NEW MIAMI, Ohio — A resolution to keep the Village of New Miami’s police department funded as is was adopted by council members Thursday night.
Council members voted to either keep the current police department, bring in a Butler County sheriff’s deputy or have no policing at all.
This comes as the council was deciding possible solutions for budget issues.
A current tax levy in New Miami helps provide a small amount of the police department’s funding, but the police chief says with rising costs, that levy doesn’t provide enough funding to operate the department.
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Council members had to decide if dipping into the general fund to cover the roughly $57,000 shortfall was worth it for the village.
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Mayor Jewel Hensley said if they don’t clean up the community, funding will continue to be an issue in the future.
“We want our streets repaired, we want our allies repaired, we want the businesses cleaned up to where it doesn’t look like you’ve moved into a junkyard when you come down 127,” Hensley said.
The decision by the council means the three part-time officers who work alongside Chief Dan Bower will continue to get paid.
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“They dedicate a lot to the village and they do it for a reduced amount of pay as it is, so it’s good to see council recognize their value and what they bring to the village,” Bower said.
Hensley said the officers sacrifice a lot to protect village residents.
“They are putting their lives on the line for 12-bucks an hour, and they are staring guns in the face, crazy people flipping out on drugs, domestic issues,” Hensley said. “They are risking their lives for 12 bucks an hour, and then to want to take that away from them? To me, that was just insane.”
Hensley and Bower said it’ll take time to make improvements and they ask for patience from residents.
“We live in this village, so the things that we’re doing for this village, it’s not trying to hurt any of them, it’s trying to make it better as one,” said Hensley. “Because, whatever decision we make, we have to live with, too.”
A mother in Miami Gardens has been sentenced to five years of probation after her 2-year-old son accidentally shot himself with a gun he found in her purse.
According to police, the incident happened last summer at an apartment complex in Miami Gardens. Authorities say the toddler grabbed his mother’s firearm from her purse and accidentally pulled the trigger, shooting himself in the leg.
Video captured at the scene showed the child being rushed to the hospital on a stretcher. The boy survived and has since fully recovered.
The child’s mother, 35-year-old Christina Monique Doyle, was arrested and charged with child neglect and culpable negligence for allowing easy access to the weapon. Prosecutors said those charges carried a possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
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During a court hearing, the presiding judge, Alberto Milian, emphasized the responsibility that comes with gun ownership.
“I am a very pro-gun person, but along with the right and the privilege of having a gun comes responsibilities,” Milian said.
Doyle ultimately accepted a plea deal where she pleaded no contest, allowing her to avoid jail time. Instead, she was sentenced to five years of probation.
Her attorney, Dustin Tischler, said Doyle has no prior criminal record and described the incident as a mistake.
“She’s 35 years old, never been in trouble whatsoever in her life,” Tischler said. “She’s a very good mother, a very caring mother to several children. This has been a nightmare, and she’s happy to get it behind her.”
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Tischler also said the case should serve as a warning to gun owners about keeping firearms secure around children.
“Even though she had it in her purse and thought it was secure, the child was able to get to it when she was distracted,” he said. “If you have a firearm, it’s important to keep it locked away.”
Tischler said Doyle has completed a parenting program through the Florida Department of Children and Families and how she is allowed to have contact with her children, including her son who is now doing well after recovering from the injury.
NBC6 reached out to DCF about the case but we haven’t heard back yet.
Miami’s own pays tribute to former teacher on SNL Miami’s own Marcello Hernandez brought a piece of home to SNL for his latest performance, giving a tribute to his hometown and a special teacher in that classic Miami accent.
NEW YORK CITY — Miami’s own Marcello Hernandez brought a piece of home to SNL for his latest performance, giving a tribute to his hometown and a special teacher in that classic Miami accent.
During his performance, Hernandez definitely brought the character of “Mr. Fronzi” to life.
The over-the-top teacher with a big heart was a character inspired by his real-life theology teacher at Miami-Dade’s private Belen Jesuit Preparatory School, Angie Fernandez.
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And Hernandez even flew her up to New York City to see the skit live in person.
“When I saw the skit, I was flabbergasted. I laughed from here to eternity. It was so good,” Fernandez said. “I am so honored that he chose to imitate me. That’s the best compliment you can give somebody!”
Fernandez said that while Hernandez drove her crazy in her classroom, he was also always humble, honest and she calls him one of her favorite students.
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Jenise Fernandez
Jenise Fernandez is a six-time Emmy award winning anchor and reporter at Local 10 News. Currently, she anchors the 3 p.m. and 10 p.m. news, Monday through Friday.
