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On Monday, July 17, 2023 the Wilmington Transit System (WTS) will begin using their new dispatch system. The following day, on July 18, WTS will be rolling out their new branded vans. The vans include many features to improve driver and rider experience, including a back loading wheelchair ramp. Below is a quick video that includes some of the features of the new vehicles. Then, on Monday, July 24, 2023, WTS plans to open their new dispatch system for our community to start booking trips online at wilmington.sharemobility.com (via desktop or mobile device).

Sally Buchanan recently interviewed with Real Change Wilmington to share a look inside the Clinton County Farmers' Market. Below is a video of the interview followed by highlights. Sally Buchanan is a Clinton County native who grew up in the former town of New Burlington. Her family's farm was one of the last acquired to make way for Caesar Creek. Growing up, Sally was in 4H for cooking and showing cattle and hog. She graduated from Clinton-Massie, got her nursing degree, and then worked at Clinton Memorial Hospital (CMH) for almost 30 years. Sally has three children, two of which still live in Clinton County—Dessie Rogers, Director of the Clinton County Chamber of Commerce, and Emma Buchanan, new owner of Lumberton General Store along with her husband. Sally got involved volunteering at the farmers market after her daughter, Dessie Rogers, became the manager in 2008. The previous manager, Tony Nye was ready to pass along his responsibilities. Dessie had just finished her masters degree in Wales and returned to Wilmington to lead a program called 'Grow Food, Grow Hope' during the time DHL left town. Sally started helping Dessie out at the market by doing cooking demonstrations and other odd jobs. Sally continued to volunteer when Dessie passed her role along to Bella Wall in 2016 and then in 2017, Sally and Taylor Stuckert were asked to be co-managers of the market. The Clinton County Farmers' Market is a 501 C nonprofit that gets some support from Energize Clinton County, but really relies on sponsorships from the community. Tony and the Clinton County Master Gardeners started The Clinton County Farmers' Market in 1999. The market started in front of what is now Jobs & Family Services on State Route 68, moved to Nelson, then downtown in 2008, and finally to the courthouse parking lot in 2022. The mission of The Clinton County Farmers' Market is, "to provide locally grown products and produce that are of high quality and affordability to all members of the community and Clinton County in an enjoyable and welcoming atmosphere", said Sally. The goals of the market are to let farmers have a place to sell products directly to customers, and where the community can learn about nutrition, the environment, farming, and sustainability. Vendors must be residents of Clinton County or neighboring counties that touch. In 2014, the Clinton County Health Department and CMH did a health assessment that discovers that not all citizens had access to fresh fruits and vegetables so Sally and Katie got a grand from Health First for the market's special programing to focus on vulnerable kids, families, and seniors. Making fresh food accessible to all in the community is a passion of Sally's that keeps her going every Saturday morning managing The Clinton County Farmers' Market.

Did you know Brad Heys and his wife shared their first kiss inside the building they later made into Kava Haus? Or that it was almost a gourmet hotdog restaurant?! ☕️❤️🌭 Listen to this podcast episode to hear the entire charming story of Wilmington’s beloved coffee shop, PLUS details on Jen Purkey’s move from The General Denver: 🍎 Apple: https://bit.ly/rcwp-apple 🤖 Google: https://bit.ly/rcwp-google 🟢 Spotify: https://bit.ly/rcwp-spotify 🎥 YouTube: https://bit.ly/rcwp-youtube 😎 Website: https://bit.ly/rcwp-website

Hey everyone, this is Dustin Pearce with Real Change Wilmington. Three weeks ago I stood here and asked for your help to beautify our downtown by contributing a plant from our online registry 🪴 Through this project, we faced critics from all sides—including from those who hate Sugartree Ministries, obviously, and even those who support them, surprisingly. But regardless, we decided to move forward anyways, and think the results speak for themselves. There were 24 people, who contributed 50 plants and other items, totaling just over $3,000, to help ‘Beautify Sugartree’ 🌲🌺🌳 And while our downtown looks much more beautiful now, the real beauty was in seeing our community work together, regardless of opinions and places in life, to make Wilmington a place we’re proud to call home. One of my favorite stories was getting to interact with a community member who disapproved of Sugartree Ministries, explain to them that our goal was not to solve homelessness, but simply make a positive impact in our community, and then see them contribute $765! That’s real change, and it was beautiful 🙌🤩💯 It was beautiful getting to know people we usually just pass by. It was beautiful having our veterans donated a flag and our law enforcement helped raise it 🇺🇸 It was beautiful seeing the pride in people as they worked towards a greater vision for our community. From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you, Wilmington. We’re a community of empowered individuals 😎🤙

Wilmington City Schools has earned the Auditor of State Award for excellence in financial reporting. This award is presented to local governments and school districts upon completion of a “clean” audit report. Every year, an audit team spends weeks reviewing accounting practices, internal controls, and compliance against state and federal rules and regulations for financial reporting. They randomly choose from all financial transactions to ensure an objective examination of the financial statements. Less than eight percent of the entities audited qualify for the Award. “Receiving this award is testimony to the excellent work of all staff members across the District who handle public funds and to our ongoing goal to be good stewards of our taxpayers’ dollars”, said Wilmington Treasurer, Kim DeWeese. This award certifies that: Wilmington City Schools filed a timely financial report in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). The district’s audit report does not contain any findings for recovery, material citations, material weaknesses, significant deficiencies, Single Audit findings or questioned costs. Wilmington City Schools management letter contains no comments related to: ethics referrals; questioned costs less than $10,000; lack of timely report submissions, reconciliation, failure to obtain a timely Single Audit; finding for recovery less than $100; or public meetings or records issues. ● No other financial or other concerns exist that involve Wilmington City Schools. The financial audit report is designed to provide citizens, taxpayers, investors, and creditors with a general overview of the district’s finances and show the district’s accountability for the money it receives. Wilmington City Schools financial audit report can be found by searching for Wilmington City Schools at https://ohioauditor.gov/auditsearch/Search.aspx. For questions related to the district’s audit or other school finance issues, contact Mrs. DeWeese at 937-382-1641 or kim.deweese@wilmington.k12.oh.us.

Jessica Powell, Executive Director of the Wilmington Transit System presented the results of their Public Transit Feasibility Study at City Council on Thursday, June 15, 2023. The survey was done in partnership with Laura Brown at RLS & Associates, Inc out of Dayton, Ohio. Key takeaways from the survey are: 1. Expand Hours of Operation While the "ultimate goal" would be 24/7, the suggested first phase would be to focus on helping second shift workers by expanding weekdays hours from 7:30pm to 2am (+6.5 hours), Saturdays hours from 3pm to 5pm (+2 hours), and Sunday hours from 3pm to 5pm (+2 hours). 2. Add a Deviated Fixed Route A "deviated" fixed route would operate like a regular bus route with regular stops, however it would be allowed to "deviate" to pick-up and drop-off people to locations near set stops. Laura Brown with RLS conveyed that this could help streamline efficiencies and cut back on one-on-one rides by offering someone who calls in for a ride for 9:45am the option to wait until 10am when the deviated fixed route would be scheduled near their location. 3. Add Countywide Demand Response Service Zones Extended service areas would allow WTS' existing infrastructure to offer more rides to other cities in Clinton County. Jessica Powell with WTS told the story of how one city's mayor is currently giving a citizen rides to doctor's appointments because she has no other options. Jessica has already reach out to all of the mayors in Clinton County to discuss helping fund these countywide services, or applying for grants. For more information please see the "Public Transit Feasibility Study for Wilmington Transit System" presentation below that was presented at City Council on Thursday, June 15, 2023, or contact Executive Director, Jessica Powell at wilmingtonoh.org/municipal-services/wilmington-transit-system/.

Ever get confused about what the Clinton County Convention & Visitors Bureau does, or how it is different from Main Street Wilmington or Clinton County Chamber of Commerce? Well, we have 🫣 So we thought, “who better for our next podcast guest than Susan Valentine-Scott, their Executive Director?” As always, we asked Susan to share about herself, what her organization does, and to clear-up any community concerns or misconceptions. We also believe that “we are a community of empowered individuals,” so if we didn’t ask your question, or ask it in the way you would, please reach out to Susan directly at clintoncountyohio.com. Listen to the full interview with Clinton County Convention & Visitors Bureau on your favorite podcast player now: 🍎 Apple: https://bit.ly/rcwp-apple 🤖 Google: https://bit.ly/rcwp-google 🟢 Spotify: https://bit.ly/rcwp-spotify 🎥 YouTube: https://bit.ly/rcwp-youtube 😎 Website: https://bit.ly/rcwp-website

We set out to ‘Beautify Sugartree’ because we wanted to be proud of our downtown, and show our community the power we have to make real change when we engage problems. Through this project we’ve heard some people ask, “Sugartree Ministries has their own landscaping company, why don’t they beautify their own building?” This honestly wasn’t something we thought about, but the question does seem logical, so we asked Lee Sandlin. We also asked if we could record his response to (hopefully) show how much better life is when we have the character, courage, and humility to engage in difficult conversations. We hope you feel empowered by this talk, and if there is something we didn’t mention, or you have more questions, reach Lee directly by going to sugartreeministries.com.

Hope House is an emergency women's shelter started in 2014 to help shelter women that the Clinton County Homeless Shelter (CCHS) could not due to space limitations or regulation issues (for instance, the CCHS requires guests have IDs due to state regulations, Hope House does not). Hope House started at Crossroads Church, moved to a house owned by a board member on West Locust Street across from Domino's Pizza, and finally moved to 495 E Locust Street in 2019. Katie Terrell was hired as Hope House's first House Manager in 2021. The nonprofit's board saw a need to hire a full-time person to live in the house after COVID when numbers were down in both volunteers and women. Katie is originally from Clinton County, and was doing missionary work in Spain prior to moving back home to be closer to family. Katie's interview with Real Change Wilmington discusses Hope House's history, services, reasons that bring women there, what sex-trafficking looks like in Clinton County, and even addresses some community concerns and criticisms, such as women being allowed back who break the rules. To get in touch with Katie to ask additional questions, volunteer, donate, or stay, please call (937) 366-1123, visit hopehousewilmington.org, or email hopehouse45177@gmail.com. Listen to the full interview with Hope House on your favorite Podcast player: 🍎 Apple: https://bit.ly/rcwp-apple 🤖 Google: https://bit.ly/rcwp-google 🟢 Spotify: https://bit.ly/rcwp-spotify 🎥 YouTube: https://bit.ly/rcwp-youtube 😎 Website: https://bit.ly/rcwp-website

The Clinton County Workforce Collaborative (CCWC) met on Wednesday June 14th for their regular monthly meeting. During the meeting topics like the Clinton County Fellows Program, how local schools and businesses can connect, and plans for the CCWC's social media were discussed. Dessie Rogers (Clinton County Chamber of Commerce) and Ruth Brindle (Clinton County Port Authority) lead the meeting, beginning with the introduction of the Clinton County Fellows Program. This program was formed under the partnership of Energize Clinton County and the Regional Planning Committee and works to place college level interns with local businesses focused on projects involving change and sustainability. Rogers and Brindle stated that there are currently 3 Fellows interested in working with local business and the CCWC has taken one, Garrett Simmons, under their guidance to assist them on their upcoming projects. To learn more about the Clinton County Fellows Program you can visit their website (here). During the "Work Group Breakout Session" Rogers and Brindle brainstormed with the attendees on what kinds of contact and communication from local schools that businesses want, and how to best utilize their resource guide (School and Community Connections Resource Guide) from both sides. Some of the ideas from local business owners and employees were: More contacts at the schools from staff other than guidance counselors, to help gage students interest in things like business tours and job shadowing. Adding Career Pathing to the guide or in another easy use document Working with the schools to provide marketing inside the schools for internships, partnerships, and other opportunities for students to work with local businesses Grade level sorting on the Resource Guide for ease of use to find opportunities Working with the CCYC and other after school organizations to provide opportunities to students The meeting concluded with creating an action plan to use social media, of both local businesses and the CCWC, to connect the citizens of Clinton County with the Resource Guide. Next month's meeting will be held on Wednesday July 12th at the Southern Ohio Educational Service Center and will discuss planning for the October Job and Resource Fair. If you have questions or want more information about the CCWC please email Dessie Rogers at dbuchanan@wccchamber.com or visit the CCWC page on the Chamber of Commerce site (here).

Brad and Tricia Heys shared their first kiss outside of 345 Lincoln Street, what is now Kava Haus. The two had been working together at Kings Island over the summer, and Brad had a mutual friend orchestrate a party so he could tell Tricia how he felt. Years later, they had the opportunity to tour the building again when it went up for sale with the sole intention of reminiscing old memories, but when they showed up, the sellers remembered the couple and were adamant about selling them the building. Brad and Tricia offered what they could afford, and the rest is history. Brad’s original idea was to open a “gourmet hot dog stand”, but Tricia thought the building was too beautiful and they pivoted to coffee without any prior experience—other than Brad bartending on weekends at The General Denver under Jen Purkey for 10 years. “Being a barista and bartending, the only difference is the strength of the drink” says Brad. The name ‘Kava Haus’ pulls from Brad’s Slovak heritage, “Kava”, meaning “Coffee”, and Tricia’s German heritage, “Haus”, meaning “House”. The two moved into the Kava Haus building with their kids and grew the business slowly. Some evenings they would be eating dinner as a family and have to stop and serve a customer who walked in. They expanded to a second location in Xenia in 2022 when their daughter noticed a coffee shop that she frequented closed. Brad met with the owner to lease the space, then the owner sold him the building 3 months later. Brad has even made space at their Wilmington location for music teachers to give lessons after For A Song and A Story closed next door. Though Brad and Jen, his old boss, remained good friends throughout the years, their schedules made it hard to connect until recently when the two started discussing ideas of opening a new restaurant (not for gourmet hot dogs—”the women in my life won’t let me” Brad says). Those conversations became a catalyst for Jen becoming a partner at Kava Haus and expanding their menu. “We have as much fun experimenting with the recipes as anything” says Brad. They recently released a from-scratch waffle with homemade maple butter that can be ordered as a sandwich called a ‘Wammie’. Other new menu items include quiches, salads, and cakes, as well as monthly dinners by reservation only. For more information follow their Facebook.

Every year in Wilmington hundreds of plants suffer to clear out homeless camps. This summer dozens will be rescued to 'Beautify Sugartree'. Will you be an angel for a helpless plant? Every year innocent plants are cut down, ground up, and turned to mulch and they're crying out for help. Please, give these plants a new home at Sugartree Ministries now. For just $25, you'll help rescue plants and help make Wilmington's downtown a more beautiful place to call home. Right now there's a plant that needs you. Your contribution says, "I'm here to help". Please, contribute now by going to https://www.realchangewilmington.com/beautifysugartree