Local Show Choir Wins Grand Championship 01/24/2011

The Piqua High School show choir "The Company" was awarded Grand Champion this past weekend at the Beavercreek Midwest Show Choir Invitational. They also received awards for Best Vocal Performance and Best Choreography. Kiavma Powe was awarded Outstanding Performer for the group. This marks the seventh straight year that the group has won an overall Grand Championship!
"The Company" will host the 28th Annual Piqua High School Show Choir Invitational this weekend at Piqua High School. Tickets for the event are available at the door. Please call PHS at 773-6314 for more information.
"The Company" will host the 28th Annual Piqua High School Show Choir Invitational this weekend at Piqua High School. Tickets for the event are available at the door. Please call PHS at 773-6314 for more information.
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Firefighters Get Promoted In Piqua 01/22/2011

Law Director Stacy Wall administered the Oath of Office to Assistant Fire Chief Vince Ashcraft and Fire Captain John Kendall at the January 18, 2011 City Commission meeting.
The City of Piqua Fire Department responds to calls for many different types of services to the citizens of Piqua and those visiting our community. All fire, paramedic and ambulance services, fire inspections, and fire safety education programs are provided at no charge to the citizens we proudly serve. The Fire Department is proud to carry out its many and varied activities and services that make it the finest fire, paramedic and rescue agency in the area.
The City of Piqua Fire Department responds to calls for many different types of services to the citizens of Piqua and those visiting our community. All fire, paramedic and ambulance services, fire inspections, and fire safety education programs are provided at no charge to the citizens we proudly serve. The Fire Department is proud to carry out its many and varied activities and services that make it the finest fire, paramedic and rescue agency in the area.
Ohio Board of Nursing withdrew approval of the Miami-Jacobs Career College nursing program on Friday. The state board cited “recurring deficiencies related to a disregard for students,” according to a board programs manager. Miami-Jacobs said it was "outraged by the decision." "They defied the examiner’s recommendation which clearly acknowledged our progress and also recommended continuing our accreditation for another year as we continue to improve the program," the school said in a statement.
The Dayton-based college has been under scrutiny since 2008 for allegations that its nursing program was not accredited as previously advertised to the students upon enrollment. In March and July, the state board evaluated the status of its nursing program and held the first hearing on its deficiencies in October.
Since 2008, board investigators found the school repeatedly used unqualified instructors and administrators, did not meet the state’s licensed nursing curriculum standards and did not provide accurate information to the board or its students. Upon the board’s withdraw of approval, the school is now required by law to file an appeal in Franklin County courts, Emrich added. The college said it will immediately seek an order to set aside/stay the ruling so it can continue teaching the students currently in the program.
Miami Jacobs, based in Dayton, has a Miami County campus in Troy featuring numerous programs from cosmetology to automotive repair. The school, including all campuses, voluntarily suspended the enrollment of new nursing students last year after the state began investigation into its accreditation.
The Dayton-based college has been under scrutiny since 2008 for allegations that its nursing program was not accredited as previously advertised to the students upon enrollment. In March and July, the state board evaluated the status of its nursing program and held the first hearing on its deficiencies in October.
Since 2008, board investigators found the school repeatedly used unqualified instructors and administrators, did not meet the state’s licensed nursing curriculum standards and did not provide accurate information to the board or its students. Upon the board’s withdraw of approval, the school is now required by law to file an appeal in Franklin County courts, Emrich added. The college said it will immediately seek an order to set aside/stay the ruling so it can continue teaching the students currently in the program.
Miami Jacobs, based in Dayton, has a Miami County campus in Troy featuring numerous programs from cosmetology to automotive repair. The school, including all campuses, voluntarily suspended the enrollment of new nursing students last year after the state began investigation into its accreditation.
At a press conference at the Miami County Courthouse today, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced that former Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey A. Welbaum has been named Criminal Justice Section chief in the Attorney General’s Office, where he will oversee Capital Crimes, Non-Capital Habeas Corpus, Special Prosecutions and Corrections Litigation. “Jeff Welbaum has a passion for criminal justice issues that he has demonstrated throughout his career,” said Attorney General DeWine. “He will bring his skills as a former judge, prosecutor and public defender to bear as he helps us advance our law enforcement agenda.”
Welbaum is a native of Troy, Ohio. He is a 1977 graduate of the Ohio Northern University Petit College of Law in Ada, Ohio. Welbaum began his career as an assistant Miami County prosecuting attorney and then served for two years as an assistant Miami County public defender. Welbaum was Miami County prosecuting attorney from 1985 to 1994. Welbaum also was a special assistant United States attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice from 1990 to 1993.
In 1995, Welbaum was elected judge of the Miami County Court of Common Pleas, General Division. Welbaum also served as a visiting judge in Allen, Clinton, Greene, Mercer, Montgomery, Preble and Shelby counties. He also was a temporary juvenile/probate judge during absences of a sitting judge.
Welbaum is a native of Troy, Ohio. He is a 1977 graduate of the Ohio Northern University Petit College of Law in Ada, Ohio. Welbaum began his career as an assistant Miami County prosecuting attorney and then served for two years as an assistant Miami County public defender. Welbaum was Miami County prosecuting attorney from 1985 to 1994. Welbaum also was a special assistant United States attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice from 1990 to 1993.
In 1995, Welbaum was elected judge of the Miami County Court of Common Pleas, General Division. Welbaum also served as a visiting judge in Allen, Clinton, Greene, Mercer, Montgomery, Preble and Shelby counties. He also was a temporary juvenile/probate judge during absences of a sitting judge.
Edison Community College Selects Four Candidates For President Edison Community College has selected four finalists for the position of president and will bring each candidate to campus for two days between January 18 and 27. The selected candidate will replace outgoing president Dr. Kenneth Yowell, who will be retiring in April after 23 years at the helm of Edison.
Dr. Cristobal Valdez, Dr. Sean Creighton, Dr. Bradley Ebersole and Ms. Sarah Garrett will each be on campus for two days during the interview process. The Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees and the Advisory Committee initially reviewed approximately 60 applications before trimming the list to nine semifinalists who were interviewed off campus by both committees.
The four candidates will tour both the main campus in Piqua and the Darke County Campus in Greenville, meet with staff and faculty during open forums, and meet with the Board of Trustees. After their visits, the Executive Committee will select the candidate to become Edison’s next president.
“Our presidential search consultant, R. H. Perry and Associates, generated an exceptional initial list of candidates which has been carefully narrowed down to a ‘final four,’” said Judy Hartman, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees and Chair of the Executive Search Committee. “This has taken several weeks and included participation and input from all areas of the college as well as community leaders from Darke, Miami and Shelby Counties, working together to ensure a good fit for Edison and the communities it serves. The process has gone smoothly and on schedule. We anticipate making an announcement naming Edison’s new President by the end of February.”
Dr. Cristobal Valdez is the Provost for the Detroit Lakes and Wadena Campuses of Minnesota State Community and Technical College. He also serves as the vice president for student affairs. He received a Doctor of Education degree from Oregon State University in 2010.
Dr. Sean Creighton currently serves as the Executive Director of the Southwestern Ohio Council for Higher Education and has served on the Yellow Springs Board of Education since 2008. He received a Ph.D. from Antioch University in 2006.
Dr. Bradley Ebersole is the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Baton Rouge Community College in Louisiana. Prior to that, he was the Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Learning and Student Development at The Community College of Baltimore County in Maryland. He received a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland in 1987.
Ms. Sarah Garrett is the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer of the multi-campus Bristol Community College in Fall River, Massachusetts. She received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Maryland at Baltimore School of Law in 1981.
“I want to thank the Advisory and Executive Committees for their extensive efforts in the search,” said Board of Trustees Chariman Ed Curry.
The chosen candidate will be Edison’s first new college president in 23 years, succeeding Yowell, who announced his plan to retire in 2010. The new president will be Edison’s fourth since its founding in 1973.
Dr. Cristobal Valdez, Dr. Sean Creighton, Dr. Bradley Ebersole and Ms. Sarah Garrett will each be on campus for two days during the interview process. The Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees and the Advisory Committee initially reviewed approximately 60 applications before trimming the list to nine semifinalists who were interviewed off campus by both committees.
The four candidates will tour both the main campus in Piqua and the Darke County Campus in Greenville, meet with staff and faculty during open forums, and meet with the Board of Trustees. After their visits, the Executive Committee will select the candidate to become Edison’s next president.
“Our presidential search consultant, R. H. Perry and Associates, generated an exceptional initial list of candidates which has been carefully narrowed down to a ‘final four,’” said Judy Hartman, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees and Chair of the Executive Search Committee. “This has taken several weeks and included participation and input from all areas of the college as well as community leaders from Darke, Miami and Shelby Counties, working together to ensure a good fit for Edison and the communities it serves. The process has gone smoothly and on schedule. We anticipate making an announcement naming Edison’s new President by the end of February.”
Dr. Cristobal Valdez is the Provost for the Detroit Lakes and Wadena Campuses of Minnesota State Community and Technical College. He also serves as the vice president for student affairs. He received a Doctor of Education degree from Oregon State University in 2010.
Dr. Sean Creighton currently serves as the Executive Director of the Southwestern Ohio Council for Higher Education and has served on the Yellow Springs Board of Education since 2008. He received a Ph.D. from Antioch University in 2006.
Dr. Bradley Ebersole is the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Baton Rouge Community College in Louisiana. Prior to that, he was the Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Learning and Student Development at The Community College of Baltimore County in Maryland. He received a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland in 1987.
Ms. Sarah Garrett is the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer of the multi-campus Bristol Community College in Fall River, Massachusetts. She received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Maryland at Baltimore School of Law in 1981.
“I want to thank the Advisory and Executive Committees for their extensive efforts in the search,” said Board of Trustees Chariman Ed Curry.
The chosen candidate will be Edison’s first new college president in 23 years, succeeding Yowell, who announced his plan to retire in 2010. The new president will be Edison’s fourth since its founding in 1973.

The mission of the City of Piqua is to provide effective and efficient service. As managers and employees, their goal is continuous improvement of its departments and services. To further the City of Piqua's mission and goals, they have joined the International City/County Managers Association Center for Performance Measurement.
The City of Piqua in consortium with other Miami Valley communities will begin collecting comparable data on the quality, timing, cost, customer satisfaction, and other factors to allow the city to compare ourselves with other communities providing similar services throughout the country. Through this effort Piqua will have access to better information on how it is doing which will allow for better decisions.
The City of Piqua in consortium with other Miami Valley communities will begin collecting comparable data on the quality, timing, cost, customer satisfaction, and other factors to allow the city to compare ourselves with other communities providing similar services throughout the country. Through this effort Piqua will have access to better information on how it is doing which will allow for better decisions.
Edison Community College invites area high school seniors and their parents to Senior Scholarship and Financial Aid night. The event will be held Tuesday, February 1, 2011, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Edison representatives will provide students with valuable information regarding how to apply for federal, state and local grants, scholarships, loans and other forms of financial aid. Refreshments will be served.
This event is by invitation, but parents of high school seniors are welcome to contact Coordinator of Admissions Teresa Roth for more information at 937-778-7983 or visit www.edisonohio.edu.
This event is by invitation, but parents of high school seniors are welcome to contact Coordinator of Admissions Teresa Roth for more information at 937-778-7983 or visit www.edisonohio.edu.
The City of Piqua will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, January 26, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. to inform residents of various Community Development Block Grant programs in which the City of Piqua can apply. The meeting will be held in the City Commission Chambers at the Municipal Government Complex, 201 West Water Street.
Each year, the City of Piqua holds a public hearing to inform residents of the different Community Development Block Grant programs that are offered and how individuals can take advantage of these programs. These programs include the Community Housing Improvement Program, the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Formula Allocation Program, the Tier I and Tier II Downtown Revitalization Programs and the Microenterprise Development Program.
Those with comments or questions are encouraged to call William Lutz, Development Program Manager at 937-778-2062 or send an email.
Each year, the City of Piqua holds a public hearing to inform residents of the different Community Development Block Grant programs that are offered and how individuals can take advantage of these programs. These programs include the Community Housing Improvement Program, the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Formula Allocation Program, the Tier I and Tier II Downtown Revitalization Programs and the Microenterprise Development Program.
Those with comments or questions are encouraged to call William Lutz, Development Program Manager at 937-778-2062 or send an email.

Crews from the City of Troy have spent the past few nights working on replacing one of the four massive heat blowers inside the historic Hobart Arena, owned and operated by the City.
The blowers, original to the 60-year old sports and entertainment facility, are positioned in each of the four corners of the main arena, and provide a crucial piece to the building's heating needs during the winter. The replaced blower on the southwest corner of the facility, is being replaced with modern components assembled and painted by arena staff on site, and the new blower is nearly a quarter of the size of the previous equipment. The work is part of the ongoing renovation of the Arena boiler and heating system, which includes the installation of two semi-new hot water and steam boilers to replace the original equipment.
The blowers, original to the 60-year old sports and entertainment facility, are positioned in each of the four corners of the main arena, and provide a crucial piece to the building's heating needs during the winter. The replaced blower on the southwest corner of the facility, is being replaced with modern components assembled and painted by arena staff on site, and the new blower is nearly a quarter of the size of the previous equipment. The work is part of the ongoing renovation of the Arena boiler and heating system, which includes the installation of two semi-new hot water and steam boilers to replace the original equipment.
The City of Piqua provides many opportunities for citizens to become involved in the governing of the City. Volunteers serve on various boards and committees. The Application Procedure is outlined at the link listed at the left. You can print out an board application at the link also listed at the left of this page.
Board of Zoning Appeals - 1 Opening
Community Diversity Committee - 1 Opening
Energy Board - 1 Opening
Tree Committee - 1 Opening
For more information regarding the boards and committees, contact: Piqua City Manager's Office, 201 W Water Street, Piqua OH 45356 or call them at 937-778-2051.
Board of Zoning Appeals - 1 Opening
Community Diversity Committee - 1 Opening
Energy Board - 1 Opening
Tree Committee - 1 Opening
For more information regarding the boards and committees, contact: Piqua City Manager's Office, 201 W Water Street, Piqua OH 45356 or call them at 937-778-2051.