5+ mon, 3+ week ago (582+ words) The Dayton Dragons want to welcome guests year-round with a newly announced event center, which will open later this year. In today's Morning Briefing, we talk about the creation of this new event space and discuss the upcoming end of Delta Airlines' direct daily flight from the Dayton International Airport to LaGuardia Airport in New York City. If you have thoughts or feedback on this newsletter or other news tips, please let me know at [email protected]. The newsletter should take about 3 minutes, 12 seconds to read. Dayton Dragons unveil new $6M ballpark "Diamond Club' addition As they celebrate their 25th season in downtown Dayton, the Dayton Dragons announced plans for a new club and events space called the Dragons Diamond Club Events Center. " The center: The new center will be 5,000 square feet, with space for 175 seated guests. There will be 110 outdoor seats above…...

9+ mon, 1+ week ago (704+ words) A pancake may not seem very impressive, but in the hands of Janaki Venkayya, it has become a community powerhouse. Thirty-five years ago, the Beavercreek woman determined to tackle the problem of hunger and homelessness in the Miami Valley by raising awareness and funds through a one-day pancake brunch. She dubbed it the "Day of Caring," and enlisted the aid of 12 churches and 250 volunteers who served as many as 3,000 breakfasts that first year and raised $8,000. Now, 35 years later, the event has become a beloved annual tradition with dozens of churches and service organizations involved. On Sunday, Feb. 23, an estimated 4,000 guests will chow down on pancakes and sausage in an effort to help those less fortunate. "The uncertainty about the future is greater today than when we started 34 years ago," Venkayya said. "Nowadays we don't even know who could be standing…...

7+ mon, 2+ week ago (648+ words) What started in 1975 as a simple yet powerful mission " to provide safety, stability, and well-being to vulnerable youth " has grown into a comprehensive network of services designed to help young people build brighter futures. What started in 1975 as a simple yet powerful mission " to provide safety, stability, and well-being to vulnerable youth " has grown into a comprehensive network of services designed to help young people build brighter futures. The nonprofit is marking its 50th anniversary and over the years has offered thousands of young people a safe place to stay, mental health resources, housing assistance, employment services, LGBTQIA+ support, parenting programs, and more. Last year Daybreak served 499 young people, and in the coming year, expects to help even more. So do the donations from our "Make a Difference" readers over many years. Daybreak's Emergency Youth Shelter and onsite transitional housing apartments…...

11+ mon, 1+ week ago (736+ words) This week that includes our investigation into the U.S. Air Force tearing down a historic home on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base that they renovated not too long ago; a roundup of major legislation passed by Ohio lawmakers; and a look at the contributions of Culture Works to the Dayton region's arts scene. Do you have a news tip or an issue you think our reporters should look into? Contact me at [email protected], or you can use our anonymous tipline. Air Force tears down historic WPAFB house after $1.2M renovation About a decade ago, we reported that the U.S. Air Force had spent more than a million dollars to renovate a historic home on Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Now we are reporting the Air Force has torn the place down. " The House: The Charles Taylor house is named after the Wright Brothers' mechanic,…...

4+ mon, 2+ week ago (828+ words) In today's Morning Briefing: " Missing child case: Dayton police are investigating the presumed death of 7-year-old Hershall Creachbaum, an autistic and nonverbal child who was reported missing Saturday. " Young's Jersey Dairy: After nearly five decades as CEO, Dan Young is retiring this fall from Young's Jersey Dairy in Yellow Springs. The newsletter should take about 4 minutes, 31 seconds to read. What we know now: Dayton police continue to investigate after 7-year-old boy reported missing, body found Dayton police are continuing to investigate after the body of a juvenile believed to be missing 7-year-old Hershall Creachbaum was found Saturday. " Reported kidnapped: At 3:45 a.m. Saturday, Creachbaum's mother's boyfriend, Michael Kendrick, reported someone punched him and took the non-verbal boy with autism. " Listen: The 911 call reporting Creachbaum as kidnapped, hours before his presumed remains were found in Dayton, was released Tuesday. " The search: Crews searched…...

9+ mon, 1+ week ago (264+ words) NEW YORK (AP) " Dr. Seuss has a present for you " as long as you were born on March 2. Dr. Seuss Enterprises, which last year offered 10,000 free copies of "The Cat in the Hat" to babies born on March 2, will expand the offer this year to anyone with that birthday. Dr. Seuss, born Theodor Geisel, was born on that day in 1904. His books, such as "Green Eggs and Ham" and "The Cat in the Hat," remain popular decades after his 1991 death. Those born on March 2 who register at SeussPledge.com can choose to have a personalized book sent to them or gift their free copy to children in underserved communities. "The expansion of the Birthday Pledge allows us to bring Dr. Seuss books to many more readers because, "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more…...

11+ mon, 2+ week ago (1113+ words) I bought a new pair of basketball shoes last week " perhaps the first pair of Air Jordans I've ever owned. We'll see if they help my struggling jump shot today at noon. I've played thousands of hours of pickup hoops over the years, wearing out many shoes, so I've had plenty of chances to buy Jordans. I don't know why I've chosen other brands over the years: Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, Derrick Rose, for example. Jordan was my favorite player growing up. For a short time, in middle school, I cared about the NBA and the Chicago Bulls but didn't follow college basketball. When Xavier and then the Cincinnati Bearcats took off in the early 1990s, I shifted toward the college game, though I followed the Bulls throughout the Jordan days. Jordan, of course, played once at UD Arena in an…...

10+ mon, 3+ week ago (538+ words) The first winter storm of 2025 came with heavy snowfall, resulting in multiple snow emergencies, closures and weather advisories in southwest Ohio. In today's Morning Briefing, we continue to follow the weather and the snowfall totals around the region. We also tell you about the fourth part of our special Gem City Gamble series about police corruption, Dayton's gangsters and the connection to baseball legend Pete Rose. If you have thoughts or feedback on this newsletter or other news tips, please let me know at [email protected]. The newsletter should take about 2 minutes, 52 seconds to read. First winter storm of 2025: How much snow did you get? Here's what we know about the aftermath of this week's major winter storm: " Totals: Butler, Montgomery and Warren counties all had communities reporting at least 9 inches of snow. " Highest totals: Warren County has some of the…...

9+ mon, 1+ week ago (599+ words) Hello, readers! La Comedia Dinner Theatre's terrific, toe-tapping, hand-clapping production of "Jersey Boys" leads this week's Gem City Living Newsletter. As March approaches, make sure you keep "Jersey Boys" in mind as you finalize your calendar. Here's a look at other shows heading across Dayton stages next month. This week's edition also spotlights jazz in Beavercreek, an inspiring art exhibit perfectly timed to Black History Month, exploring the Buckeye Trail and indoor activities for kids this winter. "Around Town: 10 Things to do in Dayton this weekend "Gem City Family: Unique indoor things to do for kids as winter trudges on "Music: Weekend of Jazz to feature Grammy-nominated One O'Clock Lab Band Credit: Pete Comparoni/University of Nor If you love jazz, don't miss the Weekend of Jazz festivities spotlighting local talent and nationally recognized performers. This year's headliner is the…...

10+ mon, 3+ week ago (525+ words) Dayton will now dig out of the remnants of the first winter storm of 2025. In today's Morning Briefing, we continue to follow the weather and its effects on the region. We also tell you about the third part of our special Gem City Gamble series about police corruption, Dayton's gangsters and the connection to baseball legend Pete Rose. If you have thoughts or feedback on this newsletter or other news tips, please let me know at [email protected]. The newsletter should take about 2 minutes, 43 seconds to read. Winter storm brings closures, delays, highest snow totals in years One of the most significant winter storms to strike the area in the past decade rolled through southwest Ohio on Sunday and Monday " Snowfall: Snow total reports on the National Weather Service website included 10 inches in Centerville and 9 inches in Kettering, Bellbrook and Springboro....