler with a gunshot wound. The child was taken to Cincinnati Children's Medical Center and is in stable condition, the news release says. Officers say Anderson, 21, gave the handgun that the toddler was shot with to someone and told them to "get rid of it," according to court documents. Following an investigation, officers arrested Anderson and charged him with tampering with evidence, court documents say. Chief Theetge said she is "outraged and heartbroken" about the shooting and called for citizens to safely secure their guns away from children. "Fellow Cincinnatians, I urge you to help spread the word: firearms must be secured, before another child pays the price," Theetge said in a statement June 2. "This is not just a call to action – it is a duty we all share. The time to act is now." Theetge and the City of Cincinnati have long been advocates in Ohio for efforts to curb gun violence, including tougher regulations on the safe storage of firearms to keep them away from children. A 2023 ordinance by the city to regulate gun storage, under the guise of a child endangerment law, was blocked by an Ohio state appeals court. State law bans most local gun regulations, the court said in 2024 ruling. The ordinance stated firearms should not be stored where "a child is able to gain access to the firearm," and that failing to do so creates a substantial risk to the health and safety of a child. It was written to allow charges to be filed even if no one is hurt in an incident. "Thank God this child is still alive," Theetge said of the May 31 shooting. "I've said it before, and I'll say it again: this cannot keep happening. We have a shared responsibility to protect our innocent, curious children." This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati police arrest father of 2-year-old shot, hospitalized
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
Hating the police does not excuse celebrating Deputy Larry Henderson's death
Like many Cincinnatians, I am upset at the death of Hamilton County Sheriff's Deputy Larry Henderson. While I am happy that many are honoring the legacy of this fine servant of the people, some make me want to hang my head in Friday, May 9, I tuned in to watch one of the many livestreams that covered his funeral, as a family member was part of the department's Pipe and Drums Corp., who played at his service. However, upon opening the livestream, I was taken aback by the many hurtful, disgusting, and appalling comments in the livestream's chat. More: Moreno introduces Larry Henderson Act to toughen penalties for assaults on officers Phrases such as "One down, many more to go" and "Gang members take care of themselves" were among the many disparaging comments posted while the community was trying to honor a fallen civil servant, who died while trying to protect graduating students and parents alike as they made their way to the University of Cincinnati's commencement ceremony. I understand that in today's day and age, the police are not looked at with the same reverence and respect that they were 20-plus years ago when they were risking their lives to save people trapped in the collapsing towers of the World Trade Center on 9/11, but the audacity of some indivuduals to cheer and celebrate the death of a police officer is beyond any possible excuse of grief and frustration. Opinion: When police lose support, we lose morale and good people like Larry Henderson Even if you dislike the police as a whole, you should not be actively cheering for the death of individual officers who have sworn to protect and serve the citizens of this city at the risk of their well-being and lives. If you take great joy in the death of Henderson, then the problem isn't with the failure of the police system; it's with you. Dennis Daniel, Norwood This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: No justification for cheering Deputy Henderson's death | Letter


Business Journals
15-05-2025
- General
- Business Journals
A park for the people: Why Owl's Nest Park deserves everyone's support
Cincinnati is home to a nationally-ranked, citywide parks system — 130 parks strong — that provides a natural heartbeat to our urban life. Some, like Smale Riverfront Park and Mt. Airy Forest, are regional destinations. Others, like Owl's Nest Park, are neighborhood gems. But just because a park is small or tucked away doesn't mean its impact is. In fact, it's these local parks that often make the most lasting difference in the lives of Cincinnatians. Right now, Owl's Nest Park is at the center of a bold revitalization effort — and the Cincinnati Parks Foundation is inviting supporters across the city to be a part of it. Located at the convergence of Evanston, East Walnut Hills and the O'Bryonville business district, Owl's Nest Park is a gathering place for families, students, neighbors and visitors alike. The Foundation, in partnership with Cincinnati Parks, community leaders and committed donors, has launched a campaign to raise $2 million for a full-scale transformation. expand The plan: A park reimagined The revitalization plan includes: An all-ages gathering space with seating and shade Upgraded walking paths and landscaping Lighting improvements More programming dollars to support recreational programming and community events More than just a facelift, this project is a reimagining of what a neighborhood park can be: a shared backyard, a community classroom, a wellness hub and a symbol of civic pride. Why support a park that's not in your backyard? You don't have to live near Owl's Nest Park to care about its future. Cincinnati's strength lies in its interconnected communities — and thriving neighborhood parks are part of the social infrastructure that binds us. expand Here's why supporting Owl's Nest Park matters to everyone: Every child deserves a safe, beautiful place to play. Every family should have green space nearby to gather, celebrate and restore. Investing in one park helps raise the standard for all. Revitalized parks spark local investment, support small businesses and increase property values — not just next door, but across the city. A strong parks system signals that Cincinnati values quality of life, sustainability and community health. It attracts talent, retains families and reflects the kind of city we want to be. A legacy 30 years in the making This year, the Cincinnati Parks Foundation celebrates its 30th anniversary. Over three decades, the Foundation has helped bring ambitious projects to life — tree groves, wellness trails, inclusive play areas and more. Owl's Nest is the next chapter in that story — and one that will echo for the next generation. Your donation doesn't just help one park. It helps define what it means to live in a city that believes in public space, neighborhood pride and community connection. How you can help To contribute to the Owl's Nest Park revitalization campaign or learn more about naming opportunities, visit Your support today plants the acorns for a better Cincinnati tomorrow. Together, let's give every neighborhood the park it deserves. Starting with Owl's Nest. The Cincinnati Parks Foundation champions the activation of Cincinnati Parks, creating clean, green and welcoming spaces. Through community partnerships and philanthropic support, we help Cincinnati Parks thrive — so everyone has a place to gather, play, connect and grow. Learn more at
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Cincinnati expands youth events in effort to engage teens and reduce violence
Free skating on the riverfront, open pools and weekly late night recreation center events are all happening for Cincinnati teens this summer. Cincinnati officials announced during a May 14 press conference that events and services would be expanded for youth this summer in an effort to curb crime and violence. Police Chief Teresa Theetge said youth crime is down this year in part due to ongoing efforts of police, the Cincinnati Recreation Commission and other departments that engage with teens. Mayor Aftab Pureval said this summer, efforts are a continuation of that success. From Jan. 1 to May 14, shootings were down over 30% compared to the same period last year. Theetge said the city has seen fewer shooting so far this year than any year dating back to at least 2010. She said the number of car thefts and thefts from cars involving juveniles is also down. More: Dodging youth violence? Late night rec center events draw in hundreds of teens The popular Rec @ Nite program last summer kept two recreation centers in Avondale and West End open late on Saturday nights with extra events like club nights and parties. The center also hosted barbers, video game stations, food trucks and other activities. Last summer, the bigger events rotated between the two centers each week. But this year, both the Lincoln and Hirsch recreation centers will have large events every Saturday for 10 weeks. After Rec @ Nite served 3,000 kids last year, it received the Ohio Parks and Recreation Governor's Award. While the city is still measuring the programs influence on youth violence, ancedotally, police have said the events did have a significant impact. The Cincinnati Parks Department's Sawyer Point Riverfront skating rink has hosted events periodically, but this summer, there will be free skating every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Cincinnati Parks Foundation is even providing free skates. Skate Downtown Cincy is among the community groups helping drive this effort. Cincinnati Recreation Commission Director Daniel Betts said that city's 23 pools and nine spraygrounds will all be open this summer. Camp CRC has also expanded to 19 different sites offering youth programming geared at STEM, STEAM and other activities. Iris Roley, a longtime activist who is now the city's Collaborative Agreement sustainability coordinator, said now more than ever, city leaders are using good problem-solving skills to improve the lives of Cincinnatians. However, she leveled a challenge to all the city's community organizations - from churches and fraternities to coaches and community councils - to help with these efforts. "Our children deserve it," Roley said. "Let's assist." All of the city's Summer in Cincy programs can be found at online at This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati aims to curb crime with open pools, events this summer
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Live Cincinnati mayor results: Pureval wins, JD Vance's half-brother in second
Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval will advance past the primary to the fall election. The Associated Press declared Pureval's victory based on his commanding lead in early returns. Now the question remains which of his two Republican opponents will move on to the general election. With 35% of the city votes counted, Pureval led with 81% of the votes. Republican Cory Bowman had 13% of the vote. Republican Brian Frank was third with 5%. The top two will advance. Pureval expressed gratitude to the people of Cincinnati. "Based on the early returns, I'm incredibly grateful for the citizens of Cincinnati giving us an opportunity," Pureval said. "Hopefully, it makes a positive statement. I'm not sure I can read anything into it other than the people think the city is on the right path." Pureval laments low turnout It's been a wild three-month race that's garnered international attention. There's the half-brother of Vice President JD Vance, a candidate who campaigned outside the city limits, two raucous debates and a question about a "ridiculous hat." Yet despite that, it was a historically low turnout. Only 10% of Cincinnati voters showed up to the polls. The turnout disappointed the mayor. "Given the chaos and uncertainty from the federal government, now is the time for voters to be engaged and exercising their voice," Pureval said. "That is also on me. I've got to do a better job of making government relevant to people and making sure they see themselves in their local government." Who's running for Cincinnati mayor Vance urged people to come out and vote for his half-brother, Republican candidate Cory Bowman. Yet most Cincinnatians decided to stay home for the primary. Mayor Aftab Pureval, the Democratic incumbent, is seeking his second term. Two Republicans want to unseat him. There's Bowman, the half-brother of Vance and pastor of a church in the West End. And then there's former P&G executive Brian Frank, a Navy veteran who worked at Procter & Gamble for 23 years in procurement. The top two candidates will advance to the general election. What early results showed With 6% of precincts reporting, results showed Pureval with 83% of the vote, Bowman with 12%, and Frank with 5%. While political parties get involved, the race for mayor is officially nonpartisan. So that pits Republicans against Democrats in the same primary. Bowman's relation to the vice president has brought international attention to the mayor's race, including a lengthy profile in Politico. Vance hasn't gotten involved, at least publicly. He did not contribute to Bowman's campaign, according to the latest finance reports filed in April. At Bowman's party Dozens of people mingled Tuesday night between Bowman's coffee shop in Cincinnati's West End neighborhood and an event space across the street at an election watch party that felt more like a neighborhood block party, with pop music booming from speakers and children jumping in a bounce house. Bowman said he was happy to see Vance's endorsement post on X earlier today but when he and his half-brother get together they don't usually talk politics. 'We were talking about Star Wars yesterday,' he said with a laugh. Cincinnati staunchly Democratic Republicans haven't had a candidate for Cincinnati mayor since 2009, when Brad Wenstrup lost to Mark Mallory. Wenstrup four years later ran for Congress in the 2nd Congressional District and won. Pureval, as the lone Democrat and current mayor, has a heavy advantage in a city as blue as Cincinnati. Voters chose Kamala Harris over President Donald Trump, 76% to 24%. All nine Cincinnati City Councilmembers are Democrats. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Polls have closed in the Cincinnati mayor primary. Who will advance?