Adriana Martinez-Smiley

2 weeks ago | statenews.org | Adriana Martinez-Smiley |Isabel Nissley |Zaria Johnson

Thursday, March 14, 2024 began as a normal day for many Logan County residents. But bad weather was brewing. Logan County Emergency Management Agency officials typically prepare for severe weather common to the region like floods and ice storms, director Helen Norris said. But storms stirring in Illinois and Indiana presented unusual conditions for Ohio, leaving Norris on alert. “I had it on radar, just laid beside my leg and I just kept refreshing it and monitoring that,” Norris said.

3 weeks ago | wyso.org | Adriana Martinez-Smiley

Fortified Hill are hilltop enclosure earthworks built by Indigenous people thousands of years ago in what is now Ross Township, Butler County. Soon, the public will have the opportunity to experience the architectural genius of the Hopewell culture through limited 90-minute tours.

3 weeks ago | wyso.org | Adriana Martinez-Smiley

Work is underway to install two ground-mounted solar arrays on Miami University’s campus. The solar fields will be placed at the Sharon and Graham Mitchell Sustainability Park, named after the Miami alumni who made a $5 million gift to the university for the project. By the time the solar arrays are operational, they’ll be capable of producing 2,100 megawatt hours annually. That’s enough energy to power roughly 155 homes a year in Ohio. They’re expected to be fully operational this fall.

3 weeks ago | wyso.org | Adriana Martinez-Smiley

A plaque made in honor of Ohio’s First Lady Fran DeWine will be placed in Great Council State Park. It signifies her work to create the park and was unveiled on Monday. Speakers included her husband, Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director Mary Mertz. “First Lady DeWine was an advocate from the very beginning, and she wanted to be sure we got history right, and so we are pleased to honor her and all of her contributions that made this possible,” Mertz said.

4 weeks ago | wyso.org | Adriana Martinez-Smiley

The Miami Tribe of Oklahoma lived in the Ohio River Valley until forced removal by the U.S. government. Nearly two centuries later, the tribe has built a relationship over the past 50 years with its namesake, Miami University in Oxford. This relationship culminated in the creation of the Myaamia Center, scholarships for Myaamia students and more. Last month the center released the first episode of a documentary series recounting this ongoing relationship and the unrelenting spirit of Miami peoples.