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.”
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.
Steven Yablonski is a digital content producer for CBS Miami and the South.
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/ CBS Miami
An investigation is underway at a northwest Miami-Dade apartment complex after the sheriff’s office said a man was shot by his girlfriend after a “heated dispute” early Wednesday morning.
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Few details have been released, but the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said the incident took place at an apartment complex located off Northwest 7th Avenue.
The sheriff’s office said that a man became involved in a “heated dispute” with his girlfriend, and she shot him in the right arm.
He was rushed to a hospital by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue in critical condition.
The woman is in custody.
The identities of those who were involved have not yet been released.
