SPCA Doggie Dash this Saturday

Invitation from NPD Chief Kramer to join Block Watch

We just received this very special invitation from Chief Kramer:

Anyone interested in joining the Norwood Police Department in participating in  Block Watch should contact Police Secretary Kim Ford at 458-4523. Please join your neighbors in watching out for each other; that's what makes Norwood special!

William F. Kramer
Chief of Police
Norwood, Ohio

Xavier awards scholarship to NHS student Marc Sobel

Congratulations to Marc Sobel for receiving a Dean's Award from Xavier University. The son of Becky & Steven Sobel, he just graduated from Norwood High School where he was active in band, choir, and academic team. Marc hasn’t yet chosen a major.

Alert: Thieves still stealing Norwood A/C units

Unfortunately, one of our readers was the victim of an A/C thief a few days ago and sent this account:

“Two days ago we came outside to find that our house's A/C unit had been torn open and the condenser coil had been stolen. Presumably the thieves wanted the copper inside it to sell for scrap. Norwood PD arrived promptly to take a report, and the officer shared that there has been a rash of A/C unit thefts in recent weeks. The thieves get maybe $50 (likely less) for the scrap metal, and homeowners are left with a $1000+ replacement bill. Please tell people to keep their eyes open. Warn your neighbors, and look out for them, too.”

Yes, we all need to be on the watch.  Westfield Insurance also has some suggestions here for how to protect A/C units from theft, including alarms that can be installed.

Cameron Ave. listing featured on Today Show

This Cameron Avenue real estate listing was featured on a weekend segment of the Today Show with Al Roker highlighting hot real estate for under $250,000.  This property has come a long, long way since it was rehabbed.  Comey and Shepherd has it listed for $207,500.

Click here to watch the Today Show video.

(h/t AF)

Meet Drake Planetarium namesake, Dr. Frank Drake, June 5th

American astronomer and physicist, Dr. Frank Drake, for whom the Drake Planetarium and Science Center is named, will be guest speaker Tuesday, June 5th,  at 4:00 p.m. The lecture will be followed by a VIP event from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. celebrating Dr. Drake's 82nd birthday and premier of our full dome projection system donated by Best Buy Foundation.

Starting at 2:00 p.m. there will be several guest speakers leading up to Dr. Drake's lecture, an appearance by the Cincinnati Roller Girls, Sidewalk Astronomy taught by Members of CAS, Comet making demos, Solar SMore's, ongoing presentations of our new full dome show all about the transit, a live feed of the Transit from SOHO, Make it Take it science, live solar viewing of the Transit (weather permitting) and so much more.
This is going to be one event that you don't want to miss!!

VIP passes to hear Dr. Drake speak and attend the birthday celebration along with access to all the other Transit activities are only $25.00
Only want to come for the Planetarium show and the transit events? - Tickets are only 10.00.
Call 396-5578 for more info and to reserve your spot today!!!
Reservations required for the Frank Drake Event - Don't get left out, seating is limited, call today!!

NPD to criminals: We aren’t tolerating crime

Lt. Tom Williams just sent us the following posting that appears on the NPD Facebook page.  In conversation, he told us this month’s 2-week city sweep was intended to send a message to the criminals that if they come here, their behavior will not tolerated by the. Norwood police.

"The Norwood Police Department conducted a sweep of the city in the first two weeks of May. Extra officers formed a task force to specifically target certain areas of the city that have been hit hard from theft related offenses (Theft of copper, lawn equipment, etc). These offenses were most directly related to drug usage. Zero Tolerance for most offenses was used to make dozens of arrests. In total...170 adult arrests were made including 42 new felony charges filed, 72 new misdemeanor charges filed, and 162 capiases cleared. Citations included parking citations, misdemeanor and felony drug arrests, and felony assault. Drugs such as marijuana, crack cocaine, and heroin were confiscated. Two subjects were arrested for stealing copper from air conditioning units and charged with Breaking and Entering. 90 of the 170 arrests were transported to the Hamilton County Justice Center for processing."

Additionally, Lt. Williams told us the heaviest concentration of the 170 arrests was in the area between Carthage and Section, with other arrests in South Norwood and the West Side.  176 of the charges were brand new charges for traffic violations, felonies, misdemeanors, and juvenile charges.

Great job, Norwood police!  We just hope the criminals are bright enough to get the message.

Ch 12: Norwood Bldg. Dept. gives tenants 48 hrs. to vacate building

Channel 12 is reporting that Wednesday the Norwood Building Dept. posted a notice to vacate by 5:00 p.m. today on an apartment building at unknown address in Norwood.  Neighbors told Local 12 reporter Dan Spehler that the notices on the door ruled their homes as unfit for human occupancy because of violations and safety issues.
 

No one at City Hall could tell Spehler why residents were being kicked out.  One of the tenants looked up the code violations and said there were two - a vehicle in the yard without tags and an exterior maintenance issue, apparently weeds.  The notice stated Norwood Police, as well as the Health and Property Maintenance Divisions conducted the inspection at the apartment building, which may mean the City’s KOPS Program (Keep Our Property Safe) is involved.

 Mayor Williams declined an on-camera interview but told Channel 12 this is an issue for the Building Department and that they would need to talk with them. The city has rules and regulations, he said, and they're going to enforce them.

We will post updates to this story as they are available.

11:25 a.m. UPDATE:  We made some inquiries to find out if there have been police runs to the building, which we understand is on Cleveland Ave., and found out that in 2011 there were 11 NPD runs with 4 of them for overdoses.  So far in 2012, there have already been 11 NPD runs with 1 of them for an overdose.  We confirmed that the building was, indeed, referred to the Keep Our Property Safe Program.

1:35 p.m. UPDATE:  Per the Norwood Health Dept., the building, which is at 1815 Cleveland Ave. has been inspected 5 times since 2006 for the complaints:  pitbull concerns, trash and debris, animal feces, inoperable vehicle, and early garbage can set out.

Street closings for Relay for Life parade Friday afternoon

On Friday, May 18 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 the following roads will be closed to allow Cancer Survivors to carry the Torch of Hope from Norwood City Hall to Shea Stadium.

Parade route: Montgomery Road, Norwood Avenue, Forest Avenue, Harris Avenue.
Please plan your travel needs accordingly.

If you would like to fight back against cancer and join us in helping to find cures, then please cheer for survivors as they carry the Torch of Hope. Also, “bring some change to make a change” to Relay for Life at Shea Stadium at 6 p.m. Our theme is Carnival Games. There will be fun for everyone as we walk for a cure.

Glenna Edwards

Free for Norwood residents: cat spay/neuter

Charlotte White-Hull with Ohio Alleycat Resource & Spay/Neuter Clinic in Madisonville sent us the following guest blog about a special offer for Norwood residents’ cats that runs through June 15 or until funds from a grant run out:

I'm with Ohio Alleycat Resource & Spay/Neuter Clinic, a nonprofit cat shelter and low-cost spay/neuter clinic located in nearby Madisonville. We recently received a grant from PetSmart Charities that funds free cat spay/neuter for any Norwood resident, regardless of income. The cat can be a pet, stray, or feral. The free cost includes a rabies vaccination, and there are no additional charges (this is not a 'bait and switch'!). I believe many Norwood residents could benefit from this grant.  Please call the clinic at 871-0185 for more details.

Charlotte White-Hull
Development/Outreach Director
Ohio Alleycat Resource & Spay/Neuter Clinic

Cincinnati Bell laying off Norwood workers

According to  this Channel 12 report last week,  Cincinnati Bell has informed 137 employees at their Norwood call that they are losing their jobs by the end of the year.  That will leave 50 customer service personnel in the center.  The company’s press release stated, “"Cincinnati Bell today announced its intent to expand an existing relationship with its customer care and call center technology services vendor."  That vendor is located in Denver, Colorado.

But maybe all is not lost.  Jon Newberry at the Business Courier reports that real sources say Paycor just might be seriously eyeing Linden Pointe as their home when they leave Queengate some time next year when their lease expires.  Let’s hope so.

(h/t Relayman)

Don’t waste $ buying yard waste bags - they free at NHD!

After seeing lots of yard waste bags from Lowes, Home Depot, etc. out on trash day, one of our readers asked us remind residents that the Norwood Health Dept. provides us with FREE yard waste bags, thanks to a grant.  For more information, call the NHD at 458-4600 or drop by their offices at 2059 Sherman Ave.

(h/t CK)

Mobile Mammography at NHD next Thursday

Early Detection Can Save Lives
Mobile Mammography Screenings

Norwood Health Department

  Thursday, May 17
1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
 *Covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most insurance companies
 under the following guidelines:
Ages 35-40 Baseline Screening,
 Over 40 an annual screening

***No Cost Mammograms Provided***
*Private Insurance billed, Co Payment and out-of-pocket expenses paid for
thanks to a generous grant from Susan G. Komen for the Cure

TO SIGN UP
CALL
859-655-7400

April 2012 Earnings Tax Report

Individual:    $   298,491.55
Business:    $   439,593.30
Withholding:    $1,157,921.13
Total:        $1,896,005.98

YTD Total Collected 2011:  $4,973,567.66
YTD Total Collected 2012:  $4,982,578.07
0.18% Increase from 2011:   $9,010.41

YTD Total Collected 2012:    $4,982,578.07
YTD Projected 2012:        $5,071,950.00
Under Projection by: $89,371.93

This week at the Norwood Branch Library

Thursday, May 10

Teen Advisory Board

Join us for pizza as we make plans for Summer at the Norwood Branch!  New TAB members always welcome!

5:00 p.m., Ages 12-18

NPD releases photos of stabbing suspect

Channel 12 has published photos of a man Norwood Police believe stabbed a resident 18 times last Sunday night (see 4/23/12 blog below).  Police found the pictures on a cell phone left behind in the victim’s car, which he stole following the stabbing. 

The sister of the victim, Ted Pryor, told Channel 12 that he is now out of the hospital.  She said he works as a pastor and had recently met the suspect and invited him back his Moeller Avenue apartment. 

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call Crimestoppers at 352-3040.