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Lakota West takes the field before facing Elder in its 2011 home opener. In 2012, Lakota West will open its season against a different GCL opponent in La Salle. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber of WestChesterBuzz.com.

A few days after the schedule for the Crosstown Showdown was released, Lakota West head football coach Larry Cox released his team’s full 2012 schedule.

The Crosstown Showdown game, which will be the Firebirds’ season opener, will be against La Salle at Nippert Stadium Saturday, Aug. 25, at 8 p.m.

“The kids really enjoy playing in the Skyline Crosstown Showdown. You know you are going to play a quality opponent in a collegiate venue and they do a great job of creating a big time atmosphere,” Cox said.

“As a coach, games like this help me measure where we need to be as we approach league play and also gives our program great exposure. There isn’t a negative to playing in a game like this. If you can get a win, it really sets your whole season off on the right track and playing a good team like La Salle makes that a great challenge.”

Besides the season opener, Lakota West will have road games at Glen Este Aug. 31, at Fairfield Sept. 21, at Oak Hills (lost 25-21 in 2011) Oct. 5 and at Colerain (lost 24-19 in 2011) Oct. 19; and homes against Anderson (defeated 20-16 in 2011) Sept. 7, Mason Sept. 14, Princeton (lost 27-21 in 2011) Sept. 28, Middletown (lost 47-7 in 2011) Oct. 12 and Lakota East (defeated 25-20 in 2011) Oct. 26.

Here is a look at the 2012 schedule (2011 record):

Aug. 25 – vs. La Salle (7-3 overall, 1-2 in Greater Catholic League)
Aug. 31 – at Glen Este (4-6 overall, 1-4 in Fort Ancient Valley Conf.)
Sept. 7 – vs. Anderson (4-6 overall, 2-3 in Fort Ancient Valley Conf.)
Sept. 14 – vs. Mason (7-4 overall, 5-2 in GMC)
Sept. 21 – at Fairfield (1-9 overall, 0-7 in GMC)
Sept. 28 – vs. Princeton (7-3 overall, 4-3 in GMC)
Oct. 5 – at Oak Hills (4-6 overall, 2-5 in GMC)
Oct. 12 – vs. Middletown (10-2 overall, 6-1 in GMC)
Oct. 19 – at Colerain (10-2 overall, 7-0 in GMC)
Oct. 26 – at Lakota East (4-6 overall, 2-5 in GMC)

This past fall, the Firebirds complied a 3-7 overall record and 2-5 mark within the GMC.

(All 2012 Lakota West football games are scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. with exception to the La Salle game which will be played at 8 p.m. at Nippert Stadium)

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: 2012 Crosstown Showdown, 2012 Lakota West football schedule, 2012 Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown, Crosstown Showdown, Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West football schedule, Lakota West sports, Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown

Junior-to-be Eric Eichler took over the quarterback duties during the third game of season in 2011. He ended up rushing for nine touchdowns last year. Photo taken Barb Trimble of Trimble Photography.

The Lakota East athletic department recently released its 2012 varsity football schedule, which features three out-of-conference games.

The first out-of-conference game, also the season opener, will be at home against Western Hills High School on Friday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m. Last season, the Thunderhawks hosted Western Hills in the season opener, defeating the Mustangs by the score of 28-6.

Lakota East will follow that game with a home game against Winton Woods (defeated 38-37 in OT in 2011) Aug. 31 and an away game at Northmont Sept. 7.

“I think it is very challenging,” Lakota East head football coach Rick Haynes said of the 2012 schedule. “Western Hills is always going to be athletic, Winton Woods has been a power in Division II the last few years and Northmont is always a power up in Dayton.”

After the Northmont game, Lakota East will begin conference play at Oak Hills Sept. 14 before hosting Middletown Sept. 21.

“Once you get in our league – we had four teams that qualified for the playoffs out of our conference – it is always going to be tough,” Haynes said. “Middletown has the reigning Mr. Football coming back in Jalin Marshall, so that will be a challenge.”

Lakota East will round out the schedule with road games at Hamilton (defeated 17-8 in 2011) Sept. 28, at Mason (lost 28-14 in 2011) Oct. 12, at Lakota West (lost 25-20 in 2011) Oct. 26; and with home games against Sycamore (lost 28-25 in 2011) Oct. 5 and Fairfield (defeated 44-13 in 2011) Oct. 19.

Here is a look at the 2012 schedule (2011 record):

Aug. 24 – vs. Western Hills (5-5 overall, 5-1 in Cin. Metro Athletic Conf.)
Aug. 31 – vs. Winton Woods (5-5 overall, 4-1 in Fort Ancient Valley Conf.)
Sept. 7 – at Northmont (4-6 overall, 2-3 in Greater Western Ohio Conf.)
Sept. 14 – at Oak Hills (4-6 overall, 2-5 in GMC)
Sept. 21 – vs. Middletown (10-2 overall, 6-1 in GMC)
Sept. 28 – at Hamilton (4-6 overall, 2-5 in GMC)
Oct. 5 – vs. Sycamore (8-3 overall, 5-2 in GMC)
Oct. 12 – at Mason (7-4 overall, 5-2 in GMC)
Oct. 19 – vs. Fairfield (1-9 overall, 0-7 in GMC)
Oct. 26 – at Lakota West (3-7 overall, 2-5 in GMC)

This past fall, the Thunderhawks complied a 4-6 overall record and 2-5 mark within the GMC.

(All 2012 Lakota East football games are scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.)

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: 2012 Lakota East football schedule, Lakota East, Lakota East football, Lakota East football schedule, Lakota East Sports

Residents of West Chester Township can take advantage of a free vacation home check program offered by the local police department when they go on vacation or will be out of town.

Community members just have to alert the West Chester Police Department of when they will be out of the town. The police department will then make a point of checking on the property, according to a release from West Chester Township.

“If we know a resident is out of town, we look at their property differently while on our regular patrols,” West Chester Police Sgt. Matt Tombragel said. “Officers will address stacked up newspapers on the driveway, and they will make special note of windows or doors broken or left ajar.”

The police department also recommends that residents should let trusted neighbors aware if they will be out of town.

Residents planning a trip, can complete the unoccupied home checks form found from the
Action Line link at www.WestChesterOH.org.

Posted in: Crime, News |

Tags: Tags: West Chester Police, West Chester Police Department, West Chester Police Department home checks, West Chester Police home checks

Mark Schmetzer reports

Lakota East cleanup hitter Alex Corna was the potential tying run, but Harrison coach Shawn Sowders had no problem walking him intentionally with two outs and a two-run lead in the seventh inning of their Division I sectional championship game Thursday at Kings.

Jarret Rindfleisch turned potential into reality. The junior catcher, playing just his third game after being injured before the season started, hit a two-run double to tie the score, and the Thunderhawks scored four runs in the eighth before holding on for an 8-7 win.

“I was nervous, but I knew I could do it,” Rindfleisch said about hitting after Corna was walked.

“It was a no-brainer,” Sowders said of the decision. “There are things in that game I would go back and change if I could, but that’s not one of them. I would’ve walked him even if they had runners on first and second. Even when he misses, it sounds good.”

Lakota East (16-13), the defending Division I state champion, will meet Moeller, the Enquirer’s Division I coaches poll champion and the No. 3 team in the Associated Press Division I statewide poll, in a district championship game Saturday at 11 a.m. at Western Hills.

Harrision (20-6), the Enquirer’s No. 5 team, had won 13 of its last 15 games going into Thursday, but the Wildcats couldn’t cash in on opportunities. They left 12 runners on base and allowed the Thunderhawks to score all of their runs with two outs.

“We didn’t get the job done,” Sowders said. “Hats off to (the Thunderhawks). They didn’t quit. They got the hits when they needed to.”

That was the Lakota East team coach Ray Hamilton watched for most of the season.

“We showed a lot of heart today,” he said. “Dang. That was the way we played up to about two weeks ago. Good things were happening for us. Then they weren’t happening.”

Senior Jake Gollaway, Harrison’s starting pitcher, helped the Wildcats take a 4-0 lead, capping their four-run second with a massive three-run homer to center field off of left-hander Michael Conrad that easily cleared the 380-foot sign.

The Thunderhawks weren’t concerned, according to Rindfleisch said.

“We knew Mike would hold them, and we knew we could hit,” Rindfleisch said.

Lakota East cut the deficit in half in the fifth when Blake Wilder drove in one run with a double and scored a second on Corna’s single.

That set the stage for the seventh, which started when Brett Colburn was called safe on a ground ball after the base umpire ruled that first baseman Jeremy Hochscheid came off the bag while stretching to take the throw. After two fly balls, Corna was walked, giving Rindfleisch his chance.

“Not at all,” Hamilton said when asked if he was surprised Corna was walked. “If you look at the numbers and the statistics on the computer, his power numbers are off the charts.”

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Lakota East, Lakota East baseball, Lakota East Sports, Ohio high school baseball playoffs, ohio high school sectional baseball playoffs, sectional playoffs

Zak Farmer is one of six Lakota West seniors who will continue their baseball careers in college. Photo taken at a game earlier this spring by Adam Kiefaber.

After taking a 2-0 lead after the first three innings, Lakota West gave up a combined 11 runs during the fourth and fifth innings in what turned out to be a 11-2 loss to Moeller in the district semifinals at Milford High School Thursday.

Leading the Crusaders during that stretch was the trio of junior Spencer Lacovone and seniors Ty Amann and Nick Edwards. Lacovone hit his fourth home run of the season and led the way with three runs batted in, while Amann and Edwards each drove in a pair of runs.

The loss ends the Firebirds season. Overall, the team finishes the 2012 year with an 18-12 record and a 13-5 mark within the Greater Miami Conference. Accomplishments this season include a two-game sweep against rival Lakota East, a runner-up finish in the GMC and its head coach Bill Dreisbach becoming the school district’s all-time leader in wins (currently has 283).

The team, which has 12 seniors on its roster, currently has six members of the class of 2012 who will be playing college baseball – including Malik Zuberi (Shawnee State), Zak Farmer (Walsh University), Davis Schafer (Bellarmine University), Mike Seaman (Trine University), Nick Billman (Mount St. Joseph) and Jake Wagner (Miami-Hamilton).

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Bill Dreisbach, Davis Schafer, Jake Wagner, Lakota West, Lakota West baseball, Lakota West sports, Malik Zuberi, Mike Seaman, Nick Billman, Ohio high school baseball playoffs, ohio high school sectional baseball playoffs, sectional playoffs, Zak Farmer

Sue Kiesewetter reports

A West Chester insurance provider will talk about his life during a book signing and reception at the clubhouse of The Villas at Park Place condominiums Saturday.

John Dodsworth, author of “Transitions – A Journey of Joy,” will talk about his book during a 5-9 p.m., signing and reception at the West Chester Township clubhouse, 7955 Beckett Road.

Dodsworth, 71, wrote about his personal life journey, trials, triumphs and faith through a series of short stories.

The book will be available for sale, $12.95, at the reception and signing or can be purchased online at www.createspace.com/3827694.

For more information, email transitionsajourneyofjoy@gmail.com.

Posted in: Events |

Tags: Tags: book signing, book signing West Chester, John Dodsworth, Transitions – A Journey of Joy

Jennifer Edwards Baker reports

Police are searching for a gunman who held up United Dairy Farmers, 8976 State Route 747, according to emergency communication reports.

The suspect entered the convenience store just after 6 a.m., brandished a gun and demanded cash.

No injuries were reported, a police dispatcher said.

Police are not sure yet how much money was taken during the offense, he added.

The suspect remains at large. He is described as black, 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-7 with blue or black clothing.

Posted in: Crime, News |

Tags: Tags: crime, robbery, West Chester crime, West Chester Police, West Chester Police Department, West Chester robbery, West Chester UDF, West Chester United Dairy Farmers, West Chester United Dairy Farmers robbery

Learn more about risk factors as well as how to properly manage diabetes during two free seminars offered at the West Chester Hospital Saturday, May 19, and Thursday, May 24.

This seminars, called “Demystifying Diabetes,” will take place from 9 to 10:30 a.m. this Saturday and then repeat from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday. Space is limited for the seminars. To reserve a seat, call 513-298-3000.

Below is information provided in the release from the hospital:

The seminars will feature the region’s leading physician specialists and registered dietitians who will discuss diabetes, why the body can become resistant to insulin, the impact diabetes has on the organs and systems, and how diabetes is managed long-term.

Other topics include: What is prediabetes and how do you know if you are at risk? Why it is important for diabetics to follow a healthy nutrition and exercise plan? Why does depression often accompany a diabetes diagnosis?

Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects more than 25 million people. Many risk factors such as age, weight, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and family history can impact the likelihood of being diagnosed, making Type 2 diabetes one of the fastest growing diseases in the United States.

For information about West Chester Hospital, visit www.uchealth.com or call 513-298-3000.

West Chester Hospital is located at 7700 University Drive.

Posted in: Events, News |

Tags: Tags: West Chester Hospital, West Chester Hospital diabetes seminar

Jennifer Edwards Baker reports

It doesn’t get any better than this: Today’s forecast calls for sunny skies, low humidity and a high temperatures near 80 degrees.

Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky will enjoy a nice stretch of weather this weekend with plenty of sun and highs in the mid-80s.

Humidity should remain low throughout the weekend, thanks to a high pressure system from the west, said meteorologist Ashley Novak with the National Weather Service in Wilmington.

• Cincinnati.com’s weather page with interactive radar, 7-day and hourly forecasts & more!
• National Weather Service: West Chester 7-day forecast
• AccuWeather.com: West Chester extended forecast

The normal high temperature this time of year usually is around 74 degrees.

The next chance for rain will be early next week, late Monday night through Tuesday.

Posted in: News, Weather |

Tags: Tags: Butler County weather, Liberty Township weather, National Weather Service, West Chester weather

DV8 will kick off the 2012 season of the First Financial Bank After-Hours on The Square concert series in West Chester next Thursday, May 24. The band will perform from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Square at Union Centre.

The concert series will then take place every Thursday night through Aug. 23.

The Square at Union Centre is located at 9285 Centre Pointe Drive, adjacent to the West Chester Library. No alcohol is permitted on The Square unless purchased at the event. Beer sales also help support the event and local non-profit groups.

Below is the 2012 After-Hours on The Square schedule:

• May 24 – DV8
• May 31 – Parti Gras
• June 7 – My Sister Sarah
• June 14 – Swimsuit Models
• June 21 – Cover Model
• June 28 – Naked Karate Girls
• July 5 – Frankly Speaking
• July 12 – Off the Hook
• July 19 – My Girl Friday
• July 26 – Stays in Vegas
• Aug. 2 – Naked Karate Girls
• Aug. 9 – Swimsuit Models
• Aug. 16 – Stays in Vegas
• Aug. 23 – Lt. Dan’s New Legs

Visit WestChesterOH.org and follow West Chester on Twitter for weekly reminders and special promotions.

Photo galleries will be posted on West Chester Facebook page every Friday.

Posted in: Business, Events, News |

Tags: Tags: After-Hours on the Square, After-Hours on The Square at Union Centre, concert, concerts, Cover Model, DV8, Frankly Speaking, Janszen & Sullivan, Lt. Dan's New Legs, My Girl Friday, My Sister Sarah, Naked Karate Girls, Off the Hook, Parti Gras, Square at Union Centre, Stays in Vegas, the Swimsuit Models