Tomorrow
Coming
Plaza to celebrate 5th anniversary
Piqua Daily Call Commitment To Community
Sports:
Inside:
Inside:
Piqua netters in action against Greenville
Columnist’s baby turning 5 Page 7
Covington’s Manson gone country Page 3
Page 9
WednesdAY, September 11, 2013
Volume 130, Number 181
www.dailycall.com $1.00
an award-winning Civitas Media newspaper
Fire sends one child to hospital Mike Ullery
Chief Photographer mullery@civitasmedia.com
PIQUA — Firefighters from Piqua responded to a reported house fire in Shawnee on Tuesday afternoon. The fire, which was reported at 320 Third St. around 5 p.m., was quickly knocked down, with actual fire damage being confined to one bedroom. Assistant Chief Vince Ashcraft said although fire damage was minimal, “the was more smoke damage than anything.” A juvenile female was transported from the scene by Piqua fire department medics for what was described as “minor injuries.” Firefighters cleared the scene around 6 p.m. An investigator remained on the scene for a short time after the fire was out to determine a cause of the fire. That cause has not been released. No damage estimate has been given.
Will E Sanders
Staff Writer wsanders@civitasmedia.com
Mike Ullery | Staff Photo
Piqua firefighters work the scene of a house fire at 320 Third St., in Shawnee, on Tuesday afternoon.
Anticipated Robert J. Shook Bikeway Bridge construction begins
Mike Ullery | Staff Photo
Area officials and dignitaries look on as Robert Shook digs the ceremonial first shovel of earth during groundbreaking ceremonies for the Robert Shook Bikeway Bridge at the Miami County Park District’s Farrington Reserve on Tuesday.
Bethany J. Royer Staff writer broyer@civitasmedia.com
PIQUA — It was an exceedingly warm morning for attendees of a groundbreaking ceremony at the Farrington Reserve on Peterson Road Tuesday. The throng included a mix of city leaders from
Index Classified.................... 14-15 Opinion.............................. 4 Comics............................ 13 Entertainment................. 5 Golden Years.................... 6 Health............................... 7 Local................................. 3 Obituaries........................ 2 Sports........................... 8-12 Weather............................. 3
6
7 4 8 2 5
8 2 1 0 1
2
Four years ordered in restaurant robbery
across the county, including bike trail enthusiasts, Miami County Park district members, and even State Representative Richard Adams. All congregating for a dedication of the Robert J. Shook Bikeway Bridge, along with a celebration of thanks to those who played a significant part in her impending construction.
“Wow,” said Robert J. Shook, bridge namesake and grandfather of the trail, if you will, who took to the podium to share his thanks along with a brief story of the trail’s humble beginnings. One that consists of “so many stories” according to its founder, and one that will soon span the Great Miami River via a
bridge that will connect not only the communities of Piqua and Troy but those over a 300mile system of paved bikeways in Southwest Ohio. Shook, a long-time bike trail advocate and chairman of the Miami County Trails Task Force, has seen to the trail’s See BRIDGE | Page 16
Alumni celebrates 42nd anniversary Bethany J. Royer Staff Writer broyer@civitasmedia.com
PIQUA — They take to the field, positions immediate and in perfect alignment, with instruments at the ready as the announcer gives a booming introduction: Ladies and gentleman, presenting the oldest active high school alumni band in Ohio, your pride of Piqua, the Piqua High School Alumni marching Band. Cheers follow, echoing off stadium bleachers by fans of the PHS Alumni Band who will take to the field for their 42nd anniversary this Friday at Alexander Stadium during the halftime show of the Piqua Indians versus Lima
Senior football game, their performance a testament of a love for music, comradeship, and tradition. To get to know this unique coming together of ages and their reasons for doing so, is to take advantage of an opportunity to speak with and hear three varied stories that puts a face to the alumni band. Whether they’ve been returning year after year or just starting to get their feet wet, such as 2007 PHS graduate Katrina Clark. “When the stress of life gets to me, music makes me forget it all,” explains Clark of what initially drew her to playing an instrument and joining the school band in the fifth grade. Originally, she wanted to play the saxophone but the instrument was too
expensive for her family to afford at the time so she optioned to play the flute. And by the 8th grade, after marching during a game with the high school band, she set her sights on becoming a member of the Pride of Piqua Marching Band. Clark wasn’t disappointed. “I met some of the greatest people through my marching experience,” said Clark who eventually traded her flute for the piccolo in her senior year, an instrument she continues to play in the alumni band. And now as a 24-year old mother of one, has seen her love of music reflected in her young son who plays his drum set right alongside her.
For home delivery, call 773-2725
See BAND | Page 2
TROY — The Troy gunman who used a BB gun to rob Tim Hortons in an effort to support his drug addiction will spend four years in prison for the heist — two years longer than his accomplice. Brandon J. B r u m b a u g h , Brumbaugh 20, told Common Pleas Court Judge Robert Lindeman he wanted to apologize for the May 28 robbery of at the restaurant, located at 700 W. Main St., Troy. “I apologize for letting my drug addiction take my life over,” Brumbaugh said. His public defender, Steve Layman, asked for a drug treatment program for his client, and said Brumbaugh does not have a felony record. “The genesis of all of this was his addiction to drugs,” the public defender said. But Lindeman pointed to Brumbaugh’s extensive misdemeanor history before ordering the four-year prison sentence. Brumbaugh had several misdemeanor theft cases related to a number of stores in Troy, including Walmart, Meijer, CVS and GameStop, according to Lindeman. “It’s like you are a one-man plague on local businesses,” the judge said. Emily Sluk, assistant prosecutor, who sought a prison term, said “what happened that night could have been much worse than it was.” Quontes J. Atkins, 20, the accomplice, was convicted of robbery in July and was sentenced to two years behind bars last month. Authorities say the two men robbed the restaurant and Brumbaugh was the one with the gun. The men fled the scene of the crime but were arrested a short time later. Once he is released from prison Brumbaugh will serve a mandatory term of three years on post-release control. He was given credit for 104 days spent at the Miami County Jail.
Alleged sex offender pleads not guilty Staff report
TROY — A common pleas court judge set a $10,000 bond for a Troy man who authorities allege possessed and viewed pornography involving children. Randy J. Hatfield Hatfield, 46, entered a plea of not guilty to a lone count of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance, a felony. According to Hatfield’s indictment, he allegedly committed the offense July 31. Court documents state he “possessed or viewed” material that “shows a minor in a state of nudity.” A Sept. 16 pre-trial conference is scheduled.