Wednesday SPORTS
Troy, Piqua set for 129th meeting PAGE 11
It’s Where You Live! October 30, 2013
Volume 105, No. 255
INSIDE
Health policy cancellations: New blow for administration
WASHINGTON (AP) — Move over, website woes. Lawmakers confronted the Obama administration Tuesday with a difficult new health care problem — a wave of cancellation notices hitting individuals and small businesses who buy their own insurance. See Page 9
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St. Patrick student receives letter from Obama David Fong
Executive Editor dfong@civitasmedia.com
TROY — Saint Patrick Elementary School fifth-grade student Ryan Dowling admits he’s never followed politics very closely — but a hand-written note from the leader of the free world may be changing all of that. Several weeks ago, Dowling — along with his 18 classmates — all wrote letters to United States President Barack Obama. Dowling didn’t think he’d ever hear back — but last week, a hand-written card from Obama arrived at the school for Dowling. “I didn’t think he’d ever write back,” Dowling said. “My principal (Cyndi Cathcart) came into
Clarification
class and said she had a letter for me. It took me awhile to find out what it was. When I opened it, I was pretty excited. I took it home to my mom and she was like, ‘Wow.’ She told everyone in our family.” Cathcart had to sign for the package — which arrived via UPS — and even she didn’t know what it was at the time. “I had to sign for it,” Cathcart said. “When he said, ‘I need to see your ID,’ I thought he was joking. So I signed for it and saw it was addressed to Ryan Dowling. At first I wasn’t sure if I should open it for him or let him open it, but I decided to let him open it. “I gave it to Ryan and he was shaking when he opened it. I See LETTER | 2
David Fong | Troy Daily News
Saint Patrick School fifth-grade student Ryan Dowling reads the hand-written note he received from U.S. President Barack Obama after writing a letter to him as part of a class project.
Troy man found guilty in crash that killed vehicle passenger
In a story Monday about the new practitioner at Health Partners, the clinic’s funding was not fully indentified. According to Health Partners Executive Director Justin Coby, Health Partners has found support over the years from many local grantors, funds, trusts and foundations. The Duke Foundation, Troy Foundation, Stouder Foundation, Piqua Community Foundation, Miami County Foundation, Virginia W. Kettering Foundation, Dayton Foundation, ITW Foundation, Physician’s Charitable Foundation, C.C. Hayner Trust Fund, UVMC Community Benefits Fund and Hartzell-Norris Charitable Trust to thank for their support of programming in one way or another. The clinic also is a proud United Way agency partner with the Troy, Piqua and Tipp City chapters, Coby said. “Along with these organizations, we have the individuals, churches and corporations of Miami County to thank for their kind donations to Health Partners which keep our doors open to this day and allow for expansion of services to our patients,” Coby said.
Will E Sanders
Staff Writer wsanders@civitasmedia.com
TROY — A driver of an automobile involved in a single car crash last November that claimed the life of his passenger entered pleas of no contest to charges of felonious assault and aggravated vehicular homicide in Miami County Common Pleas Court on Monday. Kenneth R. Thurmond, 33, formerly of Piqua, was released on a continued recognizance bond after the court hearing after he was found guilty by Judge Robert Lindeman. Thurmond was involved in a Nov. 17, 2012, single car crash on PiquaTroy Road and as a result a man in his car, Michael Miller of Troy, died. Mr. Miller died as a result of being ejected from the automobile when Thurmond’s vehicle left the roadway, snapped a utility pole and struck a tree and brush. Thurmond was injured in the crash and was flown from the scene to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton via CareFlight. He later recovered from his injuries. His previous recognizance bond was continued by the judge at the court hearing and Thurmond will next Anthony Weber | Troy Daily News appear in court on Dec. 30 for his senArea law enforcement, including the Miami County Sheriff’s Office and Covington and West Milton police departments, tencing hearing. INSIDE TODAY attempt to locate a sexual offender, Jason Perkins, on Monday on Friend Street in Ludlow Falls. Law enforcement officers Authorities say speed and alcohol Calendar..........................3 have been looking for Perkins since 2009 for failing to register his address and failure to pay child support. were a contributing factor in the traffic crash. Crossword .......................7
Deaths .............................5 William Preston Paula M. Negley Dennis O. Bowman Deborah S. Noble Dennis Phelps Beverly Ann Anderson George H. Palmer Edward D. Martino Opinion............................4 Sports.............................11
OUTLOOK Today Chance of rain High: 65 Low: 57 Thursday
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Officials conduct sex-offender sweep Long looks
Melanie Yingst
Staff Writer myingst@civitasmedia.com
MIAMI COUNTY — Before sunrise on Monday morning, more than 25 Miami County Sheriff’s Office deputies and city law enforcement officers were out knocking on doors
and checking on the whereabouts of Miami County’s 168 registered sex offenders in a county-wide sweep. With help from the U.S. Marshals, Miami County Sheriff’s Office and city police departments collaborated to ensure each one of the registered sex offenders were in
compliance with registration requirements. According to officials, one offender was arrested on an unrelated driving under suspension warrant and incarcerated in the Miami County jail. One offender was found to
See OFFICIALS | 2 Melanie Yingst
Ehre offering adult skate lessons at Hobart Colin Foster
Staff Writer colinfoster@civitasmedia.com
Troy — Since starting his new role as Troy Skating Club director in early September, Trey Ehre has been on a mission to boost the popularity of skating in the community. Though Ehre has only been on the job for a few months, he’s gotten off to a pretty decent start. “It’s going pretty well so far,” said Ehre, who has found a new home in Troy with fiance Katie McGuire. “It’s just like anything, when it’s new, it’s challenging. We’re just trying to revamp it a bit and bring up the general popularity of skating.” Ehre, 35, and McGuire, 29, — both of whom have traveled all over the world as profes-
sional skaters in the past — have come up with some new and exciting skating programs for all age groups. The duo, along with the assistance of coaches Jeannie Drieling and Patti Jones-Logan, has been teaching private lessons and providing a basic skills instruction program, and recently hosted a Halloween skate at Hobart Arena. Ehre said he plans on holding the ‘Holiday Exhibition Skate’ on Dec. 21 or Dec. 22, which will allow people to perform routines and skate to different holiday songs. The second session of the basic skills instruction program actually just started back up and will run though end of year. It’s not too late sign up. Now Ehre is also trying to reach out to an older demo-
to keep trustee seat
graphic by offering an adult skate program on Monday’s from noon to 12:45 p.m. The adult skate, which is not affiliated with the TSC, is $8 a class, and that cost includes ice time and skate rental. Ehre said he plans on running it all the way through May, though there will not be sessions held on Nov. 25, Dec. 2 or Dec. 16. “It’s not something you need to sign up for in advance, it’s something you can just come to,” Ehre said. “I will provide simple ice skating instructions for beginners and further instructions to the more advanced adult skaters. “It’s a nice way to get some exercise on your lunch break.” For more information, contact Ehre at skatingdirector@ troyskatingclub.org or call (937) 339-8521.
Staff Writer myingst@civitasmedia.com
STAUNTON TWP. — The Staunton Township trustee race will decide which one of three candidate will serve the township’s community on Nov. 5. Bill Gearhart and Dale Bartel candidate profiles were featured in last week’s Troy Daily News. Levi Long was appointed to Norm Osting’s trustee seat after his retirement last spring. The following is Levi Long’s candidate profile. Name: Levi Long Age: 27 Family info: “My family and I have living in Staunton Township for as long as I can remember. I was raised in Staunton Township and I attended and graduated from Miami East Schools.” Work/Job Title: Owner of Long’s Lawn Care and Snow Removal Past Political Experience: Current Staunton Township Trustee Why did you decide to seek election/reelection?: “After Norm Osting retired from servicing as Staunton See TRUSTEE | 2
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